Australia’s sudden burst of “conscience” leads to banning of two American scumbags;
All of this would be more convincing if they’d banned a far worse American scumbag.
Those moral paragons in the Australian government have just banned a sleazy “pick-up artist” called Jeff Allen from entering the country. This follows last year’s ban of another sleaze-ball, Julien Blanc.
This is, of course, commendable. But it begs the question: how come the Australian government lionized President Bill Clinton a few years ago? Compared to Clinton, Jeff Allen and Julien Blanc are Albert Schweitzer and Fred Hollows.
The PUA’s may or may not be sleazeballs but they aren’t criminals. Cancelling visas seems like an extreme over reaction from a militant fun killing faction of the Left
Yes and no. This is tricky. Where farming is traditional, eg family farms where people are making a living and they want to do the right thing eg fence off water ways or transition to regenerative agriculture, I’d love to see them supported in multiple ways.
Where corporates or business owners are using the farms/the land to make shit loads of money and they are being forced to do better by the environment against their will, I don’t know what to do with those people/businesses but am loathe for them to have any more access to public resources than they already do. If they want to run a business model that’s corporate and industrial rather than actual farming, let that model figure out how to pay for all the costs and requirements (that’s what the model claims it can do anyway).
TPP
Michael Geist is writing a series of articles on the implications of TPP for Canada. His latest article states
the net effect of a recent European privacy case and the TPP provisions is that Canada could end up caught in a global privacy battle in which Europe restricts data transfers with Canada due to surveillance activities and the TPP restricts Canada’s ability address European concerns.
Interestingly, at least one TPP country identified the potential risk of a clash between European privacy rules and the TPP. Australia obtained a side letter with the United States that largely addresses the concern. The letter states:
Should the Government of the United States of America undertake any relevant additional commitments to those in the TPP Agreement with respect to the treatment of personal information of foreign nationals in another free trade agreement, it shall extend any such commitments to Australia. The United States will also endeavor to apply extensions of privacy protections with respect to personal information of foreign nationals held by the United States Government to Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Japan minister who negotiated for TPP accused of corruption
TOKYO (AFP) – A Japanese minister who was the country’s top negotiator for a huge trans-Pacific trade deal was accused of corruption on Thursday (Jan 21), piling pressure on Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ahead of parliamentary elections this year.
Weekly magazine Shukan Bunshun claimed on Thursday that Economy and Fiscal Policy Minister Akira Amari, who also serves as Japan’s chief negotiator for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and his staff accepted a 12 million yen (S$148,000) “bribe” from a construction firm.
The allegations against a key ally of the prime minister come ahead of upper house elections in July and as the government looks to ratify the TPP, a massive multination deal of which Japan has been a key player.
@TMM – Lets face it, Groser is not capable of getting any decent deal for NZ, my guess we have zero side agreements in our favour but Grosser signed every side agreement he was asked to sign. If the signing countries are stupid enough to keep going with TPP which is effectively giving their country over to a group of international corporate lawyers to decide their fates rather than their own government, then more and more problems are going to arise in particular by NZ by allowing a nincompoop like Groser to be able to negotiate it. Complexity itself is a problem.
All the experts are saying it is the worst agreement imaginable, at a time where corporations have become so greedy they are using Lawfare to seize even more power, money and control and when significant world problems like climate change and food insecurity are going to require governments to be more nimble and able to react quickly, now hindered under TPP.
Love how TPP is binding but the Paris climate change agreement voluntary.
Who in their right mind is going to sign such ridiculous agreements?
Does anyone know …… IF NOT signing the TPP precludes us from entering into agreements with non-TPPA members?
Serious question. I’ve just listened to some fuckwit calling themselves Steven Jacobi?? on RNZ News at 14:00 who seems to be yet another desperado shill running flak for the TPPsters.
His view (to cut a long story short) is that NOT signing will mean devastation for NZ.
I’m left wondering whether or not this pillock was one of the’bizzniss enterage’ led by a Proim Munsta Master of the Universe that went on that Sth American jaunt way back……trying to grease up to Sth American nations, but who came across to most in attendance as crass, arrogant little fukwits from somewhere that amounts to a pimple on the arse end of the globe.
He seems to have a really limiting tunnel vision that is so fucking imbecilic its almost comedic.
If fuckwits like Steven are the best oracles of our economic competency (alongside Key and Groser, amongst others) – then we really ARE in trouble.
ahem, SME owners having the readies for a new HSV Commodore or outboard motor and a few more mill shipped offshore to foreign banks hardly constitutes good news for most of us
“trickle down” does not happen, it does not work–even the World Bank and IMF finally admitted that, good news will be seeing the TPPA fall over or stronger labour laws in this country
Does anyone know if after putting a comment on Facebook, if it can be edited or removed by oneself? If you have time I would like to know now. I can’t see any button I can use to regain control of it.
Thanks Naturesong. The edit button is not obvious so will have to check it out and get informed. I got help from family (up with the technology) which has sorted out the problem this time. But I really need to do that background work ready for next time when it comes.
A heartfelt request for the NZ govt “and people” to do the honourable thing and make good on a promise given. Courtesy of Toby Manhire (dead serious this time):
“So we are asking the New Zealand Prime Minister Mr John Keys [a forgivable slip; after all, the New York Times called him Jeff Key] and the Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, along with the whole Government of New Zealand and the people of New Zealand, to remember and honour the deal with Australia. Everyone who has signed this letter has had their claim for asylum processed. We all had genuine claims that were accepted.”
“The “deal” they refer to is that agreed between Key and his then counterpart Julia Gillard in 2013, providing Australia with the option of placing up to 150 refugees for resettlement in New Zealand a year. The arrangement echoed an earlier deal which saw New Zealand take in 401 people from Australian offshore detention centres between 2001 and 2007″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11577593
These refugees need NZ visas to be issued promptly – not delayed for any more months. And to be allowed to come and live here permanently, a place where they can live in safety.
Just out “the fifth in a series of expert peer reviewed papers on the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) for New Zealand was posted on the TPP Legal website today.
The paper examines the key economic issues that likely to be impacted by the TPPA – the predicted economic benefits of the TPPA for the New Zealand economy, the implications for agricultural trade, the impact on value chains for New Zealand exporters, the potential for regulatory ‘chill’ and the degree to which it fulfils the aim of being a ‘21st Century agreement’.
The paper was co-authored by Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business; Rod Oram, business journalist and author; Geoff Bertram, Senior Associate at the Institute for Policy and Governance at Victoria University; and Barry Coates, researcher and former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. The peer reviewer was John Quiggin, an Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland.”
“It is striking how little the TPPA will deliver. Without the TPPA, our GDP will grow by 47% by 2030 at current growth rates. The TPPA would add only 0.9%”, says Barry Coates, who co-authored the section on modelling with Tim Hazledine.
“Even that small benefit is a gross exaggeration. The modelling makes unfounded assumptions, and the real benefits will be far smaller. If the full costs were included, it is doubtful that there would be any net economic benefit to the New Zealand economy.”
How Key has followed the Brash Doctrine ……… and been far more dirty while at it.
John Key knifing Bill double dipper English in the back and supporting Brash …. he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal……. I imagine he smiled at English during the assassination
Other Info and quotes from the nats or their backers ……
Doug myers “The chequebooks always ready for political parties ….as long as they get the things right”…………………..
I’d say with $75 million spent on alcohol per week in NZ ……. and the Government picking up the tab of over a $3 Billion dollar shortfall in Alcohol abuse costs versus Alcohol tax…….. that National have delivered for Doug and co very handsomely ……
David Richwhite regarding the railways swindle/privatization —-“In the long run the new Zealand public will benefit from an improved railway network and operation.” ….this is the same line used by the tr0lls here and is the present ‘logic’ behind Serco, charter schools etc
Some narration ……
“The high value donars gave their donations to trusts, which passed it on anonymously to the party. Over one and a half million was to come in via the Waitemata & Ruahine trusts. Both of PO. Box 2244 Auckland”……” In public senior party mp’s and officials denied knowing the identity of donars, but privately they knew perfectly well who was writing the cheques”…….
“The donars were invited to private fundraising dinners….the media was excluded …… a table cost $5000 the tobacco industry brought 2″ ( coincidentally the number of tobacco industry mp’s the nats presently have in Govt ), ………..Don Brash or John Key made the speeches.”
Brash engaged in a bit of refugee bashing ……. pukish would approve
Brash promised 3.9 billion in tax cuts … Key wanted to give more ….But Labour won the election, Cullen payed down govt debt instead ……Which saved nationals ass when the GFC struck …..
The GFC was of coursed caused by the financial industry and people like john Key……….Our present prime minister is like a Dingo babysitting your children*
“Brian Sinclear met Maxim s Scott McMurray to discuss to discuss a $100,000 campaign aimed at shifting the evangelical Christian votes away from small Christian parties to national”. ………….”Don Brash told church goers that National would provide more money for their private schools” …
fast forward to John Keys first term in Govt….. “$35 million gifted to private schools (4% of students). Elite private school Wanganui Collegiate (400 students) receives $3.9 million bail out despite Ministry advice not to.”http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html
Regarding Brash/Key, the Nats ……and their exclusive Brethren election coalition….
“Brashs assistant ( press secretary ) Anita Ferguson prepared a response ….” As far as Don is aware he has never met Stephen Win ( Brethren schemer) ….If you want to talk dirty politics you are talking to the wrong party “ ..from a email she sent to Bryan Sinclair, Murray McCully and Richard Long” ……
And film in The Hollow Men doco of Brash putting it into action :………..
“Reporter: Do you know who is responsible for it ?.
Brash: I don’t
R: What do you think about the accusation from the greens on this matter?.
Brash: Well I suspect its another dirty trick.. ah.. accusation at national, ….. we’ve had nothing to do with this,…at all ……. We don’t engage in that type of polictics. …….”
John Key …………” In relation to the exclusive brethren …. I never pulled their women’s long lovely hair ”….“Nah I made that up ……and pony tails are sin-full ………. but at the end of The Hollow Men Key finishes the documentary with lies at his very first press conference as leader of the National party …….. Unlike Brash he has not been punished for his blatant dishonesty which over 75% of voters acknowledge …… if we exclude Northland .
I started reading this, never having seen this program, until, after a couple of lines,
I came across this howler.
Talking about John Key you say “he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal”.
Is this really what the program said, or were you not watching it very closely?
For your information the “deputy leaders job under brash” was held by Gerry Brownlee.
Have a look at the first line in this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brownlee
If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?
My recollection of his position was faulty…… there was so much filth from the nats to absorb ……………… I stand corrected and The Dingo JK was the opposition finance minister of course.
The betrayal was apparently because Key had lied to English in that he said he’d vote/support him and not Brash in a leadership challenge……….
A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one ……………
The Nats come out looking like they really are …………….. Dirty as fuck 🙂
“JK was the opposition finance minister of course”
You presumably mean “spokesman” rather than “minister”.
Even then you are misleading.
Don Brash was the National Party Leader from 28 October 2003 until 27 November 2006. When he became the leader he retained the job as Finance spokesman. Key became a DEPUTY Finance spokesman but that isn’t the real thing. After all you might remember that Michael Cullen was Finance Minister after the 2005 election. Do you remember who were associate finance ministers? That is the Government equivalent of Key’s position.
I’ll give you a clue. Their initials were PG and TM.
Key was promoted to the Finance spokesman position but not until August 2004, ten months later.
From the Herald
” Key was thrust into the limelight as fully-fledged finance spokesman in August 2004″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10523317
Can you get anything right? Do you think you should learn what really went on?
Or do you feel the only way to cover up for your ignorance is to spew such garbage as
“A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one”.
What an idiot you are.
Now, are you willing to answer the queries I put at the end of my comment. To save you the trouble of looking back I’ll repeat them.
“If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?”
“First of all, though you didn’t directly really refer, I’m sure you as a clever guy understand the Treaty of Waitangi. You know, all that stuff like how it came about, what is in it, its role in New Zealand history and society – all pretty complex stuff. I mean, surely you wouldn’t just talk about a topic without knowing much about it. Surely.” Dr Hirini Kaa
What’s that? Rape and otherwise abuse vulnerable people? For a small country we hold our own, punch (ha!) above our weight, put the country on the map and all that.
If you mean the prison sentence – watch this space…
What they talked about:
1. What the Panelists Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards have been up to.
2. The first person to be arrested for non-payment of a student loan has taken place at Auckland airport.
3. Tax expert Kristina Andersen discusses the student loans system.
4. The wonders of meditation
5. How well protected is Crown land?
6. Michelle Boag chats about her holiday in Queenstown, while downplaying the state of the global economy because rich young people come to NZ on holiday and makes a snide comment about Metiria Turei
7. Brian Edwards praises the Auckland Council for Westhaven promenade and the trams at Motat.
8. TVNZ is to launch a male-targeted channel.
What they did not talk about:
1. The TPP
2. The global economic meltdown.
The dumbing down of RNZ and its march to the right on Mora’s dreadful show continues.
Buried deep within Bryce Edwards’ opinion piece I found this and wondered what on earth could have triggered such a change.
Geoff Bascand, the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank, defended the policy change in a newspaper column on Tuesday. Bascand said the policy was “consistent with the Official Information Act” and was a “common, fair and reasonable response” to an increase in OIA requests of almost 300 per cent in the past five years.
Specifically, what conditions have brought about this dramatic increase in OIA requests?
Is there a concern amongst the public and the media that we are must fight harder for information?
Has the National Party’s reliance on Dirty Politics brought to our attention that our public service isn’t serving what we expect of democracy and that the revelation the the SIS colluded with the prime minister’s office in order to discredit the then leader of the opposition?
Or is it the National government’s general and slipshod method of governance with respect to the overuse of urgency in Parliament, the use of taxpayer funds for party specific purposes (Parmar, Bridges), arbitrary ministerial decision making (Bridges again), the attack by ministers (Collins) on the judiciary and public servants (Collins, McCully, and Key), and the seeming abandonment of select committee process in favour of policy-by-polling (Bennett) which is responsible for the spike in the media and public wanting more answers to serious questions?
Thanks to NRT for their OIA request for information on OIA requests in the last financial year for the purposes of providing clear data with which we can measure the honesty of this government.
Sad too that the Transparency International global Corruption Perception Index didn’t pick up on our prime minister’s cordial relationship with attack blogger Cameron Slater in their 2014 results.
Looks like another one of National’s nails in the coffin of democracy. As always it’s hard to tell if it’s deliberate or just another consequence of the neoliberal world view that sees everything as having a price.
Same thing, isn’t it? The new world which they seek to usher in where everything has it’s price means that power and democracy is bought.
The sly application of a loose law in the OIA process means that the NZ taxpayer pays for the information once through taxes, and then an individual and the media must now pay again.
Is the 300% increase in OIA applications in the last five years due to the conditions under which this government operates, or is it due to the media and bloggers getting too cute with the process. If the latter is so, then why?
All the reportage I’ve seen has been entirely one-sided in favour of the old rich white man which seems very suspicious.
I assume he’s some kind of ‘Business Community stalwart’?
I feel that he seems to be the kind of guy who wishes for a smaller State, less ‘red tape’ & especially no interference in what he does on his own property.
Yet he is claiming a right to protect his view of the harbour over the neighbours’ right to do what they want on their own property.
I suspect that if the complainant was non-white & poor there would be a very very different coverage of the story.
From the pics I suspect that the issue started because the neighbour didn’t appreciate the way that the glass edged deck gave unlimited views of his back yard/house & was told to bugger off when he complained about it.
I think he has a grievance. The other owner built a humungous fence masquerading as a fort that blocked his view for “privacy reasons”. The structure did not provide any extra privacy but ruined the view. I think neighbours should be respectful of other neighbours expectations.
Just because someone has a load of money doesn’t mean that they should lose rights if someone chooses to be a dipshit, and a cunning smartarse as well. The neighbour who built the fence must have wanted perfect privacy so they wouldn’t be able to view the roof of his house. How he got permission to build a high fence that shut his neighbours in like a prison wall I don’t know. It was said to be a fort, but it stretched for half a kilometre? across his back boundary.
If it was a fence he would have been required to talk to his neighbour and seek agreement. Then it would have had height restrictions. So cunning on his part to get it through as a fort. And so unreasonable to try and diminish a neighbour’s existing property in order to gain advantage himself. And the fort builder must have a mint of money, fencing is very expensive. So just a bad case of the Me first, last and foremost by the sneaky neighbour. (I/ve been reading about this and this is what I have gathered. I put some links about it a few days ago.)
I think it is a situation that many people have with self-centred neighbours. If you have good ones, you’re lucky. Keep the good vibes going between you. Also the law gives rights, and provides sanctions as well to property owners. And ultimately the land is the property of the Crown, and all the rights conveyed under the law are by necessity under Her Majesty’s control, so sometimes land wlll ‘be taken’ for public needs but with compensation.
Anyone going to Andrew Little’s picnic in the park on 31 January? If so, is anyone up for a cabal?
Neatly, he’ll be speaking from the band rotunda in Albert park where Auckland’s ever increasing numbers of homeless congregate to share, unmolested, a bit of social interaction.
Labour on 27.5% in the latest Roy Morgan. Some 100th anniversary celebration this will be. If you pile in the Greens and Winston, you’ll get a coalition which might have a majority of 1 or 2 over National plus Maori Party.
And this is the best Labour can manage halfway through a third term National Government which is utterly rudderless and starved for ideas.
“The majority of the Hurunui’s 12,000 residents live with tap water connected to supplies given an “E” grade by the Ministry of Health.
It is the lowest grade possible and represents an “unacceptable level of risk”, according to the Ministry.
In the last analysis conducted in 2014, supplies for Cheviot, Amberley, Waiau and Waipara all recorded excessive E.coli levels and failed protozoa tests – placing them in the bottom 3 per cent of supplies nationwide.
Seven rural water schemes in the district are on a permanent boil notice.”
BUT…
“The district council says it is more of a “nuisance” than a health issue.”
AND…
“The council has until 2025 to meet national drinking water standards, which it said could cost up to $14 million, as most of its water supplies do not meet the standard.
It had previously told the Ministry of Health the standards were unfair, as much of the district’s water was consumed by animals.”
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Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Security forces reinforcements were sent from France ahead of two rival marches in the capital Nouméa today, at the same time and only two streets away one from the other. One march, called by Union Calédonienne party (a component of the ...
A poll last August found that just 16% of New Zealanders oppose bringing back the ‘Three Strikes’ law. The nationwide poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was commissioned by Family First NZ and carried out by Curia Market Research. ...
The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of Rūaumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Burridge, Professor of Linguistics, Monash University Who makes the words? Why are trees called trees and why are shoes called shoes and who makes the names? – Elliot, age 5, Eltham, Victoria Good question Elliot! Let’s start with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne at amRawpixel.com/Shutterstock Roles of health professionals are still unfortunately often stuck in the past. That is, before the ...
COMMENTARY:By Malcolm Evans Last week’s leaked New York Times staff directive, as to what words can and cannot be used to describe the carnage Israel is raining on Palestinians, is proof positive, since those reports are published verbatim here in New Zealand, that our understanding of the conflict is ...
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Australia’s sudden burst of “conscience” leads to banning of two American scumbags;
All of this would be more convincing if they’d banned a far worse American scumbag.
Those moral paragons in the Australian government have just banned a sleazy “pick-up artist” called Jeff Allen from entering the country. This follows last year’s ban of another sleaze-ball, Julien Blanc.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2016/01/18/jeff-allen-visa_n_9013828.html?ncid=edlinkauhpmg00000001
This is, of course, commendable. But it begs the question: how come the Australian government lionized President Bill Clinton a few years ago? Compared to Clinton, Jeff Allen and Julien Blanc are Albert Schweitzer and Fred Hollows.
Of course, deliberate blindness over the issue of Clinton is nothing new. The Australian government is on the same wavelength as one of our leading broacasters….
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-03102015-2/#comment-1077820
The PUA’s may or may not be sleazeballs but they aren’t criminals. Cancelling visas seems like an extreme over reaction from a militant fun killing faction of the Left
I dunno, is incitement to commit rape a crime?
Yes.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/294654/farming-limits-to-hit-land-values-study
Surely any carbon tax on farming should be used to help farmers transition to a more sustainable method of farming and cover any dramatic cuts to land values. ?
Yes and no. This is tricky. Where farming is traditional, eg family farms where people are making a living and they want to do the right thing eg fence off water ways or transition to regenerative agriculture, I’d love to see them supported in multiple ways.
Where corporates or business owners are using the farms/the land to make shit loads of money and they are being forced to do better by the environment against their will, I don’t know what to do with those people/businesses but am loathe for them to have any more access to public resources than they already do. If they want to run a business model that’s corporate and industrial rather than actual farming, let that model figure out how to pay for all the costs and requirements (that’s what the model claims it can do anyway).
Problem is the grey area in between.
TPP
Michael Geist is writing a series of articles on the implications of TPP for Canada. His latest article states
I cannot find an equivalent side letter for NZ on the MFat site, so I suspect that there may be a corresponding problem for NZ with the EU.
http://www.michaelgeist.ca/2016/01/the-trouble-with-the-tpp-day-14-no-u-s-assurances-for-canada-on-privacy/
TPP—Nice!
@TMM – Lets face it, Groser is not capable of getting any decent deal for NZ, my guess we have zero side agreements in our favour but Grosser signed every side agreement he was asked to sign. If the signing countries are stupid enough to keep going with TPP which is effectively giving their country over to a group of international corporate lawyers to decide their fates rather than their own government, then more and more problems are going to arise in particular by NZ by allowing a nincompoop like Groser to be able to negotiate it. Complexity itself is a problem.
All the experts are saying it is the worst agreement imaginable, at a time where corporations have become so greedy they are using Lawfare to seize even more power, money and control and when significant world problems like climate change and food insecurity are going to require governments to be more nimble and able to react quickly, now hindered under TPP.
Love how TPP is binding but the Paris climate change agreement voluntary.
Who in their right mind is going to sign such ridiculous agreements?
Does anyone know …… IF NOT signing the TPP precludes us from entering into agreements with non-TPPA members?
Serious question. I’ve just listened to some fuckwit calling themselves Steven Jacobi?? on RNZ News at 14:00 who seems to be yet another desperado shill running flak for the TPPsters.
His view (to cut a long story short) is that NOT signing will mean devastation for NZ.
I’m left wondering whether or not this pillock was one of the’bizzniss enterage’ led by a Proim Munsta Master of the Universe that went on that Sth American jaunt way back……trying to grease up to Sth American nations, but who came across to most in attendance as crass, arrogant little fukwits from somewhere that amounts to a pimple on the arse end of the globe.
He seems to have a really limiting tunnel vision that is so fucking imbecilic its almost comedic.
If fuckwits like Steven are the best oracles of our economic competency (alongside Key and Groser, amongst others) – then we really ARE in trouble.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1601/S00324/nz-manufacturing-activity-jumps-to-14-month-high-in-december.htm
More good news for NZ 🙂
You’ve switched from your usual dairy price update.
ahem, SME owners having the readies for a new HSV Commodore or outboard motor and a few more mill shipped offshore to foreign banks hardly constitutes good news for most of us
“trickle down” does not happen, it does not work–even the World Bank and IMF finally admitted that, good news will be seeing the TPPA fall over or stronger labour laws in this country
Not such good news for the world’s economy.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-01-21/global-shareholders-have-27-trillion-locked-in-bear-markets
Might be something for Labour to campaign on then
Does anyone know if after putting a comment on Facebook, if it can be edited or removed by oneself? If you have time I would like to know now. I can’t see any button I can use to regain control of it.
You should be able to edit and/or remove your own comments from facebook. I have done it in the past.
Facebook does keep a record of but not display the original comments and subsequent revisions.
Twitter though; post in haste, regret at lesiure.
Thanks Naturesong. The edit button is not obvious so will have to check it out and get informed. I got help from family (up with the technology) which has sorted out the problem this time. But I really need to do that background work ready for next time when it comes.
Hold your finger on the comment that brings up the options .
On my OS it shows as a small grey inverted V on the top right of the post, which brings up a drop down menu with an edit option.
You are a helpful group. I will investigate when I have done something other than sit at this damn keyboard for too much of today. Thanks muchly.
& if you see someones comment has been edited you can click ‘edited’ & see what the edit was. Which can be quite interesting.
there’s an upside-down v on top righthand corner of some facebook pages which helps you edit/delete things.
A heartfelt request for the NZ govt “and people” to do the honourable thing and make good on a promise given. Courtesy of Toby Manhire (dead serious this time):
“So we are asking the New Zealand Prime Minister Mr John Keys [a forgivable slip; after all, the New York Times called him Jeff Key] and the Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse, along with the whole Government of New Zealand and the people of New Zealand, to remember and honour the deal with Australia. Everyone who has signed this letter has had their claim for asylum processed. We all had genuine claims that were accepted.”
“The “deal” they refer to is that agreed between Key and his then counterpart Julia Gillard in 2013, providing Australia with the option of placing up to 150 refugees for resettlement in New Zealand a year. The arrangement echoed an earlier deal which saw New Zealand take in 401 people from Australian offshore detention centres between 2001 and 2007″ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11577593
What’s Manhire’s point?
New Zealand has offered to do something, Australia doesn’t want to play. The End.
This no a play, or a sports match Magisterium,. Your pseudo sounds grand but is actually pseudo?
These refugees need NZ visas to be issued promptly – not delayed for any more months. And to be allowed to come and live here permanently, a place where they can live in safety.
Just out “the fifth in a series of expert peer reviewed papers on the implications of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) for New Zealand was posted on the TPP Legal website today.
The paper examines the key economic issues that likely to be impacted by the TPPA – the predicted economic benefits of the TPPA for the New Zealand economy, the implications for agricultural trade, the impact on value chains for New Zealand exporters, the potential for regulatory ‘chill’ and the degree to which it fulfils the aim of being a ‘21st Century agreement’.
The paper was co-authored by Tim Hazledine, Professor of Economics at the University of Auckland Business; Rod Oram, business journalist and author; Geoff Bertram, Senior Associate at the Institute for Policy and Governance at Victoria University; and Barry Coates, researcher and former Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand. The peer reviewer was John Quiggin, an Australian Laureate Fellow in Economics at the University of Queensland.”
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/22/the-economics-of-the-tppa-tppanoway/#comment-321525
From the above article
“It is striking how little the TPPA will deliver. Without the TPPA, our GDP will grow by 47% by 2030 at current growth rates. The TPPA would add only 0.9%”, says Barry Coates, who co-authored the section on modelling with Tim Hazledine.
“Even that small benefit is a gross exaggeration. The modelling makes unfounded assumptions, and the real benefits will be far smaller. If the full costs were included, it is doubtful that there would be any net economic benefit to the New Zealand economy.”
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/22/the-economics-of-the-tppa-tppanoway/#comment-321525
+1
I watched “The Hollow Men” the other night as I had not seen it before.http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/the-hollow-men-2008
A few things really struck me.
How Key has followed the Brash Doctrine ……… and been far more dirty while at it.
John Key knifing Bill double dipper English in the back and supporting Brash …. he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal……. I imagine he smiled at English during the assassination
Other Info and quotes from the nats or their backers ……
Doug myers “The chequebooks always ready for political parties ….as long as they get the things right”…………………..
I’d say with $75 million spent on alcohol per week in NZ ……. and the Government picking up the tab of over a $3 Billion dollar shortfall in Alcohol abuse costs versus Alcohol tax…….. that National have delivered for Doug and co very handsomely ……
David Richwhite regarding the railways swindle/privatization —-“In the long run the new Zealand public will benefit from an improved railway network and operation.” ….this is the same line used by the tr0lls here and is the present ‘logic’ behind Serco, charter schools etc
Some narration ……
“The high value donars gave their donations to trusts, which passed it on anonymously to the party. Over one and a half million was to come in via the Waitemata & Ruahine trusts. Both of PO. Box 2244 Auckland”……” In public senior party mp’s and officials denied knowing the identity of donars, but privately they knew perfectly well who was writing the cheques”…….
“The donars were invited to private fundraising dinners….the media was excluded …… a table cost $5000 the tobacco industry brought 2″ ( coincidentally the number of tobacco industry mp’s the nats presently have in Govt ), ………..Don Brash or John Key made the speeches.”
Brash engaged in a bit of refugee bashing ……. pukish would approve
Brash promised 3.9 billion in tax cuts … Key wanted to give more ….But Labour won the election, Cullen payed down govt debt instead ……Which saved nationals ass when the GFC struck …..
The GFC was of coursed caused by the financial industry and people like john Key……….Our present prime minister is like a Dingo babysitting your children*
“Brian Sinclear met Maxim s Scott McMurray to discuss to discuss a $100,000 campaign aimed at shifting the evangelical Christian votes away from small Christian parties to national”. ………….”Don Brash told church goers that National would provide more money for their private schools” …
fast forward to John Keys first term in Govt….. “$35 million gifted to private schools (4% of students). Elite private school Wanganui Collegiate (400 students) receives $3.9 million bail out despite Ministry advice not to.”http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/the-destruction-of-new-zealands-public.html
Regarding Brash/Key, the Nats ……and their exclusive Brethren election coalition….
“Brashs assistant ( press secretary ) Anita Ferguson prepared a response ….” As far as Don is aware he has never met Stephen Win ( Brethren schemer) ….If you want to talk dirty politics you are talking to the wrong party “ ..from a email she sent to Bryan Sinclair, Murray McCully and Richard Long” ……
And film in The Hollow Men doco of Brash putting it into action :………..
“Reporter: Do you know who is responsible for it ?.
Brash: I don’t
R: What do you think about the accusation from the greens on this matter?.
Brash: Well I suspect its another dirty trick.. ah.. accusation at national, ….. we’ve had nothing to do with this,…at all ……. We don’t engage in that type of polictics. …….”
John Key …………” In relation to the exclusive brethren …. I never pulled their women’s long lovely hair ”….“Nah I made that up ……and pony tails are sin-full ………. but at the end of The Hollow Men Key finishes the documentary with lies at his very first press conference as leader of the National party …….. Unlike Brash he has not been punished for his blatant dishonesty which over 75% of voters acknowledge …… if we exclude Northland .
……………………………………….
John Key : “We’ve moved on, I didn’t open the email from the Brethren, lets move on”. http://www.converge.org.nz/watchdog/14/02.htm
* John Oliver ………. you might as well hire a dingo as your babysitter
I started reading this, never having seen this program, until, after a couple of lines,
I came across this howler.
Talking about John Key you say “he picked up the deputy leaders job under brash for this betrayal”.
Is this really what the program said, or were you not watching it very closely?
For your information the “deputy leaders job under brash” was held by Gerry Brownlee.
Have a look at the first line in this link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brownlee
If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?
Fair catch, Brownlee was Deputy leader, and spokesman for maori affairs, obvisuly placeholding innit,
Key and Brash are known to have ‘spoken about the leadership’ several times though, so the core point that there was deal done seem legit:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9926764/Key-Brash-discussed-the-leadership
My recollection of his position was faulty…… there was so much filth from the nats to absorb ……………… I stand corrected and The Dingo JK was the opposition finance minister of course.
The betrayal was apparently because Key had lied to English in that he said he’d vote/support him and not Brash in a leadership challenge……….
A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one ……………
The Nats come out looking like they really are …………….. Dirty as fuck 🙂
“JK was the opposition finance minister of course”
You presumably mean “spokesman” rather than “minister”.
Even then you are misleading.
Don Brash was the National Party Leader from 28 October 2003 until 27 November 2006. When he became the leader he retained the job as Finance spokesman. Key became a DEPUTY Finance spokesman but that isn’t the real thing. After all you might remember that Michael Cullen was Finance Minister after the 2005 election. Do you remember who were associate finance ministers? That is the Government equivalent of Key’s position.
I’ll give you a clue. Their initials were PG and TM.
Key was promoted to the Finance spokesman position but not until August 2004, ten months later.
From the Herald
” Key was thrust into the limelight as fully-fledged finance spokesman in August 2004″
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10523317
Can you get anything right? Do you think you should learn what really went on?
Or do you feel the only way to cover up for your ignorance is to spew such garbage as
“A tr0ll poster like yourself is far more likely to feature in a a documentary of sleaze,dishonesty and poor morals rather than watch one”.
What an idiot you are.
Now, are you willing to answer the queries I put at the end of my comment. To save you the trouble of looking back I’ll repeat them.
“If this was your work I don’t think I need bother reading any further.
If it was actually in the program I won’t bother watching it. It’s version of history is unlikely to bear much similarity to reality is it?
Willing to say who stuffed up?”
interesting clip on agro forestry at the other end of the link for those that like these sort o things.
https://www.facebook.com/organicconsumers/videos/10153584285114934/?fref=nf
the link between donald trump and classical fascism…http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/trumps-fascist-theatre.html
And they’re off.
Kyle Feldscher Verified account
@Kyle_Feldscher
No joke, the entire first email released by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is redacted
https://twitter.com/Kyle_Feldscher/status/689924353065144320
More good news which Labour is trying to spoil (good luck to them)
https://nz.news.yahoo.com/top-stories/a/30624534/benefit-numbers-not-whole-story-labour/
https://www.3news.co.nz/business/consumer-confidence-improves-in-jan-2016012115
http://thespinoff.co.nz/22-01-2016/dear-mike-hosking-i-saw-your-waitangi-rant-and-i-can-help/
“First of all, though you didn’t directly really refer, I’m sure you as a clever guy understand the Treaty of Waitangi. You know, all that stuff like how it came about, what is in it, its role in New Zealand history and society – all pretty complex stuff. I mean, surely you wouldn’t just talk about a topic without knowing much about it. Surely.” Dr Hirini Kaa
a most generous offer…i wonder if it will be accepted?
Well said, Dr Kaa, though it is, of course, casting pearls before swine !
Ha ha, that’s a great response.
I forget how good The Spinoff can be. Pity they required such heavy handed subscription to comment.
One thing the USA does better then NZ
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/76165535/disgraced-us-policeman-sentenced-to-263-years-for-raping-vulnerable-women
What’s that? Rape and otherwise abuse vulnerable people? For a small country we hold our own, punch (ha!) above our weight, put the country on the map and all that.
If you mean the prison sentence – watch this space…
Jim Mora’s awful Panel
What they talked about:
1. What the Panelists Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards have been up to.
2. The first person to be arrested for non-payment of a student loan has taken place at Auckland airport.
3. Tax expert Kristina Andersen discusses the student loans system.
4. The wonders of meditation
5. How well protected is Crown land?
6. Michelle Boag chats about her holiday in Queenstown, while downplaying the state of the global economy because rich young people come to NZ on holiday and makes a snide comment about Metiria Turei
7. Brian Edwards praises the Auckland Council for Westhaven promenade and the trams at Motat.
8. TVNZ is to launch a male-targeted channel.
What they did not talk about:
1. The TPP
2. The global economic meltdown.
The dumbing down of RNZ and its march to the right on Mora’s dreadful show continues.
TVNZ to start a new channel, aimed just for men, that will fix their woes.
Buried deep within Bryce Edwards’ opinion piece I found this and wondered what on earth could have triggered such a change.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11578094
Specifically, what conditions have brought about this dramatic increase in OIA requests?
Is there a concern amongst the public and the media that we are must fight harder for information?
Has the National Party’s reliance on Dirty Politics brought to our attention that our public service isn’t serving what we expect of democracy and that the revelation the the SIS colluded with the prime minister’s office in order to discredit the then leader of the opposition?
Or is it the National government’s general and slipshod method of governance with respect to the overuse of urgency in Parliament, the use of taxpayer funds for party specific purposes (Parmar, Bridges), arbitrary ministerial decision making (Bridges again), the attack by ministers (Collins) on the judiciary and public servants (Collins, McCully, and Key), and the seeming abandonment of select committee process in favour of policy-by-polling (Bennett) which is responsible for the spike in the media and public wanting more answers to serious questions?
Thanks to NRT for their OIA request for information on OIA requests in the last financial year for the purposes of providing clear data with which we can measure the honesty of this government.
Sad too that the Transparency International global Corruption Perception Index didn’t pick up on our prime minister’s cordial relationship with attack blogger Cameron Slater in their 2014 results.
Looks like another one of National’s nails in the coffin of democracy. As always it’s hard to tell if it’s deliberate or just another consequence of the neoliberal world view that sees everything as having a price.
Same thing, isn’t it? The new world which they seek to usher in where everything has it’s price means that power and democracy is bought.
The sly application of a loose law in the OIA process means that the NZ taxpayer pays for the information once through taxes, and then an individual and the media must now pay again.
Is the 300% increase in OIA applications in the last five years due to the conditions under which this government operates, or is it due to the media and bloggers getting too cute with the process. If the latter is so, then why?
one cause of OIA increase will be ChCh quakes and OIA requests re EQC…..it is the only way to get any information from them
That the OIA was required in that situation is shocking.
yes…and it continues, and is just as much a problem for the media and community support groups…and opposition MPs by all accounts
Can anyone provide some more detail on this story?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/76164078/opinion-wellington-neighbourly-fence-war-could-set-precedent
All the reportage I’ve seen has been entirely one-sided in favour of the old rich white man which seems very suspicious.
I assume he’s some kind of ‘Business Community stalwart’?
I feel that he seems to be the kind of guy who wishes for a smaller State, less ‘red tape’ & especially no interference in what he does on his own property.
Yet he is claiming a right to protect his view of the harbour over the neighbours’ right to do what they want on their own property.
I suspect that if the complainant was non-white & poor there would be a very very different coverage of the story.
From the pics I suspect that the issue started because the neighbour didn’t appreciate the way that the glass edged deck gave unlimited views of his back yard/house & was told to bugger off when he complained about it.
I think he has a grievance. The other owner built a humungous fence masquerading as a fort that blocked his view for “privacy reasons”. The structure did not provide any extra privacy but ruined the view. I think neighbours should be respectful of other neighbours expectations.
Just because someone has a load of money doesn’t mean that they should lose rights if someone chooses to be a dipshit, and a cunning smartarse as well. The neighbour who built the fence must have wanted perfect privacy so they wouldn’t be able to view the roof of his house. How he got permission to build a high fence that shut his neighbours in like a prison wall I don’t know. It was said to be a fort, but it stretched for half a kilometre? across his back boundary.
If it was a fence he would have been required to talk to his neighbour and seek agreement. Then it would have had height restrictions. So cunning on his part to get it through as a fort. And so unreasonable to try and diminish a neighbour’s existing property in order to gain advantage himself. And the fort builder must have a mint of money, fencing is very expensive. So just a bad case of the Me first, last and foremost by the sneaky neighbour. (I/ve been reading about this and this is what I have gathered. I put some links about it a few days ago.)
I think it is a situation that many people have with self-centred neighbours. If you have good ones, you’re lucky. Keep the good vibes going between you. Also the law gives rights, and provides sanctions as well to property owners. And ultimately the land is the property of the Crown, and all the rights conveyed under the law are by necessity under Her Majesty’s control, so sometimes land wlll ‘be taken’ for public needs but with compensation.
Yeah its quite possible the fence builder is actually an ass.
But it bothers me that there is really no coverage of his side of the story.
It just seems likely that there would be something more complex than ‘asshole builds a fence that blocks the neighbours’ view’.
Anyone going to Andrew Little’s picnic in the park on 31 January? If so, is anyone up for a cabal?
Neatly, he’ll be speaking from the band rotunda in Albert park where Auckland’s ever increasing numbers of homeless congregate to share, unmolested, a bit of social interaction.
Ukraine. Chernobyl’s location. The women, especially the old ones, who live there have been the subject of a documentary. – ‘The Babushkas of Chernobyl’
http://blogs.indiewire.com/womenandhollywood/doc-nyc-2015-women-directors-meet-holly-morris-the-babushkas-of-chernobyl-20151116
Labour on 27.5% in the latest Roy Morgan. Some 100th anniversary celebration this will be. If you pile in the Greens and Winston, you’ll get a coalition which might have a majority of 1 or 2 over National plus Maori Party.
And this is the best Labour can manage halfway through a third term National Government which is utterly rudderless and starved for ideas.
From The Guardian…. about oppression in China:
“I want you to understand the sense of fear that Chinese people feel every day
Nanfu Wang
I’m not a paranoid person, but my experience making a film about human rights in China gave me a sense of fear that I think westerners don’t comprehend.”
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/22/i-want-you-to-understand-the-sense-of-fear-that-chinese-people-feel-every-day
When one reads accounts like these, it makes one realise how crucially important it is for us to stand up for and defend our freedoms.
Our own Flint here in NZ…?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/north-canterbury/75970641/crunchy-occasionally-yellow-tap-water-plagues-district
and you really couldn’t make up shit like this…
“The majority of the Hurunui’s 12,000 residents live with tap water connected to supplies given an “E” grade by the Ministry of Health.
It is the lowest grade possible and represents an “unacceptable level of risk”, according to the Ministry.
In the last analysis conducted in 2014, supplies for Cheviot, Amberley, Waiau and Waipara all recorded excessive E.coli levels and failed protozoa tests – placing them in the bottom 3 per cent of supplies nationwide.
Seven rural water schemes in the district are on a permanent boil notice.”
BUT…
“The district council says it is more of a “nuisance” than a health issue.”
AND…
“The council has until 2025 to meet national drinking water standards, which it said could cost up to $14 million, as most of its water supplies do not meet the standard.
It had previously told the Ministry of Health the standards were unfair, as much of the district’s water was consumed by animals.”
Towards a brighter future…