A day of wins for the Left

Written By: - Date published: 7:27 am, June 13th, 2012 - 67 comments
Categories: Left, national - Tags:

We should remember to celebrate our victories, and yesterday was a day full of them.

First, there was the announcement of a settlement in the Oceania rest-home dispute – the workers held out and got the additional government funding passed on as they should. This was an example of a scummy employer taking advantage of workers it perceives as weak. Well, they stood up and we saw who was stronger.

Then, the man the Nats selected to drive through ACC privatisation was pushed on to his sword to protect Crushless Collins. John Judge is the sacrificial lamb for a culture of disdain for people in need and people who oppose government policy that has been fostered by ministers. Of course, the replacement, Paula Rebstock, is like replacing a pitbull with a rabid werewolf – at least she’s only temporary.

There was the addition to the Mixed Ownership Model (ie Asset Sales) Bill of a clause for returning the companies to SOE status by Order in Council. That means the coming Labour-Green government can return the remaining assets to public status with the flick of a pen after coming to power. It was also an acknowledgment by National that it may need to cancel the sales itself if the numbers don’t stack up.

Finally, the Nats gave up trying to stop caregivers getting paid for looking after their own family members. The Nats are still whining that there’s not enough money to pay these people fairly because, you know, they’ve blown all the money on tax cuts for the rich.

And, there was what they didn’t do. Bill English admitted that superannuation needs to be fixed – with the best option being Labour’s proposal to raise the main retirement age to 67 while allowing medical retirement from 60. But National still won’t act. They are isolated and, by their own acknowledgment, lacking in the political courage to do the right thing for future generations. (I don’t want to get into a long debate about this, so here’s the short version: when Key says it would save 0.7% of GDP by 2030, that’s $3b a year. Even if you offset a third of that for medical retirements, that’s $2b a year. There’s a lot of things that are higher priorities with $2b a year than supporting 65 and 66 year olds who can work – I would always spend that money on kids, poverty, and education instead).

Yesterday was a day when the Nats showed they have firmly lost control of the political agenda. Everything they did was a back-track, every one of their objectives was frustrated. If they had hoped to close the book on the class size debacle and move forward, they have failed.

Expect an attempt at distraction any day now. But also expect it to be greeted by the media as a attempt at distraction that it is.

PS. And another win was rumored on Twitter yesterday – apparently, Ports of Auckland has abandoned contracting out!

67 comments on “A day of wins for the Left ”

  1. tracey 1

    Tony ryall was churlish yesterday over the caregiver appeal. He is decimating the health system of any compassion.

    Usually an issue like raising pension age wld be hugely controversial. Jk is putting himself ahead of an issue that cld now be put to be with house-wide approval. Perhaps he is saving the backdown as a band aid for the next govt f#2@up?

  2. tracey 2

    I cldnt edit above. Can i just say that the cost of ibstitutionalised care for the people currently cared for by parents has always been significantly higher than paying the carers. False economy and lack of compassion on two counts.

    • Lanthanide 2.1

      But it does create jobs…

      • bbfloyd 2.1.1

        ugly lanth…. truly ugly joke….

        • Lanthanide 2.1.1.1

          It’s not a joke. It’s factually correct: paying people to look after other disabled people creates jobs.

          • Vicky32 2.1.1.1.1

            It’s not a joke. It’s factually correct: paying people to look after other disabled people creates jobs

            Very difficult, poorly-paid ones. Unnecessary ones, if the family are paid, and properly supported with available respite care when needed.

  3. just saying 3

    Not forgetting the deferring of starting work on the roads of notional importance. An alternative government in ’14 may not have expensive quarter-finished projects to deal with.

  4. Bunji 4

    Also yesterday, got wind that Ports of Auckland have agreed to pull out of their Contracting Out proposal – still waiting for that to filter into the media though…

    But a great day of wins, definitely.

  5. Carol 5

    Seemed to be a break through in the Ports of Auckland dispute yesterday, too.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1206/S00324/union-pleased-with-progress-in-poal-facilitation.htm

    And, in the House yesterday, Bill English was spinning the success of his budget and Nact economic success as if there is no tomorrow. Did his nose grow?

  6. Carol 6

    The photo that heads this post?

    And Metiria Turei?…. so some on the left are colluding with the MSMs reconstruction of the centrist-moving, Normanisation and masculinisation of the Greens? And Mana?

  7. On privatisation: The (hopefully) incoming Labour/Green government shouldn’t stop at reversing the privatisation of the remaining assets, it should re-nationalise the ones that were already sold- and if they want to be really generous, they should offer to compensate the original buyers if they still hold their shares. (Anyone who’s resold already clearly wasn’t investing, they were speculating, and has already been compensated adequately. Tough love to people who were fueling the speculation and were landed with the shares and don’t get paid out)

    On retirement: We need to be careful here. When you say poverty, that also includes people at or near the retirement age. I think it’s reasonable to consider helping out with anyone’s costs once they hit 60 if the alternative is to leave them in poverty, not just people who are there for medical reasons.

    • just saying 7.1

      I know a few people who are “hanging out” for National Super, because it will lift onto a more liveable income (relative riches) and endow a new identity, one not subject to a socially sanctioned hate campaign. Letting them off at 60 would indeed be more humane.

      • Carol 7.1.1

        And an end to the wage-slave entrapment?

      • Tracey 7.1.2

        Raising it to 67 isny happening overnight, last I read the proposal is 2030

      • True Freedom is Self-Governance 7.1.3

        I don’t believe our government knows the meaning of the word humane, or how it feels to be the subject of a widespread hate-campaign (they might be feeling a little of the hate lately, but nothing like what many beneficiaries have to put up with daily, some for their whole bl**&y lives). Ideally people should be able to ‘retire’ when they are no longer able to ‘work’ for whatever reason, at whatever age that may be. There are so many ways that people who are ‘retired’ can help out in their communities, participating to a degree that is suitable for their capabilities, not dictated by an employer. With sensible planning it wouldn’t have to cost the earth, we just have to have a paradigm shift away from thinking that a person’s contribution to society can only be measured in monetary terms. If I hear one more person say “the government is like a business and must be run like one” just one more time I think I will scream!!!! NO it is not, the government is there to serve us, end of story.

      • Vicky32 7.1.4

        I know a few people who are “hanging out” for National Super, because it will lift onto a more liveable income (relative riches) and endow a new identity, one not subject to a socially sanctioned hate campaign. Letting them off at 60 would indeed be more humane.

        Seconded!

    • Fermionic Interference 7.2

      “Anyone who’s resold already clearly wasn’t investing, they were speculating, and has already been compensated adequately. Tough love to people who were fueling the speculation and were landed with the shares and don’t get paid out”

      I’m just speculating here (pun somewhat intended), that the institutional investors will have first dig at the shares for our energy SOE’s and those with a limited (dollar value) to buy in with, ie; private/Mum & Dad investors wont be able to buy shares when they’re released because they don’t have the clout to buy enough shares to get in at the beginning.

      This would mean that quite probably, small time investors, would be very likely to have purchased their shares second hand, so in which case wouldn’t a repatriation of initial or current share price which ever is lower be a more fair option?
      It also takes out the speculation option adequately does it not?

      • insider 7.2.1

        Why not do that for every business? Sales of any shares in any business must only be at the original purchase price no matter what it’s condition or profitability. Because any subsequent share price increase was just speculation.

      • Matt 7.2.2

        But, but – “Mums & Dads first”..

      • Fortran 7.2.3

        I understand that a number of Kiwi Saver fund managers will be some of the first in the queue for the asset sales.

  8. vto 8

    John Key and Bill English expect people to do their own work for nothing (care workers).

    Yet, they do not apply that to themselves when it comes to asset sales, where $120,000,000.00 is being spent on advisers and consultants. Absolute ghastly abhorrent rude waste of money when the govt can do it all themselves. No need for outsiders.

    What rude people this governing lot are.

    • True Freedom is Self-Governance 8.1

      I agree, the government are quite capable of stuffing the country up without having to pay someone to tell them how.

  9. insider 9

    The carers issue is hardly a victory for the left. Carers have been fighting this since 1999 and went to the HRC in 2008 – last I heard there was a left govt in place during those years which did nothing to address the issue, forcing parents into the legal system. If the left were so keen on getting this outcome they had plenty of time to avoid court action.

  10. Tracey 10

    insider, it’s a victory for fairness, and one Ryall was determine not to allow. He wasted our money on the first appeal..

    • insider 10.1

      Tracey

      I agree it was a victory for fairness, but that was not a left or right one. It was a victory over entrenched bureaucracy and ministers of both colours who were more concerned about cost than equity. That left champion and friend of the people David cunliffe was minister when this went into the justice system. His intransigence is as much to blame for any court costs as ryall’s decision to appeal.

      • bbfloyd 10.1.1

        Oh.. i get it innie…. IT’S ALL LABOURS FAULT!!!! … well that makes perfect sense…

        • insider 10.1.1.1

          Only a hysterical partisan would think that was what I said.

        • insider 10.1.1.2

          Only those shrilly aligned would think that,s what I said

        • Draco T Bastard 10.1.1.3

          insider does have a point. This is certainly something that the last supposedly left government should have seen to.

  11. Lanthanide 11

    And yet more bad news for the government:
    “Auditor-General to probe Sky City deal

    The Government’s controversial deal with Sky City casino for a national convention centre will be investigated by the Auditor-General.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7094605/Auditor-General-to-probe-Sky-City-deal

    • Carol 11.1

      Ha! And note also, kudos to Meteria Turei for asking for it:

      In her letter requesting the investigation, Green co-leader Metiria Turei alleged that SkyCity had “an unfair advantage” over other bidders for the convention centre.

      The Auditor-General’s “Best Practice Guide for Procurement for Public Entities” stated that public entities had a general public law obligation to act fairly and reasonably.

      “Public entities must be, and must be seen to be, impartial in their decision-making,” the Auditor-General’s guide stated.

      Turei also noted economic development ministry principles, mandatory rules and “good practice guidelines” which she alleged had all been breached.

      She asked for an investigation in to the involvement of the Prime Minister and Economic Development Minister in the process and whether this compromised principles of fairness and equity.

    • Kotahi Tane Huna 11.2

      “That’s just one auditor general, and like lawyers, I can show you another that’ll give you a counterview”

  12. Carol 12

    And Breaking news on both NZ Herald and Stuff: ACC CEO, Ralph Stewart…. gonsky!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7094952/ACC-chief-executive-Ralph-Stewart-quits

  13. Pete 13

    It’s like the floodgates have well and truly opened. People are realising this government is not acting in the best interests of the country.

  14. gobsmacked 14

    “Things fall apart, the centre (= right) cannot hold …”

    Tip for the opposition spokespeople – don’t keep talking about 2014, which re-inforces the idea of a stable three years. At this rate, Key will be gone by Christmas.

    • Draco T Bastard 14.1

      +1

      Putting pressure on the government at the right times could bring about a snap election.

  15. Peter 15

    “That means the coming Labour-Green government can return the remaining assets to public status with the flick of a pen after coming to power. It was also an acknowledgment by National that it may need to cancel the sales itself if the numbers don’t stack up.”

    This isn’t right – section 3C(3) of the proposed Bill states that:

    “An Order in Council may be made under this section only if the Governor-General in Council is satisfied, at the time of the making of the Order in Council, that 100% of the issued ordinary shares in the company are held by Ministers of the Crown on behalf of the Crown.”

    So… it can only be rescinded before things are sold, or if the govt engages in a buyback after a sale, or interestingly, if the shares sold off are of a different category.

  16. Dv 16

    Oops

    Finance Minister Bill English admits rebalancing of NZ economy towards exporting yet to happen due to high NZ$ and quake; also sees tax switch benefits taking 5-7 year

    http://www.interest.co.nz/

    • mike e 16.1

      Dv one of the commenter’s said that this is a very bad excuse for a failed policy by Borrowing bills Blinglsh .
      Trying to absolve them selves for a complete failure.

      • mike e 16.1.1

        mumbling [Key lying] muddling[blinglish lying] = Brighter future or Bullshit Forecast

  17. Carol 17

    And another powerful speech from Cunliffe…. not fault free, but an indication of some growth in strength in the opposition to NAct.

    Bomber has posted the speech on his blog this arvo:

    http://www.tumeke.blogspot.co.nz/2012/06/cunliffes-second-speech-another.html

    So many Kiwis are really struggling to make ends meet. After the 2008 crash they were just getting along. A year later this had turned to anger, a year later to despair. This year, many of them are heading for the departure gate: 50,000 a year in the last year alone. A quarter of New Zealanders no longer live here.

    So for their sake, and everyone’s sake, let’s begin this conversation by being frank and up-front.

    […]
    No one these days seriously believes that a totally unregulated economy will work. Just as important, no one seriously believes that a totally regulated economy will work. It’s a question of getting the balance right.
    […]
    LESSONS FROM THE LAST GREAT DEPRESSION
    […]
    1. Regulate Financial Markets
    […]
    2. Keep and build our assets
    […]
    3. Get people back to work
    […]
    4. Rewrite the invisible plan
    […]
    A new direction is needed.

    Let’s not fool ourselves that just doing a little more or a little less of what we have been doing before will save us

    LESSONS FROM SMALL SMART COUNTRIES
    […]
    As part of my Economic Development portfolio work, I have commissioned a study of six such countries: Denmark, Finland, Singapore, Taiwan, Ireland and Israel.

    The most obvious conclusion of this study so far is that none of them leave their future to chance. The weakest, Ireland, was the one that lowered taxes, opened up to unrestrained foreign investment, and trusted the invisible hand of the market to bring future prosperity.
    […]
    Take Denmark. It wants to be among the top 10 richest, most innovative countries in the world. It wants to be top 10 for quality labour supply and top three for renewable energy.

    They have a 10 year plan to achieve that.
    […]
    INVESTMENT, INNOVATION, AND EDUCATION

    We need to learn from small smart economies like Denmark. We cannot just leave it to chance, or to the market forces that have got us into this mess.
    […]
    CONCLUSION
    […]
    The three pillars of our survival are investment, innovation and education.

    An educated population that earns decent wages will work in your factories and offices, will buy your products, and invest in your shares.
    […]
    A global economic tsunami could sink us. We have to work as a team; rather, we have to work as a crew, remembering that we’re all in this together. We all prosper together or we all sink together.

    It’s a powerful and well-considered speech, a step in the right direction, but not a major change of direction for Labour. I like the Denmark example, I would also like to see some lessons from left wing South American countries.

    • prism 17.1

      First positive ‘sensible’ statement from a politician I’ve read for a while. I think I will copy it and put it in my notes for comfort reading when I start to despair of pollies with black holes, or maybe wormholes, in their brains.

    • surfboy2 17.2

      Great rhetoric but does not mention anywhere about protecting our environment, so by exclusion Labour does not give a rats arse about our rivers, lakes or special fauna and flora, dispicable but what do you expect from an anal economist .

      • Carol 17.2.1

        I’m as much to blame for that as Cunliffe.

        If you actually look at Cunliffe’s full speech, and not the extracts I selected, you will see he does mention the environment:

        eg:

        But for now, New Zealand needs more forests. If we could replant some of our unproductive land into forests, we could create one of the world’s greatest carbon sinks. We could create thousands of jobs planting trees, and thousands more processing the timber in a few years.

        These new forests could be placed in trust for the benefit of future generations, and New Zealand could be on its way towards becoming carbon neutral.

        He does mention “environment” in a couple of places, although it’s not the main focus of his speech.

  18. mike e 18

    13 a black Wednesday for Nactuf

  19. MrSmith 19

    I can’t work out why National are falling on swords all over the place at the moment, bye election anyone? 

    • mike e 19.1

      treasury are predicting a depression lets hope they get this one right in the wrong way.

  20. xtasy 20

    So, are we supposed to “celebrate” the “wins of the left” now?

    Is this not a bit premature and misleading?

    What “wins” are we talking about? Is it a “win” to have “National” stumble, stuff up and not being able to cope? Is it a “win” to have a weak leader like Shearer, after months of shallow performance, to suddenly claim some “victories”, after he had a few beers and turned out boisterous at “Back Benches”?

    I think some here need their heads read!

    Labour was responsible to bring in tighter rules at ACC years ago, before even National got the reign.

    For sure, Labour put into place a very rigid and stringent regime at Work and Income in late 2007 and during 2008, before the election, to tighten up on benefit entitlements for sick and disabled. Does anybody know about the introduction of a so-called “Principal Health Advisor” by the name of Dr David Bratt? He is a staunch advocate that Bennett loves, who puts work before anything else for beneficiaries. He also was part of the Welfare Working Group Forum two years ago, speaking fully to the pleasure of Paula Bennett, to tighten up firmly on entitlements for sickness and invalid’s benefits.

    He was the one introducing “training”, yes “training” for so-called “designated doctors”, who WINZ and MSD have been commissioning since 1995 to review, assess and re-assess sick and invalids, either on benefits or applying for them. He has been managing and running that training himself, and he has cooperated with others that managed, implemented and supervised it.

    His view is that the “best medicine” to treat sick and disabled is “to work”!

    Yes, and even Annette King worked with him, tightening up the regime under idelogical ideas, that come from the UK, Canada and the US.

    So how is Labour faring on this?

    I feel the only credit in this debate goes to the Greens, to Mana, and to a much lesser degree perhaps to NZ First. Noone else deserves ANY credit. I have amply documentary and other evidence proving that Labour have themselves turned their backs on the true needs of sick and disabled beneficiaries, while they were in government.

    All this is ON RECORD! So when we have Little little man, and other raise matters in the House, they may perhaps rething some of what Labour has also done.

    Pullar has exposed with ACC the rot that is going on. She only go the attention due to being a former National hot shot. So does her mate Michelle Boag. There is much more to this story, but it drops between the gaps, as the media is pre occupied with celebrities and top dogs in parties.

    All this is an affront to the thousands of genuine ACC applicants, claimants and deserved victims that deserve fair, honest and helpful treatment. All this is equally a totally, disgusting affront to beneficiaries, not even enjoying the same rights as ACC claimants, who have been treated unfairly, with contempt and injustice by so-called WINZ “trained” (and indoctrinated) “designated doctors” that WINZ and MSD commission on a daily basis.

    I can only appeal to all that know what goes on, to raise the issues here, to the wider media and to create a big stink or revolt, about the true injustices committed by government agencies to sick, disabled and those trying to help them.

    So hopefully those getting the message will respond. Those too busy with other agendas, you have NONE of my time and that of the ones that really suffer!

    Amen!

    • Carol 20.1

      I agree that recent Labour policies, and Shearer, can barely/hardly be called “left”.

      But the left is so much more than the Labour Party. Many of the victories highly above are due to union activity. Unions have been doing reasonably well under Helen Kelly’s watch.

      Opposition MPs (Little and Hague especially, and Peters), have been putting the pressure on NAct over ACC and some other issues.NMAct are starting to buckle. This is good for the left generally, but there’s a lot more REALLY left stuff that needs pursuing.

      • Herodotus 20.1.1

        Carol with the current discussions around the affordability of pensions I await Winny to own up and comment for the good of the country that his Gold Card entitlement should be scrapped.
        And regarding your comment at 5:09 quoting David Shearer and that families were just getting along. Pity he was not here to experience the real hurt being felt. Interest rates 10.4%, tax creep & many cost increases that were not being reflected in CPI or inflation calculations
        And this most damming graph depicting the demise of the workers share of the what is produced. So ad that it took a recession for some real gains to be seen 🙁
        http://thestandard.org.nz/time-to-take-back-whats-ours/
        And there is no way that you should associate the words of “The Left” with “Labour”. It has not been since the Kirk/Rowling years that Labour = Left. Perhaps some time in the future Labour can be reacquainted with the left, but not yet.

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    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 ...
    23 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
    1 day 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
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep 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 thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats 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. Heres 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. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen 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 ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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 ...
    1 day 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
    2 days 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 ...
    2 days 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 ...
    2 days 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, ...
    2 days 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, ...
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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 ...
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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 ...
    2 days 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
    2 days 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 ...
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    4 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
    4 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours 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
    21 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
    1 day 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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
    2 days 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 - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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