Can any older Standardistas help me? If my increasingly more unrealiable memory is not playing tricks, I recall a friend of mine telling me about how Desmond Tutu visited New Zealand and stayed in her house in Pt Chev. This would have been between 1981 and 1985, before he was really famous. Can anyone confirm that? Thanks.
I’ve only had time for a very limited search, but found a brief reference to: “It was Bishop Desmond Tutu’s testimony at the Auckland trial of Hone Harawira in 1983 that saw the 96 charges against Hone dropped…” (The rest of it’s entirely about Hone / no more mention of Tutu. But, I assume he gave the testimony in person in The City of Sales).
Tutu came in 1983 at the invitation of the Anglican Church / provides testimony for Harawira / as a result, all 10 defendents acquitted of charges surrounding 81 Tour protests.
The site doesn’t entirely get things right, mind. For example: “Harawira is a seasoned activist, one of the few members of Parliament with a long arrest record for protesting – for land rights of Maori, environmental rights, and in support of South African Apartheid.” Hone, you bloody turncoat !!!
(Hope the above link works. If so, my first ever !!! – cheers, Anne. From Swordship)
Yeah I’ve heard Hone tell the story of Bishop Desmond Tutu wondering in late into court as his witness.
The judge was annoyed initially as Hone wouldn’t say who the witness he was calling was going to be, but the court room was electric when Tutu shuffled in. And started speaking on all manner of things almost completely unrelated to the facts of the case. However, the judge on the bench gave the good Bishop all the lattitude (and time) in the world to continue speaking and yes, all charges were subsequently dismissed.
Thank you for this information. Bishop Tutu testifying testimony at Hone Harawira’s trial would have been a great story to rerun on the anniversary of the trial. I might look it up in the old newspapers at the Hocken. Cheers you all.
I certainly recall Tutu in the late 70s being considered on a par with Mandela in his importance to the anti-apartheid movement. Long regarded as “South Africa’s moral conscience”. I suspect he was already becoming well known internationally during the early-mid 70s, but particularly so from 1978 – when he became Sec-Gen of South African Council of Churches.
Nellie Hunt has found a new home for her and her three children! It’s sad though that she had to end up on TV for something to be done, seems to be the only way these days because the government agencies which are supposed to do their job are actually useless.
But the sad fact is, there are thousands of Nellies out there who’s story won’t be heard.
On the same subject,(from the Christchurch Press via Stuff), this is what Nellie was paying 220 dollars a week for, and the Landlord(an A/hole rack-renter was demanding another 40 bucks a week from Nellie for),
”When the ,(Housing Tribunal),Adjudicator saw the state of Hunt’s (rental)house, including the ‘yellow stickered’ lounge with holes in the roof, the case was sent back to mediation”,unquote,
Did the Landlord put up His hands and say OK i am being a A/hole here trying to rack up the rent on what appears to have been to all extents and purposes a ‘wreck’ of a house,
Like hell, in what is obviously a fit of pique, looking like the tables having been severely turned on Him complaining that Nellie was refusing to pay the rent, our rack-renting Landlord then reached for that other ‘tool’ more and more of these Landlords are using against their tenants, the 90 day provision allowed to evict a tenant when a property is to be ‘sold’,
This time, it didn’t come off for the Landlord, trying to circumvent the actions of a tenant or the Tenancy Tribunal it’self by using the ‘tool’ of the 90 day eviction notice, a full hearing of Nellie Hunt’s case, caused by the Landlords own application for eviction , awarded Nellie Hunt $4000 less the $700 She had withheld in rent from the Landlord,(and the Tribunal has no choice in Law other than to grant the Landlord his 90 day eviction notice),
My admiration for Nellie Hunt, a working mother of 3 kids, who has continued in Her employment while at the same time fighting this PRICK of a Landlord through the Tenancy Tribunal and looking for alternative accommodation is Huge,
Yesterday the Christchurch City Council stepped into the fray offering Nellie a City house and the Press reports that on the verge of taking this property Nellie’s current Landlord approached Her with the offer of Her current rental which better suited Nellie’s kids as it’s just around the corner from the previous house and allows the kids to keep the same friends and not have to change schools,
We all should give Nellie Hunt a big ups for showing such steel in a fight where the odds were all stacked against Her,(specially when we think that She and Her whanau have lived there through the earthquakes), and thanks to all those who offered and did help,
As Nellie was quoted saying during the darkest hours of this struggle,(and such a struggle is being repeated daily up and down the country), ”this is not New Zealand”, in the end tho, the real New Zealand, the one with Heart where everyone gets a fair go stood up an i thank them all for doing so…
“We all should give Nellie Hunt a big ups for showing such steel in a fight where the odds were all stacked against Her,(specially when we think that She and Her whanau have lived there through the earthquakes), and thanks to all those who offered and did help,”
And hugs too. Nellie must have a core of tenacity to still stand tall after what she and her kids have been put through with this on top of living in a quake zone and still carry on and go to work!
Like amirite says there are 1000’s of Nellie’s out there whose story won’t be heard. What an inconvenient truth it would be for our PM and housing Minister if they were.
The Press can reveal Hunt was taken to the tenancy tribunal by her previous landlord when her rent increased by $40 a week and she missed $700 of rent payments.
When the adjudicator saw the state of Hunt’s house, including the yellow-stickered lounge with holes in the roof, the case was sent back to mediation.
A few days later, Hunt was served with a 90-day notice to vacate because the landlord was planning to sell the property. Her rent was reduced to the original $220 a week until she left.
Hunt fought her eviction in the tribunal and was awarded $4000 against the landlord, $700 of which was returned to the landlord.
So fuck you all the commenters on yesterdays Stuff article who thought there was something wrong with Hunt and that’s why she couldn’t find somewhere to live.
As for the council offering her a house, what about the person that was about to get the house they decided to give to Hunt? And the person in the queue after that?
“So fuck you all the commenters on yesterdays Stuff article who thought there was something wrong with Hunt and that’s why she couldn’t find somewhere to live.”
Hi weka. the stuffed.co.nz comments section is a constant seething, writhing mass of hatred and ignorance. If theres sport to be had in kicking someone when they’re down they will.
I gave it up some time ago. It was a downer.
Excellent; just been processing the feeble tr01ing attempts of ‘Garbageman’; good to be back on track
“That old wheel is gonna roll around once more
When it does it will even up the score (Mob rules Garbageman)
Turn the other cheek and don’t give in That Old Wheel
will roll around again”. 😀
That was a mighty fine and wise song, and completely relevant to those who would be most uncharitable, such as that “Garbageman” was towards to you on “Smile & Wave” by Bunji.
You can stand tall with your mana in tact though. You’re not the one to belittle others, as garbageman is, and he’s the one that diminishes his own mana by doing so. Those folks like him and dumarse etc are a waste of time, when all they can do is be spiteful and insulting. THEY are like the folks on the stuffed site that weka was referring to. I see “rich the other one” never came back to face his critics. Must have known he couldn’t win.
The other RWNJ’s that pop up here at least try to put an argument forward and attempt to stand by it. Mind you I don’t bother with them (I have enough of them in real life!) either usually, (with rich as a rare exception) and leave it to those with the sharps and the energy to have fun with.
But why do they come here, when they know it makes things hard for them?
I know Moz says “hard for me” but we can play with it. It was the first thing that popped into my head.
Absolutely Beautiful and profoundly moving A’little death’ in the afternoon ; There was a Rose, never attempted to ‘lay’ her, out of respect.
Her photograph survived the tearing required by a less secure partner. (yes, we have regrets) Still, no errors, no learning.
I’ve said this elsewhere. I’m no fan of the Tories but they’ve learnt from the past. Time to go through the Party and clean out the old wood, the dead wood, and the ones who just don’t understand that ideologically their ideas belong in the ark.
Other stuff we have been stupid enough to do for the USA .. from the Daily Telegraph this morning quoting reewarch by Ray Waru .. I haven’t seen this anywhere here at home so far …
Yep, let’s use bombs to create tsunamis off our coast for the US govt .. years ago, but WTF ??
Pretty amazing woman. Not everyone hits the headlines and is made into a public hero. Her Mum is one of the quiet honorable people with the strength to live her beliefs against the tide.
Didn’t read the article but it reminds me of the 81 springbok tour times and troubles – as a young rugby-mad boy the springboks were exciting. Off to a couple of the matches I trundled, not really able to understand the commotion and being upset that the protestors were trying to interfere with what I saw as my right to play rugby with whoever I wanted.
I recall the most influencing protest, passed by on the way to the infamous third test at Eden Park….. it was the very quiet protests where older mums and dads stood quietly and grimly, each of us looking at the other. They left the impression and got the mind to working and thinking.
Post-test the mess in the streets was not so influencing and even today it was those quiet staunch people that made the mark.
What is it with the Labour strategists? Cunliffe not only joined the Mandela Road Show to stroke Key’s ego but compounded the compromise by taking the seat at the funeral that should have been refused, leaving it open for one of the other ’81 pro-tour racists or for Suck-up Pete. That would have at least demonstrated the hollowness of the Government on the world stage. It is understandable that Cunliffe might lose perspective and indulge in big-noting but his minders should have had more sense. Add in TTP Goff’s latest utterances and it is hard to see Labour as anything other than National-Lite – still! So much for the 800 000 who are still waiting for a principled party that represents the tenuously employed and the displaced who languish in unemployed poverty.
Until Labour come out and apologise for the 1980s unreservedly and admit the damage the neoliberal policies they unleashed in New Zealand did and promise to undo this, then most of those 800 000 will rightly continue to mistrust them.
The leader of the opposition was right to accept the initial invitation, and right again when he offered his place to Pita Sharples, when it was thought that only 2 could attend.
And I don’t think that decision was – or should be – taken by “minders” or “strategists”.
A wandering sportsman out at 4 am is being searched for. Often there will be an expensive search for, mostly, lost men. Things that men want will be done for them. Compare this to the actual needs, not just wants, of women who have children. Less than the basic needs is reluctantly provided for these vital people renewing the population.
What a contrast, showing the lack of respect for women, their unique role in the renewal of the population, and their important task in caring and teaching their children as they grow from helpless babies to youth, vulnerable and needing support, guidance and develop their own strength of character and life purpose. Big tasks, so poorly respected and celebrated.
Greywarbler didn’t say they shouldn’t search for him. Nor did they say they shouldn’t search for him because he is a man. If you don’t understand what Greywarbler said, better to ask for clarification.
I read it a couple of times and the comment was in extreme bad taste, people have lost a loved one and there is no gender equity issues involved. Clarification not required.
The inference is that the search is only because of gender, I call bullshit.
I’m talking Kevin W about the way that society is skewed. What men want to do will be provided for. What women with children need is not provided for.
Look at the Photo, no one deserves this. People get searched for all the time, gender is not at issue.
Andy …
If you have a bad taste in your mouth, why not just clean your teeth and giving your tongue a slight scrub can help.
Don’t worry your pretty head about what I’m saying and meaning. It’s over your head. And you won’t get the point with your knee jerk reaction.
I’m actually not talking about whether people should be searched for at all. Not whether it should be by gender, by one or two legs, red hair or brown, town or country. So if you can’t get it then let it rest. FFS.
The economist with the tongue twister name from IER criticises the Reserve Bank for being open to receiving information and considering it. Unlike bible-bound economists. The Reserve Bank has cut the LVR on new houses. It’s a good move, and contrary to what our King Economist spokesperson says, it will further their plan. New houses will increase the stock of houses and so mean a small relief on demand and the rising prices that are so problematic.
We don’t need a buddha figure for head of the Reserve Bank, sitting and looking enigmatic, pondering who knows what in the realms of life experience, separate from the seething world around him. We need thinking man, doing the best thing to cope with the problems plainly before us. So let us try things out, after due consideration, and monitor the effects, present and future, against the computer generated scenarios of expectations, and there will always be possibly three different scenarios and variables.
I respectfully disagree. We do need more Buddha figures in the Reserve Bank and in Government. The Buddha’s rules for Good Government, known as ‘Dasa Raja Dharma’.
1) be liberal and avoid selfishness,
2) maintain a high moral character,
3) be prepared to sacrifice one’s own pleasure for the well-being of the subjects,
4) be honest and maintain absolute integrity,
5) be kind and gentle,
6) lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate,
7) be free from hatred of any kind,
8) exercise non-violence,
9) practise patience, and
10) respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.
Linz
The problem is that Buddha doesn’t move. He leads by spiritual power and goodness. Key is on a different planet. None of Buddha’s good precepts and needs to move to get some.
May be a testing time for Mr Banks:
“Beleaguered MP John Banks will face a judge-alone trial next year.
His trial was fixed for May 2014, and was set down for 10 days.”
If Banks is convicted it’ll be within six months of the election therefore there won’t be a by-election in Epsom. So Banks would no longer be a MP which means Epsom is left without an MP until the election? If convicted is this the scenario we’re looking at?
Everyone routinely forgets, National has a confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party. They don’t need Banks’ vote to stay in power. All they need is his vote to pass right-wing policy that the MP won’t vote for.
That may or may not be a particular sticking point, come May.
I think so, Mary, but could be wrong. It would also mean that National have one less supporting vote in Parliament for six months.
The timing is also interesting as IIRC the possible date for Dotcom’s extradition hearing is now April, although this could be delayed yet again – especially as he will no doubt be a major witness in the Banks trial!
The 10 days set down for the Banks’ trial also seems long, considering to date the only known witnesses have been Dotcom, Wayne ? his security chief, the Skycity CEO, and the ACT person who prepared the return – and presumably Banks himself. So maybe other unknown people are also to be called?
Actually no.
There doesn’t need to be a by-election if
a) It is within 6 months of the date on which Parliament would expire (actually 24 July 2014 is the cut-off for that)
OR
b) The PM nominates in writing that the election will be held within 6 months
AND 75% of MPs vote not to hold it. Please take the OR before the AND.
It doesn’t mean that there won’t be a by-election. It allows the possibility that there doesn’t need to be one.
Dunno about that. The left here were pretty fired up about Gillard’s crying “misogyny”. Would you support the political side doing the coverup or the real unionists trying to expose the scam?
Bit of a conundrum – eh?
The preliminary referendum result will be announced after 7.00pm Friday 13 December.
The final result will be declared on 17 December after all votes received in time have been processed.
The result will be available from electionresults.govt.nz and elections.org.nz.
The results of Citizens Initiated Referenda indicate the views held by voters on specific questions and are not binding on the Government.
I wonder if the results so far are being fed to the Cabinet so that they can prepare reaction.
If the vote works out 50/50 Mr Key can rubbish the result.
If it is 70/30 in favour of asset sales then Mr Key can laugh all the way to the next election.
If it is 70/30 against asset sales (NO) then Mr Key will ummm…
What do you think?
I think you’ve been listening to Colin Craig too much! “Fed to the Cabinet” is a conspiracy he’d be proud of.
If the Cabinet need to “prepare reaction”, given that the number of results is limited, and only one result is likely, then they are even more stupid than they appear. So, no.
What was that ..results are not blinding on the Government?
Doesn’t compute. They are already blind.
Oh, not -binding- on the Government.
Must be government unbridled then. Whoa shonkey! Catch that nag.
That soon. Good. It’ll be a good day for Grumpy cat, if at best we did get a 70/30 NO vote as ianmac is suggesting, as a possibility along side other less desirable ones. Tie that in with a conviction for Banks, some interesting skeletons about Key in Dotcom’s hearing next year, combined with the awakening of the voting public and an effective and well organised Opposition and we may, just may have some hope.
Pardon my ignorance but when will the results of the E&Y inquiry into Len Brown be released? Len’s had it since Friday, how much more time does he need?
I think everyone has been, The Herald, Councillors, radio, TV etc. On Monday he claimed on radio to have not seen it but he had it on Friday.
Bit tough banging on about Banksie while giving Len a free ride.
Bit tough your banging on about dopey Len’s banging and trying to draw a comparison with Banks. Banksie’s another tosser whose tossing was for another completely different matter.
He might let it out at 7.30 pm on 13 December. Then he will hope that the MSM will be so busy salivating over the referendum result they are expecting that they will ignore it.
The alternative will be at 11.00 pm on 24 December
From RadioNZ news at 10, the Wellington City Council will vote today on whether to extend the ‘Living Wage’ to all Council employees at an estimated cost of 700 odd thousand dollars a year,
If you know a City Councillor i urge you to email them this morning and tell them YES is the only vote you want to see come out of this Council meeting, or email Celia the Mayor with the same message,
Wellington City Council need only look to it’s management structure, top heavy in over-paid managers, to find the 700 thousand in annual savings to pass on as the ‘Living Wage’ to all it’s employees,
One major saving would be to split the CEO’s role into 2 positions paying 200 thousand annually each,just that would save $100,000 a year and using such a template across the whole management structure would provide a far wider range of management skills across all areas of Council effectively doubling the size of the management team while saving millions annually in the Council’s budget,
It is the grandiose employment of ‘top tier’ managers for grandiose salary packages that provide little accept to cripple the Council financially that Council should be concentrating it’s efforts upon…
Going back to our conversation about the patriarchy, for people that want a quick overview of matrifocal culture, see this article (HT: QoT)
About eight years ago, early in my new phase of research, I sat in the kitchen of Alice Papineau-Dewasenta, an Onondaga clan mother. Over iced tea, Alice described to me the unbroken custom by which traditional Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) clan mothers nominate the male chiefs who go on to represent their clans in the Grand Council. She listed the qualifications: “First, they cannot have committed a theft. Second, they cannot have committed a murder. Third, they cannot have sexually assaulted a woman.”
There goes Congress! I thought to myself. Then a wishful fantasy occurred: What if only women in the United States chose governmental representatives and, like Haudenosaunee women, alone had the right “to knock the horns off the head,” as Stanton marveled — to oust officials if they failed to represent the needs of the people unto the seventh generation?
Among the Haudenosaunee, family lineage was reckoned through mothers; no child was born a “bastard” (the concept didn’t exist); every child found a loving and welcome place in a mother’s world, surrounded by a mother’s sisters, her mother, and the men whom they married. Unmarried sons and brothers lived in this large extended family, too, until they left home to marry into another matrilocal clan. Stanton envied how American Indian women “ruled the house” and how “descent of property and children were in the female line.” Gage, while serving as president of the National Woman Suffrage Association in 1875, penned a series of admiring articles about the Iroquois for the New York Evening Post in which she wrote that the “division of power between the sexes in its Indian republic was nearly equal” while the Iroquois family structure “demonstrated woman’s superiority in power.” For these white women living in a world where marital rape was commonplace and forbidden by neither church nor state (although the Comstock Laws of the 1870’s outlawed discussion of it), Indian women’s violence-free and empowered home life must have looked like heaven.
At the 1888 International Council of Women, they listened as Alice Fletcher, a noted white ethnographer, spoke about the greater rights of American Indian women. Fletcher made clear that these Indian women were well aware that when they became United States citizens, they would lose their rights. Fletcher quoted one woman who told her:
As an Indian woman I was free. I owned by home, my person, the work of my own hands, and my children should never forget me. I was better as an Indian woman than under white law.
The Americans destroyed most indigenous Indian culture and alternative systems of governance with it. However, over the last 50-60 years American culture and governance has been systematically destroyed and replaced by corporate consumer culture and corporate rule. And it’s spreading.
So you can see how some of us think that the current dominating structures are just yet another manifestation of something that has been going on for some time now.
“However, over the last 50-60 years American culture and governance has been systematically destroyed and replaced by corporate consumer culture and corporate rule.”
Kind of like evil eating itself. In the rules of the game, anyone and anything is game. The strongest can do whatever they like to everything else. It’s a pretty stupid game though, because in the end everything dies.
Kind of like evil eating itself. In the rules of the game, anyone and anything is game. The strongest can do whatever they like to everything else. It’s a pretty stupid game though, because in the end everything dies.
Sure. But that’s not a masculine or gendered quality. It’s the quality of Thanatos, and it is embodied in every person and in every civilisation.
I think you still don’t get what the patriarchy is. It’s not that men ‘made’ it. It’s that the system of domination favours men. I challenge you to find a system run by women on the same scale that favours women and suppresses men. Think about why that is so hard. There are very good reasons why men are favoured and why men don’t want to give up power. Likewise, there are reasons why women never developed such systems. This doesn’t make men bad and women good, but it doesn’t serve us to be gender blind when talking about systems of domination.
You might as well tell me that the systems of domination are run on Windows and Linux (they are), for all the good that does to solving the prime problem.
Which is that our civilisation is stuck in a self destructive spiral with perhaps only 10 years to go before we cross the event horizon. If we haven’t already. Climate change of 3-4 deg C is virtually baked in now. Unlivable sacrifice zones are spreading across the world as we commodifiy and financialise everything in our quest for maximum paper profits.
In my analysis, this spiralling downwards is being driven by completely irrational forces. These are forces which gendered and patriarchy analyses can only scratch, because the energies of Thanatos, of greed, of avarice, of consumerism, of elitism are in the final analysis psychic energies which are in their essence not gendered.
You want men to give up power fine. But even if that happened we have seen that there are plenty of ambitious and power hungry Thatchers, Richardsons, Clintons, Rices, Legardes, Bennetts, Collins, Paratas and Tolleys ready to step in and take the place of the men. Yes, it’s so nice to see all these empowered, educated, authoritative women in the modern age. We should all be pleased with this evidence of success and equality, no?
At least I agree with you that acting against existing systems of domination is crucial to our ongoing survival and humanity. I know that 80%-90% of men AND women are going to be considered disposable proles by the system. In this context whether our new neo-feudal leader is male or female is completely irrelevant to me. As is the incidental observation that feudalism is a highly gendered, hierarchical, patriarchal construct.
So in these transformations in North America and New Zealand the indigenous women lost power and the men gained power. To revert to something like that….. then surely that means men will lose power and women will gain power.
Gain loss loss gain win lose gain gain lose lose…….
You have described a situation but I don’t know that it leads us anywhere…. does it? For example, the North American Indian men were on the powerless side. Was that right? Or was it similar to the situation now but just with the genders reversed?
vto, there is a huge difference between sharing power, and having power vested with one group over the others. Yes men need to give up power that has been afforded them under the patriarchy, but that doesn’t mean they become subjugated, it just means that they become equal with everything else.
The impression I constantly get from you is that you don’t want to share power because it means you have to give some things up. That you would prefer to keep your priviledges at the expense of other people, even those close to you. Why is power so important to you?
btw, in NZ and the US, indigenous women lost power to the pakeha cultures, so it wasn’t just a male/female thing. It was because the Euro colonisers enforced a grossly sexist society upon the native peoples, because that was the norm for the colonisers.
The point of my comment? That patriarchal societies are cultural constructs not human nature, and we have choices. Also, we don’t have to look that far for other, more fair models of how to organise ourselves.
” It was because the Euro colonisers enforced a grossly sexist society upon the native peoples,”
But you have just described other previously grossly sexist societies. Not equal ones.
” patriarchal societies are cultural constructs not human nature, and we have choices. Also, we don’t have to look that far for other, more fair models of how to organise ourselves.”
So too are matriarchal societies cultural constructs not human nature, so this point is redundant. As for “more fair” societies, your original post stated nothing about how such strongly matriarchal societies could be seen as “fair”, all you did was describe how women held the power, and that is just as unfair as when men hold the power. What you described is as bad as patriarchy in terms of the imbalance between the genders. That is why your post is difficult to understand.
” there is a huge difference between sharing power, and having power vested with one group over the others.”
But again, you have said nothing about sharing power. You have described other societies equally sexist with one group having power over the other.
Where do you see the Iroqouois as being sexist and giving more power to one gender than the other? What I linked to describes egalitarian society, not matriarchy (as in women rule). Stop misuing terminologies.
Do you understand the difference between the words ‘equal’ and ‘equitable’ esp with regards to politics?
“Your paragraph 2 is assumption rubbish.”
No, it’s considered observation over time. As per usual you don’t actually answer the question or clarify where you do stand.
You need to stop reading into the written word whatever your mindset has as its well-worn settings and prejudices.
As for this “Where do you see the Iroqouois as being sexist and giving more power to one gender than the other? What I linked to describes egalitarian society, not matriarchy (as in women rule). Stop misuing terminologies.”
.. how about here for just one example …. ” the Iroquois family structure “demonstrated woman’s superiority in power.””
And you still haven’t explained how this alternative gender-based society is somehow better or fairer or utopian or whatever it is you are trying to say. Where is the measure? Where is the scale? Where is the objective assessment? Rose-tinted glasses is what I see.
God you are a dick sometimes. Did you even read what I linked to? The snippet you quote is what a white US woman said in the 1800s comparing her own position within her own culture compared to Iroquois culture. Why would you sum up all of Iroquois society on the basis of what one white woman said? Are you really incapable of understanding things in context, or are you just being disingenuous.
“And you still haven’t explained how this alternative gender-based society is somehow better or fairer or utopian or whatever it is you are trying to say.”
yes, I have. I’ve pointed to a culture that treats women and men equitably, and compared it to my own which doesn’t. Many other people have made this same observation, but I suppose the fact that those people are largely not men and not white makes our assessments invalid in your view. Or are you saying that treating men and women equitably is not a sign of fairness?
You still completely and utterly fail to address the substance of the conversation, so I can only assume I am right when I say that you want to keep your power irrespective of how that impacts on others.
“yes, I have. I’ve pointed to a culture that treats women and men equitably, and compared it to my own which doesn’t”
ha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha aha
Sounds about right, and the height of your intellectual powers being expressed there. Seriously, I’m not just being rude. You repeatedly fail to do anything other than say ‘you are wrong, I am right’, without any kind of explanation or communication of meaning.
you cannot handle your assumptions being challenged.
you made the original post, so back yourself and the assumptions and implications that you make. where is the evidence for those other societies being non-gender based, egalitarian, fairer, better…..
“So too are matriarchal societies cultural constructs not human nature, so this point is redundant.”
No it’s not. The point is that we have choices about how we arrange our affairs, so why not choose the ones that are fairer to all? Maybe we are really getting to the nub of it here with you, that you really don’t believe in the egalitarian princple. Perhaps you feel that some people are more deserving than others.
Enlightening. Shows patriarchy just so happens to be our cultural heritage (western society) and is not universally so. Patriarchy is in the majority of peoples cultural heritage globally though. I’d hope we’ve moved beyond patriarchies or for that matter matriarchies by now and focus on the quality of leadership not the sex.
“I’d hope we’ve moved beyond patriarchies or for that matter matriarchies by now and focus on the quality of leadership not the sex.”
There is no such thing as a matriarchy in the sense of compared to the patriarchy.
Myself, I find the way that some indigenous peoples organise interesting. The idea of gender equality is quite a Western thing in the sense of gender being irrelevant. What I see in indigenous cultures is that gender difference is valued, but it is valued in equitable ways. I can see why it works for the Iroquois to have women choosing the men who lead the men’s council. Likewise, talk to Maori women about their actual roles and how power is shared on Marae esp during powhiri and other protocol, and you will see something quite different than how their roles are viewed via Pakeha eyes (‘oh, women are denied speaking rights’ etc).
To our Western eyes, this seems odd, why not just have men and women ‘equal’ and in the same decision making or political/speaking/power roles interchangebly? But women work differently when in women-only groups than they do in mixed groups, and I suspect that men likewise have times when it’s better for them to work together. I’m not sure how white women would manage using the Iroquois model, and I’m probably not even suggesting that they do, but I do think it is healthy and useful to consider that gender ‘equality’ is also a cultural construct and that Western feminism (let alone Western culture in general) doesn’t necessarily have the best take on this.
I think that Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama, to name just two examples, had a lot of power over the direction of their respective husbands presidencies.
You see it often in the West, at many levels, where the female partner is the, “power behind the throne” so to speak.
I agree, and it’s good to see that being acknowledged (many women historically have been written out of history despite their significant influence). Individual women have always had varying degrees of power within the patriachal cultures. In the case of women like Obama and Clinton, they are being allowed a certain kind of power. It is certainly not something granted to all women (or all people for that matter). You want to look at how women fare as a class, not the individual examples.
Also, the classic feminist response would be that Obama and CLinton should be allowed to rule like their husbands and equality will be achieved when the US has a woman president. I would say that is unambitious, and an egalitarian society will exist when women like Obama and Clinton are able to change how politics are done, not merely be allowed the play the boys’ game.
“It resonates with a wider cultural trend in which feminist empowerment has been conflated with individual gain within a patriarchal system, not a collective effort to end patriarchy once and for all.”
I don’t have any issue with the Iroquois set up…you should meet my mother!
It goes a little further too, I heard on a Ecoshock Radio interview an Indian woman claim that at the behest of women the decisions made by the Grand Council had to take into account 7 generations (i.e what would the impact be to the 7th generation). Will try and find URL. Eminently sensible.
Visitor from Hawke’s Bay trying to impress Auckland Racing Club president. President “polite”. President’s assistant betrays president’s true feelings. “Oh God…….not this fuck again !”
KEY: “…….And then I told them ‘I’m very, very sorry everyone but I just can’t remember how I felt about the Tour !'” (Cameron laughs loudly) KEY: “You ?”
CAMERON: “Campaigned to have the bugger lynched in my Young Conservative days !” (Both laugh uproariously).
So, Fonterra cuts dividends to investors “sharply” by 2/3 down to 10c a share;
Investors react and share price drops 10%.
According to Fonterra, while milk-powder returns are high, hence the record payout per kilo of milk solids at the farm gate, cheese and other processed products not doing so well.
on a side issue that is, dependant upon your perspective a little odd or a lot obvious, observant folk will notice that on the Herald page there are numerous comments (currently 15) yet the comments link on the herald page seems to be completely inactive. Interesting though that every other article with comments is working absolutely fine. 😎
Key said the American leader was the “stand-out”, and told him so when they had a little catch-up.
“You’ve just got to give the guy 10 out of 10 for being a brilliant orator,” Key said.
“He really, I think, knocked it out of the park … he had some very strong messages.
” I kind of think in a way he made the day.”
Shanks was a non-performer, although not in the same disastrous implosion vein as Gilmour.
And your Gilmour example is perfect. National moved that guy on very quickly and smoothly.
Make no mistake. National are currently putting together a very fresh faced and able line up for 2014. (Or at least that’s how it will be portrayed to the electorate).
It is something that Labour SHOULD consider but it is certainly not something they WANT to consider. The real deadwood, people like Mallard, Fenton,Curran et al, will only be prised out of there with a crowbar, or a couple of sticks of gelignite.
They might have to get jobs if they get the boot and they have long since been incapable of doing anything useful.
Is there a single Labour MP, apart from Ross Robertson, who has announced they are standing down at the election? I suppose for some of them the feel that if they get through to the election they are safe when Cunliffe is rolled.
Puckish Rogue, you’re good at what you do, eh? Good attempt at diversion away from another Nat jumping ship along with the others including English jumping onto the List life-raft.
My comments stands- another National MP, for ‘family reasons’, stands down from losing at the next election. They’ve read the entrails, sniffed the wind and seen the tsunami on the horizon.
Sadly as a Clutha-Southland constituent I have to agree with that sentiment. By going list only English is clearly signaling that whatever happens at the next election he is preparing for retirement from politics. Personally I hope it comes quickly in the wake of an election defeat for National.
Agreed, ScottGN. If English stayed as an electorate MP it would be more difficult to do a runner from Parliament than as a list MP who no doubt would find family reasons within a decent interval to resign from Parliament after a National electoral defeat.
Our local MP resigned in 1999 to go onto the list in anticipation of nine long years in opposition, and perhaps, Colonial Viper, could have been beaten in a seat similar to Clutha-Southland where you stood, with the baggage he carried, for his seat had he stayed. In the event he resigned before the 2002 election.
Like you, Scott GN, I see going onto the list as a preparation for leaving parliamentary politics. Leaving the list for retirement, as Katrina Shanks is doing, is an indicator of seeing a political career about to be lost or curtailed in opposition. Locally, one MP resigned after six years in parliamentary opposition- no chance for her of a ministerial career and her replacement hangs on, with a challenge from the local electorate organisation.
If he announced his resignation from Parliament shortly, before the electorate nomination process which is due mid this month, then I might consider, as Puckish Rogue did in his diversion, that National is trimming its dead wood. Our local MP is certainly fallen timber, in that regard.
Thats been the craic around here in the Ohariu electorate for a bit now. Question is who will replace Charles Chauvel? He’s been gone a while and I haven’t heard a peep. C’mon Labour members, what’s the goss? Got a real feisty one that will put down a real challenge to ol’ Dunney boy?
“What makes Obama the greatest speaker of our times, Ashley?”
Another dismal, irony-free edition of The Panel
Radio NZ National, Wednesday 11 December 2013
Jim Mora, Stephen Franks, Lisa Scott
Two days ago, nasty right winger Jock Anderson was allowed to run free in the studio, slinging off at the poor, sounding off at activists like Charles Waldegrave, and scoffing at the very idea that there was poverty in this country; his ranting was amplified by fellow guest Mark Inglis who was similarly impatient with namby-pamby charity workers: “I’ve been to India,” he intoned in high seriousness, “where I can show you REAL poverty.” All through this ideological rampage, host Jim Mora sat quietly.
If you were unwise, unlucky or bored enough to end up listening to the Panel this afternoon, you will have been subjected to more of this indignant, self-righteous fury from the extreme right wing. The offender this time was a regular Panel guest, the former ACT MP and S.S. “legal counsel” Stephen Franks.
After a few opening pleasantries about the tribulations of pre-Christmas office parties, Franks got down to business. First up, he railed against the Resource Management Act, which in simple-minded ACT Party fashion, he blames for the housing shortage in Auckland. A little later, when the expert guest was Roger Levy from HOBANZ, Franks frothed about “the economic dunces on the left who tell us that every house must have a certificate of regulation”.
After both outbursts, there was nothing but silence from his fellow Panelist Lisa Scott. And, worse, there was complete silence from host Jim Mora. It is worth noting that Roger Levy also chose to say nothing, but in his case the refusal to engage with Franks was probably a sign of contempt, or an inability to comprehend that someone, especially a lawyer, could be so extraordinarily mulish and obtuse.
Jim Mora’s failure to control, or to argue with these right wingers is instructive. It is a sharp contrast to the way he treats liberal commentators: if someone like Gordon McLauchlan, or Mai Chen or Gary McCormick says something even mildly critical of government policy, Mora almost invariably jumps in with an objection, insisting on construing government statements in the most indulgent manner. Earlier this week, a guest criticized a cruel and dismissive Twitter quip aimed at John Minto by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. Mora immediately chipped in, and insisted that Collins would not have actually meant what she had actually written. And that, he made it perfectly clear, was the end of that discussion. If any guest does persist in a way that displeases him, his affable mask slips and he shouts petulantly: “No but hang on!” and insists that the last word is the government line.
But let’s get back to today’s debacle. Worse, far worse, was to come from the mouth of Stephen Franks: in his “Soapbox” segment, he began by inappropriately quoting Orwell, which is a ruse common to extreme right wing commentators—and one which would have appalled Orwell, who utterly detested people like Franks. He warned Jim that he might want to stop him, because he had “something to say about the New Zealand judiciary”. Of course, Jim did not so much as demur as Franks launched into his tirade, which was simply another of his trademark rants against the legal system, during which he had the unmitigated gall to invoke the S.S. Trust, that discredited, deregistered, bloodthirsty knife-enthusiasts’ organization for which he acts as “legal counsel”.
Finally, mercifully, the rant petered out….
MORA:[contemplative sigh] All right. Stephen Franks on the Panel. Keep us up to date with it, will you? STEPHEN FRANKS: I will. MORA: Ahhh, there’s a bit of a hold-up on State Highway No. 1, by Huntly, due to roadworks. ….[pause]…. Now, Nelson Mandela’s funeral. The stand-out speech by all accounts was by President Obama. STEPHEN FRANKS: It had that cadence which comes from someone who has been steeped in Southern evangelical traditions. It produces great rhetoric. LISA SCOTT: Yes. MORA: Where are the great orators? You were quoting Churchill before, Stephen, so it’s not only the Southern evangelical tradition. Eisenhower, Clinton, De Gaulle and Kennedy—all great speakers! STEPHEN FRANKS:[Quietly and intensely, to indicate great depth of thought] I wonder if it’s because we’ve turned our backs on rote learning. LISA SCOTT: Yes. MORA: Ashley Campbell joins us. How are you? ASHLEY CAMPBELL: I’m good! MORA: Ashley is a speech expert. What makes Obama the greatest speaker of our times, Ashley? ASHLEY CAMPBELL: Obama is an orator. The reason he is so effective is he gets intensely personal. He brings absolutely everybody in. He spoke to everybody in that stadium, in that country, and in the world. And he spoke of “we” and “us”, like when he said: “He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well. Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas.” [2] MORA: Yeah, Churchill used to do that didn’t he, and Kennedy! ASHLEY CAMPBELL: Yep, yep, “We will fight them on the beaches”, blah blah blah. MORA: That is what Obama is a master of! We NEED great speeches don’t we! FRANKS:[gravely] It would be a fortunate New Zealand politician who would not be mocked if he tried delivering an American style inspirational speech. ASHLEY: That’s what Lange did. LISA SCOTT: Yes. FRANKS: Blair had flights of oratory. He was known for it at the beginning, but he ended up being mocked for it. That toxic tribalism makes oratory pretty much impossible. For all his rhetoric, Obama has a very low approval rating. MORA: Even if you’re an Obama opponent, you probably forgave him after that Madiba speech.
….[Music wells up]….
MORA: We haven’t got time to talk about impostors now. Maybe tomorrow!
Morrissey, couldn’t agree with you more.
Mora always is the contrarian to the mildest left wing opinion, yet is silent while extreme right wing ideas are raved on about.
Is he intimidated or does he quietly agree?
Roy Morgan:
Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows John Key’s National Party (45%, up 0.5%) level with a potential Labour/ Greens Alliance (45%, unchanged). Support for Key’s Coalition partners is down slightly: Maori Party 1.5% (unchanged), United Future 0% (down 0.5%), ACT NZ 0% (down 0.5%).
Support for the Labour Party has fallen to 30.5% (down 3.5%), while the Greens have risen to 14.5% (up 3.5%), New Zealand First 5% (up 1.5%), Mana Party 1% (unchanged), Conservative Party of NZ 2% (unchanged) and Others 0.5% (down 1%).
Roy Morgan’s polling is about as trustworthy as an Obama speech is sincere. This “poll” defies credibility. How was it conducted? Who did they “poll”? The sheep of Epsom?
TL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above that was recorded yesterday afternoon above between and The Kākā’s climate correspondent : An independent review panel into the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bayconcluded “that ...
There are now only a few days left to give feedback on the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024-34 (see our earlier post this week on GPS submission guides). As we’ve reported, the GPS is a disaster for Local Government, so we were particularly interested to hear ...
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Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
In 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key announced plans for a huge ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands, banning fishing and mining from 15% of Aotearoa's EEZ. It was bold, it was ambitious, and it suggested that National might actually care about the environment. Except they fucked it up: Key failed ...
1. Who has just been given the accolade New Zealander of the Year?a. The Kokakob. The Cook Strait Ferryc. Fair God. Dr Jim Salinger 2. Which of these is an affront to decent society?a. Dame Edna Everageb. Mrs Doubtfire c. Dr. Frank-N-Furterd. Brian 3. Who is Penny Simmonds?a. The aspiring actress in Big ...
New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure.The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On the face of it, the court found ...
Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, it’s that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ...
Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
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For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
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This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
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Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
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This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
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Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
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Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
COMMENTARY:Jewish Voice for Peace The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday — and for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians, the United States abstained rather than vetoing it. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, ...
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
Finance minister Nicola Willis delivers her first budget statement, and unwittingly helps Joel MacManus save his relationship. Nicola Willis strode into the Beehive Theatrette. Around me, on the green foldout seats, were the country’s top business and political journalists. They were all here to see her announce the Budget Policy ...
Twenty years ago today, Māori Television launched after much controversy. Jamie Tahana looks back on its survival and impact across two decades. Chad Chambers stepped onto the stage, the brim of his cap casting a shadow across his face. His smile beamed as bright as his white freezing works gumboots, ...
Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellsford, Onehunga, Westhaven marina – Gavin Strawhan walks the meanish streets of New Zealand in his entertaining debut novel The Call, almost sure to roar into the number 1 position on the Nielsen bestseller chart, its front cover bearing a rave from somebody: “A really good and genuinely ...
On a Thursday in February, at Wellington’s Conservation House, the Conservation Authority, a statutory body advising the eponymous department and minister, Tama Potaka, opened its 195th meeting. Under consideration that afternoon was an agenda item written by Tim Bamford, chief advisor in the Department of Conservation’s biodiversity, heritage and visitors ...
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A lengthy response to the recently released draft Government policy statement on transport will soon be delivered from Auckland Council to Minister of Transport Simeon Brown. A submission raising concerns about funding distribution and the plan’s treatment of Auckland passed through the council’s transport committee on Wednesday, despite some councillors ...
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Can any older Standardistas help me? If my increasingly more unrealiable memory is not playing tricks, I recall a friend of mine telling me about how Desmond Tutu visited New Zealand and stayed in her house in Pt Chev. This would have been between 1981 and 1985, before he was really famous. Can anyone confirm that? Thanks.
Sorry, can’t confirm it. But, I’m pretty sure Tutu was very high-profile well before the 81 Tour.
I meant before he was seen as a “celebrity”.
@ Linz
I’ve only had time for a very limited search, but found a brief reference to: “It was Bishop Desmond Tutu’s testimony at the Auckland trial of Hone Harawira in 1983 that saw the 96 charges against Hone dropped…” (The rest of it’s entirely about Hone / no more mention of Tutu. But, I assume he gave the testimony in person in The City of Sales).
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1107/S00291/30th-anniversary-commemorative-event-of-the-springbok-team.htm
Would like to see some confirmation of that though.
Thanks, Weka.
Here’s another http://www.honorearth.org/blog/%5Buser%5D/hone-harawira-and-maori-politic
Tutu came in 1983 at the invitation of the Anglican Church / provides testimony for Harawira / as a result, all 10 defendents acquitted of charges surrounding 81 Tour protests.
The site doesn’t entirely get things right, mind. For example: “Harawira is a seasoned activist, one of the few members of Parliament with a long arrest record for protesting – for land rights of Maori, environmental rights, and in support of South African Apartheid.” Hone, you bloody turncoat !!!
(Hope the above link works. If so, my first ever !!! – cheers, Anne. From Swordship)
thanks 🙂
Yeah I’ve heard Hone tell the story of Bishop Desmond Tutu wondering in late into court as his witness.
The judge was annoyed initially as Hone wouldn’t say who the witness he was calling was going to be, but the court room was electric when Tutu shuffled in. And started speaking on all manner of things almost completely unrelated to the facts of the case. However, the judge on the bench gave the good Bishop all the lattitude (and time) in the world to continue speaking and yes, all charges were subsequently dismissed.
the ‘good judge’.
Thank you for this information. Bishop Tutu testifying testimony at Hone Harawira’s trial would have been a great story to rerun on the anniversary of the trial. I might look it up in the old newspapers at the Hocken. Cheers you all.
Yes he was.
Cheers, grumps.
I certainly recall Tutu in the late 70s being considered on a par with Mandela in his importance to the anti-apartheid movement. Long regarded as “South Africa’s moral conscience”. I suspect he was already becoming well known internationally during the early-mid 70s, but particularly so from 1978 – when he became Sec-Gen of South African Council of Churches.
Nellie Hunt has found a new home for her and her three children! It’s sad though that she had to end up on TV for something to be done, seems to be the only way these days because the government agencies which are supposed to do their job are actually useless.
But the sad fact is, there are thousands of Nellies out there who’s story won’t be heard.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9501385/Hunt-family-get-home
On the same subject,(from the Christchurch Press via Stuff), this is what Nellie was paying 220 dollars a week for, and the Landlord(an A/hole rack-renter was demanding another 40 bucks a week from Nellie for),
”When the ,(Housing Tribunal),Adjudicator saw the state of Hunt’s (rental)house, including the ‘yellow stickered’ lounge with holes in the roof, the case was sent back to mediation”,unquote,
Did the Landlord put up His hands and say OK i am being a A/hole here trying to rack up the rent on what appears to have been to all extents and purposes a ‘wreck’ of a house,
Like hell, in what is obviously a fit of pique, looking like the tables having been severely turned on Him complaining that Nellie was refusing to pay the rent, our rack-renting Landlord then reached for that other ‘tool’ more and more of these Landlords are using against their tenants, the 90 day provision allowed to evict a tenant when a property is to be ‘sold’,
This time, it didn’t come off for the Landlord, trying to circumvent the actions of a tenant or the Tenancy Tribunal it’self by using the ‘tool’ of the 90 day eviction notice, a full hearing of Nellie Hunt’s case, caused by the Landlords own application for eviction , awarded Nellie Hunt $4000 less the $700 She had withheld in rent from the Landlord,(and the Tribunal has no choice in Law other than to grant the Landlord his 90 day eviction notice),
My admiration for Nellie Hunt, a working mother of 3 kids, who has continued in Her employment while at the same time fighting this PRICK of a Landlord through the Tenancy Tribunal and looking for alternative accommodation is Huge,
Yesterday the Christchurch City Council stepped into the fray offering Nellie a City house and the Press reports that on the verge of taking this property Nellie’s current Landlord approached Her with the offer of Her current rental which better suited Nellie’s kids as it’s just around the corner from the previous house and allows the kids to keep the same friends and not have to change schools,
We all should give Nellie Hunt a big ups for showing such steel in a fight where the odds were all stacked against Her,(specially when we think that She and Her whanau have lived there through the earthquakes), and thanks to all those who offered and did help,
As Nellie was quoted saying during the darkest hours of this struggle,(and such a struggle is being repeated daily up and down the country), ”this is not New Zealand”, in the end tho, the real New Zealand, the one with Heart where everyone gets a fair go stood up an i thank them all for doing so…
“We all should give Nellie Hunt a big ups for showing such steel in a fight where the odds were all stacked against Her,(specially when we think that She and Her whanau have lived there through the earthquakes), and thanks to all those who offered and did help,”
And hugs too. Nellie must have a core of tenacity to still stand tall after what she and her kids have been put through with this on top of living in a quake zone and still carry on and go to work!
Like amirite says there are 1000’s of Nellie’s out there whose story won’t be heard. What an inconvenient truth it would be for our PM and housing Minister if they were.
+1, good on her for staying strong.
The Press can reveal Hunt was taken to the tenancy tribunal by her previous landlord when her rent increased by $40 a week and she missed $700 of rent payments.
When the adjudicator saw the state of Hunt’s house, including the yellow-stickered lounge with holes in the roof, the case was sent back to mediation.
A few days later, Hunt was served with a 90-day notice to vacate because the landlord was planning to sell the property. Her rent was reduced to the original $220 a week until she left.
Hunt fought her eviction in the tribunal and was awarded $4000 against the landlord, $700 of which was returned to the landlord.
So fuck you all the commenters on yesterdays Stuff article who thought there was something wrong with Hunt and that’s why she couldn’t find somewhere to live.
As for the council offering her a house, what about the person that was about to get the house they decided to give to Hunt? And the person in the queue after that?
“So fuck you all the commenters on yesterdays Stuff article who thought there was something wrong with Hunt and that’s why she couldn’t find somewhere to live.”
Hi weka. the stuffed.co.nz comments section is a constant seething, writhing mass of hatred and ignorance. If theres sport to be had in kicking someone when they’re down they will.
I gave it up some time ago. It was a downer.
“and don’t forget to give our love to Rosie 😉
Gratefully and humbly received, thank you comrade 🙂
and btw, there have been moments when the sorrow in Cash’s songs have bought a dampness to the eye. What a man.
Excellent; just been processing the feeble tr01ing attempts of ‘Garbageman’; good to be back on track
“That old wheel is gonna roll around once more
When it does it will even up the score (Mob rules Garbageman)
Turn the other cheek and don’t give in
That Old Wheel
will roll around again”. 😀
That was a mighty fine and wise song, and completely relevant to those who would be most uncharitable, such as that “Garbageman” was towards to you on “Smile & Wave” by Bunji.
You can stand tall with your mana in tact though. You’re not the one to belittle others, as garbageman is, and he’s the one that diminishes his own mana by doing so. Those folks like him and dumarse etc are a waste of time, when all they can do is be spiteful and insulting. THEY are like the folks on the stuffed site that weka was referring to. I see “rich the other one” never came back to face his critics. Must have known he couldn’t win.
The other RWNJ’s that pop up here at least try to put an argument forward and attempt to stand by it. Mind you I don’t bother with them (I have enough of them in real life!) either usually, (with rich as a rare exception) and leave it to those with the sharps and the energy to have fun with.
But why do they come here, when they know it makes things hard for them?
I know Moz says “hard for me” but we can play with it. It was the first thing that popped into my head.
Here’s Suedehead
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JenlsnA9-mE
Absolutely Beautiful and profoundly moving A’little death’ in the afternoon ; There was a Rose, never attempted to ‘lay’ her, out of respect.
Her photograph survived the tearing required by a less secure partner. (yes, we have regrets) Still, no errors, no learning.
bloody hell..!..first parker/pension-age..labours’ refusal to ‘talk beneficiaries-poverty’..
..and now this..?
..goff a tpp-pimp..?
..is this the official labour party stance on this isssue..?
..was that authorised by cunnliffe..?
..or are the neo-libs in labour just undermining cunnliffe..?
http://whoar.co.nz/2013/goff-comes-out-pimping-for-the-tpp-ed-first-parker-with-his-t-i-n-a-threat-to-raise-the-pension-age-and-now-this-is-anyone-else-having-a-rogernomics-flashback/
phillip ure..
Agreed. Time to go, Phil.
Phil Goff
“We have the least barriers and therefore we have the least we have to give away,” he said. “Other countries have to give away much more.”
Of course we do. We’ve already given it away. Others were not so stupid. Duh.
Think it was Phil and has mates who initiated all that giving away in the 1980s.
Neoliberal shill Phil
I’ve said this elsewhere. I’m no fan of the Tories but they’ve learnt from the past. Time to go through the Party and clean out the old wood, the dead wood, and the ones who just don’t understand that ideologically their ideas belong in the ark.
“Neoliberal shill Phil”
Or traitorous wretch. He’s had time to learn from his mistakes.
http://thestandard.org.nz/labour-shoots-themselves-in-the-foot-again/#comment-740900
I rest my case.
a vote winning link!
Other stuff we have been stupid enough to do for the USA .. from the Daily Telegraph this morning quoting reewarch by Ray Waru .. I haven’t seen this anywhere here at home so far …
Yep, let’s use bombs to create tsunamis off our coast for the US govt .. years ago, but WTF ??
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/9774217/Tsunami-bomb-tested-off-New-Zealand-coast.html
Yeshe – this was in the Dominion Post at the start of the year. On mobile so cbf hunting for the link, if its even online anymore that is.
Deborah Hill Cone’s mother.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11169116
Pretty amazing woman. Not everyone hits the headlines and is made into a public hero. Her Mum is one of the quiet honorable people with the strength to live her beliefs against the tide.
Didn’t read the article but it reminds me of the 81 springbok tour times and troubles – as a young rugby-mad boy the springboks were exciting. Off to a couple of the matches I trundled, not really able to understand the commotion and being upset that the protestors were trying to interfere with what I saw as my right to play rugby with whoever I wanted.
I recall the most influencing protest, passed by on the way to the infamous third test at Eden Park….. it was the very quiet protests where older mums and dads stood quietly and grimly, each of us looking at the other. They left the impression and got the mind to working and thinking.
Post-test the mess in the streets was not so influencing and even today it was those quiet staunch people that made the mark.
Good for them.
Great article
staunch national party member yesterday, conversation about john key and his lies, deathly quiet……
the evil man is heading for total oblivion next year……..
What is it with the Labour strategists? Cunliffe not only joined the Mandela Road Show to stroke Key’s ego but compounded the compromise by taking the seat at the funeral that should have been refused, leaving it open for one of the other ’81 pro-tour racists or for Suck-up Pete. That would have at least demonstrated the hollowness of the Government on the world stage. It is understandable that Cunliffe might lose perspective and indulge in big-noting but his minders should have had more sense. Add in TTP Goff’s latest utterances and it is hard to see Labour as anything other than National-Lite – still! So much for the 800 000 who are still waiting for a principled party that represents the tenuously employed and the displaced who languish in unemployed poverty.
Until Labour come out and apologise for the 1980s unreservedly and admit the damage the neoliberal policies they unleashed in New Zealand did and promise to undo this, then most of those 800 000 will rightly continue to mistrust them.
That’s a silly comment, CC.
The leader of the opposition was right to accept the initial invitation, and right again when he offered his place to Pita Sharples, when it was thought that only 2 could attend.
And I don’t think that decision was – or should be – taken by “minders” or “strategists”.
CC, grab a coffee and try to regain perspective.
Cunliffe has the statutory and constitutional role of “Leader of the Opposition”.
It would have been stupid to make a scene at the funeral overs Key’s choice of representatives.
Bill – had the coffee while reading about mourners having no qualms about showing up hypocrisy – no form before substance there!
A wandering sportsman out at 4 am is being searched for. Often there will be an expensive search for, mostly, lost men. Things that men want will be done for them. Compare this to the actual needs, not just wants, of women who have children. Less than the basic needs is reluctantly provided for these vital people renewing the population.
What a contrast, showing the lack of respect for women, their unique role in the renewal of the population, and their important task in caring and teaching their children as they grow from helpless babies to youth, vulnerable and needing support, guidance and develop their own strength of character and life purpose. Big tasks, so poorly respected and celebrated.
What are you on about?
Do you think there is a search on for this man, because he is a man?
I’m talking Kevin W about the way that society is skewed. What men want to do will be provided for. What women with children need is not provided for.
You sound somewhat bitter – any reason?
You better go ask Bennett, Collins, Parata or Tolley to stuff the childrens’ stockings full then.
A wandering sportsman out at 4 am is being searched for
Classy.
Try this “A tourist is missing in Hamilton, Police searching river for Body, Parents fear the worst”, sounds a lot different.
Add to your last sentence – A vegan, non-drinker who appears to have been acting totally out of character.
To put it politely, Greywarbler appears to be drawing a very, very long bow with her comments re gender. And I tick the F box ,not the M.
Look at the photo on this article and tell me again why NZ police should not have searched for him because he was a man.
Look at the sorrow on that those poor peoples faces.
Stay classy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11170910
Greywarbler didn’t say they shouldn’t search for him. Nor did they say they shouldn’t search for him because he is a man. If you don’t understand what Greywarbler said, better to ask for clarification.
I read it a couple of times and the comment was in extreme bad taste, people have lost a loved one and there is no gender equity issues involved. Clarification not required.
The inference is that the search is only because of gender, I call bullshit.
I’m talking Kevin W about the way that society is skewed. What men want to do will be provided for. What women with children need is not provided for.
Look at the Photo, no one deserves this. People get searched for all the time, gender is not at issue.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11170910
Andy …
If you have a bad taste in your mouth, why not just clean your teeth and giving your tongue a slight scrub can help.
Don’t worry your pretty head about what I’m saying and meaning. It’s over your head. And you won’t get the point with your knee jerk reaction.
I’m actually not talking about whether people should be searched for at all. Not whether it should be by gender, by one or two legs, red hair or brown, town or country. So if you can’t get it then let it rest. FFS.
The economist with the tongue twister name from IER criticises the Reserve Bank for being open to receiving information and considering it. Unlike bible-bound economists. The Reserve Bank has cut the LVR on new houses. It’s a good move, and contrary to what our King Economist spokesperson says, it will further their plan. New houses will increase the stock of houses and so mean a small relief on demand and the rising prices that are so problematic.
We don’t need a buddha figure for head of the Reserve Bank, sitting and looking enigmatic, pondering who knows what in the realms of life experience, separate from the seething world around him. We need thinking man, doing the best thing to cope with the problems plainly before us. So let us try things out, after due consideration, and monitor the effects, present and future, against the computer generated scenarios of expectations, and there will always be possibly three different scenarios and variables.
I respectfully disagree. We do need more Buddha figures in the Reserve Bank and in Government. The Buddha’s rules for Good Government, known as ‘Dasa Raja Dharma’.
1) be liberal and avoid selfishness,
2) maintain a high moral character,
3) be prepared to sacrifice one’s own pleasure for the well-being of the subjects,
4) be honest and maintain absolute integrity,
5) be kind and gentle,
6) lead a simple life for the subjects to emulate,
7) be free from hatred of any kind,
8) exercise non-violence,
9) practise patience, and
10) respect public opinion to promote peace and harmony.
Linz, 😀
Not bad at all 🙂
Linz, thank you 🙂
Linz
The problem is that Buddha doesn’t move. He leads by spiritual power and goodness. Key is on a different planet. None of Buddha’s good precepts and needs to move to get some.
May be a testing time for Mr Banks:
“Beleaguered MP John Banks will face a judge-alone trial next year.
His trial was fixed for May 2014, and was set down for 10 days.”
Good
http://media.tumblr.com/faf838594a6f9bdb6b2f9e00b3fc2a0c/tumblr_inline_mrqh76Q4mv1qz4rgp.jpg
If Banks is convicted it’ll be within six months of the election therefore there won’t be a by-election in Epsom. So Banks would no longer be a MP which means Epsom is left without an MP until the election? If convicted is this the scenario we’re looking at?
Probably not. We’ll have an early election instead.
I really don’t think that’s a given.
Everyone routinely forgets, National has a confidence and supply agreement with the Maori Party. They don’t need Banks’ vote to stay in power. All they need is his vote to pass right-wing policy that the MP won’t vote for.
That may or may not be a particular sticking point, come May.
Plus National are not intending to go further right in an election year anyway. Expect some lollies.
I think so, Mary, but could be wrong. It would also mean that National have one less supporting vote in Parliament for six months.
The timing is also interesting as IIRC the possible date for Dotcom’s extradition hearing is now April, although this could be delayed yet again – especially as he will no doubt be a major witness in the Banks trial!
The 10 days set down for the Banks’ trial also seems long, considering to date the only known witnesses have been Dotcom, Wayne ? his security chief, the Skycity CEO, and the ACT person who prepared the return – and presumably Banks himself. So maybe other unknown people are also to be called?
Actually no.
There doesn’t need to be a by-election if
a) It is within 6 months of the date on which Parliament would expire (actually 24 July 2014 is the cut-off for that)
OR
b) The PM nominates in writing that the election will be held within 6 months
AND 75% of MPs vote not to hold it. Please take the OR before the AND.
It doesn’t mean that there won’t be a by-election. It allows the possibility that there doesn’t need to be one.
Serious question here, and one that will no doubt strain the loyalty of a few contributors.
Who do you support, the battler looking for justice for his union member mates who were ripped off – or the higher level political corrupt ratbags?
http://pickeringpost.com/story/relief-for-gillard-accusers/2463
Serious answer here. Who gives a shit about what happens in Oz? This is Nz. It’s a different country. Do you realise that?
Dunno about that. The left here were pretty fired up about Gillard’s crying “misogyny”. Would you support the political side doing the coverup or the real unionists trying to expose the scam?
Bit of a conundrum – eh?
Only for you. It’s another country, is Oz. Who cares. It’s almost another universe over there. And don’t be such a grump.
Larry Pickering huh, racist anti-semite still pushing the tripe that The Australian was forced to apologise for.
Folks, pardon my ignorance but when will the results of the referendum be announced?
http://www.elections.org.nz/sites/default/files/bulk-upload/documents/2013_cir_english.pdf
The preliminary referendum result will be announced after 7.00pm Friday 13 December.
The final result will be declared on 17 December after all votes received in time have been processed.
The result will be available from electionresults.govt.nz and elections.org.nz.
The results of Citizens Initiated Referenda indicate the views held by voters on specific questions and are not binding on the Government.
I wonder if the results so far are being fed to the Cabinet so that they can prepare reaction.
If the vote works out 50/50 Mr Key can rubbish the result.
If it is 70/30 in favour of asset sales then Mr Key can laugh all the way to the next election.
If it is 70/30 against asset sales (NO) then Mr Key will ummm…
What do you think?
I think you’ve been listening to Colin Craig too much! “Fed to the Cabinet” is a conspiracy he’d be proud of.
If the Cabinet need to “prepare reaction”, given that the number of results is limited, and only one result is likely, then they are even more stupid than they appear. So, no.
Yes, this sort of conspirational thinking is easy to get caught up in, but ultimately it’s not the thought of thing one should make a habit of.
What was that ..results are not blinding on the Government?
Doesn’t compute. They are already blind.
Oh, not -binding- on the Government.
Must be government unbridled then. Whoa shonkey! Catch that nag.
That soon. Good. It’ll be a good day for Grumpy cat, if at best we did get a 70/30 NO vote as ianmac is suggesting, as a possibility along side other less desirable ones. Tie that in with a conviction for Banks, some interesting skeletons about Key in Dotcom’s hearing next year, combined with the awakening of the voting public and an effective and well organised Opposition and we may, just may have some hope.
Prepare your dancing shoes people.
Arfamo beat me to it!
But the total number of votes now received, is 1,206,381. This includes yesterday’s total of 45,110.
Someone had to step up to the plate pretty damn quickly. 🙂 I figured I had what it takes.
LOL. I had also been wondering when the results would be announced, so should have just waited for your reply to Rosie. Well done 10/10,
Pardon my ignorance but when will the results of the E&Y inquiry into Len Brown be released? Len’s had it since Friday, how much more time does he need?
Why not email Len? Go straight to the horse’s arse for your answer.
I think everyone has been, The Herald, Councillors, radio, TV etc. On Monday he claimed on radio to have not seen it but he had it on Friday.
Bit tough banging on about Banksie while giving Len a free ride.
Bit tough your banging on about dopey Len’s banging and trying to draw a comparison with Banks. Banksie’s another tosser whose tossing was for another completely different matter.
Even if he’s done wrong, all Len has to do is say “I will not resign, but continue until the next election”.
That’s all Banks has done.
He might let it out at 7.30 pm on 13 December. Then he will hope that the MSM will be so busy salivating over the referendum result they are expecting that they will ignore it.
The alternative will be at 11.00 pm on 24 December
From RadioNZ news at 10, the Wellington City Council will vote today on whether to extend the ‘Living Wage’ to all Council employees at an estimated cost of 700 odd thousand dollars a year,
If you know a City Councillor i urge you to email them this morning and tell them YES is the only vote you want to see come out of this Council meeting, or email Celia the Mayor with the same message,
Wellington City Council need only look to it’s management structure, top heavy in over-paid managers, to find the 700 thousand in annual savings to pass on as the ‘Living Wage’ to all it’s employees,
One major saving would be to split the CEO’s role into 2 positions paying 200 thousand annually each,just that would save $100,000 a year and using such a template across the whole management structure would provide a far wider range of management skills across all areas of Council effectively doubling the size of the management team while saving millions annually in the Council’s budget,
It is the grandiose employment of ‘top tier’ managers for grandiose salary packages that provide little accept to cripple the Council financially that Council should be concentrating it’s efforts upon…
Yep It doesn’t have to be a budget breaker and we’d get more stuff done not talked about
I just like the sound of the West Indies skipper.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11170316
Get this sick mongrel:
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12/09/katie-hopkins-x-factor-tweets_n_4412362.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular
But really, isn’t that just part of the British gladiatorial culture now?
Going back to our conversation about the patriarchy, for people that want a quick overview of matrifocal culture, see this article (HT: QoT)
http://www.feminist.com/resources/artspeech/genwom/iroquoisinfluence.html
That last quote is particularly pertinent for NZ, because Maori women lost substantial power and independence by becoming NZ citizens.
The Americans destroyed most indigenous Indian culture and alternative systems of governance with it. However, over the last 50-60 years American culture and governance has been systematically destroyed and replaced by corporate consumer culture and corporate rule. And it’s spreading.
So you can see how some of us think that the current dominating structures are just yet another manifestation of something that has been going on for some time now.
“However, over the last 50-60 years American culture and governance has been systematically destroyed and replaced by corporate consumer culture and corporate rule.”
Kind of like evil eating itself. In the rules of the game, anyone and anything is game. The strongest can do whatever they like to everything else. It’s a pretty stupid game though, because in the end everything dies.
Sure. But that’s not a masculine or gendered quality. It’s the quality of Thanatos, and it is embodied in every person and in every civilisation.
I think you still don’t get what the patriarchy is. It’s not that men ‘made’ it. It’s that the system of domination favours men. I challenge you to find a system run by women on the same scale that favours women and suppresses men. Think about why that is so hard. There are very good reasons why men are favoured and why men don’t want to give up power. Likewise, there are reasons why women never developed such systems. This doesn’t make men bad and women good, but it doesn’t serve us to be gender blind when talking about systems of domination.
You might as well tell me that the systems of domination are run on Windows and Linux (they are), for all the good that does to solving the prime problem.
Which is that our civilisation is stuck in a self destructive spiral with perhaps only 10 years to go before we cross the event horizon. If we haven’t already. Climate change of 3-4 deg C is virtually baked in now. Unlivable sacrifice zones are spreading across the world as we commodifiy and financialise everything in our quest for maximum paper profits.
In my analysis, this spiralling downwards is being driven by completely irrational forces. These are forces which gendered and patriarchy analyses can only scratch, because the energies of Thanatos, of greed, of avarice, of consumerism, of elitism are in the final analysis psychic energies which are in their essence not gendered.
You want men to give up power fine. But even if that happened we have seen that there are plenty of ambitious and power hungry Thatchers, Richardsons, Clintons, Rices, Legardes, Bennetts, Collins, Paratas and Tolleys ready to step in and take the place of the men. Yes, it’s so nice to see all these empowered, educated, authoritative women in the modern age. We should all be pleased with this evidence of success and equality, no?
At least I agree with you that acting against existing systems of domination is crucial to our ongoing survival and humanity. I know that 80%-90% of men AND women are going to be considered disposable proles by the system. In this context whether our new neo-feudal leader is male or female is completely irrelevant to me. As is the incidental observation that feudalism is a highly gendered, hierarchical, patriarchal construct.
some of your best recent work my friend
Gracious.
This.
http://matikawilbur.com/blog/
So in these transformations in North America and New Zealand the indigenous women lost power and the men gained power. To revert to something like that….. then surely that means men will lose power and women will gain power.
Gain loss loss gain win lose gain gain lose lose…….
You have described a situation but I don’t know that it leads us anywhere…. does it? For example, the North American Indian men were on the powerless side. Was that right? Or was it similar to the situation now but just with the genders reversed?
Not quite sure the point of your point…..
vto, there is a huge difference between sharing power, and having power vested with one group over the others. Yes men need to give up power that has been afforded them under the patriarchy, but that doesn’t mean they become subjugated, it just means that they become equal with everything else.
The impression I constantly get from you is that you don’t want to share power because it means you have to give some things up. That you would prefer to keep your priviledges at the expense of other people, even those close to you. Why is power so important to you?
btw, in NZ and the US, indigenous women lost power to the pakeha cultures, so it wasn’t just a male/female thing. It was because the Euro colonisers enforced a grossly sexist society upon the native peoples, because that was the norm for the colonisers.
The point of my comment? That patriarchal societies are cultural constructs not human nature, and we have choices. Also, we don’t have to look that far for other, more fair models of how to organise ourselves.
” It was because the Euro colonisers enforced a grossly sexist society upon the native peoples,”
But you have just described other previously grossly sexist societies. Not equal ones.
” patriarchal societies are cultural constructs not human nature, and we have choices. Also, we don’t have to look that far for other, more fair models of how to organise ourselves.”
So too are matriarchal societies cultural constructs not human nature, so this point is redundant. As for “more fair” societies, your original post stated nothing about how such strongly matriarchal societies could be seen as “fair”, all you did was describe how women held the power, and that is just as unfair as when men hold the power. What you described is as bad as patriarchy in terms of the imbalance between the genders. That is why your post is difficult to understand.
” there is a huge difference between sharing power, and having power vested with one group over the others.”
But again, you have said nothing about sharing power. You have described other societies equally sexist with one group having power over the other.
Your paragraph 2 is assumption rubbish.
You seem all at sea on this post.
Where do you see the Iroqouois as being sexist and giving more power to one gender than the other? What I linked to describes egalitarian society, not matriarchy (as in women rule). Stop misuing terminologies.
Do you understand the difference between the words ‘equal’ and ‘equitable’ esp with regards to politics?
“Your paragraph 2 is assumption rubbish.”
No, it’s considered observation over time. As per usual you don’t actually answer the question or clarify where you do stand.
You need to stop reading into the written word whatever your mindset has as its well-worn settings and prejudices.
As for this “Where do you see the Iroqouois as being sexist and giving more power to one gender than the other? What I linked to describes egalitarian society, not matriarchy (as in women rule). Stop misuing terminologies.”
.. how about here for just one example …. ” the Iroquois family structure “demonstrated woman’s superiority in power.””
And you still haven’t explained how this alternative gender-based society is somehow better or fairer or utopian or whatever it is you are trying to say. Where is the measure? Where is the scale? Where is the objective assessment? Rose-tinted glasses is what I see.
God you are a dick sometimes. Did you even read what I linked to? The snippet you quote is what a white US woman said in the 1800s comparing her own position within her own culture compared to Iroquois culture. Why would you sum up all of Iroquois society on the basis of what one white woman said? Are you really incapable of understanding things in context, or are you just being disingenuous.
“And you still haven’t explained how this alternative gender-based society is somehow better or fairer or utopian or whatever it is you are trying to say.”
yes, I have. I’ve pointed to a culture that treats women and men equitably, and compared it to my own which doesn’t. Many other people have made this same observation, but I suppose the fact that those people are largely not men and not white makes our assessments invalid in your view. Or are you saying that treating men and women equitably is not a sign of fairness?
You still completely and utterly fail to address the substance of the conversation, so I can only assume I am right when I say that you want to keep your power irrespective of how that impacts on others.
why is the race of the US woman relevant?
dick
It’s not. But culture and ethnicity are. Different cultures value people differently. Why not learn from that?
“yes, I have. I’ve pointed to a culture that treats women and men equitably, and compared it to my own which doesn’t”
ha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha ahaha ha ha ah ha ha sah ha ha aha
Sounds about right, and the height of your intellectual powers being expressed there. Seriously, I’m not just being rude. You repeatedly fail to do anything other than say ‘you are wrong, I am right’, without any kind of explanation or communication of meaning.
you cannot handle your assumptions being challenged.
you made the original post, so back yourself and the assumptions and implications that you make. where is the evidence for those other societies being non-gender based, egalitarian, fairer, better…..
cos there aint nothing there weka
Did you read the article? Thought not. Time waster.
By all means challenge what I say. I look forward to you actually doing that with substance instead of “you’re wrong”.
“So too are matriarchal societies cultural constructs not human nature, so this point is redundant.”
No it’s not. The point is that we have choices about how we arrange our affairs, so why not choose the ones that are fairer to all? Maybe we are really getting to the nub of it here with you, that you really don’t believe in the egalitarian princple. Perhaps you feel that some people are more deserving than others.
weka who cares what I believe?
it is facts that count
Enlightening. Shows patriarchy just so happens to be our cultural heritage (western society) and is not universally so. Patriarchy is in the majority of peoples cultural heritage globally though. I’d hope we’ve moved beyond patriarchies or for that matter matriarchies by now and focus on the quality of leadership not the sex.
“I’d hope we’ve moved beyond patriarchies or for that matter matriarchies by now and focus on the quality of leadership not the sex.”
There is no such thing as a matriarchy in the sense of compared to the patriarchy.
Myself, I find the way that some indigenous peoples organise interesting. The idea of gender equality is quite a Western thing in the sense of gender being irrelevant. What I see in indigenous cultures is that gender difference is valued, but it is valued in equitable ways. I can see why it works for the Iroquois to have women choosing the men who lead the men’s council. Likewise, talk to Maori women about their actual roles and how power is shared on Marae esp during powhiri and other protocol, and you will see something quite different than how their roles are viewed via Pakeha eyes (‘oh, women are denied speaking rights’ etc).
To our Western eyes, this seems odd, why not just have men and women ‘equal’ and in the same decision making or political/speaking/power roles interchangebly? But women work differently when in women-only groups than they do in mixed groups, and I suspect that men likewise have times when it’s better for them to work together. I’m not sure how white women would manage using the Iroquois model, and I’m probably not even suggesting that they do, but I do think it is healthy and useful to consider that gender ‘equality’ is also a cultural construct and that Western feminism (let alone Western culture in general) doesn’t necessarily have the best take on this.
Not sure that is entirely correct.
I think that Hilary Clinton and Michelle Obama, to name just two examples, had a lot of power over the direction of their respective husbands presidencies.
You see it often in the West, at many levels, where the female partner is the, “power behind the throne” so to speak.
I agree, and it’s good to see that being acknowledged (many women historically have been written out of history despite their significant influence). Individual women have always had varying degrees of power within the patriachal cultures. In the case of women like Obama and Clinton, they are being allowed a certain kind of power. It is certainly not something granted to all women (or all people for that matter). You want to look at how women fare as a class, not the individual examples.
Also, the classic feminist response would be that Obama and CLinton should be allowed to rule like their husbands and equality will be achieved when the US has a woman president. I would say that is unambitious, and an egalitarian society will exist when women like Obama and Clinton are able to change how politics are done, not merely be allowed the play the boys’ game.
Thought you might like this link weta
“It resonates with a wider cultural trend in which feminist empowerment has been conflated with individual gain within a patriarchal system, not a collective effort to end patriarchy once and for all.”
http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2013/12/10/the-solution-to-patriarchy-pantene-says-shine/
I don’t have any issue with the Iroquois set up…you should meet my mother!
It goes a little further too, I heard on a Ecoshock Radio interview an Indian woman claim that at the behest of women the decisions made by the Grand Council had to take into account 7 generations (i.e what would the impact be to the 7th generation). Will try and find URL. Eminently sensible.
Would be interested in the link if you find it.
Good on Michelle who has a grounded sense of the occasion, and looks resolutely ahead while the so-called leaders take a selfie.
And Obama was certainly in trouble. Who needs the might of US armed forces when The Stare can halt a thousand naval ships!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbH0Q9GCYAA7S01.jpg
And here is Part 3 (note the change in seating arrangements).
Guess who might be sleeping in the doghouse at the Whitehouse?
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbIsT9ZIQAAsXRj.jpg
apparently some Conservative US numpty suggested Obama “sanitize his hands” after the hand-shake with Raul Castro- oh “the innocent blood on Castro’s hands”
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/obama-shakes-hands-raul-castro-mandela-memorial
Yep, just a little irony
Michelle: “Who the fuck are you Martha Stewart lady ? ……… this ain’t Vaudeville !
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BbH0Q9GCYAA7S01.jpg
No pics yet of ShonKey Python topping infamous triple hand shake with a needy quadruple ?
This really shouldn’t be a spectator sport 🙁
Indeed weka – no context either, the Obamas’ are talking to Danish PM Helle Thorning-Schmidt.
http://www.dr.dk/Nyheder/Billedserier/2013/12/10133713.htm
Ake ake. Well. Some leaders do have aphrodisiac attractions but watch out if important leader’s wives find out! Sizzle!
This is how Cameron and an ‘unindentified guest’ paid their respects to Nelson Mandela: (BTW this pic screams for a good meme!)
http://postimg.org/image/exovfy221/
Time to get rid of these psychopathic, disrespectful, worthless douchebags.
Yes I saw that and I think key will be beside himself with rage.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/africa/9504109/Keys-forgettable-moment-at-Mandela-event
Who is he? Just an interchangeable cog in the big machine that’s grinding up people left, right and centre.
and key hopes having his own taxpayer-paid photographer will make a difference!
ouch…
I feel a little sick.
Really? Then this photo of Key should make you really vomit. (Trigger warning)
https://twitter.com/johnkeypm/status/410332701057499136/photo/1
M8! fine dining out on the proletariat
(ps, I personally savour this comment). 😀
Thanks for the warning – made it to the bathroom in time
Harper huh.
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2012/03/26/Harper-Evangelical-Mission/
Holy Shamoly joe90
Three Eyes.
Visitor from Hawke’s Bay trying to impress Auckland Racing Club president. President “polite”. President’s assistant betrays president’s true feelings. “Oh God…….not this fuck again !”
that is interesting
KEY: “…….And then I told them ‘I’m very, very sorry everyone but I just can’t remember how I felt about the Tour !'” (Cameron laughs loudly) KEY: “You ?”
CAMERON: “Campaigned to have the bugger lynched in my Young Conservative days !” (Both laugh uproariously).
@ ‘unidentified guest’..
..surely that cameron/key pic is screaming for a caption contest..?
i’ll kick it off:..
key to cameron:
‘isn’t it hilarious when the peasants scream like stuck pigs..?’..
cameron:..’i know..!..i know..!..’
phillip ure..
So, Fonterra cuts dividends to investors “sharply” by 2/3 down to 10c a share;
Investors react and share price drops 10%.
According to Fonterra, while milk-powder returns are high, hence the record payout per kilo of milk solids at the farm gate, cheese and other processed products not doing so well.
Hows that for a baiting headline?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11170653
Taxpayers pay for Harawira’s trip to Mandela
Good ol’ boy Southern Hospitality with clean white sheets.
What, and John Key is paying for his own ticket himself?
donated the price of his fare to charity.
The Sky City or Warner Bros charity?
charity of his choosing; gotta make those ‘quick trades’.
on a side issue that is, dependant upon your perspective a little odd or a lot obvious, observant folk will notice that on the Herald page there are numerous comments (currently 15) yet the comments link on the herald page seems to be completely inactive. Interesting though that every other article with comments is working absolutely fine. 😎
To John Key: You, sir, are an idiot!
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/national-news/9501567/Sky-weeps-for-Madiba
Key said the American leader was the “stand-out”, and told him so when they had a little catch-up.
“You’ve just got to give the guy 10 out of 10 for being a brilliant orator,” Key said.
“He really, I think, knocked it out of the park … he had some very strong messages.
” I kind of think in a way he made the day.”
!!!!!!!
I know. 😀
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9373334/Shanks-to-leave-politic
Katrina Shanks is on her pony, as another Nat rides off into the West.
They just roll out the next glove puppet.
Its called rejuvanation, something Labour might like to consider…
Yep. Aaron Gilmore was their best rejuvenation ever.
Shanks was a non-performer, although not in the same disastrous implosion vein as Gilmour.
And your Gilmour example is perfect. National moved that guy on very quickly and smoothly.
Make no mistake. National are currently putting together a very fresh faced and able line up for 2014. (Or at least that’s how it will be portrayed to the electorate).
Almost as good as Philip Field
Lol. Nope. Aaron was much better. His Parliamentary arrival and departure was positively rocket-boosted.
I prefer Fisiani’s characterisation “Nats quaking in their boots, leaving the sinking ship in droves.”
Admittedly, quoted out of context, but a good mixed metaphor is a still a metaphor not to be missed.
It is something that Labour SHOULD consider but it is certainly not something they WANT to consider. The real deadwood, people like Mallard, Fenton,Curran et al, will only be prised out of there with a crowbar, or a couple of sticks of gelignite.
They might have to get jobs if they get the boot and they have long since been incapable of doing anything useful.
Is there a single Labour MP, apart from Ross Robertson, who has announced they are standing down at the election? I suppose for some of them the feel that if they get through to the election they are safe when Cunliffe is rolled.
Puckish Rogue, you’re good at what you do, eh? Good attempt at diversion away from another Nat jumping ship along with the others including English jumping onto the List life-raft.
My comments stands- another National MP, for ‘family reasons’, stands down from losing at the next election. They’ve read the entrails, sniffed the wind and seen the tsunami on the horizon.
And are running.
huh? English didn’t need any kind of life raft. He could be 80 in that seat and they would still vote him in.
Sadly as a Clutha-Southland constituent I have to agree with that sentiment. By going list only English is clearly signaling that whatever happens at the next election he is preparing for retirement from politics. Personally I hope it comes quickly in the wake of an election defeat for National.
Agreed, ScottGN. If English stayed as an electorate MP it would be more difficult to do a runner from Parliament than as a list MP who no doubt would find family reasons within a decent interval to resign from Parliament after a National electoral defeat.
Our local MP resigned in 1999 to go onto the list in anticipation of nine long years in opposition, and perhaps, Colonial Viper, could have been beaten in a seat similar to Clutha-Southland where you stood, with the baggage he carried, for his seat had he stayed. In the event he resigned before the 2002 election.
Like you, Scott GN, I see going onto the list as a preparation for leaving parliamentary politics. Leaving the list for retirement, as Katrina Shanks is doing, is an indicator of seeing a political career about to be lost or curtailed in opposition. Locally, one MP resigned after six years in parliamentary opposition- no chance for her of a ministerial career and her replacement hangs on, with a challenge from the local electorate organisation.
If he announced his resignation from Parliament shortly, before the electorate nomination process which is due mid this month, then I might consider, as Puckish Rogue did in his diversion, that National is trimming its dead wood. Our local MP is certainly fallen timber, in that regard.
Thats been the craic around here in the Ohariu electorate for a bit now. Question is who will replace Charles Chauvel? He’s been gone a while and I haven’t heard a peep. C’mon Labour members, what’s the goss? Got a real feisty one that will put down a real challenge to ol’ Dunney boy?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/9504034/Uruguay-legalises-marijuana-trade
– Now this is something I’d like to see here
Send a tweet to the Justice Minister telling her that. Her tweet in reply would probably be worth a read.
Oh I’d tweet her all right
would she tweet in response is the question
Oh I’d tweet her all right
Cool. Ronya dude. Post the link here when you’ve done it. Will you be long? Or are you all mouth and no trousers?
thanks for that; motivation to renew passport.
No good soz; you have to be a citizen of Uruguay. Anyways…NZ ‘horticultural output’ is hard to beat…
one could patiently await citizenship (this wonderful thought ushered me into my afternoon nap 🙂 )
40 grams a month? Smoking!
How can it be a “social experiment” when humanity has been smoking the stuff for thousands of years?
“What makes Obama the greatest speaker of our times, Ashley?”
Another dismal, irony-free edition of The Panel
Radio NZ National, Wednesday 11 December 2013
Jim Mora, Stephen Franks, Lisa Scott
Two days ago, nasty right winger Jock Anderson was allowed to run free in the studio, slinging off at the poor, sounding off at activists like Charles Waldegrave, and scoffing at the very idea that there was poverty in this country; his ranting was amplified by fellow guest Mark Inglis who was similarly impatient with namby-pamby charity workers: “I’ve been to India,” he intoned in high seriousness, “where I can show you REAL poverty.” All through this ideological rampage, host Jim Mora sat quietly.
If you were unwise, unlucky or bored enough to end up listening to the Panel this afternoon, you will have been subjected to more of this indignant, self-righteous fury from the extreme right wing. The offender this time was a regular Panel guest, the former ACT MP and S.S. “legal counsel” Stephen Franks.
After a few opening pleasantries about the tribulations of pre-Christmas office parties, Franks got down to business. First up, he railed against the Resource Management Act, which in simple-minded ACT Party fashion, he blames for the housing shortage in Auckland. A little later, when the expert guest was Roger Levy from HOBANZ, Franks frothed about “the economic dunces on the left who tell us that every house must have a certificate of regulation”.
After both outbursts, there was nothing but silence from his fellow Panelist Lisa Scott. And, worse, there was complete silence from host Jim Mora. It is worth noting that Roger Levy also chose to say nothing, but in his case the refusal to engage with Franks was probably a sign of contempt, or an inability to comprehend that someone, especially a lawyer, could be so extraordinarily mulish and obtuse.
Jim Mora’s failure to control, or to argue with these right wingers is instructive. It is a sharp contrast to the way he treats liberal commentators: if someone like Gordon McLauchlan, or Mai Chen or Gary McCormick says something even mildly critical of government policy, Mora almost invariably jumps in with an objection, insisting on construing government statements in the most indulgent manner. Earlier this week, a guest criticized a cruel and dismissive Twitter quip aimed at John Minto by the Minister of Justice, Judith Collins. Mora immediately chipped in, and insisted that Collins would not have actually meant what she had actually written. And that, he made it perfectly clear, was the end of that discussion. If any guest does persist in a way that displeases him, his affable mask slips and he shouts petulantly: “No but hang on!” and insists that the last word is the government line.
But let’s get back to today’s debacle. Worse, far worse, was to come from the mouth of Stephen Franks: in his “Soapbox” segment, he began by inappropriately quoting Orwell, which is a ruse common to extreme right wing commentators—and one which would have appalled Orwell, who utterly detested people like Franks. He warned Jim that he might want to stop him, because he had “something to say about the New Zealand judiciary”. Of course, Jim did not so much as demur as Franks launched into his tirade, which was simply another of his trademark rants against the legal system, during which he had the unmitigated gall to invoke the S.S. Trust, that discredited, deregistered, bloodthirsty knife-enthusiasts’ organization for which he acts as “legal counsel”.
Finally, mercifully, the rant petered out….
MORA: [contemplative sigh] All right. Stephen Franks on the Panel. Keep us up to date with it, will you?
STEPHEN FRANKS: I will.
MORA: Ahhh, there’s a bit of a hold-up on State Highway No. 1, by Huntly, due to roadworks. ….[pause]…. Now, Nelson Mandela’s funeral. The stand-out speech by all accounts was by President Obama.
STEPHEN FRANKS: It had that cadence which comes from someone who has been steeped in Southern evangelical traditions. It produces great rhetoric.
LISA SCOTT: Yes.
MORA: Where are the great orators? You were quoting Churchill before, Stephen, so it’s not only the Southern evangelical tradition. Eisenhower, Clinton, De Gaulle and Kennedy—all great speakers!
STEPHEN FRANKS: [Quietly and intensely, to indicate great depth of thought] I wonder if it’s because we’ve turned our backs on rote learning.
LISA SCOTT: Yes.
MORA: Ashley Campbell joins us. How are you?
ASHLEY CAMPBELL: I’m good!
MORA: Ashley is a speech expert. What makes Obama the greatest speaker of our times, Ashley?
ASHLEY CAMPBELL: Obama is an orator. The reason he is so effective is he gets intensely personal. He brings absolutely everybody in. He spoke to everybody in that stadium, in that country, and in the world. And he spoke of “we” and “us”, like when he said: “He tells us what’s possible not just in the pages of dusty history books, but in our own lives as well. Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas.” [2]
MORA: Yeah, Churchill used to do that didn’t he, and Kennedy!
ASHLEY CAMPBELL: Yep, yep, “We will fight them on the beaches”, blah blah blah.
MORA: That is what Obama is a master of! We NEED great speeches don’t we!
FRANKS: [gravely] It would be a fortunate New Zealand politician who would not be mocked if he tried delivering an American style inspirational speech.
ASHLEY: That’s what Lange did.
LISA SCOTT: Yes.
FRANKS: Blair had flights of oratory. He was known for it at the beginning, but he ended up being mocked for it. That toxic tribalism makes oratory pretty much impossible. For all his rhetoric, Obama has a very low approval rating.
MORA: Even if you’re an Obama opponent, you probably forgave him after that Madiba speech.
….[Music wells up]….
MORA: We haven’t got time to talk about impostors now. Maybe tomorrow!
[1] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-09122013/#comment-741884
[2] http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/transcript-remarks-president-barack-obama-nelson-mandela-service-article-1.1542986#ixzz2n8lz6vsW
Morrissey, couldn’t agree with you more.
Mora always is the contrarian to the mildest left wing opinion, yet is silent while extreme right wing ideas are raved on about.
Is he intimidated or does he quietly agree?
Roy Morgan:
Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows John Key’s National Party (45%, up 0.5%) level with a potential Labour/ Greens Alliance (45%, unchanged). Support for Key’s Coalition partners is down slightly: Maori Party 1.5% (unchanged), United Future 0% (down 0.5%), ACT NZ 0% (down 0.5%).
Support for the Labour Party has fallen to 30.5% (down 3.5%), while the Greens have risen to 14.5% (up 3.5%), New Zealand First 5% (up 1.5%), Mana Party 1% (unchanged), Conservative Party of NZ 2% (unchanged) and Others 0.5% (down 1%).
Trendy Stuff!
Roy Morgan’s polling is about as trustworthy as an Obama speech is sincere. This “poll” defies credibility. How was it conducted? Who did they “poll”? The sheep of Epsom?
http://www.3news.co.nz/Banks-trial-date-set/tabid/423/articleID/324693/Default.aspx
Not surprising that John Banks has chosen trial by Judge, rather than trial by jury?
It probably wouldn’t be easy to find a jury of his ‘peers’?
How many ex-Ministers with chronic amnesia are there out there?
Penny Bright