After decades of collecting home owners earthquake levies, when the Christchurch quake struck it was found that AMI had frittered away all the money. Yet rather than being charged with fraud and all their assets seized, not only were those responsible not charged, they were left in their positions to continue collecting their hugely generous corporate salaries at the taxpayers expense while the taxpayer paid out their liabilities.
So $Billions more for corporate welfare are paid out, incompetence and fraud are excused. Not a single director or manager appears in court, or is even charged for this massive act of fraud. They even get to keep their jobs.
But a vulnerable sole mother who is an otherwise good and caring parent who has a useless non-contributing unemployed boyfriend move in on her and sponge off her for a few weeks, faces prison for fraud and her young children cruelly taken off her.
In New Zealand be a rich person who has never experienced hardship – corporate crime is excused. Every mistake and act of incompetence you make is papered over and ignored or forgiven. You are left in the lap of luxury. While those facing real hardship suffer more.
Jail is where the big criminals send the little criminals and those in control make the rules to suit themselves, or don’t enforce/ mis interpret the inconvenient rules.
Look at the recent collapse of Ross over 4 years after the GFC commenced, what oversight existed to uncover what appears to be another Ponzi scheme. Our regulators are a transparent bunch of pussies.
Isn’t this govt meant to be fostering savings and investments by encouraging share market etc etc, what a Joke this is and it’s on you poor sucker investors.
I agree whole heartedly Jenny. As a society we are allowing this to happen. It is very ‘sick’ indeed.
And tc here is a repeat of post 18th Nov
Here it is in black and white, stark evidence of NZ’s hypocritcal injustice.
“They have the same victim – the government and society – yet one is punished much more harshly than the other,” said tax lecturer Dr Lisa Marriott of Victoria University. “The study does indicate there is a fairly serious problem there.”
“The sentences are intended to reflect society’s views. And it seems we take a dimmer view of people on welfare – even the language is more punitive,” she said.
Marriott found that attitudes towards tax evasion were indulgent, even occasionally admiring, while beneficiaries were considered “scroungers or cheats”.
AMI was a Mutual – owned by the policyholders, not shareholders.
It was not fraudulent, but suffered from what is now nicely called incompetant management, by not purchasing enough wholesale cover (reinsurance). The top executives were all “retired” as soon as the Aussies (State and NZI) took over all the non Christchurch earthquake claims policies. Cars and other houses etc throughout New Zealand – not earthquake damaged.
AMI did not insure any businesses, only domestic policies.
The Taxpayers have bailed out the balance of earthquake claims, above AMI’s international wholesale policies, as the financial suffering to policyholder claimants in Christchurch would have been horrendous.
That’s all right then. Meanwhile $billions are sucked out of government accounts, that if spent on social programs could have prevented a lot of human misery. Because of this incompetence and buck passing. Money that should go into rebuilding Christchurch on top of the insurance pay outs. Meanwhile the overpaid incompetent managers responsible for this multi $billion rip off remain – protected, untouchable.
Posted this link yesterday too, about how tenuous Israel’s existence currently is, particularly in relation to its reliance on massive imperial support from the USA.
And that’s just more reason to become as self-sufficient as possible. We simply won’t have a choice in a few years as the p[resent global empire collapses.
I’m sure I saw the same clip about a year back, but without the…what do you call that shit?…that fucking backing music that aspires to elicit an ‘appropriate’ emotional response from the viewer. Is it just me who gets really offended by that crap? I notice it’s used fairly extensively these days.
This is in no way aimed at you AWW, but I wish people (those who compile these clips) would just convey the fcking imformation or show the fcking footage without attempting to layer their own ‘correct’ emotional fingerprint/filter onto it. It’s a fucking manipulative distraction – an insult that only really serves to detract from whatever is being shown/said.
Yeah, totally agree. Very manipulative and pervasive.
I dislike the music thing, but I REALLY dislike the audience approval/disapproval affecting the presentation which happens when an intelligent guest is socially isolated by the host and the audience follows, and most of all I hate laugh tracks. So much that if I catch myself watching something with a laugh track I turn it off.
Critical thinking isn’t well catered to in the medium of film.
Watching Shearer on the Nation, and a line got me when asked by Rachael again he denies he reads the blogs (I do wish he would make up his mind) and he says he does not know who the bloggers are. Well numbnuts I’ll tell you who the bloggers are.. They are Wait for it Yes it’s nearly here … They are the VOTERS YOU FUCKING IDIOT! And alienating them is NOT a good way to get re elected.
Oh that I have to watch if it’s a head to head it will be a bloodbath so I figure the Shearer ‘minders’ will veto that one. For once I think Key could relish this chance to put Shearer away, but he won’t because he is Shit Scared of Cunliffe.
You’re a bit slow on the uptake this morning, CB! Big night last night? To repeat: National have a policy of not going head to head with opposition spokespeople.
Negotiations have been cloaked in unprecedented secrecy and its proponents have mislabeled the TPP as a “free trade” agreement. In reality, the TPP is about much more than trade. It threatens a stealthy, slow-motion corporate coup d’etat, formalizing and locking in corporate rule over most aspects of our lives.
And that is what the TPPA and all other FTAs are for. Taking our democracy and sovereignty and giving it to the corporates. So far, the politicians have been quite successful at achieving this take over for the business community but, IMO, people are starting to wake up to the fact that they’re being shafted. A few people are getting richer (the business types) and everyone else is getting poorer.
Yeah but as usual the secrecy has been very tight so not too many leaks (apart from the ones they want?) How can you have a free trade agreement held in secrecy? Only in the American mind can this be right. It’s like the Americans are transforming into a me culture, where like in the movies the world is run by corporations. And maybe like in the movies it will end badly.
Watching Shearer and Key interviewed back-to-back is quite revealing. It’s no contest.
Key bullshits fluently. Shearer doesn’t.
Key has dozens of prepared lines, and can remember them. Shearer has about three prepared lines, and falls apart if he has to expand on them, so he just keeps repeating them (he said “move on” x 5, “making a difference” several times, etc).
Shane Taurima is doing a good job challenging Key – but Key persists, talks over Taurima.
In a battle of bullshit, Key will tear Shearer apart. Confident crap beats hesitant crap. All Labour can hope for is that National are so loathed by 2014 that the voters won’t care.
Any chance Shane Taurima could be parachuted into Parliament?
(ha ha – Key says he wants to “make a difference” too. And he’s licked his lips, just like Shearer. It’s like watching Key and sub-Key).
Helen Kelly is fighting the good fight on the panel. Another brave soldier going into battle for a hopeless general.
The holes in housing policy are starting to appear. How are we to build affordable houses? Through the ability of the govt to borrow at lower rates (5% vs 7%) and the building industry to eek savings by buying in bulk. How many pollys invest in Fletchers- this coy seems to win big time every time Lab is voted in? The more we hear of this policy the more that Labour undermines a credible policy thru lack of thought into detail – At least Key/Nats doe not suffer from this deficiency
Every day that this property boom exists the less that there is for a CGT to collect. Think about it people. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849753
Through the ability of the govt to borrow at lower rates (5% vs 7%) and the building industry to eek savings by buying in bulk.
Nope, that just makes the houses more expensive as the banksters take their undeserved cut.
The more we hear of this policy the more that Labour undermines a credible policy thru lack of thought into detail…
True but I think Labour have very carefully thought it out. As I’ve said, the entire policy isn’t about affordable homes but getting more people borrowing and thus give an illusion of growth – an illusions that will only benefit the banksters.
At least Key/Nats doe not suffer from this deficiency
Actually, they do but they manage to paste over it as the MSM never ask just how Nationals policies get paid for. They just seem to accept that what National says is true – despite the evidence.
The key/hat comment was to contain some irony, perhaps this was missed 😉
Perhaps all those schools mallard and parata have closed, the land could be used for HNZ developments?
I don’t understand any of this. It would be cheaper for the country to borrow money on the international markets than from NZ “ma and pa” investors who would be looking for returns of around 4%-5% pa.
Oh, unless this was a policy designed to buy the votes of ma and pa investors looking for a strong safe government guaranteed return of course…
I wonder who was the initiator of the policy, the details tome appear to having to be thought out as we go !!!
As Charlie Brown so famously replies ” good griefs he WOF for rentals was good , pity there is nothing for those who are unable to save a deposit and service a small mortgage of say $250 k or increase HNZ stock IMO labour is still a party buying the middle class vote at the expense I those in real need
Kiwibuild is a policy designed to get people borrowing again and to give rich pricks a government guaranteed place to put their money with a high return (in other words, protecting the rich from risk).
There’s several parts to that:
1.) There’s the belief that the money has to return into the economy to keep the economy moving
2.) Because the rich pricks want a return on the money that they’ve already accumulated and don’t want to take risks like loaning it out to pretty much anyone
3.) There’s the belief that if the government just created the money then there would be huge amounts of inflation despite the facts that the banks create huge amounts of money all the time
4.) The belief that taxes are a dead weight loss
Suffice to say, it’s these beliefs that are preventing the government from doing the rational thing and a) printing money as needed and b) taxing the bejeesus out of the people who accumulate money.
@ Gobsmacked: Shearer’s housing talk reflects his approach to the original leadership road show. When he saw that Cunliffe was gaining more traction he spoke as if he thought much the same things as Cunliffe. Then when he won, he at once reverted to the “left and right are not meaningful terms” position.
Cunliffe is a committed social democrat, but understands that the conditions with which he must contend are neo-liberal conditions. Shearer and the cabal who support him are committed neo-liberals who, under the Labour brand, must aim at least an occasional appeal to the left, if only to shut out other contenders. This makes a difference as to what their policies will translate into in practical terms, since neo-liberalism and social democracy present different criteria for the success or failure of a program.
The cabal behind Shearer have shown contempt for the members’ real involvement in leadership votes by trying to ensure that there is no one to vote for that does not meet their approval. They are exactly like bosses engaged in bad faith bargaining, and have gained Matt McCarten’s approval mainly because he hopes that the alienated left will flock to Mana.
For long I read the Sunday Herald mainly for the columns from Matt McCarten and Bernard Hickey. In recent weeks, and today in particular, my hero (Matt) has toppled. He is more totally pro-Shearer than anyone I have heard from yet (with the snide remarks about Cunliffe). I know that Matt has an illness and I hope it is not worsening; I have been hoping desperately that he would have a total remission. I am not quite clear on what he sees Shearer doing for the unions. Is Matt truly for the left, or is he just playing around with neo-liberalism. Hard to believe!
I was surprised by his stance, but I wouldn’t write him off for disagreeing on one issue, even a major one. Even Isaac Newton had his foibles – all that time spent on alchemy and so – but he did invent the cat flap and deserves credit for that.
With the greatest of respect Dr Terry,
I don’t know about McCarten, but I know and have known others with serious illnesses who resent/ed others attributing any opposing opinions from them to their somehow no longer being in command of their faculties due to illness. ( It can become a very convenient tactic within families)
I completely disagree with McCarten. It seems to me that the intensity of his animus toward Cunliffe has coloured his interpretation of of the events and emergent gossip.
Just saying. You make a fair point. I did not mean to imply that Matt’s faculties are weakened by illness and apologise for giving that impression. I am deeply concerned for him as a good man, and I did state that I long for remission.
It is just that I am so surprised at what, on the surface, looks like such a change in stance. However, it is so true that we human beings are complex creatures! I know that I often contradict myself!!
Matt is first and foremost for Matt. Always has been and always will be. Why would he want an articulate and left leaning Labour caucus when that would potentially take votes away from Mana? And you ain’t allowed to propose the bloody obvious argument that a more left leaning parliamentary bloc would ease the passage of left leaning policies. Anything that would diminish Matt’s profile and/or Mana’s platform is bad.
Matt’s record, if people can recall, going back to the McCarten-Harre-Willie Jackson walk-out while their party was in power and coalition, is not great and is better remembered not by success but by contention and implosion.
When was that?
When the caucus leader arbitrarily overwrote a firm pacifist/anti-imperialist policy to jump on the post-911 bandwagon? And I seem to recall they stayed in the party, and Laila H made a solid effort to gain Waitakere and thereby keep the Alliance in parliament (a bit difficult to keep 5% when your leader has spent a year or so shitting on his current party before splitting to form his own little fan club).
There was a lot of friction between membership and Anderton, as I recall, and supporting the Clark military deployment to Afghanistan was the last straw. McCarten & co might have much to answer for, but the Alliance split certainly isn’t in that basket – that was squarely Anderton.
I suppose that’s one reason I don’t really understand why people get so worked up about Shearer: he might not be brilliant, but he’s nowhere near a so-called “leader” who’s intent on burning his own party down as close to the waterline as possible before he jumps in the only lifeboat. That was Anderton, and he fucked us good. You want to know why we don’t have a decent socialist party in NZ? Kick him in the nuts.
Hasn’t he bothered learning his history? That sort of stupid bloody petty, personality based infighting on the left has caused constant issues. Criticism of policy or political positions? Go for it, but fucking over a fellow party just to increase your own profile usually results in shooting ones self in the foot. Repeatedly.
Unfortunately, from my patheticly small sample of real-world left opinion, Cunliffe’s career is indeed fucked. He’s been done like a dog’s dinner, and it’s hard to see how he can be sufficiently rehabilitated in time to be leader in 2014 (although I think the election will come before that). People who used to have time for his postition have only the msm lining up to say that he’s scum, to judge by. Leftist party members inclusive.
Sooooo I’m expecting It’ll be Robertson, unless someone can think of another contender with a hope in hell. Anyone?
I dunno js. It’s the Labour Party membership that would have to be convinced that Cunliffe’s prospects are dead in the water. And if the caucus doesn’t contain anyone who could be a substitute for Cunliffe, then how can it be said he’s dog tucker? Everyone (okay, that’s an assumption – but hey) knows that Robertson is part of the ABC cabal and that he was meant to shoulder tap David Shearer a few months back.
Do you really think the membership will accept him, thereby endorsing all this garbage and bullshit the ABCer’s have inflicted on the Labour Party this past….well, since Goff’s leadership – whenever that began? I’m not sure they will.
The problem is for the ABC clique is how to get rid of Shearer without things becoming dangerously obvious. I’m picking they will wait until Shearer’s leadership becomes completely, publicly untenable (again). They wont have to intervene for this to come to pass. Meantime, Robertson works on being seen as a bridge between the two warring factions. I’m expecting him to lob a few (bare) bones in our direction between now and then, knowing we are pretty hungry, and don’t know where our next meal is coming from…
The problem is for the ABC clique is how to get rid of Shearer without things becoming dangerously obvious.
So…they block a Feb vote. Allow a Shearer led Labour to lose at the Gen Elec and look at putting Robertson in post election (having ‘done’ the numbers of course). ‘Big’ fish. Small pond.
I’m sure they want to win the election. But I’m not sure they want to win the election. I reckon they are far more focussed on ruling over their fiefdom. And if it’s a diminished fiefdom, so be it. They want to rule something. Like I already commented – wee fish can get to feel like big fish in a small pond. And that, if you want to look at it all in terms of ego, really is ego at work
Shearer cant beat Key and we all know it thats why theres problems with his Leadership, it has nothing to do with Cunliffe mounting some challenge its just that Cunliffe could beat Key and Shearer can’t.
I was surprised by Helen Kelley and Matt McCarten’s public support of Shearer,solidly
backing him,it seems that there is a concerted effort to try and dampen down any resistance
against Shearer.
Shearer won the leadership by default,through the ABC’s,so far Shearer has not proved
that he is the credible leader to win in 2014, if Helen or Matt have a reason why or know
something we dont, then they need to let us in on the reason.
When Clark turned her back on the people,i wrote to her and told her that she would
have a huge defeat in 2008 if she did not listen to the people, i also let her know the people
i am in contact with are angry that the party doesn’t care about them anymore,of course her minders would have controlled her mail,but my prediction was correct and she got dumped properly,Her tears at loosing the election annoyed me, this was the result of how the people
felt at being ignored by her govt.
Roll on to today with the current issues over Shearer’s leadership,the caucus is ignoring the
wishes of the people that voted for Cunliffe in the meetings for the leadership and what those
voters got was a two fingered salute and the caucus trampled over democracy and put in
their own man,what a waste of time it was for those who voted and did the ground work
to set up the meetings.
As much as i want labour to win the next election,for the sake of the people and the country,
I honestly can’t see Shearer leading us there,regardless of the latest media support,labour should
by flying in the polls now, they are not, which reflects the feeling of the people,there may
be 2-3% rise and fall in the polls ahead ,but that is not good enough and not enough to win
in 2014.
I was surprised by Helen Kelley and Matt McCarten’s public support of Shearer,solidly
backing him,it seems that there is a concerted effort to try and dampen down any resistance
against Shearer.
Helen Kelly is looking to be parachuted-in to the Labour caucus at the next election? You watch the way the game is being played, then you make your choice…
It’s already been discussed what Matt McCarten’s intentions were probably all about.
Once again, the mighty All Blacks turn it on with some brilliant rugby.
However we are already beginning to hear the apologists for Hore’s thuggery on the rugby pitch this morning …
I want to repeat that, particularly in this country, strong and justifiable self-belief is NOT weakness, it is strength (as opposed to personal popularity stakes). Merely for standing his ground and declining to be a “yes-man”, Cunliffe has been damned even by his own colleagues.
An old friend in Southland made the following casual observation today: the Labour caucus has treated David Cunliffe far harsher than it’s ever treated John Key.
“It speaks of a party that is out of touch with mainstream New Zealand.” whereas a journalist for th herald is immersed in the reality of “mainstream” new zealand whatever the heck illlusion THAT is.
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Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
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. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
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Is this justice?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/7994187/AMI-bailout-cost-doubles
After decades of collecting home owners earthquake levies, when the Christchurch quake struck it was found that AMI had frittered away all the money. Yet rather than being charged with fraud and all their assets seized, not only were those responsible not charged, they were left in their positions to continue collecting their hugely generous corporate salaries at the taxpayers expense while the taxpayer paid out their liabilities.
So $Billions more for corporate welfare are paid out, incompetence and fraud are excused. Not a single director or manager appears in court, or is even charged for this massive act of fraud. They even get to keep their jobs.
But a vulnerable sole mother who is an otherwise good and caring parent who has a useless non-contributing unemployed boyfriend move in on her and sponge off her for a few weeks, faces prison for fraud and her young children cruelly taken off her.
In New Zealand be a rich person who has never experienced hardship – corporate crime is excused. Every mistake and act of incompetence you make is papered over and ignored or forgiven. You are left in the lap of luxury. While those facing real hardship suffer more.
Is this justice?
Is it fair?
Is it even necessary?
Jail is where the big criminals send the little criminals and those in control make the rules to suit themselves, or don’t enforce/ mis interpret the inconvenient rules.
Look at the recent collapse of Ross over 4 years after the GFC commenced, what oversight existed to uncover what appears to be another Ponzi scheme. Our regulators are a transparent bunch of pussies.
Isn’t this govt meant to be fostering savings and investments by encouraging share market etc etc, what a Joke this is and it’s on you poor sucker investors.
I agree whole heartedly Jenny. As a society we are allowing this to happen. It is very ‘sick’ indeed.
And tc here is a repeat of post 18th Nov
Here it is in black and white, stark evidence of NZ’s hypocritcal injustice.
“They have the same victim – the government and society – yet one is punished much more harshly than the other,” said tax lecturer Dr Lisa Marriott of Victoria University. “The study does indicate there is a fairly serious problem there.”
“The sentences are intended to reflect society’s views. And it seems we take a dimmer view of people on welfare – even the language is more punitive,” she said.
Marriott found that attitudes towards tax evasion were indulgent, even occasionally admiring, while beneficiaries were considered “scroungers or cheats”.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/7965045/Courts-softer-on-criminals-wearing-suits
AMI was a Mutual – owned by the policyholders, not shareholders.
It was not fraudulent, but suffered from what is now nicely called incompetant management, by not purchasing enough wholesale cover (reinsurance). The top executives were all “retired” as soon as the Aussies (State and NZI) took over all the non Christchurch earthquake claims policies. Cars and other houses etc throughout New Zealand – not earthquake damaged.
AMI did not insure any businesses, only domestic policies.
The Taxpayers have bailed out the balance of earthquake claims, above AMI’s international wholesale policies, as the financial suffering to policyholder claimants in Christchurch would have been horrendous.
That’s all right then. Meanwhile $billions are sucked out of government accounts, that if spent on social programs could have prevented a lot of human misery. Because of this incompetence and buck passing. Money that should go into rebuilding Christchurch on top of the insurance pay outs. Meanwhile the overpaid incompetent managers responsible for this multi $billion rip off remain – protected, untouchable.
Maybe Fortran you might like to explain why?
Ouch. The truth hurts.
Uncomfortable to watch at first b/c I hate conflict….but it turns out so does this guy.
http://maxkeiser.com/2012/11/23/dr-norman-finkelstein-is-the-steve-jobs-of-social-justice-epic/
.
😯
Posted this link yesterday too, about how tenuous Israel’s existence currently is, particularly in relation to its reliance on massive imperial support from the USA.
http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/in-twilight-of-empires.html
And that’s just more reason to become as self-sufficient as possible. We simply won’t have a choice in a few years as the p[resent global empire collapses.
I’m sure I saw the same clip about a year back, but without the…what do you call that shit?…that fucking backing music that aspires to elicit an ‘appropriate’ emotional response from the viewer. Is it just me who gets really offended by that crap? I notice it’s used fairly extensively these days.
This is in no way aimed at you AWW, but I wish people (those who compile these clips) would just convey the fcking imformation or show the fcking footage without attempting to layer their own ‘correct’ emotional fingerprint/filter onto it. It’s a fucking manipulative distraction – an insult that only really serves to detract from whatever is being shown/said.
off for an angry coffee now
Yeah, totally agree. Very manipulative and pervasive.
I dislike the music thing, but I REALLY dislike the audience approval/disapproval affecting the presentation which happens when an intelligent guest is socially isolated by the host and the audience follows, and most of all I hate laugh tracks. So much that if I catch myself watching something with a laugh track I turn it off.
Critical thinking isn’t well catered to in the medium of film.
close my ears then or are they painted on?
Watching Shearer on the Nation, and a line got me when asked by Rachael again he denies he reads the blogs (I do wish he would make up his mind) and he says he does not know who the bloggers are. Well numbnuts I’ll tell you who the bloggers are.. They are Wait for it Yes it’s nearly here … They are the VOTERS YOU FUCKING IDIOT! And alienating them is NOT a good way to get re elected.
Q & A has interviews with both Key and Shearer, 9 am today.
Yesterday Shearer was on “The Nation” (TV3). Asked about shifting right/left, he replied:
“Look, I don’t buy that left/right debate, I think it’s a phoney debate”. (verbatim quote)
We’re told by some to stop questioning Shearer and just “rally behind” … but what are we meant to rally behind? United Future?
Blairite 3rd Way. We’ve seen this before.
This is what Shearer should have said, just replace “liberal” with “lefty”.
Oh that I have to watch if it’s a head to head it will be a bloodbath so I figure the Shearer ‘minders’ will veto that one. For once I think Key could relish this chance to put Shearer away, but he won’t because he is Shit Scared of Cunliffe.
National have a long standing strategy of not going head to head with Labour spokespeople in the media, David.
Yeah because he was so scared of Clark and Goff he wouldn’t face them either…oh wait hang on he did face them
You’re a bit slow on the uptake this morning, CB! Big night last night? To repeat: National have a policy of not going head to head with opposition spokespeople.
Which the media lets them get away with.
National have a policy of not going head to head with John Campbell either.
Blind obedience much suits many a leader, whether religious or political. Real questions are seldom invited or welcome.
Can always rely on a leftie…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7994728/Gay-Labour-has-lost-its-way-says-Field
and doesn’t sound good for this guy:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7994828/MPs-family-probes-dead-mums-missing-money
Thank goodness. A glowing endorsement for Labour from Field would be much worse.
If he’s a leftie, I’m the Pope.
+1
After his actions in screwing over people there’s no way Field should be saying he’s of the left.
People on the left are just as capable of screwing over people as those on the right.
No, the research would indicate otherwise.
No true scotsman, eh? You know that’s a logical fallacy right?
Because waterfront unions are bastions of gay rights?
aye
I wasn’t aware being a leftie precluded one from being socially conservative.
well, being socially conservative AND underpaying workers as a form of bribery would seem to be at least two strikes against it.
Field is utterly full of shit, and still incapable of admitting he did wrong and calling himself a political prisoner? Lol-fucking-wat?
a friend distilled the actual news content of the report into “dick says something dickish.” Shock!
Can a “Dracula Strategy” Bring Trans-Pacific Partnership into the Sunlight?
And that is what the TPPA and all other FTAs are for. Taking our democracy and sovereignty and giving it to the corporates. So far, the politicians have been quite successful at achieving this take over for the business community but, IMO, people are starting to wake up to the fact that they’re being shafted. A few people are getting richer (the business types) and everyone else is getting poorer.
Yeah but as usual the secrecy has been very tight so not too many leaks (apart from the ones they want?) How can you have a free trade agreement held in secrecy? Only in the American mind can this be right. It’s like the Americans are transforming into a me culture, where like in the movies the world is run by corporations. And maybe like in the movies it will end badly.
Watching Shearer and Key interviewed back-to-back is quite revealing. It’s no contest.
Key bullshits fluently. Shearer doesn’t.
Key has dozens of prepared lines, and can remember them. Shearer has about three prepared lines, and falls apart if he has to expand on them, so he just keeps repeating them (he said “move on” x 5, “making a difference” several times, etc).
Shane Taurima is doing a good job challenging Key – but Key persists, talks over Taurima.
In a battle of bullshit, Key will tear Shearer apart. Confident crap beats hesitant crap. All Labour can hope for is that National are so loathed by 2014 that the voters won’t care.
Any chance Shane Taurima could be parachuted into Parliament?
(ha ha – Key says he wants to “make a difference” too. And he’s licked his lips, just like Shearer. It’s like watching Key and sub-Key).
Helen Kelly is fighting the good fight on the panel. Another brave soldier going into battle for a hopeless general.
Thanks for the updates gs. I see Goff has a big spread in the Herald On Sunday. Glowing references to Shearer’s ability and background story.
CV – remember that Shearer was once an “adviser” to Goff! Any surprise here?
Ahhh.
Thank goodness! I would be very disappointed in Shearer if he WON? a crap talking contest with key.
Shearer still is still talking crap Chris just not well!
Shearer “I guarantee I will be leader in 2014”. Lol what ever.
The holes in housing policy are starting to appear. How are we to build affordable houses? Through the ability of the govt to borrow at lower rates (5% vs 7%) and the building industry to eek savings by buying in bulk. How many pollys invest in Fletchers- this coy seems to win big time every time Lab is voted in? The more we hear of this policy the more that Labour undermines a credible policy thru lack of thought into detail – At least Key/Nats doe not suffer from this deficiency
Every day that this property boom exists the less that there is for a CGT to collect. Think about it people.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10849753
Oh, that’s easy.
Nope, that just makes the houses more expensive as the banksters take their undeserved cut.
True but I think Labour have very carefully thought it out. As I’ve said, the entire policy isn’t about affordable homes but getting more people borrowing and thus give an illusion of growth – an illusions that will only benefit the banksters.
Actually, they do but they manage to paste over it as the MSM never ask just how Nationals policies get paid for. They just seem to accept that what National says is true – despite the evidence.
The key/hat comment was to contain some irony, perhaps this was missed 😉
Perhaps all those schools mallard and parata have closed, the land could be used for HNZ developments?
http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/building-proposal-won-t-funded-government-shearer-5235515
/facepalm
I’m afraid my face is all palmed out.
One week ago Shearer announced “the biggest public building programme in 50 years.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/kiwibuild/
Today, Shearer said … it actually isn’t.
Is this policy anything more than a headline to save his job?
I don’t understand any of this. It would be cheaper for the country to borrow money on the international markets than from NZ “ma and pa” investors who would be looking for returns of around 4%-5% pa.
Oh, unless this was a policy designed to buy the votes of ma and pa investors looking for a strong safe government guaranteed return of course…
I wonder who was the initiator of the policy, the details tome appear to having to be thought out as we go !!!
As Charlie Brown so famously replies ” good griefs he WOF for rentals was good , pity there is nothing for those who are unable to save a deposit and service a small mortgage of say $250 k or increase HNZ stock IMO labour is still a party buying the middle class vote at the expense I those in real need
It smells like Pagani 😛
Kiwibuild is a policy designed to get people borrowing again and to give rich pricks a government guaranteed place to put their money with a high return (in other words, protecting the rich from risk).
Why borrow the money from the rich pricks though…the obvious alternative is to just tax it…cheaper and simpler.
As usual a snippet of wisdom again, well said CV
There’s several parts to that:
1.) There’s the belief that the money has to return into the economy to keep the economy moving
2.) Because the rich pricks want a return on the money that they’ve already accumulated and don’t want to take risks like loaning it out to pretty much anyone
3.) There’s the belief that if the government just created the money then there would be huge amounts of inflation despite the facts that the banks create huge amounts of money all the time
4.) The belief that taxes are a dead weight loss
Suffice to say, it’s these beliefs that are preventing the government from doing the rational thing and a) printing money as needed and b) taxing the bejeesus out of the people who accumulate money.
@ Gobsmacked: Shearer’s housing talk reflects his approach to the original leadership road show. When he saw that Cunliffe was gaining more traction he spoke as if he thought much the same things as Cunliffe. Then when he won, he at once reverted to the “left and right are not meaningful terms” position.
Cunliffe is a committed social democrat, but understands that the conditions with which he must contend are neo-liberal conditions. Shearer and the cabal who support him are committed neo-liberals who, under the Labour brand, must aim at least an occasional appeal to the left, if only to shut out other contenders. This makes a difference as to what their policies will translate into in practical terms, since neo-liberalism and social democracy present different criteria for the success or failure of a program.
The cabal behind Shearer have shown contempt for the members’ real involvement in leadership votes by trying to ensure that there is no one to vote for that does not meet their approval. They are exactly like bosses engaged in bad faith bargaining, and have gained Matt McCarten’s approval mainly because he hopes that the alienated left will flock to Mana.
For long I read the Sunday Herald mainly for the columns from Matt McCarten and Bernard Hickey. In recent weeks, and today in particular, my hero (Matt) has toppled. He is more totally pro-Shearer than anyone I have heard from yet (with the snide remarks about Cunliffe). I know that Matt has an illness and I hope it is not worsening; I have been hoping desperately that he would have a total remission. I am not quite clear on what he sees Shearer doing for the unions. Is Matt truly for the left, or is he just playing around with neo-liberalism. Hard to believe!
Opening up space on the Left.
I was surprised by his stance, but I wouldn’t write him off for disagreeing on one issue, even a major one. Even Isaac Newton had his foibles – all that time spent on alchemy and so – but he did invent the cat flap and deserves credit for that.
and he was a central banker haha
With the greatest of respect Dr Terry,
I don’t know about McCarten, but I know and have known others with serious illnesses who resent/ed others attributing any opposing opinions from them to their somehow no longer being in command of their faculties due to illness. ( It can become a very convenient tactic within families)
I completely disagree with McCarten. It seems to me that the intensity of his animus toward Cunliffe has coloured his interpretation of of the events and emergent gossip.
Just saying. You make a fair point. I did not mean to imply that Matt’s faculties are weakened by illness and apologise for giving that impression. I am deeply concerned for him as a good man, and I did state that I long for remission.
It is just that I am so surprised at what, on the surface, looks like such a change in stance. However, it is so true that we human beings are complex creatures! I know that I often contradict myself!!
Matt is first and foremost for Matt. Always has been and always will be. Why would he want an articulate and left leaning Labour caucus when that would potentially take votes away from Mana? And you ain’t allowed to propose the bloody obvious argument that a more left leaning parliamentary bloc would ease the passage of left leaning policies. Anything that would diminish Matt’s profile and/or Mana’s platform is bad.
Harsh.
But probably true.
Harsh but true is correct.
Matt’s record, if people can recall, going back to the McCarten-Harre-Willie Jackson walk-out while their party was in power and coalition, is not great and is better remembered not by success but by contention and implosion.
When was that?
When the caucus leader arbitrarily overwrote a firm pacifist/anti-imperialist policy to jump on the post-911 bandwagon? And I seem to recall they stayed in the party, and Laila H made a solid effort to gain Waitakere and thereby keep the Alliance in parliament (a bit difficult to keep 5% when your leader has spent a year or so shitting on his current party before splitting to form his own little fan club).
There was a lot of friction between membership and Anderton, as I recall, and supporting the Clark military deployment to Afghanistan was the last straw. McCarten & co might have much to answer for, but the Alliance split certainly isn’t in that basket – that was squarely Anderton.
I suppose that’s one reason I don’t really understand why people get so worked up about Shearer: he might not be brilliant, but he’s nowhere near a so-called “leader” who’s intent on burning his own party down as close to the waterline as possible before he jumps in the only lifeboat. That was Anderton, and he fucked us good. You want to know why we don’t have a decent socialist party in NZ? Kick him in the nuts.
Ok. Noted. Especially your second paragraph.
Had Harre won Waitakere in ’02, NZ would have probably been a very different place…
Hasn’t he bothered learning his history? That sort of stupid bloody petty, personality based infighting on the left has caused constant issues. Criticism of policy or political positions? Go for it, but fucking over a fellow party just to increase your own profile usually results in shooting ones self in the foot. Repeatedly.
Agreed.
Unfortunately, from my patheticly small sample of real-world left opinion, Cunliffe’s career is indeed fucked. He’s been done like a dog’s dinner, and it’s hard to see how he can be sufficiently rehabilitated in time to be leader in 2014 (although I think the election will come before that). People who used to have time for his postition have only the msm lining up to say that he’s scum, to judge by. Leftist party members inclusive.
Sooooo I’m expecting It’ll be Robertson, unless someone can think of another contender with a hope in hell. Anyone?
I dunno js. It’s the Labour Party membership that would have to be convinced that Cunliffe’s prospects are dead in the water. And if the caucus doesn’t contain anyone who could be a substitute for Cunliffe, then how can it be said he’s dog tucker? Everyone (okay, that’s an assumption – but hey) knows that Robertson is part of the ABC cabal and that he was meant to shoulder tap David Shearer a few months back.
Do you really think the membership will accept him, thereby endorsing all this garbage and bullshit the ABCer’s have inflicted on the Labour Party this past….well, since Goff’s leadership – whenever that began? I’m not sure they will.
The problem is for the ABC clique is how to get rid of Shearer without things becoming dangerously obvious. I’m picking they will wait until Shearer’s leadership becomes completely, publicly untenable (again). They wont have to intervene for this to come to pass. Meantime, Robertson works on being seen as a bridge between the two warring factions. I’m expecting him to lob a few (bare) bones in our direction between now and then, knowing we are pretty hungry, and don’t know where our next meal is coming from…
So…they block a Feb vote. Allow a Shearer led Labour to lose at the Gen Elec and look at putting Robertson in post election (having ‘done’ the numbers of course). ‘Big’ fish. Small pond.
‘cept ‘they’ want to win the next election. Minister’s way cooler than opposition spokesperson for all sorts of ego gratifying reasons.
I’m sure they want to win the election. But I’m not sure they want to win the election. I reckon they are far more focussed on ruling over their fiefdom. And if it’s a diminished fiefdom, so be it. They want to rule something. Like I already commented – wee fish can get to feel like big fish in a small pond. And that, if you want to look at it all in terms of ego, really is ego at work
Shearer cant beat Key and we all know it thats why theres problems with his Leadership, it has nothing to do with Cunliffe mounting some challenge its just that Cunliffe could beat Key and Shearer can’t.
Cunliffe is photogenic, he looks energetic, fresh, contemporary, well groomed but casual and approachable. Most MPs look like death warmed up.
I think he would be a massive hit with <45ers.
Here's a funny pic of him in the Listener looking like the cheeky classroom clown:
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-internaut/david-cunliffe-shearer-coup-history/
http://www.listener.co.nz/current-affairs/politics/reinventing-david-cunliffe/
Hello ladies…
Phwoar!
Our curse “Paradox of thrift”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_thrift
The Nanny slipped an implicit concession to the next Left government when A to Q; slipping Maxwell
-Niles (not unemployable)
I was surprised by Helen Kelley and Matt McCarten’s public support of Shearer,solidly
backing him,it seems that there is a concerted effort to try and dampen down any resistance
against Shearer.
Shearer won the leadership by default,through the ABC’s,so far Shearer has not proved
that he is the credible leader to win in 2014, if Helen or Matt have a reason why or know
something we dont, then they need to let us in on the reason.
When Clark turned her back on the people,i wrote to her and told her that she would
have a huge defeat in 2008 if she did not listen to the people, i also let her know the people
i am in contact with are angry that the party doesn’t care about them anymore,of course her minders would have controlled her mail,but my prediction was correct and she got dumped properly,Her tears at loosing the election annoyed me, this was the result of how the people
felt at being ignored by her govt.
Roll on to today with the current issues over Shearer’s leadership,the caucus is ignoring the
wishes of the people that voted for Cunliffe in the meetings for the leadership and what those
voters got was a two fingered salute and the caucus trampled over democracy and put in
their own man,what a waste of time it was for those who voted and did the ground work
to set up the meetings.
As much as i want labour to win the next election,for the sake of the people and the country,
I honestly can’t see Shearer leading us there,regardless of the latest media support,labour should
by flying in the polls now, they are not, which reflects the feeling of the people,there may
be 2-3% rise and fall in the polls ahead ,but that is not good enough and not enough to win
in 2014.
Helen Kelly is looking to be parachuted-in to the Labour caucus at the next election? You watch the way the game is being played, then you make your choice…
It’s already been discussed what Matt McCarten’s intentions were probably all about.
Once again, the mighty All Blacks turn it on with some brilliant rugby.
However we are already beginning to hear the apologists for Hore’s thuggery on the rugby pitch this morning …
http://www.3news.co.nz/VIDEO-Andrew-Hore-king-hit-on-Davies-All-Blacks-V-Wales-2012/tabid/317/articleID/277987/Default.aspx
I want to repeat that, particularly in this country, strong and justifiable self-belief is NOT weakness, it is strength (as opposed to personal popularity stakes). Merely for standing his ground and declining to be a “yes-man”, Cunliffe has been damned even by his own colleagues.
An old friend in Southland made the following casual observation today: the Labour caucus has treated David Cunliffe far harsher than it’s ever treated John Key.
Sad but very true, Crimson.
Don’t be silly. Almost every LEC already has such positions and typically also the executive committee that was in the actual resolution
“It speaks of a party that is out of touch with mainstream New Zealand.” whereas a journalist for th herald is immersed in the reality of “mainstream” new zealand whatever the heck illlusion THAT is.
Hawking
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5Ain15tsxk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keep_Talking
The Division:Bell Time
🙂