Written By: - Date published: 9:43 am, March 17th, 2014 - 38 comments
Categories: education, Hekia parata, national, national/act government, same old national, schools
Tags:
Yesterday Hekia Parata floated the idea that funding of schools should be based on measuring the periodic change in academic standards. This is a retrograde proposal which almost inevitably would penalise poor schools and worsen educational standards for many. Today she has been trying to dampen down the idea and has emphasised that it will not be considered until after the next election. A better reason to vote this Government out I cannot imagine.
Written By: - Date published: 9:49 pm, March 17th, 2014 - No comments
As I’ve previously pointed out, John Key’s National government only serves the privileged elite.
But their policy of only favouring the favoured few is not only venal, it’s really stupid economics as well.
Written By: - Date published: 2:24 pm, March 17th, 2014 - 50 comments
No Right Turn reacts to David Cunliffe’s speech on Friday. “…one thing is clear: we need to move our economy away from a focus on milk. Our environment can’t sustain it, and its not delivering for anyone other than a narrow class of wealthy farmers.” “… rich economies have multiple sources of income. And they consciously develop them through industrial policy.”
Written By: - Date published: 12:37 pm, March 17th, 2014 - 62 comments
Rob Salmond at Polity looks at the draft Green party list. “The Greens have released their draft party list today, in advance of a party member STV vote. The top 20 is…”
Written By: - Date published: 10:10 am, March 17th, 2014 - 2 comments
Simon Collins article on reducing inequalities for Māori & Pacific people. Māori and Pacific youth have become significantly disadvantaged in employment. However, the article supports charter schools, without examining how such neoliberal intitatives are ultimately damaging for Māori & Pacific people.
Written By: - Date published: 6:57 am, March 17th, 2014 - 142 comments
Happy Saint Patrick’s day. Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Written By: - Date published: 9:22 am, March 16th, 2014 - 89 comments
Tony Abbott’s Liberal Government has acted to undermine New Zealand’s push for a United Nations declaration that it is in the interest of humanity that nuclear weapons never be used again under any circumstances. Having the option of killing millions of human beings and devastating major urban centres either by way of a first strike or a retaliatory strike is obviously something he thinks should be preserved.
Written By: - Date published: 8:23 am, March 16th, 2014 - 38 comments
An interview provides an insight into Russel Norman’s working class background & frugal, anti-consumerist outlook. Combines well with Metiria Turei’s working class background - which has motivated her campaign against child poverty and inequality.
Written By: - Date published: 7:19 am, March 16th, 2014 - 145 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Written By: - Date published: 4:50 am, March 16th, 2014 - 36 comments
Fran O’Sullivan thinks that the only reason why Collins is still a Minister was Key’s need to save face in his impending visit to China. I think Key may have got a better reception from Xi Jinping if he had followed the Chinese leader’s example of taking a hard line on dinner-table corruption and sacked Collins.
Written By: - Date published: 9:50 am, March 15th, 2014 - 5 comments
The West Auckland Peasants Film Club FB page says: “The greatest threat to freedom and well-being everywhere is corporate ambition: the greatest threat to corporate ambition is a well-informed public”. This week the PFC is showing, I Am (Dir. Tom Shadyac) – how to get such information seen more widely?
Written By: - Date published: 9:02 am, March 15th, 2014 - 145 comments
A guest post on Shane Jones and what effect his recent behaviour is having on Labour’s election chances.
Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, March 15th, 2014 - 111 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Written By: - Date published: 9:42 pm, March 14th, 2014 - 31 comments
Sorry to hear that Tony Benn has died today, at age 88. He came from an aristocratic background, but became part of the UK Labour Party’s “radical” left. He spoke for Unions, people power and democratic process, and against neoliberalism. [Update - Tony Benn quotes]
Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, March 14th, 2014 - 180 comments
Yesterday one woman’s story blew the lid on our government’s treatment of beneficiaries. Sarah Wilson’s post on her ongoing struggles just to get Work and Income to do their job properly and give her the support she needs went viral, and as the comments flooded in, more stories emerged. Stories about how humiliating it is […]
Written By: - Date published: 1:11 pm, March 14th, 2014 - 17 comments
Space for non-political chat and communication.
Written By: - Date published: 12:13 pm, March 14th, 2014 - 122 comments
Speech notes from today’s address to the New Zealand Institute. ”Trickle-down economics and its neoliberal parentage have failed New Zealanders and left many of our emerging businesses starved of investment capital and skills. The opportunity gaps have widened and there is no clear, shared strategy to a high value, high income future. That’s something Labour will change. We want an economy that works for all New Zealanders.”
Written By: - Date published: 11:48 am, March 14th, 2014 - 14 comments
[probably satire] This statement has been reposted from ImperatorFish and is believed to be a work of satire by Scott Yorke (who generously allows us to reproduce his posts). However with Shane Jones, one can never be too sure what is truth and what is fantasy. Shane Jones or a reasonable facsimile thereof takes on why he isn’t going to attack the terrible Green party again (to the nearly universal chorus of “dickhead”).
Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, March 14th, 2014 - 14 comments
The latest NSALeak: the NSA is deliberately spreading malware on a massive scale to spy on everyone. This isn’t the sort of targeted operation they aimed at Belgacom – its effectively a global cyberwar against everyone. They infected 100,000 computers already, and they plan to infect millions – well beyond any possible number needed strictly for “national security”. Why? So they can pwn you
Written By: - Date published: 10:03 am, March 14th, 2014 - 23 comments
The Government is continuing with the Genesis share float. Shares with an anticipated yield of 15% are being sold to pay off debt on which interest at 5% is being charged. What sort of economic lunacy is this?
Written By: - Date published: 6:44 am, March 14th, 2014 - 153 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Written By: - Date published: 5:07 pm, March 13th, 2014 - 28 comments
Here’s a pretty astounding graphic from the US about cellphone vs landline use. The US is a few years ahead of New Zealand on mobile adoption and decoupling from landlines, but Rob Salmond thinks that within 5 years we will see these kinds of proportions in New Zealand. This will make current pollsters’ policies of refusing to call cell phones hugely problematic…
Written By: - Date published: 3:07 pm, March 13th, 2014 - 72 comments
Look forward to getting your comments on this one …
Written By: - Date published: 11:50 am, March 13th, 2014 - 35 comments
Dave Kennedy (aka bsprout) at Local Bodies is the Green candidate for Invercargill. He posted this on Monday in response to Josie Pagani’s pundit post. It is on the preparedness of the Green party for this election It got overshadowed in the news cycle by burst of corrupt stench of self-entitled elitist behaviour from National, but is worth reposting anyway. It is going to be interesting to look at this election campaign where National is fighting two large parties on the left.
Written By: - Date published: 11:02 am, March 13th, 2014 - 3 comments
International, cronyist, corporate capitalism skews democratic processes in NZ, making it harder for the majority of battling Kiwis to get a fair go – harder to ensure all New Zealanders live in a society that works for them. The TPPA is a power-play between the US and other powerful countries. There’s nothing in it for NZ. National Day of action March 29th, 2014.
Written By: - Date published: 9:31 am, March 13th, 2014 - 8 comments
Just a wee list to try and keep track of the current scandals our dear friends in the National party are dealing with.
Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, March 13th, 2014 - 194 comments
Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step up to the mike …
Written By: - Date published: 11:18 pm, March 12th, 2014 - 141 comments
So the latest from National is Judith Collins ‘promoting’ her husbands’ company and Amy Adams promoting the interests of river-polluting Canterbury dairy farms when she herself owns Canterbury dairy farms.
Naturally, neither minister can see any problem with this.
Update: And now Nathan Guy – National’s immigration minister…
Written By: - Date published: 7:32 pm, March 12th, 2014 - 24 comments
And the winner is …
Written By: - Date published: 12:32 pm, March 12th, 2014 - 59 comments
Edward Snowden revelations indicate that the US NSA pressured the NZ government to make last year’s hasty changes to the GCSB and TICS laws, to enable mass surveillance. John Key sometimes denies he knows of visits to NZ by the NSA’s Gen Keith Alexander – but Key would have to approve the visits.
Written By: - Date published: 12:12 pm, March 12th, 2014 - 32 comments
Amy Adams is now facing questions of conflict of interest after details have been published that land and company shares she owns may increase in value because of the proposed Canterbury Irrigation Scheme.
This will be my last post here at writehanded.wordpress.com. Don’t worry, I’m not going away, or shutting up – though, as I’ve discovered in the past few days, there are people who would like me to do so. Here’s a...
Some photos I took recently of Wynyard, a development that we as a city got right and which helps to show we can create an awesome urban environment. The place will only get better as more development occurs in the...
The Government has squandered an opportunity to crackdown on exorbitant rates being charged by loan sharks that are financially crippling some of our most vulnerable families, Labour’s Consumer Rights and Standards spokesperson Carol Beaumont says. “The Government is claiming its...
Finance Minister Bill English and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples seem to have lost control of Maori Television with reports its board will go ahead with the controversial appointment of Paora Maxwell as chief executive, Labour’s Broadcasting spokesperson Kris Faafoi...
The insurance industry is overseeing a ticking time bomb with its move to sum insured leaving thousands of New Zealanders underinsured, which shows the need for a locally-owned company to raise standards, Labour Leader David Cunliffe says. “The Insurance Ombudsman...
Back in the 1960's and 70's, the British government ethnically cleansed the island of Diego Garcia to make way for a US military base. Its inhabitants, the Chagossians, were forcibly deported from their homes and dumped in a slum in...
Dr Parmjeet Parmar must make a moral decision and resign from her role as a Family Commissioner, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Rajen Prasad says. “Dr Parmar has spent the weekend in the ethnic media defending her right to campaign for...
Bryce Edwards has an overview of the two ‘secondary parties’, New Zealand First and the Greens, and the status of their relationship with Labour, and I think a lot of the stuff he’s linking to is absurd. To wit: Speculation...
Bryce Edwards has an overview of the two ‘secondary parties’, New Zealand First and the Greens, and the status of their relationship with Labour, and I think a lot of the stuff he’s linking to is absurd. To wit: Speculation...
Here Rod Lambert in Oz, talking about how to talk about climate change if you are not a nutter: If there’s one thing decades of advertising, public relations, psychology research and science communication have taught us, it’s that throwing facts...
Contact the organisers of your local event if you can help or chris.zack@gmail.com if you want to start something where there is a gap. Posters and leaflets, templates for placards, and other resources are all on the website or will...
Today we released the initial draft of our party list. We have an exciting line up of talented and experienced people going into this year’s general election. The Green Party has a strong, dynamic team in Parliament and we’re looking...
Don’t believe the advertising hype. Anti-fluoride activists are promoting a “Study Tracker” which they see as a powerful weapon in their fight against fluoride. It is simply a search facility for their own database of articles – really Paul Connett’s...
For the past four years I've been visiting the beautiful country of Greenland, trying to prevent dangerous oil drilling that would cause havoc to the unique and fragile wildlife and nature here.But ever since I started working in the cold...
Truck group gave $95,000 to MPs, New Zealand Herald, April 16, 2009:Jonathan Coleman, National: $36,323.14. Includes $16,672 from Brian Choi Trust (contribution donations) and $5000 from Barfoot and Thompson real estate director Garth Barfoot.Excerpt from National Party return of donations...
When the National government introduced National Standards four years ago, I didn’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind was blowing. I’d been watching our older son acclimatise to public schools in New Haven, Connecticut, where kids and...
One of the government’s main anchor projects, is increasingly looking like a farce. The Press reports that there is now a grand total of one company bidding to build the convention centre: Five groups, out of 23 initial responses, were...
Yes, Crimea used to be part of the Soviet Union and was gifted to Ukraine in 1954 (which was part of the Soviet Union then) by Nikita Khrushchev. He couldn’t have anticipated Ukraine would one day be independent - or...
New Zealand has excellent renewable electricity resources. We’ve got hydro, wind and geothermal up the wazoo. In a typical year, more than 70% of our electricity comes from renewable, and the government wants this to increase to 90% by 2025...
John Key needs to come clean on National’s plans for “performance’’ funding in schools, says Labour Leader David Cunliffe. “In the wake of a recent OECD PISA report strongly underlining the impact of poverty and inequality on educational achievement, we...
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has again demonstrated his inability to take a leadership role with his refusal to lead the meat industry through much-needed reform, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says. “Nathan Guy has told farmers the Government...
'One day, you will all be lynched, dead, sick or alive'...
Last week was a big week for the Reserve Bank. The Bank’s March Monetary Policy Statement, released on Thursday saw the expected announcement of the decision to move to tighten monetary policy – a 25 base-point increase in the Official...
As expected, Crimea has voted to rejoin Russia:Some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia, officials say. after half the votes have been counted in a disputed referendum. Crimea's leader says he will apply to join Russia on...
The Greens have released their draft party list today, in advance of a party member STV vote. The top 20 is: 1 Turei, Metiria 2 Norman, Russel 3 Hague, Kevin 4 Sage, Eugenie 5 Delahunty, Catherine 6 Hughes, Gareth 7...
Former cyclone Lusi wasn't the only wild, hot air over the weekend. That deafening sucking sound you heard was elements of the political right having a massive tantrum because the Judith Collins story was still a story.The consensus theory was...
The news this morning is that Hekia Parata may be considering performance funding for schools. This idea is already drawing fire: Post Primary Teachers Association president Angela Roberts said she supported a review of the "blunt" decile funding method and...
. . On TV3′s The Nation, Key steadfastly refused to make public the names of donors to various fund-raising events (or pay back) at Antoine’s restaurant in Parnell, Auckland. Instead of using a Trust, where the names of donors are...
. . On TV3′s The Nation, Key steadfastly refused to make public the names of donors to various fund-raising events (or pay back) at Antoine’s restaurant in Parnell, Auckland. Instead of using a Trust, where the names of donors are...
The decision made on the East-West link a few months ago not to run a motorway through the suburbs of Mangere was a significant victory for the community. However it also made a lot of sense as the majority of...
Press Release – iPredict NZ First forecast to secure over 5% to return to Parliament Maori Party or NZ First to decide next Prime Minister Key still favoured to win 2014 but would require support of all current support parties...
The spectre of a return to the 1970s was (once again) raised when I dared to suggest recently that our interest rate policy was, to be blunt, self-defeating. Unlike my accuser, I actually lived through the 70s - and I...
. . FROM: "f.macskasy" SUBJECT: Letters to the Editor DATE: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 21:10:15 +1300 TO: "Sunday Star Times" letters@star-times.co.nz . The Editor Sunday Star Times . Winston Peters has pledged that his Party's bottom line is the re-purchase...
. . FROM: "f.macskasy" SUBJECT: Letters to the Editor DATE: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 21:10:15 +1300 TO: "Sunday Star Times" letters@star-times.co.nz . The Editor Sunday Star Times . Winston Peters has pledged that his Party's bottom line is the re-purchase...
. . FROM: "f.macskasy" SUBJECT: Letters to the editor DATE: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 20:42:43 +1300 TO: "NZ Herald" <letters@herald.co.nz> . The Editor NZ Herald . John Key suggests that the black and white silver...
. . FROM: "f.macskasy" SUBJECT: Letters to the editor DATE: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 20:42:43 +1300 TO: "NZ Herald" <letters@herald.co.nz> . The Editor NZ Herald . John Key suggests that the black and white silver...
It's a new week, and so the beginning of a new political era. What, then, am I doing going all the way back to the ancient past of the start of the month, in order to write about Judith Collins...
Press Release – It’s Our Future A national day of action to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement will take place on Saturday 29 March 2014.National mobilisation against TPPA on Saturday 29 March: 15 towns & cities A national day of...
SkS Highlights Dana's GWPF* optimism on climate sensitivity is ill-founded attracted the highest number of comments of the articles posted on SkS during the past week. Global warming not slowing - it's speeding up by James Wright drew the second highest number...
I was out at Manukau the other day so stopped by to see how how the new MIT campus was looking. The campus sits on top of and will be integrated to the Manukau station. The work is now primarily...
Today's announcement of a new Te Korowai marine protected area off the coast of Kaikoura must be matched with wider protections for our precious marine life, Green Party said today."This protected area, while very welcome, is a drop in the...
Hekia Parata’s radical plans to shake-up school funding show just how dangerous a re-elected National government could be and have the potential to rob thousands of Kiwi kids of their chance to achieve to their full potential, Labour’s Education spokesperson...
National has demonstrated how out of touch it is with key conservation issues in New Zealand, particularly the issues facing our marine environment, Labour’s Conservation spokesperson Ruth Dyson says....
When I heard the airline premise that "planes don't just fall out of the sky unnoticed" my immediate thought was "okay, then it didn't". That meant something else. When I watched a live press conference on CNN during the week, my...
Military-bureaucratic authoritarian regimes often seek to legitimate their rule and establish a positive legacy by transferring power to elected civilian authorities. However, they do so only under certain conditions and with specific outcomes in mind. One way to ensure that...
Craig Foss has once again lived up to his reputation as a do-nothing Minister with his failure to take any action to support regional broadcasters during their transition from analogue to digital, Labour’s Broadcasting Spokesperson Kris Faafoi says. “I have...
You’ve probably noticed the increased presence of anti-choice protestors outside Wellington and Auckland hospitals. This began on Wednesday 5 March, the first day of Lent, as part of a campaign called “40 Days for Life.” This campaign originated in the...
An catchin up with a few mates.Only connectivity an inverter powered SkyTV.Just a little mystified at what seems a total beatup on a government Minister who has not just been helping constituents but has made efforts to repair a few...
The O’Connell St shared space is now getting started however relatively quietly many people forget about the other shared space currently being developed in Federal St between Wellesley St and Victoria St. Work has been going on for some months now...
Climate change showdown in Florida governor's race How much hotter is the planet going to get? Industrial civilisation headed for 'irreversible collapse'? Is misinformation about the climate criminally negligent? Kerry orders U.S. diplomats to press case for climate action New...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Missed opportunity to crackdown on loan sharks The Government has squandered an opportunity to crackdown on exorbitant rates being charged by loan sharks that are financially crippling some of our most vulnerable families,...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: What is going on at Maori Television? Finance Minister Bill English and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples seem to have lost control of Maori Television with reports its board will go ahead with...
Review by David Robie WHEN Rachel Buchanan penned a commissioned article entitled “From the classroom to the scrap heap” for The Age last September, she railed against Australian journalism schools, in particular, against an alleged “lie” and “little integrity” of...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Insurance industry drops ball on sum insured The insurance industry is overseeing a ticking time bomb with its move to sum insured leaving thousands of New Zealanders underinsured, which shows the need for...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Parmar must resign from the Families Commission Dr Parmjeet Parmar must make a moral decision and resign from her role as a Family Commissioner, Labour’s Social Development spokesperson Rajen Prasad says. “Dr Parmar...
Source: Green Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: New marine reserve won’t mask National’s dire marine conservation track record Sunday, 16 Mar 2014 | Press Release This protected area, while very welcome, is a drop in the marine protection bucket Today’s...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Key must come clean on performance funding John Key needs to come clean on National’s plans for “performance’’ funding in schools, says Labour Leader David Cunliffe. “In the wake of a recent OECD...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Nathan Guy fails meat industry desperate for reform Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has again demonstrated his inability to take a leadership role with his refusal to lead the meat industry through much-needed...
Source: First Union – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Sharing the benefits of economic growth David Cunliffe’s signal that a new government will have a plan for our industries and ensure that the benefits of economic growth will be better shared is...
Imagine, for a moment, The Remuneration Authority (which sets salaries for Members of Parliament) decided to pay MP’s based on their performance. How would they measure that? Count the numbers of Committees they sit on? Hours spent dealing with concerns...
John Key has stolen a march on the Left by pushing for new New Zealand flag, and planning a referendum process to choose the best design. Labour and the Greens have endorsed the referendum process, but as far as I...
In a week when the Prime Minister announced an early election and proposed a flag referendum, a commercial airliner vanished into thin air, a South African paralympian stood trial for murder and Russia amassed forces on the Crimean border, it...
Charlotte Dawson’s death has highlighted depression again in NZ. It’s brought out the nasties online and in the news, but it is also reviving an important discussion – how to best assist people around us who are battling. Sarah at...
The sting of this book is in the subtitle; why Chinese communists make better capitalists than we do. The author,Loretta Napoleoni is a renowned economist and investigative journalist. Her previous publications Terror Incorporated:tracing the money behind global terrorism (2005) and...
by Curial I didn’t think I would get to the opening night of this play on time, rushing from one event to another (the joys of being a mature university student), but I managed to arrive in time. The opening...
National Party Asset Sales Workshop...
Cunliffe slams National Party Trolls on social media...
The apocalypse caused by Aucknado has been slightly overblown...
Labour’s economic upgrade...
-An estimated one million children are forced to work in the global sex industry every year. -The global sex slavery market generates a $39 billion profit annually. -Selling young girls is more profitable than trafficking drugs or weapons. Celebrities are...
On Trade Me now I did this Horrible Painting of popular New Zealand celebrity Michael Laws for a charity auction. No-one bought it. I don’t really blame them, because if I’m being really honest it looks absolutely terrifying. I’ve thought...
House prices have gone up 50% under National...
Tony Abbott questioned by Newtown High Students...
. . Over the last two years (give or take), NZ First leader, Winston Peters, has stated on numerous occassions that buying back shares in the three energy SOEs (Meridian, Genesis, and Mighty River Power) will be a “bottom line”...
John Key has stolen a march on the Left by pushing for new New Zealand flag, and planning a referendum process to choose the best design. Labour and the Greens have endorsed the referendum process, but as far as I...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Hekia’s plans will rob kids of opportunity Hekia Parata’s radical plans to shake-up school funding show just how dangerous a re-elected National government could be and have the potential to rob thousands of...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: PM and Conservation Minister avoid big issues and go for photo ops National has demonstrated how out of touch it is with key conservation issues in New Zealand, particularly the issues facing our...
In this week’s RadioLive Sunday Panel Wallace Chapman, Selwyn Manning and Rodney Hide discuss the big issues of the week, including: Whether New Zealand’s Minister of Justice Judith Collins should be sacked for a perceived conflict of interest and misleading...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Do-nothing Minister fails regional viewers Craig Foss has once again lived up to his reputation as a do-nothing Minister with his failure to take any action to support regional broadcasters during their transition...
Earlier this week CCS Disability Action addressed the issue of employment discrimination for people with disabilities in New Zealand. This is a pressing issue that we as a country are severely lagging behind in. While other countries such as the...
I was speaking to a group this weekend on behalf of Mana when I was asked 2 questions: why is it New Zealanders don’t seem to care that we live in a dreadfully unequal country and why did I...
. . On 1 March, in a previous blogpost, I raised the following issues; 1. The Reserve Bank has indicated that it will begin to increase the OCR (Official Cash Rate) this year. Most economists are expecting the OCR to...
Source: Unite Union – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Fast Food pay rates to change April 1 15Mar Message to all Unite workers fast food restaurants: From April 1 all rates in companies where Unite has collective agreements will increase by at...
Weirdisms: As ex-Cyclone Lusi bears down on Auckland, Auckland Council has the sprinklers turned on at Fowlds Park Mt Albert (Saturday, March 15, 2014). Note To Auckland Council: When it rains turn off the sprinklers, especially when it is a...
Source: Unite Union – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Huntly McDonald’s – from sauna to cool oasis 15Mar A routine site visit to Huntly McDonalds on Wednesday 12 March turned into more of a sauna visit with the temperature in store exceeding...
David Robie also blogs at Café Pacific AUSTRALIAN government negotiators were “shockingly close” to the oil companies in a controversial maritime treaty signed with the emerging nation of Timor-Leste in 2006, it is claimed in a new documentary about the...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: No shade of Green in Bluegreens There’s not much green about the National Party’s ”Bluegreens” as they head into their conference this weekend, says Labour’s Environment spokesperson Moana Mackey. “Once upon a time...
I don’t do legal highs. Recreational narcotics should be far more mellow and less shrill than the bump and grind available legally over the counter. What I do do is regulation. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 is a first step...
Key’s lie on losing jobs by raising minimum wages...
RIP Tony Benn...
This is a headline which as a Kiwi it’s not nice to read in an Aussie paper “Federal government worked to scuttle New Zealand statement against nuclear weapons.” Oh dear… New Zealand’s nuclear free stance and continued work towards nuclear disarmament...
SLater’s sleaze merchant status is at Fox News levels again. This time a grotty post today trying to compare David Cunliffe’s wife having Helen Clarke open her law firm at a public green ribbon cutting event and the secret dinner...
Source: Green Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Govt grants mining licence in marine protected area Saturday, 06 Dec 2014 | Press Release All the creatures that live on the seafloor will be killed during the mining process, as they are...
Source: Unite Union – Press Release/Statement: Headline: SAT 29 MARCH: JOIN THE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION TO STOP THE TPPA Saturday 29 March, 1pm Contact the organisers of your local event if you can help or chris.zack if you want...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Government’s Pacific 0800 number will not work The announcement by the government for a “Talanoa 0800 campaign” for Pacific communities to seek help when they are having issues with loans is nothing more...
Game on – a message from David Cunliffe...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Too little too late for Maori research The Maori Party has clearly dropped the ball as under their watch Ngā Pae o te Maramatanga will lose research funding beyond 2015, says Labour’s Associate...
Source: Labour Party – Press Release/Statement: Headline: SPEECH: New Zealand's economic upgrade Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa. I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Initiative and its Executive Director, Dr Oliver Hartwich. Oliver it’s great to be...
Crying over spilt milk...
Source: Amnesty International NZ – Press Release/Statement: Headline: Turkey: Funeral protests over Gezi Park police impunity Thousands gathered today in cities across Turkey to protest ongoing police impunity after the death of Berkin Elvan. © ADEM ALTAN/AFP/Getty Images...
Today’s announcement that KiwiRail will suspend its Christchurch-Picton passenger service, the Coastal Pacific, over the winter months is unnecessary and short sighted, says the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU)....
Xenophobia; 471,711; Strategic mistake; Most popular NZ Chinese politician; Innumerate; Figures sing to him; In the land of the blind; No disclosure; More leaving...
NZ First forecast to secure over 5% to return to Parliament · Maori Party or NZ First to decide next Prime Minister · Key still favoured to win 2014 but would require support of all current support parties or a...
On March 20th 2014, New Zealand’s inaugural international drug policy symposium, Pathway to Reform, will be hosted by The STAR Trust in Auckland. The symposium will see world leaders, academics, and government officials come together to review and...
Last Wednesday the Regional Council, at its Corporate Committee meeting, considered an ‘indicative’ schedule for HBRC’s final decision-making on the CHB dam. The schedule is as tightly compressed as it could possibly be....
The Waikato Mayoral Forum’s new collaborative approach on regional roading has been endorsed by a visiting British expert, who says it can help pave the way for multi-million dollar savings....
InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) is pleased by last Friday’s historic announcement that the U.S Government will cede control of domain names and Internet addresses. The United States Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information...
The national Federation representing Kiwi landlords is warning against progressing with the flawed rental WOF scheme, claiming its trialed roll-out is raising serious concerns for both tenants and landlords. Wellington landlord Jackie Thomas-Teague...
Fightback is organising a weekly Intro to Marxism series in Wellington. Sessions are 6pm, Mondays at 19 Tory Street. Open to all - feel free to come along, contribute, learn and discuss....
In an interview on TV3’s The Nation,Winston Peters claimed that the fishing industry should be “New Zealandised”. He wants the government to intervene in the industry to make sure that “our fish is caught by New Zealand boats and New...
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ Chair Diane Vivian and Board Member Kate Bundle are to appear before the Social Services Select Committee on Wednesday March 19th 2014 in support of an amendment bill that would afford the same clothing...
Anna Lorck selected as Labour’s Tukituki Candidate Labour Party President Moira Coatsworth has announced that Anna Lorck will be Labour’s candidate for the Tukituki electorate at the 2014 General Election. She was selected today from a field of three...
A national day of action to stop the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement will take place on Saturday 29 March 2014....
New guidelines seek to address workplace bullying 17 March 2014 - Bullying in the workplace is under the microscope with WorkSafe NZ recently issuing guidelines on how to prevent and respond to workplace bullying. Sarah Townsend, an employment law...
The Government doing all it can for households hit by interest rates rises The Finance Minister Bill English told TVNZ’s Q+A programme that the Government is doing all it can to help households affected by interest rate rises: “There isn't...
Prospect of new marine reserve welcomed, but overall protection still amounts to little Independent conservation organisation Forest & Bird is welcoming the news that the government is acting to speed up the implementation of a package of marine...
Green Party says it’s time to reform the Reserve Bank Act Green Party co-leader Russel Norman told TVNZ’s Q+A programme today that “jacking up the OCR” is not the only answer to the threat of inflation. He said the Green...
Whale Watch Kaikoura today welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will create a new marine reserve, whale and fur seal sanctuary, five customary fishing areas and amateur fishing regulations to improve the management of Kaikoura’s coast...
WWF–New Zealand welcomed the announcement of marine protection for Kaikoura today. “This is the type of protection we need to see more of to help protect New Zealand oceans and the animals that live there,” WWF-New Zealand Executive Director Chris...
Peters promises to buy back Genesis Energy and other power companies; says he's prepared to stay on the cross-benches on this issue "If either side prefers to sell out New Zealand’s long term heritage, then they can line up and...
Family First NZ says that ACC’s proposal to teach healthy relationships and how to say no is a common sense move which flies in the face of the flawed approach of other groups who simply say ‘you have to have...
UNICEF NZ Calls on New Zealanders to Raise Their Voices for the Children of Syria...
Recent Comments