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Imperator Fish: ACT’s new employment relations policy
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, June 13th, 2014 - 20 comments
The ACT Party today released its employment relations policy, which focuses on providing both employees and employers with flexibility in how they arrange their workplaces. “People may think they know how slavery works, but do they really? It’s an idea that has had some bad publicity over the years, but only because the right model hasn’t been tried. We believe we have developed the right model. A model that gives employees genuine choice about whether or not to become slaves.”
Humourless Key pours scorn on Civilian
Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, June 10th, 2014 - 44 comments
John Key has been making a joke of the electoral system in recent days with his support of criminal MPs and his veiled attempts to foist the crazy Conservatives on various electorates. But he was quick to pour scorn on a very popular micro-party who were less likely to become a pliant tool of the National party. Clearly he hasn’t realised who the Civilians are satirising and why so many taxpayers support them. Updated with Occasionally erudite’s analysis.
Paul Goldsmith and the bag of flour
Written By: - Date published: 1:34 pm, June 9th, 2014 - 34 comments
Yesterday TV3 on the Nation hosted a debate between the candidates for the Epsom seat. Unbelievably National’s Paul Goldsmith did not show up. Labour’s Michael Wood produced a bag of wholemeal flour and has promised to take this bag to every public event and to put it where Goldsmith should be every time he does not show up. I suspect we are going to see this particular bag of flour a lot …
John Banks announces his resignation
Written By: - Date published: 6:23 pm, June 8th, 2014 - 108 comments
John Banks has announced his resignation from Parliament effective from this Friday …
Dotcom 2 Banks 0
Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, June 6th, 2014 - 88 comments
Justice Wyllie’s written decision in the John Banks case makes compelling and damning reading. Banks has been found guilty because he engineered a situation where a false return was produced and he signed it knowing of this defect. His continued presence in Parliament must be untenable.
Banks found guilty of Electoral Fraud
Written By: - Date published: 2:21 pm, June 5th, 2014 - 278 comments
John Banks has been found guilty of filing a false expense return in the Auckland High Court today. Will update with details …
D Day for John Banks
Written By: - Date published: 7:58 am, June 5th, 2014 - 99 comments
D Day for John Banks is today. Is he guilty of making a false declaration of his electoral expenses? Will he be convicted? And what are the political repercussions?
“Banks vs Mud”
Written By: - Date published: 11:26 am, May 19th, 2014 - 134 comments
John Banks murky past, including his metaphorical mud throwing at other politicians, came back to haunt him today: this as he headed into court to stand trial, accused of filing false electoral returns in an Auckland Mayoral campaign. Update: TVNZ report; Update #2: In court today
Fixing the reserve bank
Written By: - Date published: 1:14 pm, April 29th, 2014 - 32 comments
The head of the reanimated corpse of Brash should now be spinning furiously along with those fools from ACT who are into simplicity (because they can’t handle the real world). However having the Reserve Bank looking the balance of payments is pretty good. It includes the exchange rate and the export economy. They’re effectively now concerned with the exterior economy with a enforced savings tool as well as the interest rates. The government becomes largely responsible for the structural rigidities we have built up in the internal economy. That is a pretty good mix. Might have to train the MPs a bit though.
Act thinks the IPCC is scaremongering
Written By: - Date published: 10:38 am, April 1st, 2014 - 65 comments
The latest IPCC report has been released and not only are scientific views on the existence of climate change hardening, but the effects are becoming more pronounced. Meanwhile ACT has described action to try and save the planet as “moral exhibitionism” and has said that not improving the ETS is a bottom line for any future coalition with National. If you need any reason to work to get rid of this Government this has to be it.
Taxpayers Union attacks Prince George
Written By: - Date published: 12:00 pm, March 5th, 2014 - 15 comments
[satire] The Taxpayers Union has hit out at Prince George for wasting taxpayers money by accompanying his parents, The Prince and Princess of Cambridge on their Royal Visit to New Zealand. Jordan Williams lashed out at the Prince saying “We expect that he will cost the New Zealand tax payer approximately $550 in nappies, baby food and sundry expenses while he is here; although since he is an infant, we understand he will not have to pay airfares. Even so, we are astounded at this blatant misuse of taxpayers money ”.
Jordan Williams: running the shell game
Written By: - Date published: 6:28 pm, February 12th, 2014 - 40 comments
You have to look at the “taxpayers union” and ask how even the idiots who were behind ACT think that they can play the same trick to a new generation. But Jordan Williams seems to think that despite the law, Len Brown should pay for a Auckland council ordered audit of the mayoral office. Perhaps he should actually read the law about the supershitty that ACT foisted on Auckland ratepayers. Reading the law may prevent another legal failure from the lawyer who lost for Cameron Slater.
Dotcom’s extradition and the 2014 general election
Written By: - Date published: 11:51 am, February 12th, 2014 - 94 comments
In further news about Dotcom he has said that if the Internet Party has not reached 5% in the polls before the printing of the ballot papers he will endorse another party. An endorsement could be the difference between the left winning and losing the next election. And the Greens have raised the prospect of a Ministerial Veto of any extradition order.
Herald massaging a message
Written By: - Date published: 5:19 pm, January 23rd, 2014 - 23 comments
The Herald continues its tabloid-style vendetta against Len Brown by serving up non-news in a shock-horror frame to make the mayor look bad. With a combination of the delicate removal/rewriting of what was said and a a senile loss of memory about the chains imposed on Auckland by National, Act and Rodney Hide – the Granny Herald continues its downward slide into irrelevance.
National coalition with NZ First?
Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, January 21st, 2014 - 126 comments
Key has refused to rule out the possibility of a National coalition with NZ First after this year’s election. How desperate is that?
The puppet party, the Mega party and the pro assault party
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, January 12th, 2014 - 201 comments
Politics for the year is shaping up to be very interesting. In news today ACT puppet master Steven Joyce has failed to persuade Rodney Hide to stand again for Epsom, the Conservatives are aiming to legitimise the use of violence by parents against children and Kim Dotcom is said to be ready to announce his new political party this month.
The new right wing party
Written By: - Date published: 10:53 am, December 10th, 2013 - 172 comments
With ACT’s imminent demise, the Conservatives appearing to be decided flakey and National losing its free market credentials by engaging in crony capitalism the temptation to set up a new political party on the right is increasing. And you can be assured that money will not be a problem.
John Banks set to quit at next election
Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, December 4th, 2013 - 126 comments
John Banks will not seek re-election at the 2014 general election.
Banks to go to trial: confirmed
Written By: - Date published: 5:57 pm, December 3rd, 2013 - 117 comments
John Banks will stand trial over an alleged fraudulent electoral return. Meanwhile Key, running out of untainted friends, is looking to re-instate the, now vindicated, Peter Dunne. Bit John Key’s role in the inquiry into information leaked to Andrea Vance is looking dodgy. [Breaking: Banks press conference 11am]
Axe the Copper Tax wins
Written By: - Date published: 6:49 pm, November 28th, 2013 - 32 comments
Every other political party has said an emphatic no to National’s proposal to override the Commerce Commission’s reduction in broadband charges. I suspect that Cabinet and Chorus’s board are not having a very good day …
Coat-tail of Many Colours
Written By: - Date published: 1:19 pm, November 22nd, 2013 - 72 comments
Te Reo Putake speculates on exactly what plan that National and John Key have to distort the MMP review and Iain Lee Galloway’s private members bill so that it allows them to stay in power. Most probably by gifting Crazy Colin and the Conservatives with several chances to get several partners into parliament while discarding the husks of their former coalition partners.
What’s in a glance?
Written By: - Date published: 3:37 pm, October 26th, 2013 - 50 comments
David Jones QC argues Banks could not have signed a false declaration of election donations because he did not read it. But Banks’ campaign manager’s evidence was that Banks “glanced at it before signing it.” The Oxford dictionary defines “glance” as “take a quick or hurried look;” “read quickly or cursorily.” So Banks did read the donations return. It would have been hard to miss the $15,690 recorded as both a radio expense and an anonymous donation which he had personally solicited.
The “cabbage boat” defence.
Written By: - Date published: 4:30 pm, October 18th, 2013 - 33 comments
It’s starting to look pretty shredded. Increasingly, it seems that John Banks has “got nothing to hide” – behind. The key question is what Banks knew when he signed a declaration recording known donations as anonymous. Paul Holmes did put the question directly to Banks on Q+A last year. He didn’t get a straight answer; Banks tried the cabbage boat defence.
John Banks to stand trial
Written By: - Date published: 3:14 pm, October 16th, 2013 - 120 comments
John Banks is to stand trial for allegedly filing a false electoral return for his failed 2010 Auckland super-city mayoralty bid. It appears that the issue will be did he intend to treat the Dotcom donation as anonymous when clearly it was not. And John Key needs to reconsider Banks’ presence in cabinet as it is becoming increasingly untenable.
Update: Banks has stood down from his Ministerial portfolios.
Dotcom on what Banks knew
Written By: - Date published: 12:59 pm, October 15th, 2013 - 27 comments
The District Court is hearing evidence today as to whether John Banks should stand trial for signing a donations return that he knew to be false. Kim Dotcom has given evidence – the Herald reports that when he agreed to give Banks a donation of $50,000, Banks asked for it to be split and to be made anonymous., so that if Banks helped DotCom in the future it would not be known that he had donated to him.
The magical world of New Zealand’s, Neo-Liberal right wing.
Written By: - Date published: 6:06 am, August 1st, 2013 - 83 comments
It has been obvious that some people live in a different world than the rest of us. One where Chicago school economics, work! One where you save the village by blowing it up! One where global warming can be stopped, Canute like, by legislation. One where dropping wages and giving everything to bloated financiers, makes […]
The policing of women’s bodies
Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, June 6th, 2013 - 116 comments
(Socialist) feminism seems to be on the rise internationally, exposing how threats to “old boys” corporate-aligned power are countered by policing women’s bodies. Sue Bradford highlights the contradiction between Owen Glenn’s paternalistic corporate capitalism and the feminist-aligned participants in his Inquiry. Jan Logie addresses the gender pay gap.
Stable government?
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, June 3rd, 2013 - 55 comments
There isn’t a single party in the government coalition that could be said to be stable.
Banks to stand again
Written By: - Date published: 9:49 am, May 13th, 2013 - 28 comments
John Banks has announced that he will stand in Epsom again at the next election. That is, of course, always assuming that he doesn’t get chucked out of Parliament first.
Kiwis at centre of money maze: Hager
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, April 7th, 2013 - 107 comments
Today a Nicky Hager article puts Kiwis are at the centre of the global money maze exposed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. He traces developments after Wine Box, the involvement of lawyers (including one ACT-aligned blogger), and some BNZ & ANZ staff… and more.
Punitive, anti-beneficiary Bill- opposition needed!
Written By: - Date published: 10:28 am, March 20th, 2013 - 48 comments
The Social Security (Benefit Categories and Work Focus) Amendment Bill second reading is first up on the provisional order paper for today. It is a further step in Paula Bennett & NAct’s vicious, punitive, bennie-bashing campaign. MPs are urged to vote against it!
- The Spinoff guide to life: How to be a good camper
Summer’s coming. It’s time to brush the dried grass out of your tent, and more importantly, brush up on your campsite manners. Ah, the joys of sleeping in a nylon dome. No ventilation, no insulation and no soundproofing. That little rock that wiggles its way through your long sponge masquerading ...1 week ago - A survival guide for holidaying with your horrible children
Travelling with kids can test even the most patient of parents, but go in armed with these tried-and-true tips and you might just come out of it unscathed. When you become a parent, all manner of pleasant activities you once took for granted become distant memories: weekend sleep-ins, leisurely cafe brunches, ...1 week ago
- Crown companies directors’ fees hiked – and some doubled
Cash-strapped TVNZ is one of the 22 companies, but it’s ‘up to the directors’ whether they accept the fee increase The post Crown companies directors’ fees hiked – and some doubled appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago - Stage set for Treaty Principles Bill showdown
The controversial proposed legislation has been introduced to parliament just a week out from its first reading, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day five: The long train to Auckland
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the longest single trip on his journey. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by ...1 week ago
- Elemeno P just released a song for the first time in 13 years – but is it real?
On Wednesday, kiwi legends Elemeno P dropped a new song. ‘Shiver’ either marks a huge change in direction, unfettered use of AI, copyright infringement or an upload error. Gabi Lardies investigates. “Woah this build up is crazy.” I’m watching my colleague listen to a song I’ve been replaying all morning. ...1 week ago
- What’s up with the curious resurrection of a beloved Wellington bookstore?
Vic Books closed down in January 2023, but its website and Twitter handle have risen from the dead. What’s going on? On October 10 this year, the dormant Vic Books Twitter handle rose like Lazarus with the following message: “Vic Books will be returning soon – your beloved bookstore now ...1 week ago
- Rising netballer’s toss-up of two careers
Catherine Hall is facing a toss-up between her dual careers of sport and medicine, as one gathers momentum much faster than she’d expected.About to enter her fourth year of study on her way to becoming a doctor, Hall is also poised to play netball for New Zealand for the first ...1 week ago
- David Seymour’s lonely crusade
Comment: David Seymour skipped town for the introduction of his Treaty Principles Bill The post David Seymour’s lonely crusade appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Daily crossword, Friday 8 November
The post Daily crossword, Friday 8 November appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Katherine Mansfield and the poster girls and boys
Cadence Chung is a juggler: words, opera, theatre, musicals all in the air while she studies singing at Victoria University. At high school she won the Mansfield short story award.Chung has published a book of poems. She writes and produces plays and musicals. She’s 21.She’d be nervous about meeting Katherine ...1 week ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 8 November
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- This week’s bestselling books – November 8
FICTION1 The Songbirds of Florence by Olivia Spooner (Hachette, $37.99)Oho! Number one with a bullet in its first week in the shops; the author (and North Shore bookseller) really knows how to tell a story, and her latest novel (her first book, The Girl from London, was a smash hit ...1 week ago
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A few days before the media swung into full-time live coverage of the US elections, international headlines were made by the unpleasant symptoms experienced by more than 100 University of Canterbury students, suffering the unpleasant and unbecoming symptoms of a foodborne illness presumed to have been caused by a contaminated ...1 week ago
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If you’ve ever taken a stroll along Wellington’s waterfront you’ve probably seen the little plaque that tells the story of the Polish children of Pahiatua.On the 31st of October 1944, 733 Polish refugee children and 105 adult caregivers sailed into Wellington Harbour on the USS General Randall. On the first ...1 week ago
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Official information from Treasury on the state of Te Whatu Ora reveals more about the people than about the finances The post Fixing Health NZ an ‘exceptional burden on one individual’ – Treasury appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
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The September results are reported against forecasts based on the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (BEFU 2024), published on 30 May 2024, and the results for the same period for the previous year. ...1 week ago - Commission Report Released On Domestic Contribution To The Second Nationally Determined Contribution
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After MMS lost its contract to provide cleaning services for Auckland Transport sites to City Cleaning, cleaners’ pay and conditions should have been transferred to the new contractor under Part 6A of the Employment Relations Act. ...1 week ago
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This makes a total of 551 roles lost since April 2024, or one in six workers across the country. A third of the workforce is in Auckland. ...1 week ago
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New Zealand’s scariest flock of sheep are back, baby. Rattle your dags, sharpen your shears and somebody check on Oliver Driver, because it has just been confirmed that a sequel for the local horror comedy Black Sheep will start production next year, nearly two decades after the original film ...1 week ago
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- The ultimate holiday reads: An alphabetical guide
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- The longest commute, day four: Cruisin’ on the Interislander
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...1 week ago
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The Rasmussens have lived on the road for over a decade. Documentary series Home Education joined the ‘road-schooling’ family in their house bus. Bridie Rasmussen’s seven kids learn through collaborative family based projects – about everything from geography, history and politics through designing their own ancient civilisation. Their resourceful mum ...1 week ago
- Has Simon Watts Forgotten Who The Minister Is?
Does he not realise that he is the Minister in charge of the people who perpetrated this travesty? The people who have been affected need to see action, instead of the Minister’s ‘disappointment’. ...1 week ago
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“Why should MPs not be held to the same standards as Ministers? If you’re spending taxpayers’ money, the public need to see the receipts” said James Ross, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at the Taxpayers’ Union. ...1 week ago
- My Greatest Trip: Eloping and Nessie hunting in Scotland
Alex Casey recounts a reverse honeymoon that ended with a secret wedding. It was a sighting almost as rare as Nessie herself. Steve Feltham, aka The Nessie Hunter, who has been parked up Loch-side looking for the mythical monster for the last three decades, cautiously peeked out of his iconic ...1 week ago
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- Introduction Of The Treaty Principles Bill
The existence and introduction of the Bill is extremely disappointing, has created angst amongst our people and further fuels the divisiveness created by Hon David Seymour and the Act Party. ...1 week ago
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My flatmate asked me out. I rejected him and he moved on, so why do I feel so annoyed? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera, I live in a large, social flat which I absolutely love. Recently one of my flatmates, Alister, asked me out, and I had to ...1 week ago
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The election of Donald Trump will be welcomed more by those with greater economic strength than by those in vulnerable communities – who don’t have shares in Tesla The post The calls that Trump will take first appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- The morning after the night before: Trump returns to the White House
The 45th president will become the 47th, with Republicans winning the Senate and on track to control the House too, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s edition of The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day four: Joel finally gets to ride a train
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: can he finally leave Te Waipounamu? The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. ...1 week ago
- The right’s weird new obsession: Singapore
The rightwing enthusiasm for authoritarian Singapore illustrates the extent to which, on one crucial point at least, New Zealand’s hands-off approach to the economy has failed, argues Max Rashbrooke. In years gone by, New Zealand’s right-wingers had predictable heroes. They looked to tax-cutting, regulation-shredding leaders like Margaret Thatcher, and their ...1 week ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 7 November
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- The risk of NZ becoming a criminal safe haven
Opinion: The explosion of international crime The post The risk of NZ becoming a criminal safe haven appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- US election: Harris fans cling to hope as election night fizzles
US election latest updates* Donald Trump is on the cusp of a return to the White House, after a strong performance in the US presidential election* Trump needs just three Electoral College votes to secure the presidency, after swing states North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania were called in his ...1 week ago
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