Open mike 25/11/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 25th, 2012 - 90 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

90 comments on “Open mike 25/11/2012 ”

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  1. Jenny 1
    25 November 2012 at 7:29 am

    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?

    • tc 1.1
      25 November 2012 at 8:21 am

      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.

      • LynW 1.1.1
        25 November 2012 at 8:35 am

        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

    • Fortran 1.2
      25 November 2012 at 1:09 pm

      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.

      • Jenny 1.2.1
        25 November 2012 at 2:35 pm

        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?

  2. AsleepWhileWalking 2
    25 November 2012 at 7:45 am

    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/

    .

    • Colonial Viper 2.1
      25 November 2012 at 8:18 am

      😯

      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

      • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1
        25 November 2012 at 11:56 am

        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.

    • Bill 2.2
      25 November 2012 at 10:31 am

      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

      • AwakeWhileWalking 2.2.1
        25 November 2012 at 12:37 pm

        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.

  3. David H 3
    25 November 2012 at 8:18 am

    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.

  4. gobsmacked 4
    25 November 2012 at 8:20 am

    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?

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      25 November 2012 at 8:31 am

      Blairite 3rd Way. We’ve seen this before.

    • Socialist Paddy 4.2
      25 November 2012 at 8:34 am

      This is what Shearer should have said, just replace “liberal” with “lefty”.

    • David H 4.3
      25 November 2012 at 8:38 am

      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.

      • Te Reo Putake 4.3.1
        25 November 2012 at 8:48 am

        National have a long standing strategy of not going head to head with Labour spokespeople in the media, David.

      • Chalupa Batman 4.3.2
        25 November 2012 at 9:18 am

        Yeah because he was so scared of Clark and Goff he wouldn’t face them either…oh wait hang on he did face them

        • Te Reo Putake 4.3.2.1
          25 November 2012 at 9:36 am

          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.

    • Dr Terry 4.4
      25 November 2012 at 11:12 am

      Blind obedience much suits many a leader, whether religious or political. Real questions are seldom invited or welcome.

  6. Draco T Bastard 6
    25 November 2012 at 8:53 am

    Can a “Dracula Strategy” Bring Trans-Pacific Partnership into the Sunlight?

    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.

    • David H 6.1
      25 November 2012 at 9:23 am

      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.

  7. gobsmacked 7
    25 November 2012 at 9:53 am

    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.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      25 November 2012 at 10:02 am

      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.

    • Chris 7.2
      25 November 2012 at 11:30 am

      Thank goodness! I would be very disappointed in Shearer if he WON? a crap talking contest with key.

      • Craig Glen Eden 7.2.1
        25 November 2012 at 11:54 am

        Shearer still is still talking crap Chris just not well!

        Shearer “I guarantee I will be leader in 2014”. Lol what ever.

    • Herodotus 7.3
      25 November 2012 at 12:14 pm

      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

      • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1
        25 November 2012 at 1:05 pm

        How are we to build affordable houses?

        Oh, that’s easy.

        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.

        • Herodotus 7.3.1.1
          25 November 2012 at 2:44 pm

          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?

    • gobsmacked 8.1
      25 November 2012 at 11:56 am

      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?

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1
        25 November 2012 at 12:03 pm

        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…

        • Herotodus 8.1.1.1
          25 November 2012 at 1:02 pm

          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

        • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.2
          25 November 2012 at 1:09 pm

          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).

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.2.1
            25 November 2012 at 2:31 pm

            Why borrow the money from the rich pricks though…the obvious alternative is to just tax it…cheaper and simpler.

            • halfcrown 8.1.1.2.1.1
              25 November 2012 at 7:05 pm

              As usual a snippet of wisdom again, well said CV

            • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.2.1.2
              25 November 2012 at 7:30 pm

              Why borrow the money from the rich pricks though…

              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.

      • Olwyn 8.1.2
        25 November 2012 at 4:33 pm

        @ 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.

  9. Dr Terry 9
    25 November 2012 at 11:28 am

    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!

    • Colonial Viper 9.1
      25 November 2012 at 11:43 am

      Opening up space on the Left.

    • Rhinocrates 9.2
      25 November 2012 at 12:12 pm

      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.

    • just saying 9.3
      25 November 2012 at 12:29 pm

      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.

      • Dr Terry 9.3.1
        25 November 2012 at 4:56 pm

        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!!

    • Bill 9.4
      25 November 2012 at 12:39 pm

      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.

      • just saying 9.4.1
        25 November 2012 at 2:10 pm

        Harsh.

        • Anne 9.4.1.1
          25 November 2012 at 8:11 pm

          But probably true.

          • Jim Nald 9.4.1.1.1
            26 November 2012 at 11:58 am

            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.

            • McFlock 9.4.1.1.1.1
              26 November 2012 at 12:17 pm

              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.

      • NickS 9.4.2
        25 November 2012 at 2:26 pm

        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.

        • just saying 9.4.2.1
          25 November 2012 at 3:07 pm

          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?

          • Bill 9.4.2.1.1
            25 November 2012 at 5:49 pm

            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.

            • just saying 9.4.2.1.1.1
              25 November 2012 at 7:02 pm

              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…

              • Bill …
                25 November 2012 at 7:58 pm

                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.

                • Te Reo Putake …
                  25 November 2012 at 8:31 pm

                  ‘cept ‘they’ want to win the next election. Minister’s way cooler than opposition spokesperson for all sorts of ego gratifying reasons.

                  • Bill …
                    25 November 2012 at 8:42 pm

                    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

  10. Craig Glen Eden 10
    25 November 2012 at 11:50 am

    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.

  11. PlanetOrphan 11
    25 November 2012 at 12:46 pm

    Our curse “Paradox of thrift”
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_thrift

  12. Rogue Trooper 12
    25 November 2012 at 1:45 pm

    The Nanny slipped an implicit concession to the next Left government when A to Q; slipping Maxwell

    -Niles (not unemployable)

  13. starlight 13
    25 November 2012 at 2:08 pm

    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.

    • Anne 13.1
      25 November 2012 at 8:21 pm

      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.

  14. Logie97 14
    25 November 2012 at 2:16 pm

    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

  15. Dr Terry 15
    25 November 2012 at 5:05 pm

    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.

    • Crimson Nile 15.1
      25 November 2012 at 6:07 pm

      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.

  16. lprent 16
    25 November 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Don’t be silly. Almost every LEC already has such positions and typically also the executive committee that was in the actual resolution

  17. Tracey 17
    25 November 2012 at 7:57 pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

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

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

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

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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