A bit of cash can keep someone off the streets for 2 years and is cheaper than the do nothing option.
Researchers compared the eventual fate of individuals and families who called into a homelessness prevention call center in Chicago, Illinois, when funds were available versus those who called when funds were not. The results showed that
If someone is about to become homeless, giving them a single cash infusion, averaging about $1000, may be enough to keep them off the streets for at least 2 years. That’s the conclusion of a new study, which finds that programs that proactively assist those in need don’t just help the victims—they may benefit society as a whole…
It appears that people are often made homeless by an unexpected event/debt. Resolving that one-off crisis prevents homelessness.
Not exactly rocket science, but this research puts in doubt the belief that giving funds to to people at risk of homelessness is futile.
Labour management may as well have said to the 130,000 disenfranchised Labour members: “Here, have your database, and go and form your own party with Corbyn as your leader.”
Effective CENSORSHIP of Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright, by ‘The Nation’.
I was invited to attend The Nation Auckland Mayoral debate on 27 July 2016, then ‘uninvited’ on 8 August 2016, for what I believe to be totally bogus reasons.
Here’s the email correspondence :
26 July 2016
“Thanks for agreeing to be part of the Auckland Mayoral debate August 13.
I wonder if you could be at 3 Flower Street , Eden Terrace at 0830 for makeup .
We can organise you a cab if you would like as parking can be often tight at that time of the day
Lisa Owen will be conducting the panel.
There will be five of you altogether so it promises to be an interesting debate.
I look forward to receiving the main points to your campaign.
Kind regards
…..
(Senior Producer
The Nation)
9 August 2016
“I am afraid that we will have to cancel plans to have you on The Nation this weekend.
For two reasons
1) Having more than four candidates in our studio just doesn’t work and puts too many demands on the studio and doesn’t lend itself to useful debate
2) we have made a decision based on legitimate polling that the maximum people we will have is four.
….”
(Senior Producer
The Nation)
_____________________________
I’m a third time Auckland Mayoral candidate, with over 20 years local government experience fighting for the public and the public interest.
I’m not a corporate or political party ‘sock puppet’, and have proven track record and policies that clearly set me aside from these other ‘centre-right’ Auckland Mayoral candidates.
Do YOU think it’s fair that I was shut out of this Auckland Mayoral debate on The Nation?
“Do YOU think it’s fair that I was shut out of this Auckland Mayoral debate on The Nation?”
Yes, if they based it on publicly available polling figures that shows you far behind the other 4. If that’s not the case, then no.
I wouldn’t expect a 3-way debate between Lianne Dalziel, John Minto and Michael Hansen member of the “Economic Euthenics” party.
This is one of Mike’s previous entreaties to vote for him:
The main issue this election is the treatment of mayoral 3rd party candidates, the use of a type of ray which can pass thru walls and sting, slow cook and annoy candidates to try to tireout and upset them before nomination day, should not be happening during the time of a Labour Govt. The use of an offensive tingle ray at meetings, and looking inside candidates houses and stinging them on the head with cellphone-lasers is disgracefull, there is no co-operation from the Labour Govt police, Remember, it is not compulsory to vote, but if you do vote, vote for me.
“Yes, if they based it on publicly available polling figures that shows you far behind the other 4.”
All candidates should be allowed to partake in a televised debate, regardless of how they’re polling.
Moreover, giving all candidates the opportunity widens their notability and may enable them to grow their support. Ensuring no candidate is disadvantaged by denying them the opportunity to partake.
Looking at the results from the 2013 election he was only a tiny little way behind the winner, Lianne Dalziel. He got a grand total of 364 votes. She was only a little bit ahead with her 72,600 total. Close contest I would say.
On the other hand I think you are being very kind to him when you describe him as a “complete nutjob”. He seems to be far worse than that.
Do YOU think it’s fair that I pay my rates and you choose not to? Perhaps TV3 was showing you the level of respect you show towards the people in the region that pay their way.
Well done Ben, I was wondering when someone would bring that up. If you are so concerned about Bright not paying her rates, how do you feel about Jackson who has already had a gold-plated lifestyle courtesy of the NZ tax payer now expects the ratepayers of Welling to fund his latest ego trip.
I do. Jackson is nothing but a leech. Our rates have to play for his playthings. Our rates, that have gone from $2,400 pa to $3,000 in the space of four years. I will not vote for any mayoral candidate who promotes the convention centre/film museum and the white elephant airport runway extension.
You know what Ben, I wasn’t going to bother replying to your comment as it was “so dull” but I will, as it’s raining and I don’t have a book to read.
Yours was a pointless meaningless passive aggressive comment. It didn’t even have any substance to it. In future, instead of behaving like a whiny kid in the school yard can you provide a solid argument? I don’t mind a smart arse if they actually give me something smart to reply to.
And btw, regionalism is so outdated dude. Are you from the 70’s?
I am from the 70’s. Please explain to me what Peter Jackson has to do with Penny Bright expecting people to vote for her when she is using roads, footpaths, rubbish collection, recycling and countless other Council services without paying for them?
Yes Peter is rich and should pay for his pet projects, but slightly off topic don’t you think? The reason PB was uninvited was probably because she does not have a snowball’s chance in hell in gathering even a few votes, and to be frank doesn’t have a clue what it takes to run a city.
I would like a go at answering that. Peter Jackson wants to use public money from ratepayers for his pet projects. There is your connection. Have you bothered to read why Penny Bright has been refusing to pay her rates? And Penny Bright probably has a better clue than you do Ben.
“The reason PB was uninvited was probably because she does not have a snowball’s chance in hell in gathering even a few votes”
You know that’s not the point in a supposed “democracy” don’t you, Ben?
Oh dear Rosie. I did not acuse you of being “off topic”, but was questioning the relevance of connecting Penny with Peter. Leftie had a go at joining the dots, but the relevance is tenuous at best, with Peter asking for money (they could have said no), and Penny simply not paying her way. I fully understand why Penny is not paying her rates, and fortunately for the other law-abiding ratepayers the court found her case did not stack up.
I do not work at TV3, and note I used the word “probably”. My opinion was based on TV3 stating “we have made a decision based on legitimate polling”.
Ben, Peter Jackson is a very rich man, he has already had the National government change our labour laws to rip off and side line kiwi workers in that industry for his corporate boss, Warner Bros, why should we fund his pet projects? Let him fund it himself if that’s what he wants. You can bet his “museum” won’t be free to view.
Totally agree with you both about PJ funding his own showcase.
In fact it was Wellington’s rates continually going up to fund “events” that we had no interest in (and the daily snarl up at the Mt Vic tunnel) that provoked our move away to a distant place. Now that there is no parking in the city, or that which remains is charging like a wounded bull, we don’t even bother going there. Bit of an own goal, WCC.
In Wellington’s situation, we would fund several large and convenient and cheap parking buildings, on the City dollar, and watch the out of towners stream back to shop and attend all those “events”. You can’t live forever on selling each other coffee, however gourmet.
I thought you were concerned about people rorting the system that is why I brought it to your attention.
So I can take it then, as Jackson is not running for Mayor you are quite comfortable for the rate payers to subsidise his ego tripping, but Bright as she is running for mayor you are getting upset over her non-payment of rates. If you are concerned about non-payment of rates, what about Otago University who is buying up property like it is going out of fashion,, owns nearly all of North Dunedin reducing the rate take of Dunedin as they don’t pay rates or one cent towards that white elephant of a stadium that was forced on to the Dunedin ratepayer after they voted against it, Or the Velodrome at Cambridge Ratepayers voted against it 60/40 but still went ahead. Instead of shooting off glib comments , have you stopped and thought that Bright might have a point in her battle with the council and this could be one of the only weapons she has.
Like Rosie, I am also very concerned about the amount of corporate welfare that goes on in this country, nationally as well as locally, and the amount ratepayers are expected to pay to support the lifestyles of these people who can well afford to pay for these things themselves. Like one Councillor in Hamilton who said “Three million is not a lot of money for a cycle track,” maybe not for her when they are spending others money, but to some ratepayers, it is a further burden on top of their existing rate burden which they are finding more difficult to pay each year.
Perhaps if TV3 had Bright on The Nation programme she could have been crossed examined and asked why she is not paying her rates .
I am sure she would have answered that question.
Ben you fail to understand. She doesn’t pay her rates because she contends there is a legal reason not to. The Council does not publish proper accounts as it is obliged by law to do so. I support her and so do multiple levels of the court system. Whether or not she finally prevails, thus doing a service for us all in terms of forcing contract transparency at council, is a matter for the highest court of our land. I hope they make the right decision.
No it’s not fair at all Penny. You aren’t a corporate/government moll, unafraid of challenging the establishment, so that in itself demonstrates where TV3’s media “objectiveness” lies! Shame on the network!
No it’s a fact on the premise that Penny sits in the novelty nut bar catogorary of mayoral candidates. If Mary is voting for PB because it makes her feel better that’s rationale as long as she is cosignant that her vote will have no impact on who actually becomes mayor
No Penny Bright, it’s not fair and it’s not right. TV 3 ‘s National government funded with tax payer monies was never into democracy, justice and fair play.
“The Clintons’ prior tax returns showed that from 2007 through 2014, the couple made $139.1 million — much of it from paid speeches. The Clintons paid $43.9 million in federal taxes over those years — an average tax rate that works out to 31.6 percent.”
and
“The couple donated 9.8 percent of their adjusted gross income to charity, according to a campaign news release on Friday.”
When the big one comes Jackson’s treasures will be swept into the middle of the harbour where they belong, together with Taonga from Te Papa.
The film industry will probably not survive the next global downturn. One has only to look at the fate of film industries on both sides of the Tasman during the Great Depression.
Andrew Little seems to have shaken the cosy little neoliberal estalishment tree, if the outrage from the rightwing media is any guide. Fran O’Sullivan, Tracey Watkins and the government chief court jester David Farrar have all howled in outrage at Little’s temerity in demanding his MPs don’t frollick with the enemy.
Andrew is trying to set up a precedent so that he can refuse to debate John Key before the next election.
He certainly won’t want to let the public see how hopeless he is by taking part in such a debate and he will be trying to argue that it is a matter of principle that he should avoid the public humiliation he would undergo.
Alwyn seriously you are kidding , JK does not debate, he just spits and shouts/raves like a petulant spiteful child. Watch a few Oxford Debates and then look at JK – he’s a complete bully and idiot when it comes to debating. The moderators need a bloody good lesson in how to manage debates here in NZ – JK is like a runaway juggernaut with no control and needs reining in when debates of importance are taking place. Its more a circus (which is the only place suitable for JK) than a serious debate when he is participating.
Wikileaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange promised to release more damning emails about the Clinton Foundation, and warned he has enough evidence on Hillary Clinton making secret deals with an alleged Islamic State sponsor for the FBI to indict her.
Asked by British journalist Afshin Rattansi on Saturday if he had “the email which will put Hillary Clinton behind bars,” Assange claimed to have 350 emails on a French transnational concrete company named Le Farge that allegedly paid ISIS to do business in regions controlled by the terror group.
The report, by British political blog The Canary, showed the Clinton Foundation accepted upwards of $100,000 from the ISIS sponsoring company.
More right-wing thuggery from a morally redundant NGO. This sorry excuse for a community group needs to be completely shunned off the face of the earth. If its corporate MO isn’t allowing the people in its care to be neglected and abused it’s actively supporting this neo-liberal band of thugs we have as a government to destroy what little’s left of our welfare state. Those running IHC have ensured this is the only NGO with the type of conscience necessary to foist such corporate violence on to the people of New Zealand. They are despicable, greedy neo-liberal filth and must be stood up to.
There is at least one young man who would be alive today were it not for that mob penny pinching on staff.
Always an interesting half hour spent on the Charities Commission website having a gander at their Annual Returns.
There’s GOLD in them there ills….
There was also an interesting wee bit of finagling done a few years back when a certain organisation was put into some kind of statutory management and, bugger me, if one of the top honchos was given a key role in the new management structure…very weird. I’d love to have to time to properly research and document that time.
However…what do I know…these are very clever people….
so you are saying that National has been doing a bad job then the last 8.5 years.
would it be time then to let go of Nick Smith, Paula Bennett and Bill English for failure to perform their task as per their job description? Or would you like your government big enough for these three useless bludgers?
IHC will gradually kick people out and turn them into group homes for people with intellectual disabilities. There is no other reason for them to buy those houses. General community housing provision isn’t part of what IHC does.
I know some people here might bemoan me raising the example of Venezuela again but I am genuinely interested in how people on the left can explain how sugar production in that country has fallen so dramatically after it was nationalised in the early 2000’s. This is not just a one off event that can be explained by the effect of drought. It was a sustained declined over a period of years. Why couldn’t Venezuela keep sugar production at the levels it was when it was largely controlled privately?
Probably something to do with the abolition of slavery among cane cutters.Or perhaps loss of markets for having the temerity to nationalize a USA owned industry.
Do you have evidence it was US owned? By the way the market is Venezuela as they have bot been self sufficient in sugar. Therefore it shouldn’t matter what the US does market access wise. The nationalised sugar producers should have a captive domestic market. Why can’t it satisfy it?
Like you I manufactured an example to justify my argument.We all know the collapse of their economy relates to the collapse of the price of oil. They used the high oil returns to subsidize other industry and provide employment.
How did the price of oil dropping impact on them producing sugar for domestic consumption? Surely it should have made it more attractive to create sugar locally rather than spend scarce foreign exchange to import it.
Val’s the bomb. “A medal and I’m gonna celebrate…..!” What a champ’ ! You look at that and you look at the Fiji Sevens team and their humility. In world excellence……man ! That New Zealand is so naturally the populous part of the Pacific……makes me soooo proud. Guess that’s why I prefer South Aux over Remmers. And dare I say it……brown over…….
Yeah – please note the “rigorous” expert opinions who all said Brexit would crash the stock market. Amusingly, they said Brexit would never happen in the first place.
In the US, “rigorous” expert opinions said there was no housing bubble. Rigorous expert opinions at the Fed believed there would be four hikes this year!
“Rigorous” expert opinions on the global economy have been wrong for years.
The experts have been so wrong, for so long, that it’s a wonder people did not turn to social media sooner.
And that is the big problem in today’s world. The so-called financial ‘experts’ are simply wrong about pretty everything.
I thought you would have a rather more sensitive bullshit detector, Ropata.
So who is Mike Cernovich? He’s an attorney who sells “fit juice” and declares himself to be an “alpha male.” He even has “alpha male posture building exercises” and appears to be rather obsessed with his testosterone level. Seriously, have you ever met anyone who claimed to be an “alpha male” who wasn’t a massive asshole? Oh, and he has another site showing people how to do “juice cleanses.”Best of all, he’d like to teach you “how to pick up hot chicks.” And how to find “legit friends” (the answer, apparently: be a major douchebag). And he’s here to offer “biblical wisdom on friendship,” including such revelatory statements as, “I am the first guy to both do another man a solid and the first guy to kick fuck-ups out of the crew.” Powerful stuff.He has a list of 31 things he’s sure you want to know more about him and there are some real gems like this:
Well well well….looks like Marama Fox is a hard right moral conservative. Homophobic, anti sex, anti abortion, anti women, anti this and anti that. Probably anti evolution as well,
No wonder she supports charter schools – they are perfect for religous indocrination centres.
You give Destiny Church one, and within a generation, you will see gays hanging from the lampposts of South Auckland.
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Tuesday 19 March appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
A bit of cash can keep someone off the streets for 2 years and is cheaper than the do nothing option.
Researchers compared the eventual fate of individuals and families who called into a homelessness prevention call center in Chicago, Illinois, when funds were available versus those who called when funds were not. The results showed that
It appears that people are often made homeless by an unexpected event/debt. Resolving that one-off crisis prevents homelessness.
Not exactly rocket science, but this research puts in doubt the belief that giving funds to to people at risk of homelessness is futile.
http://i.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/83133211/Blow-to-Jeremy-Corbyn-as-court-rules-UK-Labour-can-stop-130-000-voting-on-leader
Bad news for corbyn. Gee watching the Labour Party in the U.K. Is amusing.
Guardian version
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/aug/12/labour-wins-appeal-against-ruling-allowing-new-members-a-leadership-vote
Not sure now whether Corbyn’s team can appeal to the Supreme Court. One bit said they are blocked and another says they can appeal.
Reprehensible.
Labour management may as well have said to the 130,000 disenfranchised Labour members: “Here, have your database, and go and form your own party with Corbyn as your leader.”
This is also interesting
http://evolvepolitics.com/labour-appeal-fury-as-high-court-judge-philip-sales-intimate-links-to-tony-blair-revealed/
Wheels within wheels Halfcrown. What a distraction to democracy.
But not “terrifying” like watching the antics of the national party
Effective CENSORSHIP of Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright, by ‘The Nation’.
I was invited to attend The Nation Auckland Mayoral debate on 27 July 2016, then ‘uninvited’ on 8 August 2016, for what I believe to be totally bogus reasons.
Here’s the email correspondence :
26 July 2016
“Thanks for agreeing to be part of the Auckland Mayoral debate August 13.
I wonder if you could be at 3 Flower Street , Eden Terrace at 0830 for makeup .
We can organise you a cab if you would like as parking can be often tight at that time of the day
Lisa Owen will be conducting the panel.
There will be five of you altogether so it promises to be an interesting debate.
I look forward to receiving the main points to your campaign.
Kind regards
…..
(Senior Producer
The Nation)
9 August 2016
“I am afraid that we will have to cancel plans to have you on The Nation this weekend.
For two reasons
1) Having more than four candidates in our studio just doesn’t work and puts too many demands on the studio and doesn’t lend itself to useful debate
2) we have made a decision based on legitimate polling that the maximum people we will have is four.
….”
(Senior Producer
The Nation)
_____________________________
I’m a third time Auckland Mayoral candidate, with over 20 years local government experience fighting for the public and the public interest.
I’m not a corporate or political party ‘sock puppet’, and have proven track record and policies that clearly set me aside from these other ‘centre-right’ Auckland Mayoral candidates.
Do YOU think it’s fair that I was shut out of this Auckland Mayoral debate on The Nation?
I don’t.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Establishment candidates only?
It’s undemocratic.
So much for TV3 upholding their role within the fourth estate.
Don’t worry Penny, any show on Commercial TV is merely a talkfest for muppets these days! They are not interested fair and proper representation.
“Do YOU think it’s fair that I was shut out of this Auckland Mayoral debate on The Nation?”
Yes, if they based it on publicly available polling figures that shows you far behind the other 4. If that’s not the case, then no.
I wouldn’t expect a 3-way debate between Lianne Dalziel, John Minto and Michael Hansen member of the “Economic Euthenics” party.
This is one of Mike’s previous entreaties to vote for him:
“Yes, if they based it on publicly available polling figures that shows you far behind the other 4.”
All candidates should be allowed to partake in a televised debate, regardless of how they’re polling.
Moreover, giving all candidates the opportunity widens their notability and may enable them to grow their support. Ensuring no candidate is disadvantaged by denying them the opportunity to partake.
Even candidates who always come last and are complete nutjobs, like Mike Hansen?
Just because someone is a candidate, doesn’t mean they’re worth listening to, or are on any sort of equal footing with the other candidates.
“Even candidates who always come last…?”
Yes, regardless whether or not one presumes they’re worth listening too.
I think you are being very unfair to Hansen.
Looking at the results from the 2013 election he was only a tiny little way behind the winner, Lianne Dalziel. He got a grand total of 364 votes. She was only a little bit ahead with her 72,600 total. Close contest I would say.
On the other hand I think you are being very kind to him when you describe him as a “complete nutjob”. He seems to be far worse than that.
All 17 of them?
All candidates.
Do YOU think it’s fair that I pay my rates and you choose not to? Perhaps TV3 was showing you the level of respect you show towards the people in the region that pay their way.
Well done Ben, I was wondering when someone would bring that up. If you are so concerned about Bright not paying her rates, how do you feel about Jackson who has already had a gold-plated lifestyle courtesy of the NZ tax payer now expects the ratepayers of Welling to fund his latest ego trip.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/76735650/City-councillor-questions-whether-Jackson-needs-ratepayer-help-for-film-museum
Jackson is not running for mayor, so I don’t care what he gets up to.
I do. Jackson is nothing but a leech. Our rates have to play for his playthings. Our rates, that have gone from $2,400 pa to $3,000 in the space of four years. I will not vote for any mayoral candidate who promotes the convention centre/film museum and the white elephant airport runway extension.
You are well within your rights to vote for stagnation. And people wonder why Wellington is so dull.
🙄
You know what Ben, I wasn’t going to bother replying to your comment as it was “so dull” but I will, as it’s raining and I don’t have a book to read.
Yours was a pointless meaningless passive aggressive comment. It didn’t even have any substance to it. In future, instead of behaving like a whiny kid in the school yard can you provide a solid argument? I don’t mind a smart arse if they actually give me something smart to reply to.
And btw, regionalism is so outdated dude. Are you from the 70’s?
+1 Rosie.
I am from the 70’s. Please explain to me what Peter Jackson has to do with Penny Bright expecting people to vote for her when she is using roads, footpaths, rubbish collection, recycling and countless other Council services without paying for them?
Yes Peter is rich and should pay for his pet projects, but slightly off topic don’t you think? The reason PB was uninvited was probably because she does not have a snowball’s chance in hell in gathering even a few votes, and to be frank doesn’t have a clue what it takes to run a city.
I would like a go at answering that. Peter Jackson wants to use public money from ratepayers for his pet projects. There is your connection. Have you bothered to read why Penny Bright has been refusing to pay her rates? And Penny Bright probably has a better clue than you do Ben.
“The reason PB was uninvited was probably because she does not have a snowball’s chance in hell in gathering even a few votes”
You know that’s not the point in a supposed “democracy” don’t you, Ben?
Sorry Ben, didn’t realise you were a moderator on TS, hence the telling off for “being off topic” on Open Mike.
Yes, that was sarcasm.
Glad you know the reason Penny bright was uninvited by TV3. You must work there and know these things.
Yes, that was sarcasm too. So, really, I’m as bad as you.
Oh, and what Leftie said. Twice.
Oh dear Rosie. I did not acuse you of being “off topic”, but was questioning the relevance of connecting Penny with Peter. Leftie had a go at joining the dots, but the relevance is tenuous at best, with Peter asking for money (they could have said no), and Penny simply not paying her way. I fully understand why Penny is not paying her rates, and fortunately for the other law-abiding ratepayers the court found her case did not stack up.
I do not work at TV3, and note I used the word “probably”. My opinion was based on TV3 stating “we have made a decision based on legitimate polling”.
Ben, Peter Jackson is a very rich man, he has already had the National government change our labour laws to rip off and side line kiwi workers in that industry for his corporate boss, Warner Bros, why should we fund his pet projects? Let him fund it himself if that’s what he wants. You can bet his “museum” won’t be free to view.
Totally agree with you both about PJ funding his own showcase.
In fact it was Wellington’s rates continually going up to fund “events” that we had no interest in (and the daily snarl up at the Mt Vic tunnel) that provoked our move away to a distant place. Now that there is no parking in the city, or that which remains is charging like a wounded bull, we don’t even bother going there. Bit of an own goal, WCC.
In Wellington’s situation, we would fund several large and convenient and cheap parking buildings, on the City dollar, and watch the out of towners stream back to shop and attend all those “events”. You can’t live forever on selling each other coffee, however gourmet.
Well said Rosie, totally agree with you.
I thought you were concerned about people rorting the system that is why I brought it to your attention.
So I can take it then, as Jackson is not running for Mayor you are quite comfortable for the rate payers to subsidise his ego tripping, but Bright as she is running for mayor you are getting upset over her non-payment of rates. If you are concerned about non-payment of rates, what about Otago University who is buying up property like it is going out of fashion,, owns nearly all of North Dunedin reducing the rate take of Dunedin as they don’t pay rates or one cent towards that white elephant of a stadium that was forced on to the Dunedin ratepayer after they voted against it, Or the Velodrome at Cambridge Ratepayers voted against it 60/40 but still went ahead. Instead of shooting off glib comments , have you stopped and thought that Bright might have a point in her battle with the council and this could be one of the only weapons she has.
Like Rosie, I am also very concerned about the amount of corporate welfare that goes on in this country, nationally as well as locally, and the amount ratepayers are expected to pay to support the lifestyles of these people who can well afford to pay for these things themselves. Like one Councillor in Hamilton who said “Three million is not a lot of money for a cycle track,” maybe not for her when they are spending others money, but to some ratepayers, it is a further burden on top of their existing rate burden which they are finding more difficult to pay each year.
Perhaps if TV3 had Bright on The Nation programme she could have been crossed examined and asked why she is not paying her rates .
I am sure she would have answered that question.
Heaps of thumbs up Halfcrown.
Ben you fail to understand. She doesn’t pay her rates because she contends there is a legal reason not to. The Council does not publish proper accounts as it is obliged by law to do so. I support her and so do multiple levels of the court system. Whether or not she finally prevails, thus doing a service for us all in terms of forcing contract transparency at council, is a matter for the highest court of our land. I hope they make the right decision.
Penny Bright (3) …
No it’s not fair at all Penny. You aren’t a corporate/government moll, unafraid of challenging the establishment, so that in itself demonstrates where TV3’s media “objectiveness” lies! Shame on the network!
You will be getting my vote Penny.
Well that’s a vote well wasted.
Well, that’s just your opinion James.
No it’s a fact on the premise that Penny sits in the novelty nut bar catogorary of mayoral candidates. If Mary is voting for PB because it makes her feel better that’s rationale as long as she is cosignant that her vote will have no impact on who actually becomes mayor
It’s quite possible though that she’s the strongest candidate. After all, have you seen the rest of the shoddy selection available?
@ James (3.5.1) … you are entitled to your opinion.
No Penny Bright, it’s not fair and it’s not right. TV 3 ‘s National government funded with tax payer monies was never into democracy, justice and fair play.
I think an appearance on the comedy channel would be more appropriate
Have you considered running for just a position on the council .? as it’s possibly more attainable than the mayors job.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2016-08-12/fbi-mutiny-feds-reportedly-launch-clinton-foundation-corruption-probe-despite-doj-ob
Multiple FBI investigations launched into Clinton Foundation corruption.
Jeepers I wonder if zero will do this story
“The Clintons’ prior tax returns showed that from 2007 through 2014, the couple made $139.1 million — much of it from paid speeches. The Clintons paid $43.9 million in federal taxes over those years — an average tax rate that works out to 31.6 percent.”
and
“The couple donated 9.8 percent of their adjusted gross income to charity, according to a campaign news release on Friday.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83134770/clintons-paid-342-effective-tax-rate-in-2015-campaign-says
Now believe it or not I’m not a great clinton fan but shit she’s so far better the donny it is embarrassing – for his supporters that is.
Good ! When the big one comes Jackson’s treasures will be swept into the middle of the harbour where they belong.
When the big one comes Jackson’s treasures will be swept into the middle of the harbour where they belong, together with Taonga from Te Papa.
The film industry will probably not survive the next global downturn. One has only to look at the fate of film industries on both sides of the Tasman during the Great Depression.
Andrew Little seems to have shaken the cosy little neoliberal estalishment tree, if the outrage from the rightwing media is any guide. Fran O’Sullivan, Tracey Watkins and the government chief court jester David Farrar have all howled in outrage at Little’s temerity in demanding his MPs don’t frollick with the enemy.
Good stuff.
Andrew is trying to set up a precedent so that he can refuse to debate John Key before the next election.
He certainly won’t want to let the public see how hopeless he is by taking part in such a debate and he will be trying to argue that it is a matter of principle that he should avoid the public humiliation he would undergo.
Ejaculate did you Alwyn ? Following that outburst. Tosser !
Alwyn seriously you are kidding , JK does not debate, he just spits and shouts/raves like a petulant spiteful child. Watch a few Oxford Debates and then look at JK – he’s a complete bully and idiot when it comes to debating. The moderators need a bloody good lesson in how to manage debates here in NZ – JK is like a runaway juggernaut with no control and needs reining in when debates of importance are taking place. Its more a circus (which is the only place suitable for JK) than a serious debate when he is participating.
Little-Decisive strong leader stuff. I like it. Not wishy washy, ‘I’m comfortable with that, but what I can say is…………..’ zzzzzzz
More trouble for Hiltlary coming in October
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmYrDNSglag
Wikileaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange promised to release more damning emails about the Clinton Foundation, and warned he has enough evidence on Hillary Clinton making secret deals with an alleged Islamic State sponsor for the FBI to indict her.
Asked by British journalist Afshin Rattansi on Saturday if he had “the email which will put Hillary Clinton behind bars,” Assange claimed to have 350 emails on a French transnational concrete company named Le Farge that allegedly paid ISIS to do business in regions controlled by the terror group.
The report, by British political blog The Canary, showed the Clinton Foundation accepted upwards of $100,000 from the ISIS sponsoring company.
“The report, by British political blog The Canary, showed the Clinton Foundation accepted upwards of $100,000 from the ISIS sponsoring company.”
And….?
The big reveal, just before the election! Now where I have heard that cunning plan before?
Kim Dot Com was spouting about this reveal a good month ago.
I still remember dotcoms moment of truth – one of the funniest efforts for a political reveal ever.
Valerie dropped to Silver after being pipped on a last throw by an American.
Good work though Valerie.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/83106447/government-chooses-preferred-buyer-for-sale-of-1100-tauranga-state-houses
More right-wing thuggery from a morally redundant NGO. This sorry excuse for a community group needs to be completely shunned off the face of the earth. If its corporate MO isn’t allowing the people in its care to be neglected and abused it’s actively supporting this neo-liberal band of thugs we have as a government to destroy what little’s left of our welfare state. Those running IHC have ensured this is the only NGO with the type of conscience necessary to foist such corporate violence on to the people of New Zealand. They are despicable, greedy neo-liberal filth and must be stood up to.
+++many, Chris.
There is at least one young man who would be alive today were it not for that mob penny pinching on staff.
Always an interesting half hour spent on the Charities Commission website having a gander at their Annual Returns.
There’s GOLD in them there ills….
There was also an interesting wee bit of finagling done a few years back when a certain organisation was put into some kind of statutory management and, bugger me, if one of the top honchos was given a key role in the new management structure…very weird. I’d love to have to time to properly research and document that time.
However…what do I know…these are very clever people….
IHC will do a much better job.
“IHC will do a much better job.”
What? At cutting ‘expenditure’ and increasing ‘returns’….?
so you are saying that National has been doing a bad job then the last 8.5 years.
would it be time then to let go of Nick Smith, Paula Bennett and Bill English for failure to perform their task as per their job description? Or would you like your government big enough for these three useless bludgers?
IHC will gradually kick people out and turn them into group homes for people with intellectual disabilities. There is no other reason for them to buy those houses. General community housing provision isn’t part of what IHC does.
They’re experts at shitting on their employees so I’m sure they’ll have no problems doing the same to their tenants.
That’s what they’ll do, all right. No doubt about it. National Party toadies the lot of them. The hypocrisy of that organisation is gobsmacking.
I know some people here might bemoan me raising the example of Venezuela again but I am genuinely interested in how people on the left can explain how sugar production in that country has fallen so dramatically after it was nationalised in the early 2000’s. This is not just a one off event that can be explained by the effect of drought. It was a sustained declined over a period of years. Why couldn’t Venezuela keep sugar production at the levels it was when it was largely controlled privately?
http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-venezuela-imports-20160809-snap-story.html
Probably something to do with the abolition of slavery among cane cutters.Or perhaps loss of markets for having the temerity to nationalize a USA owned industry.
Do you have evidence it was US owned? By the way the market is Venezuela as they have bot been self sufficient in sugar. Therefore it shouldn’t matter what the US does market access wise. The nationalised sugar producers should have a captive domestic market. Why can’t it satisfy it?
Like you I manufactured an example to justify my argument.We all know the collapse of their economy relates to the collapse of the price of oil. They used the high oil returns to subsidize other industry and provide employment.
How did the price of oil dropping impact on them producing sugar for domestic consumption? Surely it should have made it more attractive to create sugar locally rather than spend scarce foreign exchange to import it.
Val’s the bomb. “A medal and I’m gonna celebrate…..!” What a champ’ ! You look at that and you look at the Fiji Sevens team and their humility. In world excellence……man ! That New Zealand is so naturally the populous part of the Pacific……makes me soooo proud. Guess that’s why I prefer South Aux over Remmers. And dare I say it……brown over…….
You prefer brown people to white people?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/discovery
One more step in the sff farms sale
Dumb and Dumber: Economist vs. WEF on Biggest Threats to Economy
And that is the big problem in today’s world. The so-called financial ‘experts’ are simply wrong about pretty everything.
funny how these ‘errors’ from financial gurus always benefit wall st. bankers
interesting how the establishment is crapping its pants over social media “the biggest threat to democracy” indeed!
According to her Doctor, Mrs. Clinton suffers from “Dementia, Seizures and Black-outs.”
http://halturnershow.com/images/HillaryMedicalRecords.jpg
Was discussing this with some American friends… they agree something is up
http://www.dangerandplay.com/2016/08/12/hillary-clinton-has-parkinsons-disease-physician-confirms/
This is so trumpish it’s not worthy of a reply…so I won’t.
I thought you would have a rather more sensitive bullshit detector, Ropata.
So who is Mike Cernovich? He’s an attorney who sells “fit juice” and declares himself to be an “alpha male.” He even has “alpha male posture building exercises” and appears to be rather obsessed with his testosterone level. Seriously, have you ever met anyone who claimed to be an “alpha male” who wasn’t a massive asshole? Oh, and he has another site showing people how to do “juice cleanses.”Best of all, he’d like to teach you “how to pick up hot chicks.” And how to find “legit friends” (the answer, apparently: be a major douchebag). And he’s here to offer “biblical wisdom on friendship,” including such revelatory statements as, “I am the first guy to both do another man a solid and the first guy to kick fuck-ups out of the crew.” Powerful stuff.He has a list of 31 things he’s sure you want to know more about him and there are some real gems like this:
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/dispatches/2014/09/15/ladies-and-gentlemen-mike-cernovich/
Thanks Joe 90. Boy! there are some nutters around.Worry that the 2nd amendment applies to them.
Yes and the nutters that ran the CIA ,both endorse Clinton and postulate
war crimes as policy.
https://theintercept.com/2016/08/09/ex-cia-chief-who-endorsed-clinton-calls-for-killing-iranians-and-russians-in-syria/
The lack of a signature makes it rather apparent the forgers hadn’t the wit to track down the actual letter from HRC’s quack.
But gullible fuckwits….
//
https://www.scribd.com/doc/273161694/Hillary-Clinton-2015-07-28-Statement-of-Health-Lisa-Bardack?secret_password=v1BRCCAGI7eXSAjlvwE1
Well well well….looks like Marama Fox is a hard right moral conservative. Homophobic, anti sex, anti abortion, anti women, anti this and anti that. Probably anti evolution as well,
No wonder she supports charter schools – they are perfect for religous indocrination centres.
You give Destiny Church one, and within a generation, you will see gays hanging from the lampposts of South Auckland.
Is Marama Fox a Manchurian candidate for the Destiny Church. We shall see..