Once there was a proud nation which lead the world in so many ways.
A few to remember …
. first to have all adults voting.
. welfare state to look after its disadvantaged.
. in the vanguard of anti-apartheid movement.
. stopped the atmospheric weapon testing in the Pacific and then championed the anti-nuclear movement and gave hope to many other nations.
. developed an independent foreign policy.
. introduced an ETS scheme.
. developed a world leading education system.
But what leadership has it had since 2008?
Well for starters,
. a PM who believed we were missing in action in Iraq, and has now managed to all but completely trade away any independence.
. gutted the ETS scheme.
. demoralised the education sector
tinfoilhat. Yes Key and his crooks should be tried for treason AND stripped of any entitlements like Parliamentary Pension and Free Travel. AND definitely no knighthoods. AND never be referred to as The Honourable.
It’s going to be a 50 50 whether a future government allows the investigation into any impropriety on the part of the current administration… Don’t hold your breath.
Politics today. In Italy Berlusconi has had 33 cases brought against him. It’s only the last one that has gone against him and he is gobsmacked. He also got the law changed so that over 70s can’t be jailed.
Mind you they had it coming to them – they let a media magnate in to the job and wiped the controls to prevent cross-media ownership. He has floated along since then pleasing himself and self promoting. If you don’t demand good results from pollies then you get things you never had the guts to wish for. Have we guts in nz or not? Or are we waiting for a party that has guts to inspire us for a better nz?
– raised GST to 15% to hurt the poor; which also forces people to spend less (less money to spend on luxury items and New Zealand made goods) hurting small business
– introduced charter schools (where teachers need not be trained, and where creationism is king)
– introduced draconian surveillance and copyright laws
– made New Zealand the puppet of foreign interest groups i.e. raid on Kim Dotcom
– worked hard to increase child poverty, inequality, push down incomes and raise unemployment
– did nothing to get the dollar down so forced businesses to close down or move to China
– cannibalized the welfare system so no one can get help (including rape victims)
– made student loans harder to get and increased fees; thus forcing more across the ditch
– did nothing to stop New Zealand’s rising suicide rate i.e. listen to radio live at 11:00 pm onwards
– eliminated privacy i.e. a politician can just pick up a W&I file and read it for political purposes
If you need help from the government we know now that the only way to get help is to go on a hunger strike for 30 days or more; because they don’t care about people, only the votes they may lose for not helping someone that has gone to the media. Where is the ‘brighter future’ John?
Pricing to kill Kiwirail, the passenger service especially and probably Kiwirail in total e,g. the Napier-Gisborne rail link is to be stopped. As Minister of Railways Richard Prebble had an arsehole appointed as CEO of then NZRail to do similar damage as the current one appointed by National is doing.
Well from an international perspective (i.e. not those narrow minded Kiwi’s who continue to ignore the daily international economic storms) New Zealand is leading the world. In fact some have singled out New Zealand alone as the model for its balanced approach to the deepening international debt crisis.
Peter Orszag I think was the man to have made this claim.
I went searching and can’t actually find any international criticism of how the New Zealand government is managing and showing leadership through the double whammy of a major city rebuild during the worst economic meltdown in a generation.
The worst international economic year that Cullen and Clark had to govern through was still infinitley better than any year Key and English have had to manage. Blind Freddy could have governed through the 9 Clark years, those years when the world went on a debt fuelled spend up of anything and everything.
Luva
Oh good we can stop thinking for ourselves now – we know our judgment is so poor. We can just listen to what the rest of the world is saying about us and accept that as gospel, doesn’t matter whether it is based on rock hard reality or just hyperbole from the latest political/ economic movement. And always ignoring how the low income people are managing in the business environment that is unhealthy to say the least.
And of course with all that you would expect any decent opposition to make a huge dent in the NACTS numbers. But as usual Mr Stutter Stumblebum, and his merry band of me, me’s, are missing in action. Time for a serious rethink at the top of Labour.
The sooner people accept that our “democracy” is a sham, the sooner people might consider getting of their arse and demanding change, instead of sitting back and hoping the theatre script might change direction!
Its only going to get worse, that is 100% certain!
Calculating the seats suggested by yesterday’s Roy Morgan gives an interesting result. Assuming that ACT, UF and the Maori Party retain their current seats, the current Government totals 61 seats in a 123 seat Parliament. Labour/Greens/NZF also total 61 and Hone Harawira gets to be kingmaker.
National 55, MP 4 (one list), UF, ACT, Mana 1 each. NZF 9, Greens 16, Labour 36.
However, if National win Epsom, then the right bloc loses a seat and it totals 60 in a 122 seat parliament. Any improvement at all in the current opposition bloc just stretches the gap. As I noted yesterday, it’s far easier for Labour to lift their results than it is for National. And it looks like the Conservatives are just going to be a spoiler for National, draining votes from the right, but never likely to make the threshold.
I really don’t see NZF going with National, Lanth. There are some pretty big policy differences between them for a start and Winston currently seems determined to avenge his dumping 4 years ago by bringing National down. And seeing Labour, the Greens and NZF at the same table at the EPMU jobs summit sends a positive message that they can work together.
Peters can’t be trusted. 2 years is a long time, and he has demonstrated in the past that he is willing to betray even the people that vote for him. The left relying on NZF to form government is almost as stupid as Labour keeping Shearer as leader.
Still waiting to hear an analysis of how a L/G/NZF/Mana govt would work.
Must drop to 4% to let Winston back in.
He will then almost certainly have the balance of power (to whoever promises him personally the most).
Have to be Foreign Affairs to keep him out of the country as long as possible via Air Force flights in which he can smoke, as no civilian ones will.
Yep, Doc. National need to lift their vote to compensate for the weakness of their allies. There are no guarantees that ACT, UF and the MP will retain their current seats, so the Nats have to cover the gap. 47-48% is an outright win. 45-46% leaves them needing a hand up. Less than that and only Winston can save them.
Most of what he says isn’t that bad until he gets to this bit:
The report had this to say about farm finance: “Farmers face significant challenges in raising sufficient capital to fund growth and support farm turnover.
“Farm debt levels are already high and few external sources of equity capital are available to farmers, particularly in Australia,” it said.
“New structures for owning and operating farms need to be encouraged to attract investment from domestic and foreign investors and capital markets.
“These structures might include rapidly evolving partnerships, modern variants of share farming and use of off-take agreements, as in the mining sector.”
Between now and 2050 New Zealand agriculture will require $210 billion of additional capital to generate growth and a further $130 billion will be needed to support the purchase of existing farms from ageing farmers.
Where he makes the assumption that the only place that capital is available is from over seas at interest. Basically, he’s just another economist that wouldn’t know what an economy was if he tripped over one.
Where he makes the assumption that the only place that capital is available is from over seas at interest. Basically, he’s just another economist that wouldn’t know what an economy was if he tripped over one
Which is why the rest of it, making some sense or not, is irrelevant!
Understand from Reserve Bank figures that there is around $114 billion invested in (mostly Foreign) Bank Term deposits and the like in New Zealand.
Kiwisaver has some but only a small share so far, and not earning very much either (nearly all below term deposit rates.)
If no Asset sales this oney will continue to stay where it is on minimal interest returns, but in safe places.
On Kim Hill this morning Dr Ben Goldacre author, broadcaster, medical doctor and academic said that Tamiflu bought all around the world at the cost of billions and billions of dollars has little in the the way of published research/trials. Remember bird-flu precautions? The company marketing Tamiflu has avoided publishing credible research in spite of many requests to do so. If there was good news from the research you would think that the company would rush to publish. The absence of consistent credible trial data seems to spell out one thing. And NZ spent millions and millions as a precaution.
Man, he is either blind to the truth of what happens when the police break the law with impunity or he’s selling snake-oil. I’m going to bet on the latter.
But obviously the police would never break the law to get an “ordinary citizen” like him. As long as the only natural justice and human rights breaches are happening to Those Kind Of People it’s for the greater good.
I think the fake case against the undercover cop should go ahead. Either he does prison time or the police who forged a search warrant and committed perjury do time. If the police agree to take that risk, then let the case against the bikers proceed. It’d probably get thrown out for some other reason anyway, because the police are so arrogant they don’t even bother to do their jobs properly. Oh, and John Roughan’s cryptofascist column is more of a threat to society than any number of outlaw bikers. He’s openly encouraging people (police) to break the law. Will he be charged? He should be.
More doubt on Police practices, maybe enough to collapse the extradition plans. Thanks to the on the ball David Fisher:
Police got personal banking details of Kim Dotcom and his staff without getting a search warrant in a move that has implications for bank customers……….
….and received information back the same day from the BNZ showing names of account holders, account numbers and home address details.
…..Dotcom was charged with money-laundering when arrested – the only charge he faces on which he can be extradited. Criminal copyright violation charges are not serious enough for extradition. If they are dismissed, then the money laundering charge also collapses.
I liked this comment
“The banking industry last night said customer privacy was taken “very seriously” but offered no information about the level of proof needed to turn information over to government agencies.”
Police got personal banking details of Kim Dotcom and his staff without getting a search warrant in a move that has implications for bank customers………
My giddy aunt…
As a matter of interest, I have spent days trying to interest Americans on the IMDB message boards in the Dotcom macello. Not one of them could give a monkey’s – I don’t understand why!
Well, it appears that the oil industry in NZ doesn’t want any public oversight for operating in our waters and that the government is thinking about giving it to them.
The Government is developing regulations under the new EEZ legislation on which offshore activities should be prohibited, discretionary, which require consent, or are permitted within stated rules.
Mr Hughes and Forest & Bird were responding to reports Minister for the Environment Amy Adams would not rule out allowing deep-sea drilling as a permitted activity in the act.
Publicly notified consents should not be required for offshore oil and gas exploration activities within New Zealand’s exclusive economic zone, says the Petroleum Exploration and Production Association.
Yes they would say that…
The association’s chief executive, David Robinson, said the topography of New Zealand’s seabed was entirely different to that in the Gulf of Mexico, where the 2010 disaster occurred in 1500m of water. “The terrain and activity of the south is vastly different to the Gulf, which was [oil under] high pressure and high temperature.”
He noted the Great South Basin and Canterbury Basin, which may be hosting an exploration drill ship in about a year, were “more than likely gas prospects” rather than oil.
Because its been known what oil is in the GSB for a very long time already!
While he said there would always be “residual risk” to any drilling programme, it was “very unlikely New Zealand would ever have any problems drilling around its coastlines”.
Phew thats good then, risk acceptance = check!
He likened the risk mitigation to that of Air New Zealand, where commercial aircraft had crashed but Air New Zealand maintained theirs to the highest standard possible.
But not at the expense of profits though….good to get that cleared up!
I see the school principals are screaming blue bloody murder because they wont be able to have drug dogs go through students school bags and essentially run their schools like mini police states.
God forbid that students should have any protections from unreasonable search and seizure. From a young age they are being taught that the authorities can go through your possessions and invade your privacy and more or less treat you like a common criminal.
300 Tongans march against the right of consenting adults to arrange their own relationships. Someone needs to get the message through to them that they are filthy homophobes.
That’s actually a good test and someone should probably do something similar for NZ. I think a lot of NZers would be surprised with who they actually agree with.
If I take another position and type in ‘mmm’, ‘aah’, ‘uhh’ and the like, might Shearer pop up as the choice of presidential candidate?
Guitar is good. Must put guitar in there.
And Me. 96% for Jill Stein. I’m sure I read somewhere of a survey taken a couple of years ago that getting people to vote on blind policy tests gave green policy the overwhelming thumbs up.
So it seems that most of us fall into the group labeled “we know that there is only a finite amount to share and we’d like to share fairly equally.”
Likewise. 91% Jill Stein, 84% Barack Obama. If I had a vote in America, I might consider Stein and hope for eventual electoral reform, but were I in a swing state I’d go with Obama.
Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
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Peter Dunne writes – I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
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And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction? Gary Judd writes – Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
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Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
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Open access notablesA Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future:Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
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Alwyn Poole writes – After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
Eric Crampton writes – A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
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Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
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Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
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Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
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A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
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Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
TL;DR:Winston Peters is reported to have won a budget increase for MFAT. David Seymour wanted his Ministry of Regulation to be three times bigger than the Productivity Commission. Simeon Brown is appointing a Crown Monitor to Watercare to protect the Claytons Crown Guarantee he had to give ratings agencies ...
The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. Carr had made highly ...
I could be a florist'Round the corner from Rye LaneI'll be giving daisies to craziesBut, baby, I'll wrap you up real safe Oh, I can give you flowers At the end of every dayFor the center of your table, a rainbowIn case you have people 'round to stay Depending on ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 12 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Finance Minister Nicola Willis will give a pre-budget speech on Thursday.Parliament sits from Question Time at 2pm on ...
The price of the foreign affairs “reset” is now becoming apparent, with Defence set to get a funding boost in the Budget. Finance Minister Nicola Willis has confirmed that it will be one of the few votes, apart from Health and Education and possibly Police, which will get an increase ...
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Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
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The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
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. ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
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 ...
“Instead of following along countries that are investing in death and better ways of killing people faster, we need to invest in life and in making Aotearoa a fair, just and equitable place where everyone has what they need for a dignified life.” ...
MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI, TPM MP FOR TAI TOKERAU This Government will not waver in its mission to exterminate Māori. CHRISTOPHER LUXON Oh well look you know I don’t think that hard-working Kiwis want to hear language like that. It’s just really unhelpful rhetoric. My Government is genuinely committed to advancing outcomes ...
The body positivity movement started with women confronting the unrealistic expectations and unrepresentative portrayals of them in media and advertising. Men weren’t part of it … their bodies hadn’t been sexualised to the same extremes and they didn’t really need it. But now that’s changed. And in a warped sort ...
The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. In 1981, Ginette McDonald stood on the stage of Auckland’s St James Theatre and directly addressed Queen Elizabeth II. It was a ...
An essay by Lily Duval from the just-released anthology Otherhood: Essays on being childless, childfree and child adjacent.I was 22 when my friend Alice gave birth in the living room of our pokey Addington flat. She laboured in the blow-up pool for hours. Garish fish swam along the inflated ...
Ella Borrie on the best books about motherhood she’s come across so far. Over the past few years I’ve been drawn to books about motherhood. I’m fascinated by the joys and horrors of becoming a parent. The question of children also feels more pressing than it used to. It’s like ...
Out of gift ideas for mum? You can’t go wrong with a bottle of toilet cleaner and a new squeegee. Emily Writes is the writer and editor of Emily Writes Weekly. This week marks five years since I published a post on The Spinoff about Mother’s Day marketing titled ‘A ...
My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled ...
Jaimie Baird’s new book Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a record of four decades of graffiti and street art in Wellington, told through more than 1,200 photographs. He spoke with Joel MacManus about what inspired the book. How did you first get interested in photographing street art? I remember ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at a busy week where food of all political leanings dominated. Sometimes you’re just going about your week thinking you’ve got a good handle on what might be coming as far as news topics and then someone (usually a politician) says something so ridiculous that ...
In a week of cold rain and frost, the climate in courtroom four upstairs at the Invercargill courthouse was simmering with restrained indignation. At times it felt like the famous Mexican standoff scene from Reservoir Dogs, or, as someone watching the proceedings described it, there was so much throwing of ...
A banner notification alerts me to the fact that I’ve received an Instagram message from @felicity.loves. She always comments on my posts. I shouldn’t have opened the message, but clicked on the notification before rationalising this. OMG! Are you in Wellys? X I debate not replying, but Instagram will inform ...
In Melbourne’s hardscrabble western suburbs where AFL – Aussie rules football – is a state religion, Callum Donaldson has been quietly grafting away, four months into an odyssey that he hopes will take him to another promised land: the NRL. It was a solid 2023 for the softly spoken 20-year-old ...
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...
By Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...
The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...
Exhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
The Environment Select Committee has just announced that 60 percent of individuals who asked to speak at the hearings will not be heard. This equates to almost 700 people who made individual submissions and more than 1000 more who made a form submission. ...
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is performing Swan Lake around the country. What kind of dream does the ballet sell?Before going to see the Royal New Zealand Ballet perform Swan Lake, I had about as much familiarity with the plot of this ballet as could be expected from having ...
A new poem by Auckland poet Eamonn Tee. High Tide at Local Maxima It is only going to get worse. The streams will be narrow and fickle. The week will bend and buckle like a pot-bellied waist. You will make it to the weekend with one ...
The New Zealand entrepreneur behind beauty business Ethique is gearing up to launch a new eco-venture. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Our thirst for a tasty bevvy is insatiable, but it comes with a hefty plastic price for the planet: 580 billion ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 James by Percival Everett (Mantle, $38) A retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from ...
By Kamna Kumar in Suva Pacific Islands Forum Secretary-General Henry Puna stressed the importance of media freedom and its link to the climate and environmental crisis at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day event organised by the University of the South Pacific’s journalism programme. Under the theme “A Planet for ...
Tara Ward previews a new local TV series offering alternative visions of motherhood. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. A woman is clambering up the side of her two-story house, clinging desperately to a drainpipe. Nearby, her child is perched on the ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is supportive of the cross-party approach to climate adaptation announced by the Minister of Climate Change today. ...
The Sustainable Business Council (SBC) and Climate Leaders Coalition (CLC) welcome today’s announcement from Government around a bipartisan inquiry into an enduring climate adaptation framework for New Zealand. ...
The Free Speech Union welcomes the decision by the Department of Internal Affairs, and Minister Brooke Van Velden, to abandon proposals to further regulate online speech. ...
Its new building in Wellington will not be nearly big enough for all its records, and it has also run out of money to build its new storage facility in Levin. ...
BusinessNZ is congratulating the Minister of Climate Change for his work in achieving cross-party consensus for a way forward on climate adaptation. ...
Recent research reveals the repeal of smokefree measures is not only bad for our health, but also the economy. The Government has repealed various smokefree measures to ensure it keeps collecting $1.2 billion a year in tobacco taxes, in order to pay for tax cuts already being delivered to ...
The club’s surprisingly good season is built on the desire to prove a random A-League YouTuber wrong… and a few other factors.“There’s no way that Wellington Phoenix play finals this year. I can’t see it happening at all.” Those are the words of Lachlan Raeside, an Australian football content ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By César Albarrán-Torres, Senior Lecturer, Department of Media and Communication, Swinburne University of Technology Apple TV+ As one of billions of bilingual individuals in the world, it disappoints me when a film or TV show with characters of a non-English-speaking background is ...
The under-utilised course is a waste of space, and with a little political will, it could be turned into something better. For the duration of her stay in Wellington, my long-suffering cousin listened to me rant about golf courses. They’re bad for the environment: water intensive and pesticide heavy. They ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Ruppanner, Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of The Future of Work Lab, Podcast at MissPerceived, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock A recent report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows US fertility rates dropped 2% in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Corderoy, Medical doctor and PhD candidate studying involuntary psychiatric treatment, School of Psychiatry, UNSW Sydney shop_py/Shutterstock Picture two people, both suffering from a serious mental illness requiring hospital admission. One was born in Australia, the other in Asia. Hopefully, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Treby, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University P.j.Hickox, Shutterstock Peatlands store more carbon per square metre than any other ecosystem on Earth. These waterlogged, mossy bogs beat even dense rainforests for their ability to act as carbon reservoirs. Under the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Goss, Adjunct Associate Professor, Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Government spending on health has been growing so rapidly that a decade ago the then health minister Peter Dutton called it “unmanageable” and “unsustainable”. Health spending grew in real terms by ...
New Zealand's largest electricity distributor is warning the country to hurry up with controls around charging electric vehicles or face unnecessary bills running into the billions. ...
New Zealanders have been asked to conserve energy this morning to combat a possible electricity shortfall, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. A call to conserve power New Zealand is facing a possible electricity shortfall, with people up ...
Writer Rebecca K Reilly breaks down the national book awards. What are the Ockhams?The Ockham New Zealand Book Awards are our annual national awards for books published for adults, and have existed in this form since 2016. There are four categories: Fiction, Poetry, General Non-fiction and Illustrated Non-fiction. There ...
Wellington City Council should keep its 34% ownership share in Wellington International Airport, argue Unions Wellington spokespeople Finn Cordwell and Ashok Jacob. Insanity, as the saying goes, is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Wellington City Council (WCC) is yet again proposing to dispose ...
New Zealand’s largest book publisher has undergone drastic changes this week, leaving its future role in local publishing uncertain. Two of the most recognisable local publishers in New Zealand are among those restructured out of Penguin Random House, it was announced this week. Head of publishing Claire Murdoch will leave ...
Experts in financing social investment initiatives say New Zealand is in a prime position to tackle social issues via a social investment approach The post What will Willis’ social investment fund look like? appeared first on Newsroom. ...
In 2021 the Public Interest Journalism Fund launched the Te Rito Journalism project, a $2.4 million initiative to boost diversity in New Zealand’s newsrooms. The initiative was in response to the decades-long shortage of Māori and Pacific journalists in the media industry. It was billed as New Zealand’s ...
The Black Ferns Sevens appeared to be a mile behind Australia at the halfway point of the 2023-24 SVNS international circuit. Winless in three tournaments, a cup quarter-final exit in Perth was one of their worst results. To add insult to injury, talismanic skipper Sarah Hirini had been ruled out ...
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Once there was a proud nation which lead the world in so many ways.
A few to remember …
. first to have all adults voting.
. welfare state to look after its disadvantaged.
. in the vanguard of anti-apartheid movement.
. stopped the atmospheric weapon testing in the Pacific and then championed the anti-nuclear movement and gave hope to many other nations.
. developed an independent foreign policy.
. introduced an ETS scheme.
. developed a world leading education system.
But what leadership has it had since 2008?
Well for starters,
. a PM who believed we were missing in action in Iraq, and has now managed to all but completely trade away any independence.
. gutted the ETS scheme.
. demoralised the education sector
Add to the list as you feel …
Key and his band of crooks should be tried for treason.
tinfoilhat. Yes Key and his crooks should be tried for treason AND stripped of any entitlements like Parliamentary Pension and Free Travel. AND definitely no knighthoods. AND never be referred to as The Honourable.
It’s going to be a 50 50 whether a future government allows the investigation into any impropriety on the part of the current administration… Don’t hold your breath.
Politics today. In Italy Berlusconi has had 33 cases brought against him. It’s only the last one that has gone against him and he is gobsmacked. He also got the law changed so that over 70s can’t be jailed.
Mind you they had it coming to them – they let a media magnate in to the job and wiped the controls to prevent cross-media ownership. He has floated along since then pleasing himself and self promoting. If you don’t demand good results from pollies then you get things you never had the guts to wish for. Have we guts in nz or not? Or are we waiting for a party that has guts to inspire us for a better nz?
– raised GST to 15% to hurt the poor; which also forces people to spend less (less money to spend on luxury items and New Zealand made goods) hurting small business
– introduced charter schools (where teachers need not be trained, and where creationism is king)
– introduced draconian surveillance and copyright laws
– made New Zealand the puppet of foreign interest groups i.e. raid on Kim Dotcom
– worked hard to increase child poverty, inequality, push down incomes and raise unemployment
– did nothing to get the dollar down so forced businesses to close down or move to China
– cannibalized the welfare system so no one can get help (including rape victims)
– made student loans harder to get and increased fees; thus forcing more across the ditch
– did nothing to stop New Zealand’s rising suicide rate i.e. listen to radio live at 11:00 pm onwards
– eliminated privacy i.e. a politician can just pick up a W&I file and read it for political purposes
If you need help from the government we know now that the only way to get help is to go on a hunger strike for 30 days or more; because they don’t care about people, only the votes they may lose for not helping someone that has gone to the media. Where is the ‘brighter future’ John?
Logie97.
Strangling Kiwirail.
Wasting money on unnecessary roads.
Looks like the coastal rail Picton to Christchurch Passengers will disappear and the Christchurch to Greymouth Alpine passenger line.
They could try doubling the price of fares as they have done for the Wellington to Auckland train. But seriously…….
I think that the Coastal rail fare is going up from about $60 to $100-180. Pricing to kill the market?
Pricing to kill Kiwirail, the passenger service especially and probably Kiwirail in total e,g. the Napier-Gisborne rail link is to be stopped. As Minister of Railways Richard Prebble had an arsehole appointed as CEO of then NZRail to do similar damage as the current one appointed by National is doing.
In the meantime, you can fly AKL to WEL, vice versa, for $29.
Or $7.
Waahaahaa.
My niece was just complaining about that on Facebook! (She’s the carer for her brother’s kids, and wanted to take them on a trip).
Well from an international perspective (i.e. not those narrow minded Kiwi’s who continue to ignore the daily international economic storms) New Zealand is leading the world. In fact some have singled out New Zealand alone as the model for its balanced approach to the deepening international debt crisis.
Peter Orszag I think was the man to have made this claim.
I went searching and can’t actually find any international criticism of how the New Zealand government is managing and showing leadership through the double whammy of a major city rebuild during the worst economic meltdown in a generation.
The worst international economic year that Cullen and Clark had to govern through was still infinitley better than any year Key and English have had to manage. Blind Freddy could have governed through the 9 Clark years, those years when the world went on a debt fuelled spend up of anything and everything.
Luva – it is hardly a matter of congratulation to be leading the world as it is today. But, then, we have to take your word for it, don’t we?
Luva
Oh good we can stop thinking for ourselves now – we know our judgment is so poor. We can just listen to what the rest of the world is saying about us and accept that as gospel, doesn’t matter whether it is based on rock hard reality or just hyperbole from the latest political/ economic movement. And always ignoring how the low income people are managing in the business environment that is unhealthy to say the least.
And of course with all that you would expect any decent opposition to make a huge dent in the NACTS numbers. But as usual Mr Stutter Stumblebum, and his merry band of me, me’s, are missing in action. Time for a serious rethink at the top of Labour.
The sooner people accept that our “democracy” is a sham, the sooner people might consider getting of their arse and demanding change, instead of sitting back and hoping the theatre script might change direction!
Its only going to get worse, that is 100% certain!
Your complacency is appreciated, and anticipated!
Sincerely
Your local (controlled) MP
+1. First giggle of the day.
“Mr Stutter Stumblebum, and his merry band”
Calculating the seats suggested by yesterday’s Roy Morgan gives an interesting result. Assuming that ACT, UF and the Maori Party retain their current seats, the current Government totals 61 seats in a 123 seat Parliament. Labour/Greens/NZF also total 61 and Hone Harawira gets to be kingmaker.
National 55, MP 4 (one list), UF, ACT, Mana 1 each. NZF 9, Greens 16, Labour 36.
However, if National win Epsom, then the right bloc loses a seat and it totals 60 in a 122 seat parliament. Any improvement at all in the current opposition bloc just stretches the gap. As I noted yesterday, it’s far easier for Labour to lift their results than it is for National. And it looks like the Conservatives are just going to be a spoiler for National, draining votes from the right, but never likely to make the threshold.
Is there an election today!
Unless the threshold is dropped to 4%, in which case they have a good chance of getting in, and NZFirst is almost certain to as well.
I also think on those results, that an NZFirst – Nat coalition is the easiest ruling majority.
I really don’t see NZF going with National, Lanth. There are some pretty big policy differences between them for a start and Winston currently seems determined to avenge his dumping 4 years ago by bringing National down. And seeing Labour, the Greens and NZF at the same table at the EPMU jobs summit sends a positive message that they can work together.
Not sure that Winston would let revenge get in the way of power.
Peters can’t be trusted. 2 years is a long time, and he has demonstrated in the past that he is willing to betray even the people that vote for him. The left relying on NZF to form government is almost as stupid as Labour keeping Shearer as leader.
Still waiting to hear an analysis of how a L/G/NZF/Mana govt would work.
Must drop to 4% to let Winston back in.
He will then almost certainly have the balance of power (to whoever promises him personally the most).
Have to be Foreign Affairs to keep him out of the country as long as possible via Air Force flights in which he can smoke, as no civilian ones will.
TPP – you really think National needs to lift their results, which given everything, are astonishingly high?
Yep, Doc. National need to lift their vote to compensate for the weakness of their allies. There are no guarantees that ACT, UF and the MP will retain their current seats, so the Nats have to cover the gap. 47-48% is an outright win. 45-46% leaves them needing a hand up. Less than that and only Winston can save them.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10843146
Bryan Gaynor, WFT are you on????
Most of what he says isn’t that bad until he gets to this bit:
Where he makes the assumption that the only place that capital is available is from over seas at interest. Basically, he’s just another economist that wouldn’t know what an economy was if he tripped over one.
Which is why the rest of it, making some sense or not, is irrelevant!
Understand from Reserve Bank figures that there is around $114 billion invested in (mostly Foreign) Bank Term deposits and the like in New Zealand.
Kiwisaver has some but only a small share so far, and not earning very much either (nearly all below term deposit rates.)
If no Asset sales this oney will continue to stay where it is on minimal interest returns, but in safe places.
On Kim Hill this morning Dr Ben Goldacre author, broadcaster, medical doctor and academic said that Tamiflu bought all around the world at the cost of billions and billions of dollars has little in the the way of published research/trials. Remember bird-flu precautions? The company marketing Tamiflu has avoided publishing credible research in spite of many requests to do so. If there was good news from the research you would think that the company would rush to publish. The absence of consistent credible trial data seems to spell out one thing. And NZ spent millions and millions as a precaution.
yeah another pandemic scare, another pharma corporate rip off.
John Roughman – As an ordinary citizen, I don’t find it offensive that police would fake a prosecution to protect someone’s cover.
Roughmen – The ordinary citizen, happy to tell you how he wants to turn whats left into rubble, and happily so!
Hope John Roughman never finds himself at the bottom of a very slippery slope.
Man, he is either blind to the truth of what happens when the police break the law with impunity or he’s selling snake-oil. I’m going to bet on the latter.
But obviously the police would never break the law to get an “ordinary citizen” like him. As long as the only natural justice and human rights breaches are happening to Those Kind Of People it’s for the greater good.
Roughan’s article wasn’t worth the time it took to read it.
I think the fake case against the undercover cop should go ahead. Either he does prison time or the police who forged a search warrant and committed perjury do time. If the police agree to take that risk, then let the case against the bikers proceed. It’d probably get thrown out for some other reason anyway, because the police are so arrogant they don’t even bother to do their jobs properly. Oh, and John Roughan’s cryptofascist column is more of a threat to society than any number of outlaw bikers. He’s openly encouraging people (police) to break the law. Will he be charged? He should be.
More doubt on Police practices, maybe enough to collapse the extradition plans. Thanks to the on the ball David Fisher:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10843215
I liked this comment
“The banking industry last night said customer privacy was taken “very seriously” but offered no information about the level of proof needed to turn information over to government agencies.”
Feel a yeah right comment coming on.
My giddy aunt…
As a matter of interest, I have spent days trying to interest Americans on the IMDB message boards in the Dotcom macello. Not one of them could give a monkey’s – I don’t understand why!
Well, it appears that the oil industry in NZ doesn’t want any public oversight for operating in our waters and that the government is thinking about giving it to them.
Yes they would say that…
Because its been known what oil is in the GSB for a very long time already!
Phew thats good then, risk acceptance = check!
But not at the expense of profits though….good to get that cleared up!
I see the school principals are screaming blue bloody murder because they wont be able to have drug dogs go through students school bags and essentially run their schools like mini police states.
God forbid that students should have any protections from unreasonable search and seizure. From a young age they are being taught that the authorities can go through your possessions and invade your privacy and more or less treat you like a common criminal.
300 Tongans march against the right of consenting adults to arrange their own relationships. Someone needs to get the message through to them that they are filthy homophobes.
Here’s a fun quiz for the weekend.
Find out who you should vote for in the US presidential election …
http://www.isidewith.com/presidential-election-quiz
Hints – if the choice is too limted, click on the “other” option, more choices available.
Picking Obama over Romney is easy, but you might be surprised how you align with other candidates.
Ive got the Green candidate, Jill Stein…
Yep, me too.
That’s actually a good test and someone should probably do something similar for NZ. I think a lot of NZers would be surprised with who they actually agree with.
If I take another position and type in ‘mmm’, ‘aah’, ‘uhh’ and the like, might Shearer pop up as the choice of presidential candidate?
Guitar is good. Must put guitar in there.
And Me. 96% for Jill Stein. I’m sure I read somewhere of a survey taken a couple of years ago that getting people to vote on blind policy tests gave green policy the overwhelming thumbs up.
So it seems that most of us fall into the group labeled “we know that there is only a finite amount to share and we’d like to share fairly equally.”
Me too! Hmmm …
Likewise. 91% Jill Stein, 84% Barack Obama. If I had a vote in America, I might consider Stein and hope for eventual electoral reform, but were I in a swing state I’d go with Obama.
Me too!
thanks for that .. Stein 94%, Romney 11%, Obama 68%, but he was bottom last .. curious!
.
Oh, noes!!!! Its all over for Obama.
; )
Pathetic fine for Rena disaster
Another judge has got it wrong! How topical is that?
Yeah saw that – Not sure I agree with the got it wrong statement..
Again its a question of representation, and whom is representing, whom, or what!
But the people of Denedin get to pay the equivilent of what the maximum fine for Rena would have been of over 600k in severance money…Lets see then..
Rena disaster fine 300K (half of max fine)
Total cost to “The Crown” of Rena Estimated at 47m, ..but…
“As a result of “extended and co-operative negotiations” the defendant and its insurers had agreed to compensate the Crown 27.6m ”
So thats a loss to “The Crown” of 20m – I’m sure QE2 will be happy to eat that loss won’t she eh!
Dunedin Council severence payouts 628,513,
In Summary
1: People of Dunedin have to eat job just payouts worth 2 x the Rena fine (will their rates come down now)
2: People of NZ get to eat the 20m loss on the Rena situation (not sure the breakdown)
3: People of Tauranga, and eastern coast get to eat the delayed fallout of – Rena chemicals at sea worry scientists
There is some twisted goings on in this country, that is for sure!
Fairly typical in a capitalist society – save the capitalists by throwing the workers under the bus.