Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear another word.
There isn’t one I haven’t heard.
Don’t wait until wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!
This TPPA thing has got beyond words – I want some action (peaceful, of course!)
I want to let this f. awful government know that not all New Zealanders can be so blatantly disregarded! I want to march and shout some slogans.
I marched down Riccarton Road on a miserably wet day in September; now I want to do so again!
And I want to do so as much for my own self-respect as anything. I want to be able to look my grandchildren in the eyes when this country had completely gone to the dogs and say – “I fought against the foreign takeover of our country!”
I marched in 1981 and have always had a warm feeling about that – though I admit to being frightened at the time. I have put my name down for the climate change march in November – does that qualify me for Key’s ‘rent-a-crowd’ one third?
This has got beyond words – let’s have some action! Show me how! And when!
Onya Tony. I’m a “rent a crowd” third too. And a Labour and Green voter, so am another third according to Key. Who do we invoice for services provided to promote democracy btw? Cos, you know, in Key’s world, everything is for sale.
FYI. I spoke to a friend who is involved in the organisation around TPP. Like you, I’m keen to get out there again. As far as I know there isn’t anything in the pipeline as yet – BUT, there will be. Thats for sure.
I think it’s possible that organisers are holding off until we have access to the text of all 30 chapters. Once we have that information we plan strategy for activity. Thats just my theory.
Listening to Alistair Thompson on Scoop Politics on Radio Active this morning – he mentioned that without knowing the full content of the deal we are really only shadow boxing. I thought that was good way of looking at at. It’s not until the deal gets tabled in congress that we and the other 11 countries get to know the content, and thats thirty days after.
I think there will be a delay before we hit the streets again.
Don’t hold off organising your own local march though 😀
PS: Do you keep an eye on Action Station? They were involved in co organising the last march. Sing up and receive their email news.
Other than that the rest of the stories seemed to focus on “how hard it for poor Mr Key & the rest of the party to get there and how unpleasant it had all been”.
Left the lasting impression that it was all about me, me ,me… look how tough I had it but zero empathy for the people who have to live their lives there.
and Corin Dann (sp) was almost breathless with his excitement at being in a war zone… reminds me why I prefer Mike McRoberts. The coverage struck me as highlighting that it’s all about
Old neoliberal farts like Fran O’Sullivan and John Key really do seem to believe their own bullshit, in an almost religious fervour. It is like they cannot abide any alternative views. Their minds cannot fathom that there are other ways of structuring society and trade. They are stuck in a time warp.
“In Kunduz, our patients burned in their beds. MSF doctors, nurses and other staff were killed as they worked. Our colleagues had to operate on each other.”
+100 Manuka AOR – would be keen to see further analysis of this on the Standard too.
It seems unfathomable that the USA can just murder (either deliberately or by accident) so many doctors, patients and other staff at the hospital and the international community does nothing. Is this the international and media response – Meh?
Even if the MSM seem reluctant to report it properly with analysis I hope the blogs can look at it.
Look at what the difference when a muslim kills someone in Paris – massive widespread international condemnation and dialogue – funeral with all the international dignitaries invited (and some who were not).
And in a sad irony, Docs without Borders are vocal opponents of the TPP:
” the TPP will still go down in history as the worst trade agreement for access to medicines in developing countries, which will be forced to change their laws to incorporate abusive intellectual property protections for pharmaceutical companies.”
” As the trade agreement now goes back to the national level for countries’ final approval, we urge all governments to carefully consider before they sign on the dotted line whether this is the direction they want to take on access to affordable medicines and the promotion of biomedical innovation. The negative impact of the TPP on public health will be enormous, be felt for years to come, and will not be limited to the current 12 TPP countries, as it is a dangerous blueprint for future agreements.” http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/statement-msf-conclusion-tpp-negotiations-atlanta
@Tony Veitch
My initial reaction to the signing was exactly like yours. I have managed to push my anger down to a level where I can do now think more rationally and make better plans to fight this more effectively.
The current situation is this:
1.Only the trade issues have been revealed.
2. The Herald in particular is doing the soft-sell PR job for Groser, Key
3. The ISDS, the selling of land to foreigners and minimal dairy gains are really the only negative issue that are out in the public domain.
4. The fine print fishhooks have yet to be revealed so the arguments surrounding these cannot be had to inform the general public of the negative consequences. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11525498
I think we will need to take to the streets but the events need to be well planned, well publicised, with all groups co-ordinating, similar to the big antimining march in Auckland. It needs to be after the text is released so the negatives are indisputably out there so the public can see that we are not just a pack of angry feral, left wing nutters but have damn good reasons for marching and what’s more, they want to join in because they agree.
In the meantime, we need to educate those around us as more information comes to light, get people involved in planning placards, street theatre, ready for the big marches.
5. Let’s all learn the lyrics of Twisted Sister’s “We’re not Gonna Take It”
Oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
we’ve Got The Right To Choose And
there Ain’t No Way We’ll Lose It
this Is Our Life, This Is Our Song
we’ll Fight The Powers That Be Just
don’t Pick Our Destiny ’cause
you Don’t Know Us, You Don’t Belong
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
oh You’re So Condescending
your Gall Is Never Ending
we Don’t Want Nothin’, Not A Thing From You
your Life Is Trite And Jaded
boring And Confiscated
if That’s Your Best, Your Best Won’t Do
I also think there should be a consumer campaign run too. For example buy no milk products day, buy no meat day, buy nothing day, buy no overseas goods day etc.
Don’t go to Bunnings are get that garden hose etc.
Now that money is the new god and lobbyists are the messengers, when the end consumer fights the money, the lobbyists start listening.
This is what happened in the 90’s with cruelty free animal testing – consumers stopped buying and changed the way the company did business.
As voters democracy might be gone, but as consumers we still have choice and a lot of ability to damage corporations.
@Grumpystilskin – already mostly stopped watching TV. Don’t watch TV news anymore although I have heard early morning news is a lot better than 6pm.
Also another thought, don’t use the phone day.
I’m no economist but not consuming anything for one day (banks also affected) would wipe off millions in the economy I would have thought. A powerful message.
Get onto the US – if the US consumer stopped consuming for one day – the lobbyists would have a heart attack. No TPP.
Telly is rubbish. haven’t watched it for ages. I visually filter out all advertising.
When the I search for a particular product to buy and the google picks that up and bombards me with pop up ads…I do a search for something REALLY obscure.
Thank you TMM – your response, and those of the others, are just what I needed – a boost to my flagging enthusiasm. This fight is far from over!
I shall be emailing all the Green, NZ First and Labour MPs in the Christchurch area, letting them know that support of the TPP will have electoral consequences.
I shall be spreading the word as far as I am able among my friends and family – and yes, also waiting until the nasty aspects of this agreement can no longer be hidden from the public.
But let’s get the people who planned the September marches on board again – make it bigger and more emphatic and really stick it to this (to paraphrase jonkey) goddam awful government!
“But let’s get the people who planned the September marches on board again – make it bigger and more emphatic and really stick it to this (to paraphrase jonkey) goddam awful government!”
Hi Tony. Not sure if you saw my response to you at 1.2. There WILL be action 😀
You’re right, the fight is far from over. There is just a pause for gathering strength and planning the next steps. From what I hear some of the organisers are quite exhausted because they have been involved intensively in the anti TPP movement for three years now.
I don’t know if it will either PR. Our Government’s mind is made up, and Grocer wouldn’t wear the shame of NZ not singing to the deal.
Then again, there is so much that may be revealed in the coming months, that maybe the government may find they have a riot on their hands. Even the placid and sleepy might even go “Huh?”
If Congress does ratify this, meaning we then go ahead, then it becomes a very important point in our history. There has to be a reaction to that.
What will most likely happen in the upcoming months is NZ will see theres more benefits then negatives and eventually everyone will wonder what the big deal was
I opposed it because I don’t buy Wayne Mapp’s notion that secrecy was required to secure negotiating positions. John Key recently admitted that we, and our allies, spy on each other for commercial reasons. Therefore, no one had a secret negotiating position. ALL governments leak information that suits them. Labour did, National does and so on. So WHY the secrecy this time?
Wayne Mapp says dissenters who NEVER supported a FTA can be discounted cos they have always opposed but won’t address the corollary, that someone who NEVER opposes one is equally as questionable ( on his logic).
Kelsey has been very clear that she opposes the opening of the door to erosion of soveriegn decision-making through a closed door tribunal made up of former or current corporate lawyers, with no chance of Appeal.
Fair questions to ask I would have thought.
Key says we won’t be sued. BUT he hasn’t told us what he bases that on. There is plenty of evidence that other governments have been sued. There is NO history of such suing in the FTA’s we are in… but some of the countries we are now climbing into bed with DO have a history of suing under those clauses. THAT is a significant difference.
Labour started this and the people voted them in, National continued it and the people voted them in, its a bugger when democracy doesn’t work exatcly how you want it to work
Are you suggesting the people who voted for National and Labour knew what they would get from a TPP? Or something else?
It’s far too early to say if NZ got a good or bad or something-else deal. As long as only one party has the information and is releasing it selectively no voter is in a position to judge anything.
The majority of NZers understand that the TPPA will be bad for us and that the only winners from it will be the foreign corporations. Key and National know that as well.
Agree that organisation for protest needs to take place after content of the deal is revealed. Then we know exactly what we are dealing with and can formulate a plan for appropriate reaction.
LOLs. At one of the TPP demo’s in Wellington, prior to the last one we all did a sing along to We’re not Gonna Take It. It was the best!
@Pat
To continue from yesterday, it appears nothing is certain on the banning of house sales to overseas purchasers. Labour may well have the option of modifying the OIA (which has been exempted from the TPP) so that it can implement its policy.
From the Herald today:
as always the devil is in the detail , however that link (thanks) suggests to me that there may be room for restricting foreign investment under the provisions of the CURRENT overseas investment act….and dosnt remove the risk of ISDS prosecution should any future government wish to change the act….my take.
@left
Agreed. She didn’t seem very well briefed. Assange had to correct her on facts several times and it sounded like he was thinking “why on earth is she asking this?”.
“..according to the ….mad breathless fanboys of the right wing press, after today’s speech to the Tory party conference Davie Cameron is the new voice of the left. In other news, Hannibal Lector is the new voice of veganism, Ian Paisley is the Vatican spokesman on ecumenicalism, and the BNP are the new UN Commissioners for Refugees.”
Not how Sir David Shearer of IISS lineage, Grant Robertson and David Parker will be advocating in the Caucus. They will be pushing hard for conformity with the fictions “middle ground consensus” .
Sir David and Lady Anuschka will get that cushy ambassador spot from National or Labour: there don’t care which. They are not going to allow bloody left wingers dirty their clean establishment credentials.
If Labour came out and said they’ll support the TPP wholeheartedly, you’d call them right wing neoliberals who are weak.
When they criticise it, and say they won’t be following its regulations – the regulations of an international agreement – and will implement their policies anyway, you call it empty promises and weak.
Within that article is a link to another story about a Whakatane man who starved calves to death.
Read that one only yesterday, and now one today.
Read another two weeks ago about about a farm manager and staff who abused dairy cows, forced extremely lame cows who were in acute pain to walk 2km to an offal pit where they shot them. The farm manager and a farm hand were charged for that and other abuses.
These stories crop up far too frequently in the farming section on stuffed.co.nz
But surely this is just tip of the iceberg stuff, the cases that end in convictions.
After long campaigning, over decades, only now are customers purchasing free range chicken eggs and pork in supermarkets, and not just at health stores and farmers markets as before. They have finally grown aware of the cruelty of factory farming and it is more widely known about.
How long will it be before we can expose the culture of farmed animal abuse, dairy, cattle and sheep, understand the depth of the abuse and remedy the situation?
Why, in an agricultural nation are we so backwards about animal welfare?
Why as a people are we so backward about animal welfare? There is only one way to stop this constant and horrific abuse of animals and that is to go vegan.
I go with the free market argument, too.
Farmers cutting back on feed and help means the remaining staff are underpaid, overworked and in precarious (and often dangerous) employment.
We can’t expect people to care more about animals than the economy cares about people.
Adern is right to say they will continue to legislate regardless, especially in light of how little would be lost, in 15 years time, if it gets ditched. 1% is nothing.
1% is nothing. Just pay it and ditch the piece of shit
For fucks sake 2.7billion aint much different to Bill English’s handout to his mates who invested in South Canterbury Finance at 1.7billion
A few crumbs is all Grosser and co have been fed.Michael that figure of $ 2.7 billion is highly dubious.
As the loss side of the balance sheet is not included.
Biologicals the cost of keeping longer patents will wipe that out by itself as this government has deliberately covered up the %’s that pharmac will be purchasing for now it is small but by 2020 it will be 15% + of purchases by 2030 it could be half of all purchases.
Then their is loss of local purchasing for govts and local bodies.
That could include health boards.
Then the right to sue .
This is a pigs arse of a trade deal pushed by pigheaded pirates.
There is no increase to the patent term of medicines in NZ under this proposed TPP agreement.
Your figures on the percentage of biologicals as a percentage of total spend of pharmaceuticals is incorrect – suggest you have look at PHARMAC’s website where this information is published – regardless as i have said before there is no increase to the patent term of medicines in NZ under this proposed TPP agreement.
Regarding local purchasing for government and councils – this will most likely still go through a tender process with the purchasing body making the decision based on the specifics of the tender.
What would your better half (presuming you have one) think if you got home after years away toiling for a pay rise and came back saying … “yes honey, I did it… 1% rise in 15 years time!… Lets go out and celebrate…”
At this early stage it appears that NZ (read every TTP nation other than the USA) is going to be screwed on various levels
With the agreements and legislation being authored and directed by private company’s and corporations, the likelihood of positive impact for people as a whole, is extremely low.
The likelihood of negative outcomes flowing through by becoming part of this agreement, are immeasurably high
Increased trade is a good outcome, yes I’m pro trade and agree with the former prime minster and current trade minister on the importance of trade to the NZ economy.
What? You consider the 1% gain after 15 years piffle?
I guess you’re right, it is piffle. The entire TPP is piffle.
And this is even more classic piffle … “Increased trade is a good outcome, yes I’m pro trade and agree with the former prime minster and current trade minister on the importance of trade to the NZ economy.”
You run a business that turns over some where between 10 million and a 100 million, so I’m assuming it would be something to do with exports or imports.
I would think the TPPA would have quite an impact on your bottom line if you’e in exports, or is the TPPA of no to relevance to your business?
What would have a bigger impact on our business’s bottom line is a more robust and financially healthy lower income sector…. not pandering to already successful pharmaceutical companies and big tobacco….
ffs, this stuff aint rocket science…. every business in NZ would do better if the base of our society was actually strong. This is where the effort should go – into making the low income demographic wealthier..
.. it builds all the way up doesn’t it BM. Like any foundation.
.. which is why restricting foreign ownership in order to drive down all capital values will help
.. but we ALL know that lowering capital values is like speaking of the devil, such is the religious fervour of the right wing on these matters
… lower the capital values – high capital values are only damaging
Yep I come across them types all the time in real life – they just cannot fathom other ways of going about life and business. They really are bamboozled by it. If it aint about money then they just glaze over….
Commentary on the extent of the gain (1% in 15 years) resulting from the TPP is considered piffle. Do you think we should just bend even further over and not comment on the outcome of the TPP?
Is a 1% economic gain in 15 years piffle?
I think it is.
After all that means at that level of achievement a 10% increase will take 150 years – ha ha, may as well pack the bags and head to the beach …
Not necessarily. In fact, that just proves your position is ideological belief rather than a considered position.
As I say, if there was a truly level field there would be only minimal trade as each country would produce for itself from its own resources. The added costs of trade would prevent trade.
Sigh – Pat I’ve explained the difference between data exclusivity and patent term from a NZ medicines regulatory perspective a number of times, have a look at my previous comments on this using the Standard’s dinky search function.
I know its tiresome having to deal with mere mortals doc but humour me awhile and confirm a point or two for me if you would
– it is your contention that due to the WTO 20 year drug patent period it has no impact on Pharmacs ability to purchase generics whether the data exclusivity period is 5 or 8 years as both fall well within the 20 years (leaving aside evergreening)
– the additional costs to NZ under the TPP will be negligible and essentially for administration
-Pharmaceutical companies need this period to recoup Rand D costs and to provide a return on investment, therefore the drivers are financial
– the advocates for the increased data exclusivity period of 12 years in the TPP negotiation were the pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists
There was an interesting conversation (if short lived when a ban was threatened) on whether retiring CTU president Helen Kelly, who has lung cancer, smoked (she doesn’t as far as I know). I’m a huge admirer of Helen and this post isn’t about her but about the fact that lung cancer sufferers, and to a lesser extent other cancer sufferers are often blamed for their illness (the first quote and link below touch on this subject.)
In fact, one new set of research findings (see second link and quote) has found that in the majority of cases people who get cancer are simply unlucky. This raises an interesting question about how much responsibility we are placing on cancer sufferers for having the disease and why we are doing this. Has the health industry become over-zealous, for instance? Is it a result of society pushing all responsibility on to the individual. Or is it a great conceit we now have the power to control our health when in fact we often don’t.
We have managed to demonise smokers but bowel cancer is the second most common form of cancer and we don’t have an easy target for that. If there was a lifestyle that society disapproved of that was known to contribute to bowel cancer, would people who participate in that also be demonised?
“Unlike some cancers, which typically evoke sympathy and concern, lung cancer patients often experience stigma, isolation, and social judgment. In some instances, patients with lung cancer blame themselves and are filled with regret for having failed to take the advice (liberally meted out by doctors, family, friends, and strangers) to quit smoking. Patients who smoked (even those who had long ago quit) find themselves not only battling their disease, but also rebuke and self-recrimination.”
yesterday my partner and were driving home from a funeral. We started talking about stress and so forth. She mentioned that from time to time mention is made of the impact of stress on illness. She mused “Has anyone studied terminal illness suffered by survivors of active duty since WWII? Cos” she continued” “you can’t get much more stressed than being shelled and shot at and freezing etc”.
Jacinda Ardern’s comments are most welcome. It’s good to see Labour committing to policies in the interests of the majority of our citizens.
I’ll take her comments at face value, bravo.
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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 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 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 ...
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 ...
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 Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
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 ...
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In the words of Eliza Dolittle, My Fair Lady:
Words! Words! I’m so sick of words!
I get words all day through;
First from him, now from you! Is that all you blighters can do?
Don’t talk at all! Show me!
Never do I ever want to hear another word.
There isn’t one I haven’t heard.
Don’t wait until wrinkles and lines
Pop out all over my brow,
Show me now!
This TPPA thing has got beyond words – I want some action (peaceful, of course!)
I want to let this f. awful government know that not all New Zealanders can be so blatantly disregarded! I want to march and shout some slogans.
I marched down Riccarton Road on a miserably wet day in September; now I want to do so again!
And I want to do so as much for my own self-respect as anything. I want to be able to look my grandchildren in the eyes when this country had completely gone to the dogs and say – “I fought against the foreign takeover of our country!”
I marched in 1981 and have always had a warm feeling about that – though I admit to being frightened at the time. I have put my name down for the climate change march in November – does that qualify me for Key’s ‘rent-a-crowd’ one third?
This has got beyond words – let’s have some action! Show me how! And when!
“…does that qualify me for Key’s ‘rent-a-crowd’ one third?”
….and “misinformed”
….and “politically irrelevant”
What did ‘is nibs say about ‘third term arrogance’?
Onya Tony. I’m a “rent a crowd” third too. And a Labour and Green voter, so am another third according to Key. Who do we invoice for services provided to promote democracy btw? Cos, you know, in Key’s world, everything is for sale.
FYI. I spoke to a friend who is involved in the organisation around TPP. Like you, I’m keen to get out there again. As far as I know there isn’t anything in the pipeline as yet – BUT, there will be. Thats for sure.
I think it’s possible that organisers are holding off until we have access to the text of all 30 chapters. Once we have that information we plan strategy for activity. Thats just my theory.
Listening to Alistair Thompson on Scoop Politics on Radio Active this morning – he mentioned that without knowing the full content of the deal we are really only shadow boxing. I thought that was good way of looking at at. It’s not until the deal gets tabled in congress that we and the other 11 countries get to know the content, and thats thirty days after.
I think there will be a delay before we hit the streets again.
Don’t hold off organising your own local march though 😀
PS: Do you keep an eye on Action Station? They were involved in co organising the last march. Sing up and receive their email news.
according to Groser we all think “the TPP eats babies”. No hysterical rhetoric there then, the deal clearly stands on its own merits.
Did Key really use the words “goddam awful place” ??
what a dick
From yesterday’s stories it sounds like he did.
Other than that the rest of the stories seemed to focus on “how hard it for poor Mr Key & the rest of the party to get there and how unpleasant it had all been”.
Left the lasting impression that it was all about me, me ,me… look how tough I had it but zero empathy for the people who have to live their lives there.
And I bet he said Gaaaad Dayam Arful place and then spit on the ground. GI Johnny, our own Yankey.
TV1 6pm news bulletin lead with the line. I thought it was a bit on the nose for a 6pm broadcast, but I guess we’re not that god faring any more.
bf said that because they were quoting the leader of the nation, they were allowed to say it.
I think the TV1 audience can put up with almost anything if they can embrace Hosking. Just dont mention Hager, Assange et al. Red rag to a bull.
and Corin Dann (sp) was almost breathless with his excitement at being in a war zone… reminds me why I prefer Mike McRoberts. The coverage struck me as highlighting that it’s all about
The PM (as it should be); and
The journalist
In no particular order
Good to see most aren’t buying the pro tpp rhetoric from our media and pointing out the downsides to journo’s..
For example, have a read of the replies to fran o’sullivans article in yesterdays herald.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11524807
Old neoliberal farts like Fran O’Sullivan and John Key really do seem to believe their own bullshit, in an almost religious fervour. It is like they cannot abide any alternative views. Their minds cannot fathom that there are other ways of structuring society and trade. They are stuck in a time warp.
They are well past their use-by date (the 1990’s)
+1 vto
The replies to Fran Osullivan’s adulatory sycophancy are worth reading.No rants – just calm critiques.
Doctors Without Borders are calling for an independent investigation into the hospital airstrike in which a dozen doctors were killed, – 22 people in all, including adult and child patients:
http://abcnews.go.com/International/doctors-borders-calls-independent-probe-deadly-kunduz-hospital/story?id=34310266
“In Kunduz, our patients burned in their beds. MSF doctors, nurses and other staff were killed as they worked. Our colleagues had to operate on each other.”
“Today, we say enough. Even war has rules.”
More on the ever-changing nature of the official story here: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/oct/06/doctors-without-borders-airstrike-afghanistan-us-account-changes-again
+100 Manuka AOR – would be keen to see further analysis of this on the Standard too.
It seems unfathomable that the USA can just murder (either deliberately or by accident) so many doctors, patients and other staff at the hospital and the international community does nothing. Is this the international and media response – Meh?
Even if the MSM seem reluctant to report it properly with analysis I hope the blogs can look at it.
Look at what the difference when a muslim kills someone in Paris – massive widespread international condemnation and dialogue – funeral with all the international dignitaries invited (and some who were not).
What the F is wrong with the world?
And in a sad irony, Docs without Borders are vocal opponents of the TPP:
” the TPP will still go down in history as the worst trade agreement for access to medicines in developing countries, which will be forced to change their laws to incorporate abusive intellectual property protections for pharmaceutical companies.”
” As the trade agreement now goes back to the national level for countries’ final approval, we urge all governments to carefully consider before they sign on the dotted line whether this is the direction they want to take on access to affordable medicines and the promotion of biomedical innovation. The negative impact of the TPP on public health will be enormous, be felt for years to come, and will not be limited to the current 12 TPP countries, as it is a dangerous blueprint for future agreements.”
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/article/statement-msf-conclusion-tpp-negotiations-atlanta
Perhaps the hospital was deliberately targeted due to DWB opposition to TPPA
Key must have been in Iraq when it approved cruise missile transit to Syria.
Does this mean we declare war on Russia ?
Peter Sellers once made a film called ‘The Mouse that Roared’ ..
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mouse_That_Roared_(film)
@Tony Veitch
My initial reaction to the signing was exactly like yours. I have managed to push my anger down to a level where I can do now think more rationally and make better plans to fight this more effectively.
The current situation is this:
1.Only the trade issues have been revealed.
2. The Herald in particular is doing the soft-sell PR job for Groser, Key
3. The ISDS, the selling of land to foreigners and minimal dairy gains are really the only negative issue that are out in the public domain.
4. The fine print fishhooks have yet to be revealed so the arguments surrounding these cannot be had to inform the general public of the negative consequences.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11525498
I think we will need to take to the streets but the events need to be well planned, well publicised, with all groups co-ordinating, similar to the big antimining march in Auckland. It needs to be after the text is released so the negatives are indisputably out there so the public can see that we are not just a pack of angry feral, left wing nutters but have damn good reasons for marching and what’s more, they want to join in because they agree.
In the meantime, we need to educate those around us as more information comes to light, get people involved in planning placards, street theatre, ready for the big marches.
5. Let’s all learn the lyrics of Twisted Sister’s “We’re not Gonna Take It”
Oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
we’ve Got The Right To Choose And
there Ain’t No Way We’ll Lose It
this Is Our Life, This Is Our Song
we’ll Fight The Powers That Be Just
don’t Pick Our Destiny ’cause
you Don’t Know Us, You Don’t Belong
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
oh You’re So Condescending
your Gall Is Never Ending
we Don’t Want Nothin’, Not A Thing From You
your Life Is Trite And Jaded
boring And Confiscated
if That’s Your Best, Your Best Won’t Do
oh…………………
oh…………………
we’re Right/yeah
we’re Free/yeah
we’ll Fight/yeah
you’ll See/yeah
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It
no, We Ain’t Gonna Take It
oh We’re Not Gonna Take It Anymore
no Way!
source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/onehitwonders/werenotgonnatakeitlyrics.html
+1
I also think there should be a consumer campaign run too. For example buy no milk products day, buy no meat day, buy nothing day, buy no overseas goods day etc.
Don’t go to Bunnings are get that garden hose etc.
Now that money is the new god and lobbyists are the messengers, when the end consumer fights the money, the lobbyists start listening.
This is what happened in the 90’s with cruelty free animal testing – consumers stopped buying and changed the way the company did business.
As voters democracy might be gone, but as consumers we still have choice and a lot of ability to damage corporations.
If Kiwis stop buying stuff for a month (use car less etc) that will scare the pants off the Nats and be great for the environment too.
go places without taking money or plastic with you
it is very refreshing
F R E E D O M ! !
Turn off the TV, that’s your biggest corporate agent.
Seriously, do it. Your desire for new widgets will soon disappear.
+ a billion or so.
+1
Not only that but your tolerance for people shouting at you really declines….
@Grumpystilskin – already mostly stopped watching TV. Don’t watch TV news anymore although I have heard early morning news is a lot better than 6pm.
Also another thought, don’t use the phone day.
I’m no economist but not consuming anything for one day (banks also affected) would wipe off millions in the economy I would have thought. A powerful message.
Get onto the US – if the US consumer stopped consuming for one day – the lobbyists would have a heart attack. No TPP.
I fear it will be an uphill battle to deflect the faithful from their pilgrimages to worship at the alter of the Great God of Shop.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/72592453/shoppers-flock-to-aucklands-new-northwest-mall
Telly is rubbish. haven’t watched it for ages. I visually filter out all advertising.
When the I search for a particular product to buy and the google picks that up and bombards me with pop up ads…I do a search for something REALLY obscure.
Like “buy submarine”.
Try it. Hilarious.
+1
That is the big one. Get rid of the TV and a lot of the worst manipulation goes away.
Thank you TMM – your response, and those of the others, are just what I needed – a boost to my flagging enthusiasm. This fight is far from over!
I shall be emailing all the Green, NZ First and Labour MPs in the Christchurch area, letting them know that support of the TPP will have electoral consequences.
I shall be spreading the word as far as I am able among my friends and family – and yes, also waiting until the nasty aspects of this agreement can no longer be hidden from the public.
But let’s get the people who planned the September marches on board again – make it bigger and more emphatic and really stick it to this (to paraphrase jonkey) goddam awful government!
“But let’s get the people who planned the September marches on board again – make it bigger and more emphatic and really stick it to this (to paraphrase jonkey) goddam awful government!”
Hi Tony. Not sure if you saw my response to you at 1.2. There WILL be action 😀
You’re right, the fight is far from over. There is just a pause for gathering strength and planning the next steps. From what I hear some of the organisers are quite exhausted because they have been involved intensively in the anti TPP movement for three years now.
Well I wish you all good luck, I don’t think you lot will change anything but at least you’re doing something you believe in and thats good
I don’t know if it will either PR. Our Government’s mind is made up, and Grocer wouldn’t wear the shame of NZ not singing to the deal.
Then again, there is so much that may be revealed in the coming months, that maybe the government may find they have a riot on their hands. Even the placid and sleepy might even go “Huh?”
If Congress does ratify this, meaning we then go ahead, then it becomes a very important point in our history. There has to be a reaction to that.
What will most likely happen in the upcoming months is NZ will see theres more benefits then negatives and eventually everyone will wonder what the big deal was
An interesting take from Planet Key.
Yep. Righto PR…………….. 🙄
I opposed it because I don’t buy Wayne Mapp’s notion that secrecy was required to secure negotiating positions. John Key recently admitted that we, and our allies, spy on each other for commercial reasons. Therefore, no one had a secret negotiating position. ALL governments leak information that suits them. Labour did, National does and so on. So WHY the secrecy this time?
Wayne Mapp says dissenters who NEVER supported a FTA can be discounted cos they have always opposed but won’t address the corollary, that someone who NEVER opposes one is equally as questionable ( on his logic).
Kelsey has been very clear that she opposes the opening of the door to erosion of soveriegn decision-making through a closed door tribunal made up of former or current corporate lawyers, with no chance of Appeal.
Fair questions to ask I would have thought.
Key says we won’t be sued. BUT he hasn’t told us what he bases that on. There is plenty of evidence that other governments have been sued. There is NO history of such suing in the FTA’s we are in… but some of the countries we are now climbing into bed with DO have a history of suing under those clauses. THAT is a significant difference.
That’s easy – they didn’t want the people to know by how much they’re being sold out for until after it was done.
Key knows that’s a lie. The ISDS wouldn’t be in there if we weren’t going to be sued.
That can’t possibly happen as there’s essentially no benefits and lots and lots of downsides.
Thanks Rosie – am looking forward to doing something concrete and effective to stop this travesty of democracy going any further.
Labour started this and the people voted them in, National continued it and the people voted them in, its a bugger when democracy doesn’t work exatcly how you want it to work
Pretty sure you wouldn’t know democracy if you fell over it.
Democracy. = All citizens decide..
It is not , when, for example asset thefts, sorry, sales! continue when 80% are opposed
Are you suggesting the people who voted for National and Labour knew what they would get from a TPP? Or something else?
It’s far too early to say if NZ got a good or bad or something-else deal. As long as only one party has the information and is releasing it selectively no voter is in a position to judge anything.
What you describe is not democracy – it’s elected dictatorship.
If we’d gone with what the people wanted we wouldn’t be in the TPPA – we would have dropped out of it years ago:
http://itsourfuture.org.nz/opinion-polls-show-pm-out-of-touch-with-public-on-tppa/
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1212/S00004/poll-shows-most-nzers-want-to-end-secret-tppa-negotiations.htm
poll: Benefit?
The majority of NZers understand that the TPPA will be bad for us and that the only winners from it will be the foreign corporations. Key and National know that as well.
+1 Tautoko Mango Mata.
Agree that organisation for protest needs to take place after content of the deal is revealed. Then we know exactly what we are dealing with and can formulate a plan for appropriate reaction.
LOLs. At one of the TPP demo’s in Wellington, prior to the last one we all did a sing along to We’re not Gonna Take It. It was the best!
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/trans-pacific-partnership-charade-by-joseph-e–stiglitz-and-adam-s–hersh-2015-10
@Pat
To continue from yesterday, it appears nothing is certain on the banning of house sales to overseas purchasers. Labour may well have the option of modifying the OIA (which has been exempted from the TPP) so that it can implement its policy.
From the Herald today:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11525498
The list of “things to look out for” from Jacobi and Rosenberg when the fine print comes through are interesting.
as always the devil is in the detail , however that link (thanks) suggests to me that there may be room for restricting foreign investment under the provisions of the CURRENT overseas investment act….and dosnt remove the risk of ISDS prosecution should any future government wish to change the act….my take.
Come on Radio NZ, this is the problem you get when we have an art critic doing serious political journalism, that was rubbish.
No I can not link RNZ Wiki leaks
.
@left
Agreed. She didn’t seem very well briefed. Assange had to correct her on facts several times and it sounded like he was thinking “why on earth is she asking this?”.
Ta….
Twitterback radio without the talkback, don’t get me wrong, I like a lot of Lynn’s work else were on that station. 👿
https://medium.com/@jamie_love/tpp-designed-to-make-medicine-more-expensive-reforms-more-difficult-e6a94a5d4a18
“..according to the ….mad breathless fanboys of the right wing press, after today’s speech to the Tory party conference Davie Cameron is the new voice of the left. In other news, Hannibal Lector is the new voice of veganism, Ian Paisley is the Vatican spokesman on ecumenicalism, and the BNP are the new UN Commissioners for Refugees.”
https://weegingerdug.wordpress.com
An entertaining read.
http://campaign.labour.org.nz/our_position_on_the_tpp
Just a reminder on those Labour Party “bottom lines”.
Wyndham….exactly.
So Labour does not support the TPP right?
Yes. That’s how I see it.
Not how Sir David Shearer of IISS lineage, Grant Robertson and David Parker will be advocating in the Caucus. They will be pushing hard for conformity with the fictions “middle ground consensus” .
Sir David and Lady Anuschka will get that cushy ambassador spot from National or Labour: there don’t care which. They are not going to allow bloody left wingers dirty their clean establishment credentials.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/72752247/labour-to-carry-on-regardless-of-tppa–ardern
Labour to carry on regardless of TPPA – Ardern
A Labour Government will make laws without regard to the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and if necessary “face the consequences”.
That was the view of Jacinda Ardern, Labour MP and spokesperson for small business, speaking at a Chamber of Commerce event in Rotorua on Tuesday.
“When we’re in Government we’ll continue to legislate as we would and we’ll face the consequences,” she said.
—
Good to hear it in solid, straightforward terms now.
Easy to make promises when you know you don’t have to back them up untill 2020
easy to make promises when no-one else can see the fine print.
Yes PR, always easy to make promises in opposition ?
“These tax cuts will be fiscally neutral…no GST rise…brighter future…higher standards…”
I see what you mean.
PS: found out about Google’s personalised searches yet Stigie? I’d hate to think my charity was going to waste.
PR isideous arrogance Nationals unwritten policy .
What would you prefer?
If Labour came out and said they’ll support the TPP wholeheartedly, you’d call them right wing neoliberals who are weak.
When they criticise it, and say they won’t be following its regulations – the regulations of an international agreement – and will implement their policies anyway, you call it empty promises and weak.
What do you want from the Labour party?
Quoting article:
More lies from the MSM – the TPP negotiations were started something like ten years ago – by Labour.
It was the corporate takeover of the state.
Really sick of reading about sicko’s abusing farmed animals:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/286410/farmer-jailed-for-'horrific-animal-abuse‘
Within that article is a link to another story about a Whakatane man who starved calves to death.
Read that one only yesterday, and now one today.
Read another two weeks ago about about a farm manager and staff who abused dairy cows, forced extremely lame cows who were in acute pain to walk 2km to an offal pit where they shot them. The farm manager and a farm hand were charged for that and other abuses.
These stories crop up far too frequently in the farming section on stuffed.co.nz
But surely this is just tip of the iceberg stuff, the cases that end in convictions.
After long campaigning, over decades, only now are customers purchasing free range chicken eggs and pork in supermarkets, and not just at health stores and farmers markets as before. They have finally grown aware of the cruelty of factory farming and it is more widely known about.
How long will it be before we can expose the culture of farmed animal abuse, dairy, cattle and sheep, understand the depth of the abuse and remedy the situation?
Why, in an agricultural nation are we so backwards about animal welfare?
Because our free-market, low wage culture, requires that we cut corners to save ‘costs’.
Why as a people are we so backward about animal welfare? There is only one way to stop this constant and horrific abuse of animals and that is to go vegan.
I go with the free market argument, too.
Farmers cutting back on feed and help means the remaining staff are underpaid, overworked and in precarious (and often dangerous) employment.
We can’t expect people to care more about animals than the economy cares about people.
Odd. I checked for replies early evening and there weren’t any, yet DTB posted a reply at 3.19.
Now I’ve run out time to get back into this subject.
Good points however, alot that could be expanded on there. Will have to wait for another day.
At least the guy yesterday got 4.5 years in prison.
.
TPP equals 1% economic gain by 2030
.
unbelievably useless
.
Adern is right to say they will continue to legislate regardless, especially in light of how little would be lost, in 15 years time, if it gets ditched. 1% is nothing.
1% is nothing. Just pay it and ditch the piece of shit
For fucks sake 2.7billion aint much different to Bill English’s handout to his mates who invested in South Canterbury Finance at 1.7billion
ha ha ha ha ha ha how fucking useless
A few crumbs is all Grosser and co have been fed.Michael that figure of $ 2.7 billion is highly dubious.
As the loss side of the balance sheet is not included.
Biologicals the cost of keeping longer patents will wipe that out by itself as this government has deliberately covered up the %’s that pharmac will be purchasing for now it is small but by 2020 it will be 15% + of purchases by 2030 it could be half of all purchases.
Then their is loss of local purchasing for govts and local bodies.
That could include health boards.
Then the right to sue .
This is a pigs arse of a trade deal pushed by pigheaded pirates.
There is no increase to the patent term of medicines in NZ under this proposed TPP agreement.
Your figures on the percentage of biologicals as a percentage of total spend of pharmaceuticals is incorrect – suggest you have look at PHARMAC’s website where this information is published – regardless as i have said before there is no increase to the patent term of medicines in NZ under this proposed TPP agreement.
Regarding local purchasing for government and councils – this will most likely still go through a tender process with the purchasing body making the decision based on the specifics of the tender.
Good deal eh doc?
What would your better half (presuming you have one) think if you got home after years away toiling for a pay rise and came back saying … “yes honey, I did it… 1% rise in 15 years time!… Lets go out and celebrate…”
ffs
Some will always support
Some will never support
At this early stage it appears that NZ (read every TTP nation other than the USA) is going to be screwed on various levels
With the agreements and legislation being authored and directed by private company’s and corporations, the likelihood of positive impact for people as a whole, is extremely low.
The likelihood of negative outcomes flowing through by becoming part of this agreement, are immeasurably high
Contracts, words and definitions used as weapons
“Good deal eh doc?”
Increased trade is a good outcome, yes I’m pro trade and agree with the former prime minster and current trade minister on the importance of trade to the NZ economy.
yeah nah that wasn’t the question was it
@VTO the question you asked was irrelevant piffle, I’m avoiding such rubbish so as to avoid massively long pointless threads.
What? You consider the 1% gain after 15 years piffle?
I guess you’re right, it is piffle. The entire TPP is piffle.
And this is even more classic piffle … “Increased trade is a good outcome, yes I’m pro trade and agree with the former prime minster and current trade minister on the importance of trade to the NZ economy.”
Are you an exporter or importer vto?
why?
You run a business that turns over some where between 10 million and a 100 million, so I’m assuming it would be something to do with exports or imports.
I would think the TPPA would have quite an impact on your bottom line if you’e in exports, or is the TPPA of no to relevance to your business?
What would have a bigger impact on our business’s bottom line is a more robust and financially healthy lower income sector…. not pandering to already successful pharmaceutical companies and big tobacco….
ffs, this stuff aint rocket science…. every business in NZ would do better if the base of our society was actually strong. This is where the effort should go – into making the low income demographic wealthier..
.. it builds all the way up doesn’t it BM. Like any foundation.
.. which is why restricting foreign ownership in order to drive down all capital values will help
.. but we ALL know that lowering capital values is like speaking of the devil, such is the religious fervour of the right wing on these matters
… lower the capital values – high capital values are only damaging
vto, BM doesn’t understand that you don’t just want to make more and more money for yourself. His head might explode
Yep I come across them types all the time in real life – they just cannot fathom other ways of going about life and business. They really are bamboozled by it. If it aint about money then they just glaze over….
Wayne’s world
Wayne’s world
good on ya vto for being the type of employer you are. I know a few who operate a similar way. It is possible.
No you must have misread my comment.
I remarked that the question you asked was piffle.
Oooohhh…..
Commentary on the extent of the gain (1% in 15 years) resulting from the TPP is considered piffle. Do you think we should just bend even further over and not comment on the outcome of the TPP?
Is a 1% economic gain in 15 years piffle?
I think it is.
After all that means at that level of achievement a 10% increase will take 150 years – ha ha, may as well pack the bags and head to the beach …
you are off the planet doc
Not necessarily. In fact, that just proves your position is ideological belief rather than a considered position.
As I say, if there was a truly level field there would be only minimal trade as each country would produce for itself from its own resources. The added costs of trade would prevent trade.
would be a little concerned about filling one of your scripts if you consider there is no difference between 5 and 8.
Sigh – Pat I’ve explained the difference between data exclusivity and patent term from a NZ medicines regulatory perspective a number of times, have a look at my previous comments on this using the Standard’s dinky search function.
Yes. You have now proved several times that you have no fucking idea what the TPPA says. Or don’t want us to know, like most of it’s supporters.
🙄 congratulations you have managed to add nothing to the discussion yet again.
I know its tiresome having to deal with mere mortals doc but humour me awhile and confirm a point or two for me if you would
– it is your contention that due to the WTO 20 year drug patent period it has no impact on Pharmacs ability to purchase generics whether the data exclusivity period is 5 or 8 years as both fall well within the 20 years (leaving aside evergreening)
– the additional costs to NZ under the TPP will be negligible and essentially for administration
-Pharmaceutical companies need this period to recoup Rand D costs and to provide a return on investment, therefore the drivers are financial
– the advocates for the increased data exclusivity period of 12 years in the TPP negotiation were the pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists
would that be a fair summary?
There was an interesting conversation (if short lived when a ban was threatened) on whether retiring CTU president Helen Kelly, who has lung cancer, smoked (she doesn’t as far as I know). I’m a huge admirer of Helen and this post isn’t about her but about the fact that lung cancer sufferers, and to a lesser extent other cancer sufferers are often blamed for their illness (the first quote and link below touch on this subject.)
In fact, one new set of research findings (see second link and quote) has found that in the majority of cases people who get cancer are simply unlucky. This raises an interesting question about how much responsibility we are placing on cancer sufferers for having the disease and why we are doing this. Has the health industry become over-zealous, for instance? Is it a result of society pushing all responsibility on to the individual. Or is it a great conceit we now have the power to control our health when in fact we often don’t.
We have managed to demonise smokers but bowel cancer is the second most common form of cancer and we don’t have an easy target for that. If there was a lifestyle that society disapproved of that was known to contribute to bowel cancer, would people who participate in that also be demonised?
“Unlike some cancers, which typically evoke sympathy and concern, lung cancer patients often experience stigma, isolation, and social judgment. In some instances, patients with lung cancer blame themselves and are filled with regret for having failed to take the advice (liberally meted out by doctors, family, friends, and strangers) to quit smoking. Patients who smoked (even those who had long ago quit) find themselves not only battling their disease, but also rebuke and self-recrimination.”
http://www.nypcancerprevention.com/archive_newsletter/issue/10/pro/feature/blame-victim.shtml
“The majority of cancers are the result of bad luck rather than unhealthy lifestyles or inherited genetic faults, scientists have discovered.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/11320497/Most-cancers-are-caused-by-bad-luck-not-genes-or-lifestyle-say-scientists.html
Thanks for posting this EP.
I’ve been way, way too angry to respond to Infused’s vile insinuation on the HK tribute thread.
I wanted to stop him/her before it escalated to “Unions cause cancer”
pineapples
yesterday my partner and were driving home from a funeral. We started talking about stress and so forth. She mentioned that from time to time mention is made of the impact of stress on illness. She mused “Has anyone studied terminal illness suffered by survivors of active duty since WWII? Cos” she continued” “you can’t get much more stressed than being shelled and shot at and freezing etc”.
yep – just as we have the deserving and undeserving poor, now it’s going into the deserving and undeserving sick.
Looking for an excuse to ascribe blame/inferiority is the first step towards looking for an excuse to let people die.
Jacinda Ardern’s comments are most welcome. It’s good to see Labour committing to policies in the interests of the majority of our citizens.
I’ll take her comments at face value, bravo.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/business/72752247/labour-to-carry-on-regardless-of-tppa–ardern
Congratulations LP and TS, your very own stalker blog.
http://www.donotlink.com/gxfe
Pretty poor content, we need better critics.
Aren’t they on a ban currently?
Someone did suggest a comment of the day feature recently, who was that?
Edit, it was Pasupial,
http://thestandard.org.nz/standard-changes/#comment-1076697
Nah, that George person had that niche covered a long time ago. Your link is more wannabe-beige than the authentic variety.
Lasso the operative word on US foreign policy and trade