Open mike 10/02/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 10th, 2016 - 154 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

154 comments on “Open mike 10/02/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    10 February 2016 at 6:09 am

    I wrote this post 2 weeks ago. ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’
    http://thestandard.org.nz/keep-calm-and-carry-on/

    Seems as if we are on the brink of a global recession.
    Market turmoil: Wall Street down after FTSE 100 hits three-year low – business live
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/feb/09/market-turmoil-nikkei-plunges-european-stocks-germany-ftse-live

    ‘Panic situation’: Asian stocks tumble amid fears of new global recession
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/09/panic-situation-as-asian-stocks-tumble-amid-fears-of-new-global-recession
    http://www.theguardian.com/business/live/2016/feb/09/market-turmoil-nikkei-plunges-european-stocks-germany-ftse-live

    Deutsche Bank is shaking to its foundations – is a new banking crisis around the corner?
    http://secularinvestor.com/deutsche-bank-shaking-foundations-new-banking-crisis-around-corner/13242/

    Lending to emerging markets comes to a halt
    http://www.cnbc.com/2016/02/07/lending-to-emerging-markets-comes-to-a-halt.html

    What the Heck is Going On in the Stock Market?
    http://wolfstreet.com/2016/02/07/what-the-heck-is-going-on-with-stocks/

    RNZ lead with the story at 6 a.m.
    ‘Panic hits world stock markets’
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201788626/panic-hits-world-stock-markets

    Even the Herald noticed….
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11586938

    Buckle up, people, it’s going to be a rough landing.

    • Chooky 1.1
      10 February 2016 at 8:55 am

      +100 …thanks for those links Paul…and here is another from ‘Boom Bust’

      https://www.rt.com/shows/boom-bust/331812-greek-markets-low-index/

      “Global markets took a tumble on Monday, with Greece’s main index hitting a shocking 25-year low. Ameera David has the details. Edward Harrison then joins the program from Berlin to offer more insight on the state of the European economy and the troubles it’s facing as the union of nations faces a multitude of challenges. Then Steve Keen, professor of history, economics, and politics at Kingston University, gives his thoughts on the damage he believes Brussels is inflicting on Europe.

      After the break, RT’s Anya Parampil sits down to discuss Wall Street’s growing worry over the possibility of a Sanders presidency. And finally, in The Big Deal, Manuel Rapalo discusses Washington DC’s proposed experiment to pay trouble makers thousands of dollars in an effort to keep them out of jail.

  2. One Anonymous Bloke 2
    10 February 2016 at 6:14 am

    Slavery. Coming to your house right now.

    Probably time to defund Baptist World Aid.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3
    10 February 2016 at 8:14 am

    In the High Court in Whangarei, the national farming lobby, Federated Farmers, is challenging an Environment Court ruling from May 2015 that regional councils do have such a right to have a say as to whether their region is GE free or not under the Resource Management Act (RMA) .The use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) – especially crops is a particular threat to organic crop growers.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/296131/high-court-challenge-to-ge-ruling

    Meanwhile in India
    “Monsanto ‘faked’ data for approvals claims its ex-chief
    Tiruvadi Jagadisan says the company ‘used to fake scientific data’.”

    http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Monsanto+'faked'+data+for+approvals+claims+its+ex-chief/1/83093.html
    Organic Agriculture, Capitalism And The Parallel Reality Of The Pro-GM Evangelist
    http://www.countercurrents.org/todhunter080216.htm

  4. AmaKiwi 4
    10 February 2016 at 8:44 am

    I am a Labour member looking for a more relevant party to support.

    I listened to the debate on the PM’s statement. The Green’s James Shaw talked about National’s destruction of the Cullen superannuation fund. It’s not a vital environmental issue, but it is important.

    Metiria Turei’s seven minute speech was entirely in Maori so 95% of us could not understand it.

    I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.

    IMO, NZ First’s Winston Peters and Ron Marks were the best speakers.

    Listen for yourself: http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/41352

    • Chooky 4.1
      10 February 2016 at 8:49 am

      +100 AmaKiwi

      • Cowboy 4.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 9:40 am

        I have recently become a NZ First member after having become disillusioned with National. My main reasons were around their championing of rural NZ which I have long felt was being taken for granted by the Nats and needed to flex its electoral muscle. The Northland by election has proved the value of that, do you think Joyce and Guy would be up there with a regional development strategy if it wasn’t for the bloody nose in the by election. I also think a term away from Parliament has done Winston some good. He seems to have mellowed and be more focused on pushing issues rather than fighting the media which used to infuriate me. He has also been the only leader to consistently take Key/Nats on with any effect. For those on this site looking for a sign of a possible coalition with Lab/green/NZ1 I thought that James Shaw referencing immigration in his address was significant as was Winstons acknowledgement. Coincidence…?

        • Chooky 4.1.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 10:09 am

          +100 about rural NZ…farm sale off to foreigners is a BIG worry…and it would be good if the Greens and NZF could patch up their differences and work cooperatively together for a Left coalition with Labour

        • AmaKiwi 4.1.1.2
          10 February 2016 at 10:22 am

          In the 1990’s, NZ First’s platform included binding citizen initiated referendums.

          (Sorry, I haven’t located a reference but I remember it well.)

        • Rosie 4.1.1.3
          10 February 2016 at 10:28 am

          Cowboy, it’s always interesting to hear from former National supporters about their changing allegiances and the reason for that change. I agree with you too about Winston’s time away and how this may have been beneficial – he really is buckling down at the same time as mellowing.

          I was previously uncomfortable with NZ First, mainly because of their social conservatism, and there was that appalling anti Muslim nut out by MP Richard Prosser awhile ago,

          http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10864924

          however, I am warming to the Party because of their intolerance for the status quo, their stance against the TPPA and their willingness to protect NZer’s from losing it’s sovereignty.

          I’m a Labour member and would be really happy to see a coalition between Labour Greens and NZ First, genuinely happy, not just because it’s the only option we have to change the government.

          • Molly 4.1.1.3.1
            10 February 2016 at 11:08 am

            Speaking to someone who works in Wellington for a government department, who ran across an old acquaintance last week – now working in a research unit for the PM.

            According to the researcher, the Nats are not worried about the next election because there is no cohesive opposition at present.

            In line with CV, I think Labour needs to wake up to the power of MMP instead of trying to coerce it into a pseudo, first past the post.

            There are policies across the left that align.

            All opposition parties need to start talking to other opposition parties now to form a stable opposition coalition platform. And use the next year or so to challenge the government with one coherent voice on these issues.

            Use media training to handle issues where they disagree to put the focus back on government ie: “We don’t currently have an agreed position on this with the …. party, BUT the issue is one that needs to be addressed because of the failure of this current government… etc”.

            To see how effective this is – look how the dismal party votes for United and ACT have allowed this government to leverage votes.

            (Labour also needs to clarify it’s messages, and deal more effectively with discipline within its caucus and MP’s before getting my vote – but that is another issue.

            I would much prefer a Labour led coalition than another three years of National and lackeys.)

            • Expat 4.1.1.3.1.1
              10 February 2016 at 11:47 am

              Hi Molly

              We need more people to reiterate the very good points you make, a united and disciplined presentation is a minimum requirement, having said that, the looming global financial crisis may just be the catalyst for change anyway and we then will need “smart” policies to meet the challenge, across the spectrum of parties you mention, their is a wealth of experience with the potential to deal with these problems, they just need the opportunity.

              • savenz …
                10 February 2016 at 2:24 pm

                @Expat – I think it is complacent for the opposition to think ‘eventually x will happen and they will vote for us”. Is not happening!!!

                Look at ChCh – should have vote for someone else but also when chips were down they wanted the perception of stability not a rabble who fought amongst themselves.

                In a crisis people want leadership and clarity and stability.

                Infighting, odd policy and confusion lost the election for the opposition.

                They need to unite, have clear policy that is consistent not punishing, and clarity for voters.

                It could be as simple as putting clear messages (in English not Natz speak) on their websites.

                • Expat …
                  10 February 2016 at 3:39 pm

                  savenz

                  Absolutely agree with you, the infighting, general lack of professionalism as an organisation, different members providing contrasting view points, discipline is required, as is consistency of the message from all members.
                  All the potential coalition partners need to form a consensus on all the policies they agree on so they can start spreading the same message, there should be no public attacks on policies they disagree with, rather, they need to negotiate their way through these disagreements successfully and amicably, in the public “eye”, then the public perception of a disorganized bunch will fade, they need to demonstrate to the public they can work “together” as a cohesive group.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    10 February 2016 at 11:29 pm

                    well I agree with all this analysis, Labour need to do this, they need to do that, they need to look at things this way not that way, etc.

                    Thing is, they won’t, and even if they wanted to, they do not have the resources, power or ability to change.

            • Magisterium 4.1.1.3.1.2
              10 February 2016 at 12:20 pm

              All opposition parties need to start talking to other opposition parties now to form a stable opposition coalition platform. And use the next year or so to challenge the government with one coherent voice on these issues.

              Translation: Greens need to do what Labour tells them, and nod obediently when Labour speaks on issues.

              • Molly …
                10 February 2016 at 12:41 pm

                “Translation: Greens need to do what Labour tells them, and nod obediently when Labour speaks on issues.”No. Emphatically No.

                As mentioned above:
                “Use media training to handle issues where they disagree to put the focus back on government ie: “We don’t currently have an agreed position on this with the …. party, BUT the issue is one that needs to be addressed because of the failure of this current government… etc”.”

                Only form a coherent voice on issues where they agree, and put the blame for other unresolved issues where it belongs with the current government.

                Like many others, I don’t appreciate the changing policies of parties in an effort to get into power.

                It makes me despairing of making a vote in line with my values if that is the overriding intention of policy makers.

                However, I also think a cooperative and inclusive approach which explores and works on contentious issues is a long-term better solution than the current bully and bluster government we have in place.

                The collective left have nothing to lose and everything to gain by changing the current approach to elections.

                • Expat …
                  10 February 2016 at 12:58 pm

                  Hi Molly

                  You can always trust the RWNJ’s to misinterpret your point, they call it translation, but of course it’s just their limited intelligence and understanding of reality at work again, typical disruptive Keyism.

                  • greywarshark …
                    11 February 2016 at 10:27 am

                    Molly +1

                    Expat
                    The term ‘Lost in Translation’ comes to mind. The government needs to learn other languages. Their frequent use of hand signals, one finger pointing upwards, is not a satisfactory substitute.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.3.1.3
              10 February 2016 at 1:19 pm

              +1 to that Molly. Collaboration is the only way to win in an MMP environment. I hope those less forthcoming about working with other parties maybe swallow a bit of pride and come to this conclusion, the sooner the better.

              Also, interesting about the comment from the staff member at the PM’s research unit but sadly not surprising.

            • savenz 4.1.1.3.1.4
              10 February 2016 at 2:18 pm

              @Molly – it is obvious Labour/Greens/NZ First need to collaborate and get together in private and work out all the things they agree on, and I also think Mana should not be forgotten. Last election, the opposition wasted more time on bagging InternetMana than the Natz. Just did not make sense.

              Just concentrate on Knocking the Natz out!!

          • Cowboy 4.1.1.3.2
            10 February 2016 at 11:19 am

            Hi Rosie, I have had similar concerns to yourself in the past that has seen me not consider NZ1. I also have come to the realisation that unfetted globalisation is extremely damaging at a number of levels and there is room for some economic nationalism and centralised NZ inc strategy to guide the ship without going all Muldoon. We have many collective advantages that we are not exploiting particularly around creating more value for our primary products, which also links nicely with the environmental sustainability issue.
            As an aside I thought James Shaw was excellent yesterday. Hit National hard at their perceived strength, the economy, took labours back re govt attacks that everything’s ‘Labours fault’, threw an immigration bone to Winston via Auckland housing demand and gave the base plenty of references to environmental issue. I see him as the key figure in portraying the centre left as a credible govt in waiting.

            • Rosie 4.1.1.3.2.1
              10 February 2016 at 1:58 pm

              I’ve been away from politics for 8 weeks and am just back today so missed James Shaw in the house yesterday. Will check out the links further below in the thread if I get time later. James Shaw has done well to get confidently into his stride as a new leader from outside the parliamentary world.

              PS: Was very impressed with Fletcher Tabuteau last year. He’s a brilliant speaker and has energy and intellect. Would like to see him replace Winston as leader when the day comes for him to step down – but thats in the future, in the meantime they need to keep up the pace and work with the other opposition parties so we can end these years of National misery in 2017.

    • framu 4.2
      10 February 2016 at 9:44 am

      “Metiria Turei’s seven minute speech was entirely in Maori so 95% of us could not understand it.

      I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.”

      because of the speech? – or other reasons?

      • AmaKiwi 4.2.1
        10 February 2016 at 10:13 am

        @ framu

        If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues. It’s not as if there aren’t enough of them.

        If you want votes from the general population, you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand.

        I’ve wasted a lot of my time and money on a Labour party whose caucus was the party’s worst enemy. Been there. Done that. Don’t want to do it anymore.

        • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 10:40 am

          If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.

          Why just focus on one aspect of social policy when you can more effectively work on all of them?

          If you want votes from the general population, you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand.

          Learn Māori. The best way to do that is to listen to it.

        • framu 4.2.1.2
          10 February 2016 at 11:01 am

          “If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.”

          maybe for you – but i see that as foolishly narrow in scope and limiting your longevity – one trick parties dont last

          “you don’t deliver an important speech in a language 95% of the general population don’t understand”

          well – never mind most NZers wont hear it anyway – so what if its in maori? – its an official language and turei was likely making a point by doing that

          also – the labour caucus and the greens caucus operate very differently

          your free to your choice of course and i wont criticise you for it – despite my disagreement with the why

          • weka 4.2.1.2.1
            10 February 2016 at 12:27 pm

            Yep, and back in the day people criticised the GP for only focussing on environmental issues (which was a false criticism because they’ve never done that).

            Saying that green politics are only about the environment misrepresents what green politics are. They are instrinsically entwined with both the environment and social justice movements. This is apparent in both the deeper philososphy (you can’t have social justice without a good environment and vice versa), and also in the pragmatics (if you want high calibre people like Turei and Davidson you need a kaupapa where the environment and the people are part of the same understanding).

          • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.2.2
            10 February 2016 at 2:31 pm

            NZ sign language is our third official language so why not sign a speech and skip having any simultaneous translation?

            It would be helpful to deaf people if everyone learned NZ sign language. Obviously it’s not going to happen.

        • weka 4.2.1.3
          10 February 2016 at 12:19 pm

          What speech of Turei’s are you referring to? Please link.

          • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.3.1
            10 February 2016 at 2:15 pm

            Turei’s speech in the house yesterday:

            http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/41352

            • weka 4.2.1.3.1.1
              10 February 2016 at 8:32 pm

              Ok, thanks. I wanted to see the context before I commented.

              Turei was interviewed by Campbell this evening. She recently took a month off work to learn te reo, and this speech in parliament was her first in the reo. She’s a child of the 70s and talked about how that meant she is of the generation that fell between the earlier Māori who learned more easily from within their whānau and culture and the later ones who are learning as part of the renaissance. She talked about how she wants to be able to meet the expectations of her as a Māori leader and as one of the senior Māori in parliament, to be able to respond to Māori in te reo. Getting up today and speaking was very brave. It’s also an important political act.

              Te reo is still an endangered language. As others have mentioned, it’s one of NZ’s official languages. If non-reo speakers can’t understand Turei today that is the fault of parlimentary services (who should be able to subtitle the video), not Turei. Māori have a legal right to speak their own language in this country.

              I think your criticism of her, and using that to distance yourself from the Greens or make out that they’re not worthy of political support is superficial and, to be honest, bogus. By all means choose the party you want to support, but at least have some good reasons for dissing the others.

        • Molly 4.2.1.4
          10 February 2016 at 12:53 pm

          If you call yourself The Greens, you focus on environmental issues.

          And nothing to say about???
          – The National Party,
          – ACT – a misnomer if every there was one, perhaps PROP, DOORMAT or FREERIDE would be more appropriate,
          – The Māori Party – Leader currently championing a bill to ease access to Māori land, using faux hui as consultation (So much for “Not one more acre”)
          – Let’s not forget United Future – whose definition of “united” means sitting on the fence and jumping from one side to the other when it suits,
          – And though it pains me to say so (even though I’m not a party member) The Labour Party, because the working class cannot rely on their support as a matter of course. (Unless of it refers to labour pains, which may mean we are on the threshold of the birth of a new left movement. Here’s hoping.)

          In this respect Greens, NZFirst and Mana come out looking fairly good.

    • pete 4.3
      10 February 2016 at 9:59 am

      Agree, both Winston Peters and Ron Mark are fantastic speakers, and extremely capable politicians. But NZ First has never really fired. They just seem to not attract very many good supporting players. Maybe good potential candidates are more attracted to standing for National or Labour?

      Also agree re your comment ‘more relevant party’. I used to support Labour, but it has increasingly lost its way. Just look at its current confused and hypocritical stance on TPPA. In fact, the left as a whole has lost its way. For example, Harre following the money to Dotcoms cause in last election. Increasingly difficult to trust or take many of the current crop of left leaning politicians seriously.

      • Colonial Viper 4.3.1
        10 February 2016 at 10:12 am

        But NZ First has never really fired. They just seem to not attract very many good supporting players.

        You’re talking about past performance, and even if your analysis was correct, I suggest that looking at future potential may be more important.

        By the way, John Key and National knifed Winston and NZ First in the back several times, and left their political bodies by the kerbside for dead.

        My analysis is that not only is NZ First back, but they are ‘firing up’ in a big way.

        Both Labour and National is going to lose more support to NZF come 2017.

        • pete 4.3.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 10:21 am

          Hi Cv. I hope you are right. Certainly I pay them a lot more attention these days than in the past. And despite how my comment may have sounded, I acknowledge that they have at times punched way above their weight. For example, the Gold Card and so on.

        • Tautoko Mangō Mata 4.3.1.2
          10 February 2016 at 12:07 pm

          We need a peoples’ progressive movement to draw the left together similar to that being set up by Varoufakis in Europe: Democracy in Europe Movement 2025
          http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/09/varoufakis-leads-european-left-reclaim-democracy-authoritarian-technocrats

          An extracts from the manifesto:

          Our overarching aim to democratise the European Union is intertwined with an ambition to promote self-government (economic, political and social) at the local, municipal, regional and national levels; to throw open the corridors of power to the public; to embrace social and civic movements; and to emancipate all levels of government from bureaucratic and corporate power.

          http://diem25.org/

          Let’s start up a movement, state our goals and only endorse the political parties which meet OUR bottom lines.

          We need some sort of alliance and we need it NOW!

        • Skinny 4.3.1.3
          10 February 2016 at 12:32 pm

          +1 Peters is reading the mood well, I like the guy he is very approachable, never have any mayor issues getting him along to guest speak. Unlike the slow turning wheel of the Labour machine, where your made to jump through hoops to get one of the heavy hitters along.

          Take last Fridays Have A Say On The TPPA rally our group hosted, while the crowd wasn’t large (due to being an outdoors event and it was bucketing down) the media turned up as there was a hunger after the big rally the day before, which we knew would be the case. Anyway Peters got (an opening) it and prepared a speech that touched a cord with discontent National & Labour voters, who watched the speech on a NZH facebook feed and stated they were now in his camp. Last I looked he had 124,000+ views of his speech.

          Got to give it to the guy he is a master at self promotion.

      • Brigid 4.3.2
        10 February 2016 at 12:32 pm

        No, Laila Harre did not ‘follow the money to Dotcoms cause’. If anyone cares to actually do a little research they’d find The Mana/Internet Party had the best socialist policies of all the parties on the left. That it was supported financially by Dotcom simply shows he supported their policies. Just as the Gnat and Labour financial supporters did their chosen party.
        It would be good to not repeat the MSM lie that Mana/Internet Party was controlled by Dotcom. It wasn’t.

        • weka 4.3.2.1
          10 February 2016 at 12:41 pm

          +1.

        • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 4.3.2.2
          10 February 2016 at 12:52 pm

          The Mana/Internet Party had the best socialist policies of all the parties on the left.

          That explains their electoral decimation.

        • Skinny 4.3.2.3
          10 February 2016 at 1:02 pm

          Umm I prefer to take my steer from Sue Bradford who quit Mana sighting it was a mismatch of a hook up, and how correct she was.

          • Chooky 4.3.2.3.1
            10 February 2016 at 1:15 pm

            Sue Bradford was also a Maoist in her youth…and look how Maoism turned out!….those who are too purist are often too purely wrong

            Kim Dotcom was a victim of Hollywood corporate and jonkey nact ( shades of what will happen to internet entrepreneurs under TPPA)

            imo Dotcom was a sincere supporter of Mana/Int

            ….and Mana/ Int was defeated by a concerted action against Hone Harawira to defeat him his Electorate of TTT …and that includes a shameful collusion of Labour and NZF…as well as jonkey nactional

        • Chooky 4.3.2.4
          10 February 2016 at 1:09 pm

          +100 Brigid

        • Molly 4.3.2.5
          10 February 2016 at 1:57 pm

          +100

        • pete 4.3.2.6
          10 February 2016 at 2:16 pm

          Well she has certainly gone very quiet now for someone who, according to you, was doing the job from personal commitment. Same goes for Mr Dotcom himself.

          Here are their policies:
          https://forum.internet.org.nz/?page_id=30

          A dolphin policy? And you think this is all a msm conspiracy? No. They were a cynical joke and attempt at manipulating the electorate.

          • Colonial Viper 4.3.2.6.1
            11 February 2016 at 6:09 pm

            Well she has certainly gone very quiet now for someone who, according to you, was doing the job from personal commitment. Same goes for Mr Dotcom himself.

            Hmmm, these people have personal and work lives to attend to, they aren’t on six figure tax payer sourced salaries and expense accounts like our professional Parliamentarians.

        • savenz 4.3.2.7
          10 February 2016 at 2:30 pm

          +1 Brigid and everyone else.

          I find it hilarious that the the right were so scared of Internet Mana because they actually had a wealthy backer. (Who they illegally tried to steal his wealth).

          • pete 4.3.2.7.1
            10 February 2016 at 2:53 pm

            I seriously doubt that the right gave them any more than a passing thought. Labour I am sure were very concerned, as Internet party almost certainly took many votes away from them.

            • savenz 4.3.2.7.1.1
              10 February 2016 at 3:12 pm

              @Pete – Internet Mana 2.5% party votes – yeah right!

              Lost Labour the election….

              …don’t think so

              Labours stupidity and infighting and inconsistent policy lost the election.

              Not standing behind their leader stopped labour winning the election. Why vote for a party when they all seem to disagree with each other? Not being able to get on with opposition lost labour the election.

              Has not changed yet. Yes Little is trying, but the TPPA is a good example showing Labour have not resolved it AND have failed to discipline those out of order.

              TPPA is going to be a defining issue next election. What is Labour going to have to say. Shearer their subcommittee guy supports TPPA too? But they are going to ignore it, will be an enraging position that the Natz are clearly facilitating and hoping for.

        • marty mars 4.3.2.8
          10 February 2016 at 5:14 pm

          very true Brigid – the bullshit lies they have made up and continue to promulgate to dirty good reputations is disgusting.

    • Colonial Viper 4.4
      10 February 2016 at 10:17 am

      I just crossed The Greens off my list. They ain’t goin’ nowhere.

      That’s my assessment as well. They are aiming for mainstream NZ yet are a poor cultural fit for those voters. They are less environmentally radical in their values than they were in the 70’s and 80’s, even though the environmental threat is clearly far greater and far more obvious now. The message that many will still maintain a comfortable middle class standard of living doesn’t jive with the likely reality of the next 20-30 years.

      • AmaKiwi 4.4.1
        10 February 2016 at 10:24 am

        Our waterways have become cesspools. A National disgrace.

        • weka 4.4.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 12:22 pm

          Yes, and the GP have been one of the main drivers of raising awareness and taking action on that. If you care about the waterways, support the GP, because they’re the only party in parliament doing anything serious about them.

          • BM 4.4.1.1.1
            10 February 2016 at 12:54 pm

            They could form an alliance with National and make that one of the bargaining chips.

            • weka 4.4.1.1.1.1
              10 February 2016 at 1:31 pm

              Troll comment. You know very well that the GP can’t form a government alliance with National.

              As for working with on policy, my understanding is that if National were willing to do anything half way decent on the environment then National and the GP would have an accord. But National aren’t interested and basically don’t give a shit about shit in the waterways if it makes their mates money. Just so it’s clear what kind of party you are voting for.

      • weka 4.4.2
        10 February 2016 at 12:21 pm

        Make up your mind CV. Either they should become a better cultural fit, or have radical environmental policies/tell the truth about teotwawki. They can’t do both.

    • The Chairman 4.5
      10 February 2016 at 10:55 am

      Shaw highlighted National’s poor economic performance but Peters was on a roll.

      https://youtu.be/DEUzmBfixdE

      https://youtu.be/J9sPsTdf1Y0

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.5.1
        10 February 2016 at 1:29 pm

        We just watched Shaw’s speech again…and if there were an election today…would vote GP if their policies were closely aligned with the content of his speech. Impressive…and rather witty.

        Little was good…ish. Less ranty, more content…needs more confidence.

        I felt Winston had a deal less fire…and kept looking to Marks as a foil. Maybe its time to hand more of the frontline stuff over to other NZ1 MPs?

        FWIW. Having been forced under threat of legal action to involve myself in the democratic process…I guess I’ll have to vote. But for whom?

        • The Chairman 4.5.1.1
          12 February 2016 at 7:41 am

          Little’s speech was disappointing, especially after Key rubbed his nose in his two position party (TPP). For which Little had no comeback for.

          Peters had them all running for cover. With his speech inspiring a number of associates (viewing it with me) to now vote for him.

          Peters use of Marks was merely preparation, building up his role for future leadership change.

      • Chooky 4.5.2
        10 February 2016 at 2:53 pm

        @ The Chairman…thanks for those links

        imo Shaw gave a good speech, particularly his deconstruction of Nactional’s economic performance (which is abysmal) and his reiteration of the Green focus on climate change ( not as confident or compelling as Russel Norman though)

        Winston was his brilliant impromptu self !…no surprises on where NZF stands ….and he has certainly not lost his fire or his entertainment value, which Marks was obviously enjoying. He also rubbed it in that other parties have now come to accept what NZF has said all along on foreign ownership and too much immigration.

        His critique of jonkey nact was trenchant….doubt very much Winston NZF will be joining the Nacts…fighting words for a change of government

    • weka 4.6
      10 February 2016 at 12:30 pm

      “I am a Labour member looking for a more relevant party to support.”

      Anyone who supports NZF runs the risk of ensuring us not getting a left wing govt. If you want to take that risk it’s up to you, but I don’t.

      NZF has a history of supporting right wing governments.

      Peters has a history of refusing to work with the GP, and IMO is capable of undermining a Labour/GP/NZF or L/GP coalition.

      • savenz 4.6.1
        10 February 2016 at 2:41 pm

        @Weka the problem is voting for Labour might not get us a left wing government but a neoliberal one. That is something Labour needs to fix fast.

        • weka 4.6.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 4:43 pm

          Of course, which is why I vote Green 😉 voting NZF will pull politics to the centre, voting Green will pull NZ left.

      • Red Blooded 4.6.2
        10 February 2016 at 4:25 pm

        That will be my dilemma, as a Northland voter, come next election. How can I vote for NZ First, not being 100% sure he won’t jump into bed with the Nacts? But if we don’t vote for him in the North are we handing the electorate back to the Nat Party and Mike Sabin’s supporter john Key anyway.

        • weka 4.6.2.1
          10 February 2016 at 4:47 pm

          Give your electorate vote to Peters and your list vote to Labour or the Greens. Peters retaining the seat won’t increase the NZF number of MPs and can be balanced out by the list vote increasing Labour and GP chance of getting to form govt.

          • McFlock 4.6.2.1.1
            10 February 2016 at 4:59 pm

            Yeah – voting for a lab or green candidate in northland will just give it back to the nats anyway. So worst case scenario you’d end up with a nat govt and a nat electorate mp.

            At least if you vote peters the worst you’ll get is a nat govt and an electorate mp who likes to put the wind up ’em occasionally.

          • Red Blooded 4.6.2.1.2
            10 February 2016 at 5:07 pm

            Thanks Weka & McFlock, sounds wise advice and what I’ll probably do, but if Winston does jump to the Nats I’ll still feel guilty and betrayed for having voted for him. Will drop him a line closer to the time telling him so.

            • weka 4.6.2.1.2.1
              10 February 2016 at 6:25 pm

              This is precisely why I tell lefties who vote NZF that they’re risking Peters blocking a left wing govt. Peters won’t say before the election who they will support in govt.

    • Naturesong 4.7
      10 February 2016 at 1:02 pm

      If you’re headed over to NZF can you ask Winston to get our forests back.

      Like he said he would, and then didn’t when he had the power to do so.

  5. Penny Bright 5
    10 February 2016 at 8:45 am

    Collection of signatures for the following petition was initiated at the Public Meeting on the Auckland Unitary Plan held at the ASB Stadium in Kohimarama, last night, (Tuesday 9 February 2016), which was attended by over 700 people:

    “That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into the alleged failure of Auckland Council to comply with their statutory duties regarding spatial planning, particularly the requirement to involve and consult with the communities of Auckland, regarding amendments to the spatial plan, as outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009.”

    Where were other Auckland Mayoral candidates at this SIGNIFICANT, in my view, Public Meeting?

    The only Auckland Mayoral candidates who attended last night were myself and Mark Thomas.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Visubversa 5.1
      10 February 2016 at 12:45 pm

      You are in some nasty company there Penny Bright. I have not seen anything from that Auckland 2040 group that changes my view that they are mostly a bunch of old while conservatives who are terrified that different housing styles will bring different types of people to their neighbourhoods, and that these different people will be different colours to them, different races from them and different classes from them.

      • Molly 5.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 1:02 pm

        Yes, the diehards left at these consultation meetings are predominantly those of the demographic you describe.

        Interestingly, no one points out that the change in zoning just makes it easier to redevelop at a higher density at some point in the future. Property owners are not compelled to immediately demolish their single dwelling on site and build apartments.

        The issue in the inner suburbs is interesting, as many would support the meme that property owners should have the rights to do what they like. However, in this case they wish to stop their neighbourhoods being changed as a product of property owners selling to capitalise on increased value or developing. These are going to be personal decisions of property owners – not the requirement of council.

        Inner city suburbs have infrastructure in place, access to services and facilities and transport. Future-proofing requires these suburbs to be identified as the best bang-for-buck in terms of increased density.

      • Paul 5.1.2
        10 February 2016 at 5:42 pm

        EAstern suburbs nimbyism.

        • savenz 5.1.2.1
          11 February 2016 at 9:54 am

          It’s not just old whities worrying about the zoning. It is not the zoning as such it is the abuse of the district plan and a handful of planners and lawyers enriching themselves while forcing on a system for a community that is not empowered in that process, more a reluctant step to be ignored. If anything the RMA disempowers the community and is designed to do so.

          Other ethnic groups or younger people, don’t turn up to the meetings because they have families and people with multiple jobs and don’t have time to turn up to public meetings (use social media too to get the other groups involved).

          Often ‘left’ people are so keen on increasing density but don’t seem to understand that actually it is the rich developers benefiting from it. They are not building affordable apartments – they are building million dollar apartments that infringe on their neighbours height to boundary but you can get anything through Auckland council as long as you get the bovine planner onside. They then charge Body corp fees to keep the rout going.

          Issues like someone building a 4m high fence as a nuisance neighbour which deliberately blocks someones lovely view to spite them. Do we want that happening on mass? Should you have to ‘defend’ you own property because some council planner gave permission to have some idiotic structure like the 4m high fence and it costs you hundreds of thousands? There was also that multi million dollar beach house built for some Russian Investor that built up the ground along side the neighbours house so that they could look over into her house at all times taking away all her privacy , but increased their sea view. (Note privacy is NOT something in the RMA unlike in places like Britain which have much better heritage rules and keep their heritage and have massive density but still expect people to develop with their neighbours in mind!)

          Bad council decisions and the lobbyists on the district plans are knocking out the ‘family’ houses of old like the villas and bungalows which have gardens and contribute to a different feel in the streets.

          Density in the inner city fine – in the suburbs – no!

          Planning in NZ is like Neoliberal at it’s finest. You can do anything you want – be as selfish as possible. It is all allowable! Screw you neighbours, screw your community because short term profit for an individual is more important!

  6. Dialey 6
    10 February 2016 at 9:16 am

    I notice the Herald’s opinion pieces on the TPPA protest and Waitangi don’t have a comments section ( even dear Heather, who did have yesterday now doesn’t). I wonder why

    • Chooky 6.1
      10 February 2016 at 12:04 pm

      @ Dialey…what the Herald has no comments section on TPPA protests and Waitangi Day?!

      ….a case of “see no evil , hear no evil, speak no evil” = ignoring the readership = captive msm not there to serve the readership but to indoctrinate in the interests of its owners politics ( neoliberalism and jonkey nact)

      definition of indoctrinate

      1. to imbue with a usually partisan or sectarian opinion, point of view, or principle

      2. to teach (someone) to fully accept the ideas, opinions, and beliefs of a particular group and to not consider other ideas, opinions, and beliefs

      Conclusion: cancel your subscription to the Herald and read the Standard

  7. Tautoko Mangō Mata 7
    10 February 2016 at 11:40 am

    Below is a list of members of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee
    that will be “hearing” public submissions on the TPP.
    What a farce that will be!!

    Chairperson Mitchell, Mark National Party, Rodney
    Deputy-Chairperson Reti, Shane National Party, Whangarei
    Bennett, David National Party, Hamilton East
    Tisch, Lindsay National Party, Waikato
    Ross, Jami-Lee National Party, Botany
    Yang, Jian National Party, List

    Shearer, David Labour Party, Mt Albert
    Woods, Megan Labour Party, Wigram

    Tabuteau , Fletcher NZ First, List

    Graham, Kennedy Green Party, List

    I think that Labour should replace David Shearer from the subcommittee as his views on TPP are not consistent with those of the majority party view.

    • Chooky 7.1
      10 February 2016 at 11:54 am

      +100…”I think that Labour should replace David Shearer from the subcommittee as his views on TPP are not consistent with those of the majority party view.”

      What the hell is Little thinking of?

      • AmaKiwi 7.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 2:20 pm

        Shearer should have the integrity to withdraw because he knows he does not represent the caucus, to say nothing of the rank and file.

        Fat chance of that. It never bothered him before.

      • seeker 7.1.2
        10 February 2016 at 2:38 pm

        I believe from itsourfuture.org.nz that they are looking to replace david shearer. You could contact them for a possible update

      • savenz 7.1.3
        10 February 2016 at 2:39 pm

        +100 Chocky & TMM.

        It is crazy to have Shearer!!!! I don’t know who chooses the committee but if Labour can choose using Shearer is stupidity! If not Shearer should step down anyway.

    • Skinny 7.2
      10 February 2016 at 2:36 pm

      The only 3 any good is;

      Woods, Megan, Labour Party, Wigram
      Tabuteau , Fletcher, NZ First, List
      Graham, Kennedy, Green Party, List

      Bennett, Ross and Reti what a sick joke especially Reti who was caught out by appearing to tell porkies about the TPPA. Has anyone posted the very good and easy submission page of Action Station?

  8. Hami Shearlie 8
    10 February 2016 at 12:00 pm

    This is definitely worth a look – Glenda Jackson, in my opinion the greatest actress Britain ever produced, giving her account of the Margaret Thatcher experiment in the British parliament! The word “aspirational” was apparently used by Thatcher, so Key merely latched on to her coat tails over that one ! Bit like a leech really! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDtClJYJBj8

    • alwyn 8.1
      10 February 2016 at 12:20 pm

      “Glenda Jackson, in my opinion the greatest actress Britain ever produced”
      Is that really your opinion? You would put her ahead of Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet, Vivien Leigh, Vanessa Redgrave, etc, etc?
      No way.
      She made only two good films. This Sporting Life and Sunday, Bloody Sunday.

      • Molly 8.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 2:14 pm

        “Is that really your opinion?” I guess it is – because he said so.

        alwyn, you do realise that in this case people can have different opinions without having to “win an argument” or are you so contrarian that even in this instance you need to disagree?

        I’ll leave the racist origins behind of the original saying but the gist is: ” If everyone wanted the same virtues in a partner, everyone would want to be married to my wife/husband”.

        I wonder – can you articulate your preferences without having to tear down others?

        • alwyn 8.1.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 6:57 pm

          Of course I can. The bitchiness on this site makes it rather hard but I’ve never felt any need to knock the intelligent comments from Lanthanide, even if I might disagree with some of them.
          It is the concept that Glenda Jackson could be considered a better actor that the immortal Helen Mirren I find so hard to accept.
          It would be like saying that there was a better female Rock singer than Janis Joplin. Woe!

  9. Pasupial 9
    10 February 2016 at 12:38 pm

    The USA primary elections really are weird. I prefer Sander to Clinton myself, but this method of; not only having early morning voting in some districts, but also allowing it to be reported to influence those who vote later in the day, does seem flawed.

    60.7% Sanders
    32.1% Clinton

    24.3% for each of Trump, Cruz & Kasich

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2016/feb/09/new-hampshire-primary-results-polls-us-election-2016-live-coverage

    Which if that was all the info you had (say because you were in a rush), might influence your vote. Until you realised that this was only; 17 votes for Sanders and 9 for each of the other four candidates.

    http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2016/feb/09/new-hampshire-primary-results-live-2016-presidential-election-county-by-county-map

    • weka 9.1
      10 February 2016 at 12:44 pm

      Is New Hampshire the one that gets taken as a signal of what will happen in the Presidential Election?

      • alwyn 9.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 1:10 pm

        The Guardian seems to think so.
        I’m not sure I trust their method though.
        http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/feb/09/astrology-new-hampshire-primary-presidential-election

        • weka 9.1.1.1
          10 February 2016 at 1:28 pm

          Ha ha. I was trying to remember West Wing lore.

          • alwyn 9.1.1.1.1
            10 February 2016 at 1:37 pm

            I thought it was funny. Actually there wouldn’t have been any debate about who won New Hampshire in the program. Jeb was supposed to have been Governor there and I can’t imagine they would ever have considered him losing his own state.

            Great program for the first four seasons. I thought they should have killed it after Sorkin left though. Wasn’t nearly as tightly written after that was it?

            Astrology was used by Nancy Reagan to determine what she proposed to Ronnie though.
            That was scary rather than funny though.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.1.1
              10 February 2016 at 9:19 pm

              I think The West Wing still talked about it though because of the dynamic. Or maybe it was The Good Wife.

              Turns out it’s an indicator of how the primary will go (not the presidential election),

              There is consensus among scholars and pundits that the New Hampshire primary, because of the timing and the vast media attention, can have a great impact and may even make or break or revive a candidate.[7] Controlling for other factors statistically, a win in New Hampshire increases a candidate’s share of the final primary count in all states by 27 percentage points.[8]

              https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Hampshire_primary#Significance

    • Bill 9.2
      10 February 2016 at 1:14 pm

      Well, it does say “1% reporting” in the first link.

      Anyway, I found this link off comments in an article from yesterday’s Guardian. It maps different polls and the bit i found interesting (okay – heartening 😉 ) is that Clinton would appear to be dipping in South Carolina. (Chart at bottom left hand side of page)

    • Ad 9.3
      10 February 2016 at 2:55 pm

      Save us if New Hampshire is a signal of where either party is going.

      • adam 9.3.1
        10 February 2016 at 4:27 pm

        You really are a Tory sometimes Ad.

        Sanders is hardly left of center, and you talk like he is an extremist.

        Why don’t you just go join the national party?

      • BM 9.3.2
        10 February 2016 at 4:37 pm

        I agree, nutbars to the left of me, nut bars to the right.

        Seriously, Sanders has this statement on his fucking website

        Bring climate deniers to justice so we can aggressively tackle climate change.

        https://berniesanders.com/issues/climate-change/

        The man is a raving extremist who will plunge the USA into chaos if he gets elected.

        Hillary Clinton is the only sane option out there.

        • adam 9.3.2.1
          10 February 2016 at 4:40 pm

          Spoken like a true Tory.

          • Pasupial 9.3.2.1.1
            10 February 2016 at 6:15 pm

            Ad and BM may get their joint wish of another Clinton presidency. While trying to understand the candidate selection process (mainly how NH is called the first primary when it is preceded by the Iowa caucus), my surfing drifted into superdelegate territory. Wikipedia is a bit out of date with all 2008 details (because the 2012 was uncontested, and 2016 hasn’t happened yet):

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Democratic_Party_superdelegates,_2008

            This 538 piece is good, but deals more with present endorsements than the role of these elected endorsers as superdelegates in the convention.

            http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-endorsement-primary/

            The weighting system obscures things a bit for this purpose, but I make Clinton’s; 14 Governors plus 39 Senators plus 131 congress reps to be equal to 194 delegate votes to Sanders’ 2. If it is correct that; “Each of the superdelegates’ votes is now equivalent to about 10,000 Democratic voters [in 2008]”, this means that Sanders is about 192 000 votes behind Clinton. With Iowa effectively tied, Sanders “yuge” win in NH is likely to get him a margin of around 50 000 votes ahead. A quarter of what is needed to start on level footing with Clinton. And that’s before factoring in the half of superdelegates who are appointed by virtue of their DNC position, or those elected reps who haven’t declared yet.

            Once again; USA primary elections really are weird!

        • millsy 9.3.2.2
          11 February 2016 at 1:01 am

          “The man is a raving extremist who will plunge the USA into chaos if he gets elected.”

          You could describe that about each of the GOP contenders.

  10. John Shears 10
    10 February 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Waitangi Day Comment 1840

    Thought this was interesting in 2016 , particularly the final sentence.

    Extract from Fairburn a biography by Denys Trussell, Auckland University Press, 1984,
    928.21 FairTru Takapuna Library.

    William Thomas Fairburn b. Kent 1797 arr Korororeka (Russell) Bay of Islands in July1819, as a catechist or lay preacher for Samuel Marsden and the CMS (Church Missionary Society), he was the Great Great Grandfather of Rex Fairburn (A.R.D.) New Zealand writer and poet.

    Page 9 .
    In a letter he wrote to the Rev. William Jowett at the CMS on 15 July 1840 Fairburn stated the following.

    I do not think they (Maori) understand fully the cession of their rights and privileges, ‘he wrote five months after the meeting of Governor Hobson & the Chiefs. He knew the the Maoris could be shrewd hagglers in specific transactions over items of trade, but the abstraction of a treaty involving questions of sovereignty was foreign to them. ‘Parting with the sovereign rights of a country is quite another thing, it seems to many of them inexplicable, and how can it be otherwise?’

    Fairburn feared bitter contention over land after the proclamation of May 1840 that made New Zealand a British colony. Would the missionaries be able to prevent widespread exploitation of their temperamental flock?. William considered this was a duty: ‘I consider we are now called upon for a twofold watchfulness on behalf of the natives. European strangers will never agree with them , and they scruple not to say they wish this land was clear of natives as the are only a nuisance and in the way.

    • Chooky 10.1
      10 February 2016 at 4:29 pm

      thanx…interesting alright…this has been a bone of contention I believe

      …a bit like the TPPA today…and the corporates taking legal power over the country and its laws….again issue of sovereignty

  11. Manuka AOR 11
    10 February 2016 at 3:23 pm

    “Progressive Revolution Begins” !

    http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/02/09/progressive-revolution-begins-sanders-wins-new-hampshire

    “The future of the Democratic Party,” she said, “lies with the message of tackling inequality and pushing for bold systemic change.”

  12. adam 12
    10 February 2016 at 4:35 pm

    The war on drugs and our freedoms rolls on.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/296210/aviation-industry-to-face-drug-tests

    Maybe if we dealt with why people want to take drugs in the first place. Or took a responsible approach to drug taking.

    But no, lets give up some more freedoms to the state, so they can test you to see if you have drugs in your system.

    What happens when we give away all our hard won freedoms?

    • vto 12.1
      10 February 2016 at 9:31 pm

      Drug tests are a jip….

      They do not test whether the person is under the influence, they only test whether the person has taken drugs in the last few weeks.

      Alcohol tests should be instigated in exactly the same form – namely, if you have had alcohol in the last few weeks then you fail.

      Drug tests are a con and have absolutely no credibility. None.

  13. Tanz 13
    10 February 2016 at 5:22 pm

    But would you be so happy had it been a Labour politician? After all, Andrew Little has agreed to keep the TPPA if it is signed.

    [lprent: Completely off topic as the author obviously took care not to take a party political position. Moved to Open Mike. Banned two weeks for what looks to me to be a deliberate diversion comment, and because I had to expend time to reread the post to make sure that I was correct in my reaction. I don’t like wasting my time. ]

    • mickysavage 13.1
      10 February 2016 at 5:28 pm

      I would still oppose her losing her job.

    • Korero Pono 13.2
      10 February 2016 at 5:29 pm

      I don’t think it matters which politician was the recipient of the ‘fake dildo’, the message was clear and it is the message (regardless of political allegiances) that matters the most. New Zealand is not theirs to rape!

      Must admit when I saw that she was identified as a nurse, I did wonder if she would be reprimanded for bringing her profession/employer into disrepute (or whatever wanky condition is likely to be in her contract) – Perhaps Stuff are inadvertently making any move by the employer to discipline her impossible due to potential public scrutiny and support (she does have a lot of fans now)?

  14. Rosemary McDonald 14
    10 February 2016 at 7:26 pm

    IPCA….bouncing complaints back to the police because not enough funding to investigate.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/76745028/police-watchdog-ipca-skips-investigations-due-to-financial-pressures

    “”There have been occasionally matters that we’ve referred back to the police where if we’d had the resource, we might have investigated, including, for example, excessive force cases.””

    And with the cutbacks at the Human Rights Commission… Ombudsman overworked….

    • pat 14.1
      10 February 2016 at 10:38 pm

      “And with the cutbacks at the Human Rights Commission… Ombudsman overworked….”

      and judging by the results, massive under-funding of MFAT as well

  15. Nelson Muntz 15
    10 February 2016 at 8:11 pm

    Media tears rape apologist apart:

    http://www.returnofkings.com/79972/roosh-destroys-media-at-washington-dc-press-conference

    He reckons HE destroyed the media. Talk about out of touch with reality!!!

    • weka 15.1
      10 February 2016 at 9:24 pm

      Pretty interesting watching what’s been going on. In Canada the fight back saw him being filmed and then thrown out of a night club where he tried his rapey hitting on a woman. Some guys went undercover to one of the events last week and filmed the organisers and posted that online. Not just social media, the MSM coverage of how appalling he is has been pretty universal.

      btw Roosh isn’t just a rape apologist, he’s a rapist (or intends to be one) and an active rape supporter and promoter.

      • millsy 15.1.1
        11 February 2016 at 12:59 am

        Trouble is, there are a lot of guys out there that think like him, and a fair few of them are judges.

        That is one of the biggest fears of the next 50 years, that rape will be effectively decriminalised if the women is dressed remotely feminine, if not de jure, but de facto.

        Im not supporter of whacking children, but the mothers of these guys need to give them a good clip round the ears.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The future of Nick's Kōrero.
    This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 hour ago

  • The PM promises tax relief in the Budget – but will it be enough to satisfy the Taxpayers’ Union...
    Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when  the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 hours ago

  • Fucking useless
    Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 hours ago

  • Setting things straight.
    Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 hours ago

  • Far too light a sentence
    David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago

  • Unwinding Labour’s Agenda
    Muriel Newman writes –  Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago

  • Sequel to “Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour”
    Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago

  • The Govt’s Fast-Track is being demolished by submissions to Parliament
    Bryce Edwards writes –  The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago

  • A generation is leaving at a rate of one A320-load per day
    An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    10 hours ago

  • NZUP RORS back to life
    The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    12 hours ago

  • School Is Out.
    School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    13 hours ago

  • How Are You Doing?
    Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    15 hours ago

  • The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
    I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    17 hours ago

  • At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Talking Reo with the PM
    “The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament...
    Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • Australia jails another whistleblower
    In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Some “scrutiny”!
    Back in February I blogged about another secret OIA "consultation" by the Ministry of Justice. This one was on Aotearoa's commitment in its Open Government Partnership Action Plan to "strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation" (AKA secrecy clauses). Their consultation paper on the issue focused on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • TVNZ is loss-making, serves no public service due to bias, and should be liquidated
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • The conflicted Covid Chair
    David Farrar writes –  Kata MacNamara reports:    Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Attacking the smartest and most resilient people in the room is never a good idea
    Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • A fortune-telling failure, surely, if the tarot cards can’t see a bulldozer coming
    RNZ reports –  It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • The climate battleground heats up
    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tuesday, May 14
    The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitic
    To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive
    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Wayne Brown’s PT Plan
    Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Potaka's Private Universe.
    And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Our slow regional councils
    The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law after all
    Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • NZTA takes the wheel after govt gives it the road map for regional roads (and puts a speed governor ...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Tolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Change in Catalonia?
    or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Having an enrolment date is not depriving anyone of a vote
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Perhaps house prices don’t always go up
    Don Brash writes –  There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Can’t read, can’t write, can’t comprehend – and won’t think…?
    Mike Grimshaw writes –  At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Time for some perspective
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  A lack of perspective can make something quite large or important seem small or irrelevant. Against a backdrop of high-profile, negative statistics it is easy to overlook the positive. For instance, the fact that 64 percent of Maori are employed is rarely reported. For ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Will NZ Herald’s ‘poor journalism’ cost lives?
    Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • The Gods Must Be Woke.
    Last night the largest solar storm in decades resulted in Aurorae being seen across Aotearoa, causing many to ask why?Why was the sky pink? What was all this stuff about the power grid? Have we, as so many have wondered since the election, reached the end of days?I had a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • More road
    We have been on the road in England, squeezing down narrow lanes, flying up the M6, loving hedgerows and villages and cathedrals, liking the 21st century less.There have been moments when it’s felt like a movie trope. The pub in Exford, lovely seventeenth century bar, almost more dogs than people, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Seeing the Aurora Australis
    There’s a solar-storm on at the moment, and since the South Island is having a day and night with clear skies, that means Aurorae. I have just got back from a midnight visit to Tunnel Beach – southwards-looking over the Sea, and without the light pollution. Quite a few others ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Welcome to the current welfare mess
    Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • A shovel-ready autopsy
    Oliver Hartwich writes –  Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Why we almost blacked out and how to fix it
    TL;DR: An unseasonally early icy blast at the same time as some long-overdue maintenance almost caused Aotearoa-NZ’s electricity system to black out this week. That’s because a quadropoly of gentailers1 have prioritised paying dividends from their rising profits and adding debt over investing in 1.5 GigaWatts of new wind farms ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • What Is Instagram Trying To Sell Us?
    Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Precious Little Excitement: Warner Brothers, Peter Jackson, and Gollum
    Back in February 2023, I made the cardinal mistake of getting my hopes up. Warner Brothers declared that fresh Middle-earth movies were in the works: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-warner-brothers-and-impending-tolkien-adaptations/ My assumption, based on which rights were available, and what had already been done, was that this was a stab at either the Angmar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Do We Need a Population Census?
    ‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • No, the govt will not be cutting back on every budget – and the Defence vote is among those to be ...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • The Treasury and productivity
    Late last week The Treasury released a new 40 page report on “The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections” (productivity forecasts and projections that is, rather than any possible fiscal implications – the latter will, I guess, be articulated in the Budget documents). In short, if (as it has) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • The Controller and Auditor-General’s role
    Peter Dunne writes –  I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More harm than good
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos   Chris Trotter writes –  TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour
    And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction?   Gary Judd writes –  Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Protest.
    Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on miserly school lunches, and the banning of TikTok’s Gaza coverage
    Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 10-May-2024
    Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to May 10
    Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2024
    Open access notables A Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future: Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VIII
    Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Pretending to talk other people’s languages
    Fakes can come in many forms.A Rolex, for instance.A tan can be fake. Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • What’s new? A social agency with an emphasis on “investment” instead of “wellbeing” – b...
    Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Following the political money
    Bryce Edwards writes –    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Hipkins would rather no one remember that he was Minister of Education
    Alwyn Poole writes –  After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Fashionable follies
    Eric Crampton writes –  A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Justice for Bainimarama!
    In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • March for Nature in June
    Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
    Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • The non-woke $3 Lunch.
    I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Labour’s chickens come home to roost
    The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
    Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    7 days ago

  • Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • The wrong direction
    Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-05-15T07:34:17+00:00