A legal loophole today prevented police from prosecuting a man eating a doughnut in broad daylight. The legal loophole was confirmed by a police spokesman, who confirmed that eating baked goods in the middle of the day was not an offence.
“”While it is not illegal, police do not encourage people to drink alcohol while driving and they would certainly stop them and check their alcohol consumption,” said Ms Richardson.”
And this is equally stupid talk from the cop. Why didn’t they say “police discourage people”?
“A couple who have watched far too many US-made police dramas were stunned to discover that the New Zealand legal system isn’t just like it is on Special Victims Unit”.
Priceless.
It is a great way to wind up stuffed shirts and tut-tutting old dears in other cars.
At traffic lights have you window down, arm resting on the door, take a gulp out of a bottle of Lion Red, give them a naughty/letcherous wink and ask them if they want a swig too!
A great way to start a weekend in a good mood.
I’m surprised people are surprised. But then again, I’m not really surprised as so many people do so little thinking. Most people just follow the popular girls around, which only achieves…. well, um ….. not sure actually …. nothing.
But then again, Iâm not really surprised as so many people do so little thinking.
Actually, I’m thinking that’s a case of people doing too much thinking. They don’t like something and think that it should be illegal and so decide that it is. And then act as if it is and then get surprised and upset when they find out that it isn’t.
I now wouldn’t be surprised if National put through an emergency law change making it illegal to drink while driving.
no no …. they’ll pass a law not only making it illegal, but conscripting them into the army. Show ’em some discipline! Those pesky beneficiaries could also be drafted in the same way (to make them productive).
still …. we should not be giving them original ideas outside of their learned ideology and dogma
This is a story about England’s schools, but it could just as well describe the razing of state provision throughout the world. In the name of freedom, public assets are being forcibly removed from popular control and handed to unelected oligarchs.
All over England, schools are being obliged to become academies: supposedly autonomous bodies which are often “sponsored” (the government’s euphemism for controlled) by foundations established by exceedingly rich people. The break-up of the education system in this country, like the dismantling of the NHS, reflects no widespread public demand. It is imposed, through threats, bribes and fake consultations, from on high.
Sounds exactly like what is happening to NZs schools courtesy of this government.
Stuff.co.nz this morning – “Parata ignored Education Ministry warning”. (Christchurch)
No. Key and Joyce ignored Education Ministry warnings. Just not interested. “We’ll do what WE want to do. Period.”
The morning on which she wakes up as plain old Lady Gardiner draws closer. Oh the shame.
Not for Key though. Lauded for decisiveness by his puppies in the media he’ll be happy as. The story about the story will be bigger than the story. Mr Bean’s cousin Gower probably has what he fancies is a definitive one-liner already written.
Key’s denial that his gushing acolyte Parata is cannon fodder was a Freudian lie.
Yep she ignored advice that the demographics were still changing in Chch post-earthquake and that the changes needed to wait to see where those demographics settled.
Pretty fucking obvious.
So why have they not done that? Why have they barged ahead?
To think a quarter of a century ago, I almost bought a house off her ‘better half’ alongside a wife that was a little smarter than Hekia. There goes a lucky escape! I’m glad I trust my instincts especially as I write, that eternal sage of the 4th Estate (ONE Network News) reports that the U.S. “Stoke Exchange” has reached an ALL TIME high, not seen since the GFC. I’m not sure they see the significance in what they just pronounced either.
And here we have the NaCts puffing up the benefits of esset sales … those mum in dead vestas should have confdince … that same sort of confdince they had in all those finance companies that went tits-up (pardon the expression QoT but it is actually the image I want to portray – as in those with tits being on the bottom bunk in every sense) – substitute expression as you see fit (perhaps instead of mum in dead vestas – substitute “soft-cocks”)
“They have a fund with a couple of hundred million in it,” enthused Kassianos, a former US economics professor who assumed the mayorship of Homer’s fabled isle three years ago. “And as far as I know they want to buy all 18 of the islands, the whole lot.
“There is a stupid law because in Greece we do everything upside down</B," lamented Kassianos. "That law says that whatever the size of your land, your home can be no bigger than 250 sq m. The emir has reacted to this saying his WC is 250 sq m and his kitchen alone has to be 1,000 sq m, because otherwise how is he going to feed all his guests?"
To appease the locals, the Qatari, who is also being heavily courted by the government to invest in Greece, has promised to come bearing gifts. “His people said ‘what present can we give you?’ and I said the island needs water desperately,” said Kassianos. “A study to lay a pipeline from the mainland is already under way. That’s not bad when we’ve been trying to get a new port here for the past 40 years.”
Welfare reforms and health sector reforms: How the dots can be joined together –
In 2007 and 2008 the National Party repeatedly fed the media with selected few stories about âGP bullyingâ – by claimants of the sickness benefit. Work and Incomeâs Principal Health Advisor Dr Bratt seemed to grab that topic up quite willingly then. Now though it seems GPs get âbulliedâ (or rather âconvinced to doâ) what MSD and WINZ under the present government want them to do.
Since National’s been in government, theyâve appointed and promote selected professional people into key jobs in the public health and welfare sectors. Most, if not all, appear to be resolute proponents for adopting a âfirmâ approach to health care and welfare. It can all be sourced back to similar moves made in the UK under the auspices of Professor Mansel Aylward, former UK DWP Chief Medical Officer, now consulting MSD and at least one NZ Health Board. He’s still in charge of a department at Cardiff University.
These key persons are resolutely pushing ahead with an already decided agenda behind the scenes, by bringing in changes in training, recruiting, lobbying and influencing existing and prospective medical practitioners and other health professionals. The welfare reforms before Parliament are just part of the greater agenda. The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act is largely only intended to deliver the âframeworkâ for the UK system in welfare and work capacity assessments done by selected medical professionals, that is intended to be introduced. The Select Committee process with hearing submissions is likely to change little, like with other bills the NatACT government has hammered through already.
Here are another abundance of sources for info that can enlighten readers: http://www.nzohna.org.nz/uploaded/Dr%20David%20Beaumont%20New%20Horizons%2013%209%202012.pdf
(Presentation by Dr David Beaumont: âWelfare Reform in New Zealand â Relevance to the Workplaceââ as part of a forum called âNew Horizons: Rebuilding Health and Safety on Solid Groundâ; Christchurch 13 September 2012)
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-beaumont/2a/780/943
(Linked In page of Dr Beaumont, formerly also working for âAtos Origin Healthcareâ in the UK. He’s been promoting the UK style medical and work capacity tests for many years; he’s also been advising MSD here in NZ)
http://www.healthworkforce.govt.nz/about-us/board-members
(Dr Des Gorman, well known from his advisory role to ACC for many years, and for some highly controversial recommendations. He’s now also âbossâ of âHealth Work Force NZâ, set up to develop recruitment and training strategies for health sector employees in the NZ health sector)
When I read your comments Xtasy, I wonder if these designated doctors are open to being struck off, or at least, reprimanded, in cases where their zeal puts a patient’s life or health in danger.
Also, the cutting of the sole parent benefit in Australia once the youngest child turns eight has drawn criticism from the UN as a violation of human rights.
Gillard is dismissing the report here, but someone I spoke to on the phone last night said that it now looks as if the UN attention might cause a partial back down on her part.
Gillard is in a very weak position in Oz. Stupid Labour politicians trying to appear more Right Wing ahead of elections. Is this a disease they all come down with?
Yes I would love to know what is driving this, since it is destroying centre-left parties all over the western world. Is it fear? Addiction to keeping one’s place among those in the know? Touting for corporate donations? Something else? Certainly the powerful have got a firm hold on the economic steering wheel, but that does not mean they must go unchallenged.
Its not fear or addiction, its a desire to control every aspect of human existence, via the corrupted individuals who masquerade as public servants, in NZ, and elsewhere.
The mesh of international legal treaties, agreements, and other *signed into* contracts, mean that there is likely very few people who have any idea of what NZ (as a so called sovereign nations), *obligations* to foreign entities are. We get to see many the results of the obligations, played out via *policy* and *reforms*, that much is certain.
When these international treaties, agreements and contracts, are underlayed by the thousands of domestic statutes, bills etc, how it is possible to have a clue about who is controlling what, as it relates to NZ!
It takes incredible power to engineer the social/financial breakdowns we witness around the world, and at home in NZ, power that many don’t/can’t accept exists.
In order to *defend*, first you have to know who/what your attacker is, only then can a hopeful strategy be formed!
Well part of it is when the likes of Dastiari? who’s come from a background of living hell gain influence, and who hold that “we don’t know how lucky we are” attitude. In my day …. etc., etc., etc.
And Gillard is supposed to be part of Labor’s left FFS! Tell me where that definition fits!
LABOR (Oz) dropped the “U” in Labour, and as far as I can see, Labour NZ is well on the way to doing likewise.
Gillard is toast it appears, made a mess of Kev’s mining tax dumbing it down so that after all the angst it’s pretty much offset by tax credits and generating SFA extra tax revenue.
So make way for the barking mad Abbott and his bunch of Costellos.
In principle a ‘designated doctor’ paid by MSD or WINZ has to abide to the rules set out in the Code of Ethics of the NZ Medical Association, to which Medical Council members bind themselves.
There are also these publications by the Medical Council that are of relevance:
It is absolutely recommended to bring a support person along, to take notes and be a witness if any questions may arise after an “examination”. But then the following needs to be taken note of:
Many WINZ clients sadly fail to prepare well, go unaccompanied and ill prepared, and in some cases it can be like going as a lamb to the slaughter.
Bear in mind, the H+D Commissioner only usually looks closer and investigates about one out of ten complaints. In most cases doctors over-stepping their duties and responsibilities, and breaching code and law in some way, will not be struck off, but just be warned, I would presume.
Only very serious cases may succeed to be taken to a Tribunal or court, and then it is all dependent on evidence and strength of submissions. Most beneficiaries would already feel over-stressed just preparing a strong case of complaint to the HDC Office.
What they are doing under Future Focus and the Dr Bratt led “mentoring”, “liaising with” and even “training” of GPs as designated doctors is certainly raising major legal issues already.
Just a note to point out that under earlier commissioner Ron Patterson, the HDC investigated around 40% of reported complaints (breaches of the Health and Disabilities Code).
In more recent times this number has dwindled to less than 10%. [ Sorry don’t have a ref but my friend was talking about someone’s research into this a couple of years ago. Since then it may have lowered even more.]
You can see this reduction by the number of cases the HDC reports by year on their website which have dropped off under the new commissioner, but the number of complaints have risen.
The level of stress for those on sickness and invalid benefit may actually be causing people to become dependent on drugs, alcohol, gambling and increasing family violence due to the pressure which Work and Income are creating.
The cost of housing is dragging the unemployed and the employed down and some are actually clinically depressed. People who work are dependent on WFF and other supplements, not just those who are on a main benefit.
Addressing why a person is on a benefit is the starting point.
I have personal experience of this when I was shifted by a new GP from IB back to sickness. As soon as the “pressure” began my condition began to worsen and I became increasingly disorientated and dissociated until I could barely function at all. Thankfully I eventually was placed back on IB but I live with the fear that it could happen again.
Anyone who works with me (treatment providers) know that I’m doing everything I can. I want to work because frankly it is more than money, it is a relief to belong and be with people who aren’t constantly assessing your mental state and noting down every move.
Badgering me to, “get a job, get a job get a job..”, – **WE KNOW!** doesn’t make it faster.
It’s a big like having an all knowing big brother continuously telling you what is best for you and how you should do it, except I can’t break the family bondage regardless of where I move to in the country or how many times I change my number.
What would be really helpful is if they listened to my treatment providers and did everything they could to support costs applied for rather than looking for ways to decline them. It would also help if they stayed away from me as much as possible because they are a direct cause of stress and ongoing disempowerment.
Work and Income are generally oblivious to worsening a situation. Worse still is when a psychiatrist talks through his arse.
I know what it is like to feel disconnected, commenting on the Standard does have a therapeutic value re connecting. Time and time again I see comments from people who give a damn about the type of society we live in and the direction it is going in.
Re what you wrote above:
“What would be really helpful is if they listened to my treatment providers and did everything they could to support costs applied for rather than looking for ways to decline them. It would also help if they stayed away from me as much as possible because they are a direct cause of stress and ongoing disempowerment.”
You are absolutely right, and I have been through similar experiences with a designated doctor assessment some time back, and a following MAB appeal hearing, that was already “tainted” with the new staunch “Future Focus” (“Future Fuckup”) ideology. They were meant to look rather at what I “could do” than what I “could not do”. So they pulled out some hypothetical kind of BS presumptions and claimed that such activities could be done in a job for at least 15 hours a week.
This is now happening to hundreds if not thousands of reviewed IB cases, and also are Sickness Benefit recipients increasingly considered “fit” to do at least some part time training or work.
They (MSD, WINZ and their chosen doctors) are walking an extremely thight rope there, as hypothetical work is purely speculative, and also have some scientific reports found, that GPs (who are mostly relied on as “designated doctors”) are generally not well qualified at all to make competent assessments on mentally ill for instance (apart from the personal bias many have).
Yet I would always still rather trust my own GP, or another truly NEUTRAL GP, than any of the “trained” and at least moderately biased “designated doctors” they mostly use. And re treatment and support, the actual specialists that know their work, they should be involved for sure.
So imagine the horror scenario where they will have separate work capability assessments designed by MSD, besides of medical practitioners and the likes in future. That is what they are intending to bring in, to have WINZ Health and Disability Advisors and also “outsourced” providers do the assessing. We will have the same kinds of suicides and other deaths as they had in the UK over recent years. It is CRIMINAL what they are doing.
xtasy I am going to spend a bit of time looking at all the links you have supplied. I have an interest in PTSD and complex PTSD. I am looking forward to the DSM V ( being printed in May 2013) as PTSD will have its own separate section.
Treetop: Thanks for your interest. I have no direct info on PTSD, but I am also interested in the new DSM V publication. I am concerned that some conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome are not accepted as a proper separate condition or disorder by some medical “experts”.
I just wonder how the future assessors for WINZ will treat the DSM V and what true medical specialists (not just some GPs) diagnose and say to them.
Please feel free also, yes do what you can, to spread any info and links to other interested persons. The more learn about all this, the better. There is so much at stake for the people affected.
Winston, for one, would be happy to recite it back to them and combine it with one of his own trademark phrases: ‘Yes, it’s time to move on … from the failed policies of the past that both of the old parties keep following …’.
Is anyone going to go see Hordur Torfason (as advertised on the main page)? I would have really loved to but I’ll be in Japan when he is here. If anyone goes can they do a little write up or blog so those who can’t attend can get an idea of what it was like?
Apparently women in the UK have ‘turned left’ in droves. Seamus Milne suggests that it’s probably because they are bearing the brunt of the austerity push in the public sector and more generally.
Apparently women were more likely than men to vote Conservative, historically.
Has there been any tracking of gender-based voting in the recent polls in New Zealand? I haven’t heard any reports about it. If I remember correctly, Key apparently gained women’s votes for National to an unprecedented extent in the last two elections.
The backers of a poll say John Key is losing support among women.
A Fairfax/Ipsos poll has 39% of women supporting National, with females more likely to see the prime minister as a polarising figure following issues such as the class sizes controversy.
It is difficult to quantify a trend, as the Fairfax/Ipos poll is the first of its type.
However, Fairfax points to other polls before the last election that showed 50% of women supported National.
“Women swing voters have become particularly crucial in modern New Zealand elections,” Otago University political scientist Bryce Edwards told NBR ONLINE.
“John Key will be well aware of that, and also well aware that his relatively strong performance in winning women over to National in 2008 was absolutely crucial to getting into government,” Mr Edwards said.
“His strong appeal to women swing voters, was both ideological â not being too right-wing â and not being too much of a boring traditional politician.
But the reasons given for past support of Key by women are pretty superficial -image over substance. In contrast the Guardian article focuses on the austerity policies as causing a shift to the left by women.
And yet, we have a Labour caucus leadership that is male-dominated and seems keen on pursuing some version of the mythical “Waitakere”.
Maybe the NZ party strategists are looking at the wrong focus group questions, and missing the significance of policy changes to large numbers of NZ women?
Given that, and since they seem to be better at logic and critical analysis (women I mean), I was going to ask Why Hekia, Why Paula. And I was also thinking a little ‘deeper’ than that in terms of what corrupted process has kicked in given their indigenous background that identifies with – indeed, relies on collectivity. I suspect a Cargo Cult – especially when you look at that British Colonial Uniform number that Hekia often wears. Not sure about Pulla though! Africa maybe? Leopard skin? the hunt? In any event, they’re not only aberrations, they’re both very UGLY people in every sense of the word.
Funny! as in funny as a fart – in the neighbourhood, someone is playing that Burly Chassis number “Goldfinger” as I hit the submit button.
Me thinks “Gold Digger”. As I said – very ugly specimens, in EVERY sense of the word – and best of luck to Wira – cock driven/remembering the days of the cock-driven, that he proves hisself to be.
Condolences Wira – well, maybe not! What were you thinking? Ah – OK – you weren’t actually that bright – just another (as my relatives would put it) brown Pakeha.
Actually, I think my next party vote is verging on Mana.
we only have our own worlds to look at so naturally there can be no wider inference, but i know more women who voted National than men, and of the men who did most were married to a woman who voted national and of them most of the men have changed their tune but oddly the women have not
That’s the reverse of what I always thought. I thought men were traditionally more likely to vote right-wing than women, and that right-wing parties struggled for female support.
That made sense to me because women and children are more likely to be harshly affected by right-wing policies.
What has happened to IrishBill’s suggestion that posters on The Standard start discussing and formulating some alternative policies for Labour/left ? (It was IrishBill , wasn’t it ?)
the Labour Party is coming up to its regional conferences – some time in May – which will all be
promoting various policies to take to the annual conference in November 2013.
This annual conf is being held in Christchurch and has been touted as the “policy making” conference.
So now is the time to get into thinking/discussing realistic policies for the left. Let us have your ideas please.
As a starter – perhaps we could re-think the raising of the superannuation age to 67 years ?
Is this absolutely necessary ? What alternatives could there be ? Does anyone know what Greypower thinks of that proposal ?
Yes wasn’t that a grand policy for Labour to headline it’s 2011 election campaign with, with numbers straight from Treasury Phill Goff strode the election stage proudly proclaiming that the New Zealand workers earning the least amount of wages and therefore least able to save would if they voted for Labour get done out of at least 2 years of superannuation by Labour,
Damn easy to see why Labour lost that one right, a policy so far away from Labour’s supposed working class base that if it wasn’t an actual election strategy it would have been totally laughable,
But, to the present, some policy that Labour should do more than consider,
(1), The raising of the minimum wage by $1.50 an hour each and every year that Labour is next the Government,
That alone would be an election winner that this Slippery lead National Government in no way could match and Dave could stomp the country for the next 18 months delivering such a policy which would add some meat to His present hollow mouthing’s about the bloke he met in the pub,
Labour have the Treasury report that categorically states that raising the minimum wage will not lead to job losses, National would collectively disembowel it’self rather than try and match such a policy,
(2), A building strategy that includes the addition of 4000 State Rental properties for the next ten
years to take the States portfolio to over 100,000 units,
Labour know this is needed, the numbers do not lie, for a population of 3.3 million we had 75,000 State Rentals,
For a population of 4.4 million we only have 65,000 State rentals, the number of those struggling on low wages has risen not declined and Labour need get busy building a new city north oof the Bombay Hills…
Thanks Bad12 – I’ll add your suggestions to my list, and btw – I, too, thought the super age rise was a silly and miserable policy to announce during the election campaign. It took many Labour supporters by surprise and many do not like it, nor think it necessary. There are other ways to deal with the baby boomer super bump.
Yeah tah much Jenny, my opinion is of course that these 2 areas in particular shouldn’t need including on any list by delegates, they should simply be core Party policy,
My other view, and this is off of the back of an idea i heard floated (from i think inside Labour), is that the Government spend from A to Z needs looking at in terms of monies being needlessly spent into other economies when the work, jobs, profits, and taxation from this ‘spend’ would be far more beneficial if all those billions were spent in New Zealand,
Obviously to spend all of Governments redistribution of taxation within the New Zealand economy is now problematic with all the ‘free trade agreements’ now in existence,
However, where there’s a will there is a way and from KiwiBank on down Labour should be looking at how it CAN bring that Government spend home from other economies to be spent strictly in New Zealand,
Labour should not be shy here in establishing it’s own State Owned Enterprises so as to enable the establishment of the necessary infrastructure so that the full spending of the Government is of benefit to New Zealand first and foremost…
To Bad12 “My other view, and this is off of the back of an idea i heard floated (from i think inside Labour), is that the Government spend from A to Z needs looking at in terms of monies being needlessly spent into other economies when the work, jobs, profits, and taxation from this âspendâ would be far more beneficial if all those billions were spent in New Zealand,”
This is part of the procurement policy which Labour has already adopted. ie having govt depts keep tenders to NZ tenderers not to o/seas ones – as much as possible – so the money stays here.
And of course there should be some “core Party policy” which just goes on and on until its made legal and real – but unfortunately Mr Shearer has said he’ll be looking at all Labour’s policy again –
so the matters which were touted at the 2011 gen election and supported by Labour people such as the minimum wage being $15pwk are all having to be re-looked at – re-negotiated is maybe another way of putting it. Hence the need for a “list” of basics along with new ideas.
Yeah Jenny that procurement policy is good economics, specially when we are talking up to 30 billion dollars a year,
The employment and extra income from taxation involved would be huge for this country if it were all spent in New Zealand, KiwiBank should be the Governments banker even if it needs building up with some extra cash from the Government,
The fact that the simplest of left wing policy needs negotiating in the Party is probably why i and a lot of others are now not members…
+ 1 What the hell were they thinking with a policy of raising the retirement age? That is something you would expect ACT to come with, how many blue collars would die on the job? Glad right thinking Goff is out of leader just wish he will bugger off altogether. If DC set up a real party I would join up straight away!
Brian Edwards’ open display of disaffection on “The Panel”
Radio New Zealand National, Tuesday 5 March 2013.
Jim Mora, Noelle McCarthy, Michelle Boag, Brian Edwards
“The Panel” is billed as “the news of the day in a different way”, but there’s actually little in it, other than the absence of commercial breaks, to distinguish it from the glib and hollow chatter to be found on NewstalkZB or RadioLIVE. Host Jim Mora’s determination to keep things “light” (read, “glib”) has long outworn any charms it may once have had. His guests occasionally cavil at the triteness and vacuity of the topics selected for discussion and the once-over-lightly handling of them. Raybon Kan, Gary McCormick, and Anna Chin have openly criticized the choice of topics on the air, and it’s clear by their occasional long silences, and refusals to laugh at Mora’s jokes, that many other guests are as concerned as the listeners by the lessening standards of the show.
Today, even the notoriously indulgent Dr. Brian Edwards was at the end of his patience after only a couple of minutes of pre-show banter…
MORA: Michelle, you’re looking SPLENDID in your new coat!
MICHELLE BOAG: [primly] Thank you.
MORA: Maya blue, it is.
BOAG: Is it?
MORA: I looked it up. ….[Awkward silence]…. Especially.
[Long, awkward silence…]
NOELLE McCARTHY: I would have said sky blue. Or light blue…
[Long, awkward silence…]
MORA: Light blue, yes.
BRIAN EDWARDS: Why are we DISCUSSING this?
MORA: We were just saying Michelle has on a particularly lovely Maya blue coat.
EDWARDS: We go through this every time we’re on the programme! Okay, I’m wearing a nice paisley tie and a striped shirt. All right?
MORA: Brian is looking very sartorial!
EDWARDS: Pshaw!
et cetera, ad infinitum, ad absurdum, ad nauseam….
Oh phuk! – you don’t actually expect more from Mora do you? He (or his producer), whether intenionally, or by prejudice subscibes to the Fox News way of doing things.
LOOK at the line-up for a start – WHICH amongst the ‘balance’ could remotely be called ‘of the left’ – let alone that ‘new left’ – somewhere to the right.
Pour me a Chardonnay will you?
Awe please …. pretty please ….. OK do you want me to gravel?! ANd some actually accuse RNZ of being left wing apologists!
Speaking of which, Kathryn Ryan must have negotiated the best employment deal ever (one that, thankfully results in an Arts on Sunday reliever).
How many days leave did she manage to get in her contract?
Did you hear Mora laughing at Graham Bell’s use of terms like ‘vermin’, ‘germ’ this afternoon? Really funny to dehumanise people, Jim.
I think the victims of the Rwandan massacres were called cockroaches…and of course the 3rd Reich were past masters at using language to demonise people.
What is Mora doing condoning such behaviours?
Good opinion piece in The Guardian online from Seumas Milne charting the leftward march of women voters. He points to the appointment of Frances O’Grady as the first woman leader of the Trades Union Congress in the UK. I imagine it’s no coincidence that here in NZ we have the redoubtable Helen Kelly as head of the CTU.
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Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a âmoisture-ladenâ long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own governmentâs fiscal policies raised issues of substance. âToday in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media â sure enough â have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willisâ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra â that the Budget âwill deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing.  Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – Itâs becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-MÄori andâŠ. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you donât like and donât ...
Don Brash writes –Â As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that countryâs mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isnât already pretty well-off? Itâs as if protecting landlordsâ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of Nationalâs ...
 Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, itâs that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxonâs ...
Robert MacCulloch writes –Â The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this yearâs Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran OâSullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm â a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon â note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinsonâs analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana â or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. Itâs a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealandâs highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes –Â Â Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – âIt is often said that behind every great man is a great womanâ. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their âLadies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxonâ. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Petersâ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes â If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshubâs closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
The Coalition Governmentâs plan to âget Auckland movingâ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities sheâs meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Governmentâs archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the Americaâs Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it wonât stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Memberâs Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labourâs change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand Firstâs State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared âco-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te PÄti MÄori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. âIâm calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to âtake back our countryâ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jonesâ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Governmentâs fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Governmentâs miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesnât act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. âIt was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. âThe Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.  âThis travel will focus on a range of New Zealandâs traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,â Mr Peters says.  Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. âRoad safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. âOur relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliamentâs order paper. âThe Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,â Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams wonât be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. âThe coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. âDam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. âI have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. âThe Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023â24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the governmentâs finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Governmentâs Budget objectives. âThe coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                        âThe Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.  âThese changes are long overdue â the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealandâs growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Ministerâs Prizes for Space today. âNew Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealandâs concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. Â Â âThe Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Educationâs School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. âThere is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. âToday I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of Peopleâs Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. âThe use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,â Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. âWeâre sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealandâs ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. Â Â âI am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. âI have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commissionâs online consultation portal.â Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. âComprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. âI would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. âThis is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women donât ...
Good morning, itâs great to be here.  First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Governmentâs ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Governmentâs commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools MÄori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. âThe Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, Iâm proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of todayâs address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and Iâm sorry I canât be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the WhangÄrei site where the facility will be constructed. âNorthland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata MÄori 20 years ago, says MÄori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisationâs 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Opposition MPs and unions are criticising a proposal by New Zealandâs Ministry of Pacific Peoples to cut staff by 40 percent. The countryâs largest trade union â The Public Service Association â says the ministry has informed staff that it is looking to shed 63 of 156 positions. Opposition MPs ...
A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton. Daughtr of the 90s when she gets promoted to usherette a baby blu eel carries her all the way up to mothership sheâs hovering high she lets the underaged in to see keanu reeves she lets the only lonely ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article â Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? â looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Booksâ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10869480
Busy body central in this morning’s Herald.
Oh FFS that headline is stupid. It’s not a “legal loophole” at all, it’s just not illegal.
It’s like saying “man gets away with walking in a park due to legal loophole”
A legal loophole today prevented police from prosecuting a man eating a doughnut in broad daylight. The legal loophole was confirmed by a police spokesman, who confirmed that eating baked goods in the middle of the day was not an offence.
+1 đ
“”While it is not illegal, police do not encourage people to drink alcohol while driving and they would certainly stop them and check their alcohol consumption,” said Ms Richardson.”
And this is equally stupid talk from the cop. Why didn’t they say “police discourage people”?
Great to know we can carry on the OZ tradition of ‘A Traveller’ legally, good to see granny focusing on the big issues.
“A couple who have watched far too many US-made police dramas were stunned to discover that the New Zealand legal system isn’t just like it is on Special Victims Unit”.
Priceless.
It is a great way to wind up stuffed shirts and tut-tutting old dears in other cars.
At traffic lights have you window down, arm resting on the door, take a gulp out of a bottle of Lion Red, give them a naughty/letcherous wink and ask them if they want a swig too!
A great way to start a weekend in a good mood.
Need AC/DC cranking out of all speakers
Have you ever been out West Auckland CV? Some people think it is compulsory …
lol…indeed, I drove by DC’s electorate office a couple of weeks ago with the sounds cranking…”when in Rome” đ
I would have played The Animals: We Gotta Get Out of This Place…
What about Coldplay’s “Paradise”?
I’m surprised people are surprised. But then again, I’m not really surprised as so many people do so little thinking. Most people just follow the popular girls around, which only achieves…. well, um ….. not sure actually …. nothing.
Actually, I’m thinking that’s a case of people doing too much thinking. They don’t like something and think that it should be illegal and so decide that it is. And then act as if it is and then get surprised and upset when they find out that it isn’t.
I now wouldn’t be surprised if National put through an emergency law change making it illegal to drink while driving.
no no …. they’ll pass a law not only making it illegal, but conscripting them into the army. Show ’em some discipline! Those pesky beneficiaries could also be drafted in the same way (to make them productive).
still …. we should not be giving them original ideas outside of their learned ideology and dogma
I now wouldnât be surprised if National put through an emergency law change making it illegal to drink while driving.
Coffee wouldn’t let it happen.
đ
I now wouldnât be surprised if National put through an emergency law change making it illegal to drink while driving.
Only if you’re a beneficiary. You shouldn’t be drinking if you are a beneficiary. Wasting tax payers money.
Hang on though you are driving and drinking. Wasting tax payers money on a car……
What you have shoes?
your plan doesn’t work if you’re driving a Ford
Holden all the way bro.. đ
With threats and bribes, Gove forces schools to accept his phoney ‘freedom’
Sounds exactly like what is happening to NZs schools courtesy of this government.
That is no doubt why Parata is rounding off her Europe trip with a visit to England to assess the damage there so she can emulate it here.
Stuff.co.nz this morning – “Parata ignored Education Ministry warning”. (Christchurch)
No. Key and Joyce ignored Education Ministry warnings. Just not interested. “We’ll do what WE want to do. Period.”
The morning on which she wakes up as plain old Lady Gardiner draws closer. Oh the shame.
Not for Key though. Lauded for decisiveness by his puppies in the media he’ll be happy as. The story about the story will be bigger than the story. Mr Bean’s cousin Gower probably has what he fancies is a definitive one-liner already written.
Key’s denial that his gushing acolyte Parata is cannon fodder was a Freudian lie.
Yep she ignored advice that the demographics were still changing in Chch post-earthquake and that the changes needed to wait to see where those demographics settled.
Pretty fucking obvious.
So why have they not done that? Why have they barged ahead?
To think a quarter of a century ago, I almost bought a house off her ‘better half’ alongside a wife that was a little smarter than Hekia. There goes a lucky escape! I’m glad I trust my instincts especially as I write, that eternal sage of the 4th Estate (ONE Network News) reports that the U.S. “Stoke Exchange” has reached an ALL TIME high, not seen since the GFC. I’m not sure they see the significance in what they just pronounced either.
And here we have the NaCts puffing up the benefits of esset sales … those mum in dead vestas should have confdince … that same sort of confdince they had in all those finance companies that went tits-up (pardon the expression QoT but it is actually the image I want to portray – as in those with tits being on the bottom bunk in every sense) – substitute expression as you see fit (perhaps instead of mum in dead vestas – substitute “soft-cocks”)
Qatari emir buys six Greek islands for a song
No words really!
Welfare reforms and health sector reforms: How the dots can be joined together –
In 2007 and 2008 the National Party repeatedly fed the media with selected few stories about âGP bullyingâ – by claimants of the sickness benefit. Work and Incomeâs Principal Health Advisor Dr Bratt seemed to grab that topic up quite willingly then. Now though it seems GPs get âbulliedâ (or rather âconvinced to doâ) what MSD and WINZ under the present government want them to do.
Since National’s been in government, theyâve appointed and promote selected professional people into key jobs in the public health and welfare sectors. Most, if not all, appear to be resolute proponents for adopting a âfirmâ approach to health care and welfare. It can all be sourced back to similar moves made in the UK under the auspices of Professor Mansel Aylward, former UK DWP Chief Medical Officer, now consulting MSD and at least one NZ Health Board. He’s still in charge of a department at Cardiff University.
These key persons are resolutely pushing ahead with an already decided agenda behind the scenes, by bringing in changes in training, recruiting, lobbying and influencing existing and prospective medical practitioners and other health professionals. The welfare reforms before Parliament are just part of the greater agenda. The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Act is largely only intended to deliver the âframeworkâ for the UK system in welfare and work capacity assessments done by selected medical professionals, that is intended to be introduced. The Select Committee process with hearing submissions is likely to change little, like with other bills the NatACT government has hammered through already.
Here are another abundance of sources for info that can enlighten readers:
http://www.nzohna.org.nz/uploaded/Dr%20David%20Beaumont%20New%20Horizons%2013%209%202012.pdf
(Presentation by Dr David Beaumont: âWelfare Reform in New Zealand â Relevance to the Workplaceââ as part of a forum called âNew Horizons: Rebuilding Health and Safety on Solid Groundâ; Christchurch 13 September 2012)
http://www.fitforwork.co.nz/dr-david-beaumonts-message-to-doctors-conference-medical-certification-can-be-fraught-with-problems-for-gps
(Presenting at the General Practice Conference and Medical Exhibition of 11-12 June 2011, Fit For Work Medical Director Dr David Beaumont emphasised the vital role of New Zealand GPs in âhelpingâ their patients return to work)
http://www.fitforwork.co.nz/david-beaumont-and-colleagues-presenting-on-health-benefits-of-work
(âNewsâ fr. âFit For Workâ, by Dr D. Beaumont, featuring Kevin Morris, Director, ACC, at a forum organised by AFOEM and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians; 12.05.2012)
http://nz.linkedin.com/pub/david-beaumont/2a/780/943
(Linked In page of Dr Beaumont, formerly also working for âAtos Origin Healthcareâ in the UK. He’s been promoting the UK style medical and work capacity tests for many years; he’s also been advising MSD here in NZ)
http://www.wellnz.co.nz/about_us/press_release_details.asp?pressID=36&bhcp=1
(On the Australasian Faculty of Occupational and Environmental Medicineâs release of a new position paper, entitled âRealising the health benefits of work.â, 25.05.2010; see the known persons involved!!!)
http://www.healthworkforce.govt.nz/about-us/board-members
(Dr Des Gorman, well known from his advisory role to ACC for many years, and for some highly controversial recommendations. He’s now also âbossâ of âHealth Work Force NZâ, set up to develop recruitment and training strategies for health sector employees in the NZ health sector)
http://www.fmhs.auckland.ac.nz/faculty/staffct/staff_details.aspx?staffID=64676F72303130
(Dr Des Gorman, Associate Dean at the Medical School of Auckland Uni)
http://wellsaid.co.nz/inside-acc/prof-des-gorman-delighted-to-join-acc-board/
(now Dr Gorman is also sitting on the ACC Board, appointed by guess whom? Paula Rebstock! I am wondering, whether he is also still on the âNational Health Boardâ)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QknNdOhOkr8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCecwuwCHb4
(2 older TV documentaries on ACC cases involving Dr Gorman, referring to âillness beliefâ and mental health as reasons for otherwise âphysicalâ suffering)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6930331/Rebstock-appointment-to-welfare-reform-board-concerns (stuff.co.nz on the appointment of P. Rebstock as Welfare Board chairperson)
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/speech-medical-professionals
Paula Bennettâs speech to medical professionals, informing on the new welfare reforms, 26.09.12)
Professor Mansel Aylward â 2 links with 2 views on his work and medical âresearchâ:
https://hcml.co.uk/?p=200
http://downwithallthat.wordpress.com/category/dubious-academics-universities/cardiff-university/
http://www.gpcme.co.nz/pdf/GP%20CME/Friday/C1%201515%20Bratt-Hawker.pdf
(and let us not forget our âdearâ MSD and WINZ Principal Health Advisor, Dr David Bratt, who likes to compare benefit dependence with drug dependence)
+1 Thankyou XTASY. They’re attacking everything that made NZ a decent place to live.
And Labour is just sitting there silent as usual
+1
When I read your comments Xtasy, I wonder if these designated doctors are open to being struck off, or at least, reprimanded, in cases where their zeal puts a patient’s life or health in danger.
Also, the cutting of the sole parent benefit in Australia once the youngest child turns eight has drawn criticism from the UN as a violation of human rights.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/govt-silent-on-poverty-report-acoss/story-fn3dxiwe-1226589883703
Gillard is dismissing the report here, but someone I spoke to on the phone last night said that it now looks as if the UN attention might cause a partial back down on her part.
Gillard is in a very weak position in Oz. Stupid Labour politicians trying to appear more Right Wing ahead of elections. Is this a disease they all come down with?
Come on CV, you what the *disease* is!
Yes I would love to know what is driving this, since it is destroying centre-left parties all over the western world. Is it fear? Addiction to keeping one’s place among those in the know? Touting for corporate donations? Something else? Certainly the powerful have got a firm hold on the economic steering wheel, but that does not mean they must go unchallenged.
Hi Olwyn,
Its not fear or addiction, its a desire to control every aspect of human existence, via the corrupted individuals who masquerade as public servants, in NZ, and elsewhere.
The mesh of international legal treaties, agreements, and other *signed into* contracts, mean that there is likely very few people who have any idea of what NZ (as a so called sovereign nations), *obligations* to foreign entities are. We get to see many the results of the obligations, played out via *policy* and *reforms*, that much is certain.
When these international treaties, agreements and contracts, are underlayed by the thousands of domestic statutes, bills etc, how it is possible to have a clue about who is controlling what, as it relates to NZ!
It takes incredible power to engineer the social/financial breakdowns we witness around the world, and at home in NZ, power that many don’t/can’t accept exists.
In order to *defend*, first you have to know who/what your attacker is, only then can a hopeful strategy be formed!
Well part of it is when the likes of Dastiari? who’s come from a background of living hell gain influence, and who hold that “we don’t know how lucky we are” attitude. In my day …. etc., etc., etc.
And Gillard is supposed to be part of Labor’s left FFS! Tell me where that definition fits!
LABOR (Oz) dropped the “U” in Labour, and as far as I can see, Labour NZ is well on the way to doing likewise.
Gillard is toast it appears, made a mess of Kev’s mining tax dumbing it down so that after all the angst it’s pretty much offset by tax credits and generating SFA extra tax revenue.
So make way for the barking mad Abbott and his bunch of Costellos.
Olwyn –
In principle a ‘designated doctor’ paid by MSD or WINZ has to abide to the rules set out in the Code of Ethics of the NZ Medical Association, to which Medical Council members bind themselves.
There are also these publications by the Medical Council that are of relevance:
http://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/News-and-Publications/Statements/Non-treating-doctors.pdf
(see particularly points 23 and 24, which may well limit the chance of taking such a practitioner to the Health and Disability Commissioner; see: http://www.hdc.org.nz/)
It is absolutely recommended to bring a support person along, to take notes and be a witness if any questions may arise after an “examination”. But then the following needs to be taken note of:
http://www.mcnz.org.nz/assets/News-and-Publications/Statements/When-another-person-is-present-during-a-consultation.pdf
Many WINZ clients sadly fail to prepare well, go unaccompanied and ill prepared, and in some cases it can be like going as a lamb to the slaughter.
Bear in mind, the H+D Commissioner only usually looks closer and investigates about one out of ten complaints. In most cases doctors over-stepping their duties and responsibilities, and breaching code and law in some way, will not be struck off, but just be warned, I would presume.
Only very serious cases may succeed to be taken to a Tribunal or court, and then it is all dependent on evidence and strength of submissions. Most beneficiaries would already feel over-stressed just preparing a strong case of complaint to the HDC Office.
What they are doing under Future Focus and the Dr Bratt led “mentoring”, “liaising with” and even “training” of GPs as designated doctors is certainly raising major legal issues already.
Hi there,
Just a note to point out that under earlier commissioner Ron Patterson, the HDC investigated around 40% of reported complaints (breaches of the Health and Disabilities Code).
In more recent times this number has dwindled to less than 10%. [ Sorry don’t have a ref but my friend was talking about someone’s research into this a couple of years ago. Since then it may have lowered even more.]
You can see this reduction by the number of cases the HDC reports by year on their website which have dropped off under the new commissioner, but the number of complaints have risen.
The level of stress for those on sickness and invalid benefit may actually be causing people to become dependent on drugs, alcohol, gambling and increasing family violence due to the pressure which Work and Income are creating.
The cost of housing is dragging the unemployed and the employed down and some are actually clinically depressed. People who work are dependent on WFF and other supplements, not just those who are on a main benefit.
Addressing why a person is on a benefit is the starting point.
I have personal experience of this when I was shifted by a new GP from IB back to sickness. As soon as the “pressure” began my condition began to worsen and I became increasingly disorientated and dissociated until I could barely function at all. Thankfully I eventually was placed back on IB but I live with the fear that it could happen again.
Anyone who works with me (treatment providers) know that I’m doing everything I can. I want to work because frankly it is more than money, it is a relief to belong and be with people who aren’t constantly assessing your mental state and noting down every move.
Badgering me to, “get a job, get a job get a job..”, – **WE KNOW!** doesn’t make it faster.
It’s a big like having an all knowing big brother continuously telling you what is best for you and how you should do it, except I can’t break the family bondage regardless of where I move to in the country or how many times I change my number.
What would be really helpful is if they listened to my treatment providers and did everything they could to support costs applied for rather than looking for ways to decline them. It would also help if they stayed away from me as much as possible because they are a direct cause of stress and ongoing disempowerment.
Work and Income are generally oblivious to worsening a situation. Worse still is when a psychiatrist talks through his arse.
I know what it is like to feel disconnected, commenting on the Standard does have a therapeutic value re connecting. Time and time again I see comments from people who give a damn about the type of society we live in and the direction it is going in.
AsleepWhileWalking –
Re what you wrote above:
“What would be really helpful is if they listened to my treatment providers and did everything they could to support costs applied for rather than looking for ways to decline them. It would also help if they stayed away from me as much as possible because they are a direct cause of stress and ongoing disempowerment.”
You are absolutely right, and I have been through similar experiences with a designated doctor assessment some time back, and a following MAB appeal hearing, that was already “tainted” with the new staunch “Future Focus” (“Future Fuckup”) ideology. They were meant to look rather at what I “could do” than what I “could not do”. So they pulled out some hypothetical kind of BS presumptions and claimed that such activities could be done in a job for at least 15 hours a week.
This is now happening to hundreds if not thousands of reviewed IB cases, and also are Sickness Benefit recipients increasingly considered “fit” to do at least some part time training or work.
They (MSD, WINZ and their chosen doctors) are walking an extremely thight rope there, as hypothetical work is purely speculative, and also have some scientific reports found, that GPs (who are mostly relied on as “designated doctors”) are generally not well qualified at all to make competent assessments on mentally ill for instance (apart from the personal bias many have).
Some more interesting info on all this:
http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/rethink/article/rethink-mental-illness-new-gp-survey-shows-government-welfare
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19478286
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2951586/
Yet I would always still rather trust my own GP, or another truly NEUTRAL GP, than any of the “trained” and at least moderately biased “designated doctors” they mostly use. And re treatment and support, the actual specialists that know their work, they should be involved for sure.
So imagine the horror scenario where they will have separate work capability assessments designed by MSD, besides of medical practitioners and the likes in future. That is what they are intending to bring in, to have WINZ Health and Disability Advisors and also “outsourced” providers do the assessing. We will have the same kinds of suicides and other deaths as they had in the UK over recent years. It is CRIMINAL what they are doing.
http://www.politics.co.uk/opinion-formers/rethink/article/rethink-mental-illness-new-gp-survey-shows-government-welfar
Sorry that link should work, without the e at the end!
xtasy I am going to spend a bit of time looking at all the links you have supplied. I have an interest in PTSD and complex PTSD. I am looking forward to the DSM V ( being printed in May 2013) as PTSD will have its own separate section.
Treetop: Thanks for your interest. I have no direct info on PTSD, but I am also interested in the new DSM V publication. I am concerned that some conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome are not accepted as a proper separate condition or disorder by some medical “experts”.
I just wonder how the future assessors for WINZ will treat the DSM V and what true medical specialists (not just some GPs) diagnose and say to them.
Please feel free also, yes do what you can, to spread any info and links to other interested persons. The more learn about all this, the better. There is so much at stake for the people affected.
judging by the excessive use, i think the Nats are teasing/testing their next election campaign slogan
“its time to move on”
As slogans go, it could backfire.
Winston, for one, would be happy to recite it back to them and combine it with one of his own trademark phrases: ‘Yes, it’s time to move on … from the failed policies of the past that both of the old parties keep following …’.
đ i thought the implied sarcasm was self evident
Is anyone going to go see Hordur Torfason (as advertised on the main page)? I would have really loved to but I’ll be in Japan when he is here. If anyone goes can they do a little write up or blog so those who can’t attend can get an idea of what it was like?
Cheers
Apparently women in the UK have ‘turned left’ in droves. Seamus Milne suggests that it’s probably because they are bearing the brunt of the austerity push in the public sector and more generally.
Apparently women were more likely than men to vote Conservative, historically.
Has there been any tracking of gender-based voting in the recent polls in New Zealand? I haven’t heard any reports about it. If I remember correctly, Key apparently gained women’s votes for National to an unprecedented extent in the last two elections.
Thanks for that link, Puddleglum. There are some signs of a possible shift from Key by women over the last year or so.
But the reasons given for past support of Key by women are pretty superficial -image over substance. In contrast the Guardian article focuses on the austerity policies as causing a shift to the left by women.
And yet, we have a Labour caucus leadership that is male-dominated and seems keen on pursuing some version of the mythical “Waitakere”.
Maybe the NZ party strategists are looking at the wrong focus group questions, and missing the significance of policy changes to large numbers of NZ women?
A historic shift: women have moved to the Left of men in UK politics
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/05/women-left-of-men-historic-shift
Um? Yes, CV, that’s the same article that Puddleglum linked to at the beginning of this thread, and to which I was responding.
Ah sorry, was not paying attention karol.
Given that, and since they seem to be better at logic and critical analysis (women I mean), I was going to ask Why Hekia, Why Paula. And I was also thinking a little ‘deeper’ than that in terms of what corrupted process has kicked in given their indigenous background that identifies with – indeed, relies on collectivity. I suspect a Cargo Cult – especially when you look at that British Colonial Uniform number that Hekia often wears. Not sure about Pulla though! Africa maybe? Leopard skin? the hunt? In any event, they’re not only aberrations, they’re both very UGLY people in every sense of the word.
Funny! as in funny as a fart – in the neighbourhood, someone is playing that Burly Chassis number “Goldfinger” as I hit the submit button.
Me thinks “Gold Digger”. As I said – very ugly specimens, in EVERY sense of the word – and best of luck to Wira – cock driven/remembering the days of the cock-driven, that he proves hisself to be.
Condolences Wira – well, maybe not! What were you thinking? Ah – OK – you weren’t actually that bright – just another (as my relatives would put it) brown Pakeha.
Actually, I think my next party vote is verging on Mana.
we only have our own worlds to look at so naturally there can be no wider inference, but i know more women who voted National than men, and of the men who did most were married to a woman who voted national and of them most of the men have changed their tune but oddly the women have not
That’s the reverse of what I always thought. I thought men were traditionally more likely to vote right-wing than women, and that right-wing parties struggled for female support.
That made sense to me because women and children are more likely to be harshly affected by right-wing policies.
This way around makes no sense.
RIP Hugo Chavez.
What has happened to IrishBill’s suggestion that posters on The Standard start discussing and formulating some alternative policies for Labour/left ? (It was IrishBill , wasn’t it ?)
the Labour Party is coming up to its regional conferences – some time in May – which will all be
promoting various policies to take to the annual conference in November 2013.
This annual conf is being held in Christchurch and has been touted as the “policy making” conference.
So now is the time to get into thinking/discussing realistic policies for the left. Let us have your ideas please.
As a starter – perhaps we could re-think the raising of the superannuation age to 67 years ?
Is this absolutely necessary ? What alternatives could there be ? Does anyone know what Greypower thinks of that proposal ?
Yes wasn’t that a grand policy for Labour to headline it’s 2011 election campaign with, with numbers straight from Treasury Phill Goff strode the election stage proudly proclaiming that the New Zealand workers earning the least amount of wages and therefore least able to save would if they voted for Labour get done out of at least 2 years of superannuation by Labour,
Damn easy to see why Labour lost that one right, a policy so far away from Labour’s supposed working class base that if it wasn’t an actual election strategy it would have been totally laughable,
But, to the present, some policy that Labour should do more than consider,
(1), The raising of the minimum wage by $1.50 an hour each and every year that Labour is next the Government,
That alone would be an election winner that this Slippery lead National Government in no way could match and Dave could stomp the country for the next 18 months delivering such a policy which would add some meat to His present hollow mouthing’s about the bloke he met in the pub,
Labour have the Treasury report that categorically states that raising the minimum wage will not lead to job losses, National would collectively disembowel it’self rather than try and match such a policy,
(2), A building strategy that includes the addition of 4000 State Rental properties for the next ten
years to take the States portfolio to over 100,000 units,
Labour know this is needed, the numbers do not lie, for a population of 3.3 million we had 75,000 State Rentals,
For a population of 4.4 million we only have 65,000 State rentals, the number of those struggling on low wages has risen not declined and Labour need get busy building a new city north oof the Bombay Hills…
Thanks Bad12 – I’ll add your suggestions to my list, and btw – I, too, thought the super age rise was a silly and miserable policy to announce during the election campaign. It took many Labour supporters by surprise and many do not like it, nor think it necessary. There are other ways to deal with the baby boomer super bump.
Yeah tah much Jenny, my opinion is of course that these 2 areas in particular shouldn’t need including on any list by delegates, they should simply be core Party policy,
My other view, and this is off of the back of an idea i heard floated (from i think inside Labour), is that the Government spend from A to Z needs looking at in terms of monies being needlessly spent into other economies when the work, jobs, profits, and taxation from this ‘spend’ would be far more beneficial if all those billions were spent in New Zealand,
Obviously to spend all of Governments redistribution of taxation within the New Zealand economy is now problematic with all the ‘free trade agreements’ now in existence,
However, where there’s a will there is a way and from KiwiBank on down Labour should be looking at how it CAN bring that Government spend home from other economies to be spent strictly in New Zealand,
Labour should not be shy here in establishing it’s own State Owned Enterprises so as to enable the establishment of the necessary infrastructure so that the full spending of the Government is of benefit to New Zealand first and foremost…
To Bad12 “My other view, and this is off of the back of an idea i heard floated (from i think inside Labour), is that the Government spend from A to Z needs looking at in terms of monies being needlessly spent into other economies when the work, jobs, profits, and taxation from this âspendâ would be far more beneficial if all those billions were spent in New Zealand,”
This is part of the procurement policy which Labour has already adopted. ie having govt depts keep tenders to NZ tenderers not to o/seas ones – as much as possible – so the money stays here.
And of course there should be some “core Party policy” which just goes on and on until its made legal and real – but unfortunately Mr Shearer has said he’ll be looking at all Labour’s policy again –
so the matters which were touted at the 2011 gen election and supported by Labour people such as the minimum wage being $15pwk are all having to be re-looked at – re-negotiated is maybe another way of putting it. Hence the need for a “list” of basics along with new ideas.
Yeah Jenny that procurement policy is good economics, specially when we are talking up to 30 billion dollars a year,
The employment and extra income from taxation involved would be huge for this country if it were all spent in New Zealand, KiwiBank should be the Governments banker even if it needs building up with some extra cash from the Government,
The fact that the simplest of left wing policy needs negotiating in the Party is probably why i and a lot of others are now not members…
Bad12, I find that a difficulty too …….
+ 1 What the hell were they thinking with a policy of raising the retirement age? That is something you would expect ACT to come with, how many blue collars would die on the job? Glad right thinking Goff is out of leader just wish he will bugger off altogether. If DC set up a real party I would join up straight away!
Brian Edwards’ open display of disaffection on “The Panel”
Radio New Zealand National, Tuesday 5 March 2013.
Jim Mora, Noelle McCarthy, Michelle Boag, Brian Edwards
“The Panel” is billed as “the news of the day in a different way”, but there’s actually little in it, other than the absence of commercial breaks, to distinguish it from the glib and hollow chatter to be found on NewstalkZB or RadioLIVE. Host Jim Mora’s determination to keep things “light” (read, “glib”) has long outworn any charms it may once have had. His guests occasionally cavil at the triteness and vacuity of the topics selected for discussion and the once-over-lightly handling of them. Raybon Kan, Gary McCormick, and Anna Chin have openly criticized the choice of topics on the air, and it’s clear by their occasional long silences, and refusals to laugh at Mora’s jokes, that many other guests are as concerned as the listeners by the lessening standards of the show.
Today, even the notoriously indulgent Dr. Brian Edwards was at the end of his patience after only a couple of minutes of pre-show banter…
MORA: Michelle, you’re looking SPLENDID in your new coat!
MICHELLE BOAG: [primly] Thank you.
MORA: Maya blue, it is.
BOAG: Is it?
MORA: I looked it up. ….[Awkward silence]…. Especially.
[Long, awkward silence…]
NOELLE McCARTHY: I would have said sky blue. Or light blue…
[Long, awkward silence…]
MORA: Light blue, yes.
BRIAN EDWARDS: Why are we DISCUSSING this?
MORA: We were just saying Michelle has on a particularly lovely Maya blue coat.
EDWARDS: We go through this every time we’re on the programme! Okay, I’m wearing a nice paisley tie and a striped shirt. All right?
MORA: Brian is looking very sartorial!
EDWARDS: Pshaw!
et cetera, ad infinitum, ad absurdum, ad nauseam….
Oh phuk! – you don’t actually expect more from Mora do you? He (or his producer), whether intenionally, or by prejudice subscibes to the Fox News way of doing things.
LOOK at the line-up for a start – WHICH amongst the ‘balance’ could remotely be called ‘of the left’ – let alone that ‘new left’ – somewhere to the right.
Pour me a Chardonnay will you?
Awe please …. pretty please ….. OK do you want me to gravel?! ANd some actually accuse RNZ of being left wing apologists!
Speaking of which, Kathryn Ryan must have negotiated the best employment deal ever (one that, thankfully results in an Arts on Sunday reliever).
How many days leave did she manage to get in her contract?
++Morrissey
Did you hear Mora laughing at Graham Bell’s use of terms like ‘vermin’, ‘germ’ this afternoon? Really funny to dehumanise people, Jim.
I think the victims of the Rwandan massacres were called cockroaches…and of course the 3rd Reich were past masters at using language to demonise people.
What is Mora doing condoning such behaviours?
“Brain stripping” goes well with “asset stripping”, I suppose.
National is “No Plan” Government! http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/child-poverty-no-plan.html
Good opinion piece in The Guardian online from Seumas Milne charting the leftward march of women voters. He points to the appointment of Frances O’Grady as the first woman leader of the Trades Union Congress in the UK. I imagine it’s no coincidence that here in NZ we have the redoubtable Helen Kelly as head of the CTU.
Here’s a really good article by Gordon Campbell:
http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2013/03/06/gordon-campbell-on-yesterdays-ird-victory-against-tax-avoidance/
Good watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=U_r97c_Oc6c
Go to 12 minutes, talking about the new Greenpeace boat. This is why they never get my money.
I’m sure you hate them for more than that
Greenpeace figured out that their constituency was conscientous and upper middle class.