In New Zealand the news that the $1.8 billion given by the taxpayers to South Canturbury Finance after a 30 minute meeting of cabinet, is now under criminal investigation for fraud, can only make you agree with Monbiot that: “If ever you needed evidence that our governments operate in the interests of the elite, rather than the world as a whole, here it is.”
Why Is It So Easy to Save the Banks – but So Hard to Save the Biosphere?
by George Monbiot
capping climate change would cost around 1% of global GDP, while sitting back and letting it hit us would cost between 5 and 20%. One per cent of GDP is, at the moment, $630bn. By March 2009, Bloomberg has revealed, the US Federal Reserve had committed $7.77 trillion to the banks. That is just one government’s contribution: yet it amounts to 12 times the annual global climate change bill. Add the bailouts in other countries, and it rises several more times.
This support was issued on demand: as soon as the banks said they wanted help, they got it. On just one day the Federal Reserve made $1.2tr available – more than the world has committed to tackling climate change in 20 years……
Much of this was done both unconditionally and secretly: it took journalists two years to winkle out the detail. The banks shouted “help” and the government just opened its wallet. This all took place, remember, under George W Bush, whose administration claimed to be fiscally conservative.
But getting the US government to commit to any form of bailout for the planet – even a couple of billion – is like pulling teeth. “Unaffordable!” the Republicans (and many of the Democrats) shriek. It will wreck the economy! We’ll go back to living in caves!
I’m often struck by the wildly inflated rhetoric of those who accuse environmentalists of scaremongering. “If those scaremongers have their way they’ll destroy the entire economy” is the kind of claim uttered almost daily, without any apparent irony.
No legislator, as far as I know, has yet been able to explain why making $7.7tr available to the banks is affordable, while investing far smaller sums in new technologies and energy saving is not……..
……..So why is it so easy to save the banks and so hard to save biosphere? If ever you needed evidence that our governments operate in the interests of the elite, rather than the world as a whole, here it is.
Not that I agreed with the bailouts but it is not correct to quote figures the way it has been presented here and claim it is equivalent to expenditure when it is more accurate to state much of it was loans or guarrantees. For example the several hundred billion dollar TARP funds have largely been repaid by the banks that took up the funds and the repayments included interest.
“capping climate change would cost around 1% of global GDP”
I seriously, seriously doubt that. The main source of CO2 pollution is coal fired power plants and transportation use of oil.
Drastically curtailing output from both sources entails replacing the built up capital stock of power plants and cars, globally. That’s going to cost a lot more than 1% of global GDP. That’s before you even confront the ridiculous social pressures that have resulted in the car designs we have today (particularly in the US) where drivers want to feel “safe” even if it means everyone else on the road it more at risk in an accident and fuel consumption is pushed sky-high.
To whoever is continuing to white ant David Cunliffe from within the Labour caucus, please stop. If you want a united party that is capable of winning the next election this is a bad thing to do.
Hardly a united party the way the shearer Cunliffe contest played out mickey….old v new and highly unlikely it will stop with the usual suspects behind the white anting and leaks, it’s all they know.
Some of the MPs who lined up in the opposing camp are believed to have pushed for Mr Cunliffe to be left off the front bench altogether.
My words for the individuals in question are stronger than yours mickeysavage. If it continues then they need to be exposed for the childish pratts (or should it be brats) they must be. A number of us know something of what has been going on behind the scenes, and it looks like commonsense has at last prevailed. I hope it is true that David Cunliffe has been offered an ‘appropriate’ portfolio and a level of seniority befitting his abilities. We will find out later today.
So if United Future and its malleable open buttshine policy of allowing the largest party to advance its main policies has credibility what would have happenned if Labour had been able to form the government? Would Dunne have changed everything he has said about asset sales since the election and said asset sales are no good? Would it have resulted in UF doing a complete 100% arse-about? And if so, what does that say about the usefulness of United Future for NZ’s future?
Unless you think minor parties should hold the major parties to ransom United Future’s position seems eminently sensible. Peter Dunne realises that he is very much a junior partner in the arrangement and that this means that while he can expect some policy concessions it would be crazy to expect he could dictate terms. So in your extremely hypothetical situation I would expect Peter Dunne to bow to Labour’s anti-Asset sales policy commitment if they had the numbers to form the next Government if they offered him the opportunity to be part of it.
Unless you think minor parties should hold the major parties to ransom United Future’s position seems eminently sensible.
It’s not a question of holding them to ransom but of their being support for the policy. UF wasn’t voted in on Nationals policies but their own which have now changed to Nationals. That’s called lying and corruption.
Talking about deliveries Pete have you got your new portrait of OverDunne for your bedside table yet? If you real lucky it may have Banks and Key in the photo too.
If he turns out to be right wing like you Pete I will personally pay for your new wig.
Can’t see him going down Dunnys right wing s-bend plumbing though Pete.
Felix? Labour? You are confused. I have been watching him for years
My guess. He might vote for Labour if he was desperate – and probably has. But he generally votes leftish protest. Probably for more different parties than most protest voters.
But he does delight in harassing the pompous and seeing if they can think. Mostly the victims come from the right. But I have seen him harass just about every political belief. He is agnostic about them. It’s the type of person that he is interested in
Peter Dunne could easily have supported Labour’s no asset sales policy seeing as UF had no policy to sell assets. Agreeing with National was a coalition concession, regarding National’ls plans as not being a strong enough to draw a line over it (in line with much of the electorate).
United Future made it clear though that overall the party would find it too difficult to suppport some of Labour’s other policies, like raising tax rates that had just been lowered, raising the age of eligibility for Super, and arbitrarily raising the minium wage.
And UF are against Labour’s proposed CGT – the international trend is against comprehensive CGT – and UF believes our current level of CGT, strengthened last year, is sufficient.
Labour tried to buy, bluster and bullshit their way to power. But yeah, whatever they tried didn’t really matter.
Greens benefited from slick marketing of vegan pie in the sky policies. What will really matter if they ever get into power is if they can maintain integrity with their populist cetre-ish promises and at the same time keep their activist core happy. Next election they will actually have to front up with a viable plan.
You’re quite wrong Gosman, roughly half of the NZ public oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing, and for most socially concerned people in NZ politics really is a fight to the death to kill off neo-con free-market ideology
roughly half of the NZ public oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing
You’ve got no way of knowing that, and it is obviously not going to be correct.
We know about half the voters voted for a party that is not part of the coalition government. We have no idea how many of them “oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing”. A preference of one party over another does not determine opposition.
A vote for a non coalition party does not necessarily prove support for “the policies, methods and tactics of the left-wing” either.
Actually that’s exactly what a vote means, Pete. It tells us what policies people support and oppose.
You can argue that it’s imprecise, of course, and you can argue that some people might support more than one party’s policies. And that’s what your argument above boils down to – that someone could vote Labour or Green but still support asset sales for example.
I realise that thinking through the implications of your statements has never been your strong suit, but you should be very careful with this one or you’re going to find it awfully tricky to keep claiming the National/ACT/UF has a mandate to do anything.
An increased margin in Ohariu is a reasonable mandate for Dunne to do what he campaigned on – which is what he is doing.
Being a party with a pivotal vote is seriously in the business of government. Labour and Greens are showing their ineffectual miffedness.
You’re ignoring the fact that National tightened up on New Zealand’s CGT last year?
Labour didn’t even give a priority to CGT in their campaigning, it was more of a Hail Mary policy than something they were dedicated to handing over to experts to work out for them.
“An increased margin in Ohariu is a reasonable mandate for Dunne to do what he campaigned on – which is what he is doing.”
Pete finally acknowledges that UF is a fig leaf for independent Ohariu MP Peter Dunne.
And if you are going to quote margins, a statistical figure with little political value, how about quoting UF’s vote nationally, which is politically important. Did it go up or did it go down, Pete? And if it went down, what do you think that means in terms of Dunne’s mandate to flog assets?
Dunne’s only mandate is that he promised during the election campaign to be a stable partner for National. This is why all Nat party supporters in his electorate voted him in. The concept of UF being independent (let alone an independent party) is laughable as is clearly reflected in its national vote.
As you know the UF party vote went down. That adds weight to the mandate via an electorate that gave most support to National. It was also an electorate who voted for a candidate that clearly indicated he would allow National’s major policy to proceed. Even some Labour MPs recognise this. And…
This Parliament was democratically elected and if the government of the day has the numbers to pass legislation, it is not for us to try to frustrate that.
Don’t be a moron, pete – there is a significant difference between filibustering parliament so nothing gets done, and actively supporting legislation put forward by your coalition partner.
The electorate did not give majority support to national, or asset sales of any extent. Your spineless party does that. Don’t pretend it’s not peter dunne selling half the family silver – he’s on the team, and they can’t do it without him.
Hint for felix – I copied that quote so it sort of follows that I’d know where it comes from. And yes, I do know Eddie isn’t an MP.
[lprent: I should hope not – I don’t allow sitting MP’s here unless they are on a clearly stated guest post – they have their own usual channels. The moderation difficulties from people on unrelated issues climbing on a soapbox in their posts are rather high. We can only give up the required amount of volunteered moderator time when it is important (like the leadership posts a few weeks ago). ]
“Players Kieran Read and Andy Ellis ceremonially led the one-of-a-kind Boeing 777-300ER aircraft out of Boeing’s paint hangar facility in Seattle on Friday night.
Read said the plane looked “sensational” and would “really turn heads” at airports around the world.”
Would have thought that Read would have been to enough international airports to know that, at most of them, “people” don’t get much of a chance to see other planes on the tarmac.
By the way, given the current PM’s tendancy to make policy on the hoof, is this the next step in the black flag with a silver fern becoming our national flag by default?
“operate in the interests of the elite”. Yes Jenny, the investors in South Canterbury finance that were the recipients of the bail out, would be the elite. Many of those people who were retired were the elite who’s taxes paid for say, the power stations National are privatising, many of the roads you drive on, the rail system throughout the country and the hospitals that have been built, amongst other things. Of course they are the “elite”. Methinks you wouldn’t know an “elite” if you fell over one.
Yep you would be quite surprised how many of the investors were just average people who had come into a bit of money due to their Mum and Dad passing on.
For example a truckie that I knew who was on the bones of his arse suddenly because $700k better off when his Mum died and her house was sold off.
Thought he was being wise by investing in a finance company unfortunately as so many found out that wasn’t the case.
Thought he was being wise by investing in a finance company unfortunately as so many found out that wasn’t the case.
Greedy for returns more like, so greedy that he didn’t diversify his portfolio of $700K between banks and finance companies, or between different finance companies full stop.
Any amounts invested over $250K should have received a 50% haircut. Your truckie example would have lost $225K of his $700K mal-investment.
That would have protected the vast majority of mum and dad savers as well as the taxpayer, and given the capitalist speculators an education. It’s not real capitalism without real risks, after all.
I have worked all my life in manual labour mate as in farm work for Dept lands and surveys for 11 years,followed by manual labour in a glasshouse for quite a few years followed by commercial cleaning while i went to University
it got to the point where no more so i got educated so blow that out yur ass
kris, as always, out of touch with reality. No, not all of them built the roads, though some of them probably did. They did drive the stock trucks, build houses, cut meat in a butchers, sweep the board at the freezing works, worked at the wharf, worked in shops, were nurses, teachers and served fish and chips, cleaned the local schools and offices, chiselled gravestones, laid carpet, tiled roof’s, and fixed cars, just to name a few.
For a university educated person, you really have no idea about followng a series of posts, have you kris? But then, one can get a degree in woman’s studies these days, so maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
“I have worked all my life in manual labour mate as in farm work for Dept lands and surveys for 11 years,followed by manual labour in a glasshouse for quite a few years followed by commercial cleaning while i went to University
it got to the point where no more so i got educated so blow that out yur ass”
And for a university educated person, I’m not sure you can say “all my life” in one breath and then say you got educated and no more, since this would imply that you didnt work “all your life” as a labourer.
Amounts invested over $250K should have been haircut by 50%. End of story. Protect small investors, protect the tax payer, and remind capitalist speculators that real capitalism involves real financial risks.
One change I’d like to see in parliament is the abolishment of party leaders who hold single seats in parliament.
Currently such people get a much larger salary due to their status, but really they’re not much more than independents when it comes to power in the house. I think instead of paying them an increased salary, they should get the same amount of money that any independent would be paid, and the difference between that and the a party leader salary go directly to the party for party development purposes. UF, ACT and Mana obviously need some party development and Jim Anderton’s Progressives could’ve used some too.
I’m listening to NinetoNoon with Kathryn Ryan talking about the committee on poverty to John Pagani (who has made some good points such as the problem of low wages and the working poor) and some woman who talks in that exasperated voice that middle class women often adopt when talking about people in need. Her answer to poverty is to get better housing that is warm and the children will be so much healthier and able to learn better. It’s the RMA and the new building regulations that are more stringent because of earthquake strengthening (and she unfortunately brought up the example of them affecting a new winery that could collapse and smash a wine barrel) and this is making housing too dear and people can’t get their own home which they can keep warm and that’s what is needed to solve our problems. (Also note the recent housing study that sees the problem of housing as bringing down the price of sections by councils increasing bare land zones to increase supply. So that speculators can snap it up and make good profits? Everybody should see the dreadfully designed ‘tract housing in South Auckland by the way. Truman had better.)
Guess who – I’ve just checked – Deborah Coddington. What a pillock. Her approach reminds me of the tone that Muriel Newman once showed when talking knowledgably (hah) about Maori issues with two activists. ACT both aren’t they. Why is Deborah Coddington regarded as someone whose opinions are worth considering. Her approach is at a level that women in the coffee set would have if they ever tried to discuss politics.
I think it was Deborah Coddington I heard on National Radio last week complaining about the rising cost of living and how things were getting so expensive.
Her specific example was the cost of getting parts for her name brand Italian designed kitchen stove.
Today she ejaculated the idea that the real root cause of poverty is that vineyards have to comply with the RMA and it’s too strict, especially after Christchurch.
I Coddington you not.
EDIT: hurr durr I didn’t see the prism’s comment above. Bad felix.
Felix – I guess that my comments are usually long and busy people like yourself have to skim them. I always try to bring in background and explain myself, probably to myself, and short summaries don’t do it for me. I’ll follow my own advice to others which is to paragraph more. Personally I find it easier to pick up the various threads of the comment then.
Cheaper housing would without doubt help many of the New Zealanders struggling with those things (lordy knows why i don’t count us in this group – typical medium class aspirans s’pose). And the RMA has diddly squat to do with it. neither does earthquake strengthening.
There was far greater cost added by the New Zealand government to housing this year when the GST increase put the cost up by about $10,000 per house.
Similarly, over the last handful of years, far greater cost has been added by local authorities to housing when their reserve and development contributions put the cost up by about $15,000 per house.
There you go – with those two alone, both government, the cost has risen by $25,000.
Now also, lets reverse those and go a bit further – knock the New Zealand government’s GST off new housing completely (like fruit and vege) and there is $60,000. And knock each local council’s reserve and development ‘contributions’ (tax) and there is another $25,000.
There you go, with those two alone the cost can drop by $85,000.
Government needs to be building 10,000 new houses a year itself.
Remember, by taking the taxes off housing you’d be providing an effective tax payer subsidy to private industry. Instead of doing that you might as well build them yourself.
“Remember, by taking the taxes off housing you’d be providing an effective tax payer subsidy to private industry.”
No that’s not the case. There would be a small windfall to some in the industry at the start point only but immediately after that the industry would find its standard profit margin level again, being probably New Zealand’s most mature and competitive industry, so there would be no greater profit margins than there are today. The effect however would be a significant drop in both the cost of new housing and the value of existing housing as a flow on effect.
As for replacing the lost taxes – well that’s a political question. For example, should new housing for our families and people be taxed at the same rate as ferraris? Should newcomers to a region be required to pay upfront for the lifetime cost of the infrastructure associated with the house, or should it be spread across both the existing population and the future generations?
And watch as rates go up. Not that that can be stopped anyway as all the councils are going for more sprawl – the most expensive housing development available.
The best thing to do to bring down house prices is to build more state (and council) housing. Way more elegant than a CGT.
If we have more people going into state housing (with various mechanisms available for people to purchase their state house), there would be less people going into private rentals, especially those at the bottom end of society, and less demand for private rental leads to a fall in rents, and investors, in the face of falling returns, sell out (though I belive that the slum lords will be the ones selling out. The decent and more professional like landlords would probably stay in the market).
RIP Vaclav Havel, leader of the Czechoslovakia’s “velvet revolution”.
Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible political effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance.
Letter to Czechoslovak Communist Party chairman Alexander Dubček (August 1969)
I realize that this post is somewhat redundant, being that John Key has said marijuana will not be decriminalized while he is Prime Minister. This position is somewhat idiotic… especially when you consider the following evidence concerning the overal benefits to society decriminalization would facilitate…
The front bench line up is Mr Shearer, Grant Robertson, David Parker (Finance), Jacinda Ardern (Social Development), David Cunliffe (Economic Development), Clayton Cosgrove (State Owned Enterprises and Commerce), Shane Jones (Regional Development, Fisheries), Nanaia Mahuta (Education). – c/p from NZ Herald.
Five don’t hold electorate seats. One won his electorate but saw the party vote fall behind the Greens.
Clayton Cosgrove and Shane Jones? Seriously? I don’t get the Labour party sometimes.
Someone’s salary being talked about on radio this a.m. went up from $470,000 p.a. to $520,000 or near. We are in a recession aren’t we? Even if it was overseas they are in a recession – everyone is.
My relative doing essential IT work got a 1.5% rise. I wonder where this guy (presumably) lives? Perhaps I can line the road as his limo passes and he can toss bread to myself and other lower classes like Emperior Selassie used to in Ethiopia. Or perhaps he can buy bags of wheat and trickle down the contents out of the window so we can gather it off the road then make our own bread or feed it to our hens.
It’s worse than that… his pay has risen 45% in four years, the time he has been in office.
And worse again because it is justified by the mayor through “that’s what all ceo’s get. Haven’t you seen how much their pay rates climb? Well, so should his.” True dinks.
vto
Wasn’t Bob Parker actually demanding that this man get the position – a favourite of his and threatening to stand down otherwise? If so it smacks of USA croneyism where the newly elected bring in their own people for each job manager. I don’t know why Chch didn’t stick to Jim Anderton he would have been excellent. I have a feeling that Chch is too toffy nosed and NACT so always tend to slide to the blue direction.
Yes prism, it’s all over the Press this morning. Not a single person in support except the mayor and deputy. Parker has made yet another political blue. He only became mayor again because ofthe September earthquake – otherwise Jim Anderton was about to fly in. And no, Chch sin’t that blue. Mostly red. Bits of blue in the leafy parts.
North Korea’s glorious leader, Kim Jong Il, has died. State TV reported that he succumbed to physical and mental over-work. No, really. It wasn’t his addiction to whiskey, cigars and porn, it was over-work. Honest.
One ‘Dear Leader’ down, one to go. Obviously Kim and ShonKey are majorly dissimilar, bar both having an official “ministry of truth” style media bubble and living luxurious insulated lifestyles unlike many of their citizens.
Hopefully this will spell the end of the communist dictatorship in North Korea and open the door to reunification.
If the North Korean generals had any guts, they would launch a coup, take over and open a full dialog with the West (and South), with a view to reunification.
BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis is headlined today on Stuff about the NZ economy.
Firstly, does anyone see the backwards nonsense in having someone so knottedly conflicted to comment on the economy? Ask yourself what is in the best interests of BNZ. How can he possibly be independent and given credence?
And secondly, in spite of Toplis’s position which must include the obligation to never ever talk down anything that may affect BNZ’s position, he says this at the end…”we cling to our view that the New Zealand economy can continue to fumble its way ahead, albeit that the task is becoming more difficult by the day”
cling … fumble … more difficult …
the writing is on the wall and even the local banksters are struggling to keep a straight face.
Fact of the matter is that the academic economics profession has sold out to a dangerous mix of sloppy intellectualism and its corporate sponsors.
Corporate media only give airtime to ‘approved’ orthodox economics commentators, and economics departments excel in wallowing in the types of orthodox neoliberal theories which big corporate sponsors and employers will approve of.
I remain a big fan of Steve Keen (google his blog debtdeflation). His latest published paper is excellent and smashes the neoliberal macroeconomics that so many still crow about as being our path to salvation (while quietly ignoring that it is the path we followed to bring us to this unhappy place).
And just when you thought people had some semblance of integrity we have the ‘virtual’ protest action – how pathetic.
When those people actually front up to the Ports of auckland, check out the work, talk to the people as to why they are protesting, why the SOE has them on lockout by Ports of Auckland which Key’s government has been lining our asset up for asset sale to foreigners well before the work action, then they may have some semblance of gravitas – otherwise piss off you wankers.
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
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 ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
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. ...
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 ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
In New Zealand the news that the $1.8 billion given by the taxpayers to South Canturbury Finance after a 30 minute meeting of cabinet, is now under criminal investigation for fraud, can only make you agree with Monbiot that: “If ever you needed evidence that our governments operate in the interests of the elite, rather than the world as a whole, here it is.”
Why Is It So Easy to Save the Banks – but So Hard to Save the Biosphere?
by George Monbiot
Thanks for that link. I have passed it on. Onward the 99%, keep exposing the truth and putting it out there!
Not that I agreed with the bailouts but it is not correct to quote figures the way it has been presented here and claim it is equivalent to expenditure when it is more accurate to state much of it was loans or guarrantees. For example the several hundred billion dollar TARP funds have largely been repaid by the banks that took up the funds and the repayments included interest.
“capping climate change would cost around 1% of global GDP”
I seriously, seriously doubt that. The main source of CO2 pollution is coal fired power plants and transportation use of oil.
Drastically curtailing output from both sources entails replacing the built up capital stock of power plants and cars, globally. That’s going to cost a lot more than 1% of global GDP. That’s before you even confront the ridiculous social pressures that have resulted in the car designs we have today (particularly in the US) where drivers want to feel “safe” even if it means everyone else on the road it more at risk in an accident and fuel consumption is pushed sky-high.
To whoever is continuing to white ant David Cunliffe from within the Labour caucus, please stop. If you want a united party that is capable of winning the next election this is a bad thing to do.
Hardly a united party the way the shearer Cunliffe contest played out mickey….old v new and highly unlikely it will stop with the usual suspects behind the white anting and leaks, it’s all they know.
Welcome to the minor party table.
Ingrained habits of negative politics can be a bugger when they keep biting you party’s own bum.
From the article mickeysavage linked to:
Some of the MPs who lined up in the opposing camp are believed to have pushed for Mr Cunliffe to be left off the front bench altogether.
My words for the individuals in question are stronger than yours mickeysavage. If it continues then they need to be exposed for the childish pratts (or should it be brats) they must be. A number of us know something of what has been going on behind the scenes, and it looks like commonsense has at last prevailed. I hope it is true that David Cunliffe has been offered an ‘appropriate’ portfolio and a level of seniority befitting his abilities. We will find out later today.
Now why when reading your comment did the name Mallard immediately come to mind ?
So if United Future and its malleable open buttshine policy of allowing the largest party to advance its main policies has credibility what would have happenned if Labour had been able to form the government? Would Dunne have changed everything he has said about asset sales since the election and said asset sales are no good? Would it have resulted in UF doing a complete 100% arse-about? And if so, what does that say about the usefulness of United Future for NZ’s future?
Unless you think minor parties should hold the major parties to ransom United Future’s position seems eminently sensible. Peter Dunne realises that he is very much a junior partner in the arrangement and that this means that while he can expect some policy concessions it would be crazy to expect he could dictate terms. So in your extremely hypothetical situation I would expect Peter Dunne to bow to Labour’s anti-Asset sales policy commitment if they had the numbers to form the next Government if they offered him the opportunity to be part of it.
It’s not a question of holding them to ransom but of their being support for the policy. UF wasn’t voted in on Nationals policies but their own which have now changed to Nationals. That’s called lying and corruption.
Very funny. There was no lying involved, everything has been done as indicated during the campaign.
Labour didn’t campaign on changing their leader straight after the election, how corrupt. Liars.
Greens campaigned on having a Memorandum of Understanding with National, that hasn’t happened, how corrupt. Liars.
Dunne has been far more true to his word than both.
Promise nothing, deliver nothing.
Can’t go wrong.
As felix said, there has been no word to be true to.
Felix will have been referring to Labour, Greens, Mana and NZ First. Everyone knew they weren’t promises because they could never be delivered.
Talking about deliveries Pete have you got your new portrait of OverDunne for your bedside table yet? If you real lucky it may have Banks and Key in the photo too.
Oh look, there goes Pete not being a right-winger again.
Oh, maybe you were right after all, this makes me 7/8 in line with David Farrar, and 6/8 in line with some other guy…so I guess that makes him a right winger too.
What’s the matter with being a right-winger? I was one once and constantly have flashbacks and will probably lurch back there again from time to time.
If he turns out to be right wing like you Pete I will personally pay for your new wig.
Can’t see him going down Dunnys right wing s-bend plumbing though Pete.
Pete thinks he can hold me to the views of the Labour leadership.
Silly Pete.
felix, you can’t avoid being seen as a sorry apologist for Labour.
That’s what happens here, people apply whatever labels and accuse any associations they want to.
Felix? Labour? You are confused. I have been watching him for years
My guess. He might vote for Labour if he was desperate – and probably has. But he generally votes leftish protest. Probably for more different parties than most protest voters.
But he does delight in harassing the pompous and seeing if they can think. Mostly the victims come from the right. But I have seen him harass just about every political belief. He is agnostic about them. It’s the type of person that he is interested in
You may have missed a bit of the game. felix is as Labour as I’m right wing.
If he wants to try harrassing right wingers I could suggest a few but it might be a bit outside his comfort zone.
Of course Pete.
You support a right-wing govt but you’re not a right winger.
I don’t support Labour but I’m a Labour supporter.
It’s all becoming clear to me now.
Peter Dunne could easily have supported Labour’s no asset sales policy seeing as UF had no policy to sell assets. Agreeing with National was a coalition concession, regarding National’ls plans as not being a strong enough to draw a line over it (in line with much of the electorate).
United Future made it clear though that overall the party would find it too difficult to suppport some of Labour’s other policies, like raising tax rates that had just been lowered, raising the age of eligibility for Super, and arbitrarily raising the minium wage.
And UF are against Labour’s proposed CGT – the international trend is against comprehensive CGT – and UF believes our current level of CGT, strengthened last year, is sufficient.
♪ Anyway the wind blows, doesn’t really matter… ♫
Funny.
Labour tried to buy, bluster and bullshit their way to power. But yeah, whatever they tried didn’t really matter.
Greens benefited from slick marketing of vegan pie in the sky policies. What will really matter if they ever get into power is if they can maintain integrity with their populist cetre-ish promises and at the same time keep their activist core happy. Next election they will actually have to front up with a viable plan.
♫ …tooooo Peeeeeete…… ♪
Politics is not a fight to the death Felix regardless of the hard left’s outdated class war meme.
“Politics is not a fight to the death”
Only give your narrow world view, Gosman.
Hmmm,
I don’t consider Warren Buffet a hardcore leftist and here is what he said: It’s a class war and my side is winning!
You’re quite wrong Gosman, roughly half of the NZ public oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing, and for most socially concerned people in NZ politics really is a fight to the death to kill off neo-con free-market ideology
roughly half of the NZ public oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing
You’ve got no way of knowing that, and it is obviously not going to be correct.
We know about half the voters voted for a party that is not part of the coalition government. We have no idea how many of them “oppose the policies, methods and tactics of the right-wing”. A preference of one party over another does not determine opposition.
A vote for a non coalition party does not necessarily prove support for “the policies, methods and tactics of the left-wing” either.
Actually that’s exactly what a vote means, Pete. It tells us what policies people support and oppose.
You can argue that it’s imprecise, of course, and you can argue that some people might support more than one party’s policies. And that’s what your argument above boils down to – that someone could vote Labour or Green but still support asset sales for example.
I realise that thinking through the implications of your statements has never been your strong suit, but you should be very careful with this one or you’re going to find it awfully tricky to keep claiming the National/ACT/UF has a mandate to do anything.
What’s the tag for the musical notes felix?
If you’re using windows the easiest way is Alt+13 and Alt+14.
A few other ways with more musical symbols and different note-values are described here: http://fsymbols.com/computer/music-note/
Evasions, excuses, and half truths PG.
“UF had no policy [other than] agreeing with National” — Fixed it for you.
A slim margin in the Ohariu electorate does not constitute a mandate to sell strategic public assets.
CGT: It’s the OECD norm, but who cares as long as we can push the property bubble a bit further eh?
PS: The notion of a UF “party” is a joke, Dunne retires at the next election and the Useless Follicles will be forgotten
An increased margin in Ohariu is a reasonable mandate for Dunne to do what he campaigned on – which is what he is doing.
Being a party with a pivotal vote is seriously in the business of government. Labour and Greens are showing their ineffectual miffedness.
You’re ignoring the fact that National tightened up on New Zealand’s CGT last year?
Labour didn’t even give a priority to CGT in their campaigning, it was more of a Hail Mary policy than something they were dedicated to handing over to experts to work out for them.
“An increased margin in Ohariu is a reasonable mandate for Dunne to do what he campaigned on – which is what he is doing.”
Pete finally acknowledges that UF is a fig leaf for independent Ohariu MP Peter Dunne.
And if you are going to quote margins, a statistical figure with little political value, how about quoting UF’s vote nationally, which is politically important. Did it go up or did it go down, Pete? And if it went down, what do you think that means in terms of Dunne’s mandate to flog assets?
Dunne’s only mandate is that he promised during the election campaign to be a stable partner for National. This is why all Nat party supporters in his electorate voted him in. The concept of UF being independent (let alone an independent party) is laughable as is clearly reflected in its national vote.
As you know the UF party vote went down. That adds weight to the mandate via an electorate that gave most support to National. It was also an electorate who voted for a candidate that clearly indicated he would allow National’s major policy to proceed. Even some Labour MPs recognise this. And…
Do you know who said this?
Don’t be a moron, pete – there is a significant difference between filibustering parliament so nothing gets done, and actively supporting legislation put forward by your coalition partner.
The electorate did not give majority support to national, or asset sales of any extent. Your spineless party does that. Don’t pretend it’s not peter dunne selling half the family silver – he’s on the team, and they can’t do it without him.
“Do you know who said this?”
Lolz, I do. I don’t think Pete does though. (Hint for Petey – it wasn’t an MP)
Hint for felix – I copied that quote so it sort of follows that I’d know where it comes from. And yes, I do know Eddie isn’t an MP.
[lprent: I should hope not – I don’t allow sitting MP’s here unless they are on a clearly stated guest post – they have their own usual channels. The moderation difficulties from people on unrelated issues climbing on a soapbox in their posts are rather high. We can only give up the required amount of volunteered moderator time when it is important (like the leadership posts a few weeks ago). ]
You’re a dag Pete, but in the agricultural rather than the colloquial sense.
Anyone can scroll up and see what you were thinking. Lolz.
All-black jet thrills our world champions
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10774025
“Players Kieran Read and Andy Ellis ceremonially led the one-of-a-kind Boeing 777-300ER aircraft out of Boeing’s paint hangar facility in Seattle on Friday night.
Read said the plane looked “sensational” and would “really turn heads” at airports around the world.”
Would have thought that Read would have been to enough international airports to know that, at most of them, “people” don’t get much of a chance to see other planes on the tarmac.
By the way, given the current PM’s tendancy to make policy on the hoof, is this the next step in the black flag with a silver fern becoming our national flag by default?
“operate in the interests of the elite”. Yes Jenny, the investors in South Canterbury finance that were the recipients of the bail out, would be the elite. Many of those people who were retired were the elite who’s taxes paid for say, the power stations National are privatising, many of the roads you drive on, the rail system throughout the country and the hospitals that have been built, amongst other things. Of course they are the “elite”. Methinks you wouldn’t know an “elite” if you fell over one.
hah but these elites as u put them wouldnt have BUILT them would they??? as in shovel and actual MANUAL work
hell i seen donkey running with a football in his claws on tv last week
what a try hard
So when was the last time you used a spade in manual work Kris, and I am not talking about turning over your garden.
Many people have been severly burnt by finance companies and most of these are people are joe average, noob.
Yep you would be quite surprised how many of the investors were just average people who had come into a bit of money due to their Mum and Dad passing on.
For example a truckie that I knew who was on the bones of his arse suddenly because $700k better off when his Mum died and her house was sold off.
Thought he was being wise by investing in a finance company unfortunately as so many found out that wasn’t the case.
Greedy for returns more like, so greedy that he didn’t diversify his portfolio of $700K between banks and finance companies, or between different finance companies full stop.
Any amounts invested over $250K should have received a 50% haircut. Your truckie example would have lost $225K of his $700K mal-investment.
That would have protected the vast majority of mum and dad savers as well as the taxpayer, and given the capitalist speculators an education. It’s not real capitalism without real risks, after all.
I have worked all my life in manual labour mate as in farm work for Dept lands and surveys for 11 years,followed by manual labour in a glasshouse for quite a few years followed by commercial cleaning while i went to University
it got to the point where no more so i got educated so blow that out yur ass
kris, as always, out of touch with reality. No, not all of them built the roads, though some of them probably did. They did drive the stock trucks, build houses, cut meat in a butchers, sweep the board at the freezing works, worked at the wharf, worked in shops, were nurses, teachers and served fish and chips, cleaned the local schools and offices, chiselled gravestones, laid carpet, tiled roof’s, and fixed cars, just to name a few.
so if they were so successful why bail them out?
For a university educated person, you really have no idea about followng a series of posts, have you kris? But then, one can get a degree in woman’s studies these days, so maybe I’m being a bit harsh.
“I have worked all my life in manual labour mate as in farm work for Dept lands and surveys for 11 years,followed by manual labour in a glasshouse for quite a few years followed by commercial cleaning while i went to University
it got to the point where no more so i got educated so blow that out yur ass”
And for a university educated person, I’m not sure you can say “all my life” in one breath and then say you got educated and no more, since this would imply that you didnt work “all your life” as a labourer.
Amounts invested over $250K should have been haircut by 50%. End of story. Protect small investors, protect the tax payer, and remind capitalist speculators that real capitalism involves real financial risks.
One change I’d like to see in parliament is the abolishment of party leaders who hold single seats in parliament.
Currently such people get a much larger salary due to their status, but really they’re not much more than independents when it comes to power in the house. I think instead of paying them an increased salary, they should get the same amount of money that any independent would be paid, and the difference between that and the a party leader salary go directly to the party for party development purposes. UF, ACT and Mana obviously need some party development and Jim Anderton’s Progressives could’ve used some too.
According to Hone he got an extra 7k for being a party leader so he donated it to a food bank.
All MPs should be paid the same amount. There really is no reason to pay party leaders or ministers more.
Tolley’s a liar!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10774036
Indeed
Generally speaking more shit happens due to idiocy than malice.
Do not underestimate the power of Stupid!
The first of the bailouts: http://aotearoaawiderperspective.wordpress.com/2011/12/18/iag-australia-has-bought-the-solvent-bits-of-ami-insurance-while-you-are-going-to-pay-for-the-bad-bits/
The latest instalment from our fascist friends…under urgency, to boot. And they accuse Labour of creating a nanny state:
http://www.networkonnet.co.nz/index.php?section=latest&id=372
I’m listening to NinetoNoon with Kathryn Ryan talking about the committee on poverty to John Pagani (who has made some good points such as the problem of low wages and the working poor) and some woman who talks in that exasperated voice that middle class women often adopt when talking about people in need. Her answer to poverty is to get better housing that is warm and the children will be so much healthier and able to learn better. It’s the RMA and the new building regulations that are more stringent because of earthquake strengthening (and she unfortunately brought up the example of them affecting a new winery that could collapse and smash a wine barrel) and this is making housing too dear and people can’t get their own home which they can keep warm and that’s what is needed to solve our problems. (Also note the recent housing study that sees the problem of housing as bringing down the price of sections by councils increasing bare land zones to increase supply. So that speculators can snap it up and make good profits? Everybody should see the dreadfully designed ‘tract housing in South Auckland by the way. Truman had better.)
Guess who – I’ve just checked – Deborah Coddington. What a pillock. Her approach reminds me of the tone that Muriel Newman once showed when talking knowledgably (hah) about Maori issues with two activists. ACT both aren’t they. Why is Deborah Coddington regarded as someone whose opinions are worth considering. Her approach is at a level that women in the coffee set would have if they ever tried to discuss politics.
I think it was Deborah Coddington I heard on National Radio last week complaining about the rising cost of living and how things were getting so expensive.
Her specific example was the cost of getting parts for her name brand Italian designed kitchen stove.
Un-fucking-believable.
That’ll be her.
Today she ejaculated the idea that the real root cause of poverty is that vineyards have to comply with the RMA and it’s too strict, especially after Christchurch.
I Coddington you not.
EDIT: hurr durr I didn’t see the prism’s comment above. Bad felix.
Felix – I guess that my comments are usually long and busy people like yourself have to skim them. I always try to bring in background and explain myself, probably to myself, and short summaries don’t do it for me. I’ll follow my own advice to others which is to paragraph more. Personally I find it easier to pick up the various threads of the comment then.
In this case it was my own silly fault for reading the thread from the bottom up 😀
Cheaper housing would without doubt help many of the New Zealanders struggling with those things (lordy knows why i don’t count us in this group – typical medium class aspirans s’pose). And the RMA has diddly squat to do with it. neither does earthquake strengthening.
There was far greater cost added by the New Zealand government to housing this year when the GST increase put the cost up by about $10,000 per house.
Similarly, over the last handful of years, far greater cost has been added by local authorities to housing when their reserve and development contributions put the cost up by about $15,000 per house.
There you go – with those two alone, both government, the cost has risen by $25,000.
Now also, lets reverse those and go a bit further – knock the New Zealand government’s GST off new housing completely (like fruit and vege) and there is $60,000. And knock each local council’s reserve and development ‘contributions’ (tax) and there is another $25,000.
There you go, with those two alone the cost can drop by $85,000.
Government needs to be building 10,000 new houses a year itself.
Remember, by taking the taxes off housing you’d be providing an effective tax payer subsidy to private industry. Instead of doing that you might as well build them yourself.
“Remember, by taking the taxes off housing you’d be providing an effective tax payer subsidy to private industry.”
No that’s not the case. There would be a small windfall to some in the industry at the start point only but immediately after that the industry would find its standard profit margin level again, being probably New Zealand’s most mature and competitive industry, so there would be no greater profit margins than there are today. The effect however would be a significant drop in both the cost of new housing and the value of existing housing as a flow on effect.
As for replacing the lost taxes – well that’s a political question. For example, should new housing for our families and people be taxed at the same rate as ferraris? Should newcomers to a region be required to pay upfront for the lifetime cost of the infrastructure associated with the house, or should it be spread across both the existing population and the future generations?
And watch as rates go up. Not that that can be stopped anyway as all the councils are going for more sprawl – the most expensive housing development available.
The best thing to do to bring down house prices is to build more state (and council) housing. Way more elegant than a CGT.
If we have more people going into state housing (with various mechanisms available for people to purchase their state house), there would be less people going into private rentals, especially those at the bottom end of society, and less demand for private rental leads to a fall in rents, and investors, in the face of falling returns, sell out (though I belive that the slum lords will be the ones selling out. The decent and more professional like landlords would probably stay in the market).
RIP Vaclav Havel, leader of the Czechoslovakia’s “velvet revolution”.
Letter to Czechoslovak Communist Party chairman Alexander Dubček (August 1969)
Washington Post obituary: Vaclav Havel, dissident playwright and former Czech president.
http://www.3news.co.nz/John-Key-and-his-vineyard-investments/tabid/1382/articleID/157713/Default.aspx
See the PM appeared to be pushing his tipple on Breakfast this morning.
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/52-000-bottle-pm-s-wine-dropped-in-carpark-4662186
He also still appears a bit miffed that McCaw didn’t accept the Prime Minister’s offer of a knighthood.
Saw that –
and
reply
Funny, never seen during the election campaign, now never out of the media spotlight.
Decriminalizing marijuana
I realize that this post is somewhat redundant, being that John Key has said marijuana will not be decriminalized while he is Prime Minister. This position is somewhat idiotic… especially when you consider the following evidence concerning the overal benefits to society decriminalization would facilitate…
Labour’s lineup has been announced.
The front bench line up is Mr Shearer, Grant Robertson, David Parker (Finance), Jacinda Ardern (Social Development), David Cunliffe (Economic Development), Clayton Cosgrove (State Owned Enterprises and Commerce), Shane Jones (Regional Development, Fisheries), Nanaia Mahuta (Education). – c/p from NZ Herald.
Five don’t hold electorate seats. One won his electorate but saw the party vote fall behind the Greens.
Clayton Cosgrove and Shane Jones? Seriously? I don’t get the Labour party sometimes.
An interview with anthropologist David Graeber, the author of Debt: The First 5000 Years.
Helps if I post on the right page.
So – John Key replaced a bottle of his brand of wine when the person who bought it for charity accidentally dropped it. Good on him.
A very good trick, seeing as Key hasn’t included vintners or vinyards in this year’s register of pecuniary interests.
Sound familiar? Well, it was previously mentioned in the standard here and here.
I guess a blind trust with partial sight was deemed to be fine.
Someone’s salary being talked about on radio this a.m. went up from $470,000 p.a. to $520,000 or near. We are in a recession aren’t we? Even if it was overseas they are in a recession – everyone is.
My relative doing essential IT work got a 1.5% rise. I wonder where this guy (presumably) lives? Perhaps I can line the road as his limo passes and he can toss bread to myself and other lower classes like Emperior Selassie used to in Ethiopia. Or perhaps he can buy bags of wheat and trickle down the contents out of the window so we can gather it off the road then make our own bread or feed it to our hens.
The top 0.1% get pay increases in line with the increase in money supply.
None of this CPI/inflation matched crap the rest of us are lucky to even get.
The guy is the CEO of Chch council.
Couldn’t let the top dogs suffer like the munted general public now could we.
It’s worse than that… his pay has risen 45% in four years, the time he has been in office.
And worse again because it is justified by the mayor through “that’s what all ceo’s get. Haven’t you seen how much their pay rates climb? Well, so should his.” True dinks.
vto
Wasn’t Bob Parker actually demanding that this man get the position – a favourite of his and threatening to stand down otherwise? If so it smacks of USA croneyism where the newly elected bring in their own people for each job manager. I don’t know why Chch didn’t stick to Jim Anderton he would have been excellent. I have a feeling that Chch is too toffy nosed and NACT so always tend to slide to the blue direction.
Anderton would have made a brilliant Christchurch Mayor — probably would have redeemed his part in destroying the Alliance.
But I guess the tectonic plates had other ideas 🙂
IMO Council CEO’s should be appointed in a transparent manner, perhaps elected by the council concerned…
Yes prism, it’s all over the Press this morning. Not a single person in support except the mayor and deputy. Parker has made yet another political blue. He only became mayor again because ofthe September earthquake – otherwise Jim Anderton was about to fly in. And no, Chch sin’t that blue. Mostly red. Bits of blue in the leafy parts.
Big fail on Parker’s part.
Is this the same bloke that helped Hamilton win the V8 racing?
What’s worse is that the person you’re talking about is the Christchurch Council CEO! Disgusting!
North Korea’s glorious leader, Kim Jong Il, has died. State TV reported that he succumbed to physical and mental over-work. No, really. It wasn’t his addiction to whiskey, cigars and porn, it was over-work. Honest.
One ‘Dear Leader’ down, one to go. Obviously Kim and ShonKey are majorly dissimilar, bar both having an official “ministry of truth” style media bubble and living luxurious insulated lifestyles unlike many of their citizens.
Hopefully this will spell the end of the communist dictatorship in North Korea and open the door to reunification.
If the North Korean generals had any guts, they would launch a coup, take over and open a full dialog with the West (and South), with a view to reunification.
Really looking forward to seeing how Comrade Jacinda gets on in her new role!!!!! What the hell has she ever done to become #4 in the pecking order?
Yes big advancement. Fair question – is it on merit or on being gorgeous? Either one will do.
Good question for the pctorians.
BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis is headlined today on Stuff about the NZ economy.
Firstly, does anyone see the backwards nonsense in having someone so knottedly conflicted to comment on the economy? Ask yourself what is in the best interests of BNZ. How can he possibly be independent and given credence?
And secondly, in spite of Toplis’s position which must include the obligation to never ever talk down anything that may affect BNZ’s position, he says this at the end…”we cling to our view that the New Zealand economy can continue to fumble its way ahead, albeit that the task is becoming more difficult by the day”
cling … fumble … more difficult …
the writing is on the wall and even the local banksters are struggling to keep a straight face.
2012.
it’s all on.
Fact of the matter is that the academic economics profession has sold out to a dangerous mix of sloppy intellectualism and its corporate sponsors.
Corporate media only give airtime to ‘approved’ orthodox economics commentators, and economics departments excel in wallowing in the types of orthodox neoliberal theories which big corporate sponsors and employers will approve of.
I remain a big fan of Steve Keen (google his blog debtdeflation). His latest published paper is excellent and smashes the neoliberal macroeconomics that so many still crow about as being our path to salvation (while quietly ignoring that it is the path we followed to bring us to this unhappy place).
The paper can be found here:
http://www.eap-journal.com/archive/v41_i3_01-keen.pdf
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1112/S00685/virtual-business-protest-over-port-strikes-attracts-700.htm
And just when you thought people had some semblance of integrity we have the ‘virtual’ protest action – how pathetic.
When those people actually front up to the Ports of auckland, check out the work, talk to the people as to why they are protesting, why the SOE has them on lockout by Ports of Auckland which Key’s government has been lining our asset up for asset sale to foreigners well before the work action, then they may have some semblance of gravitas – otherwise piss off you wankers.
I have never seen a tax cut put out a fire. I have never seen a tax cut build a bridge or clean up toxic atmosphere.
Barney Frank, The Great American Debates: ‘There’s Too Much Government In My Life’
The CEO of Christchurch City Council has been awarded a $68,000 pay rise.
That should go down well with those paying double rates because they can’t live in their own homes.
Look mate, all the CEO has to do is fire two labouring or minimum wage positions at the Council and he’ll have covered off his own payrise.
Problem solved.
Actually, I figured he could sell one of those JK bottles of wine. That should almost cover his pay rise.
My bet is it would taste like weasels piss and I’d not drink any of it, just like I can’t stomach his ancient policies.