A creativity competition – to start the day with both humor and a bit of financial meat.
Please excuse my legal terms, but are the folk here aware of the orthodox or neo-liberal octopusy of dildos that blocks all innovation around fiscal and financial control? (Well covered in the book “The FIRE Economy”)
Who has the most creative excuse for “Emergency Powers” for our next Minister of Finance?
(Sorry, but this is the only realistic way we can save the country – the otherwise required changes to the labyrinth of Finanical and Fiscal Acts would take decades.)
“Tsunami from falling house prices.” Seems the most obvious. But requires QE to finally implode, or hit the wall in the European Courts. But lets not risk that slow death and warming wars. Lets think quick.
How about this?
“Loss of photosynthesis leads to agricultural collapse, as house prices block the sun!”
“The new Govt declares a national disaster and emergency powers are handed to the new Minister of Finance, Gareth Huges! A break through in NZ politics, creating the first every fully tele-scripted ministerial position. A team of real economics hide in bunkers and gently guide house prices in for landing”
(We could also give the Finance Minister the secondary roll of Minister of Beach Cricket, which they could safely manage from the Bay of Islands.)
Ecoterrorism is the obvious scare claim for the flailing right – grants them extraordinary powers and demonizes the part of the left that really frightens them.
A wise warning Stu, but hope you’re not hinting that I’m flat-earth and fascism – Riddle me this:
Fly around a globe East,
Return from the West, right?
Fly around our globe left,
You return as Roger Douglas, right?
Just values, left on the ground,
The plane never took flight.
How shall Ardern’s values take their flight?
Financial innovation, but that’s out of her sight?
Coming in on a Westerly, not politically from the right.
It’s values-based centre,
That’s due to take flight,
Around this globe,
Even in the dark of night.
Bennett is my first pick too Ed. There’s been rumours floating around about her solo mum days for a long time now. And here we are only 4 weeks out from an election and the Deputy PM seems to have gone to ground.
I have come to the conclusion that the mention of Royal Flush, in the context of “explosive convulsions” in this election so far, is a reference to adding to the collection of party leaders who have stepped down. i.e.
I guess it depends on how much he was overpaid by. From 2010 to 2017 is a seven year period, so it could be a fair bit of money he was overpaid by WINZ. Newshub broke the news, link below …
From reading the item Peters didn’t seem too happy about being contacted by media and at first more or less told the journalist he wasn’t going to discuss it at the present time. Then decided (probably after a few words with his spin doctor) to contact the media himself and give ‘his side’ of the story.
You’d think, being in his position, Peters would be fully aware of what his super payments should be. After all, most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight!
According to Newshub the story is still unfolding … “more to come.”
Be interesting what is released tomorrow, whether or not this is the #motherofallscandals, or there is something else out there!
Agree.
The Winnie thing plays straight to the nats- the greens on the ropes, any hit to nz first in terms of votes likely go to national, and labour runs out of running mates.
Dirty politics 101.
Fortunately looks like a pretty lame ” scandal” so far. Desperation?
Most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight. Most super recipients don’t get what Winston gets by automatic payment from Parliament.
Many super recipients would have the money go into their bank account and never check, it started, it keeps going in, it happens and keeps happening. And, I’d proffer, a lot have an idea of ‘sort of’ how much it is but the actual amount they wouldn’t know.
A lot getting super are on the bones of their arse and know about every dollar. For a helluva lot it’s just money going in.
Is Nationals modus operandi to neglect our country and our people, and then come election time to offer solutions to the problems they have created in the first place?
Cause that’s what it’s been feeling like these last few weeks.
How about yesterday when National were giving labour a hard time about their health announcements… oh they are copying us… ummm pot, kettle, black, much?
In the last forty years I’ve never seen an election like this one.
How about David Tua proudly standing behind Jacinda showing his support yesterday, and the masses of people that came out to see her, support her and hear her speak? Wow!!!
How about those close up camera angles of Bill in Queenstown as he attempted to offer some bait of freedom camper rule changes?
Close up camera angles so as not to reveal the lack of supporters around him (all I saw were a few of his Mp’s) and a young lady in the background.
Wonder what will happen on the election campaign trails today?
Yes, lots of photos showing barely anyone (apart from Nat MPs and the (press) at the National campaign launches.
Is their campaign just a PR photo shoot?
Announcing hike in Great walk fees.
I count 4 and it looks like none are regular punters.
It would be good to do a thread on the levels of support Bill is getting.
A few more journalists and witnesses should take photos from different angles so we see truth not the pr….
You might get your wish. According to the young gnats facebook page Paula Bennett wants to be Deputy Prime “Minster.”
Religion and the gnats – getting together since forever!
We’re back to having religious groups running schools, running homeless shelters, providing religious brainwashing in state schools, providing parenting courses, etc.
Won’t be long til they are running poorhouses, orphanages and homes for unmarried mothers!
For people who don’t pay tax they sure take a lot of it.
Wonder how they got their hands on Sir Ed’s property? He probably donated it to charity, as he was a pretty staunch Labour supporter.
A Citizen for Rowling, no less.
lol that reporting was from Claire Trevett. Don’t believe all that you read, Alwyn. Labour’s launch had Town Hall and Concert chamber at full capacity (2,000 according to wiki), Q theatre full (capacity between 350 to 450), plus overflow in downstairs of Q theatre (200 people, at a guess).
“Mōrena_Can @matuashane win the National safe seat of Whangarei? We’ve got the results of our #NZQandA @ColmarBruntonNZ snap poll” https://twitter.com/NZQandA
At least 2 Australian tries were against the run of play. The intercept and the one from the base of an Australian scrum that collapsed so fast the NZ defence lost shape. So always felt NZ were likely to win though Wallabies played well in the 2nd half. Overall pretty ugly and error-riddled I thought. Personally looking forward to summer and Kane piling on the runs agains WI and England. New Labour government in place by then too so it will be “all good”.
Hmm, it’s a toughie, the tax dodging thug who leaves most of the women in his life bloodied, beaten and afraid for their lives versus the loud mouthed Irishman…..nah not my thing. But you go right ahead Jimmie, spend your forty bucks and who knows, you might even crack a Connor….
Imagine bragging that a 28 year old went 10 rounds with a 40 year old who retired 2 years ago #MayweathervMcgregor— New Whip In Avi🙏 (@PrimeCarmelo) August 27, 2017
My goodness, the Labour Party vote in Whangarei has increased dramatically from last election – according to Colmar-Brunton Poll on Q & A this morning. Last election it was about 14% – now its risen to 37% with the Nat Party vote at 41%. (NZF 16%).
The sitting Nat MP still has a striking majority poll – 42%, with Shane Jones at 24% and Labour’s Tony Savage at 22%.
I think Mr Jones will have to put a deal more work in to catch up with Shane Reti.
Yes, the party vote is very interesting in that snap poll.
2014 had nats on 50ish and labour under 20.
Today it shows 41 to 37. Not a bad sounder in a safe? blue seat.
My only worry about this election is that people who really lean Green will get swept up in JA’s charisma and vote Labour such that the Greens don’t get 5%. This is unlikely I know (the Greens have polled over 10% for 6 years) but if this happened it would doom us to a coalition with Winston.
A progressive government needs the Greens, and the way things are going it is entirely feasible that Labour 40 Greens 8 could be the result enabling just these 2 parties to form a government.
Q & A tended to focus on the candidate vote in this poll which is what they do I guess. But I thought the Party Vote numbers in what has been a safe National seat for a long time are pretty amazing. Ardern has got Labour to within the margin of error with National and Lab+Greens equals National. Imagine what the Party Vote swing is like in seats that Labour tend to do better in.
For good measure here also is the link to original article (translated from French) by Pierre Bourdieu: http://mondediplo.com/1998/12/08bourdieu [it’s not the easiest read]
Utopia of endless exploitation
The essence of neoliberalism
What is neoliberalism? A programme for destroying collective structures which may impede the pure market logic.
Although written in 1998 now, more than ever before, and here in NZ, as much as elsewhere in the so-called developed world, it strengthens the argument that neoliberalism has been and is catastrophic and thus urgent action is required to move away from it as soon and fast as is feasible.
I have another older article, lest we forget the bigger picture.
Green Capitalism: The God That Failed by Richard Smith – Truthout, from 2014 (it’s an old article, but a goodie)
This is not a quick read, but is well worth spending a spare half hour on this review article.
Ardern stated that climate change is her generation’s nuclear issue. If she is serious about this, Labour needs to sort out the intractable problem facing progressive environmentalists/conservationists/survivalists: that of avoiding economic suicide and massive social unrest as humanity switches away from it’s current economic system.
If it is not just political rhetoric from Ardern, then Labour NEEDS the Green Party. Utopian thinking, but my ideal would be that Ardern with the Greens leads the charge in a positive transformative process, that gets replicated across the world. We have had transformative progressive social policies in the past…..why not again now?
A (more) succinct post by George Monbiot Natural Language suggests that there are some (read: environmental) issues that cannot be measured in/by money and that environmental harm & destruction cannot be redeemed by money.
Anybody who suggests or argues differently has an agenda to generate profit at the expense of the environment and ultimately of (human) civilisation; he/she is sui-ecocidal.
Great Monbiot article – thanks for link. Raises lots of interesting questions and thoughts for me.
1. Yes, words matter: how we frame political discourse is important.
2.I think the framing of the term “natural capital” is important, as it couched the debate in the language of business and economics. Businesses and government’s had to pay attention to it. Natural capital brought values to the debate, which were largely ignored prior to that. So Costanza et al did a great service in the 1990s in this regard.
3. Yes, there are limits to natural capital as a useful construct. It is anthropocentric and self serving to humans. Maori value sets and their sharing of those value sets to pakeha are a good example here in NZ of natural capital limitations. (Natural capital is completely inadequate to encompass Maori values, although there is some overlap). We are unique in Aotearoa that we have a rich set of, sometimes competing, values: which make this a great country. Maori tirelessly protect their cultural and spiritual values, and teach the rest of us so much. That needs to be celebrated more, and strengthened at a political level.
4. Monbiot says that awe of nature is akin to religion. I agree with that. I think my political belief set is an act of faith, based on my life experiences and how I have come to view the world. I think everyone else’s political leanings are also a belief set, though very few people acknowledge that!….and most people think they are “enlightened”, “rational” and correct in their political belief. All I know is that we all are wrong. There are no absolutes. Science, knowledge and understanding proves us wrong, time and time again.
5.I find the cognitive/behavioural theories fascinating; particularly how we revert from an individualistic and selfish neoliberal system to a more collective, common good. I think Lin Ostrom did a huge service in this regard, again, as she brought it to the economic and business debate.
Whew! A lot of thoughts from the succinct article! Thanks
It is really a blog/book review of What about Me? The Struggle for Identity in a Market-based Society, a book written by Paul Verhaeghe. [BTW, he’s Belgium, not Dutch]
I support Death taxes because whom needs money when one is dead well maybe if one is cryogenically frozen. And the theory works in the future then one would need money after death. Obama backed Death taxes as they would not put a strain on our elderly citizens. like I have said before don’t pick on the elderly as $370.00 a week in tuppence .
Our elderly s peoples health are slowly deteriorating there eye sights mobility e.c.t.
We need to give death tax a name that is not so scary. Most of our elderly want to contribute more to have a better society. But not when they need there money the most.!!!!!!!!!!
I support U.B.I as with the technology that is coming to us rapidly most jobs will be obsolete driving checkout staff lawyers planners e.c.t. Because of this fact I will encouraging my Moko,s to become computer coders as this industry is a safer bet to be around longer than most other jobs.
And with the U.B.I IT would level out the employment advantages that foreign workers have over our local work force and encourage our youth to work and pass a work culture on to our children / moko. I want to see a government that taxes large multinational company’s and not put this issue in the to hard to achieve basket.
A government that takes on all these issues that we have to make our society fair and human for everyone that lives in New Zealand
It struck me while musing on the All Black victory how that chimes with the rise of the Labour Party under Ardern. Down 17 Nil and to come back and then with a bit of smart passing score the winning try, taking the lead just before the final whistle.
To refuse to take the easy penalties but to always stay positive and believing, playing for good field position, possession and the chance to score tries.
And to recognise the positive role of the leader, in re-energising the team and supporters, in staying focussed and with quiet but evident authority playing the game to the rules and in true spirit of sportsmanship.
Notice also that the opposition were not bagged but given due praise for their contribution.
And finally, to note that the opposition failed because their kicking game (for that part of the analogy read “attack ads”) kept hitting the posts and not going over the bar.
Sure hands, tackling the problems squarely, fairly and head on, few infringements, capable substitutions, self-belief, a good game plan and ability to react to adversity and to adapt.
I knew this prick was a bad hombre but I didn’t realise just how awful he is.
We've been covering Joe Arpaio for more than 20 years. Here's a couple of things you should know about him… 1/many— PhoenixNewTimes (@phoenixnewtimes) August 26, 2017
My first law-related experience was as a lowly intern in DOJ civil rights division in 2008. They were on the case of this dude Joe Arpaio.— Jay Willis (@jaywillis) August 26, 2017
..and JJ on the larger picture – succor to extremists.
The pardon of Joe Arpaio is wrong. The guy violated the 4th Amend repeatedly & shat on our judicial system. But there's another problem. 1/— JJ MacNab (@jjmacnab) August 26, 2017
The longer Trump uses ethnic division stories as his primary political fuel, the more he crushes Democrat capacity of switching core narratives back to wages, labour, education, and tax as core Democrat issues.
Trump is touring Arizona – and soon Texas – to prepare his 2020 run for the White House, one electoral college vote at a time.
What he needs is more Charlottevilles, more Arpaios, more stories that assist in grouping poor and middle class white together, against poor minorities. That eradicates any Democrat discussion of class mobility.
When’s the last time we heard about the Democrat re-start of issues important to them?
Trump may be down, but every state he visits, he shows he’s not out and he’s damn smart.
Trevor Noah is funny about the theatrical bits, but really weak on “the other half of the Presidency: governance”.
Trump is doing substantive though unseen things without Congress or the Senate – because Like Obama he can’t trust them.
The big key to Trump’s substantive governance record is to be a superior marketer: if you get 10% of what you’ve promised, you’ve won big because you promised big. Obama’s gradualist approach was the opposite.
I am not yet sure who will be more effective after two terms: Obama or Trump. Trump is already going to leave a legacy in which the White House is absorbed into the Pentagon, submerged into commercial benefits of corporations, and no longer has any diplomatic power. Those are all big changes from the scandal-free and highly disciplined Obama White House.
Trump’s other big legacy may well be to accelerate the permanent eclipse of the tv MSM, and the rise of web discourse as most powerful messenger in US life.
Oh FFS! This is governance??
It’s simply pandering to the gun lobbying, red neck, xenophobic, racist, dipsticks who unfortunately constitute around 30% of the US population.
As he will soon fail to deliver anything to them, through failing to build his “beautiful” wall, failing to deliver his “beautiful” health plan (for which they will pay nothing and receive free medication and health care), failing to deliver more higher paying jobs (as the US economy collapses in around a months time because the administration runs out of money), and failing on just about everything else to deliver a more caring society; even these slow learners will eventually wake up to the fact that they have elected the most incompetent blowhard that it is possible to imagine. He couldn’t govern his way out of a paper bag! He hasn’t spoken to Mitch in weeks –
and the last time they spoke on the phone it was according to reports rather heated.
Even the Republicans are now circling. It will only take 17 Republican Senators to wake up to the fact that their election chances are rapidly eroding, and that he is doing unconscionable damage to the country and his impeachment will occur.
We don’t have to like it, and certainly the Republicans don’t like it.
But here’s the thing. Trump could deliver absolutely nothing except a sky-wide shit-rainbow of failures and he could turn the trick into his own personal victimhood. Kinda “Mr Smith Goes To Washington” for the Dukes of Hazzard set.
Think as if you were preparing his 2020 campaign bid by electoral college votes:
– Signal to the northern states that you will approve any pipeline or pastoral lease or mine they want.
– Signal to the central east that you respect their culture (Charleston), and will keep as many coal mines going as possible (Kentucky)
– Signal to the south that you will protect the dominant race (Arpaio + Wall)
– Signal to the New York and Atlanta tv elites that you will neutralize them with unprecedented offense
– Isolate the remaining California and north-east states.
There you have the preparation to harvest those electoral college votes, just like last time.
Yes I can see what he is doing with his campaign rallies as well as you Ad – but you overlook the fact that he is leaking support by the day. http://www.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
Furthermore, Impeachment gets closer by the day. The current Grand Juries focus on Flynn, Manafort, Trump Jnr, and Krushner. While they have been given the signal to say nothing with this unspeakable “Pardon”, were he then to Pardon one of these, we can rest assured all hell will break loose, and strengthen the resolve of many conservatives who value their constitution.
Furthermore, the recent departures of Bannon and Gorka represent a loss of Alt Right influence in the White House (which will disappoint many of the lunatic fringe). And now that Chief of Staff Kelly will personally supervise all correspondence that goes across Trump’s desk we can hopefully expect less scatter brained and many times contradictory pronouncements to delight the red neck masses.
Interestingly in the last few days Trump’s job approval rating is below 40% in three key states that won him the White House. Six-in-10 voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin also say Trump’s conduct as president has embarrassed them. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/new-polls-show-trump-s-presidency-stands-perilous-ground-n794436
“Deep-pocketed donors, mostly wealthy Chinese business leaders, filtered through the doors after 6pm for one of National’s more lavish fundraising dinners and auctions.”
”
A Chinese community leader said such appearances would hold enormous prestige within the culture.
“The implied Chinese business culture is around guanxi, which means relationship. Whoever won that dinner would be highly regarded because they hold a special bond with New Zealand Prime Minister.””
Which party has the strictest policy on political donations?
Whilst there are some Chinese values I would not mind to see figuring more prominently in New Zealand life – respecting and taking care of the elderly, and respect for education, for just two examples – the purchasing of influence this describes is just pernicious.
Using piles of dosh to cosy up to the big man in the village does not benefit the general public.
It is a tradition we can do without. No thanks. Keep it in China.
Yip,
so the next govt needs to call “The Housing Crisis is a National Disaster” and give emergency power to a Finance Minister, to go around the octopus of Financial Acts.
Bomber’s been working on a story for 8 months? That’d be going back to about when John Key resigned – and Bomber reckoned the media weren’t looking at the Panama Papers as the reason – and should have been.
Gee that newshub piece on the Nats education gambit today with the back and forth between English and Kaye looked pretty shit. Not the first time in this campaign he’s hesitated and deferred to the relevant minister.
“The environment, already a hot topic in this election, will be the greatest policy challenge for the next government, writes Rod Oram…..”
“There is a clear party-political divide on these three biggest environmental issues of climate, water and legislation:
On one side, National is arguing for more of the same that has got us into this mess, while ACT wants wholesale abandonment of even those measures, and NZ First has a hodgepodge of contradictory policies.
On the other side, Labour, the Greens and The Opportunities Party clearly articulate the challenges, are ambitious for change and have substantial policies to deliver on the strategy the OECD advised in March in its 10-year review of our environmental performance:
“Developing a long-term vision for a transition towards a low-carbon, greener economy would help New Zealand defend the ‘green’ reputation it has acquired at an international level.”
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Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eric Stokan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland, Baltimore County If you live in one of the most economically deprived neighborhoods in your city, you might think the government is directing a smaller share of public funds to your community. ...
Wansolwara The news media’s crucial role in climate change and environment journalism was the focus of The University of the South Pacific’s Journalism Programme 2024 World Press Freedom Day celebrations. The European Union Ambassador to the Pacific, Barbara Plinkert, and Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna were the chief ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Adams, Professor of Corporate Law & Academic Director of UNE Sydney campus, University of New England Last August, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) launched legal proceedings against Qantas. The consumer watchdog accused the airline of selling thousands of tickets ...
This episode of A View From Afar was recorded LIVE on May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, May 5, 2024 at 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Taylor, Assistant Professor, Bond University Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures At the crux of the critical response to Luca Guadagnino’s new movie Challengers is one word: “sexy”. The film charts a love triangle between three up-and-coming tennis players: Tashi (Zendaya), ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jenny Stewart, Professor of Public Policy, ADFA Canberra, UNSW Sydney For years, First Nations people have been telling governments they want to be listened to. In particular, they want more ownership of the programs and services that are supposed to help them. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Why do trees have bark? Julien, age 6, Melbourne. This is a great question, Julien. We are so familiar with bark on trees, that most of us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Nasser, Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy, University of Technology Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an important ligament in the knee. It runs from the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps stabilise ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne I covered the May 2 United Kingdom local government elections for The Poll Bludger. The Blackpool South parliamentary byelection was also held, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Grant-Smith, Professor of Management, University of the Sunshine Coast The federal government has announced a “Commonwealth Prac Payment” to support selected groups of students doing mandatory work placements. Those who are studying to be a teacher, nurse, midwife or social ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love a dark comedy: Bodkin (Netflix, May 9)An English podcaster, an Irish podcaster and American podcaster walk into a pub and…make a TV show? ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
How worried should we be about the cloud? This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. I currently have a few thousand unread emails languishing in my inbox, mostly old marketing newsletters and piles of unread science journal press releases. I have a similar number ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies, Northern State University Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian governments not only have to deal with the virus but also with the false ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Murakami Wood, Professor of Critical Surveillance and Securities Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa The skyline of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.(Shutterstock) There is a long history of planned city building by both governments ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment of ...
The Boil Up’s Lucinda Bennett considers the oyster – from freshness to pearls to the joy of shucking your own. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. In Carmen Maria Machado’s short story ‘Eight Bites’, a woman begins her last supper before bariatric surgery with “a cavalcade ...
Asia Pacific Report A group of 65 Auckland University academics have written an open letter to vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater criticising the institution’s stance over students protesting in solidarity with Palestine. They have called on her administration to “support” the students who were denied permission to establish an “overnight encampment” by ...
The Student Volunteer Army is on the march, generating approximately 1.6 million hours of volunteering from roughly 35,000 secondary school students in just five years. For Rebekah Brown, the pathway to volunteering started with her singing coach. With a passion for the arts, the suggestion to volunteer at Acting Antics, ...
Keeping up with online communication can be exhausting, so Fran Barclay enlisted the help of Meta’s new ‘intelligent assistant’ to respond to all her messages. Could her mates tell the difference? For centuries, technology has ruled the ways in which we communicate. From the dawn of written language, to the ...
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong Fifty years ago, Australian feminist Anne Summers denounced “the ideology of sexism” governing over so many women’s lives. Unfortunately, sexism is as lethal today as it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, UNSW Sydney There’s a good reason your local volunteer-run netball club doesn’t pay tax. In Australia, various nonprofit organisations are exempt from paying income tax, including those that do charitable work, such as churches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Deller, Casual Academic, Creative Writing and English Literature, Flinders University NetflixComedy is opening up spaces for silences to be broken and trauma stories to be told. In 2018, Hannah Gadsby started a revolution with Nanette, asking audiences to rethink ...
The workplace can be a minefield of bad comms and passive aggression. Kinksters can help you navigate it. A friend and colleague recently gave me a compliment I loved. They told me I’d always been good at emotional communication and making people feel comfortable. “But I feel like it’s really ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
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A creativity competition – to start the day with both humor and a bit of financial meat.
Please excuse my legal terms, but are the folk here aware of the orthodox or neo-liberal octopusy of dildos that blocks all innovation around fiscal and financial control? (Well covered in the book “The FIRE Economy”)
Who has the most creative excuse for “Emergency Powers” for our next Minister of Finance?
(Sorry, but this is the only realistic way we can save the country – the otherwise required changes to the labyrinth of Finanical and Fiscal Acts would take decades.)
“Tsunami from falling house prices.” Seems the most obvious. But requires QE to finally implode, or hit the wall in the European Courts. But lets not risk that slow death and warming wars. Lets think quick.
How about this?
“Loss of photosynthesis leads to agricultural collapse, as house prices block the sun!”
“The new Govt declares a national disaster and emergency powers are handed to the new Minister of Finance, Gareth Huges! A break through in NZ politics, creating the first every fully tele-scripted ministerial position. A team of real economics hide in bunkers and gently guide house prices in for landing”
(We could also give the Finance Minister the secondary roll of Minister of Beach Cricket, which they could safely manage from the Bay of Islands.)
Ecoterrorism is the obvious scare claim for the flailing right – grants them extraordinary powers and demonizes the part of the left that really frightens them.
A wise warning Stu, but hope you’re not hinting that I’m flat-earth and fascism – Riddle me this:
Fly around a globe East,
Return from the West, right?
Fly around our globe left,
You return as Roger Douglas, right?
Just values, left on the ground,
The plane never took flight.
How shall Ardern’s values take their flight?
Financial innovation, but that’s out of her sight?
Coming in on a Westerly, not politically from the right.
It’s values-based centre,
That’s due to take flight,
Around this globe,
Even in the dark of night.
This looks intriguing from Tim Murphy at Newsroom.
‘Turns out those who said this mad election had one more explosive convulsion to come weren’t wrong. Could be soon. #motherofallscandals’
https://twitter.com/tmurphyNZ/status/901252037165277184
Dang! I know the newsroom stories are usually published around 7am week days online.
Cheers for the link/info Ed, roll on monday morning
Just to knock a few things on the head, Murphy has ruled out a sex scandal, or that it’s about Todd Barclay.
Bennett?
is a potential royal flush …suggests a high group….cabinet?
Lorde appointed GG?
Nick Smith addicted to “truth serum”.
A royal flush is also a winning hand.
And a gang who are ordered about be The Joker..far more likely than a card reference when applied to politics
No jokers in five card stud, nor Texas hold’em for that matter.
All this speculation is like trying to stab serendipity in the dark.
And why the assumptions that it is scandal on the Right. Nats have a deep wallet to dig deep in dark places
Bennett is my first pick too Ed. There’s been rumours floating around about her solo mum days for a long time now. And here we are only 4 weeks out from an election and the Deputy PM seems to have gone to ground.
She was front and centre today. Telling everyone that Labour do not have the experience to be in Cabinet. Flash back to 2008 Paula
If it is about Bennett as a beneficiary it will make me sad. Cos Key and others, including Bennett have done far worse as Cab members and survived.
Well said.
I’d pick Bennett too, but only because she’s never been this quiet. Either that or some financial insider trading that nobody will be able to follow.
If it is Bennett I hope its over quickly.
Someone actually told me that they reckoned if National got rid of Paula Bennett they would do a lot better in the coming election.
Nats dug dirt on Left?
Maybe why John Key resigned and others involved.
One more sleep until the #motherofallscandals
Any ideas?
Nothing more than what others have mentioned. I’ll wait.
Nat’s top table (tax fraud, funding fraud, dirty politics, cash-for-policies, surveillance scams, etc); Kingmaker NZ First; Kingitanga?; gambling; collateral damage as in involvement in foreign wars.
Assuming it damages the National Party, that is.
Hmmm… yes. An alternative might be NZ First – some party gaining by the loss of GP, UF, and NZF leaders….? And something to do with gambling.
Another alternative is that it damages the Greens or Labour and/or National, the Greens and Labour or any combination of the above.
The Mother of All [political election] Scandals probably has to involve the government in some way, but who cares? We’ll find out soon enough.
We will find out soon enough.
I have come to the conclusion that the mention of Royal Flush, in the context of “explosive convulsions” in this election so far, is a reference to adding to the collection of party leaders who have stepped down. i.e.
Key, Turei, Little, Dunne…. and?
And possibly to do with racing or gambling.
Paula?
National’s phone call to the Russians, in search of election influence in the face of sliding polls, was busted?
@ Ed (2.4.1)
Could it be this I wonder, which is just breaking on Newshub? Peters being overpaid superannuation. More to come I believe.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/winston-peters-admits-being-overpaid-on-superannuation.html
If so that was a waste of a good build up
can’t be this…could hardly be classed as an “explosive convulsion”
English
Away…
Not Winnie’s super overpayment? Bit of a fizzer. (royal flush, Winnie king maker)?
@ Keepcalmcarryon … (2.6)
I guess it depends on how much he was overpaid by. From 2010 to 2017 is a seven year period, so it could be a fair bit of money he was overpaid by WINZ. Newshub broke the news, link below …
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/election/2017/08/winston-peters-admits-being-overpaid-on-superannuation.html
From reading the item Peters didn’t seem too happy about being contacted by media and at first more or less told the journalist he wasn’t going to discuss it at the present time. Then decided (probably after a few words with his spin doctor) to contact the media himself and give ‘his side’ of the story.
You’d think, being in his position, Peters would be fully aware of what his super payments should be. After all, most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight!
According to Newshub the story is still unfolding … “more to come.”
Be interesting what is released tomorrow, whether or not this is the #motherofallscandals, or there is something else out there!
Agree.
The Winnie thing plays straight to the nats- the greens on the ropes, any hit to nz first in terms of votes likely go to national, and labour runs out of running mates.
Dirty politics 101.
Fortunately looks like a pretty lame ” scandal” so far. Desperation?
Most super recipients know what they are paid each fortnight. Most super recipients don’t get what Winston gets by automatic payment from Parliament.
Many super recipients would have the money go into their bank account and never check, it started, it keeps going in, it happens and keeps happening. And, I’d proffer, a lot have an idea of ‘sort of’ how much it is but the actual amount they wouldn’t know.
A lot getting super are on the bones of their arse and know about every dollar. For a helluva lot it’s just money going in.
That twitter feed is hilarious btw
Is Nationals modus operandi to neglect our country and our people, and then come election time to offer solutions to the problems they have created in the first place?
Cause that’s what it’s been feeling like these last few weeks.
How about yesterday when National were giving labour a hard time about their health announcements… oh they are copying us… ummm pot, kettle, black, much?
In the last forty years I’ve never seen an election like this one.
How about David Tua proudly standing behind Jacinda showing his support yesterday, and the masses of people that came out to see her, support her and hear her speak? Wow!!!
How about those close up camera angles of Bill in Queenstown as he attempted to offer some bait of freedom camper rule changes?
Close up camera angles so as not to reveal the lack of supporters around him (all I saw were a few of his Mp’s) and a young lady in the background.
Wonder what will happen on the election campaign trails today?
Yes, lots of photos showing barely anyone (apart from Nat MPs and the (press) at the National campaign launches.
Is their campaign just a PR photo shoot?
Announcing hike in Great walk fees.
I count 4 and it looks like none are regular punters.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIB5pHWU0AAI5Vm.jpg
In Christchurch announcing stadium rebuild.
I count about 30 and it looks like none are regular punters.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DH9VYx6UwAAW6E5.jpg
In Pukekohe announcing next steps in NZs trade agenda at a factory.
I count 0.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DHyo4ZOU0AEB0O_.jpg
And another tiny group of supporters for English
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIDQKIgV0AAf5D3.jpg
Thanks for the photo links Ed.
I wonder when NZ media will start stating the obvious… a handful of people turned out to hear Bills latest announcement.
Am really interested in the turnout at skycity this afternoon.
It would be good to do a thread on the levels of support Bill is getting.
A few more journalists and witnesses should take photos from different angles so we see truth not the pr….
Were the people commenting here really at the same place Bill was?
Audrey Young seems to have seen a lot of people listening to him.
“English made the announcement to a rally of at least 2500 people at Henderson in West Auckland today.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11912050
Why that is a lot more than Jacinda Arden managed isn’t it?
“The campaign was attended by more than 1000 people”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11907698
Great, with such a huge crowd there is bound to be lots of photos showing Bill with his 2500 supporters. Or not.
Give me that old time religion
Tis the old time religion,
Tis the old time religion,
And it’s good enough for me.
It will do when I am dying.
It will do when I am dying.
It will do when I am dying.
And it’s good enough for me
/
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DIM9cClVYAE56kT.jpg:large
You might get your wish. According to the young gnats facebook page Paula Bennett wants to be Deputy Prime “Minster.”
Religion and the gnats – getting together since forever!
We’re back to having religious groups running schools, running homeless shelters, providing religious brainwashing in state schools, providing parenting courses, etc.
Won’t be long til they are running poorhouses, orphanages and homes for unmarried mothers!
For people who don’t pay tax they sure take a lot of it.
On the stump no-one turns up.
And here is their support.
Money.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96019247/national-party-auctions-off-ice-axe-signed-by-sir-edmund-hillary-to-raise-funds-for-campaign
Wonder how they got their hands on Sir Ed’s property? He probably donated it to charity, as he was a pretty staunch Labour supporter.
A Citizen for Rowling, no less.
Replica. Someone will have bought it and then donated it but Nats want peeps to think Sir Ed supports them from beyond the grave?
lol that reporting was from Claire Trevett. Don’t believe all that you read, Alwyn. Labour’s launch had Town Hall and Concert chamber at full capacity (2,000 according to wiki), Q theatre full (capacity between 350 to 450), plus overflow in downstairs of Q theatre (200 people, at a guess).
Alwyn believes Trevett and the other media shills.
They must have used GPS to find their way to Henderson…
agree
The only support which counts is the support on election day. If the ‘on the ground’ support evident translates to votes, that would be good.
You won’t get a throng cheering and yelling and want to hug David Seymour, but the Epsomites will vote for him in their hordes.
The nat minders really should try and get Mary out of the shot, but maybe not…
Captions please
Just like Trumps crowd ?.
Nice article – interview with JA and some good questions/answers around some Māori angles – Kia ora Dale.
https://e-tangata.co.nz/news/jacinda-lofty-goals-and-small-town-values
“Mōrena_Can @matuashane win the National safe seat of Whangarei? We’ve got the results of our #NZQandA @ColmarBruntonNZ snap poll”
https://twitter.com/NZQandA
On Q+A this morning… live stream link, starts at 9am
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/live-stream-q-a-q15157?autoPlay=4362722438001
Twyford is comprehensively winning the debate over housing on Q&A.
Awesome
An amazing game of rugby last night with the win against the wallabies. And then the black ferns beating England.
Now for the big fight today.
Great weekend of sport for those of us who enjoy it.
Always hate to agree with you James, but that was the best game of rugby I have ever seen.
+1
At least 2 Australian tries were against the run of play. The intercept and the one from the base of an Australian scrum that collapsed so fast the NZ defence lost shape. So always felt NZ were likely to win though Wallabies played well in the 2nd half. Overall pretty ugly and error-riddled I thought. Personally looking forward to summer and Kane piling on the runs agains WI and England. New Labour government in place by then too so it will be “all good”.
Hmm, it’s a toughie, the tax dodging thug who leaves most of the women in his life bloodied, beaten and afraid for their lives versus the loud mouthed Irishman…..nah not my thing. But you go right ahead Jimmie, spend your forty bucks and who knows, you might even crack a Connor….
/
A bunch of wealthy WASPs watching a black man and an Irishman bash the crap our of each other.
Seems a bit Mandingo-ish to me.
And that weigh-in ceremony felt like homo-erotic porn to me.
They should make the whole show – fighters, ref, and crowd clothes free and cut the pretense imo – not sure what sort it is but it is porn.
You getting excited about seeing more of these guys?
And again, the interwebs don’t disappoint.
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
https://twitter.com/hashtag/MayweathervMcgregor
My goodness, the Labour Party vote in Whangarei has increased dramatically from last election – according to Colmar-Brunton Poll on Q & A this morning. Last election it was about 14% – now its risen to 37% with the Nat Party vote at 41%. (NZF 16%).
The sitting Nat MP still has a striking majority poll – 42%, with Shane Jones at 24% and Labour’s Tony Savage at 22%.
I think Mr Jones will have to put a deal more work in to catch up with Shane Reti.
Yes, the party vote is very interesting in that snap poll.
2014 had nats on 50ish and labour under 20.
Today it shows 41 to 37. Not a bad sounder in a safe? blue seat.
Wow….that is some % change.
My only worry about this election is that people who really lean Green will get swept up in JA’s charisma and vote Labour such that the Greens don’t get 5%. This is unlikely I know (the Greens have polled over 10% for 6 years) but if this happened it would doom us to a coalition with Winston.
A progressive government needs the Greens, and the way things are going it is entirely feasible that Labour 40 Greens 8 could be the result enabling just these 2 parties to form a government.
Yep. The issue now is to get the GP vote as high as possible – especially to counter the NZ First vote.
I hope Shane Jones loses. I do not want to see him an influential player in relation to a Labour-led government.
Particularly given his apparent relationship with Talley. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96106426/Fishing-company-Talleys-bankrolling-Shane-Jones-NZ-First-campaign?
Whangarei
2017 CB Poll … 2014 Party Vote
Labour 37% …… 18% … + 19
Greens 4% ………10% … – 6
L+G 41% ………… 28% … + 13
NZF 16% …………13% … + 3
Oppo 57% ….…..41% … + 16
Nat 41% ….…….. 50% … – 9
Other 2% ….….…. 9% … – 7
Nat +
Other 43% ..……. 59% … – 16
( Other largely Right Bloc – Govt)
Q & A tended to focus on the candidate vote in this poll which is what they do I guess. But I thought the Party Vote numbers in what has been a safe National seat for a long time are pretty amazing. Ardern has got Labour to within the margin of error with National and Lab+Greens equals National. Imagine what the Party Vote swing is like in seats that Labour tend to do better in.
While the election campaign is in full swing and the Jacinda Tsunami and poll storms are battering the country I look for solace in places elsewhere.
I found this very good blog post on The essence of neoliberalism
http://thoughtleader.co.za/bertolivier/2017/06/04/the-essence-of-neoliberalism/
For good measure here also is the link to original article (translated from French) by Pierre Bourdieu: http://mondediplo.com/1998/12/08bourdieu [it’s not the easiest read]
Although written in 1998 now, more than ever before, and here in NZ, as much as elsewhere in the so-called developed world, it strengthens the argument that neoliberalism has been and is catastrophic and thus urgent action is required to move away from it as soon and fast as is feasible.
I have another older article, lest we forget the bigger picture.
Green Capitalism: The God That Failed by Richard Smith – Truthout, from 2014 (it’s an old article, but a goodie)
This is not a quick read, but is well worth spending a spare half hour on this review article.
Ardern stated that climate change is her generation’s nuclear issue. If she is serious about this, Labour needs to sort out the intractable problem facing progressive environmentalists/conservationists/survivalists: that of avoiding economic suicide and massive social unrest as humanity switches away from it’s current economic system.
If it is not just political rhetoric from Ardern, then Labour NEEDS the Green Party. Utopian thinking, but my ideal would be that Ardern with the Greens leads the charge in a positive transformative process, that gets replicated across the world. We have had transformative progressive social policies in the past…..why not again now?
Ido not hold your bteath. Thanks for the links
A brilliant albeit very long read, thank you.
A (more) succinct post by George Monbiot Natural Language suggests that there are some (read: environmental) issues that cannot be measured in/by money and that environmental harm & destruction cannot be redeemed by money.
Anybody who suggests or argues differently has an agenda to generate profit at the expense of the environment and ultimately of (human) civilisation; he/she is sui-ecocidal.
Great Monbiot article – thanks for link. Raises lots of interesting questions and thoughts for me.
1. Yes, words matter: how we frame political discourse is important.
2.I think the framing of the term “natural capital” is important, as it couched the debate in the language of business and economics. Businesses and government’s had to pay attention to it. Natural capital brought values to the debate, which were largely ignored prior to that. So Costanza et al did a great service in the 1990s in this regard.
3. Yes, there are limits to natural capital as a useful construct. It is anthropocentric and self serving to humans. Maori value sets and their sharing of those value sets to pakeha are a good example here in NZ of natural capital limitations. (Natural capital is completely inadequate to encompass Maori values, although there is some overlap). We are unique in Aotearoa that we have a rich set of, sometimes competing, values: which make this a great country. Maori tirelessly protect their cultural and spiritual values, and teach the rest of us so much. That needs to be celebrated more, and strengthened at a political level.
4. Monbiot says that awe of nature is akin to religion. I agree with that. I think my political belief set is an act of faith, based on my life experiences and how I have come to view the world. I think everyone else’s political leanings are also a belief set, though very few people acknowledge that!….and most people think they are “enlightened”, “rational” and correct in their political belief. All I know is that we all are wrong. There are no absolutes. Science, knowledge and understanding proves us wrong, time and time again.
5.I find the cognitive/behavioural theories fascinating; particularly how we revert from an individualistic and selfish neoliberal system to a more collective, common good. I think Lin Ostrom did a huge service in this regard, again, as she brought it to the economic and business debate.
Whew! A lot of thoughts from the succinct article! Thanks
I believe you will like reading this article as well (don’t worry, it’s neither long nor hard): http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/The-stories-in-our-heads/article14985530.ece
It is really a blog/book review of What about Me? The Struggle for Identity in a Market-based Society, a book written by Paul Verhaeghe. [BTW, he’s Belgium, not Dutch]
That moment when you realise you are a neo-flippin’-liberal!! Thanks Incognito (not!). lol.
Another label to add to my anxieties.
I support Death taxes because whom needs money when one is dead well maybe if one is cryogenically frozen. And the theory works in the future then one would need money after death. Obama backed Death taxes as they would not put a strain on our elderly citizens. like I have said before don’t pick on the elderly as $370.00 a week in tuppence .
Our elderly s peoples health are slowly deteriorating there eye sights mobility e.c.t.
We need to give death tax a name that is not so scary. Most of our elderly want to contribute more to have a better society. But not when they need there money the most.!!!!!!!!!!
I support U.B.I as with the technology that is coming to us rapidly most jobs will be obsolete driving checkout staff lawyers planners e.c.t. Because of this fact I will encouraging my Moko,s to become computer coders as this industry is a safer bet to be around longer than most other jobs.
And with the U.B.I IT would level out the employment advantages that foreign workers have over our local work force and encourage our youth to work and pass a work culture on to our children / moko. I want to see a government that taxes large multinational company’s and not put this issue in the to hard to achieve basket.
A government that takes on all these issues that we have to make our society fair and human for everyone that lives in New Zealand
It struck me while musing on the All Black victory how that chimes with the rise of the Labour Party under Ardern. Down 17 Nil and to come back and then with a bit of smart passing score the winning try, taking the lead just before the final whistle.
To refuse to take the easy penalties but to always stay positive and believing, playing for good field position, possession and the chance to score tries.
And to recognise the positive role of the leader, in re-energising the team and supporters, in staying focussed and with quiet but evident authority playing the game to the rules and in true spirit of sportsmanship.
Notice also that the opposition were not bagged but given due praise for their contribution.
And finally, to note that the opposition failed because their kicking game (for that part of the analogy read “attack ads”) kept hitting the posts and not going over the bar.
Sure hands, tackling the problems squarely, fairly and head on, few infringements, capable substitutions, self-belief, a good game plan and ability to react to adversity and to adapt.
My team!
I knew this prick was a bad hombre but I didn’t realise just how awful he is.
https://twitter.com/phoenixnewtimes/status/901263384087334914
that’s a very good twitter thread.
This, too..
https://twitter.com/jaywillis/status/901312778790686721
..and JJ on the larger picture – succor to extremists.
https://twitter.com/jjmacnab/status/901485168900284416
The longer Trump uses ethnic division stories as his primary political fuel, the more he crushes Democrat capacity of switching core narratives back to wages, labour, education, and tax as core Democrat issues.
Trump is touring Arizona – and soon Texas – to prepare his 2020 run for the White House, one electoral college vote at a time.
What he needs is more Charlottevilles, more Arpaios, more stories that assist in grouping poor and middle class white together, against poor minorities. That eradicates any Democrat discussion of class mobility.
When’s the last time we heard about the Democrat re-start of issues important to them?
Trump may be down, but every state he visits, he shows he’s not out and he’s damn smart.
I think this sums him up best:
Trevor Noah is funny about the theatrical bits, but really weak on “the other half of the Presidency: governance”.
Trump is doing substantive though unseen things without Congress or the Senate – because Like Obama he can’t trust them.
The big key to Trump’s substantive governance record is to be a superior marketer: if you get 10% of what you’ve promised, you’ve won big because you promised big. Obama’s gradualist approach was the opposite.
I am not yet sure who will be more effective after two terms: Obama or Trump. Trump is already going to leave a legacy in which the White House is absorbed into the Pentagon, submerged into commercial benefits of corporations, and no longer has any diplomatic power. Those are all big changes from the scandal-free and highly disciplined Obama White House.
Trump’s other big legacy may well be to accelerate the permanent eclipse of the tv MSM, and the rise of web discourse as most powerful messenger in US life.
Oh FFS! This is governance??
It’s simply pandering to the gun lobbying, red neck, xenophobic, racist, dipsticks who unfortunately constitute around 30% of the US population.
As he will soon fail to deliver anything to them, through failing to build his “beautiful” wall, failing to deliver his “beautiful” health plan (for which they will pay nothing and receive free medication and health care), failing to deliver more higher paying jobs (as the US economy collapses in around a months time because the administration runs out of money), and failing on just about everything else to deliver a more caring society; even these slow learners will eventually wake up to the fact that they have elected the most incompetent blowhard that it is possible to imagine. He couldn’t govern his way out of a paper bag! He hasn’t spoken to Mitch in weeks –
and the last time they spoke on the phone it was according to reports rather heated.
Even the Republicans are now circling. It will only take 17 Republican Senators to wake up to the fact that their election chances are rapidly eroding, and that he is doing unconscionable damage to the country and his impeachment will occur.
We don’t have to like it, and certainly the Republicans don’t like it.
But here’s the thing. Trump could deliver absolutely nothing except a sky-wide shit-rainbow of failures and he could turn the trick into his own personal victimhood. Kinda “Mr Smith Goes To Washington” for the Dukes of Hazzard set.
Think as if you were preparing his 2020 campaign bid by electoral college votes:
– Signal to the northern states that you will approve any pipeline or pastoral lease or mine they want.
– Signal to the central east that you respect their culture (Charleston), and will keep as many coal mines going as possible (Kentucky)
– Signal to the south that you will protect the dominant race (Arpaio + Wall)
– Signal to the New York and Atlanta tv elites that you will neutralize them with unprecedented offense
– Isolate the remaining California and north-east states.
There you have the preparation to harvest those electoral college votes, just like last time.
“We don’t have it like that,..”(Ad)
True bro, life is totally different in the Shire. Hobbits do Democracy the honest Kiwi way.
You misquoted.
“We don’t have to like it,”
Yes I can see what he is doing with his campaign rallies as well as you Ad – but you overlook the fact that he is leaking support by the day.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/203198/presidential-approval-ratings-donald-trump.aspx
Furthermore, Impeachment gets closer by the day. The current Grand Juries focus on Flynn, Manafort, Trump Jnr, and Krushner. While they have been given the signal to say nothing with this unspeakable “Pardon”, were he then to Pardon one of these, we can rest assured all hell will break loose, and strengthen the resolve of many conservatives who value their constitution.
Furthermore, the recent departures of Bannon and Gorka represent a loss of Alt Right influence in the White House (which will disappoint many of the lunatic fringe). And now that Chief of Staff Kelly will personally supervise all correspondence that goes across Trump’s desk we can hopefully expect less scatter brained and many times contradictory pronouncements to delight the red neck masses.
Interestingly in the last few days Trump’s job approval rating is below 40% in three key states that won him the White House. Six-in-10 voters in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin also say Trump’s conduct as president has embarrassed them.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/new-polls-show-trump-s-presidency-stands-perilous-ground-n794436
Bannon is much better as a proxy than inside the White House. He can see that.
I’m not convinced Trump will be impeached at all, no matter how good Muller’s case gets.
I agree that he’s not doing well.
It’s just, everyone else (especially any Presidential contenders in either the Republican or Democratic parties) is doing even worse.
This what corruption of our political process looks like
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96019247/national-party-auctions-off-ice-axe-signed-by-sir-edmund-hillary-to-raise-funds-for-campaign
“Deep-pocketed donors, mostly wealthy Chinese business leaders, filtered through the doors after 6pm for one of National’s more lavish fundraising dinners and auctions.”
”
A Chinese community leader said such appearances would hold enormous prestige within the culture.
“The implied Chinese business culture is around guanxi, which means relationship. Whoever won that dinner would be highly regarded because they hold a special bond with New Zealand Prime Minister.””
Which party has the strictest policy on political donations?
Whilst there are some Chinese values I would not mind to see figuring more prominently in New Zealand life – respecting and taking care of the elderly, and respect for education, for just two examples – the purchasing of influence this describes is just pernicious.
Using piles of dosh to cosy up to the big man in the village does not benefit the general public.
It is a tradition we can do without. No thanks. Keep it in China.
At the Labour Party rally in Christchurch at Riccarton Racecourse, starts at 1pm, standing room only and people are outside to watch as well.
Let’s do this!
Policy announcements:
-$300 million fund for capital projects in Chch
-Royal Commission into EQC
-Arbitration Tribunal to resolve the last EQC claims
… And restore full democracy to Environment Canterbury!!
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/338113/labour-pledges-300m-christchurch-rebuild-fund
Great feeling at the meeting – and a large crowd.
Labour/Greens in a landslide on 23rd September!
intent://video/?id=%7B10154942124866452%7D&ref=msite%2F#Intent;scheme=fb;package=com.facebook.katana;end
Is the starting again? Global economic meltdown. Same mistakes being repeated.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-22/provident-financial-ceo-steps-down-on-loss-dividend-scrapped
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/08/26/provident-woes-mount-35m-boss-walks/
Starting? When did it stop? That’s MSM propaganda, bro.
They are buying our houses on 1% interest rates, hello! To stimulate, Mr Growth. Damm de dooo doo dumm.
Michelle Obama murdered Joan Rivers to prevent being outed as transgender!
More loopiness from CV’s favourite investigative journalist. File it alongside child slave camps on Mars and Pizzagate:
https://rdtdaily.com/alex-jones-michelle-obama-penis-may-murdered-joan-rivers/
I never ceased to be amazed that people here were referring to Infowars as a serious source last year.
The trouble is, it is a serious source for a significant minority of US voters – around 30+% it would appear – that and Faux and Fiends.
Joan Rivers cracks a joke and it is taken seriously.
Transsexual or not…Michelle is intelligent, good looking and Obama is a lucky guy.
Jeez they are a loopy lot over there.
That would be a real cracker of a joke as Joan Rivers died almost three years ago.
Lack of housing in this country is scandalous
National launches its 2017 campaign with its core plank: second language teaching.
I am amazed that they failed to signal tax cuts despite the reasonable growth and surplus forecasts.
They won’t break into core Labour policy territory trying to win votes in education.
The government never needs to borrow at interest. In fact, it never needs to borrow at all.
Indeed
Yip,
so the next govt needs to call “The Housing Crisis is a National Disaster” and give emergency power to a Finance Minister, to go around the octopus of Financial Acts.
https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27082017/#comment-1374117
Winston Peters being overpaid superannuation, doesn’t seem to me to be a mother of all scandals.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/politics/winston-peters-reveals-he-was-overpaid-superannuation/
its colin meads funeral tomorrow ,it would not be a scandal to find he had risen either.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/08/27/winston-admits-overpayment-issue-shows-how-easy-it-is-to-get-into-debt/
more scandal to come….
Bomber’s been working on a story for 8 months? That’d be going back to about when John Key resigned – and Bomber reckoned the media weren’t looking at the Panama Papers as the reason – and should have been.
so i also recall…..Bomber has a tendency to oversell however….I don’t know if thats also true of Murphy.
Fizzer? methinks.
Some journos have scandal envy, and don’t want to be last to go public on it.
More than a fizzer – not even a a minor mis-step by Peters.
“More than a fizzer – not even a a minor mis-step by Peters.”
….and why it is hardly credible that it is the scandal referred to by Tim Murphy
Gee that newshub piece on the Nats education gambit today with the back and forth between English and Kaye looked pretty shit. Not the first time in this campaign he’s hesitated and deferred to the relevant minister.
Think piece for this eve…
“The environment, already a hot topic in this election, will be the greatest policy challenge for the next government, writes Rod Oram…..”
“There is a clear party-political divide on these three biggest environmental issues of climate, water and legislation:
On one side, National is arguing for more of the same that has got us into this mess, while ACT wants wholesale abandonment of even those measures, and NZ First has a hodgepodge of contradictory policies.
On the other side, Labour, the Greens and The Opportunities Party clearly articulate the challenges, are ambitious for change and have substantial policies to deliver on the strategy the OECD advised in March in its 10-year review of our environmental performance:
“Developing a long-term vision for a transition towards a low-carbon, greener economy would help New Zealand defend the ‘green’ reputation it has acquired at an international level.”
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/08/26/44728/column-oram
That is a good piece from Rod Oram
I really rate him
Houston TV station livestream –cars submerged, people trapped, rescues underway
edit: oh, and tornado warnings too
edit: floodbanks over topping with four days of rain forecast
http://www.khou.com/weather/houston-weather-forecast/62951506
better youtube stream
Water rising a foot an hour from that feed – shit still plenty to come down. Thanks for the link mate. Good luck to everyone over there.
Aotearoa is a gentle place.