45,000 more signatures
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- Date published:
9:14 am, July 8th, 2013 - 46 comments
Categories: national, Privatisation -
Tags: keep our assets, not yours to sell
Like other recent calls for citizen initiated referendums, the referendum on asset sales was deemed to need more signatures after the initial submission. The eight week window to gather more signatures is now over, and the new signatures will be presented to Parliament today. Lots of them:
Asset petition gathers 45,000 more names
Opponents of the Government’s asset sales programme say they have gathered more than 45,000 new signatures to bump the petition over the threshold for a referendum.
After coming up about 16,500 valid signatures short two months ago, the Keep Our Assets coalition, which includes Labour, the Greens and other opposition parties, along with Grey Power, will present the newly gathered signatures to the Clerk of the House of Representatives tomorrow.
16,500 needed, 45,000 submitted, hopefully after inspection it will be enough to do the trick.
Coalition spokesman Andrew Campbell says that despite the Government already selling 49 percent of Mighty River Power, there was still public enthusiasm to stop further sales of power companies. “You might have thought there would be some weakening of resolve, but we found people were still as committed to getting this referendum,” he told NZ Newswire.
Stupid ideas are always worth opposing, whether the government of the day is half way through implementing them or not. The referendum isn’t binding of course, but other factors may yet derail the remaining sales:
Mr Campbell said the Government’s plan to sell up to 49 percent of power companies was in trouble. The Government would struggle to sell more power company shares as MRP shares were not snapped up by “mum and dad” investors the share price had dropped since the sale, Mr Campbell said.
MRP shares initially went on sale at $2.50 each but are now worth $2.29. On the Australian stock exchange they have dropped from $A2.16 to $A1.97.
You’d have to be a mug to invest in the Nats’ next planned Meridian sale – and they know it, having resorted to desperate tactics to try and drum up interest.
Congratulations to all involved in putting pressure on the government on this issue, and particularly to the organisers and volunteers who collected an amazing number of signatures. The chickens aren’t hatched yet, but either way it has been an amazing effort.
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- Government funding to fight infectious diseases$36 million for research into Covid-19 and other infectious diseases The investment will improve our readiness for future pandemics Research will focus on prevention, control, and management of infectious diseases The Governmentâs investing in a new Infectious Diseases Research Platform to boost Aotearoa New Zealandâs Covid-19 response and preparedness for ...3 days ago
- Quarantine-free travel with Australia to remain suspended for a further 8 weeksSuspension to be reviewed again mid to late November Decision brought forward to enable access from Australia to first tranche of around 3000 rooms in MIQ Air New Zealand working at pace to put on more flights from Australia from October   The suspension of quarantine-free travel (QFT) with Australia has ...5 days ago
- Extra support for Ethnic Communities to share vaccination informationExtra support is being made available to Ethnic Communities to help them share COVID-19 vaccination information within their communities, Minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities Priyanca Radhakrishnan said. âWe know we need to get every eligible person in New Zealand vaccinated. A fund being launched today will allow for ...5 days ago
- School holidays remain unchanged for Auckland regionSchool holidays in Auckland will continue to be held at the same time as the rest of the country, starting from Saturday, 2 October, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. âIâve carefully considered advice on the implications of shifting the dates and concluded that on balance, maintaining the status quo ...5 days ago
- Government continues crackdown on gangs and organised crimeOperation Tauwhiro extended until March 2022 Since it was launched in February, Operation Tauwhiro has resulted in: Â 987 firearms seized $4.99 million in cash seized 865 people charged with a firearms-related offence Gangs and organised crime groups will continue to be relentlessly targeted with the extension of Policeâs successful ...5 days ago
- Speech to Body Positive 'HIV Treatments Update Seminar 2021'E ngÄ mana E ngÄ reo E ngÄ iwi TÄnÄ koutou katoa Ka huri ki ngÄ mana whenua o te rohe nei. TÄnÄ koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I te kaupapa o te rÄ. NĆ reira tÄnÄ koutou katoa Acknowledgements Itâs a ...5 days ago
- Power bill changes bring fairness to chargesA key recommendation of an independent panel to make electricity charges fairer across all households will be put in place, the Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods has announced. âPhasing out the regulations on âlow-useâ electricity plans will create a fairer playing field for all New Zealanders and encourage a ...5 days ago
- NZ economyâs strong momentum will support rebound from Delta outbreak; COVID fund replenishedThe economy showed strong momentum in the period leading up to the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak, which bodes well for a solid economic rebound, Grant Robertson said. GDP rose 2.8 percent in the June quarter, following on from a 1.4 percent increase in the previous March quarter. This was a ...6 days ago
- Projects create benefits into the futureMaking a well-known lake swimmable and helping to halt the decline of the endangered hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins are among a suite of new projects being supported by the Governmentâs Jobs for Nature programme across the southern South Island, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. âItâs no secret that many of our most ...6 days ago
- Opening statement for WhÄriki Indigenous Small Business Roundtable Kei ngÄ tĆpito e wha o te Äo e rere ana te mihi maioha ki a koutou nĆ tawhiti, nĆ tata mai e tÄpiri ana ki tÄnei taumata kĆrero mo te ao hokohoko arÄ mÄ ngÄ pÄkihi mo ngÄ iwi taketake TÄnÄ koutou, tÄnÄ koutou katoa â Pai MÄrire. ...7 days ago
- New members appointed to KÄpuiaThe Government is adding four additional members to KÄpuia, the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Governmentâs Response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch mosques. âIâm looking forward to having Pamela MacNeill, Huia Bramley, Melani Anae and Katherine Dedo  join KÄpuia and contribute to this groupâs ...7 days ago
- Timeline confirmed for Emissions Reductions PlanCabinet has agreed to begin consulting on the Emissions Reduction Plan in early October and require that the final plan be released by the end of May next year in line with the 2022 Budget, the Minister of Climate Change, James Shaw confirmed today. âCabinetâs decision allows organisations and communities ...7 days ago
- Pay parity pathway for early learning teachers confirmedPay parity conditions and higher funding rates for education and care services will come into force on 1 January, 2022, Minister of Education Chris Hipkins confirmed today. The Government signalled this work in Budget 2021. âFrom 1 January, 2022, centres opting into the scheme will receive government funding and be ...7 days ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Conference 2021Kia Ora tatau katoa.  Ka tuku mihi ki nga nÄhi, He pou Hauora o Aotearoa, E ora ai tatou.  Whakatau mai I runga i te kaupapa o te ra Te NZNO conference.  Tena koutou tena koutou Tena tatou katoa  Good morning, and thank you inviting me ...7 days ago
- Government investment in farmer-led catchment groups sweeps past 150 mark171 catchment groups have now been invested in by the Government 31 catchment groups in the Lower North Island are receiving new support More than 5,000 farmers are focussed on restoring freshwater within a generation through involvement in catchment groups  Government investment in on-the-ground efforts by farmers to improve land ...1 week ago
- Fight to protect kauri on trackThe Government is pitching in to help vital work to protect nationally significant kauri forests in Auckland, Minister of Conservation Kiri Allan says. âEnsuring the survival of these iconic trees for future generations means doing everything we can to prevent the potential spread of kauri dieback disease,â Kiri Allan said. ...1 week ago
- Joint statement of Mr Bernard Monk; Hon Andrew Little, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry,...[Note: The Parties have agreed on terms to fully and finally settle the proceeding and will jointly issue the below statement.] At the heart of this litigation are the lives of the 29 men tragically lost at the Pike River mine on 19 November 2010 and to whom we pay ...1 week ago
- More financial support for businessesTodayâs decision to keep Auckland in a higher COVID Alert Level triggers a third round of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which will open for applications at 9am this Friday. âThe revenue test period for this payment will be the 14th to the 27th of September. A reminder that this is ...1 week ago
- Aotearoa New Zealand provides further humanitarian support for AfghanistanAotearoa New Zealand is providing a further $3 million in humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. âThere is significant humanitarian need in Afghanistan, with the crisis disproportionately affecting women and girls,â said Nanaia Mahuta. The UN has estimated that 80% of the quarter of a million ...1 week ago
- Innovative te reo prediction tool announced in Te Wiki o Te Reo MÄoriA new MÄori language prediction tool will play a key role in tracking our te reo MÄori revitalisation efforts, Minister for MÄori Development Willie Jackson announced today. He Ara Poutama mĆ te reo MÄori (He Ara Poutama) can forecast the number of conversational and fluent speakers of te reo MÄori ...1 week ago
- Further Government support for people to access food and essential itemsThe Government is responding to need for support in Auckland and has committed a further $10 million to help people access ongoing food and other essential items, Minister for Social Development Carmel Sepuloni announced today. This latest tranche is targeted at the Auckland region, helping providers and organisations to distribute ...1 week ago
- Half a million Pfizer vaccines from DenmarkThe Government has secured an extra half a million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines from Denmark that will start arriving in New Zealand within days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today. âThis is the second and larger agreement the Government has entered into to purchase additional vaccines to meet the ...1 week ago
- Inland Revenue providing essential COVID support for businessesInland Revenue is seeing increased demand for Resurgence Support Payments and other assistance schemes that it administers, but is processing applications quickly, Revenue Minister David Parker said today. David Parker said the Resurgence Support Payment, the Small Business Cashflow (loan) Scheme and the Wage Subsidy are available at the same ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand marks 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacksNew Zealand is expressing unity with all victims, families and loved ones affected by the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks, and all terrorist attacks around the world since, including in New Zealand. âSaturday marks twenty years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which killed nearly 3,000 people ...2 weeks ago
- Speech to SPREP Environment MinistersTalofa Honourable Ulu of Tokelau Faipule Kelihiano Kalolo TÄnÄ koutou katoa and warm Pacific greetings from Aotearoa to your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. The new science released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on 8 August paints an alarming picture of the projected impacts of climate change on the ...2 weeks ago
- Additional Resurgence Support Payments to support businessBusinesses affected by higher Alert Levels will be able to apply for further Resurgence Support Payments (RSP). âThe Governmentâs RSP was initially intended as a one-off payment to help businesses with their fixed costs, such as rent. Ministers have agreed to provide additional payments to recognise the effects of an ...2 weeks ago
- More Dawn Raids scholarships announcedDetails of the âManaaki New Zealand Short Term Training Scholarshipsâ, a goodwill gesture that follows the Governmentâs apology for the Dawn Raids of the 1970s, were released today by Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio. âThese scholarships that are targeted to the Pacific will support the kaupapa of the Dawn Raidsâ ...2 weeks ago
- One-way quarantine-free travel for RSE workers starting in October One-way quarantine-free travel for Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu starts in October New requirement for RSE workers to have received their first vaccination pre-departure, undertake Day 0 and Day 5 tests, and complete a self-isolation period of seven days, pending a negative Day 5 ...2 weeks ago
- Govt boosts Pacific suicide prevention supportApplications have opened for the Pacific Suicide Prevention Community Fund as the Government acts to boost support amid the COVID delta outbreak. âWe know strong and connected families and communities are the most important protective factor against suicide and this $900,000 fund will help to support this work,â Health Minister ...2 weeks ago
- Govt parks the expiry of licenses, WoFs and regosAs a result of the Delta outbreak, driver licences, Warrants of Fitness (WoFs), Certificates of Fitness (CoFs), vehicle licences (âregosâ) and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will be valid until 30 November 2021, Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced today. âWhile this extension wonât officially ...2 weeks ago
- COVID-19 community fund to provide support for vulnerable women and girlsMinister for Women Jan Tinetti today announced a $2 million community fund that will provide support for women and girls adversely affected by COVID-19. âWe know that women, particularly those who are already vulnerable, are disproportionally affected by the kind of economic disruption caused by COVID-19,â Jan Tinetti said. ...2 weeks ago
- Next phase of support for Fijiâs COVID-19 response announcedA further NZ$12 million of support for Fijiâs COVID-19 response has been announced by Foreign Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today. The package builds on previous tranches of assistance Aotearoa New Zealand has provided to Fiji, totalling over NZ$50 million. âFiji remains in a very challenging position in their response to ...2 weeks ago
- Robotic asparagus harvester aimed at addressing industry challengesThe Government is backing a $5 million project to develop a commercial-scale autonomous robotic asparagus harvester, Agriculture Minister Damien OâConnor announced today. The Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) is contributing $2.6 million to the project. Project partner Robotics Plus Limited (RPL) will build on a prototype asparagus ...2 weeks ago
- Clean Vehicles Bill passes first reading in Parliament
The government's plan to reward those who buy EVs and low-emission vehicles and charge those importing gas guzzlers is now a step closer to becoming law. ...2 hours ago - Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 22 September3 hours ago
- Newsroom daily crossword, Wednesday 22 September3 hours ago
- How to talk to loved ones who are vaccine hesitant
Approach the conversation not with anger and frustration, but with patience, respect and aroha, advises Kate Hannah.The team of 1.7 million – that’s the good people of Tāmaki Makaurau – and our wider teammates across Aotearoa need to get vaccinated, if they can. We need to do this so we ...3 hours ago - Cleaner, greener cars are finally on their way to our roads. But at what price?Emissions from imported vehicles may plummet as the government introduces new vehicle emissions standards. Some have called the policy the most significant step to reducing the country’s greenhouse emissions yet, while others claim it’s another tax that will do little for the environment. Who is right?Two months after the government ...3 hours ago
- Govt won't review derailed efforts to rehabilitate terrorist
Justice Minister Kris Faafoi has refused to entertain a specific review of the failed efforts to rehabilitate the September 3 terrorist, which were interrupted before they truly began. ...3 hours ago - Pat Baskett: The climate clock is ticking
New Zealand is dragging its feet taking action on what's supposed to be an emergency. Pat Baskett looks to the EU's Green Deal for inspiration on how we should be addressing climate change. The delay until May of the announcement of the Governmentâs strategies for the climate crisis is only the most ...3 hours ago - Manufactured outrage over Shaw's Glasgow trip
James Shaw's limited delegation to the Glasgow climate summit has been the target of bad faith attacks weaponising the frustrations of New Zealanders stuck overseas, Marc Daalder writes Comment: James Shaw's forthcoming trip to the famed resort town of Glasgow is not likely to be much of a vacation. The United ...3 hours ago - Concern over 'censorship' rules of NZ-Chinese news site
An influential Chinese-language media outlet in New Zealand warned its users their information could be shared with 'relevant state agencies' if they violated Chinese laws A popular news site could be exposing New Zealanders to Chinese state surveillance, Newsroom can reveal. The revelation raises questions about the role of media ...3 hours ago - MIQ hopefuls â holidaymakers or just trying to come home?
While more than 5000 people were able to secure a room in Mondayâs first round of MIQâs virtual lobby and queue, thereâs no certainty for the tens of thousands who missed out when the lobby opens again next week The new MIQ booking system may be the great leveller. Everyone ...3 hours ago - The Speaker's new rules for the unvaccinated
Parliament will eventually be out of bounds for unvaccinated. ...3 hours ago - Sorry, Mother!
A personal essay which asks: why does everyone always blame the mother? "Everyone blames the mother," Mum once said. It was an open address. But in my case it was true. For decades of my adult life, I blamed my mother. For what? Loving too much. That was Mumâs crime. ...3 hours ago - Playing chicken: Police investigate failed poultry dealmaker
Customers promised plump returns shipping Brazilian chicken meat to China. ...3 hours ago - Jo Cribb: Much at stake for women workers
Jo Cribb lifts the bonnet on our gender pay gap - and doesn't like what she finds. ...3 hours ago - The feral dogs of the Far North
Packs of feral dogs have been causing heartbreaking stock losses throughout the Far North, and authorities are ill-equipped to deal with them All-night patrols with guns, baiting, trapping, surveillance cameras - Far North locals are trying everything to get rid of the feral dogs roaming the area and mauling their animals. ...3 hours ago - Blockchain not just a case of good or bad
There's a lot to be gained by taking a balanced view of the opportunities and risks of blockchain technology, writes Simon Mackenzie. Here he explains how it's much more than just gambling on Bitcoinâs price volatility. Opinion: Hang on a minute, I think Iâve just been called a charlatan and a climate criminal. ...3 hours ago - Kiwi handball captain aiming to change the world
Ardent New Zealand handballer Erin Roxburgh-Makea is empowering young women on and off the court, helping them realise they, too, have the skills to be leaders. At 29, Erin Roxburgh-Makea feels like sheâs finally coming into her sporting prime. But the stages of her career where she can truly make a ...3 hours ago - Energy chaos â coming to a market near you
If the great Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, had been an economist he might have written: âAll happy market outcomes are alike, but each policy error is disastrous in its own wayâ. Certainly the implosion of the UKâs energy market manages to combine many familiar bad policy interventions, while nonetheless ...4 hours ago - View from The Hill: Morrison and Macron need to talk
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra After mishandling its cancellation of the French submarines contract, the Morrison government is making things worse by suggesting the French really must have, or should have, known what was coming. As Labor keeps saying on ...9 hours ago - Podcast with Michelle Grattan: The Furious French and Porterâs fallSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes âWord from The Hillâ, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. In this ...11 hours ago
- Clean vehicles bill passes its first reading in ParliamentA bill that sets up the legal framework for the government's clean car discount and fees for high-emission imports has passed its first checkpoint to becoming law this evening. ...11 hours ago
- Counter-Terrorism Legislation Bill passes second readingLegislation that will introduce a new offence - planning a terrorist attack - is a step closer to becoming law. ...11 hours ago
- Word from The Hill: The Furious French and Porterâs fallSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As well as her interviews with politicians and experts, Politics with Michelle Grattan now includes âWord from The Hillâ, where she discusses the news with members of The Conversation politics team. In this ...11 hours ago
- Doherty modelling update provides the goalposts, but local insights will determine playSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Baker, Research Fellow in Statistics for Biosecurity Risk, The University of Melbourne The Doherty Report, released 10 August, underpins the vaccination targets in the federal governmentâs national reopening plan of 70% and 80% of the population aged over 16. However, since ...12 hours ago
- If NZâs covid elimination strategy is abandoned now âmore MÄori and Pasifika people will dieâANALYSIS: By Collin Tukuitonga, University of Auckland Aucklandâs move to alert level 3 has also triggered speculation about whether the national covid-19 elimination strategy has failed or is even being abandoned. While the New Zealand government denies it, others clearly believe it is at least a possibility. The uncertainty is ...12 hours ago
- NZ covid-19 breaches: Infringement fines to increase dramaticallyRNZ News Breaching covid-19 restrictions in New Zealand will now mean an increased infringement fee of up to $12,000 for individuals when imposed by a court, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. Speaking at the daily covid-19 briefing today, Ardern said fines for breaches of the Covid-19 Public Health Response ...12 hours ago
- Samoa Observer: The fallacy of a nuclear submarine deal for peaceEDITORIAL: By the Samoa Observer editorial board It perhaps wasnât a remarkable coincidence that last month Samoaâs former Ambassador to the United Nations called on the United States to ratify a treaty declaring the South Pacific a nuclear-free zone. Aliâioaiga Feturi Elisaia, currently Samoaâs High Commissioner to Fiji, made the ...12 hours ago
- NZ experts say Auckland move to alert level 3 âriskyâ â but PM still confidentBy Rowan Quinn, RNZ News health correspondent Alert level 3 is being called a roll of the dice that could either eliminate delta or send the country back into level 4. From tomorrow, Auckland will make the move after five weeks at alert level 4. Covid-19 modeller â and Aucklander ...12 hours ago
- Pacquiao says boxing career over in favour of his presidency questBy Roy Luarca in Manila Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao is leaving the sport that propelled him to stardom as he seeks the Philippine presidency in 2022 He is no longer fighting in the ring. âMy boxing career? My boxing career is already over,â Senator Pacquiao told actress Toni Gonzaga ...12 hours ago
- âItâs almost like groomingâ: how anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists, and the far-right came to...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Josh Roose, Senior Research Fellow, Deakin University Scenes of protesters clad in hi-vis jackets and shouting anti-vaccination slogans have dominated the news this week. As the ABC reported: Some of those gathered held a banner reading âfreedomâ, while others sang the ...13 hours ago
- Shaw says COP26 conference most important since Paris AgreementThe climate minister's trip to the COP26 conference and his delegation's use of MIQ spaces upon their return is again being criticised by the opposition. ...13 hours ago
- Want to improve our education system? Stop seeking advice from far-off gurus and encourage expertise...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenn C. Savage, Associate Professor of Education Policy, The University of Western Australia Over the past two decades, Australian governments have committed exorbitant energy and resources to transform our nationâs schools. The driving force behind many reforms has been a narrative of ...14 hours ago
- Opinion: My opinion on NZâs Covid strategy is bold, unwavering and probably wrongIn the wake of the government’s decision to move Auckland down to alert level three, Hayden Donnell rises to the challenge that faces him, a human with a byline, to issue an opinion on elimination, lockdowns, and whether it’s possible to contain a delta outbreak.It’s official. The government has or ...16 hours ago
- If you were called by a melody, how would it sound? Communities in Ethiopia and PNG name people with...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hannah Sarvasy, Research Fellow in Linguistics, Western Sydney University Binoora Bhultse demonstrates the two-handed _moyzĂ©_ whistling technique used in the Oyda district of southwest Ethiopia. Azeb Amha, Author provided 36-year-old Binoora Bhultse lives in Garda village in the Oyda district of ...16 hours ago
- From âMĂ€dchenâ to âMuttiâ: as Angela Merkel departs, she leaves a great legacy of leadershi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabriele Suder, Professor. Dean, New Business Acceleration, Federation University Australia AAP/EPA/Focke Strangmann With Chancellor Angela Merkel departing as one of the most significant politicians in a generation, the German elections of September 26 will be very closely watched. This is ...16 hours ago
- New Campaign Aims To Highlight Mental Health Issues Stemming From Online Abuse And Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is defined as âthe use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.â The campaign You Wouldnât Say It To Their Face produced by mental health charity Voices of Hope ...17 hours ago - No, we arenât part of the nuclear submarine pact, but CER keeps us in a relationship with our cobb...
Reassuring news about this country’s relationship with Australia emerged from the office of Trade Minister Damien OâConnor yesterday after his virtual meeting with his Aussie counterpart. It was reassuring because of the concerns raised in some quarters after this country (where we pride ourselves on shunning nuclear power) was left ...17 hours ago - Keith Rankin Analysis â New Zealand Superannuation: The Rules versus Common SenseAnalysis by Keith Rankin. Keith Rankin. Radio New Zealand (Checkpoint) ran stories last week about New Zealanders aged over 65 stranded in Australia who are at risk of having their pensions (‘New Zealand Superannuation’)stopped, and then having to repay the funds they received while in Australia. There is a simple ...17 hours ago
- How to survive on Drag Race Down UnderWith news that RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under is holding an open casting call, we asked this year’s queens to share their advice for season 2 hopefuls.What’s that I hear? Is it a Kylie Minogue song? Is it the unique twang of a New Zealand accent? Is it a door ...17 hours ago
- Yet Another Greyhound Tests Positive For Prohibited Substances In ChristchurchIn a judgement released this week by the Racing Integrity Board, Craig Roberts was fined $2,000 after his dog Willene Bale tested positive for Ketoprofen at Addington Raceway in July 2021. This is the third time one of Robertsâ dogs had tested positive ...18 hours ago
- Covid-19 update: PM says best way to flush out mystery cases is 'to test, test, test'Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is also asking level 3 workers returning to work tomorrow to get vaccinated. ...18 hours ago
- Personality traits may drive our ideas about fairness and sharingSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milan AndrejeviÄ, PhD Candidate in Psychology, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Disputes over fairness can create conflict. Families squabble over inheritances, societies polarise around the question of how to distribute wealth fairly, and nations become mired in territorial quarrels. ...18 hours ago
- Unitec Cuts Shine Light On Broken SystemTe Hautƫ Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is once again dismayed but not surprised to note yet another Aotearoa New Zealand polytechnic attempting to cut its way to growth despite this repeatedly failed strategy contradicting the wishes of its parent ...18 hours ago
- Shaw's Scottish Odyssey Insults Stranded Expats And TaxpayersResponding to the revelation that Climate Change Minister James Shaw will bring 14 staff to Glasgow for climate talks, and receive a special MIQ allowance , New Zealand Taxpayersâ Union spokesman Jordan Williams says: âWe held a naĂŻve optimism ...19 hours ago
- Being number 14,694 in line for MIQHaving tried and failed to get home to New Zealand using the old MIQ booking platform, David Farrier gives the new kinder, fairer system a whirl.This story first appeared on David Farrier’s newsletter Webworm.This week the New Zealand government launched its new MIQ website, which is now the main way ...19 hours ago
- Outdated Views? Andrea Vance On Sean Plunket Chris Trotter, political columnist, blogger and commentator, writes here about “shock jocks”, “outdated” views, “privilege” and the “Woke” establishment …    ITâS ONE OF THOSE throwaway lines which, precisely because so little conscious thought was given to it, tells us so much. The author, Andrea Vance, ...19 hours ago
- New Zealand cannot abandon its COVID elimination strategy while MÄori and Pasifika vaccination rate...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Collin Tukuitonga, Associate Dean Pacific and Associate Professor of Public Health, University of Auckland GettyImages Aucklandâs move to alert level 3 has also triggered speculation about whether the national COVID-19 elimination strategy has failed or is even being abandoned. While ...20 hours ago
- PNGâs labour minister calls for truce in âno jab no jobâ controversyAsia Pacific Report newsdesk Papua New Guineaâs Department of Labour has broken its silence over the governmentâs stance on covid-19 testing requirements in the âno jab no jobsâ controversy, reports the PNG Post-Courier. It has called on employers and employees to exercise common sense and ensure that businesses are allowed ...21 hours ago
- Auckland moves âcautiouslyâ to covid alert level 3, rest of NZ stays putRNZ News Auckland will move to alert level 3 from 11.59pm on Tuesday night, and stay in level 3 for at least two weeks, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced. The rest of New Zealand will remain in level 2, but will move from gatherings of 50 up to gatherings ...21 hours ago
- Criminalisation of activists blamed for Indonesiaâs declining democracyAsia Pacific Report newsdesk The criminalisation of activists â including those in West Papua â in 2019 and 2020 has been cited as one of the factors for the decline in the quality of democracy in Indonesia. Based on a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), democracy in Indonesia ...21 hours ago
- Three new NZ âbreakoutâ covid cases in Waikato include two studentsRNZ News A testing centre is being set up at a marae in New Zealandâs Waikato settlement of Kaiaua today after three community cases of covid-19 were confirmed in the region. They are household members of a man with the virus who is in remand at Mount Eden prison in ...21 hours ago
- Dignity and mana in Aotearoa lawIn international human rights law, a person’s inherent dignity is the foundation for why all of us should have access to justice and safety. In Aotearoa we have a unique understanding of that value, but policymakers need to understand that ‘mana’ and ‘dignity’ are not interchangeable.The law assumes that all ...22 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily â September 21 2021Editorâs Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. You can sign up to NZ Politics Daily as well as New Zealand Political Roundup columns for free here. Today’s content Government gambles with Level 3 move Matthew ...22 hours ago
- Police acknowledge IPCA reportPolice acknowledge a report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) in relation to the use of a Police dog to prevent a man attempting to escape custody in Dunedin. ...22 hours ago
- Police justified in use of dog to prevent man escapingThe Independent Police Conduct Authority has found that Police were justified in the use of a Police dog to arrest a man who tried to run from officers in Dunedin. ...22 hours ago
- Call to address pay equity for community social workersOrganisations representing community social services and social workers have joined forces to launch a collective call for pay equity and fair funding this Social Workersâ Day 2021. ...23 hours ago
- ANZASW calls for social worker pay equityWednesday 22 September is Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workersâ Day. ANZASW is celebrating social workers throughout the country for the tireless work they do to better Aotearoa. Social workers work throughout the motu in a variety of settings and roles, from ...23 hours ago
- Auckland needs a Flexible 3It will be a long and hard road back to economic health but at last thousands of Auckland businesses locked down can reopen and reduce the burden and stress of trying to retain jobs, pay staff and bills and look after the wellbeing of family â and ...23 hours ago
- BookTok tips from a master of the genre, Chloe GongTikTok’s book community is driving sales, influencing bestseller charts and even turning old books into sensations – but is that a good enough reason for writers to jump aboard? She was far too modest to mention this in her piece, but Gong’s debut novel, a 2020 YA called These Violent Delights, ...23 hours ago
- Ad Campaign Calls For Government To Bring In Bottle DepositsThe Kiwi Bottle Drive is launching an ad campaign today, to encourage the government to immediately implement a beverage Container Return Scheme. ...23 hours ago
- Digital tech is the future, but a new report shows Australia risks being left in the pastSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shazia Sadiq, Professor, The University of Queensland Headway/Unsplash.com, CC BY-SA Digital technologies are now at the heart of our everyday lives, as anyone who has swapped their office for a videoconferencing screen, or downloaded a contact-tracing app, knows only too ...24 hours ago
- Which federal MP is spending the most on Facebook advertising? (Hint: it is not Craig Kelly)Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Scanlon, Senior Lecturer in Communication, Deakin University Mick Tsikas/AAP Which federal MP spends the most on Facebook advertising? If you guessed Prime Minister Scott Morrison or Labor leader Anthony Albanese â or even headline-grabbing backbenchers Craig Kelly or Andrew ...24 hours ago
- Therapy for babies showing early signs of autism reduces the chance of clinical diagnosis at age 3Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Whitehouse, Bennett Chair of Autism, Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia Shutterstock A therapy for infants showing early signs of autism reduces the chance of the child meeting diagnostic criteria for autism at three years of age. ...24 hours ago
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Should have had them all first go. That would have had some impact.
Silly – the impact will be delivered by the result, which will show just how out of touch with New Zealand you are.
Errr, Labour at 30%. I’m not the one out of touch.
no – the fact youve equated two completely different things proves youve got your finger on the pulse of the nation
Too Little. Too Late.
Too late for the 2011 election, that’s for sure. Not too late for the next one though. The timing should be just right in fact đ
Oh, and all straws are “little”, but the camel’s spine still snaps.
Excellent work! I would expect the majority of the 45000 new signatures will be accepted, because both collectors and the public understand the process better. The great thing is that the issue doesn’t go away for National. For the second election in a row, they will have to advance their pro sales position against the wishes of the majority of kiwis. And I confidently predict National will again fail to get a mandate for the sales.
But you can’t confidently predict that national will lose the election. Which is in effect not gaining a mandate anyway. So you can’t confidently predict anything without looking like a twat.
Assets sales vs Man ban.
Ding, ding “And it’s a knock out win to asset sales in the first round.”
đ
They already have a mandate and you know it, they won an election with this as their main policy and what’s more they will easily win the next election.
You seem to forget that stopping asset sales labours main policy at the last election, they got thumped.
Oh, dear. Have you forgotten the result of the election already Rich? National didn’t get an outright majority, hence no mandate. They were, however, able to get enough votes to pass the sales legislation with the assistance of ACT, who campaigned for the sales, and United Future, who did not. Parties opposed to the sales fell just short of a majority. That may well change next time around, especially now that the referendum will be a live issue at the same time.
Straws. Clutching. Wildly……
Straws, meet camel đ
Oh for crying out loud.
United Future campaigned on supporting the asset sales of the energy SOEs and Air NZ while also campaigning on opposing any further sales beyond those companies.
I don’t mind the right lying out of their asses, it’s what they do. But I’m getting really sick of the centre and left resorting to lie and misinformation; we should be better than that.
Its all just dead trees, I’m afraid. This government has no interest in public opinion, they have shown this again and again and again.
I’m sure you man ban ,stop everything dreamers will love this.
MRP up 6cents this morning, still down but and looking good.
Your use of conjunctions still betraying hubris and or but insecurity.
Petitions, the lowliest form of political activity, but the torys, âthey donât like it up âem!â As Lance Corporal Jones said repeatedly. Who? âDadâs Armyâ Brit Com.
Store the boxes safely till recycling day.
wow – extremely well constructed arguments from the right on this thread
You guys keep going on about the down trodden and poor in the country and how the gap of equality is growing bigger – figure me this – why is it that John Key is over 60% popular.
There are so many small fractional parties now I don’t know who to vote for:
Is there any truth in the rumour there is a urgent caucus meeting tonight?
Is there any truth in the rumour there is a urgent caucus meeting tonight?
Probably not, Key is safe for now. But Collins is lurking.
“why is it that John Key is over 60% popular”
Brilliant, and a bit of the old-answer-is-contained-within-the-question there.
theres so many factors in play
for a start your comparing two things that arent easily comparable in a soundbite driven environment
but a few items that are in the mix
1) polls as we know them arent that accurate and highly open to manipulation
2) 60% thought key was the best option for PM ie: out of what there is currently available – not whether they actually like him as PM. Its a comparison question
3) the question asked in the poll was highly unlikely to worded in a way as to link Keys popularity with the current and historical social environment of the country
4) many people dont actively understand and link political ideologies to statistical trends in society – theyre too busy working and/or living in their bubbles
5) the media (and by extensions – us) only really look at politics as a series of isolated events rather than as parts of a timeline that fits certain aspirations and plans
theres more that could be added here – but why does it even need to be pointed out? Is your knowledge of politics and society in NZ, both historical and contemporary really that lacking?
(comments in brackets)
1) polls as we know them arent that accurate and highly open to manipulation (really!!! tell Gillard that in Australia)
2) 60% thought key was the best option for PM ie: out of what there is currently available â not whether they actually like him as PM. Its a comparison question (still 60%)
3) the question asked in the poll was highly unlikely to worded in a way as to link Keys popularity with the current and historical social environment of the country (stll 60%)
4) many people dont actively understand and link political ideologies to statistical trends in society â theyre too busy working and/or living in their bubbles (which makes them really happy with John boy – still 60%)
5) the media (and by extensions â us) only really look at politics as a series of isolated events rather than as parts of a timeline that fits certain aspirations and plans (yep that plane keeps going up for John – as for Labour – they are as bumping as a plane landing in Wellington in reverse)
your answers have only proven one of two things
1) your really thick
2) your being thick on purpose
so, either attempt to show some comprehension in your answer, or at least admit you dont have a clue what your talking about.
When the question you, yourself asked is “why is it that John Key is over 60% popular. “. Just saying “still 60%” over and over again doesnt actually prove anything other then reinforcing the assumption that your a clueless idiot or a tr0ll
come on! – you stink up plenty of threads with you posturing and derailments – how about behaving like an educated adult for a change
“2) 60% thought key was the best option for PM ie: out of what there is currently available â not whether they actually like him as PM. Its a comparison question (still 60%)”
just to highlight (and godwin myself a little) – heres the problem with this
You live some years back in western europe and youve been rung up by a polling company. The question is “Who of the following would you prefer as ruler of europe – hitler, mussolini or stalin?”
Now, if you choose none of the above your answer isnt counted – So do the poll results have an accurate reflection of any of the three candidates actual popularity? or does it more accurately reflect their popularity only in relation to each other, and only by not including the answers where some one didnt make a particular choice?
still 60%
still not answering the question
still thick?
I did 60%. you gave a example of a survey of three dead dictators which makes your anaylsis very outdated.
You should take their posters off your wall now. It’s sort of like saying cliff Richard never has had cosmetic surgery
WTF are you even going on about? what the fuck does cliff fucking richard have to do with anything?
your not even making sense.
did you or did you not ask this question?
—-“why is it that John Key is over 60% popular”
yes/no?
so when someone attempts to have, you know, a civil discussion with you about what the answer to your question might involve, you just sit there and go “still 60%” and “I did 60%” (did 60% of what? 60% of all the crack??)
and if you hadn’t figured out yet – its a logic question, its designed to highlight the problem with assuming a question that asks you to pick from a list of choices is an indicator of actual feeling
I dont really give a shit what the % is, or whether you agree with me or not – but if the best argument youve got is to keep spouting a number all anyone can assume is either your not that bright, your about 3 years old, or your off your meds. Fucks sake – whats wrong with you?
Its as pointless and pathetic as your attempts at basic addition when your were stomping about the place trying to claim that union membership is only 6%. Crawl back under your rock now – go on – off you go
I understand your logic…the polls show 60%.. you were trying to show that it maybe lower…I understand that. However it is not what the public is told. They are told 60%.
For completeness you are right.
For reporting the answer given to the public is 60%… so 60% is all we are ever going to know. So if you can get the pollsters to give the detail you are stuffed.
However the reverse is still the same for the other preferred pm’s. Therefore overall the average of the answers are correct which 60% of whatever number is still 60%.
Maybe you should ease off and accept the poll result
I can’t parse a single sentence of that.
to clarify relevance of 3 dead dictators:
Question: Who is your prefered Prime Minister? John key, David Shearer, Russel Norman, Winston Peters or some one else?
Answer: Someone else
Question: Who would that be?
Answer: Anyone else
…
Analyst: category: unknown/did not say
Results: Do not include unknown
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Is John Key still preferred by 60% of respondents?
no because of “Results: Do not include unknown”
you havent clarified anything at all (if this is still “yes” talking – your icon keeps changing so im only assuming its the same person here)
stop being stupid and stop side stepping around how a conversation actually works.
I am not YES, and I was trying to clarify the point for Yes… Or at least make his trolling more obvious…
oh his trolling is pretty obvious – it doesnt need any help đ
but i will note that you didnt actually clarify anything, youve just posed the same logic question i did but with different names
i was replying to YES’s comment “you gave a example of a survey of three dead dictators which makes your anaylsis (sic) very outdated” by making the example more modern and NZ based; since YES seemed to miss the point of your quite obvious point.
ahh – righto. My apologies – sometimes the reply chain gets a little confusing once it reaches its limit. đ
“Yes” didn’t miss anything.
“Yes” is wasting your time.
I’d pick Mussolini over Hitler or Stalin. The food would be better. Or was that a trick question?
^^ Oh, Yes. You’re very good at running the media/WO lines but in this case you seemed to be on the “coup rumor” du jour a lot faster than anyone else.
I am really intrigued…
we have in the bag even with a 30 percent failour rate we have the numbers. watch the might river share price thats the best opinion poll.
Should really put more effort into keeping the ones we have left.
Can someone explain to me why a number of right wing contributors on this subject seem so worried about having a public vote on asset sales?
Surely if asset sales in such a good idea, Key has such a strong mandate and so many people are in favour, then a public vote would show that? Surely?