Open mike 26/02/2014

Written By: - Date published: 6:55 am, February 26th, 2014 - 183 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmike Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

183 comments on “Open mike 26/02/2014 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. bad12 1
    26 February 2014 at 7:19 am

    From RadioNZ National news, the latest round of of talks on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Trade deal have ended in failure to reach agreement,

    This piece of ‘pull your pants down and let us have our way with you’ stupidity is just that because the US Senate simply will not agree to a ‘trade deal’ that strips away the ‘protections’ of the US farming lobby,

    ‘Free trade’ is a lie, the cost of it, free trade that is, can be found in the rising number of unemployed people in our economy after every act of ‘trade liberalization’,

    This cost, the unemployment on a ‘rotational basis’ so as to disguise its true effects, simply equates to a shifting of wealth within our society with the creation of a demographic of have nots as much out of employment as they are in,

    The true cost of this unemployment has remained unmeasured as it has occurred over multi-decades with those negatively effected being so over periods that measure weeks, months and years, there is no measurement of the ‘human cost’…

    • Saarbo 1.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:34 am

      agree. On this matter I was recently told by a good source about the Chinese Trains, apparently they are really struggling, recently needed some SKF branded bearings changed, it turned out that the SKF Bearings fitted were actually counterfeit SKF bearings. I don’t know a lot about Trains but I do know that if you purchase from a Chinese manufacturer who has fitted counterfeit bearings then you will have major major problems coming up.

      • bad12 1.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 7:58 am

        The human cost of a train set that can barely keep its wheels on, all those who gave their labour year after year for the benefit of both business freight and passenger travel in this country, those from the Dunedin railway workshop made rendundant, thrown on the ever growing scrapheap of employment destroyed by trade liberalization…

        • Skinny 1.1.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 8:37 am

          I was on a picket line opposing the arrival and use of wagons from China. It makes me shiver thinking back, it was the coldest day of the year, 4.am kick off, I’ll never forget my teeth chattering on the loud hailer lol.

          The subsequent amount of problems with these inferior made wagons were shameful. Brakes, bearings, poor welds, inadequate primmer/paint coating. A lession learnt is ‘you pay and continue to pay’ for what you get, and the taxpayer will pay through the nose for both Chinese made trains and wagons for many years to come.

          Meanwhile many of the highly skilled workers from the workshops took their skills abroad to Aussie, others left the undignified task of battling WINZ for a subsistence payment (dole) probably the first time in their working life.

          For this reason and others I am proud to have joined our local protest against the TPPA last Saturday. The TPPA will not ‘Keep New Zealanders working’.

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 12:26 pm

            The TPPA will not ‘Keep New Zealanders working’.

            It’s not supposed to. It’s supposed to keep lowering wages so that the rich can keep getting richer.

      • Te Reo Putake 1.1.2
        26 February 2014 at 8:07 am

        The fake bearings wouldn’t surprise me at all. I was told a few years back by the CEO of a tool manufacturer of a worrying increase in product failure in the Asian market. Turns out it was inferior pirate copies being badged as their stuff, right down to their own website and toll free number being prominently promoted on the packaging if customers had any complaints!

        • bad12 1.1.2.1
          26 February 2014 at 8:15 am

          Lolz, i do so love the Asian minds ability for attention to detail…

          • phillip ure 1.1.2.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 8:54 am

            racist..?

            ..with an underpinning of eugenics..?

            ..ew..!

            phillip ure..

            • bad12 1.1.2.1.1.1
              26 February 2014 at 8:59 am

              That Phillis is Laughable, i should have included the word She somewhere in the comment so you could accuse me of Missongloaphology as well,(did i get that spelling write,snigger)…

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2014 at 9:07 am

                no..it’s not ‘laughable’..

                ..it is blatant..if a tad retro..anti-asian racism..

                ..they are yr words..all yr own work..

                ..and so ‘casual’ with it..eh..?

                ..phillip ure..

                • bad12 …
                  26 February 2014 at 9:34 am

                  Your stupidity deepens Phillis,it’s good to see tho that you are blind to the subtle differences in the thinking of Asians V Europeans in a broad context,

                  Had the train set highlighted by Saarbo above been built in the US with such faults alluded to, those having used ‘pirate parts’ in the manufacture would never have ‘thunk’ for a moment to set up a 0800 number and a website to deflect and handle complaints,

                  An interesting story broke in the past couple of days about a supposed Lawyer attached to the TPPT negotiations having fraudulently claimed to have such a university qualification, a European He simply relied upon the claim,

                  i would suggest that the Asian mindset would have if such a false claim were to be made resulted in the claimant either having had someone hack the university web-site and include them in the years for having sat the relevant Lawyers degree, OR,the person wishing to assume a law degree without the intellectual capacity to have passed such a qualification would have got someone else to sit the degree for them in their name,

                  Drug use they say Phillis, broadens the mind, in your case tho, poly abuse of various drugs have in fact seemed to have created the opposite effect, the fact that you continue to use in spite of this would tend to suggest a reinforcement of such damage…

                  • phillip ure …
                    26 February 2014 at 9:40 am

                    keep digging..

                    ..you might even reach china..

                    ..the rate you are going at..

                    ..shortly..we can branch into the long history of that (unfortunate)-fact of the strong ties between fascist/racist/eugenics/far-right..and what we loosely call the ‘green’ movement..

                    ..won’t that be fun..?

                    ..we will be able to trace yr lineage..right back..

                    ..as it were..

                    ..phillip ure..

                    • bad12 …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:03 am

                      Yes of course Phillis, everyone on the planet thinks to a lesser extent just like you,

                      How you see ”i do love the Asian minds ability for attention to detail” as a racist slur is beyond me,

                      The fact that you can trot out a list of your favorites in the comment below shows that you have a tidy amount of racism you so deplore set deeply into your mind…

                    • phillip ure …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:06 am

                      keep digging..

                      ..you are almost out of sight..

                      phillip ure..

          • Disraeli Gladstone 1.1.2.1.2
            26 February 2014 at 9:32 am

            Racism.

            • bad12 1.1.2.1.2.1
              26 February 2014 at 9:41 am

              Gallstone, stop it please, Phillis has already delivered that gut-buster, the neighbors will be getting itchy phone fingers listening to the gales of mad laughter emanating from my place at the likes of you…

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2014 at 9:47 am

                what’s next..?

                ..black people make good field-hands..?

                ..you can’t trust those jews..?

                ..arabs are shifty..?

                ..do give us yr match-up list..

                ..phillip ure..

                • bad12 …
                  26 February 2014 at 9:57 am

                  Phillis, keep em coming, it appears that it is not my head that is full of racist smears, the little list you trot out with the greatest of ease tells us all a story of an entirely different nature…

                  • phillip ure …
                    26 February 2014 at 10:17 am

                    ah..!..the old he’s-a-racist-‘cos-he-said-i’m-a-racist racist/racism-defence..

                    ..i haven’t heard that hoary old chestnut for awhile..

                    ..and it always was a shaky defence/come-back..that one..

                    ..phillip ure..

              • Disraeli Gladstone …
                26 February 2014 at 9:48 am

                It doesn’t matter what you think.

                Racism isn’t something where intent actually matters. Racism is something that can cause hurt and be completely unintentional by the speaker/writer. Just because you don’t think it’s racism doesn’t make it so.

                Just like, me saying it is racism doesn’t automatically makes it racism, but I suspect I’m in the vast majority when saying that “yes, it is.”

                • bad12 …
                  26 February 2014 at 10:06 am

                  Gallstone, as a latecomer to this little discussion i am going to ignore you as you have only chosen to be Phillis’s little tool on this occasion for personal spite,

                  That and the not inconsiderable fact that i don’t give a fuck what you think…

                  • phillip ure …
                    26 February 2014 at 10:13 am

                    you’ve stopped laughing..?

                    ..your neighbours will no doubt be relieved..

                    ..phillip ure..

                  • Disraeli Gladstone …
                    26 February 2014 at 10:14 am

                    Bad12’s comment translated:

                    “I don’t have any way to respond so I’m going to ignore you instead.”

                    That’s fine. I just hope you’ve learnt that words matter.

                    • phillip ure …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:23 am

                      ka-boom..!

                      ..well..that’s bad done and dusted..

                      ..(and obviously now marked as one to now ‘go to’ for racial-characteristic-updates..who knew..?..)

                      ..can i suggest you go and seethe in a corner..

                      ..somewhere..?

                      ..(i’m almost tempted to use a smiley-face-emoticon..)

                      ..phillip ure..

                    • bad12 …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:49 am

                      Aw Phillis, so childish of you to play little ego games of victory or loss…done and dusted has simply got me chortling again…

                      The fact that you have to get into a little love–fest with Gallstone in an effort to do or dust me makes me wonder…along with your little list of racist slurs so glibly trotted out in the comment above not only if the Junk has scrambled whats left of your brains…but…whether or not you are,as Gallstone appears to be…a closet ‘wing-nut’…

                      Phillis…you can suggest whatever it is that fires up whatever neurons that have survived the self inflicted drug binging to no effect…a bit like me suggesting that you go fetch that which you wake up every morning craving like nothing else on this earth and fire as much as possible into those aching veins…

                    • Crunchtime …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:36 am

                      bad12’s comment was NOT racism.

                      Racism is oppression, discrimination, fear or hatred of another race.

                      bad12’s comment was none of these. It was certainly racial or cultural stereotyping, but I think Ure (and Gladstone) making the racist call is oversensitive.

                      bad12 for his part is responding in a personal way to Ure which is wholly unnecessary.

                      Settle down all of you.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  26 February 2014 at 10:23 am

                  The Chinese, Japanese, Taiwanese, and South Koreans built their industries upon wholesale and detailed copying of western designs and technologies. This was very obvious in the early decades of both the Japanese and South Korean car industries, as well as the many cheap electronic toys and consumer goods you would get out of places like Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong in the 70’s and 80’s.

                  Japan pre-WWII and post WWII modelled its entire heavy industry on American approaches, right down to copying exactly the paperwork and statistical methods used in the USA.

                  None of this is in question.

                  The calls of “racism” are meaningless in the context that entire Asian nations, their leaders and their workers used these highly detailed and methodical approaches to economically leapfrog ahead. To me these calls are especially funny as it appears to underline how little understanding some people in western nations have of what actually happened and how it happened.

                  One bit which is actually racist IMO is all the self righteous pronouncements based solely on ones own cultural outlook and values. That and how the western powers treated SE Asia and China as backward colonies to exploit and wage horrific wars of empire in.

                  Exploitation of Asian workers by western powers and corporates is still rife. Now that’s actual racism. Not the silly little comments that the PC brigade appear to take great pride in demonstrating all kinds of offence at.

                  • bad12 …
                    26 February 2014 at 10:38 am

                    My whole point, obviously one that escapes both Phillis, and Gallstone as they come ‘ a hunting’ wishing to vent their personal little hard on’s they have for me is in the modern context of thought as set out in Saarbo’s comment,

                    i should imagine that ‘copy fraud’ is rampant in the US,(they have a whole spy network which services such),

                    Had the ‘train sets’ being discussed been sourced from the US with the same copy-fraud parts attached i doubt the Americans would have the subtly of thought nor the attention to detail to have set up an 0800 number or a website with which to snare complaints over the faulty parts,

                    Then again, that of course is simply my opinion having not deeply researched such an issue…

                    • phillip ure …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:39 am

                      just yet another orifice-pluck..?..then..?

                      phillip ure..

                    • phillip ure …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:41 am

                      and dunno if it is happening for others..but i have ‘lost’ three comments to header/blank white page..

                      phillip ure..

                    • bad12 …
                      26 February 2014 at 10:53 am

                      Phillis, losing comments to a blank page is simply a reflection of the inner workings of your mind…and…the effect your squirts of increasingly abusive invective have upon me…

                      Which equates to zero, zilch,nada,none in other words…Pssst…stop beating up on your computer…you are barely coherent…and…the blank pages might just stop…

                  • Disraeli Gladstone …
                    26 February 2014 at 10:43 am

                    So you stand by “Lolz, i do so love the Asian minds ability for attention to detail…” as not being remotely racist or offensive?

                    • wtl …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:03 am

                      1) Not racism: Saying counterfeiting is rife in China.
                      2) Not racism: Saying that some Chinese counterfeits can be really hard to tell from the real thing because they go to a lot of trouble to make the counterfeits seem genuine.
                      3) Is racism: Saying that all Chinese people can’t innovate and all they can do is copy.

                    • bad12 …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:05 am

                      Gallstone, go fetch…take a poll of commenters of the Standard of Asian descent…if the majority of those polled are offended and consider my comment,(and the other comments which lead to my comment) racist…

                      Then i will happily withdraw and apologize for having made the remark…as far as your pretense at offense goes tho…go have sex with Phillis it will give your hand a rest…

                    • weka …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:05 am

                      o/t Disraeli, not sure if you would see this so am linking. This doesn’t need a response necessarily but I felt given the accusation that I had right of reply

                      http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-25022014/#comment-778635

                    • Disraeli Gladstone …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:10 am

                      Bad 12, the fact that you’re so obsessed with sex and masturbation suggest you are quite young so I’m going to stop now. Like you said, you seem to think you’re done and you haven’t responded to what I said constructively but with insult.

                      So, we might as well stop.

                    • bad12 …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:16 am

                      wtl, i do not know if (3) is directed at CV’s comment above, but, it got a laugh outta me as i am sure it would have from CV…

                    • phillip ure …
                      26 February 2014 at 11:30 am

                      tsk tsk..such a potty-mouth..

                      ..and from such a ‘prominent’-green..

                      ..too..

                      phillip ure..

                    • weka …
                      26 February 2014 at 4:15 pm

                      There should be a Godwin-like law regarding the use of the term “potty mouth”.

                  • Bill …
                    26 February 2014 at 11:39 am

                    Hey CV? You overlooking the historical fact that Britain built up a lot of its industrial base by copying, for example, Indian ship building technology of the time? Maybe stealing would be a more accurate term insofar as they used extreme stand over tactics to ensure that, for example, Indian ship building ceased.

                    Same for cotton manufacturing – chopped off weavers’ thumbs and then had all raw cotton exported to Britain.

                    Probably many, many more examples…

                    • wtl …
                      26 February 2014 at 12:23 pm

                      That’s because copying is the most obvious and usually the best way of learning something new. Even non-human animals do it.

                      Counterfeiting, of course, is not the same thing as copying, as it contains an element of deception or fraud.

                    • Tracey …
                      26 February 2014 at 12:32 pm

                      Interestingly, the rise of “entrepreneurship” as a notion in Britain very quickly led to slavery… so the free market has always been more free to some than others.

                  • phillip ure …
                    26 February 2014 at 4:10 pm

                    that’s a first..!

                    ..being called a member of the ‘pc brigade’…

                    ..heh..!

                    ..phillip ure..

        • Huginn 1.1.2.2
          27 February 2014 at 12:41 am

          For example . . .

          ‘Aston Martin has recently made a big announcement of a major recall which will affect about 75 percent of all cars manufactured since 2007.

          This huge recall will affects at least 17,590 cars made by Aston Martin.

          This reason behind the massive recall is a Chinese sub-supplier who was using counterfeit plastic material for a component which they supplied to Aston Martin.

          http://speedlux.com/aston-martin-recall-75-percent-cars-2007-affects-17590-units/

    • Ron 1.2
      26 February 2014 at 8:40 am

      Maybe we should consider changing TPP to a five way deal excluding USA and Japan.
      We might find that we could have an effective relationship with the other five and forget about the machinations of USA and Japan trying to protect their own markets while being free to dump whatever they like on the rest of us.

      • bad12 1.2.1
        26 February 2014 at 8:55 am

        Ron, as an opposed view, not saying you are entirely wrong, but, maybe we should consider that the economies which are buying in massive bulk our raw milk products and raw timber logs are doing so ‘in spite of’ any trade deals we may have with them,

        i would suggest that such economies with growing populations are buying our primary produce simply because they ‘need’ the stuff,

        The proof of this will be in 5–10 years time when the Chinese dairy industry is sufficiently geared up to supply a larger part of their ‘needs’ at which point we, a nation, will be left sitting here dick in hand with a very large problem,

        i would suggest to you that the current enrichment of 40,000 dairy farmers has lead to 40,000 manufacturing jobs being lost to the Asian economies as the trade off, now the increased tax take from dairy that accrues to the Government books might look fine as it pays the extra dole payments and more,

        BUT,

        The miserable level of dole payments, and yes, in the current climate of rotational employment such misery is ‘shared around’,(mostly among the already poor), no account of the human misery inherent in such a system is thought of as of such import as to be quantified…

    • Disraeli Gladstone 1.3
      26 February 2014 at 9:28 am

      Free trade is good. It is a largely responsible for the huge drop in worldwide poverty. It has its flaws. There are some concerns. Developed countries need to make sure they still offer protection for developing countries (and the GATT/WTO does this). But free trade is good.

      The TPPA isn’t free trade. It looks like it is going to have various level of protectionism written into it to protect the US while removing any worthwhile protection for the other countries.

      So, free trade is good.

      TPPA is not so good.

      • Tracey 1.3.1
        26 February 2014 at 12:33 pm

        Interestingly, the rise of “entrepreneurship” as a notion in Britain very quickly led to slavery… so the free market has always been more free to some than others.

      • wtl 1.3.2
        26 February 2014 at 12:34 pm

        I don’t really see how you can make such a general statement. Free trade in itself is neither good or bad, what really matters is the outcome of free trade.

        In an extreme example, let’s say country X produced all their food using slave labour and country Y does not uses slaves and instead has workers that are paid fairly. Originally country Y had trade barriers to prevent the food from country X entering their markets, but a free trade agreement removed these barriers. Next thing, the food from country X starts dominating the market in country Y because it is cheaper, so country X acquires more slaves to increase production volume.

        Was free trade in this example good?

        Yes, I know you caveated your response, but I think simply shouting slogans like “free trade is good” is extremely unhelpful to proper discourse.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.3.3
        26 February 2014 at 12:43 pm

        Free trade is good.

        All the evidence indicates that it’s not.

        We built ourselves up to a first world nation through protectionism (So did the UK and USA) and now that we’ve dropped that we’re steadily going backwards. We seeing increased poverty and a declining manufacturing base (it really is the manufacturing base that puts a country into “developed” status). And we’ve done it all because a few people wanted to be richer.

  2. phillip ure 2
    26 February 2014 at 7:19 am

    11 Outrageous Arguments Against Legalizing Marijuana

    “..Nearly 80 years ago –

    the feature film “Reefer Madness” hit theaters –
    projecting demonstrably false anti-marijuana propaganda all over the big screen.

    In today’s era of legal medical and recreational cannabis-

    the tone of this movie is often mocked.

    But drug warriors are still employing many of the same hysterical arguments –

    to prop up their campaign against weed..”

    (cont..)

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/25/marijuana-legalization-arguments_n_4789444.html

    phillip ure..

    • bad12 2.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:28 am

      Are you arguing for the legalization of the current addiction which you use as the poly-addicts crutch to subdue your craving for a stronger addiction simply based upon your personal financial situation and availability of supply Phillip…

      • phillip ure 2.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 7:55 am

        i understand the above ‘commenter’ is a ‘green’..(!)..(they do say it’s a broad church..but..y’know..!..)

        ..and i had the thought the other day..

        ..what if it is a ‘prominent’ green..?

        ..whoar..!

        ..eh..?

        ..phillip ure..

        • bad12 2.1.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 8:23 am

          ”What if it is a prominent Green”, well Phillip what if i am, my denial of course quickly follows but then i am one of the opinion that ‘prominence’ or lack of it is simply an ego contest and the Green’s have need of ‘leaders’ with prominence only as far as being able to fit into the current power structures,

          In reality i am a supporter of legalization with no attached codicils and i neither smoke the Lady Jane nor drink alcohol,

          Got your heart rate going at a normal level for the morning did i Phillis…

        • RedLogix 2.1.1.2
          26 February 2014 at 8:44 am

          Exactly bad12.

          I don’t use either drug but I’d be happy to see decriminalisation – if I thought that people like Mr Ure would take some personal responsibility for their ellipsis abuse.

          • phillip ure 2.1.1.2.1
            26 February 2014 at 8:57 am

            i can’t..i’ve got a 300 a day ellipsis-monkey on my back..

            ..i’ve tried uses dashes (-) as a form of methadone..

            ..but i seem to lapse on a regular basis..

            ..phillip ure..

            • RedLogix 2.1.1.2.1.1
              26 February 2014 at 9:12 am

              lol – guess I need to own up to my own hyphen habit.

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2014 at 9:25 am

                i congratulate you on yr ‘hyphen-habit’..

                ..if it means you have banished that most annoying of all punctuation-affectations..

                ..the ever-ugly comma..

                (the only other that comes close in ugliness..is that (neither here nor there)..semi-colon..)

                ..tho’ i am a firm fan of the colon..

                ..it’s brutalist efficiency appeals..

                ..you know where you stand..with a colon..

                phillip ure..

  3. Te Reo Putake 3
    26 February 2014 at 7:24 am

    Hmmm, not so sure Matt McCarten’s consistent history of great ideas that go nowhere is the right fit for Labour. But Greg Presland (who he?) sounds like our kinda guy.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9763705/Matt-McCarten-tipped-for-top-Labour-position

    • mickysavage 3.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:26 am

      Hehe.

      I can confirm that I will not be the next chief of staff. Announcement today at 1 pm …

      • Tiger Mountain 3.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 7:34 am

        Talk about fear and loathing in the beehive. I will eat my leather stetson if Matt gets this role. Someone with Unite type views would have to top the usual bland “yes Minister” careerists though.

      • Te Reo Putake 3.1.2
        26 February 2014 at 7:35 am

        Bugger!

      • just saying 3.1.3
        26 February 2014 at 7:39 am

        Damn.

        Still, on the bright side, I suspect a chief or staff would not be free to blog at TS.

        Those being mentioned seem to be actual left-wingers which must be a good sign (desperate for good signs from Labour – but won’t be holding my breath).

      • Ron 3.1.4
        26 February 2014 at 8:42 am

        Can we get Frank Underwood ex House of Cards. He would be so helpful

      • weka 3.1.5
        26 February 2014 at 11:09 am

        Micky, you are one of the reasons I still have faith in the Labour party. Not that I vote for them you understand 😉 but am still hoping they get their shit together (for their own sake and everyone else’s) and it’s people like you that make think this is still possible.

    • bad12 3.2
      26 February 2014 at 7:46 am

      Interesting, might fit in with the big ‘Slurp’ Matt gave to the Alfred E. Nuemann of television jonolism Patrick Gower in His weekend Herald column,

      Getting onside with the media would probably fit in with the ‘job description’ but did Matt have to be so blatant in what looked like giving Gower a tongue bath with the comment He,(Gower), was ”a frighteningly good journalist”…

      • Skinny 3.2.1
        26 February 2014 at 9:08 am

        It all makes sense to me now Bad12. I was somewhat bemused with Matt’s suck up to Gower, actually thought he was taking the piss. Truth be known Gower is Garner’s attack dog… all be it a skittery goofy type dog at that.

      • Ant 3.2.2
        26 February 2014 at 9:20 am

        I think the idea behind Matt is that they can’t rely on the media to tell their story so they are putting energy into grassroots organising.

        • Skinny 3.2.2.1
          26 February 2014 at 10:43 am

          Matt would bring a much needed double edge sword to the messaging being relayed. He would as you say counter the media spin on things. Of course the bias media would try bypassing him altogether. I note Helen Kelly has said it’s highly unlikely. Must be some push back from the ‘old’ Unions. Nice thinking of what might have been I guess.

    • Skinny 3.3
      26 February 2014 at 7:56 am

      It would be a real back straightener if Mc Carten got the job. I’ve always liked Matt’s skills campaigning as he cuts through the nonsense and remains focused on the task at hand.

      I won’t hold my breath he will get the appointment, too many obstacles like the beltway and last stand MP’s. If he does, expect a much needed no nosense approach. Are you in or are out!

      • phillip ure 3.3.1
        26 February 2014 at 8:05 am

        tho’ surprised at mccarten getting in bed with what has been his ‘enemy’ ..for so many neo-lib years..

        ..i am encouraged at the (possible) confirmation of some seachange-policies coming up from labour..

        ..as i can’t see mccarten signing up to help steer a same-old same-old neo-lib ship…

        ..so all in all..

        ..good news..

        ..and yes..!..as noted above..mccartens’ surprise tongue-bath of/on gower the other day..

        ..now comes clearer into focus..

        ..as to ‘why?’..

        phillip ure..

        • phillip ure 3.3.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 9:31 am

          hooten was just on nat-rad..and seems to be somewhat panicky..

          ..and we are told that a david talbot will be labours’ campaign-director..

          ..i know nothing of him..

          ..but i understand he has strong mana/green ties..

          ..(the neo-lib apologist labour mp’s will be freaking out..

          (..lefties to the left of them..lefties to the right..)

          ..the walls having been breached..and all that..)

          ..but i am encouraged by these straws in the winds of change..

          ..phillip ure..

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 9:33 am

            mod -mod mod..mod mod-eration..

            ..(sung to tune ”barbara-ann’..beach boys..)

            phillip ure..

          • Tim 3.3.1.1.2
            26 February 2014 at 11:04 am

            “hooten was just on nat-rad..and seems to be somewhat panicky..”

            heard that too – it seems to be scaring him (Hooton) shitless – not just panicky. Out came all that “far left” kaka.

            ……. and just as an aside PU – do you know of a recent study that shows excessive use of pot is as bad as alcohol regarding Hep C recovery, etc. (That’s a question btw). It’d certainly explain my brother’s demise. But then he was a greedy guts when it came to anything, along with a needle fetish.

            • phillip ure 3.3.1.1.2.1
              26 February 2014 at 11:19 am

              don’t know of that..

              ..that wasn’t my recent experience..

              ..and i was very open about my pot-use..

              ..and/yet received no health/pot-warnings..

              ..when raised..it was brushed aside as inconsequential..

              ..sorry to hear about yr brother..

              ..did he turn to alcohol..?

              ..many ex-junkies do..

              ..and that is perhaps the worst thing they could do..

              ..for their already battered liver..

              ..phillip ue..

    • Disraeli Gladstone 3.4
      26 February 2014 at 9:35 am

      Can you imagine how much fun Kiwiblog, WO, Gower, Garner, etc are going to have with McCarten is in Cunliffe’s office considering his less than stellar history with UNITE paying tax. Anytime, Labour brought up multinational companies not paying their fair share, it would instantly be shut out with questions about “doesn’t your Chief of Staff have the same problems?”

    • Saarbo 3.5
      26 February 2014 at 9:45 am

      Its been confirmed on RNZ via text to Hooten from Mc Carten.

  4. Sanctuary 4
    26 February 2014 at 7:54 am

    I got to self-righteously and triumphantly ring my bell at a member of the lycra-clad plutocratic cycling elite today.

    A small victory for the working man.

    • phillip ure 4.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:57 am

      i hate that ‘ lycra-clad plutocratic cycling elite’..

      ..(mainly ‘cos of the ‘lycra’..)

      phillip ure..

    • Ad 4.2
      26 February 2014 at 8:19 am

      Now what we need the complete netwrk of dedicated fully separated bike lanes across every city in the country.

      BTW TransportBlog and GenZero guys did a good presentation ot the Auckland Transport Board yesterday – very slick, very positive, and challenging.

      • RedLogix 4.2.1
        26 February 2014 at 8:55 am

        And a separate lanes for working class three-speeds and another for the lyrca-clad plutes….

        • phillip ure 4.2.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 9:01 am

          @ red-logix..

          1..

          ..can’t we put them in a tunnel..?

          ..so we don’t have to look at them..?

          ..oh..!..the humanity..!

          ..phillip ure..

          • phillip ure 4.2.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 10:03 am

            i think there should be an age-limit on lycra-use..

            ..(i dunno what the cut-off age should be..but as an example..mallard is well past that date..)

            ..and at that (to be determined) age..cyclists must be forced to shed the ever-more-spongy to the touch lycra..

            ..and into (sensible) jodhpur-styling trousers..

            ..preferably made of corduroy ..(and whale-cord..at that..)..

            ..can we have a referendum on this..?

            ..phillip ure..

            • fender 4.2.1.1.1.1
              26 February 2014 at 1:48 pm

              You’ve just blown it Phillip.

              After your desperate attempt to secure a wife the other day I felt a little sorry for you and I decided to play match-maker. I searched high and low for someone special who would get you out of your rut and had all but convinced a slightly crazy eccentric vegan lady I know to take a chance on you. Once she answered affirmative to the ‘do you really really like Nutella’ question I was certain there was some hope for you.

              But this age-limit you have suggested for wearing lycra has given her cold feet because she’s a keen cyclist and (although prefers her birthday suit when riding) often wears the tight-fitting apparel.

              So I’m sorry but you’ll have to be content for the time being with your four legged pet dog for a little while longer, but all is not lost; just be thankful Lucy(?) doesn’t have a nut allergy 😀

  5. bad12 5
    26 February 2014 at 8:10 am

    Interesting readers poll on Stuff.co this morning asking what are the main concerns for voters in this election year,

    At number one by a country mile, the economy 39.4%,(its–the–economy–stupid),

    Second, who would have thunk it,Affordable Housing 12.7%,(hopefully the relevant parties can ‘see’ that this also includes affordable rentals, rebuild the numbers in the States portfolio please),

    Third, but hardly least, Unemployment 8.2%,(i should imagine that if the dole wasn’t such a disgustingly low level of ‘at least they can eat but only if they ‘choose’ to live under a bridge’ the employment issue might have rated higher than 3rd)…

    • karol 5.1
      26 February 2014 at 8:44 am

      I voted afforable housing. It has a significant direct impact on more people than unemployment. Those worried about affordable housing include the unemployed as well as many low paid, precarious and employed people.

      Edit: That poll is a bit of a push poll, with “the economy” at the top of the list. It’s a general term that encompasses aspects of most of the other things on the list.

      • Pasupial 5.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 9:43 am

        I don’t generally pay attention to self-selecting polls such as that on Stuff – can you “vote” multiple times on that one the way you can with the NZH?

        The recent Roy Morgan has a better sampling method than most published polls (still phone interviews, but at least includes cell phones – though the 14+ age-group will include some not eligible to vote this year). They also define what issues they regard as “economic” (42%, but that includes 7% “unemployment/ job security”), no category directly corresponds to “Affordable Housing” but “Cost of Living/ Increasing Prices/ Financial Hardship/ Household Debt” seems closest (5% also categorised as “economic”).

        http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/5445-issues-facing-new-zealand-world-february-2014-201402210457

        “Poverty/ The Gap Between Rich & Poor/ Imbalance of Wealth” (16%) was the largest issue of the “Economic” category (42%). “Social Apathy/ Lack of Values/ Lack of Empathy Toward Others/ Intolerance” (5%) for the “Social issues” (21%). “Government/ Politicians/ Leadership/ Government Spending” (8%) for “Government/ Public Policy/ Human Rights issues” (19%). “Environmental Issues/ Degradation” (4%) for “Environmental issues” (9%). However 8% were “Can’t say”; of the “993 men and women aged 14 or over [who] were interviewed by telephone in February 2014”.

        Looking at the trend from Oct 2012, it appears economic issues have reduced in priority for the population studied (from 57% to 42%). Whereas; Social issues (13% to 21%); Government issues (14% to 19%); & Environmental issues (4% to 9%), have all increased.

      • Tracey 5.1.2
        26 February 2014 at 12:37 pm

        I said affordable housing also… People first baby!

        I take it to mean rent too karol.

    • Bill 5.2
      26 February 2014 at 10:57 am

      Just an observation, but 1 and 3 are concerns that essentially ‘get in behind’ and push in the direction of unsustainability.

  6. ianmac 6
    26 February 2014 at 9:44 am

    Interesting. Fran reckons that Mr Prebble will get Mr Key out of a tricky spot by “forcing” the retirement age up to 67 as part of a deal when/if ACT gets some MPs into Parliament. Mr Key would be able to say, “They made me break my vows. Pity that.”

    • Lanthanide 6.1
      26 February 2014 at 10:24 am

      Key has recently said that if they broke their word on that, voters would ask what else they would break their word on.

      So I think it’s a bridge to far for Key, and they’d really only go there if Act had a significant, required, presence (say 6+ seats) which I don’t think they have a hope in hell of getting.

      Prebble thinks they can get to 9 seats, which is just la-la-land thinking. Jamie Whyte himself is aiming for 5, but I think they’ll be lucky to get 2-3.

      • ianmac 6.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 10:48 am

        If it was a condition for regaining power, Key would claim that it is the price of that MMP that people wanted and that his hands were tied.
        Like Charter Schools? An ACT condition but not what National wanted. Really. National did not want Charter Schools. Really and truly!

  7. bad12 7
    26 February 2014 at 9:51 am

    Was that wee Matty Hooton i just heard on RadioNZ’s Nine to Noon, screeching like a demented child that David Cunliffe had promised a far left Government over and over as if some psychiatrist practicing hypnosis had put the ‘spinner under’ and then forgot to bring Him back to reality,

    Labour wee Matty is a very broad church and thus must appeal to a broad cross section of the community from those living on benefits to those in the comfortable middle class,

    So of course the message to different audiences is going to be different, just as Slippery the Prime Minister carries in His carpet bag various disguises so as to enable Him to ponce among those attending the Big Gay Out, and, preen among the fat-cats of the Business Roundtable or whatever their new disguise happens to be…

    • Tracey 7.1
      26 February 2014 at 12:38 pm

      it’s wednesday, i thought monday was his soapbox day?

      • veutoviper 7.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 12:58 pm

        Usually, but Ryan got both Hooton and Williams on again this morning to discuss the McCarten rumour. She kept stressing that it was the middle of the night or similar for Hooton, so don’t know where he was calling in from. Obviously somewhere overseas.

        • Tracey 7.1.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 1:14 pm

          so now it’s news to discuss something not actually official yet? Good God. Did mike say ” I agree with Mathew?”

    • NickS 7.2
      26 February 2014 at 8:24 pm

      The sooner we legalise dope, the better, especially for Hooton’s blood pressure come election time

      It would mean less stupid, mindless ranting though 😉

  8. Rosie 8
    26 February 2014 at 10:52 am

    For James Thrace:

    Hi James. Thanks for your response on Open Mike on Monday in regard to newly “announced” Labour candidate for Ohariu, Virginia/Ginny Anderson.

    I detected a sense of annoyance from you, that I hadn’t read your earlier comment from 11th February stating that she was indeed the candidate, as a response to my questioning when Labour would announce their Ohariu candidate. Apologies – I spend too much time here at TS as it is and usually don’t get overly involved in discussions, as much as I would like too, so hadn’t checked up on follow on comments.

    It would have been good if I had on that occasion however because I would have known two weeks earlier.

    I continue to remain in a state of puzzlement about the way the candidacy hasn’t been trumpeted given the importance of this electorate,and Epsom, is to National.

    • James Thrace 8.1
      26 February 2014 at 3:30 pm

      Sorry Rosie, didn’t mean for it to come across as annoyed! Definitely not my intention though I can appreciate it did seem like it.

      I am concerned that this late in the piece, for a new candidate with no name recognition, Labour will lost Ohariu.

      Chauvel did well in Ohariu in successive elections through constant door knocking and street corner meetings over 8(?) years.

      I don’t believe that the new girl will achieve the same level of succes, and moreso that Wadestown, a highly blue area, is now included in Ohariu.

      Although, it could be seen that Dunnes sell out may be the death of his political career, but unfortunately people are so anti labour that they may yet again allow the Hair to live again.

      • Rosie 8.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 4:51 pm

        No worries James 🙂

        I share your concerns, but as mentioned, am trying to keep a lid on them, as I may potentially offer to support her campaign in this electorate. (I have no idea who she is, apart from the small amount of her work history outlined in the RNZ piece).

        One thing possibly to go on is the 64.6% out of a 49% turn out of Ohariu voters who voted NO in the asset sales referendum. If they come out in force with a Labour vote there may be some hope. In the meantime there is a huge amount of work to be done, quickly!

    • Bill 9.1
      26 February 2014 at 11:08 am

      Confused. “TDB is calling the Chief-of-Staff position for Matt McCarten.” is not the same thing as announcing his appointment to the position. Just curious as to whether that’s designed as a way to break an embargo on an announcement or if it’s wishful thinking on the part of ‘Bomber’.

      • Rosie 9.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 11:18 am

        MS says above there will be an announcement at 1pm today…………

        Yay, didn’t have to click on TDB link.

        • phillip ure 9.1.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 4:38 pm

          @ rosie..

          ..can i ask what you have got against tdb..?

          ..to be so averse as to cheer at not having to click on a link to it..?

          ..i don’t comment there because of past censorship..

          ..(i would rather have the likes of bad ranting on about junkie-me at me..boring tho’ it may be..than he be silenced..)

          ..but there are useful articles posted there,,

          ..and their roundups of local blog-action are well worth the effort..

          ..and show up the offerings of pete-george-pimp/wannabe-acceptable-gatekeeper edwards-the-younger..in his corporate-trout role in the herald..

          ..as the lite-weight efforts they are..

          ..what’s yr prob..?

          ..phillip ure..

          • Rosie 9.1.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 5:21 pm

            Hi phillip.

            Well, I’ve already blathered on about the reasons enough here at TS and don’t want to bore folks, but for your benefit I will blather a little more.

            Main reason: same as you, previous censorship experiences such as not having comments posted, albeit just a couple, or them being held in moderation all day.

            Other reasons:

            Bad experiences with trolls, I just couldn’t be bothered continuing commenting. The worst was a guy who high jacked a conversation I was having with a woman about men who use porn as form of harassment towards women (I don’t want to go into this discussion here by the way: the example I had given was about a close friend who had been traumatised by her partner) The guy went on and said it was her fault etc and was being a complete A- hole. He ended up with heaps of “thumbs up” and I got plenty of “thumbs down”. Sounds petty but I felt quite freaked out about that and annoyingly he got free reign in the comments section where as I had to wait in moderation.

            Bad experiences with Martyn: One time he just nutted out in an anti Wellington tirade of an article. His trigger for the tirade was a report he linked that indicated that Auckland received less infrastructure dollar per capita than anywhere else and that Wellington received more than Auckland per capita. It was basically a a no holds barred hate speech in which he made up all sorts of bullshit about Wellingtonians as a group. He sounded like a 5 year old who had his toys taken from him. I tried to reason with him but he just packed a sad.

            Disappointing, as previously I had given positive feedback and had been supportive of their efforts in the early days.

            This article came a couple of weeks after the TICS talk that TDB hosted in Wellington in late August last year. There was an embarrassingly poor turnout and that would have left him out of pocket. Maybe the article was him taking his revenge. I don’t know.

            Personally although I believe his heart is in the right place he does appear to have a fragile ego and is prone to outbursts. (Remember Green Storm troopers!).

            Yes, there are excellent authors in TDB but I don’t want to support a site where I don’t’ feel welcome and where I am insulted. You could say it’s personal.

            • Pasupial 9.1.1.1.1.1
              27 February 2014 at 3:15 am

              Rosie

              It was “Emerald Storm Troopers” (as in “Imperial Storm Troopers”; Star Wars allusion). Which I found ironic due to one of 4 principles of the Green Party charter being Non-Violence.

              Bradbury isn’t really about facts as such; not that he intentionally deceives, but neither he does he let excessive consideration get in the way of a turn of phrase. I actually think his persona worked best back when he was doing his Bomber’s Blog comedic infotainment TV bit. The demands of running TDB may not be the best fit for his talents. Though he does seem to have boundless energy – when QoT was disentangling herself from TDBs clutches she had a line about three-quarters of the posts being written by half a dozen middle-aged white men. My opinion is that fully half the content (barring comments) is produced by that one man.

              That said, I still read it; though rarely comment and often get snagged in moderation limbo myself when I try. If I boycotted every publication where I disagreed with the editorial decisions I’d never read any newspapers.

          • Rosie 9.1.1.1.2
            26 February 2014 at 5:39 pm

            Lol. In moderation whilst talking about moderation on TDB, phillip. Hopefully you will receive your answer shortly.

            • Rosie 9.1.1.1.2.1
              26 February 2014 at 6:38 pm

              Hmmm, o.k, it’s been one hour twenty now…………….was it the t….s?

              • phillip ure …
                26 February 2014 at 6:44 pm

                i find singing ‘mod mod mod mod mod-eration’..

                to the tune of barbara -ann..

                ..sometimes works..

                ..phillip ure..

                • Rosie …
                  26 February 2014 at 7:08 pm

                  I noticed. I’ll do the harmony.

                  Coulda been the potentially defamatory things I said about Martyn Bradbury, seeing as we’re being watchful of fragile ego’s and their propensity for defamation cases – although I wouldn’t put Bradbury in the same league as Craig…………

      • karol 9.1.2
        26 February 2014 at 12:17 pm

        Bradbury links to a Stuff article calling it for McCarten – via an alleged leak from Mike Williams.

    • just saying 9.2
      26 February 2014 at 11:14 am

      Not cheered.
      Anyone who says he thinks Parick Gower is an outstanding journalist either lacks judgment, or is a liar. Also his tactical and uniting skills didn’t work out that well for the Alliance.

      Was a time when I would have been happy – but reading McCarten’s column doesn’t inspire confidence.

      Just had a thought though, McCarten was an honourary ABC before Cunliffe won. Maybe there is some Mchiavellian genius at work here, not yet visible to the naked eye.

      • Bill 9.2.1
        26 February 2014 at 11:23 am

        “Not cheered”

        Neither. Sure, there might be good tactical/political reasons as to why DC (or whoever gets to make the call) would appoint a man who is so consistently ‘out for himself’ and willing to ride any bandwagon on the go, to such a team leading position. Bit beyond me to figure it though.

        • McFlock 9.2.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 12:23 pm

          To be fair, the alliance was royally fucked by anderton – Mccarten mad a decent attempt, as I recall.

          But I’ve never been into his column – and wasn’t he one of the bold Waitakere Men for a comment or two? Or was that just JT and WJ?

          • Tracey 9.2.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 1:01 pm

            remember lailla hare’s parental leave stuff has mad eit to law, braddford’s change to s59a and other alliance measures are implemented. It seems only natural that IF labour is moving toward its roots, that alliance type policy and thinking wouldbe re-embraced

            • McFlock 9.2.1.1.1.1
              26 February 2014 at 1:11 pm

              true true

              Breath ain’t bated, tho’ 🙂

              • Tracey …
                26 February 2014 at 1:17 pm

                I am trying to think why Williams would leak it. he’s a cunliffe supporter isn’t he, or did he just think Cunliffe would win leadership which isnt the same thing at all.

                perhaps they think the alliance leaning labour non voter is highh among the 800,000 non voters?

                • McFlock …
                  26 February 2014 at 1:43 pm

                  Bit much entrails-reading for me

                • phillip ure …
                  26 February 2014 at 4:44 pm

                  williams was a shane jones supporter..then a robertson supporter..

                  ..he is a fully paid up member of the abc’s…

                  ..a man who took every opportunity to sneer at/belittle any idea of cunnliffe being the one to lead labour..

                  ..week after week he used his pulpit on nat-rad to push this message..

                  ..a man totally on the wrong side of history..in so many ways..

                  ..(who tho’..will rewrite his own..on the hoof..)

                  ..a man so drenched in hubris/ignorance..

                  ..he can’t even seem to see how bad/wrong neo-lib was/is..

                  ..not a hint of any contrition from him..(of..’shit..!..we got it wrong..!’..)

                  ..let alone any acceptance of the needed change..

                  ..he is now just doomed to forever ‘agree with matthew’..

                  ..phillip ure..

  10. captain hook 10
    26 February 2014 at 11:11 am

    did you hear hooton whining and lying again on RNZ this morning.
    He is sh*t scared because Matt Mcarten will get the job done and he will have lost his number one client and have to sell weetbix for a living.

  11. Danske 11
    26 February 2014 at 11:15 am

    Matt mcarten? What is David Cunliffe and his advisors thinking?
    We need a voice of moderation and common sense to counteract National, not a shill unionist.

    • phillip ure 11.1
      26 February 2014 at 4:52 pm

      bring back stuart nash..?..y’reckon..?

      ..he’s got enough ‘moderation’ and ‘common sense’ to bore the opposition into submission..

      ..is this the tactic you are advocating..?

      (and nice typo..on the ‘shill’..eh..?..)

      phillip ure..

  12. Colonial Viper 12
    26 February 2014 at 11:18 am

    Ernst & Young consulting partner walks away from million dollar job to blow whistle on Dubai blood Gold trade

    Going against big money, defying your own institution, and killing your corporate career in the process. Sometimes that’s exactly what it takes, but so few people do it, deciding to succumb to careerism instead.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26341072

    • greywarbler 12.1
      26 February 2014 at 12:11 pm

      Wow right at the start of that story the journalist’s name is outstanding – Andy Verity.

      But reading on I wonder would withholding gold mined in conflict areas be good, because it furthers human rights abuses and funds armed guerilla groups which could be people like the Lords Resistance Army in Uganda? Or would it be bad because it denied armed guerilla groups funding so that they could carry on a fight against cruel, totalitarian governments?

      Then another confusing thing – it is normal for gold-painted silver to be received as if it was real gold?

      Alice in Wonderland seems like an imaginative scenario for today.

      • McFlock 12.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 12:48 pm

        Then another confusing thing – it is normal for gold-painted silver to be received as if it was real gold?

        Well, it would be normal if the “gold” came from legitimate sources and you had a stash of real gold from other sources – it adds up in the books. 4 tons in (silver), 4 tons out(gold), profit is essentially the same as the gold price (silver’s pretty cheap on that scale).

        And if you’re also refining silver ore, you simply record after the fact that the ore’s purity was surprisingly high, so you got 4 tons of silver from dirt. And everything you have to sell looks kosher.

    • Tracey 12.2
      26 February 2014 at 12:40 pm

      According to RadioSport hosts no one would ever walk away from big money.

  13. mac1 13
    26 February 2014 at 11:25 am

    I just heard on National radio 11am news that Mighty River Power has an increased return to its shareholders. Partly this was achieved by some weasel words along the lines of, “reduced exposure to commercial interests”.

    Now, I read recently that power prices to business are cheaper, deliberately so, and the price to domestic consumers is higher since we don’t have the same commercial clout/interests/favour. The Mighty River website confirms today that its sales in the low-price commercial sector are down 9%, and sales are down 11% over all.

    Am I right therefore in saying that the recently sold Might River Power, once an asset wholly owned by the state and people, with returns going back to the people, is now more profitable, and that this profit which was taken from the backs of the domestic consumer, i.e. the people, is now being returned half to its new private and wealthy owners and half to the government which also represents the wealthy?

    Could this increased profit have been engineered as a fillip to the government’s further assets sales, the viability of which which have been compromised by low share prices and demand?

  14. captain hook 14
    26 February 2014 at 11:55 am

    Mighty River Power was a pork barrel job pure and simple.
    The New Zealand economy is not big enough to hide financial depredations and legalised liens on the taxpayer so this is the only way they can do it.

  15. Colonial Viper 15
    26 February 2014 at 11:57 am

    Feminist infighting and activist groups self destructing: “Death of a Revolutionary”

    (By Susan Faludi)

    http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/04/15/130415fa_fact_faludi

    Anselma Dell’Olio, the founder of the New Feminist Theatre, in New York, was the first to speak publicly about trashing. In a 1970 address, titled “Divisiveness and Self-Destruction in the Women’s Movement: A Letter of Resignation,” which was delivered to the Congress to Unite Women, in New York City, she warned that women’s “rage, masquerading as a pseudo-egalitarian radicalism under the ‘pro-woman’ banner,” was turning into “frighteningly vicious anti-intellectual fascism of the left.” After hearing about the speech, several women, including Freeman, met and vowed to fight the problem. “Instead, each of us slipped back into our own isolation,” Freeman said. “The result was that most of the women at that meeting dropped out, as I had done. Two ended up in the hospital with nervous breakdowns.” After Ti-Grace Atkinson resigned from the Feminists, a group she had founded in New York, she declared, “Sisterhood is powerful. It kills. Mostly sisters.” The observation rang true for so many that it soon became one of the lines most frequently quoted by feminists, or, rather, misquoted: the “mostly” was dropped.

    The second-wave feminists had hoped to alleviate this isolation through the refuge of sisterhood. “We were like pioneers who’d left the Old Country,” Phyllis Chesler, a feminist psychologist and the author of “Women and Madness” (1972), told me. “And we had nowhere to go back to. We had only each other.” That is, until the movement’s collapse. Last fall, as I interviewed New York’s founding radical feminists, the stories of “social defeat” mounted: painful solitude, poverty, infirmity, mental illness, and even homelessness. In a 1998 essay, “The Feminist Time Forgot,” Kate Millett lamented the lengthening list of her sisters who had “disappeared to struggle alone in makeshift oblivion or vanished into asylums and have yet to return to tell the tale,” or who fell into “despairs that could only end in death.” She noted the suicides of Ellen Frankfort, the author of “Vaginal Politics,” and Elizabeth Fisher, the founder of Aphra, the first feminist literary journal. “We haven’t helped each other much,” Millett concluded. We “haven’t been able to build solidly enough to have created community or safety.”

    • karol 15.1
      26 February 2014 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks for the link to a very interesting article, CV.

      You have been very selective with your cherry picked quotes there, failing to put them in context. The article is from mid 2013, is an obituary for Shilamuth Firestone, and sets this in context of her role among New York radical feminists.

      The kinds of factions, struggles and personality conflicts referred to, can be seen across the left in various countries, and not just within the US feminist movement. And it puts that in the context of the first and second waves of feminism – the way each wave has risen, bringing with it much needed changes, then been appropriated and weakened – and along with that, often the full story has been revised and/or written out of history.

      Firestone is characterised as a brilliant, energised, but divisive figure, suffering from schizophrenia. Ultimately the story of her final years makes sad reading. I read her book, “The Dialectic of Sex”, way back. An interesting but flawed theory. She did provide some very significant insights: she modelled her theory on Marx’s dialectic, but posited that the primary social divide was one of gender. She was criticised for her biological determinism, as she argued that the basis of female oppression was the role of women in the reproduction of the species. She argued that the rise of new technologies (of birth control etc), would free women from their biology and their oppression.

      In Faludi’s article, she outlines Firestone’s role within the US radical feminist strand of feminism, especially in the late 60s and early 70s. In the US liberal feminism dominated. They wanted an equal role for women within the existing social structure. Radical feminists wanted to change the whole social structure.

      Unfortunately, it seems that Firestone wanted to hold on to some key features of US culture: she wasn’t keen on the move to non-hierarchical structures favoured by both the radical left, and left wing feminists, including most radical feminists. The whole of the NY radical feminist strand seemed also to not want to let go of aspects of the wider US celebrity culture, favoring “star” writers/leaders etc.

      My understanding of Firestone and the work of Kate Millet, was gained from my perspective in the late 70s early 80s women’s movement in London. The dominant strand of feminism in the UK in the 70s was socialist feminism. There was a secondary strand of radical feminists – there was much cross fertilisation of ideas and practice between strands. There was far less of a tendency to make stars out of key theorists.

  16. Penny Bright 16
    26 February 2014 at 12:01 pm

    FYI

    LATEST LEN BROWN UPDATE:

    26 February 2014

    Graham McCready

    9:04 AM (2 hours ago)

    The Auckland Electoral Officer confirmed yesterday to Grace Haden the former Police Prosecutor that her complaint of a $750,000 election donation fraud has been referred to the Police for investigation.

    Len Brown now finds himself in the same position as John Banks in 2012. That police investigation led eventually by way of a private prosecution to hi(s) committal to trial in the High Court.

    Again if the Police do not prosecute the New Zealand Private Prosecution Service will.

    The Len Brown election allegation may be coupled with a Police investigation for money laundering the donations through the New Auckland Council Trust

    Graham McCready

    Prosecutor for NZPPS Ltd

    …………………….

    Again – ever wondered why you haven’t heard Prime Minister John Key say a bad thing against Auckland Mayor Len Brown?

    Because, in my considered opinion, Auckland Mayor Len Brown, is Prime Minister John Key’s ‘little helper’, doing a GREAT job looking after Sky City, property developers and BIG business interests ……

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption/ anti-privatisation’ campaigner.

    • Tracey 16.1
      26 February 2014 at 12:45 pm

      Grrace Haden once said and did some disgraceful things in her blind pursuit of a single person. She did not give a damn about the innocent folks she damaged along the way. There is searching for truth and there is distorting the reality to fit your version of truth.I have little faith in the integrity of any allegations and alleged supporting evidence supplied by Ms Haden. Statistically, even the misguided, can be right once.

      • Penny Bright 16.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 1:38 pm

        I have worked with Grace Haden for many years, know her to be both very capable and helpful, and have the evidence to support this.

        I am not aware of the matter to which you are referring, but would equally remind you of the old adage ‘ one swallow doesn’t make a summer’.

        Penny Bright

    • ianmac 16.2
      26 February 2014 at 2:11 pm

      As a non-Aucklander bemused by this sad vendetta against Len Brown, I do hesitate to ask but,where did this $750,000 “fraud” come from?

  17. Tracey 17
    26 February 2014 at 12:48 pm

    I know many people make out the Greens are crazy but you knnow, they are the only party that could have plans to alleviate the kinds of “disasters” that would impact hugely on big business. ironic yeah?

    I speak of their exploration of solar and wind technologies which could one day cut off major black outs at the pass.

    • phillip ure 17.1
      26 February 2014 at 5:01 pm

      yep..!..that’ll do it..!

      ..slap a solar panel on the roof..and buy a prius..

      ..we won’t need to do anything else..eh..?

      ..we can still nod and wink to the really big elephant in the ‘green’ room..

      ..the dairy industry..eh..?

      ..no mention of the upcoming massive changes we are going to have to undertake..

      ..as a people and as a country..

      ..to have any hope of staving off disaster..

      ..don’t want to scare the horses..!..eh..?

      ..have to be seen as ‘a safe/calm pair of hands..eh..?

      ..when what they should be doing..

      ..is screaming alarms/warnings from the bloody roof-tops..

      ..they should be flaming radicals..using their pulpit for what it is meant..

      ..telling people what is coming up,,

      ..if we/they don’t get our shit together..

      ..and soon..

      ..but i think they are too busy..

      ..bbq-ing…

      ..the blind..gently leading the blind to the cliff-edge.

      ..(but they were so polite/nice!..with it..)

      • Colonial Viper 17.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 6:14 pm

        Sorry mate, you should realise by now that the mainstream political parties are by definition part of the establishment. And they will not do anything radical without radical pressure placed upon them by the wider populace through mass movements.

        Having a bitch about them is good and all, but won’t change that simple political fact.

        • phillip ure 17.1.1.1
          26 February 2014 at 6:25 pm

          you are denying all the major changes of history..

          ..and yes..they will have to be dragged there..

          ..but dragged there they will be..

          ..or else they will be swept away..

          ..phillip ure..

          • Colonial Viper 17.1.1.1.1
            26 February 2014 at 7:23 pm

            I’m not “denying all the major changes of history” as much as I am describing them. I think that much was clear about the point I was making.

  18. Penny Bright 18
    26 February 2014 at 1:39 pm

    MEDIA ALERT: ‘Len Brown – Stand Down Coalition’ PROTEST:
    Auckland Mayor Len Brown is certainly NOT ‘New Zealander of the Year!’

    According to the following Auckland Mayoral Office Media Advisory, Len Brown is to attend the Kiwibank ‘New Zealander of the Year’ award, to be held at the Auckland Langham Hotel, (83 Symonds Street, Grafton) tonight, at 7pm.

    http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/mayorelectedrepresentatives/mayordiary20140224.pdf

    ” Wednesday 26 February

    7pm Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year”

    “Members of the ‘Len Brown – Stand Down’ coalition and supporters, will be holding a colourful protest outside the Langholm Hotel, from 6pm.

    https://maps.google.co.nz/maps?ie=UTF-8&q=The+Langham&fb=1&gl=nz&hq=Map+Langham+Hotel+Auckland&cid=17989029583253604632&ei=dyUNU-OhLueciAfHq4BQ&ved=0CPoBEPwSMAs

    The attendance of Mayor Len Brown at this event, is a disgrace.
    We believe that he is not fit for duty, and should resign forthwith,” says coalition Spokesperson Dick Cuthbert.

    “The pressure on Mayor Len Brown to stand down, has significantly increased with today’s news that a complaint to the Electoral Office, alleging electoral fraud against Len Brown, has been handed over to the Police for investigation,” says coalition member, anti-corruption campaigner, Penny Bright.

    Penny Bright …………………..

    Dick Cuthbert ………………….

    BACKGROUND INFORMATION

    26 February 2014

    Graham McCready

    The Auckland Electoral Officer confirmed yesterday to Grace Haden the former Police Prosecutor that her complaint of a $750,000 election donation fraud has been referred to the Police for investigation.

    Len Brown now finds himself in the same position as John Banks in 2012. That police investigation led eventually by way of a private prosecution to hi(s) committal to trial in the High Court.

    Again if the Police do not prosecute the New Zealand Private Prosecution Service will.

    The Len Brown election allegation may be coupled with a Police investigation for money laundering the donations through the New Auckland Council Trust

    Graham McCready

    Prosecutor for NZPPS Ltd

    • Tracey 18.1
      26 February 2014 at 2:18 pm

      Any reason your group doesn’t demand Key step down for qall his lies and lies and lies… he’s an Auckland Mp afterall?

      • Murray Olsen 18.1.1
        27 February 2014 at 2:00 am

        It might be a little difficult finding a former police persecutor who was willing to use her dubious professional skills against Key. I can’t think of any profession that I would trust less. That sex is involved makes me think instantly of Graeme Capill. This whole thing against Brown is sordid and cheap, especially when there is no campaign for a left wing candidate to replace him.

  19. Puckish Rouge 19
    26 February 2014 at 3:11 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11210282

    interesting when bloggers from the left and right all have issues with the article

  20. greywarbler 20
    26 February 2014 at 5:07 pm

    A huge number of Labour electorates across the country have electorate nominations closing on Friday, 28 February. This will be interesting when we hear the results in March. CViper are you there?

    • Colonial Viper 20.1
      26 February 2014 at 6:08 pm

      Hi GW, I will not be standing as a candidate this year, but will be very active in the Labour Party on other fronts.

  21. Tim 21
    26 February 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Joan Withers …. not a patch on Joan Rivers – not even Joan River’s nether regions.
    But I’ll give her an A+ for trying hard. Give the neolibs another + for appointing her.
    No doubt she’ll be joining Jenny and Burton down on the ranch for a BeeBee Q in the not-too-distant – unless some “far left cnut” jumps up and spoils their plan.
    Oh well – burnt steaks darling! We can improvise. A haw haw haw.

    (I think you’ve already said that! – such is the nature of our 3rdWorld Interweb)

  22. drum 22
    26 February 2014 at 5:56 pm

    not sure whether this has been featured on TS…but interesting to see a former National cabinet minister having a good poke at the current lot… http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/9732947/Doughnut-represents-Ceras-failings

  23. Colonial Viper 23
    26 February 2014 at 6:06 pm

    Mass surveillance state reaches Dunedin roads

    It seems that earlier this month, the first vehicle number plate recognition cameras went live in Dunedin. An extensive network of these cameras is being planned around the city. The cameras digitally record the number plate of every single passing vehicle for real time character recognition analysis, number plate data matching and storage. The data is currently being used to issue instant fines to vehicles without current WOFs and rego’s.

    There will be many other uses to this real time data as well, beyond that of mass traffic enforcement.

    Personally, I think that the way these cameras have been introduced, and their potential uses within a surveillance state apparatus, are extremely disturbing.

    Does anyone here know what legislation empowers the use of these cameras in the issuance of vehicle infringements?

    • karol 23.1
      26 February 2014 at 6:24 pm

      Disturbing – but maybe it’ll drive more people onto public transport, or to walk, or get a bicycle?

    • greywarbler 23.2
      26 February 2014 at 6:32 pm

      Pity that it doesn’t work out for you this time CV, but if you can increase your public interaction, perhaps you can provide some balance in the Council next time and seek an electorate position later.

      I’ll be interested in what you find Colonial Viper about this surveillance. I find it very disturbing that checking to see if WoFs and other certificates are current is being used as an excuse to place the populace under surveillance.

      And particularly seeing that WoFs are being downgraded as a regular check.
      It’s like creating a type of law that will be easy to break (forgetting) and then hitting people with large fines, not to encourage people to keep current, but just as an automatic machine printing money for the authorities.

      I hated Dunedin for fining me $65 for parking illegally for 10 minutes in an empty street, years ago. It appears that Dunedinites have a very authoritarian, grasping, top down council. Councillors were prepared to satisfy personal desires for sport enjoyment and force debt to be incurred to the tune of $millions to the ratepayer. Apparently it will do anything it wants to its residents and there is nothing that can stop its old-money, mean-minded, presbyterian tight-minded approach to its citizens.

      • Colonial Viper 23.2.1
        26 February 2014 at 7:08 pm

        Cheers, GW.

      • Murray Olsen 23.2.2
        27 February 2014 at 1:55 am

        I was in Dunedin recently and noticed the over the top parking enforcement. The street where I was staying was so empty that the warden couldn’t even walk from one car to another, but had a motorbike. I suppose someone has to pay for the Rugby stadium, much as citizens paid for cathedrals in past centuries.

        • greywarbler 23.2.2.1
          27 February 2014 at 10:36 am

          Murry O
          Yes I believe they had little scooters when I was there way back. And the bit about the cathedrals is too right. Pyramids also. Ozymandias despair. Let the rats get into the larder and they will take more than they should. Question to ask each electorate candidate at meetings – Are you a rat who wants to raid the community larder? And see them start and how they respond, calling on their dignity and affronted, or with a sharp look and a firm answer as to why they aren’t.

    • karol 23.3
      26 February 2014 at 6:43 pm

      Surveillance systems seem to be covered by a mix of government regulations and council regulations or by laws.

      This is Auckland Council’s guidance documents on it.

      This Aussie report refers in several places to an NZ Law Commission report. It looks like the NZ Law Commission felt there were gaps in the legislation and that it needs a specific new law governing it. e.g p25:

      In March 2009 the New Zealand Law
      Commission (NZLC) released an issues paper
      on the adequacy of New Zealand’s civil and
      criminal laws in dealing with invasions of
      privacy. They found a number of significant
      gaps in the law.36

      1.41 In February 2010 the NZLC published its
      final report, Invasion of Privacy: Penalties
      and Remedies, which recommended a
      comprehensive model to reform the gaps
      identified in the existing law regulating the use
      of surveillance in New Zealand. Central to these
      recommendations was the creation of a new
      Surveillance Devices Act that would establish
      both civil and criminal remedies in relation to
      the misuse of visual surveillance, interception
      and tracking devices.37

      • Colonial Viper 23.3.1
        26 February 2014 at 7:09 pm

        Thanks karol. I fear we are going down the paranoid surveillance state route of the UK, where you even get schools hiring private investigators using tax payers money, to follow parents they deem to be suspicious, around.

    • RedbaronCV 23.4
      26 February 2014 at 8:42 pm

      And no doubt the infringement notices will be much more expensive than the sentences handed down by law courts for much more serious offences.

  24. karol 24
    26 February 2014 at 6:22 pm

    So the government asset sales now includes selling more state houses – ones that are either “in the wrong place”, or are the “wrong” sort of house. sigh is there no end to their hatred of struggling Kiwi?

    • bad12 24.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:10 pm

      Yeah Karol, i too seen Bill the Minister of Ever Widening Deficits admitting to what i have posted here a couple of times,

      Got a hole in ya budget, who do you call, sure as hell ain’t Ghost Busters, get Bill ex of Dipton having tired of actually representing anyone except His self serving troughing, the right bloke to get you out of that hole,

      Having double dipped His way to infamy via double dipping on His own Parliamentary housing allowance Bills going to get you all out of that hole, which incidently is the one He has overseen the making of for the past 5 years, by kicking 20% of the poorest people/families out of their’s, houses that is, so He can flog them off in an exercise of book balancing,

      No worries right, after all the houses are all too big or too small and the ones Bill has no fucking intention whatsoever to build will all fit just fine, after all shop doorways are of a one size fits all nature if the poor need to get out of the winter weather and there are some fine bridges scattered across the whole country so those who Bill gives the kick will have a wide choice of accommodation,

      Bills mate Nick Smith having changed the law to be able to give anyone the kick from a HousingNZ home for any old reason, strange, bizarre. or, normal, and, believe me Nick has very few of the latter, reasons that is, but, the strange and bizarre when Nick is allowed to be himself he has a veritable smogasboard of, will quite happily balance Bills books by simply ridding the poorest of their homes and selling them off to the richest,

      What could be more fairer than that…

  25. andy (the other one) 25
    26 February 2014 at 6:26 pm

    Act Leader Jamie Whyte stands by incest comments

    um, er, eh, pffftttt! Go Epsom voters, your all the smartest voters in NZ (cf Mathew Hooton).

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11210373

    • AWW 25.1
      26 February 2014 at 9:51 pm

      Yea… I remember an interview (I think it was Barbara Wood) where the lady was talking about how children subjected to incest still felt powerless to stop further sexual violation by the same perpetrator as an adult.

      Does Jamie White think “consent” in this type of power dynamic is ok? Sounds like another JT and Willie type to me.

      • Pascal's bookie 25.1.1
        26 February 2014 at 9:58 pm

        Jesus though, what a way for ol’ John Banks to end his political career though eh.

        The trial, and now his party leader going on about how incest should be legal.

    • Murray Olsen 25.2
      27 February 2014 at 2:07 am

      I always suspected ACT on Campus was a group of guys who’d like having their invisible hands inside the intimate apparel of close relatives. Truth is almost always stranger than fiction with that lot. Given that the overt racism spewed by Banks was acceptable to the good burghers of Epsom, will this be the straw that breaks the thoroughbred horses back? No camels in Epsom, mate. Dirty Arab things!!

      • Pasupial 25.2.1
        27 February 2014 at 2:39 am

        It’s not just the disinclination to accept the long established societal condemnation of incestuous relationships (he’s the leader of Act, so won’t believe in the existence of such a thing as society). It’s also his comparison of the risks in pregnancy over the age of 35 with; “the increased risk of congenital disorders in children from incestuous relationships”:

        ” The probability of having some problem with the children is greater when the mother is over the age of 35 but I’ve never heard anyone suggest that anyone over the age of 35 shouldn’t be allowed to have sex.”

        This, mind you, is Whyte’s idea of a “virtuous” position. I’d hate to read the statements of his that he considers sleazy and manipulative. But no doubt there’ll be ample opportunity in coming months.

  26. bad12 26
    26 February 2014 at 7:45 pm

    My ears didn’t deceive me today when i heard on RadioNZ National that all the ‘partners’ in 5 eyes, those who spy on their own and share the info with each other, have all been tutored in how to use various means to disrupt on-line blogs that they feel are not supportive of a particular Government,

    Here i was thinking the likes of SSLands was a lowly bean counting serf for a little firm of Wellington tax lawyers with an office on the Terrace, my mind has been changed by one small article of news, the cubicle i will now have to have a think about could for all we know be one located in Pipitea Street instead,

    Can anyone contemplate the stupidity of Government organizations like our GCSB or SIS, in my view stupidity personafied, having actual people in their employ with a job description of entering online debates at the likes of the Standard so as to disrupt our opposition to the current Government,

    Lolz, poor old Fish-head, if He is one of the aforementioned a quick redeployment will obviously be necessary as Lprent cancelled His contract last night,

    David Cunliffe says review the whole NZ apparatus of spying, my view is scrap the lot, simply close them down, turn their office building into a homeless shelter,

    These people having had a taste of snooping on the citizens and even using human means to try and disrupt political blogs cannot be trusted to obey laws that would restrict their activities even if such existed,

    Information after all equates to power…

    • bad12 26.1
      26 February 2014 at 7:57 pm

      Lolz, that’ll learn me for not looking, Karol has a Post up on this very subject,and, this comment is possibly more appropriate over there…

    • karol 26.2
      26 February 2014 at 7:59 pm

      Yes, I posted about those strategies re – the Snowden leaks yesterday. I partly meant it by way of a warning about how the right are deliberately promoting such techniques of covert action.

      The various agencies may enlist others to do their actual covert action, infiltration, etc. Much like has been done in the past offline re various activist groups.

  27. Colonial Viper 27
    26 February 2014 at 8:10 pm

    Financial Times reports gold price is manipulated 50% of the time: then pulls article

    So you right wing free market morons…what do you make of this…it should clue you in on how rotten the financial markets used by the power elite are…

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-25/here-fts-gold-price-manipulation-article-was-removed

    Global gold prices may have been manipulated on 50 per cent of occasions between January 2010 and December 2013, according to analysis by Fideres, a consultancy.

    The findings come amid a probe by German and UK regulators into alleged manipulation of the gold price, which is set twice a day by Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Barclays, Bank of Nova Scotia and Société Générale in a process known as the “London gold fixing”.

    Fideres’ research found the gold price frequently climbs (or falls) once a twice-daily conference call between the five banks begins, peaks (or troughs) almost exactly as the call ends and then experiences a sharp reversal, a pattern it alleged may be evidence of “collusive behaviour”.

    “[This] is indicative of panel banks pushing the gold price upwards on the basis of a strategy that was likely predetermined before the start of the call in order to benefit their existing positions or pending orders,” Fideres concluded.

    “The behaviour of the gold price is very suspicious in 50 per cent of cases. This is not something you would expect to see if you take into account normal market factors,“ said Alberto Thomas, a partner at Fideres.

  28. greywarbler 28
    26 February 2014 at 8:11 pm

    I was just listening to the radio report on the USA training spy agencies to interfere with activists called hacktivists. The GCSB won’t comment as it is an operational matter. Key of course doesn’t know about it, but throws in some words about warrants being necessary.

    See Karol’s post 25 February 2014 The surveillance state online.

    I was wondering in today’s climate, if the terrible doctor from World War 2 Mengeles was being questioned about his horrors, would he say that he couldn’t comment because ‘it was an operational matter?. It seems as if there are no standards against which some of these people today measure their behaviour. Truly hollow men, and women too.

    • karol 28.1
      26 February 2014 at 8:51 pm

      Key said something about the GCSB working within the law, and that he hadn’t actually seen the Snowden material. As you can see in my post, the strategies being promoted by the NSA, 5 Eyes, etc, involve ways of working around the law, so what they do is legal – but not acting within the spirit and intentions of the laws.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How Are Computers Made?
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    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 ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 hours ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    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 ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    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: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 hours ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 hours ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 hours ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    10 hours ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    19 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    21 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    22 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    23 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours 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
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    1 day ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    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 - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    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 Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-20T05:09:32+00:00