Open mike 21/06/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 21st, 2013 - 135 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

135 comments on “Open mike 21/06/2013 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    21 June 2013 at 6:24 am

    Are you sick and tired of hearing from blood thirsty arm chair generals and racist Isalamaphobes expound their views on the Middle East safe in the comfort of their New Zealand living rooms?

    An Invitation to a Conference on Palestine

    Auckland Town Hall with renowned Israeli author MIKO PELED.

    From 6.30pm, This Sunday 23 June.
    FREE ADMISSION – all sessions open to the public – koha welcome.

    ALSO:

    A special screening of Oscar-nominated documentary ‘5 Broken Cameras’ at 4pm (same venue), and Palestinian speaker Yousef Aljamal – direct from Gaza.

    Check out our website http://www.conferenceonpalestine.co.nz for more details.
    Bring your friends & family. “Palestine is still the issue.”

    – Roger Fowler, chair of Kia Ora Gaza

    • richard 1.1
      21 June 2013 at 7:32 am

      Recommend hearing what Miko Peled has to say. He is a very good speaker.

      For those who can’t make it to Auckland there are some very good videos of his talks on YouTube.
      e.g.
      Miko Peled Part 1

    • Colonial Viper 1.2
      21 June 2013 at 10:14 am

      Jenny since you support foreign islamic soldiers in Syria fighting against the locals, you are clearly one of these “blood thirsty arm chair generals”.

  2. Jenny 2
    21 June 2013 at 6:35 am

    The Assad dictatorship as the Saddam Hussein dictatorship before them did, has garnered a lot of political capital by giving support to the Palestinian’s cause.

    However recently despite their terrible need, the Palestinians refugees have been spontaneously rejecting or destroying aid shipments that have come from the Basha Assad allied Hisbollah, (Party of God) saying that they would rather starve than take charity from a butcher of the Arab people.

    • Colonial Viper 2.1
      21 June 2013 at 10:15 am

      Your support of the Syrian proxy war is destabilising the entire region, and yes the Palestinans are now also in the firing line.

      saying that they would rather starve than take charity from a butcher of the Arab people.

      Yes that sounds genuine to me.

  4. logie97 4
    21 June 2013 at 7:40 am

    Land for development.

    Apparently there is large part of an electorate in Auckland where the housing minister is going to be fast tracking rezoning and planning.

    It starts around Massey and extends to Waimauku/Muriwai. That’s part of the MP for Helensville’s patch. Like Kim Dotcom, I’ll bet he hasn’t been briefed. Yeah right. Mums and Dads should try to get some shares in the development companies.

    • Antonina 4.1
      21 June 2013 at 8:55 am

      Land bankers have been awaiting this for some years.
      No thoughts of public transport and other important infrastructure.

      • Jilly Bee 4.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 10:51 pm

        And the electrication of the Western line finishes at Swanson! Typical planning for public transport for an expanding area of Auckland, which has already started. When I first shifted to Swanson our home was right on the edge of the rural/urban divide, but a new housing division was soon commenced in the Crows Road area and is now in full swing.

    • tc 4.2
      21 June 2013 at 9:00 am

      LOL like these companies are open to public scrutiny let alone listed aside from the fletchers and big civil crowds who will do the initial work in one of those ‘national interest’ scenarios.

      Alot of that around SH1’s road to JK’s beachhouse with backers and mates looking to do very nicely of now accessible ‘suburbia’ via a zoning tweak and a shiny new Holiday highway going through.

      Some folk have been waiting years as the actual gov’t bodies who buy the land up weren’t given the funds, ah but that’s just annoying detail in the blighted future that those annoying public servants can tidy up….what’s left of them and whatever superdupster ministry they now belong to.

  5. Perplexed 5
    21 June 2013 at 7:54 am

    National ’08 45%, ’11 47.5% now 44%.
    Labour/ Green ’08 41%, ’11 38.5% now 44.5%
    NZ1 ’08 4%, ’11 6.5% now 6%

    National has not been impacted by their own foul ups or by the efforts of the opposition.

    Labour Greens have closed the gap with the Nats by 4 pc points. However Winston and his 6% will go Nat rather than share power with the Greens.

    This is not a success for Labour given all that has gone on since ’08.

    This is a failure given that an election could be called anytime ( due to self inflicted wounds by Natz&co) and that a full term election is a little over 12 months away.

    Nothing in the Roy Morgan Poll to feel good about. . It is very chilling. All Labour people should be very very concerned.

    • Paul 5.1
      21 June 2013 at 7:59 am

      Simple Labour …….get rid of Shearer and support Cunliffe.
      Or switch your vote to Mana or Green.

      • logie97 5.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 8:05 am

        …how is shifting support to the Greens going to increase the left’s share of the vote?
        The left has to show alternative appeal to Key (and show it fast). New leadership is obviously a start.

        • weka 5.1.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 12:05 pm

          It’s not just a new leader Labour needs, it needs a change in its internal parliamentary culture, and probably the wider party.

          In the meantime, more votes for GP or Mana theoretically could increase the left vote by engaging current non-voters. There is also some evidence that some voters the right are shifting to voting GP, so the bigger the profile they have the better. The bigger the GP gets, the more credibility it gets and the more it has the power to shift the centre back towards the left again. I would be happy if Labour were doing this but they’re not, so fuck ’em. The more Labour voters that vote Green the better.

      • Hami Shearlie 5.1.2
        21 June 2013 at 2:22 pm

        Cunliffe would have my vote in a heartbeat. Shearer , I doubt it!! The ABC gang’s being caught out, sitting in a corporate box courtesy of Sky City, shows their judgement is sadly lacking – they hate Cunliffe more than they hate being in opposition. What kind of weirdos are they?? At the trough for far too long, only concerned with stashing away truckloads of taxpayer money paid to them over many decades!! The membership of the Party’s wishes regarding the Leadership are not being considered in any way.

      • Jilly Bee 5.1.3
        21 June 2013 at 10:57 pm

        Absolutely right Paul – how long will it take for Labour to see the light. I have already stated that I will either become a non-voter next election or vote Green or even Mana (it takes a long time Labour voter like me to change stripes, but I’m being forced into it unless there is a change of leader sooner rather than later.

        • Jenny 5.1.3.1
          22 June 2013 at 9:51 am

          Indeed Hamie. If Cunliffe was head of the Labour Party. It would represent a sea change. Instead of telling the Greens how it is gonna be in coalition, as Shearer does. Cunliffe might actually start listening to them. This might encourage the Greens to stick with their principles. And see the Greens arguing for far more concessions over environmental issues particularly Deep Sea Oil drilling, which if achieved would avoid the inevitable clash with their members and supporters. Making the coalition much more stable.

          Your statement that the Labour Party hate Cunliffe more than they hate being in opposition reminds me of Chris Trotter’s observation of the Labour Party, that they would, “Rather have control of the losing side, than lose control of the winning side.

    • Te Reo Putake 5.2
      21 June 2013 at 8:05 am

      I blame the Greens. Why aren’t they doing better? Time to get rid of the deadwood in their leadership.

      • Saarbo 5.2.1
        21 June 2013 at 9:00 am

        Yes, The Greens good performance hasn’t converted to a rise in the polls and Labours atrocious performance hasn’t converted to a drop in the Polls…..yet. But when most people start focusing on the Election next year, and people start actively listening to Shearer versus Norman/Turei, Key versus Turei/Norman, I reckon we will see the Polls reacting.

        I’m really keen to understand why you think Shearer is a good leader for Labour Te Reo?

        • Te Reo Putake 5.2.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 9:10 am

          I don’t! But he is good enough to scrape over the line. Frankly, I’d like to see Andrew Little lead the party. He’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but he can actually communicate with people, debate with opponents and lead a team. He’d be the difference between scraping home under Shearer and having a solid working majority.

          • weka 5.2.1.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 12:06 pm

            Scrap over the line, now that’s a fine goal to aspire to.

            • Te Reo Putake 5.2.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2013 at 12:55 pm

              True, but if it works for the AB’s in cup finals, it should work for Labour. I’m guessing studying rugby strategy was the real reason for the MP’s and Shearer being in the Sky Casino box and when Shearer wins by a single seat, we’ll be hailing him as a tactical genius. Or summat.

              • weka …
                21 June 2013 at 1:00 pm

                Lol. I still reckon you lot should defect to the GP or Mana 🙂

              • Olwyn …
                21 June 2013 at 1:40 pm

                After a cup final, the AB’s have done their job. After an election the winner is just beginning theirs. In the first case, the one point win is enough, in the second, with the real job ahead, it does not bode so well for stability.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 June 2013 at 2:14 pm

                TRP a scrape over the line leaves an incoming government with precious little political capital and legitimacy to start with. For a Labour Govt that means 1 timid Labour term followed by 2 or 3 more Tory terms.

            • Jilly Bee 5.2.1.1.1.2
              21 June 2013 at 11:00 pm

              I don’t want to scrape over the line either and besides Andrew Little hasn’t done his apprenticeship as an MP, as David Shearer hasn’t either, whereas David Cunliffe is a seasoned MP.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 June 2013 at 11:08 pm

                Seasoned MP and seasoned Minister. Oversaw the break up of Telecom in the face of major corporate and moneyed opposition.

                Never distributed mango skins to poor kids though, as far as I know.

          • Hami Shearlie 5.2.1.1.2
            21 June 2013 at 2:29 pm

            I think Labour needs someone who can do more than scrape over the line. Someone who looks good on TV, is very smart and able to communicate clearly and effectively is needed, in other words, David Cunliffe is the man!!! Unfortunately for Andrew Little, he has ZERO charisma, even though he may be very capable. And charisma, especially these days with elections mainly fought for and won on TV, is a MUST!! That would definitely rule out Grant Robertson too. No charisma, always slightly dishevelled, and not popular except on the beltway. Coming third in the party vote in his electorate should tell people something!!

          • Blue 5.2.1.1.3
            21 June 2013 at 8:44 pm

            You are seriously underestimating the NZ public if you think Shearer is good enough even to scrape.

          • Jenny 5.2.1.1.4
            22 June 2013 at 10:03 am

            Interestingly Andrew Little despite his Engineering Union background has shown himself open to discussing the reality of Climate Change, whereas Shearer won’t have a bar of it.

            I agree that Little does actually communicate with people, and debate with opponents and has shown he can lead a team. This would be completely different to the uncommunicative sulky autocratic type leadership displayed by Shearer. Personally I would prefer Cunliffe over Little as the Party leader. Which also is the Labour membership’s choice. But Little would be my second choice.

            • Rodel 5.2.1.1.4.1
              22 June 2013 at 8:57 pm

              Jenny-Much as I don’t want to harm Shearer & Labour my thoughts concur with yours.

            • Rhinocrates 5.2.1.1.4.2
              22 June 2013 at 9:06 pm

              uncommunicative sulky autocratic

              Indeed, though he’s fictional, Tywin Lannister speaks the truth:

              “A man who says ‘I am the King’ is no true king.”

              (And that’s what fiction does: it speaks the truth in the guise of lies)

              That’s true: Little second choice, Cunliffe first, Shearer never. OK, Little then.

              Shearer would have been a decent minister in Bill Rowling’s cabinet if he’d known his place. He wasn’t, he doesn’t and he’s not. That’s his tragedy and ours.

      • Colonial Viper 5.2.2
        21 June 2013 at 8:46 pm

        TRP said:

        I blame the Greens. Why aren’t they doing better? Time to get rid of the deadwood in their leadership.

        2005 General Election
        LAB 41.1%
        GR 5.3%

        2011 General Election
        LAB 27.5% (-33.1%)
        GR 11.1% (+109.4%)

        Labour gave up 1/3 of it’s party vote between 2005 and 2011. The Greens more than doubled their party vote (from a small base) over that same time.

        The performance of the Greens leadership looks fine to me mate.

        • Te Reo Putake 5.2.2.1
          22 June 2013 at 10:08 am

          Perhaps I should have put a smiley on my comment for the slower kids in class.

        • Jenny 5.2.2.2
          22 June 2013 at 10:20 am

          Funnily enough I agree with TRP. Why aren’t the Greens doing better?

          Personally I think that the Greens aren’t growing the left vote, instead they are cannibalising Labour’s. I think that the figures above show this.

          Instead of becoming more like Labour the Greens IMHO need to stay true to their environmental principles. When the crunch comes and the Greens find themselves in a Shearer led coalition government, determined to mine the Denniston Plateau and drill for Deep Sea Oil, and in direct opposition to most of their membership, and are destroyed in the resulting implosion, all that voter support taken from Labour will go flooding back. Resulting in a dramatically shrunken Green caucus returned in 2017. Maybe this is Shearer’s strategy, force the Greens into line to destroy them.

    • Anne 5.3
      21 June 2013 at 9:58 am

      The Herald’s Toby Manhire gives his opinion on what Labour should do:

      Labour checking all wrong boxes

      Frankly, after the idiocy of his three “top performers” you would think Shearer might start listening to the rest of us…

      • Veutoviper 5.3.1
        21 June 2013 at 10:54 am

        That is a pretty straight message from Manhire – but unfortunately I don’t think Shearer will listen to anyone other than those fellow caucus members* whispering in his ear, Anne.

        * Robertson, Mallard and co.

        Give him another six months… I don’t think so.

    • McFlock 5.4
      21 June 2013 at 1:07 pm

      Where’s ACT or United Future?

  6. marty mars 6
    21 June 2013 at 8:03 am

    John Hamilton from Arrowtown on the plan to put a tiny amount of affordable housing there

    “We don’t need white or black trash renting cheap houses in Arrowtown,” he said.

    “Arrowtown has a very low crime rate because poor people can’t afford to live here.”

    My view is simple, “People are trash in hamilton’s view but don’t worry he’s not racist because both ‘white’ and ‘black’ people are equally trash, rubbish, thrown away and discarded. What a sad, sick individual hamilton is to have a view of people like that. He is the type that would let poor people die in the street and then complain they are making the place untidy. Personally I’d be quite happy if the hamiltons of this world left this country and never came back.”

    Luckily some good people of Arrowtown have formed part of the 250 submissions on the plan and isn’t hamilton’s view a stark contrast to the recent Mana Housing policy where those in need are looked after.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8822832/Residents-vocal-in-opposition-to-housing-trash

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/white-and-black-trash.html

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/mana-in-house.html

    • vto 6.1
      21 June 2013 at 11:41 am

      God that is sick. John Hamilton is one sick and ugly puppy.

      This doesn’t surprise me though – recall Sam Neill a few years ago trying to do the same to stop people coming in with their average houses and “destroying” the rich peoples 10 acre blocks? Sam Neill was just as ugly with this approach.

      It also doesn’t suprise me in another sense. Having spent some time in and out of that area over the years – it has changed from a vibrant, broad, diverse community to one which is sanitised and fucking boring. It is just rich baby boomers driving around in the their range rovers doing the same shit and keeping their lawns like bowling greens. And grimacing whenever someone of average clothes and car goes by.

      These people put up these fences and gates around their homes and, without even realising it, around their minds. Boring boring boring. Oh, and wankers.

      (now, back to my self-imposed exile from you mm…)

      • Populuxe1 6.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 11:45 am

        I’m not sure what the point of the exercise would be anyway – there aren’t that many jobs in Arrowtown and everything costs a fortune.

        • vto 6.1.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 11:52 am

          From what I know there are in fact loads of jobs in the wakatipu basin. All the cleaners and hospo and touro workers and drivers and, well, basically all the work that needs doing in the place, are done by low paid workers and for them finding an affordable house in that location is just impossible (because the wanker Sam Neill and his ilk are hell bent on keeping property values sky high).

          Affordable housing would be jumped on quick smart.

          Have thought for a long time that the entire basin will eventually end up being populated all to hell and the area littered with more and more housing, a bit like those Euro mountain resort valleys. But you know, people like John Hamilton and Sam Neill love that shit in Euroland and even go to the extreme lengths of flying halfway aroud the world to take their holidays in exactly that environment (and note those euro valleys have cheap housing areas for workers too). Then they come back here and say they don’t like it!

          This attitude expressed here by Hamilton and Neill is ugly and unwelcome. It is also shallow and lacks basic human decency. These people should be shunned, not the workers.

          • weka 6.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 12:09 pm

            Hamilton and Neil weren’t expressing the same sentiment at all. Neil was trying to stop the infil of rural areas, which is to be applauded. If anything he’s been proven right by your statement that the area is now dull and boring.

            • vto 6.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2013 at 12:27 pm

              No no no no I disagree. That may have been Neil’s words but it was absolutely not the sentiment. This approach is seen all the time – people say “wah wah wah, these newcomers will destory the environment” while at exactly the same time having destroyed the environment to get their own piece of infill (recall the basin used to be large scale farms which have been infilled by 10 acre blocks. Same thing, just differnt scale). It is a pull up the drawbridge approach.

              And it aint the “infill” that makes the place boring, it is the blandness of the range rover-driving, schist-clad mcmansion-owning baby boomer set. imhumbleo.

              And John Hamilton has just brought it all to the fore again.

              • weka …
                21 June 2013 at 12:57 pm

                For me it’s the blandness of the recentish suburbs where all the houses are made out of ticky tacky. Queenstown has always had a high proportion of rich people with flash cars, *shrug*. IMO it’s been a long time since it’s been a culturally attractive place, but obviously lots of people still like living there.

                I agree there are issues with what Neil and ilk do in terms of wealth and land prices, but he’s not in the same category as Hamilton and the other Arrowtown people who think that low income = wrong or criminal. I’d like to see you come up with something from Neil that shows he obviously doesn’t understand that the people who clean Queenstown’s toilets aren’t earning high wages, which is what Hamilton seems to have missed. Maybe on Planet Hamilton there are no toilets 😉

                (recall the basin used to be large scale farms which have been infilled by 10 acre blocks. Same thing, just differnt scale). It is a pull up the drawbridge approach.

                I guess it depends on where you think the limit should be. Or if there should be a limit at all. Queenstown is a very interesting example because it is demonstrates that we live on a finite planet better than most other places. Once they’ve filled in all the land between the Crown Range, the Kawarau Gorge, the Devil’s Staircase and Mt Aspiring Natinal Park, where do you propose the latest incomers should live?

                And going into PO/CC/GFC, where do you think all those people are going to get their food from? You can actually grow food for the local population more easily and successfully on 10 acres blocks than you can on large sheep farms. It’s also possible to argue that lifestyle blocks are better for the environment because more trees get planted and there is more biodiversity than on larger farms.

                • vto …
                  21 June 2013 at 1:41 pm

                  You make fair points there weka. I have to fly out the door but in a quick nutshell, the nimby syndrome is something I have absolutely no time for.

                  “I guess it depends on where you think the limit should be.” — Yes. But when someone comes along and subdivides a property so they can have a home for themselves, and then objects to the next person coming along and subdividing the previous subdivision so they too can have a home I just see hypocrisy all over the whole place and a complete lack of credibility.

                  If people like Neil want a rural paradise then how about a covenant on their titles such that when they sell they can only sell to a neighbour who then has to amalgamate to reduce the population and restore true ruralness…..

                  I agree about your point with smaller farms being “more productive” – witness highly populated parts of the world.

                  Imo the wakatipu basin should give up on trying to remain like some sort of 1970’s golden poplar-treed sheep-clad paradise and embrace that euro mountain valley higher populated type enclave that works so well over there. There is enough land to house a massive population. I mean, that is the way it is heading. People would love it (except the elite 10 acre block owners and there are f-all of them, and they are just being selfish). People would embrace it. It would become more diverse, more vibrant, more cosmopolitan, more touristy. Imagine it. There are plenty of other rural paradises all around NZ if thats what people want.

                  If wakatipu people want empty rural then they should go live south of Kinsgton. Go on sam neill, go live south of Kingston if that’s what you want. What do you think weka – would the likes of Neill and Hamilton live there? Still plenty big mountains and scenes, maybe just no “mountain scene”, which seems to be their scene ….. hence cosmpolitanise it all even more ….

                  (now I’m running late)

                  • weka …
                    21 June 2013 at 4:43 pm

                    for later vto 🙂

                    “But when someone comes along and subdivides a property so they can have a home for themselves, and then objects to the next person coming along and subdividing the previous subdivision so they too can have a home I just see hypocrisy all over the whole place and a complete lack of credibility.”

                    By that argument we should build as many houses as we want wherever we want and as high and dense as we want. Not only do most people not agree with that, but we have specific laws in place to prevent that happening.

                    “If people like Neil want a rural paradise then how about a covenant on their titles such that when they sell they can only sell to a neighbour who then has to amalgamate to reduce the population and restore true ruralness…..”

                    I’m not sure what the solution is, but I suspect in a sane world it would be a combination of nationally set guidelines and then local communities working democratically to decide how best land should be managed.

                    “Imo the wakatipu basin should give up on trying to remain like some sort of 1970′s golden poplar-treed sheep-clad paradise and embrace that euro mountain valley higher populated type enclave that works so well over there.”

                    Except it’s a fragile landscape. A big earthquake will be catastrophic for Queenstown. It’s not a good place for high density population.

                    “(except the elite 10 acre block owners and there are f-all of them, and they are just being selfish).”

                    Sorry, but you sound very bitter there, not to mention prejudiced. It’s true that lifestyle blocks have changed many places, for good and bad. But I don’t see the owners as being any more selfish than any other land owner generally.

                    “There are plenty of other rural paradises all around NZ if thats what people want.”

                    Not for very much longer, and not if your arguments were followed.

                    “If wakatipu people want empty rural then they should go live south of Kinsgton. Go on sam neill, go live south of Kingston if that’s what you want.”

                    I don’t imagine Neil would have a problem living there if he had to. It’s a beautiful landscape for sure. But I suspect that not all Kingston and surrounding people would be that happy with the descending hoards. Not sure if you are aware, but Queenstown workers already live in Kingston and commute because there is not enough accommodation in Queenstown (affordable accommodation I mean, there are obviously enough houses there). By your argument we should just fill the whole country with suburbs. What happens when Kingston is full? I guess we could just keep build suburbs all the way to Bluff. See where I am going with this?

                    Besides how are people going to afford the commute when petrol is $5/L?

                    There are only so many people that any given landbase can support. While I agree people like Neil have something to answer for in terms of wealth and land values, I think he did NZ a service. Basically he spoke of the value of open, natural, under-developped places. We need those. I like being able to go to a river or beach and find no-one else there at times. That’s not selfishness, it’s gratitude towards nature.

                    • vto …
                      21 June 2013 at 5:21 pm

                      Hi weka, I appreciate all the points you have made there. Sure, controls are necessary for those reasons you mention and I agree with them to maintain certain intrinsic values around certain environments and stop them being overrun by masses of people and our wrecking ball ways.

                      The argument around never-ending subdivision is not something I follow and the argument was only made to highlight the hypocrisy of others in wanting to pull the drawbridge up to stop others doing what those who are already there have done themselves. This occurs in spades in this locality.

                      As for what “spoils” the environment more – lifestyle blocks or subdivisions….. the wakatipu basin (not the mountains which are not lived on anyway) is already completely modified from its natural state. All natural vegetation has been stripped in the areas where housing and lifestyle blocks are. So to put in a pink house and a golf course, or a vineyard and a schist house, to house one family is no better (and in fact worse given the low benefit for similar cost) than putting in 50 houses to house 50 families. Strip all natural features on, say, 20 hectares and house either 1 family or 50 families… see the cost-benefit ratio?

                      As for whether the basin is a fragile environment, I’m not sure in what sense you mean. It is no more fragile ecologically than pretty much the rest of the South Island mountain locales. And if it is considered that it is ecologically fragile then it must be seen in the context of this being the only such fragile locale in NZ to be used in this way. Then consider, re earthquakes, Wellington, Taupo area, Auckland (Rangitoto went up just a couple hundred years ago remember). I don’t know if your point here holds.

                      As for me sounding bitter – sorry, sometimes it seems my manner of expression comes out more harshly than intended. But, when it comes to the demands of 10 acre block holders in Wakatipu, yes, there is some displeasure at their manner, demands, and attempts to push away the “trash”, as John Hamilton has so eloquently puts it.

                      And when you say this re Sam Neill … “Basically he spoke of the value of open, natural, under-developped places” you kind of nail the sticking point. He didn’t do that. All he did was do that in relation to his own pulled-up-drawbridge part of NZ. And further, that pulled-up-drawbridge part of NZ (the wakatipu basin living areas low down) is far from a natural, undeveloped place. It is completely and utterly modified. He spoke in those terms but he was not correct and it was all on the basis of self-interest imo.

                      You see these types of nimbys all over NZ – they get their piece of paradise and modify the environment all to hell, then pull out these arguments (which are falsely based) to preserve their piece just for themselves and in order to keep out the trash. This is exactly what the turd Hamilton is stating, just in more stark terms than Neill.

                      I must reiterate my personal view above re the best thing for Wakatipu into the future – that of a densely populated mountain community (there is no other in NZ) that throbs and pulses with a cosmopolitality that is not even matched by NZ’s big cities. It would be spectacular – picture it – snow-clad mountains lit up by moonlight and the sparkling lights of people-bustle in the low areas. It would go crazy. And the effect on the environment would be nil because the envornment has already been dealt a death blow by its development to date.

                      Oh, and go Kingston!

                    • vto …
                      21 June 2013 at 5:28 pm

                      one more bit … “value of open, natural, under-developped places. We need those. I like being able to go to a river or beach and find no-one else there at times. That’s not selfishness, it’s gratitude towards nature.”

                      I agree 1000%. Best jam us humans up closer and leave more of those open spaces. Wakatipu is the mountain location for just that in NZ. Jam everyone in there (which is where they want to be too) and leave all other mountain locations empty and natural.

        • McFlock 6.1.1.2
          21 June 2013 at 1:19 pm

          servants’ quarters

    • felix 6.2
      21 June 2013 at 3:17 pm

      Why isn’t the local MP, National’s Dennis Plant, speaking out about this?

  7. halfcrown 7
    21 June 2013 at 8:40 am

    “Arrowtown has a very low crime rate because poor people can’t afford to live here.”

    We have returned to the day’s of Dickens, when in Britain there was only two classes in society. The upper class and the criminal class

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      21 June 2013 at 8:45 am

      Uhhhh…no you got it the other way around. The basis of the upper class is the kleptocratic class.

    • aj 7.2
      21 June 2013 at 10:40 am

      “Eva Baloga said: “There are plenty of affordable homes in Timaru. No need to live in Arrowtown.”

      There is a poll here where only about 28% of respondents agree with their point of view.

  8. David H 8
    21 June 2013 at 8:43 am

    Now here’s a classic case of ‘foriegn ownership of a power company. In debt up to it’s eyeballs, all profits going to service debt to foreign bankers and hedge funds.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8822635/30m-loss-as-Powerco-hit-by-debts

    So is this what will happen to all of our power companies when they have been stolen and sold off

    • joe90 8.1
      21 June 2013 at 11:02 am

      So is this what will happen to all of our power companies when they have been stolen and sold off

      All’s going to plan.

      April 1993: New Plymouth Energy (the electricity division of the New Plymouth District Council) merges with Taranaki Electricity (former Taranaki Electric Power Board) to become Taranaki Energy Limited

      November 2004: It is now moving to compulsorily acquire the remaining shares and remove Powerco from the New Zealand stock exchange.

  9. Winston Smith 9
    21 June 2013 at 8:49 am

    I think something that would boost labours chances of winning would be to appropriate Manas policy on no deposit, low interest rate home loans for Maori, its a vote winner 🙂

  10. James 10
    21 June 2013 at 9:32 am

    OK – I am curious – I have strong views about this (very much against), but genuinly am interested in what “lefties” think of the race based housing policy from Mana.

    “Maori first-home buyers would be able to buy homes with no deposit, at the same interest rates that Government pays and with negotiable mortgage terms.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10891862

    Follow up question – do you think Labour should support this?

    • marty mars 10.1
      21 June 2013 at 9:51 am

      James in the same speech this was the last couple of sentences

      We know that housing is not just an issue that affects Maori; it affects every family on a low income. That’s why John Minto, will be announcing MANA’s wider housing policy on 23 July as a part of our MINTO FOR MAYOR Campaign.

      http://mana.net.nz/2013/06/mana-housing-policy-announcement-for-maori-te-hamua-nikora-ikaroa-rawhiti-mana-candidate/

      Only 45% of Māori own their own homes compared to 70% for pākehā and that inequity must be addressed imo.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 10.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 10:50 am

        Can they not afford homes because they are maori, or because they are poor?

      • Populuxe1 10.1.2
        21 June 2013 at 11:38 am

        It is, however, absurd to put into law that the houses can only be on-sold to other Maori. And I am flabbergasted why race is being prioritised over need. That’s not redress, that’s blatant divisiveness. And why can’t the iwi take the initiative? Kai Tahu are already doing that with their own money.

        • weka 10.1.2.1
          21 June 2013 at 12:15 pm

          So you would be supportive of govt funding direct to iwi. Sounds a good plan to me.

          • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 10.1.2.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 2:18 pm

            And who would fund the government, so it could fund the iwi?

          • Populuxe1 10.1.2.1.2
            21 June 2013 at 10:14 pm

            The Government has already funded it – the treaty settlements. I have no problem with Maori only development provided iwi use their own money – perhaps with a Government top up

            • weka 10.1.2.1.2.1
              21 June 2013 at 11:26 pm

              Treaty Settlements were reparation for past theft and injustices, not to make up for failings in current social policy. Did you see marty’s quote about the different rates of home ownership between Maori and non-Maori? Why do you think that is?

              “And I am flabbergasted why race is being prioritised over need”

              That’s probably because you don’t understand the need and are confusing it with race. If Maori are disadvantaged in home buying compared to the rest of the population, then why not assist them?

              You also don’t seem to understand ethnicity. If you target services at Maori and do this in a Maori way, it’s more successful ie it’s a better use of the money. That’s why ‘race’ based funding is important. It’s not because Maori are more special than everyone else.

              (and you can argue it the other way – that services delivered the Pakeha way are race based ones that serve Pakeha, but not non-Pakeha).

            • weka 10.1.2.1.2.2
              21 June 2013 at 11:30 pm

              “I have no problem with Maori only development provided iwi use their own money – perhaps with a Government top up”

              Had Iwi been given fair settlements I might agree. But have you looked at the rather small amounts that many settlements entailed compared to the value of the lost assets and resources from since the Treaty was signed? One of the core points about the Treaty and everything that surrounds that is that Maori were severely undermined in the 1800s, in myriad ways, and until they are able to recover from that we cannot consider this a level playing field.

    • Winston Smith 10.2
      21 June 2013 at 9:56 am

      Labour should not only support it they should make it one of their election pledges 🙂

  11. Winston Smith 11
    21 June 2013 at 9:59 am

    The dompost is getting better at being balanced lately, its normally quite left-leaning but now its starting to report fairly and without bias…bad news for the left though

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/8821564/Editorial-No-return-to-fortress-NZ

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/8816279/Editorial-Teachers-in-way-of-standards

    • framu 11.1
      21 June 2013 at 12:38 pm

      thats a good one WS – one of your better jokes

      seriously though – i dont think you would know “reporting fairly and without bias” if it came up, kicked you in the nuts and left a business card with a hand written note for a follow up meeting

      the media arent really left or right leaning – they are lazy oppourtunists chasing sensationalism

      editorials are of course different to news stories and regularly come out with a much more rightwards view (in terms of what could normally be considered a left or right viewpoint – not how you or i call it)

      your really just showing up the shallowness of both your knowledge and opinion, of how the MSM operates in our contemporary, media saturated world

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2
      21 June 2013 at 6:25 pm

      None of that is even close to balanced – it’s pure National Party propaganda.

      As for National Standards?
      Research debunks internal assesment criticism
      If you want to destroy education (and thus the children) in NZ then keep them. Otherwise, get a clue and start listening to the teachers.

  12. Colonial Viper 12
    21 June 2013 at 10:31 am

    Boadicea’s analysis of McFlock

    I found this exchange last night fascinating.

    Tides = ‘election cycles’ , the “in phrase” for Robertson’s strategists.
    Thanks McFlock. It’s nice to see your Party Central credentials confirmed.

    CV, McFlock is not an Alliance bod.

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-20062013/#comment-651607

    • McFlock 12.1
      21 June 2013 at 1:28 pm

      Based entirely on the fact that when someone said the polls were making them seasick, I referred to gentle swells and suggested they watch the tides (i.e. trends rather than bi-weekly angst/elation sessions).

      whatever. I know who I work for and who I am, so if you want to start seeing Robertson’s strategists in every shadow, feel free. It is unlikely to change my opinion of your grip on reality.

      • mac1 12.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 2:54 pm

        Gentle swells are Ok, McFlock- if you’re into fashion, and well-mannered foppery. It’s us northerly Gaels you have to watch out for- we can kick up a storm- though it can be a trifle breezy around the southern parts. Macs Go Bragh!

  13. Veutoviper 13
    21 June 2013 at 11:49 am

    OOOh! I thought I would check how MRP shares were doing.

    They started the day at $2.26 and are now down at $2.22.

    Volume of trades have also dropped off noticeably over the last week or so.

    • Colonial Viper 13.1
      21 June 2013 at 12:18 pm

      Great chance for the big hedge funds to acquire a few more parcels of shares on the quiet.

    • mickysavage 13.2
      21 June 2013 at 12:23 pm

      I just saw this Vv. I wonder how the newbie shareholders are feeling about things now?

      • Veutoviper 13.2.1
        21 June 2013 at 2:44 pm

        I watched MRP shares avidly for the first few weeks – not because I have any as I would not have bought on principle. Wish now that I had documented their “progress”, but in the first few weeks, there was massive trading with MRP shares the biggest trades on some days in terms of volume and, on one or two occasions, value. The average of those trades (Volume of shares divided by number of trades) was very, very high – ie, many thousands. . MRP directors were also able to buy up until 31 May, and they did – disclosure notices are on the NZX site.

        By contrast, recently numbers of trades, volumes and averages have dropped back markedly.

        For example, today so far (as of a few minutes ago), trades have only totalled 124 covering a volume of 421,863 shares, giving an average of 3402 shares per trade (price now $2.23).

        I am no expert in the share market, but possibly this indicates that current buyers/sellers are smaller/newbie traders and the biggies are sitting it out at present. Happy to admit my assumptions are wrong if more experienced people can provide a more expert explanation.

        • Colonial Viper 13.2.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 4:42 pm

          Great looking chart here for you VV

          http://nz.finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=MRP.NZ&t=3m&l=on&z=l&q=l&c=

          • Veutoviper 13.2.1.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 9:08 pm

            Thanks CV. And I now note that MRP shares closed today at $2.20. Which was my (totally uneducated) prediction/hope for the end of the week. And for this time next week – how about $2.15?

            While I last heard a couple of weeks ago that things were underway – ie thousands of dollars of taxpayers’ dollars were being paid out to consultants et – to prepare Meridian for sale in Oct, it seems to have gone very quiet….except for Tiwai Point revaluing themselves at basically zero.

            • Colonial Viper 13.2.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2013 at 9:40 pm

              After recent events, I presume National has gone on the war path to re-establish internal communications discipline. Making an example out of Dunne will be part of that.

      • chris73 13.2.2
        21 June 2013 at 5:26 pm

        Well I’m in it for the lomg haul so share price fluctuations dont really bother me…

      • North 13.2.3
        21 June 2013 at 6:34 pm

        That’s what it comes down to Hami Shearlie. And it’s not as though you’d be losing anyone promisingly Left at all.

        Hope it’s not being rude or churlish, certainly not intended, but on television the guy always looks like he needs a shave. Puts me in mind of the final (?) Kennedy/Nixon presidential debate in 1960. It’s still widely expressed that Nixon’s five o’clock shadow look cost him enough to lose by what was a small margin apparently.

        Anyway…….back to our sad reality. I doubt anyone can say hand on heart that Shonkey Python would NOT have been on the ropes for months and months now if Cunliffe had been at the helm.

        Even if gratuitously The Left could have done with that……..couldn’t we ?

    • Rich 13.3
      21 June 2013 at 12:24 pm

      There’s a large pool of voters too disillusioned to vote. If they see a genuine alternative in the Green Party, they might start. I remain fairly sure that National will win the next election and the Greens will be the largest party at the one after that.

    • Saarbo 13.4
      21 June 2013 at 1:41 pm

      Typical of this National Party, hopeless….Meridian float is all over, it wont happen I reckon, who would want to buy it.

      The only thing that this National Party gets right is its Crosby Textor inspired media strategy, disguising one of the most incompetent governments NZ has had since the 90’s.

  14. Winston Smith 14
    21 June 2013 at 12:30 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10891965

    Yes…its performance pay but the unions are too greedy to see it.

    • framu 14.1
      21 June 2013 at 12:47 pm

      god – you make it so easy

      “an allowance to reward experienced teaching staff to the Education Ministry in its pay negotiation round, asking for as many allowances as possible.”

      “I think it could look like performance pay if you don’t take into consideration the development behind it and its intent.”

      “A staff member at NZEI said its members would not see it as performance pay because teachers’ achievement wouldn’t be based on raw National Standards data.”

      its the REPORTER making the logic jump to it being performance pay, its actually experience pay – theres a difference

      also – you do realise that teachers already have performance based pay? It happens just the same way as any other employee. The employer evaluates their performance and rewards them accordingly.

      What you’re cheering on is politicised pay and mob rule – if thats want you want, go nuts. No ones going to stop you – but at least understand what your arguing for

      • Winston Smith 14.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 2:02 pm

        Its the first step towards performance pay or performance by stealth whatever way you want to look at it.

        Obviously saying its performance pay straight out is going to cause a ruckus so you call it something else and everyones happy.

        Unions and their leaders arn’t that hard to deal with because the leaders are generally quite greedy and lazy

        • Te Reo Putake 14.1.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 2:18 pm

          Yeah, like you’ve ever dealt with any. Your ignorance about union matters is one of your most endearing traits, WS. It’s like you’ve forgotten more than you ever knew.

          • Winston Smith 14.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 2:44 pm

            Shucks you’ve got me blushing (which is making my co-workers give me some odd looks…)

            • North 14.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2013 at 6:35 pm

              Well then you’re a blushing fool……

            • Morrissey 14.1.1.1.1.2
              21 June 2013 at 10:25 pm

              The only reason this fool “Winston Smith” gets odd looks at work is no doubt because he says things as stupid and ignorant as he writes them.

              I pity his poor co-workers.

        • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1.2
          21 June 2013 at 6:33 pm

          Its the first step towards performance pay or performance by stealth whatever way you want to look at it.

          No it’s not. It’s career enhancement which probably has something to do with hierarchies, i/e, there just isn’t that many places at the top.

          You didn’t actually read past the first paragraph did you? You just read the bit about performance pay and left it at that – believing the misreporting.

  15. Colonial Viper 15
    21 June 2013 at 1:01 pm

    James Gandolfini (aka “Tony Soprano”) died aged 51.

    Damn shame, he had many of his best roles in front of him.

    • McFlock 15.1
      21 June 2013 at 1:32 pm

      yep. Very sad.

    • Te Reo Putake 15.2
      21 June 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Fat Tony’s one of my nicknames at footy. I kid myself it refers to Tony Soprano, (but really its the Simmos character). Gandolfini was also great as the hitman in True Romance, the best movie Tarantino never made.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 15.2.1
        21 June 2013 at 2:34 pm

        True Romance. I love that movie. Hopper ft Walken alone worth the admission price.

      • Rob 15.2.2
        21 June 2013 at 4:34 pm

        “Fat Tony’s one of my nicknames at footy.” – dear god thats just ruined that favourite TV series for me. You sure it isnt fat fuk by any chance?

    • Rhinocrates 15.3
      21 June 2013 at 7:13 pm

      Bugger.

      No, not “bugger”. Fuck. Phuque. Fuketty fuck fuck and feck. And bottoms.

      Every account of him says that he was a wonderful guy – kind, generous, gentle. He once said that at home he was “a three hundred pound Woody Allen”. A lot of actors who play villains often are, and show skill at comedy (I’m thinking of Charles Dance, who always seems to play cold-hearted aristocrats and is incredibly warm and funny in interviews). You should see him in In the Loop

  16. Winston Smith 16
    21 June 2013 at 2:49 pm

    Still more good news for National, must suck being a leftie and having to be on the back foot all the time

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/8825983/Consumer-confidence-holding-up

    • Colonial Viper 16.1
      21 June 2013 at 4:39 pm

      Stop being impatient and give Shearer 6 more months to gain traction please.

      • chris73 16.1.1
        21 June 2013 at 5:28 pm

        Is there a subtle message in there..?

        • McFlock 16.1.1.1
          21 June 2013 at 5:38 pm

          the silent majority being silent again.

          • Colonial Viper 16.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2013 at 6:53 pm

            the silent stay at home majority.

            • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2013 at 6:56 pm

              All eight hundred thousand of them. Gathering recruits all the time…

              Don’t worry, I won’t be painting my roof (I’m not a homeowner after all). I’ll vote.

            • Arfamo 16.1.1.1.1.2
              21 June 2013 at 7:13 pm

              Give em a chance at online voting. They can get it wrong from the comfort of their own homes.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 June 2013 at 8:35 pm

                My views on that are fairly clear. Apart from the systematic fraud and security issues, if someone can’t be bothered to put aside 45 minutes on a Saturday every 3 years to go vote, they can frak off.

                • Arfamo …
                  21 June 2013 at 9:34 pm

                  Fair enough. They can still get it wrong from the comfort of their own homes by not voting. It worked pretty well last time. (Only pulling ya leg – anyone who wants to vote under the current system and is housebound can do it, I know.)

        • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.2
          21 June 2013 at 6:50 pm

          Yeah, six months, then three, then 6 weeks, then 3 weeks, then 10 days, then a week, then a day, then an hour, then a minute, then a second, then a millisecond – don’t worry, he still has a microsecond to – God help us – “scrape by”!

          Never underestimate the power of denial – or entitlement.

  17. felix 17
    21 June 2013 at 8:27 pm

    Here’s a funny thing. I just heard Na Raihania on the radio saying the reason to vote for him is that he’ll be “at the table” straight away, whereas none of the others can be “at the table” until National get the boot.

    Same waffle that that old fool Pita Sharples comes out with every time he’s asked why anyone should pretend the maori Party are a serious political movement.

    Couple of things about that. First, it’s a lie. The maori Party do not sit “at the table”.

    John Key and National’s deal with the maori Party specifically excludes them from the cabinet table. The only table they’re allowed to sit at with Key is at the Green Parrot, and the chances of him remembering anything said there are slim to none.

    So apart from being a tired old line, it’s also not even based on a fact. It’s the opposite of a fact. It’s a lie.

    The second thing is that even if it were true that the maori Party sit “at the table”, which it isn’t, they already have their two token Ministers (outside Cabinet). Does Na Raihania think he’s going to be a Minister if he wins the seat? Pfffffft whatever.

    Third thing is that Key doesn’t even know his name. And when asked why he endorsed a candidate who he couldn’t name, he said ‘cos I’ve heard good things about him’. Which means he knows so little about the guy that he can’t even make something up, and for a serial liar like Key that’s quite a fucking place to be.

    So I hope people voting in the by election understand that that’s how much influence he really has. He’s never going to be allowed to sit at the table with the PM who wouldn’t recognise him anyway.

    • Veutoviper 17.1
      21 June 2013 at 9:14 pm

      LOL – I also heard Na on RNZ National and thought (well perhaps it is better that I don’t say what). Not a good look, and dreaming me thinks.

    • Morrissey 17.2
      21 June 2013 at 10:21 pm

      The only table they’re allowed to sit at with Key is at the Green Parrot, and the chances of him remembering anything said there are slim to none.

      LOL. That is the Quip of the Week.

    • North 17.3
      21 June 2013 at 10:58 pm

      Ah…..The Green Parrot. Or “The ‘Arrot” as a mate of mine called it……….on account of the P on Parrot in the neon sign not glowing for ages, years. Fun days. Mid-to-late 70s Wellington.

      When the Pig was in charge.

      When Rob Campbell, serial corporate director including of late POA, was photographed in PYM regalia holding a bloody firearm.

      Damn……..I’m having this bizo going on in my head……..”At least The Pig was emotionally centred in New Zealand……..”

  18. North 18
    21 June 2013 at 9:31 pm

    This is for friend Morrissey:

    Imagine if it wasn’t “Afternoons with Mora” but instead it was “Afternoons with Graham Norton” (which is my viewing right now on 3).

    Sorry there Mensa Mora (Affable Cock), but Graham Norton muchmuchmuchmuchmuch cleverer than you, bro’. In all the ways that matter. Yeah……fair enough it’s a completely different genre but still……

    I’ll never forget the anagram of “Tory Cunts”. And the Graham Norton delivery. In fact I do forget the anagram itself but since the root was his whole point, that’s what I remembered.

    Clever and funny as hell ! Is there a link anywhere for that ?

    Akshilly………..in recent times I’ve heard MM on one or two occasions give comment on “issues” in a way that acknowledges the real life depth and scope of the “issue”. Like maybe his immensity has finally cottoned on to a human vibe which involves at least trying to imagine walking someone elses’ mocassins.

    As opposed to the irritating Gushing Hurrah Henry-Ness of the man and the vanity of his slip into foreign European language to make a point in English. Hhmm……….no facility I note in Polynesian or Maori language.

    In fact I emailed him once to say, lightly of course, “Dear Jime-Mow-Ray…….listen chap, its not Hon-A Harawira, its Haw-Neh…….

    Didn’t even get a response. Was expecting some sparkling eurocentric wit. Not a giggle and no improvement either.

  19. Morrissey 19
    21 June 2013 at 10:11 pm

    Didn’t even get a response. Was expecting some sparkling eurocentric wit. Not a giggle and no improvement either.

    You should have included a racist rant and signed it “Michael Bassett.” He would have read it then.

    • North 19.1
      21 June 2013 at 11:18 pm

      Bassett ? Bassett ??

      Years ago worked in Mt Albert. Near to, I think it was Kelly’s Caltex, in the dip at the bend 300 metres east of Mt Albert lights on New North Road. Closed now.

      Well, I pull in there to get some gas and who should be fluffing around putting gas in his pretty tawdry BMW, squinting embarrassingly through his spectacles, but Michael (What a Baaaad Speech) Bassett.

      Honestly, it ran through my head to march up to him and denounce him as a simpering fucking scab.

      Didn’t.

      Doesn’t change the fact. Him and all the others. They did a bigger con-job than Crosby Textor could dream about. Paradoxically, riding the “Labour Bus” all the way to the scab launching pad.

      While also using and abusing the fineness which resided in David Lange.

      • Murray Olsen 19.1.1
        22 June 2013 at 6:28 pm

        I was walking my dog once when we came across Roger Douglas and some rich pricks in a sidewalk restaurant on Jervois Rd. I loudly informed the dog that if she knew what an asshole he was, she’d bite him. A few people laughed, probably at me rather than with me, but that’s life.

  20. Anne 20
    22 June 2013 at 8:00 pm

    I remember that petrol station North. Disappeared years ago. Just up the road (back towards the traffic lights) there was a small community hall – now the community constable’s office – where we held our monthly electorate meetings. Those were the days when we used to have as many as 25 to 30 people attend our ordinary business meetings. When Helen Clark became our candidate (1980) I recall her arriving on the noisiest motorscooter that I’ve ever encountered. We could hear her coming 1/2 a kilometre away – slight exaggeration. Fortunately she exchanged it for a car soon afterwards.

    I never found out what exactly happened, but she had an almighty row with Michael Bassett and anyone who dared mention his name during the campaign period that followed invariably ended up with a flea in their ear. Those were the days when Helen was still able to be her natural self.

    I miss her. I miss her stewardship of the country.

    Btw, did you know that Bassett and Lange were related. Second cousins I think it was.

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    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    11 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    18 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    19 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    20 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    21 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    21 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    22 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 day ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    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. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
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  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
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  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
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  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
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