Open mike 24/03/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:34 am, March 24th, 2015 - 107 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

107 comments on “Open mike 24/03/2015 ”

  1. tc 1

    Looking at granny you wouldn’t realise a crucial buy election occurs in 4 days.

    Audrey doesn’t miss the chance to be second online with DC’s breakup including a rehash of election events because thats sooo relevent, all after another cricket non story leads.

    Simply appalling bias on show for all to see from granny who don’t even bother to mask it anymore.

  2. logie97 2

    St Bedes students.
    It may have been said already, but if those students had been injured as a result of their prank, their parents would already be suing the school and blaming the school for failing in the duty of care. Who’d be a teacher with parents like these around.

    • ianmac 2.1

      I think that the Judgement was over whether due process had been followed. The right to a fair “trial” rather than saying that the punishment was wrong.

      • logie97 2.1.1

        ianmac, you will know as well as any, in the field of education there is a duty of care – in loco parentis. This is particularly relevant to EOTC as well as general school times but particularly on school camps, trips. And parents who are accompanying/supporting as helpers on such trips are duty bound to support the supervision of children (and are not there on a junket holiday to just see what their little darlings are doing). And in the interests of children’s safety, schools have codes of conduct for all participants.

        I bet the school’s RAM for this trip did not specifically include “What if a child decides to do something stupid like get on to a baggage conveyor belt and gets injured…? Teacher is now required to organise appropriate medical care and is taken away from his duties of managing the trip and the safety of the rest of the team. Again those sorts of eventualities are catered for in a code of conduct.

        • ianmac 2.1.1.1

          Yes logie. The immediate reaction of those in charge is a must to keep all in care safe and in good order. I support the school action. But from a legal point of view, once safety is established then a fair “trial” should be held. There are numerous cases where kids on a school trip get drunk and are sent home straight away. Fair enough.
          (In this case I have it on good authority that the two boys concerned were already on a good behaviour bond after serious misconduct at last year’s Regatta.) Silly beggars!

          • greywarshark 2.1.1.1.1

            These young chaps were 17 or 18 years apparently. When criminals of that age are referred to they are called ‘men’, emphasising that their age means they are old enough to behave as responsible adults. So these are not silly little youngsters. I suggest they are the brattish result of being indulged children who have displayed good aptitude at a sport and spent insufficient time on learning about society and culture, self-discipline and wisdom, and of co-operating with a group.

            They are individualistic, hedonistic and a bit on the amoral side, because mummy and daddy will always come along and insist they be excused for as much as possible. Those are the sort of parents who have boys who become roastbusters, whose child’s girlfriend dies in his bed and the family lies about it, have an interesting background themselves and then their child becomes a big-time athlete who disciplines himself to overcome disability but loses control, shoots wildly and kills his girlfriend. The sportsmen who take drugs to give them advantage and lie about it. This is the pattern.

            Pushing the envelope to favour themselves is normal for these tunnel-visioned parents with money. They are the product of the post WW2 wealth wave that is asperashunal and brooks no restraints.

            • vto 2.1.1.1.1.1

              “They are the product of the post WW2 wealth wave that is asperashunal and brooks no restraints”

              Yep. I can’t help but feel that the current generations plying our shores have much in their make-up which is not in step with many many previous generations. I can’t help thinking our generations are anomalies. Poor anomalies which will not be judged well by history.

            • In Vino 2.1.1.1.1.2

              I would put in a word for the poor Boards of Trustees. (BOTs) They are usually really well-meaning people, but Tomorrow’s Schools has put them into an invidious position. Many people do just a 3-year term (and all are abominably underpaid for what they do), some do 6 yrs, a few do 9, and very few do 12+. Few gather the institutional knowledge that the old Department of Education had. (That Department used to do much of the work that our BOTs do, but cost-cutting Rogernomes put all that burden onto underpaid and under-informed BOTs.)
              That is why things go wrong when Principals do not follow correct procedure. The BOT generally do not know enough to correct them. How could they?
              Yet most will be gone in 3 years, so the BOT cannot be realistically brought to account.
              This is a really stupid system of school governance.

    • Sans Cle 2.2

      Perhaps a bit of a naive question, but how does one go about getting a case heard in the High Court in the space of a day or two? What process was gone through to get such an immediate hearing for the St. Bede’s parents?

      • grumpy 2.2.1

        You can get an injunction pretty quick.

        • North 2.2.1.1

          If you’re lawyered up well enough which demands that you are actually rich…..not just doing OK…..rich. My guess is there’d be bugger all change out of 10 grand for that superb effort. Maybe more than 10 grand. This access to The Law is not something the ordinary person gets. What an excellent cup o’ tea it must have been with the barrister/s afterwards – “Don’t mess with THESE daddies and laddies !”

      • Murray Rawshark 2.2.2

        You ask the judge down at the club to do it for you. Or maybe the one you were chatting to at the Brownlee barbecue.

        • Molly 2.2.2.1

          According to this Herald article we have several of St Bede’s old boys in Parliament:

          Mr Dunne has tweeted his support for the boys. While there actions were not “a harmless prank”, Mr Dunne said it was “not for the school to resolve”.

          “The boys’ irresponsible conduct is for their parents, Police and Aviation Security to deal with, not the college,” he wrote.

          “Schools often assume too much authority in cases like this for reputational reasons only.”

          A spokesman for Mr Dunne said he would not make further comment on the matter.

          Mr Carter could not be reached for comment.

          Former St Bede’s College students now in Parliament:
          • Gerry Brownlee
          • Peter Dunne
          • Clayton Cosgrove
          • Damien O’Connor
          • David Carter
          • Matt Doocey

          Your Brownlee’s barbecue quip is very apt.

          • Murray Rawshark 2.2.2.1.1

            Having 5% of our MPs from one school shows that we are hardly egalitarian when it comes to representation. Or anything else. My Brownlee comment was not accidental 🙂

            I think Dunne is factually wrong. The school is in loco parentis, as they used to tell us when they gave us six of the best. We told them that not all of our parents bashed us and refused to be caned. That was Whangarei Boys’ High and eventually caning was stopped. On the other hand, I do think the school overreacted.

    • Murray Rawshark 2.3

      Next thing they’ll be suing the school when their thick Tory offspring fail their exams. What have these kids learned? As long as they lawyer up, they can do what they like and teachers are inferior beings. Schools are not for learning, but for networking with other microencephalic Tories so you can get a director’s chair later in life. Or a safe NAct seat.

      • Philip Ferguson 2.3.1

        My guess is that these are also the kind of folks who bang on about how the working class are the agents of their own misfortune and the law is too soft on “crims”, etc etc etc.

        At the same time, ensuring that their own kids never learn that actions have consequences.

        Consequences are for other people, not their precious little offspring.

        While the well-to-do have always had one law and morality for themselves and another law and morality for the hoi-polloi, I think it has gotten worse. Once upon a time, they used to pretend there weren’t different laws for different folks, based on class; now they kind of flaunt it. They’re no longer uncomfortable or embarrassed by their own double standards.

        (Personally, I don’t care that these guys played around on the luggage conveyor belt; people are only young once and anyone who has lived did some silly things in their teens; I don’t think they should have been punished by the school at all. My problem is the appalling double standards and the recourse to litigation because these were middle class kids.)

        Phil

        Phil

        • logie97 2.3.1.1

          Philip Ferguson.
          ” I don’t think they should have been punished by the school at all. ”
          Teachers really enjoy that sort of comment. Any other comments you feel you should make regarding what happens at school and how they should be run. You have probably had various “codes of conduct” sent home with your children to discuss with you and sign and not really absorbed them.

          If children get injured on school trips, you sound like you may be the sort who would be straight to the principal’s door threatening litigation.

          “Codes of Conduct” have been introduced for a reason – the collective good, not the individual’s.
          This from St Bede’s Code.
          “…Abide by all school and societal rules and laws.
          Any serious breach of this code of conduct will result in you being sent home/withdrawn from the team, tournament or trip at your own expense.”

          • Murray Rawshark 2.3.1.1.1

            Young men jumping on things is pretty much expected. I can’t see that it’s a serious breach at all. Play on.

            On the other hand, there is a huge double standard here. If the boys had been from St Paul’s on a league trip, or from Kaikohe College, they probably would have been arrested and charged with something ridiculous. Because they’re from a posh school and their parents have money, they lose nothing. That’s what concerns me, not whatever internal mechanisms the saintly school may or may not have.

            • logie97 2.3.1.1.1.1

              They broke the bloody law by getting on the conveyor belt. There are notices a plenty in that area. That is not trivial.

    • millsy 2.4

      Personally I think the school over reacted here.

      A lot of these school principals are trying to copy so-called zero tolerance policies in the US school system where pupils get kicked out/arrested for the slighest transgression, and harmless pranks that would have drawn a lesser punishement 20-30 years ago now end up with suspensions and explusions. Look at things such as sniffer dogs in schools and CCTV cameras, pricipals wanting to go through cellphones and computer, etc and so on. Our schools are being turned gradually into neo-liberal mini-prisons, with increasingly authortarian principals.

      At least with the cane, you got your six of the best and that was the end of the matter, now school officals are going all out to curb the future prospects of their students.

      I am glad I finished my schooling in the late 1990’s. When I was in 7th form/Year 13, I turned up to class very tired (I had huge sleeping issues when I was a child/teenager), and the next day my teacher took me aside and told me that if I showed up to school stoned (I have never used dope in my life) she would take the matter to the deputy principal. Nowadays I would have been frogmarched to the sick bay for a piss test, and probably would have been suspended.

      It seems to me that schools are more and more tending to teach students to keep their heads down in the new neo-liberal order, Any dissent will not be tolerated.

  3. gsays 3

    go the nz cricket team.
    the most anticipated odi in a generation.

    following after saturdays brilliant performance i hope for another win.

    i am wanting south africa to show their brittleness under pressure from brendon mccullums aggressive captaincy and tactics.

  4. Pasupial 4

    This is a bit sad:

    Former Labour leader David Cunliffe and his wife, Karen Price, have separated after more than 30 years of marriage.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11421917

    It must have been a very stressful last couple of years for them.

    • cancerman 4.1

      I had imagined [redacted] had been done to relieve stress?

      [Stephanie: this kind of shitty, potentially defamatory innuendo will not be tolerated. One warning.]

    • Skinny 4.2

      A good woman who stood by her man through thick and thin. In the clear light of day a bit of space is always a good idea.

      • Puckish Rogue 4.2.1

        Well she seems like shes highly intelligent, very successful and good at what she does so now she can get on with it without an anchor dragging her down

        As for the Cunliffe well as the son of a minister hes probably aware that you reap what you sow

        • weka 4.2.1.1

          You’re a fuckwit PR.

          • felix 4.2.1.1.1

            +1 I’ve no idea why he is allowed to comment here. (Well, except that every time he gets banned he immediately reappears with a new sim card and name)

          • adam 4.2.1.1.2

            Now Weka, PR is a heathen of the first order.

            A epigone who indulges in propaganda for the merchants of hate

            A godless creature who embraces voracity, over humanity.

            Wit and fornication may be his debased desire – he however loves – the hell he creates, little point adding him towards purgatory.

          • The Lone Haranguer 4.2.1.1.3

            Very eloquently put Weka.

            The breakdown of a long term relationship is a sad thing as its the end of the dream and doesnt really need additional comments from individuals who only know the parties involved via the media.

            Leave them to work their own path forward.

          • Puckish Rogue 4.2.1.1.4

            So you don’t get a bit sick of politicians (both sides of the house) who parade their families on TV and present themselves as family men for votes all the while they’re [you should not rely on Slater as verification for anything. Comment deleted – MS]

            • weka 4.2.1.1.4.1

              Are you saying that the Cunliffes split because DC was unfaithful?

              I have zero interest in who politicians choose to share sexual pleasure with. It’s none of my business. It’s weird that you think it’s your business. It’s also weird that you praise a woman as being intelligent and competent and then undermine her by implying she is a victim of her husband’s supposed infidelity. I’ll amend my statement, your a disingenuous fuckwit.

              • Puckish Rogue

                Not saying that at all as I have no proof but he presented himself as a good, family man yet six months later is now seperating so at the time he was lying to everyone for the sake of some votes

                I have zero interest in who politicians choose to [Warning – MS]

                • rawshark-yeshe

                  please, may I add to Weka’s comment … you are a misogynistic disingenuous fuckwit. and if you can’t work out why, you are even thicker than you pretend not to be.

                  • Puckish Rogue

                    you don’t get it but then you’re on the left so its not surprising

                    • McFlock

                      Well, you’re claiming to not be interested whilst lasciviously spreading innuendo and speculation about someone’s sex life, so you must be an unregenerate tory.

                    • weka

                      Misogynistic, disingenuous, fuckwit trole.

                      Keep it up, you know how the moderators love people who slur left wing politicians just because they can.

                    • weka

                      Misogynistic, disingenuous, fuckwit trole, and unregenerate Tory.

                      Anyone got any thing else to add?

                    • McFlock

                      PR is a pustulent cyst, bursting its morbidity across the visage of humanity, with the sole objective of contaminating all who come into range with a vile corruption that festers in one’s character and and turns gentle human warmth into brittle, cold scales that flake into a neoliberal abyss of jealousy and paranoid despair…

                      oh, and they’re a bit of a dick, too.

                    • Pasupial

                      Thank you Weka & McFlock, you’ve summed up PR most eloquently. You did, however, omit the; complete inability to learn, that makes engaging with him such a waste of time.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  Just because a couple has split doesn’t mean that they’re not good family people. I’ve plenty of people who’ve split from their partner and are still good parents and very family orientated. I’ve also known people who were still with the person who they married and shouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near their family.

                  It’s not being married that makes a person a good person, it’s if they’re an arsehole or not.

                  • Molly

                    +100

                    Started writing a reply to PR, but couldn’t be bothered. Thanks for pointing out the obvious.

        • Paul 4.2.1.2

          What a horrible comment

  5. AsleepWhileWalking 5

    MSN now working fervently to demonise online alternative media

    http://www.thedailysheeple.com/digital-terrorists-and-cyberbullies-this-cnn-clip-shows-the-propaganda-push-to-demonize-all-anonymous-and-free-speech-on-the-web_032015

    “A few snippets that stood out right away:

    “…grappling with the issue in terms of hate speech…”

    “…there’s an issue when people can say things anonymously…”

    “The real crisis right now… when you have some of the other companies that allow for encrypted conversations between individuals uh, without, uh, the opportunity for law enforcement or intelligence to know how a communication goes…”

    Abraham goes on to say it is because we’ve seen that people go from Twitter to talking with ISIS soldiers that no one should have any privacy on the Internet… and that’s just in the first minute or so of the clip. He advocates companies taking away all capability for private communications and anonymous speech.

    • saveNZ 5.1

      Scary stuff.

      Someone told me once that people who do not trust themselves are not capable of trusting others.

      The other problem is that the people making these statements often are not tech users. They are old foggies with too much power, too many minions, and too much time to try to control everything.

      Funny they want privacy for their own offences but want to spy on everyone else to make sure they are not being caught out and to black mail and influence others.

      All of which are criminal offences.

      It’s a problems when our own governments become the criminals.

      • Colonial Rawshark 5.1.1

        Yep. The power elite want to know everything about you and everything that you do, as you do it.

        And they want you to know nothing about them, because “national security.”

  6. joe90 6

    Organised crime extorts money from the poor.

    According to whistleblower Nicholas Wilson, HSBC has been integrally involved in a fraudulent scheme to illegally overcharge British shoppers in arrears for debt on store cards at leading British high-street retailers. Without knowing, hundreds of thousands of Britons have been defrauded of a total of one billion pounds worth of money, reveals Wilson, a former debt recovery specialist who uncovered the crimes.

    https://medium.com/@NafeezAhmed/death-drugs-and-hsbc-355ed9ef5316

    btw, as with most successful criminals the bankers probably avoid prosecution the old fashioned way…….

    https://www.emptywheel.net/2015/03/21/have-the-banks-escaped-criminal-prosecution-because-theyre-spying-surrogates/

    • greywarshark 6.1

      I thought it interesting that I owed $8 to one department store, which I have dealt with for years and paid properly. But I knew there was another purchase coming into next month’s statement, held back and didn’t pay the $8 and they sent me a warning letter and charged me $15 for it. What a scam. What a waste of time, paper and my money. And they charge interest on balances anyway.

      • Murray Rawshark 6.1.1

        A shop would lose my business for that. It’s the only way they’ll learn.

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.2

        didn’t pay the $8 and they sent me a warning letter and charged me $15 for it. What a scam.

        well, it’s extortionate loan sharking at an approximately 1200% p.a. interest rate. Basically the fuckers have decided that they are in the business of fining customers for profit.

        • greywarshark 6.1.2.1

          Well they actually sent me a physical letter. So there was a cost for the item. But it was unnecessary. And they charge extortionate interest anyway.

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.3

        deleted – double comment

  7. veutoviper 7

    I just cannot resist reposting this Twitter thread with a wonderful picture of the National Northland candidate. It would make a great Caption Competition.

    https://twitter.com/felixmarwick/status/579821355828293632

    Background to the photo is here.

    http://t.co/2InhGhZ5rw

    For balance, Felix Marwick also posted this picture of Winston.

    https://twitter.com/felixmarwick/status/579822134920241154

    • Murray Rawshark 7.1

      That’s the sort of balance I approve of. The stupid looking drongo Tory vs the suave and charming sort of Tory.

    • saveNZ 7.2

      @Veutoviper

      Great links. Yes I think the Nats would love to get us back to Roman times, slavery, feasting, unbridled power.

      Love the comment about Winston – “the bachelor”.

      The juxtaposition is great, roman slob, vs, the bachelor

    • miravox 7.3

      2nd link to the ‘tall poppy’ (oh how I hate that phrase) business awards –

      There were no entries in the manufacturing and primary category.

      I reckon that signifies Northland’s economic state right there.

      • veutoviper 7.3.1

        Thanks for pointing that out – I had not noticed that. Say it all really ….

  8. ScottGN 8

    Even the Herald feels obliged to call out Bill English on the total bullshit spin lines he’s trotted out after the Sallies pretty much bulldozed his half-baked plans for social housing.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11421893

    • Olwyn 8.1

      I was surprised when I came to the conclusion of that article to find that I was not being lead into a “reasonable” plug for the developers. The NZH can occasionally surprise. Here is the profile of one of HNZ’s consultants with regard to implementing their plan, who does not, prima facie, appear to fit the “improving things for the clients” claim.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11418202

      • Murray Rawshark 8.1.1

        It makes me sick that government departments employ crooks like McKenna. He belongs in prison, not in a high paying job. The MPI is the same, with ex-army sex offenders.

        • Olwyn 8.1.1.1

          I agree, especially with regard to the capacity in which he is employed – like a fox being employed to design chicken coops.

  9. Adrian 9

    Nice one, vv. There’s a scoutmaster if I ever saw one.

  10. greywarshark 10

    Did someone else hear Mike Williams have a go at Mike Lee at the end of Radionz slot with Matt and Mike yesterday? If he did something that turned out to be a mistake, I would think that it was an urgent measure at the time because of the chaos created by the privatisation and trough-trampling excitement of the financial pigs of that time.

    I didn’t think that Mike Lee should be painted as an ogre. I haven’t time to look it all up. But the barb from Mike Williams gave me a pain.

  11. Pasupial 11

    I’ve been following this story of late, as it has the potential to be a real nightmare for the EU. The sums involved would only scratch the surface of the Greek debt, but would open Germany up to claims from all other occupied nations:

    Greece’s leftwing prime minister Alexis Tsipras stood beside German leader Angela Merkel and demanded war reparations over Nazi atrocities in Greece on Monday night… It was believed to be the first time a foreign leader had gone to the capital of the reunified Germany to make such a demand.

    Merkel was uncompromising, while appearing uncomfortable and irritated. “In the view of the German government, the issue of reparations is politically and legally closed,” she said.

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/mar/23/tsipras-raises-nazi-war-reparations-claim-at-berlin-press-conference-with-merkel

    Of course it is not just about the German government’s legal opinion. If this ends up going to an international court; Greece does have a real case (for repayment of forced loans as well reparations for war crimes). Past cases have been deferred on the basis on Germany not then being reunified, and nominal payments which Germany chooses to view as being final; though an impartial court might not agree.

    • Murray Rawshark 11.1

      West Germany paid substantial reparations to the state of Israel. Much of the infrastructure that allows them to carry out fascistic activities against Palestinians was built with money from reparations for fascistic activities against Jews. But then, Israel always gets treated as a special case.

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.1

        The Germans killed 26M Russians in WWII.

        Think about that compensation case…

        • Pasupial 11.1.1.1

          I’m sure that Tsipras will be discussing this with Putin next month:

          Tsipras, it has been announced, is to visit Russia on 8 April – exactly a month before he had been expected to go to Moscow.

          The original plan had been for him to attach bilateral meetings to his attendance at the Kremlin’s second world war Victory Day celebrations on 8 May. Tsipras may well go to Moscow for the festivities in May – another occasion that could underline the distance between Germany and Greece, as Chancellor Angela Merkel has already said she will sit this particular jamboree out.

          As to why Tsipras’s visit to Moscow has been brought forward, there should be little mystery there. He will meet President Vladimir Putin just weeks before the money from Brussels is due to run out. There have been reports that Russia has offered, or could offer, a bailout if the European Union declines. Both in the timing of the trip and its presumed purpose, Greece is saying to Europe, and specifically to Germany: be careful, Athens has a choice.

          http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/23/greece-russia-putin-eu-orthodox-bloc-alexis-tsipras

          Though the phrase; “out of the frying pan and into the fire”, would seem to apply here.

          • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 11.1.1.1.1

            And on that note, from Russia:

            Russian Parliament Set to Request €4 Trillion in WWII Reparations From Germany

            2/3/15 at 12:58 PM

            Extracts:

            “Practically, Germany paid nothing to the USSR for its wave of destruction and savagery during the Second World War,” said Degyaterov.

            “After the Yalta convention the USSR took back some German assets – largely looted furniture, clothes and industrial equipment, as well as some spoils of war – but largely there was no compensation of the war’s economic blow to the USSR,” Degyaterov added.

            The Russian MP expressed his hope that other countries will join the ranks of his task force and request reimbursement from Germany, extending an open invite to willing representatives of Belarus, Ukraine and other former Soviet republics.

            The chairman of the Russian parliament’s defence committee, admiral Vladimir Komoedov has applauded Degtyarev’s initiative, lamenting the loss of “human capital” to the Soviet union as a result of the war.

            “It is no secret that if there had not been a war, the Russian population would be 300-400 million today and we would be in a completely different economic condition,” Komoedov said.

            http://www.newsweek.com/russian-parliament-set-request-eu4-trillion-wwii-reparations-germany-304163

            • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.1.1.1.1

              As I recall, after WWII the Soviets did end up “borrowing” a large part of Berlin and its surrounds for extended USSR use. That would have to be factored in.

  12. Karen 12

    Interesting post from Bryan Bruce this morning on supporting Winston. The Nats are obviously in panic mode as they had a GDP graph from his post removed as it was “their” property.
    http://bryanbruce.co.nz/feature/ethics-values/importance-voting-winston

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 12.1

      Andrew Little did well this morning on Radio NZ, speaking straight up, being realistic, referring to the polls, and chuckling, while making the airtime go a long way.

      • greywarshark 12.1.1

        I heard part of that. Suzie was pressing Andrew Little and doing a good job of that and he remained cool answered the questions, made his points, sounded like a straight-up, balanced man that one could believe. I think he sounded very good.

  13. felix 13

    List of questions for Question Time today: http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qoa/00HOH_OralQuestions/list-of-questions-for-oral-answer

    Looking at questions 2 & 3, and at questions 8 & 11, it seems to me that Labour and the Greens could be doing more co-ordination beforehand. They’ve essentially wasted two questions between them.

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 13.1

      +1

      And, for the future, including NZ First as well.

      • felix 13.1.1

        Yep. Got to be able to work together in opposition if they’re going to work together in govt

        • Colonial Rawshark 13.1.1.1

          Certainly that’s what the public thinks. Dunno if its sunk into the heads of the Labour caucus and their staffers yet. After 2 decades of MMP.

  14. Philip Ferguson 14

    The Netanyahu victory is another nail in the coffin of a two-state ‘solution’.

    It’s interesting that colonial powers are usually prepared to make *political* concessions – ending of apartheid in South Africa; ending of the pattern of anti-Catholic/nationalist discrimination in the north of Ireland, and incorporation of the once supposedly dangerous ‘terrorists’ (ANC/MK, IRA/SF) into the reworked political power structure. The Israeli ruling elite, however, or certainly its dominant elements – preferred to destroy Arafat, after all he’d done for them, and destroy any possibility of a two-state solution.

    I always supported a one-state solution – the dismantling of the Zionist state and the creation of a new society free of discrimination against either Jew or Palestinian – and I’m not surprised that the Israeli ruling elite have opted for the Greater Israel ‘solution’, but the contrast with what other oppressing powers have done is quite stark.

    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2011/09/09/is-there-a-two-state-solution-to-israel-palestinian-conflict-2/

    Phil

    • saveNZ 14.1

      @Phillip

      That’s what happens when the ‘crazies’ control the message. They just keep getting elected, spinning every dial they can get away with and more.

      What’s going to happen when someone finally says ‘NO” and Netanyahu has nuclear weapons?

      +1

      • Colonial Rawshark 14.1.1

        When recent heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad say that the Israeli Government is on the wrong track, people better start paying attention.

    • swordfish 14.2

      As I argued in a comment on The Daily Blog yesterday, Israel’s always been the rejectionist party in the so-called Peace Process and that’s largely because it has no incentive to obey International Law. It enjoys an almost entirely cost-free Occupation of Palestinian Territory.

      The EU pays the bills in the West Bank, the Palestinian Authority does the dirty work for Israel (providing “security” for their occupiers) and, of course, the US fully protects Israel diplomatically at the UN and other international forums while also providing massive financial and military support.

      Israel gets to have their cake and eat it too.

      Which is why boycotts and sanctions need to be part of the solution. The only way to push Israeli elites (and the wider population) towards fulfilling their obligations under International Law (full withdrawal to June 67 border / Just resolution of the Refugee Question) is to make the State of Israel pay the price. A brutal, illegal occupation that’s been going on for nigh on half a century. It’s utterly insane.

      • Murray Rawshark 14.2.1

        Yes. I won’t buy Israeli products and I refuse to have anything to do with Israeli universities or Israeli science foundations. I have had invitations but I turn them down automatically.

  15. felix 15

    Bill English in parliament thinks it’s an outrage that single people are living in two-bedroom state housing.

    God forbid that anyone should have a spare room for their kids/friends to stay in when they visit. God forbid anyone should have a spare room for a hobby. God forbid anyone should have a spare room for studying.

    And before you dicks get on your high horses about the cost, this is from the man who bills the taxpayer for the rent he charges himself for living in his own house.

    • Karen 15.1

      Not to mention having somewhere for grandkids to stay during the school holidays.

      This government is unbelievably mean spirited with absolutely no concept of the value of supporting families and communities.

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 15.2

      How many rooms are there in that taxpayer-sponsored mansion in Karori?

  16. fisiani 16

    Black Caps into the World Cup Final. Amazing what happens with a National government.

    • Murray Rawshark 16.1

      And Sabin into…..oops, can’t say. Truly amazing.

      • gsays 16.1.1

        hi murray, how do you know you cant say anything?

        ive made this point before, if all details are suppressed, how does anyone know they cant talk about sabin?

        it reeks of catch 22.

        do we all meekly do what we think we are supposed to do?

        and well done the kiwi cricket team. a tad tense for my liking but it will do.
        congrats to de villiers and his team for playing aggressively and in great spirit.

        • felix 16.1.1.1

          I agree, as far as I know nobody has said we can’t talk about Sabin. There is no way they possibly could.

        • Murray Rawshark 16.1.1.2

          I agree with your point, but this is lprent’s blog and I follow his lead here. I say plenty in other places. This is the most disgusting thing I can remember happening in Aotearoa since the invasion of the Urewera. If something like that happened under Key, the details would probably be suppressed as well.

          If I were in Northland I’d probably put up a few posters.

          • gsays 16.1.1.2.1

            hi murray and felix, yes i accept that as this is someones blog, it’s their rules.

            where is the courage from other members of the wider media; websites, community papers etc.

            i would like the suppression order explained.
            this can be done without sordid details or alluding to anyone.

    • Lanthanide 16.2

      “Amazing what happens with a National government.”

      Yep, they and their acolytes keep trying to take credit for every good thing that happens in the country regardless of how irrelevant the government is to those outcomes, while ignoring the mountain of bad shit they’re directly responsible for.

    • Olwyn 16.3

      What an odd way for a Tory to celebrate a win at cricket – to drop by here and gloat, as if the game was actually won by a man who finds hammering in a nail challenging. Haven’t you got any Tory mates to clink glasses with?

    • millsy 16.4

      I didn’t know that the government had nationalized (no pun intended) the New Zealand cricket team.

      But good on the Black Caps. Only a few years ago they would have capitulated in a situation like this, but they dug deep and made it home.

      Imagine the contrast with the disastrous centenary season 20 years ago, where, despite being a world beating side on paper, and thanks to infighting, the team was completely taken apart each time it set foot on the cricket field.

      And Daniel Luca Vettori, a man who made his debut at the Basin Reserve v England, in a team struggling to recover from the blows of that season, and can now end his playing career on a high — a World Cup final

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    58 mins ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    3 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    3 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    8 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    9 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    10 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    11 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    13 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T05:44:50+00:00