The BBC is utterly banal…this Peter Taylor effort almost rivals its ludicrous claim that Andrew Neil broke the story that Saddam had no WMD.
Letter to BBC journalist Peter Taylor
Mr Taylor,
Your new BBC piece and your Panorama TV programme are titled “Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World”, only they did not fool the word, did they? The French and Russian governments for example were not convinced Saddam had WMD nor were our own Intelligence services and of course, neither were multitudes of ordinary people around the world, two million of whom marched in London to prove the point.
It is astonishing to me that after all this time the same old clichés about the world believing Saddam had WMD and how the Intelligence was “wrong” or “failed” can still be trotted out as serious commentary by top BBC reporters.
Anyone paying attention at the time knew these claims were lies, with the likes of the excellent Glen Rangwala, ex weapons inspector Scott Ritter (hardly a dove), Hussein Kamel, and even Hans Blix debunking the propaganda coming out of Washington and Downing Street as fast as it appeared.
In the final analysis, it was not Iraqi spies or “Curveball” who fooled the world. The ones who tried to do that were Bush, Blair, Straw, Rumsfeld, Campbell, Rice, Colin “Anthrax” Powell and all the other baying wolves (aided by the BBC) and when they failed they just walked all over International Law and committed the Supreme War Crime of initiating a war of aggression.
You might have done a report on that at the time but you didn’t…the information was all there and it still is.
Sincerely, Ed Murray
Honestly, this is “news”?
———————————————————————-
Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World
The lies of two Iraqi spies were central to the claim – at the heart of the UK and US decision to go to war in Iraq – that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. But even before the fighting started, intelligence from highly-placed sources was available suggesting he did not, Panorama has learned… http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21786506
How utterly corrupted that this sort of propaganda sees the light of day. I would expect enough people will see through this dros, for the lies that it is!
Not completely fair to rush to judgment re Collins. Even if he has no legal defence under Japanese law it would pay to wait until it’s clear there are no mitigating factors. We haven’t enough knowledge to down him unequivocally at this point.
When you boil it down “looks” have nothing to do with much. If they did Dunnokeyo would be the person his demeanour and overall presentation (falsely) promise.
Since it was an inch bigger than the limit, that means it’s illegal right?
Anyways, carrying a 6 inch blade around just for “protection” is illegal and in NZ chargeable under the Crimes Act under most circumstances. And as far as I know, the Japanese are even stricter.
“Labour leader David Shearer says his failure to declare a US-based bank account with more than $50,000 in it on the MPs’ Register of Pecuniary Interests was simply an oversight.”
What a twat. Fancy not remembering you have more than $50k stashed offshore.
Next.
To be fair, in the above, Shearer says the account was known to the tax department, and that it was while filling in his tax return, that he realised his omission.
Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he wipes his arse with $100 dollar bills.
Not implying the Shearer has done anything dodgy, but I could imagine with the amount of money sloshing through the UN, it would be very easy to “misplace” a few million here, couple of mill there.
Just checked, 12 billion dollars a year is the amount of money the UN collects.
It looks a lot to me like you’re implying something dodgy. I am not going to say you’re a spineless piece of garbage for making that post, I’m going to state it clearly. You are a spineless piece of garbage for making that post.
Him having money isn’t the problem, as long as he earned it and paid his taxes, no worries.
The problem is, even if taken at his word and it was a simple oversight and not a devious tactical brain fade, it’s another example of incompetence and proof that caucus have got it terribly wrong.
Shearer out, Cunliffe in. Give the vote to the whole party, now.
“Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.”
Ladies and gents, the paucity of right wing thinking.
BM you’re an idiot. You’ve just pointed out that Shearer, although rich, still gives a shit about those not so well off.
And your feeble one-track mind working overtime with your withered black heart calculates this as a human failing.
What else has Shearer conveniently forgotten then!
This is a dsigraceful exposure, of those who are parachuted into positions, because they are able to be controlled.
That is why Shearer is in his role, because he is controlable, just like the caucus who put his there!
NZ inc is rotten little cess pool, where the leader of the largest *left* party, *forgets* he has a bank account with at least tens of thousands in it.
Would be interesting to know what was actually in there, and where else in the world he has *forgotten* about bank accounts, or other back story questioning information!
I heard 37 figures. he uses it to pay all the scientists in the world to tell lies. Not just the climate scientists, the evolutionists too. Keep digging grumps. the truth is out there.
By framing it “anyone but cunliffe”, Shearer’s supporters in caucus justified making a dopey idiot as leader, when it comes to ‘anyone’, they really seemed to have gone for the bottom of the barrel. I just read on Kiwiblog why he wouldn’t be able to justify purchasing Mighty River shares back if Labour was in government, he is simply a hopeless politician.
He will fuck things up in next years election. I am absolutely certain of it.
I’ve been trying to figure out for quite a while who this person is, been leaning towards that Roughan character lately the writing style seems similar as are the views expressed.
It’s pretty disgraceful when a leading newspaper like the Herald stoops to printing such blatantly biased error-ridden crap as editorials.
Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.
Always thought the same about all editorials. Written by some oafish ex-journalists who for lordy knows what reason seem to think that their opinion is worth reading.
“Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.”
I disagree there. Editorials carry considerable weight with the general public, they’re explicitly expressing the view of the ‘Herald’ rather than just a “Letter to the Editor” opinion piece that other commentaries are seen as.
People who are politically active view the press differently to the general public, the public tend to view the media as a trusted institution that’s unbiased politically. The editorial is seen by many as an arbiter of neutrality, cutting through the left/right dichotomy and presenting a reasoned and balanced view.
It pays to remember that a good 80-90% of the population get their information from the media only and it’s the manner in which news & information is presented by the media that influences most people’s views. The media is very powerful.
I see Shearer still cant make a decision on anything. In yesterdays Herald column by Bryce Edwards , he is reported as saying that Labour would “look at” the carpark tax if (and thats becoming an increasingly big if imo) they were the next Govt.
Is this the new Labour strategy? “We are not ruling it out but were not ruling it in”, “We will have a look at it when in Govt.”
I’d line the Nacts up against the nearest wall if I could, but I’m beginning to have doubts as to whether I want these dithering fools anywhere near the reins of power.
And he hands the gov’t and their MSM mates a $50k+ stick with which to be beaten further with, nothing he’s said or done shows that Labour will be anything other than a minor party under him in 2014.
How’s that speakers role you covet like the power mad egotist you are looking now Trev ?
David can’t make a call on anything because he doesn’t know what he stands for. When making a decision he can’t fall back on his core principles like most politicians from the right and left because he doesn’t have any core principles.
Encouraging signs from across the ditch where the Labor caucus is realising what the rest of the country has known for weeks. The current leader can’t win and despite their hatred for Rudd, he needs to be restored.
I wouldn’t believe anything from the S&M Herald. It suits Murfax and Stoneheart to portray Labor as divided, with Rudd being the great white hope. I think changing leaders now would be even more disastrous for them. Their real problem in Australia is that Labor is about as left wing as NAct, and the Liberals are getting more like the US Teabaggers every day.
Interesting press release from the Soil and Health Organisation. They present evidence that organic farming copes better in droughts, citing examples int he US, and the way organic farms are coping in NZ’s current drought. And organic crops do a lot better in droughts than GE ones.
A 2007 study led by Ivette Perfecto, of the University of Michigan, showed that in developing countries, where the chances of famine are greatest, organic methods could double or triple crop yields. (1) This is also supported by a similar study conducted by the United Nations in 2010. (3)…
By contrast, Soil & Health – Organic NZ is getting reports that organic farmers in the North Island are generally doing better in the drought than their conventional counterparts. Armed with better soil structures and water-holding capacity, the use of a diversity of pasture species including deep-rooted species like chicory that withstand drought better, and tree crops and shelterbelts, they have been able to protect their animals and their incomes. Some are even capitalizing on their investments by selling baleage for additional stockfeed which is now in high demand.
So it’s not just that lack of pesticides or GE crops that make organic farms more drought resistant, but the alternative practices used, such as pasture diversity.
Hi Karol. Its a crying shame that NZ farmers, orchardists and crop growers have been so slow and reluctant to adopt organic techniques and an organic growing ethos. The benefits to our environment, worker safety, and export potential are so very clear given the body of research on the subject as well as the physical evidence – such as the example you have given above.
I remember visiting an organic apple orchard, many years ago. By contrast we were invited to view to the neighbouring conventional apple orchard. What a difference. Where as the soil was parched with deep cracks around the base of the trees from excessive use of the herbicide round up and the had less fruit on the branches the organic orchard actually felt lush as well as showing more abundant fruiting. Why would you stick with growing methods that damage the soil structure? It seems so backwards.
Despite the slowly growing numbers of growers and farmers that have abandoned the conventional methods over the decades we still have a huge challenge to make organics mainstream. This is partly because the prevailing attitudes of farmers such as “farmboy” who you engaged with on the topic of the amnesty over the weekend (What a dick!!)and Nathan Guy as the Minister for Primary Industries tend to block any progress our small body of organic growers have made.
Would there be anything too wrong with following those farming practices while still not going completely organic? I’m tending towards thinking ‘probably not’. Meanwhile – the market, the market, the market….worst practice returns maximum gains. The market advantage afforded through economy of scale demands centralised, mechanised and homogenised farming practices. And if the waste skyrockets, then so what? It’s a high volume/ low cost game where the returns from sheer volume only have to outstrip the losses from inefficiencies. So they ain’t changing any time soon.
Meanwhile, smaller farmers are squeezed out of market access because they just can’t compete against the high volume/low cost model.
Maybe governments need to subsidise small farmer/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?
Hi Bill. Certainly growers and farmers would do well to adapt their practices without going completely organic, if that suited their needs and the needs of the market.(Yeah! The Market!) If there goal was to become a certified grower/farmer and obtain a biogro (or other) certification for example they they would need need to strictly adhere to organic growing principles and techniques to meet the requirements of the certification. This requires dedication and commitment and not everyone can put their resources into such a project.
Farmers and growers can greatly reduce their reliance upon agri chemicals without reducing their productivity. Just one example is herbicide use. Its just not necessary. There are more sustainable methods available(eg Yealands wines use sheep to graze in their vineyards) if you feel it necessary to remove weeds, which in some cases can compete for nutrients with pasture and crops. However, a well balanced biologically active soil features less weeds, which typically thrive in poor soil. By reducing chemical use they save money too, but not lining the pockets of the likes of Monsanto, Dow, NuFarm etc.
“The market, the market, the market, worst practice returns maximum gains”
Yes, market needs dominate methods of production. Its all about the ease of the market to profit over and above the needs of the earth to be productive at a natural and sustainable rate. Its all back to front. Small ethical and organic producers only have access to a very limited market, unless they are contract growers for Heinz or Fonterror (increasingly less for Fonterror as they are turning away from Organics)
“Maybe the governments need to subsidise small farmers/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?”
Indeed. It would so beneficial in so many ways but I can’t see that happening with having a Fed farmers dairy farmer from Levin in charge of the MPI. I’d like to be proven wrong but I’d say his blinkers are well and truly in place.
Maybe governments need to subsidise small farmer/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?
I’m coming to think that the government needs to mandate use of organic farming. The damage and pollution of the standard industrial ways is too much for the community to endure.
Is this news about charter schools .. it is to me !! Herald this morning on Ombudsman ordering Banks to release funding papers .. but this at the very end has my blood boiling this morning … clearly, this is why Gnats are pushing so hard ..
“Charter schools would get money for set up costs and property funding that their private-sector backers would be able to keep if a school folded.”
After Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee’s keynote talk at SXSW, he answered a question about the controversial plan to add DRM to next version of HTML. HTML 5, a standard currently under debate at the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the latest battleground in the long-running war over the design of general-purpose computers. Berners-Lee defended the proposition, and claimed that without it, more of the Web would be locked up in un-searchable, unlinkable formats like Flash.
Some in the entertainment industry have long harboured fantasies about redesigning computers to disobey their owners, as part of a profit-maximisation strategy that depends on being able to charge you piecemeal for the right to use the files on your hard-drive.
Doesn’t look good, note the bit about patents and then connect the dots to the TPPA. Not stretching a long bow to see a TPPA HTML region coding emerging is it.
Tonight I will be in Auckland to listen to Hordur Torfason. The guy that started the insurrection against the banks in Iceland. He will speak at Auckland Uni so if you have nothing to do, want to meet me (I’m 6, 2″ so easily recognizable) AND listen to Hordur talk about how Democracy is done feel free to join me. here is a link to Kim Hill’s interview with him:
so in Ak, 1 in 10 are prepared for an earthquake or an emergency. (i recommend small tins of salmon and cabin biscuits; rice if you have a heat source, and plenty of water stored)
-cost of preparation (how about the cost of not?)
-language barriers
apparently the NZX fell over Cyprus
IMF warns of a falling dollar
-inflationary pressures
-our Current Accounts Deficit places alongside Italy, Spain and Greece according to the C.E of NZIER
regarding farming practices; “the status quo leads to peasantry”- Connor English. Yep!
12500 damaged hospital rooms in ChCh; “operating out of a construction zone”
Syrian planes fire rockets into Lebanon
Iraq heading for full-blown civil war- Jon Stephenson
about the share-market and lies; I watched this business commentator pimp investment in the market on 3 News some months ago, and when he concluded his spiel, even he could not prevent the quiver of deceit at the sides of his mouth…
ghost
I wondered at the advice from the IMF boffin that would assist our economy – having more savings. Has one of our fabulous musicos set this into a song? Making more savings when it gets beyond a tipping point then lead into a small recession because of the lack of money being spent, reduces national income and then there is a failure to raise total savings, and is well known in economics as the Paradox of Thrift.
If he emphasised getting the balance right between home-run and owned businesses, home-owned and run businesses in other countries, and foreign-owned businesses here at home. he would have made more practical sense. But why should the IMF break with tradition.
Profit is a dead weight loss. It’s the reason why we need ever increasing amounts of money and, due to the fact that our monetary system is based upon debt, why we end up with ever increasing amounts of debt which eventually can’t be paid.
Something I didn’t know: National is quietly planning to impose a Cyprus-style bank-robbery should a bank fail in New Zealand:
Seems that such a report has been known to the government for some time and they’re looking at putting in place the necessary laws to steal from people.
How do things become the latest craze? How do you get people wanting to do something – make it the in thing? Like voting for instance!! I wonder if there is anything to learn from the findings in this book. Worth a look. From Radionz 9tonoon this morning Tues 19.
9:36
Jonah Berger is assistant professor of marketing at the Wharton School and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On. (10′02″) http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon
Good news for us all. Farmers in beef and sheep have got together and are going to amalgamate
if they get enough further support. This is timely, like just in time. We must stop the trend to greater and greater dairying. All us eggs in one basket – drop it and…runny us.
See extensive report. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/130737/green-light-for-red-meat-restructuring Meat company representatives including the chairmen of the two big co-operatives, who also attended the meeting, indicated that companies are talking to each other about the industry structure.
A similar project for mass amalgamations failed in 2008, despite strong farmer support, when the two biggest meat processors could not agree.
The chiefs within the two big players need to see past their personal differences and get this deal done. The red meat industry has been badly lagging dairy, and one reason is the inability to get a united front going in the international market place, and also in internal supply chain management.
Seems strange tho to be burning it in a car engine thus producing more co2 to the atmosphere, but, a hell of a lot less than simply burning oil products in car engines and leaving the co2 in the atmosphere…
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
Capitalism, without any limits or social intervention, will seek to take rent by obstructing peoples ability and extorting those in need. Education cost will rise, those found in need with have to pay considerably more than the wealthy to rectify their positions.
We live in an abundant world where nobody need starve, shiver, or succumb to poor medical outcomes. So why is the world so badly distorted? Have western world government forgotten
why we have governments?
Have western world government forgotten why we have governments?
No, they just have a different view as to why we have governments. They seem to think that government is there to enrich the already rich rather than to look after everyone.
Well I do not think that Chris Hipkins was destroyed by any answer that joyce gave.He was destroyed by the speaker himself who let joyce go on and on about Labour starting the Novapay and not answering the question asked. And I do not understand how Labour can be at fault as they were not the ones who signed Novapay off AGAINST advice. But every time the nits are asked a question they always revert to Its Labours Fault and are always upheld by the sssspeaker.He is a shocking disgrace. AND BY THE WAY when key was recently reminded of his own stance about taxing car parks in 2005 when he said he would not be part of a Government which raised this he responded that his statement was made three elections(9 yrs) ago and that in Opposition Ministers do not have access to all the information that Governments do. Hypocritical what! And where is hekia parata?
”I am not going to feed speculation that feeds on itself and goes very, very silly. I made it very clear up there that I am a strong supporter of the Prime Minster and that what you read is media speculation feeding on itself endlessly.”
“1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?
– YES or NO?
2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?
– YES or NO? ”
____________________________________________________________________
No to Q1
Yes to Q2.
Denis O’Rourke
NZ First List MP
____________________________________________________________________
19 March 2013
Dear Members of the NZ House of Parliament,
The ‘Switch Off Mercury Energy’ group, are looking forward to your replies to the following ‘Open Letter’.
(Thank you Tau Henare, for your prompt response.)
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.
A party vote was called for on the question, That the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.
Ayes 61
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.
Noes 60
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1.
1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, can YOU please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?
– YES or NO?
2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?
– YES or NO?
Please be advised that your reply will be made available to both the media and the public.
Your prompt response would be much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Bright
A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.
Tariana Turia comes up with a way forward for the Maori Party leadership jam, She says all 3 of them can be leaders,
Te Ureroa Flavall tho will be ‘a lesser’ leader than the other 2 as neither have any plans of giving up their Ministerial positions,
Pita Sharples, who has great things on His mind you know, like paying off His mortgage, reckons He is keeping His tiro warm on the leather of the Ministerial limo until death overtakes Him,
My advice to Pita is not to mock the cold hand of death…
Slippery the Prime Minister gave a good impression of someone having been forced to dine on dead rats for far too long while announcing that the tax upon laptops and i phones will not be going ahead,
Smile’n’wave seems to have become a con trick of the past for Slippery who seems to have lost His humor recently, (lolz internal poll results do that to you),
Cheer up Slippery, just think in under 18 months we all get to tell you to F off and you can disappear to Hawaii leaving NZ smelling a little better for your departure…
Slippery the Prime Minister in the true vein of having no sense of responsibility whatsoever is proposing that those other organizations that demand and get rewarded for not having one either will be allowed to ransack your bank account should said banks look likely to be come insolvent,
Look on in horror over the weekend as the IMF and European union told Cyprus to ransack the bank accounts of it’s citizens did you,
Well Slippery’s National Government looks like it is going to give it’self the power to do the same to anyone with cash in a New Zealand bank account…
Open Bank Resolution (OBR) is Finance Minister Bill English’s favoured option dealing with a major bank failure. If a bank fails under OBR, all depositors will have their savings reduced overnight to fund the bank’s bail out.
“Bill English is proposing a Cyprus-style solution for managing bank failure here in New Zealand – a solution that will see small depositors lose some of their savings to fund big bank bailouts,” said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman.
…
Dr Norman questioned the Government’s insistence on pursuing Open Bank Resolution when virtually no other OECD country uses it.
“Open Bank Resolution is unprecedented in the world. Most OECD countries run deposit insurance schemes which protect people’s deposits up to a maximum ranging from $100,000 – $250,000,” Dr Norman said.
“OBR is not in line with Australia, which protects bank deposits up to $250,000.
“A deposit insurance scheme is a much simpler, well-tested alternative to Open Bank Resolution. It rewards safe banks with lower premiums and limits the cost to taxpayers of a bank failure.
“Deposit insurance will, however, require the Reserve Bank to oversee and regulate our banks more closely – a measure which is ultimately the best protection against bank failure.”
As someone with money in the bank, saved for my retirement I feel a little annoyed. However, I am lucky to have that money and would survive such a tax. Generally the housing market gets priority over people like me with money in low risk accounts, which aren’t really earning a lot of interest. Why aren’t they trying to rein in banks re- their role in fueling the housing bubble? Ultimately, it’s people on the lowest incomes that will suffer most with policies that continue to favour the banksters.
I understand the government or Reserve Bank are looking at insurance on deposits up to $20,000.
Having pocketed trillions of euros and dollars in bail out money, now the owners of the banks are coming for the deposits, this is very predictable. Once the same owners pull the plug on the markets, the final stop is to finish destroying public services, then finally the pensions schemes which remain!
Why does NZ continue to find itself being the, *first, or only* in so many situations which are clearly going to cause major damage when they blow up in our face!
Why do so many people not tune in, and why of those that do, is there simply no traction.
Brownlee; 3.5 minute road travel times are a “savings and boost to the economy”
Gr8 to see DC at least given a question; humility is coming along nicely; nicely slayed and Dunne!
Nwz: Joyce backdown, however, “going to Datacom could be as dysfunctional as Novopay”
who’d be a teacher aye?
Dotcom: more embarassing stuff for the police and the spooks. (they should employ me, I tell ya, I see the Blue writing on the wall); “what a cock-up” to para. Robertson.
Farmers now pleading to IRD and the rural services sector; RD1 anyone? hello Christina 🙂
Lawless http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212450/
somthin’ watchable outta the ol’ US of A
“now you give my regards to Special Deputy Yule (come back now) (have you seen the Bootleggers tarred and feathered?)
“they sold us out Jimmy, time we all picked a side”.
How many out there are happy with the loud, aggressive fellow from the Insurance Council on Campbell Live tonight ?
He said that insurance companies delaying settlement costs them money, claiming inferentially that wilful delay does not happen therefore, of course. He did not say that delay which results in hugely reduced payouts because the punch-drunk, desperate, often needy insured finally settle for what is offered by the insurance company, which of course does pay. To put an end to the health threatening anguish of it. Unfair and wrong as it might be. To resume living a life albeit a reduced one.
So fuck that arsehole and his aggression. In true arrogant, greedy arch-capitalist style he suffered us the “deny” tactic and all is meant to be well. And I’ll root my boot if his anecdotal stuff about some US insurance guy at a conference in Australia apparently asking about how the people of Chrictchurch are getting on, is any indication of insurance company rorts not occurring.
The other guy on the show , the professor of whatever, has written a book which includes in the title the words delay, deny and defend. I know the US produces some pretty shonky professors in quarters, charlatans, but until this guy is shown to be one I’m much happier with his contribution.
I can’t step out of this writing this post to check out the credentials of the NZ Insurance Council but from memory it’s a body comprised of the insurance companies themselves rather than an independent watchdog so to speak, so ask yourself.
Wouldn’t be QoT that you are obliquely referring to?
Seems from the thread on rape culture that you have a problem spitting out what you want to say. That you’d prefer to make controversial, but suitably cryptic, hits and runs than argue your corner.
Something has been niggling at me. Not until after I’d submitted the post above did it come – the resemblance of the Insurance Council prick on Campbell Live tonight, in demeanour and physically, to that angel of kindness aka narcissistic lunatic Bill O’Reilly of Fux News.
Melanie Reid attacked while investigating a story for 3rd Degree!
LOL ….. we’ll here comes a bitch fight if ever there was.
Me thinks the receivers picked on the wrong sort of ‘gal’
As someone once said ..”no matter how long it takes” …… etcetera.
If I were anyone associated with THAT receiver, I’d be watching my back
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Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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http://members5.boardhost.com/medialens/msg/1363592210.html
The BBC is utterly banal…this Peter Taylor effort almost rivals its ludicrous claim that Andrew Neil broke the story that Saddam had no WMD.
Letter to BBC journalist Peter Taylor
Mr Taylor,
Your new BBC piece and your Panorama TV programme are titled “Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World”, only they did not fool the word, did they? The French and Russian governments for example were not convinced Saddam had WMD nor were our own Intelligence services and of course, neither were multitudes of ordinary people around the world, two million of whom marched in London to prove the point.
It is astonishing to me that after all this time the same old clichés about the world believing Saddam had WMD and how the Intelligence was “wrong” or “failed” can still be trotted out as serious commentary by top BBC reporters.
Anyone paying attention at the time knew these claims were lies, with the likes of the excellent Glen Rangwala, ex weapons inspector Scott Ritter (hardly a dove), Hussein Kamel, and even Hans Blix debunking the propaganda coming out of Washington and Downing Street as fast as it appeared.
In the final analysis, it was not Iraqi spies or “Curveball” who fooled the world. The ones who tried to do that were Bush, Blair, Straw, Rumsfeld, Campbell, Rice, Colin “Anthrax” Powell and all the other baying wolves (aided by the BBC) and when they failed they just walked all over International Law and committed the Supreme War Crime of initiating a war of aggression.
You might have done a report on that at the time but you didn’t…the information was all there and it still is.
Sincerely,
Ed Murray
Honestly, this is “news”?
———————————————————————-
Iraq: The Spies Who Fooled the World
The lies of two Iraqi spies were central to the claim – at the heart of the UK and US decision to go to war in Iraq – that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction. But even before the fighting started, intelligence from highly-placed sources was available suggesting he did not, Panorama has learned…
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21786506
Panorama: The Spies Who Fooled the World
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01rh8hd
How utterly corrupted that this sort of propaganda sees the light of day. I would expect enough people will see through this dros, for the lies that it is!
The Beeb – Exposed once more!
Dr David Kelly, Robin Cooke – RIP
So Jerry Collins carries a 17 inch knife “for protection” .. in the land of the samurai ?
Talk to a lawyer, Gerry.
Is that idiot working for some Yakuza group as an enforcer, perhaps? He certainly LOOKS like one….
Not completely fair to rush to judgment re Collins. Even if he has no legal defence under Japanese law it would pay to wait until it’s clear there are no mitigating factors. We haven’t enough knowledge to down him unequivocally at this point.
When you boil it down “looks” have nothing to do with much. If they did Dunnokeyo would be the person his demeanour and overall presentation (falsely) promise.
17 centimetre.
17 centimeter knife… reduce your outrage by a factor of 2.54.
Its a small kitchen knife, if it had been a inch smaller it would have been legal.
Since it was an inch bigger than the limit, that means it’s illegal right?
Anyways, carrying a 6 inch blade around just for “protection” is illegal and in NZ chargeable under the Crimes Act under most circumstances. And as far as I know, the Japanese are even stricter.
Apparently an inch than the limit can make a lot of difference…so I’ve been told 😉
Dammit! An inch bigger than the limit…well that jokes ruined
I got the idea the first time haha 😉
Also, welcome back, Sir.
“Labour leader David Shearer says his failure to declare a US-based bank account with more than $50,000 in it on the MPs’ Register of Pecuniary Interests was simply an oversight.”
What a twat. Fancy not remembering you have more than $50k stashed offshore.
Next.
It would be interesting to know how much is in that account, and whether he also forgot to inform the tax department…..
Or maybe the tax-evasion amnesty was just the reminder he needed…..
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872124
To be fair, in the above, Shearer says the account was known to the tax department, and that it was while filling in his tax return, that he realised his omission.
Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.
Wouldn’t be surprised if he wipes his arse with $100 dollar bills.
@ least he wont be wipin em with KIWIRAIL Shares ae
He should be, that’s all the Kiwi rail shares are good for.
hes not the one with said kiwirail shares
Ask ya mate Key
Snigger
Probably much more than $50k – that’s just the minimum sum required for it being declarable in the register. UN execs are extremely well remunerated.
Not implying the Shearer has done anything dodgy, but I could imagine with the amount of money sloshing through the UN, it would be very easy to “misplace” a few million here, couple of mill there.
Just checked, 12 billion dollars a year is the amount of money the UN collects.
It looks a lot to me like you’re implying something dodgy. I am not going to say you’re a spineless piece of garbage for making that post, I’m going to state it clearly. You are a spineless piece of garbage for making that post.
Him having money isn’t the problem, as long as he earned it and paid his taxes, no worries.
The problem is, even if taken at his word and it was a simple oversight and not a devious tactical brain fade, it’s another example of incompetence and proof that caucus have got it terribly wrong.
Shearer out, Cunliffe in. Give the vote to the whole party, now.
I totally agree
+1
+2
MORE than $50,000, could be $500,000 for all we know.
“Typical champagne socialist,waffles on about the poor and down trodden but has so much extra coin floating around he forgets that he has an account with 50k in it.”
Ladies and gents, the paucity of right wing thinking.
BM you’re an idiot. You’ve just pointed out that Shearer, although rich, still gives a shit about those not so well off.
And your feeble one-track mind working overtime with your withered black heart calculates this as a human failing.
What else has Shearer conveniently forgotten then!
This is a dsigraceful exposure, of those who are parachuted into positions, because they are able to be controlled.
That is why Shearer is in his role, because he is controlable, just like the caucus who put his there!
NZ inc is rotten little cess pool, where the leader of the largest *left* party, *forgets* he has a bank account with at least tens of thousands in it.
Would be interesting to know what was actually in there, and where else in the world he has *forgotten* about bank accounts, or other back story questioning information!
Sheaer you plant!
Looks like brain fades are a prerequisite to being the PM
So David Shearer is the clean “non-politician” that Labour sees as the answer to John Key.
Just another grubby bastard with his snout in the trough!
What a twat. A US bank account Ugh.
The account probably holds more money than most New Zealanders earn in a year, not a good look to forget about that kind of sum.
Rumour is that it’s well into 6 figures……
I heard 37 figures. he uses it to pay all the scientists in the world to tell lies. Not just the climate scientists, the evolutionists too. Keep digging grumps. the truth is out there.
I don’t think anyone is seriously suggesting he forgot about it, Ant.
How many further “oversights” are we to expect?
By framing it “anyone but cunliffe”, Shearer’s supporters in caucus justified making a dopey idiot as leader, when it comes to ‘anyone’, they really seemed to have gone for the bottom of the barrel. I just read on Kiwiblog why he wouldn’t be able to justify purchasing Mighty River shares back if Labour was in government, he is simply a hopeless politician.
He will fuck things up in next years election. I am absolutely certain of it.
$US320,000.
$US320,000………and in one of those evil family trust accounts……
Why do you call it evil?
The card carrying National supporting Herald editorial writer is at it again;
“Editorial: Give private sector a go at Solid Energy”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872114
I’ve been trying to figure out for quite a while who this person is, been leaning towards that Roughan character lately the writing style seems similar as are the views expressed.
It’s pretty disgraceful when a leading newspaper like the Herald stoops to printing such blatantly biased error-ridden crap as editorials.
Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.
Always thought the same about all editorials. Written by some oafish ex-journalists who for lordy knows what reason seem to think that their opinion is worth reading.
“Anonymous crap too. Not worth the paper it’s written on.”
I disagree there. Editorials carry considerable weight with the general public, they’re explicitly expressing the view of the ‘Herald’ rather than just a “Letter to the Editor” opinion piece that other commentaries are seen as.
People who are politically active view the press differently to the general public, the public tend to view the media as a trusted institution that’s unbiased politically. The editorial is seen by many as an arbiter of neutrality, cutting through the left/right dichotomy and presenting a reasoned and balanced view.
It pays to remember that a good 80-90% of the population get their information from the media only and it’s the manner in which news & information is presented by the media that influences most people’s views. The media is very powerful.
“Anonymous crap too.”
Do you feel the same about blog postings and comments using anonymity or pseudonyms?
not all of us hide in the grave
He obviously doesn’t understand that SoEs work under private business rules, ergo, the private won’t do it any better.
Yes – Pike River worked really well in the private sector.
I see Shearer still cant make a decision on anything. In yesterdays Herald column by Bryce Edwards , he is reported as saying that Labour would “look at” the carpark tax if (and thats becoming an increasingly big if imo) they were the next Govt.
Is this the new Labour strategy? “We are not ruling it out but were not ruling it in”, “We will have a look at it when in Govt.”
I’d line the Nacts up against the nearest wall if I could, but I’m beginning to have doubts as to whether I want these dithering fools anywhere near the reins of power.
And he hands the gov’t and their MSM mates a $50k+ stick with which to be beaten further with, nothing he’s said or done shows that Labour will be anything other than a minor party under him in 2014.
How’s that speakers role you covet like the power mad egotist you are looking now Trev ?
David can’t make a call on anything because he doesn’t know what he stands for. When making a decision he can’t fall back on his core principles like most politicians from the right and left because he doesn’t have any core principles.
Encouraging signs from across the ditch where the Labor caucus is realising what the rest of the country has known for weeks. The current leader can’t win and despite their hatred for Rudd, he needs to be restored.
http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/ministers-turn-on-pm-20130318-2gb8r.html
How many similarities are there between Labor and NZ Labour?
Came on this indecisve fool has to go…
I wouldn’t believe anything from the S&M Herald. It suits Murfax and Stoneheart to portray Labor as divided, with Rudd being the great white hope. I think changing leaders now would be even more disastrous for them. Their real problem in Australia is that Labor is about as left wing as NAct, and the Liberals are getting more like the US Teabaggers every day.
Interesting press release from the Soil and Health Organisation. They present evidence that organic farming copes better in droughts, citing examples int he US, and the way organic farms are coping in NZ’s current drought. And organic crops do a lot better in droughts than GE ones.
So it’s not just that lack of pesticides or GE crops that make organic farms more drought resistant, but the alternative practices used, such as pasture diversity.
Hi Karol. Its a crying shame that NZ farmers, orchardists and crop growers have been so slow and reluctant to adopt organic techniques and an organic growing ethos. The benefits to our environment, worker safety, and export potential are so very clear given the body of research on the subject as well as the physical evidence – such as the example you have given above.
I remember visiting an organic apple orchard, many years ago. By contrast we were invited to view to the neighbouring conventional apple orchard. What a difference. Where as the soil was parched with deep cracks around the base of the trees from excessive use of the herbicide round up and the had less fruit on the branches the organic orchard actually felt lush as well as showing more abundant fruiting. Why would you stick with growing methods that damage the soil structure? It seems so backwards.
Despite the slowly growing numbers of growers and farmers that have abandoned the conventional methods over the decades we still have a huge challenge to make organics mainstream. This is partly because the prevailing attitudes of farmers such as “farmboy” who you engaged with on the topic of the amnesty over the weekend (What a dick!!)and Nathan Guy as the Minister for Primary Industries tend to block any progress our small body of organic growers have made.
Would there be anything too wrong with following those farming practices while still not going completely organic? I’m tending towards thinking ‘probably not’. Meanwhile – the market, the market, the market….worst practice returns maximum gains. The market advantage afforded through economy of scale demands centralised, mechanised and homogenised farming practices. And if the waste skyrockets, then so what? It’s a high volume/ low cost game where the returns from sheer volume only have to outstrip the losses from inefficiencies. So they ain’t changing any time soon.
Meanwhile, smaller farmers are squeezed out of market access because they just can’t compete against the high volume/low cost model.
Maybe governments need to subsidise small farmer/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?
Hi Bill. Certainly growers and farmers would do well to adapt their practices without going completely organic, if that suited their needs and the needs of the market.(Yeah! The Market!) If there goal was to become a certified grower/farmer and obtain a biogro (or other) certification for example they they would need need to strictly adhere to organic growing principles and techniques to meet the requirements of the certification. This requires dedication and commitment and not everyone can put their resources into such a project.
Farmers and growers can greatly reduce their reliance upon agri chemicals without reducing their productivity. Just one example is herbicide use. Its just not necessary. There are more sustainable methods available(eg Yealands wines use sheep to graze in their vineyards) if you feel it necessary to remove weeds, which in some cases can compete for nutrients with pasture and crops. However, a well balanced biologically active soil features less weeds, which typically thrive in poor soil. By reducing chemical use they save money too, but not lining the pockets of the likes of Monsanto, Dow, NuFarm etc.
“The market, the market, the market, worst practice returns maximum gains”
Yes, market needs dominate methods of production. Its all about the ease of the market to profit over and above the needs of the earth to be productive at a natural and sustainable rate. Its all back to front. Small ethical and organic producers only have access to a very limited market, unless they are contract growers for Heinz or Fonterror (increasingly less for Fonterror as they are turning away from Organics)
“Maybe the governments need to subsidise small farmers/owners practicing good farming methods to level the playing field?”
Indeed. It would so beneficial in so many ways but I can’t see that happening with having a Fed farmers dairy farmer from Levin in charge of the MPI. I’d like to be proven wrong but I’d say his blinkers are well and truly in place.
I’m coming to think that the government needs to mandate use of organic farming. The damage and pollution of the standard industrial ways is too much for the community to endure.
A comedic history of Karl Marx, courtesy of ‘Against the Current’ blog:
http://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/the-mark-steel-lectures-karl-marx.html
And gentle whimsy from Giovanni at ‘Bat Bean Beam’:
http://bat-bean-beam.blogspot.co.nz/2013/03/idea-for-movie-in-which-aliens-invade.html
Is this news about charter schools .. it is to me !! Herald this morning on Ombudsman ordering Banks to release funding papers .. but this at the very end has my blood boiling this morning … clearly, this is why Gnats are pushing so hard ..
“Charter schools would get money for set up costs and property funding that their private-sector backers would be able to keep if a school folded.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872032
Hard to believe this can be true.
yup, charter schools is simply more taxpayer funded corporate welfare masked as education.
No wonder Brian Tamaki’s licking his lips and probably ordering another Harley.
?? WTF??? I finally see opportunity to get on the property ladder….
So the business plan is
Start a charter school.
Run it for a year.
Crash the school so it fails.
Walk away.
Then sell the land and buildings as you effectively won it from the taxpayer by being in with the NACT inner circle.
No comment about the harm to the kids!!
Why don’t we prevent the harm to the kids and just give them the money!!
Cut out the middle man and all the red tape associated with starting up the schools.
Further about schools in private/public mix. What controls over, what protections? Will leaky schools be the next blot on our horizon?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/8372059/Hutt-school-ignores-advice-to-refund-parents
Is DRM to become part of HTML 5?
Doesn’t look good, note the bit about patents and then connect the dots to the TPPA. Not stretching a long bow to see a TPPA HTML region coding emerging is it.
HTML5 worries all those who harbour proprietary ambitions, Apple with the iApps especially.
Tonight I will be in Auckland to listen to Hordur Torfason. The guy that started the insurrection against the banks in Iceland. He will speak at Auckland Uni so if you have nothing to do, want to meet me (I’m 6, 2″ so easily recognizable) AND listen to Hordur talk about how Democracy is done feel free to join me. here is a link to Kim Hill’s interview with him:
so in Ak, 1 in 10 are prepared for an earthquake or an emergency. (i recommend small tins of salmon and cabin biscuits; rice if you have a heat source, and plenty of water stored)
-cost of preparation (how about the cost of not?)
-language barriers
apparently the NZX fell over Cyprus
IMF warns of a falling dollar
-inflationary pressures
-our Current Accounts Deficit places alongside Italy, Spain and Greece according to the C.E of NZIER
regarding farming practices; “the status quo leads to peasantry”- Connor English. Yep!
12500 damaged hospital rooms in ChCh; “operating out of a construction zone”
Syrian planes fire rockets into Lebanon
Iraq heading for full-blown civil war- Jon Stephenson
about the share-market and lies; I watched this business commentator pimp investment in the market on 3 News some months ago, and when he concluded his spiel, even he could not prevent the quiver of deceit at the sides of his mouth…
God Bless Alice In Chains
In The House Of The Interpreter
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/reviews/in-the-house-of-the-interpreter-a-memoir-by-ngugi-wa-thiongo-8368336.html
“you keep on moving and you don’t write a book.”-Robert Plant :Man of Steel
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AyqskAvrmo/USy3FxoYNGI/AAAAAAAAF5o/wr5llgJnQSg/s1600/BRMC+MERCY+LEX+KY.jpg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Rebel_Motorcycle_Club
BRMC
ghost
I wondered at the advice from the IMF boffin that would assist our economy – having more savings. Has one of our fabulous musicos set this into a song? Making more savings when it gets beyond a tipping point then lead into a small recession because of the lack of money being spent, reduces national income and then there is a failure to raise total savings, and is well known in economics as the Paradox of Thrift.
If he emphasised getting the balance right between home-run and owned businesses, home-owned and run businesses in other countries, and foreign-owned businesses here at home. he would have made more practical sense. But why should the IMF break with tradition.
Profit is a dead weight loss. It’s the reason why we need ever increasing amounts of money and, due to the fact that our monetary system is based upon debt, why we end up with ever increasing amounts of debt which eventually can’t be paid.
Last time I looked the sun shone most days and so a heat source is easy and remarkable cheap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cooker and a video.
even Key is conceding the risks of a housing bubble.
He should know… based on his time at Merrill Lynch.
Generalise the case to investment asset class bubble…
Interesting article in the Herald Today: Government Must Insure Our Savings. Why doesn’t it?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10872059
It doesn’t insure savings, because *we*, in NZ are treated as lab rats, except *we*, don’t realise it!
Let’s see how the govt (that would be , *we*), respond, should *we*, realise their bank accounts are not protected, and deposits are lost!
Banks have a taxpayer funded underwrite, or a deposit holder underwrite – Not ideal either way, as *we* will have to pay.
Make the banks pay for their own stability!
National quietly plans to impose the Cyprus solution in NZ
Seems that such a report has been known to the government for some time and they’re looking at putting in place the necessary laws to steal from people.
How do things become the latest craze? How do you get people wanting to do something – make it the in thing? Like voting for instance!! I wonder if there is anything to learn from the findings in this book. Worth a look. From Radionz 9tonoon this morning Tues 19.
9:36
Jonah Berger is assistant professor of marketing at the Wharton School and author of the book Contagious: Why Things Catch On. (10′02″)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon
Good news for us all. Farmers in beef and sheep have got together and are going to amalgamate
if they get enough further support. This is timely, like just in time. We must stop the trend to greater and greater dairying. All us eggs in one basket – drop it and…runny us.
See extensive report.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/130737/green-light-for-red-meat-restructuring
Meat company representatives including the chairmen of the two big co-operatives, who also attended the meeting, indicated that companies are talking to each other about the industry structure.
A similar project for mass amalgamations failed in 2008, despite strong farmer support, when the two biggest meat processors could not agree.
The chiefs within the two big players need to see past their personal differences and get this deal done. The red meat industry has been badly lagging dairy, and one reason is the inability to get a united front going in the international market place, and also in internal supply chain management.
cv
yes I can’t wait for positive things in business to happen in and for NZ. This could be a turning point.
yes, an encouraging muster
Is converting CO2 to methanol the path to the future of energy, according to these people the answer is a big yes,
http://www.co2tomethanol.com/
Seems strange tho to be burning it in a car engine thus producing more co2 to the atmosphere, but, a hell of a lot less than simply burning oil products in car engines and leaving the co2 in the atmosphere…
wow the house is a cluster fuck today… I’ve never watched this new speaker, but man is he getting stomped.
Well Chris Hipkins got destroyed.
From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.
Capitalism, without any limits or social intervention, will seek to take rent by obstructing peoples ability and extorting those in need. Education cost will rise, those found in need with have to pay considerably more than the wealthy to rectify their positions.
We live in an abundant world where nobody need starve, shiver, or succumb to poor medical outcomes. So why is the world so badly distorted? Have western world government forgotten
why we have governments?
No, they just have a different view as to why we have governments. They seem to think that government is there to enrich the already rich rather than to look after everyone.
Well I do not think that Chris Hipkins was destroyed by any answer that joyce gave.He was destroyed by the speaker himself who let joyce go on and on about Labour starting the Novapay and not answering the question asked. And I do not understand how Labour can be at fault as they were not the ones who signed Novapay off AGAINST advice. But every time the nits are asked a question they always revert to Its Labours Fault and are always upheld by the sssspeaker.He is a shocking disgrace. AND BY THE WAY when key was recently reminded of his own stance about taxing car parks in 2005 when he said he would not be part of a Government which raised this he responded that his statement was made three elections(9 yrs) ago and that in Opposition Ministers do not have access to all the information that Governments do. Hypocritical what! And where is hekia parata?
”I am not going to feed speculation that feeds on itself and goes very, very silly. I made it very clear up there that I am a strong supporter of the Prime Minster and that what you read is media speculation feeding on itself endlessly.”
No, not DC this time:
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/carr-says-pm-has-his-support-20130319-2gbpe.html
PS, yes, the article does contain a typo. Who needs subbies, eh? Digital chocolate fish to the first one to spot it!
Quote: Crown prosecutor Megan Jaquiery said the complainant consented
Who was this complainant? A nine year old boy who has alleged sexual abuse. *grrr* THIS IS NOT CONSENT.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872192
Duncan Garmer interviewing Shearer, 4.45 pm Radio Live.
Legislation is due back in the House this week paving the way for ‘youth rates’ to be imposed in a far harsher manner than they are now,
‘Youth rates’???= the acclimatization of young New Zealanders to slave wages where the basics of life are just affordable and nothing else,
the Herald online is running a poll on the question,the results so far,
Yes to youth rates 23%
Maybe to youth rates with a graduated system based upon age 31%
Not to youth rates 46%…
http://www.weeklystandard.com/keyword/Gazprom
Interesting!
NZ FIRST – FIRST NZ POLITICAL PARTY TO CONFIRM THAT THEIR MPS WILL NOT PURCHASE SHARES IN MIGHTY RIVER POWER!
Well done NZ FIrst!
____________________________________________________________________
“1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?
– YES or NO?
2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?
– YES or NO? ”
____________________________________________________________________
No to Q1
Yes to Q2.
Denis O’Rourke
NZ First List MP
____________________________________________________________________
19 March 2013
Dear Members of the NZ House of Parliament,
The ‘Switch Off Mercury Energy’ group, are looking forward to your replies to the following ‘Open Letter’.
(Thank you Tau Henare, for your prompt response.)
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.
…………..
_______________________________________________________
‘Open Letter’ to all New Zealand Members of Parliament – re: the purchase of shares in Mighty River Power
14 March 2013
Dear New Zealand Member Of Parliament,
Please be reminded that the final vote on the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Act 2012, was 61 – 60
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Debates/Debates/e/8/e/50HansD_20120626_00000012-State-Owned-Enterprises-Amendment-Bill-Public.htm
A party vote was called for on the question, That the Public Finance (Mixed Ownership Model) Amendment Bill be now read a third time.
Ayes 61
New Zealand National 59; ACT New Zealand 1; United Future 1.
Noes 60
New Zealand Labour 34; Green Party 14; New Zealand First 8; Maori Party 3; Mana 1.
____________________________________________________________________
1) For the public record, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament, can YOU please confirm – will YOU purchase shares in Mighty River Power, if they become available?
– YES or NO?
2) Is this the agreed position of the political party which you represent, as a New Zealand Member of Parliament?
– YES or NO?
Please be advised that your reply will be made available to both the media and the public.
Your prompt response would be much appreciated.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Bright
A Spokesperson for the Switch Off Mercury Energy group.
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.
Tariana Turia comes up with a way forward for the Maori Party leadership jam, She says all 3 of them can be leaders,
Te Ureroa Flavall tho will be ‘a lesser’ leader than the other 2 as neither have any plans of giving up their Ministerial positions,
Pita Sharples, who has great things on His mind you know, like paying off His mortgage, reckons He is keeping His tiro warm on the leather of the Ministerial limo until death overtakes Him,
My advice to Pita is not to mock the cold hand of death…
Slippery the Prime Minister gave a good impression of someone having been forced to dine on dead rats for far too long while announcing that the tax upon laptops and i phones will not be going ahead,
Smile’n’wave seems to have become a con trick of the past for Slippery who seems to have lost His humor recently, (lolz internal poll results do that to you),
Cheer up Slippery, just think in under 18 months we all get to tell you to F off and you can disappear to Hawaii leaving NZ smelling a little better for your departure…
Slippery the Prime Minister in the true vein of having no sense of responsibility whatsoever is proposing that those other organizations that demand and get rewarded for not having one either will be allowed to ransack your bank account should said banks look likely to be come insolvent,
Look on in horror over the weekend as the IMF and European union told Cyprus to ransack the bank accounts of it’s citizens did you,
Well Slippery’s National Government looks like it is going to give it’self the power to do the same to anyone with cash in a New Zealand bank account…
As in Russel Norman’s press release.
As someone with money in the bank, saved for my retirement I feel a little annoyed. However, I am lucky to have that money and would survive such a tax. Generally the housing market gets priority over people like me with money in low risk accounts, which aren’t really earning a lot of interest. Why aren’t they trying to rein in banks re- their role in fueling the housing bubble? Ultimately, it’s people on the lowest incomes that will suffer most with policies that continue to favour the banksters.
I understand the government or Reserve Bank are looking at insurance on deposits up to $20,000.
NRT on it,
which links to the full RBNZ plan.
Cyprus Bill English
tellus about it bad
Having pocketed trillions of euros and dollars in bail out money, now the owners of the banks are coming for the deposits, this is very predictable. Once the same owners pull the plug on the markets, the final stop is to finish destroying public services, then finally the pensions schemes which remain!
Why does NZ continue to find itself being the, *first, or only* in so many situations which are clearly going to cause major damage when they blow up in our face!
Why do so many people not tune in, and why of those that do, is there simply no traction.
Internet killed the pro-tes-star
that last line is interesting muzza
well,
Q.T
Joyce evades CC acknowledgement, unlike English…
Brownlee; 3.5 minute road travel times are a “savings and boost to the economy”
Gr8 to see DC at least given a question; humility is coming along nicely; nicely slayed and Dunne!
Nwz: Joyce backdown, however, “going to Datacom could be as dysfunctional as Novopay”
who’d be a teacher aye?
Dotcom: more embarassing stuff for the police and the spooks. (they should employ me, I tell ya, I see the Blue writing on the wall); “what a cock-up” to para. Robertson.
Farmers now pleading to IRD and the rural services sector; RD1 anyone? hello Christina 🙂
Lawless http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1212450/
somthin’ watchable outta the ol’ US of A
“now you give my regards to Special Deputy Yule (come back now) (have you seen the Bootleggers tarred and feathered?)
“they sold us out Jimmy, time we all picked a side”.
How many out there are happy with the loud, aggressive fellow from the Insurance Council on Campbell Live tonight ?
He said that insurance companies delaying settlement costs them money, claiming inferentially that wilful delay does not happen therefore, of course. He did not say that delay which results in hugely reduced payouts because the punch-drunk, desperate, often needy insured finally settle for what is offered by the insurance company, which of course does pay. To put an end to the health threatening anguish of it. Unfair and wrong as it might be. To resume living a life albeit a reduced one.
So fuck that arsehole and his aggression. In true arrogant, greedy arch-capitalist style he suffered us the “deny” tactic and all is meant to be well. And I’ll root my boot if his anecdotal stuff about some US insurance guy at a conference in Australia apparently asking about how the people of Chrictchurch are getting on, is any indication of insurance company rorts not occurring.
The other guy on the show , the professor of whatever, has written a book which includes in the title the words delay, deny and defend. I know the US produces some pretty shonky professors in quarters, charlatans, but until this guy is shown to be one I’m much happier with his contribution.
I can’t step out of this writing this post to check out the credentials of the NZ Insurance Council but from memory it’s a body comprised of the insurance companies themselves rather than an independent watchdog so to speak, so ask yourself.
…better put this here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Zl7S1LaPMU
afore Qu. crucifies me
oops, better put THIS here,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/mar/18/porn-meat-consuming-it-freedom
before Qu. crucifies me…
Who exactly is Qu ghostrider888?
Wouldn’t be QoT that you are obliquely referring to?
Seems from the thread on rape culture that you have a problem spitting out what you want to say. That you’d prefer to make controversial, but suitably cryptic, hits and runs than argue your corner.
Is this more of the same?
Something has been niggling at me. Not until after I’d submitted the post above did it come – the resemblance of the Insurance Council prick on Campbell Live tonight, in demeanour and physically, to that angel of kindness aka narcissistic lunatic Bill O’Reilly of Fux News.
something else to get ones’ teeth in to
http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/poverty-matters/2013/mar/19/philippines-political-support-reproductive-health
Overlawyered?
http://overlawyered.com/2013/03/claim-depictions-rights-violations-pop-entertainment-may-violate-u-n-guidelines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=claim-depictions-rights-violations-pop-entertainment-may-violate-u-n-guidelines
THE CASE AGAINST FEEDING EVERY STARVING CHILD
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2013/03/the-case-against-feeding-every-hungry-child/274072/
now, off home to a corned beef and some stir-fried veges
Melanie Reid attacked while investigating a story for 3rd Degree!
LOL ….. we’ll here comes a bitch fight if ever there was.
Me thinks the receivers picked on the wrong sort of ‘gal’
As someone once said ..”no matter how long it takes” …… etcetera.
If I were anyone associated with THAT receiver, I’d be watching my back