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True Blue Worker Hate
Written By: - Date published: 9:40 am, April 9th, 2013 - 37 comments
Any day now the Government will announce more changes to the Employment Relations Act. These changes will drive down wages and undermine the conditions of all workers. They will also remove the small amount of protection most cleaners and hospitality workers get when the business they are working for loses a contract to another contractor. […]
What would I be prepared to die (or worse) for?
Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, March 26th, 2013 - 64 comments
I am at the Governing Body meeting of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva. The GB is the tripartite executive that governs the place. There are 33 union representatives on the GB and a fair few of them live in very dangerous circumstances because of their union activities in their home countries. Those we sit, eat and plan with may be arrested, jailed, tortured or killed when they get home.
Has John Key jumped the shark?
Written By: - Date published: 9:22 am, March 18th, 2013 - 50 comments
Micky savage of Waitakere News looks at John Key’s involvement in the Solid Energy fiasco. National’s undeserved reputation as sound economic managers takes another hit…
The Silence is Killing Them
Written By: - Date published: 9:02 am, March 4th, 2013 - 67 comments
The NZ Forestry Sector is completely unmonitored – It is one of our most dangerous industries and no one seems to know what is going on. From my perspective it appears within officialdom and the Forest Owners themselves, no one really cares.
Nats’ fossil fuel bet & culture of excess bankrupted Solid Energy
Written By: - Date published: 7:05 am, February 22nd, 2013 - 164 comments
A look at Solid Energy’s books highlights the diseased culture of the corporate elite in this country and National’s failed bet on fossil fuels. The blistering pace that executives’ ridiculous paypackets rose at shows a culture of pocket-lining in the company. The massive expansion of liabilities in the lignite bet, which has crippled the company, was part of National’s fossil fuels strategy.
Re-run: SkyCity’s convention centre would need $10m+ subsidies – MED
Written By: - Date published: 11:22 am, February 21st, 2013 - 15 comments
A year ago, I wrote that SkyCity was pursuing the dirty practice of ‘subvention’ – where owners of white elephant infrastructure extort governments for subsidies – for the convention centre. The msm has caught up and is reporting on it now. MED denies there will be any subvention; but Joyce says it’s all on the table. And what about the $10m+ in operating subsidies the centre would need?
Think tanks & global-local networks
Written By: - Date published: 10:52 am, February 20th, 2013 - 25 comments
George Monbiot exposes how well-funded right wing ‘think tanks’ and individuals operate through networks including the AEI, IEA & Koch. These have links to the NZ Initiative (BRT & NZ Institute). The coming DailyBlog may help challenge such influential networks and their destructive ‘neoliberal’ politics.
Community Service
Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, February 9th, 2013 - 70 comments
Greenpeace activists were fined and ordered to do Community Service – for serving the global community by protesting about Climate Change & the oil industry. Others get honours like knighthoods for services that are damaging for the majority in the community. Misplaced values? [update] RNZ interview with Lucy Lawless.
Some free advice for Mr Fixit
Written By: - Date published: 7:15 pm, January 28th, 2013 - 52 comments
Steven Joyce is about to severely tarnish his Mr Fixit reputation by making the wrong decision about Novopay.
Selling NZ – in the news
Written By: - Date published: 8:05 am, December 29th, 2012 - 93 comments
There’s been a couple of stories in the news over the last 24 hours that could do with some scrutiny: Treasury warns of asset sales over-load; potential sale of Oceania Dairy to an overseas company to set up a milk factory in NZ.
From me culture to we culture
Written By: - Date published: 10:30 am, December 27th, 2012 - 49 comments
Today Al Jazeera News reported on the rise of collaborative consumption in Europe; from rent-a-present to car sharing. Just an extension of Trade Me or something bigger? How can sustainable practices of collaborative production, consumption and living be developed in NZ? [AJ Link added]
Turei: Green Party retrospective
Written By: - Date published: 11:26 am, December 19th, 2012 - 44 comments
Green Party co-leader, Metiria Turei, was confident and clear on TV3, talking about their consistent, disciplined & successful year &: the RONS tax, MP pay rise, government’s poor record, the economy, printing money, jobs, equality issues and child poverty. Little on green issues. Zero on the climate. [Update] Turei RNZ interviews.
Bad news govt: it must be recess
Written By: - Date published: 1:50 pm, December 13th, 2012 - 11 comments
The House went into recess yesterday. Today there is a rush of stories that are bad news for the government. Collins and the Binnie report, unsuccessful boot camps, and counter-productive anti-union and anti-worker policies. What else?
A-G’s SkyCity report looming over Key
Written By: - Date published: 8:39 am, December 13th, 2012 - 16 comments
A typical Auditor-General report takes 3 months. “Larger and more complex” ones take 6. Metiria Turei’s complaint about the way SkyCity was chosen for an international convention centre in a ‘pokies-for-convention-centre’ deal has been going 8 months. Clearly, what they’ve found has non-trivial implications for the government and they’re making sure all their ‘t’s are crossed and ‘i’s dotted.
Sunday Reading
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, December 9th, 2012 - 3 comments
My regular Sunday piece of interesting, longer, deeper stories I found during the week. It’s also a chance for you to share what you found this week too. Those stimulating links you wanted to share, but just didn’t fit in anywhere. This week: Tax-shaming and the real shirkers, climate change, disability month and happiness.
When were National fixing Shell Companies again?
Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, December 2nd, 2012 - 10 comments
This story reads like a Bond film – with people getting bumped off left, right and centre.
And where do they do their money laundering? Good ol’ Aotearoa.
TPP Negotiations Auckland next week
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 pm, November 30th, 2012 - 16 comments
The next round of secretive TPP negotiations is in Auckland next week, 3-12 December. John Key will be lovin’ it! A National Day of Action & world wide protest on Saturday 8 December, – it’s about NZ independence, economy and sovereignty. Update: protest events 3-8 Dec
In other news, selling NZ: TPP, Hobbit rulz …
Written By: - Date published: 11:47 am, November 20th, 2012 - 57 comments
John Key is steaming ahead in selling NZ. He is Obama’s wing-man to extend the TPP into the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, the “Hobbit Law” is taking a heavy toll on many NZ actors. And there are claims that the Hobbit production has been harming animals.
John Key Selling (out) New Zealand
Written By: - Date published: 8:21 am, November 11th, 2012 - 56 comments
John Key’s selling out of NZ workers’ rights, tourism industry and identity to Hollywood, the TPP and US corporates, has reached a new low. OIA papers reveal the extent to which Warners is dictating the NZ government’s promotion of 100% Middle-earth.
Is anyone ABC any more?
Written By: - Date published: 11:05 am, October 30th, 2012 - 178 comments
It’s fine not to agree with someone’s politics. It’s fine to weigh up the attributes of one prospective leader against another and decide that one is the better choice. But the Anyone But Cunliffe clique didn’t do that. They literally wanted anyone who wasn’t Cunliffe. When Parker wasn’t going to win, they went to Shearer. It was a childish way to play with Labour’s future.
‘The Asian Century’: Aus, NZ
Written By: - Date published: 10:50 am, October 29th, 2012 - 22 comments
Gillard’s ‘Asian Century’ white paper, and negotiations of the ASEAN trade agreement (RCEP) are significant developments in US-China struggle for dominance in the region. Aussie wants to be a major player. How should NZ respond?
Sexist NZ
Written By: - Date published: 2:29 pm, October 25th, 2012 - 10 comments
Two recent posts from NRT on aspects of sexism in NZ, and a scathing reply to Business NZ from Sue Moroney.
‘What crisis?’ Rudderless ship, stormy seas
Written By: - Date published: 8:03 am, October 14th, 2012 - 133 comments
There is ample evidence of a deep and lasting crisis, but in the delusional world of Planet Key it doesn’t exist. The EPMU Job Crisis Summit opened a much needed conversation. Russel Norman likened the New Zealand economy to a rudderless sailing ship In Stormy Seas. Will the summit be the start of a sea change for NZ?
Historic joint party Inquiry: Crisis in Manufacturing
Written By: - Date published: 3:07 pm, October 12th, 2012 - 43 comments
Today leaders of 3 opposition parties took part in an historic press conference. Winston Peters, David Shearer and Russel Norman jointly announced the launch of a parliamentary inquiry into the crisis in manufacturing. Update: Links to articles added. One News Video.
Selling New Zealand: 100% Muddle-Urf
Written By: - Date published: 9:45 am, October 11th, 2012 - 18 comments
Why is John Key backing the flagging tourist industry as a major export earner for NZ’s future? His trip to Hollywood was partly about using the Hobbit to promote NZ as a tourist destination. Why is the government so fixated on attracting more US tourists?
Hollywood Rules
Written By: - Date published: 11:10 am, October 8th, 2012 - 76 comments
In another slippery John Key u-turn, after his mission to Hollywood ‘sweeteners’ are now on the table. Key is bending over to let US-based conglomerates extend their dominance in NZ, in support of their own interests and values.
Of Hollywood, Hobbits & NZ-US politics: Episode II
Written By: - Date published: 8:17 am, October 4th, 2012 - 66 comments
As Key heads off to the US to promote the NZ film industry, I look back at the Hobbit union-busting case and the issues it raised. Will Key’s latest mission to Hollywood, boost the economy, increase jobs and provide benefits to the NZ film industry? Or will it actually undermine the NZ’s economy and democracy, further Americanising NZ’s culture along with it?
Why was GCSB spying on Dotcom? Big business is watching you!
Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, October 2nd, 2012 - 22 comments
Kim Dotcom was arrested on charges related to copyright infringement, not national security or “terrorism”. There is a worrying trend that the GCSB is part of an international security networks that have shifted from their original mission related to national security and is providing support to corporate interests.
Money Week: avoid getting ripped off
Written By: - Date published: 2:35 pm, September 11th, 2012 - 23 comments
Since 2006, 66 New Zealand finance companies, funds and mortgage trusts have failed (closed, liquidation, receivership, moratorium, suspended). An estimated $3.5 billion has already been lost with another $8.6 billion still at risk.
Guest poster Adele shows the need for a week of events and activities to raise awareness about how people can better manage their money (if they have any) and get help to do so – Money Week.
Apple vs Samsung
Written By: - Date published: 2:38 pm, August 30th, 2012 - 93 comments
When businesses like Apple patent hand waving, obvious design, round corners, or software (which in a way is like patenting maths), we all lose. I’m not pleased with Craig Foss’s “minor amendment” to our block on software patents, but I like this SMBC cartoon…
Would you buy shares in…
Written By: - Date published: 9:28 am, August 18th, 2012 - 42 comments
Mighty River, when its water use rights are in doubt? Meridian, when its deal with its largest customer is in question? Solid Energy, when it is reviewing all its operations due to the high dollar? Genesis, when Meridian could flood the market with cheap power if its deal with Rio Tinto falls through, and a future government is likely to sharply increase the cost of its emissions from Huntly?
- Have Your Say On The Oversight Of Oranga Tamariki System Legislation Amendment Bill
The bill seeks to enhance oversight and monitoring of the Oranga Tamariki system by making structural changes to the Independent Children’s Monitor and the Children and Young People’s Commission. ...1 week ago - The ultimate holiday reads: An alphabetical guide
An A to Z of iconic books matched with iconic holiday locations. Whether you’re an ultralight traveller armed with only a Kindle, or you’re a romantic who loves to schlepp your travel-worn paperbacks (lightly battered and eventually swapped with a stranger in a train station for their charmingly worn Dostoyevsky), ...1 week ago - 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
- Photo essay: Living and learning on a bus
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
- More Than 18,400 Kiwis Call On Select Committee To Front Up On MPs’ Expenses
“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
- Democrats left reeling as Trump claims decisive victory
Few could have predicted the size and scale of his success last night. This is an excerpt from The World Bulletin, our weekly global current affairs newsletter exclusively for Spinoff Members. Sign up here. A red wave It was around 8.30pm NZT when Donald Trump came out to address his ...1 week ago
- 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
- Help Me Hera: My male flatmates keep asking me out and I hate it
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
- The calls that Trump will take first
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
- NZ’s low-cost, low-risk bid for UN Security Council seat
New documents offer insight into NZ’s attempt to secure another stint on the UN Security Council The post NZ’s low-cost, low-risk bid for UN Security Council seat appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- Book of the Week: The superb Mr Shuker
Even in local literary households, Carl Shuker may not exactly be a household name in the way that, say, Eleanor Catton is, or Catherine Chidgey has lately become. But there’s a good chance he soon will be, on the strength of the release of the film adaptation of one of ...1 week ago
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It’s done. Trump is going back to the White House. ...1 week ago
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- Parihaka: Remembering A Legacy Of Peaceful Resistance
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The Cook Islands leader says new passport proposal will not impact ties with Aotearoa, but a New Zealand Foreign Affairs spokesperson says it "would have implications". ...1 week ago
- The Treaty Principles Bill Is Advanced Without Us And In Spite Of Us
“The Bill is an attack on our rangatiratanga and the move to bring it forward is yet another tactic to distract us from the real issues facing New Zealanders. This Bill is being advanced without us and in spite of us. ...1 week ago
- Unemployment Rising Shows The Need For A Plan
Wages are also reflecting the softer labour market, with 37% of all workers seeing no pay rise, and 50% of workers seeing an annual pay rise less than the 3.8% increase in household costs reported yesterday. With the minimum wage rising by less than ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day three: Joel has made it to Christchurch
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. ...2 weeks ago
- ‘No idea I was in the presence of genius’: Sonya Wilson on her life in books
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Sonya Wilson, author and founder and executive director of Kiwi Christmas Books, which gifts books to families in need every Christmas. The book I wish I’d written I ...2 weeks ago
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- Unemployment Rate At 4.8 Percent
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- IRD Have Lied To New Zealanders, Heads Must Roll
...2 weeks ago
- My Greatest Trip: My awkward high-school exchange to Germany
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Pressure to visit as many European destinations as possible is causing harm to local communities and the climate. Is there an alternative? If any feature of London showcases its scale of possibilities to a new arrival from Aotearoa, it’s the city’s six airports. Six. Each with their own trainline, Pret ...2 weeks ago
- Conflicts over conflicts: Why perception in politics matters
Tensions over tobacco regulations hit boiling point in parliament yesterday, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day three: Joel is crawling to Christchurch
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. ...2 weeks ago
- The police pullback on mental health callouts, explained
Police have begun gradually reducing their response to mental health callouts, with health staff expected to step up. Here’s what you need to know. The changes to police’s mental health response, led by NZ Police, the Ministry of Health and Te Whatu Ora, were revealed at the beginning of 2024, ...2 weeks ago
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With election day but hours away, the candidates are completing their final campaign lap and pundits are desperately seeking other ways to say ‘on a knife edge’. Keep up to date with the latest here. It’s squeaky bum time in the land of the free, with the clock ticking inexorably ...2 weeks ago
- IRD Data Leaking Killed By 9,000-strong Taxpayers’ Union Campaign
Commissioner Mersi needs to stop burying his head in the sand, and explain to Kiwis how his department are going to clean up the mess of the data they’ve already leaked: Taxpayers’ Union Policy and Public Affairs Manager, James Ross said. ...2 weeks ago
- I survived a night camping with my dog
Alex Casey takes her rescue dog Maggie on a dog-friendly camping adventure and lives to tell the tale. Part of my bargaining in us adopting a dog this year was that I swore not to become one of those barmy people who takes their dog with them on holiday and ...2 weeks ago
- Govt Science Cuts Take NZ Even Further Backward
The Government talks about the need to tackle our poor productivity performance, and the need for a longer-term plan to arrest our decline, but their actions continue to take us in the opposite direction ...2 weeks ago
- ‘I didn’t get the HRC job’: Stephen Rainbow’s human rights commission appointment just got w...
New messages released under the OIA show Rainbow acknowledged he ‘didn’t get the HRC job’ – then suddenly he did. Madeleine Chapman reports. “I didn’t get the HRC role but still very keen to help out,” wrote Stephen Rainbow to Act Party chief of staff Andrew Ketels in a text ...2 weeks ago
- Home Education: On the road with the Rasmussens
Home Education follows the everyday lives of six families in Aotearoa educating their children at home. Today, education in a house bus with the Rasmussens. The new docuseries Home Education is filmed across Aotearoa, in and around the homes of six families who have taken schooling outside the ...2 weeks ago
- Nobody panic, but we’re in the midst of a global chocolate crisis
Price hikes, disappearing products and sourcing struggles – could this be the new normal for the chocolate industry? Last week, Whittaker’s announced its chocolate was changing. Its cacao will no longer be sourced exclusively from Ghana, with the global cocoa shortage forcing the company to get the key ingredient from “several” ...2 weeks ago
- On the road with the Rasmussens | Home Education | The Spinoff
“We thrive on proving people wrong.” | Watch the full series: http://thespinoff.co.nz/videos/home-education 🚌 The Rasmussens have travelled the country in a house bus for over a decade. Bridie is the ‘road-schooling’ mum to seven kids, all at different stages. She says the family runs into judgement all the time, but ...2 weeks ago
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