Open mike 22/01/2014

Written By: - Date published: 7:07 am, January 22nd, 2014 - 159 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmike

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step right up to the mike …

159 comments on “Open mike 22/01/2014 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. phillip ure 1
    22 January 2014 at 7:14 am

    it’s wednesday..

    ..so why not start the day by singing/dancing..

    ..and just generally grooving..?

    ..here is 82 mins of the best of ‘soul-train’..

    ..that’ll do the trick for ya..eh..?

    http://boingboing.net/2014/01/20/soul-train-line-compilation.html

    (this one deserves bookmarking…)

    phillip ure..

    • vto 1.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:34 am

      Most excellent. I can even tell which one is you mr ure.

    • TE 1.2
      22 January 2014 at 2:41 pm

      Thanks for the link absolutly fantastic way to start the day,
      I enjoy your comments very much and I must say I understand them at first glance, 🙂

      • phillip ure 1.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:24 pm

        chrs…te..

        ..it is a good way to start the the day..

        ..and end it..(‘i’ve just finished a four hour session..got a music-glow on right now..)

        ..i’ve decided to pick a choice track each day for whoar..

        ..so i’ll throw it up here too..

        ..i’ve got a very cool one for tomorrow..

        ..i’ll try for good/unknown..or killer-versions of something better known..

        ..i think having unifying factors in this upcoming year of conflict/turmoil..

        ..won’t hurt..

        ..(and who could not enjoy watching/listening to that soul-train link above..eh..?

        ..you’d have to be made of stone/tone-deaf..

        ..phillip ure..

  2. Ad 2
    22 January 2014 at 7:16 am

    Excellent positioning for the week:

    Key sets out clearly how he is desperate to achieve sustaining the grip on power by all democratic means necessary… and that sordid story gets to rot in public a week

    Six days of news cycle, by formal speech, Cunliffe will set out what the ideals to aspire to are for New Zealand, concentrate on child poverty, and how to achieve opportunity for all.

    Can’t think of a better way to start the political year going into the opening of parliament.

    • ak 2.1
      22 January 2014 at 7:54 am

      Quite right Ad.

      And a new minister of Local Gummint no less – as the rats leaving the sinking ship can be more accurately described as mice leaving the stinking ship, here’s an ex-DPB wahine of no great airs and grace for the silver-spoon misogeny old boys club to chew on.

      There’s a distinct and pervasive smell seeping out of Torytown now: Gower and the rest of the rent-children have seen the descent to the gutter, watched the mice and those with a trace of dignity and judgement still intact head for the hills: and truth, purity and justice grow in strength again for the first time in years.

      Kia kaha Standardistas and all believers in humanity: the time has come, this year is yours.

    • veutoviper 2.2
      22 January 2014 at 8:37 am

      The focus will probably change tomorrow (Thursday) when Key gives his State of the Nation speech – and his announcements of potential coalition partners yesterday was probably planned on this probable change of focus.

      According to Vernon Small, Key’s State of the Nation speech is expected to focus on education. See the last paragraph in Small’s article on Stuff.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9636040/Nats-won-t-rule-out-talks-with-Peters

      However, having Key’s speech before Cunliffe’s gives Cunliffe the opportunity to counter Key’s speech in his own one on Monday.

  3. phillip ure 3
    22 January 2014 at 7:49 am

    breaking news..!

    ..tvone breakfast ‘team’ ‘discover’ that school tuck-shops sell sugar/crap-laden unhealthy drinks/food to school children..

    ..rawdon christie is in shock..and needing consoling from his colleagues..

    ..(and funny story..!..that deep-as-a-petrie-dish christie is one of those access-media/neo-lib-apologist trouts..

    ..who would have run with that ‘nanny-state’-meme….

    ..and probably cheered the key tory party when they removed any restrictions on what children could be sold in school tuck-shops.

    ..(one of their first acts..so ensuring primary-school children are early-addicted to sugar/salt/fat/caffeine-laden crap..was obviously high on their urgent-to-do list..

    ..they do have their advertisers/corporate-supporters to think of..eh..?..and the promises/nods/winks they had give them..)

    ..’gotta get that nanny-state out of our lives..!..we demand the right to addict our children to whatever we choose..!’

    ..eh rawdon..?..)

    (..but be reassured..!..

    ..that other ‘expert’..that weather-youth..

    ..he had an anecdotal or two..that ‘proved’ that we really have to problem at all..

    (whew..!..that’s a relief..!..eh..?..)

    ..and all over town energy-drink marketeers were ordering that cases of their product be sent to that weather-guru..)

    phillip ure..

    • Paul 3.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:11 am

      You deserve a medal for listening to Christie and the rest on breakfast.

      • phillip ure 3.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:42 am

        @ paul..

        ..to be honest..it is only a few days in..and my spirit is sagging..

        ..it is such unrelentingly/multi-faceted ‘bad’..

        ..i can’t see me lasting much longer..

        ..and i flicked over to three..and horror of horrors..!

        ..their (excruciatingly-boring) business-person has been upgraded to co-host..(!)

        ..i lasted there about three minutes..

        ..it’s not looking good..eh..?

        phillip ure..

  4. Flip 4
    22 January 2014 at 8:12 am

    Often politicians talk about growth. What sort of growth? What does the Labour Party (DC) mean when talking of growth? If making the pie (economy/GDP) bigger then it is more of the same neo-lib BS. If increasing the share of wealth to the less wealthy you then have a socialist policy.

    Where is that growth coming from and what sort of consumption growth? If it is growth in consumption of imports, debt, population, resource consumption then there is little sustainable benefit to NZ.

    Desirable growth include:
    Growth in the efficiency of resource usage NOT more resource usage.
    Growth in the value of sustainable exported goods NOT just quantities.
    Growth in employment, quality of work, income for the less well off. NOT longer hours, poorer conditions and pay rises for execs, or reduced number of jobs.

    These are growth goals for the left.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      22 January 2014 at 8:39 am

      Correct. Uneconomic growth, i.e. growth which leaves people behind, worsens disparity, damages the prospects of future generations, harms the environment, is unsustainable, benefits only those far from where the work is actually done…that kind of growth must be singled out and halted in its tracks.

    • weka 4.2
      22 January 2014 at 8:45 am

      hmmm… ok, so perpetual growth on a finite planet (or series of islands) is a special kind of madness. So do we attempt to re-appropriate the word ‘growth’ to mean something sustainable? Or do we replace the whole concept (eg steady state economy)?

      • jcuknz 4.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:30 am

        Nice to see it is not just me writing about the folly of ever expanding consumption on a finite world millions of lightyears from just maybe expansion room.

        • Colonial Viper 4.2.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 9:34 am

          There’s always Titan…or the Moon…hey, what happened to the awesome Moonbase we were promised in Space: 1999? Way over schedule.

      • Flip 4.2.3
        22 January 2014 at 3:01 pm

        Probably hard to re-appropriate words but need to distinguish politically types of growth advocated between the parties. Make a point of difference.
        Also difficult to solve the worlds problems but we can work on making NZ an example to the world of how to run a society and an economy. At least look after our own interests properly and not give stuff away cheaply. Nobody else seems to have any clues. All a bunch of lemmings following USA over the cliff.

  5. bad12 5
    22 January 2014 at 8:23 am

    David Cunliffe on RadioNZ National just now, a good interview outlining Labour’s position,(nothing new there),

    Relaxed as, even to the point of what sounded like genuine laughter at Slippery the Prime Ministers 6 headed monster when it comes to Nationals coalition choices…

    • veutoviper 5.1
      22 January 2014 at 8:39 am

      Agreed that it was a good interview – relaxed but clear and to the point. Loved his two instances of very natural laughter.

      • Puckish Rogue 5.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:16 am

        Loved his two instances of very natural laughter.

        – Well its something he needs to work on so good on him

      • Rosie 5.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

        Apologies in advance for being shallow. It has only just occurred to me what a lovely sounding voice Cunliffe has, so ………………….soothing and pleasant to listen to. Aaaah.

        Unlike Key’s, whose voice cause the teeth to grind, the knuckles to clench and the blood pressure to raise.

        • Will@Welly 5.1.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:34 am

          Chill. Take a pill. Go for a walk. We need your vote come election time. Not a cot-case, stressed out because of old slippery snake oil.

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    22 January 2014 at 8:53 am

    UK barman attempts citizens arrest of Tony Blair

    “[Blair] was sitting at the head of a table upstairs with about eight other people eating dinner. I think he was out with his family and a few friends,” Garcia said. “I went over to him, put my hand on his shoulder and said, ‘Mr. Blair, this is a citizen’s arrest for a crime against peace, namely your decision to launch an unprovoked war against Iraq. I am inviting you to accompany me to a police station to answer the charge.’”

    This is the perfect example of how to make these “leaders” (of societal death and destruction) pay a daily and social price for their malfeasance.

    http://rt.com/news/blair-iraq-war-crimes-law-949/

    • greywarbler 6.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:36 am

      Good one Garcia. Even if you are trying to be a comedian, what a great idea. It would be good to carry out citizens arrests on old politicians who have wormed their way into the consciousness of the people and have created a fact-free, untouchable tunnel of love for themselves. Sort of like termites into solid wood. Berlusconi to get the treatment, everyone would find it arresting!
      Locally, I’d love to do it to Sir Roger Douglarse.

    • Rosie 6.2
      22 January 2014 at 9:47 am

      Excellent.

    • miravox 6.3
      22 January 2014 at 10:06 am

      A great initiative

      It seems Mr Blair may soon have more trouble travelling without security in Britain than he does in the Middle-East.

  7. phillip ure 7
    22 January 2014 at 8:57 am

    a martin bradbury/kim dotcom..passing-thought..

    ….upon reading the unrelenting savagery of the reviews of the musical-offering from kim dotcom..

    ..i couldn’t help but wonder if bradburys’ conditions of employment with dotcom..

    ..included (semi-enforced) listening to/nodding-along-to/smiling-enthusiastically –

    – to listenings of early mixes..?

    ..whoar..!..eh..?

    ..(just saying..!..)

    ..and in other dotcom-news..

    ..chris trotter did a particularly cloying/apologist puff-piece on dotcom @ the daily blog..

    ,.and that inspired me to pose the (quite reasonable..under the circumstances..i thought) question:

    “..phillip ure says:

    January 20, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    hello..

    ..i asked a question of chris trotter about 48 hrs ago..

    ..that seemed to not get thru moderation..

    ..i am puzzled..

    ..as i only asked if mr trotter was in the past/currently/on future-promises..

    ..of paid employment in any shape or form..

    ..from kim dotcom or any entity he is involved with..?

    ..thank you..

    ..phillip ure..

    (no answer..as yet..and as article has now slipped back into tdb-archives..

    ..i ain’t holding my breath..eh..?

    ..but..i do think it is a question that needs to be asked again..

    phillip ure

    • veutoviper 7.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:47 am

      On the Bradbury/KDC ‘relationship’, yesterday I came upon a few bits of interesting speculation/rumour in a Vernon Small opinion piece on Stuff dated 18 January 2014.

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/9624107/Wrecking-balls-entertaining

      The whole article is worth reading as it also covers Crusher Collins wrecking ball on ACC, but here is part of Small’s take on the KDC Internet Party ‘Clayton’s’ launch last week – and who else may have been involved in giving advice. (This speculation appears to align with KDC’s comments about advice having been sought from across the political spectrum.)

      First, the comedy of errors.

      The Kim Dotcom vortex, that had already sucked in and crushed so many careers in 2013, has swung into action again.

      There were rumours late last year that the usual suspects in the politico-legal world were jockeying for position around the giant German wrecking ball’s plans for his new party. Lawyer and former ACT MP Stephen Franks and his trusty sidekick, Jordan Williams, were rumoured to have been elbowed aside before Christmas, though neither would confirm or deny if Mr Dotcom was a client.

      Constitutional lawyer Mai Chen’s firm has confirmed its involvement in giving advice ahead of the launch.

      On the pure political side, news service Scoop’s press gallery reporter, Alastair Thompson, has also confirmed a role (interestingly, his stepson, who was once a Scoop employee, now works for Ms Chen’s firm). When Thompson came on to the scene, blogger Martyn Bradbury seems to have been given the heave- ho, along with his strategy “white paper” revealed by Cameron Slater’s Whaleoil blog this week. Thompson has since quit Scoop – or taken a sabbatical, depending on which version of events you hear – and is interim secretary of the embryonic Internet Party.

      But the irony will not be lost on anyone that some of the commentariat who are hottest on rooting out influence and conflicts of interest – and are most sanctimonious about it – were themselves so conflicted.

      It is anyone’s guess why, in all the planning, no-one realised Mr Dotcom’s giant free birthday bash – dubbed the “Party Party” – could fall foul of the electoral law on “treating”.

      But whatever the ins and outs, his party has gone backwards this week.

      It had the potential to be a real influence on the election – less so now.

    • Rosie 7.2
      22 January 2014 at 9:55 am

      No don’t hold your breath phil. TDB editor doesn’t like questions or to be challenged, no matter how reasonable, imo. I learned the hard way lol.

      By Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKZdzxX3qFc

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    22 January 2014 at 9:03 am

    With the price of funerals rising rapidly, UK poor now can’t afford to die

    With even the lowest key funeral clicking in at thousands of pounds, perhaps it is time for the UK to go back to unmarked paupers’ graves?

    http://rt.com/news/funeral-poverty-afford-die-958/

  10. Colonial Viper 10
    22 January 2014 at 9:05 am

    McDonalds Queens NY finally agrees to let seniors ‘hang out’ after calling police on them

    This is just one danger of the loss of public common space and conversion into private spaces for private profit. Even hanging out with long time friends becomes impossible without it being an offence.

    http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/queens/mcdonald-flushing-seniors-reach-seating-deal-article-1.1585819

    • just saying 10.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:36 am

      Interesting point.
      There are bugger all places in the city hubs where people can gather, hang-out, talk at length, if they want to, without having to spend any money. Communities need such places – comfortable, warm in winter with chairs and a couple of tables, maybe a zip and toilets. It’s cheapest if people are able to bring their own food and drink. As petrol gets more and more expensive it gets less viable to visit others’ homes to meet up with those from further than walking distance away.

      • Colonial Viper 10.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 9:42 am

        Indeed. In some NZ cities the new subdivisions have sweet f.a. public meeting spaces. Just miles of curvy twisty suburban cul de sacs that you can barely walk between (why would you) and mostly have to drive in and out of. No sense of a community or town centre, just another housing estate designed to isolate you from your neighbours.

        I swear those places just breed Tories because of the lack of public common spaces for people and children to interact in.

        • Rosie 10.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:26 am

          Wasn’t Naomi Klein talking about “reclaiming the streets” back in the 90’s? From hazy memory it was a movement or idea about bringing a sense of community back via regaining public spaces that had been lost to private ownership and development

          Here we go, quick googley for reclaim the streets

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reclaim_the_Streets

          And those housing developments you mention above. I live on one (purely for economic and building soundness reasons) It is dire. We do have a neighbourhood planting group whose aim is to bring some nature to the otherwise featureless landscape. I am also considering organising a neighbourhood kite flying day on one of the privately owned future development sites. (It’s extremely windy here and I have seen kites flying so it may be a hobby to get people involved in together) There is no sense of neighbourly camaraderie and it is even a challenge to get a “hello” out of a passer by. Area’s such as these are such a departure from the cohesive nature of traditional neighbourhoods.

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 10:31 am

            Awesome…you gotta be proud of that hands-on community building work!

          • Molly 10.1.1.1.2
            22 January 2014 at 10:49 am

            This grassroots community building is the volunteer work that I’ve been doing over the last four to five years.

            There is a definite movement developing and some really good tools and ideas out there – Rosie.

            Don’t know whether you are in Auckland – but one of the long-time community advocates – Jim Diers from Seattle – is coming over to NZ in March. He will definitely be in Auckland. He is worth going to see.

            Attended an Auckland Conversation. What struck me is the comments in the introduction from Auckland Council’s now replaced CEO – Doug McKay, who thanked Jim Diers for showing him that people can be viewed as resources and contributors.

            Our current planning head in Auckland Council – Dr Roger Blakely – came from Porirua City Council which won awards for their village planning programme.

            There have been indications that Auckland Council may attempt the same up here – but despite those whispers – nothing concrete as yet.

            • Rosie 10.1.1.1.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 11:42 am

              Thanks Molly for the links and big ups to you for the work you do 🙂

              That’s interesting about the Village Planning Programme. I have indeed noticed the various public outdoor art works springing up in the environment around Porirua. (I’m in Wellington) I might mention it to the one contact I do have in the neighbourhood, who happens to have strong council connections. That is a great idea, thank you.

              I think there are opportunities for community strengthening in our area – I know the local Papa Kainga has been active and the emergency resilience group is influential in other parts of the area – it’s tying it together that is the trick, and creating a sense of unity.

          • karol 10.1.1.1.3
            22 January 2014 at 10:58 am

            Reent New Lynn development is interesting. There are some open air spaces for the public to hang out – There’s a spot on Todd Triangle – open but I think with some overhead cover – where a small group of Chinese people (many elderly) regularly do some slow movement exercises together.

            But many of the prime sites have been bought by business interests – eg MacDonalds overlooking one of the main squares by the Mall. Although, there still are buskers and others gathering to chat etc in the square in fron of MacDonalds.

            There’s a community centre with indoor space and many activties for people – it’s just not one of the more centrally-located spots – businesses have too much influence in buying preferred spaces.

      • just saying 10.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

        It seems like the local tertiary institutions are the only places that provide facilities in which people can bring their own whatever, and hang-out all day if they want to.
        The lack of such facilities is very isolating, particularly for those without much money.

        I’ve known a couple of people who took a paper or two at uni mainly to procure these and the many other collective facilities and advantages that students enjoy. And very cost-effective it was too.

        • karol 10.1.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

          There’s also some community centres and libraries in Auckland.

          • just saying 10.1.2.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:06 am

            The library is certainly a kind of community centre here too. But hanging out all day, talking, and food and drink are not exactly encouraged. There are no group meeting rooms.

            Which reminds me that WINZ has some such public facilities. Mainly used for formal meetings. Beneficiaries always mention how uncomfortable they feel about being there.

    • Will@Welly 10.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:29 am

      The Americans invented the modern day equivalent of the meeting hall – it’s called the “Mall”. Just make sure you look “youthful” and you have plenty of “bling”.
      Modern day Councils don’t see investing in Council amenities as “investments”, they want “returns” – $$$$. Have a look at the layout of the modern-day development, the focus is where to place the shopping area, the school will then go nearby, followed by a park. But the focus starts with the commercial aspect first – $$$$ – revenue, not people.

      • greywarbler 10.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 3:41 pm

        Hey be kind to Councils that do anything. The ACT giant reversed the fairy tale and came down the beanstalk and took away all our things to his place in the sky. It’s a wonder we hae any Councils left –

        That aren’t just set up to advance the wants and desires of the noisy and pushy. I notice Dunedin council not content with piling an extravagant colosseum on the ratepayers, shows its colours further by banning a No Drilling sign on an island that has been leased from it. The Rule is that it doesn’t allow advertising. Is a two-finger salute advertising? Or just an example of Andy-Warhol-type modern stuff.

    • freedom 10.3
      22 January 2014 at 12:10 pm

      meanwhile in the UK
      http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/josie-appleton/end-of-public-space-one-law-to-ban-them-all

      the new bill will take things to an entirely new level, removing existing checks on the use of powers, such as the need for public consultation or to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt. This bill will make authorities’ total control over public space a daily reality.

      • Colonial Viper 10.3.1
        22 January 2014 at 12:32 pm

        They want to prevent public protests such as Occupy recurring. The power elite is afraid.

        • freedom 10.3.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 1:00 pm

          Absolutely, but the Medusa’s raft of new anti-protest laws in the UK have already seen to it that future progress for Occupy and similar movements will be [nigh impossible]. I see these new changes as a not so subtle goosestep towards complete stage-management of ‘the message’.

          ‘out of sight out of mind’ ring a bell?

  11. Rosie 11
    22 January 2014 at 9:33 am

    Just moving this reply to BM from “National coalition with NZ First?” to Open Mike so he can’t miss it. I really am curious BM and would like to hear your response.

    “UF will get a seat” (says BM)

    Can you tell us how you know that?

  12. Steve James 12
    22 January 2014 at 9:43 am

    Bringing in Peter Dunn just may have batted this swinging voter away. Would Labour include Dunn if necessary? Probably; so where to from here?

    Winston First? Well I don’t see Peters being healthy enough both mentally and physically to function in 2015 and he does have some very good MPs who could step up. So acceptable but then Labour certainly wouldn’t say no to Peters.

    So it’s down to Mana/Greens verses Conserves/ACT. I could accept limited input from all but Mana; racists have no place in my government.

    Bottom line for me; if Cunliff can rule out Harawira I vote Labour.

    • felix 12.1
      22 January 2014 at 9:51 am

      “So it’s down to Mana/Greens verses Conserves/ACT. I could accept limited input from all but Mana; racists have no place in my government.”

      Except John Banks, apparently.

      • Steve James 12.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:14 am

        Hey felix, FYI: John Banks will be gone

        • Lanthanide 12.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 12:50 pm

          Yes, and which party did you vote for at the last election, Steve?

          Was it National, knowing they’d bring along Banksie (and maybe Brashie)?

    • bad12 12.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:30 am

      Steve James, Labour leader David Cunliffe speaking on RadioNZ National this morning more or less ruled out Peter Dunne,(”if He calls us we might talk to Him,but i don’t think i will be calling Him”),

      No mention of the Mana Party by Cunliffe this morning, for our amusement Steve can you tell us what it is that engenders your hatred when it comes to the Mana Party…

      • Rosie 12.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:04 am

        Lol. I was trying to find evidence of Dunne saying he would never work with Labour (again)- he’s said it recently, but what I came across instead was this from Pete George who has cold feet for his leader:

        I’m still a member of United Future, I joined for three years when I stood for the party last election. That membership runs out in a few months.

        “I have seen nothing to encourage me to renew that membership. That’s very disappointing.

        United Future could be, should be a small by significant player in Parliament and potentially in Government. Key has given them a vote of confidence.

        But the party will have to start earning votes from the public (and members). Soon. again.

        The opportunity is there. Is the party there? Is the determination? Or is United Future just an electorate committee for Ohariu?”

        http://yournz.org/tag/peter-dunne/

        So, in essence Steve James, Dunne won’t work with Labour and they’re not interested in him anyway as bad12 points out.

        And BM, even Dunne’s biggest cheer leader is starting to have misgivings about the future for his man.

        • bad12 12.2.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:51 am

          Lolz Rosie, that is funny from He who still cannot get over being temporarily spanked by Lprent, i wonder what colour that ones overcoat will be when He changes it…

      • Steve James 12.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 11:16 am

        Hello Bad12

        “hatred”? not in my world so no comment.

        • bad12 12.2.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:45 am

          So why did you bother to then, wing-nuts all of them too terrified to expose their opinions to scrutiny…

    • bad12 12.3
      22 January 2014 at 10:33 am

      Steve James i bet you Richard Prosser gets you going as one of the NZFirst MP’s you see ”as being able to step up”…

    • freedom 12.4
      22 January 2014 at 10:44 am

      Hi Steve
      Great to hear you have no room for rascists ( or liars apparently).
      As you seem to have missed some replies to your posts from yesterday,
      I thought I might save you some time – other folks also have their own questions for you

      first up is your sharing of prescription data
      http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760638

      Are you saying you are a low income/beneficiary and pay for scripts?
      thus negating your original comment.
      or you are not a low income/beneficiary and enjoy the state subsidy Pharmac supplies.
      (which only raises the question of what it has to do with your original comment?)

      then there is your declaration of strong personal values
      http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-21012014/#comment-760652

      Steve, here is an older Blip’s List (only up to April 2013) so as not to scare you too badly.
      Maybe I am being unfair and you are a rational reasonable man, but so far the on-message soundbites you have shared say otherwise.

      Get comfy, curl up with your dogma
      and fully challenge the integrity of your stated hatred of lies and liars
      http://thestandard.org.nz/an-honest-man/

      • Steve James 12.4.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:12 am

        Thanks freedom

        Yeah time is precious so I get little time to visit The standard.

        Firstly I have two jobs though the second is as a small business operator with my partner. Neither of us are on benefits however some of our friends are and they are very open about their circumstances. I received the DPB some years back and I remain grateful to those who contributed to my family’s wellbeing.

        Having strong personal values is a good thing so no further comment required.

        I will look at the Blip’s list tonight, thanks.

        Look freedom; people have different perspectives, varied understandings and inherent biases on most issues, that’s what open discussion is about. If you write just one thing that makes sense to me and changes a misguided perspective I may have; well, that’s a good thing. The same applies the other way.

        Any way, work to do

        Have a good day

        • freedom 12.4.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 12:35 pm

          “people have different perspectives, varied understandings and inherent biases on most issues, that’s what open discussion is about.”

          the above quote was brought to you by the guy that just yesterday told CV
          “I’m not sure I care what you think actually.”

          enjoy your employment Steve, long may it last
          (and fear not, despite the flurry of recent attention, you are not some pet project )

    • Murray Olsen 12.5
      23 January 2014 at 4:17 pm

      Do you consider Hone racist because he noticed that the colonisers had paler skin than the colonised? I really don’t think you have much idea what racism is.

  13. greywarbler 13
    22 January 2014 at 9:46 am

    A good look at the health of our people and our Health system this morning on Radionz. Tony Ryall oils his way over the bumpy ground of sharp tacks formed by unsatisfactory stats.

    A point made that Annette King changed counting lists of waiting sick, to counting waiting times. There was no attempt earlier to count those sick and not on the waiting list, now there is no attempt to count either the needy off list, or the waiting on list. There is just the trumpeting of increases in numbers of operations. Gives the impression that everything is under control.

    But the Christchurch Charity Hospital and others are aware of people in pain who have no hope of getting near the list. Others who have GP or specialist advice that they could be helped, are far away from getting on the list. Who knows how many are unable to be done within time, are sent back to the GP and start on the cycle again. The system fits into the overarching approach that this government operates under, the casino principle, luck is important and the only way to be sure of getting stuff is to be in on running the ‘tables’. And not to have too much oversight, to have stats that are seen through a mirror darkly, so they are open to misunderstanding and confusion.

    • bad12 13.1
      22 January 2014 at 10:53 am

      Couldn’t agree with this comment more, excellent description of this mornings discussion on RadioNZ which paints neither Labour or National in a good light,

      i know the truth of the substance of the allegations made this morning because i am one of those not counted, i have access to as many brands of pain-blocking medication as there are available through Pharmac, but,

      As far as removing the causes of this pain goes i am told that i will have to wait ‘until they have become life threatening’,

      My next logical question to the Doctor informing of this was of course, ”how will i know when it has become life threatening”, and while admiring this particular Doctors honest answer had to wonder why He didn’t don a ‘black cap’ while announcing what in effect sounded remarkably like a death sentence,

      ”It will pierce your bowels which you will definitely feel” being His reply while writing the scrip which allows me to be mostly free of pain while i wait for the grand occasion to occur,(even going so far as to write a note to WINZ telling them i definitely need a landline phone for my future health),

      NICE, a health system that passes the buck to WINZ who will in five years have paid out as much, if not more, than the cost of what the health system would incur by fixing the original bone anomaly…

      • Rosie 13.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:19 am

        Very sorry to hear of that bad12.

        So essentially you are being denied treatment to the cause of your pain now, treatment that would prevent a serious and costly health crisis

        Such a foolish and cavalier approach from the health system towards illness must create anxiety in patients such as yourself. Anxiety that would be avoidable if the problem were to be treated now before its reaches crisis stage.

        • bad12 13.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:41 am

          Tah much Rosie, i am pretty pragmatic about my life span tending to view such as ”how long is a piece of string”, having smoked at least 20 a day since age 14 i should have no great expectations of longevity nor in the current climate being looked on favorably by any within the health sector,

          i am tho still seething over the original diagnosis of this particular problem 20 odd years ago by the medical profession who using ‘the crystal ball method’ convinced me it was a simple muscle problem easily alleviated by a couple of simple exercises,

          In the intervening 20 odd years i have engaged in physical activity which has resulted in outright agony,(lamb tailing in the South Island which involved bending over and picking up lambs to the tune of 1000 a day for the 3 week ‘season’), all the while telling myself it’s ‘only’ a muscle problem,

          It was only 5 years ago when explaining to yet another Doctor who didn’t rely on the crystal ball method of diagnosis my worn out hip and this particular problem, Her view was ‘lets gt a picture of what’s happening here’ and i was totally gob-smacked to find on the x-ray that my 20+ year ‘muscle problem’ had all along been a piece of bone growing off my spine that is now quite a protuberance…

          • Rosie 13.1.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:57 am

            Oh FFS! I I would be seething too, all those years of thinking you had one thing when it was another, and the lost opportunities to get the right treatment from the beginning.

            It’s very easy, upon hearing stories such as yours to wonder how a person’s well being and health would be vastly improved if we were governed by those who were committed to providing a high quality barrier free readily accessible and safe public health system. (well done to those health workers who do so much within the limits on their ability to provide an above adequate service)

            I can only wish you the best bad12.

      • greywarbler 13.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 3:54 pm

        bad12
        Regards. Glad I managed to convey the gist of this mornings talk adequately.
        Sorry to hear your situation. We’ll see how we can change things with a change of government. Probably everyone I know will unlike me by the election.

        Any chance of an op at Christchurch? Have a look at them on google. I think I will put them on my donation list. Just a little bit but if a lot did that then hopefully if would pile up and grease the wheels of the trolleys to theatre.

      • greywarbler 13.1.3
        22 January 2014 at 4:03 pm

        bad12
        Regards. Glad that I caught the tone of this mornings twaddle so effectively.

        Do you think you could get it done through Christchurch Charity? Have a look at their google.
        We will try and get a new bunch in government this year, but I think Annette King is still around – same job?

        • bad12 13.1.3.1
          22 January 2014 at 5:54 pm

          Greywarbler, cheers yes i listened with interest to the Christchurch charity hospital, something i have never heard of befor,

          Will check them out later although i think they may prefer younger candidates…

        • greywarbler 13.1.3.2
          22 January 2014 at 8:40 pm

          Did this comment again as I thought the first was lost. Waited round for it, and looked here and there, refreshed, and then decided I hadn’t put my identification. Perhaps it went to moderation.

    • Molly 13.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

      Wouldn’t it be good for transparency to have a statistician create – and another statistician – critique the standard figures that indicate good governance in NZ – and then they stay the same for at least the next twenty years?

      Might not be useful for political ends – but what a good basis for policy and indicator for the rest of us.

      • veutoviper 13.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 12:09 pm

        I agree Molly that performance indicators/measures need to be established and then kept for a reasonable period of time to allow comparison. And if these need to be changed/improved due to changes in circumstances, outcomes sought etc, the changes must incorporate some methodology to allow comparision with the original or previous performance indicators/measures.

        But this type of work is not straight statistics. It is a specific field that involves statistics, but also requires a much wider range of skills and knowledge,many of which are not numerical or statistical. For example strategic and business planning, an understanding of the interaction of outcomes, goals, inputs, outputs and how to identify and establish meaningful performance indicators/measures that actually measure performance against desired outcomes etc. It also requires ‘sales’ skills to get buy-in from management and others to appreciate the usefulness of such measures to them in their daily work and implement such measuring systems – often one of the hardest parts!

  14. Bill 14
    22 January 2014 at 10:41 am

    Instantly thought of a kid scribbling to obliterate out some drawing that had gone wrong when I watched this. Unfortunately, the ‘scribble’ is the track of plane flights through our atmosphere spewing (and because no-one wants ‘international’ emissions included in their national emission totals) uncounted CO2 24/7. (note: 1g of aviation fuel = 3g CO2)

    Part 4 is pertinent

    http://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2014/aviation-100-years

    (might take a wee few minutes to load)

    • weka 14.1
      22 January 2014 at 10:55 am

      Holy shit, that’s quite some graphic.

    • weka 14.2
      22 January 2014 at 10:59 am

      “and because no-one wants ‘international’ emissions included in their national emission totals)”

      So where the graphic talks about air travel accounting for 3.5% to 4.9% of all GHG emissions, that’s going to be a low number? Or will they be estimating in what’s not in the national figures?

      • Bill 14.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 11:31 am

        I don’t know how they arrived at the numbers they do. But according to Kevin Anderson of the Tyndal Institute, international shipping and international air travel are not counted into national totals for the reasons I gave in the original comment.

        Also…they don’t seem to have calculated emissions for fighter/military flights or private jets. And given that fighter jets are always on exercise or on maneuvers when not in combat…anyone with experience of the UK where the screaming of RAF jets is punctuated by emerging sounds of the countryside might appreciate just how many of those buggers are up in the air at any given time.

        • joe90 14.2.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 11:38 am

          This.

          The DoD accounted for around 1 percent of the US energy consumption and 80 percent of the federal government energy consumption. Although this may seem small, the fact is that the Pentagon is the largest single consumer of energy in the World. Nigeria, with a population of more than 160 million, consumes as much energy and emits as much CO2 as the US military.

          http://www.dailyenergyreport.com/how-much-energy-does-the-u-s-military-consume-an-update/

        • karol 14.2.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 3:48 pm

          Ah…. so much to thank wars for [/sarc] – great innovations leading to massive use of air travel – and envormental degradation..

          • freedom 14.2.1.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 11:09 pm

            – and dead people,
            economists seem to forget all the dead people
            they are a lost resource surely

            what good is an economy or a society or even democracy itself,
            if eventually all it produces are just more dead people

            Here’s Tom with the weather

    • ianmac 14.3
      22 January 2014 at 11:27 am

      Terrifying actually and where will it end and when/if it does what happens to country dependent on Tourism? Thanks Bill.

  15. Draco T Bastard 15
    22 January 2014 at 11:01 am

    The Left and the State

    Baker has, I think, done some of the best popular writing attacking the fiction that the Right is for free markets while the Left is for government regulation. As I’ve noted elsewhere, the contest before us in the immediate future is between different regimes of state-created and -enforced property, not between the state and the market.

    A very valid observation.

  16. philj 16
    22 January 2014 at 11:19 am

    Natz e
    Ohariu List MP, Katrina (undertaker) Shanks. From one dead end job to another….

  17. Tracey 17
    22 January 2014 at 11:21 am

    The herald has frontpaged which of the following the most;

    A. Len brown affair; or
    B. John banks charged with fraud on an electoral matter

    • Paul 17.1
      22 January 2014 at 2:53 pm

      The Herald is totally obsessed by Brown.
      Must want Cameron Brewer or Dick Quax as mayor.
      Or at least one prepared to sell Auckland’s assets to foreign corporations.

  18. Tracey 18
    22 January 2014 at 11:25 am

    Listening to this song by lizzie west… the following caught my ear

    Well as I drive then I begin to see,
    The lazy trade their dignity
    At the root of the conspiracy,
    Is the corporate claim on all our needs.
    Down goes the small man’s dream,
    The franchise rise and provide.
    America how do you like it.
    This is how it will be.

  19. Puckish Rogue 19
    22 January 2014 at 11:29 am

    David Cunliffe sounded better (on RadioLive) then he has in a long time but he still has a tendency to sound patronising when he starts to get on a roll. But whoevers working with him is certainly doing their job.

  20. amirite 20
    22 January 2014 at 12:48 pm

    Very disappointed in Cunliffe, ditching the tax-free for first $5000 earned and taking off GST from fruit and veges. Screw the poor, yet again.
    What’s the use of voting for Labour now?

    • BM 20.1
      22 January 2014 at 1:08 pm

      Apparently He’s ditching the living wage bollocks as well.

      https://twitter.com/StaceyKirkNZ

      Go Cunliffe, first bit of sane news I’ve heard from labour for a long time

      • Lanthanide 20.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:13 pm

        Er, he’s not ditching a policy they never had.

        What he’s committed to is that the minimum wage will go up to $15 within the first 100 days, and that there will be further rises after that – likely a standard annual raise but I also wouldn’t rule anything else out.

      • karol 20.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 1:33 pm

        Stuff says:

        A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

        That’s just a continuation of the existing policy.

    • mickysavage 20.2
      22 January 2014 at 1:19 pm

      The tax free $5k helped everyone including the rich and was poorly targetted. Same with GST off fruit and veges in fact it would have had a regressive effect because the rich would benefit more.

      Better to come up with more targetted policies. For instance the money saved could be used to bring in free school breakfasts for poorer schools.

      • Puckish Rogue 20.2.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:21 pm

        To be fair Labour did want to “axe the tax” 🙂 but seriously this is a good call by Cunliffe, shows hes serious about running the country and wants the center ground rather then pandering to the hard left

      • McFlock 20.2.2
        22 January 2014 at 1:29 pm

        I disagree.

        I reckon the poor would notice either a lot more than the rich, and the second point simply plays the “oooo, we’re soooo poor there’s not enough to go around” tory bullshit. For instance, we could do all three if the rich paid their way.

      • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 20.2.3
        22 January 2014 at 1:32 pm

        I am disappointed re the GST on fruit and veges – everyone needs to eat and this shouldn’t be taxed – especially not the way the price of eating has gone up so badly – I fail to see how knocking the GST off fruit and veges benefits wealthy people more (?) It would be very nice to have these necessities costing less.

        Despite this reservation and disappointment I liked Labour’s press release it was short and sweet, to the point and indicated they are going to bring out something even better. I am, therefore, looking forward to what Labour are replacing these two policies with – they had better be good and feel hopeful that they will be.

        • phillip ure 20.2.3.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:44 pm

          @ blue..

          “..I fail to see how knocking the GST off fruit and veges benefits wealthy people more (?)..”

          that attempted-rationale puzzles me too..

          ..does the claimer think the rich have bigger stomachs…?

          ..as a claim..it totally lacks any logic..

          ..i’m holding judgement until after cunnliffes’speech next mon..

          ..but even if other serious moves are made..

          ..this would have been a practical help to the poorest..and promoted healthier-living..

          ..it was a two-fer..w.t.f. was not to like about it..

          ..i can undrstand the argument the tax-free for all gives to those who don’t need..

          ..but this is not the case with the gst/fruit/veges policy..

          ..and cunnliffe had better come up with something pretty whizz-bangy..

          ..to replace it..

          ..if raising the minimum wage is it..

          ..he will have just once again kicked the poorest in the guts..

          ..in that long neo-lib/clarkist-labour tradition..

          ..monday will tell..

          ..phillip ure..

        • bad12 20.2.3.2
          22 January 2014 at 3:58 pm

          i would suggest you don’t be disappointed about the GST and fruit and veg thingy, from where i sit such a move could be viewed in much the same light as raising the accommodation supplement,

          Those on the supply side of both these equations, as has been shown in the rental market, simply view such Government subsidies as an ‘opportunity’, raising their prices to match what the Government has provided thus negating any benefit to those most in need,

          Monday we await with raised expectation David Cunliffe explaining how Labour plan to address the bread and butter issue of increasing inequality and the poverty that builds around this…

          • blue leopard (Get Lost GCSB Bill) 20.2.3.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 4:09 pm

            @ Bad12

            Ah good to hear some sort of explanation re fruit and veges tax – I did take it that they are not pursuing dropping this tax so that they can spend the money gathered on something helpful…..so I am waiting with quite a bit of interested antipication

      • Bill 20.2.4
        22 January 2014 at 1:45 pm

        I agree the $5k lacked focus. Nevertheless, the tax component of $5k would be of immeasurable benefit to the poorest of us. How about then, that the abatement rates applied to earnings while claiming entitlements gets a radical over-haul or dumped? That benefits the poorest and small businesses too in terms of cash through and the ability to employ people legally.

        Fruit and veg is, well…I’m going to punt that far too many of us poorest people don’t really buy fresh fruit and veg in any worthwhile quantity anyway. And that’s not necessarily down solely to cost, but also poor eating habits and poor cooking skills plus other factors.

        Anyway. That were me tuppence worth

      • Colonial Viper 20.2.5
        22 January 2014 at 2:01 pm

        The tax free $5k helped everyone including the rich and was poorly targetted. Same with GST off fruit and veges in fact it would have had a regressive effect because the rich would benefit more.

        The tax free threshold should of course be paired with a higher flat tax rate, which together as a system would maintain progressiveness and simplify the tax system into something closer to supporting a UBI.

        I definitely don’t want to see innovation draining out of Labour’s policy play book, which would leave the Greens pushing the most progressive policy ideas.

        Of course, let’s wait for Mon as I am sure DC will have a few real surprises for all of us. *Fingers crossed*

      • felix 20.2.6
        22 January 2014 at 6:49 pm

        Come on mickey, be honest. The GST off F&V thing wasn’t regressive. Poor people spend a far greater proportion of their income on basic weekly food requirements than rich people do.

        It was dropped for one reason only: because when it was announced, Labour failed to stand by the basic decency of trying to make food cheaper and instead got sucked in to the right-wing “but you’re meddling with the free market!” framing of the policy and wasted their time having stupid arguments about snow-peas.

        Totally sensible policy. Total clusterfuck of coms. Total lack of ideological fortitude from the Labour caucus.

  21. kerry 21
    22 January 2014 at 1:32 pm

    I cant believe Cunliffe has just backed away from the minimum living wage, he just stated the minimum wage will be $15 and no plans to go any higher, what a massive backdown when he was going for broke when he was seeking to be leader of the party with all the promises of bridging the gap of inequality with an $18+per hour living wage. Any time Cunliffe has some momentum he shots himself in the foot and shows him to be a bigger liar than Key,

    [lprent: That appears to be a deliberate diversion from the post. Banned permanently. Moving thread to OpenMike. ]

    • mickysavage 21.1
      22 January 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Hmmm a second time commenter engaging in concern trolling.

      Cunliffe has not backed away from the minimum living wage. He has confirmed it and has plans to go higher as finances allow. If he did not say this he would be attacked for being reckless with the cheque book …

      • kerry 21.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 2:01 pm

        Oh yes its not a positive comment in Labours favour so it must be trolling mickysavage, im an undecided voter and Cunliffes promise of which I herd him say in person at a meeting that he would introduce a living wage as his first priority in government, had me won over

        I didn’t hear any talk of if and when or strings attached

        • mickysavage 21.1.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:18 pm

          Which meeting Kerry?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.1.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:30 pm

          Nor did you hear or read any evidence of a backing away. Personally I think you’re lying. I don’t believe you’re an undecided voter, either. Your comments stand out like a dog’s balls as insincere, bad faith drivel.

          Now, to demonstrate what a shallow individual you are, why not take my contempt as a reason to support John Key the way you always intended to?

          • Paul 21.1.1.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:57 pm

            His previous comments would suggest he’s acting concerned.
            He’s certainly attempting to derail discussion about Key’s decision to talk to Peters.

        • Anne 21.1.1.3
          22 January 2014 at 2:51 pm

          I didn’t hear any talk of if and when or strings attached.

          Well in that case kerry you are deaf (don’t listen properly), blind (can’t see properly) or dumb (can’t comprehend properly) because right from Day 1… Cunliffe made it clear that the minimum wage (or Living Wage seems to be the preference now) would have to be raised in at least two stages. He announced it would rise to $15 per hour immediately on taking office, but Labour’s ultimate aim was to increase the minimum wage to $18 per hour as soon as the coffers were sufficiently replenished. Since the minimum wage is a core policy plank, you can be assured $18 per hour will be implemented probably in 2017.

          • Anne 21.1.1.3.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:55 pm

            Edit function on the blink.

            correction: (Living wage seems to be the preferred term now)

          • karol 21.1.1.3.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:59 pm

            Anne, there is a difference between the minimum wage and the living wage.

            The minimum wage is lower. $18.00 has generally been agreed to be a reasonable “living wage”.

            The minimum wage would be more compulsory, while the living wage would be more something aimed at through incentives – eg government procurement contracts.

            • Melb 21.1.1.3.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 3:40 pm

              “$18.00 has generally been agreed to be a reasonable “living wage”.”

              Yes, for a family of four. Yet organisations are saying it should apply to everybody.

            • Anne 21.1.1.3.2.2
              22 January 2014 at 6:22 pm

              Yes I know the living wage is treated as a separate entity karol, but the original minimum wage concept from Labour included a target of two steps – a $15 increase followed at a later stage by another increase to $18. That was my clear recollection. Then the living wage concept was introduced which I know has different elements attached to it.

              I was replying to kerry at 21 plus 21.1.1 where he was accusing Cunliffe of being a worse liar than Key.

        • karol 21.1.1.4
          22 January 2014 at 2:55 pm

          Kerry: David Cunliffe video and report on Scoop October 2013:

          A fired up David Cunliffe said Labour would raise the minimum wage and was committed to a living wage for government employees in one of his first major speeches as Labour Leader.

          […]
          At a press standup following his speech, Mr Cunliffe said provisions for a “living wage”, initially for all government employees, would be included in their first budget subject to the “provisions of fiscal responsibility”. It would then be rolled out to crown entities and then to government contractors.

          Labour would develop a a certified living wage employer scheme, and would give preference of procurement contracts to employers who signed up to the scheme.

          SSo, no change from this in today’s announcement.</blockquote.

          As compared with your selective memory of something you allegedly heard live???!!!!

          Introducing, doesn't mean bringing it in for all employees at the same time.

          Is the Oct report was repeated quite widely in the MSM.

          Stuff October 2013:

          The $30m a year cost to extend a “living wage” to core Government employees would be accounted for in its first Budget “subject to the provisions of fiscal responsibility”.

          The scheme to ensure certified living wage employers were favoured when tendering for Government contracts would also be implemented as soon as possible.

    • karol 21.2
      22 January 2014 at 1:46 pm

      There’s a difference between the minimum and living wage. The minimum wage is the one you are referring to. The living wage policy remains the same as before.

      Stuff reports:

      A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

    • Te Reo Putake 21.3
      22 January 2014 at 1:48 pm

      Kerry, you’re wrong.

      Cunliffe has endorsed both an increase to the adult minimum wage ($15 within the first 100 days of his election as PM) and the seperate matter of the Living Wage (public sector immediately, private sector in time).

      • Paul 21.3.1
        22 January 2014 at 1:54 pm

        He’s just another ignoramus trying to derail worthwhile discussion on this site.

        • kerry 21.3.1.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:05 pm

          I feel sorry for you I really do Paul, atleast add something like Te Reo Putake has

          • Paul 21.3.1.1.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:08 pm

            Sorry for me because I call you out for not knowing what you’re talking about.
            Fine by me.
            You have a track record.

          • Tracey 21.3.1.1.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:13 pm

            can you post your source?

            • Paul 21.3.1.1.2.1
              22 January 2014 at 2:15 pm

              There is never a source from folk like Kerry.
              Maybe they heard Leighton Smith or Mike Hosking say it?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.3.1.1.3
            22 January 2014 at 2:19 pm

            I feel sorry for you, Kerry, demonstrating such a high level of ignorance in public. The fact that you can write a comment implies that you can read, so I guess the problem must be some form of basic comprehension handicap.

            Kerry deserves our sympathy, people.

        • Te Reo Putake 21.3.1.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:19 pm

          I imagine we’re going to see more and more ‘concern’ from dupes and plants as the reality of the coming change of Government hits home, Paul.

    • Paul 21.4
      22 January 2014 at 1:51 pm

      Miserable attempt to distract.

    • Naki Man 21.5
      22 January 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Yea Nah Cunliffe was just sucking up to the unions to get the top job. He would say what ever they wanted to hear.They will be pissed with him
      He was never going to have a minimum wage of $18+

      • Paul 21.5.1
        22 January 2014 at 2:10 pm

        Really, naki.?
        Evidence for this claim?

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.5.2
        22 January 2014 at 2:12 pm

        Funi Man, it’s time for your reality check.

        An increase in the minimum wage to $15 within his first 100 days in office had not changed, although the minimum wage would go higher in time. A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded.

        You’d think the National Party could do something about wanna-be spokespeople like Funi Man making wingnuts look like clueless gimps. So hard to get good help these days.

        • Tracey 21.5.2.1
          22 January 2014 at 2:14 pm

          they prefer their supporters semi-literate with short concentration spans.

        • Naki Man 21.5.2.2
          22 January 2014 at 2:42 pm

          An increase in the minimum wage to $15 within his first 100 days in office had not changed, although the minimum wage would go higher in time. A living wage would be brought in over time, starting with the state sector, as it could be afforded

          In other words $15 minimum wage and then any increases will be very slow. Not $18+
          Councils have already voted against $18, the cost to rate payers is to high

          • Paul 21.5.2.2.1
            22 January 2014 at 2:48 pm

            Thread title….’National’s first strategic mistake’
            How is this comment related?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 21.5.2.2.2
            22 January 2014 at 2:50 pm

            Just a couple of problems with your opinion, Funi Man: it’s worthless and offered in bad faith. I think I’ll dismiss it out-of-hand.

          • Te Reo Putake 21.5.2.2.3
            22 January 2014 at 2:51 pm

            Jeez, knackered man, have you still not spotted that they are two different things? Have a read here: http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz

            And another bit of education for you: the Wellington council has already voted to implement the living wage for its employees. Auckland won’t be far behind.

          • millsy 21.5.2.2.4
            22 January 2014 at 10:09 pm

            Hey Naki Man, do you want to hold wages down?

  22. Paul 22
    22 January 2014 at 1:46 pm

    Surely best not to come to hasty comments or decisions about this until the overall package mentioned in speech on Monday.
    Looks like Labour getting the bad news out of the way first so the spotlight will be on positive aspects on Monday.

  23. phillip ure 23
    22 January 2014 at 3:18 pm

    maybe in the interval between now and monday..

    ..we could/should look to the prescription to end poverty that was proffered by martin luther king ..

    http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article37423.htm

    “..In his final book –

    – the civil rights leader laid out his vision for a universal basic income –

    – that would raise all Americans into the middle class..”

    phillip ure…

  25. Morrissey 25
    22 January 2014 at 4:29 pm

    “Haw, haw, haw, haw, haw!”
    The campaign to dismiss Kim Dotcom continues
    The Panel, Radio NZ National, Tuesday 21 January 2014
    Jim Mora, Graham Bell, Bernard Hickey

    JIM MORA: On the program today, Kim Dotcom’s new album—
    GRAHAM BELL: Pshaw! Haw, haw, haw, haw!
    BERNARD HICKEY: [wryly] You’ll be looking forward to that, Graham.
    GRAHAM BELL: Haw, haw, haw, haw, haw!

    That disparaging reaction is interesting. Kim Dotcom is not exactly Kanye West, but he is a skilled and accomplished rapper, as anyone who has heard his powerful indictment of government corruption “Mr President” has to admit. [1] People like Graham Bell cannot abide hearing words like the refrain of that song: “Let’s get together, let’s all unite, or they will do whatever they like.” Bell did not snicker like that simply because he is a crude and tasteless bully who wouldn’t know good music if he stumbled into a performance of the St. Matthew Passion by the Münchener Bach Orchestra & Choir. His expression of scorn for Kim Dotcom was political, though perhaps he is unaware of exactly why.

    Significantly, there was none of this scoffing from the establishment when Paul Holmes put out his truly awful vanity project in 2000, an utterly horrendous collection of butchered covers entitled Paul Holmes. [2] That wasn’t the reaction of normal people of course—everyone recognized immediately that Holmes’s album was a vanity project, possible only because he had power and influence, if not the common sense to realize he had no talent. But his colleagues in the media gritted their teeth and praised him, at least in public.

    Kim Dotcom, on the other hand, is an official enemy, targeted by the United States government. Not only is he a threat to the establishment, he is eloquent and immensely popular. The only way to deal with him, in the absence of any substantial argument, is to scorn him and snicker whenever his name is mentioned.

    Later in the program, after the 4:30 news, the other guest, Bernard Hickey, also took the opportunity to run with the hounds and have a go at Kim Dotcom….

    JIM MORA: I mean, how do YOU see Kim Dotcom? He says he’s just like a postmaster….
    BERNARD HICKEY: If the postmaster knowingly allowed people to steal things from the mail, then that would be a fair comparison. But having read that Grand Jury indictment [3] against him—
    GRAHAM BELL: He’s a convicted fraudster! He’s a big fat attention-seeker! I like the cartoon in the paper [4] which showed him as a big balloon about to explode! ….[drones on dully and interminably]…

    So it’s business as usual on The Panel then….
    http://sadhillnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/oh-lord-please-make-it-stop-sad-hill-news.jpg

    [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MokNvbiRqCM
    [2] Any of the thousands of complementary copies Holmes gave away for Christmas in 2000, 2001 and 2003 that have not been used as pot-scrapers or sunlight reflectors or for clay-pigeon shooting practice can be sourced from the free-bin in front of some St Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army shops.
    [3] Though Bernard Hickey seems to be entirely trusting in the integrity of the U.S. government, that indictment was clearly written by Hollywood industry lawyers. For anyone that—unlike Hickey—is serious about coming to grips with the validity or otherwise of that indictment, here is one of the many rigorous examinations of it….
    http://jolt.law.harvard.edu/digest/internet/u-s-v-kim-dotcom-et-al
    [4] He’s referring to an unfunny cartoon by the Herald‘s unfunny cartoonist Emmerson, who got the job after editor Gavin Ellis was browbeaten and threatened into firing the vastly superior Malcolm Evans in 2002. Not only does Bell have no musical taste, he is no judge of cartooning either.

    • Paul 25.1
      22 January 2014 at 4:47 pm

      It’s awful today again with Fox Democrat Edwards and Tory Boag on.
      What got me was some employment ‘expert’ on talking about a buoyant jobs market.
      Nothing from Mora.
      Tell that to the 155 000
      Bring back Matinee Idol. I forgot how bad Mora is,

      • bad12 25.1.1
        22 January 2014 at 5:45 pm

        Yes this bouyant jobs market bullshit despite earlier in the day the ‘real’ figures being discussed on the same radio station which showed ‘the jobs market’ as being patchy at best,

        There’s Christchurch, a few professions, i forget which are in demand, (Health was one of them), and from there it’s pretty much ‘not so good news’,

        Even that not so good news will pale as the Reserve Bank hikes the cash rate and the Banks follow with interest rate rises…

      • Paul 25.1.2
        22 January 2014 at 5:51 pm

        And at about 10 to 5 Boag says NZ is an egalitarian society. In 2013. Not in 1975. In 2013.
        And Mora said nothing.
        Neither did Fox Democrat Edwards.

        Tell that to the 270 000 kids in poverty.

      • Tim 25.1.3
        22 January 2014 at 8:28 pm

        Yes to that (Bring back Matinee Idol). 9-5 ‘beltway hacks’, paid for experts, and various other has-beens are going to ensure the better parts of RNZ take a dive.
        Even if a Matinee-Idol attempted some sort of serious analysis of current affairs – it’d be superior to the bilge that occupies 101FM and its environs – especially betweem 1pm and 4pm. (9-12 …. could do better)

        “And Mora said nothing.”
        Does he ever?
        That’s the reason he’s the nicest man on Earth after all. Utterly inoffensive to anyone! If Adolf bloody Hitler was on “The Panel” he’d be attempting to ‘engage’ (in the nicest possible way of course).

  26. ianmac 26
    22 January 2014 at 6:31 pm

    Roy Morgan Poll out: “Labour/ Greens (46%) start election year with edge over National (43.5%) as Kim Dotcom set to launch new ‘Internet Party’ to contest elections.”….

    “Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows a potential Labour/ Greens alliance (46%, up 1%) leading John Key’s National Party (43.5%, down 1.5%) in the first New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll for 2014. Support for Key’s Coalition partners has slightly improved: Maori Party 2% (up 0.5%), United Future 0.5% (up 0.5%), ACT NZ 0% (unchanged).”

    Oh well. A tooth and nail battle awaits.

Recent Posts

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    7 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    8 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    10 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    11 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    11 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    15 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    17 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    18 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    20 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    21 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    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
    23 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours 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
    14 hours 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
    14 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
    14 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
    17 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    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 Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-19T14:17:55+00:00