Show me the money!

Written By: - Date published: 5:59 pm, January 24th, 2012 - 138 comments
Categories: class war - Tags: , ,

A couple of weeks ago Irish asked why the right are so worried about how much working people earn.

Today POAL and their creepy lackies David Farrar and Cameron Slater have continued their knicker-sniffing.

I reckon that if we’re gonna go rooting around in people’s personal business then David should tell us how many taxpayer dollars come out of National’s parliamentary services budget and go into his company’s bank account each year and Slater should tell us how many under-the-table dollars he got doing debt-collection while those of us with jobs paid him the sickness benefit.

C’mon lads. You wanna talk dollars. Let’s talk dollars.

138 comments on “Show me the money! ”

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  1. shorts 1
    24 January 2012 at 6:04 pm

    well it sure doesn’t look like the POAL workers will be earning that in the future, if indeed their members did last year if these situation continues as it has been

  2. chris73 2
    24 January 2012 at 6:31 pm

    This could have been averted by the munz and its allies not telling lies. They could have confirmed the numbers were correct and then gone onto explain why (overtime, shift work etc etc)

    Instead the munz and its supporters look like liars and how are people supposed to believe what comes out of the mouths of the munz now?

    • Lanthanide 2.1
      24 January 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Alternatively, if POAL actually reported only monetary figures and didn’t include non-monetary things such as leave, we’d have numbers that were really apples to apples comparisons.

      Eg, full time people on the minimum wage would say their annual income was $27,040, but when you include 4 weeks annual leave and 5 days sick leave you get a figure of $29,640, or 9.6% more than the before-tax figure that they actually earn in dollars.

    • mickysavage 2.2
      24 January 2012 at 8:13 pm

      The numbers are not correct.  They do not reflect take home pay.  From what I can make out they include possibly redundancy payments and conceivably ACC.  POAL should detail what they do include and we can then have a proper debate.

      At this stage all I can say is that we are comparing apples with oranges.  This does not prevent some from jumping up and frothing at the mouth though.

      How do you RWNJs feel about the chief executive earning $750k a year?

      Please enlighten us. 

      • chris73 2.2.1
        24 January 2012 at 8:44 pm

        The numbers are not correct. They do not reflect take home pay. From what I can make out they include possibly redundancy payments and conceivably ACC. POAL should detail what they do include and we can then have a proper debate.
        – Accept it and move on, in the battle for the minds of the general population POAL won and MUNZ lost, at least try to learn form this latest defeat

        At this stage all I can say is that we are comparing apples with oranges. This does not prevent some from jumping up and frothing at the mouth though.
        – More of a case of “told you so”

        How do you RWNJs feel about the chief executive earning $750k a year?
        – Irrelavent to this issue but good job of trying to muddy the waters

        Please enlighten us.
        – It would take more peyote then I could get my hands on

        • mickysavage 2.2.1.1
          24 January 2012 at 8:50 pm

          Yep Chris it may be that you are right and I am wrong.  The RWNJs have won the propaganda war and the left have lost it not because of what is the reality but you guys shouted louder and had better PR advice.

          How about we debate the reality instead?  You get the figures and we will analyze them properly.  Even better get POAL to say what it has paid out in wages.  Then we can discuss what is actually happening.

          Or do you think that winning is more important than the truth? 

          • chris73 2.2.1.1.1
            24 January 2012 at 9:01 pm

            What is truth? I have absolutely no doubt that both sides believe they’re telling the truth.

            However the report shows that every full time and part time employee made more than $56 thou for the last year but $56 thou a year is what the MUNZ is claiming workers get paid

            If you disagree with the above then please explain why

            • mickysavage 2.2.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2012 at 9:10 pm

              Ask POAL.  Get them to disclose the figure paid out in wages.  Then lets have an argument about it.  

              This is so simple.  In my business I can tell you instantly how much I am paying in wages.  I can go through the accounts and add all sorts of other crap into the figures and then recalculate but it would be dishonest for me to then say that my workers are being paid a certain amount.

              But it does let RWNJs jump up and down and say the workers are being paid a certain amount when the truth is they are being paid less.

              • chris73 …
                24 January 2012 at 9:21 pm

                I’m guessing you’re familar with the term balance of probability so on one hand we have E&Y confirming what POAL have said all along and on the other we have some lefties saying they’re wrong but have no proof to back it up

                You know what, I along with most of NZ will go with the POAL on this one unless MUNZ can offer something (anything) to back up what they say

                • mickysavage …
                  24 January 2012 at 9:29 pm

                  Nah Chris73 POAL has figures for Africa for what they pay in wages. They have released this inflated figure and have spun it as if it is wages.  And people like you jump up and down and say it is true AND say it is somehow evil.

                  Why don’t you do this about Gibson’s salary.  Go ahead, justify it for us all, give it a go. 

                  • chris73 …
                    24 January 2012 at 10:12 pm

                    “on the other we have some lefties saying they’re wrong but have no proof to back it up”

                    So thats a no for any sort of proof then

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      25 January 2012 at 12:02 am

                      What’s proof to you anyway?

                      You just want to see the side which smashes the union win, and want to see the CEO and the Board get big bonuses for hitting their targets when they do so.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      25 January 2012 at 8:22 am

                      CEO and board bonuses for bankrupting workers and displacing families.

                      Welcome to the RWNJ crony capitalist model.

                  • BD …
                    25 January 2012 at 4:52 pm

                    How do we know the CEO is on $750k a year? The arguments coming through are that the figures for the workers are over-inflated and can’t be trusted yet the CEO’s is somehow correct.

                    The problem with all this salary arguing is that regardless of what more they earn it is still far more than the meat workers, factory workers, hospitality workers etc… who get by on a pittance compared to these guys. They don’t strike like these guys because one day off sets them so far back in financial terms they make sure when their union is working on their behalf getting them the best deal as quick as possible. The port workers seem to be able to sustain a number of days off when the economy is poor and households are struggling. I guarantee that there are people out there wishing they had a six day working week so they could get an extra days pay.

                    Don’t know why there is so much emphasis on these guys when there are far worthier cases out there that require the backing and effort.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      25 January 2012 at 5:02 pm

                      I reckon the PoT CEO is on far more than the PoT CEO who is on $720K pa.

                      Time to take him and his board down a notch. Lead by example fellas, please cut your own pay and conditions, or better yet, fire yourselves and bring in contractors at a 40% saving.

                      The port workers seem to be able to sustain a number of days off when the economy is poor

                      The board of directors seem to be able to sustain $160K pa for 30 hours work a month even as they lose all the port’s major clients.

                      Go figure.

                      Bonuses and share options for us; austerity and unpaid over time for you.

                    • felix …
                      25 January 2012 at 5:04 pm

                      “The problem with all this salary arguing is that regardless of what more they earn it is still far more than the meat workers, factory workers, hospitality workers etc… who get by on a pittance compared to these guys.”

                      Damn right BD, all those other workers are seriously underpaid. Pity this govt is only interested in putting downward pressure on wages, eh?

                      “They don’t strike like these guys because one day off sets them so far back in financial terms”

                      I agree, that absolutely sucks. No-one should be so reliant on their employer that they can’t afford to do say anything about it.

                • Puddleglum …
                  25 January 2012 at 11:00 am

                  “we have E&Y confirming what POAL have said all along”

                  Yes, I’ve read the document and it makes clear that POAL have been deceptively using the notion of ‘total remuneration’ as a headline figure, knowing full well that most New Zealanders don’t treat their own salary and wage ‘headline figure’ in that way.

                  Thank goodness we have auditors to make this discursive deception clear.

                  Try asking someone – anyone – how much they earn. Only a particularly obsessive accountant would include the free biccies at morning tea in the calculation.

                  And medical insurance? isn’t that a subsidy to insurance companies? Younger people, in particular, do not need it (probabilistically) – I assume that the money for the premiums isn’t simply put into the wharfies’ accounts on the assumption that they’ll buy medical insurance with it. (ACC, of course, covers accidents at work.)

                  What E&Y have confirmed is that POAL have used something that is much closer to ‘cost to the company’ of their employees as a substitute for ’employee earnings’ – but then presented it as employee earnings.

                  I also see that E&Y implicitly confirm that POAL should have accepted the union offer that met all their requirements for ‘flexibility’. After all, they assert that lack of flexibility is ‘financially unsustainable’.

                  POAL should feel quite reprimanded by this report.

                  They won’t, of course. 

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.1.1.2
              25 January 2012 at 12:55 am

              The truth isn’t based upon what people believe but the cold, hard facts. You RWNJs seem to forget that – probably because the facts never substantiate your beliefs.

            • Mike 2.2.1.1.1.3
              25 January 2012 at 5:26 am

              Because your annual salary or weekly wage or hourly rate is the figure used to state what your pay is. When you ask what does a stevedore get paid the answer is 56k ($27 per hour) plus overtime. Overtime is never included in a stated pay rate for the simple reason you don’t know in advance how much overtime you will be working. The report can’t show part time workers getting paid more than 56k because if they clock more than 30 hours a week (which they have to in order to get paid over 56k) then the law says they are full time employees.

        • felix 2.2.1.2
          24 January 2012 at 9:02 pm

          “Accept it and move on, in the battle for the minds of the general population POAL won and MUNZ lost, at least try to learn form this latest defeat”

          So you’re not interested in knowing who’s telling the truth.

          Only the “spin war” matters to you, right chris?

          I’ll be sure to read all your comments with that in mind from now on.

          • chris73 2.2.1.2.1
            24 January 2012 at 9:13 pm

            My personal thoughts on this?

            Both sides are telling lies but MUNZ are telling more lies than the POAL

            • mickysavage 2.2.1.2.1.1
              24 January 2012 at 9:17 pm

              OK detail them.  Line by line.

              • IrishBill …
                24 January 2012 at 9:21 pm

                Funny thing is the PR is not being won. I’ve seen polling that shows that public support has swung behind the workers on this dispute. My instinct is that the longer it goes the worse the public opinion of the port management will get. And this dispute is going to drag on.

                • mickysavage …
                  24 January 2012 at 9:26 pm

                  Good stuff IB.  I tried to donate to the strike fund today but the MU said they were fine for now.  Interesting response, I wonder how many corporates would turn down a donation.

                  • felix …
                    24 January 2012 at 9:44 pm

                    “I wonder how many corporates would turn down a donation.”

                    Well now it’s you who’s comparing apples with bunches of cnuts.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    24 January 2012 at 9:51 pm

                    Its a strategic mistake for them to turn down donations even if they don’t need the money right now.

                    The reason being that allowing people to donate, whether it be $1 or $1000, allows people from across NZ a tangible way of showing solidarity with the watersiders, building a wider and more loyal movement than you could otherwise.

                • chris73 …
                  24 January 2012 at 10:13 pm

                  My instinct says otherwise but we’ll see whos right in the end I guess

                  • felix …
                    24 January 2012 at 11:35 pm

                    “Instinct”? That’s not how you spell “My borderline retarded friend Cameron”.

                    mickey, just above, in response to one of your non-committal sideways accusations, asked you to list the lies you claim are being told by the workers.

                    Still no answer I see. Guess that was just “instinct” too.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    25 January 2012 at 12:58 am

                    Instinct is a poor replacement for fact.

      • Thomas 2.2.2
        25 January 2012 at 6:35 pm

        How do you RWNJs feel about the chief executive earning $750k a year?

        If the CEO went on strike whining about pay and conditions, then the right would give him just as much vitriol as the striking overpaid wharfies are getting. He isn’t, so we ain’t.

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.2.1
          25 January 2012 at 6:46 pm

          Then you have given us a clear answer.

          At $750K each, the wharfies will agree to no more whining and no more strikes.

          Make it so.

          • Hami Shearlie 2.2.2.1.1
            26 January 2012 at 12:24 am

            I like that idea . And preferably, have Mr Gibson on the wharfies salary ,then tell him you will cut $20,000 and tell him to smile and suck it up!!! “Make it so”! – Love it – Very Jean-Luc Picard!!

  3. Zetetic 3
    24 January 2012 at 6:47 pm

    This is a post about how Farrar and Slater’s rorts, chris. Do you think they should disclose their finances if they want to talk about others? Or are you just here to try to talk about something else.

    • Inventory2 3.1
      24 January 2012 at 6:57 pm

      No individual’s income has been disclosed Zetetic, but you seem keen to apply a different standard to Farrar and Slater; funny that…

  4. beachbum 4
    24 January 2012 at 6:54 pm

    The disclosure of the POAL wage information was because it relates to the POAL strike issue. That is dealing in facts.

    I am not sure why any reporter or blogger (Including the writer of this article) need to disclose their own earnings. That does not validate the issue regarding the POAL dispute.

    Does it matter what my occupation or earnings are? Or do we all have to disclose such information to validate our personal opinons.

    As for the rorts…show the evidence….are we not all innocent until proven guilty? Or is it throw enough mud and surely some will stick.

    I couldnt care less what various commentators get paid. I am more interested in the facts and reasoning behind the opinions.

  5. Lanthanide 5
    24 January 2012 at 6:57 pm

    I’d still like to see the take-home pay figures, before tax and not including sick leave, annual leave or medical insurance.

    When the stevedoors say they earn $56,700 they are of course talking about the monetary sum they earn (presumably before tax). Including in all of these extra benefits as pat of total remuneration and comparing it to the figure given by the stevedoor is misleading.

    • chris73 5.1
      24 January 2012 at 7:32 pm

      What more can be done?

      Cactus Kate said $91 thou, POAL PR said $91 thou, Ernst and Young said $91 thou

      $91 thou was the average pay for a full time wharfie last year not $56 as claimed by others

      You can choose to accept it or not but it doesn’t change the fact (and its a fact as verified by a neutral party) that its $91 thou

      • felix 5.1.1
        24 January 2012 at 9:30 pm

        You either haven’t understood what Lanth just wrote or you’re lying.

        As micky said, let’s see the wage bill and we’ll know who’s lying.

      • felix 5.1.2
        24 January 2012 at 9:41 pm

        “it doesn’t change the fact (and its a fact as verified by a neutral party) that its $91 thou”

        I note that you’re very careful to use the word “it” and not define what “it” is.

        I guess that’s because you know you can’t say “before-tax take-home pay”.

    • beachbum 5.2
      24 January 2012 at 7:53 pm

      The article mentioned about $3k (I think) for Med and Super. Super is 7% so the figure sounds low or is it just for Med??? There are still some ambiguities and yes the $91k may well convert to $56k in terms of what hits the bank account during the year….

      Anyway, as all has been said before, the issue is about terms and conditions rather than the pay.

      Note that there was reference to the Union challenging the appointment of casuals to permanent fixed term contracts that was decided back in March 2010. This (in my opinion) was a earlier attempt or move towards casualisation.

      POT stevedore companies also have “unproductive time” which although not entirely palatable is more a reflection on the ability of management to “manage labour” etc. So there is room to move for POAL but they have taken a draconian move and to be fair, this has gone on for months and months.

      It is very easy to find faould on both sides and until there are some people involved who are not “emotionally involved” then it is a big cock up. Who knows what the drivers are for the CEO….maybe his bonus depends on a change…

    • Vicky32 5.3
      27 January 2012 at 10:59 pm

      Including in all of these extra benefits as pat of total remuneration and comparing it to the figure given by the stevedoor is misleading

      I’ve asked before – no one had an answer… why are we using the American term ‘stevedore’ instead of nZ terms? (Aside from anything else, stevedore is obviously much harder to spell… 🙂
       

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    24 January 2012 at 7:00 pm

    If we understood how much executive management were earning that would place in clear context whose pay and conditions the organisation intends sacrificing.

    • beachbum 6.1
      24 January 2012 at 7:57 pm

      I think that is more relevant than what various commentators are paid. I believe there is room for rational think from both sides. throwing more union people and POAL execs at the issue will only add fuel to the fire.

      Maybe the Govt do have to get involved but I am not sure if that is part of the Employment Relations Act. You would think that given the pesonalities on the board and the Council ownership that it should not be a central govt issue

  7. randal 7
    24 January 2012 at 7:36 pm

    so what if it is $91 thou.
    this is supposed to be a high wage economy.

    • DJL 7.1
      24 January 2012 at 7:48 pm

      I agree, so what if it is 91 large. It is what they bartered for in good faith over the years. (if indeed the figure 91 is correct). Now some upshots with very large pay packets what them to take less. My worry is if POAL management break MUNZ then who’s next. Tony Gibsons’… coming soon to a job near you.

    • chris73 7.2
      24 January 2012 at 7:50 pm

      Because the munz and its supporters screamed blue murder it wasn’t that much, that workers would have to work 24/7 to get that sort of money

      Munz would have known how much was paid but instead chose to lie about it which means that anything they (or Gary says) say is not credible

      So when they say POAL acted in bad faith who do we believe, not Gary because he/they have already lied

      Thats what

      • DJL 7.2.1
        24 January 2012 at 8:05 pm

        You gonna just keep repeating yourself ? Just who is paying you?

        • chris73 7.2.1.1
          24 January 2012 at 8:55 pm

          I have to keep repeating myself because some of you still don’t quite get it. If you dispute whats been said then dip into your pockets and hire some other accountancy group to go over the figures

          I do it out of love not money

          • felix 7.2.1.1.1
            24 January 2012 at 9:33 pm

            So why won’t POAL release the wage figures, chris?

            If they’ve got nothing to hide, and you and Slater haven’t been bullshitting your fat arses off, then why not?

            • chris73 7.2.1.1.1.1
              24 January 2012 at 10:16 pm

              I’d guess for the same reason MUNZ won’t release thier figures either

              • felix …
                24 January 2012 at 11:30 pm

                Since when does MUNZ pay the wages of port workers, moron?

                • chris73 …
                  25 January 2012 at 5:56 am

                  So MUNZ has no idea of what their workers get paid or couldn’t get hold of the figures if needed, yeah right cum knuckle try again

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    25 January 2012 at 8:20 am

                    Only one entity has full and complete documentation re: pay = the employer.

                    The other way out of this is for workers to agree to their PAYE details to be released.

                    That will sort out a large measure of the bullshit circulating.

      • Molly 7.2.2
        24 January 2012 at 8:10 pm

        I heard Tony Gibson tell Paul Henry on Radio Live (and you can listen to the audio on radio lives website) that the average income for the Wharfies is $91k “and on top of that” they get super + 5 weeks leave + sick days etc, now the company is saying that the figure includes the cost to the company of these benefits, so whos the liar?

      • KJT 7.2.3
        26 January 2012 at 3:36 pm

        MUNZ was telling the truth. Large amounts of overtime are needed to get that sort of money.
        If POAL were that concerned about individual overtime they could have refrained from making 60 full time staff off Bledisloe redundant., Then they may have reduced ship delays and kept more of their customers.

  8. randal 8
    24 January 2012 at 8:07 pm

    its either whaleshit or the sausage roll stuffer.

  9. tsmithfield 9
    24 January 2012 at 8:47 pm

    If the argument spouted here, that non-cash payments such as medical insurance etc don’t count as income, then company cars for executives don’t count as income either. The key thing is whether it is taxable or not. If it is taxable, then it is income. Simple.

    • mickysavage 9.1
      24 January 2012 at 8:55 pm

      What about ACC?  You see TS we do not know what they have included in their figures.  Let POAL release the full figures then we can have a proper debate.

      In any event what is wrong with a well paid job? 

      • chris73 9.1.1
        24 January 2012 at 9:04 pm

        Hmm why not MUNZ release some figures then let a neutral party go over those figures, like POAL did

        I mean if MUNZ arn’t lying of course…

      • tsmithfield 9.1.2
        24 January 2012 at 9:04 pm

        The company is required to pay ACC on wages. That shouldn’t count as income. However, there is the earners levy which comes out of employees wages. That should be counted as income, just as it probably is in average income calculations the government produces.

        Nothing wrong with a well paid job at all. If the workers are able to negotiate those sort of rates, then good on them. However, the employer has to have a sustainable business. So, the employer is also entitled to contract out work if it is in its best interests. This then means that workers have to frame their negotiations within that context, and come up with a deal that is better for the employer than contracting the work out.

        Also, I echo some of the comments above. Some of the claims by the union members have been shown to be false, regardless of whether some taxable non-cash items have been included as income, as they should be.

        Also, I don’t think watersiders are the best example of worker exploitation you could find. It is not like they are climbing up chimneys for a few cents an hour or anything.

        • mickysavage 9.1.2.1
          24 January 2012 at 9:16 pm

          POAL’s figures in its account do not say it pays $52m in wages, it says it pays $52m for “employee benefits expense, including restructuring costs and termination benefits.” 

          It can release the line items showing how this figure is made up.

          Until then this is all spin.

          It is not as if we are dealing with something indeterminate. 

        • Descendant Of Smith 9.1.2.2
          24 January 2012 at 9:17 pm

          The employer has a sustainable business – it makes a good profit.

          The bullshit around return on capital is nonsense.

          So land values go up the return drops, land values go down the return improves.
          Only bean counters really consider this aspect.

          Sure you might get a better return on the land by not having a port and developing it – but fuck me – property developers are the last people I’d trust with a cent of my money.

          More people have lost money through them than ever have through the port.

          And I don’t want even more trucks on the road.

        • KJT 9.1.2.3
          26 January 2012 at 3:39 pm

          POAL is sustainable. Provided you do not use continue the fake competition with Tauranga and use as the cost of capital, the port valued as housing estates.

      • The Baron 9.1.3
        24 January 2012 at 9:15 pm

        Still irrelevant anyway, Greg – its still a well paid job. workers are going to have these wages increased by 10% under the port offer. If they then book 40 hours a week using the new flexible roster, then all other things being equal, they’ll have about $100,000 average instead. And they’ll know their hours a month in advance. Happy days!

        So, ah, what’s the problem? If these guys do a forty hour week they’ll be paid at a level most unskilled workers can only dream of – and 10% better than the same time last year.

        If instead they choose to continue sitting on their chuff for over a third of a week, well hour by hour they’re still better off. Again, happy days.

        • mickysavage 9.1.3.1
          24 January 2012 at 9:19 pm

          workers are going to have these wages increased by 10% under the port offer

          Nope, their hours and entitlements were going to be cut.

          If these guys do a forty hour week they’ll be paid at a level most unskilled workers can only dream of

          They are not unskilled.  It is dangerous highly skilled work. 

          Why do you resist the idea of workers getting a reasonable wage? 

          • IrishBill 9.1.3.1.1
            24 January 2012 at 9:24 pm

            I like the way the right are arguing that workers’ pay should be reduced. Pretty much shows them for what they are.

          • The Baron 9.1.3.1.2
            25 January 2012 at 12:00 am

            Never seen anything like that apart from scaremongering from the now proven liars from the MUNZ. Whereas POA have been proven right time and time again. So forgive me if I take their straight faced claim of 10% pay increase for a new flexible roster as meaning just that.

            In other words, if you wanna make that money for 40 hours work a week, go work 40 hours – not sit on your bum for over a third of those per week and expect money just to fall into your hands. If they did that, and they have a newly flexible rostering system that would allow them to do that, then there would be a pay increase, not any fall at all.

            But instead we are on the pickets and all losing our jobs while the work goes to Tauranga. Yet another “victory” for the unions while the rest of Auckland suffers – all for the few, not the many, might I add. God you guys are all so out of touch, and innumerate, that it isn’t funny.

            • Colonial Viper 9.1.3.1.2.1
              25 January 2012 at 12:07 am

              So forgive me if I take their straight faced claim of 10% pay increase for a new flexible roster as meaning just that.

              No I won’t. If you do it just means that you are a gullible naive. POAL is not doing this to increase the money going to their workforce, silly billy, they are doing it to cut the budget they spend on their workforce. Otherwise, whats the point?

              In other words, if you wanna make that money for 40 hours work a week, go work 40 hours – not sit on your bum for over a third of those per week and expect money just to fall into your hands.

              Hey thats what the POAL board members do for $160K pa. So why not the workers?

              But instead we are on the pickets and all losing our jobs while the work goes to Tauranga.

              Gibson is working for his old employers Maersk to drive the prices down to the bottom of the barrel.

              If that makes good business sense to you then you must be also working for Maersk because they are the only ones who benefit from POAL and POT cutting each others throats (it also demonstrates why POAL CEO and Board must be fired now, for their incompetent strategic management of the competitive landscape).

              God you guys are all so out of touch, and innumerate, that it isn’t funny.

              Hey keep advocating for the bosses, your job is being contracted out to India next – unless you drop your effective income and conditions by 45%.

              • The Baron …
                25 January 2012 at 9:21 am

                What is the point? I know you guys wanna see this as another front in the great class war, but it is far simpler than that. The Port wants these guys to work for the 40 hours that they are paying them for – not for only 2/3 of that while the rest is used up by “workers” who are at home on the couch.

                If these port workers actually WORK the entire week, no pay cuts for anyone – in fact, 10% better off under the ports offer. Plus they get to book their shifts a month in advance, so they can plan their forty hours around the rest of their lives.

                The only way your scenario of a pay cut works out is if your port mates continue to take up over 1/3 of their week on smoko breaks. Sorry, I can’t get upset about that – where I work, I get paid according to, um, how many hours I spend on the job.

                Weird concept I know, but that really does seem to be foreign to you, CV. Mind you, you’re one of the 1% aren’t you? Do you even have a job?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  25 January 2012 at 5:06 pm

                  Class war 🙂

                  Yes it is 😛

                  Declared by POAL, but finished by MUNZ 😀

                  Mind you, you’re one of the 1% aren’t you? Do you even have a job?

                  Keeping my missus and her in-laws happy with me is tough but rewarding work – I kid you not.

              • BD …
                25 January 2012 at 7:01 pm

                End of the day it is the workers that are going to suffer because of MUNZ actions now, some are going to wake up soon with no job. Doesn’t matter how many times managements pay packets are debated the reality is they wont come down, ever.

          • Olwyn 9.1.3.1.3
            25 January 2012 at 9:21 am

            I have seen a few posts suggesting that stevedoring is “unskilled,” and it seems to me that there are a few right wingers who reduce the concept of “skill” to abilities like financial manipulation, networking and propaganda writing, with a bit of commercial law and the like thrown in. When a PR person makes a mistake it might cause embarrassment; when a wharfie makes a mistake it can cause death. Right wingers, before trying to degrade the skills of others, you should take a look at the actual skills that you and your cronies actually possess. Even Plato noted that tradesmen had a real form of knowledge, in comparison with the sophists who were limited to manipulating opinion.

            • The Baron 9.1.3.1.3.1
              25 January 2012 at 9:35 am

              All in your head, Olwyn – I haven’t seen anyone anywhere naming that narrow list of jobs that you clearly don’t understand or appreciate as skills.

              These port workers are trained on site to drive specialised trucks and secure cargo safely to vessels. I bet that 99/100 unskilled workers could do the same thing with the benefit of all that free on site training. I’m not undervaling that – nor am I saying it isn’t dangerous. But neither of those things change the fact that most workers with those levels of skills aren’t paid anywhere near the six figures that most of these guys are on; and they don’t get away with spending over a third of their week watching Sky either.

              Don’t let that stop you from your ill informed tirade against jobs you don’t understand though – I’m just not sure how its relevant.

              • Colonial Viper …
                25 January 2012 at 9:49 am

                99/100 unskilled workers could do a better job than POAL’s board. Replace them first, with minimum wage contract labour.

          • The Baron 9.1.3.1.4
            25 January 2012 at 9:43 am

            Oh so new roster that allows you to book a month in advance and a 10% increase in hourly rates = a pay cut and less hours in PRESLANDIA, the weirdest country of them all.

            All the port is looking for is workers who will actually WORK 40 hours per week, rather than what’s lucky to be 2/3 of that. If these guys wanna be on the same wicket – no, actually 10% better than that – then all they need do is book 40 hours in the roster. And they get at least a month’s notice of that to plan their lives around too.

            But instead they’re downing tools so they can continue to spend more than one hour in every three with their feet up; and now they’re all going to lose their jobs for their inflexibility. Plenty of people will still be lining up for some of the best paid unskilled jobs in the country, and the rest of Auckland can go back to having OUR port functioning properly, rather than being used to prop up the unsustainable lifestyles of 200 racist, sexist dinosaurs down on the wharf.

            Sounds to me like these guys looked the gift horse in the mouth a few to many times. Gift horse is dead now boys – good luck finding another job that lets you blow over a third of the working week in bed.

            • Colonial Viper 9.1.3.1.4.1
              25 January 2012 at 5:10 pm

              Wowsers…someone else telling you what a good deal this is for you…

              But what if you don’t trust that asshole as far as you can throw them?

              Hey turf Gibson out, I know plenty of people who would do his job better for half pay, say just $375,000 pa

            • Molly 9.1.3.1.4.2
              26 January 2012 at 7:47 pm

              “But instead they’re downing tools so they can continue to spend more than one hour in every three with their feet up; and now they’re all going to lose their jobs for their inflexibility. Plenty of people will still be lining up for some of the best paid unskilled jobs in the country, and the rest of Auckland can go back to having OUR port functioning properly, rather than being used to prop up the unsustainable lifestyles of 200 racist, sexist dinosaurs down on the wharf. ”

              Maybe you’re overly familiar with the traits of racist sexist dinosaurs, but I wouldn’t have thought that wanting some structure and stability around your work hours and some work life balance makes you sexist or racist. You’ve said the workers spend one hour in three with their feet up, in other posts you said they spend a third of the day in bed, you’ve also said they spend a third of the day watching Sky TV, and in another you said they spend that time on the couch. Either theres a really good staff room at the port with beds, couches, foot stools and televisions provided by management or you dont actually know what you’re talking about.

  10. Ross 10
    24 January 2012 at 9:10 pm

    This table shows how many workers at POAL are paid $100K or more. Some 184 workers get paid more than $100K, including 43 wharfies. However, I have no idea if the figures for wharfies have been calculated in the same way as the pay of other workers.

    http://www.poal.co.nz/news_media/publications/2011POAL_Remuneration.pdf

  11. Descendant Of Smith 11
    24 January 2012 at 9:10 pm

    No the key thing would be whether it is taxable for the employee would it not.

    The employer contribution to a superannuation scheme for instance is an employer expense and doesn’t form part of a workers taxable income to IRD.

    The employer ACC levy for each employee based on the injury risk and the safety record of the employer is also not employee income, while the ACC levy the employee pays would be considered so.

    There a significant difference in the employer cost and the employee remuneration.

    There’s no way I would ever suggest to my staff that those employer costs form part of their wage and salary packets. They roll on the floor laughing.

    I understand perfectly that those are my employer costs for employing staff.

    It’s not difficult distinguishing between the two.

  12. Mark 12
    24 January 2012 at 9:11 pm

    As I see it, it is irrelevant what they, or Management, or Whale, or Farrar, or any of us are earning, –
    if you lie or support or regurgitate lies you have to swallow the medicine when busted. If Gibson’s salary is relevant, then so is Parsloe’s, and we could get into the debate about who provides more value, who works more hours, who pays more tax etc, etc.
    Stevedoring is not an easy job, but it’s not rocket science either, and there are plenty of working class families down the chain who will be damaged by this dispute, no doubt MUNZ will be contributing to the family incomes of those who want to work devanning containers, driving trucks, stacking shelves etc but find themselves out of work while $91k for 23 hours is exploitation. Am I missing something here?

    • IrishBill 12.1
      24 January 2012 at 9:31 pm

      there are plenty of working class families down the chain who will be damaged by this dispute

      Firstly, I don’t think so.

      And secondly, the dispute was planned in advance and driven by port management so I don’t see how you can possibly blame the union for this.

      Also, how much do you think stevadores should get paid? More than you do? Less than you do? How about you put a figure on it.

      • Mark 12.1.1
        24 January 2012 at 9:47 pm

        there are plenty of working class families down the chain who will be damaged by this dispute

        Firstly, I don’t think so. why not, if goods can’t come off the wharves?

        And secondly, the dispute was planned in advance and driven by port management (or Union Management in cahoots with the Left, upset at being thrashed by rational Kiwis in an election and giving a death rattle) so I don’t see how you can possibly blame the union for this.

        Also, how much do you think stevadores should get paid? More than you do? Less than you do? How about you put a figure on it.. They get paid around what I get, for far less work, with far less responsibility if they fuck it up, with far less personal investment in training… but I guess I would want all I could get if I had to blow Pasloe & Co to have a job.
        BTW, how many women or minorities are allowed down at the great workers Utopia?

        • IrishBill 12.1.1.1
          24 January 2012 at 10:07 pm

          They get paid around what I get, for far less work, with far less responsibility if they fuck it up, with far less personal investment in training…

          Looks like you need to join a union.

        • Molly 12.1.1.2
          24 January 2012 at 10:07 pm

          The POA Human Resources staff do the hiring of stevedores, why dont you ask them?

        • McFlock 12.1.1.3
          24 January 2012 at 10:18 pm

          They get paid around what I get, for far less work, with far less responsibility if they fuck it up, with far less personal investment in training… but I guess I would want all I could get if I had to blow Pasloe & Co to have a job.
            
          Tell me you dosomething other than sit behind a desk, where the only cable failure you’d have to worry about is your dodgy LAN connector.

          • Mark 12.1.1.3.1
            26 January 2012 at 6:28 pm

            I have nothing to hide, so here are my credentials to comment on this subject.
            I am a Tradesman Fitter, trained very many years ago by shock horror a farmers co-operative, dirty work, started on 42% of an adult wage..and no, I didn’t really enjoy being up at 5:30 through my teenage years but it’s what you do.
            Then, roughnecking on rigs, mining, truck driving, bar work, whatever it took to earn & pay tax, modifying my lifestyle to fit within often shitty earnings. I then begged, borrowed enough to by a cheap van and a welder, and worked 7 days a week to build a business, employing, training, mentoring , having my balls on the line (fucking exploitative capitalist pig no doubt) Sold the business, some white collar (ooh including HR, what a cunt I am) I ran some teams fixing a big bridge, and happily sacked the lazy union brainwashed fuckers, while promoting and encouraging those prepared to man up and do what they were well paid to do. I built a factory, walked the wet steel, got the fucking job done, again sacked the lazy cunts. Now I do spend a bit more of my time behind a desk, working for some guys who have their balls on the line, and if I don’t show, or perform, I will be sacked tomorrow, as should anyone be. I would happily lash boxes & drive a straddle carrier at POAL, and shift work.. no drama. Dangerous at the wharf.. a little, no more than shitloads of jobs and probably statistically less so than driving to work. Oh yeah, I did spend 2 months on the dole once, I recycle, I cost ACC nothing, I raise kids, up at 5 now as I have to travel 3 hrs per day to earn. Nothing special, no hero, no special treatment.. just what you do to contribute.
            Please oh mighty McFlock, am I allowed to speak Sir..
            And who the fuck are you to question me. 

        • just saying 12.1.1.4
          24 January 2012 at 11:05 pm

          You’re full of shit Mark.
          I’ve copied below a comment from a previous thread in which you were purportedly sharing your working class knowldege to inform the beneficiaries you were bashing, how they could live cheaply. You received numerous informed replies to your uninformed beneficiary bashing but you ignored all relevant comments and questions and stuck with the bullshit.

          You claimed that $20 of seeds and the sweat of your brow could produce $1000 of veges, which proved that you were lying about being a gardener. Even if you used your kitchen cutlery to dig up your entire section, and that section was self-fertile, and located in a part of the country with the most garden-friendly climate, you would not yield $1000 of veges from just hard work and nothing more.

          You revealed that a clothes line could dry clothes. Not even the most unreconstructed working class man could imagine that this would be news to any poor person.

          And now you claim to be concerned about the effect the POAL dispute will have on “working class families down the line” because you’re all about caring about the working class. Quite the working class hero aren’t you Mark? – Bull. Shit.

          22 January 2012 at 9:16 pm

          When mince is on special I buy mince – with a little bit of effort and some cheap ingredients i make awesome bolognaise, delicious burgers, nasty nachos.. all good cheap tasty meals, and I teach my daughters how to do it too.
          When steak is on special I buy steak.. amazing how delicious, nutritious, cheap and fun a casserole is.
          $20 worth of seeds and a little bit of sweat can grow $1000 worth of vegies, easy, fun and great to do with young uns.
          My power bills – lower than ever. I spent $12 on some line and pegs and hang it out – also means I don’t get so much mould on the ceiling, which isn’t that hard to clean off and keep under control with a bit of effort to open windows, air the house etc.
          Sometimes when the wallet is tight I spend a whole $5 on fresh mussels and make a wicked feed.
          All this and 50hrs a week as a contractor, still plenty of time to get free library books to read to my girls, go to free council or govt sponsored activities, playgrounds etc.
          I manage to pay my tax, child support etc, and choose not to blow my money on fines, KFC, gadgets, SKY, pokies, horses etc.
          These options are available to anyone, someone please tell me again why the State (ie you & me) should be stealing from the sensible and productive to subsidise those that can but won’t get their shit together, instead of focusing on those that are genuinely needy.

          • Mark 12.1.1.4.1
            26 January 2012 at 5:59 pm

            “Just saying”
            “you’re full of shit Mark”.. why, because I apply a bit of truth to the blog?
            I am no working class hero and don’t profess to be, however I do care about anyone who is prepared to put some effort and make their lives better, and I have studied enough Sociology & Marxism to see the Left for what it is and how it wants to achieve it’s ends – most readers will.
            This is not to say I don’t recognize and acknowledge past and current injustices and structural inequalities our society, however the whole class war and social paranoia has been discredited totally IMHO. To consign people to the scrapheap and convince them they are downtrodden in order to buy their votes is pretty moral, isn’t it? I prefer to encourage, train, direct and improve, and it is amazing how well the workers will respond, be more positive, happier, be better parents, and contribute more of what they can to society.. hence my lifestyle tips.
            And yes, $1000 may be a bit much, but not far away.. what value to put on doing something with your kids tho, teaching about effort & reward, about the environment, nature etc…?
            And why the fuck if everyone including your downtrodden working poor or beneficiaries know about a washing line are they getting Winz grants for dryers, and can’t afford the power, and get mouldy houses? Maybe because you want them to be like that, and you whatever your situation is, can feel superior?
            You are more full of shit than me I suspect.

            • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.4.1.1
              26 January 2012 at 6:07 pm

              Its ironic, Mark “Born to Rule” accusing the Left of keeping the poor poor.

              When it is the Right Wing ownership class he supports who organises the exporting of good jobs, the importing of cheap labour, the degradation of working terms and conditions, engineering job insecurity and downward pressure on wages, etc.

              What dude, do you think we were born yesterday? Class war it is, a class war the capitalists started, but a class war that labour will finish.

              • Mark …
                26 January 2012 at 6:37 pm

                CV, that was a bit disappointing, after you have shown some insight and good arguments on here.
                I wasn’t born to rule anything except my own circumstances, like most right of centre good citizens I am also  concerned with the plight of others less fortunate, and know that the way forward is to step up.
                Fuck being consumed by bitterness and envy, go do some charity work or something for those you oppress with your misguided philosophy and indoctrinated beliefs. Or at least put up your own argument not some out of date, irrelevant and misguided mantra.
                  

            • Vicky32 12.1.1.4.1.2
              27 January 2012 at 11:59 pm

              And why the fuck if everyone including your downtrodden working poor or beneficiaries know about a washing line are they getting Winz grants for dryers, and can’t afford the power, and get mouldy houses? Maybe because you want them to be like that, and you whatever your situation is, can feel superior?

              Did you dream that story up, or hear it from Leighton Smith? I am a beneficary, and I’ve never used a clothes drier in my life – none of us do in this street of State houses. If WINZ won’t even give grants for wheelchairs and glasses (and they don’t) why would they give grants for clothes driers? It’s laughable. 😀 Aside from anything else, Mr Self-made Moron, you are as unaware as Leighton the loony that grants all have to be paid back..
               

  13. Dylan 13
    24 January 2012 at 9:12 pm

    The only principle that right-wingers have is selfishness. Dress up what they say they believe in as you will, that’s what it always comes down to.

    Everyone is more or less selfish, of course, but they have that as their central and only principle (whether they know it or not).

    It explains everything they say or do.

    Simples.

  14. randal 14
    24 January 2012 at 9:44 pm

    thats right dylan.
    the rightwingers want to oppress people and the people want to be free from oppression.
    fundamental disjunction here.
    and the flunkeys for the rightwingers want to frame it into how much individuals get paid and then dump on the officials of the union for telling them to mind their own fucking business.
    the watersiders do the work they are entilted to a fair pay.
    say one fifth of what manager gibson gets paid would make it $175,000.
    that seems fair to me.

  15. Georgecom 15
    24 January 2012 at 9:44 pm

    Farrar and his right wing mates have no need to go digging around for watersiders pay rates. That isn’t the issue and can seemingly only serve the purpose of throwing dirt around to further other agendas.

    The central point here is that MUNZ have made an offer to POA which goes a ‘long way’ to meeting the employers wishes. Given his close political connections with the National Party, Farrar will know this.

    In any normal employment dispute the current phase is where the employer puts away any stupid threat of redundancies, stops making any negative public statements (and asks its supporters to do the same) and engages in some constructive bargaining with the union to reach a settlement both sides can live with. Again, Farrar will know this.

    So, continuing to fixate on matters such as pay or other actions which seek to discredit the watersiders points to either (1) someone easily distracted by side issues or (2) another hidden agenda being rolled out.

  16. vto 16
    24 January 2012 at 10:06 pm

    General strike.

    On the grand scale.

    Including all payments to banks.

    What are they gonna do? It’s a free market after all. Play their game straight back at them.

    • vto 16.1
      24 January 2012 at 10:09 pm

      .

      United, the people stand

      • vto 16.1.1
        24 January 2012 at 10:10 pm

        .

        Divided, the people fall.

        .

        • vto 16.1.1.1
          24 January 2012 at 10:22 pm

          Just like money.

          The more that is accumulated in one spot the more power it has. Same same. Think people think.

        • muzza 16.1.1.2
          24 January 2012 at 10:39 pm

          Notice how much of a distraction has been created, and again the infighting, all looking in the wrong directions, most anyway.

          Much more at stake here, and I hope some of the fuck wits who have put their words and spite into the back of the workers, one day have their life thrown into the public eye, where lies, spin, opinions, agendas can all be aimed firmly at them.

          The wages are not even the issue here, they have been used to cause the shit storm and the diversion!

          • Jenny 16.1.1.2.1
            26 January 2012 at 7:12 am

            “Notice how much of a distraction has been created, and again the infighting, all looking in the wrong directions, most anyway.

            muzza

            The real issue is not wages at all.

            The issue is the company’s plan to outsource all the work and deunionise the worksite.

            As Matt McCarten explains:

            ‘Greedy wharfies’ tale hides ambitions for port

            Intriguing also was the wharfies’ response to Gibson’s claims about their pay. They offered not take any increase. In fact, they’d cut their annual wage by $10,000 as well as extend their working week from 26 hours a week to 40 for no extra pay.

            what hasn’t been spelled out is that Gibson from the start demanded fulltime employees become on-call casuals and agree to daily shifts between two and 12 hours.

            When the union negotiators pointed out that half of the workforce were part-timers and casuals so he already had enough flexibility, Gibson responded by saying this was his “best and final offer”. He followed up by offering existing casual employees permanent jobs paid at 10 per cent more than the union rate, provided they resigned from the union.

  17. Molly 17
    24 January 2012 at 10:55 pm

    “If instead they choose to continue sitting on their chuff for over a third of a week, well hour by hour they’re still better off. Again, happy days” ….

    I think you’ll find that the wharfies are not responsible for creating the roster or for the hiring of new staff as some people have implied. If they are then $27.00 an hour is a very low wage for all the duties they are expected to carry out, and the HR department is unnecessary.

    maybe do a bit more research on the topic instead of relying solely on POA media spin releases:

    . http://www.munz.org.nz/2012/01/24/ports-of-auckland-management-fact-sheet-short-on-facts/

    • burt 17.1
      24 January 2012 at 11:34 pm

      HR department is unnecessary.

      Right, so the company should be a good employer, use only ‘company workers’ who are on the company payroll, training program registers, health and safety training and reminder lists BUT the HR department is unnecessary. Lefties… F-in hell get with bloody reality, you want a first world workforce of permanent workers but let me guess, the HR department sitting on their asses consuming company profits is money that could have be paid to workers….

  18. Lanthanide 18
    24 January 2012 at 11:36 pm

    I’ll just throw this in here as another (very simple) angle on these “total remuneration” figures that POAL is putting out and have been audited by E&Y (who will simply have done exactly the same calculations as POAL, not validated whether these are the correct/relevant calculations to be doing – only an ignoramus would be impressed by this).

    The POAL figures are essentially what it *costs* them to hire a stevedore for a year. It is not what the stevedore *receives* on their pay slip or in their bank account.

    Actually if the stevedores get payslips (probably legally required?), it could be instructive for a few of these year-end pay slips showing total salary to be scanned and published on the internet (with names redacted), if they were so willing. It would make the situation much clearer.

  19. randal 19
    25 January 2012 at 8:17 am

    so who gets the stevedoring contract if the port is privatised?

  20. Bored 20
    25 January 2012 at 8:35 am

    How stupendously dull this column is, the usual RWNJ bigots justifying who gets what with no regard to the social and economic impacts, the lefties focusing on how much….who fekkin cares.

    The real game being played out is elsewhere, its all about how the Parnell business crowd get their hearts desire…the replacement of the Auckland Council with a privatisation friendly group of lackeys. Meanwhile Brown and Mr Anonymous (Leader of the Oppostion) sit quietly….what a fekkin fiasco.

    Dont ever forget, the new right bastards want to feudalise you and your assets.

  21. DH 21
    25 January 2012 at 9:43 am

    I’d question this figure here which appears to be deliberately misleading;

    “The $91,000 includes a range of allowances, benefits and shift payments with the average number of hours paid per week averaging 43.9.”

    It was stated earlier by POAL that the average hours per week increases to 49 when leave entitlements are added. What that should tell people is the 43hrs is arrived at by dividing total working hours by 52, which is wrong. Add leave to the total hours worked, divide by 52 again and you get the 49hrs. (Leave at 6hrs extra per day works out to 312 hrs or 39x days, in line with their quoted 5weeks holiday, sick leave etc.)

    For a truthful average they should be dividing total working hours by total worked weeks, not by the full 52weeks which includes non-worked holidays. That then works out to about 51hr average working weeks which helps to explain the high levels of pay. Holidays are only paid for 8hr days so even the 49hrs is false because the non-overtime leave days bring the average down.

    It’s troubling that the figures are being misrepresented in such a fashion. Adopting this flawed methodology would enable any employer to attack the wages of any full time workers.

    • Lanthanide 21.1
      25 January 2012 at 9:49 am

      Thanks, that makes a lot more sense.

      Using a 51 hour week comes out to $34/hour for their $91k figure, which seems reasonable.

      • DH 21.1.1
        25 January 2012 at 10:27 am

        Average hourly rate is misleading because holidays are not work. The 51hr weeks are only for the weeks they actually work so the average pay there would be worked out from 40hrs standard plus 11hrs overtime each working week. A quick calculation from the POAL figures says they average 484hrs overtime each year. Holidays are paid as 8hr days or 40hr weeks so the average pay on holidays is (probably) the base rate of $27hr.

        I’d have thought if POAL wanted to get the wages bill down they’d hire more part timers & get the overtime down (assuming overtime costs more)

        • Colonial Viper 21.1.1.1
          25 January 2012 at 10:30 am

          I’d have thought if POAL wanted to get the wages bill down they’d hire more part timers & get the overtime down (assuming overtime costs more)

          But that would create more union members, not less.

          • DH 21.1.1.1.1
            25 January 2012 at 11:05 am

            Maybe, but why should that bother them. Looking at the E&Y numbers the overtime rate for stevedore lashers is $22.48 per hr which I assume is on top of the base rate of $27.26hr. Using that figure 232 full time stevedores each working 484hrs overtime per year adds up to $2.5million in overtime payments that can be saved by employing more staff.

            It’s a shame our media are so useless & lazy. How hard is it for a competent journalist to dig into the figures, ask some proper questions and start exposing the misrepresentations from both sides.

            • Lanthanide 21.1.1.1.1.1
              25 January 2012 at 6:10 pm

              No, the overtime lashing is what they’re paid if they do lashing, not on top of their base.

              “Lashing”, whatever it is, appears to be the bottom rank-and-file lowest skill job available, and is mainly performed by casuals and part timers. I recall reading something about full timers being able to do up to 3 additional overtime shifts per week with first priority choice over lashing or not.

              • DH …
                25 January 2012 at 8:33 pm

                Ok, I’d assumed it a penal rate from the vague E&Y description where it’s mentioned twice;

                “Stevedoring rate for lashing, general duties and standard straddle driving $27.26 per hour”

                “Overtime lashing by stevedores $22.48 per hour”

                Odd they get paid less for overtime.

                POAL and the union have been very evasive on the subject of overtime, both have something to hide there I’d think. I’ve assumed there are penal rates for overtime because the quoted $91k and 43/49hrs doesn’t add up without it, the numbers fall well short. Anyone know, do they get time & a half for OT or what?

  22. travellerev 22
    25 January 2012 at 10:07 am

    Funny how it is OK to play the politics of envy when it’s the National party doing it or the Mud stream media. Kim Dotcom is filthy rich so there must be something wrong with him and those damn warfies are making more than the average so they should pull their head in when they are being screwed over.

  23. Arthur 23
    25 January 2012 at 11:31 am

    Would some rwnj please tell us how much a wharfie should be paid?

    • Bored 23.1
      25 January 2012 at 11:35 am

      You wont get a sensible RWNJ assessment….my take is that if the CEO is on $500K p.a. anybody actually doing something, like loading / unloading must be worth multiples of $500K merely because they are doing something…working.

    • fender 23.2
      25 January 2012 at 11:38 pm

      The rwnj ideal would be to steal the port then import and exploit some asian workers, put them on the min. wage then go swimming in their pool of profits for well earned break.

      This whole sorry saga is disgusting, who’s next then for a bashing due to earning maybe thirty bux an hour.

  24. randal 24
    25 January 2012 at 12:13 pm

    on the money bored.
    the wharfies do the work but the accountants sit in a high rise looking out the window and get all the cream.
    so the question remains.
    who is going to get the stevedoring contract if the port operations are privatised.
    note operations.
    the geeks dont want the facilities because the amount of investment is too much for them.
    they just want the stevedoring which is ready money.

  25. KJT 25
    25 January 2012 at 10:09 pm

    RIP New Zealand’s Labour party. MIA for all but two months before the election. Now confirmed KIA.

    • Colonial Viper 25.1
      25 January 2012 at 10:15 pm

      KIA? What in some kind of heroic action. Don’t you mean AWOL?

      • KJT 25.1.1
        26 January 2012 at 3:46 am

        KIA is what you tell the relatives when someone is shot for cowardice in the face of the enemy.

        Labour is still letting the RW dictate the entire dialog.

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    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    8 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    15 hours ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    16 hours ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    16 hours ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    18 hours ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    19 hours ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    19 hours ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    20 hours ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    23 hours ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 day ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, 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?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    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 ...
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    19 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    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 ...
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    20 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    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 - ...
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    22 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    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 ...
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    1 day ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    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 ...
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    1 day ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    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 ...
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    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    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 ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    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 ...
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    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    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 ...
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    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    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 ...
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    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    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 ...
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    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    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 ...
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    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    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, ...
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    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    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 ...
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    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    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 ...
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    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
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    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
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    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
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    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
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    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
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    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
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    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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