I note the Herald’s website adds the following text under its opinion piece when rcommentunderWe aim to have healthy debate. But we won’t publish comments that abuse others.
I note the Herald’s website adds the following text under its opinion pieces ”we aim to have healthy debate. But we won’t publish comments that abuse others.”
If that’s the case, why do they let neo-con ideologues like Rodney Hide get away with abusive language in hate-filled and fear-mongering pieces on teacher unions today? Does an inflammatory article like this encourage ‘healthy debate’?
Rodney’s article suggests to me that NAct’s program to shovel education money into the pockets of their mates isn’t going as smoothly as they had hoped. Good on the teachers’ unions. Given the hatred they generate on the WhaleSpew blog as well, they must be having some successes.
Perhaps parents can even appreciate that teachers who continue working even though they can’t even be sure they’ll get paid are not the problem, but that Hide, the silent member for Epsom, and the rest of the government are.
The Arctic Sea is experiencing rapid ice loss at a pace so fast that the area will soon be ice-free in warmer months, scientists confirmed in a report this week—showing a collapse in total sea ice volume to one fifth of its level in 1980.
Jacob Chamberlain Staff writer, Common Dreams
Take particular notice of the comment thread.
Climate Change denial is a vanishing small opinion.
As Vernon Small also notes it, Climate Change is the widely held majority opinion.
Just a few years ago you could spark a political row by asking whether humans were partly to blame for climate change.
While there is still a strand of scepticism running through some sections of the National Party – and a mile-wide streak in the ACT party – there is by and large broad consensus across the divide.
Now the political debate is not about whether we should act, but how and what cost we should bear.
The explanation is simple. Political parties will not lead on this issue, or the issue of energy depletion, until they feel that middle class electorate opinion will support them.
I expect Jenny to start moaning that I am scapegoating the upper middle class Green voter with the new Prius (which happens to contain hundreds of kilograms of steel which used tonnes of coal to manufacture), airline tickets booked for the overseas holiday plans with the family, and new iPhone 5’s all round, for not being real about the lifestyle and consumption downgrades they need to undergo ASAP.
By the “middle class”, I presume you mean those not ground down by the daily existence of of low pay and extreme hours, and so able to lift their heads to give the environment and politics much more of their concentration.
The sort of people able to afford the leisure to go tramping fiordland.
The sort of people who marched against apartheid and nuclear ships.
Those who protested in their tens of thousands against the mining of schedule 4 land.
Or is it, some other “middle class” you are talking about? One of your own bigotted imaginings.
Tell me which of the examples you used above (tramping, apartheid, nuclear warships, preventing mining on schedule 4 land, etc) required those protestors to accept a rapid and substantially reduced level of lifestyle, consumption and income for themselves and their families.
Yep, that would be the only one, and the most recent example 70 years ago now. Ironically, the NZ public accepted it at that time as being necessary to preserve the existing way of life for King and Country.
Indeed and it was the middle classes that volunteered in percentage numbers way over their representation in the general population. Conscription had to brought in to get working class people involved in similar proportions.
The latest Roy Morgan poll provided a welcome bounce in support for Labour. Its support improved 3% to 34.5% while National’s support dropped to 44% and the Greens held steady on 13.5%. But Labour may find it hard to move its level of support past this level. It appears to have lost a fair chunk of the intellectual urban vote to the Greens and getting this vote back will be difficult.
I disagree, it would be easy to get this support back
What I take from this report is that the Labour Party is bleeding middle class support to the Greens.
It Labour wanted to get that “chunk of the intellectual urban” (middle class) support back, it would be easy.
All Labour have to do is outflank the Green Pary on the environment.
This would be so easy. It is indisputable that the that Greens are down playing the issue of Climate Change. Climate Change is not one of the Green Party’s three “Priorities”. Climate Change is not even one of the Green Party’s seven, “Other priorities that we are focusing on”. Climate Change is one of fiftynine, “Other” – “Issues”
The Green’s increase in support is significant and is having a fundamental effect on Labour. Many of those changing their allegiance are activists and/or well resourced, the sorts of people who you want not only as voters but also as supporters and members.
These “activists and/or well resourced” people are exactly the democraphic that Colonial Viper thoughtlessly disparages as “middle class”.
To having any chance of winning back this intellectual urban vote Labour needs to immediately promote David Cunliffe to the front bench wth full freedom of action. Of all the parliamentarians David Cunliffe is way ahead of the rest, even the Greens in addressing climate change the single most pressing issue facing humanity. Not as the Green Party insist, just one of 59, not even secondary, “Other Issues”.
A more fun way to get the middle class back is more glamorous events to go to.
In the last year of Helen Clark’s government the Auckland Labour staged a massive art auction; you should have seen the number of Senior Associates, Partners, Professors and bejewelled wives.
OMG it was fun, they hoovered the cash (and we got to trade bets across the room against Labour MPs), and absolutely no-one talked about anything so dreary as policy.
Anyone want the middle class? Stop talking policy bullshit, start having fun, help them spend do trucks of money for serious media buyouts 1 year from an election. Key understands this so so well. Which is one reason he kicks political ass every election he’s contested.
It is indisputable that the that Greens are down playing the issue of Climate Change.
As ever, Jenny, [citation needed]. And please note that you have phrased this as a deliberate action on the part of the Green party – “Greens are down playing” – not “but they’re talking about other things too” or “not every single media release is about climate change”, which I recall are your usual back-pedal points.
I agree the Greens are downplaying the issue after some strategic planning about what will engage voters the most. However banging on about it here is not helping you or anyone else, Jenny.
How can you look at their official website, or at their record in the last election and claim they are not?
Because that’s not what “downplaying” means, Jenny.
Downplaying would be Russel Norman saying “We don’t really think climate change is a significant issue.”
Downplaying would be Metiria Turei saying “The Green Party isn’t going to talk about climate change because it’s not going to have any major effect any time soon.”
What you continue to do is equivalent to me saying “Jenny is downplaying poverty because she talks about things other than poverty.” or “Jenny is actively avoiding talking about Christchurch school closures! See, her last 100 comments are all about climate change!” Whatever kind of logic that is, it ain’t our Earth logic.
Not to mention the computer you’re using right now CV.
The problem with your argument is that the data used to make that outdated finding hasn’t been made public and therefore cannot be verified. It’s also not relevant to New Zealand, because the US company involved is a for profit organisation that works for the car manufacturing industry.
If you just want to compare the steel used, then hybrid vehicles on average use less steel than conventional cars. They are usually lighter CV, to make them more efficient. Your argument might work if all our power generation came from coal, but in New Zealand it doesn’t with around 70% from hydro.
Although it has apparently improved recently, the US derived 49% of its power from coal generation in 2006, which was about the same time the defunct study was conducted. We could have 100% renewable energy production here if we wanted… The electric and hybrid vehicles we use today are already better than conventional gas powered vehicles for the environment, even with consideration to the materials used and manufacturing energy required.
Other studies have shown that using electric vehicles is comparably bad for the environment when the electricity used to power them is entirely generated by coal. If you use clean energy sources to power hybrid and electric vehicles, they are better for the environment than conventional petrol powered vehicles.
What I’m getting at is that we don’t need to reduce our living standards to ensure the environment is protected.
Not necessarily… Many countries can learn from our mistakes and initially incorporate more clean tech into their developments instead of relying on outdated and dirty technologies CV. In fact many are already.
For the same amount of investment, renewable energy production creates more than twice as many jobs as polluting industries, it usually has a better return on investment and doesn’t cost as much to maintain.
The problem is that the capitalists don’t want to lose their existing investment into dirty industries, and that’s why we’ve had little changeover yet. Developing countries don’t usually have that problem, because there hasn’t been much investment to be lost.
Wind energy for instance up 26% compared to coal, up 5.4%. So what’s your point CV?
Firstly get your numbers right. The EIA says that coal production increased by 66% between 2000 and 2010, from 5B short tons per year to over 8B short tons per year.
So, how does your 26% increase in wind energy, from a far far smaller starting base, look now?
Notice also that coal use, and hence environmental degradation, is increasing not decreasing. You might take solace from any slight slowing in that increase I suppose. Like drowning, just not as quickly.
More coal is being produced and burnt year on year, every year, and that is an improvement for the environment uh, because the number of wind turbines is growing as well?
The growth in coal consumption is reducing Coronial Wiper, which is a good thing… The growth in renewables is increasing, which is also good. Why do you insist on twisting everything I write to mean something else?
But back to your first assertion… Do you agree that hybrid and electric vehicles are more energy efficient than your average petrol powered vehicle or not?
Basically it comes down to a question of embodied energy. It takes the better part of a decade or so before something like a Prius comes close to breaking even on the embodied energy and CO2 front, assuming someone driving 10,000-20,000 km/year.
You mean you believe stuff, but cannot link to any evidence to support your claims?
Per K’s driven, a Prius is more efficient than a Corolla. The only area where it wins out is useful life. Your estimate exceeds the useful drive life of a Prius, which clearly indicates you’re making shit up Coronial Wiper. Yawn!
To make such a comparison, you must at least know what the useful drive life of a Toyota Corolla is… So what is it?
Per K’s driven, a Prius is more efficient than a Corolla.
So? It’ll take many many years for a brand new imported Prius to break even in terms of energy savings and CO2 emissions, compared to an existing standard Corolla.
To make such a comparison, you must at least know what the useful drive life of a Toyota Corolla is… So what is it?
A bit beneath you to resort to straw man arguments re embodied energy isn’ it CV? That’s what I’ve been talking about. Where’s your data that shows the embodied energy for a Prius vs a Carolla then smartass?
If you make a calculation believing that all the energy to power the Prius will come from coal it will be wrong! If you calculate the total units manufactured and the plants set up and energy costs it will be wrong! Capish?
You cannot compare embodied energy including total units of a car that’s been in manufacture for ages with one that has a shorter manufacturing history and therefore less units. That’s the only way your assertion will be correct. In the real world it isn’t.
lol – you don’t have the concept of embodied energy at all.
I’ll communicate the concept of ’embodied energy’ another way: if the aim is to reduce the amount of CO2 released and energy used in the world this year, then the answer is simple.
Don’t build a new Prius requiring a new factory, new machine tools, new body steel + aluminium and then the use of more diesel for shipping to NZ along with many other associated industrial and economic activities; use a second hand Corolla which has long been built and already been transported to NZ.
You cannot compare embodied energy including total units of a car that’s been in manufacture for ages with one that has a shorter manufacturing history and therefore less units.
Of course you can compare them. They are totally comparable.
Using an existing already built second hand car doesn’t require the massive additional investment of energy and fresh emissions that fabricating a new car from scratch and transporting it to NZ does.
and I will be happy to provide more links that answer Jenny’s spam questions if necessary.
“Most people are convinced of the reality of Climate Change and they want something done about it.”
Until the people stop wanting something to be ‘done’ about it (ie for someone else to solve the problem for them), and start doing something themselves, nothing will change.
Until the people stop wanting something to be ‘done’ about it (ie for someone else to solve the problem for them), and start doing something themselves, nothing will change.
Colonial Weka
People do want something to be done. But anything major that is done by human beings requires teamwork and teamwork requires leadership. (Whether that is building a house or a road or a bridge or crossing an ocean)
Those who promote themselves as leaders and then give excuses for not leading are not leaders, they are followers.
When the Rena ran aground it wasn’t the crew who were held responsible it was the captain.
For your intemperate abuse and continual apology and misdirection over the Green Party sell out over climate change you and others like you are bringing the Green Party into disrepute. Especially among other environmentalist groups.
Politicians are for the most part not leaders Jenny, they are followers….
Colonial Viper
To which I might add, all frightened to voice an independent opinion….
However, wouldn’t it better if at least one or two of them were leaders?
herwise we might wind up with some sort of bland muttering headless bureaucracy, none with an independent thought or clue, hell bent on BAU, stumbling from one shambling disaster to the next.
On the other hand CV you may have a point. On seeing how the bureaucrats treat real leaders, someone with smarts, aware of the issues and able to voice them. I’m not surprised that the rest of them all keep their heads down and deliver up unanimous votes for the “leader” that would embarrass North Koreans.
otherwise we might wind up with some sort of bland muttering headless bureaucracy, none with an independent thought or clue, hell bent on BAU, stumbling from one shambling disaster to the next.
You may have noted: this is basically the current situation.
If your quote of Colonial Weka is anything to go by, then Colonial Weka and yourself are coming at the problem from different angles and are not ultimately in disagreement.
To single someone out or slam them and imply that they are not “for” your particular issue of the day because they have a different approach from you is not a good look, and I suggest therefore won’t have a great effect on what you appear to want to achieve.
You say that The Greens are playing down the issue of climate change and state that:
And that Climate Change not be one of their “Principles”, or even one of their “Issues”.
This appears to a case of a very narrow focus leading to a cherry picking effect of the data available on The Greens website.
One of the three main issues listed is that of creating 1000 Green jobs.
Q: Do you think that such an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
Hint: Under Green Jobs details, second paragraph:
“…our economy is our environment and that our 100% Pure brand is invaluable in a world worried about carbon emissions, water shortages, and contaminated food.” [my emphasis]
One of the three main issues is cleaning our rivers up.
Q: Do you think that clean water isn’t of import for sustainable lives with climate change?
Q: Do you think that the methods of addressing this issue might not have some effect on the carbon issue too?
And what do we find listed at the top of the list under the “Policy” heading “Environment” section?
“We can avoid the worst of dangerous climate change if we act now.”
There is more than one way to skin a cat, and perhaps, Jenny, you might learn to appreciate the value of this, and also of not attacking those with similar concerns to that of yourself, yet who are approaching the problem in a different manner to that of yours.
An existential and environmental species extinction event comparable to that marked by the KT boundary saw the ended the age of the dinosaurs.
Not only completely wrong headed about the scale and magnitude of the the disaster facing us. But personally insulting as well. Suggestng that my concern about the climate is just my “particular issue of the day”.
If you wonder why I am angry, at Weka and Greens for deliberately down playing climate change, and just think it is matter of crossed wires,.
Then you obviously don’t get it.
If you think is all a simple misunderstanding…..
If you think concern about the changing climate it is all a matter of personal choice….
Then you or your grandchildren are in for a very rude awakening.
And as to what I am trying to achieve. All three major political parties Labour National and the Greens have a gentleman’s agreement to hold an Obama/Romney type election campaign in 2014 where it is agreed by all sides that Climate Change will not be an election issue.
I may not be able to change that corrupt stitch up. But I can expose it. And as it all unfolds as they plan, and the Green Party caucus then sign up to a government that allows deep sea oil drilling and the stripping of the Denniston Plateau for coal, it won’t come as a complete shock to cute cuddly toys like yourself.
I’m unclear why you didn’t just come out and say that you thought that this election rigging was going on.
Of course you will be asked to substantiate your claim, although I am open to this type of thing occurring; there are real big bikkies involved.
I am, however, in two minds about whether this would be an ‘arranged’ set up for big money interest, or simply information you have read/heard coming from people who have a good understanding what effect saturating an audience has.
I was trying to point out that The Greens, may not be calling out “Climate Change” from the rooftops, yet if even some of their policies were employed, there would be huge steps made toward addressing this issue.
“Name calling is a cognitive bias and a technique to promote propaganda. Propagandists use the name-calling technique to incite fears or arouse positive prejudices with the intent that invoked fear (based on fearmongering tactics) or trust will encourage those that read, see or hear propaganda to construct a negative opinion, in respect to the former, or a positive opinion, with respect to the latter, about a person, group, or set of beliefs or ideas that the propagandist would wish the recipients to believe. The method is intended to provoke conclusions and actions about a matter apart from an impartial examinations of the facts of the matter. When this tactic is used instead of an argument, name-calling is thus a substitute for rational, fact-based arguments against an idea or belief, based upon its own merits, and becomes an argumentum ad hominem.[1]”
Whilst I understand what you are trying to achieve by doing so, perhaps gauge your audience; fear-mongering propaganda might not work amongst people with an openness toward being informed. Rational, fact-based arguments can be effective too.
Re “My particular issue of the day”
Well, that worked a treat! heh
I personally do not think that sounding “Climate Change” from public speakers everywhere all day is the best approach on this one. I think it will only come across as fear-mongering and a high chance of getting people “freezing” or locked into denial (if this hasn’t already happened). Far better to come at it from different angles; promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.
In my opinion what needs attacking most is, in fact, greed. Because until this is seen for the destructive condition that it is, policies such as financial gambling ets style schemes created by people with huge resources to address people with huge resources in a way that will simply allow huge resources to amass in the same hands, will not address the issues and just keep things going nowhere fast.
Goodness me, Blue leopard this certainly is a specious load. I didn’t even realise a stuffed toy could do such a mess.
I will have to pull on my forensic gloves to sift through the product of your output.
First of all, I will have to guess that you are trying to make the case that Climate Change is considered an equal issue with all other issues within the Green Party.
This is clearly not the case.
It is not one of their 3 “Priorities”. It appears nowhere on the front page of their official party website. It is not one of their secondary, 7 “Other priorities”.
Climate Change is considered be 3rd equal with 59 “Other Issues”.
And how about this howler from you, to show how important climate change is to the Green Party.
And what do we find listed at the top of the list under the “Policy” heading “Environment” section?
Climate Change
blue leopard
You are either terribly stupid, or you think we are. Climate Change is at the top of the list because because the topics are listed alpahbetically.
Let’s look at the whole list under the heading “Environment”:
Climate Change
Conservation
Contaminated Sites
Energy
Environment
Forestry
Marine and Oceans
Peak Oil
Rail
Rainforests
RMA
Waste
Water
Whaling
And you have the cheek to accuse me of cherry picking data from the Green Party website.
I suppose you are going to tell us now, that this is all just a crazy coincidence. And that climate change had been purposely put at the top of the list of the second “Policy Heading”.
In this list of topics it is very clear that Climate Change has no more emphasis than 59 other sub topics also listed alphabetically. Under the five “Policy Headings” also listed alphabetically.
Economy
Environment and resources
Fairness and society
Health and food
International relations
Politics and law
Other than starting with C, climate change is obviously considered to by the Green Party to be of no more significance than any of the 59 “Other Issues” listed alphabetically. And certainly much less important than the three Green Party “Priorities” or even the Green Party seven “Other Priorities we are concentrating on”.
And never forget we are talking about the biggest environmental disaster threatening to afflict the planet this side of the KT boundary.
Clearly the Green Party are selling out big time on climate change.
And blue leopard, please don’t force me to have to go through the rest of this appalling apologist rationalisation.
Particularly nauseating is your let’s “promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.”
When most of the major solutions to climate change can only come through government legislation nothing could be more dis-empowering and disspiriting.
And that bit about looking after rivers will address climate change. That really is just to much, even for me.
Please don’t make me explain why this is a complete load of apologist nonsense.
But don’t let me stop you. Carry on your fight against greed till the climate crisis overwhelms us all.
You make a case for The Greens not emphasizing the issue of climate change over and above some of the other pressing problems we face, yet I do not believe you have made a good case for the Greens “checking out” on the matter.
Rather than acknowledging these indications that they have not dropped the ball, you, instead, chose to spend rather a lot of time explaining how “climate” was merely at the top of the page due to the list being in alphabetical order. This is a pretty easy concept to grasp and a fact that I omitted to notice, while I was glancing at their website in order to find out what my appraisal on the matter of “the Greens checking out” was. This was an honest mistake and hardly cherry picking; that you have ignored the other relevant non-mistaken points I have made, and merely focussed on this one is more a case of cherry-picking than anything I have done. If that is the best argument you can put up on the matter, then you really don’t have much evidence of what you are accusing the Greens of.
You ignored a question I posed to you, which was pivotal to one of the main points I was making.
Q: Do you think that aiming at 1000 Green jobs is an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
Having ignored this question, you come across as closed to the possibility that The Greens may not have “sold out big time” on the climate change issue, rather may be approaching the issue in a different manner than the “loudhailer” style approach, which appears to be your preference.
I view the Greens approach as savvy and pragmatic because it addresses the issue of reducing carbon usage, and deals with the consequences of dwindling fuel supplies, without saturating the NZ population with a message that would be extremely easy to come across as a fear-based ‘we are all doomed’ one. It is an approach that fosters hope, and empowers by giving us something to work toward, rather than run from.
Regarding my comment on getting rivers clean.
I didn’t make this point clearly; so fair enough that you didn’t “get” it, I won’t go into a detailed explanation of this in order to keep my comment shorter. I was hinting at the positive knock-on effects that planting has on fixing carbon into the soil, and also the raising of awareness in those involved of the interdependent nature that our environmental system consists of.
I completely fail to see your point that when the Greens get into power they will:
“then sign up to a government that allows deep sea oil drilling and the stripping of the Denniston Plateau for coal,”
I have noticed Gareth Hughes, in particular, on Parliament channel time and again making very reasoned, researched and credible arguments as to why activities such as fracking, deep-sea drilling and mining are no longer pragmatic ways of addressing modern-day issues nor leading us toward a positive future.
Combining the consistent messages that Mr Hughes (along with others) make with a quick appraisal of Labours press releases on the subject, there seems a good chance that Labour will have to support some shift in the approaches we are taking toward our financial and energy practises and address climate change, that is, unless they wish to be absolutely proven as liars.
I accept that there is always a fear regarding what parties will do once in power; how much compromise and reneging will occur, however I simply do not see you supplying anything other than your own assumptions to convince anyone reading that this is a real likelihood with regard to the Greens, while there is a good amount of information out there to indicate this is not going to be the case.
Regarding your comment: “Particularly nauseating is your let’s “promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.”
You really show yourself as clueless here.
Getting people actively involved in an issue is the single best way to engage people; this gets people emotionally invested in the subject, and they in turn raise awareness in their circles.
I agree with the need for collective effort. I very much agreed with your comments on the “If” thread, Getting legislation, or strong leadership on an issue, however, requires public pressure, this requires the ability to “switch people on” to an issue, I am suggesting to you, Jenny, that attacking and making false accusations of those you relate with over the matter and whom share your concerns yet express differing ways of achieving the same goal is not going to get you achieving your wishes.
No amount of quibbling and excuses can cover for what is the biggest political sell out since Rogernomics.
I asked you not to have to make me explain the plain illogic of your cravenly apologist nonsense.
<blockQ: Do you think that aiming at 1000 Green jobs is an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
blue leopard
No.
What on earth is the logical connection between the two?
The promise of funds for a thousand Green Jobs is purely a sop that the Green Party hope Labour will throw them for accepting Denniston, Deep Seal Oil Exploitation and Fracking.
With no bottom line restrictions on the polluters. Your thousand (unspecified) Green Jobs will ensure that the rest of the carbon economy carries on with business as usual unhindered.
What do you think?
Your thousand Green Jobs are going to shame the polluters into changing their behavior?
If you were being honest not even you would deny that this is another crock full.
What is needed is dramatic cuts in CO2 production. Cutting back will see many jobs created to fill the niches.
What we currently are seeing in this country, is a dramatic increase in CO2 fueled by more mining drilling and fracking.
No amount of Green Jobs will stop the opening of the massive open cast coal mine at Denniston to feed the needless and immoral coal export industry.
Nor will Green Jobs stop fracking, or deep sea oil drilling.
Yet the Green Party is planning to join a government that will permit all these three things.
The Green Party approach is not only back to front, it is a pathetic tinkering around the edges. It represents a cowardly backdown and accommodation to the polluters and their political agents.
Unfortunately, in the crazy off-chance that you really naively believe what you are saying.
For your sake I will use an analogy so simple that even a child could understand it.
Mammals existed alongside dinosaurs for millions of years. So what? They never made any significant progress. The dinosaurs had to swept away first., then the mammals were free to fill all the vacant ecological niches once filled by the dinosaurs.
The same with your Green Jobs. Get the unemployed planting trees or digging holes by hand. See how much progress you make against the unrestrained fossil fueled monster.
Instead of ignoring climate change in the next elections, the Green Party need to make climate change an election issue.
Instead of allowing Fracking, Deep Sea Oil Explorationa and the leveling of the Denniston Plateau for the Chinese export market.
Instead of down playing climate change in the hope of a political accommodation with Labour.The Green Party should be stating pubicly that the New Zealand Green Party will not be part of any government that allows these things.
Of course the Green Party will do no such thing. The siren call of those comfy front row seats is just too strong.
“For your intemperate abuse and continual apology and misdirection over the Green Party sell out over climate change you and others like you are bringing the Green Party into disrepute. Especially among other environmentalist groups.”
You don’t need a citation Weka. Just go and talk to the leaders of these groups. You only have to say two words, “Green Party” to witness, eye rolling and theatrical groans of dismay and disgust.
“Jenny Get fucked”
Indeed!
But do I see an ideology in the making? I thinks so. One that an Ad might at some time in the future be able to define as a “sub-culcha”
I’m at a loss to see why disparate ideas in the project of common cause get such negative acknowledgement. But actually… I’m not! It’s simply that ego has gotten in the way. (Not to mention growing up, the influence that having children has on life – politically, socially and economically)
Bullshit and Jellybeans. Quick to chastise means quick to discard.
Here we go again …….. ABC club, Labour Party Old guard – perfect examples
How else do you explain that LP person in the (WLG) Eastern Subs other than ascribing “matron” – just as we would have JUST post-WW2 to a load of injured people. In the 21stC – we’ve simply got another load of casualties in need of such matronly interest.
You have to admire her sacrifice though yea? Signing up to maternal instinct at the expense of political career, let alone the instinct for survival that lets her sell-out most of the core values she once had.
Oh.. yea …. Marion
Other than at an Aro Valley Green Party urban cycling track meet, anyone tried Climate Change as a conversation opener with real people? Other than the last storm being called “climate change”, few care. Wish it weren’t true.
With the failure of Kyoto to convince the major producers of CO2 to our atmosphere to become part of that accord there doesn’t seem a hell of a lot we can ‘do’ that will make a real difference in terms of the amount of CO2 produced that will alter the theory of what will occur in the next 30-100 years,
Even if we could stop tomorrow the production of any CO2 to the atmosphere from our activities,(which it’s obvious we can’t), the major polluters have shown no great desire, except for paying lip service, to engage in any serious lowering of their CO2 out-put,
my view has always been that Kyoto would not work for those very reasons, i prefer a dedicated NZ carbon tax that could be put to use planting trees, exploring the means of lowering industrially emitted CO2, and, exploring a means by which CO2 could be removed from the atmosphere on an industrial scale…
You obviously don’t work in a South Auckland factory. After the North Auckland tornadoes and Hurricane Sandy, climate change was everyone’s lips. The general feeling is that climate change is a real threat, and that they would support measures to counter it. .
Leadership is obviously called for, and that is what is missing.
That is simply an ‘assertion’ you make in an attempt to justify the stance you take,
Have you got any actual proof of the ‘views’ of those who work in the factories of South Auckland or anywhere else for that matter or is this simply another of your ‘i thunk it therefore it is’ rants,
There is in fact no action we can ‘take’ as a nation that will alter in any meaningful way the equation of CO2 being released into the atmosphere and just to be clear i mean alter in any meaningful way the equation that brings CO2 levels back to pre-1970’s levels on a global scale,
Anything we do as a country can only be symbolic in terms of the actual amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere on a global scale and your previous ‘plan’ to shame the major polluters into taking action would fall on as deaf a set of ears as did the actual Kyoto Accord which none of the major polluters had the slightest inclination to sign up to,
Should New Zealand find a relatively cost efficient means of extracting and storing CO2 from the atmosphere on an industrial scale then other countries may take heed, other than that your continual attack on the Green Party is a simple denial of reality on your part…
Did you hear anybody in South Auckland suggesting that they shut down the factory that they rely on for a weekly income, stopping the trucks which transport materials to and from the factory, or choosing to give up the daily convenience and use of their car, in order to reduce CO2 emissions?
Yep. And who really believes that a single inspirational leader can do anything much without the backing of a strong, able and loyal Cabinet.
The other thing to watch out for in the future as times get tougher – calls to curtail democracy, favouring of emergency powers, appointed unaccountable decision making bodies etc.
Interesting.
Does this mean:
the left get up earlier in the morning (shopping at local market?) so they vote first.
There is a link somewhere that encourages people to go over and vote.
or, and I hope this is the answer, people really are getting sick of the Nacts.
I thought I had noticed a trend on a lot of the comments pages for the left of centre response to be to the forefront. particularly the “bene bashing” type stories.
I suspect that the “right” are not so stupid as to believe the c**p that is in the Sunday papers published by Fairfax and never visit the site on a Sunday.
Lolz. mention one of those governing alone poll and hey presto TV1 spits one out with National polling 49%,
With a 3% margin of error i would suggest that they have done the usual and read the results with National from the high side of the margin and Labour from the low side,
It will be interesting to see how this latest ‘poll’ effects the poll of polls…
Hi VV. This poll has been running for a few days now. Unfortunately with stuff opinion polls you can click on the same voting option more than once, so its hard to know if the poll is accurate.
Twice over the last wee while they’ve asked something along the lines of “Do you support David Shearer as the Leader of the Labour Party?”
Yes
No
Not sure
On both occasions the YES option has had significantly more votes than the NO option. Curious at this result I clicked on NO option again and sure enough it accepted another vote from me. There was no message to say “Your vote has already been counted etc”. So I figured there was a bunch of Team Shearers’ sitting there hitting the YES YES YES button. Maybe stuff staff fixed this. I haven’t tried doing that for a few weeks. I tried to get on to the stuff site just now to have another go at the poll you linked, to check whether it would accept the same vote again Site doesn’t seem to be working at the mo.
No, I’m not contesting anything other than, taking the earthly focus, outwards into space. The stories around asteroids have been changing on a regular basis, in terms of when, how frequent etc, now J90 link states that some are too small to track, which I simply do not buy into, given the technology, money, and time spent on such discoveries for many many decades.
The threats are very much on earth, what next, the predicted alien invasion, which was scheduled to follow a period of time after the human race has been terrorised by asteroids..
yeah I’m good muzza hope you and your loved ones are too.
I can see that outwards could be a distraction and to make it really distract an announcement of non-earthy life will be the big one – but pretty big risks in bullshitting that one though.
That B612 foundation – “The Sentinel mission will in effect create the first comprehensive dynamic map of the inner solar system showing the positions and orbital tracks of the hundreds of thousands of Near Earth Asteroids as they orbit the Sun.”
I can’t see a problem with this one because tracking near earth objects is a hell of a lot different than reading over your shoulder from space. They say they are tracking to give early warning which seems fine – personally it is a bit hollywoodish – most times the asteroid is past us before we even know it was coming and as they say to deflect any of them requires very early intervention and that is just not real-world compliant.
Another commercial space-mining venture, Deep Space Industries, is proposing its own set of asteroid-hunting space telescopes. “Placing 10 of our small FireFly spacecraft into position to intercept close encounters would take four years and less than $100 million,” David Gump, the company’s CEO, said in a statement. “This will help the world develop the understanding needed to block later threats.”
The above being my favourite from the link Joe.
Focus space cowboy, the threat is still very much on earth, but appreciate that its most likely all too much for you to keep up with, completely understandable!
Still not seen any links made to the Al Qaeda’s/Irans space terror training base yet though, suspect the story line would be hard sell, stay tuned!
Yes catch that piece of space rock hurtling along at 27,000 K an hour, drill it mine it frack it sell it and then find the ‘enemy’ and hurl it at them,
Capitalization of space rocks have just gotta be the way of the future…
It stands to reason that these contractors, who are doing the work, and have invested time and money into the job, get protected.
What Labour are promoting here should have positive effects on many people’s lives and businesses, so why would Neil Wilson frame it in the way he does?
Who is Neil Wilson? And why don’t “Stuff” have links to the writers name with a bit of information about them?
Our media sources are more befitting for …actually I can’t think of anything or anyone who deserves the level of misinformation, narrow bias and bull that our media sources consist of.
Top marks David Shearer, yes a trust fund set up so that each major project has it’s own account against which sub-contractors have a set period to lodge their payment claims against with a copy of the contractual arrangement and a sign off from the main contractor on work that has been completed,
Obviously the main contractor then has an imperative to ensure that after the ‘subbies’ have completed their work the paperwork and sign off are completed as soon as possible,
The interest held from such ‘trust’ accounts on each project should first pay the cost of administering the system and then any remainder after all the claims lodged against the ‘trust fund’ should pass back to the main contractor,
I do not expect Labour to fall all over themselves apologizing for 30 years of neo-liberal bullshit deregulation but i do expect them when a fault has been detected to react with speed in a proactive manner,
I would suggest an examination of such a process to see if such a ‘trust’ system could not be extended further where sub-contractors monies are also held until sign off for the work done has occurred and those who are employed by the subcontractors have been shown to have been payed any wages owed specific to that actual job on that actual contract…
If National is planning to make some boundary changes in its favour before the next election, can anything be done to stop them? Can we be ready for this possibility?
In theory a major party could win enough of the electorate seats to overpower it’s % of the party vote and create an overhang of seats in the Parliament,
It’s some sort of cross party commission, from memory. Lots of horse trading and jockeying for advantage, to use a couple of equine analogies. CV is only partially right. While the party vote determines the number of seats overall, its important that the left wins electorate seats so local voters have an MP that will put their interests forward. Ask Whanganui voters what its like have an MP who phones it in from the ‘naki. It stinks.
Specifically for the Labour Party, they need to lift their presence in provincial New Zealand. At the moment its only Palmy and the West Coast. Must do better.
Actually the electorate boundaries are decided by a body called the Representation Commission.
It is comprised of
A chairperson appointed by the Governor-General. I believe he is usually a judge or retired judge.
Four ex-officio members
The Surveyor-General
The Government Statistician
The Chief Electoral Officer
The Chairperson of the Local Government Commission
There were also two members representing the Government and the Opposition.
These were removed from the Electoral Commission. I am not sure whether they are still on the Representation Commission.
There are a few others added when determining the Maori electorate boundaries.
I would say it is obvious that the Government cannot specify Electorate boundaries.
Bad Colmar Brunton poll for Labour/Greens/Shearer, good for National/Key, possibly a correction from the pre-Xmas poll, but …
the revealing story was the next one. Same poll, same people, and a large majority of respondents dissatisfied with Parata, and therefore with Key for keeping Parata.
When will the penny drop for Labour? Voters dissatisfied with A doesn’t automatically mean votes switch to B. People have to be persuaded, and not by passivity or platitiudes.
Sun. = hot.
hot = beaches and swimming.
beaches and swimming = feel good.
feel good = BBQs and all’s well with the world.
all’s well with the world = John Key & his govt. good.
BUT in a few weeks/months:
the summer sun is waning… the rain sets in… it’s getting cold… the arthritis is painful… the bills are coming in thick and fast… Johnny’s ChCh school has closed and bingo… John Key & his govt. bad.
Broadly I agree Anne, a poll in Feb is pretty silly. Waste of TVNZ money.
But then that logic should apply to all the polls, Roy Morgan as much as Colmar Brunton. We can’t pick and choose. As I pointed out, the same people in that poll gave a clear thumbs down to Parata, at the start of the school year. They are thinking about what matters to them.
“The poll was not all positive for the Government though, with almost 60 per cent of the 1000 eligible voters who took part saying Key had made the wrong decision to keep Hekia Parata as Education Minister.”
Yes my comment was broad brush but it has some relevance. Lets face it, the majority in voter land are deaf and blind to all things politic at this time of the year. That will always favour the govt. of the day.
I am presuming all polling companies have their own individual method of polling. How that works out in practice is a moot point, but it is patently obvious that the polling companies used by the major media outlets always lean towards the National Party. I think Roy Morgan has a different polling method, and over time is likely to be more accurate.
I have never understood why the political parties of the left don’t use their publicity machines to inform the public that those media-backed polls can never be representative because they are only focused on land-line owners. Many voters like to go along with ‘the majority’, and it would help negate some of that spin-off to the right wing parties.
I have never understood why the political parties of the left don’t use their publicity machines to inform the public that those media-backed polls can never be representative
That would annoy the polling corporates, and Key would be responding front and centre with a ‘sour grapes’ line.
Further, does Labour really want to be associated with people who can’t afford a landline.
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Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
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 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
I note the Herald’s website adds the following text under its opinion piece when rcommentunderWe aim to have healthy debate. But we won’t publish comments that abuse others.
I note the Herald’s website adds the following text under its opinion pieces ”we aim to have healthy debate. But we won’t publish comments that abuse others.”
If that’s the case, why do they let neo-con ideologues like Rodney Hide get away with abusive language in hate-filled and fear-mongering pieces on teacher unions today? Does an inflammatory article like this encourage ‘healthy debate’?
@Paul,
Does an inflammatory article like this encourage ‘healthy debate’?
No it doesn’t.
Rodney’s article suggests to me that NAct’s program to shovel education money into the pockets of their mates isn’t going as smoothly as they had hoped. Good on the teachers’ unions. Given the hatred they generate on the WhaleSpew blog as well, they must be having some successes.
Perhaps parents can even appreciate that teachers who continue working even though they can’t even be sure they’ll get paid are not the problem, but that Hide, the silent member for Epsom, and the rest of the government are.
‘
Scientists confirm Arctic ice collapse imminent.
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/02/15-6
Take particular notice of the comment thread.
Climate Change denial is a vanishing small opinion.
As Vernon Small also notes it, Climate Change is the widely held majority opinion.
The explanation is simple. Political parties will not lead on this issue, or the issue of energy depletion, until they feel that middle class electorate opinion will support them.
I’ve said this to you before.
Yes, perhaps more of a reflection of our society than “The Greens” leadership or level of stupidity.
I expect Jenny to start moaning that I am scapegoating the upper middle class Green voter with the new Prius (which happens to contain hundreds of kilograms of steel which used tonnes of coal to manufacture), airline tickets booked for the overseas holiday plans with the family, and new iPhone 5’s all round, for not being real about the lifestyle and consumption downgrades they need to undergo ASAP.
By the “middle class”, I presume you mean those not ground down by the daily existence of of low pay and extreme hours, and so able to lift their heads to give the environment and politics much more of their concentration.
The sort of people able to afford the leisure to go tramping fiordland.
The sort of people who marched against apartheid and nuclear ships.
Those who protested in their tens of thousands against the mining of schedule 4 land.
Or is it, some other “middle class” you are talking about? One of your own bigotted imaginings.
Hey Jenny, since you’re being a smartass
Tell me which of the examples you used above (tramping, apartheid, nuclear warships, preventing mining on schedule 4 land, etc) required those protestors to accept a rapid and substantially reduced level of lifestyle, consumption and income for themselves and their families.
War
Yep, that would be the only one, and the most recent example 70 years ago now. Ironically, the NZ public accepted it at that time as being necessary to preserve the existing way of life for King and Country.
Indeed and it was the middle classes that volunteered in percentage numbers way over their representation in the general population. Conscription had to brought in to get working class people involved in similar proportions.
From the Waitakere news:
I disagree, it would be easy to get this support back
What I take from this report is that the Labour Party is bleeding middle class support to the Greens.
It Labour wanted to get that “chunk of the intellectual urban” (middle class) support back, it would be easy.
All Labour have to do is outflank the Green Pary on the environment.
This would be so easy. It is indisputable that the that Greens are down playing the issue of Climate Change. Climate Change is not one of the Green Party’s three “Priorities”. Climate Change is not even one of the Green Party’s seven, “Other priorities that we are focusing on”. Climate Change is one of fiftynine, “Other” – “Issues”
These “activists and/or well resourced” people are exactly the democraphic that Colonial Viper thoughtlessly disparages as “middle class”.
To having any chance of winning back this intellectual urban vote Labour needs to immediately promote David Cunliffe to the front bench wth full freedom of action. Of all the parliamentarians David Cunliffe is way ahead of the rest, even the Greens in addressing climate change the single most pressing issue facing humanity. Not as the Green Party insist, just one of 59, not even secondary, “Other Issues”.
A more fun way to get the middle class back is more glamorous events to go to.
In the last year of Helen Clark’s government the Auckland Labour staged a massive art auction; you should have seen the number of Senior Associates, Partners, Professors and bejewelled wives.
OMG it was fun, they hoovered the cash (and we got to trade bets across the room against Labour MPs), and absolutely no-one talked about anything so dreary as policy.
Anyone want the middle class? Stop talking policy bullshit, start having fun, help them spend do trucks of money for serious media buyouts 1 year from an election. Key understands this so so well. Which is one reason he kicks political ass every election he’s contested.
It is indisputable that the that Greens are down playing the issue of Climate Change.
As ever, Jenny, [citation needed]. And please note that you have phrased this as a deliberate action on the part of the Green party – “Greens are down playing” – not “but they’re talking about other things too” or “not every single media release is about climate change”, which I recall are your usual back-pedal points.
It is indisputable that the that Greens are down playing the issue of Climate Change.
How can you look at their official website, or at their record in the last election and claim they are not?
I agree the Greens are downplaying the issue after some strategic planning about what will engage voters the most. However banging on about it here is not helping you or anyone else, Jenny.
How can you look at their official website, or at their record in the last election and claim they are not?
Because that’s not what “downplaying” means, Jenny.
Downplaying would be Russel Norman saying “We don’t really think climate change is a significant issue.”
Downplaying would be Metiria Turei saying “The Green Party isn’t going to talk about climate change because it’s not going to have any major effect any time soon.”
What you continue to do is equivalent to me saying “Jenny is downplaying poverty because she talks about things other than poverty.” or “Jenny is actively avoiding talking about Christchurch school closures! See, her last 100 comments are all about climate change!” Whatever kind of logic that is, it ain’t our Earth logic.
Not to mention the computer you’re using right now CV.
The problem with your argument is that the data used to make that outdated finding hasn’t been made public and therefore cannot be verified. It’s also not relevant to New Zealand, because the US company involved is a for profit organisation that works for the car manufacturing industry.
If you just want to compare the steel used, then hybrid vehicles on average use less steel than conventional cars. They are usually lighter CV, to make them more efficient. Your argument might work if all our power generation came from coal, but in New Zealand it doesn’t with around 70% from hydro.
Although it has apparently improved recently, the US derived 49% of its power from coal generation in 2006, which was about the same time the defunct study was conducted. We could have 100% renewable energy production here if we wanted… The electric and hybrid vehicles we use today are already better than conventional gas powered vehicles for the environment, even with consideration to the materials used and manufacturing energy required.
Other studies have shown that using electric vehicles is comparably bad for the environment when the electricity used to power them is entirely generated by coal. If you use clean energy sources to power hybrid and electric vehicles, they are better for the environment than conventional petrol powered vehicles.
What I’m getting at is that we don’t need to reduce our living standards to ensure the environment is protected.
lol
of course WE don’t, it’s just the people in developing and third world countries who have to make the sacrifices now.
Not necessarily… Many countries can learn from our mistakes and initially incorporate more clean tech into their developments instead of relying on outdated and dirty technologies CV. In fact many are already.
For the same amount of investment, renewable energy production creates more than twice as many jobs as polluting industries, it usually has a better return on investment and doesn’t cost as much to maintain.
The problem is that the capitalists don’t want to lose their existing investment into dirty industries, and that’s why we’ve had little changeover yet. Developing countries don’t usually have that problem, because there hasn’t been much investment to be lost.
Nice reassuring talk, you should look up the direction of global coal and oil consumption trends for the last 10 years for the reality.
Renewables are growing faster than coal and oil… Wind energy for instance up 26% compared to coal, up 5.4%. So what’s your point CV?
Firstly get your numbers right. The EIA says that coal production increased by 66% between 2000 and 2010, from 5B short tons per year to over 8B short tons per year.
http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=3350
So, how does your 26% increase in wind energy, from a far far smaller starting base, look now?
Notice also that coal use, and hence environmental degradation, is increasing not decreasing. You might take solace from any slight slowing in that increase I suppose. Like drowning, just not as quickly.
The figures I’ve used are just for 2011, not ten years CV… Clearly things are improving.
Things are improving?
More coal is being produced and burnt year on year, every year, and that is an improvement for the environment uh, because the number of wind turbines is growing as well?
The growth in coal consumption is reducing Coronial Wiper, which is a good thing… The growth in renewables is increasing, which is also good. Why do you insist on twisting everything I write to mean something else?
But back to your first assertion… Do you agree that hybrid and electric vehicles are more energy efficient than your average petrol powered vehicle or not?
They definitely are not.
A 5 year old petrol driven Toyota Corolla already on our roads today is far more energy and CO2 efficient than a new hybrid Prius, Insight or Camry.
Sure that’s good news, it’ll cross 8 billion metric tonnes produced per annum, probably this year or next.
Where’s your evidence of that CV?
Oh, I know stuff.
Basically it comes down to a question of embodied energy. It takes the better part of a decade or so before something like a Prius comes close to breaking even on the embodied energy and CO2 front, assuming someone driving 10,000-20,000 km/year.
You mean you believe stuff, but cannot link to any evidence to support your claims?
Per K’s driven, a Prius is more efficient than a Corolla. The only area where it wins out is useful life. Your estimate exceeds the useful drive life of a Prius, which clearly indicates you’re making shit up Coronial Wiper. Yawn!
To make such a comparison, you must at least know what the useful drive life of a Toyota Corolla is… So what is it?
Embodied energy Jackal, look it up.
So? It’ll take many many years for a brand new imported Prius to break even in terms of energy savings and CO2 emissions, compared to an existing standard Corolla.
No, its irrelevant at this time.
A bit beneath you to resort to straw man arguments re embodied energy isn’ it CV? That’s what I’ve been talking about. Where’s your data that shows the embodied energy for a Prius vs a Carolla then smartass?
If you make a calculation believing that all the energy to power the Prius will come from coal it will be wrong! If you calculate the total units manufactured and the plants set up and energy costs it will be wrong! Capish?
You cannot compare embodied energy including total units of a car that’s been in manufacture for ages with one that has a shorter manufacturing history and therefore less units. That’s the only way your assertion will be correct. In the real world it isn’t.
lol – you don’t have the concept of embodied energy at all.
I’ll communicate the concept of ’embodied energy’ another way: if the aim is to reduce the amount of CO2 released and energy used in the world this year, then the answer is simple.
Don’t build a new Prius requiring a new factory, new machine tools, new body steel + aluminium and then the use of more diesel for shipping to NZ along with many other associated industrial and economic activities; use a second hand Corolla which has long been built and already been transported to NZ.
Of course you can compare them. They are totally comparable.
Using an existing already built second hand car doesn’t require the massive additional investment of energy and fresh emissions that fabricating a new car from scratch and transporting it to NZ does.
So you have no data, just waffling! God you really have become a total bore CV.
Hey you know best keep on going mate.
Keep on going? You’ve lost the debate CV… You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to comprehend it.
How ironic
To say nothing of the chemicals and shit in the batteries. The best use I ever saw for a Prius is this.
Jenny, get fucked.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-14122012/#comment-562666
and I will be happy to provide more links that answer Jenny’s spam questions if necessary.
“Most people are convinced of the reality of Climate Change and they want something done about it.”
Until the people stop wanting something to be ‘done’ about it (ie for someone else to solve the problem for them), and start doing something themselves, nothing will change.
People do want something to be done. But anything major that is done by human beings requires teamwork and teamwork requires leadership. (Whether that is building a house or a road or a bridge or crossing an ocean)
Those who promote themselves as leaders and then give excuses for not leading are not leaders, they are followers.
When the Rena ran aground it wasn’t the crew who were held responsible it was the captain.
For your intemperate abuse and continual apology and misdirection over the Green Party sell out over climate change you and others like you are bringing the Green Party into disrepute. Especially among other environmentalist groups.
Politicians are for the most part not leaders Jenny, they are followers. Listen and learn please.
Politicians are for the most part not leaders Jenny, they are followers….
Colonial Viper
To which I might add, all frightened to voice an independent opinion….
However, wouldn’t it better if at least one or two of them were leaders?
herwise we might wind up with some sort of bland muttering headless bureaucracy, none with an independent thought or clue, hell bent on BAU, stumbling from one shambling disaster to the next.
On the other hand CV you may have a point. On seeing how the bureaucrats treat real leaders, someone with smarts, aware of the issues and able to voice them. I’m not surprised that the rest of them all keep their heads down and deliver up unanimous votes for the “leader” that would embarrass North Koreans.
You may have noted: this is basically the current situation.
@ Jenny,
If your quote of Colonial Weka is anything to go by, then Colonial Weka and yourself are coming at the problem from different angles and are not ultimately in disagreement.
To single someone out or slam them and imply that they are not “for” your particular issue of the day because they have a different approach from you is not a good look, and I suggest therefore won’t have a great effect on what you appear to want to achieve.
You say that The Greens are playing down the issue of climate change and state that:
And that Climate Change not be one of their “Principles”, or even one of their “Issues”.
This appears to a case of a very narrow focus leading to a cherry picking effect of the data available on The Greens website.
One of the three main issues listed is that of creating 1000 Green jobs.
Q: Do you think that such an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
Hint: Under Green Jobs details, second paragraph:
“…our economy is our environment and that our 100% Pure brand is invaluable in a world worried about carbon emissions, water shortages, and contaminated food.”
[my emphasis]
One of the three main issues is cleaning our rivers up.
Q: Do you think that clean water isn’t of import for sustainable lives with climate change?
Q: Do you think that the methods of addressing this issue might not have some effect on the carbon issue too?
And what do we find listed at the top of the list under the “Policy” heading “Environment” section?
Climate Change
And go to the page this heading links to and what do we find?
A page full of approaches that the Greens have devised in order to address the matter.
…listed…under the statement written in bold
“We can avoid the worst of dangerous climate change if we act now.”
There is more than one way to skin a cat, and perhaps, Jenny, you might learn to appreciate the value of this, and also of not attacking those with similar concerns to that of yourself, yet who are approaching the problem in a different manner to that of yours.
An apologist, for an apologist.
What next?
MY PARTICULAR ISSUE OF THE DAY!
An existential and environmental species extinction event comparable to that marked by the KT boundary saw the ended the age of the dinosaurs.
Not only completely wrong headed about the scale and magnitude of the the disaster facing us. But personally insulting as well. Suggestng that my concern about the climate is just my “particular issue of the day”.
If you wonder why I am angry, at Weka and Greens for deliberately down playing climate change, and just think it is matter of crossed wires,.
Then you obviously don’t get it.
If you think is all a simple misunderstanding…..
If you think concern about the changing climate it is all a matter of personal choice….
Then you or your grandchildren are in for a very rude awakening.
And as to what I am trying to achieve. All three major political parties Labour National and the Greens have a gentleman’s agreement to hold an Obama/Romney type election campaign in 2014 where it is agreed by all sides that Climate Change will not be an election issue.
I may not be able to change that corrupt stitch up. But I can expose it. And as it all unfolds as they plan, and the Green Party caucus then sign up to a government that allows deep sea oil drilling and the stripping of the Denniston Plateau for coal, it won’t come as a complete shock to cute cuddly toys like yourself.
@ Jenny
I’m unclear why you didn’t just come out and say that you thought that this election rigging was going on.
Of course you will be asked to substantiate your claim, although I am open to this type of thing occurring; there are real big bikkies involved.
I am, however, in two minds about whether this would be an ‘arranged’ set up for big money interest, or simply information you have read/heard coming from people who have a good understanding what effect saturating an audience has.
I was trying to point out that The Greens, may not be calling out “Climate Change” from the rooftops, yet if even some of their policies were employed, there would be huge steps made toward addressing this issue.
lolz re apologist for an apologist!
Regarding name calling
From Wikipedia
Whilst I understand what you are trying to achieve by doing so, perhaps gauge your audience; fear-mongering propaganda might not work amongst people with an openness toward being informed. Rational, fact-based arguments can be effective too.
Re “My particular issue of the day”
Well, that worked a treat! heh
I personally do not think that sounding “Climate Change” from public speakers everywhere all day is the best approach on this one. I think it will only come across as fear-mongering and a high chance of getting people “freezing” or locked into denial (if this hasn’t already happened). Far better to come at it from different angles; promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.
In my opinion what needs attacking most is, in fact, greed. Because until this is seen for the destructive condition that it is, policies such as financial gambling ets style schemes created by people with huge resources to address people with huge resources in a way that will simply allow huge resources to amass in the same hands, will not address the issues and just keep things going nowhere fast.
Goodness me, Blue leopard this certainly is a specious load. I didn’t even realise a stuffed toy could do such a mess.
I will have to pull on my forensic gloves to sift through the product of your output.
First of all, I will have to guess that you are trying to make the case that Climate Change is considered an equal issue with all other issues within the Green Party.
This is clearly not the case.
It is not one of their 3 “Priorities”. It appears nowhere on the front page of their official party website. It is not one of their secondary, 7 “Other priorities”.
Climate Change is considered be 3rd equal with 59 “Other Issues”.
And how about this howler from you, to show how important climate change is to the Green Party.
You are either terribly stupid, or you think we are. Climate Change is at the top of the list because because the topics are listed alpahbetically.
Let’s look at the whole list under the heading “Environment”:
Climate Change
Conservation
Contaminated Sites
Energy
Environment
Forestry
Marine and Oceans
Peak Oil
Rail
Rainforests
RMA
Waste
Water
Whaling
And you have the cheek to accuse me of cherry picking data from the Green Party website.
I suppose you are going to tell us now, that this is all just a crazy coincidence. And that climate change had been purposely put at the top of the list of the second “Policy Heading”.
In this list of topics it is very clear that Climate Change has no more emphasis than 59 other sub topics also listed alphabetically. Under the five “Policy Headings” also listed alphabetically.
Economy
Environment and resources
Fairness and society
Health and food
International relations
Politics and law
Other than starting with C, climate change is obviously considered to by the Green Party to be of no more significance than any of the 59 “Other Issues” listed alphabetically. And certainly much less important than the three Green Party “Priorities” or even the Green Party seven “Other Priorities we are concentrating on”.
And never forget we are talking about the biggest environmental disaster threatening to afflict the planet this side of the KT boundary.
Clearly the Green Party are selling out big time on climate change.
And blue leopard, please don’t force me to have to go through the rest of this appalling apologist rationalisation.
Particularly nauseating is your let’s “promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.”
When most of the major solutions to climate change can only come through government legislation nothing could be more dis-empowering and disspiriting.
And that bit about looking after rivers will address climate change. That really is just to much, even for me.
Please don’t make me explain why this is a complete load of apologist nonsense.
But don’t let me stop you. Carry on your fight against greed till the climate crisis overwhelms us all.
You make a case for The Greens not emphasizing the issue of climate change over and above some of the other pressing problems we face, yet I do not believe you have made a good case for the Greens “checking out” on the matter.
Their recent press releases on the matter speak volumes against the point you are attempting to make.
I have already mentioned the full page of information under “climate change” on their website.
Which you simply didn’t acknowledge
And have also found their full policy statement on climate change.
Rather than acknowledging these indications that they have not dropped the ball, you, instead, chose to spend rather a lot of time explaining how “climate” was merely at the top of the page due to the list being in alphabetical order. This is a pretty easy concept to grasp and a fact that I omitted to notice, while I was glancing at their website in order to find out what my appraisal on the matter of “the Greens checking out” was. This was an honest mistake and hardly cherry picking; that you have ignored the other relevant non-mistaken points I have made, and merely focussed on this one is more a case of cherry-picking than anything I have done. If that is the best argument you can put up on the matter, then you really don’t have much evidence of what you are accusing the Greens of.
You ignored a question I posed to you, which was pivotal to one of the main points I was making.
Q: Do you think that aiming at 1000 Green jobs is an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
Having ignored this question, you come across as closed to the possibility that The Greens may not have “sold out big time” on the climate change issue, rather may be approaching the issue in a different manner than the “loudhailer” style approach, which appears to be your preference.
I view the Greens approach as savvy and pragmatic because it addresses the issue of reducing carbon usage, and deals with the consequences of dwindling fuel supplies, without saturating the NZ population with a message that would be extremely easy to come across as a fear-based ‘we are all doomed’ one. It is an approach that fosters hope, and empowers by giving us something to work toward, rather than run from.
Regarding my comment on getting rivers clean.
I didn’t make this point clearly; so fair enough that you didn’t “get” it, I won’t go into a detailed explanation of this in order to keep my comment shorter. I was hinting at the positive knock-on effects that planting has on fixing carbon into the soil, and also the raising of awareness in those involved of the interdependent nature that our environmental system consists of.
I completely fail to see your point that when the Greens get into power they will:
“then sign up to a government that allows deep sea oil drilling and the stripping of the Denniston Plateau for coal,”
I have noticed Gareth Hughes, in particular, on Parliament channel time and again making very reasoned, researched and credible arguments as to why activities such as fracking, deep-sea drilling and mining are no longer pragmatic ways of addressing modern-day issues nor leading us toward a positive future.
Combining the consistent messages that Mr Hughes (along with others) make with a quick appraisal of Labours press releases on the subject, there seems a good chance that Labour will have to support some shift in the approaches we are taking toward our financial and energy practises and address climate change, that is, unless they wish to be absolutely proven as liars.
I accept that there is always a fear regarding what parties will do once in power; how much compromise and reneging will occur, however I simply do not see you supplying anything other than your own assumptions to convince anyone reading that this is a real likelihood with regard to the Greens, while there is a good amount of information out there to indicate this is not going to be the case.
Regarding your comment:
“Particularly nauseating is your let’s “promote tree-planting, walking, cycling, green jobs, green industries, buying local…. Get people empowered.”
You really show yourself as clueless here.
Getting people actively involved in an issue is the single best way to engage people; this gets people emotionally invested in the subject, and they in turn raise awareness in their circles.
I agree with the need for collective effort. I very much agreed with your comments on the “If” thread, Getting legislation, or strong leadership on an issue, however, requires public pressure, this requires the ability to “switch people on” to an issue, I am suggesting to you, Jenny, that attacking and making false accusations of those you relate with over the matter and whom share your concerns yet express differing ways of achieving the same goal is not going to get you achieving your wishes.
No amount of quibbling and excuses can cover for what is the biggest political sell out since Rogernomics.
I asked you not to have to make me explain the plain illogic of your cravenly apologist nonsense.
<blockQ: Do you think that aiming at 1000 Green jobs is an approach might improve the over-consumption of carbon usage issue?
blue leopard
No.
What on earth is the logical connection between the two?
The promise of funds for a thousand Green Jobs is purely a sop that the Green Party hope Labour will throw them for accepting Denniston, Deep Seal Oil Exploitation and Fracking.
With no bottom line restrictions on the polluters. Your thousand (unspecified) Green Jobs will ensure that the rest of the carbon economy carries on with business as usual unhindered.
What do you think?
Your thousand Green Jobs are going to shame the polluters into changing their behavior?
If you were being honest not even you would deny that this is another crock full.
What is needed is dramatic cuts in CO2 production. Cutting back will see many jobs created to fill the niches.
What we currently are seeing in this country, is a dramatic increase in CO2 fueled by more mining drilling and fracking.
No amount of Green Jobs will stop the opening of the massive open cast coal mine at Denniston to feed the needless and immoral coal export industry.
Nor will Green Jobs stop fracking, or deep sea oil drilling.
Yet the Green Party is planning to join a government that will permit all these three things.
The Green Party approach is not only back to front, it is a pathetic tinkering around the edges. It represents a cowardly backdown and accommodation to the polluters and their political agents.
Unfortunately, in the crazy off-chance that you really naively believe what you are saying.
For your sake I will use an analogy so simple that even a child could understand it.
Mammals existed alongside dinosaurs for millions of years. So what? They never made any significant progress. The dinosaurs had to swept away first., then the mammals were free to fill all the vacant ecological niches once filled by the dinosaurs.
The same with your Green Jobs. Get the unemployed planting trees or digging holes by hand. See how much progress you make against the unrestrained fossil fueled monster.
Instead of ignoring climate change in the next elections, the Green Party need to make climate change an election issue.
Instead of allowing Fracking, Deep Sea Oil Explorationa and the leveling of the Denniston Plateau for the Chinese export market.
Instead of down playing climate change in the hope of a political accommodation with Labour.The Green Party should be stating pubicly that the New Zealand Green Party will not be part of any government that allows these things.
Of course the Green Party will do no such thing. The siren call of those comfy front row seats is just too strong.
“For your intemperate abuse and continual apology and misdirection over the Green Party sell out over climate change you and others like you are bringing the Green Party into disrepute. Especially among other environmentalist groups.”
[citation needed]
You don’t need a citation Weka. Just go and talk to the leaders of these groups. You only have to say two words, “Green Party” to witness, eye rolling and theatrical groans of dismay and disgust.
“Jenny Get fucked”
Indeed!
But do I see an ideology in the making? I thinks so. One that an Ad might at some time in the future be able to define as a “sub-culcha”
I’m at a loss to see why disparate ideas in the project of common cause get such negative acknowledgement. But actually… I’m not! It’s simply that ego has gotten in the way. (Not to mention growing up, the influence that having children has on life – politically, socially and economically)
Bullshit and Jellybeans. Quick to chastise means quick to discard.
Here we go again …….. ABC club, Labour Party Old guard – perfect examples
How else do you explain that LP person in the (WLG) Eastern Subs other than ascribing “matron” – just as we would have JUST post-WW2 to a load of injured people. In the 21stC – we’ve simply got another load of casualties in need of such matronly interest.
You have to admire her sacrifice though yea? Signing up to maternal instinct at the expense of political career, let alone the instinct for survival that lets her sell-out most of the core values she once had.
Oh.. yea …. Marion
Other than at an Aro Valley Green Party urban cycling track meet, anyone tried Climate Change as a conversation opener with real people? Other than the last storm being called “climate change”, few care. Wish it weren’t true.
With the failure of Kyoto to convince the major producers of CO2 to our atmosphere to become part of that accord there doesn’t seem a hell of a lot we can ‘do’ that will make a real difference in terms of the amount of CO2 produced that will alter the theory of what will occur in the next 30-100 years,
Even if we could stop tomorrow the production of any CO2 to the atmosphere from our activities,(which it’s obvious we can’t), the major polluters have shown no great desire, except for paying lip service, to engage in any serious lowering of their CO2 out-put,
my view has always been that Kyoto would not work for those very reasons, i prefer a dedicated NZ carbon tax that could be put to use planting trees, exploring the means of lowering industrially emitted CO2, and, exploring a means by which CO2 could be removed from the atmosphere on an industrial scale…
You obviously don’t work in a South Auckland factory. After the North Auckland tornadoes and Hurricane Sandy, climate change was everyone’s lips. The general feeling is that climate change is a real threat, and that they would support measures to counter it. .
Leadership is obviously called for, and that is what is missing.
That is simply an ‘assertion’ you make in an attempt to justify the stance you take,
Have you got any actual proof of the ‘views’ of those who work in the factories of South Auckland or anywhere else for that matter or is this simply another of your ‘i thunk it therefore it is’ rants,
There is in fact no action we can ‘take’ as a nation that will alter in any meaningful way the equation of CO2 being released into the atmosphere and just to be clear i mean alter in any meaningful way the equation that brings CO2 levels back to pre-1970’s levels on a global scale,
Anything we do as a country can only be symbolic in terms of the actual amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere on a global scale and your previous ‘plan’ to shame the major polluters into taking action would fall on as deaf a set of ears as did the actual Kyoto Accord which none of the major polluters had the slightest inclination to sign up to,
Should New Zealand find a relatively cost efficient means of extracting and storing CO2 from the atmosphere on an industrial scale then other countries may take heed, other than that your continual attack on the Green Party is a simple denial of reality on your part…
Did you hear anybody in South Auckland suggesting that they shut down the factory that they rely on for a weekly income, stopping the trucks which transport materials to and from the factory, or choosing to give up the daily convenience and use of their car, in order to reduce CO2 emissions?
Yeah, thought so.
Didn’t hear Jenny say she was willing to give up anything either.
Never mind, the new Winston Churchill is just around the corner (we can manufacture him out of thin air!), so everything will be alright.
Yep. And who really believes that a single inspirational leader can do anything much without the backing of a strong, able and loyal Cabinet.
The other thing to watch out for in the future as times get tougher – calls to curtail democracy, favouring of emergency powers, appointed unaccountable decision making bodies etc.
Another good reason for the Greens to be going for as much govt power as they can get. Ditto Mana.
Stuff has an opinion poll on it’s site ‘Who would you vote for if an election were held today’
The numbers are currently
Act 1.2%
Conserv: 4 .0%
Greens 27.4%
Labour 25.9%
Mana 2.9%
Maori 0.6%
NZ First 4.7%
United Future 0.5%
National 32.8%
So far there are 6683 votes.
If only 🙂
Interesting.
Does this mean:
the left get up earlier in the morning (shopping at local market?) so they vote first.
There is a link somewhere that encourages people to go over and vote.
or, and I hope this is the answer, people really are getting sick of the Nacts.
I thought I had noticed a trend on a lot of the comments pages for the left of centre response to be to the forefront. particularly the “bene bashing” type stories.
I suspect that the “right” are not so stupid as to believe the c**p that is in the Sunday papers published by Fairfax and never visit the site on a Sunday.
At least that’s what you hope.
Only when the right see one that shows the National Failure Government governing alone right,
Then you all fall about the place displaying signs of sexual orgasm and screeching like chimpanzees about National having the numbers to Govern alone,
November 2014, my prediction, another 9 in the sin-bin for the Slippery Shyster lead National Party…
Lolz. mention one of those governing alone poll and hey presto TV1 spits one out with National polling 49%,
With a 3% margin of error i would suggest that they have done the usual and read the results with National from the high side of the margin and Labour from the low side,
It will be interesting to see how this latest ‘poll’ effects the poll of polls…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/ if anyone wants to vote.
+ 1 Nice to see a few for Mana and the Greens at 27% – wouldn’t that be nice in the real world.
Hi VV. This poll has been running for a few days now. Unfortunately with stuff opinion polls you can click on the same voting option more than once, so its hard to know if the poll is accurate.
Twice over the last wee while they’ve asked something along the lines of “Do you support David Shearer as the Leader of the Labour Party?”
Yes
No
Not sure
On both occasions the YES option has had significantly more votes than the NO option. Curious at this result I clicked on NO option again and sure enough it accepted another vote from me. There was no message to say “Your vote has already been counted etc”. So I figured there was a bunch of Team Shearers’ sitting there hitting the YES YES YES button. Maybe stuff staff fixed this. I haven’t tried doing that for a few weeks. I tried to get on to the stuff site just now to have another go at the poll you linked, to check whether it would accept the same vote again Site doesn’t seem to be working at the mo.
Hi, I’ll take anything, the left are being recognised at least, my fingers are always
crossed.
Lolz it is still working, i just went round twice and bumped the Green Party vote up by 2, pretty meaningless considering that,
But, an interesting means of perhaps ‘leading’ the uncommitted who don’t have a lot of political knowledge,
You know the one’s, i voted for that nice man Key coz he looks so honest, or i voted for Slippery coz He isn’t a woman…
So Labour people are less web-literate? Hmmm.
Another crock of the week from Peter Sinclair.
http://climatecrocks.com/2013/02/13/minding-nemo-jeff-masters-on-snowstorms-in-a-warming-world/
World Press Photo award: 2 Palestinan pre-schoolers killed by IDF missile strike
Swedish photographer Paul Hansen took the photo in Gaza, Nov 2012.
http://rt.com/news/gaza-photo-award-target-353/
Oh dear, small enough to make tracking difficult and big enough to cause a catastrophe.
http://cosmiclog.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/16/16985690-estimates-raised-for-nuclear-sized-asteroid-blast-that-hit-russia?
Joe all this has been predicted for some period of time, that asteroids would be the *next big threat*..
Too small to track, how convenient, and what a load of absolute shit!
Will certainly provide cover stories for yet more weaponizing of space!
Not for profit B612 Foundation….
NASA -ATLAS
Planetary Recources – Yeah mine those roids!
NBC news, who owns them again!
Kia ora muzza – wot – are you saying they aren’t asteroids – that’s a bit out there mate
Hey Marty how you doing…
No, I’m not contesting anything other than, taking the earthly focus, outwards into space. The stories around asteroids have been changing on a regular basis, in terms of when, how frequent etc, now J90 link states that some are too small to track, which I simply do not buy into, given the technology, money, and time spent on such discoveries for many many decades.
The threats are very much on earth, what next, the predicted alien invasion, which was scheduled to follow a period of time after the human race has been terrorised by asteroids..
Lets not forget this recent announcement
http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/7845215/Search-for-alien-life-steps-up
yeah I’m good muzza hope you and your loved ones are too.
I can see that outwards could be a distraction and to make it really distract an announcement of non-earthy life will be the big one – but pretty big risks in bullshitting that one though.
I agree that the threats are on earth.
That B612 foundation – “The Sentinel mission will in effect create the first comprehensive dynamic map of the inner solar system showing the positions and orbital tracks of the hundreds of thousands of Near Earth Asteroids as they orbit the Sun.”
I can’t see a problem with this one because tracking near earth objects is a hell of a lot different than reading over your shoulder from space. They say they are tracking to give early warning which seems fine – personally it is a bit hollywoodish – most times the asteroid is past us before we even know it was coming and as they say to deflect any of them requires very early intervention and that is just not real-world compliant.
Bolide impacts are actually weapons test gone awry?. Too funny.
Atmospherium
The above being my favourite from the link Joe.
Focus space cowboy, the threat is still very much on earth, but appreciate that its most likely all too much for you to keep up with, completely understandable!
Still not seen any links made to the Al Qaeda’s/Irans space terror training base yet though, suspect the story line would be hard sell, stay tuned!
Your fixation seems to be that there’s only one threat.
Yes catch that piece of space rock hurtling along at 27,000 K an hour, drill it mine it frack it sell it and then find the ‘enemy’ and hurl it at them,
Capitalization of space rocks have just gotta be the way of the future…
B12 – drill it, mine it, frak it, sell it, then find the enemy and hurl it at them..
Classic, Just read this, thanks for the laugh
Whats with the bias on the subject of contractors being protected from bankruptcies?
Labour pushes for the subbie protection it axed
It stands to reason that these contractors, who are doing the work, and have invested time and money into the job, get protected.
What Labour are promoting here should have positive effects on many people’s lives and businesses, so why would Neil Wilson frame it in the way he does?
Who is Neil Wilson? And why don’t “Stuff” have links to the writers name with a bit of information about them?
Our media sources are more befitting for …actually I can’t think of anything or anyone who deserves the level of misinformation, narrow bias and bull that our media sources consist of.
sounds like a prime opportunity for lab to issue another “seen the light” speech.
Top marks David Shearer, yes a trust fund set up so that each major project has it’s own account against which sub-contractors have a set period to lodge their payment claims against with a copy of the contractual arrangement and a sign off from the main contractor on work that has been completed,
Obviously the main contractor then has an imperative to ensure that after the ‘subbies’ have completed their work the paperwork and sign off are completed as soon as possible,
The interest held from such ‘trust’ accounts on each project should first pay the cost of administering the system and then any remainder after all the claims lodged against the ‘trust fund’ should pass back to the main contractor,
I do not expect Labour to fall all over themselves apologizing for 30 years of neo-liberal bullshit deregulation but i do expect them when a fault has been detected to react with speed in a proactive manner,
I would suggest an examination of such a process to see if such a ‘trust’ system could not be extended further where sub-contractors monies are also held until sign off for the work done has occurred and those who are employed by the subcontractors have been shown to have been payed any wages owed specific to that actual job on that actual contract…
If National is planning to make some boundary changes in its favour before the next election, can anything be done to stop them? Can we be ready for this possibility?
It’s MMP, the party vote remains the most significant, and on that count it’s all in Labour’s court.
Besides, our electoral commission is pretty darn fair and impartial.
In theory a major party could win enough of the electorate seats to overpower it’s % of the party vote and create an overhang of seats in the Parliament,
Hasn’t happened yet and i doubt it will…
It’s some sort of cross party commission, from memory. Lots of horse trading and jockeying for advantage, to use a couple of equine analogies. CV is only partially right. While the party vote determines the number of seats overall, its important that the left wins electorate seats so local voters have an MP that will put their interests forward. Ask Whanganui voters what its like have an MP who phones it in from the ‘naki. It stinks.
Specifically for the Labour Party, they need to lift their presence in provincial New Zealand. At the moment its only Palmy and the West Coast. Must do better.
Actually the electorate boundaries are decided by a body called the Representation Commission.
It is comprised of
A chairperson appointed by the Governor-General. I believe he is usually a judge or retired judge.
Four ex-officio members
The Surveyor-General
The Government Statistician
The Chief Electoral Officer
The Chairperson of the Local Government Commission
There were also two members representing the Government and the Opposition.
These were removed from the Electoral Commission. I am not sure whether they are still on the Representation Commission.
There are a few others added when determining the Maori electorate boundaries.
I would say it is obvious that the Government cannot specify Electorate boundaries.
Bad Colmar Brunton poll for Labour/Greens/Shearer, good for National/Key, possibly a correction from the pre-Xmas poll, but …
the revealing story was the next one. Same poll, same people, and a large majority of respondents dissatisfied with Parata, and therefore with Key for keeping Parata.
When will the penny drop for Labour? Voters dissatisfied with A doesn’t automatically mean votes switch to B. People have to be persuaded, and not by passivity or platitiudes.
Sun. = hot.
hot = beaches and swimming.
beaches and swimming = feel good.
feel good = BBQs and all’s well with the world.
all’s well with the world = John Key & his govt. good.
BUT in a few weeks/months:
the summer sun is waning… the rain sets in… it’s getting cold… the arthritis is painful… the bills are coming in thick and fast… Johnny’s ChCh school has closed and bingo… John Key & his govt. bad.
Broadly I agree Anne, a poll in Feb is pretty silly. Waste of TVNZ money.
But then that logic should apply to all the polls, Roy Morgan as much as Colmar Brunton. We can’t pick and choose. As I pointed out, the same people in that poll gave a clear thumbs down to Parata, at the start of the school year. They are thinking about what matters to them.
links anyone?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8315702/Support-grows-for-National-Key-poll
“The poll was not all positive for the Government though, with almost 60 per cent of the 1000 eligible voters who took part saying Key had made the wrong decision to keep Hekia Parata as Education Minister.”
Ta.
Yes my comment was broad brush but it has some relevance. Lets face it, the majority in voter land are deaf and blind to all things politic at this time of the year. That will always favour the govt. of the day.
I am presuming all polling companies have their own individual method of polling. How that works out in practice is a moot point, but it is patently obvious that the polling companies used by the major media outlets always lean towards the National Party. I think Roy Morgan has a different polling method, and over time is likely to be more accurate.
I have never understood why the political parties of the left don’t use their publicity machines to inform the public that those media-backed polls can never be representative because they are only focused on land-line owners. Many voters like to go along with ‘the majority’, and it would help negate some of that spin-off to the right wing parties.
That would annoy the polling corporates, and Key would be responding front and centre with a ‘sour grapes’ line.
Further, does Labour really want to be associated with people who can’t afford a landline.
Do people who can’t afford a landline really want to be associated with Labour anymore? Greens or Mana might be more to their liking…
Just reading Debt: the first 5000 years by David Graeber. Really interesting so far, recommend it.