Partner wanted to watch news at 6am, so reluctantly went to TV1
Rawdon being a superior kind of person with two women giggling at his utterings. Is it always like that? Even my partner said let’s go to SKY weather so I don’t have to keep watching this. It is actually really sad seeing women demean themselves to a position of second fiddle and giggles.
John Key heading off criticism that we are not so rosy with a high dollar by saying, we have diversified so not as reliant on Aussie and China. I am afraid if you look at the stats over the last 6 years we are still heavily reliant on Aussie and China.
Note he stated not so reliant. There is still a large risk but the nation has been moving towards a more diversified export destination. However short of government dictating who exporters sell to there isn’t much more that could be done.
Note the impression he was giving was false, namely that we are not substantially reliant on tohse two markets and so their decline is not likely to impact us
And you can pretend that isn’t the impression he was giving but he was, and it is why he remains so popular. He is past master at making kiwis feel comfortable and inert.
If there is nothing to be done does that mean a govt cannot take claim or blame from it because the dollar is largely externally driven.
Wow! You have discovered politicians present information in a way that is favourable to them. Congrats /sar.
If ypu have a problem with John Key’s spin there was an interesting interview with Bill English on Morning Report today where he acknowledged both the negative and positive aspects of a higher exchange rate. Perhaps you should select your media options more wisely.
When I moved south to Queenstown five and a half years ago Tracey I got rid of the telly. You couldn’t get the free to air channels because of topographical interference and I didn’t want to pay for Sky. I found I didn’t miss it at all really, happily managing with National Radio and the Concert Programme and watching whatever I wanted on the computer. When we went digital a couple of years ago I got a Freeview box and duly trundled off to Noel Leeming and bought a snazzy flat screen tv. It sits in the corner of my sitting room beaming out National Radio and the Concert Programme and whatever I want from the computer via apple tv. The only thing I’ve watched on it in months is the Cricket semi final and final. I doubt I’ll ever watch TVNZ and TV3 again.
I hear you Scott. On the occassions I am lucky enough to travel I don’t watch tv at all, and my life is the better fo rit. I am a bit of a sports nut so keep it for that…
A couple of years ago I spent a few days staying at a mate’s cabin in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. It was a chilly autumn and I spent the days wrapped up watching TV. It was the first time I had systematically watched Al-Jazeera and I also watched Press TV (Russian?). I couldn’t believe how superior they were to the crap served up here. Press TV was great on anything apart from Russian domestic politics but, even there, they weren’t simply slavish about Putin.
I think TV1 is worse than TV3. One benefit about TV3 being in private and largely overseas hands is that it has less of a vested interested in serving the requirements of the government in power in Wellington, whereas TV1 is much more slavish.
However, the general level of both is pretty shocking compared to anything other than Fox News. I’d be embarrassed to be associated with TV1 in particular. So much dross and so little substance.
The fact that they’ve brought back a buffoon like Paul Henry says it all. (Although he seems to be a little less right-wing these days than he used to be.) As does the presence of Mike Hoskings on that 7pm thing on TV1.
John Campbell can be an awful ass-kisser – I still recall with embarrassment his fawning over the Pike River head who turned out to be partly responsible for the deaths of 29 mine workers! – but imagine you’re the TV1 bosses – do you seriously imagine the way to compete with ‘Campbell Live’ is to put Mike Hoskings up against Campbell in the 7pm slot. It’s almost like the TV1 bosses are a fifth column, employed secretly by TV3!
And the way TV1 bosses show complete disregard for the public (especially the older and woring class public) by continually mucking around with the ‘Coronation Street’ time slot in order to destroy its ratings (presumably, so they can then take it off) is a total frigging disgrace.
Our TV is just used to view Al Jazeera, TV3 news for a laugh, Campbell Live and any BBC Simon Reeves shows on Choice tv on freeview. (Last night he was in Cuba looking at their changing regime but has focused quite a bit on climate change in his other shows) There’s 7 days on Friday night which can swing between absolutely cringey and actually funny. The “Yes Minister” section is always worth a laugh.
The other thing we do is download shows like Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe and Dara O Briain’s Mock the Week, Borgen and comedy and plug the usb into the telly. Much more comfy watching from the couch than on a computer screen.
When there’s poor quality brain numbing stuff filling the screen, like competitive cooking, competitive house building, competitive dating and competitive singing you have to rely on the interwebs for information and entertainment.
The only “TV” I watch (by which I mean broadcast NZ TV) is One News at 6 and only because it provides the background ambiance to the “back from work, cooking dinner and playing with my daughter.”
The actual TV I watch is GoT, House of Cards, Breaking Bad etc etc which is online. My TV is used primarily for movies and PlayStation
Nice story Scott. I don’t have a tv either. If I did have one I’d probably watch Coro, and events like the election coverage, and some of the Campbell/6 o’clock news coverage when something specific was happening (often to see how the MSM are covering it as much as anything). I rely on twitter and ts now to let me know what is going on and then go further online if I want more detail.
There’s been some very good replies to you comments Tracey, and I agree with the majority of them, I also have been made aware of some other sites that need a visit by me.
One station I do watch is RT. Have to take it with a pinch of salt at times but I find the discussions on Cross Talk are excellent. At least you do get different points of view, Also as I said the other day I get a lot of news from The Standard. There are some brave souls on here that go and look on sites like the Herald, and inform us of the bullshit written by the likes of Armstrong.
It looks as if, on May 22, the south of Ireland will be the first country on the world in which has voted for gay marriage.
On that a referendum is to be held on same-sex marriages and all the polls indicate a big victory for gay marriage. In what was once Holy, Catholic Ireland polls indicate 70-80 percent support for gay marriage.
While I doubt the vote will be as high as 80%, because the Catholic Church will turn out its lay organisations and have its priests sermonising in the pulpits up until May 22, I think a big win is on the agenda.
All the parliamentary parties, including the most viciously anti-working class ones, favour gay marriage. And southern Irish society has changed dramatically in the past 20-25 years.
A good Russell Brand rant to start the morning with, on the limits to growth and capitalism at the This Changes Everything gathering in the UK last month…
“Capitalism and Conservation are diametrically opposed.”
So true Russell. And in NZ Nick Smith is working hard to make sure Capitalism triumphs over Conservation by changing the RMA. Whoa there Nick!
He hasn’t written under the Colonial Viper tag since February, and even then it seems to have been a lapse from the; Rawshark variant name, that many adopted at the time of the Hagar raid (including myself now that I think of it; but got distracted by meatworld life, and since I came back I’ve been using the older pseudonym). Colonial Rawshark did indeed make a comment last night:
When I checked my facebook account there was a message dated a couple of days ago saying he was ok with us ending the vigil (I dislike FB, so hadn’t checked since the weekend). So that just leaves it up to; phillip ure.
We made a point of only watching JC last night. Gone off Hilary Barry as well. What on earth was she thinking!?. TV1 news was ok until MHosking appeared at the end. I cannot believe that NZ is inflicted for three hours daily by that idiot that’s been kicked out of every village he’s been in. Insult to all New Zealanders.
and hosking is on radio too… Has anyone ever seen Henry and Hosking in the same roo together? And if they did, was it a circus sized tent, with just them and their egoes in it?
not watched it but from a shot in the newspaper the mic’s looks like neumann’s so prepare to part with a few $k each but you’ll not be dissapointed.
Or could be mocked up neumanns with shure’s or something else inside doing the actual work….overkill at it’s just Talking heads TV not a concerto performance etc.
Heres a bombshell, if Little announced this (or something basically the same) I’d probably end up voting Labour
This is probably the cheapest, easiest to understand, simplest to implement idea that would lift more kiwis out of renting into home ownership and is something that would have broad support over the entire political spectrum
The only problem is how to make it affordable to the average hnz tenant and how to stop some of them selling up at a future date and ending up back on a waiting list.
Expect Little/ Labour to announce something along these lines tomorrow at their Housing forum in Auckland. Of course National will be cursing having to consider such an idea, their property speculator mates want the thick end of the wedge not the skinny end.
Given Jones is good mates with Mallard why the fuck hasn’t Trev pushed this through to the policy team.
That’s because property tycoons like Jones do far better under a Labour Government than a Tory outfit. A lot of blue ribbon Aucklanders are very annoyed the foreign invasion of rich are picking the cream out of Auckland and beach property.
I actually heard a Key cheerleader, a bigger cheerleader than Fissy ( actually not quite) speaking fondly of Peters in this regards, when I asked but would you vote for him? Answer absolutely if Key doesn’t cut foreign ownership. So there ya go the love affair is over.
I will never vote Winston (I just can’t) and thats the only major party I can confidently say that about however if some other party was to take on board some of his policies then who knows…
Interestingly, when Herald (I think it was them) did that voting thing pre election where you looked at policy questions and it decided which party fit your needs), I know many who fit NZF but still voted for National. Also Nats and Labs were closer in percentages for many of them but NZF was best fit.
Its not the policies, its the man. I just can’t vote for him, when he leaves and someone else takes over (Shane Jones, Ron Mark maybe) maybe I can have a look at NZFirst.
At the moment Winston is the darling of the left because hes sticking it John Key yet hes now the defacto leader of the opposition and no one on the left seem to realise it but once he starts dictating to Key and Little…
Or does anyone here think Winston will be dictated to by someone that can’t win an electorate seat?
Exactly its about the integrity and on that Winston fails, I simply cannot trust the man as everything he does is to ultimately benefit himself and any benefits to NZ are simply a happy coincidence
It just really bugs me that Winston can say anything he likes and no one in the media will try to call him on it, he hints about certain things and could use parliamentary priviledge to do so but won’t…but just enough insinuation to get the point across
Seriously people on here think John Key is teflon, Keys teflon is nothing compared to Winston
He got the winebox right and hes dined out on it ever since but racing interests, fishing interests…oh no we won’t mention that
A couple of elections ago there was an online “quiz” the result of which would indicate which party suited.
I answered every question with the very opposite of what I believed in. The result was that apparently NZF would be best for me. Aha!
NZF are in a good head space after the forgotten regional/rural win in Northland. Expect Peters NZF to mop up plenty more votes there.
For National it is a now a problematic issue trying to win back rural support. The increasing slide in milk powder prices won’t be helping. Add the wary eyes of the public and other political party’s to pork barrel politics and winning back the vote look a tough ask.
The big city’s will probably keep them in the game especially Auckland, however as explained the traditional Auckland blue ribbon voters are feeling aggrieved by foreigners buying our cream land pickings is the worry. I will add the big block land owners who don’t like the Nat’s considering forced freeing up of their golden egg.
Based on what? His word and that he voted for Labour when? Which period of time (cos that is important if you are claiming some kind of ideological curiosity)?
“When I wrote recently that this election was done and dusted, a storm of protest erupted on the New Zealand Herald’s website from Labour’s deeply unattractive, rabid tribalists.
Abuse aside, the common theme was that I’m a die-hard National supporter. That gave great amusement given that I last voted National in 1981. Excepting the New Zealand Party in 1984 and later Act twice, I’ve voted Labour ever since.”
Getting rid of the military would have to be one of the dumbest ideas ever, it proves that someone smart in one area doesn’t mean they’re smart in others
NZParty 84 (himself),
Labour 87, 90, and 93 (in the depths of their neolib bullshit),
ACT 96 and 99 (more neolib bullshit),
National and Trevor Mallard (his mate) ever since.
And ‘cos he’s old school he counts his electorate vote for Trev as “Voting Labour”
Jones, for all his wealth and temperament etc, has never forgotten his roots and upbringing in a poor working class family in Naenae, Lower Hutt (state house IIRC) – unlike a certain Mr Key.
Some bits about his family in this 2007 Stuff article about his relationship with his much younger brother, Lloyd Jones.
With the concerted comments regarding allowing the freeing up of Easter Trading laws I ask Has not the protection of the work force been eroded enough ? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11429095
we also have Larry Williams (Wine) & Mike Hoskin (Eating Out) being caught out and having THEIR lifestyles inconvenienced. So it is ok for everyone to have their work places closed to observe the holiday but Not Retail.
How long have these and other commentators lived in NZ ? And leading the discussion from an informed position ?? and yet are caught out by having the shops close down for 3&1/2 days per year.
Should there be a change in the law to allow retail to operate, why halt at easter why not remove the protection from all of the 3 &1/2 days that the shops are compelled to be closed?
Perhaps we should expect the proponents of change to also work their normal hours on these days and for the MP’s to open their electorate offices?
I for one appreciated have the family all together, and the shops were open the following day and no one in my family suffered from this.
Are AT (Auckland transport) designed to kill off public transport?
When they took over in 2012 fairs were $1.80 for one zone for an adult. As of now they are $2.50 per adult. That is just under a 40% price hike in just 3 years. Let me repeat that – a almost 40% hike in fare prices in just 3 years. How can they justify that. When we are the people funding the system in the first place?
AT = Auckland Traitors?
AT = Auckland Twits?
AT = Auckland truning people of public transport since 2012.
No wonder the figure are not climbing and the kids are jumping on the trains and not paying fares. This is a joke.
When the average pay packet barely went up 3%, how the hell can a AT justify a 40% price increase.
AT needs to be disbanded, and everyone who works for them needs to be fired. This is unacceptable. Private companies bleeding the public for profit.
Went to a Generation Zero workshop a couple of years ago. Matt from Transport Blog was there along with a councillor talking about public transport during one of the sessions.
In the discussion, someone brought up the cost of public transport putting people off from using it. To my surprise both Matt and the councillor, along with an AT rep all said that studies have proven that reducing the cost does not make a difference to usage.
An intrepid member of the audience disagreed, but they dismissed any notion that this could be the case. In our case, the cost for my family to travel into town by train/bus is prohibitive – around $60 one way. Compared to the cost of taking our hybrid in, and parking in Aotea Centre for $11 we have to be running flush on our budget to use public transport option. We do use it when one of us is travelling alone, but I don’t think it is a consideration that is being made by AT.
Also, given that automatic ticketing is something that has happened for decades overseas they seem to have made a hash of the AT Hop service. Student fares are not included on the display (you are supposed to know to choose child) and Hop cards are only available from a couple of stations. A debacle.
I wonder how they would feel about what has happened in Adelaide – with most fares being a gold coin. My guess is they were selective in their studies, and the studies are asking the wrong questions, or looking for specific monetarist based results.
My favourite is – it costs more, to catch public transport into Auckland City – than it costs to catch a bus to Whangarei – Or Taupo – Or Rotorua. That is a sick joke being played on Auckland rate payers. The whole charging kids fares – when the over 65’s pay nothing – I find a very cruel joke as well.
The automatic ticket is a massive disaster – I was on a train when a women’s card was not reading properly – and the ticket inspectors called her all names under the sun. They accused her of manipulating with the card. Then they called her a thief. I intervened, and ask them for there names whilst pulling out a pen and paper – they ran for the next coach.
I’ve also seen them throw teenagers off the train for not tagging on – when they should just provide the service on the train. Like a ticket machine – or better yet a ticket seller. I’ve also witness a women being threatened with physical violence, because she was one stop over her ticket. (still within zone mind) I reported that one.
AT is a disaster – Pathetic, incompetent and danger to public transport.
Is there a watchdog in place to monitor currency trading?
With the fluctuations over the past few weeks, presumably the trading
floors have been busy.
Do we know which institutions / private individuals who might be making “killings” as a result?
Are there money traders who make lots of money these days?
Is there a registry?
Are MPs required to declare interests in this area?
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 ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from 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 ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
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:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
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 Pāti Māori 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. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
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 Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s 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 publicservice 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 publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s 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 doesn’t 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. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
The government’s attack on Māori health this week is committing tangata-whenua to a premature death, says Te Pāti Māori. “The government have begun their onslaught on Māori health with the abolishment of the Māori Health Authority and smokefree laws in the same day” said health spokesperson and co-leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII has hosted members of the Green Party Caucus at Tuurangawaewae Marae in Ngaaruawahia. The audience follows the King’s Hui-aa-Motu on 20 January, where more than 10,000 people gathered to discuss national ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dr Rachael Potter, Research Associate and Lecturer in Work and Organisational Psychology, University of South Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Pregnant women and workers with children are often unfairly treated by their bosses and colleagues, despite laws to protect against workplace discrimination ...
Won’t watch TV3 Brekkie show cos of Henry.
Partner wanted to watch news at 6am, so reluctantly went to TV1
Rawdon being a superior kind of person with two women giggling at his utterings. Is it always like that? Even my partner said let’s go to SKY weather so I don’t have to keep watching this. It is actually really sad seeing women demean themselves to a position of second fiddle and giggles.
John Key heading off criticism that we are not so rosy with a high dollar by saying, we have diversified so not as reliant on Aussie and China. I am afraid if you look at the stats over the last 6 years we are still heavily reliant on Aussie and China.
Note he stated not so reliant. There is still a large risk but the nation has been moving towards a more diversified export destination. However short of government dictating who exporters sell to there isn’t much more that could be done.
Note that I stated he said not so reliant.
Note the impression he was giving was false, namely that we are not substantially reliant on tohse two markets and so their decline is not likely to impact us
And you can pretend that isn’t the impression he was giving but he was, and it is why he remains so popular. He is past master at making kiwis feel comfortable and inert.
If there is nothing to be done does that mean a govt cannot take claim or blame from it because the dollar is largely externally driven.
Wow! You have discovered politicians present information in a way that is favourable to them. Congrats /sar.
If ypu have a problem with John Key’s spin there was an interesting interview with Bill English on Morning Report today where he acknowledged both the negative and positive aspects of a higher exchange rate. Perhaps you should select your media options more wisely.
No, I have known since 2007 that John Key lies and manipulates.
FOG
When I moved south to Queenstown five and a half years ago Tracey I got rid of the telly. You couldn’t get the free to air channels because of topographical interference and I didn’t want to pay for Sky. I found I didn’t miss it at all really, happily managing with National Radio and the Concert Programme and watching whatever I wanted on the computer. When we went digital a couple of years ago I got a Freeview box and duly trundled off to Noel Leeming and bought a snazzy flat screen tv. It sits in the corner of my sitting room beaming out National Radio and the Concert Programme and whatever I want from the computer via apple tv. The only thing I’ve watched on it in months is the Cricket semi final and final. I doubt I’ll ever watch TVNZ and TV3 again.
I hear you Scott. On the occassions I am lucky enough to travel I don’t watch tv at all, and my life is the better fo rit. I am a bit of a sports nut so keep it for that…
Now I am pleased to have access to al jazeera.
Apart from the occasional viewing of Campbell Live, my tv remains as my link to cycle races around the world. And long may that continue 🙂
Al Jazeera certainly points up just how poorly served we are by “news” programmes from TV1 and TV3.
Phil
Agree re Al Jazeera Philip
A couple of years ago I spent a few days staying at a mate’s cabin in the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. It was a chilly autumn and I spent the days wrapped up watching TV. It was the first time I had systematically watched Al-Jazeera and I also watched Press TV (Russian?). I couldn’t believe how superior they were to the crap served up here. Press TV was great on anything apart from Russian domestic politics but, even there, they weren’t simply slavish about Putin.
I think TV1 is worse than TV3. One benefit about TV3 being in private and largely overseas hands is that it has less of a vested interested in serving the requirements of the government in power in Wellington, whereas TV1 is much more slavish.
However, the general level of both is pretty shocking compared to anything other than Fox News. I’d be embarrassed to be associated with TV1 in particular. So much dross and so little substance.
The fact that they’ve brought back a buffoon like Paul Henry says it all. (Although he seems to be a little less right-wing these days than he used to be.) As does the presence of Mike Hoskings on that 7pm thing on TV1.
John Campbell can be an awful ass-kisser – I still recall with embarrassment his fawning over the Pike River head who turned out to be partly responsible for the deaths of 29 mine workers! – but imagine you’re the TV1 bosses – do you seriously imagine the way to compete with ‘Campbell Live’ is to put Mike Hoskings up against Campbell in the 7pm slot. It’s almost like the TV1 bosses are a fifth column, employed secretly by TV3!
And the way TV1 bosses show complete disregard for the public (especially the older and woring class public) by continually mucking around with the ‘Coronation Street’ time slot in order to destroy its ratings (presumably, so they can then take it off) is a total frigging disgrace.
Phil
Yep.
Our TV is just used to view Al Jazeera, TV3 news for a laugh, Campbell Live and any BBC Simon Reeves shows on Choice tv on freeview. (Last night he was in Cuba looking at their changing regime but has focused quite a bit on climate change in his other shows) There’s 7 days on Friday night which can swing between absolutely cringey and actually funny. The “Yes Minister” section is always worth a laugh.
The other thing we do is download shows like Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe and Dara O Briain’s Mock the Week, Borgen and comedy and plug the usb into the telly. Much more comfy watching from the couch than on a computer screen.
When there’s poor quality brain numbing stuff filling the screen, like competitive cooking, competitive house building, competitive dating and competitive singing you have to rely on the interwebs for information and entertainment.
The only “TV” I watch (by which I mean broadcast NZ TV) is One News at 6 and only because it provides the background ambiance to the “back from work, cooking dinner and playing with my daughter.”
The actual TV I watch is GoT, House of Cards, Breaking Bad etc etc which is online. My TV is used primarily for movies and PlayStation
The Trews is good too
Nice story Scott. I don’t have a tv either. If I did have one I’d probably watch Coro, and events like the election coverage, and some of the Campbell/6 o’clock news coverage when something specific was happening (often to see how the MSM are covering it as much as anything). I rely on twitter and ts now to let me know what is going on and then go further online if I want more detail.
There’s been some very good replies to you comments Tracey, and I agree with the majority of them, I also have been made aware of some other sites that need a visit by me.
One station I do watch is RT. Have to take it with a pinch of salt at times but I find the discussions on Cross Talk are excellent. At least you do get different points of view, Also as I said the other day I get a lot of news from The Standard. There are some brave souls on here that go and look on sites like the Herald, and inform us of the bullshit written by the likes of Armstrong.
@ ipent the edit function was showing on gosmans comment above .
I did try to edit it just to see if it would and it wouldn’t allow it .
It looks as if, on May 22, the south of Ireland will be the first country on the world in which has voted for gay marriage.
On that a referendum is to be held on same-sex marriages and all the polls indicate a big victory for gay marriage. In what was once Holy, Catholic Ireland polls indicate 70-80 percent support for gay marriage.
While I doubt the vote will be as high as 80%, because the Catholic Church will turn out its lay organisations and have its priests sermonising in the pulpits up until May 22, I think a big win is on the agenda.
All the parliamentary parties, including the most viciously anti-working class ones, favour gay marriage. And southern Irish society has changed dramatically in the past 20-25 years.
For a look at the referendum and societal changes see, Irish society and politics and the referendum on gay marriage: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/04/07/irish-society-and-politics-and-the-referendum-on-gay-marriage/
A good Russell Brand rant to start the morning with, on the limits to growth and capitalism at the This Changes Everything gathering in the UK last month…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjCb_0MOcgI
“Capitalism and Conservation are diametrically opposed.”
So true Russell. And in NZ Nick Smith is working hard to make sure Capitalism triumphs over Conservation by changing the RMA. Whoa there Nick!
Great cartoon by Emmerson today about watching Paul Henry.
A brain removal necessary.
4 days remaining until the scheduled return of the Rawshark 2.
+100 Parsupial
Isn’t CV back posting?
He hasn’t written under the Colonial Viper tag since February, and even then it seems to have been a lapse from the; Rawshark variant name, that many adopted at the time of the Hagar raid (including myself now that I think of it; but got distracted by meatworld life, and since I came back I’ve been using the older pseudonym). Colonial Rawshark did indeed make a comment last night:
http://thestandard.org.nz/dollar-parity/#comment-996788
When I checked my facebook account there was a message dated a couple of days ago saying he was ok with us ending the vigil (I dislike FB, so hadn’t checked since the weekend). So that just leaves it up to; phillip ure.
So you knew who I meant then?
How would you feel about a 21 hour working week.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=580VyI6hFmo#t=90
Pretty sure France answers your question.
Capitalism and the tyranny of time: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2014/10/03/capitalism-and-the-tyranny-of-time/
Whatever happened to the leisure society: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/04/03/whatever-happened-to-the-leisure-society/
Whoopee, we’re all gonna die. . . working: https://rdln.wordpress.com/2012/03/27/whooppee-were-all-gonna-die-working/
Phil
Everyone complains about Paul Henry. Yet I bet everyone’s watching it.
Saw part of this morning. Not too bad. More suited to radio I think. Good microphones. Need to get one of them.
“Everyone complains about Paul Henry. Yet I bet everyone’s watching it.”
So people keep saying, and yet here we are, many of us, that are not watching him. Capiche?
We made a point of only watching JC last night. Gone off Hilary Barry as well. What on earth was she thinking!?. TV1 news was ok until MHosking appeared at the end. I cannot believe that NZ is inflicted for three hours daily by that idiot that’s been kicked out of every village he’s been in. Insult to all New Zealanders.
and hosking is on radio too… Has anyone ever seen Henry and Hosking in the same roo together? And if they did, was it a circus sized tent, with just them and their egoes in it?
Weka-No he doesn’t capiche and probably never will. Don’t lose any sleepover it.
I know about a dozen who would rather eat wetas than watch PH.
No infused, I’m not watching Paul Henry. Why would I want to watch that racist, sexist gobshite?
+ 1 Exactly!!!
“I bet everyone’s watching it”
You lost, lucky you didnt have the courage to actually bet.
Nah, not me either.
Never found that blowhard entertaining, regardless of his political barrow.
What are the mics though infused? Ribbons?
No I don’t watch or listen to him.
This Emmerson cartoon is perfect.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/news-cartoons/news/article.cfm?c_id=500814&objectid=11429096
Paul- Priceless Emerson- Thanls
not watched it but from a shot in the newspaper the mic’s looks like neumann’s so prepare to part with a few $k each but you’ll not be dissapointed.
Or could be mocked up neumanns with shure’s or something else inside doing the actual work….overkill at it’s just Talking heads TV not a concerto performance etc.
“Yet I bet everyone’s watching it.”
Go see Fizzy then, s/he might still be spruiking his/her favourite Internet gambling site.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/property/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503451&objectid=11428814
Once again Bob Jones (votes Labour more then he votes National) has come up with the solution
National seem a bit stupid about this so heres an opportunity for Little but will he take it…
It’s a good idea especially if every time the government sold a house they built a new one.
Heres a bombshell, if Little announced this (or something basically the same) I’d probably end up voting Labour
This is probably the cheapest, easiest to understand, simplest to implement idea that would lift more kiwis out of renting into home ownership and is something that would have broad support over the entire political spectrum
The only problem is how to make it affordable to the average hnz tenant and how to stop some of them selling up at a future date and ending up back on a waiting list.
Thats the big question isn’t it, Littles full of hot air over small businesses but heres a good chance to show what Labour can do
Expect Little/ Labour to announce something along these lines tomorrow at their Housing forum in Auckland. Of course National will be cursing having to consider such an idea, their property speculator mates want the thick end of the wedge not the skinny end.
Given Jones is good mates with Mallard why the fuck hasn’t Trev pushed this through to the policy team.
The only party more dysfunctional than National would be Labour or is it more likely that Labour (like National) is out of touch with what NZ wants?
what does that mean “votes Labour more than National”?
He votes Labour more often then he votes National which is interesting dont you think
That’s because property tycoons like Jones do far better under a Labour Government than a Tory outfit. A lot of blue ribbon Aucklanders are very annoyed the foreign invasion of rich are picking the cream out of Auckland and beach property.
I actually heard a Key cheerleader, a bigger cheerleader than Fissy ( actually not quite) speaking fondly of Peters in this regards, when I asked but would you vote for him? Answer absolutely if Key doesn’t cut foreign ownership. So there ya go the love affair is over.
I will never vote Winston (I just can’t) and thats the only major party I can confidently say that about however if some other party was to take on board some of his policies then who knows…
Interestingly, when Herald (I think it was them) did that voting thing pre election where you looked at policy questions and it decided which party fit your needs), I know many who fit NZF but still voted for National. Also Nats and Labs were closer in percentages for many of them but NZF was best fit.
Its not the policies, its the man. I just can’t vote for him, when he leaves and someone else takes over (Shane Jones, Ron Mark maybe) maybe I can have a look at NZFirst.
I understand that.
It shows how important personality has become for voters, over policy. My post above suggests some vote against their own interests cos its Winston.
I agree with you.
At the moment Winston is the darling of the left because hes sticking it John Key yet hes now the defacto leader of the opposition and no one on the left seem to realise it but once he starts dictating to Key and Little…
Or does anyone here think Winston will be dictated to by someone that can’t win an electorate seat?
I vote based on policy and what I know about integrity of candidates likely to get in.
Exactly its about the integrity and on that Winston fails, I simply cannot trust the man as everything he does is to ultimately benefit himself and any benefits to NZ are simply a happy coincidence
Wow… when did you begin to dislike him?
It just really bugs me that Winston can say anything he likes and no one in the media will try to call him on it, he hints about certain things and could use parliamentary priviledge to do so but won’t…but just enough insinuation to get the point across
Seriously people on here think John Key is teflon, Keys teflon is nothing compared to Winston
He got the winebox right and hes dined out on it ever since but racing interests, fishing interests…oh no we won’t mention that
No means No except when its yes of course
Grrr rant over
(I do admire his political skill though)
“Seriously people on here think John Key is teflon, Keys teflon is nothing compared to Winston”
Interesting. I wonder how long a Blip list would be on Winston.
So you won’t vote for Winston because integrity and fishing interests, but Shane Jones might be your guy.
It’s because of shite like this, PR Hack, that no-one should ever take anything you write here seriously at all.
A couple of elections ago there was an online “quiz” the result of which would indicate which party suited.
I answered every question with the very opposite of what I believed in. The result was that apparently NZF would be best for me. Aha!
hehehehehe
I did one of those…got United Future
Seems accurate. You’re vacuous, petty, transparently selfish and generally lacking character.
The wife who is a died in the wool green voter gets act on vote compass it gives me hours of entertainment
NZF are in a good head space after the forgotten regional/rural win in Northland. Expect Peters NZF to mop up plenty more votes there.
For National it is a now a problematic issue trying to win back rural support. The increasing slide in milk powder prices won’t be helping. Add the wary eyes of the public and other political party’s to pork barrel politics and winning back the vote look a tough ask.
The big city’s will probably keep them in the game especially Auckland, however as explained the traditional Auckland blue ribbon voters are feeling aggrieved by foreigners buying our cream land pickings is the worry. I will add the big block land owners who don’t like the Nat’s considering forced freeing up of their golden egg.
Based on what? His word and that he voted for Labour when? Which period of time (cos that is important if you are claiming some kind of ideological curiosity)?
Why would he lie?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11317510
“When I wrote recently that this election was done and dusted, a storm of protest erupted on the New Zealand Herald’s website from Labour’s deeply unattractive, rabid tribalists.
Abuse aside, the common theme was that I’m a die-hard National supporter. That gave great amusement given that I last voted National in 1981. Excepting the New Zealand Party in 1984 and later Act twice, I’ve voted Labour ever since.”
I didn’t say he would lie. I was asking. I don’t hang on his every word so just wanted more information.
Cool, so the Last 10 elections he has voted ACT twice and LP 8 times.
I liked his party’s demob the military… get rid entirely policy.
Getting rid of the military would have to be one of the dumbest ideas ever, it proves that someone smart in one area doesn’t mean they’re smart in others
Maybe, but re-read the thinking behind it…
BTW way John Key proves that (the smart in one thing (currency trading) but stupid in others)
I am sure he said prior to the 2014 election he was giving Trevor his candidate vote and National his party vote.
Edit yes it says in the NZH link.
ok. so out of the elections from 1987 on, he has voted ACT twice, National once and LP
I reckon it’s like this:
NZParty 84 (himself),
Labour 87, 90, and 93 (in the depths of their neolib bullshit),
ACT 96 and 99 (more neolib bullshit),
National and Trevor Mallard (his mate) ever since.
And ‘cos he’s old school he counts his electorate vote for Trev as “Voting Labour”
my sense too felix… he has glossed over the intricacies of MMP. being wellington central he would have voted prebble?
If he voted for Mallard he can’t be in Wellington Central.
Jones also donated $6000 of the $11,000 Mallard received as donations to his 2014 election campaign.
http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/candidate_returns/2014cr-mallpdfardt.
Jones, for all his wealth and temperament etc, has never forgotten his roots and upbringing in a poor working class family in Naenae, Lower Hutt (state house IIRC) – unlike a certain Mr Key.
Some bits about his family in this 2007 Stuff article about his relationship with his much younger brother, Lloyd Jones.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/…/Bob-and-Lloyd-Jones
A bit more family background in this 2013 article about Lloyd Jones’ family memoir book “A History of Silence”.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/…/Lloyd-Jones-talks-about-family-memoir
Thanks veutoviper. Much appreciated.
I assume one of his votes for Labour would have been 1987, he would have loved Roger Douglas implementing the New Zealand Party’s policies from 1984.
Even a broken watch is right twice a day.
Home ownership is the best way out of poverty when you look at.
Think Sydney’s expensive? Try Auckland.
Don’t think there’s too much to say about that.
Time to gird our loins (again) to save yet more of our trees from petty officialdom.
http://jury.co.nz/2015/04/07/taonga-the-yellow-pohutukawa-on-the-waitara-river-bank/
With the concerted comments regarding allowing the freeing up of Easter Trading laws I ask Has not the protection of the work force been eroded enough ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11429095
we also have Larry Williams (Wine) & Mike Hoskin (Eating Out) being caught out and having THEIR lifestyles inconvenienced. So it is ok for everyone to have their work places closed to observe the holiday but Not Retail.
How long have these and other commentators lived in NZ ? And leading the discussion from an informed position ?? and yet are caught out by having the shops close down for 3&1/2 days per year.
Should there be a change in the law to allow retail to operate, why halt at easter why not remove the protection from all of the 3 &1/2 days that the shops are compelled to be closed?
Perhaps we should expect the proponents of change to also work their normal hours on these days and for the MP’s to open their electorate offices?
I for one appreciated have the family all together, and the shops were open the following day and no one in my family suffered from this.
Question
Are AT (Auckland transport) designed to kill off public transport?
When they took over in 2012 fairs were $1.80 for one zone for an adult. As of now they are $2.50 per adult. That is just under a 40% price hike in just 3 years. Let me repeat that – a almost 40% hike in fare prices in just 3 years. How can they justify that. When we are the people funding the system in the first place?
AT = Auckland Traitors?
AT = Auckland Twits?
AT = Auckland truning people of public transport since 2012.
No wonder the figure are not climbing and the kids are jumping on the trains and not paying fares. This is a joke.
When the average pay packet barely went up 3%, how the hell can a AT justify a 40% price increase.
AT needs to be disbanded, and everyone who works for them needs to be fired. This is unacceptable. Private companies bleeding the public for profit.
Hi Adam,
Went to a Generation Zero workshop a couple of years ago. Matt from Transport Blog was there along with a councillor talking about public transport during one of the sessions.
In the discussion, someone brought up the cost of public transport putting people off from using it. To my surprise both Matt and the councillor, along with an AT rep all said that studies have proven that reducing the cost does not make a difference to usage.
An intrepid member of the audience disagreed, but they dismissed any notion that this could be the case. In our case, the cost for my family to travel into town by train/bus is prohibitive – around $60 one way. Compared to the cost of taking our hybrid in, and parking in Aotea Centre for $11 we have to be running flush on our budget to use public transport option. We do use it when one of us is travelling alone, but I don’t think it is a consideration that is being made by AT.
Also, given that automatic ticketing is something that has happened for decades overseas they seem to have made a hash of the AT Hop service. Student fares are not included on the display (you are supposed to know to choose child) and Hop cards are only available from a couple of stations. A debacle.
Hi Molly,
I wonder how they would feel about what has happened in Adelaide – with most fares being a gold coin. My guess is they were selective in their studies, and the studies are asking the wrong questions, or looking for specific monetarist based results.
My favourite is – it costs more, to catch public transport into Auckland City – than it costs to catch a bus to Whangarei – Or Taupo – Or Rotorua. That is a sick joke being played on Auckland rate payers. The whole charging kids fares – when the over 65’s pay nothing – I find a very cruel joke as well.
The automatic ticket is a massive disaster – I was on a train when a women’s card was not reading properly – and the ticket inspectors called her all names under the sun. They accused her of manipulating with the card. Then they called her a thief. I intervened, and ask them for there names whilst pulling out a pen and paper – they ran for the next coach.
I’ve also seen them throw teenagers off the train for not tagging on – when they should just provide the service on the train. Like a ticket machine – or better yet a ticket seller. I’ve also witness a women being threatened with physical violence, because she was one stop over her ticket. (still within zone mind) I reported that one.
AT is a disaster – Pathetic, incompetent and danger to public transport.
Private (and public) companies bleeding the public for profit. Pack of crooks the lot of them.
https://at.govt.nz/media/1043070/nzta-internet-contract-award.pdf
Is there a watchdog in place to monitor currency trading?
With the fluctuations over the past few weeks, presumably the trading
floors have been busy.
Do we know which institutions / private individuals who might be making “killings” as a result?
Are there money traders who make lots of money these days?
Is there a registry?
Are MPs required to declare interests in this area?