Author Archive

Aussies & US mount opposition to TPPA – but in NZ we just keep nodding

Written By: - Date published: 2:56 pm, February 14th, 2015 - 47 comments

So much to sell, so little time… When this Government is finished selling, we will have sold our right to make laws for ourselves too. Be under no doubt, if the effect of bringing in a law for the health and well being of Kiwis will cost a corporate millions of dollars, part of their lobbying after the TPP, will be threatening to  sue the taxpayers of NZ and watch such a Bill slip into obscurity. And those corporates wielding that power? Most will never pay a cent of tax into the coffers of NZ taxpayers.

 

 

17 year old kiwi sits atop the world

Written By: - Date published: 4:17 pm, February 7th, 2015 - 15 comments

The only person to receive 100% in the world for her work was a young kiwi with only two years background. Read more here.      

Number of Reported Child Abuse cases have dropped

Written By: - Date published: 12:27 pm, January 23rd, 2015 - 27 comments

For the first time in ten years, reported cases of child abuse have declined. Minister Tolley and I are in agreement, that the number is still appallingly high. I sincerely hope that the reduction over the last year is due to government policies because then we can expect the downward trend to continue over the […]

Where have all the houses gone?

Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, January 20th, 2015 - 131 comments

Yesterday it was announced that Auckland is the ninth least affordable city in the world requiring 8.3 times their average wage to buy a home. Reducing regulation hasn’t worked, otherwise more than 20 homes would have been built under the 2013 fast track accord. The problem is a shortage of affordable housing.

Shortlist for GCSB Chief announced

Written By: - Date published: 1:31 pm, January 16th, 2015 - 15 comments

It makes for great reading and throws the net wider than last time… just Check it out here

“But he hasn’t got anything on!”

Written By: - Date published: 3:43 pm, January 13th, 2015 - 64 comments

The self righteousness of the leaders who marched in Paris was there for all to see, but few in the media decry and point out the hypocrisy. How smug the World leaders feel, marching for freedom of expression and the media which they largely control and use for their political purposes. So who will speak […]

GCSB Head, Ian Fletcher resigns

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, January 13th, 2015 - 78 comments

For family reasons he is stepping down… Nothing to see here says Chris Finlayson, great guy who did a great job. For national’s supporters of course there is  far more importance in receiving speeding fines  Woodhouse is moving quickly to say the enforcement is ambiguous. It appears that he sees a universal right to speed and kill people…

A Punitive Climate of Fear

Written By: - Date published: 1:59 pm, January 9th, 2015 - 64 comments

Whatever the reason for a person’s disability if it is to such an extent that they cannot work we condemn them to a life of subsistence living with a big pay rise when, and if, they reach retirement age to 65% of the average wage!

Religion without God

Written By: - Date published: 11:42 am, December 26th, 2014 - 132 comments

What does religion without God look like… Sounds unlikely but Atheists the world over are meeting in!”churches” to indulge in religious-esque rituals

Have a right royal Christmas and a Brighter 2015

Written By: - Date published: 11:13 am, December 25th, 2014 - 12 comments

A message from the throne of the right honourable, but close enough to touch it, Sir, John Key.

One word away from needing food parcels

Written By: - Date published: 1:05 pm, December 24th, 2014 - 71 comments

The smug middle class National voter seems oblivious to how close they are to financial hardship…

2014 man of the Year

Written By: - Date published: 12:53 pm, December 22nd, 2014 - 59 comments

Two prominent New Zealand men voiced their opinion on a serious aspect of life in New Zealand this year, let’s rate them…

USA pimpin for its mega corporates

Written By: - Date published: 5:04 pm, December 18th, 2014 - 19 comments

Another day, another crucial leak of information relating to a relentless drive by the USA  to have control of as much data as they can, in as many countries as possible.

Fudge-it-Budget

Written By: - Date published: 9:18 am, December 11th, 2014 - 31 comments

The lied about surplus in the run up to the 2014 National Election is looking like matching Penn and Teller for magical skills. It’s the ultimate disappearing act. Unlike bad economic figures when Labour is in Government, this isn’t National’s fault. Bill English says so. It’s all down to a whole lot of unusual and […]

Profits before Botulism

Written By: - Date published: 10:49 am, December 9th, 2014 - 40 comments

The new report from the Government finds Fonterra woefully inadequate in its food safety culture putting profits before the safety of people. The Ministry doesn’t escape either. “The ministry had no single, coherent (or reviewed or rehearsed) crisis plan for a food incident that it could implement straight away after receiving notification of C. botulism. […]

Poverty of Details

Written By: - Date published: 9:42 am, December 9th, 2014 - 31 comments

The plan to reduce beneficiaries by 25% is based on actual data, right? Prior to the election Ms Bennett, then Minister for Social Development, now Associate Minister of Finance (note there isn’t much difference between the two portfolios in practice for kiwis unfortunate to have to rely on the safety net of welfare), announced National […]

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