Twyford is a dead man walking. The meta from today's stories in Stuff is he has zero political capital, his credibility is exhausted and the media smell blood.-
I’m no fan of Twyford, he’s certainly turning out to be a less than stella cabinet minister. And it’s intolerable that he appears to have totally fucked up the years of light rail planning in Auckland. But this campaign by Coughlan in cahoots with Chris Bishop and National’s old pals still in the the transport ministry is starting to look pretty nasty and personal.
Yes, it’s appalling when the opposition does its job and points out that Twyford couldn’t even plan the route for light rail, let alone product a plan to build it. Must be a media conspiracy that prevented Twyford from pulling out a map and finding a route, which is almost identical to a road, from the cbd to mount roskill.
Twyford is at the heart of some of the government's most ambitious and difficult plans. He is simultaneously managing huge capital demands and battling a range of entrenched interests to effect major changes in policy and performance. It was never going to be easy. Nor is it obvious that all of those policies are well-founded. But they are the government's agenda.
If anything, his greatest personal failing mirrors that of the government as a whole – he's better at thinking policy up than at executing it. He's also not terribly humble about that fact.
But it's highly contestable to suggest that he should be falling on his sword in response to a campaign by a government agency to protect its own patch.
Excellent hit job by Stuff. A new Minister with a big knife and plenty of gaffer tape should cure the problems with a department that sounds dysfunctional.
For no other reason than destroying the dreams of those who were sold the Kiwibuild dream, he needs to go. March 18 we had confirmed the promise of $600k cap from the election was still there, then less than 2 months later sorry it is now $650k.
Thanks to that inability of this government we have lost 3+ years into addressing the housing issue. His legacy will go well beyond this govts tenor.
we now face in the 2020 election a bad option or a slightly worse option. Meanwhile the rest of us face REAL day to day issues.
median 'household' income in Auckland would be around $120k . Any other system of direct government subsidy to reduce the price to say $450k would be a $$$ gift to those who can take advantage of it.
The building of state houses for rent as social housing is continuing, Kiwibuild isnt designed to replace that
I don't know how your response relates to my comment, I’m guessing it was for Herodotus.
But aside from that, I'd be interested in where are you finding the median Auckland household income? I can only find the average, which is not the same. Also, it might have some data on the distribution of income and number of household occupants.
No idea where Duke gets his figures from, but this seems more accurate to me…
"First-home buyers in Auckland would need to be earning three times the median income to be able to afford a comfortable first home, according to real estate statistics website One Roof.
Based on the median house value in Auckland of $1.2 million, a household would need to earn $241,200 to comfortably afford mortgage repayments of 5.79 percent over 30 years.
That's triple the median income of $76,232, and the household would also need to be able to save $248,607 for a 20 percent deposit, according to One Roof."
Another concern I have about using "household" income is that overcrowded or multiple family households, flatten out any financial stresses that would otherwise be apparent. A household with grown children earning money, but unable to afford their own housing on their individual income, will be contributing to the statistics of household income and improving it.
Also, given the information in your link. The article shows the disparity (or despair-ity) of median housing costs compared to median incomes. Although we know that indicates that at least half the households are in that position – or worse – we have no idea how the top 50% is distributed, and whether the housing stress affects 51% or 80%.
I never did understand why Kiwibuild was separated from the need for social housing – the two go together – it is all about making sure that as many as possible have somewhere to call home. As for why some initial targets have not been able to be met, there are two that I suspect do not get much attention. The first is that housing is just one of the neglected (or deliberately diminished) areas of government service – the previous government did its best to either privatise (largely to "Charities", but that produced a fragmented industry that cannot be measured, and importantly reduced expectations of government doing anything itself), or sell off state houses to private purchasers. The second is the comparative weakness of the building industry. The Government choices regarding Christchurch were to use Fletchers as much as possible – controlling supply, the pace of work, and subcontractors. Accompanying that were a deliberate mis-interpretation of insurance contracts (requiring fixed price sign offs from policyholders for example) and shoddy regulatory monitoring. We now know that many newer buildings collapse in an earthquake than those built 50 to 100 years ago; we know that concrete has not always had the correct amount of steel reinforcing, or properly connected steel. We know that New Zealand builders are bejind overseas companies with mechanisation and pre-built houses – our big companies do not want to knw, while small companies go bankrupt too easily . . .
We know the limitations of our clean water, waste water and sewage reticulation systems – new developments are harder than they used to be. Then we have stupid pandering to employers to bring in large numbers of people to keep wages low – remember when baristas was the biggest single occupation for immigrants? The separation of trade education from work meant that it was cheaper for companies to avoid having apprentices; that is only now being turned around by the current government, and unemployment is lower partly a a result. Some of the problems we now know exist are the fault of deferred maintenance and poor regulation in the last government, and some of them have also been surprises to all of New Zealand in the last 2 years. Deferred maintenance in Health has been well publicised, but it goes beyond just buildings to staff levels and (together with teachers) to pay levels. All that has required ambitions for the current government to not always be met. It is fair to say that some could have been anticipated, but not all of them.
National's preoccupation with selected bits of government is well known – and as we know from The Standard, most of their claims turn out to be severely distorted, if not plain wrong.
Kiwibuild was only meant to reduce prices in the part of the 'market' above social housing levels. To drag houses on an average section in an average suburb from $900k to 750k, say. Not remotely 'affordable' for most families.
State houses were always going to have a bigger impact at the bottom and this govt have done an appalling job of communicating what they have done in that space.
Irrespective of the merits of Kiwibuild, it created great hope out there, and this was initially promoted in 2014. So there has been plenty of time available to ensure that this at least was more successful that what is has been, and many of the issues should have been worked out, instead of fixing it as we go 4 years after its conception. The hubris that has surrounded this when valid short comings were pointed out.
What are the 20-30's who placed their hope into this scheme ? 3 years wasted, dreams destroyed.
And remember this govt. increased the scope from 50k to 100k over 10 years, without any prompting.
It was probably pretty well planned out – but when you hit reality, sometimes plans go awry.
For me, KB always gets points for actual effort and setting up a testable goal. Like a lot of this government's work.
That having been said, it's fallen well short. But Twyford never struck me as being a Clare Curran, so maybe replacing him won't magically improve things. Maybe the initial slog of KB is just a much worse job than expected.
I was never a fan of this approach. In effect, it actually reinforces buoyant market prices for housing.
I had posted this link previously, about Grand Design series "The Street" about an approach to housing development that provides benefits to both the purchaser and the authorities. Apparently the series is going to be on NZ television soon.
The original Netherlands development Almere is still going, and worthwhile researching for how successful it has been in providing lower-cost housing, while building community:
Custom-build housing: Almere Poort
Initiated at the height of the financial crisis when housing providers had virtually stopped building, Almere Poort is a project built on council land as part of the city plans to provide affordable housing for low-income households of €20,000 (£14,500) a year.
Individuals can purchase a plot designated by the local authority. Once the plot is secured and a mortgage in place, the buyer is free to customise their home from a wide variety of different “ready-made” homes, many designed by in-house architects.
Ekim Tan, co-founder of Play The City, which uses gaming to resolve complex urban challenges, worked on an interactive user guide for the Almere project. She says the mayor’s idea was to make a direct relationship between the local authority and the housebuyer.
“They [volume housebuilders] feared the project’s success because it proved that the public could do without them,” adds Floris Alkemade, former partner at architects OMA and project architect for the masterplan.
The first view of the government;s housing plan showed it as not only feeble but probably terminal. How come the voters were cast in the role of the simple, direct, clear-eyed viewers on the sideline looking at the Emperor with No Clothes, but a heck of a con story to sell us?
Where are the smarts in Cabinet? Did they get left on the Cabinet table after a meeting. And was it like that funny happening on the way to an Art Installation where the arrangement of an Aftermath of a 'do' with cigarette ends and other detritus', was mistaken as rubbish by the prosaic cleaner and swept away.
Not what I would call art; and the Cabinet decisions lacked veracity also.
Ryan Bridge really? Who gives a toss what he thinks.
And Newshub knows like everybody else that Lees-Galloway had no choice but to allow the guy to stay if we were to comply with our international obligations.
Lets not forget Newshub as part of MediaWorks is going down the toilet and this bullshit is one of the reasons why.
It would help if people were less prepared to be spoon-fed bullshit. A lot of the time no one does any research for themselves, preferring to just meekly accept what they're being told, without knowing if it's a partisan hit-job, or just the 'feels' of some sour hack with an axe to grind. David Cunliffe was put through the wringer based on what turned out to be manufactured horseshit, and yet you had John Armstrong hysterically shrieking about his resignation. If 'The Hollow Men' and 'Dirty Politics' taught us anything, it's that none of this stuff is accidental. There's a cohesive strategy behind it.
That's a weak point Paddington, whatever is written about you will affect perceptions so you should drop off as soon as someone makes up a convincing lie? Where do standards sit in your part of the world – does anyone try to do anything good, and do most that you know sit on fences going hee-haw at the earnest tryers while they make up some juicy concoction about them for the gullible.
It's not a 'weak point', it is an observation of human frailty. The media's influence is, at least in part, determined by the willingness of the general public to accept 'news' at face value. When we challenge prevailing narrative, when we scratch below the surface, we expose the shallowness of media coverage. Too few do.
Actually I think Clark, would, if she felt that her minister was being undermined by his ministry, have moved pretty smartly to curtail a few careers in that department. The minister would have been most likely given a minder and told not to move unless Heather Simpson said he could.
I suspect part of Twyford's problem is that he has been too trusting of some in his ministry portfolios. Once upon a time these officials were strictly neutral but I fear that is no longer the case.
Twyford IS the problem IMO along with the other ABC national light ministers such as Nash, Robertson, Hipkins, Parker, O'Connor etc. WTF does Faafoi do !
Phildo has fallen into the trap of thinking his dept is behind him when any idiot can see the entire public service was turned over by National to suit it’s backers requirements.
Also there is the toxicity that is Shane Jones who thrives on undermining Labour with a proven history of laziness, arrogance and boorish behaviour.
But everyone knew that Shane Jones was like that tc, and he was chosen I think, despite those attributes because he was someone that the centre-Trump voters would feel akin to. Probably his rating is still positive with that group despite having his foot in his mouth, his automatic rifle in his meaty arm etc.
No doubt there. Quite a few ministries are larded with so many Gnat spoilers they're a trap for ministers – Radio NZ for one. By all means give Twyford a holiday – but lose the fake public servants – there's no place for them under this government.
That attack is bollocks- Nat party stooge is helped by journo. Coughlin needs to be asked why he doesn't identify the clear party affiliation.
The bigger question is why were we f- around with PPPs. It's a marquee policy- Twyford isn't on his own here. Sure he hasn't done that well, but he's not working in a vacuum.
Nope quite different. I'm asking if he was encouraged to seek a PPP when the project was quite a ways down the track and had already been campaigned on.
Snowden's twitter account is rich in news including Brazil, with the Bolsonaro family implicated in murder,Epstein's "suicide" (looking more like homicide according to Michael Baden who observed the autopsy)latest polling from New Hampshire..Sanders leading
Snowden's memoir Permanent Record should make interesting reading
Does anyone know the policy around police involvement in Auckland Transport fare dodging?
My son is a regular commuter on AT trains into Auckland. Leaves home between 5.30 and 6.30am so often wears a hoodie and sometimes a beanie for his early morning commute and just plays podcasts on his phone to pass the time.
He noticed several police officers board the train, and precede an AT staff member down the aisle. Surreptitious hand signals to the AT staff member resulted in various passengers being asked to confirm their fare payment. He was one of them.
Is this a judicious use of police time? Given that AT staff has a right to require proof of fare at any time, what would this operation been useful for? The only thing I can think of is immediate arrest of any farejumper.
Does anyone know the reasoning or legality behind this? Seems a lot like casual profiling.
Anyone who has approached the police about certain types of crimes – especially if it involves harassment, bullying and intimidatory criminal acts is likely to be – metaphorically speaking – turfed out on to the street and told to stop bothering the police. There have been instances in the past when women in particular have been physically attacked and even killed because police didn't take them seriously.
Yet they're happy to hop on a train and check law abiding passengers' tickets to see if they have diddled some corporate body of a dollar or two. Money talks.
About half of each region's public transit operations funding has to come from fares under current regulations.
People who steal free rides are not reducing some company's profits but are disdvantaging everyone else who uses and benefits from PT – hence operators all over the world act against that theft. Many places have dedicated transit enforcement officers so they are not diverting attention from other policing. NZ could do that if our govt changes the law.
Except Sacha, they are not acting on evidence or suspicion of someone breaking the law.
This is purely going through the carriage and pointing out persons to the AT staff member – who already has the ability to ask for proof of fare, and can arrange for suitable backup at the next station if there is evidence of fare dodging. This is profiling.
Given climate change transition requirements, the regulations that should be changed is not to introduce more police to the transport system, but to subsidise public transport fully.
AT already have ticket checkers, who can randomly check for fare dodgers. That is still the point.
My last sentence added after initial posting, was for Sacha, who in his closing sentence suggested regulation change would make police on transport systems legal. I should have ensured the missing the point comment stayed in position. We subsidise a lot of things, limiting subsidies of public transport to only 50% of cost is limiting options in addressing climate change, and reducing the harm from air pollution. We should at least consider higher levels of subsidy. My preference would be fully subsidised public transport for NZ citizens.
But grammar aside, do you think this it a good use of police resources, and whether it is a form of profiling?
We rang cops a few weeks back as a friends phone went missing then she got a call she could get phone back for $100 (she got him down to $10), she asked for cops to witness but they said they didn't have the staff, just take some friends. I went with her, scary dudes, paid $10, got phone back.
AT staff have no power to detain anyone. Offenders scarper at will unless police are there. Having specific transit officers who do not need to be fully-trained police is one way other places manage that.
Profiling is another thing altogether and not specific to this situation.
Free PT is an ideal but meeting the daily peak demands for it may not be achievable without pricing or some other rationing system. I believe our current arrangements deliver neither fairness nor climate action.
Sacha – It appears that you think profiling is happening here, and it is one of Molly's points. Some of the comments that pass for answers that you and Duke put up are off the track but you imply you have definite knowledge, which can not be possible as you make replies to everything, and no-one knows everything.
I don't know about the transport policing, but our country's approach seems to let things happen that make life hard for folks, and intrusively check on the population for infringements, and when people can't or don't comply with rules, they get punished. It would be better if the country was run to make it easy for people to manage their lives, but that idea isn't on the table.
I compare police going on transport looking for unpaid money infringement, and at hospital in the A&E section, their own security staff have to handle assault and violence infringements. That is where police should be stationed, at least one all night, and that would be policing for the people's good.
OK, I accept that. So what is the benefit of a police presence in this situation, given the level of the crime and the ability of AT to call ahead to have police present at the next station.
Profiling is another thing altogether and not specific to this situation.
In this case, the use of police – who are looked on to be experts in criminals – to identify possible farejumpers is the definition of profiling. Random checks are already possible.
Free PT is an ideal but meeting the daily peak demands for it may not be achievable without pricing or some other rationing system. I believe our current arrangements deliver neither fairness nor climate action.
I agree about the fairness and the climate action. I haven't witnessed any real discussions about higher subsidies for public transport either from this government or our local transport associations. I have seen dismissals that price was not considered to be a deterrent.
I have little faith that the pragmatists, who are usually not the most vulnerable or financially stressed, will even consider the impact of fairness in discussions about raising the 50% threshold that you stated was a regulatory limit. I would like to see that happen, and although I would like to see free public transport – understand the limitations of delivering that result.
I would love public transit to be free for our poorest and youngest – something like the Gold Gard. Also cheaper than increasing that 50% subsidy across the board. Nothing to stop govt doing it right away.
I would love public transit to be free for our poorest and youngest – something like the Gold Gard.
My partner's father, who died at the age of 93, utilised his Gold Card to catch the bus, train, ferry to Devonport and then return for a days outing. The benefit he had from this in terms of mental and physical health was considerable. As a community, we also benefit from having our older citizens visible, engaged and active. However, he was financially well off.
Any assessment on suitability for discounts etc is often crude and badly managed. We don't measure income vs fixed outgoings, we just measure taxed incomes. I know a few people who live very comfortable lives including private schools for their children and long annual overseas trips that are entitled to community services cards or similar benefits because of the way their personal incomes are calculated. Until these designs get better, I would rather have a way for citizens to access lower fares and leave the higher fares for tourists and non-citizens. We used to have a discount card provided for access to our local swimming pools that was delivered once a year to all households in our district. It allows those that regularly contribute taxes on top of fares, a reduction in fares and recognises their contribution.
Here's another one for Greywarshark. The guy couldn't be bothered stopping for police. Wimpy judge gives an $850 fine and Community detention………should have got jail time of say, six months and a fine of at least $5k. Need a decent deterrent. I believe the fines for not stopping for police in Australia are a lot harsher which may be a real deterrent which may be why police do not chase as often.
In contrast, all other Australian jurisdictions permit a term of imprisonment from the first offence of failing to stop, with Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) having the most significant penalties. In Queensland, a conviction for failing to stop carries a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine up to $25,230 AUD. In the ACT, offenders on their second or subsequent offence can be imprisoned for up to three years and fined up to $63,000 AUD. In New South Wales, the penalties are more severe – offenders can be imprisoned for up to three years for first offence and up to five years for a second or subsequent offence.
The whole report is worth a read. Probably several times to absorb it all, there's a lot there.
This fellow is not going to be affected by bigger fines, whatever. He sounds like someone a bit lost, out of control, hophead or a druggie, definitely not going to be have second thoughts about behaving better as he doesn't even have first ones by the sounds.
Defence lawyer Michael Scott said Chasteauneuf was under significant stress at the time, resulting in him being admitted to Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward.
Australia having heavy penalties and putting people in prison would not be a useful line for us to follow. We already imprison people, second to the USA, which is an indication that we too are a hollow country, looks good on the outside, but inside worm-eaten.
He looks as if he might come from a comfortably off family and perhaps there has not been enough time spent helping him through the difficult teen years, with affection and encouragement.
Something that those who know-all might be able to advise is about set tasks for people needing actual 'correction'. If he was told to go to driving instruction and perhaps counselling, and didn't go, would he be followed up and then given a short jail term? I have the idea that after conviction there isn't much available except that Maori are trying to work with their own people.
WTF ? This is the judge (who's on 350K a year) – …..the chase put numerous people at risk, including police officers, the judge said. "They don't get paid enough for that to occur." "They don't get paid enough……"???
I mean the comment, apparently made to a probation officer – "I couldn't be bothered stopping…." is obviously a load of weird crap yet it seems that at both ends we're happy to settle for that as definitional. The media at one end and the wiseacres on here at the other end who lustily fantasise that smashing up an attitudinally fucked young life is going to result in a young life that's not fucked up ???
It's almost like we don't actually want any advance.
investment in structures — factories, offices, oil rigs, etc. — plunged 15.3% in Q3, after falling 11.1% in Q2
This was 2nd consecutive quarter in which overall business investment shrank.
2019 GDP growth also now on track to equal about what it averaged during Obama’s 2nd term.
The Trump economic agenda — tax cuts, trade wars, pro-pollution deregulation — ain’t so magical after all
Also worth pointing out that the mechanism by which we were supposed to get supercharged biz investment was through big capital inflows to the US. Capital inflows to US have instead been shrinking
The most sophisticated online program ever known? Really? Spittle-flecked Twitter rants at two in the morning because Faux News doesn't lavish you with unearned praise any more? It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.
Poor fucking Brad Parscale my heart weeps. One day maybe not too long off 'conservatives' will be declaring from under their straw coiffs that Trump was never a 'conservative' anyway. Which the decent people knew forever.
The crisis in Chile is terrifying, protesters are "violent" because cops are beating people up, and reports of rape and brutality etc. Scary place right now.
Someone held in jail in harsh conditions because he is an environmentalist who has criticised the USA government and was labelled as a possible terrorist! And Muslims who seem perfectly good people but paranopia finds them otherwise. I found this clip on line and interested people may have missed the link and my comment at –
What the heck? Our lives are to be continually disrupted by paranoid super liberal middle class apparatchiks who want to turn our lives upside down and spoil them to accommodate the new, demanding, restless culture who will never be happy and always mewling about something that they haven't got. It is an unimagined expansion of the Me Generation that wishes to insert themselves into every niche and space we have.
Now students have decided that they shouldn't clap with enthusiasm because..,.
Jazz hands is the British Sign Language expression of clapping, and the [Oxford] university union hopes that by doing away with clapping, whooping and cheering, events will be more accessible to people suffering from anxiety and those with hearing problems…
Frank Furedi is emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent. He is well known for his work on the sociology of fear, education, therapy culture, paranoid parenting and the sociology of knowledge.
"One of the great things about applauding, or applauding people, is it brings people together it's a kind of solidarity and you see it in sporting events in concerts, in all kinds of public situations.
"And if now, what you do is you kind of marginalise that very human way of identifying with each other. I think that has a very negative effect on the spirits."
Ferudi is a long-time critic of a style of parenting and teaching that he believes medicalises ordinary life challenges.
If you get tired of the constant PCness arising each day like weeds, you might like Ruth Dudley Edwards’ (Irish/UK writer) book called Murdering Americans about how an educational business makes money from teaching this stuff, and doesn’t like it being exposed to public gaze.
Surely, the acceptable norm that includes both jazz hands and audible clapping with understanding of noise sensitivities is the desired outcome?
People aware of such sensitivities, such as my sister-in-law who had several operations on her head and scalp, will often remove themselves from situations where noise may be an issue. Or she – in rare instances – will use hearing protection to protect herself from the associated pain of loud noises.
It would be good to see a combination of both "jazz hands" and "palm-to-palm" clapping being so common, that it is accepted without need for discourse.
How do you mean? Having a mix won't solve the noise/anxiety issue.
I'm quite sensitive to noise for health reasons and I'm ok with avoiding places where people are clapping and cheering if it's too much for me. This is a key human experience, to express excitement and joy by making a noise, not a good thing to interfere with.
I can imagine some exceptions to this eg where people with anxiety or noise sensitivity are speaking or at an event that is specific to them. I can also see the value in an option of some events using jazz hands. I'm a big fan of quiet spaces too, and hope libraries sort out the conflict on this sooner rather than later. Rather than banning clapping/cheering, I'd rather see quiet spaces increased.
Hi Molly, yes, I read it as a reply. I just wasn't clear what you meant by "It would be good to see a combination of both "jazz hands" and "palm-to-palm" clapping being so common, that it is accepted without need for discourse."
The comment " If you get tired of the constant PCness arising each day like weeds" just struck me as non-inclusive. I could be reading it wrong, but would like to live in a society where differences are just accepted, and not referred to as PC.
I know what you mean, and rising intolerance seems a thing. We don't seem that good at the moment as a society for resolving conflicting needs and it think this is made worse by the tension and fear people are feeling about the world.
I agree about library, not perfect quiet but controlled quiet. We have a man who clucks like a hen every few minutes, I don't know if I am unreasonable to dislike this. But if there were a few of them and perhaps a mentally different person whooping away then it is hardly a space for concentrated thinking.
Too much chatting and socialising of young people at the library general spaces some times. They need to be shushed off to their own space where they could enjoy talking at the tops of their voices.
I suppose headphones would help, and block out the distractions.
Too much chatting and socialising of young people at the library general spaces some times.
Libraries are almost our last equal access community space, open to all demographics, ages and skill levels. If it is used as a free sociable space by any community members, I'm all for it. Too many are trying to diminish or remove libraries, and they need to adapt.
Some of the more recent library buildings have a purpose-built acoustically designed quiet reading space. I think this is a great solution for those who want to read in silence while in the library. Best thing is, they can also take out items on loan and read in the privacy of their own homes – with a cup of tea.
it's not hard to design spaces once the needs are understood. Because libraries have traditionally been quiet places, I favour keeping them that way and adding in other, more socially loud spaces (or times). Not everyone can take books home to read. I sometimes used to sit in the library just to rest.
Papakura library was renovated a few years ago, and I tried out their quiet reading room. It was great, there was a specific toddler reading and singing activity scheduled, but inside the room itself was all comfortable armchairs and quiet.
As someone who enjoys quiet spaces, I understand the preference for libraries to remain so. I am also painfully aware of reoccurring proposals that aim to reduce or diminish our library resources. For me, making them more valued and indispensable to a wide range of ages and people may include changing traditional rules about how they are used. It's a fine balance though, and must include provisions for those who have always valued the library for it's quiet public space.
There are places I don't go because the noise is too loud, and heavy metal bands I avoid. I put my habnds to my ears when standing on the tarmac waiting to board a plane and one is revving next door, you do have to be careful with your hearing.
After dismissing the rants from Anti-Twyfords today it was refreshing to read Patrick Smellie' column. Won't stop the odious from creating mischief but any reasonable person might wonder at the mountains out of little bumps.
Consistent with Wellington's failure for years to get its act together under the previous government, the Basin Reserve and Mt Victoria tunnel choke point remains at the heart of the political stalemate between motorists and the public transport lobby….
…
"Some of the current commentary has suggested an entirely appropriate meeting between Twyford and the NZ Super Fund about the fund's alternative proposal for light rail was somehow illegitimate. In the process, the NZ Super Fund's good name is dragged through the mud, as if its desire to fund a multi-billion dollar asset for the country's largest city were some evil plot.
Wondering about the concerted attack focussed on the same people from papers, blogs, radio online. Going to be hard going for the next 12 months. Did I read that Bridges has 7 staff working on media and only 2 on policies?
The fact the new NZTA chair, Brian Roche, and Twyford are in unison in suggesting NZTA dropped the ball on the Super Fund proposal should be read as evidence the agency stonewalled rather than that Twyford has a yes-man on board or that this is all just some giant Twyford screw-up.
Aha… just as I thought. Petty-fogging officials are far more likely to be behind the screw-up – not Phil Twyford. To describe Twyford as incompetent and not up to ministerial level tasks is poppycock.
I know him well and have seen him in action on the campaign front. He's a superb organiser and knows exactly what he wants to do. I can imagine him getting up the noses of some in officialdom who like to think they are the real masters of policy formation and expect ministers to follow them – not the other way around.
Twyford is a glass half-full personality. Nothing is impossible to him but, maybe, when you're in government some things are impossible – at least in the short term. And that could be where he came a little unstuck.
"Twyford is a glass half-full personality. Nothing is impossible to him but, maybe, when you're in government some things are impossible – at least in the short term. And that could be where he came a little unstuck."
and that is possibly the most generous and polite description I have ever read
Why did he get both Housing and Urban Development as well as Transport to start off with? That was a really bad decision on the part of the Labour medical team. He couldn't breathe life into both those portfolios, especially seeing housing had an overdose of happy potion.
Maybe this Government has been trying too hard? I can't really think of any Minister in the previous Government who pushed so hard on any program that the people pointed the finger at rate of progress. Hard to think of any real strides forward. Therefore if Phil had promised little and kept very quiet, no more chitter chat then the naysayers would be stumped.
The coalition Government has actually achieved a huge amount in 2 years haven't they?
Some truth in that. Especially where Phil is concerned. As I said… he's a glass half full type of person who puts his heart and soul into any venture he is involved in.
Well Labour over-promised and expected miracles in giving Twyford two demanding and key portfolios. I wonder again why did they make this error, it's lacking in reason. Housing has been top of the mind for yonks and people wanted action. Gaping holes could be seen. I don't understand how things work – voters elect a government and then government puts all responsibility for certain work on a particular MP who then seems to become king-pin though the government wear the results.
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?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 ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
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 ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. 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 ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
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 ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
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 ...
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New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
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Twyford is a dead man walking. The meta from today's stories in Stuff is he has zero political capital, his credibility is exhausted and the media smell blood.-
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/117020181/the-true-cost-of-phil-tywfords-billion-dollar-memory-lapses and – https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/117034013/for-the-second-day-in-a-row-phil-twyford-looks-like-hes-given-parliament-the-wrong-information
Perhaps Jacinda just got the reason to remove Twyford. He is now a political liability.
I’m no fan of Twyford, he’s certainly turning out to be a less than stella cabinet minister. And it’s intolerable that he appears to have totally fucked up the years of light rail planning in Auckland. But this campaign by Coughlan in cahoots with Chris Bishop and National’s old pals still in the the transport ministry is starting to look pretty nasty and personal.
would certainly help if he stopped handing them ammunition
Transport is serious. You can't lie, you can't get the wrong story from officials, you can't make mix things up, you can't not remember.
Now if he were, say a PM, and it was something unimportant, like say the GCSB, he could lie, would be allowed to not remember, be able to obfuscate…
Sure would!
Yes, it’s appalling when the opposition does its job and points out that Twyford couldn’t even plan the route for light rail, let alone product a plan to build it. Must be a media conspiracy that prevented Twyford from pulling out a map and finding a route, which is almost identical to a road, from the cbd to mount roskill.
certainly a personal attack.
Patrick Smellie balances the ledger somewhat: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=12281214
Excellent hit job by Stuff. A new Minister with a big knife and plenty of gaffer tape should cure the problems with a department that sounds dysfunctional.
For no other reason than destroying the dreams of those who were sold the Kiwibuild dream, he needs to go. March 18 we had confirmed the promise of $600k cap from the election was still there, then less than 2 months later sorry it is now $650k.
Thanks to that inability of this government we have lost 3+ years into addressing the housing issue. His legacy will go well beyond this govts tenor.
we now face in the 2020 election a bad option or a slightly worse option. Meanwhile the rest of us face REAL day to day issues.
Kiwibuild itself was a poisoned chalice.
It was a badly conceived solution to the issue of affordable housing.
median 'household' income in Auckland would be around $120k . Any other system of direct government subsidy to reduce the price to say $450k would be a $$$ gift to those who can take advantage of it.
The building of state houses for rent as social housing is continuing, Kiwibuild isnt designed to replace that
I don't know how your response relates to my comment, I’m guessing it was for Herodotus.
But aside from that, I'd be interested in where are you finding the median Auckland household income? I can only find the average, which is not the same. Also, it might have some data on the distribution of income and number of household occupants.
No idea where Duke gets his figures from, but this seems more accurate to me…
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2018/09/aucklanders-need-three-times-median-income-to-afford-home-data.html
+ New Zealand's median income is $52,000
Hi Siobhan,
Another concern I have about using "household" income is that overcrowded or multiple family households, flatten out any financial stresses that would otherwise be apparent. A household with grown children earning money, but unable to afford their own housing on their individual income, will be contributing to the statistics of household income and improving it.
Also, given the information in your link. The article shows the disparity (or despair-ity) of median housing costs compared to median incomes. Although we know that indicates that at least half the households are in that position – or worse – we have no idea how the top 50% is distributed, and whether the housing stress affects 51% or 80%.
I never did understand why Kiwibuild was separated from the need for social housing – the two go together – it is all about making sure that as many as possible have somewhere to call home. As for why some initial targets have not been able to be met, there are two that I suspect do not get much attention. The first is that housing is just one of the neglected (or deliberately diminished) areas of government service – the previous government did its best to either privatise (largely to "Charities", but that produced a fragmented industry that cannot be measured, and importantly reduced expectations of government doing anything itself), or sell off state houses to private purchasers. The second is the comparative weakness of the building industry. The Government choices regarding Christchurch were to use Fletchers as much as possible – controlling supply, the pace of work, and subcontractors. Accompanying that were a deliberate mis-interpretation of insurance contracts (requiring fixed price sign offs from policyholders for example) and shoddy regulatory monitoring. We now know that many newer buildings collapse in an earthquake than those built 50 to 100 years ago; we know that concrete has not always had the correct amount of steel reinforcing, or properly connected steel. We know that New Zealand builders are bejind overseas companies with mechanisation and pre-built houses – our big companies do not want to knw, while small companies go bankrupt too easily . . .
We know the limitations of our clean water, waste water and sewage reticulation systems – new developments are harder than they used to be. Then we have stupid pandering to employers to bring in large numbers of people to keep wages low – remember when baristas was the biggest single occupation for immigrants? The separation of trade education from work meant that it was cheaper for companies to avoid having apprentices; that is only now being turned around by the current government, and unemployment is lower partly a a result. Some of the problems we now know exist are the fault of deferred maintenance and poor regulation in the last government, and some of them have also been surprises to all of New Zealand in the last 2 years. Deferred maintenance in Health has been well publicised, but it goes beyond just buildings to staff levels and (together with teachers) to pay levels. All that has required ambitions for the current government to not always be met. It is fair to say that some could have been anticipated, but not all of them.
National's preoccupation with selected bits of government is well known – and as we know from The Standard, most of their claims turn out to be severely distorted, if not plain wrong.
Kiwibuild was only meant to reduce prices in the part of the 'market' above social housing levels. To drag houses on an average section in an average suburb from $900k to 750k, say. Not remotely 'affordable' for most families.
State houses were always going to have a bigger impact at the bottom and this govt have done an appalling job of communicating what they have done in that space.
Irrespective of the merits of Kiwibuild, it created great hope out there, and this was initially promoted in 2014. So there has been plenty of time available to ensure that this at least was more successful that what is has been, and many of the issues should have been worked out, instead of fixing it as we go 4 years after its conception. The hubris that has surrounded this when valid short comings were pointed out.
What are the 20-30's who placed their hope into this scheme ? 3 years wasted, dreams destroyed.
And remember this govt. increased the scope from 50k to 100k over 10 years, without any prompting.
It was probably pretty well planned out – but when you hit reality, sometimes plans go awry.
For me, KB always gets points for actual effort and setting up a testable goal. Like a lot of this government's work.
That having been said, it's fallen well short. But Twyford never struck me as being a Clare Curran, so maybe replacing him won't magically improve things. Maybe the initial slog of KB is just a much worse job than expected.
I was never a fan of this approach. In effect, it actually reinforces buoyant market prices for housing.
I had posted this link previously, about Grand Design series "The Street" about an approach to housing development that provides benefits to both the purchaser and the authorities. Apparently the series is going to be on NZ television soon.
The original Netherlands development Almere is still going, and worthwhile researching for how successful it has been in providing lower-cost housing, while building community:
The first view of the government;s housing plan showed it as not only feeble but probably terminal. How come the voters were cast in the role of the simple, direct, clear-eyed viewers on the sideline looking at the Emperor with No Clothes, but a heck of a con story to sell us?
Where are the smarts in Cabinet? Did they get left on the Cabinet table after a meeting. And was it like that funny happening on the way to an Art Installation where the arrangement of an Aftermath of a 'do' with cigarette ends and other detritus', was mistaken as rubbish by the prosaic cleaner and swept away.
Not what I would call art; and the Cabinet decisions lacked veracity also.
And Newshub are going after David Clark (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/10/ryan-bridge-health-minister-david-clark-owes-new-zealand-an-explanation-over-measles-epidemic.html) and Ian Lees-Galloway (https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/10/immigration-minister-iain-lees-galloway-didn-t-request-court-judgements-before-granting-drunk-driver-residency.html).
Time for the PM to take a punt and blood some new talent?
Ryan Bridge really? Who gives a toss what he thinks.
And Newshub knows like everybody else that Lees-Galloway had no choice but to allow the guy to stay if we were to comply with our international obligations.
Lets not forget Newshub as part of MediaWorks is going down the toilet and this bullshit is one of the reasons why.
Good points, but the media do influence perception, whether we like it or not. And politicians rise or fall on public perception.
It would help if people were less prepared to be spoon-fed bullshit. A lot of the time no one does any research for themselves, preferring to just meekly accept what they're being told, without knowing if it's a partisan hit-job, or just the 'feels' of some sour hack with an axe to grind. David Cunliffe was put through the wringer based on what turned out to be manufactured horseshit, and yet you had John Armstrong hysterically shrieking about his resignation. If 'The Hollow Men' and 'Dirty Politics' taught us anything, it's that none of this stuff is accidental. There's a cohesive strategy behind it.
That's a weak point Paddington, whatever is written about you will affect perceptions so you should drop off as soon as someone makes up a convincing lie? Where do standards sit in your part of the world – does anyone try to do anything good, and do most that you know sit on fences going hee-haw at the earnest tryers while they make up some juicy concoction about them for the gullible.
It's not a 'weak point', it is an observation of human frailty. The media's influence is, at least in part, determined by the willingness of the general public to accept 'news' at face value. When we challenge prevailing narrative, when we scratch below the surface, we expose the shallowness of media coverage. Too few do.
Its just a usual rants from a low rating breakfast show trying to make the news itself.
Jacinda needs to act on this IMO. The longer Twyford stays there the more crap he is putting on to Labour. Helen Clark would have sacked him by now.
Actually I think Clark, would, if she felt that her minister was being undermined by his ministry, have moved pretty smartly to curtail a few careers in that department. The minister would have been most likely given a minder and told not to move unless Heather Simpson said he could.
Spot on ScottGN.
I suspect part of Twyford's problem is that he has been too trusting of some in his ministry portfolios. Once upon a time these officials were strictly neutral but I fear that is no longer the case.
Twyford IS the problem IMO along with the other ABC national light ministers such as Nash, Robertson, Hipkins, Parker, O'Connor etc. WTF does Faafoi do !
Phildo has fallen into the trap of thinking his dept is behind him when any idiot can see the entire public service was turned over by National to suit it’s backers requirements.
Also there is the toxicity that is Shane Jones who thrives on undermining Labour with a proven history of laziness, arrogance and boorish behaviour.
But everyone knew that Shane Jones was like that tc, and he was chosen I think, despite those attributes because he was someone that the centre-Trump voters would feel akin to. Probably his rating is still positive with that group despite having his foot in his mouth, his automatic rifle in his meaty arm etc.
And generally being an up-himself Trumpian prick.
Being naïve is not an OK quality for a Minister.
Well said
No doubt there. Quite a few ministries are larded with so many Gnat spoilers they're a trap for ministers – Radio NZ for one. By all means give Twyford a holiday – but lose the fake public servants – there's no place for them under this government.
That attack is bollocks- Nat party stooge is helped by journo. Coughlin needs to be asked why he doesn't identify the clear party affiliation.
The bigger question is why were we f- around with PPPs. It's a marquee policy- Twyford isn't on his own here. Sure he hasn't done that well, but he's not working in a vacuum.
That's certainly compatible with Pattrick Smellie's interpretation, which seems to account for everything but the noise from the cheap seats.
Nope quite different. I'm asking if he was encouraged to seek a PPP when the project was quite a ways down the track and had already been campaigned on.
Snowden's twitter account is rich in news including Brazil, with the Bolsonaro family implicated in murder,Epstein's "suicide" (looking more like homicide according to Michael Baden who observed the autopsy)latest polling from New Hampshire..Sanders leading
Snowden's memoir Permanent Record should make interesting reading
https://twitter.com/Snowden?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
His Twitter feed is always interesting.
Has Assange got a twitter feed?
Assange is allowed very few visitors, has no access to books or computer let alone his own writings with which to defend himself.
Does anyone know the policy around police involvement in Auckland Transport fare dodging?
My son is a regular commuter on AT trains into Auckland. Leaves home between 5.30 and 6.30am so often wears a hoodie and sometimes a beanie for his early morning commute and just plays podcasts on his phone to pass the time.
He noticed several police officers board the train, and precede an AT staff member down the aisle. Surreptitious hand signals to the AT staff member resulted in various passengers being asked to confirm their fare payment. He was one of them.
Is this a judicious use of police time? Given that AT staff has a right to require proof of fare at any time, what would this operation been useful for? The only thing I can think of is immediate arrest of any farejumper.
Does anyone know the reasoning or legality behind this? Seems a lot like casual profiling.
Is this a judicious use of police time?
No, it is not imho.
Anyone who has approached the police about certain types of crimes – especially if it involves harassment, bullying and intimidatory criminal acts is likely to be – metaphorically speaking – turfed out on to the street and told to stop bothering the police. There have been instances in the past when women in particular have been physically attacked and even killed because police didn't take them seriously.
Yet they're happy to hop on a train and check law abiding passengers' tickets to see if they have diddled some corporate body of a dollar or two. Money talks.
And yes…casual profiling is on the cards.
diddled some corporate body
About half of each region's public transit operations funding has to come from fares under current regulations.
People who steal free rides are not reducing some company's profits but are disdvantaging everyone else who uses and benefits from PT – hence operators all over the world act against that theft. Many places have dedicated transit enforcement officers so they are not diverting attention from other policing. NZ could do that if our govt changes the law.
Except Sacha, they are not acting on evidence or suspicion of someone breaking the law.
This is purely going through the carriage and pointing out persons to the AT staff member – who already has the ability to ask for proof of fare, and can arrange for suitable backup at the next station if there is evidence of fare dodging. This is profiling.
Given climate change transition requirements, the regulations that should be changed is not to introduce more police to the transport system, but to subsidise public transport fully.
You are missing the point.
You have changed the point. Thats a different argument, even if fares were only expected to be 20% of cost, they still would have ticket checkers.
No one is going to subsidise public transport fully like you say
AT already have ticket checkers, who can randomly check for fare dodgers. That is still the point.
My last sentence added after initial posting, was for Sacha, who in his closing sentence suggested regulation change would make police on transport systems legal. I should have ensured the missing the point comment stayed in position. We subsidise a lot of things, limiting subsidies of public transport to only 50% of cost is limiting options in addressing climate change, and reducing the harm from air pollution. We should at least consider higher levels of subsidy. My preference would be fully subsidised public transport for NZ citizens.
But grammar aside, do you think this it a good use of police resources, and whether it is a form of profiling?
We rang cops a few weeks back as a friends phone went missing then she got a call she could get phone back for $100 (she got him down to $10), she asked for cops to witness but they said they didn't have the staff, just take some friends. I went with her, scary dudes, paid $10, got phone back.
Would be very tempted myself to just wave that phone goodbye, and replace it with a cheaper second-hand one.
Must admit, your friend has severely good negotiation skills, need her on our foreign trade talks.
How did the phone thieves ring the owner of the stolen phone?
AT staff have no power to detain anyone. Offenders scarper at will unless police are there. Having specific transit officers who do not need to be fully-trained police is one way other places manage that.
Profiling is another thing altogether and not specific to this situation.
Free PT is an ideal but meeting the daily peak demands for it may not be achievable without pricing or some other rationing system. I believe our current arrangements deliver neither fairness nor climate action.
Sacha – It appears that you think profiling is happening here, and it is one of Molly's points. Some of the comments that pass for answers that you and Duke put up are off the track but you imply you have definite knowledge, which can not be possible as you make replies to everything, and no-one knows everything.
I don't know about the transport policing, but our country's approach seems to let things happen that make life hard for folks, and intrusively check on the population for infringements, and when people can't or don't comply with rules, they get punished. It would be better if the country was run to make it easy for people to manage their lives, but that idea isn't on the table.
I compare police going on transport looking for unpaid money infringement, and at hospital in the A&E section, their own security staff have to handle assault and violence infringements. That is where police should be stationed, at least one all night, and that would be policing for the people's good.
Curious how you are confident something I have said is 'off the track'?
Nobody knows everything. Learning is a good thing. You seem to have enough time for that, which is a blessing.
AT staff have no power to detain anyone.
OK, I accept that. So what is the benefit of a police presence in this situation, given the level of the crime and the ability of AT to call ahead to have police present at the next station.
Profiling is another thing altogether and not specific to this situation.
In this case, the use of police – who are looked on to be experts in criminals – to identify possible farejumpers is the definition of profiling. Random checks are already possible.
Free PT is an ideal but meeting the daily peak demands for it may not be achievable without pricing or some other rationing system. I believe our current arrangements deliver neither fairness nor climate action.
I agree about the fairness and the climate action. I haven't witnessed any real discussions about higher subsidies for public transport either from this government or our local transport associations. I have seen dismissals that price was not considered to be a deterrent.
I have little faith that the pragmatists, who are usually not the most vulnerable or financially stressed, will even consider the impact of fairness in discussions about raising the 50% threshold that you stated was a regulatory limit. I would like to see that happen, and although I would like to see free public transport – understand the limitations of delivering that result.
I would love public transit to be free for our poorest and youngest – something like the Gold Gard. Also cheaper than increasing that 50% subsidy across the board. Nothing to stop govt doing it right away.
I would love public transit to be free for our poorest and youngest – something like the Gold Gard.
My partner's father, who died at the age of 93, utilised his Gold Card to catch the bus, train, ferry to Devonport and then return for a days outing. The benefit he had from this in terms of mental and physical health was considerable. As a community, we also benefit from having our older citizens visible, engaged and active. However, he was financially well off.
Any assessment on suitability for discounts etc is often crude and badly managed. We don't measure income vs fixed outgoings, we just measure taxed incomes. I know a few people who live very comfortable lives including private schools for their children and long annual overseas trips that are entitled to community services cards or similar benefits because of the way their personal incomes are calculated. Until these designs get better, I would rather have a way for citizens to access lower fares and leave the higher fares for tourists and non-citizens. We used to have a discount card provided for access to our local swimming pools that was delivered once a year to all households in our district. It allows those that regularly contribute taxes on top of fares, a reduction in fares and recognises their contribution.
Nothing to stop govt doing it right away.
That's the saddest part.
Here's another one for Greywarshark. The guy couldn't be bothered stopping for police. Wimpy judge gives an $850 fine and Community detention………should have got jail time of say, six months and a fine of at least $5k. Need a decent deterrent. I believe the fines for not stopping for police in Australia are a lot harsher which may be a real deterrent which may be why police do not chase as often.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/117037373/teen-couldnt-be-bothered-stopping-for-police-leads-them-on-chase
From page 63 of the IPCA report "Fleeing Drivers in New Zealand" earlier this year:
The whole report is worth a read. Probably several times to absorb it all, there's a lot there.
He's a white boy who considers himself to be above the law. Of course he got the wet bus ticket.
The judge couldn't be bothered..
Jimmy
This fellow is not going to be affected by bigger fines, whatever. He sounds like someone a bit lost, out of control, hophead or a druggie, definitely not going to be have second thoughts about behaving better as he doesn't even have first ones by the sounds.
Defence lawyer Michael Scott said Chasteauneuf was under significant stress at the time, resulting in him being admitted to Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward.
Australia having heavy penalties and putting people in prison would not be a useful line for us to follow. We already imprison people, second to the USA, which is an indication that we too are a hollow country, looks good on the outside, but inside worm-eaten.
He looks as if he might come from a comfortably off family and perhaps there has not been enough time spent helping him through the difficult teen years, with affection and encouragement.
Something that those who know-all might be able to advise is about set tasks for people needing actual 'correction'. If he was told to go to driving instruction and perhaps counselling, and didn't go, would he be followed up and then given a short jail term? I have the idea that after conviction there isn't much available except that Maori are trying to work with their own people.
WTF ? This is the judge (who's on 350K a year) – …..the chase put numerous people at risk, including police officers, the judge said. "They don't get paid enough for that to occur." "They don't get paid enough……"???
I mean the comment, apparently made to a probation officer – "I couldn't be bothered stopping…." is obviously a load of weird crap yet it seems that at both ends we're happy to settle for that as definitional. The media at one end and the wiseacres on here at the other end who lustily fantasise that smashing up an attitudinally fucked young life is going to result in a young life that's not fucked up ???
It's almost like we don't actually want any advance.
Would this guy have stopped for police?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/117003370/alcohol-and-cannabis-in-fatal-crash-drivers-blood
Surprise surprise. When you give rich people money, they keep it.
/
https://twitter.com/crampell/status/1189525328114393090
investment in structures — factories, offices, oil rigs, etc. — plunged 15.3% in Q3, after falling 11.1% in Q2
This was 2nd consecutive quarter in which overall business investment shrank.
2019 GDP growth also now on track to equal about what it averaged during Obama’s 2nd term.
The Trump economic agenda — tax cuts, trade wars, pro-pollution deregulation — ain’t so magical after all
Also worth pointing out that the mechanism by which we were supposed to get supercharged biz investment was through big capital inflows to the US. Capital inflows to US have instead been shrinking
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1189525328114393090.html
A great move. Someone makes a start at taming the digital wild west.
https://twitter.com/jack/status/1189634360472829952
meh
putting an end to promoting RWNJ's will be a start.
https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1189524650402955264
https://twitter.com/JuddLegum/status/1189525797184397313
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1189523656008962049.html
previously on TS
aww
https://twitter.com/parscale/status/1189656652250845184
The most sophisticated online program ever known? Really? Spittle-flecked Twitter rants at two in the morning because Faux News doesn't lavish you with unearned praise any more? It'd be funny if it weren't so sad.
Trump's craft in using the Twitter contributed to him winning in 2016. It shouldn't be scoffed at.
Poor fucking Brad Parscale my heart weeps. One day maybe not too long off 'conservatives' will be declaring from under their straw coiffs that Trump was never a 'conservative' anyway. Which the decent people knew forever.
Just means Facebook has 2 sets of rules, one for every one else and another for the tiny number of US right wing 'fakebook sites'
Chile too Hot. COPS out.
https://twitter.com/DavidBegnaud/status/1189547850117419009
The crisis in Chile is terrifying, protesters are "violent" because cops are beating people up, and reports of rape and brutality etc. Scary place right now.
I see the wild fires in California have threatened The Ronald Reagan Presidential library and museum
Hell, I hope it doesn't threaten the Donald Trump one, his comic might get burnt.
Someone held in jail in harsh conditions because he is an environmentalist who has criticised the USA government and was labelled as a possible terrorist! And Muslims who seem perfectly good people but paranopia finds them otherwise. I found this clip on line and interested people may have missed the link and my comment at –
https://thestandard.org.nz/small-start-to-inflated-bullshit/#comment-1663980 – which I thought was an important factor when we are talking about free speech and what a RW government might think too free.
What the heck? Our lives are to be continually disrupted by paranoid super liberal middle class apparatchiks who want to turn our lives upside down and spoil them to accommodate the new, demanding, restless culture who will never be happy and always mewling about something that they haven't got. It is an unimagined expansion of the Me Generation that wishes to insert themselves into every niche and space we have.
Now students have decided that they shouldn't clap with enthusiasm because..,.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/lately/audio/2018720013/the-jazz-hands-debate
Jazz hands is the British Sign Language expression of clapping, and the [Oxford] university union hopes that by doing away with clapping, whooping and cheering, events will be more accessible to people suffering from anxiety and those with hearing problems…
Frank Furedi is emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Kent. He is well known for his work on the sociology of fear, education, therapy culture, paranoid parenting and the sociology of knowledge.
He is the author of How Fear Works: Culture of Fear in the 21st Century…
Applause can unify, he says.
"One of the great things about applauding, or applauding people, is it brings people together it's a kind of solidarity and you see it in sporting events in concerts, in all kinds of public situations.
"And if now, what you do is you kind of marginalise that very human way of identifying with each other. I think that has a very negative effect on the spirits."
Ferudi is a long-time critic of a style of parenting and teaching that he believes medicalises ordinary life challenges.
If you get tired of the constant PCness arising each day like weeds, you might like Ruth Dudley Edwards’ (Irish/UK writer) book called Murdering Americans about how an educational business makes money from teaching this stuff, and doesn’t like it being exposed to public gaze.
Surely, the acceptable norm that includes both jazz hands and audible clapping with understanding of noise sensitivities is the desired outcome?
People aware of such sensitivities, such as my sister-in-law who had several operations on her head and scalp, will often remove themselves from situations where noise may be an issue. Or she – in rare instances – will use hearing protection to protect herself from the associated pain of loud noises.
It would be good to see a combination of both "jazz hands" and "palm-to-palm" clapping being so common, that it is accepted without need for discourse.
How do you mean? Having a mix won't solve the noise/anxiety issue.
I'm quite sensitive to noise for health reasons and I'm ok with avoiding places where people are clapping and cheering if it's too much for me. This is a key human experience, to express excitement and joy by making a noise, not a good thing to interfere with.
I can imagine some exceptions to this eg where people with anxiety or noise sensitivity are speaking or at an event that is specific to them. I can also see the value in an option of some events using jazz hands. I'm a big fan of quiet spaces too, and hope libraries sort out the conflict on this sooner rather than later. Rather than banning clapping/cheering, I'd rather see quiet spaces increased.
Hi weka, just realised that my comment is not attached to grey's above. Meant to be a reply to her links and reference to PCness.
Hi Molly, yes, I read it as a reply. I just wasn't clear what you meant by "It would be good to see a combination of both "jazz hands" and "palm-to-palm" clapping being so common, that it is accepted without need for discourse."
The comment " If you get tired of the constant PCness arising each day like weeds" just struck me as non-inclusive. I could be reading it wrong, but would like to live in a society where differences are just accepted, and not referred to as PC.
I know what you mean, and rising intolerance seems a thing. We don't seem that good at the moment as a society for resolving conflicting needs and it think this is made worse by the tension and fear people are feeling about the world.
I agree about library, not perfect quiet but controlled quiet. We have a man who clucks like a hen every few minutes, I don't know if I am unreasonable to dislike this. But if there were a few of them and perhaps a mentally different person whooping away then it is hardly a space for concentrated thinking.
Too much chatting and socialising of young people at the library general spaces some times. They need to be shushed off to their own space where they could enjoy talking at the tops of their voices.
I suppose headphones would help, and block out the distractions.
Noise-cancelling headphones are great. Don't even have to have anything playing.
Too much chatting and socialising of young people at the library general spaces some times.
Libraries are almost our last equal access community space, open to all demographics, ages and skill levels. If it is used as a free sociable space by any community members, I'm all for it. Too many are trying to diminish or remove libraries, and they need to adapt.
Some of the more recent library buildings have a purpose-built acoustically designed quiet reading space. I think this is a great solution for those who want to read in silence while in the library. Best thing is, they can also take out items on loan and read in the privacy of their own homes – with a cup of tea.
it's not hard to design spaces once the needs are understood. Because libraries have traditionally been quiet places, I favour keeping them that way and adding in other, more socially loud spaces (or times). Not everyone can take books home to read. I sometimes used to sit in the library just to rest.
Papakura library was renovated a few years ago, and I tried out their quiet reading room. It was great, there was a specific toddler reading and singing activity scheduled, but inside the room itself was all comfortable armchairs and quiet.
As someone who enjoys quiet spaces, I understand the preference for libraries to remain so. I am also painfully aware of reoccurring proposals that aim to reduce or diminish our library resources. For me, making them more valued and indispensable to a wide range of ages and people may include changing traditional rules about how they are used. It's a fine balance though, and must include provisions for those who have always valued the library for it's quiet public space.
There are places I don't go because the noise is too loud, and heavy metal bands I avoid. I put my habnds to my ears when standing on the tarmac waiting to board a plane and one is revving next door, you do have to be careful with your hearing.
… and heavy metal bands I avoid…
this made me smile, trying to think of heavy metal bands you accommodate.
After dismissing the rants from Anti-Twyfords today it was refreshing to read Patrick Smellie' column. Won't stop the odious from creating mischief but any reasonable person might wonder at the mountains out of little bumps.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12281214
Snap at 1.1.3 above
Oh heck. Sorry Sacha. Missed it.
Wondering about the concerted attack focussed on the same people from papers, blogs, radio online. Going to be hard going for the next 12 months. Did I read that Bridges has 7 staff working on media and only 2 on policies?
More like 20-something focusing on social media, apparently.
Aha… just as I thought. Petty-fogging officials are far more likely to be behind the screw-up – not Phil Twyford. To describe Twyford as incompetent and not up to ministerial level tasks is poppycock.
I know him well and have seen him in action on the campaign front. He's a superb organiser and knows exactly what he wants to do. I can imagine him getting up the noses of some in officialdom who like to think they are the real masters of policy formation and expect ministers to follow them – not the other way around.
Twyford is a glass half-full personality. Nothing is impossible to him but, maybe, when you're in government some things are impossible – at least in the short term. And that could be where he came a little unstuck.
Surely that is not a sacking matter.
"Twyford is a glass half-full personality. Nothing is impossible to him but, maybe, when you're in government some things are impossible – at least in the short term. And that could be where he came a little unstuck."
and that is possibly the most generous and polite description I have ever read
Well, I should take some at least of what you may have read with a grain of salt Pat.
I knew him. I suspect many of those who have joined the ‘let’s get Phil Twyford’ club never actually knew him.
Why did he get both Housing and Urban Development as well as Transport to start off with? That was a really bad decision on the part of the Labour medical team. He couldn't breathe life into both those portfolios, especially seeing housing had an overdose of happy potion.
Maybe this Government has been trying too hard? I can't really think of any Minister in the previous Government who pushed so hard on any program that the people pointed the finger at rate of progress. Hard to think of any real strides forward. Therefore if Phil had promised little and kept very quiet, no more chitter chat then the naysayers would be stumped.
The coalition Government has actually achieved a huge amount in 2 years haven't they?
Maybe this Government has been trying too hard.
Some truth in that. Especially where Phil is concerned. As I said… he's a glass half full type of person who puts his heart and soul into any venture he is involved in.
Well Labour over-promised and expected miracles in giving Twyford two demanding and key portfolios. I wonder again why did they make this error, it's lacking in reason. Housing has been top of the mind for yonks and people wanted action. Gaping holes could be seen. I don't understand how things work – voters elect a government and then government puts all responsibility for certain work on a particular MP who then seems to become king-pin though the government wear the results.