Stuff should do a comprehensive piece about WINZ and follow up on ‘customers’ who get given incorrect advice and assistance due to the incompetence and attitude that pervades since Pullya stamped her mark on it.
Focus on the humiliation ‘customers’ are put through, the massive screw ups WINZ keep making, the privatisation that’s gone on with all these ‘providers’, the dysfunctional beauracracy Nats have rolled out etc.
I was appalled at the ticket clipping going on in delivering some services to a needy friend. Services that used to be delivered by WINZ direct outsource party now sees WINZ sitting 3 layers back washing their hands….ahh that brighter future.
I was appalled at the ticket clipping going on in delivering some services to a needy friend.
Huge amount of ticket clipping going on through WINZ now and all it does is channel government money into private hands. It provides no discernible result in getting people jobs or helping them in any way.
And nothing makes my blood boil more than the wage ticket clipping by labour supply companies.
We now have corporates ticket clipping on government contracts, like the print contract for example, where you have companies who are equipment suppliers winning a contract and then outsourcing the production.
Should be. IIRC, a few years ago the air-force got their Orions upgraded. Went through the tendering process and an offshore company (either Canadian or US) got the contract. They then subcontracted SafeAirNZ to do the work. SafeAir had also put in a tender but hadn’t won it.
The offshore company was nothing but a ticket clipper siphoning money away from NZ.
Sadly our Education system is going in the opposite direction b Waghorn. Testing, testing of knowledge already known. Little boxes. What happened to discovery?
I live in Auckland, my olds live outside of Warkworth. So I use the Auckland-Warkworth road regularly. Yes, it does need upgrades. It does NOT need an all-new autobahn the Germans would be proud of.
There is a genuine problem at the Hill road intersection in Warkworth, and continuing development along SH1 is causing problems. So a motorway-grade bypass around Warkworth does make sense, essentially along the route proposed for the all-new motorway.
There is a genuine safety problem with the corners at Schedewy’s hill. A short cutting or tunnels to straighten the alignment and provide a continuous passing lane up the hill would eliminate the problem.
There is a minor bottleneck/safety problem at the Pohuehue Viaduct. Doubling up the viaduct is a quick,easy complete fix.
All this could be done for roughly a third the cost of the new autobahn while delivering very nearly all the benefits. Scaling back the work between Puhoi and Warkworth would also allow a much sooner start on the safety problems at Dome Valley and a bypass around the bottleneck at Wellsford further north.
If the traffic volumes ever get high enough to justify it, the rest of that part of SH1 goes through sparsely populated easy terrain that would easily allow widening for more lanes.
The proposed all-new Puhoi-Warkworth motorway is simply a gratuitous waste of money. And ironically, because it will require its users to go a long way north of Warkworth then backtrack south to get to Omaha, it won’t even save Dear Leader significant time on his trips to his bach.
A note that you cannot create sealed roads without the use of fossil fuels both used in the hot mix which gets put down, and the vehicles needed to prepare and finish the surface.
The machinery and vehicles to prepare and finish the surface can all run electrically, as can the vehicles that run on the finished road. While the bitumen used as a roading material creates all kinds of problems of its own, it contributes very little to climate change.
Even the EV industry don’t make that claim….I have yet to see anyone within the industry claim that heavy trucks and machinery are viable electrically….perhaps you have a link?
I didn’t intend to claim they were viable right now. Because what’s required to make it all work is much more expensive than fossil fuel (with zero cost of emitting GHGs).
But we already have technologies that would make it possible if fossil fuels were no longer available cheaply. Such as quick-change battery packs, inductive charging loops built into roadways.
I’m picking we’d all very quickly find a way to make all-electric transport viable rather than missing out. If we ever get serious about getting off fossil fuels.
electric public transport I agree is already viable (god knows why we are not implementing it)….but with heavy earthmoving /agriculture/transport I suspect hybrid tech and an acceptance of performance restrictions are the best we can hope for in the medium term……and thats ignoring the replacement /production limitations
thanks for link and from that there may be a future for heavy machinery powered by stored electricity….question is how rapidly….that interview was last year, how long ago were Tesla at that point with their cars (somewhere between 2003 and 2006 is my guess) and how many of those are on our roads currently?
and to both Andre and Paul – the most ridiculous aspect of all this, is that currently TNZ is widening the road all the way down the northern side of Brynderwyn – which didn’t need it, and totally leaving alone the south side of the Bryn which is the awkward twisty winding narrow road – which does need some upgrade !! The massive roadworks on either side of the northern part of Bryn is OTT ! Extraordinary ! Seems like a massive waste of money, technology, and whatever else.
I reckon they should have got “Alice” the tunneling machine from Waterview and driven straight through from Atlas Concrete to the Glenmohr road intersection. That would fix everything.
And Jenny, they’ve been working on that northern side for the last 2 years, with restricted speed and a reduction in lanes, this adds to the transport costs, since very little freight is moved by train. With time and money spent on the Bryn’s over the last 30 years, they could have put a tunnel through and made it much safer.
The roads through most of Northland have been neglected for decades, if you compare vehicle traffic numbers to those on some of the pristine south island roads, it really is a bit of a joke, heck, the road to Cape Reinga had the last 30k’s finally sealed only 7 years ago, its a major tourist destination.
And so they should, the rail link goes all the way through to Kawakawa, but Iv’e never seen a train on it, except for the local steam train ride in Kawakawa on weekends.
Winston was also pushing for development of the rail system into Northland as part of an economic development plan.
You mean the SH1 toll motorway from the Grand Drive, Orewa exit to the Johnstone’s Hill tunnels between Waiwera and Puhoi? $2.30 per trip.
I didn’t have much argument with building this bit of road, since it bypassed Orewa and Waiwera, and it would have been quite difficult upgrading the old SH1 since it went over difficult terrain.
That plan to run the motorway through there was in place since the mid 90’s, some of the locals in the back of Waiwera weren’t too happy though, a lot sold and moved.
The Online Media Standards Authority (OMSA) will release its decision on my complaint against posts made about me on Whale Oil Beef Hooked – at 12 noon today, Friday 20 May 2016.
Why, I mean even from my centre-right position I can say Labour have had a good week, the medical marijuana announcement will get them votes and by working with National on the housing issue they’re showing they can put major issues above petty politicking
Thank you, it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…I mean I thought I was being non-sexist but that was from my own pov so maybe I was contributing to this site being unfriendly towards women
It also coincided with a post on Whaleoil which I was not happy about (I posted something about it on here but it got edited and fair enough too) because it involved revenge porn and that was way over the line
So then I decided I’d think less about point scoring and being antagonistic and be a bit more positive and see what happens
I mean I still think National will win the next election but that doesn’t change the fact that Labour have had a pretty good week
I recently went to k1w1 blog, and after reading the dribble and constant BS, attacks on the left, and really disgusting behavior, I came to the conclusion that yourself and others (BM) were actually fairly reasonable by comparison, and could understand why you comment here, rather than there.
Everyone has the right to put forward their own point of view, and I’ve noticed a toning down by yourself recently, we may not convert you here, but, hearing both sides of an argument always offers balance.
I put you in the same category as Hone Harawera, where I don’t necessarily agree with what you (or he) have to say, but respect you for your strong commitment to what you believe in, it’s a worthy human trait.
Well I wouldn’t go that far ( I still have a lot of work to do and I’m easily side tracked) but thanks, I guess its that thing about treating others how you yourself want to be treated which is always easier said then done
I suppose it is if you only have one eye, those bloggers over there have no social conscience at all, so no, they’re not the same at all, in this blog here today, where is the attack on the right???…………my point.
Its still Puckish because I have a hard time spelling mischievous without auto correct 🙂
I guess I’d like a more pleasant atmosphere for posting (I’ve long thought that most people on here would get along quite well down at the pub) and if I want a more pleasant atmosphere then I suppose have to be more pleasant as well
“Well tell you what, judge me on my comments over the next few weeks and combine those with those I’ve made over the past few weeks and see if I’m sincere or not.
Also, on a completely unrelated subject, is there a “gardening for dummies”-type book you’d recommend for newbies?
I’ve never gardened and my wife kills everything she plants and we’re going to build a garden in our back yard and I’d like to get hold of a basic easy to follow guide
The Yates guide used to be a general primer. Not sure if it is still published. An old version should still be largely relevant as gardening hasn’t changed that much. If they recommend the use of DDT though you might want to seek some advice 🙂
“…it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…”
Such was the purpose, and your sincere engagement with the thread was noted and appreciated.
In the old days, we used to call it “consciousness raising”.
(and speaking about the blog where real Kiwis hang out…I will have a look now and then to see how the other half lives and am constantly amazed at how popular the comments that are nothing less than hate speech are.)
Hows Far Harbour PR? A mate of mine got it last night (mega huge download!) & he said its just like…FO4! But he’s set up his lounge for sleeping he’s not going to move from the game the whole weekend he reckons.
I like it, it finally has a lever action rifle (I like using lever actions) and the setting is quite atmospheric, I’ve only played a couple of hours of it because my employers prefer it when I turn up to work
I’m not going to be doing much this weekend either, I’ll be stocking up at the supermarket and that’ll be me
I actually rate the Bethesda games (from best to least):
Skyrim: the storyline is epic, the music is first rate and I’m a D & D geek from way back
Fallout: New Vegas: the setting and the antagonists were quite enjoyable
Fallout 3: Really good, interesting story and voice casting is really good (Malcolm McDowell in particular)
Fallout 4: The gameplay is an improvement, especially the aiming and the look of the game is better as well but the story just left me a bit…meh (mind you my wife liked the storyline so its probably just me)
However its Fallout 4 which means its still better then most games out there
“Anyone expecting to see an apology from Andrew Little today?”
I assume you are talking about threats of legal action over comments he made about the owners of a hotel chain.
Can the Labour Party afford to defend a defamation case?
It will be interesting.
I wonder if the Hagamans can stand scrutiny into their finances? Should be very interesting indeed, Mcully been quiet the last month or so, busy setting up other ‘deals’ maybe.
Much as I enjoy political shenanigans I’m predicting this will basically peter out into nothing, as you say the Hagamans probably don’t want too many journalists poking around their business and Andrew Little probably doesn’t want to go to court
“See you in court” – that’s the message from Scenic Hotel Group founders, the Hagamans, to Labour leader Andrew Little.
Little looks set to face defamation proceedings after ignoring an ultimatum and failing to apologise to the Hagamans.
In a statement from Lani Hagaman she said she would “see Mr Little in court” after he failed to retract and apologise his comments that a Niue resort deal they were awarded “stunk to high heaven”.
A big negative story about the New Zealand’s fishing industry and their quotas has popped up on the BBC News website.
A leaked New Zealand government memo casts serious doubts on the sustainability of fish that are widely used in McDonald’s restaurants. The document shows that the government was aware of made-up data and illegal practices such as the dumping of vast quantities of unwanted fish.
McDonald’s fish: Row over sustainability ‘cover-up’
By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent. http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36316246
Will we see any real action on this from the National Government, or just a whitewash probe to make out they are doing something about it while our seas are over fished?
Just another whitewash. This government is quite happy with the corrupt practices reported as they generate profit and they just don’t give a shit about the environment. Hell, as the fish stocks decline prices and profits will go up.
If they can’t sell to customers like McDonald’s due to loosing the illusion our current fish stocks are sustainable the price might go down as they will only be able to sell to places that don’t give a damn but will never pay top dollar.
“On Sunday, Kiwis will be walking their streets in memory of Moko and in support of cultural change.
Hamilton organiser Katrina Williams felt compelled to do something in response to Moko Rangitoheriri’s death.
“I want to make the point that this is an issue that needs to be looked at further. People come together to march for the TPPA and for environmental causes.
But children are dying. Who is marching for them?”
Actually, Kristina…we did march, in Hamilton 16 years ago after Mereana Edmonds was beaten to death by her mother and her partner. Again…CYFs were told…and did nothing to save this child.
So, we marched, (or wheeled as the case may be) and some of us became foster parents so at least when CYFs did shift their arses and uplift an at risk child…there would be at least one more safe home for them to be loved and cared for while the grown ups got their shit together.
NOTHING has changed.
Yet, we will go and support this new generation of activists….
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.
The complaint was by and about Penny Bright, a 2016 Auckland City Mayoral candidate and the use of a Watercare water meter at her property in Auckland.
The content was headed “Can Penny Bright Explain This?” and was written by Cameron Slater. It made statements about Ms Bright and recent Court action about outstanding rates. It included photographs of Ms Bright’s property and water meter with statements and questions about whether Ms Bright had done something to bypass the property’s water meter.
The majority of the Complaints Committee agreed that the content was opinion, albeit expressed using statements about facts that were controversial and disputed. As the majority agreed the content was opinion, Standard 1- Accuracy did not apply. The Committee also ruled the complaint was not upheld under Standards 2, 5 and 6.
However, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 – Fairness. The content had focused on Ms Bright and made assumptions based on photographs and information from sources without giving Ms Bright an opportunity to comment prior to publication. The Committee took into account Ms Bright’s candidacy for the 2016 Auckland City Mayoral campaign and her public stance relating to water restrictions but did not consider this was sufficient to justify publication without a right of reply in the public interest.
In summary, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 Fairness, and not upheld under Standards 1, 2, 5 and 6.
Ruling date: 17 May 2016
Outcome: Upheld, in part
_________________________________________________________________
“On just the one”? How many standards do you expect slater to get away with breaching?
But I agree, his loss to Penny is small compared to being done for his hacking contract, being caught trying to hide behaind the name suppression he denies others, withdrawing an appeal recently, and probably more to come. 2016 certainly seems to be the year that various judicial and regulatory authorities have had quite enough of mr slater…
Slater is an unsavory character by any ones standards, his attack on the Standard is just another example, yet you seem to endorse him, good luck with that, he’s got a lot less integrity than Penny Bright, and a history of character assassination, that’s why he and JK are such good friends.
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.
1) Despite having more proven oil reserves than any other country, Venezuela is now importing oil
2) Inflation in Venezuela is now 720%. The Maduro regime has defaulted on paying for the banknotes it has to have printed abroad
3) Caracas has ranked in the three most dangerous cities in the world for at least the past four years
4) There are shortages of food, toilet paper, medicine and diapers
5) Starving Venezuelans are hunting dogs, cats and pigeons
6) There is collapse of the public health system where even gloves and soap have disappeared from hospitals and cancer treatment is available on the black market
7) Electricity shortages have forced the government to adopt a 2 day working week
8) 13,000 doctors have fled the country over the past 10 years. Cubans sent in to replace them have also defected (700 of them to Colombia)
CV,
What is your evidence that the US is behind it. In fact the BBc journalist on BBC radio reporting on this said he could find no such evidence and he went there specifically looking for it. And if you answer that the BBC is a corrupt US biased organisation I will not regard that as evidence.
Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence. Not about the US at all.
“Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence”
so a country fed up with incompetence replaces the president with her assistant and forms a government made up of?……the incompetent members of the existing governing body…..most of whom are under investigation for corruption!
Greek Yanis Varoufakis suggests something different in politics that would lead to better governance in Brazil and all round the world. A UBI?
Yanis Varoufakis’ amazing reframe of Basic income
Yanis Varoufakis produced half-hour video presentation and question-and-answer session. It was an address for the Future of Work Conference, in Zurich, Switzerland, 5th May 2016, at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. In this presentation Yanis Varoufakis, totally reframes the concept of how wealth is created in nations and the societies they structure.
He argues for a new view of minimum basic income, not as a safety net to save people who may fall, but a foundation on which people can stand to rise up as productive citizens. His presentation includes the new technological context that for the first time in history, smart machines will eliminate far more jobs than they create. This then, according to Varoufakis, necessitates a basic income for all citizens.
am sure there are better models for SouthAmerica and the rest of the world, my comment was to reflect the fact big US interests fingerprints are all over both Venezuela and Brazil…..guess Wayne forgot to dust.
The BBC yeah right.
Loaded board by Crosby Textor.
Venezuela has been corrupted by American foreign policy for over 100 years nasty murderous dictatorships.
Panama papers show wealthy Venezuelan Bankers taking vast sums out of their economy.
Hell a lot of the soft coups now are not being done by America at all but by the greedy rich 1% who want to suck a lot of the poor but asset rich countries dry.
God help New Zealand if they ever actually find a good commercial pocket of oil here as what is left of our democracy will be gone in a flash with the help of the National Party as they sell us out even more than they have been already.
The corporate raider in the past looked for companies that had a lot of assets but not much working capital. Brought up the companies cheap and then kicked all the employees out of work and sold all the assets for a big quick profit. Companies got wise to that and that is why a lot now don’t own a lot of their own assets but rent building and outsource the manufacture of products to keep themselves asset poor and safe from corporate raiders. Those raider have now spotted a lot of countries are asset rich but capital poor just like the businesses they raided in the past and so are ripe for the picking via buying out the politicians in those countries so they can strip out the assets cheap and sell for a big profit.
Plus look at my arguments with Gosman about this, because the shortages are a outright lie, orchestrated by the opposition. The toilet paper shortage, was a complete con job drummed up by the supermarket industry.
The privatised public health system has collapsed, and about time too. If you don’t understand how the medical system works in Venezuela, might be a good idea you don’t comment on it. When you understand how it works then make coherent comments about it.
I’m shocked you did not bring up police suppression, and shooting of civilians, always the go to for those who get their media from corporate sources.
I’m over this, but I suppose Venezuela is next. Can’t have the people in charge, it’s bad for business.
Well his name wasn’t Rolf Harris obviously, cos Rolf denied the charges, but he’s still in jail though.
Just a thought Instrider, are there no murders or rapists living in NZ?………and how many deny doing any wrong, I know of at least one “prominent” NZer.
You ask if Kelvin will be visiting this innocent, yet the article say’s he admitted the charge, how can you be innocent and admit to the charge, I’m confused, are you sure you know what your on about, or just trying to make stuff up?………..
Stevie Choice and Jonkey moight jis hev ta call in some favours before too long me thinks.
Despite all their attempts at manipulation and spin. there are one or two of those pesky, inconvenient members of the 4th (and prolly 5th) Estate that are beginning to get just a little pissed off with their bullshit and attempts to muzzle.
The Gummint’s shortcomings with its housing policy (is it a policy – or is it just a suck it and see brainfart?) are becoming so fucking obvious to all but the ideologically driven dolt. DPF and CT will be selecting overdrive and wondering whether there is another super slippery oil on the market yet. (Bit of a shame that policy on R & D was fucked). The spin isn’t working here, or in OZ, or in the UK. Seems to me the natives are getting restless.
Then we have those pesky little celeb journalists uncovering the Munstry of Primary Industries shortcomings (going forward).
How DARE they put Nafe Goi on the spot like that! On top of that, there are a couple of half-decent journalists that are on to MPI, it’s CEO and it’s Munster’s case.
I’m thinking to myself….. No amount of Nafe’s learnings going forward would save him – that is, had we had any sort of ethical governance. Desperate as he is to throw his fishals under a bus to save his own cowardly arse, he’s affording himself about as much cred as that very ergly specimen ez the Munster in charge of all things to do with Dirty Filthy Bennies en hearsing, and leopardskins, and general uglyness (going forward)
It seems populist policy, spin, bullshit and a slick suit will only disguise muppetry and complete incompetence for so long
Ekshully, I wuz also thinking …. Nafe might just have to ekshully read that bloody report going forward – Fuck me! what a bloody incinvenience!
David! David! John! John Bro! Cum save me!!!! Maaaate! That bitch Rinny Ryan and that cnut Michaek Morrah are on my case and my petticoat is showing – plus John!!! I never did inhale!!! I promise (going forward), and I rilly rilly loik the loifstyle – plus woifey is “on-board”.
OK Nafe! I got your bek…jiss ez long ez you gone done a bit of work!. How’s about that MPI CEO – Thompson? Can we throw him?
Yea Nah. All cool Bro
Firk!
Ive alreedy rekorded th song. (if ya dont mind me rippin off ya intellectual rights etc)
It skreems blood and guts and truuth and ruth and bruce and all that uther stuff that maakes yr blood boil and yr heart singe and fucks yr neighbores off no end!!!
Yr a master piece ‘once was tim’.
Pure poetree!!!
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The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
Peter Dunne writes – The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
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 ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
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 coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Jamey Stutz, CC BY-SA How often do mountains collapse, volcanoes erupt or ice sheets melt? For Earth scientists, these are important questions as we try ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Flood, Professor of Sociology, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Most young adult men in Australia reject traditional ideas of masculinity that endorse aggression, stoicism and homophobia. Nonetheless, the ongoing influence of those ideas continues to harm men and the people ...
The NZQA proposal released to staff today would involve a net loss of 35 roles. There are 66 roles being disestablished with 13 of those currently vacant, and 31 new roles proposed, said Fleur Fitzsimons Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga ...
Alex Casey talks to Loren Taylor, the writer, director and star of new film The Moon is Upside Down, about assembling her dream ensemble cast, toilet paper pads and turning literal dreams into reality. There’s a moment in The Moon is Upside Down where frazzled anaesthetist Briar (Loren Taylor) gets ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassy Dittman, Senior Lecturer/Head of Course (Undergraduate Psychology), Research Fellow, Manna Institute, CQUniversity Australia With winter sports swinging into action, adults around the country have volunteered or been volunteered by others (humorously known as being “volun-told”) to coach junior sports teams. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karleen Gribble, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University richardernestyap/Shutterstock Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or to ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
As the government tries to get the country back on track with a school phone ban, Tara Ward has an idea for where they should turn their attention to next.New Zealand students returned to school on Monday morning, but their cellphones did not. The government’s new phone ban began ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
He’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
While women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports)Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero.LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,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, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
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ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/77578966/joining-the-queue-at-work-and-income-where-no-one-seems-happy
“Go see Work and Income,” said Prime Minister John Key, advising the homeless and unfortunate. We did.”
Tales of misery & despair, kick ’em while they are down.
Stuff should do a comprehensive piece about WINZ and follow up on ‘customers’ who get given incorrect advice and assistance due to the incompetence and attitude that pervades since Pullya stamped her mark on it.
Focus on the humiliation ‘customers’ are put through, the massive screw ups WINZ keep making, the privatisation that’s gone on with all these ‘providers’, the dysfunctional beauracracy Nats have rolled out etc.
I was appalled at the ticket clipping going on in delivering some services to a needy friend. Services that used to be delivered by WINZ direct outsource party now sees WINZ sitting 3 layers back washing their hands….ahh that brighter future.
Huge amount of ticket clipping going on through WINZ now and all it does is channel government money into private hands. It provides no discernible result in getting people jobs or helping them in any way.
And nothing makes my blood boil more than the wage ticket clipping by labour supply companies.
We now have corporates ticket clipping on government contracts, like the print contract for example, where you have companies who are equipment suppliers winning a contract and then outsourcing the production.
It should be illegal.
Should be. IIRC, a few years ago the air-force got their Orions upgraded. Went through the tendering process and an offshore company (either Canadian or US) got the contract. They then subcontracted SafeAirNZ to do the work. SafeAir had also put in a tender but hadn’t won it.
The offshore company was nothing but a ticket clipper siphoning money away from NZ.
Just another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
Although set in the UK, Ken Loach’s new film could easily be a scene at WINZ in New Zealand.
Okay, I’ve just found a new movie I absolutely have to watch. Cheers, Paul.
Great news! I thought Jimmy’s Hall ( a true story) was going to be Ken Loach’s last. Have taken note of this new one.
http://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2014/apr/02/jimmys-hall-trailer-ken-loach-film-video
Jimmy’s Hall. A great dvd to get out if you’ve got a rainy weekend ahead.
Another day of moaning and bleating on open mike ?
Wow.
Someone who thinks it’s OK to leave people in the streets and in cars.
Another cruel, greedy and selfish representative of the neo-liberal cult.
SO why have you started the moaning then?
Don’t you give a shit about fellow Kiwis?
Or would you prefer that we talked about the best Nothern Hemisphere beach destinations for a winter get away?
Leave that sheep alone!
another day of stunnedmullets walking around with carrots stuck up their arses
Bugger off then, clearly you need another bump on the head, only slightly stunnedmullet.
you clearly have not read about and policy.
edited
http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/80166108/the-tech-school-with-no-teachers
One for the tech heads here.
Sadly our Education system is going in the opposite direction b Waghorn. Testing, testing of knowledge already known. Little boxes. What happened to discovery?
Enough money for a motorway to get to one of the Dear Leader’s holiday homes…..
‘New Zealand Transport Agency has been working on plans to extend the four-lane highway to Warkworth…..’
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/regional/304307/plans-for-auckland-to-whangarei-motorway.
………but not enough to house the citizens of the country.
Just another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
Sorry Paul, you’ve just pushed one of my buttons.
I live in Auckland, my olds live outside of Warkworth. So I use the Auckland-Warkworth road regularly. Yes, it does need upgrades. It does NOT need an all-new autobahn the Germans would be proud of.
There is a genuine problem at the Hill road intersection in Warkworth, and continuing development along SH1 is causing problems. So a motorway-grade bypass around Warkworth does make sense, essentially along the route proposed for the all-new motorway.
There is a genuine safety problem with the corners at Schedewy’s hill. A short cutting or tunnels to straighten the alignment and provide a continuous passing lane up the hill would eliminate the problem.
There is a minor bottleneck/safety problem at the Pohuehue Viaduct. Doubling up the viaduct is a quick,easy complete fix.
All this could be done for roughly a third the cost of the new autobahn while delivering very nearly all the benefits. Scaling back the work between Puhoi and Warkworth would also allow a much sooner start on the safety problems at Dome Valley and a bypass around the bottleneck at Wellsford further north.
If the traffic volumes ever get high enough to justify it, the rest of that part of SH1 goes through sparsely populated easy terrain that would easily allow widening for more lanes.
The proposed all-new Puhoi-Warkworth motorway is simply a gratuitous waste of money. And ironically, because it will require its users to go a long way north of Warkworth then backtrack south to get to Omaha, it won’t even save Dear Leader significant time on his trips to his bach.
Rant endeth.
+100…who owns the motorway road construction companies ?…who has shares in them?…who is running down rail?…who is getting advice from Goldman Sachs?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11262662
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/treasury-hires-goldman-sachs-run-ruler-over-kiwibank-bd-136461
A note that you cannot create sealed roads without the use of fossil fuels both used in the hot mix which gets put down, and the vehicles needed to prepare and finish the surface.
The machinery and vehicles to prepare and finish the surface can all run electrically, as can the vehicles that run on the finished road. While the bitumen used as a roading material creates all kinds of problems of its own, it contributes very little to climate change.
Even the EV industry don’t make that claim….I have yet to see anyone within the industry claim that heavy trucks and machinery are viable electrically….perhaps you have a link?
I didn’t intend to claim they were viable right now. Because what’s required to make it all work is much more expensive than fossil fuel (with zero cost of emitting GHGs).
But we already have technologies that would make it possible if fossil fuels were no longer available cheaply. Such as quick-change battery packs, inductive charging loops built into roadways.
I’m picking we’d all very quickly find a way to make all-electric transport viable rather than missing out. If we ever get serious about getting off fossil fuels.
electric public transport I agree is already viable (god knows why we are not implementing it)….but with heavy earthmoving /agriculture/transport I suspect hybrid tech and an acceptance of performance restrictions are the best we can hope for in the medium term……and thats ignoring the replacement /production limitations
rapidly getting there by the sound of this:
http://idealog.co.nz/venture/2015/07/q-wrightspeed-founder-ian-wright-electric-trucks-raising-funds-and-problem-going-green
thanks for link and from that there may be a future for heavy machinery powered by stored electricity….question is how rapidly….that interview was last year, how long ago were Tesla at that point with their cars (somewhere between 2003 and 2006 is my guess) and how many of those are on our roads currently?
Yup, the efficiency of electric drive trains either hybrid or battery powered will win out.
https://matter2energy.wordpress.com/2013/02/22/wells-to-wheels-electric-car-efficiency/
http://www.transpowerusa.com/on-road-trucks/
Try telling the Romans that.
Lol…very good…I draw your attention to the following… “an acceptance of performance restrictions are the best we can hope for in the medium term”
and to both Andre and Paul – the most ridiculous aspect of all this, is that currently TNZ is widening the road all the way down the northern side of Brynderwyn – which didn’t need it, and totally leaving alone the south side of the Bryn which is the awkward twisty winding narrow road – which does need some upgrade !! The massive roadworks on either side of the northern part of Bryn is OTT ! Extraordinary ! Seems like a massive waste of money, technology, and whatever else.
I reckon they should have got “Alice” the tunneling machine from Waterview and driven straight through from Atlas Concrete to the Glenmohr road intersection. That would fix everything.
Nice idea but TBM’s are built specifically for only one job. Then the get shipped back broken up and rebuilt for the next job.
Diameter of the cut and the type of rock being cut governs the design of the cutting head.
except for the ones used for Manapouri……still buried there apparently
And Jenny, they’ve been working on that northern side for the last 2 years, with restricted speed and a reduction in lanes, this adds to the transport costs, since very little freight is moved by train. With time and money spent on the Bryn’s over the last 30 years, they could have put a tunnel through and made it much safer.
The roads through most of Northland have been neglected for decades, if you compare vehicle traffic numbers to those on some of the pristine south island roads, it really is a bit of a joke, heck, the road to Cape Reinga had the last 30k’s finally sealed only 7 years ago, its a major tourist destination.
Well, the Grow Northland Rail Campaign has been actively trying to force pollies and others to relook at the issue of Northland transport.
And so they should, the rail link goes all the way through to Kawakawa, but Iv’e never seen a train on it, except for the local steam train ride in Kawakawa on weekends.
Winston was also pushing for development of the rail system into Northland as part of an economic development plan.
Hello Andre, just wondering , what happened too the toll road going that way ?
You mean the SH1 toll motorway from the Grand Drive, Orewa exit to the Johnstone’s Hill tunnels between Waiwera and Puhoi? $2.30 per trip.
I didn’t have much argument with building this bit of road, since it bypassed Orewa and Waiwera, and it would have been quite difficult upgrading the old SH1 since it went over difficult terrain.
Ta, a bit vague on that area I once visited and loved but also made me very sad, a great example of rich and some very poor people.
edit: excuse the use of “great’
That plan to run the motorway through there was in place since the mid 90’s, some of the locals in the back of Waiwera weren’t too happy though, a lot sold and moved.
The Online Media Standards Authority (OMSA) will release its decision on my complaint against posts made about me on Whale Oil Beef Hooked – at 12 noon today, Friday 20 May 2016.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
GO Penny
+1 Penny.
Cough cough…so it wasn’t Saddam Hussein…it was USA’s friend Saudi Arabia?…in cahoots with what insiders?
‘Americans must know ‘shocking’ details of 9/11 report classified pages – congressmen’
https://www.rt.com/usa/343679-report-classified-saudi-congressmen/
‘9/11 and Iraq: The War’s Greatest Lie’
http://antiwar.com/blog/2013/03/18/911-and-iraq-the-wars-greatest-lie/
( Travellerev you were correct afterall)
Oil Chooky.
Anyone expecting to see an apology from Andrew Little today?
Why, I mean even from my centre-right position I can say Labour have had a good week, the medical marijuana announcement will get them votes and by working with National on the housing issue they’re showing they can put major issues above petty politicking
PR
I have to congratulate you on your balanced comments, a shame more on the right don’t emulate your behavior, and even some on the the left as well.
Thank you, it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…I mean I thought I was being non-sexist but that was from my own pov so maybe I was contributing to this site being unfriendly towards women
It also coincided with a post on Whaleoil which I was not happy about (I posted something about it on here but it got edited and fair enough too) because it involved revenge porn and that was way over the line
So then I decided I’d think less about point scoring and being antagonistic and be a bit more positive and see what happens
I mean I still think National will win the next election but that doesn’t change the fact that Labour have had a pretty good week
PR
I recently went to k1w1 blog, and after reading the dribble and constant BS, attacks on the left, and really disgusting behavior, I came to the conclusion that yourself and others (BM) were actually fairly reasonable by comparison, and could understand why you comment here, rather than there.
Everyone has the right to put forward their own point of view, and I’ve noticed a toning down by yourself recently, we may not convert you here, but, hearing both sides of an argument always offers balance.
I put you in the same category as Hone Harawera, where I don’t necessarily agree with what you (or he) have to say, but respect you for your strong commitment to what you believe in, it’s a worthy human trait.
Well I wouldn’t go that far ( I still have a lot of work to do and I’m easily side tracked) but thanks, I guess its that thing about treating others how you yourself want to be treated which is always easier said then done
Yes it is, and were’re all guilty of that.
Stop this fluffing! They’ve finally got his meds right is all.
Expat think about what you just write…
“I recently went to k1w1 blog, and after reading the dribble and constant BS, attacks on the left, and really disgusting behavior,”
I can confirm 100% that Kiwi blog readers have the same opinion of TS.
Its all in the eye of the beholder dear fella.
I suppose it is if you only have one eye, those bloggers over there have no social conscience at all, so no, they’re not the same at all, in this blog here today, where is the attack on the right???…………my point.
No longer puckish or rogue?
Hard to believe and I mean that most sincere.
Its still Puckish because I have a hard time spelling mischievous without auto correct 🙂
I guess I’d like a more pleasant atmosphere for posting (I’ve long thought that most people on here would get along quite well down at the pub) and if I want a more pleasant atmosphere then I suppose have to be more pleasant as well
After a prolonged period of sly provocations and insults, Puckish Rogue wants to be nice.
Nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRBak_2X3Do
Well tell you what, judge me on my comments over the next few weeks and see if I’m sincere or not
“Well tell you what, judge me on my comments over the next few weeks and combine those with those I’ve made over the past few weeks and see if I’m sincere or not.
Fify and will do!
Also, on a completely unrelated subject, is there a “gardening for dummies”-type book you’d recommend for newbies?
I’ve never gardened and my wife kills everything she plants and we’re going to build a garden in our back yard and I’d like to get hold of a basic easy to follow guide
The Yates guide used to be a general primer. Not sure if it is still published. An old version should still be largely relevant as gardening hasn’t changed that much. If they recommend the use of DDT though you might want to seek some advice 🙂
Compost, shelter from the wind. sun and water.
Fair call.
I’ll try to do my bit 🙂
Start with silver beet , unkillable stuff !
Don’t lose your edge Puckish; the doomies and moisties here need a serve now and then. 😉
“…it was the post on The Standard being broken that made me think…”
Such was the purpose, and your sincere engagement with the thread was noted and appreciated.
In the old days, we used to call it “consciousness raising”.
(and speaking about the blog where real Kiwis hang out…I will have a look now and then to see how the other half lives and am constantly amazed at how popular the comments that are nothing less than hate speech are.)
It must be gratifying to know that what’s posted isn’t always in vain, keep up the good work.
Hows Far Harbour PR? A mate of mine got it last night (mega huge download!) & he said its just like…FO4! But he’s set up his lounge for sleeping he’s not going to move from the game the whole weekend he reckons.
I like it, it finally has a lever action rifle (I like using lever actions) and the setting is quite atmospheric, I’ve only played a couple of hours of it because my employers prefer it when I turn up to work
I’m not going to be doing much this weekend either, I’ll be stocking up at the supermarket and that’ll be me
I actually rate the Bethesda games (from best to least):
Skyrim: the storyline is epic, the music is first rate and I’m a D & D geek from way back
Fallout: New Vegas: the setting and the antagonists were quite enjoyable
Fallout 3: Really good, interesting story and voice casting is really good (Malcolm McDowell in particular)
Fallout 4: The gameplay is an improvement, especially the aiming and the look of the game is better as well but the story just left me a bit…meh (mind you my wife liked the storyline so its probably just me)
However its Fallout 4 which means its still better then most games out there
Sounds sweet, have fun!!!
I will, five minutes until I go home!
“Anyone expecting to see an apology from Andrew Little today?”
I assume you are talking about threats of legal action over comments he made about the owners of a hotel chain.
Can the Labour Party afford to defend a defamation case?
It will be interesting.
I wonder if the Hagamans can stand scrutiny into their finances? Should be very interesting indeed, Mcully been quiet the last month or so, busy setting up other ‘deals’ maybe.
Much as I enjoy political shenanigans I’m predicting this will basically peter out into nothing, as you say the Hagamans probably don’t want too many journalists poking around their business and Andrew Little probably doesn’t want to go to court
Stalemate.
Its nothing to do with “I wonder if the Hagamans can stand scrutiny into their finances?”. Other than the donation is question.
The Hagamans are hoping Little is stupid enough take this to court…which I guess about 40 minutes ago they received Littles response.
This will be fun.
“See you in court” – that’s the message from Scenic Hotel Group founders, the Hagamans, to Labour leader Andrew Little.
Little looks set to face defamation proceedings after ignoring an ultimatum and failing to apologise to the Hagamans.
In a statement from Lani Hagaman she said she would “see Mr Little in court” after he failed to retract and apologise his comments that a Niue resort deal they were awarded “stunk to high heaven”.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/80229406/andrew-little-not-revealing-if-hes-dodged-a-legal-threat-and-apologised
That could be a forerunner of law cases which will be seen after TPPA signing.
A big negative story about the New Zealand’s fishing industry and their quotas has popped up on the BBC News website.
McDonald’s fish: Row over sustainability ‘cover-up’
By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36316246
Will we see any real action on this from the National Government, or just a whitewash probe to make out they are doing something about it while our seas are over fished?
Just another whitewash. This government is quite happy with the corrupt practices reported as they generate profit and they just don’t give a shit about the environment. Hell, as the fish stocks decline prices and profits will go up.
If they can’t sell to customers like McDonald’s due to loosing the illusion our current fish stocks are sustainable the price might go down as they will only be able to sell to places that don’t give a damn but will never pay top dollar.
MARCH FOR MOKO
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/80175342/hamilton-will-march-for-moko-on-sunday
“On Sunday, Kiwis will be walking their streets in memory of Moko and in support of cultural change.
Hamilton organiser Katrina Williams felt compelled to do something in response to Moko Rangitoheriri’s death.
“I want to make the point that this is an issue that needs to be looked at further. People come together to march for the TPPA and for environmental causes.
But children are dying. Who is marching for them?”
Actually, Kristina…we did march, in Hamilton 16 years ago after Mereana Edmonds was beaten to death by her mother and her partner. Again…CYFs were told…and did nothing to save this child.
So, we marched, (or wheeled as the case may be) and some of us became foster parents so at least when CYFs did shift their arses and uplift an at risk child…there would be at least one more safe home for them to be loved and cared for while the grown ups got their shit together.
NOTHING has changed.
Yet, we will go and support this new generation of activists….
for these guys….http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/73717177/Special-investigation-New-Zealand-s-shameful-record-of-child-abuse
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.
http://www.omsa.co.nz/decisions/bright-v-whale-oil-beef-hooked-16012/
BrightvWhaleOilBeefHooked(16/012)
Content: “Can Penny Bright Explain This?”
Publisher: Whale Oil Beef Hooked
Complainant: P. Bright
Click here to view full Decision
The complaint was by and about Penny Bright, a 2016 Auckland City Mayoral candidate and the use of a Watercare water meter at her property in Auckland.
The content was headed “Can Penny Bright Explain This?” and was written by Cameron Slater. It made statements about Ms Bright and recent Court action about outstanding rates. It included photographs of Ms Bright’s property and water meter with statements and questions about whether Ms Bright had done something to bypass the property’s water meter.
The majority of the Complaints Committee agreed that the content was opinion, albeit expressed using statements about facts that were controversial and disputed. As the majority agreed the content was opinion, Standard 1- Accuracy did not apply. The Committee also ruled the complaint was not upheld under Standards 2, 5 and 6.
However, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 – Fairness. The content had focused on Ms Bright and made assumptions based on photographs and information from sources without giving Ms Bright an opportunity to comment prior to publication. The Committee took into account Ms Bright’s candidacy for the 2016 Auckland City Mayoral campaign and her public stance relating to water restrictions but did not consider this was sufficient to justify publication without a right of reply in the public interest.
In summary, the complaint was upheld under Standard 3 Fairness, and not upheld under Standards 1, 2, 5 and 6.
Ruling date: 17 May 2016
Outcome: Upheld, in part
_________________________________________________________________
Cameron Slater picked on the wrong woman.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Good on you Penny for holding him accountable, another black mark against the rissole.
Typical penny. Not upheld on the majority of your complaints and a small victory being upheld on just the one.
so as usual you are wrong more than you are right.
lol
“On just the one”? How many standards do you expect slater to get away with breaching?
But I agree, his loss to Penny is small compared to being done for his hacking contract, being caught trying to hide behaind the name suppression he denies others, withdrawing an appeal recently, and probably more to come. 2016 certainly seems to be the year that various judicial and regulatory authorities have had quite enough of mr slater…
James
Slater is an unsavory character by any ones standards, his attack on the Standard is just another example, yet you seem to endorse him, good luck with that, he’s got a lot less integrity than Penny Bright, and a history of character assassination, that’s why he and JK are such good friends.
This is the first time, to my knowledge, that a complaint has been upheld (albeit ‘in part’) against Whale Oil Beef Hooked, by the Online Media Standards Authority.
Facts are facts and truth is truth.
Sorry that isn’t to your liking.
There is more to come on this matter …..
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
A rally for the Guy whose losing…
News from the socialist paradise of Venezuela:
1) Despite having more proven oil reserves than any other country, Venezuela is now importing oil
2) Inflation in Venezuela is now 720%. The Maduro regime has defaulted on paying for the banknotes it has to have printed abroad
3) Caracas has ranked in the three most dangerous cities in the world for at least the past four years
4) There are shortages of food, toilet paper, medicine and diapers
5) Starving Venezuelans are hunting dogs, cats and pigeons
6) There is collapse of the public health system where even gloves and soap have disappeared from hospitals and cancer treatment is available on the black market
7) Electricity shortages have forced the government to adopt a 2 day working week
8) 13,000 doctors have fled the country over the past 10 years. Cubans sent in to replace them have also defected (700 of them to Colombia)
Viva la revolution!
This will be the US’s fifth (or is it sixth) soft coup in South/Central America this century. Some of which were run by Obama.
CV,
What is your evidence that the US is behind it. In fact the BBc journalist on BBC radio reporting on this said he could find no such evidence and he went there specifically looking for it. And if you answer that the BBC is a corrupt US biased organisation I will not regard that as evidence.
Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence. Not about the US at all.
“Next you will also be saying that are behind the impeachment of Brazil’s President.
To me both cases look like the people of both countries are fed up with incompetence”
so a country fed up with incompetence replaces the president with her assistant and forms a government made up of?……the incompetent members of the existing governing body…..most of whom are under investigation for corruption!
Right….nothing to see here….move along.
Greek Yanis Varoufakis suggests something different in politics that would lead to better governance in Brazil and all round the world. A UBI?
Yanis Varoufakis’ amazing reframe of Basic income
Yanis Varoufakis produced half-hour video presentation and question-and-answer session. It was an address for the Future of Work Conference, in Zurich, Switzerland, 5th May 2016, at the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute. In this presentation Yanis Varoufakis, totally reframes the concept of how wealth is created in nations and the societies they structure.
He argues for a new view of minimum basic income, not as a safety net to save people who may fall, but a foundation on which people can stand to rise up as productive citizens. His presentation includes the new technological context that for the first time in history, smart machines will eliminate far more jobs than they create. This then, according to Varoufakis, necessitates a basic income for all citizens.
https://yanisvaroufakis.eu/2016/05/13/review-of-my-talk-basic-income-is-a-necessity-examiner-com/
am sure there are better models for SouthAmerica and the rest of the world, my comment was to reflect the fact big US interests fingerprints are all over both Venezuela and Brazil…..guess Wayne forgot to dust.
The BBC yeah right.
Loaded board by Crosby Textor.
Venezuela has been corrupted by American foreign policy for over 100 years nasty murderous dictatorships.
Panama papers show wealthy Venezuelan Bankers taking vast sums out of their economy.
hi Wayne the new Brazilian president was/is a US intelligence asset, as revealed by wikileaks.
Hell a lot of the soft coups now are not being done by America at all but by the greedy rich 1% who want to suck a lot of the poor but asset rich countries dry.
God help New Zealand if they ever actually find a good commercial pocket of oil here as what is left of our democracy will be gone in a flash with the help of the National Party as they sell us out even more than they have been already.
The corporate raider in the past looked for companies that had a lot of assets but not much working capital. Brought up the companies cheap and then kicked all the employees out of work and sold all the assets for a big quick profit. Companies got wise to that and that is why a lot now don’t own a lot of their own assets but rent building and outsource the manufacture of products to keep themselves asset poor and safe from corporate raiders. Those raider have now spotted a lot of countries are asset rich but capital poor just like the businesses they raided in the past and so are ripe for the picking via buying out the politicians in those countries so they can strip out the assets cheap and sell for a big profit.
That’s interesting NZJester – explains much.
Sight some proof please Richard McGrath.
Do you by any chance mean cite rather than sight?
As you seem to be blinded by your own ideology, the pun was intended.
Plus look at my arguments with Gosman about this, because the shortages are a outright lie, orchestrated by the opposition. The toilet paper shortage, was a complete con job drummed up by the supermarket industry.
The privatised public health system has collapsed, and about time too. If you don’t understand how the medical system works in Venezuela, might be a good idea you don’t comment on it. When you understand how it works then make coherent comments about it.
I’m shocked you did not bring up police suppression, and shooting of civilians, always the go to for those who get their media from corporate sources.
I’m over this, but I suppose Venezuela is next. Can’t have the people in charge, it’s bad for business.
Hmm the left got all in a strop when key Said labour and the greens were siding with murderers and rapists in Australia.
And here from the “whoever would guessed it files” what do you know http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/80200101/Aussie-deportee-pleads-guilty-to-historic-sex-offences
Wonder if Kelvin will be visiting this poor innocent?
Well his name wasn’t Rolf Harris obviously, cos Rolf denied the charges, but he’s still in jail though.
Just a thought Instrider, are there no murders or rapists living in NZ?………and how many deny doing any wrong, I know of at least one “prominent” NZer.
You ask if Kelvin will be visiting this innocent, yet the article say’s he admitted the charge, how can you be innocent and admit to the charge, I’m confused, are you sure you know what your on about, or just trying to make stuff up?………..
Stir shit more likely Expat, prob on the piss again bashing the keyboard in rage & spite, I think he needs a hug.
Sounds like the sort of hug he needs is the one used in the Heimlich maneuver.
Stevie Choice and Jonkey moight jis hev ta call in some favours before too long me thinks.
Despite all their attempts at manipulation and spin. there are one or two of those pesky, inconvenient members of the 4th (and prolly 5th) Estate that are beginning to get just a little pissed off with their bullshit and attempts to muzzle.
The Gummint’s shortcomings with its housing policy (is it a policy – or is it just a suck it and see brainfart?) are becoming so fucking obvious to all but the ideologically driven dolt. DPF and CT will be selecting overdrive and wondering whether there is another super slippery oil on the market yet. (Bit of a shame that policy on R & D was fucked). The spin isn’t working here, or in OZ, or in the UK. Seems to me the natives are getting restless.
Then we have those pesky little celeb journalists uncovering the Munstry of Primary Industries shortcomings (going forward).
How DARE they put Nafe Goi on the spot like that! On top of that, there are a couple of half-decent journalists that are on to MPI, it’s CEO and it’s Munster’s case.
I’m thinking to myself….. No amount of Nafe’s learnings going forward would save him – that is, had we had any sort of ethical governance. Desperate as he is to throw his fishals under a bus to save his own cowardly arse, he’s affording himself about as much cred as that very ergly specimen ez the Munster in charge of all things to do with Dirty Filthy Bennies en hearsing, and leopardskins, and general uglyness (going forward)
It seems populist policy, spin, bullshit and a slick suit will only disguise muppetry and complete incompetence for so long
Ekshully, I wuz also thinking …. Nafe might just have to ekshully read that bloody report going forward – Fuck me! what a bloody incinvenience!
David! David! John! John Bro! Cum save me!!!! Maaaate! That bitch Rinny Ryan and that cnut Michaek Morrah are on my case and my petticoat is showing – plus John!!! I never did inhale!!! I promise (going forward), and I rilly rilly loik the loifstyle – plus woifey is “on-board”.
OK Nafe! I got your bek…jiss ez long ez you gone done a bit of work!. How’s about that MPI CEO – Thompson? Can we throw him?
Yea Nah. All cool Bro
Once Was Tim – this is beautiful stuff…….diction and delivery both perfect. Wonderful for the mind’s eye !
Firk!
Ive alreedy rekorded th song. (if ya dont mind me rippin off ya intellectual rights etc)
It skreems blood and guts and truuth and ruth and bruce and all that uther stuff that maakes yr blood boil and yr heart singe and fucks yr neighbores off no end!!!
Yr a master piece ‘once was tim’.
Pure poetree!!!