Surely this sort of thing is discussed within Caucus, if it isn’t then it needs to be. The Sky City Deal is one of the major areas that Labour can really take it to National in 2014 (they probably still can), and given its importance I would have expected this group of four to have discussed it with their Leader. Would Helen have known?
and another article:
“David Shearer’s February reshuffle of his shadow Cabinet has, however, so far failed to create any sense of urgency that might suggest the party actually wants to govern.”
From National’s No 1 PR person…John Armstrong. But it has some truth to it.
I really feel for Tim Barnett, he has his work cut out the way the Labour caucus operates. Something is really missing, even you can’t deny that Te Reo.
On The Panel yesterday on RNZ, Chris Trotter made the point that Helen Clark would have been proactive on such an issue, foreseen the possible PR ramifications in advance and strongly warned her MPs against accepting such hospitality.
Well, maybe someone like Populuxe1 might laugh, and certainly that empty vessel Lisa Scott whinnied her assent. Jim Mora probably thought it was not funny, but being the diligent host he is, laughed dutifully and even encouraged the gang bang.
Moz, I thought it was mocking a cowardly accused rapist, not a political dissenter. Still, great that you know what goes on in Mora’s head, a career as a tv medium awaits you. You could style yourself the Host Whisperer.
Funnily enough, I was really impressed with Trotter’s contribution yesterday, particular the discussion around the Captain Cook pub. It’s a brave political commentator who’ll sing on live radio, but he did a fine job of it.
Moz, I thought it was mocking a cowardly accused rapist
Accused by whom? Certainly not by the two young women who were threatened and cajoled into going along with this utterly discredited attempt to lynch him. Certainly not by the women in Rape Crisis, who recognize a bogus rape claim when they see one. Certainly not by any of the world’s best journalists. Certainly not by anyone who has any knowledge of this case and is honest.
… not a political dissenter.
Ahhhh, so Julian Assange is NOT a political dissenter. Thanks for that. Is that choice piece of intelligence from the same book that says David Shearer IS doing a great job? (I note that you have been trying to fly that dead turkey a lot as well, recently.)
Still, great that you know what goes on in Mora’s head,
I am sure that Mora was thinking: Oh, my God, this pompous and unfunny twerp is a PRAT. But of course, as the jolly mein host of this party in Hell, he has to humour, even encourage, such prattery.
a career as a tv medium awaits you.
Sayyyy, I L-L-L-LIKE the sound of that.
You could style yourself the Host Whisperer.
Trouble is, the only thing I would whisper would be: “Time to retire, Jim/Larry (can I call you “Lackwit”?)/Leighton/Danny/Murray/Veitchy/Kerre/Jesse/Simon/Geoff…
Funnily enough, I was really impressed with Trotter’s contribution yesterday, particular the discussion around the Captain Cook pub.
It’s a brave political commentator who’ll sing on live radio, but he did a fine job of it.
If you like your melodies unmemorable, your singing flat and your guitar-playing about the proficiency of Sid Vicious as he’s coming down from a heroin jag, Chris Trotter is the man for you. If he had the talent, he might be one day as good as THIS BLOKE…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2CGHQrhCl8
“Certainly not by the women in Rape Crisis, who recognize a bogus rape claim when they see one.”
Morrissey, I assume you are talking about the group Women Against Rape. They have never said that the rape allegation was bogus, and it does your cause great disservice to keep insinuating that they did. Please stop.
Here is (part of) what they actually said –
Justice for an accused rapist does not deny justice for his accusers. But in this case justice is being denied both to accusers and accused.
The judicial process has been corrupted. On the one hand, the names of the women have been circulated on the internet; they have been trashed, accused of setting a “honey trap”, and seen their allegations dismissed as “not real rape”. On the other hand, Assange is dealt with by much of the media as if he were guilty, though he has not even been charged. It is not for us to decide whether or not the allegations are true and whether what happened amounts to rape or sexual violence – we don’t have all the facts and what has been said so far has not been tested. But we do know that rape victims’ right to anonymity and defendants’ right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty are both crucial to a just judicial process.
Swedish and British courts are responsible for how the women’s allegations have been handled. As with every rape case, the women are not in charge of the case, the state is.
Morrissey, I assume you are talking about the group Women Against Rape.
weka, thanks for tidying up my careless error—it was indeed Women Against Rape that, as with every other independent and non-partisan organization, pointed out the spuriousness of these allegations.
They have never said that the rape allegation was bogus, and it does your cause great disservice to keep insinuating that they did.
You are correct that the Women Against Rape organization did not use my blunt and undiplomatic language, but the meaning of their statement is perfectly clear: there is not, and never was, any merit to those charges against Julian Assange.
Please stop.
Fair enough: I did rather roughly paraphrase Women Against Rape’s condemnation of this witch-hunt.
“You are correct that the Women Against Rape organization did not use my blunt and undiplomatic language, but the meaning of their statement is perfectly clear: there is not, and never was, any merit to those charges against Julian Assange.”
It does no such thing – they have quite clearly indicated that both sides have been denied the justice of a trial. The confirmation bias is strong with this one, oy vey.
Why is it so hard for you to manage Assange as advocate for freedom of information and Assange as smug misogynist prick simultaneously? The two aren’t related.
It does no such thing – they have quite clearly indicated that both sides have been denied the justice of a trial. The confirmation bias is strong with this one, oy vey.
“Confirmation bias”? What nonsense. Women Against Rape in Sweden issued many statements condemning this witch-hunt, pointing out that it possibly endangers the credibility of real rape charges in future.
Why is it so hard for you to manage Assange as advocate for freedom of information and Assange as smug misogynist prick simultaneously?
There is no evidence he is misogynist. I note your use of the word “smug” as a replacement for “handsome”.
Chris Trotter is no fool. I not infrequently disagree with his conclusions myself (and his recent comparison of Dunne with Merlin was a bit bizarre), but he can express himself cogently. Plus his knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history is far more extensive than my own (certainly greater than Shearer’s, and he’s supposed to be its leader).
I tend to stay out of the Assange argument; people have their opinions and nothing I type is likely to change them. Though I do admire WikiLeaks itself, and leakers such as Manning. However, I would say that Assange can be both; a “political dissenter”, and; accused of unlawful sexual contact by non-use of condoms in Sweden (which is a fair way from the usual definition of; “rapist”): The two things are not mutually exclusive.
Also, if I thought the USA was keen to extradite me into one of its torture hell-holes for; an extended interrogation followed by a show trial, then I’d be holed up in whatever safe haven I could find myself! That’s more prudence than cowardice.
He certainly acted like a fool yesterday. But you’re right no doubt; the problem is not a lack of intellect, it’s a lack of integrity.
I not infrequently disagree with his conclusions myself (and his recent comparison of Dunne with Merlin was a bit bizarre), but he can express himself cogently.
“Haw haw haw haw haw! Give him a sun lamp!” is cogent, I guess. Unwittingly cogent, but a cogent demonstration of Trotter’s morality, as well as his dull sense of humour.
Plus his knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history is far more extensive than my own (certainly greater than Shearer’s, and he’s supposed to be its leader).
Barry Gustafson and Michael Bassett also have an extensive knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history. Just knowing things is one thing; having the courage to act morally is another.
The problem might be in hearing him on the Mora show where he strives to be less confrontational lest he be banned like Bomber.
Nobody expects him to be confrontational, certainly not as confrontational as Bomber. Trotter could simply have made the point that Assange is being persecuted and that his being forced to stay in the Ecuadorian Embassy is a grave violation of human rights. It is not a trivial or laughing matter, as those guffawing in that studio seemed to believe.
Also, if I thought the USA was keen to extradite me into one of its torture hell-holes for; an extended interrogation followed by a show trial, then I’d be holed up in whatever safe haven I could find myself! That’s more prudence than cowardice.
The only cowardice here was on the part of Chris Trotter, who apparently lacks the gumption to stand up and speak out against evil.
Your points are well made, Pasupial, and your moniker is intriguing.
I’m not denying there is a problem, Saarbo, just that Shearer doesn’t seem to be the kind to lie. Weak, bumbling and ineffective, yes, but mendacious, no.
Shearer is in an awful position. He doesn’t enjoy the support of the majority of his caucus (nobody else does either), he has many caucus members who clearly don’t give a flying one about the Labour party, it’s members or its values and he is likely to scrape in as winner of the next election when he should be enjoying Lange era leads in the polls.
I admire his determination to go on though, despite all the factors ranged against him. It takes a special kind of guy to be that lacking in competence, gravitas and authority and still retain the belief that he is the best option for leadership.
No, not really, micky. Just a sense of despair that we are saddled with a dozen or so self serving egotists when we need more MP’s who put the party and the people first.
You’ve got a good political instinct mate and have taught me a lot about Labour politics, but am also glad that you do see some of the same issues as I do, and how they are painfully playing out. The nation needs better.
“when he should be enjoying Lange era leads in the polls.”
There’s no “should” about it TRP. If he were better at his job he “would” be leading in the polls. He’s not, because nobody believes he’s good at his job.
And no, it’s not because the caucus aren’t very good at being led. That’s desperate mate.
“It takes a special kind of guy to be that lacking in competence, gravitas and authority and still retain the belief that he is the best option for leadership.”
Not at all. The world is full of deluded, incompetent egomaniacs. Could have picked any of a number of them to lead Labour but no, they had to especially import this one and gift him a seat ‘cos he’s just so frickin awesome.
“And no, it’s not because the caucus aren’t very good at being led. That’s desperate mate.”
Not actually what I said, but correct none the less. Most of these MP’s toed the line under Clark becuase she was better than them and they knew it. No so much under Goff and nothing close to respect under Shearer. There is nothing Shearer can do to them and they know it. And they will treat the party with contempt as well, for the same reason.
The irony being that Shearer would have made an excellent Cabinet Minister and could have taken the path of building his reputation and political credentials up over time.
CV – is there any agreement within your supporters here of whom could actually begin to have the leadership skills of which will need a very talented individual to take on the leadership of the Labour Party?
Not a trick question at all.
It is a given, NZ needs a strong opposition, at present we have nothing close to an opposition…. It is a party made up of factions, within factions of factions of factions…
Well, I can’t speak for anyone else but I am on record as being a Cunliffe supporter. At this stage going into 2014 I don’t particularly think it’s important that Cunliffe even be in a top 3 position, but he needs to be on the Front Bench and be given leeway to open up on the National Government, at will.
Now who knows if the following can work together on a personal basis but for gawds sakes they are supposed to be professionals so they should; I think that the top 5 or 6 need to work as a public facing leadership fire team scoring real political points and educating the public and the media, and in no particular order I would probably have:
As for who should be leading the party? It’s tempting to say “anyone but Shearer”, but basing choosing a leader on the basis that they’re “anyone but” someone else would be fucking retarded and look where it got Labour last time.
I do however remain of the opinion that there is no-one in the Labour caucus who could do a worse job than Shearer.
I do however remain of the opinion that there is no-one in the Labour caucus who could do a worse job than Shearer.
I’d disagree with that. I think there are a lot of people in Labour’s caucus that could do significant damage if they were leader. It’s the ones doing damage without being leader.
You mention that they should be able to work together. They are professionals.
In all honesty, the vast majority of the issue is that they just can’t work together. Please do tell and show me that they can in fact work together..
If Cunliffe was leader, there is no way that Robertson could work with him…
Helen Kelly Felix, could do a far worse job than Shearer, and thats being polite.
Someone within the running of Labour needs to bang some heads together and teach if it is possible that the team MUST work together, because it is quite the opposite…
You are all to involved to actually make the tough calls…. You cant tell me the hypocrisy of the last weeks antics are what you all believe in?
While I despise a couple of those – Robertson for being a gray apparatchik, Goff more seriously for being profoundly anti-democratic, I do appreciate their limited competence, provided that they don’t get too much influence.
I’ve met Helen Kelly, she helped me in a labour dispute, so yeah, whenever, wherever would be good. She’s a strong advocate (Hoots’ hissy fit and personal slur proves that).
Rhino – it’s no democratic socialist dream team as you correctly imply, but you have also seen to the truth that it is a Labour team which would incinerate National’s chances on E-Day into little smouldering cinders.
1. Any team will work well together when led well. Not the other way around.
2. You know nothing about Helen Kelly.
3. I’m not involved at all, thanks.
4. What hypocrisy? Aren’t Labour allowed to vote freely on legislation anymore?
5. You should be questioning National’s corruption and conflict of interest in this matter. They’re accepting gifts and favours from a company in who’s favour they are are passing laws.
But they will probably just keep on the same ol’ same ol’, and flush any chance of winning straight down the crapper just to keep Cunliffe off of the front bench.
The irony being that Shearer would have made an excellent Cabinet Minister and could have taken the path of building his reputation and political credentials up over time.
Got it in one CV. But the small bunch of self serving egotists had another agenda – one that had little to do with taking NZ to a better place, or respecting members and supporters. Indeed, they were doing David Shearer no favours by pushing him up to the top of the ladder before he had acquired the necessary political knowledge and experience. But of course that also goes back to that other agenda?
Until more recent times, I thought there was only an internal agenda mickysavage. That is, a contest for the top political jobs and the power trappings that go with them. But revelations over the past 8 months or so – and the past week or two in particular – strongly suggest there was an external component to that agenda as well. Am I not the only one who has suspicions…?
“Gotta keep the power out of the hands of the looney lefties, communists and democratic socialists…” that’s a Labour faction line that right wing writers will happily listen to.
@ mickysavage
Thanks for a timely reminder of an important Fran O’Sullivan link – more important than she would have known at the time.
When Lange rolled Bill Rowling he catapulted the infamous “fish and chip plotters” Sir Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble and Mike Moore to very senior roles, Lange reaffirmed his desire to be surrounded by politicians who were “surging in debate” and “active in the cause”.
And who exactly were Sir Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble and Mike Moore (perhaps) really working for – apart from being captive to a group of very rich NZers or ex NZers? In the end I think the external component of that political era also went a bit further than was immediately recognisable.
David Lange was taken for a ride. But I think he got his own back.
This is the reality which belies the “Anyone but Cunliffe” faction’s convenient claim that Phil Goff was seriously undermined by just one person, his finance spokesman.
A lie that I suspect is still being perpetrated… from external sources as well as some in the ABC caucus club.
Aye Anne. This particular allegation made it clear to me that there is something very wrong in the party. Because amongst other things the Goff was not able to recall the amount of tax income the CGT would produce in the first year that it actually did generate income. The figure had been available for months but there was a delay in releasing the tax policy because the PREFU figures had only just come out. The claim that sabotage happened by Cunliffe is not only clearly wrong but so wrong it has to be malicious.
@mickysavage
At the time you posted that blog there was a block of some sort and I coudn’t get into your site to read it. Reading it now it’s almost uncanny at how prophetic that post has proven to be:
The clear impression is that the sudden publicity surge behind a Shearer leadership campaign was orchestrated across the left and right wing. This is disturbing. Has New Zealand politics been reduced to a group of powerful people holding sway over different political parties and being able to exercise significant influence over them?
1. NZ politics has been reduced to a group of powerful people holding sway over different political parties… that is what I meant by the other agenda. And some of it (I’m sure) is coming from beyond NZ!
2. O’Sullivan’s claim of a return to the cloth-cap politics of old was frankly a crazy bit of ideological garbage with NO BASIS IN FACT. Could anyone – with even half a brain – in all honesty describe Helen Clark’s Labour govt as a return to cloth cap ideology?
That so many caucus members plus some (who should’ve known better) beyond the caucus fell for the nonsense still makes me wonder…
At the time I was told three reasons for the caucus’s supporting Shearer, two of which I remember, the other I’ve forgotten. One was that the media would be more friendly to Labour under Shearer, and another was that Labour would be more likely to win back the rural seats with Shearer at the helm. So far, I do not see where effort has gone into winning back the rural seats, and I guess the media may be more friendly in the sense of not actively setting out to visit ruin on them individually, apart from the badmouthing of Cunliffe in which they were complicit. The polls, however, have stayed exactly as they were under Goff, despite the shine having come off Key, despite rising unemployment and despite the attacks on the vulnerable having escalated quite dramatically.
The opacity of the Labour caucus, and the ferocity with which they attacked Cunliffe at the conference makes one suspect that they have agreed, with God knows who, to muzzle the left and maintain the current status quo, in exchange for God knows what. One assumes they must be trying to pull it off on the basis that if you make no commitments you cannot stand accused of betrayal.
This is a reply to Anne: It is possible then, that they have decided to do their masters’ bidding to insure themselves against attacks like the one on Aaron Gilmour, which would have the potential to close the relevant doors. Nothing to do with actually representing anyone. I read the catch cry “We must appeal to the middle class” as code for BAU. Essentially, it’s an argument that goes. We represent Labour. You cannot get anything more Labour than a Labour MP. Therefore, we must represent ourselves.
yes, thanks TRP. Incredibly frustrating for us supporters on the left, watching National introduce legislation daily that is increasing inequality and breaking down our communities and meanwhile our main representative party are acting like imbeciles, protecting their own little patches…they are certainly not going to be winning any Nelson Mandela awards for selflessness this lot.
Isolated this whole Sky City thing isn’t really a big deal. If Labour were a strong and credible Opposition they’d weather something like this easily and the whole thing would be forgotten in a day. The problem is that Labour isn’t strong or credible or anything like a worthy opposition. So when things like this come up highlighted is how completely pathetic Labour’s become. There’s no depth there whatsoever so the focus goes on the relatively minor and irrelevant things. And at the same time the government gets undue mileage out of comments like “deeply hypocritical”. Well, it’s not “deeply” hypocritical at all. Hypocritical, sure, and Shearer and his mates should have known better. But it shouldn’t signal the end of the world, like it has. Labour is currently so weak it can withstand very little. Key et al can say almost anything and they look ridiculous. All of this means one thing: David Shearer, how ever nice a guy he is, cannot continue as leader. Deep down I think he knows this himself.
Nah i am quite happy to watch everyone in caucus and on this site who supported Shearer – and his core cabal who were in that Sky City box – to just swing in a good cold wind for a few days yet.
You put him there people.
All he did was heartily encourage Shearer in person, recommend him to all his influential contacts, sing his praises all over the media for months on end and gleefully take part in the smear campaign against his opponents.
Grant? You naughty Roman Baiter Alanz. There is nothing funny about that bad joke.
Grant? The Grant that pushed unproven Shearer into the role to block Cunliffe?
Grant? The Grant who hand picked the incompetent staff in Shearer’s office?
Grant? The Grant who had Labour third to the Greens and the Nats in Wellington Central?
Grant? The Grant who has only ever worked inside the Beehive and who gets agrophobia when he leaves the environs?
Shearer has to be replaced immediately. But not by the Machiavellian who was instrumental in giving us a clear DUD and exacerbated the situation.
Grant and his mates did the numbers a few months back when Shearer had lower polls and pulled back. They are now awaiting the latest Roy Morgan figures gleefully.
The only person with the integrity, competence and public respect to be a SUCCESSFUL Labour Leader is David Cunliffe.
Apparently Key is concerned about the difficulty Kiwi’s future Mums and Dads are having participating in our home-owning democracy.
Perhaps if he was to legislate that residents only could own property.
Secondly legislate for a maximum of two houses (including the beach house) that any family, company or trust can own. That way the speculators would have to divest themselves of their portfolios and supply would far outstrip demand and sanity would return to the market.
Rationing property in areas where shortages exixt, such as Auckland, would make sense, and it would not stop property owners within the designated areas purchasing outside their areas if they wanted holiday homes somewhere.simply pass a law that anyone who owns one or more homes in a designated area cannot purchase any more.
Getting exixting exixting land landlords to divest themselves of their current portfolios, however desirable that may be, might nevertheless be problematic.
… sounds a bit brutal, and probably unjust, where landlords have previously purchased properties in good faith. Preventing them from purchasing further properties, however, would achieve the desired result of reducing demand.
“Haw haw haw haw haw!”
The humour-deficient Chris Trotter fails again The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 14 June 2013
Jim Mora, Lisa Scott, Chris Trotter
On Wednesday night’s edition of Backbenchers, horrified viewers witnessed the embarrassing spectacle of Labour List makeweight Sue Moroney bumbling her way through an excruciatingly inept attempt to formulate a coherent answer when Wallace Chapman asked her if she supported calls for New Zealand to offer asylum to “that American whistle-blower.”
Yesterday, long-suffering Panel listeners heard an unusually inane and depraved exchange about another dissenter being targeted for state vengeance. What is particularly interesting here is the behaviour of the pompous, unfunny, self-styled “leftist” Chris Trotter…..
MORA: What else have you got for us? SUSAN BALDACCI: Well, this latest study shows that we’re all a little bit paranoid. There are three kinds of paranoia, apparently— MORA: Three kinds of paranoia? SUSAN BALDACCI:[voice betraying slight edge of irritation] Y-y-y-y-yes.
She gives a brief survey of an article about paranoia she has just downloaded from the internet, and then the program takes a sinister turn….
SUSAN BALDACCI: Julian Assange is a little bit paranoid. MORA: Oh yes? Hur, hur, hur, hur! SUSAN BALDACCI: Yeah, he claims that being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, he is deprived of his human right of getting enough sun. MORA: Is it a human right to get enough sun? SUSAN BALDACCI: That’s what he claims! He claims that being not allowed to leave London is violating his “human rights”. MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha ha! CHRIS TROTTER: Haw haw haw haw haw! SUSAN BALDACCI: He thinks he should be allowed out of his Ecuador embassy hideout to sunbathe. MORA: He can get out on the balcony, where he gave that speech! LISA SCOTT: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! CHRIS TROTTER: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! Or get him a sun lamp! THAT’s what he needs! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha! SUSAN BALDACCI: He he he he he! TROTTER: I suspect the ambassador’s just sick of the sight of him! [Assumes wheedling mock-Hispanic accent] “Are you ever going to LEEEEAAAVE?” MORA: Oh that’s very good! Ha ha ha ha! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha! MORA: Sun lamp! Get him a sun lamp!!! LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha! MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! Back after the news!
Worse, Norman even asks whether China would appreciate that network’s influence here. Is he really saying we need to balance the interests of the intelligence networks of China and the Five Eyes network in our security policy?
Both are asking for an inquiry. Nowhere is either Norman or Shearer asking for a “public” inquiry.
I think Norman is talking about balancing NZ’s economic agreements with China and agreements with the US.
The Pacific is the 21st century playground of two superpowers, an imperial one well established and unparalled, and one just developing but without even a true deep water navy. It won’t pay to piss either one off.
And from what I have been reading these are completely autonomous just Program and go but there’s NO calling it back
“there’s no human pilot in constant control as there is with those, and once the jet is in the air there’s no way for human commanders to communicate with it.”
By the way, stories coming up on the net shows that US authorities have been preparing for the event of mass, multiple, civil unrest against the govt, for many years now. This explains the massive militarisation of local police forces. And they are prepared to use the armed forces, and not just the national guard, against US citizens.
BTW drones are critical in these plans in the event that military units in the field begin refusing orders.
Media Alert from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright : “Will THIS help stop the Auckland Draft Unitary Plan?”
_________________________________________________________
On what LAWFUL basis has the Auckland Council based this ‘mantra’ of an extra million people coming to Auckland over the next 30 years?
On what LAWFUL basis has the advice of Chief Planning Officer Dr. Roger Blakeley been followed, to use the Department of Statistics ‘high’ population growth projections, when they recommended using ‘medium’ population growth projections?
How come two key infrastructure providers, Watercare Services and Auckland Transport are using ‘medium’ population growth projections for their Auckland region asset management plans?
Petition 2011/ 64 of Penelope Bright, and Supplementary Evidence to support this Petition, are being considered as ‘Items of Business’ before the Social Services Select Committee.
Will this ‘throw a spanner in the works’ and help stop in its tracks, both the Auckland Draft Unitary Plan, and the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill?
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
Supplementary Evidence to support the above-mentioned Petition:
In my considered opinion, this evidence is damning and proves that lawful due process for the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, which the Auckland Unitary Plan is supposed to implement, has NOT been followed in a proper way.
I have requested, on the basis of this EVIDENCE, that the Social Services Select Committee do the following:
“14 a) Formally request that Auckland Council provide the following information that I have requested, and not been given, (or been able to find for myself in the Auckland Council Future Vision / Auckland Plan Committee minutes:
1) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Future Vision Committee meeting, (including the resolution number), which specifically resolved to take the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely on the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the DRAFT Auckland Spatial Plan ( the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document), for public discussion in March 2011.
(I note that if the Department of Statistics letter was dated 28 March 2011, and the only meetings of the Auckland Future Vision meetings were held on 1 March 2011, 7 March 2011, and 11 March 2011, it is unclear to me how Auckland Council elected representatives could have discussed this letter, and resolved to rely on the advice of Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer Dr Roger Blakeley to use their ‘high’ population growth projections, prior to release of the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document for public discussion in March 2011? )
2) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, in giving that advice, (for the DRAFT Auckland Spatial Plan ( the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document), for public discussion in March 2011.) and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
3) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Auckland Plan Committee meeting, and the resolution number, which specifically resolved to reconfirm their taking the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely upon the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the DRAFT Auckland Plan for consultation in September 2011
4) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which again confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, ( for the DRAFT Auckland Plan for consultation in September 2011) in giving that advice, and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
5) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Auckland Plan Committee meeting, (including the resolution number) , which specifically resolved to reconfirm their taking the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely on the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the FINAL Auckland Plan which was decided upon in March 2012.
6) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which again confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, in giving that advice, (for the FINAL Auckland Plan which was decided upon in March 2012) .and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
Only because the illustrious sucker-upper Soimun has recently expressed a feigned concern for the situation THAT IS STILL GOING ON – and as yet (1 year on), complaints that I’m aware of have still not received a response from that bugger’s muddle mixture of functions known as ‘MoBIE’.
The trick is for Immigration to TIE visas to specific employers – such that the employee gets royally ripped whilst being UTTERLY reliant on the good grace of the employer.
For those that resent all these bloody foreigners coming in here and talking ‘all our jobs’, I say we (read private tertiary institutions and others) should not have made false promises in the first place.
They might also consider that this is another way that wages and conditions are being driven DOWN for any/every worker.
That’s not to mention this wonderful ‘egalitarian’ country called Nu Zil’s reputation o’seas, that no doubt the instigators will be doing their very best to suck up to.
Actually, I’ve become aware of two additional instances. One reliant on prostitution to survive.
Should he/she actually get what was expected – they now have to come up with (or guarantee) that they have $15K in the bank (as proof that they can sustain their living without being a ‘burden’ on the Nu Zill tex-payer)
So having been ripped off 30 grand plus (and whilst they, and their family desperately try to repay that money), having attained degree (‘graduated’) from a private tertiary institution that promised the world, but who delivered no less than 5 different lecturers throughout a semester and has subsequently gone under (i.e. – out of business – no accountability – no means of recovery for services not delivered), they must now effectively sell themselves to get what was promised.
I’m angry!. VERY fucking angry! I just console myself knowing that the very people this government will soon/have already been trying to grovel to, have members in their family that are affected.
It’s a far better policy to just be upfront and honest
mmmm – the lack of any sort of response after 7 hours and 47 minute is pretty telling.
Maybe its because they’re only a few nargies and chinks!
I sometimes wonder about the ‘left’ – I mean I’ve given up wondering about the Labour Party, but the lack of any interest here is pretty telling on this issue.
Given 3 decades of conditioning though, I don;t suppose I should have expected anything else, though I lived in hope. I still keep asking myself – did I post this in the wrong place?
But then…just as I wonder sometimes about leaked reports and who ‘MIGHT be responsible’ (with some sort of limitation on a ‘tight 5). FUCK ME with a feather duster!
The bleeding obvious seems to be the least obvious, and that’s perhaps what many are relying on.
(If I wrote a report, of which I was both proud, but also concerned about FURTHER sanitisation, there might be various means by which I might ensure its contents were not going to be neutered further. I’d probably have to rely on friends and family, AND whoever was willing to assist).
I’m now expecting a load of (awe geez – but the timelines don;t quite fit, and all that sort of kaka).
I’m fucking glad the patriotic have already paid off their mortgages and are well placed to just fuckng retire and be shot of the bastards
Good stuff on Radionz this morning. One on lack of concern about investigating prior notice by FBI about 9/11 and the way they seem to be tied in knots by their own complex dealings. Also set up a whistleblowers association.
8:15 Sibel Edmonds: Sibel Edmonds is the publisher and editor of Boiling Frogs Post and the author of the 2012 memoir, Classified Woman: the Sibel Edmonds Story (ISBN: 978-0-61560-222-6). She has a MA in Public Policy and International Commerce from George Mason University, a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from George Washington University, and is the recipient of the 2006 PEN Newman’s Own First Amendment Award for her “commitment to preserving the free flow of information in the United States in a time of growing international isolation and increasing government secrecy”. http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/ http://www.classifiedwoman.com/
and a discussion that contains a lot of the words – “conspiracy theories”
11:05 Charles Pigden
Charles Pigden is Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy, University of Otago. He has published on a number of topics including Hume on Is and Ought, the ethics of Bertrand Russell, and conspiracy theories. http://www.otago.ac.nz/philosophy/Staff/charles_pigden.html
visiting speaker to the Royal Society –
9:05 Terry Speed
Professor Terry Speed is a world leader in bioinformatics and is regarded as one of Australia’s most important statisticians. His work has helped to identify areas of the human genome that contribute to cancer, genes that are vital for embryonic development and malaria proteins responsible for initiating infection in human red blood cells. Professor Speed is a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, was presented with the 2012 Thomson Reuter’s Citation Award and the 2012 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, and is visiting New Zealand as 2013 Distinguished Visitor for the Royal Society of New Zealand, presenting the talk, Understanding Epigenetics Through Mathematics, in Dunedin (18 June), Christchurch (19 June) and Wellington (20 June. http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/annual/distinguished-speaker/2013/
The Nation : The Sequel ae.
When Rachel (fine China Girl) Meets G.I Joe (that village idiot Guy).
Scene I.Act I.
Sour Milk.
Guy- Primary Industries growth outlook (otherwise fine); 7% year on year for the next four years.
-primarily dairying
Rachel- intensification, more land and irrigation.
Guy- evades intensification outcomes enquiry.
PRISM
-phone logs, locations, times. Gamma Group of Companies
Dr. Peter Gutmann, AU
-gmail-everything you have sent, Facebook, GMail, Twitter
-meta-data = information about communications
-and may not require warrants regarding the “whos, when, and wheres”.
-Google’s income is from selling data about you.
-loyalty cards; an anecdotal example of the local Warehouse (Target) knowing your daughter is pregnant before you do through data-mining.
Dr.Norman
-China views 5 Eyes with anxiety
-Key; has broken compact made with the electorate, post-Brash
-‘rule of law’ undermined-The Law Society, Geddis et al;
-“never been to a corporate box- not a good look for a politician”.
the erudite Colin James
-this govt. give less attention to due process than Muldoons.
-Sky corporate box nonesense is damaging for Labour.
-Gordon John Thompsen
-‘tested’ the ‘waters’ how Shearer is held, and it is unlikely he will be changed.
-Russell Norman “the Leader of The Opposition”.
-Key’s shine is (still) coming off, showing vulnerabilities; SOME CONSERVATIVES in the PARTY HAVING DOUBTS ABOUT HIM!
Media3
(that Jose Babosa is xtatically funny).
Ben Gracewood- Computer Programmer
-“we should be worried about changes to GCSB, etc”.
Adam Boileau- Internet Security Specialist
-“the collection of LOCATION data is not given enough scrutiny to” (implications).
now this is the really sad part,
“these kids living their lives through Facebook and Google+ (sexting etc) are gonna get to 30 and regret it”. Maybe Sam will come round about then…
“Sola! Livy I exHume”,
serio-comically fastgates
a Harmony of The Gospels
to a Bashful Bright-Eyes
coyote with far-away eyes
Staid ’round the perimeter
Wantonly set aloft
Combinations understudied pointedly
for Drole verbal effect.
Akitio
C3
(some are fated to live post-humourously).
niche
Nichrome
nick
nickel
and
so
on
down
the
page
to nicol
and nicotian.
“DoD might be forced by circumstances to put its broad resources at the disposal of civil authorities to contain and reverse violent threats to domestic tranquility. Under the most extreme circumstances, this might include use of military force against hostile groups inside the United States. Further, DoD would be, by necessity, an essential enabling hub for the continuity of political authority in a multi-state or nationwide civil conflict or disturbance.”
The people in charge want to stay in charge – no matter which side of the peak oil/climate change/debt deflation discussion is proven right in the future.
from Genesis to Revelation: “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness”
Jesus Christ and The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Read the comments? “The most important article this year”. Excellent page-turning my friend; things are really going to speed up now,oil shortages possible by 2015! the Snowden revelations just the beginning. Some of the comments assert that the States will not be able to maintain order for long. Are you going to frisbee the article all over the show, being well-connected and all that. I am only a writer 😉 yet I know I’m under soft surveillance.
My friend, it is always a pleasure. Many people from all walks of life are glancing askance at the cognitive dissonance they are experiencing. A five year recession with barely a hint of a rebound? Growth is coming tomorrow (reminds me about the joke at the pub – free beer tomorrow). Bailouts and the needles of austerity sucking over and over, yet banking and sovereign debt crises continue to cascade? History returning to Europe – even in the “advanced” “civilised” nations of Western Europe. Spain, Greece, Italy, Sweden.
For now not much is said out loud amongst “polite company” (remarking that our civilisation is probably all the way up shit creek without a paddle usually kills the dinner party conversation), but trust me more than a few “ordinary Kiwis” (and I do mean “ordinary”) are paying at least some attention. As usual our political parties are intent on being followers not leaders.
The US will be a powerful and influential nation for many many years to come, and I am not under any illusion: the nation remains a source of innovation, courage and inspiration for the world: not because of the example of it’s recent authorities and leaders, but due to the example set by some of its finest citizens. Young Americans who not only know right from wrong, but are willing to put their lives on the line for their peers and for people they have never met, even when they know that many of them will never thank them but think them cowardly disloyal enemies of their home country.
A few men by the name of Washington, Jefferson and Adams…they too were branded as gutless traitors.
NB there is also a path of independent states that the USA can follow in the future. The deep south may decide that it prefers to go it’s own way as might the liberal coastal areas. And Texas will be quite relieved to be Texas by itself, once again, a condition that it lost only in 1845.
The answers to the near future of the human race lie not in ever increasing technology and complexity, fun filled as that is, but in returning from the limits of globalisation and mass consumption to the resilience of localisation, of human understanding kinship and meaning.
And as you point out, much of the knowledge is already there in old but not-quite-forgotten traditions and stories, ones which rest almost unseen, patiently and unobtrusively. Like a gold coin forgotten in an old coat pocket, always ready to be found as a pleasant surprise, no notice necessary.
John Michael Greer has previously suggested that a mix of cultural similarities and economic viability will be what is needed to decide what independent states (or groups of independent states) could form into their own countries.
while I assume we’re doubling-up does the rider continue the purple sage In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida where can be found knowledge and life safely or does he rest in the Fortress of Solitude.
(I have remained puzzled whether to personally identify with TGF’s school-days allusion or whether they were slinging to some other Hero of The Day).
Anyway, neighbours are all Kahungunu, Tuhoe or *Rangimarie* variations.
(I tells ya Viper et al; once I’m in touch with the words from these keyboards it Is Spooky; gotta be the fields). At least the cafe gets me out in the world of fresh air.
It must be the liberalism exceeding ACT Party narrow mindedness that drives the Standard to allow them to advertise here, but hey, we are open and tolerant, are they though, and is Banks the same?
For a better atmosphere and tune turn to this, life is so sad and depressing we all need a cheerful break I suppose, enjoy:
I, Colin McCahon, Witi Ihimaera, Janet Frame, and any number of NZ cultural practicioners past, present and future thank you for your support and enthusiasm, CV – you can fuck off too
Yes, I was absolutely right, Populuxe1, when I wrote “more culture than down under”, wasn’t I?
There came you, “down under” my last post or comment above, and you displayed a lack of culture by throwing a slightly abusive comment back at me. I may have foreseen it, hey.
But I may forgive you. We do all turn “mad” at times, whatever that word means, so welcome to the rest of the “mad club” – with fluctuating membership.
By the way, I f*** off-shore every night, via the internet that is.
I ran across a recent essay from The Brothers Krynn, which attempts to map common horror monsters onto the Seven Deadly Sins: https://canadianculturecorner.substack.com/p/horror-monsters-and-vice My interest, however, is not in the meat of the piece, but rather the opening paragraph: It is an interesting fact that in recent decades, Vampires have ...
Buzz from the Beehive Transport Minister Simeon Brown dutifully issued advice to all road users to keep safe on our roads during the Easter weekend. He encouraged them to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. ...
Oliver Hartwich writes – New Zealanders recently learned about a new feature film. It will be about former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern – and taxpayers will subsidise it to the tune of NZ$800,000. Ardern had nothing personally to do with either the film or the subsidy. But her government’s ...
TL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above that was recorded yesterday afternoon above between and The Kākā’s climate correspondent : An independent review panel into the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawkes Bayconcluded “that ...
There are now only a few days left to give feedback on the Draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport 2024-34 (see our earlier post this week on GPS submission guides). As we’ve reported, the GPS is a disaster for Local Government, so we were particularly interested to hear ...
Willis has pledged to go ahead with the debt-funded tax cuts, despite growing opposition from her own supporters worried about appearing fiscally irresponsible. 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 ...
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
In 2015, then-Prime Minister John Key announced plans for a huge ocean sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands, banning fishing and mining from 15% of Aotearoa's EEZ. It was bold, it was ambitious, and it suggested that National might actually care about the environment. Except they fucked it up: Key failed ...
1. Who has just been given the accolade New Zealander of the Year?a. The Kokakob. The Cook Strait Ferryc. Fair God. Dr Jim Salinger 2. Which of these is an affront to decent society?a. Dame Edna Everageb. Mrs Doubtfire c. Dr. Frank-N-Furterd. Brian 3. Who is Penny Simmonds?a. The aspiring actress in Big ...
New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure.The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On the face of it, the court found ...
Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Former Finance Minister Grant Robertson and former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins have been conveying how unhappy they are with the tax system. Last week in his valedictory speech, Robertson called for the introduction of a wealth or capital gains tax. And this week Hipkins ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
Bryce Edwards writes – When she was campaigning to be Minister of Finance last year, Nicola Willis pledged that she would resign from the job if she failed to deliver tax cuts in her first Budget. Now, it’s that pledge, along with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s ...
Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
The furore. In case you didn’t notice there was a controversy in the weekend involving dolphins in a little town off the South Island. Don’t panic, they haven’t declared independence and resumed whaling, this was simply a sailing event.The problem began when racing was cancelled on the opening day of ...
For 20 years or more, the case for a meaningful capital tax gains has been mulled over and analysed to death, including by the tax working group chaired by Sir Michael Cullen. More than once, the International Monetary Fund has said a CGT would be a good idea for New ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: The Public Health Communications Centre (PHCC) call for urgent preventive action and a risk assessment survey of long covid in this briefing noteLocal scoop: NZ road deaths surpass OECD rates, so why is the govt reversing safety plans? ...
This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. This story is part of a collaboration with Grist and WABE to demystify the Georgia Public Service Commission, the small but powerful state-elected board that makes critical decisions about everything from raising ...
This is a guest post from Robert McLachlan Global warming is accelerating; 2023 was off the charts. We need to stop burning fossil fuels. In New Zealand, transport accounts for half of all fossil fuels burnt. In the Emissions Reduction Plan, transport emissions fall 41% by 2035. As the ...
Labour productivity has been receding rapidly over the past two years, reversing a post-lockdown rise. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy as at 6:26am on Tuesday, March 26 include:Workers have been treading water in output per hour worked for 12 years, ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 2 include:Today, Parliament resumes sitting at 2pm for the second week of a two-week session. Officials for SIS and GCSB report their annual reviews in public to the Intelligence and Security Select Committee from 5.10pm.Tomorrow, ...
Faced with a barrage of criticism over the promised tax cuts from usually supportive commentators, Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday reaffirmed her intention to include them in this year’s Budget. The Government is up against it over the cuts just about every way it turns. Commentators like Fran O’Sullivan, Matthew ...
Here’s my pick of today’s substack posts as of 6:26pm on Monday, March 25: writes via his substack that Market-rate housing will make your city cheaper writes via his substack about the problems talking to double-cab ute (truck) drivers about their vehicles. today about moments of radicalisation in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Just before Christmas, Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered something that was pitched as a mini-budget and brayed about the decisive action being taken to repair the Government books and support income tax relief in Budget 2024. In a statement headed Fiscal repair job underway. she introduced ...
My sister Belinda asked Dad yesterday what one word would describe Mum best. He said: vivacious.If you only knew her from the photos on the slideshow we've made for today,you might wonder about that, because the camera tended to lie with Mum.If ever she saw a camera pointed at her, she ...
There are two major public consultations closing in the next week, Auckland Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP), and the draft Government Policy Statement on Land Transport (GPS). Closing dates and times: LTP closes Thursday 28 February, at 11.59pm – a minute to midnight! GPS closes Tuesday 2 April, at 12pm noon – note that’s ...
From Kiwiblog’s David Farrar – Bryce Wilkinson writes: Senior Fellow Bryce Wilkinson’s analysis reveals that since March 2009, New Zealand has spent $158 billion more overseas than it has earned, but its NIIP has only fallen by $32 billion.Statistics New Zealand shows that receipts from overseas reinsurers have ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition? Brian Easton writes – The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could ...
Dear Nicola Willis,Right now you’ve probably got lots of competing demands coming at you. Ministers who’ve inherited quite a mess, or so you’ve told us, looking for money in the budget to improve things. I imagine that’s why they came to parliament - to make things better.You’ll have to make ...
The Local Government, Transport and Auckland Minister hasthreatened councils with intervention if they don’t merge water assets to take them off balance sheet, just as the now-repealed Three Waters plan directed. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things of note this morning for Monday, March 25 include:Simeon ...
A listing of 36 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 17, 2024 thru Sat, March 23, 2024. Story of the week Thanks to John Mason having the stamina to sit down to watch "Climate - the Movie" ...
This morning the Q&A programme had Simeon Brown on to talk about National’s replacement for Three Waters. In case anyone’s forgotten the three are - drinking water, waste water, and sewerage. It’s quite important not to get them mixed up. In much the same way that you wouldn’t want to ...
Today’s newsletter comes with a mini-podcast conversation between me and my buddy Liv Tennet, talking about her time as a child actor in Lord of the Rings. It’s a conversation with a lot of giggles as she talks about falling off a horse, and becoming a meme. Read ...
The Desmog Climate Disinformation Database documents, "individuals and organisations that have helped to delay and distract the public and our elected leaders from taking needed action to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and fight global warming." It's a who's who of the organised climate change denial movement, in other words. In ...
Bob Edlin writes – A High Court judge has decided miscreants who have mana – or who claim to have mana – should be treated differently from miscreants who have none. It’s a ruling that suggests indigenous law-breakers have a better chance of securing a discharge without conviction ...
Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
Roger Partridge writes – My earlier column this month, New Zealand’s highest court could be facing a turning point, prompted a flood of feedback from business readers and lawyers alike. A common query was what Parliament can do to restrain an overreaching judiciary. This week I discuss two steps Parliament ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.16pm on Friday, March 22: writes about New Zealand's Building Boom—And What the World Must Learn From It over at his substack. challenges the Auckland Council’s use of a 3.8 degrees of warming forecast to oppose a wave-park and data centre project ...
Is she hinting that the Coalition Government will have to back down on key promises it made in Opposition?The Minister of Finance, Nicola Willis, is telling an evolving story about her fiscal challenges. In Opposition she was confident that she could deliver her promised income tax cuts. Appointed minister, she ...
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers of the Crown have drawn attention to one sector of the science sector which is unlikely to be subjected to heavy spending cuts, a state-funded broadcaster which is doing nicely, thank you, and a sporting event that had $5.4 million from the public purse puffed ...
Abbott’s Freestyle Libre sensors allow continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The sensor is applied to the back of the patient’s arm, with a thin filament under the skin measuring glucose levels constantly. But it costs around $100 per sensor and must be replaced once every 14 days. Photo by BSIP/Universal Images ...
The Inspector General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) recently released a report in which he exposes the existence of a foreign intelligence partner-controlled technological “capability” inside the headquarters of the GCSB, NZ’s 5 Eyes-affiliated signals intelligence collection and analysis agency. … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
The sweet kisses from fruit of summerHave slowly been turning dullerYou say, "those times"And "remember the daysWhen we went outside and there still was the shade?"Taking no reason into play…Autumn. Clear, blue days shortening to longer nights, growing colder. Aotearoa.That’s us. The temperature dropping, the looming car crash - so ...
Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
COMMENTARY:By Ronny Kareni Since the atrocious footage of the suffering of an indigenous Papuan man reverberates in the heart of Puncak by the brute force of Indonesia’s army in early February, shocking tactics deployed by those in power to silence critics has been unfolding. Nowhere is this more evident ...
Analysis - Nicola Willis is holding firm on tax cuts despite the economic outlook being worse than forecast and critics urging her to wait, writes Peter Wilson for The Week In Politics. ...
Opposition MPs and unions are criticising a proposal by New Zealand’s Ministry of Pacific Peoples to cut staff by 40 percent. The country’s largest trade union — The Public Service Association — says the ministry has informed staff that it is looking to shed 63 of 156 positions. Opposition MPs ...
A poem by Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook 2024 featured poet Carin Smeaton. Daughtr of the 90s when she gets promoted to usherette a baby blu eel carries her all the way up to mothership she’s hovering high she lets the underaged in to see keanu reeves she lets the only lonely ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin, trained as an economic historian, is a retired lecturer in Economics and Statistics. He lives in Auckland, New Zealand. My earlier article – Can ‘Good’ be the Greater Evil? – looked at the issue of how wars should end, and how Good versus Evil ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 AMMA by Saraid de Silva (Moa Press, $38)A stunning debut novel reviewed by Brannavan ...
From Steve Martin to Ricky Stanicky, a pick’n’mix of things worth watching and listening to this long weekend. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If you’re at a loss for something to occupy yourself with this Easter, don’t panic: The Spinoff’s got ...
Jesus had dinner with his 12 disciples right before he died. Noted historian Madeleine Chapman finds out who really deserved to be there.First published in 2018 but let’s be honest, the subject is timeless. As you sit on your couch this Easter Sunday, eating a chocolate egg you know ...
The newly-promoted Northern League club is on a mission to return to the National League for the first time in two decades. Plenty about domestic football in New Zealand has changed in that time – but the sense that this amateur competition is not an entirely level playing field remains. ...
Comment: Every year on February 2, a dozen men in tuxedos and top hats approach the burrow of a groundhog in Gobbler’s Knob, Pennsylvania and entice the beaver-like rodent to emerge and predict the weather. If the groundhog, named Punxsutawney Phil, sees its own shadow when it is summoned, legend ...
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Auckland Council has put a deadline on new weather-impacted property owners applying for categorisation as government funding looks set to run out. Councillors have voted to support a deadline of September 30 for property owners who haven’t accessed support to come forward and engage with the council’s recovery office. It ...
NONFICTION 1 BBQ Economics by Liam Dann (Penguin Random House, $40) “It’s official,” wrote Dann nine days ago in the Herald, where he works as business editor at large, “we’re in recession.” Yeah, great. He delivered the bad stats: “GDP fell 0.1 percent in the December 2023 quarter, compared with ...
By Anneke Smith, RNZ News political reporter A petition urging the New Zealand government to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people has been tabled in the House. More than 200 people gathered on Parliament’s forecourt today and they were met by MPs from Labour, the Greens and Te ...
Pacific Media Watch The Paris-based global media freedom watchdog RSF (Reporters Without Borders) has appealed for information about the “disappearance” of Palestinian journalist Bayan Abusultan. She was reportedly last seen on March 19 among people “sequestered” in this week’s raid and siege of Al Shifa hospital by Israeli troops in ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
COMMENTARY:Jewish Voice for Peace The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday — and for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians, the United States abstained rather than vetoing it. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, ...
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
Finance minister Nicola Willis delivers her first budget statement, and unwittingly helps Joel MacManus save his relationship. Nicola Willis strode into the Beehive Theatrette. Around me, on the green foldout seats, were the country’s top business and political journalists. They were all here to see her announce the Budget Policy ...
Twenty years ago today, Māori Television launched after much controversy. Jamie Tahana looks back on its survival and impact across two decades. Chad Chambers stepped onto the stage, the brim of his cap casting a shadow across his face. His smile beamed as bright as his white freezing works gumboots, ...
Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellsford, Onehunga, Westhaven marina – Gavin Strawhan walks the meanish streets of New Zealand in his entertaining debut novel The Call, almost sure to roar into the number 1 position on the Nielsen bestseller chart, its front cover bearing a rave from somebody: “A really good and genuinely ...
On a Thursday in February, at Wellington’s Conservation House, the Conservation Authority, a statutory body advising the eponymous department and minister, Tama Potaka, opened its 195th meeting. Under consideration that afternoon was an agenda item written by Tim Bamford, chief advisor in the Department of Conservation’s biodiversity, heritage and visitors ...
Oh dear . . . – – – . . .
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/260944/key-labour-guilty-deep-hypocrisy
Calling Grant Robertson . . . – – – . . .
S O S . . . – – – . . .
Time for regime change . . . – – – . . .
S O S . . . – – – . . .
“He said he did not know his colleagues were being hosted by SkyCity until he got there. ”
Quote from David Shearer in Dom Post.
Is this believable?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/8797168/MPs-warned-over-corporate-box-invite
Last sentence.
Is this believable?
Yes.
Surely this sort of thing is discussed within Caucus, if it isn’t then it needs to be. The Sky City Deal is one of the major areas that Labour can really take it to National in 2014 (they probably still can), and given its importance I would have expected this group of four to have discussed it with their Leader. Would Helen have known?
and another article:
“David Shearer’s February reshuffle of his shadow Cabinet has, however, so far failed to create any sense of urgency that might suggest the party actually wants to govern.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10890620
From National’s No 1 PR person…John Armstrong. But it has some truth to it.
I really feel for Tim Barnett, he has his work cut out the way the Labour caucus operates. Something is really missing, even you can’t deny that Te Reo.
On The Panel yesterday on RNZ, Chris Trotter made the point that Helen Clark would have been proactive on such an issue, foreseen the possible PR ramifications in advance and strongly warned her MPs against accepting such hospitality.
Chris Trotter is a fool. If he had a sense of humour, it might help. Unfortunately, putting on faux-Mexican voices and mocking political dissenters is not humorous….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15062013/#comment-648684
Well, maybe someone like Populuxe1 might laugh, and certainly that empty vessel Lisa Scott whinnied her assent. Jim Mora probably thought it was not funny, but being the diligent host he is, laughed dutifully and even encouraged the gang bang.
Moz, I thought it was mocking a cowardly accused rapist, not a political dissenter. Still, great that you know what goes on in Mora’s head, a career as a tv medium awaits you. You could style yourself the Host Whisperer.
Funnily enough, I was really impressed with Trotter’s contribution yesterday, particular the discussion around the Captain Cook pub. It’s a brave political commentator who’ll sing on live radio, but he did a fine job of it.
Moz, I thought it was mocking a cowardly accused rapist
Accused by whom? Certainly not by the two young women who were threatened and cajoled into going along with this utterly discredited attempt to lynch him. Certainly not by the women in Rape Crisis, who recognize a bogus rape claim when they see one. Certainly not by any of the world’s best journalists. Certainly not by anyone who has any knowledge of this case and is honest.
… not a political dissenter.
Ahhhh, so Julian Assange is NOT a political dissenter. Thanks for that. Is that choice piece of intelligence from the same book that says David Shearer IS doing a great job? (I note that you have been trying to fly that dead turkey a lot as well, recently.)
Still, great that you know what goes on in Mora’s head,
I am sure that Mora was thinking: Oh, my God, this pompous and unfunny twerp is a PRAT. But of course, as the jolly mein host of this party in Hell, he has to humour, even encourage, such prattery.
a career as a tv medium awaits you.
Sayyyy, I L-L-L-LIKE the sound of that.
You could style yourself the Host Whisperer.
Trouble is, the only thing I would whisper would be: “Time to retire, Jim/Larry (can I call you “Lackwit”?)/Leighton/Danny/Murray/Veitchy/Kerre/Jesse/Simon/Geoff…
Funnily enough, I was really impressed with Trotter’s contribution yesterday, particular the discussion around the Captain Cook pub.
It’s a brave political commentator who’ll sing on live radio, but he did a fine job of it.
If you like your melodies unmemorable, your singing flat and your guitar-playing about the proficiency of Sid Vicious as he’s coming down from a heroin jag, Chris Trotter is the man for you. If he had the talent, he might be one day as good as THIS BLOKE….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2CGHQrhCl8
And now for a word from the real world…
And now for a word from the real world…
No, I’m sorry, my friend, but gnomish utterances ain’t gonna get it done for you.
I’m not your friend, buddeh!
I’m not your friend, buddeh!
I’ve been called some choice things in my time, but having the title “Buddah” bestowed on me is taking things to a new level, I have to say.
“Buddah”.
Imagine the joy!
Well, now we know three things about Morrissey.
1: he doesn’t watch South Park; and
2: he sees no difference between “A” and “E”; and
3: he can’t spell “Buddha”.
Well, now we know three things about Morrissey.
1: he doesn’t watch South Park; and
I do, actually. In fact, one of the unkinder souls on this forum recently compared me to Cartman.
2: he sees no difference between “A” and “E”; and
3: he can’t spell “Buddha”.
In fact, I can even spell it in Japanese….
仏
Cartman? Nah.
Tweak.
Rape Culture at work…
“Certainly not by the women in Rape Crisis, who recognize a bogus rape claim when they see one.”
Morrissey, I assume you are talking about the group Women Against Rape. They have never said that the rape allegation was bogus, and it does your cause great disservice to keep insinuating that they did. Please stop.
Here is (part of) what they actually said –
Justice for an accused rapist does not deny justice for his accusers. But in this case justice is being denied both to accusers and accused.
The judicial process has been corrupted. On the one hand, the names of the women have been circulated on the internet; they have been trashed, accused of setting a “honey trap”, and seen their allegations dismissed as “not real rape”. On the other hand, Assange is dealt with by much of the media as if he were guilty, though he has not even been charged. It is not for us to decide whether or not the allegations are true and whether what happened amounts to rape or sexual violence – we don’t have all the facts and what has been said so far has not been tested. But we do know that rape victims’ right to anonymity and defendants’ right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty are both crucial to a just judicial process.
Swedish and British courts are responsible for how the women’s allegations have been handled. As with every rape case, the women are not in charge of the case, the state is.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/23/women-against-rape-julian-assange
Morrissey, I assume you are talking about the group Women Against Rape.
weka, thanks for tidying up my careless error—it was indeed Women Against Rape that, as with every other independent and non-partisan organization, pointed out the spuriousness of these allegations.
They have never said that the rape allegation was bogus, and it does your cause great disservice to keep insinuating that they did.
You are correct that the Women Against Rape organization did not use my blunt and undiplomatic language, but the meaning of their statement is perfectly clear: there is not, and never was, any merit to those charges against Julian Assange.
Please stop.
Fair enough: I did rather roughly paraphrase Women Against Rape’s condemnation of this witch-hunt.
Morrissey:
“You are correct that the Women Against Rape organization did not use my blunt and undiplomatic language, but the meaning of their statement is perfectly clear: there is not, and never was, any merit to those charges against Julian Assange.”
It does no such thing – they have quite clearly indicated that both sides have been denied the justice of a trial. The confirmation bias is strong with this one, oy vey.
Why is it so hard for you to manage Assange as advocate for freedom of information and Assange as smug misogynist prick simultaneously? The two aren’t related.
It does no such thing – they have quite clearly indicated that both sides have been denied the justice of a trial. The confirmation bias is strong with this one, oy vey.
“Confirmation bias”? What nonsense. Women Against Rape in Sweden issued many statements condemning this witch-hunt, pointing out that it possibly endangers the credibility of real rape charges in future.
Why is it so hard for you to manage Assange as advocate for freedom of information and Assange as smug misogynist prick simultaneously?
There is no evidence he is misogynist. I note your use of the word “smug” as a replacement for “handsome”.
The two aren’t related.
Good. You’ve said something that makes sense.
That is encouraging.
@ Morrissey
Chris Trotter is no fool. I not infrequently disagree with his conclusions myself (and his recent comparison of Dunne with Merlin was a bit bizarre), but he can express himself cogently. Plus his knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history is far more extensive than my own (certainly greater than Shearer’s, and he’s supposed to be its leader).
The problem might be in hearing him on the Mora show where he strives to be less confrontational lest he be banned like Bomber (I don’t tune in often myself). His blogs on The Daily Blog often come at things from angles I’d not previously considered. He had some interesting things to say on Citizen A this week (and no faux-Mexican voices). Link: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/06/13/citizen-a-martyn-bradbury-chris-trotter-david-slack-on-dunne-prism-gi-evictions/
@TRP
I tend to stay out of the Assange argument; people have their opinions and nothing I type is likely to change them. Though I do admire WikiLeaks itself, and leakers such as Manning. However, I would say that Assange can be both; a “political dissenter”, and; accused of unlawful sexual contact by non-use of condoms in Sweden (which is a fair way from the usual definition of; “rapist”): The two things are not mutually exclusive.
Also, if I thought the USA was keen to extradite me into one of its torture hell-holes for; an extended interrogation followed by a show trial, then I’d be holed up in whatever safe haven I could find myself! That’s more prudence than cowardice.
Chris Trotter is no fool.
He certainly acted like a fool yesterday. But you’re right no doubt; the problem is not a lack of intellect, it’s a lack of integrity.
I not infrequently disagree with his conclusions myself (and his recent comparison of Dunne with Merlin was a bit bizarre), but he can express himself cogently.
“Haw haw haw haw haw! Give him a sun lamp!” is cogent, I guess. Unwittingly cogent, but a cogent demonstration of Trotter’s morality, as well as his dull sense of humour.
Plus his knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history is far more extensive than my own (certainly greater than Shearer’s, and he’s supposed to be its leader).
Barry Gustafson and Michael Bassett also have an extensive knowledge of the Kiwi Left’s history. Just knowing things is one thing; having the courage to act morally is another.
The problem might be in hearing him on the Mora show where he strives to be less confrontational lest he be banned like Bomber.
Nobody expects him to be confrontational, certainly not as confrontational as Bomber. Trotter could simply have made the point that Assange is being persecuted and that his being forced to stay in the Ecuadorian Embassy is a grave violation of human rights. It is not a trivial or laughing matter, as those guffawing in that studio seemed to believe.
Also, if I thought the USA was keen to extradite me into one of its torture hell-holes for; an extended interrogation followed by a show trial, then I’d be holed up in whatever safe haven I could find myself! That’s more prudence than cowardice.
The only cowardice here was on the part of Chris Trotter, who apparently lacks the gumption to stand up and speak out against evil.
Your points are well made, Pasupial, and your moniker is intriguing.
I’m not denying there is a problem, Saarbo, just that Shearer doesn’t seem to be the kind to lie. Weak, bumbling and ineffective, yes, but mendacious, no.
Shearer is in an awful position. He doesn’t enjoy the support of the majority of his caucus (nobody else does either), he has many caucus members who clearly don’t give a flying one about the Labour party, it’s members or its values and he is likely to scrape in as winner of the next election when he should be enjoying Lange era leads in the polls.
I admire his determination to go on though, despite all the factors ranged against him. It takes a special kind of guy to be that lacking in competence, gravitas and authority and still retain the belief that he is the best option for leadership.
Do I sense a changed opinion TRP?
No, not really, micky. Just a sense of despair that we are saddled with a dozen or so self serving egotists when we need more MP’s who put the party and the people first.
You’ve got a good political instinct mate and have taught me a lot about Labour politics, but am also glad that you do see some of the same issues as I do, and how they are painfully playing out. The nation needs better.
Cheers, CV. In the long run, we will get our party back. Just wish it was sooner. Anyhoo, footy beckons. Catch ya later.
“when he should be enjoying Lange era leads in the polls.”
There’s no “should” about it TRP. If he were better at his job he “would” be leading in the polls. He’s not, because nobody believes he’s good at his job.
And no, it’s not because the caucus aren’t very good at being led. That’s desperate mate.
“It takes a special kind of guy to be that lacking in competence, gravitas and authority and still retain the belief that he is the best option for leadership.”
Not at all. The world is full of deluded, incompetent egomaniacs. Could have picked any of a number of them to lead Labour but no, they had to especially import this one and gift him a seat ‘cos he’s just so frickin awesome.
“And no, it’s not because the caucus aren’t very good at being led. That’s desperate mate.”
Not actually what I said, but correct none the less. Most of these MP’s toed the line under Clark becuase she was better than them and they knew it. No so much under Goff and nothing close to respect under Shearer. There is nothing Shearer can do to them and they know it. And they will treat the party with contempt as well, for the same reason.
Yep that’s very much how I see it too. Sorry for misreading you.
The irony being that Shearer would have made an excellent Cabinet Minister and could have taken the path of building his reputation and political credentials up over time.
CV – is there any agreement within your supporters here of whom could actually begin to have the leadership skills of which will need a very talented individual to take on the leadership of the Labour Party?
Not a trick question at all.
It is a given, NZ needs a strong opposition, at present we have nothing close to an opposition…. It is a party made up of factions, within factions of factions of factions…
Well, I can’t speak for anyone else but I am on record as being a Cunliffe supporter. At this stage going into 2014 I don’t particularly think it’s important that Cunliffe even be in a top 3 position, but he needs to be on the Front Bench and be given leeway to open up on the National Government, at will.
Now who knows if the following can work together on a personal basis but for gawds sakes they are supposed to be professionals so they should; I think that the top 5 or 6 need to work as a public facing leadership fire team scoring real political points and educating the public and the media, and in no particular order I would probably have:
– Robertson
– Cunliffe
– Wall
– Goff
– Little
– Adern
And if Helen Kelly were available…
something old something new something borrowed something blue 😛
Who’s the “blue”? 😉
As for who should be leading the party? It’s tempting to say “anyone but Shearer”, but basing choosing a leader on the basis that they’re “anyone but” someone else would be fucking retarded and look where it got Labour last time.
I do however remain of the opinion that there is no-one in the Labour caucus who could do a worse job than Shearer.
something fair something true 😎
I’d disagree with that. I think there are a lot of people in Labour’s caucus that could do significant damage if they were leader. It’s the ones doing damage without being leader.
You mention that they should be able to work together. They are professionals.
In all honesty, the vast majority of the issue is that they just can’t work together. Please do tell and show me that they can in fact work together..
If Cunliffe was leader, there is no way that Robertson could work with him…
Helen Kelly Felix, could do a far worse job than Shearer, and thats being polite.
Someone within the running of Labour needs to bang some heads together and teach if it is possible that the team MUST work together, because it is quite the opposite…
You are all to involved to actually make the tough calls…. You cant tell me the hypocrisy of the last weeks antics are what you all believe in?
While I despise a couple of those – Robertson for being a gray apparatchik, Goff more seriously for being profoundly anti-democratic, I do appreciate their limited competence, provided that they don’t get too much influence.
I’ve met Helen Kelly, she helped me in a labour dispute, so yeah, whenever, wherever would be good. She’s a strong advocate (Hoots’ hissy fit and personal slur proves that).
Rhino – it’s no democratic socialist dream team as you correctly imply, but you have also seen to the truth that it is a Labour team which would incinerate National’s chances on E-Day into little smouldering cinders.
Whafe, couple of things.
1. Any team will work well together when led well. Not the other way around.
2. You know nothing about Helen Kelly.
3. I’m not involved at all, thanks.
4. What hypocrisy? Aren’t Labour allowed to vote freely on legislation anymore?
5. You should be questioning National’s corruption and conflict of interest in this matter. They’re accepting gifts and favours from a company in who’s favour they are are passing laws.
But they will probably just keep on the same ol’ same ol’, and flush any chance of winning straight down the crapper just to keep Cunliffe off of the front bench.
Got it in one CV. But the small bunch of self serving egotists had another agenda – one that had little to do with taking NZ to a better place, or respecting members and supporters. Indeed, they were doing David Shearer no favours by pushing him up to the top of the ladder before he had acquired the necessary political knowledge and experience. But of course that also goes back to that other agenda?
Which agenda was that Anne?
The internal one or the external one?
Until more recent times, I thought there was only an internal agenda mickysavage. That is, a contest for the top political jobs and the power trappings that go with them. But revelations over the past 8 months or so – and the past week or two in particular – strongly suggest there was an external component to that agenda as well. Am I not the only one who has suspicions…?
Not at all …
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10773689
“Gotta keep the power out of the hands of the looney lefties, communists and democratic socialists…” that’s a Labour faction line that right wing writers will happily listen to.
Interesting
@ mickysavage
Thanks for a timely reminder of an important Fran O’Sullivan link – more important than she would have known at the time.
And who exactly were Sir Roger Douglas, Richard Prebble and Mike Moore (perhaps) really working for – apart from being captive to a group of very rich NZers or ex NZers? In the end I think the external component of that political era also went a bit further than was immediately recognisable.
David Lange was taken for a ride. But I think he got his own back.
A lie that I suspect is still being perpetrated… from external sources as well as some in the ABC caucus club.
A testimony to how much David Cunliffe is feared.
Aye Anne. This particular allegation made it clear to me that there is something very wrong in the party. Because amongst other things the Goff was not able to recall the amount of tax income the CGT would produce in the first year that it actually did generate income. The figure had been available for months but there was a delay in releasing the tax policy because the PREFU figures had only just come out. The claim that sabotage happened by Cunliffe is not only clearly wrong but so wrong it has to be malicious.
I blogged about it at the time at http://waitakerenews.blogspot.co.nz/2011/12/is-new-zealand-politics-being-taken.html and I believe the comments stand.
@mickysavage
At the time you posted that blog there was a block of some sort and I coudn’t get into your site to read it. Reading it now it’s almost uncanny at how prophetic that post has proven to be:
1. NZ politics has been reduced to a group of powerful people holding sway over different political parties… that is what I meant by the other agenda. And some of it (I’m sure) is coming from beyond NZ!
2. O’Sullivan’s claim of a return to the cloth-cap politics of old was frankly a crazy bit of ideological garbage with NO BASIS IN FACT. Could anyone – with even half a brain – in all honesty describe Helen Clark’s Labour govt as a return to cloth cap ideology?
That so many caucus members plus some (who should’ve known better) beyond the caucus fell for the nonsense still makes me wonder…
At the time I was told three reasons for the caucus’s supporting Shearer, two of which I remember, the other I’ve forgotten. One was that the media would be more friendly to Labour under Shearer, and another was that Labour would be more likely to win back the rural seats with Shearer at the helm. So far, I do not see where effort has gone into winning back the rural seats, and I guess the media may be more friendly in the sense of not actively setting out to visit ruin on them individually, apart from the badmouthing of Cunliffe in which they were complicit. The polls, however, have stayed exactly as they were under Goff, despite the shine having come off Key, despite rising unemployment and despite the attacks on the vulnerable having escalated quite dramatically.
The opacity of the Labour caucus, and the ferocity with which they attacked Cunliffe at the conference makes one suspect that they have agreed, with God knows who, to muzzle the left and maintain the current status quo, in exchange for God knows what. One assumes they must be trying to pull it off on the basis that if you make no commitments you cannot stand accused of betrayal.
For power. Pure, unadulterated power, and access to the hallowed halls of local (and global) corporate hospitality.
That should upset a few people. 👿
This is a reply to Anne: It is possible then, that they have decided to do their masters’ bidding to insure themselves against attacks like the one on Aaron Gilmour, which would have the potential to close the relevant doors. Nothing to do with actually representing anyone. I read the catch cry “We must appeal to the middle class” as code for BAU. Essentially, it’s an argument that goes. We represent Labour. You cannot get anything more Labour than a Labour MP. Therefore, we must represent ourselves.
yes, thanks TRP. Incredibly frustrating for us supporters on the left, watching National introduce legislation daily that is increasing inequality and breaking down our communities and meanwhile our main representative party are acting like imbeciles, protecting their own little patches…they are certainly not going to be winning any Nelson Mandela awards for selflessness this lot.
and of course glad the Greens are more than pulling their weight!
Total bollocks.
They were all there to meet with sky city management, Shearer included.
Isolated this whole Sky City thing isn’t really a big deal. If Labour were a strong and credible Opposition they’d weather something like this easily and the whole thing would be forgotten in a day. The problem is that Labour isn’t strong or credible or anything like a worthy opposition. So when things like this come up highlighted is how completely pathetic Labour’s become. There’s no depth there whatsoever so the focus goes on the relatively minor and irrelevant things. And at the same time the government gets undue mileage out of comments like “deeply hypocritical”. Well, it’s not “deeply” hypocritical at all. Hypocritical, sure, and Shearer and his mates should have known better. But it shouldn’t signal the end of the world, like it has. Labour is currently so weak it can withstand very little. Key et al can say almost anything and they look ridiculous. All of this means one thing: David Shearer, how ever nice a guy he is, cannot continue as leader. Deep down I think he knows this himself.
Nah i am quite happy to watch everyone in caucus and on this site who supported Shearer – and his core cabal who were in that Sky City box – to just swing in a good cold wind for a few days yet.
You put him there people.
You put him there people.
To be fair, they only put him there because they were bamboozled into it by Matthew Hooton and his friends at that epochal barbecue.
Veuve cliquot tends to do that at the right dosage
To be fair to Matthew he wasn’t really involved.
All he did was heartily encourage Shearer in person, recommend him to all his influential contacts, sing his praises all over the media for months on end and gleefully take part in the smear campaign against his opponents.
Time to bring in some fresh faces without the taint of neo-liberalism.
Grant? You naughty Roman Baiter Alanz. There is nothing funny about that bad joke.
Grant? The Grant that pushed unproven Shearer into the role to block Cunliffe?
Grant? The Grant who hand picked the incompetent staff in Shearer’s office?
Grant? The Grant who had Labour third to the Greens and the Nats in Wellington Central?
Grant? The Grant who has only ever worked inside the Beehive and who gets agrophobia when he leaves the environs?
Shearer has to be replaced immediately. But not by the Machiavellian who was instrumental in giving us a clear DUD and exacerbated the situation.
Grant and his mates did the numbers a few months back when Shearer had lower polls and pulled back. They are now awaiting the latest Roy Morgan figures gleefully.
The only person with the integrity, competence and public respect to be a SUCCESSFUL Labour Leader is David Cunliffe.
Cunliffe? Careful, McFlock will have you marked as a Cunliffe cultist if you keep this up.
too late
Apparently Key is concerned about the difficulty Kiwi’s future Mums and Dads are having participating in our home-owning democracy.
Perhaps if he was to legislate that residents only could own property.
Secondly legislate for a maximum of two houses (including the beach house) that any family, company or trust can own. That way the speculators would have to divest themselves of their portfolios and supply would far outstrip demand and sanity would return to the market.
Or you could just go with the idea that “house owning” does not equal “democracy”.
Rationing property in areas where shortages exixt, such as Auckland, would make sense, and it would not stop property owners within the designated areas purchasing outside their areas if they wanted holiday homes somewhere.simply pass a law that anyone who owns one or more homes in a designated area cannot purchase any more.
Getting exixting exixting land landlords to divest themselves of their current portfolios, however desirable that may be, might nevertheless be problematic.
… threaten them with massive property taxes. Give them a three month grace on capital gains tax so they can unload a few of their houses.
… sounds a bit brutal, and probably unjust, where landlords have previously purchased properties in good faith. Preventing them from purchasing further properties, however, would achieve the desired result of reducing demand.
“Haw haw haw haw haw!”
The humour-deficient Chris Trotter fails again
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 14 June 2013
Jim Mora, Lisa Scott, Chris Trotter
On Wednesday night’s edition of Backbenchers, horrified viewers witnessed the embarrassing spectacle of Labour List makeweight Sue Moroney bumbling her way through an excruciatingly inept attempt to formulate a coherent answer when Wallace Chapman asked her if she supported calls for New Zealand to offer asylum to “that American whistle-blower.”
Yesterday, long-suffering Panel listeners heard an unusually inane and depraved exchange about another dissenter being targeted for state vengeance. What is particularly interesting here is the behaviour of the pompous, unfunny, self-styled “leftist” Chris Trotter…..
MORA: What else have you got for us?
SUSAN BALDACCI: Well, this latest study shows that we’re all a little bit paranoid. There are three kinds of paranoia, apparently—
MORA: Three kinds of paranoia?
SUSAN BALDACCI: [voice betraying slight edge of irritation] Y-y-y-y-yes.
She gives a brief survey of an article about paranoia she has just downloaded from the internet, and then the program takes a sinister turn….
SUSAN BALDACCI: Julian Assange is a little bit paranoid.
MORA: Oh yes? Hur, hur, hur, hur!
SUSAN BALDACCI: Yeah, he claims that being holed up in the Ecuadorian embassy, he is deprived of his human right of getting enough sun.
MORA: Is it a human right to get enough sun?
SUSAN BALDACCI: That’s what he claims! He claims that being not allowed to leave London is violating his “human rights”.
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS TROTTER: Haw haw haw haw haw!
SUSAN BALDACCI: He thinks he should be allowed out of his Ecuador embassy hideout to sunbathe.
MORA: He can get out on the balcony, where he gave that speech!
LISA SCOTT: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha!
CHRIS TROTTER: Yeah! Ha ha ha ha ha! Or get him a sun lamp! THAT’s what he needs!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
SUSAN BALDACCI: He he he he he!
TROTTER: I suspect the ambassador’s just sick of the sight of him! [Assumes wheedling mock-Hispanic accent] “Are you ever going to LEEEEAAAVE?”
MORA: Oh that’s very good! Ha ha ha ha!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
MORA: Sun lamp! Get him a sun lamp!!!
LISA SCOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha!
MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha! Back after the news!
Read a fuller account of this dreadful edition of The Panel here….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-14062013/#comment-648511
Chris is no doubt keeping his future fee options open now that a Fairfax stalking horse is going to be the in charge at RNZ.
Do I believe my eyes to see that Shearer is planning to expose the Five Eyes network to a public review? Does he understand national security at all?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10890675
Worse, Norman even asks whether China would appreciate that network’s influence here. Is he really saying we need to balance the interests of the intelligence networks of China and the Five Eyes network in our security policy?
Both are asking for an inquiry. Nowhere is either Norman or Shearer asking for a “public” inquiry.
I think Norman is talking about balancing NZ’s economic agreements with China and agreements with the US.
The Pacific is the 21st century playground of two superpowers, an imperial one well established and unparalled, and one just developing but without even a true deep water navy. It won’t pay to piss either one off.
This was part of an answer I gave to Blip Yesterday.
Does anyone remember the Movie Stealth ?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382992/
Here’s the real US Military version. Nightmare stuff this one is. We’re right on cue for Skynet and Terminators.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/05/30/o_noes_ban_the_killer_robots_again/
And from what I have been reading these are completely autonomous just Program and go but there’s NO calling it back
“there’s no human pilot in constant control as there is with those, and once the jet is in the air there’s no way for human commanders to communicate with it.”
This is a scary scary piece of technology. And now they don’t need to have bases in foreign countries, as it’s now Carrier Based.
http://au.businessinsider.com/the-x-47b-drone-photos-brave-scary-new-world-2013-5?op=1
for all you conspiracy theory nutters: House Democrat briefed by NSA says Snow den revelations are just “tip of the iceberg”
http://thehill.com/video/house/305047-dem-rep-lawmakers-learned-significantly-more-about-surveillance-programs-in-nsa-briefing
By the way, stories coming up on the net shows that US authorities have been preparing for the event of mass, multiple, civil unrest against the govt, for many years now. This explains the massive militarisation of local police forces. And they are prepared to use the armed forces, and not just the national guard, against US citizens.
BTW drones are critical in these plans in the event that military units in the field begin refusing orders.
Hi folks!
Seen this?
Media Alert from Auckland Mayoral candidate Penny Bright : “Will THIS help stop the Auckland Draft Unitary Plan?”
_________________________________________________________
On what LAWFUL basis has the Auckland Council based this ‘mantra’ of an extra million people coming to Auckland over the next 30 years?
On what LAWFUL basis has the advice of Chief Planning Officer Dr. Roger Blakeley been followed, to use the Department of Statistics ‘high’ population growth projections, when they recommended using ‘medium’ population growth projections?
How come two key infrastructure providers, Watercare Services and Auckland Transport are using ‘medium’ population growth projections for their Auckland region asset management plans?
Petition 2011/ 64 of Penelope Bright, and Supplementary Evidence to support this Petition, are being considered as ‘Items of Business’ before the Social Services Select Committee.
Will this ‘throw a spanner in the works’ and help stop in its tracks, both the Auckland Draft Unitary Plan, and the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill?
We shall see…………………..
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Presented/Petitions/5/0/5/50DBHOH_PET3157_1-Petition-of-Penelope-Mary-Bright-requesting-that.htm
Petition of Penelope Mary Bright
Requesting that Parliament declines to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics’ “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.
Supplementary Evidence to support the above-mentioned Petition:
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Housing-Accord-and-Special-Housing-Areas-Bil-Supplementary-Evidence-13-Juna-2013.pdf
In my considered opinion, this evidence is damning and proves that lawful due process for the Auckland (Spatial) Plan, which the Auckland Unitary Plan is supposed to implement, has NOT been followed in a proper way.
I have requested, on the basis of this EVIDENCE, that the Social Services Select Committee do the following:
“14 a) Formally request that Auckland Council provide the following information that I have requested, and not been given, (or been able to find for myself in the Auckland Council Future Vision / Auckland Plan Committee minutes:
1) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Future Vision Committee meeting, (including the resolution number), which specifically resolved to take the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely on the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the DRAFT Auckland Spatial Plan ( the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document), for public discussion in March 2011.
(I note that if the Department of Statistics letter was dated 28 March 2011, and the only meetings of the Auckland Future Vision meetings were held on 1 March 2011, 7 March 2011, and 11 March 2011, it is unclear to me how Auckland Council elected representatives could have discussed this letter, and resolved to rely on the advice of Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer Dr Roger Blakeley to use their ‘high’ population growth projections, prior to release of the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document for public discussion in March 2011? )
2) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, in giving that advice, (for the DRAFT Auckland Spatial Plan ( the ‘Auckland Unleashed’ document), for public discussion in March 2011.) and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0032/latest/DLM3338660.html
3) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Auckland Plan Committee meeting, and the resolution number, which specifically resolved to reconfirm their taking the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely upon the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the DRAFT Auckland Plan for consultation in September 2011
4) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which again confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, ( for the DRAFT Auckland Plan for consultation in September 2011) in giving that advice, and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0032/latest/DLM3338660.html
5) Please provide the minutes, of the particular Auckland Council Auckland Plan Committee meeting, (including the resolution number) , which specifically resolved to reconfirm their taking the advice of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, to rely on the Department of Statistics ‘High’ population growth projection, as outlined in their letter dated 28 March 2011, for the FINAL Auckland Plan which was decided upon in March 2012.
6) Please provide a copy / copies of the competent, professional legal advice, which again confirmed the lawfulness of the Auckland Council Chief Planning Officer, Dr Roger Blakeley, in giving that advice, (for the FINAL Auckland Plan which was decided upon in March 2012) .and the lawfulness of Auckland Council elected representatives accepting that advice, given the following statutory duty outlined in the Local Government (Auckland Council) Act 2009 s.79 (4) (c):
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2009/0032/latest/DLM3338660.html ”
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption /anti-privatisation’ campaigner
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
Can I just draw your attention to this:
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/04/05/migrant-workers-used-and-abused/
and my comment – I think around 1AM.
Only because the illustrious sucker-upper Soimun has recently expressed a feigned concern for the situation THAT IS STILL GOING ON – and as yet (1 year on), complaints that I’m aware of have still not received a response from that bugger’s muddle mixture of functions known as ‘MoBIE’.
The trick is for Immigration to TIE visas to specific employers – such that the employee gets royally ripped whilst being UTTERLY reliant on the good grace of the employer.
For those that resent all these bloody foreigners coming in here and talking ‘all our jobs’, I say we (read private tertiary institutions and others) should not have made false promises in the first place.
They might also consider that this is another way that wages and conditions are being driven DOWN for any/every worker.
That’s not to mention this wonderful ‘egalitarian’ country called Nu Zil’s reputation o’seas, that no doubt the instigators will be doing their very best to suck up to.
I’ve just become aware of YET another case.
Actually, I’ve become aware of two additional instances. One reliant on prostitution to survive.
Should he/she actually get what was expected – they now have to come up with (or guarantee) that they have $15K in the bank (as proof that they can sustain their living without being a ‘burden’ on the Nu Zill tex-payer)
So having been ripped off 30 grand plus (and whilst they, and their family desperately try to repay that money), having attained degree (‘graduated’) from a private tertiary institution that promised the world, but who delivered no less than 5 different lecturers throughout a semester and has subsequently gone under (i.e. – out of business – no accountability – no means of recovery for services not delivered), they must now effectively sell themselves to get what was promised.
I’m angry!. VERY fucking angry! I just console myself knowing that the very people this government will soon/have already been trying to grovel to, have members in their family that are affected.
It’s a far better policy to just be upfront and honest
mmmm – the lack of any sort of response after 7 hours and 47 minute is pretty telling.
Maybe its because they’re only a few nargies and chinks!
I sometimes wonder about the ‘left’ – I mean I’ve given up wondering about the Labour Party, but the lack of any interest here is pretty telling on this issue.
Given 3 decades of conditioning though, I don;t suppose I should have expected anything else, though I lived in hope. I still keep asking myself – did I post this in the wrong place?
But then…just as I wonder sometimes about leaked reports and who ‘MIGHT be responsible’ (with some sort of limitation on a ‘tight 5). FUCK ME with a feather duster!
The bleeding obvious seems to be the least obvious, and that’s perhaps what many are relying on.
(If I wrote a report, of which I was both proud, but also concerned about FURTHER sanitisation, there might be various means by which I might ensure its contents were not going to be neutered further. I’d probably have to rely on friends and family, AND whoever was willing to assist).
I’m now expecting a load of (awe geez – but the timelines don;t quite fit, and all that sort of kaka).
I’m fucking glad the patriotic have already paid off their mortgages and are well placed to just fuckng retire and be shot of the bastards
The Artist Taxi Driver in the U$K
Make no mistake it’s a class war,hunt the poor
“They came for the disabled, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t disabled.
Then they came for the elderly, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t old.
Then they came for the poor, and I didn’t speak up because I was doing ok.
Then they came for me, and there was nobody left to speak for me.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwbY1hyYt2U
Coming here, 300000 kiwis to be harassed off benefits in the next 10 years. They’ll copy the punitive sanctions regime of the socially collapsing U$K
Good stuff on Radionz this morning. One on lack of concern about investigating prior notice by FBI about 9/11 and the way they seem to be tied in knots by their own complex dealings. Also set up a whistleblowers association.
This will get you quickly to the links. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
8:15 Sibel Edmonds: Sibel Edmonds is the publisher and editor of Boiling Frogs Post and the author of the 2012 memoir, Classified Woman: the Sibel Edmonds Story (ISBN: 978-0-61560-222-6). She has a MA in Public Policy and International Commerce from George Mason University, a BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology from George Washington University, and is the recipient of the 2006 PEN Newman’s Own First Amendment Award for her “commitment to preserving the free flow of information in the United States in a time of growing international isolation and increasing government secrecy”.
http://www.boilingfrogspost.com/
http://www.classifiedwoman.com/
and a discussion that contains a lot of the words – “conspiracy theories”
11:05 Charles Pigden
Charles Pigden is Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy, University of Otago. He has published on a number of topics including Hume on Is and Ought, the ethics of Bertrand Russell, and conspiracy theories.
http://www.otago.ac.nz/philosophy/Staff/charles_pigden.html
visiting speaker to the Royal Society –
9:05 Terry Speed
Professor Terry Speed is a world leader in bioinformatics and is regarded as one of Australia’s most important statisticians. His work has helped to identify areas of the human genome that contribute to cancer, genes that are vital for embryonic development and malaria proteins responsible for initiating infection in human red blood cells. Professor Speed is a Fellow of the Royal Society, London, was presented with the 2012 Thomson Reuter’s Citation Award and the 2012 Victoria Prize for Science and Innovation, and is visiting New Zealand as 2013 Distinguished Visitor for the Royal Society of New Zealand, presenting the talk, Understanding Epigenetics Through Mathematics, in Dunedin (18 June), Christchurch (19 June) and Wellington (20 June.
http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/annual/distinguished-speaker/2013/
Alasdair MacIntyre
Revelation-Heidegger
trade Bertrand Russell texts in for some Huxleys 😀
The Nation : The Sequel ae.
When Rachel (fine China Girl) Meets G.I Joe (that village idiot Guy).
Scene I.Act I.
Sour Milk.
Guy- Primary Industries growth outlook (otherwise fine); 7% year on year for the next four years.
-primarily dairying
Rachel- intensification, more land and irrigation.
Guy- evades intensification outcomes enquiry.
PRISM
-phone logs, locations, times.
Gamma Group of Companies
Dr. Peter Gutmann, AU
-gmail-everything you have sent, Facebook, GMail, Twitter
-meta-data = information about communications
-and may not require warrants regarding the “whos, when, and wheres”.
-Google’s income is from selling data about you.
-loyalty cards; an anecdotal example of the local Warehouse (Target) knowing your daughter is pregnant before you do through data-mining.
Dr.Norman
-China views 5 Eyes with anxiety
-Key; has broken compact made with the electorate, post-Brash
-‘rule of law’ undermined-The Law Society, Geddis et al;
-“never been to a corporate box- not a good look for a politician”.
the erudite Colin James
-this govt. give less attention to due process than Muldoons.
-Sky corporate box nonesense is damaging for Labour.
-Gordon John Thompsen
-‘tested’ the ‘waters’ how Shearer is held, and it is unlikely he will be changed.
-Russell Norman “the Leader of The Opposition”.
-Key’s shine is (still) coming off, showing vulnerabilities; SOME CONSERVATIVES in the PARTY HAVING DOUBTS ABOUT HIM!
(that village idiot Guy) My local Trough feeder (MP), and a very apt description of him.
Media3
(that Jose Babosa is xtatically funny).
Ben Gracewood- Computer Programmer
-“we should be worried about changes to GCSB, etc”.
Adam Boileau- Internet Security Specialist
-“the collection of LOCATION data is not given enough scrutiny to” (implications).
now this is the really sad part,
“these kids living their lives through Facebook and Google+ (sexting etc) are gonna get to 30 and regret it”. Maybe Sam will come round about then…
raise those Rosetints
The Apotheosis of Master Sergeant Doe
Welcome , dear Master Sergeant to the fold
Your pace was firm, your passage mean and bold.
Lean your entry, in studied Savior’s form
Combat fatigued, self-styled a cleansing storm.
Let other shoulders sprout gold epaulettes
You shunned those status-greedy etiquettes,
Stayed simple Master Sergeant. The nation knew
Who was the Master; the Sergeants rendered due.
The comrade band diminished.The bloody contest played
It’s grand finale.Alone the Master planner stayed
The course. The lean had rounded out. The barrack slob,
Close-crop peak-cap head affects new heartthrob
Swinger images. The tie pins are no paste.
The spoils of office, easy acquired taste
Distend the appetite, contract the scruples.
A crow may answer eagle, perched on borrowed steeples.
Flown on flags, graced by diplomatic corps
We consecrate the nightmare, kiss anation’s sore.
To mask the real, the world is turned a stage,
A rampant play of symbols masks a people’s rage.
The ass that mimes the Lord’s anointed wears
A face that once was human, prone to fears
But crowns are crowns. When rulers meet, their embraces
Are of presence. Absent cries make empty phrases.
The pile is high on that red carpet trail
That muffs the steps to your Inaugural Grail,
Skulls like cobbles, bones like harmatten twigs
The squeals of humans dying the death of pigs.
You missed the hisses too; a fanfare covers all.
The whine of violins at the State House Ball
Bears down the whining discords of misrule
You’ve proved a grade A pupil from survivors’ school.
Your worthy predecessors raise a toast
From exhiled havens , or from the eternal roast
Swinging Bokassa, Macias Nguema, Idi Amin Dada
You sucked the their teats, you supped from their cannibal larder,
And belched in unison. The pinnacle attained,
Next goal is duration. Shall we see you ordained
In the Guiness Book of Records, the Master stayer?
Youth is your ally, and appetite of Master slayer.
Till the peole’s fiesta: a blood-red streamer
In Monrovian skies, a lampost and- the swinging Redeemer.
-Wole Soyinka (Nigeria).
To all you Isky users out there have you seen this??
https://skytv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1466/related/1
And this
https://skytv.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1473/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzcxMjY1MzQ1L3NpZC82em1ocU1zbA%3D%3D
No more unmetered access to streaming whatever from Sky, and it will end, at the end, of this month.
And I have seem no news on it at all so is going to be a nasty shock to a lot of people.
Hard Act To Follow.
“Sola! Livy I exHume”,
serio-comically fastgates
a Harmony of The Gospels
to a Bashful Bright-Eyes
coyote with far-away eyes
Staid ’round the perimeter
Wantonly set aloft
Combinations understudied pointedly
for Drole verbal effect.
Akitio
C3
(some are fated to live post-humourously).
niche
Nichrome
nick
nickel
and
so
on
down
the
page
to nicol
and nicotian.
for polly and ianmac.
Why spy on your own citizens anyways?
Seems that the answer lies in the US wanting to be able to suppress domestic civil unrest in the event of an economic, social or environmental shock
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/earth-insight/2013/jun/14/climate-change-energy-shocks-nsa-prism
ahhh, the link, in particular, between catastrophic climate change and repressive totalitarian government.
The people in charge want to stay in charge – no matter which side of the peak oil/climate change/debt deflation discussion is proven right in the future.
from Genesis to Revelation: “Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness”
Jesus Christ and The prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Read the comments? “The most important article this year”. Excellent page-turning my friend; things are really going to speed up now,oil shortages possible by 2015! the Snowden revelations just the beginning. Some of the comments assert that the States will not be able to maintain order for long. Are you going to frisbee the article all over the show, being well-connected and all that. I am only a writer 😉 yet I know I’m under soft surveillance.
My friend, it is always a pleasure. Many people from all walks of life are glancing askance at the cognitive dissonance they are experiencing. A five year recession with barely a hint of a rebound? Growth is coming tomorrow (reminds me about the joke at the pub – free beer tomorrow). Bailouts and the needles of austerity sucking over and over, yet banking and sovereign debt crises continue to cascade? History returning to Europe – even in the “advanced” “civilised” nations of Western Europe. Spain, Greece, Italy, Sweden.
For now not much is said out loud amongst “polite company” (remarking that our civilisation is probably all the way up shit creek without a paddle usually kills the dinner party conversation), but trust me more than a few “ordinary Kiwis” (and I do mean “ordinary”) are paying at least some attention. As usual our political parties are intent on being followers not leaders.
The US will be a powerful and influential nation for many many years to come, and I am not under any illusion: the nation remains a source of innovation, courage and inspiration for the world: not because of the example of it’s recent authorities and leaders, but due to the example set by some of its finest citizens. Young Americans who not only know right from wrong, but are willing to put their lives on the line for their peers and for people they have never met, even when they know that many of them will never thank them but think them cowardly disloyal enemies of their home country.
A few men by the name of Washington, Jefferson and Adams…they too were branded as gutless traitors.
NB there is also a path of independent states that the USA can follow in the future. The deep south may decide that it prefers to go it’s own way as might the liberal coastal areas. And Texas will be quite relieved to be Texas by itself, once again, a condition that it lost only in 1845.
The answers to the near future of the human race lie not in ever increasing technology and complexity, fun filled as that is, but in returning from the limits of globalisation and mass consumption to the resilience of localisation, of human understanding kinship and meaning.
And as you point out, much of the knowledge is already there in old but not-quite-forgotten traditions and stories, ones which rest almost unseen, patiently and unobtrusively. Like a gold coin forgotten in an old coat pocket, always ready to be found as a pleasant surprise, no notice necessary.
ahhh, according to Legend WN the Son goes out several $T. I’ll take the proverbial slow road (they can take the high).
BTW Rogue – have you read the latest Archdruid report on the shape of civilisations?
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/a-question-of-values.html
and what of the Mid-West and the central Plains.
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/how-it-could-happen-part-five.html
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/the-degeneration-of-politics.html
John Michael Greer has previously suggested that a mix of cultural similarities and economic viability will be what is needed to decide what independent states (or groups of independent states) could form into their own countries.
while I assume we’re doubling-up does the rider continue the purple sage In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida where can be found knowledge and life safely or does he rest in the Fortress of Solitude.
(I have remained puzzled whether to personally identify with TGF’s school-days allusion or whether they were slinging to some other Hero of The Day).
Anyway, neighbours are all Kahungunu, Tuhoe or *Rangimarie* variations.
(I tells ya Viper et al; once I’m in touch with the words from these keyboards it Is Spooky; gotta be the fields). At least the cafe gets me out in the world of fresh air.
It must be the liberalism exceeding ACT Party narrow mindedness that drives the Standard to allow them to advertise here, but hey, we are open and tolerant, are they though, and is Banks the same?
For a better atmosphere and tune turn to this, life is so sad and depressing we all need a cheerful break I suppose, enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3ORkB1eKWE
Excellent music from Chile, traditional that is, Inti Illimani, enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfN4egCYuHo
That is the merging of indio music with western, Spanish music, as I am sure the South Americans had no guitars and the likes before.
Viva and shove it Nazis!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=SSRVtlTwFs8
Viva, Nathalie and others –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=N2o83FQ1xTs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=N2o83FQ1xTs&NR=1
Think and enjoy, more culture than down under.
“Think and enjoy, more culture than down under.”
In which case feel free to fuck off any time you like.
You are indeed gracious for emphasising the point precisely.
I, Colin McCahon, Witi Ihimaera, Janet Frame, and any number of NZ cultural practicioners past, present and future thank you for your support and enthusiasm, CV – you can fuck off too
Yes, I was absolutely right, Populuxe1, when I wrote “more culture than down under”, wasn’t I?
There came you, “down under” my last post or comment above, and you displayed a lack of culture by throwing a slightly abusive comment back at me. I may have foreseen it, hey.
But I may forgive you. We do all turn “mad” at times, whatever that word means, so welcome to the rest of the “mad club” – with fluctuating membership.
By the way, I f*** off-shore every night, via the internet that is.
thank you for this analysis.
R.
“Wouldn’t you know we’re riding on the Marrakesh Express”.