And in this morning’s news John Key has single handedly shown what an utterly brilliant negotiator he is by persuading European leaders to have a think about a free trade agreement. Want to have a bet they have been thinking of this for a while? And the “insurmountable difficulties” surrounding agriculture will mean that any free trade agreement, which will be years in the future, will have little if any benefit.
And to show that the Government is in trouble they have wheeled out Paula Bennett who in her latest piece of bash them legislation is proposing that further heinous offences are added to the list of offences which would limit people from working with children. They should have asked her about why numbers of emergency grants for beneficiaries facing having their power cut off have been declining at the same time that cut offs have been soaring.
Yup they sure know how to treat our Prime Minister with all deserved respect over in Europe, in the middle of Slippery’s briefing to the press a Dutch official barged into the room and gave them all the kick,
”See ya later Slippery” seems to have been the message to our PM obviously a waste of space in their opinion when they had ‘more important’ people wanting to use the room…
One of Ha-Joon Chang’s recommendations for rebuilding the economy is to either get rid of the FTAs (my preferred option) or reform them so that they’re far more flexible. He points out that free-trade has resulted in the exact opposite of what the free-marketers, in their belief, said they would. That the most growth in all nations has been when the government with, adequate social welfare, drove the economy. In this state there was more innovation, more industrialisation and greater stability.
And all this when he is supposed to be at a nuclear disarmament discussion.
I have no problem with this having been ongoing BUT to be fair, Grosser and the diplomats and the MFAT officials will have been at this for some time I am sure, in one fell swoop he claims it all for himself. Not a team player our Mr Key…
Keep seeing a billboard for Paula Bennet out west BUT the picture is way different to any others of her I have seen. I went to her website and can’t find the picture they have used. I also note that onher website the latest news is from October 2013.
I’m sure that he sees himself as a Randian Super-hero and everyone else is just there to do as he tells them. Because of this he probably believes he did it all himself.
Meanwhile, the Greens on Campus in Auckland are getting it together for a big day on Saturday’s (29th March) Day of Action. Their Facebook page – Crafta-Brunch:
Come along to this incredible event – the crafta-brunch. Not sure what a crafta-brunch is? Well…. the crafta-brunch is an event which combines the magic of crafts with the tastiness of brunch. Pretty self-explanatory really!
We will be meeting at 10am at the Auckland Greens Office to create signs and banners for the NO TPPA march later in the day. At 11.30am (approx.) we will be serving brunch – this will be conveniently easy to transport, so we can all walk down together to Aotea square, where the march will be starting at 1pm.
Preferably wear Green clothes if you have them! Although we will hopefully be supplying some Green ‘capes’ for those without. $5.00 for entry (to cover brunch). Please note RSVPs will be relied on, by our chefs!
To(o) mch txting.
A lot of people don’t seem to know the difference between to and too.
And between lose and loose.
And the meanings of reticence, reluctance and resile – seem to crop up a lot these days.
resile –
I think current usage is along what Google says – abandon a position or a course of action.
“can he resile from the agreement?”
But surely the word there would be withdraw if abandoning something. To resile would indicate more than just abandon a position but to actually return to a former one.
free dictionary says –
(intr) to spring or shrink back; recoil or resume original shape
and
1. To spring back, especially to resume a former position or structure after being stretched or compressed.
2. To draw back; recoil.
reticent
Google says
not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.
free dictionary –
not open or communicative; not saying all that one knows; taciturn; reserved
1. Inclined to keep one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself. See Synonyms at silent.
2. Restrained or reserved in style.
3. Reluctant; unwilling.(American Heritage Dictionary)
But reticence is being used more to indicate reluctance to do something as in the No.3 American form which extends its original meaning unnecessarily where reluctance fits.
Reluctant
Google says
unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
free dictionary –
1. not eager; unwilling; disinclined
2. offering resistance or opposition
and
1. Unwilling; disinclined: reluctant to help.
2. Exhibiting or marked by unwillingness: a reluctant smile.
3. Offering resistance; opposing.
That’s a good link Hayden. The charter schools initiative (now that’s a word I have trouble typing) is one to keep our eyes on. With a genuine critical faculty.
@Th Allen
That little red line. Do you find it really helpful. I curse it often. It seems to want me to put z wherever I have s and other bissare Americanisms.
I don’t know what the reasons are for such poor use of the language, but good to see someone over there in Leeds has started to address it.
I’m shockingly poor with grammar and punctuation and syntax, however, my spelling, thanks to the little red line that appears under mistakes and google isn’t too bad.
Evolving language is one thing, but destroying the old can’t be a good thing, going by what’s passing for the replacement.
‘All Means All’ would seem to be criminal as a name in itself, published in Stuff on 24/03/2014, it appears All Means All has a bit of a problem with Slippery the Prime Minister,(don’t we all),pun unintended,
Convicted after a trial in the Christchurch District Court of 6 charges of threatening to kill the PM, All Means All has also said He will go on hunger strike if He is jailed for the offences…
Anybody that threatens to kill anyone multiple times regardless of how “slippery” they are deserves jail, there is no place for that sick sort of behavior in our society
Noticed on TV News reports last night was an item on a number of severe cases of the H1N1 flu which had hospitalized a number of people and one person was reported to have died from complications surrounding this flu virus,
H1N1 was the ‘flu’ at the center of the ‘pandemic killer flu’ scare,fear,scare a few years back where the Government bought in millions of doses of ‘Tamiflu’ to combat what was touted to be a virulent killer like no other recent flu which never actually eventuated,
Recently these stocks of ‘Tamiflu’ having reached their use by date had to be destroyed costing the government 10’s of millions of dollars,
The ’cause’ of the recent unseasonal outbreak of H1N1 in different parts of this country is being pointed at as ‘across the ditch’ as Australia has also reported a spike in cases of unseasonal H1N1,
i am tho ‘suspicious’ of this claim, having had a blood test returned a year ago with what the Doctor at the time described ‘an unusual flu virus’ from which He later back-peddled at 90K an hour when i asked Him to identify the particular flu,
My suspicion goes further to suggest that this particular flu is ‘piggy backed’ on the back of the Chicken Pox virus, which becomes important to anyone who was inflicted with this flu in prior years as this suspicion would mean that they are likely to be carriers of H1N1 via its piggy backing on the Chicken Pox virus,
What then is likely to occur is that ‘the carrier’ is likely to be struck down with an unseasonal bout of H1N1 which will later morph into something more serious, a case of severely painful Shingles being one serious complication that readily springs to mind…
Yes, saw that on Te News last night re the possible swine flu re run. Had it in 2009 and really thought I was a goner. I was severely ill for six weeks. The Dr later informed me that he suspected the virus did some damage to my nervous system, (when I went to him a few months later with a nervous system meltdown/breakdown) although he couldn’t elaborate on this theory……….
Would a socially engaged public health service actively promote better individual hygiene practices during cold and flu season or do we leave it up to drug companies to promote their over the counter remedies that merely alleviate symptoms while folks continue to go about sneezing all over their workmates, wiping their hand on their runny noses and then place their hands on the bus bell and hand holds of public transport, ready for someone else to come along to grasp that virus laden surface? (these yucky things one does witness).
Would a government who wanted to promote good health in the population introduce say a 10 day minimum sick leave provision in it’s Employment Act (eg, our E.R.A) instead of the current miserable 5 days, which would give workers a chance to go home at the first sign of infectious illness and stay there until the virus is no longer contagious, therefore not jeopardising the health or their workmates and the productivity of the workplace because everyone got sick?
Just thinking of a viral illness alone wouldn’t we be better off and healthier if we had a government that was committed to the well being of it’s people?
Agreed on promoting healthier habits. With swine flu on the agenda, I’l be reluctant to use public transport over the winter. Most people are fine, but there’s always one or two snuffling and coughing next to me on the trains and buses.
And I’ve experienced very ill people at work because they’ve already used up their sick leave entitlement.
“And I’ve experienced very ill people at work because they’ve already used up their sick leave entitlement.”
Yes, I’ve seen it too karol, and workers using up annual leave to cover illness.
In lieu of better sick leave provisions in law, progressively minded workplaces should be open to negotiation to providing extra paid sick days to a very ill worker, that is, if they aren’t covered by a collective agreement that may already contain more than the standard and minimum 5 days.
i have a novel theory about ‘the flu’ which i am not suggesting anyone else adopt,but,except for the year of H1N1 and a rematch with what i believe to be the same virus in late December just past, i cannot put a year on when i suffered the flu in a previous year,
If you transport flu virus into a warm home it is an open invitation for that virus to replicate itself the ideal temperature for such replication being somewhere around 20 degrees,
i do not use home heating whatsoever, except that given off by the stove while cooking, preferring instead the ‘layered clothing’ method of maintaining core body temperature,
During Winter i still spend my hour in the garden most days if it is not raining,(or snowing as it did here a couple of days a couple of years ago), and while i ‘catch’ a definite cold/flu in my nose a couple of times during winter they never seem to get past occupation of my nose and are usually gone by the next day having failed to replicate,
The difference???, i am breathing in cold air to an already warm core body temperature, coming into a heated house tho from outside in Winter temperatures would mean breathing in warmed air to a cooled body core temperature, ideal conditions if the flu virus is also present for reproduction,
Colin James I note that he calls himself a journalist and Political Analyst.
I wonder what qualifications one needs to be a Political Analyst. Whatever they are he doesn’t seem to have them. Maybe it was a type and he means Political Anallyst
Colin James I note that he calls himself a journalist and Political Analyst.
He is both. And he is also one of the very few public political analysts around who I actually respect. I have some particularly high standards 🙂
I’ve been reading him since the early 80’s and he is generally one of the few political journalists who both thinks about what he is writing. I’ve also seen him look backwards to see when he screwed up in the past and why – a rarity amongst political analysts in any era.
These days what you see is pretty much his own thoughts rather than the “spin from the last spinner” approach that seems far more common in what passes for political analysis in the media.
What I found interesting about that piece was that Colin James recognised there is no one else suitable to lead Labour yet he was adamant that if Labour loses the election that Cunliffe would be replaced.
Vision is important but you also need to be able to say how you’re going to get us there.
He understands that Labour must be near-centrist to win.
This is the fallacy that every party keeps buying into. john Key was right when he said that NZ was more socialist than the US and because of that Labour actually has to go further left to win. They won’t get those lefty non-voters back if they keep being Nat-lite. Here’s the thing: After the GFC it’s actually really easy to go left. The financial collapse and the increasing poverty that we’ve seen over the last three decades is ample proof that we’re following the wrong path.
Key does connect with ordinary folk because for all his dosh he has an easy camaraderie that frustrates the elite but is real newzild.
It could just be me but I’ve never seen any such camaraderie out of Key. He’s always come across to me as slimy, untrustworthy scum who wouldn’t be seen dead at most peoples BBQs if he could help it.
Reading about the flu cases, just reminds me that I have heard of some cases of pneumonia lately. Which seemed strange – I wouldn’t have thought it likely for the people affected.
greywarbler, i havn’t got the link sorry, but, on my travels through the flu ridden world on the internet i come across a small piece of info that said that the flu H3N2 had quite a high incidence of a later bout of Pneumonia as a complication,
As far as H1N1 goes i would suggest that people indulge in foods with high immune system boosting qualities and be careful not to indulge in stuff that may seriously compromise that immune system,
Prolonged use of some over the counter pain relief while not advertised so can lead to the immune system being compromised, i wont for obvious reasons name the products, but, Google is your friend when it comes to directly asking if the product ‘might’ have a negative effect on your immune system,
My suspicions concerning H1N1,(and for me to broaden those suspicions would require us all to have plenty of tinfoil in the cupboards),as outlined in the comment above would i would suggest require a ‘carrier’ of the H1N1 virus to have seriously lowered the effectiveness of their immune system in some way for this flu to change from being ‘dormant’ to provoking symptoms of a full on flu,
Of course an elongated bout of warm weather at the end of Summer might also contribute to the bodies immune system being in a more ‘rested’ state of activity…
There are significant suspicions that fever lowering pain killers like panadol detract from the immune response in children, which would be expected since fever plays an integral part in the body’s defensive response to acute infection.
Lolz CV, i see you are far less circumspect about putting a name to suspect products, i will add that such detraction from the immune response is not confined to children’s remedies alone,
Pain relief that targets and ‘knocks out’ the bodies ‘pain transmitters’ are also suspect when their usage has passed that of a week or two,(the manufacturer does advise consulting your GP about long term use of the product but doesn’t mention questions surrounding the disablement of the immune system as a side effect)…
Over on Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury makes mention of Labour springing a surprise and bringing Charles Chauvel back from N. York to contest Ohariu against Dunne:
‘Peter Dunne beat Charles Chauvel by 1500 odd votes last time. With Katrina Shanks bowing out the race is wide open and with Gareth Hughes stepping away to stop the candidate wasted vote, Labour could surprise the electorate with a shock return of Chauvel from the UN to run again. Expect some surprises. If Labour can win this seat, they rob Key of another possible ally.’
Anyone else heard about Charles returning ? Good news if he does, I reckon.
Darren Hughes was an effective MP, but I’m sure you and Slater just want to share schoolboy laughs some more over a (probably) bi-curious guest having second thoughts.
Mac, how dare you suggest that ‘wing-nuts’ need ‘facts’ to make a judgement about anything, if it jerks their knee its gotta be true is their modus operendi…
I did a piece on Ohariu the other day and noticed how well Charles had done. It would be worth Labour running him again, with him high on the list so he gets a sure place if he does return. He would be doing both Labour and NZ a big boost. I think also his background which I think was part Tahitian would give Labour another boost in the eyes of South Aucland people. I hope the rumour is true. Make it so!
Perhaps Charles could be persuaded to come back after the election. He would make a good Labour leader – well the best around probably. There does not appear to be much competition.
Why would you give up a new international career for an even odds chance (at best) of returning to the lovely supportive work environment known as the Labour caucus?
There is still hope for a better Labour. Chauvel would have to have a bit of mongrel as well as being astute. Jones has the mongrel and thinks he’s cute. It just sounds rather the same as the prescription but really a wide distance from what is needed.
What is Chauvel’s nature and has he any fellow feelings with all his fellows, or is he a fellow whose mind is too far away from the grassroots to see the little people. I know he has a brown shade, but some of those brown politicians are as addicted as any pakeha on the rise who likes to bathe in champagne, or still on the ladder, in chardonnay or sauv blanc.
I hope so too Stephanie. Lol, just to let you know, I’m one of the people behind these placards that you may see from time to time around the northern burbs, if you’re living in this area:
Thats interesting wyndham. If they do bring him back they had better inform the Labour candidate for Ohariu, Virginia Anderson.
Oh, and folks, don’t forget tonight’s talk “How not to be Dunne over again this election” hosted by WEA at St John’s Conference centre, corner of Willis and Dixon, Wellington. Speaker John Maynard of People’s Power Ohariu. 5.30 – 6.30 pm
I have been following the MH370 plane disappearance case. And yesterday put the case for one scenario, about a fire and perhaps loss of consciousness. Then I remembered about a plane in Australia flying across the continent on auto pilot.
This was well covered by The Peoples Daily http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200009/05/eng20000905_49748.html
Police believe the plane depressurized, leaving the pilot and passengers without oxygen….
It apparently ran out of fuel after flying in a virtually straight line about 2,840 kilometers (1,760 miles) from Perth in western Australia. [To near Mt Isa in Queensland.]
Dramatically and traumatically “The plane was shadowed for part of its journey by a plane belonging to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and another small commercial plane. Both tried unsuccessfully to make radio contact with the plane’s pilot.”
And the item refers to another similar happening, “The tragedy had eerie similarities to a crash last October in which two-time U.S. Open golf champion Payne Stewart and five others died when Stewart’s Learjet drifted on autopilot for hours before running out of fuel and crashing in South Dakota.”
On that crash there is another report – “Government officials said the plane may have suffered a rare pressurization failure. When that occurs at high altitudes such as above 30,000 feet, pilots have a short period of time to don an oxygen mask before slipping into unconsciousness….
ABCNEWS aviation analyst John Nance.
He said that at altitudes above 30,000 feet, a pilot would have to strap on an oxygen mask quickly or his mind would become so muddled from lack of oxygen — a condition called hypoxia — that he could no longer help himself.
“The time of useful consciousness at 25,000 feet is a fairly sedate 20 to 25 minutes. But the time of useful consciousness at 39,000 feet is six to 12 seconds, ” said Nance.
“The fact that this aircraft continued climbing right through their assigned altitude on up to almost 45,000 feet, without any call from the pilots, indicated to me that this crisis occurred some place before 39,000 but most probably above 30,000.”
The Air Force reported the plane had been “porpoising,” its altitude fluctuating between 22,000 and 51,000 feet.”
A poignant feature was that the doomed flight became television news, and the wife of the plane owner was watching and trying to rouse him by calling him on her cellphone, but to no avail. http://emperors-clothes.com/9-11backups/abclearjet.htm
I wondered about depressurisation as well. Though the erratic progress of the plane doesn’t quite fit. I understand that most planes switch to Auto pilot once in the air and the flight is programmed and followed by auto unless there is an event which causes the pilots to regain control. (I think there is now a system which takes the plane on auto from takeoff to completed landing. Wow!)
I suppose that had there been a catostrophic failure the pilot could have taken back control of the plane, and turned West and all aboard suffered the same fate as those Australian ones.
Just another conjecture I guess.
You can be in a hypoxic state, still be conscious, and for a while continue to believe that you are making good decisions and judgements, keying in accurate information, having useful conversation and doing good mental arithmetic, while in fact being completely out of it mentally and outputting gibberish.
There’s a joke in aviation circles that in the future, planes will be crewed by a pilot and a dog. The pilot’s job will be to feed the dog and the dog’s job will be to bite the pilot if they try to fly the plane.
That said, there would be tremendous resistance to purely AI or remote control of a plane by the current generation. Quite reasonably, they/we/I know that such things can have bugs or be hacked.
Maybe the next generation, which will view planes as appliances more than piloted vehicles will be willing to buy tickets on drones… but yes, we need better autopilots and communication systems that remain in constant communication rather than black boxes that are only useful after the crash if they’re found at all. Surely modern communications and information processing can manage that.
That said, there would be tremendous resistance to purely AI or remote control of a plane by the current generation. Quite reasonably, they/we/I know that such things can have bugs or be hacked.
Actually, it’s not reasonable at all. It is possible to make software with no bugs. Sure, it takes a long time and a lot of testing but it can be done and once it was done it would be used for years. Hacking is a little different but even that can be minimised.
The reality is that the machine can, and will, fly the plane better than a human pilot. Same as the Google self-drive system presently drives a car better than any human can.
“Actually, it’s not reasonable at all. It is possible to make software with no bugs. Sure, it takes a long time and a lot of testing but it can be done and once it was done it would be used for years. Hacking is a little different but even that can be minimised.”
Yes, it’s possible to make software without bugs, just very expensive. But in mission-critical applications such as aviation where human lives are at stake, I’m pretty sure they already use those expensive methods.
The difficult part, though, is designing software that can take into account all possible scenarios, and have it react in a sane manner in each and every single scenario, 100% of the time without failure, ever. Computers can only do what they’ve been told to do, if the committee designing the computer never imagined situation XYZ could ever happen, the computer may have no way to react to that situation. But a sufficiently skilled human in might be able to rely on their experience and skills to produce a correct, or near-correct, response.
The reason we have pilots is because they’re as close as we can currently get to being able to take into account all possible scenarios.
The reason we have pilots is because they’re as close as we can currently get to being able to take into account all possible scenarios.
The only time I’ve heard of that that may have had any bearing was when a BA 747 flew threw a volcano plume that shut down all four engines and induced a spin. The pilot managed to correct the spin and restart the engines and this was put down to his test pilot training. Pretty sure that today’s autopilots can correct for both of those.
After 100 years of flight we pretty much know all that can happen to a plane in flight and design software to work with all those situations. In fact, it’s that capability that makes drones viable.
Which comes back to Rhino’s point, that even if the a computer can do it, the public perception is that the pilot may be able to solve problems a computer couldn’t.
But just because you’ve got one example of it, doesn’t mean there aren’t many dozens of others you’ve simply never heard of, precisely because a pilot was there and averted the disaster.
On the other hand, there are many disasters that have been caused by pilot’s who didn’t believe or properly comprehend their instruments.
Which comes back to Rhino’s point, that even if the a computer can do it, the public perception is that the pilot may be able to solve problems a computer couldn’t.
Which isn’t a reasonable position.
But just because you’ve got one example of it, doesn’t mean there aren’t many dozens of others you’ve simply never heard of, precisely because a pilot was there and averted the disaster.
Actually, I think you’ll find that it’s the other way around. We would hear when the pilot saved an aircraft because it happens so rarely. All other times it would be pilot error.
There are crashes caused by operator error. There are also many caused by computer error either in the plane or on the ground which are saved by skilled pilots (and some which aren’t, because the pilots assume the computer knows what it’s doing). And more than a few where engine failure or lines being cut results in no power at all to the computer systems, where pilots have had to save the day by treating commuter aircraft like they’re gliders.
The incident you refer to (I assume http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9) was a bit more complicated than just ‘correcting a spin and restarting the engines’. I don’t think anyone could say for certain that a computer-flown plane would have had any better outcome.
Based on an excessive amount of watching Air Crash Investigation, I have to disagree,
Did you notice that most of those are really old? You really can’t look at an air accident from 1975 and use it to determine what computers are capable of today. Also, quite a lot of them seem to be due to human error on the ground most of which just wouldn’t happen today and nobody would be able to correct for.
Yes, that’s the one. I was operating on pure memory and it was actually far simpler than I thought. Going into a spin is the most dangerous thing that can happen to an aircraft that doesn’t involve loss of flight control surfaces and that didn’t happen. My mistake.
I don’t think anyone could say for certain that a computer-flown plane would have had any better outcome.
I think modern computers could have done a better job.
Modern satellite, radar and communications have probably also told the aircraft of the volcano so it can avoid it. If it hasn’t avoided it then it’s going to know where they are and it’s glide path and so determine best place to crash land given the state of the aircraft and start heading towards it. Once it gets down to a predetermined level it tries to restart the engines exactly as the pilots did. If the engines restart then it recomputes and heads towards the nearest airport else it continues to crash landing.
Also note the rather large Icelandic volcano that closed airports across Europe a couple of years back. When that erupted a number of aircraft flew through worse conditions than what that 747 in 1982 faced and didn’t have any problems. Reason? Aircraft today are built better.
The more recent a crash is, the more likely automation is the problem.
Here’s a very recent one where sure, poor maintenance started the issue – so yes, mistakes on the ground still happen! – but the computer – on a modern, ‘built better’ aircraft! simply could not handle receiving conflicting data: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XL_Airways_Germany_Flight_888T
Given those facts, I find your statement that I’m ‘looking at an air accident from 1975 and using it to determine what computers are capable of today’ very condescending – especially when you’re the person whose argument is based simply on ‘I reckon computers today could totally handle this.’
Computer technology is moving steadily towards computers being able to carry out actions that have not been programed ie fuzzy logic. I guess when that happens computers will have self determination and people will become redundant.
For aircraft then fuzzy logic would allow the computer to make decisions as well as a pilot for dealing with unforseen problems. Maybe better as without emotional responses. Mmmm? Brave new world?
ianmac
The computer is set to the decision to stay on course as keyed in to the system. So it is already running the show.
So what about programming in a command to ask for confirmation every half hour, no notification wait 15 minutes, then wait for 5, then start on safety procedures like bringing down height level, sending out messages to nearest base, send out messages to nearest wavelengths, keep moving down to breathable air, sending out constant messages of warning to any receiving aircraft around etc.
And ask for instructions – it would still be proceeding on course, but if there was a way that the plane’s system could be contacted and set into some suitable manoeuvres it would give a chance for all. The air might be breathable, the pilot and the passengers might be able to recover, it might be able to achieve landing somewhere suitable or ditch where retrievable.
The new plane designs are big enough to take a small village now, the companies owe a change in design to the travelling public. But we should also be having the opportunity if we have time to go by ship. I was just looking at some mementoes of my Britanis trip back in the 70’s. Good experience.
I wouldn’t trust the software producers to have perfect systems. Becuase it can be done, it doesn’t mean that it will be done. And if a rare thing happens that it is not programmed for, what is it going to do. Drones being used now are more machines to do things than carry people.
I don’t want people excluded from our activities, I want human interaction with trained skilled people who have superior tools. Pike River now, that should have been machines, I don’t want people to be sacrificed for commercial gain.
So what about programming in a command to ask for confirmation every half hour, no notification wait 15 minutes, then wait for 5,
Far faster to have cabin pressure, altitude, and attitude gauges.
And if a rare thing happens that it is not programmed for, what is it going to do.
As ianmac said, fuzzy logic. Essentially, the software will be able to analyse what state the aircraft is in and make the correct choices to correct. And, yes, the computer will also be able to take into account damage and how that’s affecting the aircraft.
Novapay wasn’t written to that sort of standard because it’s dammed expensive. Of course, it should have been written to far higher standards than what it was as well but that’s the result of free-market capitalism and the delusional belief that the private sector can always do better.
Yes well we’ve had pilot suicide, we have had terrorism, we have had sudden mental deterioraton, hijacking, stealing the plane and passengers with stealth flying under radar cover.
An experienced woman expert talked about examining the maintenance manuals for the recent to sometime past for ideas on possible problems from inadequate fixing. She said these should have been immediately available but there was so much secrecy so we haven’t had much of that.
But blame the pilot doesn’t seem to be likely. Now some hard thinking needs to be done away from the paranoia about attacks. And those with expertise can be listened to – they have some offerings that are possibilities.
every time I watch the news on the teavy there is shifty telling another fib about the glorious plate of toast and jam and pie in the sky next week.
its always next week with him.
Shame on General Mataparae.
The former gallant soldier is now sending letters to MPs telling them how to condict themselves when meeting the English monarch’s son.
I hope the MPs have the self respect to write back to Gerry and to tell him that they do not need lessons from him or anyone on how to conduct themselves. They are elected by the public of NZ to stand up strong: not tody to celebs.
Gerry Mataparae was not elected and, with an attitude like this, would never be elected.
The sooner we get to have direct election of a Head of State the better.
We would certainly know less about anything dodgy our soldiers might do overseas with more like Jerry in responsible positions. I’m not sure that would make NZ a better place.
What a dreamer you are. An elected Head of State. Who campaigns sucking up all the money he/she can get. So they can live it up. Do you think that some egoist who wants to strut like a rock star is going to be good for us? a
He/she will look serious and noble or smiley and wavy and crack jokes and know the right way to treat all leaders and which fork to use at dinner etc and be better than what we have, will fill a gap that we don’t have, and will cost us more and more. Soon they will have a building up of resources, their own small jet, their own this, that whatever is suitable for our leading Sir or Madam.
The Cambriudge Branch will hold its AGM this Sunday 10-30am Red Cross Hall Cambridge .Come and meet the members of the branch that has flown the Red Flag for years in Tory Cambridge .Also meet Jamie Strange candidate for Taupo and Cliff Allen candidate for Ham East.
You are all welcome.
The more funds we can confirm by our end of financial year deadline of April 1st, the bigger our campaign to win more Greens in government will be this year.
Last week our inspiring former Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons sent you an email to ask you to donate to our 2014 election campaign. She said this year’s election is critical to the future of our country.
I couldn’t agree with her more. Only the Green Party has the ideas and leadership needed to drive our country in a new direction.
With your support we can be the first green government in New Zealand’s history. You and I working together can green our economy, clean up our environment and build a fairer society for all New Zealanders.
So the Treasury says that the state owning social assets like schools and hospitals shouldn’t be the default position.
Then they say they are not for any “ideology”, just wanting best value.
🙄
Treasury is questioning the way the Crown manages its assets, suggesting the default setting of state ownership of social assets such as schools and hospitals may not be the most efficient use of government money.
Treasury this afternoon released its investment statement, a snapshot of the Crown’s assets and liabilities.
[..]
“Public ownership needs to be assessed against its ability to deliver on outcomes and value for money, and should not be seen as the default setting”, it stated.
“Alternative methods of delivery can have benefits over ownership for attaining optimal value for money.
“An area of focus for Crown agencies to consider was to explore how capital could be recycled to meet changing demands and priorities without incurring unnecessary costs.”
The statement discusses divestment of assets to fund new investments and also New Zealand’s approach to public private partnerships (PPPs).
But that’s just it isn’t it? All of these institutions that you’d have to rely on to at least some extent as a reforming government, eg the government, the media, basically everything, has been thoroughly infested with the free market dreck.
So you’d have to be sneaky about it, like Douglas, and spring it out of nowhere. There’s no way the Lange Labour government would have been elected if the populace had known what was about to happen. They would have been ridiculed and marginalised by the power of the status quo within all the public institutions and never would have been elected.
So how could the Left campaign on corresponding grounds when they would equally be ridiculed and marginalised by the power of the status quo within all the now privatised institutions??
So the only way I can see this happening is either, by being sneaky as fuck, ie trojan horsing your way into power as a centrist, and then springing the new overarching, progressive regime on an unsuspecting population OR wait for the inevitable crisis that will happen if we keep following this market crap and then campaigning upfront with the nationalising policy.
There’s only two legitimate ways I can think of. One is to keep telling people that the present system is wrong, what’s wrong about it and then to tell them what needs to be done to fix it all. Then, when the crash inevitably happens and we get in power we do it all fully and openly. The second would be the same as the first but when we getting into power we put in place a participatory democracy and let the people decide.
Then they say they are not for any “ideology”, just wanting best value.
Which is of course an ideological position, long used by the far right. Any opposition is “political” because “politics” is bad and boring while what they do is “good sense” or “good value”. It is indeed good sense and good value – for the one percent.
+100
If the left wing parties don’t indicate this, then each time there is a change of Party in government, they just pick the scab off any wounds that have healed from the latest round of slashing and carry on the work of bringing a once proud country to its knees.
We can’t have this business of a parasitical National Party stealing or mismanaging the people’s assets. We want good business ethics from Labour, and we want things run well, but when it’s clear that there is no golden goose laying a golden egg, the enthusiasm of private investors will fall.
‘Open Letter’ reply to Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Chair of the Auckland Council Governing Body – re: the following response I received yesterday to my request for speaking rights at tomorrow’s meeting:
Thank you for for accepting my request for ‘speaking rights’ at tomorrow’s Governing Body meeting.
However, I note that some person / persons from Auckland Council are attempting to restrict what I can say, about the four complaints which I filed with Auckland Central Police:
“Your request for speaking rights at the 27 March Governing Body meeting has been accepted but only to talk about issues 2) and 3).
It has been decided that it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting.”
I do not accept that ANY person at Auckland Council has the lawful right to attempt to censor or restrict my LAWFUL right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under s.14 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990:
14Freedom of expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
FYI – Police have made determinations in the first three out of four of the above-mentioned complaints, and I am still awaiting their decision on the fourth.
None of these matters are before the Court.
I am unsure as to whom has made the decision that “…it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting ..”
however, I do not accept this decision as being LAWFUL, so please be advised that I WILL briefly covering these matters:
1) An update on four complaints that I filed with Police:
a) Alleged money-laundering against Mayor Len Brown.
b) Alleged bribery and corruption against Mayor Len Brown (a joint complaint with fellow community Public Watchdog Lisa Prager).
c) Alleged contravention of statute by former Auckland Council CEO, Doug McKay.
d) Alleged assault against Auckland Council Officers who forcibly removed me from the CEO Review Committee meeting after I was denied speaking rights by Chair Chris Fletcher, when I was attempting to expose, (in my considered opinion), a corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving current CEO Stephen Town.
FYI – please be reminded of the following declaration that ALL Auckland Council elected representatives swore (affirmed) at the public ‘swearing in ceremony’ on 29 October 2013:
Conduct of members
14Declaration by member
(1)A person may not act as a member of a local authority until—
(a)that person has, at a meeting of the local authority following the election of that person, made an oral declaration in the form set out in subclause (3); and
(b)a written version of the declaration has been attested as provided under subclause (2).
………………..
(3)The form of the declaration must consist of the following elements:
Declaration by mayor or chairperson or member
“I, AB, declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill
and judgment, execute and perform, in the best interests of [region or district], the powers,
authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as [mayor or chairperson or
member] of the [local authority] by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act
Dated at: [place, date]
Signature:
Signed in the presence of:
CD, [mayor or chairperson or member or chief executive of local authority]”.
(My underlining).
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
‘Open Letter’ reply to Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Chair of the Auckland Council Governing Body – re: the following response I received yesterday to my request for speaking rights at tomorrow’s meeting:
Thank you for for accepting my request for ‘speaking rights’ at tomorrow’s Governing Body meeting.
However, I note that some person / persons from Auckland Council are attempting to restrict what I can say, about the four complaints which I filed with Auckland Central Police:
“Your request for speaking rights at the 27 March Governing Body meeting has been accepted but only to talk about issues 2) and 3).
It has been decided that it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting.”
I do not accept that ANY person at Auckland Council has the lawful right to attempt to censor or restrict my LAWFUL right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under s.14 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990:
14Freedom of expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
FYI – Police have made determinations in the first three out of four of the above-mentioned complaints, and I am still awaiting their decision on the fourth.
None of these matters are before the Court.
I am unsure as to whom has made the decision that “…it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting ..”
however, I do not accept this decision as being LAWFUL, so please be advised that I WILL briefly covering these matters:
1) An update on four complaints that I filed with Police:
a) Alleged money-laundering against Mayor Len Brown.
b) Alleged bribery and corruption against Mayor Len Brown (a joint complaint with fellow community Public Watchdog Lisa Prager).
c) Alleged contravention of statute by former Auckland Council CEO, Doug McKay.
d) Alleged assault against Auckland Council Officers who forcibly removed me from the CEO Review Committee meeting after I was denied speaking rights by Chair Chris Fletcher, when I was attempting to expose, (in my considered opinion), a corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving current CEO Stephen Town.
FYI – please be reminded of the following declaration that ALL Auckland Council elected representatives swore (affirmed) at the public ‘swearing in ceremony’ on 29 October 2013:
Conduct of members
14Declaration by member
(1)A person may not act as a member of a local authority until—
(a)that person has, at a meeting of the local authority following the election of that person, made an oral declaration in the form set out in subclause (3); and
(b)a written version of the declaration has been attested as provided under subclause (2).
………………..
(3)The form of the declaration must consist of the following elements:
Declaration by mayor or chairperson or member
“I, AB, declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill
and judgment, execute and perform, in the best interests of [region or district], the powers,
authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as [mayor or chairperson or
member] of the [local authority] by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act
Dated at: [place, date]
Signature:
Signed in the presence of:
CD, [mayor or chairperson or member or chief executive of local authority]”.
(My underlining).
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
John Keys election PR
I am greater than the sum of all the other parties
My advice :Stay overseas John we are sick of you and your selling off our country
Pula Benifits latest piece of fascist legislation should be turned back into wood and used as her coffin after the election, thanks John FOR THE EARLY ELECTION
Maybe she should have had more children instead of stealing ours
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 ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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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’. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
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 → ...
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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 ...
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 ...
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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 ...
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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 ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
Citizen Science writes – Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
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This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
Karl du Fresne writes – There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
David Farrar writes – The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time.A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brownannounced ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
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 ...
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, ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously.The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
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Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
And in this morning’s news John Key has single handedly shown what an utterly brilliant negotiator he is by persuading European leaders to have a think about a free trade agreement. Want to have a bet they have been thinking of this for a while? And the “insurmountable difficulties” surrounding agriculture will mean that any free trade agreement, which will be years in the future, will have little if any benefit.
And to show that the Government is in trouble they have wheeled out Paula Bennett who in her latest piece of bash them legislation is proposing that further heinous offences are added to the list of offences which would limit people from working with children. They should have asked her about why numbers of emergency grants for beneficiaries facing having their power cut off have been declining at the same time that cut offs have been soaring.
Just another day …
Yep heard both of those stories on RNZ and thought exactly the same.
Johnny is clearing trying to show us all what a super trader he is and how he bargain for ‘great deals’ for NZ. Aren’t we lucky…
Edit: things didn’t go perfectly for little johnny though:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9869154/NZ-left-off-map-at-nuke-summit
Yup they sure know how to treat our Prime Minister with all deserved respect over in Europe, in the middle of Slippery’s briefing to the press a Dutch official barged into the room and gave them all the kick,
”See ya later Slippery” seems to have been the message to our PM obviously a waste of space in their opinion when they had ‘more important’ people wanting to use the room…
Just like his “plan” to end whaling.
And to get a couple of Pandas.
“Johnny is clearing trying to show us all what a super trader he is and how he bargain for ‘great deals’ for NZ. Aren’t we lucky…”
So, how many deals has he actually done? Apart from the selling of Aotearoa film workers, electricity and gambling, that is.
And 2015 for the next step.
Or people could look at the possibility of a more open door for Kiwis to an independent Scotland.
I heard those stories too, and the scary thing about them is that not so long ago you could have mistaken them for satire.
One of Ha-Joon Chang’s recommendations for rebuilding the economy is to either get rid of the FTAs (my preferred option) or reform them so that they’re far more flexible. He points out that free-trade has resulted in the exact opposite of what the free-marketers, in their belief, said they would. That the most growth in all nations has been when the government with, adequate social welfare, drove the economy. In this state there was more innovation, more industrialisation and greater stability.
And all this when he is supposed to be at a nuclear disarmament discussion.
I have no problem with this having been ongoing BUT to be fair, Grosser and the diplomats and the MFAT officials will have been at this for some time I am sure, in one fell swoop he claims it all for himself. Not a team player our Mr Key…
Keep seeing a billboard for Paula Bennet out west BUT the picture is way different to any others of her I have seen. I went to her website and can’t find the picture they have used. I also note that onher website the latest news is from October 2013.
I’m sure that he sees himself as a Randian Super-hero and everyone else is just there to do as he tells them. Because of this he probably believes he did it all himself.
Probably all leaders do it.
I cant recall us getting the roll call of “pull aside” meetings with Clark, but perhaps we did.
Meanwhile, the Greens on Campus in Auckland are getting it together for a big day on Saturday’s (29th March) Day of Action. Their Facebook page – Crafta-Brunch:
More at the link
Me fail English, that’s unpossible
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leeds-26731999
To(o) mch txting.
A lot of people don’t seem to know the difference between to and too.
And between lose and loose.
And the meanings of reticence, reluctance and resile – seem to crop up a lot these days.
resile –
I think current usage is along what Google says – abandon a position or a course of action.
“can he resile from the agreement?”
But surely the word there would be withdraw if abandoning something. To resile would indicate more than just abandon a position but to actually return to a former one.
free dictionary says –
(intr) to spring or shrink back; recoil or resume original shape
and
1. To spring back, especially to resume a former position or structure after being stretched or compressed.
2. To draw back; recoil.
reticent
Google says
not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily.
free dictionary –
not open or communicative; not saying all that one knows; taciturn; reserved
1. Inclined to keep one’s thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs to oneself. See Synonyms at silent.
2. Restrained or reserved in style.
3. Reluctant; unwilling.(American Heritage Dictionary)
But reticence is being used more to indicate reluctance to do something as in the No.3 American form which extends its original meaning unnecessarily where reluctance fits.
Reluctant
Google says
unwilling and hesitant; disinclined.
free dictionary –
1. not eager; unwilling; disinclined
2. offering resistance or opposition
and
1. Unwilling; disinclined: reluctant to help.
2. Exhibiting or marked by unwillingness: a reluctant smile.
3. Offering resistance; opposing.
Many people don’t even know how to use “disingenuine” correctly:
http://thestandard.org.nz/incoherent-education-policy/#comment-501900
That’s a good link Hayden. The charter schools initiative (now that’s a word I have trouble typing) is one to keep our eyes on. With a genuine critical faculty.
@Th Allen
That little red line. Do you find it really helpful. I curse it often. It seems to want me to put z wherever I have s and other bissare Americanisms.
Yes, the little red line is my friend. I have UK English as the input language on my pc and not u.s English, so no color issues to labor over 🙂
I don’t know what the reasons are for such poor use of the language, but good to see someone over there in Leeds has started to address it.
I’m shockingly poor with grammar and punctuation and syntax, however, my spelling, thanks to the little red line that appears under mistakes and google isn’t too bad.
Evolving language is one thing, but destroying the old can’t be a good thing, going by what’s passing for the replacement.
They don’t know the meaning of the word capitalist either:
Most people seem to assume that it includes entrepreneur as well. In fact, I had an economics professor who told the class that it did.
We could do with a similar project in new Zealand. The standard of English here is pretty abysmal.
Pronunciation and Grammar leave much to be desired
Using the standard set by our pm as an example, I’d be inclined to agree.
Already do, for some university courses.
One problem NZers face is our monovowel – I’ve encountered more than a few individuals who type “could of” instead of “could have”.
my fave is guttered instead of gutted,
I wuz totaly guttered!
Just like ‘armed defenders squad’, ‘guttered’ is always a pretty good way to troll message boards and blogs. 😀
‘All Means All’ would seem to be criminal as a name in itself, published in Stuff on 24/03/2014, it appears All Means All has a bit of a problem with Slippery the Prime Minister,(don’t we all),pun unintended,
Convicted after a trial in the Christchurch District Court of 6 charges of threatening to kill the PM, All Means All has also said He will go on hunger strike if He is jailed for the offences…
Anybody that threatens to kill anyone multiple times regardless of how “slippery” they are deserves jail, there is no place for that sick sort of behavior in our society
You may be right Mainlander, i have made no such judgment call either way…
Noticed on TV News reports last night was an item on a number of severe cases of the H1N1 flu which had hospitalized a number of people and one person was reported to have died from complications surrounding this flu virus,
H1N1 was the ‘flu’ at the center of the ‘pandemic killer flu’ scare,fear,scare a few years back where the Government bought in millions of doses of ‘Tamiflu’ to combat what was touted to be a virulent killer like no other recent flu which never actually eventuated,
Recently these stocks of ‘Tamiflu’ having reached their use by date had to be destroyed costing the government 10’s of millions of dollars,
The ’cause’ of the recent unseasonal outbreak of H1N1 in different parts of this country is being pointed at as ‘across the ditch’ as Australia has also reported a spike in cases of unseasonal H1N1,
i am tho ‘suspicious’ of this claim, having had a blood test returned a year ago with what the Doctor at the time described ‘an unusual flu virus’ from which He later back-peddled at 90K an hour when i asked Him to identify the particular flu,
My suspicion goes further to suggest that this particular flu is ‘piggy backed’ on the back of the Chicken Pox virus, which becomes important to anyone who was inflicted with this flu in prior years as this suspicion would mean that they are likely to be carriers of H1N1 via its piggy backing on the Chicken Pox virus,
What then is likely to occur is that ‘the carrier’ is likely to be struck down with an unseasonal bout of H1N1 which will later morph into something more serious, a case of severely painful Shingles being one serious complication that readily springs to mind…
Yes, saw that on Te News last night re the possible swine flu re run. Had it in 2009 and really thought I was a goner. I was severely ill for six weeks. The Dr later informed me that he suspected the virus did some damage to my nervous system, (when I went to him a few months later with a nervous system meltdown/breakdown) although he couldn’t elaborate on this theory……….
Would a socially engaged public health service actively promote better individual hygiene practices during cold and flu season or do we leave it up to drug companies to promote their over the counter remedies that merely alleviate symptoms while folks continue to go about sneezing all over their workmates, wiping their hand on their runny noses and then place their hands on the bus bell and hand holds of public transport, ready for someone else to come along to grasp that virus laden surface? (these yucky things one does witness).
Would a government who wanted to promote good health in the population introduce say a 10 day minimum sick leave provision in it’s Employment Act (eg, our E.R.A) instead of the current miserable 5 days, which would give workers a chance to go home at the first sign of infectious illness and stay there until the virus is no longer contagious, therefore not jeopardising the health or their workmates and the productivity of the workplace because everyone got sick?
Just thinking of a viral illness alone wouldn’t we be better off and healthier if we had a government that was committed to the well being of it’s people?
Agreed on promoting healthier habits. With swine flu on the agenda, I’l be reluctant to use public transport over the winter. Most people are fine, but there’s always one or two snuffling and coughing next to me on the trains and buses.
And I’ve experienced very ill people at work because they’ve already used up their sick leave entitlement.
“And I’ve experienced very ill people at work because they’ve already used up their sick leave entitlement.”
Yes, I’ve seen it too karol, and workers using up annual leave to cover illness.
In lieu of better sick leave provisions in law, progressively minded workplaces should be open to negotiation to providing extra paid sick days to a very ill worker, that is, if they aren’t covered by a collective agreement that may already contain more than the standard and minimum 5 days.
i have a novel theory about ‘the flu’ which i am not suggesting anyone else adopt,but,except for the year of H1N1 and a rematch with what i believe to be the same virus in late December just past, i cannot put a year on when i suffered the flu in a previous year,
If you transport flu virus into a warm home it is an open invitation for that virus to replicate itself the ideal temperature for such replication being somewhere around 20 degrees,
i do not use home heating whatsoever, except that given off by the stove while cooking, preferring instead the ‘layered clothing’ method of maintaining core body temperature,
During Winter i still spend my hour in the garden most days if it is not raining,(or snowing as it did here a couple of days a couple of years ago), and while i ‘catch’ a definite cold/flu in my nose a couple of times during winter they never seem to get past occupation of my nose and are usually gone by the next day having failed to replicate,
The difference???, i am breathing in cold air to an already warm core body temperature, coming into a heated house tho from outside in Winter temperatures would mean breathing in warmed air to a cooled body core temperature, ideal conditions if the flu virus is also present for reproduction,
http://www.colinjames.co.nz/david-cunliffes-long-hard-leadership-challenge/
Damn righties 🙂
Colin James I note that he calls himself a journalist and Political Analyst.
I wonder what qualifications one needs to be a Political Analyst. Whatever they are he doesn’t seem to have them. Maybe it was a type and he means Political Anallyst
Slater is claiming to be a journalist, so that might help answer your question.
He is both. And he is also one of the very few public political analysts around who I actually respect. I have some particularly high standards 🙂
I’ve been reading him since the early 80’s and he is generally one of the few political journalists who both thinks about what he is writing. I’ve also seen him look backwards to see when he screwed up in the past and why – a rarity amongst political analysts in any era.
These days what you see is pretty much his own thoughts rather than the “spin from the last spinner” approach that seems far more common in what passes for political analysis in the media.
What I found interesting about that piece was that Colin James recognised there is no one else suitable to lead Labour yet he was adamant that if Labour loses the election that Cunliffe would be replaced.
I guess one of his screw-ups was portraying Don Brash to the public in 2005 as an old-school principled conservative.
Vision is important but you also need to be able to say how you’re going to get us there.
This is the fallacy that every party keeps buying into. john Key was right when he said that NZ was more socialist than the US and because of that Labour actually has to go further left to win. They won’t get those lefty non-voters back if they keep being Nat-lite. Here’s the thing: After the GFC it’s actually really easy to go left. The financial collapse and the increasing poverty that we’ve seen over the last three decades is ample proof that we’re following the wrong path.
It could just be me but I’ve never seen any such camaraderie out of Key. He’s always come across to me as slimy, untrustworthy scum who wouldn’t be seen dead at most peoples BBQs if he could help it.
Listening to Jamie Whyte on RNZ was like listening to a far-right version of Shearer when he was a mumbling “leader”.
Not much info there except the removal of the RMA, “liberalising” education, and how he obviously idolises Roger Douglas. What a dickhead…
Break out the lamingtons!
LOL
And bring-on the three-strikes for community hating nation-wreckers..
Reading about the flu cases, just reminds me that I have heard of some cases of pneumonia lately. Which seemed strange – I wouldn’t have thought it likely for the people affected.
greywarbler, i havn’t got the link sorry, but, on my travels through the flu ridden world on the internet i come across a small piece of info that said that the flu H3N2 had quite a high incidence of a later bout of Pneumonia as a complication,
As far as H1N1 goes i would suggest that people indulge in foods with high immune system boosting qualities and be careful not to indulge in stuff that may seriously compromise that immune system,
Prolonged use of some over the counter pain relief while not advertised so can lead to the immune system being compromised, i wont for obvious reasons name the products, but, Google is your friend when it comes to directly asking if the product ‘might’ have a negative effect on your immune system,
My suspicions concerning H1N1,(and for me to broaden those suspicions would require us all to have plenty of tinfoil in the cupboards),as outlined in the comment above would i would suggest require a ‘carrier’ of the H1N1 virus to have seriously lowered the effectiveness of their immune system in some way for this flu to change from being ‘dormant’ to provoking symptoms of a full on flu,
Of course an elongated bout of warm weather at the end of Summer might also contribute to the bodies immune system being in a more ‘rested’ state of activity…
There are significant suspicions that fever lowering pain killers like panadol detract from the immune response in children, which would be expected since fever plays an integral part in the body’s defensive response to acute infection.
Lolz CV, i see you are far less circumspect about putting a name to suspect products, i will add that such detraction from the immune response is not confined to children’s remedies alone,
Pain relief that targets and ‘knocks out’ the bodies ‘pain transmitters’ are also suspect when their usage has passed that of a week or two,(the manufacturer does advise consulting your GP about long term use of the product but doesn’t mention questions surrounding the disablement of the immune system as a side effect)…
New caption contest.
https://twitter.com/johnkeypm/status/448183132554919936/photo/1
“Don’t worry, I have the electorate by the short and curlies”
LOL
“It’s John…. John Key, we’ve met before remember? Tony Abbott is PM of Australia. I’m from NZ.”
Over on Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury makes mention of Labour springing a surprise and bringing Charles Chauvel back from N. York to contest Ohariu against Dunne:
‘Peter Dunne beat Charles Chauvel by 1500 odd votes last time. With Katrina Shanks bowing out the race is wide open and with Gareth Hughes stepping away to stop the candidate wasted vote, Labour could surprise the electorate with a shock return of Chauvel from the UN to run again. Expect some surprises. If Labour can win this seat, they rob Key of another possible ally.’
Anyone else heard about Charles returning ? Good news if he does, I reckon.
NOpe, Darren Hughes is one I would love to see back though.
Yes indeed, bring back Darren Hughes
Darren Hughes was an effective MP, but I’m sure you and Slater just want to share schoolboy laughs some more over a (probably) bi-curious guest having second thoughts.
Remind me: why did he resign?
“having second thoughts”
Well thats one way of looking at it I guess
especially as noone here knows what happened. Including you.
Mac, how dare you suggest that ‘wing-nuts’ need ‘facts’ to make a judgement about anything, if it jerks their knee its gotta be true is their modus operendi…
I did a piece on Ohariu the other day and noticed how well Charles had done. It would be worth Labour running him again, with him high on the list so he gets a sure place if he does return. He would be doing both Labour and NZ a big boost. I think also his background which I think was part Tahitian would give Labour another boost in the eyes of South Aucland people. I hope the rumour is true. Make it so!
Perhaps Charles could be persuaded to come back after the election. He would make a good Labour leader – well the best around probably. There does not appear to be much competition.
” I think also his background which I think was part Tahitian would give Labour another boost in the eyes of South Aucland people.”
Hi Warbly! Just bear in mind the electorate of Ohariu is in Wellington, not South Auckland………
😀
Ok smarty pants 😉 , where’s “Aucland” ?
Why would you give up a new international career for an even odds chance (at best) of returning to the lovely supportive work environment known as the Labour caucus?
Good question. I can’t see it happening.
There is still hope for a better Labour. Chauvel would have to have a bit of mongrel as well as being astute. Jones has the mongrel and thinks he’s cute. It just sounds rather the same as the prescription but really a wide distance from what is needed.
What is Chauvel’s nature and has he any fellow feelings with all his fellows, or is he a fellow whose mind is too far away from the grassroots to see the little people. I know he has a brown shade, but some of those brown politicians are as addicted as any pakeha on the rise who likes to bathe in champagne, or still on the ladder, in chardonnay or sauv blanc.
thanks cv, that made my day.
Martyn is incorrect. The candidate selection has already been held for Ohariu, and Virginia Andersen was selected.
(Disclaimer: I’m on the Ohariu campaign team.)
People who are interested in the Ohariu race can follow Ginny on Facebook or Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/virginia.andersen.ohariu
https://twitter.com/ginnyandersen
Oh Hi Stephanie. Sorry, I didn’t see you up there! Will you be at the meeting tonight, the one I mention at 10.5?
Unfortunately I’m not able to be there! Hope you get a great turnout 🙂
I hope so too Stephanie. Lol, just to let you know, I’m one of the people behind these placards that you may see from time to time around the northern burbs, if you’re living in this area:
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=61648
Our paths may cross at some stage during the campaign 🙂
Hey, btw, I really think we can win, but it will take some work. All the best with your campaigning.
Thats interesting wyndham. If they do bring him back they had better inform the Labour candidate for Ohariu, Virginia Anderson.
Oh, and folks, don’t forget tonight’s talk “How not to be Dunne over again this election” hosted by WEA at St John’s Conference centre, corner of Willis and Dixon, Wellington. Speaker John Maynard of People’s Power Ohariu. 5.30 – 6.30 pm
I have been following the MH370 plane disappearance case. And yesterday put the case for one scenario, about a fire and perhaps loss of consciousness. Then I remembered about a plane in Australia flying across the continent on auto pilot.
This was well covered by The Peoples Daily http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/english/200009/05/eng20000905_49748.html
Police believe the plane depressurized, leaving the pilot and passengers without oxygen….
It apparently ran out of fuel after flying in a virtually straight line about 2,840 kilometers (1,760 miles) from Perth in western Australia. [To near Mt Isa in Queensland.]
Dramatically and traumatically “The plane was shadowed for part of its journey by a plane belonging to the Royal Flying Doctor Service and another small commercial plane. Both tried unsuccessfully to make radio contact with the plane’s pilot.”
And the item refers to another similar happening, “The tragedy had eerie similarities to a crash last October in which two-time U.S. Open golf champion Payne Stewart and five others died when Stewart’s Learjet drifted on autopilot for hours before running out of fuel and crashing in South Dakota.”
On that crash there is another report – “Government officials said the plane may have suffered a rare pressurization failure. When that occurs at high altitudes such as above 30,000 feet, pilots have a short period of time to don an oxygen mask before slipping into unconsciousness….
ABCNEWS aviation analyst John Nance.
He said that at altitudes above 30,000 feet, a pilot would have to strap on an oxygen mask quickly or his mind would become so muddled from lack of oxygen — a condition called hypoxia — that he could no longer help himself.
“The time of useful consciousness at 25,000 feet is a fairly sedate 20 to 25 minutes. But the time of useful consciousness at 39,000 feet is six to 12 seconds, ” said Nance.
“The fact that this aircraft continued climbing right through their assigned altitude on up to almost 45,000 feet, without any call from the pilots, indicated to me that this crisis occurred some place before 39,000 but most probably above 30,000.”
The Air Force reported the plane had been “porpoising,” its altitude fluctuating between 22,000 and 51,000 feet.”
A poignant feature was that the doomed flight became television news, and the wife of the plane owner was watching and trying to rouse him by calling him on her cellphone, but to no avail.
http://emperors-clothes.com/9-11backups/abclearjet.htm
This hypoxia line has been followed by the Brisbane Times paper of 25v March citing a number of examples I have given. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/malaysia-airlines-mystery-was-it-another-ghost-flight-20140325-hvmn3.html
Yep I think that there is a fairly good chance the Captain and FO will turn out to be the heroes, not the bad actors, of this tragic piece.
I wondered about depressurisation as well. Though the erratic progress of the plane doesn’t quite fit. I understand that most planes switch to Auto pilot once in the air and the flight is programmed and followed by auto unless there is an event which causes the pilots to regain control. (I think there is now a system which takes the plane on auto from takeoff to completed landing. Wow!)
I suppose that had there been a catostrophic failure the pilot could have taken back control of the plane, and turned West and all aboard suffered the same fate as those Australian ones.
Just another conjecture I guess.
You can be in a hypoxic state, still be conscious, and for a while continue to believe that you are making good decisions and judgements, keying in accurate information, having useful conversation and doing good mental arithmetic, while in fact being completely out of it mentally and outputting gibberish.
Obviously need a better auto pilot. One that can detect cabin depressurisation and act accordingly.
Hang on, why are we still using pilots?
There’s a joke in aviation circles that in the future, planes will be crewed by a pilot and a dog. The pilot’s job will be to feed the dog and the dog’s job will be to bite the pilot if they try to fly the plane.
That said, there would be tremendous resistance to purely AI or remote control of a plane by the current generation. Quite reasonably, they/we/I know that such things can have bugs or be hacked.
Maybe the next generation, which will view planes as appliances more than piloted vehicles will be willing to buy tickets on drones… but yes, we need better autopilots and communication systems that remain in constant communication rather than black boxes that are only useful after the crash if they’re found at all. Surely modern communications and information processing can manage that.
Actually, it’s not reasonable at all. It is possible to make software with no bugs. Sure, it takes a long time and a lot of testing but it can be done and once it was done it would be used for years. Hacking is a little different but even that can be minimised.
The reality is that the machine can, and will, fly the plane better than a human pilot. Same as the Google self-drive system presently drives a car better than any human can.
“Actually, it’s not reasonable at all. It is possible to make software with no bugs. Sure, it takes a long time and a lot of testing but it can be done and once it was done it would be used for years. Hacking is a little different but even that can be minimised.”
Yes, it’s possible to make software without bugs, just very expensive. But in mission-critical applications such as aviation where human lives are at stake, I’m pretty sure they already use those expensive methods.
The difficult part, though, is designing software that can take into account all possible scenarios, and have it react in a sane manner in each and every single scenario, 100% of the time without failure, ever. Computers can only do what they’ve been told to do, if the committee designing the computer never imagined situation XYZ could ever happen, the computer may have no way to react to that situation. But a sufficiently skilled human in might be able to rely on their experience and skills to produce a correct, or near-correct, response.
The reason we have pilots is because they’re as close as we can currently get to being able to take into account all possible scenarios.
The only time I’ve heard of that that may have had any bearing was when a BA 747 flew threw a volcano plume that shut down all four engines and induced a spin. The pilot managed to correct the spin and restart the engines and this was put down to his test pilot training. Pretty sure that today’s autopilots can correct for both of those.
After 100 years of flight we pretty much know all that can happen to a plane in flight and design software to work with all those situations. In fact, it’s that capability that makes drones viable.
Which comes back to Rhino’s point, that even if the a computer can do it, the public perception is that the pilot may be able to solve problems a computer couldn’t.
But just because you’ve got one example of it, doesn’t mean there aren’t many dozens of others you’ve simply never heard of, precisely because a pilot was there and averted the disaster.
On the other hand, there are many disasters that have been caused by pilot’s who didn’t believe or properly comprehend their instruments.
Which isn’t a reasonable position.
Actually, I think you’ll find that it’s the other way around. We would hear when the pilot saved an aircraft because it happens so rarely. All other times it would be pilot error.
Based on an excessive amount of watching Air Crash Investigation, I have to disagree, Draco.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mayday_episodes)
There are crashes caused by operator error. There are also many caused by computer error either in the plane or on the ground which are saved by skilled pilots (and some which aren’t, because the pilots assume the computer knows what it’s doing). And more than a few where engine failure or lines being cut results in no power at all to the computer systems, where pilots have had to save the day by treating commuter aircraft like they’re gliders.
The incident you refer to (I assume http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Airways_Flight_9) was a bit more complicated than just ‘correcting a spin and restarting the engines’. I don’t think anyone could say for certain that a computer-flown plane would have had any better outcome.
Did you notice that most of those are really old? You really can’t look at an air accident from 1975 and use it to determine what computers are capable of today. Also, quite a lot of them seem to be due to human error on the ground most of which just wouldn’t happen today and nobody would be able to correct for.
Yes, that’s the one. I was operating on pure memory and it was actually far simpler than I thought. Going into a spin is the most dangerous thing that can happen to an aircraft that doesn’t involve loss of flight control surfaces and that didn’t happen. My mistake.
I think modern computers could have done a better job.
Modern satellite, radar and communications have probably also told the aircraft of the volcano so it can avoid it. If it hasn’t avoided it then it’s going to know where they are and it’s glide path and so determine best place to crash land given the state of the aircraft and start heading towards it. Once it gets down to a predetermined level it tries to restart the engines exactly as the pilots did. If the engines restart then it recomputes and heads towards the nearest airport else it continues to crash landing.
Also note the rather large Icelandic volcano that closed airports across Europe a couple of years back. When that erupted a number of aircraft flew through worse conditions than what that 747 in 1982 faced and didn’t have any problems. Reason? Aircraft today are built better.
And a lot of them are very recent, Draco. Here’s a handy Wiki list of more recent ones: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:21st-century_aviation_accidents_and_incidents
The more recent a crash is, the more likely automation is the problem.
Here’s a very recent one where sure, poor maintenance started the issue – so yes, mistakes on the ground still happen! – but the computer – on a modern, ‘built better’ aircraft! simply could not handle receiving conflicting data:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XL_Airways_Germany_Flight_888T
Given those facts, I find your statement that I’m ‘looking at an air accident from 1975 and using it to determine what computers are capable of today’ very condescending – especially when you’re the person whose argument is based simply on ‘I reckon computers today could totally handle this.’
Actually, it’s based upon the fact that almost the entire landing procedure of the space shuttle is automated and that drones fly autonomously. And this:
And, yes, if the computer is getting incorrect information then it’s not going to fly correctly. The same would be true of pilots.
Computer technology is moving steadily towards computers being able to carry out actions that have not been programed ie fuzzy logic. I guess when that happens computers will have self determination and people will become redundant.
For aircraft then fuzzy logic would allow the computer to make decisions as well as a pilot for dealing with unforseen problems. Maybe better as without emotional responses. Mmmm? Brave new world?
ianmac
The computer is set to the decision to stay on course as keyed in to the system. So it is already running the show.
So what about programming in a command to ask for confirmation every half hour, no notification wait 15 minutes, then wait for 5, then start on safety procedures like bringing down height level, sending out messages to nearest base, send out messages to nearest wavelengths, keep moving down to breathable air, sending out constant messages of warning to any receiving aircraft around etc.
And ask for instructions – it would still be proceeding on course, but if there was a way that the plane’s system could be contacted and set into some suitable manoeuvres it would give a chance for all. The air might be breathable, the pilot and the passengers might be able to recover, it might be able to achieve landing somewhere suitable or ditch where retrievable.
The new plane designs are big enough to take a small village now, the companies owe a change in design to the travelling public. But we should also be having the opportunity if we have time to go by ship. I was just looking at some mementoes of my Britanis trip back in the 70’s. Good experience.
I wouldn’t trust the software producers to have perfect systems. Becuase it can be done, it doesn’t mean that it will be done. And if a rare thing happens that it is not programmed for, what is it going to do. Drones being used now are more machines to do things than carry people.
I don’t want people excluded from our activities, I want human interaction with trained skilled people who have superior tools. Pike River now, that should have been machines, I don’t want people to be sacrificed for commercial gain.
Far faster to have cabin pressure, altitude, and attitude gauges.
As ianmac said, fuzzy logic. Essentially, the software will be able to analyse what state the aircraft is in and make the correct choices to correct. And, yes, the computer will also be able to take into account damage and how that’s affecting the aircraft.
does novopay know this?
Novapay wasn’t written to that sort of standard because it’s dammed expensive. Of course, it should have been written to far higher standards than what it was as well but that’s the result of free-market capitalism and the delusional belief that the private sector can always do better.
Hypoxia.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IqWal_EmBg#t=83
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/hangar-talk/37850-serious-case-hypoxia.html
conjecture, but it’s beginning to look that way.
Yes well we’ve had pilot suicide, we have had terrorism, we have had sudden mental deterioraton, hijacking, stealing the plane and passengers with stealth flying under radar cover.
An experienced woman expert talked about examining the maintenance manuals for the recent to sometime past for ideas on possible problems from inadequate fixing. She said these should have been immediately available but there was so much secrecy so we haven’t had much of that.
But blame the pilot doesn’t seem to be likely. Now some hard thinking needs to be done away from the paranoia about attacks. And those with expertise can be listened to – they have some offerings that are possibilities.
Brownlee rules out support for Napier-Gisborne railway:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11226550
Some easy votes for Labour from the East Coast electorate?
It doesn’t matter how good the plan is Brownlee won’t support it as it goes against what the roading lobby want.
every time I watch the news on the teavy there is shifty telling another fib about the glorious plate of toast and jam and pie in the sky next week.
its always next week with him.
All sorts of lessons here: how not to combine averages, how not trust the press, why not to succumb to the “outsource everything” mantra…
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/25/nhs-fraud-story-terrible-if-true
Shame on General Mataparae.
The former gallant soldier is now sending letters to MPs telling them how to condict themselves when meeting the English monarch’s son.
I hope the MPs have the self respect to write back to Gerry and to tell him that they do not need lessons from him or anyone on how to conduct themselves. They are elected by the public of NZ to stand up strong: not tody to celebs.
Gerry Mataparae was not elected and, with an attitude like this, would never be elected.
The sooner we get to have direct election of a Head of State the better.
If there were more like Jerry (not Gerry) in parliament then parliament and NZ would be a better place
We would certainly know less about anything dodgy our soldiers might do overseas with more like Jerry in responsible positions. I’m not sure that would make NZ a better place.
What a dreamer you are. An elected Head of State. Who campaigns sucking up all the money he/she can get. So they can live it up. Do you think that some egoist who wants to strut like a rock star is going to be good for us? a
He/she will look serious and noble or smiley and wavy and crack jokes and know the right way to treat all leaders and which fork to use at dinner etc and be better than what we have, will fill a gap that we don’t have, and will cost us more and more. Soon they will have a building up of resources, their own small jet, their own this, that whatever is suitable for our leading Sir or Madam.
The Cambriudge Branch will hold its AGM this Sunday 10-30am Red Cross Hall Cambridge .Come and meet the members of the branch that has flown the Red Flag for years in Tory Cambridge .Also meet Jamie Strange candidate for Taupo and Cliff Allen candidate for Ham East.
You are all welcome.
a homeless man has been bashed to death on dominion rd..balmoral..
..he had been sleeping-rough behind a disused shop..for a year..
..i think it was ‘the year’ that made me go kinda ballistic..
http://whoar.co.nz/2014/police-are-treating-the-death-of-a-man-who-was-sleeping-rough-on-aucklands-dominion-rd-as-a-homicide-comment-a-pox-on-many-many-people/
phillip ure..
Green Party gearing up for the election and asking for support –
In 5 days time we make important financial decisions about the Green Party’s budget for this year’s election.
We need a strong indication from supporters like you about how much funds we will have to run our campaign.
That is why I am asking you click here to donate today:
https://my.greens.org.nz/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=19
The more funds we can confirm by our end of financial year deadline of April 1st, the bigger our campaign to win more Greens in government will be this year.
Last week our inspiring former Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons sent you an email to ask you to donate to our 2014 election campaign. She said this year’s election is critical to the future of our country.
I couldn’t agree with her more. Only the Green Party has the ideas and leadership needed to drive our country in a new direction.
With your support we can be the first green government in New Zealand’s history. You and I working together can green our economy, clean up our environment and build a fairer society for all New Zealanders.
Help us make history in this election. Click here to donate for good green change: https://my.greens.org.nz/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=19
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On April 1st we will be weighing up how many billboards we can print, how many advertisements we can place and how many leaflets we can deliver.
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Green Party Co-leader
So the Treasury says that the state owning social assets like schools and hospitals shouldn’t be the default position.
Then they say they are not for any “ideology”, just wanting best value.
🙄
Just looks like aset sales by another name to me.
Schools and hospitals.
I think I predicted this some years ago. There is only one sane response – for all the left-wing parties to announce a nationalisation policy.
Anything sold from here on in will be reacquired back into state ownership with no compensation.
I’m pro-state owned and run public services but after 30 years of attack from neoliberalism, what is the best way to get from here to there?
sack treasury for a start…..
+1111
They’re actually getting worse as their faith comes crashing down under the weight of reality.
But that’s just it isn’t it? All of these institutions that you’d have to rely on to at least some extent as a reforming government, eg the government, the media, basically everything, has been thoroughly infested with the free market dreck.
So you’d have to be sneaky about it, like Douglas, and spring it out of nowhere. There’s no way the Lange Labour government would have been elected if the populace had known what was about to happen. They would have been ridiculed and marginalised by the power of the status quo within all the public institutions and never would have been elected.
So how could the Left campaign on corresponding grounds when they would equally be ridiculed and marginalised by the power of the status quo within all the now privatised institutions??
So the only way I can see this happening is either, by being sneaky as fuck, ie trojan horsing your way into power as a centrist, and then springing the new overarching, progressive regime on an unsuspecting population OR wait for the inevitable crisis that will happen if we keep following this market crap and then campaigning upfront with the nationalising policy.
There’s only two legitimate ways I can think of. One is to keep telling people that the present system is wrong, what’s wrong about it and then to tell them what needs to be done to fix it all. Then, when the crash inevitably happens and we get in power we do it all fully and openly. The second would be the same as the first but when we getting into power we put in place a participatory democracy and let the people decide.
Then they say they are not for any “ideology”, just wanting best value.
Which is of course an ideological position, long used by the far right. Any opposition is “political” because “politics” is bad and boring while what they do is “good sense” or “good value”. It is indeed good sense and good value – for the one percent.
And what can be more political than that?
+100
If the left wing parties don’t indicate this, then each time there is a change of Party in government, they just pick the scab off any wounds that have healed from the latest round of slashing and carry on the work of bringing a once proud country to its knees.
We can’t have this business of a parasitical National Party stealing or mismanaging the people’s assets. We want good business ethics from Labour, and we want things run well, but when it’s clear that there is no golden goose laying a golden egg, the enthusiasm of private investors will fall.
All sorted for the nationa-wide rallies against the signing of the TPPA this Saturday 29 March 2014 at 1pm?
(I’ll be in Hamilton, but have been helping to organise the Auckland event 🙂
More details here:
http://www.itsourfuture.org.nz/why-our-sponsors-are-supporting-the-nationwide-day-of-action/
Cheers!
Penny Bright
FYI:
26 March 2014
‘Open Letter’ reply to Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Chair of the Auckland Council Governing Body – re: the following response I received yesterday to my request for speaking rights at tomorrow’s meeting:
Thank you for for accepting my request for ‘speaking rights’ at tomorrow’s Governing Body meeting.
However, I note that some person / persons from Auckland Council are attempting to restrict what I can say, about the four complaints which I filed with Auckland Central Police:
“Your request for speaking rights at the 27 March Governing Body meeting has been accepted but only to talk about issues 2) and 3).
It has been decided that it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting.”
I do not accept that ANY person at Auckland Council has the lawful right to attempt to censor or restrict my LAWFUL right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under s.14 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0109/latest/DLM225513.html
14Freedom of expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
FYI – Police have made determinations in the first three out of four of the above-mentioned complaints, and I am still awaiting their decision on the fourth.
None of these matters are before the Court.
I am unsure as to whom has made the decision that “…it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting ..”
however, I do not accept this decision as being LAWFUL, so please be advised that I WILL briefly covering these matters:
1) An update on four complaints that I filed with Police:
a) Alleged money-laundering against Mayor Len Brown.
b) Alleged bribery and corruption against Mayor Len Brown (a joint complaint with fellow community Public Watchdog Lisa Prager).
c) Alleged contravention of statute by former Auckland Council CEO, Doug McKay.
d) Alleged assault against Auckland Council Officers who forcibly removed me from the CEO Review Committee meeting after I was denied speaking rights by Chair Chris Fletcher, when I was attempting to expose, (in my considered opinion), a corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving current CEO Stephen Town.
FYI – please be reminded of the following declaration that ALL Auckland Council elected representatives swore (affirmed) at the public ‘swearing in ceremony’ on 29 October 2013:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM175643.html
Conduct of members
14Declaration by member
(1)A person may not act as a member of a local authority until—
(a)that person has, at a meeting of the local authority following the election of that person, made an oral declaration in the form set out in subclause (3); and
(b)a written version of the declaration has been attested as provided under subclause (2).
………………..
(3)The form of the declaration must consist of the following elements:
Declaration by mayor or chairperson or member
“I, AB, declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill
and judgment, execute and perform, in the best interests of [region or district], the powers,
authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as [mayor or chairperson or
member] of the [local authority] by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act
Dated at: [place, date]
Signature:
Signed in the presence of:
CD, [mayor or chairperson or member or chief executive of local authority]”.
(My underlining).
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz
FYI:
26 March 2014
‘Open Letter’ reply to Auckland Mayor Len Brown, Chair of the Auckland Council Governing Body – re: the following response I received yesterday to my request for speaking rights at tomorrow’s meeting:
Thank you for for accepting my request for ‘speaking rights’ at tomorrow’s Governing Body meeting.
However, I note that some person / persons from Auckland Council are attempting to restrict what I can say, about the four complaints which I filed with Auckland Central Police:
“Your request for speaking rights at the 27 March Governing Body meeting has been accepted but only to talk about issues 2) and 3).
It has been decided that it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting.”
I do not accept that ANY person at Auckland Council has the lawful right to attempt to censor or restrict my LAWFUL right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under s.14 of the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1990/0109/latest/DLM225513.html
14Freedom of expression
Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and opinions of any kind in any form.
FYI – Police have made determinations in the first three out of four of the above-mentioned complaints, and I am still awaiting their decision on the fourth.
None of these matters are before the Court.
I am unsure as to whom has made the decision that “…it is not appropriate for you to talk about any complaints being handled by the Police at the Governing Body meeting ..”
however, I do not accept this decision as being LAWFUL, so please be advised that I WILL briefly covering these matters:
1) An update on four complaints that I filed with Police:
a) Alleged money-laundering against Mayor Len Brown.
b) Alleged bribery and corruption against Mayor Len Brown (a joint complaint with fellow community Public Watchdog Lisa Prager).
c) Alleged contravention of statute by former Auckland Council CEO, Doug McKay.
d) Alleged assault against Auckland Council Officers who forcibly removed me from the CEO Review Committee meeting after I was denied speaking rights by Chair Chris Fletcher, when I was attempting to expose, (in my considered opinion), a corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ involving current CEO Stephen Town.
FYI – please be reminded of the following declaration that ALL Auckland Council elected representatives swore (affirmed) at the public ‘swearing in ceremony’ on 29 October 2013:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM175643.html
Conduct of members
14Declaration by member
(1)A person may not act as a member of a local authority until—
(a)that person has, at a meeting of the local authority following the election of that person, made an oral declaration in the form set out in subclause (3); and
(b)a written version of the declaration has been attested as provided under subclause (2).
………………..
(3)The form of the declaration must consist of the following elements:
Declaration by mayor or chairperson or member
“I, AB, declare that I will faithfully and impartially, and according to the best of my skill
and judgment, execute and perform, in the best interests of [region or district], the powers,
authorities, and duties vested in, or imposed upon, me as [mayor or chairperson or
member] of the [local authority] by virtue of the Local Government Act 2002, the
Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, or any other Act
Dated at: [place, date]
Signature:
Signed in the presence of:
CD, [mayor or chairperson or member or chief executive of local authority]”.
(My underlining).
Kind regards,
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz
John Keys election PR
I am greater than the sum of all the other parties
My advice :Stay overseas John we are sick of you and your selling off our country
Pula Benifits latest piece of fascist legislation should be turned back into wood and used as her coffin after the election, thanks John FOR THE EARLY ELECTION
Maybe she should have had more children instead of stealing ours