Happy New Year everyone! I have learned so much from your contributions and am grateful. The Standard remains an excellent source of information and debate, such as is seldom found these days.
Just want to express gratitude, looking forward to 2013.
A nice little doco on the demise of the Celtic Tiger. The country John Key wanted to emulate and the future we have to look forward too as we have $ 112 Billion in Derivatives on our books whose value is based on absolutely nothing.
(By the way I don’t seem to have access to the WYSIWYG editor anymore)
That article doesn’t actually give a figure for the amount of derivatives held. At best, it includes them in a $112 billion figure, but doesn’t specify how much of it they make up.
Yes, I would like to know what proportion of the $112 billion is in derivatives.
Being once, some years ago, in business which included international derivatives.
From which I do have an understanding, which is why I queried the figures.
What you want to know is what portion of those derivatives is what kind of derivatives because they are all derivatives.
But for some reason they changed the generally accepted accountancy practices so they don’t have to tell anyone anymore and especially the ones that are dangerous and could hold liabilities they don’t have to declare anymore. I wonder why?
But I’m sure Murray can explain it all. He knows everything!
2012, the year I started reading The Standard. Although I haven’t voted Labour since 1984 and am presently a Mana supporter, thanks guy for informative and entertaining reading.
Will this one finally spell the end of the Honours system? VERY EARLY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PRANK
RODNEY HIDE GETS GIVEN A MEDAL
DO NOT LAUGH: THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
ACT buffoon RODNEY HIDE, the man who was so useless that John Banks was seen as preferable to be rubberstamped by the obedient souls of Epsom, has been made a Companion of the Queen’s Service… http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/img/b7.jpg
You might well ask: what’s Rodney Hide ever done other than make a fool of himself?
Well, here are the reasons he is now to be addressed by the rest of us commoners as RODNEY PHILIP HIDE QSO”…
6.) For his speaking ever so slowly and in a low voice, as he repeats, unchallenged, Ayn Rand’s mad raving dogma on Bryan Crump’s otherwise excellent show on National Radio…. http://t.qkme.me/3phsr1.jpg
Have a Happy New Year, you unrecognised oiks—and remember, if you see a deranged old man shouting insults at Māori family groups over the summer, don’t say “Fuck off to Queensland you racist scum”, say “Fuck off to Queensland, Sir Paul.”
Morrissey, I’m sure you realise that the *honours* for public service such as given to Rodney Hide are simply the official thanks for his efforts in delivering the assets of NZ into foreign hands.
The *award* is for his part in the super-city fraud,(among other things no doubt) , which was of course *mandated* by Dame Margaret Beazley (She of the government departments hatchet team) , with Hide becoming the face of the implementation. We see the irony (corruption) of the elected servants, by the way that Hide was castrated by the very platform he sold himself upon, that of course being the *perk buster* – We see how the system works, where one must invert the message being delivered to be closer to the true intent!
One does not need to look deeply, or even see RH in order to understand how corrupted the little man is. You can hear it wrapped inside every utterance from his lying, narcissistic mouth, and it will have been a blow to his ego, to have received such a *lowly* recognition!
Thanks, muzza. In my rage after learning of this travesty, I completely overlooked the things you mentioned.
More haste, less speed should be my new year’s resolution, I think.
By the way, judging by the calls to right-wing talk radio this morning, the honours system does not enjoy a lot of respect even by those conservative souls.
Banks’ protection comes from the same places the awards originate, but I think we can be assured that Banks will receive *recognition* at some stage, unless he continues to need the protection from the brothers, on account of him contunually cocking up.
Nice to see they are handing out Honours for being a Screw up. That means Key is a shoe in for some tin to hang around his scrawny neck. more shit for his scrap book, as we all know it means nothing, and is only a bad joke. Like the dead, and now Lazarused QC.
I would not have been surprised if he been given one this time ,in fact I fully expected to him to
have. Unfortunately we have another two years ,but nothing is more certain than Sir John off Hawaii.
Which just show what a lot off hogswallop the whole charade is,
Jonathon Scott concludes with “Why does New Zealand have the governments it elects and the policies they pursue? It is not, presumably, because New Zealanders are dumber than Finns. So it must be: education, education, education.”
Many times I have asked myself this same question. How did the people of NZ, (some my family members, friends and colleagues) vote in this government not once but twice, particularly knowing they were hell bent on selling our assets and blatantly blaming the sufferers of poverty and ill health by beneficiary bashing? How did superannuation retain its mana but other benefits become shameful and bludging?
When I read peoples view points, especially those of left leanings, I am heartened by the caring, concern and compassion expressed for the common person. The ‘knowing’ that life is less about self and more about community. That what affects one affects all. How does one educate closed hearts and minds? It would appear that for many change only occurs when affected directly…so as more and more families wave their loved ones goodbye as they cross the Tasman or have unemployment and all the misery it brings enter their own homes or start to go without necessities with their wages going backwards… perhaps this is the personal education required and it is only a matter of time…
One part of the answer is a near total avoidance of NZ history in the school curriculum. The major depressions of the 1880’s and the 1930’s, the history of our social security system, the major projects successfully undertaken by this country in this country. Building Manapouri, instituting the 40 hour work week, and much more.
Especially the role of Unions and Labour Governments in building our society.
It seems the socialist history of NZ has been wiped from the textbooks.
I remember when the unions suggested education in peoples rights and responsibilities at work, financial knowledge, and NZ history was vehemently opposed.
Not many people realise, a Samuel Parnell could be arrested now for advocating a general strike, for a 40 hour week.
Very good new post from Chris Trotter on the way Key’s populism has subverted the old Kiwi ideal of collective egalitarianism, in the service of the neoliberal ideology.
Neoliberalism’s point of attack was the Kiwi aversion to being bossed around. If nobody’s better than Jack then nobody should be allowed to tell Jack what to do. If nobody’s better than Jack, then Jack’s ideas are a good as anybody else’s. If nobody’s better than Jack then everybody should be treated the same. Taxes should be flat. Bosses and workers should negotiate face-to-face, as equals.(No need for unions – or at least, not compulsory ones.) …
The old egalitarianism confronted all who stood athwart the path to a fuller life. It did not deny the power of philosophy or science or art: on the contrary, it demanded equal access to that power. The new egalitarianism argues that if Jack is only willing to get with programme he’ll soon realise that the fuller life is already here – to be enjoyed on Jack’s terms, and nobody else’s.
John Key is both the chief spokesman and ultimate exemplar of this new egalitarian spirit. Is he our master? Yes. Does that mean he’s better than us? No way!
This little snippet about Chris Tremain, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Civil Defence, and Associate Minister of Tourism slipped into the media when it will be ignored by all comers deep in holiday mode ……….. yet another thief outed from the Nats Front Bench
Been blobbing out a bit over the last few days with family and other coding. But I thought I’d mention watching and surprisingly* enjoying Iron Sky. As you’d expect, with a theme of lunar nazi’s, the plot line is completely absurd.
But it is amusing to watch especially as you pick out the clichés that they’re pushing – for instance there is one scene that is a almost complete reprise of that Hitler scene that everyone rewords. And the way that some of the scenes inside the lunar corridors rip off Castle Wolfenstein… Some of it was so so predictable. But good fun to watch
And if you can, then watch it on bluray with a true HDTV. Some of the graphics work is pretty damn good. Of course it helps that they were able to do most of it in grey scale.
Excellent B grade and I suspect heading directly to cult status.
* I mostly watched it as being one of the few crowd sourced feature films..
Agree, amazing graphics for a B grader, laugh out loud piss taking and knows exactly what it’s about.
The Palin-esque US president in raptures at a nazi rematch with some of my favourite lines being ‘ I’m just like Franklin D roosevelt, except you know I’m not a spastic’ in a scene that’s probably all too close to the truth.
Thanks, for the tip, Lynn and the recommendation, tc. I will watch it first chance I get. I am very interested to see what can be achieved via crowd sourcing for movies.
Well I did watch Prometheus the other day, I must say I was more than a little disappointed with the storyline. Which is more the pity as I have been looking forward to this movie for a while, being a fan of the Alien story, and it could have been a good 90 minutes spent. Instead I feel I wasted the time on a story that was just too predictable.
Watched it weeks ago. Thought that the cgi was good. Story line was weak and really read like a slow rephrasing of Ben Bova’s “As on a darkling plain” – one of his better novels. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bova#Non-series_novels
(some idiot has reedited it into the Watchmen series on Wikipedia?)
Plans were made to assassinate Occupy leaders by sniper fire, but the documents don’t make it clear who was involved with the plans. The FBI did not inform the targets of the assassination plans. It is not clear whether an organization or individual was involved. The document’s source was Texas and it discussed activities in Texas.
So no actual evidence connected to the FBI whatsoever. Plans by whom? Tea Party batshit nutjobs for all we know – the document is too heavily redacted to be proof of anything.
Actually despite the redaction it is actually quite interesting reading through the document.
One of the more interesting ones was a complaint to the FBI by a protest group (with similar aims as the Occupy movement) who found a website with information which they found threatening to their protest and they reported it to the FBI as they didn’t trust the local police force (Daytona Beach?).
The FBI investigated the forum/website and decided that it was verbal “grandstanding” but that there did appear to be several police officers on the forum, though not identifiable to a specific department. It looks like it may have been raised with the local police at a liaison/planning meeting. The finding of the report was:
“Group appears to be peaceful, and investigator sees no Federal violations. Local police well aware of the protests, and are meeting with Occupy’s core group to alleviate miscues and allow dialogue.”
Most of it appears to be liaison and information sharing between various police forces, transit authorities port authorities as well as any mentions of the Occupy movement in documents – mainly in briefings about the potential for violence (both against the Occupy movement or those who might seek to take advantage of the movement). Looks pretty routine stuff though.
any symbol may be “intimidating”; picture this,
your telephone number; picture this;
a sky full of thunder…
I will give you my finest hour
the one I spent, watching you shower…
Now, while everybody’s entitled to an opinion, free speech, Not!
(believe there is a mole in the hole)
Puddly-KISS (keep it simple) I find helpful, although I have outgrown
-“I Was Made For Lovin’ You, “Shandi” and “Sure Know Something”; dropped the mask
Tell us a story, tell us a story, tell us a story, so we can paint it Red
The Man With ONe Name, King of Glory http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqj61J-J8s
we have to carry some sort of cross, be it voluntary, or involuntary
and, I believe, he’s Everywhere; just a takes Time to become a servant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFqg2HfljEg
(I understand this is not everybody’s Way, yet I am livin Day to Day proof, so far, that His Way
Works; a theory yet to be disproved)
i only read cam magazine when we are looking for the same steam roller so any bait is wasted
(bait-shy); leave it for possums caught in the headlines
There must be something in the water in H.B Brooke, makes me feel like you do
NZH-“Chemical Warfare” Brothers (along with Propaganda); the drugs don’t work, they just make things worse; get a new drug, One won’t make ya sick-Huey, Dewey, Lewis and The News; it’s Not
Morse code, and I think to myself What A Wonderful World. Upon This church we shall build our
Rock.
Gonna Sink The Nisshin Maru, gonna run her down, sink The Nisshu Maru, she’s gonna run aground
talkin with an Army Officer, he says the spiraling down of society and poverty winding up is obvious (Architecture)
to him and he’s 80; been S.A all his life, born into it (like me) 🙂
press inserts
-Gaza suffering under an attack of H1N1
-Eva Morales has further nationalized energies and utilities
-Are Hauraki lowering The Jolly Roger, Devlin eggs, and i was just startin’ a roll
some light reading I flicked through
William Boyd- Ordinary Thunderstorms
Victor Villasenor- Beyond Rain of Gold
Lieut. Col. Don Woodland- Picking Up The Pieces
John Agar -Science in The Twentieth Century and Beyond
Brian Clegg -Light Years
Tyler Stoddard Smith- Whore Stories
Colm Toibin- Love In A Dark Time : gay lives from Wilde to Almodovar
Dannion Brinkley with Kathryn Brinkley- Secrets of The Light
“At fifteen, I set my mind upon learning. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I had no doubts.
At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned. At seventy, I follow all the desires of my heart without breaking any rule”
-Confucius
Brian Sibley- The Thomas The Tank Engine Man :the story of the Rev. W. Awdrey and his really useful Engines
(overlooked some new Trout Fishing book; idle thoughts and I don’t believe the fish enjoy being out of water; tickle them if you’re hungry)
and, to balance the scales covering our eyes;
Daniel Pick- The Pursuit of the N. Mind : H., Hess and the analysts
Bill Yenne- Himm : Master of The Dark Arts; Himm. Black Knights and The Occult: Origins of The
SS.
Ralf Georg Reuth- Goebb :The Mephistophelian Genius Of N. Propaganda
Happy New Year and this Big Little Book The Big Questions : God by Mark Vernon is Excellent
(like The Standard)
6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument,
6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure,
7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever,
7:6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi /s
7:7 And without a doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater,
7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be change of the law,
7:14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothin’ about priests
7:21 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever””
7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
28 Degrees Celsius tomorrow; out with the old and in with the new.
A new year that may prove to be more crucial, more markable, more course determining than the tit for tat kind of political year 2012 has started.
I am NOT celebrating at all, choosing to spend a quiet night at home, even reading on here and writing this post.
When living in Europe I remember how the New Year was much celebrated, with heaps of fireworks and special shows on television, for those not able or interested to go out and party, but here NADA!
There was this nonsense hype talk about Freeview a few years back, but now that TVNZ has done a deal with Sky, it seems Freeview is the poor and ignorants’ choice for televised programs.
Gone have Stratos, gone has TVNZ7, gone will soon be Triangle (in Auckland), and Maori TV, which is only broadcasting half of the day, is the only truly publicly funded broadcasting channel still running.
TVNZ with One and Two are low level crap, TV3 is always struggling to survive and bear in mind the paymasters, and Prime is the little open channel, that Sky share with the rest of the downtrodden, unable or unwilling to afford Sky.
Why not go all the way and set up international satellite TV access for your home, if you want to spend money, or soon we may have more on the internet.
Broadcasting in NZ is dying, and it is dismal what is left. Radio NZ is the only radio service still really “publicly funded”. Even that is being compromised more and more.
I hold this shit government accountable to ruin what was left of it, and Steven Joice and Key deserve to be locked away for this, for many years, in solitary confinement.
NZ broadcasting is becoming totally commercialised bored-casting, and it is a total disgrace, when compared what the rest of the “developed” world in Europe and even the US and certainly Australia is able to still keep alive.
Shame, shame and shame on you rotten lot, who brought this about!
Strange how the supposed “free market” goes exactly back to old forms of power and dominance, but not for the benefit of all, it is the clear result of free market ideology and policy, as every market player of significance will only see a monopoly as the ultimate goal to achieve.
You are correct and that is where NZ is heading.
Replacing more publicly and state owned assets, enterprises and whatever, with a cream on the cake serving for the profit oriented private enterprise advocates and investors.
No wonder Hooton and Fran O’Sullivan are now even trying to lobby via the Standard now!?
Wakey, wakey, those that have not celebrated too much and drunk too much tonight.
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Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
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Happy New Year everyone! I have learned so much from your contributions and am grateful. The Standard remains an excellent source of information and debate, such as is seldom found these days.
Just want to express gratitude, looking forward to 2013.
A nice little doco on the demise of the Celtic Tiger. The country John Key wanted to emulate and the future we have to look forward too as we have $ 112 Billion in Derivatives on our books whose value is based on absolutely nothing.
(By the way I don’t seem to have access to the WYSIWYG editor anymore)
Traveller
$112 billion of derivatives on our books.
Please be kind enough to guide me where you get these derivative figures from ?
thanks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/latest-edition/6671255/Government-in-112b-barney
This should see you started, get cracking!
Thanks M!
That article doesn’t actually give a figure for the amount of derivatives held. At best, it includes them in a $112 billion figure, but doesn’t specify how much of it they make up.
Murray
Yes, I would like to know what proportion of the $112 billion is in derivatives.
Being once, some years ago, in business which included international derivatives.
From which I do have an understanding, which is why I queried the figures.
What you want to know is what portion of those derivatives is what kind of derivatives because they are all derivatives.
But for some reason they changed the generally accepted accountancy practices so they don’t have to tell anyone anymore and especially the ones that are dangerous and could hold liabilities they don’t have to declare anymore. I wonder why?
But I’m sure Murray can explain it all. He knows everything!
That Murray is because the books on NZ inc are opaque, and getting to the bottom of them, let alone audited, seemingly not on the menu.
As you have a PhD, perhaps you can do some research, and then report back, perhaps Dr Sue Newberry will be happy to oblige your interest!
http://www.consolidation.unisi.it/papers/2-4.pdf
http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/10092/862/1/thesis_fulltext.pdf
To get you started, below is a govt financial position, and how it is measured
http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/ParlSupport/ResearchPapers/3/4/6/00PlibCIP121-New-Zealand-s-International-Investment-Position.htm
And below is the AKL Council financial report, see if you can identify the derivatives portfolio component
https://www.nzx.com/files/attachments/162505.pdf
2012, the year I started reading The Standard. Although I haven’t voted Labour since 1984 and am presently a Mana supporter, thanks guy for informative and entertaining reading.
Will this one finally spell the end of the Honours system?
VERY EARLY APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PRANK
RODNEY HIDE GETS GIVEN A MEDAL
DO NOT LAUGH: THIS IS NOT A JOKE.
ACT buffoon RODNEY HIDE, the man who was so useless that John Banks was seen as preferable to be rubberstamped by the obedient souls of Epsom, has been made a Companion of the Queen’s Service…
http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/b/img/b7.jpg
You might well ask: what’s Rodney Hide ever done other than make a fool of himself?
Well, here are the reasons he is now to be addressed by the rest of us commoners as RODNEY PHILIP HIDE QSO”…
1.) For his services to body-building….
http://file.stuff.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/hide_1_69461.jpg
2.) For his services to dance…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10386144
3.) For his services to sycophancy, following his toe-curlingly extravagant praise of his bullying usurper, Don Brash, straight after having the leadership of ACT humiliatingly wrested from him…
http://brianedwardsmedia.co.nz/2011/04/what-we-discovered-about-don-brash-and-rodney-hide-in-the-past-week/
4.) For his further services to sycophancy, after he refused to object to fellow thug Tau Henare calling him a “buffoon” and a “jerk-off”—or was it just physical fear that Uncle Tau would kick his arse if he complained?…
http://www.3news.co.nz/Thick-hided-Rodney-not-worried-by-insults/tabid/209/articleID/118165/Default.aspx?ArticleID=118165
5.) For his protecting and defiantly PRAISING this dead-child’s-identity-stealing, doctor-assaulting, sexual harasser in his caucus until public disgust finally forced him to (reluctantly) get rid of him…
http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2009/08/act_mp_david_garrett_credit_nzpa__wayne_drought_3774842844.jpeg
6.) For his speaking ever so slowly and in a low voice, as he repeats, unchallenged, Ayn Rand’s mad raving dogma on Bryan Crump’s otherwise excellent show on National Radio….
http://t.qkme.me/3phsr1.jpg
Have a Happy New Year, you unrecognised oiks—and remember, if you see a deranged old man shouting insults at Māori family groups over the summer, don’t say “Fuck off to Queensland you racist scum”, say “Fuck off to Queensland, Sir Paul.”
Morrissey, I’m sure you realise that the *honours* for public service such as given to Rodney Hide are simply the official thanks for his efforts in delivering the assets of NZ into foreign hands.
The *award* is for his part in the super-city fraud,(among other things no doubt) , which was of course *mandated* by Dame Margaret Beazley (She of the government departments hatchet team) , with Hide becoming the face of the implementation. We see the irony (corruption) of the elected servants, by the way that Hide was castrated by the very platform he sold himself upon, that of course being the *perk buster* – We see how the system works, where one must invert the message being delivered to be closer to the true intent!
One does not need to look deeply, or even see RH in order to understand how corrupted the little man is. You can hear it wrapped inside every utterance from his lying, narcissistic mouth, and it will have been a blow to his ego, to have received such a *lowly* recognition!
Thanks, muzza. In my rage after learning of this travesty, I completely overlooked the things you mentioned.
More haste, less speed should be my new year’s resolution, I think.
By the way, judging by the calls to right-wing talk radio this morning, the honours system does not enjoy a lot of respect even by those conservative souls.
I think you get an Honour more for being a suck-up than a screw-up.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find John Banks had something to do with Hide being given this minor rank award.
Surprise that Banks himself did not receive a knighthood for disservice?
Banks’ protection comes from the same places the awards originate, but I think we can be assured that Banks will receive *recognition* at some stage, unless he continues to need the protection from the brothers, on account of him contunually cocking up.
Nice to see they are handing out Honours for being a Screw up. That means Key is a shoe in for some tin to hang around his scrawny neck. more shit for his scrap book, as we all know it means nothing, and is only a bad joke. Like the dead, and now Lazarused QC.
I would not have been surprised if he been given one this time ,in fact I fully expected to him to
have. Unfortunately we have another two years ,but nothing is more certain than Sir John off Hawaii.
Which just show what a lot off hogswallop the whole charade is,
Or Labour could dump the whole shebang and leave ol’ Dunnokeyo hanging, and when he asks what happened, we can say… All together now. “Dunnokeyo”
NOW THATS A HIDING LEAVING A BIG BITE ON THE BUTTOCKS mozza;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito
(you are one multi-functional tactical bomber) 🙂
But just watch out for the Woodworm!
Interesting reading.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10856689
Jonathon Scott concludes with “Why does New Zealand have the governments it elects and the policies they pursue? It is not, presumably, because New Zealanders are dumber than Finns. So it must be: education, education, education.”
Many times I have asked myself this same question. How did the people of NZ, (some my family members, friends and colleagues) vote in this government not once but twice, particularly knowing they were hell bent on selling our assets and blatantly blaming the sufferers of poverty and ill health by beneficiary bashing? How did superannuation retain its mana but other benefits become shameful and bludging?
When I read peoples view points, especially those of left leanings, I am heartened by the caring, concern and compassion expressed for the common person. The ‘knowing’ that life is less about self and more about community. That what affects one affects all. How does one educate closed hearts and minds? It would appear that for many change only occurs when affected directly…so as more and more families wave their loved ones goodbye as they cross the Tasman or have unemployment and all the misery it brings enter their own homes or start to go without necessities with their wages going backwards… perhaps this is the personal education required and it is only a matter of time…
Thank-you, LynWiper. Yes, it is a puzzle and a depressing concern that so many Kiwis, accept the MSM PR for John Key and keep voting for him.
One part of the answer is a near total avoidance of NZ history in the school curriculum. The major depressions of the 1880’s and the 1930’s, the history of our social security system, the major projects successfully undertaken by this country in this country. Building Manapouri, instituting the 40 hour work week, and much more.
Especially the role of Unions and Labour Governments in building our society.
It seems the socialist history of NZ has been wiped from the textbooks.
I remember when the unions suggested education in peoples rights and responsibilities at work, financial knowledge, and NZ history was vehemently opposed.
Not many people realise, a Samuel Parnell could be arrested now for advocating a general strike, for a 40 hour week.
“Not many people realise, a Samuel Parnell could be arrested now for advocating a general strike, for a 40 hour week.”
That’s the way both Labour and National want it.
“Critical thinking” . Not “critical to remember” .Now that would be a start in the curriculum at school . Philosophy makes you want to learn.
and theology keeps you well within the well
Seldom, in any field I think, are the “best people” elected to be “leader”. We might not like someone who is all too efficient and charismatic!
A happy and safe new year to all, weather should keep the celebrations in door in large parts and here’s hoping the latest cyclone looses its mojo.
A big year ahead, local body elections, a census, Oz general election oh and that cliffy fiscally thing in the land of the personal arsenal.
Very good new post from Chris Trotter on the way Key’s populism has subverted the old Kiwi ideal of collective egalitarianism, in the service of the neoliberal ideology.
Excellent post. Ah, for the return of collective egalitarianism!
This little snippet about Chris Tremain, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Civil Defence, and Associate Minister of Tourism slipped into the media when it will be ignored by all comers deep in holiday mode ……….. yet another thief outed from the Nats Front Bench
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10856594
Been blobbing out a bit over the last few days with family and other coding. But I thought I’d mention watching and surprisingly* enjoying Iron Sky. As you’d expect, with a theme of lunar nazi’s, the plot line is completely absurd.
But it is amusing to watch especially as you pick out the clichés that they’re pushing – for instance there is one scene that is a almost complete reprise of that Hitler scene that everyone rewords. And the way that some of the scenes inside the lunar corridors rip off Castle Wolfenstein… Some of it was so so predictable. But good fun to watch
And if you can, then watch it on bluray with a true HDTV. Some of the graphics work is pretty damn good. Of course it helps that they were able to do most of it in grey scale.
Excellent B grade and I suspect heading directly to cult status.
* I mostly watched it as being one of the few crowd sourced feature films..
Agree, amazing graphics for a B grader, laugh out loud piss taking and knows exactly what it’s about.
The Palin-esque US president in raptures at a nazi rematch with some of my favourite lines being ‘ I’m just like Franklin D roosevelt, except you know I’m not a spastic’ in a scene that’s probably all too close to the truth.
Thanks, for the tip, Lynn and the recommendation, tc. I will watch it first chance I get. I am very interested to see what can be achieved via crowd sourcing for movies.
wait til ya see what i’ve got lined up 🙂 (if i don’t run outta Time credit b4) must be
“day of the worker bees”
My interest was piqued at crowd-sourcing. They had me at moon nazis.
One of the few films in 2012 I shelled out for at the cinema.
I really liked the Laibach soundtrack, too.
Well I did watch Prometheus the other day, I must say I was more than a little disappointed with the storyline. Which is more the pity as I have been looking forward to this movie for a while, being a fan of the Alien story, and it could have been a good 90 minutes spent. Instead I feel I wasted the time on a story that was just too predictable.
Watched it weeks ago. Thought that the cgi was good. Story line was weak and really read like a slow rephrasing of Ben Bova’s “As on a darkling plain” – one of his better novels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bova#Non-series_novels
(some idiot has reedited it into the Watchmen series on Wikipedia?)
Anyway, I was rather bored with it.
Surprised?.
Update – Clarification:
Plans were made to assassinate Occupy leaders by sniper fire, but the documents don’t make it clear who was involved with the plans. The FBI did not inform the targets of the assassination plans. It is not clear whether an organization or individual was involved. The document’s source was Texas and it discussed activities in Texas.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/30/1174775/-FBI-Domestic-Security-Alliance-Coordinated-Occupy-Crackdown#
So no actual evidence connected to the FBI whatsoever. Plans by whom? Tea Party batshit nutjobs for all we know – the document is too heavily redacted to be proof of anything.
Actually despite the redaction it is actually quite interesting reading through the document.
One of the more interesting ones was a complaint to the FBI by a protest group (with similar aims as the Occupy movement) who found a website with information which they found threatening to their protest and they reported it to the FBI as they didn’t trust the local police force (Daytona Beach?).
The FBI investigated the forum/website and decided that it was verbal “grandstanding” but that there did appear to be several police officers on the forum, though not identifiable to a specific department. It looks like it may have been raised with the local police at a liaison/planning meeting. The finding of the report was:
“Group appears to be peaceful, and investigator sees no Federal violations. Local police well aware of the protests, and are meeting with Occupy’s core group to alleviate miscues and allow dialogue.”
Most of it appears to be liaison and information sharing between various police forces, transit authorities port authorities as well as any mentions of the Occupy movement in documents – mainly in briefings about the potential for violence (both against the Occupy movement or those who might seek to take advantage of the movement). Looks pretty routine stuff though.
-squeaky whinge gets the oil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3f9XiQgMDuw
(love the clydesdales; worker horses Toddy, workers!)
Nature, enter me; thats the fourmyula Don!
What about When The River Runs Dry?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD-58aVlPYk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrPrl3l-UB8
Ring any bells?
any symbol may be “intimidating”; picture this,
your telephone number; picture this;
a sky full of thunder…
I will give you my finest hour
the one I spent, watching you shower…
Now, while everybody’s entitled to an opinion, free speech, Not!
(believe there is a mole in the hole)
Puddly-KISS (keep it simple) I find helpful, although I have outgrown
-“I Was Made For Lovin’ You, “Shandi” and “Sure Know Something”; dropped the mask
Tell us a story, tell us a story, tell us a story, so we can paint it Red
The Man With ONe Name, King of Glory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRqj61J-J8s
we have to carry some sort of cross, be it voluntary, or involuntary
and, I believe, he’s Everywhere; just a takes Time to become a servant
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFqg2HfljEg
(I understand this is not everybody’s Way, yet I am livin Day to Day proof, so far, that His Way
Works; a theory yet to be disproved)
or, we could always waltz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvPFhR4D2eU
-Little Joe
something to Hack into;
http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Hacker-Warns-of-State-Spying-/story.xhtml?story_id=130004HFKKYK
heres a Chinese puzzle
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/World+News
News of the World
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_of_the_World_%28album%29
(no need to enter the rat race)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTDWvM9BaRI
RNZ-our Groser emissions have gone up-Kennedy Graham-our carbon costs are going to compound
as the markets get sharper
Giddy up- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2W3aG8uizA
ya sure gotta friend in The Breeze, unlees you’re basing Operation Deep Freeze
Happy New Year to the Bereans- Verria Excellent; keep to the left Berm of the mountain-side
Mum Ford and Sons are a catchy band to escort you through life’s trials and tribulations.
here’s a Brave New World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPJNKuC1ARw
(We’re Blood Brothers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SDrqr4gb9U
These Colours Don’t Run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhboyKhhaCw
Hallowed Be Thy Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J51LPlP-s9o
-Charlotte
i only read cam magazine when we are looking for the same steam roller so any bait is wasted
(bait-shy); leave it for possums caught in the headlines
There must be something in the water in H.B Brooke, makes me feel like you do
NZH-“Chemical Warfare” Brothers (along with Propaganda); the drugs don’t work, they just make things worse; get a new drug, One won’t make ya sick-Huey, Dewey, Lewis and The News; it’s Not
Morse code, and I think to myself What A Wonderful World. Upon This church we shall build our
Rock.
SuperTramp, Give a little bit, or Crime of The Century? (Right, right you’re bloody well right)
http://www.poemhunter.com/lyrics/supertramp/
or
Radar Love-Golden Earring
Gonna Sink The Nisshin Maru, gonna run her down, sink The Nisshu Maru, she’s gonna run aground
talkin with an Army Officer, he says the spiraling down of society and poverty winding up is obvious (Architecture)
to him and he’s 80; been S.A all his life, born into it (like me) 🙂
Fall onto this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPsMqcmA0K8
-Peter (Deep, It Cuts You Up. Bauhaus-“Telegram Sam”)
press inserts
-Gaza suffering under an attack of H1N1
-Eva Morales has further nationalized energies and utilities
-Are Hauraki lowering The Jolly Roger, Devlin eggs, and i was just startin’ a roll
some light reading I flicked through
William Boyd- Ordinary Thunderstorms
Victor Villasenor- Beyond Rain of Gold
Lieut. Col. Don Woodland- Picking Up The Pieces
John Agar -Science in The Twentieth Century and Beyond
Brian Clegg -Light Years
Tyler Stoddard Smith- Whore Stories
Colm Toibin- Love In A Dark Time : gay lives from Wilde to Almodovar
Dannion Brinkley with Kathryn Brinkley- Secrets of The Light
“At fifteen, I set my mind upon learning. At thirty, I took my stand. At forty, I had no doubts.
At fifty, I knew the will of Heaven. At sixty, my ear was attuned. At seventy, I follow all the desires of my heart without breaking any rule”
-Confucius
Brian Sibley- The Thomas The Tank Engine Man :the story of the Rev. W. Awdrey and his really useful Engines
(overlooked some new Trout Fishing book; idle thoughts and I don’t believe the fish enjoy being out of water; tickle them if you’re hungry)
and, to balance the scales covering our eyes;
Daniel Pick- The Pursuit of the N. Mind : H., Hess and the analysts
Bill Yenne- Himm : Master of The Dark Arts; Himm. Black Knights and The Occult: Origins of The
SS.
Ralf Georg Reuth- Goebb :The Mephistophelian Genius Of N. Propaganda
It’s a Livin Thing…It’s a givin’ thing…what a terrible thing to lose…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiYdFbH4nNw -Lynn 🙂
(theres’ gonna be a Showdown)
p s. e = mc2 : Big Audio Dynamite
Happy New Year and this Big Little Book The Big Questions : God by Mark Vernon is Excellent
(like The Standard)
6:16 Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument,
6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure,
7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God, he remains a priest forever,
7:6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi /s
7:7 And without a doubt, the lesser person is blessed by the greater,
7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be change of the law,
7:14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothin’ about priests
7:21 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever””
7:28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
28 Degrees Celsius tomorrow; out with the old and in with the new.
Love Will Tear Us Apart (thanks for the aroha)
-John Wayne (howdy Pilgrims)
To be one hundred percent honest with you, Rogue, I have no idea what that’s about, but as an avid 2000AD reader, Gunnar’s still got your back 😆
Get an old Xbox1 off trade me, and I’ll send you the Rogue Trooper game.
Promise 😉
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013 ALL!
A new year that may prove to be more crucial, more markable, more course determining than the tit for tat kind of political year 2012 has started.
I am NOT celebrating at all, choosing to spend a quiet night at home, even reading on here and writing this post.
When living in Europe I remember how the New Year was much celebrated, with heaps of fireworks and special shows on television, for those not able or interested to go out and party, but here NADA!
There was this nonsense hype talk about Freeview a few years back, but now that TVNZ has done a deal with Sky, it seems Freeview is the poor and ignorants’ choice for televised programs.
Gone have Stratos, gone has TVNZ7, gone will soon be Triangle (in Auckland), and Maori TV, which is only broadcasting half of the day, is the only truly publicly funded broadcasting channel still running.
TVNZ with One and Two are low level crap, TV3 is always struggling to survive and bear in mind the paymasters, and Prime is the little open channel, that Sky share with the rest of the downtrodden, unable or unwilling to afford Sky.
Why not go all the way and set up international satellite TV access for your home, if you want to spend money, or soon we may have more on the internet.
Broadcasting in NZ is dying, and it is dismal what is left. Radio NZ is the only radio service still really “publicly funded”. Even that is being compromised more and more.
I hold this shit government accountable to ruin what was left of it, and Steven Joice and Key deserve to be locked away for this, for many years, in solitary confinement.
NZ broadcasting is becoming totally commercialised bored-casting, and it is a total disgrace, when compared what the rest of the “developed” world in Europe and even the US and certainly Australia is able to still keep alive.
Shame, shame and shame on you rotten lot, who brought this about!
Sky has a total monopoly, it is like Telecom before unbundling.
Strange how the supposed “free market” goes exactly back to old forms of power and dominance, but not for the benefit of all, it is the clear result of free market ideology and policy, as every market player of significance will only see a monopoly as the ultimate goal to achieve.
You are correct and that is where NZ is heading.
Replacing more publicly and state owned assets, enterprises and whatever, with a cream on the cake serving for the profit oriented private enterprise advocates and investors.
No wonder Hooton and Fran O’Sullivan are now even trying to lobby via the Standard now!?
Wakey, wakey, those that have not celebrated too much and drunk too much tonight.
All the best anyway.