Open mike 27/02/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 27th, 2013 - 93 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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

Step right up to the mike…

93 comments on “Open mike 27/02/2013 ”

  1. KhandallaViper 1

    There is an old fashioned look to the Labour party now.

    As David Shearer was out of NZ from 1989 to 2009 with a short retuen 2000 to 2002, it is understandable that he reference people and reference points are 80s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Shearer

    Retaining old codgers like Mike Smith, Mike Williams and Ian Fraser is keeping him in touch with the 80s!.
    Being advised on tactic by Aneetee King, Phil Goff and Trevor Mallars. (& Tamahere?)…not exactly the Social Medial Generation….

    Keeping back talent like Little, Cunliffe, Wall and Chauvel compounds the problem .

    David Shearer is running out of time to make Labour relevant to the 16, 17 , 18, 19 year olds who are voting the first time

    David Shearer is running out of time to make Labour relevant to the 800,000 who did not see a reason to vote.

    There is some time. David needs to get fresh youthful people (non- parliamentary staffers ffs) experienced in this NOW world.

    • Red Rosa 1.1

      Sadly, all too true KV. From the outside, the current Labour caucus seems to be drifting with the tide and totally lacking the guts and brains required to lead in Opposition. In contrast, the Greens are making waves with regular displays of analysis and initiative on a number of topics.

      Intriguing to compare, on a daily basis, the posts and comments on NZ left wing blogs with actual Labour efforts. No wonder they claim not to read the blogs!

      Certainly NZ deserves a better government. But it also deserves a better Labour opposition.

  2. Skinny 2

    State owned Genesis Energy is being ready for the sales block. Announcing a 85 % rise in profit & a return of $72 million for the last 6 months. So what have their 265,000 customers got to say?

    I am a customer and have this to say ” give us customers a rebate since your making such healthy returns, 85 % rise & 72 million says your over charging us.”

    “Get rid of Chairwoman  Jenny Shipley as I am uncomfortable with her recent failures.” 

    “I am giving my notice as a & customer & consumer in protest to state assets being sold.”

  3. geoff 3

    I wonder if peter jackson will be brave enough to admit he decieved the country

    • Draco T Bastard 3.1

      Sociopaths never admit to doing wrong.

      • Treetop 3.1.1

        Jackson could do a movie about the Hobbit deal and he could be nominated for an oscar, (best director, best lead male role). Key likes the camera and having the Crown Law emails released would add to the intrigue of the relationship between Key and Jackson.

  4. johnm 4

    The Artistic Taxi Driver on the disastrous U$K situation where the banks and the privateers are being bailed out with trillions, but the people especially the disabled, the sick, and unemployed are being screwed with workfare and sanctions. The Tory scum have abandoned ordinary brits in favour of the casino speculating banks. All this has been prepared with a press campaign on scroungers and the like. This is the NeoLiberal scumbag system of profit before people and KeyBoy is following the exact same path here. At this moment they’re taking advice from a Welsh Pommie Toffter on how to reduce the disabled roles here and it won’t be pretty. 🙁

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpctuA5OtLs&list=UUGThM-ZZBba1Zl9rU-XeR-A&index=2

    Same crap happening in the U$ which is in depression. The bail out money received by the casino crook banks has been invested for profit in the BRIC countries NOT in the has been U$ economy. Refer Michael Hudson for this. The U$ and the U$K are fighting in the last ditch to avoid the inevitable: a socialist society as the UK had just after the end of WW11.Note that is NOT a communist society. The Market has clearly been shown to be a socially and environmentally a destructive force as a nuclear war.

    • johnm 4.1

      “Australian corporate chief calls for major welfare cuts” Key’s mates are egging him on:

      “The Australian corporate elite’s demands for the government to impose the kind of drastic austerity measures being implemented in Europe and the US were spelt out again on Saturday in a speech by Don Argus, the former chairman of mining conglomerate BHP Billiton and the National Australia Bank. Argus declared that public spending in Australia was “unsustainable” and demanded a “national conversation about our welfare budget and how it could be better calibrated for the challenging period ahead.”

      Argus, a multi-millionaire who wants for nothing, stated that his view, which means millions of working people will suffer severe cuts to their living standards, was “common sense.” Government spending, he asserted, had “outpaced income” and therefore had to be reduced. Feigning concern over rising youth unemployment, Argus called for increases in productivity to create jobs. In reality, “productivity” is the corporate code word for lowering wages and working conditions, and destroying jobs in order to boost profits.”

      http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/02/26/aust-f26.html Key is trying to work up the nerve to serve his kleptocratic masters, you better believe it, he doesn’t serve ordinary kiwis who don’t exist to him! 🙁

  5. So NZ signed a deal with the US with regards to our food safety. What does that mean? Well, for starters the second guy at the FDA is a Monzanto guy and guess what? We are going to cut some red tape with regards to “potential” regulatory burden: What does that mean? Watch Farmageddon and find out!

  6. rosy 7

    GPs rely on charity to ensure the basic health needs of children are met.

    Health services in Northland and Manukau are pioneering school-based treatment for children, but they are exposing big gaps in health coverage, particularly rheumatic fever, and highlighting housing issues.

    Dr Lance O’Sullivan says he would not see most of Kaitaia’s children with skin infections if he didn’t go into schools to look for them.

    “Vulnerable children are not getting into doctors’ surgeries enough,” he says in the general practice clinic that he opened last year at Kaitaia Hospital, from which he visits children in 14 local schools.

    “We can sit here in a particular role, or we can take health services to where people live, work and play,” he says.

    “This is actually getting out of our rooms, getting off our butts and working through the schools and reaching the kids and getting them early.”

    Dr O’Sullivan, until recently one of only two Maori general practitioners in Northland, has taken Health Ministry funding for tackling rheumatic fever and topped it up with money from the food charity KidsCan to put five nurses and health workers into the district’s schools.

    A brilliant initiative but surely it is the job of government, not charity?

    • AsleepWhileWalking 7.1

      Yes, it is..but ultimately Northland is lucky to have Dr O’S. IMHO he looks as though he is crossing some boundaries BUT THANK GOD HE IS!

      Without him these kids would just be someone else’s problem and would develop life long consequences of the gov’s health neglect.

      Once they have a good model of delivering a service at low/no cost they would be in a much better position to obtain government funding (thanks again to Dr O’S and his supporters). Northland is really a crucible for the rest of the country who are following at a less noticeable pace.

      • rosy 7.1.1

        Yes, it takes people like Dr O’S to shake the system up a bit. However the MoH should be funding a trial, not relying on a driven GP to seek out charity funding. It’s hard enough doing the work without having to sort out how to fund it.

        To me it’s another example of the government’s lack of focus on primary care, population health and prevention of illness.

    • vto 7.2

      God this government makes me sick.

      The New Zealand people have tasked the government with providing health care to all, regardless of wealth. But that just aint happening.

      Perhaps that $400 million for businessmen farmers could go to looking after these children.

      Bleeaaarrgh, vomit spew, cough splutter croak.

      I have nothing but contempt for this government and even more so for their supporters.

    • Colonial Weka 7.3

      “but surely it is the job of government, not charity?”

      I don’t think what O’Sullivan is doing is charity. It’s the community organising itself. We should all be doing this – it creates more stable communities, and better health services (locals know better than MoH in Welly). It also futureproofs communities in the face of teotwawki.

      Yes, govt ‘should’ be providing health services to all NZ kids. But they’re not, and it’s been a long time now since we’ve had a comprehensive, accessible health system. Time to take things into our own hands.

      O’Sullivan’s points about how GPs practice are pertinent. Doctors SHOULD be going into the community and making themselves accessible. The whole making people travel to the GP, sit and wait sometimes for a long time, for 10 minutes of the GPs time model… that’s an insane way to run primary health care, and it’s come about because the people with privilege have organised it that way to suit themselves, not the people in need.

      As an aside to that, every GP I have had has worked less then full time. I’m sure this varies hugely depending on many factors, but many GPs get paid very well for what they do, and seem to be benefiting greatly from the state subsidy to primary health care. All my GPs trained pre-student loans though, so that’s another factor.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1

        (locals know better than MoH in Welly).

        Well, they’d know the local conditions better but the ministry would have better knowledge of drugs and therapies available.

        O’Sullivan’s points about how GPs practice are pertinent. Doctors SHOULD be going into the community and making themselves accessible. The whole making people travel to the GP, sit and wait sometimes for a long time, for 10 minutes of the GPs time model… that’s an insane way to run primary health care, and it’s come about because the people with privilege have organised it that way to suit themselves, not the people in need.

        Agreed but it still comes down to resources – what resources are available and which option uses less.

  7. bad12 9

    Will the ‘HairDo from Ohariu’ Minister of Revenue, Peter Dunne make it through to the 2014 election, the ‘skunk’ look has gone in favor of a totally white bouffant and seen yesterday Dunne has lost a hell of a lot of weight,

    Perhaps another MP in the grip of vanity fear having had a stomach staple job, or has the piece of string which is the ‘Hairdo’s” lifeline come to an untimely end…

  8. Rogue Trooper 10

    form Echo Beach; (Rose, Maria and Time grow Where The Wild Things Are)
    http://gwend0lynleigh.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/susanna-and-the-elders-4452-mid.jpg
    O Susanna, don’t you cry for me, better wormwood than Wormtongue
    Hotere (2001) http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hotere-2001 may be our greatest artist Ever without doubt Francis

    Lockdown’s Pelican Bay, that’s where the killers wanna’ be to “hone their skills”. Southern Mexicans certainly prepared amongst the BRIICS (beware the NLR). Silver Ants are expert at navigating by the sun and proportionately cross the desert at 450km/hr. It’s an Enigma, yet Joyce looked decidedly uncomfortable around The Hobbit.

    Daniel Day-Lewis IS the “Greatest Actor of All Time” (Foot Supports Intl. is a registerd Work and Income supplier apparently; better put ya’ best foot forward while special offer lasts.

    RNZ- Helen Kelly is Everywhere (spooky).

    GB-“Bob the Builder”of Backbenchers seems more like Rob the Gilder and Tolley the smoking gun.

    Therefore the law is paralyzed,
    and justice never prevails.
    The wicked hem in the righteous,
    so that justice is perverted.

  9. AsleepWhileWalking 11

    **Same sex marriage bill recommended to be passed into law by committee**

  10. Addison 12

    What IF! What if after the next election National rule alone, Labour have less seats, the greens have more! Will we blame Shearer, will we blame policies or will we blame the poll and the press? just asking!

    • aerobubble 12.1

      Greens get a proportion, When Labour voters vote Labour in constituent seats and Greens in the list vote then Labour get a overhang (like the Maori party now) – parliament is now 121 seats.

      So if you are say Greens get more seats and Labour less, it means Labours vote has collapsed again!!! Which is what happened at the last election, Goffed.

      Labour needs to get back in touch with NZ voters by standing up to and for policies that are good for NZ voters, and it still hasn’t been able to sell a CGT or a tax free threshold on income, why?
      Because nobody believes they have rejected Rogernomics.

  11. Rogue Trooper 13

    forMicah:

    Hear this; you leaders of the house of Jacob, you rulers of the house of Israel who despise justice and distort all that is right; who build Zion with bloodshed, and Jerusalem with wickedness. Her leaders judge for a bribe, her priests teach for a price, and her prophets tell fortunes for money. Yet,
    they lean upon the Lord and say “Is not the Lord among us? No disaster will come upon us.” (the opening prayer of parliament always cracks me up). Therefore, because of you, Zion will be ploughed like a field, Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, the temple hill a mound (interesting)
    overgrown with thickets. 😉

    fro Living In the FuTure:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Esp_hOlFqiM

    Eccl. 5:* : If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things: for one official is engaged by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.

    10: Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless.

    11: As goods increase, so do those who consume. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them.

    12: The sleep of a laborer is sweet whether he eats little or much, yet the abundance of a rich man often permits him no sleep.

    WOW
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Wayne%27s_Musical_Version_of_The_War_of_the_Worlds#Track_listing
    (’cause you’re not here)

  12. Arfamo 14

    I’ll blame Shearer and those who selected him as leader. If the greens have more seats than Labour I think I’d be right to do so.

    • Addison 14.1

      I agree, if the Greens are on the ascendancy and Labour on the decline ,it’s not left wing policies that are at fault. It’s got to be that the higherarchy of the party is ineffective.

      • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1

        Doesn’t have to be just the hierarchy, the entire party could be out of touch with the majority of the populace and reality.

    • Treetop 14.2

      Getting people to vote is what has to happen. There has to be a good reason for people to vote. A policy for under 30s, those age 30 – 65 and over 65.

      Shearer will not be the leader this time next year if Labour do not improve by at least 5%.

  13. Poission 15

    English admits there is a problem, and LVR will be used.( or maybe as it will become wheelers problem)

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/8358864/House-buyers-may-need-bigger-deposit

    The first option should be the low hanging fruit ie taxing non resident housing investments.

  14. Rogue Trooper 16

    The Bewitched, The Beguyled and The Bewildered Nichol in the palm is worth two in the Bush.

  15. geoff 17

    LPRENT: Have you fixed the mobile version? Page scrolling works sweetly for me now.

  16. Pete 18

    Via Twitter:

    Vernon Small ‏@VernonSmall

    Chief justice Sian Elias says court unanimous on all issues and held crown actions are reviewable
    Retweeted by Idiot/Savant

  17. Pete 19

    Via Twitter:

    Adam Bennett ‏@AdDeville

    The Supreme Court has upheld the Maori Council’s legal challenge to the Government’s flagship asset sales policy.

  18. Twitter is saying the Supreme Court has ruled against the Government and granted Maori’s application for an injunction …

  19. Pete 21

    Appeal dismissed.

    Now on to the referendum.

  20. just saying 22

    http://werewolf.co.nz/2013/02/bringing-the-living-wage-to-life/

    Werewolf is out. The article linked above is particularly interesting:
    Its an example of how ingrained the culture of low pay has become in our society: it is now seen as a core duty of government to effectively subsidise corporate profits (and hence the incomes of the wealthy) by compensating for their sub-standard wages. We spend over a billion dollars a year doing this; meanwhile the idea of government regulating for decent wages (or even paying them itself) is apparently now politically unthinkable for the major parties.

    “….So….where do we go from here in order to make the Living Wage become a reality? Not to mention to achieve a Universal Basic Income that can address the income/participation needs of the unwaged on benefits who could miss out on the Living Wage, just as they do not qualify for the Working For Families subsidies at present.

    One way forward would be to vote for political parties who promise to regulate for a Living Wage and to increase the benefit levels. (Good luck with convincing the Labour Party to do either.) There is another avenue however. The political parties could be pressured to amend the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, in order to put social, cultural and economic rights on the same legal footing as the civil and political rights that we already recognize under BORA. That way, people would have a legal mechanism to seek a decent standard of living as a fundamental right, and not as an act of charity bestowed by employers and/or by benevolent governments. It would also mean that all future legislation would have to be vetted for its impact on the standard of living – and for the extent, for instance, to which it may contribute to economic hardship and income inequality. Any retrogressive socio-economic legislation would then need to justify its existence.

    This may sound like airy-fairy stuff. It isn’t. It might be the only way to escape from the whims and expediency of the government of the day. And luckily, the intellectual spadework has already been done. Wellington-based lawyer Joss Opie wrote his law thesis on the subject, and that’s available online (click item 6 on the list here.)…”

    I trust the link at the top of the page meets the requirements of all site regulations regarding linkage, Draco.

    • just saying 22.1

      Damn, still no edit function. The first paragraph after its first sentence should be part of the block quote

      [lprent: Tonight’s build at work is the production release. I start having time again. ]

  21. just saying 23

    Hey Xtasy,
    I saw this note from Gordon Campbell in today’s ‘Werewolf’ and thought of you*

    Thanks to Lyndon for helping me post this online. And thanks to everyone who’s got this far, and shown an interest in reading Werewolf and keeping it going. Thanks a lot. If you want to be involved and want to talk over some story ideas, contact me at gordon@scoop.co.nz

    Cheers,
    Gordon Campbell
    Werewolf/Scoop
    gordon@werewolf.co.nz

    (emboldening mine)

    *I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to follow this up in the middle of the night – just saying.

    • xtasy 23.1

      just saying: I invite Gordon to read the Standard and get inspired! Thanks for the suggestion though. I have as of recent been a bit nocturnal, I am afraid, I have my bizarre “cycles” of activity.

  22. Polish Pride 24

    Had a thought last night re getting NZ out of debt…
    Would like to know if this is feasable…
    This all needs to be relatively top secret if it were to be done
    Have a series of SOEs. lets say 5 for good measure
    Have a govt owned bank. (Reserve Bank)
    Have a Govt owned bank that is customer facing
    Set up a long list of fictitious customers via a data entry upload into SOE systems
    Have the Reserve Bank secretly generate more money than National debt.
    Funnel Money through SOEs via ficticious customers.
    That money is then returned clean and clear to the Govt via dividend payments
    Pay off overseas debt.
    And yes I know what it is. 🙂
    The question is, is it feasible at least in principle without tanking the dollar.
    If not are there any tweaks that could be made so that it is.

    • xtasy 24.1

      To start off, perhaps do it the Argentine way, simply default and have it written off, to start anew? That is always a last option solution. But then the debt collectors inside and outside of NZ do not like this, do they?

  23. emergency mike 25

    Question time:

    RN: “Does the minister think it’s a laughing matter when a minister of the crown comes to this house and misleads this house, directly misleads this house by telling the house that there had been no pressure from Warner bros when the email traffic released just yesterday proves that there was very significant pressure from Warner bros to change our law?”

    SJ: “Well Mr Speaker I think that what is a laughing matter is that this member talks constantly about creating jobs in the NZ economy, but opposes every hands on measure in which to do that.”

    Norman objects that the question was not answered, and the Speaker denies him saying he should re-read his question and that Joyce answered the question “very adequately.” Is “Does the minister think…” not a good way to frame the question perhaps? Or am I missing something?

    Anyway the whole 14 odd minutes is Joyce dodging Norman’s questions with responses like “I wasn’t the minister at the time,” “I haven’t read that speech,” “I’m not aware of the details of that question, but blah blah blah about something else.”

    At one point the speaker agrees that Joyce hasn’t answered a question and asks Norman to repeat it. Joyce gives more of the same bollocks, and Norman is allowed to repeat the question again. Another non-answer. Norman objects, but the speaker rules that it’s simply time to move on. Cosgrove asks whether one can now ‘get off the hook’ to a question if one simply repeats a BS answer three times. The Speaker answers that it’s now for the public to judge Joyce’s answer. I’m so sure it will be all over Seven Sharp.

    Thank goodness we have parliament’s ‘robust’ debates to keep our politicians in check in this perceived least corrupt country.

    • McFlock 25.1

      is the speaker elected by simple majority? 2/3 majority might be in order, given such shameless corruption described in your comment…

    • bad12 25.2

      Perhaps the Speaker has been reminded ‘just who’s side He is on’, yesterday on a point of order from NZFirst’s Winston Peters who accused Slippery the Prime Minister of giggling like a school boy instead of answering a question from the Labour Benches the Speaker angrily directed Slippery to answer the question,

      Slippery certainly didn’t look to happy about the rebuke…

      • emergency mike 25.2.1

        Ah Winnie… I don’t suppose you can remember which question that was bad12?

        • bad12 25.2.1.1

          No sorry i didn’t take note of the questions, it may have even have been a question asked by Russell Norman that had Winston telling the Speaker that Slippery’s answer was ”giggling like a schoolboy”,

          That was yesterday’s question time just in case your confused…

          • emergency mike 25.2.1.1.1

            Found it, near the end of question 2. The calmly speaker said it would be helpful if the PM could give concise answers, but equally helpful if the the opposition could cut out the loud interjections. Not much of a win for the left. I didn’t see Slippery bat an eyelid either.

    • xtasy 25.3

      The present “speaker” of the House is also a “speaker” for his favoured government, it sounds more and more like. I could not believe the crap that man came up with over recent days. He now so often asks opposition questioners to repeat their questions, frustrating the whole process, and then he lets off most of the government ministers with the slack comment, that he believed the question was answered totally satisfactorily.

      This is the worst speaker in the House that I can remember. NO bias, yeah right, pull out yet another TUI board, thanks.

  24. geoff 26

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/129230/reserve-bank-deal-on-house-price-controls-pending

    The dipshit from dipton, aka bill english, has just given the reserve bank the ability to make banks require larger deposits for mortgages. So now it’ll be even harder for kiwis to get into their first home.
    If he doesn’t provide other complementary policies to go with this then he’s just screwed over NZers even more.

  25. gobsmacked 27

    From Scoop.co.nz …

    Those responsible for Labour’s 2011election defeat should be identified and make a “dignified exit’’ from the caucus, Charles Chauvel said in his valedictory speech today.

    Chauvel said he wished to make public two thoughts he had shared privately with Labour Party Leader David Shearer

    First – He sincerely wished Shearer would be the next Prime Minister and regretted he would not be the Attorney General.

    Second – In an apparent reference to the recent reshuffle which had seen many of those supportive to David Cunliffe’s leadership aspirations demoted, he said it was unproductive to keep seeking the “supposed’’ enemy within.

    Instead in order to stop history repeating there needed to be an open and honest look at why Labour suffered its worst ever defeat in 2011

    “Those responsible for it should make dignified exits and all the undoubted talent and diversity should be included in the shadow Cabinet, Chauvel said’’.

    (I can only add – well said).

    • Pascal's bookie 27.1

      Burn him! He’s a witch!! etc.

    • bad12 27.2

      True and i think Labour need look no further than having Phill Goff kick off the 2011 election campaign with the ‘raising of the age for super policy’ as the number one culprit,

      What a thing to tell the 40 odd % of workers who struggle every day to pay the bills while at the same time expecting their vote…

    • Olwyn 27.3

      Good on him, for being so civilised and so forthright. We have lost a fine mind with him going.

    • KhandallaViper 27.4

      “Chauvel said he wished to make public two thoughts he had shared privately with Labour Party Leader David Shearer”

      I would LOVE to the thoughts he that he shared with Shearer that he did not make public….today.

  26. KhandallaViper 28

    “A Party needs both wings to fly”

    Charles Chauvel has made an excellent valedictory speech in Parliament:
    Have a look here. http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/AboutParl/SeeHear/PTV/
    Full text later:

  27. lprent 29

    Test the re-edit 3

  28. FOUR ANTI-CORRUPTION ‘WHISTLE-BLOWERS’ – WILL BE TAKING OUR CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED CORRUPT AUCKLAND COUNCIL ‘COVER-UPS’ DIRECTLY TO THE MAYOR AND ALL COUNCILLORS – 10 AM THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2013:

    Speaking Rights at Public Forum, Governing Body meeting of Auckland Council, Thursday 28 February 2013 have been confirmed for Penny Bright, (and other ‘anti-corruption whistle-blowers’, Grace Haden, Gary Osbourne, and Lisa Prager).

    Time: 10.00am
    Venue: Council Chamber
    Manukau Civic Building
    31-33 Manukau Station Road
    Manukau
    _____________________________________________________________________________

    (25 February 2013)

    Good afternoon Penny

    Your request to be heard in the Public Input section of the 28 February Governing Body meeting at Manukau has been accepted. You will be allocated five minutes in which to make your presentation.

    Should you wish to distribute any material in support of your presentation, please provide 25 copies.

    The Public Input section is at the beginning of the meeting so I would advise that you should be in attendance from 10.00am.

    The Mayor’s Office has noted reference in your request to variously the Serious Fraud Office or fraud. It would be appreciated if you do have concerns in this area to forward them to the relevant authorities via proper formal complaint processes. The Mayor’s Office cautions against making statements that impugn the reputation of individuals in a public forum.

    Regards

    Elaine Stephenson | Democracy Advisor |
    Governance Support I Democracy Services
    Ph 09 301 0101 | DDI 373 6328 | Fax 09 301 0100
    Auckland Council, Level 14, Civic Building,
    1 Greys Ave, Auckland 1142_

    __________________________________________________________

    http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/governingbody/governingbodyag20130228.pdf

    Penny Bright’s subject matter will be: “WHO IS RUNNING AUCKLAND COUNCIL?”

    This is, in my considered opinion, of SIGNIFICANT ‘Public Interest’, and needs to be dealt with by the Governing Body, because it appears that the Auckland Mayor and Councillors are NOT in control of Auckland Council.

    As an ‘Anti-corruption whistle-blower’ – I wish to raise directly with the Mayor and ALL Councillors:

    1) Their statutory duties arising from the NZ Bill of Rights Act 1990; the Local Government Act 2002, and the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987, regarding the lawful rights of citizens to directly communicate with their elected representatives.

    2) I also wish to cover, not only the lack of protection for ‘whistle-blowing’ citizens and ratepayers, trying to raise alleged corrupt ‘conflicts of interest directly with elected representatives, but the attempts by unelected Council staff to ‘block’ this information from getting directly to elected representatives.

    3) Given there is evidence which confirms that the ‘blocking’ / ‘filtering’ of such information, has come directly from the ‘the top’, I also wish to request a ‘Special’ / ‘Extraordinary’ meeting of the CEO Strategy Review Committee, where the actions and performance of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay are reviewed directly by the Mayor and Councillors, who, in my considered opinion, should request independent legal advice from competent, legal professionals who specialise in ‘human rights’ law – unlike – ( in my considered opinion), the current General Counsel for Auckland Council).

    4) For your information, I shall be requesting the attendance of representatives of the NZ Police and Serious Fraud Office (the ‘lead agency’ dealing with alleged corruption) at this, and any subsequent meetings on this matter.

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’.

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OCCUPY-AUCKLAND-APPEAL-APPLICATION-BY-APPELLANT-BRIGHT-TO-ADDUCE-NEW-EVIDENCE-pdf.pdf

    (2013 Auckland Mayoral Candidate).

  29. THURSDAY 28 FEBRUARLY 2013 – LAST DAY FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT REFORM BILL!

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/SC/MakeSub/2/4/d/50SCLGE_SCF_00DBHOH_BILL11932_1-Resource-Management-Reform-Bill.htm

    (Thanks for the ‘heads up’ Mels! )

    Penny Bright

  30. Naki nark 32

    Awesome speech by Mr David Cunliffe about generations and fairness. I hope Trevor watches it. Real Labour.

    http://inthehouse.co.nz/node/17360

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
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    1 day ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
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    1 day ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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