The change I want to see is less obsession with one topic in these general posts. How do you suggest I ‘be’ that?
I’ve been ignoring it for weeks and all I see is endless bickering, no attempts to make it relevant to NZ labour movement politics, wasting of moderators’ time and reduction of the other voices willing to brave the resulting swamp.
It is quite relevant actually, it shows up the natural issues we have in dealing with labour movement issues in NZ.
The first is internationalism, and if people are engaging with the concept in modern and classical sense. Do people have a internationalist outlook, or is it all tribalism?
The second is the East-West divide or North-South – Money-No money, Or Race/Class divide.
The third, is a relationship with the dominant power in society and our relation to their mouth pieces, the modern media.
Thanks. I’d welcome that perspective being explicitly added to all discussions here about far-off wars. Would make a pleasant change from the disconnected bickering.
I admit, I could be reading you wrong Chairman. It is just that I thought your comment added nothing to the debate over Syria, and was just an opportunist attempt to take advantage of the obvious split in the Left over Syria to start a flame war.
The other reason that I thought you are right Wing is your role in this debate HERE, where I may have mistakenly lumped you in with commenters veutoviper and McFlock who seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.
But again I could be wrong. And if I so I do apologise.
So I will take the time to answer the implied questioning of the Labour Party contained in your statement.
The Chairman 1
23 April 2018 at 6:47 am
Unlike the Labour Party’s disappointing acceptance, it’s good to see the Greens are opposing the latest air strike on Syria.
Personally I don’t think the Labour Party’s “acceptance” of the latest air strike on Syria was “disappointing” at all. In fact I think it was hard headed, and principled.
I think that the Labour Party struck the right balance, they didn’t give their full support to these air strikes, which must have taken some courage when every other country we align with gave their full support. But they accepted the need for them.
In my opinion the Labour Party’s current nuanced position on Syria, is very similar to that held by the late Jo Cox, assassinated by a neo-nazi sympathiser.
Cox called on the UK to use it’s airforce to make humanitarian air drops. She also supported a no fly zone. But Cox refused to vote for airstrikes on Syria.
Cox campaigned for a solution to the Syrian Civil War.[20] In October 2015, she co-authored an article in The Observer with Conservative MP Andrew Mitchell, arguing that British military forces could help achieve an ethical solution to the conflict, including the creation of civilian safe havens in Syria.[21] During that month Cox launched the All Party Parliamentary Friends of Syria group, becoming its chair.[22][23] In the Commons vote in December to approve UK military intervention against ISIL in Syria, Cox abstained because she believed in a more comprehensive strategy that would also include combatting President Bashar al-Assad and his “indiscriminate barrel bombs”.[20] She wrote:
By refusing to tackle Assad’s brutality, we may actively alienate more of the Sunni population, driving them towards Isis. So I have decided to abstain. Because I am not against airstrikes per se, but I cannot actively support them unless they are part of a plan. Because I believe in action to address Isis, but do not believe it will work in isolation.[24]
Andrew Grice of The Independent felt that she “argued forcefully that the UK Government should be doing more both to help the victims and use its influence abroad to bring an end to the Syrian conflict”.[25] In February 2016, Cox wrote to the Nobel Committee praising the work of the Syrian Civil Defense, a civilian voluntary emergency rescue organisation known as the White Helmets, and nominating them for the Nobel Peace Prize: “In the most dangerous place on earth these unarmed volunteers risk their lives to help anyone in need regardless of religion or politics”. The nomination was accepted by the committee, and garnered the support of twenty of her fellow MPs and several celebrities, including George Clooney, Daniel Craig, Chris Martin and Michael Palin. The nomination was supported by members of Canada’s New Democratic Party, who urged Stéphane Dion, the country’s Foreign Affairs Minister, to give his backing on behalf of Canada.[26][27]
Cox, a supporter of the Labour Friends of Palestine & the Middle East,[28] called for the lifting of the blockade of the Gaza Strip.[29] She opposed efforts by the government to curtail the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and said “I believe that this is a gross attack on democratic freedoms. Not only is it right to boycott unethical companies but it is our right to do so.”[30]
A right wing troll and flame war instigator? Your opinion of me is totally incorrect, Jenny.
The intent of my initial comment/post was to publicly give the Greens a pat on the back while expressing my disappointment with Labour. Presenting an opportunity for us to discuss the two stances taken.
As for your opinion regarding Labour’s acceptance stance, I have to say I disagree. Opting for the middle ground, the Government lacked the courage to take a firm stance either way. Disappointing those that wanted to see the Government offer more support while also disappointing those that wanted to see the Government oppose it.
Jenny I have only just caught up with your claims above that The other reason that I thought you are right Wing is your role in this debate HERE, where I may have mistakenly lumped you in with commenters veutoviper and McFlock who seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.
What a load of bullshit. Back in that discussion on the Government’s decision to not allow any new oil and gas exploration permits but continue those already approved linked to under “HERE”, my comment was simply that:
“As The Chairman and Pat have said, to avoid those holding current permits which go out for years from suing the NZ Government (ie taxpayers) for probably hundreds of million of dollars, if not billions, for breach of contract, lost earnings etc etc .”
That is a ridiculous long bow that you have drawn from a simple statement pointing out the likely costs of breaching those existing oil and gas exploration contracts, to claiming that I, for one, “seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.”
I am strongly against any further oil or gas exploration on land in NZ or elsewhere, or anywhere in the worldwide marine environment due to the damage already done. And I was – and am still totally angry – that those exploration contracts were ever let in the first place by previous NZ governments of any hue or political persuasion.
But some of us here actually live and work/or have worked in the real world – not on some idealistic planet like some of you do.
If the existing contracts were thrown out and the NZ Government sued, those milllions/billions of dollars would have to come from somewhere.
Where do you suggest – the health budget, the social security/welfare budget, delaying essential infrastructure like rebuilding the railways, conservation budget, etc, etc?
It is those sort of false assumptions, and false equivalences that led me to decide not to reply to your original reply to me at the time where you tried to make an equivalence to the aboliiton of slavery etc.
But that claim of yours in your comment above as to my beliefs etc is a step too far. I would love it if we could stop all existing oil and gas exploration right this minute but realism dictates otherwise – and even people like James Shaw seem to understand that.
Good on you Jenny. But the Chairman is playing a persona of being a cool, superior, informed commenter bringing intelligence and order to the children’s playpen. From that elevated position and personal opinion behind it, every complaint, disagreement or comment is grist for more microscopic dissection of the reaction, questioning disdainfully, word by word. It will go on for ever. Occasionally there will be an apparently thoughtful comment usually though at an acute angle towards RW. Do not regard this as a trend!
Waste of time and space and thought power engaging with this robot-like person. It could be a prototype for automated responses to drive direction on vox populi like this one instead of people reading, thinking, discussing and learning from each other for greater understanding across the polity.
Well you can be a Green supporter and be critical of their direction in particular when for some inexplicable reason they go from 11% to 6% – clearly the cheerleaders egging them on are not exactly working in the Greens best interests.
We also live in a democracy so we can actually disagree with political decisions – but in the case of the Chairman – he is supporting the Greens decision on Syria. Therefore the attack on the Chairman, seems to be more of a concern trolling on behalf of people who don’t support the Greens attacking the person who does support the Greens pretending he/she doesn’t… weird.
Lord, have you seen many of Chairman’s concern-ridden comments? He has given himself away many times, but persists in pretending to be genuine. Jenny is the lastest in a long list of people who have twigged.
Totally disagree, if Greens had taken notice of what Green supporter criticism was telling them, then they might not be in the position hey are today. To be a cheerleader when a political party is going down the toilet for votes, is not a good idea. Be the friend that tells them, not a good idea!
I voted Greens last time too (for party vote) but very grudgingly because I thought they had screwed up big time, but wanted to make sure Greens made over 5%.
I wasn’t worried so much the Metiria issue, but a whole range of things that made it more about the Green MP’s rather than about the Green Party.
Criticism from “supporters” is usually constructive. And if the circumstances just prior to last election are “inexplicable” to you, you weren’t paying attention.
On the contrary, that binary is your construct. I’m sure it’s purely coincidental that phrasing it in that way emphasises division between coalition partners.
To steal a term from Ardern, I accept the positions of both parties, and I respect and understand the basis for their decisions. I believe both parties have made good-faith decisions based on the particular situation they are in. I don’t know that I would do anything different to Labour if I was the major governing party, and if I were in the Greens’ position I’d probably feel more free to express a stronger opinion.
As you can see, we both vote Green, yet our opinions differ. While I can understand Labour’s position, I don’t accept or agree with it. I’m more aligned with the Greens stance.
It would be interesting to see how many Labour supporters fully agree with the Government’s stance.
The Government must have felt they could get away with taking this middle ground stance. Hence, if their supporters oppose this, they need to voice their disappointment.
And while you accept the position of both parties, which do you support?
As for your remark: “stick your concern up your arse.”
What are you on about? I haven’t raised a concern.
Your language is the same as always: “support” vs “oppose”. “Fully agree” vs “don’t accept”. Urging people to “voice their disappointment”. Saying the government is trying to “get away with” something.
Here’s a bombshell for you: the Greens don’t agree with Labour’s position, but they accept it. Despite your attempts to sow discord, they’re not walking away from the coalition, are they?
And no, my position isn’t fence-sitting. My position is that this government has potential to be a great government, with all parties involved. So really, the distinction between “accepting” the fact that the yanks are going to bomb folks and impotently opposing this state of nature is pretty pointless. Our government probably needs both things to be said.
If Ardern spoke strongly against it, Trump would get fucked off and hold a grudge. That might bite us later. But the Greens don’t expose us to that level of diplomatic friction, so they can speak more strongly. The lack of National-level enthusiastic support suggests to me that the Greens could well have been saying what Ardern would have liked to have been able to say.
As to the latest airstrike on Syria, I don’t like it. But as I’ve said before, I can’t decide whether I don’t like it because it was an unsanctioned trilateral attack on a sovereign nation, or whether I don’t like it because it was intentionally ineffective when they should have been genuinely trying to kill Assad and destroy his military infrastructure for the last 6 years. But this strike was just the bullshit of both worlds.
It would be interesting to see how many Labour supporters fully agree with the Government’s stance.
Huh!? Aren’t you privy to plenty of anecdotal evidence, feedback and the Greens’ internal polling?
As McFlock has already done a superb job of explaining it to you I won’t have to add much.
You don’t seem to understand the consensus approach of the Greens, which does not rely on “fully agree[ing]” or similar absolutes.
The Greens think and operate more in a holistic integrated way, at multiple levels, not in black & white or Left & Right.
You may not also agree with your spouse, for example, but you still accept them and you won’t express your disappointment in the hope (or with the intention) that they would change their ways so that you won’t get disappointed again in future.
It’s no bombshell to me that the Greens accept Labour’s position. It’s basically what I pointed out to Pat below. The thing is, although the Greens accept Labour’s position, they don’t share it.
Sure, the Green’s voicing their stance doesn’t expose us to the same level of diplomatic friction, but you seem to be saying you support our Government kowtowing to Trump to avoid any potential friction. Care to clarify? And while kowtowing to Trump may avoid diplomatic friction, it would paint us as a bit of a pushover on the international stage.
If we were to oppose, our opposition couldn’t be that impotent if it were to bother the States enough to create friction.
And opposing wouldn’t be pointless, especially if it grew Labour’s support. For me, Labour’s acceptance is another in the list of reasons not to vote for them. Wonder how many others from the left feel the same way? So while Labour may have avoided diplomatic friction, I’m sure their stance has created friction and a divide amongst a number of their own supporters.
Kowtowing? You are obviously unaware of the reactions by the aussies or the nato states. They actively supported it. NZ is almost the odd one out amongst western nations in merely “acceptin” them.
NZ opposition would have been impotent in that we would not have been able to get trump to avoid or even merely ameliorate the response. It could have pissed him off, though. Whether the latter is a bad thing needs some complex analyses, but friction is not it’s own reward or a sign of power. Only internet jerks think that.
As for growing Labour’s support, thanks for your concern but I reckon they’ll be ok. Especially if they actually have a decent budget and start building a hospital or two.
He does show a lot of concern which doesn’t quite ring true when considering his other posts. The definition of this is concern trolling. I tend to just scroll on by.
As you can see, the Greens disagreed with Labour and yet the coalition hasn’t fell apart.
The tactic is to scare the Greens into submission, costing them their identity, thus weakening their support. Potentially costing Labour a coalition partner come next election.
Sad that some from the left are falling for it.
Good to see the Greens haven’t totally fallen for it.
It’s a right-wing tactic. Devised of two prongs. Say nothing and risk losing your identity as a result of failing to speak up or speak up and risk being painted as divided.
At a time when our government is claiming that climate change is our generation’s “nuclear-free moment,” and has recently said that there will be no new coal mines on conservation land, it must say no to this mountaintop removal. Without access to this precious DOC land, the mine is unlikely to go ahead.
Hon Dr Megan Woods (Minister of Energy and Resources) and Hon Eugenie Sage (Minister of Conservation), have the power to stop this mine.
Call on Megan Woods and Eugenie Sage to live up to their words, and pull the plug on this dirty and short-sighted project. Sign the petition here:
Deborah Hill Cone: Why does Clarke Gayford bug me?
Not quite sure what the point of this article is, is it for click bait purposes, is it the first shots in the rumours swirling or did she just have to submit something before the deadline and this is the best (worst) she could come up with?
‘He went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history, and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at the University of Auckland.’
‘During this time, he took leave to travel to the United Kingdom to study at the London School of Economics, and later to complete a postgraduate law degree at St Catherine’s College, Oxford;’
Simon Bridges may be well educated, but he appears low in social and emotional intelligence and lacks individuality, so he comes across as a cardboard cut out of Key.
PR
Simon might be your lord – good luck with that – his educational qualifications haven’t fitted him to be a political leader of the sort we want, and urgently need, in NZ. A NZ that is a well functioning country where citizens are treated fairly with equality and able to work and support themselves in a vital domestic economy.
Dont underestimate the Nat machine grey. He is in bigtime training. They have a template and they are using it again. Having some in the media lead a different angle of attack is not new, while the new leader trains and has no dirt on his hands.
The political game is bigger than the All Blacks I guess Tracey. The team all well paid and very hard to shake down and keep down from the elevated position on the league table they had fashioned for themselves (in a penthouse perhaps).
Labour having done so will have to watch in any ruck that no-one gets their ear bitten off or worse. Watching your back when on the field is axiomatic – to ensure that an axe doesn’t land there!
There is a difference between a questioning mind and one that is very good at repeating information they have learnt. I’m pretty sure that that Simon is more the type to excell at repeating what he’s been taught.
Also those with impressive CV’s seem to somehow be falling into a hybrid intellectual but idiot class (a new right version), an affliction where seemingly extremely well educated individuals somehow have almost zero practicality or ability to solve a problem.
I get confused PR, do Nats now love people who spend a lot of time at University? I know he was a Prosecuter, and worked briefly in a firm but real world? C’mon you guys ridicule lefties with far less academic bullshittery
I clarified your comment hence it is about your thinking, not mine. Stating a fact or making an observation it does not logically follow that one agrees with or accepts it …
Not so sure it is that orchestrated in this case. The topic of every Hill Cone ‘piece’ is Hill Cone herself, ultimately. This fits the pattern rather well.
Mostly I am just envious – not an emotion I suffer from much – but oh! how I wish I could rake in good money from just dashing off any old shite from 8:00-8:30 in the morning and then go fishing or gardening for the rest of the day. Bliss!
Personally, I think she’s miles ahead of HDPA in the quality of her writing.
Yes she is but despite her occasional protestations to the contrary, I’m always mindful of her former right-wing views. It is my experience that leopards never really change their spots.
I don’t have a problem with right-wing views per se; I do have a problem with RWNJs, dogmatic & rigid, arrogant & patronising, major lack of self-awareness and effects on others, and people who are inconsiderate and refuse to say sorry.
I was making a general comparison of the writings of Cone and HDPA; I was not specifically commenting on the Cone’s latest piece, which it sounds like it was a shocker.
Insufficient fawning.
If that isn’t against the law Winston will certainly make it so when he officially takes charge. “So I suggest you should watch it Sunshine”. Winston will soon be the law.
“Catastrophisation”..
I didn’t actually care at all under I saw this wonderful word in your comment. I had never seen or heard it before and I had to look it up.
Thank you for putting another glorious word into my vocabulary. Now I just have to find a real reason to use it.
Haagerup, who founded the Constructive Institute, spoke of how many journalists think the goal of good journalism is to be critical, when in fact the goal should be to inform people in order for people to make up their own minds. Being critical was simply a tool to do that, not the goal, and journalists had mixed that up.
Also note that this is thanks to 17 Stuff staff awarded company scholarships this year. Money & time well spent I’d think.
Can compost help agriculture as well as climate change? I’m not sure what became (if anything) of NZ supposed involvement in world climate change reduction by looking at science and technology, but here seems to be a study that could be investigated further and trialled in NZ.
“California has about 56 million acres of rangeland, the single largest type of land use in the state. If compost made with manure was applied to just 5 percent of that area, they calculated, it would offset emissions from about 80 percent of the state’s agricultural sector — all the cows raised, crops grown, fertilizer applied and tractors driven in California. Much of that offset came from diverting manure from festering lagoons — where it releases methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere — into compost, a one-time benefit. But the ongoing drawdown of carbon dioxide from enhanced grass growth could be important, too. If you treated 41 percent of the state’s rangeland, Silver told me, carbon pumped into the earth by photosynthesis might render the entire agricultural sector of the world’s sixth-largest economy carbon-neutral for years to come.”
“compost made with manure” – I wonder what they mean by that? Compost is generally plant-based, not manure-based. Compost making; hot composts especially, produce lots of heat and various gases; not ideal if reducing both is your aim. Cold composts, where time does the work, are probably better, though out-basing is still a thing. My preference would be for direct application of plant material and animal manures to the surface of the soil; I suspect the processes that happen at soil level are different to those that occur in a constructed heap; often it’s the details that make all the difference. Perhaps someone has details of what is released from forest floor litter degrading. I think a managed woodland, one where fungi are nurtured and charcoal produced etc. is the best model around. Masses of cow dung produced by farmed animals (as in California) dug from lagoons! or whatever was to be processed, I expect a methane recovery system would be better than anything else. Here in New Zealand we apply sloppy cow sh*t to pastures through slurry spreaders and irrigation systems, but it’s far from ideal; the problem is the cow shed/milking shed – if cows were out and about all the time there wouldn’t be the problem (different problems, but not the “must move this mountain of sh*t problem).
also watched an interesting article last night about the US putting back prairie grass and bison, also took in carbon and created a haven for flora and fauna… grass based and non intensive farming of grazing animals for example could be used to store carbon… something NZ needs to think about as we go towards very intensive, soil destructive and use of supplementary feed like Palm kernel … the opposite of good carbon practises… there is clearly better ways to managed farmed animals – NZ should be looking at better options, not burying our heads in the sand or increasing our carbon outputs!
You and she may miss the point. As a highly paid Rugby professional, he has clauses in his contract about bringing the game into disrepute. Of course he can rant on the hell-headingness of gays all he likes, provided he resigns his current job and thereby the money first. he would have had a lawyer advise him before he signed the contract on what all the clauses meant…. turns out he just wants the ones that work for him.
Problem is Au rugby union probably need Falou more than he needs them re who creates the values I suggest ending his contract would be
more detrimental to aru than Falou , he has options and one of the few world class players the wallabies have that can draw and audience, hence why kids glove treatment
“The last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in 1914. It was the same summer that Archduke Franz Ferdinand took one in the gut. Since then, the Archdukes have been multiplying in secret, under different names and titles. Now they are the ones darkening the skies over many of the world’s cities. Now we are the ones darkening the skies, everywhere.”
“The last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in 1914. It was the same summer that Archduke Franz Ferdinand took one in the gut. Since then, the Archdukes have been multiplying in secret, under different names and titles. Now they are the ones darkening the skies over many of the world’s cities. Now we are the ones darkening the skies, everywhere.”
One reason is that when the new rules (which Key et al said we didn’t need) came in, only a third of Trusts supplied the real name and address info required. The rest let their trusts lapse…
Indeed, but what about the 2/3rds who just went quite? Why did 2/3rds of trust who probably we’re doing somthing underhand, just get a free pass? And last but not least, where did they go?
Hooton on Nine to Noon this morning espousing the need for changing what prisons are about.
“Prisons should be about inmates learning reading, writing and arithmetic then they take a shower and shave and be let out to get a job. Not for murder, rape or GBH convictions though.”
Apparently he advised ACT on this as a potential policy in the past.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to him that the proactive approach of meaningful govt investment in our education system and the reinstatement of a 21st century Ministry of Works would go a long way in solving the need for more prisons in NZ.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to him that who he has supported and voted for during his voting lifetime have not wanted to do what works in prisons but what gets them votes? And his ongoing support and votes for them means they keep giving him what he doesn’t want?
It sounds to me like Hoots has spent some time listening to Alex Swney, born-again swindler, who used to belong to ACT, ran for them in Tamaki, and went to prison cos he thought he wasn’t paid what he was worth, so just embezzled it.
Having made sure he tied up his assets out of reach of IRD, he went to prison, his girls continued at private schools and he styled himself on Shawshank Redemption…. working in the library and teaching people to read and do yoga. Frankly I am surprised he taught anyone to read given he doesn’t usually stop to let anyone else speak.
So the gormless 3 strikes and you’re out party now have members pretending to be astounded the system is broken? Just cos one of theirs went inside and has seen what it’s “really like”? Funny thing about privileged men, they cannot believe something until they or one of their ilk has experienced it.
EVIDENCE based rehab and punishment would go along way to reforming many of our ills, but the votes… the VOTES!
Is it? National and ACT voters have ensured we have a punitive, vengeful focussed system for decades. I have long suspected Simon Power’s early demise (he was often touted as a future PM) was because he wanted an evidence-based, bipartisan approach to our prison system and got yelled down by the “what about the law and order votes” crowd. The SST crowd must vote for someone, I suspect they loved the 3 strikes nonsense.
ACT has provided by far the highest number of MP’s who have been found guilty of crimes. By some margin. Just saying.
Kat. I think Hooton’s comment was in the context of the Government needing to get we the people onside. If we saw the changes as Hooton outlined it would help to counter the shrill voices already screaming, “Do ya want murderers and rapists roaming the streets and climbing in your windows because of these wishy washy Labour Mps?”
Ianmac. I heard it as Hooton suggesting what he thinks prisons should be focusing on, in short repositioning prisons as schools. Having these basic skills would be a perquisite to letting people out of prisons. Not that I disagree with upskilling people in prisons but I tend to agree with Tracey that the previous National/Acts govt vote grabbing and punitive policies towards crime is a major factor in why we have such high incarceration and those on remand have trebled since 2012.
Sour Soper. Poor guy is in mourning. Several cracks about Jacinda flying high and innuendo about her friendship with Trudeau finally saying “she will come to earth back behind her desk in Parliament.”
He and his wife are a sour pair.
The surprise today was 10 out of 10 for Jacinda from Hosking’s wife, almost gracious!! Hosk will have a fit!!
If you thought Mihi Forbes would be an excellent addition
to The Panel, you’re going to be very disappointed.
RNZ National, Monday 23 April 2018, 4:10 p.m.
Jim Mora, Mihi Forbes, Sam Johnson, Caitlin Cherry
Johnson, a Young Nat, started the show by vapouring on about how Jacinda represents “generational change,” and then getting in a party-political kick in the head by insisting the rest of the Labour Party was not like her, and that there was going to be trouble for the government in the next six months. Then he said: “But whatever side of the political fence you are on, you should be very happy about the way the Prime Minister held herself.”
Mihi Forbes vacuously endorsed Johnson’s words, saying something equally vapid about Jacinda and “the world stage.”
Mihi Forbes has a well earned reputation as a straight talker and a courageous journalist. She could have made a difference to this usually substandard show. Sadly, she seems to have chosen the standard option for many women on this show: meekly agreeing with whatever Mora and the other guest say, no matter how asinine. Hell, they might as well have the egregious Lisa Scott on the show….
‘Plausible deniabilty’ in action.
Thompson & clarke and government entities and their agents. Checkpoint is well on the way to the expose….but then there are also some of the other little nudge nudge wink wink activities between T&C and a public service that @Wayne assures us is impartial (see the weekend).
Maybe part of Steven Joyce’s 11 billion hole will be the number of CEO’s and snr managemwnt in the public service who should rightfully be put on ‘gardening leave’as what should be the bleeding bloody obvious is investigated.
We have become truly 3rd world. Some of the muppetry really astounds me ( going forward ).
The question is now whether our exec branch of government will ekshully deal with our out-of-control admin wing in this grand pissing competition between the two.
I think I just heard a DOC ‘official’ tell us that the services of T&C were still being used….despite being told ( from memory) that the SSC and ministers saying this was not on and should stip.
As I listened to the reasons why their services were required, i had to ask myself WHY AREN’T THE NZ POLICE handling this? Afterall, that is their job!
I’m afraid we have @spikeyboy – as I raise a toast with a dainty wee glass full of the best Matrinborough Chardonnay, whilst clutching my pearls and telling my partner how absolutely horrid it all is going forward.
Worse still, many of TS commenters haven’t yet seen fit to make any sort of comment (one way or the other).
At the very least I was hoping for an @ Anne or @ Patrician Bremner take on it all.
An @ Ad or an @ Wayne’s take, I think I can already imagine.
I wonder sometimes whether Labour and its coalition partners are masochistic, as in beat me beat me with some more ‘official’ lies and bullshit. The past record and
current pushback hasn’t yet caused some Ministers to wake the fuck up!
No wonder some are nervous about the breadth of backgrounds on the new group for Secret Services, some questions we all ask will now be asked and some of the skullduggery will need to be justified
“I know how these orders are given. I know how a sniper does the shooting. I know how many authorizations he needs before he receives an authorization to open fire. It is not the whim of one or the other sniper who identifies the small body of a child now and decides he’ll shoot. Someone marks the target for him very well and tells him exactly why one has to shoot and what the threat is from that individual. And to my great sorrow, sometimes when you shoot at a small body and you intended to hit his arm or shoulder, it goes even higher.”
For “it goes even higher,” Fogel uses a Hebrew idiom also meaning “it costs even more.”
In this chilling statement, in which a general talks about snipers targeting the “small body of a child,” Fogel makes crystal clear that this policy is premeditated and deliberate.
While presenting unarmed Palestinian children as dangerous terrorists worthy of death, Fogel describes the snipers killing them in cold blood as the innocent, vulnerable parties who deserve protection.
“We have soldiers there, our children, who were sent out and receive very accurate instructions about whom to shoot to protect us. Let’s back them up,” he says.
Jenny…A horrific account. Israel is supported in these atrocities by the USA and all other nations who stay silent. An outrage to anyone with a smidgen of ethics.
Good morning Newshub Yes my spelling is—— but you know what they say about one skill being naturally missing another is enhanced ???????.
Duncan you are behaving Honorably that was a good interview with Jacinda .
Yes most of OUR Elderly sit at home isolated from society mean while the cost of everything keeps climbing which limits there food budget so they don’t get the right nutrition or exercise . I say we should include them in OUR society they have a lot of good knowledge and morels that should be past on to the Mokopunas thats how Maori used to be the Koro and Kuia looked after the Mokopunas while the able went to work get the Kaumatua is early child care and schools it would be beneficial to all.
MJ I researched artificial sugars and the facts put me off them cancer causing agents in them yes I know I smoke my Nan smoked till she was 60 and lived to 93 thats a good innings.
Its not racism untill you are the one feeling the effects of this human behavior and Eco Maori is differently feeling these effects the sandflys get a hint of me being scared of them and they step up the intimidation I am not scared of them as I have done nothing wrong and I have the skills my Tipuna bestowed on me.???????? here’s a link.
The old, the children, the disabled, the unwell and uncared for, the homeless, the low paid… the numbers of our vulnerable used to be small but increasingly their numbers are moving beyond being a mere “minority”.
The antidote? We are told we must “grow the economy”. Well the economy has been growing for decades and yet… As long as many pretend that growing the economy is a panacea and thereby comfort themselves that as long as the economy grows things will be fine, we will continue to fail our vulnerable. Our vulnerable are who we are supposed to protect, not relegate to subsistence and essentially tell them they shoukd feel lucky they werent born in India.
Sadly eco, 675000 plus land is way out of many kiwis hands. It was hard to tell from the article if land was included in the price or not. I suspect not.
157 square metre house costing $675,000 is about $4300 per square metre.
I am all for passive houses but until the price plummetts it is a rich womans dream.
FYI when we moved from Auckland to Christchurch ladt year we built new and tgat included 20 solar panels. Install and purchase of the panels and equipment was 135000.
Batteries are not yet regarded by our supplier as worth their cost
Here you go a Lady with 2 children working and having a hard time putting a roof over there heads .I know some one in the same situation thanks to bill and shonky we have a major shortage of houses .Ka kite ano hears the link
Newshub Malissa The new British Royal baby boy congratulations Willaim an Kate .
I say that Jacinda and Clarke are a cool couple and will be excellent parents Ka pai eh hoa yes the fish I was handling was over 35 years ago everything was in abundance and big in those days.
Mike I have already commented on that painting you see I have been studying our tipuna and history I have read a lot of good storys about Tepuia she and Apirana Ngata built a lot of Marae and Trust farms and I would not agree to any of OUR boys going to war You see the nurturing instinct from a Great Mana Whine Tepuia .
Yea the Kiwis Rugby League team is going for the best coach I remember all those going for the coachs job Toovey Hasler Daley they were all mean players back in the day Yea. the Mokos are here Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild Mulls and James I won’t comment on that team.
Hows the eye and calf and the ratings you know Eco Maori is the flute Master .
Kronfeld looks like he dosen’t like water lol ka kite ano P.S
The IPL Cricket is awesome I like the way they (Play)
Tax reminder – have your say to the Tax Working Group. TS has talked and thought about it often enough and its failings at present. We could do so much better with the right shift – to the left of course.
ttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1804/S00241/one-week-left-to-have-your-say-on-the-future-of-tax.htm
“The quick polls have been popular with more than 10,000 responses so far and it’s encouraging that a good proportion of those votes have been followed up with a submission.”
Note: 10,000 responses so far – out of 4+ million taxpayers minus children not big enough to suck gobstoppers. It isn’t many really is it. Your input will be effective at some level so don’t miss out.
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
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 ...
Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 28, 2024 thru Sat, May 4, 2024. Story of the week "It’s straight out of Big Tobacco’s playbook. In fact, research by John Cook and his colleagues ...
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Photo by Jari Hytönen on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
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Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
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Unlike the Labour Party’s disappointing acceptance, it’s good to see the Greens are opposing the latest air strike on Syria.
blah blah Syria blah.
Can someone at least set out what you plan to do about it in our NZ context.
Perhaps more will vote Green as a result.
I do not mean you or your comment specifically. Just sick of the topic being raised ad nauseum without practical local relevance.
Highlighting Labour and the Green’s stance gives it local relevance.
Be the change you want to see.
The change I want to see is less obsession with one topic in these general posts. How do you suggest I ‘be’ that?
I’ve been ignoring it for weeks and all I see is endless bickering, no attempts to make it relevant to NZ labour movement politics, wasting of moderators’ time and reduction of the other voices willing to brave the resulting swamp.
It is quite relevant actually, it shows up the natural issues we have in dealing with labour movement issues in NZ.
The first is internationalism, and if people are engaging with the concept in modern and classical sense. Do people have a internationalist outlook, or is it all tribalism?
The second is the East-West divide or North-South – Money-No money, Or Race/Class divide.
The third, is a relationship with the dominant power in society and our relation to their mouth pieces, the modern media.
I could go on.
Thanks. I’d welcome that perspective being explicitly added to all discussions here about far-off wars. Would make a pleasant change from the disconnected bickering.
Agreed, we should be connecting more dots in the discussions.
I am. But it’s good to see the Greens (in this instance) are voicing it. More need to get in behind them.
IF more on the left voiced our concern with Labour’s acceptance, perhaps we’d encourage them to implant the change we want.
Having a Labour whinge… followed by a Green whinge… is not being the change.
Chairman, in my opinion, you are a Right Wing troll
Why is that, Jenny?
I admit, I could be reading you wrong Chairman. It is just that I thought your comment added nothing to the debate over Syria, and was just an opportunist attempt to take advantage of the obvious split in the Left over Syria to start a flame war.
The other reason that I thought you are right Wing is your role in this debate HERE, where I may have mistakenly lumped you in with commenters veutoviper and McFlock who seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.
But again I could be wrong. And if I so I do apologise.
So I will take the time to answer the implied questioning of the Labour Party contained in your statement.
Personally I don’t think the Labour Party’s “acceptance” of the latest air strike on Syria was “disappointing” at all. In fact I think it was hard headed, and principled.
I think that the Labour Party struck the right balance, they didn’t give their full support to these air strikes, which must have taken some courage when every other country we align with gave their full support. But they accepted the need for them.
In my opinion the Labour Party’s current nuanced position on Syria, is very similar to that held by the late Jo Cox, assassinated by a neo-nazi sympathiser.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/jo-cox-watch-the-labour-mps-compelling-speech-on-the-aleppo-crisis-a7086011.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/15/late-jo-coxs-white-helmets-nobel-plea-heard/
Cox called on the UK to use it’s airforce to make humanitarian air drops. She also supported a no fly zone. But Cox refused to vote for airstrikes on Syria.
A right wing troll and flame war instigator? Your opinion of me is totally incorrect, Jenny.
The intent of my initial comment/post was to publicly give the Greens a pat on the back while expressing my disappointment with Labour. Presenting an opportunity for us to discuss the two stances taken.
As for your opinion regarding Labour’s acceptance stance, I have to say I disagree. Opting for the middle ground, the Government lacked the courage to take a firm stance either way. Disappointing those that wanted to see the Government offer more support while also disappointing those that wanted to see the Government oppose it.
Jenny I have only just caught up with your claims above that The other reason that I thought you are right Wing is your role in this debate HERE, where I may have mistakenly lumped you in with commenters veutoviper and McFlock who seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.
What a load of bullshit. Back in that discussion on the Government’s decision to not allow any new oil and gas exploration permits but continue those already approved linked to under “HERE”, my comment was simply that:
“As The Chairman and Pat have said, to avoid those holding current permits which go out for years from suing the NZ Government (ie taxpayers) for probably hundreds of million of dollars, if not billions, for breach of contract, lost earnings etc etc .”
That is a ridiculous long bow that you have drawn from a simple statement pointing out the likely costs of breaching those existing oil and gas exploration contracts, to claiming that I, for one, “seem to be of the firmly held opinion, that contracts made with oil companies are more sacred than human life or the protection of the biosphere.”
I am strongly against any further oil or gas exploration on land in NZ or elsewhere, or anywhere in the worldwide marine environment due to the damage already done. And I was – and am still totally angry – that those exploration contracts were ever let in the first place by previous NZ governments of any hue or political persuasion.
But some of us here actually live and work/or have worked in the real world – not on some idealistic planet like some of you do.
If the existing contracts were thrown out and the NZ Government sued, those milllions/billions of dollars would have to come from somewhere.
Where do you suggest – the health budget, the social security/welfare budget, delaying essential infrastructure like rebuilding the railways, conservation budget, etc, etc?
It is those sort of false assumptions, and false equivalences that led me to decide not to reply to your original reply to me at the time where you tried to make an equivalence to the aboliiton of slavery etc.
But that claim of yours in your comment above as to my beliefs etc is a step too far. I would love it if we could stop all existing oil and gas exploration right this minute but realism dictates otherwise – and even people like James Shaw seem to understand that.
Good on you Jenny. But the Chairman is playing a persona of being a cool, superior, informed commenter bringing intelligence and order to the children’s playpen. From that elevated position and personal opinion behind it, every complaint, disagreement or comment is grist for more microscopic dissection of the reaction, questioning disdainfully, word by word. It will go on for ever. Occasionally there will be an apparently thoughtful comment usually though at an acute angle towards RW. Do not regard this as a trend!
Waste of time and space and thought power engaging with this robot-like person. It could be a prototype for automated responses to drive direction on vox populi like this one instead of people reading, thinking, discussing and learning from each other for greater understanding across the polity.
Think Star Trek ” In particular we see the Vogon say “Resistance is Useless” and the Borg say “Resistance is Futile”.”
https://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/114212/is-there-a-link-between-the-vogons-resistance-is-useless-and-the-borgs-resi
Far from reality, but thanks for the insight to your thoughts.
Considering the Chairman votes the Greens a weird comment, but everyone is entitled to their opinion.
That’s their claim. If true, it makes their incessant “concern” quite curious – with voters like that, the Greens don’t need enemies.
Well you can be a Green supporter and be critical of their direction in particular when for some inexplicable reason they go from 11% to 6% – clearly the cheerleaders egging them on are not exactly working in the Greens best interests.
We also live in a democracy so we can actually disagree with political decisions – but in the case of the Chairman – he is supporting the Greens decision on Syria. Therefore the attack on the Chairman, seems to be more of a concern trolling on behalf of people who don’t support the Greens attacking the person who does support the Greens pretending he/she doesn’t… weird.
Lord, have you seen many of Chairman’s concern-ridden comments? He has given himself away many times, but persists in pretending to be genuine. Jenny is the lastest in a long list of people who have twigged.
Totally disagree, if Greens had taken notice of what Green supporter criticism was telling them, then they might not be in the position hey are today. To be a cheerleader when a political party is going down the toilet for votes, is not a good idea. Be the friend that tells them, not a good idea!
I voted Greens last time too (for party vote) but very grudgingly because I thought they had screwed up big time, but wanted to make sure Greens made over 5%.
I wasn’t worried so much the Metiria issue, but a whole range of things that made it more about the Green MP’s rather than about the Green Party.
Criticism from “supporters” is usually constructive. And if the circumstances just prior to last election are “inexplicable” to you, you weren’t paying attention.
FWIW, I voted for the Greens last time.
I agree. It is NATS voters who rarely criticise their lot… that is not a strength, imo
Natz don’t believing in critical thinking but they have got diversion down to a fine art.
In this instance, McFlock it’s not whether or not you voted Green, it’s whether or not you support their stance on this matter?
On the contrary, that binary is your construct. I’m sure it’s purely coincidental that phrasing it in that way emphasises division between coalition partners.
To steal a term from Ardern, I accept the positions of both parties, and I respect and understand the basis for their decisions. I believe both parties have made good-faith decisions based on the particular situation they are in. I don’t know that I would do anything different to Labour if I was the major governing party, and if I were in the Greens’ position I’d probably feel more free to express a stronger opinion.
So stick your concern up your arse.
“I accept the positions of both parties”
Very fence sitting but fair enough.
As you can see, we both vote Green, yet our opinions differ. While I can understand Labour’s position, I don’t accept or agree with it. I’m more aligned with the Greens stance.
It would be interesting to see how many Labour supporters fully agree with the Government’s stance.
The Government must have felt they could get away with taking this middle ground stance. Hence, if their supporters oppose this, they need to voice their disappointment.
And while you accept the position of both parties, which do you support?
As for your remark: “stick your concern up your arse.”
What are you on about? I haven’t raised a concern.
Your language is the same as always: “support” vs “oppose”. “Fully agree” vs “don’t accept”. Urging people to “voice their disappointment”. Saying the government is trying to “get away with” something.
Here’s a bombshell for you: the Greens don’t agree with Labour’s position, but they accept it. Despite your attempts to sow discord, they’re not walking away from the coalition, are they?
And no, my position isn’t fence-sitting. My position is that this government has potential to be a great government, with all parties involved. So really, the distinction between “accepting” the fact that the yanks are going to bomb folks and impotently opposing this state of nature is pretty pointless. Our government probably needs both things to be said.
If Ardern spoke strongly against it, Trump would get fucked off and hold a grudge. That might bite us later. But the Greens don’t expose us to that level of diplomatic friction, so they can speak more strongly. The lack of National-level enthusiastic support suggests to me that the Greens could well have been saying what Ardern would have liked to have been able to say.
As to the latest airstrike on Syria, I don’t like it. But as I’ve said before, I can’t decide whether I don’t like it because it was an unsanctioned trilateral attack on a sovereign nation, or whether I don’t like it because it was intentionally ineffective when they should have been genuinely trying to kill Assad and destroy his military infrastructure for the last 6 years. But this strike was just the bullshit of both worlds.
Huh!? Aren’t you privy to plenty of anecdotal evidence, feedback and the Greens’ internal polling?
As McFlock has already done a superb job of explaining it to you I won’t have to add much.
You don’t seem to understand the consensus approach of the Greens, which does not rely on “fully agree[ing]” or similar absolutes.
The Greens think and operate more in a holistic integrated way, at multiple levels, not in black & white or Left & Right.
You may not also agree with your spouse, for example, but you still accept them and you won’t express your disappointment in the hope (or with the intention) that they would change their ways so that you won’t get disappointed again in future.
It’s no bombshell to me that the Greens accept Labour’s position. It’s basically what I pointed out to Pat below. The thing is, although the Greens accept Labour’s position, they don’t share it.
Sure, the Green’s voicing their stance doesn’t expose us to the same level of diplomatic friction, but you seem to be saying you support our Government kowtowing to Trump to avoid any potential friction. Care to clarify? And while kowtowing to Trump may avoid diplomatic friction, it would paint us as a bit of a pushover on the international stage.
If we were to oppose, our opposition couldn’t be that impotent if it were to bother the States enough to create friction.
And opposing wouldn’t be pointless, especially if it grew Labour’s support. For me, Labour’s acceptance is another in the list of reasons not to vote for them. Wonder how many others from the left feel the same way? So while Labour may have avoided diplomatic friction, I’m sure their stance has created friction and a divide amongst a number of their own supporters.
Kowtowing? You are obviously unaware of the reactions by the aussies or the nato states. They actively supported it. NZ is almost the odd one out amongst western nations in merely “acceptin” them.
NZ opposition would have been impotent in that we would not have been able to get trump to avoid or even merely ameliorate the response. It could have pissed him off, though. Whether the latter is a bad thing needs some complex analyses, but friction is not it’s own reward or a sign of power. Only internet jerks think that.
As for growing Labour’s support, thanks for your concern but I reckon they’ll be ok. Especially if they actually have a decent budget and start building a hospital or two.
Indeed, savenz (1.2.2.1.1).
He does show a lot of concern which doesn’t quite ring true when considering his other posts. The definition of this is concern trolling. I tend to just scroll on by.
Examples, thanks.
Got in quick with the wedgie there chairy.
Can you point me to where Labour supported it?
Can you point to where they opposed it?
I think if you look at Jacindas comment it is the Nee Zealand government who accept it – not labour (who have not said a thing)
Labour are part of the NZ Government. In fact, they have the majority vote within the NZ Government.
Yes – but she wasn’t commenting for labour she was commenting on behalf of the government
“She was commenting on behalf of the government”
The vast majority of the Government come from Labour. Thus, she wouldn’t make such a comment if Labour disagreed.
Still trying huh?…
https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/93310/despite-national%E2%80%99s-attempts-paint-three-headed-government-uneasy-bedfellows-labour
Not at all.
As you can see, the Greens disagreed with Labour and yet the coalition hasn’t fell apart.
The tactic is to scare the Greens into submission, costing them their identity, thus weakening their support. Potentially costing Labour a coalition partner come next election.
Sad that some from the left are falling for it.
Good to see the Greens haven’t totally fallen for it.
Whose tactic?
It’s a right-wing tactic. Devised of two prongs. Say nothing and risk losing your identity as a result of failing to speak up or speak up and risk being painted as divided.
“We haven’t done anything” ?
And this despite a petition from climate change groups calling on her to take a stand on this issue.
“SIGN THE PETITION: STOP TE KUHA COALMINE”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12037416
Deborah Hill Cone: Why does Clarke Gayford bug me?
Not quite sure what the point of this article is, is it for click bait purposes, is it the first shots in the rumours swirling or did she just have to submit something before the deadline and this is the best (worst) she could come up with?
You can smell the fear rising in the owned msm.
JA/CG with baby on board blows the smile n wave snake oil bansksta routine that NACT spent years developing out of the water.
National went for a younger, dimmer, outwardly nastier version of Key in contrast.
Dimmer?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Bridges
‘He went on to complete a Bachelor of Arts in political science and history, and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) at the University of Auckland.’
‘During this time, he took leave to travel to the United Kingdom to study at the London School of Economics, and later to complete a postgraduate law degree at St Catherine’s College, Oxford;’
Hes hardly what you’d call dim
I think they may have been referring to the dimmer ’aura’.
Oh dear lord
Simon Bridges may be well educated, but he appears low in social and emotional intelligence and lacks individuality, so he comes across as a cardboard cut out of Key.
By that I meant charisma or personality, obviously.
PR
Simon might be your lord – good luck with that – his educational qualifications haven’t fitted him to be a political leader of the sort we want, and urgently need, in NZ. A NZ that is a well functioning country where citizens are treated fairly with equality and able to work and support themselves in a vital domestic economy.
Dont underestimate the Nat machine grey. He is in bigtime training. They have a template and they are using it again. Having some in the media lead a different angle of attack is not new, while the new leader trains and has no dirt on his hands.
The political game is bigger than the All Blacks I guess Tracey. The team all well paid and very hard to shake down and keep down from the elevated position on the league table they had fashioned for themselves (in a penthouse perhaps).
Labour having done so will have to watch in any ruck that no-one gets their ear bitten off or worse. Watching your back when on the field is axiomatic – to ensure that an axe doesn’t land there!
Some here will hate the sport analogy but I say bravo!
Hell, I have a law degree and I assure you, I can be pretty dim. A quick scan over The Standard’s archives could tell you that.
I’m often dimmest before I see the light 😉
Well you’ve got good taste in games so thats got to count for something
Touche
There is a difference between a questioning mind and one that is very good at repeating information they have learnt. I’m pretty sure that that Simon is more the type to excell at repeating what he’s been taught.
Also those with impressive CV’s seem to somehow be falling into a hybrid intellectual but idiot class (a new right version), an affliction where seemingly extremely well educated individuals somehow have almost zero practicality or ability to solve a problem.
Plus savenz they don’t do well in crowds, as they haven’t the spark, so often appear solo.
For example decisions at our universities… to downsize libraries – certain ones of course…
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/04/23/dear-students-of-auckland-university-here-is-how-you-get-your-libraries-back/
That was then. This is now.
Rumblefish
The guy is an arse. If shouty is the best he can do, he’s an idiot.
The guy has little real world experience and even less common sense. Definitely a monkey in a suit like Key however monkeys are more practical? ?
I get confused PR, do Nats now love people who spend a lot of time at University? I know he was a Prosecuter, and worked briefly in a firm but real world? C’mon you guys ridicule lefties with far less academic bullshittery
Well have a nice lie down and a cup of tea and i’m sure you’ll feel more with it 😉
Yesterday duplicity Allen
Today Hill Cone
The msm have been given their marching orders.
And they have large mortgages.
So forget any principles.
Guns for hire.
No I don’t think so, this is quite blatant which is more of a left wing way of doing things.
Nationals usually a bit more subtle about it
So, subtle is a euphemism for secretive & conniving. Fair point 😉
You might very well think that; I couldn’t possibly comment
I clarified your comment hence it is about your thinking, not mine. Stating a fact or making an observation it does not logically follow that one agrees with or accepts it …
Not so sure it is that orchestrated in this case. The topic of every Hill Cone ‘piece’ is Hill Cone herself, ultimately. This fits the pattern rather well.
Mostly I am just envious – not an emotion I suffer from much – but oh! how I wish I could rake in good money from just dashing off any old shite from 8:00-8:30 in the morning and then go fishing or gardening for the rest of the day. Bliss!
I agree that her pieces are mostly like self-therapy, one way or another. Personally, I think she’s miles ahead of HDPA in the quality of her writing.
Personally, I think she’s miles ahead of HDPA in the quality of her writing.
Yes she is but despite her occasional protestations to the contrary, I’m always mindful of her former right-wing views. It is my experience that leopards never really change their spots.
I don’t have a problem with right-wing views per se; I do have a problem with RWNJs, dogmatic & rigid, arrogant & patronising, major lack of self-awareness and effects on others, and people who are inconsiderate and refuse to say sorry.
She’s critical of the fact that men like Gayford get accolades for doing something women have done without applause for centuries.
Gayford doesn’t look smug to me, more he looks a bit like a fish out of water, who hasn’t really adjusted to his new role so far – it may take time.
Enjoy!
https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/23-04-2018/breaking-news-clarke-gayford-reputation-rocked-by-herald-allegations/
I was making a general comparison of the writings of Cone and HDPA; I was not specifically commenting on the Cone’s latest piece, which it sounds like it was a shocker.
Has Deborah Hill Cone got “green eyes” perhaps ?
I’m surprised the article isn’t breaching the the law and is still up.
What law do you think its breaching?
Insufficient fawning.
If that isn’t against the law Winston will certainly make it so when he officially takes charge. “So I suggest you should watch it Sunshine”. Winston will soon be the law.
Paranoia? Catastrophisation ? Trolling ? …..Shrug who cares.
“Catastrophisation”..
I didn’t actually care at all under I saw this wonderful word in your comment. I had never seen or heard it before and I had to look it up.
Thank you for putting another glorious word into my vocabulary. Now I just have to find a real reason to use it.
Presumably she didn’t have a problem with max key
They all love Max Key up and coming playboy.
Danyl Mclauchlan unpacks Deb’s concern that Gayford’s first name ends with the letter “e”.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/media/23-04-2018/breaking-news-clarke-gayford-reputation-rocked-by-herald-allegations/
This was a nice piece that includes and touches upon many points of interest here on TS: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/102921492/why-is-the-news-so-negative-exploring-constructive-journalism
A wee teaser:
Also note that this is thanks to 17 Stuff staff awarded company scholarships this year. Money & time well spent I’d think.
This is a great retrospective looking at the Hobbit law
So many still repeat and believe the lies around this…
Shes really good, her take on Disney movies are pretty good
Can compost help agriculture as well as climate change? I’m not sure what became (if anything) of NZ supposed involvement in world climate change reduction by looking at science and technology, but here seems to be a study that could be investigated further and trialled in NZ.
“California has about 56 million acres of rangeland, the single largest type of land use in the state. If compost made with manure was applied to just 5 percent of that area, they calculated, it would offset emissions from about 80 percent of the state’s agricultural sector — all the cows raised, crops grown, fertilizer applied and tractors driven in California. Much of that offset came from diverting manure from festering lagoons — where it releases methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere — into compost, a one-time benefit. But the ongoing drawdown of carbon dioxide from enhanced grass growth could be important, too. If you treated 41 percent of the state’s rangeland, Silver told me, carbon pumped into the earth by photosynthesis might render the entire agricultural sector of the world’s sixth-largest economy carbon-neutral for years to come.”
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/magazine/dirt-save-earth-carbon-farming-climate-change.html
“compost made with manure” – I wonder what they mean by that? Compost is generally plant-based, not manure-based. Compost making; hot composts especially, produce lots of heat and various gases; not ideal if reducing both is your aim. Cold composts, where time does the work, are probably better, though out-basing is still a thing. My preference would be for direct application of plant material and animal manures to the surface of the soil; I suspect the processes that happen at soil level are different to those that occur in a constructed heap; often it’s the details that make all the difference. Perhaps someone has details of what is released from forest floor litter degrading. I think a managed woodland, one where fungi are nurtured and charcoal produced etc. is the best model around. Masses of cow dung produced by farmed animals (as in California) dug from lagoons! or whatever was to be processed, I expect a methane recovery system would be better than anything else. Here in New Zealand we apply sloppy cow sh*t to pastures through slurry spreaders and irrigation systems, but it’s far from ideal; the problem is the cow shed/milking shed – if cows were out and about all the time there wouldn’t be the problem (different problems, but not the “must move this mountain of sh*t problem).
Robert, what about using the keyhole garden method to deal with the excess sh*t?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyhole_garden
No wait, scratch that… We could never make enough of them.
read the article…
also watched an interesting article last night about the US putting back prairie grass and bison, also took in carbon and created a haven for flora and fauna… grass based and non intensive farming of grazing animals for example could be used to store carbon… something NZ needs to think about as we go towards very intensive, soil destructive and use of supplementary feed like Palm kernel … the opposite of good carbon practises… there is clearly better ways to managed farmed animals – NZ should be looking at better options, not burying our heads in the sand or increasing our carbon outputs!
I’m needing to clear my history and cache almost daily on TS lately – get a bad request notice.
I also don’t have an edit button around the same time, as for my last comment on Micky’s capitalism post – wanted to correct a grammatical error.
firefox on both mac and pc.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/04/israel-folaus-gay-comments-arent-hate-speech-jacinda-ardern.html
Well theres hope for Cindy yet
Brilliant as ever by Malcolm Evans
Hell
Israel Folau
Israel Now
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Screen-Shot-2018-04-23-at-12.55.28-PM-768×492.png
You and she may miss the point. As a highly paid Rugby professional, he has clauses in his contract about bringing the game into disrepute. Of course he can rant on the hell-headingness of gays all he likes, provided he resigns his current job and thereby the money first. he would have had a lawyer advise him before he signed the contract on what all the clauses meant…. turns out he just wants the ones that work for him.
Problem is Au rugby union probably need Falou more than he needs them re who creates the values I suggest ending his contract would be
more detrimental to aru than Falou , he has options and one of the few world class players the wallabies have that can draw and audience, hence why kids glove treatment
Who?
“The last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in 1914. It was the same summer that Archduke Franz Ferdinand took one in the gut. Since then, the Archdukes have been multiplying in secret, under different names and titles. Now they are the ones darkening the skies over many of the world’s cities. Now we are the ones darkening the skies, everywhere.”
https://dark-mountain.net/blog/books/dark-mountain-issue-13-who-cries-for-the-archduke/
Encapsulates everything wrong with the world and the exact attitude that has laid waste to so much that is beautiful.
“The last passenger pigeon, named Martha, died in 1914. It was the same summer that Archduke Franz Ferdinand took one in the gut. Since then, the Archdukes have been multiplying in secret, under different names and titles. Now they are the ones darkening the skies over many of the world’s cities. Now we are the ones darkening the skies, everywhere.”
https://dark-mountain.net/blog/books/dark-mountain-issue-13-who-cries-for-the-archduke/
What amazes me is why has not the new government looked into the Panama Papers a bit more?
The pacific countries we have very close relationships with, keep spewing up doggy information.
Any chance we will see a independent enquiry? Probably not.
https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/data-ever-added-offshore-leaks-database/
One reason is that when the new rules (which Key et al said we didn’t need) came in, only a third of Trusts supplied the real name and address info required. The rest let their trusts lapse…
Indeed, but what about the 2/3rds who just went quite? Why did 2/3rds of trust who probably we’re doing somthing underhand, just get a free pass? And last but not least, where did they go?
Winston might get a bullet in the back of the head if he starts looking into the Panama Papers, just like he nearly did with the Wine Box Papers ?
Probably does not want the drama especially when are up against a rigged Judiciary here in New Zealand ?
Is it really worth the hassle when you are up against the Deep Dark State that is running NZ.
Government in NZ are about the 3rd layer down in the hierarchy behind the Banks & Corporates ?
“Is it really worth the hassle when you are up against the Deep Dark State that is running NZ.”
ooh is Jacinda Part of this deep dark state or does she report to them. Directly or more of a dotted line thing?
Hooton on Nine to Noon this morning espousing the need for changing what prisons are about.
“Prisons should be about inmates learning reading, writing and arithmetic then they take a shower and shave and be let out to get a job. Not for murder, rape or GBH convictions though.”
Apparently he advised ACT on this as a potential policy in the past.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to him that the proactive approach of meaningful govt investment in our education system and the reinstatement of a 21st century Ministry of Works would go a long way in solving the need for more prisons in NZ.
I wonder if it has ever occurred to him that who he has supported and voted for during his voting lifetime have not wanted to do what works in prisons but what gets them votes? And his ongoing support and votes for them means they keep giving him what he doesn’t want?
It sounds to me like Hoots has spent some time listening to Alex Swney, born-again swindler, who used to belong to ACT, ran for them in Tamaki, and went to prison cos he thought he wasn’t paid what he was worth, so just embezzled it.
Having made sure he tied up his assets out of reach of IRD, he went to prison, his girls continued at private schools and he styled himself on Shawshank Redemption…. working in the library and teaching people to read and do yoga. Frankly I am surprised he taught anyone to read given he doesn’t usually stop to let anyone else speak.
So the gormless 3 strikes and you’re out party now have members pretending to be astounded the system is broken? Just cos one of theirs went inside and has seen what it’s “really like”? Funny thing about privileged men, they cannot believe something until they or one of their ilk has experienced it.
EVIDENCE based rehab and punishment would go along way to reforming many of our ills, but the votes… the VOTES!
It’s better than the senseless sentencing crowd who don’t seem to think that white businessmen should go to prison at all. Emery springs to mind.
Is it? National and ACT voters have ensured we have a punitive, vengeful focussed system for decades. I have long suspected Simon Power’s early demise (he was often touted as a future PM) was because he wanted an evidence-based, bipartisan approach to our prison system and got yelled down by the “what about the law and order votes” crowd. The SST crowd must vote for someone, I suspect they loved the 3 strikes nonsense.
ACT has provided by far the highest number of MP’s who have been found guilty of crimes. By some margin. Just saying.
heh
Kat. I think Hooton’s comment was in the context of the Government needing to get we the people onside. If we saw the changes as Hooton outlined it would help to counter the shrill voices already screaming, “Do ya want murderers and rapists roaming the streets and climbing in your windows because of these wishy washy Labour Mps?”
Ianmac. I heard it as Hooton suggesting what he thinks prisons should be focusing on, in short repositioning prisons as schools. Having these basic skills would be a perquisite to letting people out of prisons. Not that I disagree with upskilling people in prisons but I tend to agree with Tracey that the previous National/Acts govt vote grabbing and punitive policies towards crime is a major factor in why we have such high incarceration and those on remand have trebled since 2012.
Winston might get a bullet in the back of the head if he starts looking into the Panama Papers, just like he nearly did with the Wine Box Papers ?
Probably does not want the drama especially when are up against a rigged Judiciary here in New Zealand ?
Is it really worth the hassle when you are up against the Deep Dark State that is running NZ.
Government in NZ are about the 3rd layer down in the hierarchy behind the Banks & Corporates ?
Sour Soper. Poor guy is in mourning. Several cracks about Jacinda flying high and innuendo about her friendship with Trudeau finally saying “she will come to earth back behind her desk in Parliament.”
He and his wife are a sour pair.
The surprise today was 10 out of 10 for Jacinda from Hosking’s wife, almost gracious!! Hosk will have a fit!!
If you thought Mihi Forbes would be an excellent addition
to The Panel, you’re going to be very disappointed.
RNZ National, Monday 23 April 2018, 4:10 p.m.
Jim Mora, Mihi Forbes, Sam Johnson, Caitlin Cherry
Johnson, a Young Nat, started the show by vapouring on about how Jacinda represents “generational change,” and then getting in a party-political kick in the head by insisting the rest of the Labour Party was not like her, and that there was going to be trouble for the government in the next six months. Then he said: “But whatever side of the political fence you are on, you should be very happy about the way the Prime Minister held herself.”
Mihi Forbes vacuously endorsed Johnson’s words, saying something equally vapid about Jacinda and “the world stage.”
Mihi Forbes has a well earned reputation as a straight talker and a courageous journalist. She could have made a difference to this usually substandard show. Sadly, she seems to have chosen the standard option for many women on this show: meekly agreeing with whatever Mora and the other guest say, no matter how asinine. Hell, they might as well have the egregious Lisa Scott on the show….
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13032015/#comment-984919
“I’m with Theresa May. Ban the straw.”
— Mihi Forbes, 4:48 p.m.
Has Boris Johnson said anything about this yet?
And if not, why not?
http://normanfinkelstein.com/2018/04/21/assassins/
he’s not bold enough.
Well done, Sacha. A palpable hit!
‘Plausible deniabilty’ in action.
Thompson & clarke and government entities and their agents. Checkpoint is well on the way to the expose….but then there are also some of the other little nudge nudge wink wink activities between T&C and a public service that @Wayne assures us is impartial (see the weekend).
Maybe part of Steven Joyce’s 11 billion hole will be the number of CEO’s and snr managemwnt in the public service who should rightfully be put on ‘gardening leave’as what should be the bleeding bloody obvious is investigated.
We have become truly 3rd world. Some of the muppetry really astounds me ( going forward ).
The question is now whether our exec branch of government will ekshully deal with our out-of-control admin wing in this grand pissing competition between the two.
I think I just heard a DOC ‘official’ tell us that the services of T&C were still being used….despite being told ( from memory) that the SSC and ministers saying this was not on and should stip.
As I listened to the reasons why their services were required, i had to ask myself WHY AREN’T THE NZ POLICE handling this? Afterall, that is their job!
My thoughts exactly. Have we really gone that far down the outsourcing road that the police no longer register as the right option?
I’m afraid we have @spikeyboy – as I raise a toast with a dainty wee glass full of the best Matrinborough Chardonnay, whilst clutching my pearls and telling my partner how absolutely horrid it all is going forward.
Worse still, many of TS commenters haven’t yet seen fit to make any sort of comment (one way or the other).
At the very least I was hoping for an @ Anne or @ Patrician Bremner take on it all.
An @ Ad or an @ Wayne’s take, I think I can already imagine.
I wonder sometimes whether Labour and its coalition partners are masochistic, as in beat me beat me with some more ‘official’ lies and bullshit. The past record and
current pushback hasn’t yet caused some Ministers to wake the fuck up!
You could put a guest post together OW Tim. I am happy to put it up for you?
Sorry OncewasTim. A close friend just confided her daughter has stage 3 breast cancer.
Everything else became a dull background roar.
No wonder some are nervous about the breadth of backgrounds on the new group for Secret Services, some questions we all ask will now be asked and some of the skullduggery will need to be justified
Israeli soldiers who obey orders to shoot children are the real victims here, says Israeli General
Kia Ora Gaza, April 23, 2018
well, you know, they’re only following orders. That’s gotta be a defense, right? 🙄
Jenny…A horrific account. Israel is supported in these atrocities by the USA and all other nations who stay silent. An outrage to anyone with a smidgen of ethics.
Good God!!
Good morning Newshub Yes my spelling is—— but you know what they say about one skill being naturally missing another is enhanced ???????.
Duncan you are behaving Honorably that was a good interview with Jacinda .
Yes most of OUR Elderly sit at home isolated from society mean while the cost of everything keeps climbing which limits there food budget so they don’t get the right nutrition or exercise . I say we should include them in OUR society they have a lot of good knowledge and morels that should be past on to the Mokopunas thats how Maori used to be the Koro and Kuia looked after the Mokopunas while the able went to work get the Kaumatua is early child care and schools it would be beneficial to all.
MJ I researched artificial sugars and the facts put me off them cancer causing agents in them yes I know I smoke my Nan smoked till she was 60 and lived to 93 thats a good innings.
Its not racism untill you are the one feeling the effects of this human behavior and Eco Maori is differently feeling these effects the sandflys get a hint of me being scared of them and they step up the intimidation I am not scared of them as I have done nothing wrong and I have the skills my Tipuna bestowed on me.???????? here’s a link.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/103320304/kaumtua-disgusted-at-gallerys-efforts-to-show-colonial-painting-citing-racism Ana to kai Ka kite ano
The old, the children, the disabled, the unwell and uncared for, the homeless, the low paid… the numbers of our vulnerable used to be small but increasingly their numbers are moving beyond being a mere “minority”.
The antidote? We are told we must “grow the economy”. Well the economy has been growing for decades and yet… As long as many pretend that growing the economy is a panacea and thereby comfort themselves that as long as the economy grows things will be fine, we will continue to fail our vulnerable. Our vulnerable are who we are supposed to protect, not relegate to subsistence and essentially tell them they shoukd feel lucky they werent born in India.
Newshub here is how we should be legislated to build all new Houses and buildings
link below .
https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/houses/102816839/applied-science-of-passive-houses . Wow is that how desperate they are flipping the Bird .
Ana to kai Ka kite ano
Sadly eco, 675000 plus land is way out of many kiwis hands. It was hard to tell from the article if land was included in the price or not. I suspect not.
157 square metre house costing $675,000 is about $4300 per square metre.
I am all for passive houses but until the price plummetts it is a rich womans dream.
FYI when we moved from Auckland to Christchurch ladt year we built new and tgat included 20 solar panels. Install and purchase of the panels and equipment was 135000.
Batteries are not yet regarded by our supplier as worth their cost
Here you go a Lady with 2 children working and having a hard time putting a roof over there heads .I know some one in the same situation thanks to bill and shonky we have a major shortage of houses .Ka kite ano hears the link
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/103316320/keeping-a-roof-over-my-kids-heads-is-impossible
Newshub Malissa The new British Royal baby boy congratulations Willaim an Kate .
I say that Jacinda and Clarke are a cool couple and will be excellent parents Ka pai eh hoa yes the fish I was handling was over 35 years ago everything was in abundance and big in those days.
Mike I have already commented on that painting you see I have been studying our tipuna and history I have read a lot of good storys about Tepuia she and Apirana Ngata built a lot of Marae and Trust farms and I would not agree to any of OUR boys going to war You see the nurturing instinct from a Great Mana Whine Tepuia .
Yea the Kiwis Rugby League team is going for the best coach I remember all those going for the coachs job Toovey Hasler Daley they were all mean players back in the day Yea. the Mokos are here Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild Mulls and James I won’t comment on that team.
Hows the eye and calf and the ratings you know Eco Maori is the flute Master .
Kronfeld looks like he dosen’t like water lol ka kite ano P.S
The IPL Cricket is awesome I like the way they (Play)
Tax reminder – have your say to the Tax Working Group. TS has talked and thought about it often enough and its failings at present. We could do so much better with the right shift – to the left of course.
ttp://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1804/S00241/one-week-left-to-have-your-say-on-the-future-of-tax.htm
“The quick polls have been popular with more than 10,000 responses so far and it’s encouraging that a good proportion of those votes have been followed up with a submission.”
Note: 10,000 responses so far – out of 4+ million taxpayers minus children not big enough to suck gobstoppers. It isn’t many really is it. Your input will be effective at some level so don’t miss out.
https://taxworkinggroup.govt.nz/
The group’s website (https://taxworkinggroup.govt.nz) has also been updated to include thought-provoking videos and a quick comment facility. Longer, more detailed submissions are also welcomed and can be sent to submissions@taxworkinggroup.govt.nz.
Explanatory from Scoop giving press release from 14 March 2018.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1803/S00380/tax-working-group-open-minded-on-how-to-future-proof-tax.htm