Craig Murray, in three brief paragraphs, explains the strategy being played by the US/UK establishment.
And now it looks like the UK, the US and France will attack Syria.
Scary times.
I have never ruled out the possibility that Russia is responsible for the attack in Salisbury, amongst other possibilities. But I do rule out the possibility that Assad is dropping chemical weapons in Ghouta. In this extraordinary war, where Saudi-funded jihadist head choppers have Israeli air support and US and UK military “advisers”, every time the Syrian army is about to take complete control of a major jihadist enclave, at the last moment when victory is in their grasp, the Syrian Army allegedly attacks children with chemical weapons, for no military reason at all. We have been fed this narrative again and again and again.
We then face a propaganda onslaught from neo-con politicians, think tanks and “charities” urging a great rain of Western bombs and missiles, and are accused of callousness towards suffering children if we demur. This despite the certain knowledge that Western military interventions in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya have had consequences which remain to this day utterly disastrous.
I fear that the massive orchestration of Russophobia over the last two years is intended to prepare public opinion for a wider military conflict centred on the Middle East, but likely to spread, and that we are approaching that endgame. The dislocation of the political and media class from the general population is such, that the levers for people of goodwill to prevent this are, as with Iraq, extremely few as politicians quake in the face of media jingoism. These feel like extremely dangerous times.
Prime had a seventies doco series on last night which had Vietnam.
The parallels in terms of the narrative are there IMO, commies v Ruskis and saving kids v saving democracy with the usual suspects cheering on a conflict.
He has no plausible alternative. Only Syria has helicopters dripping barrel bombs, the insurgents don’t. And in any event why would the insurgents kill their own people. Although as a conspiracy anti west theorist I imagine you think the UK or the US did it.
Why would the Syrians do it? To underscore to their opponents that will never be coming back.
No-one in western capitals now seriously believes Assad can be defeated, so drumming up a continuing war against him serves no purpose.
But he will be punished for using gas. Probably an airfield and command centre will be bombed.
Good on you Wayne.
Using the ‘conspiracy theorist’ line to silence dissent. I don’t know who did it.
But I do know it makes absolutely no sense for Assad to. He is not a nice guy – but he is not stupid.
But don’t take my word for it. Read Craig Murray’s work. I would suggest he knows a lot more about this subject than either you or I do. You should look up who he is and was – check his credentials.
I also recommend you read and listen to George Galloway, Robert Fisk, Patrick Cockburn and a whole raft of independent journalists.
The other option is to ask no questions and blame Russia, Syria, Iran, whoever……
I think Assad is stupid at least on this issue at this time. He has a track record of using gas. Admittedly most times he gets away with it. But not with Trump. Hence my stupid comment.
I do read Fisk, but not that idiot Galloway.
Also the worst use of Nerve Gas / Sarin, in the middle east in modern times, involved the british and u.s.a …. supplying ingredients, technology …. and precise co-ordinates of where to use it on the battlefield …. to their then buddy Saddam Hussein … in his invasion / war against Iran….. which they supported
They then blocked Iran from justice at the UN ….
Later when Saddam gassed the Kurds …… the dirty buggers tried to blame Iran … eg blame a victim of their chemical weapon attacks.
No inhibitions against using gas by the brits or usa…. or Israel for that matter
What about the theory that a person who started a political party and worked through the electoral process was a monster for trying to bring down the government.
Interesting doco … starts with racism … but at approx 116 mins reveals a second occasion during the Cuban missile crisis… where guns were drawn by lower ranking officers … to prevent nuclear missile launch … and mankind’s annihilation
You’ve made made my post read better by removing my strongly held opinion of Wayne ,,,,
I believe Wayne and Key were two of the more belligerent and loud voices pressuring helen clarke to join in the illegal invasion of Iraq … much like the present pressure put upon jacinda Arden about nz missing in action…
Yes, it is used to shut down dissent.
Galloway predicted Iraq, he predicted Libya and sadly what is saying now is going to be correct.
And that means we are in the worst crisis since the Cold War.
Jaish al Islam are a terrorist organisation known to chop off the heads of “their own people” and keep them in cages on roof tops and the backs of cars to deter the Syrian Army from attackingg. This is the sort of people you think we should trust. Give us a break!! On the point of victory the Syrian Army use chemical weapons? I dont think so. Trump signals a desire to leave Syria and next thing you know is chemical attack?
Martin Lukacs writes an excellent article.
I wonder if this cold be made into a post -such an important message.
Neoliberalism has conned us into fighting climate change as individuals
Stop obsessing with how personally green you live – and start collectively taking on corporate power
These pervasive exhortations to individual action — in corporate ads, school textbooks, and the campaigns of mainstream environmental groups, especially in the west — seem as natural as the air we breathe. But we could hardly be worse-served.
While we busy ourselves greening our personal lives, fossil fuel corporations are rendering these efforts irrelevant. The breakdown of carbon emissions since 1988? A hundred companies alone are responsible for an astonishing 71%. You tinker with those pens or that panel; they go on torching the planet.
The freedom of these corporations to pollute – and the fixation on a feeble lifestyle response – is no accident. It is the result of an ideological war, waged over the last 40 years, against the possibility of collective action. Devastatingly successful, it is not too late to reverse it.
this is a really good post Ed. the psychological influences at play here need to be recognised….as people move to defend their and their families efforts. This has the effect of defending current actions and closing minds to needed criticism.
This is a really good post Ed.
The psychological impact of this can’t be overstated as people move to defend theirs and their families/groups/associations actions in recycling.
This has the effect of making them complicit/defensive of the efforts at an individual level. This is, in turn, an essential aspect of the corporate strategy.
This morning the Pak n Save noticeboard had a note looking for a space to park a caravan for a couple with a dog.
As I hopped in the car the wind slammed my door on my leg. No biggie, but made me really hope the caravan couple + dog get a nice big reinforced shed in which to park.
The study was conducted by German researchers Eva-Marie Meemken and Matin Qaim from the University of Goettingen and published in the journal Annual Review of Resource Economics.
They do make clear that the scientific evidence shows that organic is better in some specific situations, and that the best strategy overall may be to combine conventional and organic approaches.
In general, the study concludes that while organic farming is more environmentally friendly per unit of land than conventional approaches, it is not better for the environment when assessed in terms of units of output.
This is because organic farming generally has lower yields — between 19-25 percent, on average.”
Agriculture itself is the issue. “Organics” is a nebulous term, difficult to pin down, therefore easy to dismiss if you don’t favour it. Once we’ve realised that agriculture’s the core of the problem, we’ll be getting somewhere.
The Firman Bear report from Rutgers University shows the difference between organic and conventionally grown produce:
But a study from Rutgers University in USA says that organic vs conventional produce shawed in their study that only organic had sufficient quantities of all trace vitamins and minerals to sustain us whereas the conventional produce only had less the 10% of the trace vitamins/minerals that was measured in organic, so I would be interested in this study from Germany if they also measured the content of the important amounts of vitamins/minerals in both organic and conventional products to adequately quantify the effectiveness of both growth systems.
“A recent four-year European Union study, funded at a cost of $25 million, raised fruits, vegetables, and cows on adjacent organic and conventional fields at a 725-acre farm near Newcastle University in England and other places in Europe. Researchers found that the: 1) organic fruits and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants; 2) organic produce had higher levels of iron, copper, and zinc; and 3) milk from organic herds contained up to 90% more antioxidants.”
If only organics had “…sufficient quantities of all trace vitamins and minerals to sustain us..” and conventional produce had only 10% of those quantities..
Then how is it that those of us who can’t afford organic have managed to be sustained by food that has only 1/10th of the amount of nutrients needed to sustain us?
Scary that so much damage to Auckland because we don’t expect gale force winds like Wellington… another chapter in Auckland’s building woes…. we build them, but not so well and the wind can blow them down… likewise disruption to our electricity system, our rail system.. our ferries…
You’d think storms would be built into how the city runs… because with climate change and warming water it is anticipated that cyclones will become more frequent.
Live: Auckland assesses the damage: Trees down, 140km/h winds and thousands without power
Maybe this headline could better be explained by thinking about what has got NZ into this bizarre place with our Met service that see’s storms where there are none and not when they come…
“Weather forecaster to review processes after storm battered Auckland”
Apparently the Metservice not only reports to the ministry of transport???? but also is expected to invest in oil forecasts to somehow try to turn a profit….
Bit like Middlemore spending money to extend some of it’s building’s because that part was artificially ‘profitable’ but the actual parts that housed the unprofitable sick children were full of mould and did not qualify for funding under the government’s and neoliberal rules.
Before complaining about all the money and why nothing works anymore, unwrap where the money is being siphoned off into non core activities out of government funded departments…
Sorry muttonbird and savenz but you are completely out of line.
As one of those former “useless Metservice pricks” who has been out of the game for more than two decades but who tries to keep up with the latest techniques, I have news for you:
NZ meteorologists and climate scientists are among the most respected in the world. The primary reason being NZ is one of the toughest countries on the planet when it comes to weather prediction. This is due in large part to it’s marine status in an area plagued by storms coming at it from both tropical ocean zones and polar ocean zones. In other words they get a great deal more weather experience than their counterparts from countries with more predictable weather patterns.
Having said that: our Metservice forecasters accurately predicted yesterday’s weather days in advance and they began to issue preliminary warnings late last week and official warnings over the weekend and on Monday. They made it clear there was a strong potential for extremely damaging winds in all their forecasts – particularly between Taranaki and Northland. However it was impossible to pinpoint exactly where the worst of those winds would eventuate because that was dependent on where the centre of the deep low would finally cross over the country. It turned out to be between Waikato and Auckland from all accounts.
That their warnings were not taken seriously enough is the fault of the populace – not the forecasters.
Well said, Anne. Having lived in Europe for a while, I saw upon returning here how much more unpredictable our local weather is. More importantly, I noticed the warnings that were issued about Tuesday’s weather.. Who are these numbnuts pretending that Met Service gave no warnings?
Their 3 day rain maps are excellent. I couldn’t do without them in my line of work and they are usually very accurate. Maybe they need some computer models, coz they’ve all been really accurate so far…
National wasn’t an austerity government, they borrowed (and presumably spent) shitloads of moolah. It’s just that their spending was all about benefiting mainly their business and elitist interests rather than all New Zealanders.
We should be warry of small Island nations as the Chinese have large bullying power over them and some will render themselves to caving in to some excessive pressure fronm a big power like China just look at that China has done in Africa.
Well, the benign environment is coming to an end and with it the decades long free ride we’ve had defense wise.
I took the trouble last night to read up on the Australian military build up. it is quite astonishing.
For the Navy – 12(!) x short fin Barracuda advanced attack submarines, 2 x 30,000 ton helicopter carriers capable of operating STOVL fixed wing aircraft, 3 x Aegis equipped Air Defense Destroyers, 9 x 7,000+ ton general purpose “frigates”, 24 x Seahawk helicopters plus the 8 ANZAC class frigates and whatever of their existing fleet will stay in service.
Air Force – 98 x F-35B Lightning II plus the current force of 106 F-18 Hornets, a dozen P-8A Neptunes, AWACS, 8 x C-17 Globemaster III, plus 33 Hawk trainers and lots of modern PGMs plus UAVs, etc.
The Australian Army has 22 attack helicopters, 60 MBT and 700+ other AFVs and plans to buy 3,000+ new armoured vehicles of all types, new MANPADS and Medium range SAM systems, new long range rocket artillery, new ATGW systems, etc etc etc.
The time for scrimping on our defense is almost over. The 20 billion re-equipment program we have planned should probably be tripled and plans put in hand for registering military age men and women for rapid conscription.
At the time the service heads of both RNZAF and RNZN along with a few other want the Government of the day to keep 14Sqn as a going concern and even at reduce state in case something like this did pop up, but the certain members of the back bench made sure that the former Strike Wing would never rise again out of the ashes like the phoenix.
As the original plan was to disband No’s 2 and 75Sqn, but retain 14Sqn in a reduce state to maintain a cadre of trained pilots and ground crew should the need a rise in the future.
Should ring my uncle and ask for his comment? Ex- 14 and 75Sqn and was both teams for the Macchi and twice on the F-16’s 83-84 and the last one before it got kicked in to touch.
Further to your reply about the current and future Order of Battle (ORBAT) of the ADF. There has been some major changes within the Army like plain Beersheba which would an extra SQN of 30 odd M1 MBT’s, a ready Arms Battle Group from the Army reserves to attach to the 3 Combat Brigades and to 2RAR, the Hawkie and Boxer vehicles to replace the LAV’s and Landies in the Cav SQN’s and some of the M113’s.
The RAAF has seen a major re-structure of it Airfield Defence Sqns and other Airforce Security Units within the RAAF, which from my POV has cause us endless headaches for us Rockapes as the AFSEC muppets don’t want to step up to plate. To a point that CDF has now crack the shits with it, saying his Rockapes aren’t meant to the guarding the Flightline, as its a AFSEC job and he needs them outside not inside the wire also he wants at least another two SECFOR SQN’s.
A theatre base Air Defence System which we haven’t seen since the 60’s when the RAAF had the Bloodhound missiles,
UAV’s for the P8’s and possible armed UAV’s down the track at a later stage.
Addition tankers and AEW/C aircraft
And the Navy which you have already mention, apart from the Patrol Boats that are no longer fit for purpose after only 10-15yrs of service being replace with a Ocean Combat Vessel in other words a up-gun OPV or a light frigate depending on how one gets out of bed in the morning.
Then there is the talk of rebasing assets to the northern bases and some the bare bases being full maned which raise’s all sorts of questions.
Massive funding for the JRON radar upgrade’s and the setting up a Joint Cyber warfare unit.
Have you seen what they did Sri Lanka when they couldn’t repay their debt to China?
China just walked in and tooked over the Port and the Airport for its own use and brought in its own worker as well and sacked the local work force, also they try to pull one over on the Maldives of late. But the Maldives courts put a stop to that, but how will that last is anyone’s guess atm. They also did the same at port of Gawler as well.
Half of Vanuatu’s debt is owned by China,
About 3/4 quarters of Tonga’s debt is owned by China and if we go back to 2006, this was one of the leading causes to the riots.
PNG and Fiji’s debt over half of that is owned to China.
A of other SP nations also up to their eye balls in debt to China
I’ve brought my comments over from the TDB site for readers who visit there for whatever reason.
Yes Martyn is correct on his assumption; it changes everything from a NZ military, Foreign Aid and NZ trade POV. There has been talk of a possible Chinese bases in Tonga, PNG and Fiji though work at open and closed circles.
It really makes a mockery of Auntie Helen’s assumption when she disbanded the Air Strike Wing, reducing the Anti Surface/ Anti Sub Surface Capability of the RNZAF and RNZN and refusing the Navy to have more capable ships under Project Protector.
I wonder you are the idiots now for not listening to the Chiefs at the time and this what’s happens when you get involved in silly little wars in the MER and you forget your backyard NZ/ Oz.
Chinas maritime doctrine is base around Anti Access and Anti Denial. The best way to achieve this through the use of Submarines and long range Maritime Aircraft in both as Maritime Strike or as a ISR platform. It’s their subs, Coast Guard ships (they are more capable than our own sub- par OPV’s) and their fishing fleet that I’m worried about atm. Their surface fleet though capable on paper is still small operate affectively outside the first chain island for combat operations but give them a few yrs and they have carriers with cats and traps not STOBAR carriers then start to worry.
The best way to sink a ship is a submarine or mines laid by a submarine or by a converted fishing trawler when the ship is not alongside in port.
NZ economy is a export led with over 90% of NZ exports going by sea and over 90% imports coming by sea. Cutting off NZ Sea Lanes Of Communications (SLOC) during a state of war would cripple NZ economy and likely to cause great social unrest along the way.
NZ’s Governments consisted running down of the NZDF since 1991 is looking a bit foolish now. Neutrality to Asian eyes is a sign of great weakness, unless of course you carry a bloody big stick like Finland Sweden or Switzerland. Adopting Neutrality would mean some serious coin being pour into the NZDF or we team up with Oz and all the trappings that they bring. The so-called $20B earmarked for defence by No Mates National Party is small fry now to what could be in the future and sticking one’s head in the sand is no longer an option of NZ now.
With possible Chinese subs, surface vessels or even their H6 nuclear capable/ maritime strike bombers operating out of Vanuatu and that’s not including its fishing fleets that will rape pillage the Southern Ocean, but rape and pillage of the Antarctic mainland as well. Means they could achieve there overall mission objective in their doctrine of Anti Access and Anti Denial.
Neutrality to Asian eyes is a sign of great weakness, unless of course you carry a bloody big stick like Finland Sweden or Switzerland.
Yep. We need that bloody big stick and we need to stand up for ourselves. Neither of which have or do. China blocks our goods at the wharf and we kowtow real fast rather than dropping the FTA as we should be doing.
China has little old NZ by its shorts and curlicues and its shows that NZ hasn’t learned from its past aka “being the UK’s farm” that putting all your eggs into one basket isn’t the wise thing to do in the long term.
But we need to trading with everybody and also not Just in low end raw products like we do now, but high end value added products, banking etc etc which we have done in the past before the 1984 coup. When the Neo- Economic Lib Muppets then ransack the country in a rape and pillage orgy that would’ve Stalin, Mao, Hitler’s SS and Pol Pot proud.
My case study is to have a look at how Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal conducted themselves during WW2 and post war. These four countries did in fact made themselves quite rich and further strengthen their hand post war supporting the mainland Europe unlike Ireland.
NZ could do the same, but a lot of money has to be pump into the NZDF, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Aid, and STEM to make this work.
Actually it didn’t cost that much maintain the Air Strike Wing in the overall scheme of things. Where it fell down was the short term view taken of Defence by both sides of the Beehive and the what happen to the NZDF during the 90’s under the No Mates Party (National) in which everything was run in the ground.
When in the 90’s Units/ SQN’s/ Bases/ Depots/ Ships were disbanded, shut down/ closed or worn out equipment wasn’t replace and the only time it was replace was either it fell out of the sky aka the Strikemasters in 14 SQN or during Bosnia even then about 90% of the kit issued was borrowed from the Ozzie Army or leased from NATO aka the British Army and the short notice deployment to the Gulf under Op Dessert Fox which apart at the seams for the NZDF.
The F-16 lease deal has been describe as the deal of the century in most quarters and the books I have read what my uncle said at the time and he stills say its today the F-16’s was a good deal. He still says today, if the No Mates Party weren’t a bunch of cheap ass ****s when we replace the old Bunty we would be in the fast jet business as the BAE Hawk would’ve been far easy to re-generate than the Macchi both in terms of cost and manpower as there was still a lot of corporate knowledge around until about the 2 term of the No Mates Party.
If found that the book is right. There should be action to hold those to account I suspect most Kiwis would find that too much and want action.
On the flip side if it’s found that NZDF is correct and the book discredited will that be accepted or as I fear the inquiry will be called a farce and only the facts in the book are correct.
George Galloway explains why this is the most dangerous moment since the Cuban Crisis.
You will hear stuff that you won’t hear anywhere else.
There is no evidence of a chemical attack.
It is a lie.
Like Iraq.
Very scary.
Listen to the first 10 minutes.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Rather than making wisecrack comments and not even bothering to listen to the show, I recommend you actually listen to the words of Peter Ford, ex British ambassador to Syria on the matter.
He might get there if he breathed through his nose a bit and waited for Labour to actually screw up before trying to go downtown. Faux outrage doesn’t work well unless it strikes a chord with the audience.
One of only two really competent Ministers in the pack at the moment.
That’s not true Ad.
1) Jacinda Ardern.
2) David Parker.
3) Phil Twyford
4) Winston Peters
5) David Clark
6) Megan Woods.
7) Grant Robertson – whose chance to show his true mettle is coming up soon.
All of them are showing they are well informed and on top of their portfolios despite attempts by opposition and their media acolytes to paint them otherwise.
Waiting in the wings to join the above group are imo:
Chris Hipkins,Tracey Martin and Ian Lees-Galloway.
Not a bad outcome in less than 6 months in office.
Missing Andrew Little from that list, somewhere very near its top. Clark is on the wait and see list so far IMO.
and no point playing a good game early in the term and failing later for what ever reason.
Oops… bad error. Andrew Little. One of the best. They’re not in any sort of order btw.
Oh and Julie Anne Genter is rapidly earning her stripes. And yep. David Clark should be on the wait and see list. He’s inherited a massive problem – not his fault – but he’s going to have to prove he can solve it.
All in all I think Ad is a little out of order on this one. ::wink:
Newshub Many thanks to our Goverment for stopping off shore oil drilling Ka pai
As for replacing jobs Te Taranaki oil barons should not swim against the RIP Tide they should swim with it or they will——. like my Tipunas did 200 years ago Kohere Mokena and Ropata Wahawaha they sided with the Queen of England and avoided 100 years of WAR .
They prouduce energy we need energy why not use Taranakis natural resources the wind build wind mills or have water turbines in the sea I always find a positive thing in every situation . YES We are going to LEAD the world into a bright energy transition into renewable energy with our European cousin . This is not a ban there are just no new oil drilling permits also OUR precious Maui Dophins Ka pai E ho.
That oil baron you were you have interviewed is crying he wanted the Government to get in a big room for consultation so he could try and con them into changing there minds OUR MP have had enough of being in a room with OLD —— MEN who think that there opinion is the only correct opinion . Ana to kai Ka kite ano P.S Duncan it must been blowing hard at your place the other nite A
Newshub Tikapa my Marae has no power this is the reason I have study Solar power for years its light the fire turn the generator on solar power is that cheap now that the residents of Ruaturia would save big in switching to solar power as there power is so expensive I seen when I was there that optical fiber broad band was there..
The amount of oil we burn is small on the World stage but New Zealand has been a Leader on the World stage on many issues ladys voting ECT so the big picture is we are joining two other Countrys in starting the trend for the Whole World to change there attitude and think about the future of the Planet we leave behind for OUR mokopunas . We are leading the world into a carbon neutral economy’s.
Ka kite ano . P.S I ‘m not going anywhere till I get what is owed to me for this harassment
The Am show in the near future your car will be your back up power supply Marks hows your son we will be always digging up our tipuna intentionally or unintentionally archaeology helps us find the true history that the victors distort all the time in there favor this is fact books burned all evidence of some cultures burnt. This tactic is used to suppress others who could topple the victors.It is happening in New Zealand at the moment . Ka kite ano
Newshub the engineers in Taranaki could retool and make wind turbines geothermal turbines ect. Thats exactly my argument against trying to eat vegetables only a vegan diet this is why we must thank our farmers who produce OUR protein it keeps us healthy Ka pai to Australians for apprehending these parents for not considering the effects there belief of a vegetable only diet had on there child and publicizing the case .
Mike OUR sports stars are doing excellent in Australia a bit of drama on the bikes P.S I’m going to watch The Crowd Goes Wild on Prime TV I gave those people who are on 3 after 7 friends the pukana today they did not like it Ana to kai lieing———?
Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild Mulls and James Angus is a good rugby player .
The front row in Rugby Union is hard work I take my hat off to all of the front rowers last time I was scrumming I stuffed my neck up a bit wrong technique .
Wairangi is a good role model for Maori Ka pai he was a mean League player in his day. It was humerus watching Wai and Josh hosting the Crowd Goes Wild .
Must be some intense competition in the American base ball league. P.S you have given me a sore face again Mulls good one
Ka kite ano
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In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
How worried should we be about the cloud? This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. I currently have a few thousand unread emails languishing in my inbox, mostly old marketing newsletters and piles of unread science journal press releases. I have a similar number ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies, Northern State University Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian governments not only have to deal with the virus but also with the false ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Murakami Wood, Professor of Critical Surveillance and Securities Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa The skyline of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.(Shutterstock) There is a long history of planned city building by both governments ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment of ...
The Boil Up’s Lucinda Bennett considers the oyster – from freshness to pearls to the joy of shucking your own. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. In Carmen Maria Machado’s short story ‘Eight Bites’, a woman begins her last supper before bariatric surgery with “a cavalcade ...
Asia Pacific Report A group of 65 Auckland University academics have written an open letter to vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater criticising the institution’s stance over students protesting in solidarity with Palestine. They have called on her administration to “support” the students who were denied permission to establish an “overnight encampment” by ...
The Student Volunteer Army is on the march, generating approximately 1.6 million hours of volunteering from roughly 35,000 secondary school students in just five years. For Rebekah Brown, the pathway to volunteering started with her singing coach. With a passion for the arts, the suggestion to volunteer at Acting Antics, ...
Keeping up with online communication can be exhausting, so Fran Barclay enlisted the help of Meta’s new ‘intelligent assistant’ to respond to all her messages. Could her mates tell the difference? For centuries, technology has ruled the ways in which we communicate. From the dawn of written language, to the ...
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong Fifty years ago, Australian feminist Anne Summers denounced “the ideology of sexism” governing over so many women’s lives. Unfortunately, sexism is as lethal today as it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears ...
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Craig Murray, in three brief paragraphs, explains the strategy being played by the US/UK establishment.
And now it looks like the UK, the US and France will attack Syria.
Scary times.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/10/russia-hits-back-over-syria-chemical-attack-with-call-for-un-inquiry
https://www.craigmurray.org.uk/archives/2018/04/the-rush-to-war/
Prime had a seventies doco series on last night which had Vietnam.
The parallels in terms of the narrative are there IMO, commies v Ruskis and saving kids v saving democracy with the usual suspects cheering on a conflict.
I think we all know how it ends
Sadly yes.
I am so glad, though we have journalists and reporters like George Galloway and Craig Murray.
Without them we would know so much less.
He has no plausible alternative. Only Syria has helicopters dripping barrel bombs, the insurgents don’t. And in any event why would the insurgents kill their own people. Although as a conspiracy anti west theorist I imagine you think the UK or the US did it.
Why would the Syrians do it? To underscore to their opponents that will never be coming back.
No-one in western capitals now seriously believes Assad can be defeated, so drumming up a continuing war against him serves no purpose.
But he will be punished for using gas. Probably an airfield and command centre will be bombed.
Good on you Wayne.
Using the ‘conspiracy theorist’ line to silence dissent. I don’t know who did it.
But I do know it makes absolutely no sense for Assad to. He is not a nice guy – but he is not stupid.
But don’t take my word for it. Read Craig Murray’s work. I would suggest he knows a lot more about this subject than either you or I do. You should look up who he is and was – check his credentials.
I also recommend you read and listen to George Galloway, Robert Fisk, Patrick Cockburn and a whole raft of independent journalists.
The other option is to ask no questions and blame Russia, Syria, Iran, whoever……
I think Assad is stupid at least on this issue at this time. He has a track record of using gas. Admittedly most times he gets away with it. But not with Trump. Hence my stupid comment.
I do read Fisk, but not that idiot Galloway.
I wouldn’t believe a word from [deleted] Wayne Mapp …
How long were you telling NZ this person killed….in a vindictive fuck up of a ‘night raid’ …..was a Taliban fighter Wayne ?
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58bcc6ac893fc04255abbbcc/t/58cfb45a37c5819ccd2bfd50/1490014002150/?format=500w.
Also the worst use of Nerve Gas / Sarin, in the middle east in modern times, involved the british and u.s.a …. supplying ingredients, technology …. and precise co-ordinates of where to use it on the battlefield …. to their then buddy Saddam Hussein … in his invasion / war against Iran….. which they supported
They then blocked Iran from justice at the UN ….
Later when Saddam gassed the Kurds …… the dirty buggers tried to blame Iran … eg blame a victim of their chemical weapon attacks.
No inhibitions against using gas by the brits or usa…. or Israel for that matter
http://foreignpolicy.com/2013/08/26/exclusive-cia-files-prove-america-helped-saddam-as-he-gassed-iran/
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2003/mar/06/uk.iraq
[Way over the top there Reason.] – Bill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5u1skEoqLs
Perhaps Waynes smears Galloway for correctly pointing out the Iraq invasion … ” was based on a pack of lies “.
Galloway smears himself by being a loon.
Galloway may have been right on Iraq, but in general he is both a Russian apologist and a believer in all sorts of odd conspiracy theories.
What about the theory that a person who started a political party and worked through the electoral process was a monster for trying to bring down the government.
And then there was a Youtube video of a burning effigy which was linked to Internet Mana- then retracted.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/john-key-admits-effigy-video-not-linked-to-internet-mana-2014081208
Odd conspiracy theories? There was a kook a lot closer than you think
You may not agree with Wayne but that’s no excuse to label him a…
[Thank you. Obviously, I’ve deleted the phrase from your comment too.]- Bill
Interesting doco … starts with racism … but at approx 116 mins reveals a second occasion during the Cuban missile crisis… where guns were drawn by lower ranking officers … to prevent nuclear missile launch … and mankind’s annihilation
escalations and wars are dangerous
Sorry Bill …
You’ve made made my post read better by removing my strongly held opinion of Wayne ,,,,
I believe Wayne and Key were two of the more belligerent and loud voices pressuring helen clarke to join in the illegal invasion of Iraq … much like the present pressure put upon jacinda Arden about nz missing in action…
… and he was a flag bearer for the Iwi / Kiwi racist national electioneering contrivance … minister of anti PC or something … http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2005/10/final-kick.html
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2005/10/mapp-vs-waitangi-tribunal.html
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2006/01/one-language-for-all.html
he’s made uncomplimentary western sterotype remarks against the victims / population / society of Afghanistan here at the TS as well … pre hit and run
Conspiracy
kənˈspɪrəsi
noun
a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
– dictionary
……
……
“Conspiracy theorist” is a term popularized by agencies wanting to discredited anyone questioning the official line.
Yes, it is used to shut down dissent.
Galloway predicted Iraq, he predicted Libya and sadly what is saying now is going to be correct.
And that means we are in the worst crisis since the Cold War.
Jaish al Islam are a terrorist organisation known to chop off the heads of “their own people” and keep them in cages on roof tops and the backs of cars to deter the Syrian Army from attackingg. This is the sort of people you think we should trust. Give us a break!! On the point of victory the Syrian Army use chemical weapons? I dont think so. Trump signals a desire to leave Syria and next thing you know is chemical attack?
https://gowans.wordpress.com/
That was the key trigger.
Trump saying he would leave Syria.
Just as JFK saying he’d pull out Vietnam got him killed.
As the legendary Bill Hicks said, Go back to sleep America.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1LcvNM7oc7k
Martin Lukacs writes an excellent article.
I wonder if this cold be made into a post -such an important message.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/true-north/2017/jul/17/neoliberalism-has-conned-us-into-fighting-climate-change-as-individuals?CMP=share_btn_tw
this is a really good post Ed. the psychological influences at play here need to be recognised….as people move to defend their and their families efforts. This has the effect of defending current actions and closing minds to needed criticism.
This is a really good post Ed.
The psychological impact of this can’t be overstated as people move to defend theirs and their families/groups/associations actions in recycling.
This has the effect of making them complicit/defensive of the efforts at an individual level. This is, in turn, an essential aspect of the corporate strategy.
100% I agree. The corporates divide and rule firstly.
They seek to weaken opposition is their game.
Brrr…
This morning the Pak n Save noticeboard had a note looking for a space to park a caravan for a couple with a dog.
As I hopped in the car the wind slammed my door on my leg. No biggie, but made me really hope the caravan couple + dog get a nice big reinforced shed in which to park.
I do too, it is very cold out there.
patricia,
Shit it is freezing up in the gisborne hills as it only got up to 5% celsius all today and begun with snow flacks at dawn.
No accumulative snow left behind yet..
Interesting new study out from Germany taken over multiple decades.
“Organic agriculture is not as good for the environment as commonly believed, according to a new scientific study reviewing multiple lines of evidence over more than two decades.
https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-resource-100517-023252
The study was conducted by German researchers Eva-Marie Meemken and Matin Qaim from the University of Goettingen and published in the journal Annual Review of Resource Economics.
They do make clear that the scientific evidence shows that organic is better in some specific situations, and that the best strategy overall may be to combine conventional and organic approaches.
In general, the study concludes that while organic farming is more environmentally friendly per unit of land than conventional approaches, it is not better for the environment when assessed in terms of units of output.
This is because organic farming generally has lower yields — between 19-25 percent, on average.”
Do a post on it.
About time we had the food productivity argument.
Agriculture itself is the issue. “Organics” is a nebulous term, difficult to pin down, therefore easy to dismiss if you don’t favour it. Once we’ve realised that agriculture’s the core of the problem, we’ll be getting somewhere.
The environment is key though!!
Yes Hillary, but…….
The Firman Bear report from Rutgers University shows the difference between organic and conventionally grown produce:
But a study from Rutgers University in USA says that organic vs conventional produce shawed in their study that only organic had sufficient quantities of all trace vitamins and minerals to sustain us whereas the conventional produce only had less the 10% of the trace vitamins/minerals that was measured in organic, so I would be interested in this study from Germany if they also measured the content of the important amounts of vitamins/minerals in both organic and conventional products to adequately quantify the effectiveness of both growth systems.
https://swansonhealthcenter.com/topics/organic-vs-non-organic-mineral-and-antioxidant-content/
“A recent four-year European Union study, funded at a cost of $25 million, raised fruits, vegetables, and cows on adjacent organic and conventional fields at a 725-acre farm near Newcastle University in England and other places in Europe. Researchers found that the: 1) organic fruits and vegetables contained up to 40% more antioxidants; 2) organic produce had higher levels of iron, copper, and zinc; and 3) milk from organic herds contained up to 90% more antioxidants.”
If only organics had “…sufficient quantities of all trace vitamins and minerals to sustain us..” and conventional produce had only 10% of those quantities..
Then how is it that those of us who can’t afford organic have managed to be sustained by food that has only 1/10th of the amount of nutrients needed to sustain us?
Scary that so much damage to Auckland because we don’t expect gale force winds like Wellington… another chapter in Auckland’s building woes…. we build them, but not so well and the wind can blow them down… likewise disruption to our electricity system, our rail system.. our ferries…
You’d think storms would be built into how the city runs… because with climate change and warming water it is anticipated that cyclones will become more frequent.
Live: Auckland assesses the damage: Trees down, 140km/h winds and thousands without power
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12030156
Maybe this headline could better be explained by thinking about what has got NZ into this bizarre place with our Met service that see’s storms where there are none and not when they come…
“Weather forecaster to review processes after storm battered Auckland”
Apparently the Metservice not only reports to the ministry of transport???? but also is expected to invest in oil forecasts to somehow try to turn a profit….
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/05/21/so-who-funds-metservice-the-weird-madness-behind-the-20-meter-wave-story/
Bit like Middlemore spending money to extend some of it’s building’s because that part was artificially ‘profitable’ but the actual parts that housed the unprofitable sick children were full of mould and did not qualify for funding under the government’s and neoliberal rules.
Before complaining about all the money and why nothing works anymore, unwrap where the money is being siphoned off into non core activities out of government funded departments…
That is so true. Those useless pricks couldn’t predict Tuesday follows Monday.
Sorry muttonbird and savenz but you are completely out of line.
As one of those former “useless Metservice pricks” who has been out of the game for more than two decades but who tries to keep up with the latest techniques, I have news for you:
NZ meteorologists and climate scientists are among the most respected in the world. The primary reason being NZ is one of the toughest countries on the planet when it comes to weather prediction. This is due in large part to it’s marine status in an area plagued by storms coming at it from both tropical ocean zones and polar ocean zones. In other words they get a great deal more weather experience than their counterparts from countries with more predictable weather patterns.
Having said that: our Metservice forecasters accurately predicted yesterday’s weather days in advance and they began to issue preliminary warnings late last week and official warnings over the weekend and on Monday. They made it clear there was a strong potential for extremely damaging winds in all their forecasts – particularly between Taranaki and Northland. However it was impossible to pinpoint exactly where the worst of those winds would eventuate because that was dependent on where the centre of the deep low would finally cross over the country. It turned out to be between Waikato and Auckland from all accounts.
That their warnings were not taken seriously enough is the fault of the populace – not the forecasters.
Well said, Anne. Having lived in Europe for a while, I saw upon returning here how much more unpredictable our local weather is. More importantly, I noticed the warnings that were issued about Tuesday’s weather.. Who are these numbnuts pretending that Met Service gave no warnings?
Heres’ a bunch of them:
It has been a terrifying Wednesday for Aucklanders after a massive storm that appeared to take authorities by surprise pummelled the region overnight.
They also talk about… the storm nobody saw coming.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/04/weather-live-updates-auckland-wakes-up-to-massive-storm-damage.html
Is it any wonder people get the wrong idea when you have the MSM spreading a totally wrong story. Newshub are one of the worse culprits.
Their 3 day rain maps are excellent. I couldn’t do without them in my line of work and they are usually very accurate. Maybe they need some computer models, coz they’ve all been really accurate so far…
100% saveNZ
National = austerity first.
National was a right wing robin hood for the rich not the poor.
National wasn’t an austerity government, they borrowed (and presumably spent) shitloads of moolah. It’s just that their spending was all about benefiting mainly their business and elitist interests rather than all New Zealanders.
Thanks for this. Must have been posted during one of my TDB sabbaticals.
I’m watching Mark Zuckerberg in front of the senate hearing currently. Very very interesting to watch.
Do you know if he can be sued?
Americans are big on suing.
Probably not from what I saw – the senate didn’t seem to know how Facebook actually worked
Does Zuckerberg know how all of face book really works?
Just heard on RNZ that Zuckerberg’s account was used to gain information.
I elected to not be a facebook user due to my privacy not being assured.
China revealing it’s military strategy in the Pacific, if nobody saw this coming… SURPRISE!
Chinese military expansion into Vanuatu aimed at Australia and NZ
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/04/10/chinese-military-expansion-into-vanuatu-aimed-at-australia-and-nz/
Yep. We need to desperately build up our defence capabilities including producing our own weapons/ammunition/vehicles.
We should be warry of small Island nations as the Chinese have large bullying power over them and some will render themselves to caving in to some excessive pressure fronm a big power like China just look at that China has done in Africa.
It’s not the small island nations that I’m concerned with.
Well, the benign environment is coming to an end and with it the decades long free ride we’ve had defense wise.
I took the trouble last night to read up on the Australian military build up. it is quite astonishing.
For the Navy – 12(!) x short fin Barracuda advanced attack submarines, 2 x 30,000 ton helicopter carriers capable of operating STOVL fixed wing aircraft, 3 x Aegis equipped Air Defense Destroyers, 9 x 7,000+ ton general purpose “frigates”, 24 x Seahawk helicopters plus the 8 ANZAC class frigates and whatever of their existing fleet will stay in service.
Air Force – 98 x F-35B Lightning II plus the current force of 106 F-18 Hornets, a dozen P-8A Neptunes, AWACS, 8 x C-17 Globemaster III, plus 33 Hawk trainers and lots of modern PGMs plus UAVs, etc.
The Australian Army has 22 attack helicopters, 60 MBT and 700+ other AFVs and plans to buy 3,000+ new armoured vehicles of all types, new MANPADS and Medium range SAM systems, new long range rocket artillery, new ATGW systems, etc etc etc.
The time for scrimping on our defense is almost over. The 20 billion re-equipment program we have planned should probably be tripled and plans put in hand for registering military age men and women for rapid conscription.
At the time the service heads of both RNZAF and RNZN along with a few other want the Government of the day to keep 14Sqn as a going concern and even at reduce state in case something like this did pop up, but the certain members of the back bench made sure that the former Strike Wing would never rise again out of the ashes like the phoenix.
As the original plan was to disband No’s 2 and 75Sqn, but retain 14Sqn in a reduce state to maintain a cadre of trained pilots and ground crew should the need a rise in the future.
Should ring my uncle and ask for his comment? Ex- 14 and 75Sqn and was both teams for the Macchi and twice on the F-16’s 83-84 and the last one before it got kicked in to touch.
My pick is Singapore fighter jets will end up at Ohakea.
Its almost a given from what I’m hearing atm.
Further to your reply about the current and future Order of Battle (ORBAT) of the ADF. There has been some major changes within the Army like plain Beersheba which would an extra SQN of 30 odd M1 MBT’s, a ready Arms Battle Group from the Army reserves to attach to the 3 Combat Brigades and to 2RAR, the Hawkie and Boxer vehicles to replace the LAV’s and Landies in the Cav SQN’s and some of the M113’s.
The RAAF has seen a major re-structure of it Airfield Defence Sqns and other Airforce Security Units within the RAAF, which from my POV has cause us endless headaches for us Rockapes as the AFSEC muppets don’t want to step up to plate. To a point that CDF has now crack the shits with it, saying his Rockapes aren’t meant to the guarding the Flightline, as its a AFSEC job and he needs them outside not inside the wire also he wants at least another two SECFOR SQN’s.
A theatre base Air Defence System which we haven’t seen since the 60’s when the RAAF had the Bloodhound missiles,
UAV’s for the P8’s and possible armed UAV’s down the track at a later stage.
Addition tankers and AEW/C aircraft
And the Navy which you have already mention, apart from the Patrol Boats that are no longer fit for purpose after only 10-15yrs of service being replace with a Ocean Combat Vessel in other words a up-gun OPV or a light frigate depending on how one gets out of bed in the morning.
Then there is the talk of rebasing assets to the northern bases and some the bare bases being full maned which raise’s all sorts of questions.
Massive funding for the JRON radar upgrade’s and the setting up a Joint Cyber warfare unit.
Its all go here atm.
Vanuatua has stated they are not interested. End of.
Vanuatu won’t be the only ones that China has made advances to and some will accept.
Have you seen what they did Sri Lanka when they couldn’t repay their debt to China?
China just walked in and tooked over the Port and the Airport for its own use and brought in its own worker as well and sacked the local work force, also they try to pull one over on the Maldives of late. But the Maldives courts put a stop to that, but how will that last is anyone’s guess atm. They also did the same at port of Gawler as well.
Half of Vanuatu’s debt is owned by China,
About 3/4 quarters of Tonga’s debt is owned by China and if we go back to 2006, this was one of the leading causes to the riots.
PNG and Fiji’s debt over half of that is owned to China.
A of other SP nations also up to their eye balls in debt to China
You can see a wee tend starting to appear here.
I’ve brought my comments over from the TDB site for readers who visit there for whatever reason.
Yes Martyn is correct on his assumption; it changes everything from a NZ military, Foreign Aid and NZ trade POV. There has been talk of a possible Chinese bases in Tonga, PNG and Fiji though work at open and closed circles.
It really makes a mockery of Auntie Helen’s assumption when she disbanded the Air Strike Wing, reducing the Anti Surface/ Anti Sub Surface Capability of the RNZAF and RNZN and refusing the Navy to have more capable ships under Project Protector.
I wonder you are the idiots now for not listening to the Chiefs at the time and this what’s happens when you get involved in silly little wars in the MER and you forget your backyard NZ/ Oz.
Chinas maritime doctrine is base around Anti Access and Anti Denial. The best way to achieve this through the use of Submarines and long range Maritime Aircraft in both as Maritime Strike or as a ISR platform. It’s their subs, Coast Guard ships (they are more capable than our own sub- par OPV’s) and their fishing fleet that I’m worried about atm. Their surface fleet though capable on paper is still small operate affectively outside the first chain island for combat operations but give them a few yrs and they have carriers with cats and traps not STOBAR carriers then start to worry.
The best way to sink a ship is a submarine or mines laid by a submarine or by a converted fishing trawler when the ship is not alongside in port.
NZ economy is a export led with over 90% of NZ exports going by sea and over 90% imports coming by sea. Cutting off NZ Sea Lanes Of Communications (SLOC) during a state of war would cripple NZ economy and likely to cause great social unrest along the way.
NZ’s Governments consisted running down of the NZDF since 1991 is looking a bit foolish now. Neutrality to Asian eyes is a sign of great weakness, unless of course you carry a bloody big stick like Finland Sweden or Switzerland. Adopting Neutrality would mean some serious coin being pour into the NZDF or we team up with Oz and all the trappings that they bring. The so-called $20B earmarked for defence by No Mates National Party is small fry now to what could be in the future and sticking one’s head in the sand is no longer an option of NZ now.
With possible Chinese subs, surface vessels or even their H6 nuclear capable/ maritime strike bombers operating out of Vanuatu and that’s not including its fishing fleets that will rape pillage the Southern Ocean, but rape and pillage of the Antarctic mainland as well. Means they could achieve there overall mission objective in their doctrine of Anti Access and Anti Denial.
Food for thought
Yep. We need that bloody big stick and we need to stand up for ourselves. Neither of which have or do. China blocks our goods at the wharf and we kowtow real fast rather than dropping the FTA as we should be doing.
Yes DTB,
China has little old NZ by its shorts and curlicues and its shows that NZ hasn’t learned from its past aka “being the UK’s farm” that putting all your eggs into one basket isn’t the wise thing to do in the long term.
I think the old Silver Fox is on to something?
The key is trade with Russia.
For what, crude petroleum oils, potassium fertilisers, copper?.
Sorry Ed,
But we need to trading with everybody and also not Just in low end raw products like we do now, but high end value added products, banking etc etc which we have done in the past before the 1984 coup. When the Neo- Economic Lib Muppets then ransack the country in a rape and pillage orgy that would’ve Stalin, Mao, Hitler’s SS and Pol Pot proud.
My case study is to have a look at how Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal conducted themselves during WW2 and post war. These four countries did in fact made themselves quite rich and further strengthen their hand post war supporting the mainland Europe unlike Ireland.
NZ could do the same, but a lot of money has to be pump into the NZDF, Foreign Affairs, Trade, Aid, and STEM to make this work.
Too costly for NZ to maintain aircraft fire power.
It would not take much for fighter jets from overseas to be stationed in NZ if really necessary.
How come?
Why would we want to?
How come?
The health system needs every dollar it can get.
Why would we want to?
Not a case of want,it would be a case of need to give security.
Being nuclear free is a different reason when it comes to security.
Actually it didn’t cost that much maintain the Air Strike Wing in the overall scheme of things. Where it fell down was the short term view taken of Defence by both sides of the Beehive and the what happen to the NZDF during the 90’s under the No Mates Party (National) in which everything was run in the ground.
When in the 90’s Units/ SQN’s/ Bases/ Depots/ Ships were disbanded, shut down/ closed or worn out equipment wasn’t replace and the only time it was replace was either it fell out of the sky aka the Strikemasters in 14 SQN or during Bosnia even then about 90% of the kit issued was borrowed from the Ozzie Army or leased from NATO aka the British Army and the short notice deployment to the Gulf under Op Dessert Fox which apart at the seams for the NZDF.
The F-16 lease deal has been describe as the deal of the century in most quarters and the books I have read what my uncle said at the time and he stills say its today the F-16’s was a good deal. He still says today, if the No Mates Party weren’t a bunch of cheap ass ****s when we replace the old Bunty we would be in the fast jet business as the BAE Hawk would’ve been far easy to re-generate than the Macchi both in terms of cost and manpower as there was still a lot of corporate knowledge around until about the 2 term of the No Mates Party.
Vanuatua has stated they are not interested. End of.
Wooo hooooo THANKS GOVERNMENT.
There WILL be an inquiry into Operation Burnham, conducted by Geoffrey Palmer and another person.
Will post a link when one comes up. Super happy about this news.
Edit… link added
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/hit-and-run-government-launches-inquiry-into-alleged-afghan-civilian-deaths.html
Edit again… just found a live stream of questions happening now….
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/livestream-attorney-general-makes-announcement-on-operation-burnham.html
Good news there Cinny.
Yes, yes 🙂
That is great news needed to happen for clarity.
If found that the book is right. There should be action to hold those to account I suspect most Kiwis would find that too much and want action.
On the flip side if it’s found that NZDF is correct and the book discredited will that be accepted or as I fear the inquiry will be called a farce and only the facts in the book are correct.
Excellent, and may the villagers’ lives be honoured with a steely justice.
George Galloway explains why this is the most dangerous moment since the Cuban Crisis.
You will hear stuff that you won’t hear anywhere else.
There is no evidence of a chemical attack.
It is a lie.
Like Iraq.
Very scary.
Listen to the first 10 minutes.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
I can think of reasons why you won’t hear this anywhere else
Rather than making wisecrack comments and not even bothering to listen to the show, I recommend you actually listen to the words of Peter Ford, ex British ambassador to Syria on the matter.
I don’t think this Simon Bridges has the goods.
Reading this article it seems JA completely dominated him in question time with clean but brutal smack-downs.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/jacinda-ardern-v-simon-bridges-fiercest-question-time-debate-yet.html
The Nats and their supporters must be getting worried – he’s an odd and scrappy little man and just doesn’t have what it takes.
He might get there if he breathed through his nose a bit and waited for Labour to actually screw up before trying to go downtown. Faux outrage doesn’t work well unless it strikes a chord with the audience.
Well worth watching the actual interchange.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=199834
Great to see Parker standing up again. Reeks of competence as AG.
Very good signal to NZDF that he is not going to take any shit.
One of only two really competent Ministers in the pack at the moment.
One of only two really competent Ministers in the pack at the moment.
That’s not true Ad.
1) Jacinda Ardern.
2) David Parker.
3) Phil Twyford
4) Winston Peters
5) David Clark
6) Megan Woods.
7) Grant Robertson – whose chance to show his true mettle is coming up soon.
All of them are showing they are well informed and on top of their portfolios despite attempts by opposition and their media acolytes to paint them otherwise.
Waiting in the wings to join the above group are imo:
Chris Hipkins,Tracey Martin and Ian Lees-Galloway.
Not a bad outcome in less than 6 months in office.
Missing Andrew Little from that list, somewhere very near its top. Clark is on the wait and see list so far IMO.
and no point playing a good game early in the term and failing later for what ever reason.
Oops… bad error. Andrew Little. One of the best. They’re not in any sort of order btw.
Oh and Julie Anne Genter is rapidly earning her stripes. And yep. David Clark should be on the wait and see list. He’s inherited a massive problem – not his fault – but he’s going to have to prove he can solve it.
All in all I think Ad is a little out of order on this one. ::wink:
Definitely Tracey Martin. She owned Alfred Ngaro in QTime yesterday with an impressive list of what is happening in the Children portfolio – and with a sense of humour!
https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=199841
What’s ‘Dodgy Dick’ Griffin playing at not releasing the voicemail?
Newshub Many thanks to our Goverment for stopping off shore oil drilling Ka pai
As for replacing jobs Te Taranaki oil barons should not swim against the RIP Tide they should swim with it or they will——. like my Tipunas did 200 years ago Kohere Mokena and Ropata Wahawaha they sided with the Queen of England and avoided 100 years of WAR .
They prouduce energy we need energy why not use Taranakis natural resources the wind build wind mills or have water turbines in the sea I always find a positive thing in every situation . YES We are going to LEAD the world into a bright energy transition into renewable energy with our European cousin . This is not a ban there are just no new oil drilling permits also OUR precious Maui Dophins Ka pai E ho.
That oil baron you were you have interviewed is crying he wanted the Government to get in a big room for consultation so he could try and con them into changing there minds OUR MP have had enough of being in a room with OLD —— MEN who think that there opinion is the only correct opinion . Ana to kai Ka kite ano P.S Duncan it must been blowing hard at your place the other nite A
Newshub Tikapa my Marae has no power this is the reason I have study Solar power for years its light the fire turn the generator on solar power is that cheap now that the residents of Ruaturia would save big in switching to solar power as there power is so expensive I seen when I was there that optical fiber broad band was there..
The amount of oil we burn is small on the World stage but New Zealand has been a Leader on the World stage on many issues ladys voting ECT so the big picture is we are joining two other Countrys in starting the trend for the Whole World to change there attitude and think about the future of the Planet we leave behind for OUR mokopunas . We are leading the world into a carbon neutral economy’s.
Ka kite ano . P.S I ‘m not going anywhere till I get what is owed to me for this harassment
The Am show in the near future your car will be your back up power supply Marks hows your son we will be always digging up our tipuna intentionally or unintentionally archaeology helps us find the true history that the victors distort all the time in there favor this is fact books burned all evidence of some cultures burnt. This tactic is used to suppress others who could topple the victors.It is happening in New Zealand at the moment . Ka kite ano
Newshub the engineers in Taranaki could retool and make wind turbines geothermal turbines ect. Thats exactly my argument against trying to eat vegetables only a vegan diet this is why we must thank our farmers who produce OUR protein it keeps us healthy Ka pai to Australians for apprehending these parents for not considering the effects there belief of a vegetable only diet had on there child and publicizing the case .
Mike OUR sports stars are doing excellent in Australia a bit of drama on the bikes P.S I’m going to watch The Crowd Goes Wild on Prime TV I gave those people who are on 3 after 7 friends the pukana today they did not like it Ana to kai lieing———?
Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild Mulls and James Angus is a good rugby player .
The front row in Rugby Union is hard work I take my hat off to all of the front rowers last time I was scrumming I stuffed my neck up a bit wrong technique .
Wairangi is a good role model for Maori Ka pai he was a mean League player in his day. It was humerus watching Wai and Josh hosting the Crowd Goes Wild .
Must be some intense competition in the American base ball league. P.S you have given me a sore face again Mulls good one
Ka kite ano