Conference 2012 – Labour
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- Date published:
1:54 pm, November 16th, 2012 - 149 comments
Categories: labour -
Tags: conference
Well, I’m at the Labour conference – as media.
Feels somewhat weird after many delegate years. I figure that The Standard needs to start sending someone along to the conferences. So I will ground-break at each of the major ones over the next year.
The remit book looks like the main focus for this year. I haven’t been to many conferences over the last few years. But there is a noticeably larger group in the crucial age groups that have been lacking – the 30’s. A lot less of the grey heads like myself who have increasingly dominated the heads.
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- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks 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 ...16 hours ago - Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder listThe 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 ...18 hours ago
- Judicial appointments announcedAttorney-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 ...19 hours ago
- Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in SingaporeEducation 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 ...20 hours ago
- Value of stopbank project proven during cycloneA 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 ...20 hours ago
- Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visitForeign 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 ...20 hours ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac DayScience, 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 ...22 hours ago
- Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime 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 ...1 day ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe 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 ...2 days ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe 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 ...2 days ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal 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 ...2 days ago
- Government backing mussel spat projectThe 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 - ...2 days ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit 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 ...2 days ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe 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 ...2 days ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe 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 ...2 days ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime 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 ...3 days ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA 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 ...3 days ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’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 ...3 days ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed 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 ...3 days ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans 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 ...3 days ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate 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 ...4 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe 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, ...4 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges 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 ...4 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...4 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...4 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...5 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...5 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...5 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...5 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState 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 Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...5 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...5 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...1 week ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...1 week ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...1 week ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...1 week ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...1 week ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...1 week ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...1 week ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...1 week ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon meets KPIs on Southeast Asia mission
Power Play - Asked for his own assessment of the visit, the prime minister said he was returning home "excited and energised". ...1 hour ago - Embracing Māori Representation Enriches Democracy, Not Divides It
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...2 hours ago - Anne Salmond: My open submission on this radical, flawed fast-track bill
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...2 hours ago - Short story: Finally, by Caoimhe McKeoghThe summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...2 hours ago
- Thomas James is a master of inventionWhen Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...2 hours ago
- All 28 road tunnels in New Zealand ranked from worst to best
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...3 hours ago - How to make the most of your market haulLucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...3 hours ago
- From a library basement comes a fashion historyZoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...3 hours ago
- Rousing farewell for Kiwi doctors flying out to Gaza aid flotilla
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...10 hours ago - Communities Against The Fast-track Heartened By ‘Overwhelming’ Public Response; Disgusted By ‘...With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...12 hours ago
- Renters Rights To Drastically Reduce Under Landlord GovernmentThe Government’s announced changes around tenancy rules set renters’ rights back by nearly a decade. ...12 hours ago
- NZPI Submission on Fast Track Approvals BillOur response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...12 hours ago
- Fast Track Invite List Includes Most Destructive Industries In New ZealandThe new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...12 hours ago
- Eugene Doyle: Helen Clark on why AUKUS isn’t in New Zealand’s national interestCOMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...12 hours ago
- Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consentsThe government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...13 hours ago
- The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal troubleAnalysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...14 hours ago
- It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...14 hours ago
- Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaThe PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...15 hours ago
- ‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...15 hours ago
- Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development BankThe government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...15 hours ago
- Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...17 hours ago
- Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...17 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding SqueezeThe Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...18 hours ago
- I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...18 hours ago
- How the coolest little capital is shrinkingIt's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...18 hours ago
- Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...18 hours ago
- Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi TribunalPrime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...18 hours ago
- Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s whySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...18 hours ago
- The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford GrahamA new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...18 hours ago
- The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...18 hours ago
- Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lostVisitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...18 hours ago
- Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job CutsWith New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...18 hours ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in ManilaPrime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...19 hours ago
- Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreementThe contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...19 hours ago
- Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...19 hours ago
- Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costsChief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...19 hours ago
- The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...20 hours ago
- Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...20 hours ago
- Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going upRoaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...20 hours ago
- What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānauThe Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...20 hours ago
- NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensionsThe commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...21 hours ago
- How superblocks can help reimagine city lifeBarcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...22 hours ago
- Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIEThe public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...22 hours ago
- “Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...23 hours ago
- ‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in IndiaSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...23 hours ago
- Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...23 hours ago
- Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period productsYes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...23 hours ago
- Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...23 hours ago
- Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track LegislationThe Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...24 hours ago
- Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...24 hours ago
- Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...24 hours ago
- Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...24 hours ago
- Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-handSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...24 hours ago
- ‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration StatusThe Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...24 hours ago
- 20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last yearThe government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...1 day ago
- All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to bestRaglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...1 day ago
- Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation feesResidents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...1 day ago
- Missy rustles to stardom in CanadaHineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...1 day ago
- Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the paceOfficial figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
- Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolvedShane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 day ago
- Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China SeaNew Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...1 day ago
- Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servantsThe thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...1 day ago
- New Zealand transport planning has gone off the railsOpinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...1 day ago
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Thanks for this, Lynn. I’m looking forward to reading your posts.
They will take a while to come out. I am writing notes, but as people are probably aware, I am not a disciplined writer of text (code is a completely different story).
Are you tweeting the conference? Is there a feed I can follow?
Afraid not. I was thinking about it, but work and house hunting ran me out of time to think and practice.
#Labour2012
But don’t use any naughty words!
Je suis “malade”, I’d say.
Trevor, what do you want here? Have you any cheap, scarce tickets for sale, or what? I thought you used to be a bit witty and smart, but like many others I am totally turned off your style and personality. Make room for fresh blood, please, Labour needs it, more than you!!!
Good on ya bud.
In the working group on economic.
Interesting seeing how well the economic MP’s are working with each other. 3 David’s in particular. Clark, Parker, and Cunliffe – Cunliffe speaking on behalf of Parker. Practicality rather than ideological, but for me – untainted by the TINA of the first conferences I attended.
Buying back assets, and
IFFTIFTT. Interesting that at least one speaker confused aIFFTIFTT with a foreign exchange tax. I think we need to start a education rogramme here.Should that be IFTT? If not please explain IFFT – google returns nothing relevant 🙂
Yes. Typo on a iPad.
And IFTT stands for?…
Isolated Fallopian Tube Torsion
Yeah, tell me about it.
IFTT doesn’t even come up on google either. My guess is International Financial Transaction Tax.
Yes. I am afraid I had never heard of it either.
http://www.labour.org.nz/sites/labour.org.nz/files/2012-Policy-Remits-Final.pdf
Remit 3. I suspect it is to prevent a FTT locally. I can think of many objections. First is that it is unenforceable.
It can be enforced. Any money going through a NZ bank pays a small tax, the same way GST is automatically added.
It is primarily an isolationist strategy. It makes it more expensive for foreigners to buy NZ assets and for locals to buy or invest overseas.
It will mostly net the small fries. You and I will pay a little more when we buy on-line from overseas, send money to relations, buy and sell Australian shares, etc.
One problem the Labour leaders are trying to tackle is the huge trade in our currency. The NZ dollar is the tenth most heavily traded currency in the world. They think if they can slow down the trade the currency will come down in price. John Key would reply that you can’t successfully alter currency prices in global markets where trillions of dollars change hands every DAY in markets all over the world.
I am loathe to agree with John Key about anything, but on this he is right.
Depends on the level.
If it’s 30%, then yeah it’d hit personal transactions. Not so sure about isolationist – nothing’s stopping an international from making a local holding company so it’s an IFTT-free asset on their international books. They pay IFTT on reconciling with the overseas suppliers, but not too bad.
If it’s 0.05%, then it wouldn’t be noticed for personal transactions, but it would still be a filter on speculative cashflows.
I’m pretty sure he would say something like that despite the fact that he’s worked to influence the exchange rate of currencies.
Would it not be worth starting a tag to confirm the independance of The Standard?
You mean apsrt from pissing off people quite equally?
Well there is that
Great to see you reporting the conference Lynn. You should put “#Labour2012” in the title of each post so they get picked up when they’re tweeted.
The TPPA is interestingly contentious. Phil Goff speaking against the remit. Not in detail. But that the making the bottom line mandatory. I will blog on this later.
Interesting, the mandatory part of the remit was voted out. Be interesting what happens on the foor.
Anyone got a link to the remit handy?
https://www.labour.org.nz/sites/labour.org.nz/files/2012-Policy-Remits-Final.pdf
ta.
Please please pass all these remits. Prove that Labour is a truly Socialist Party. Stop pussy footing around in the centre.
I’m not sure the gender quota on company boards will work out, given that so many have a single director.
I seem to remember that it was restricted to boards of 5 or more
Let’s do better. 50% of company boards should be made up of the workers who actually create the economic value of the firm.
Absolutely. It is done widely in Europe with outstanding results. Workers know a lot of things the company is doing wrong.
Some of our union leaders are still in the 1930’s.
Fisiani – have you ever been to a policy conference? Change is the nature of them.
Not to mention there is limited time. I would expect less than a fifth of them to get to the floor.
Lynn, can you or someone else please give a bit of an outline of how the conference works eg what’s the process that decides which remits get to the floor (and does that mean they definitely get voted on?)?
Most of those remits will make it to the floor, except those considered either double-ups, or constitutionally repugnant – (rare for non-structural reasons considering they are membership based remits).
Amendments are suggested and debated in each of the policy workshops, I don’t think you can suggest to amend from the floor anymore (surprise amendment), i.e. your amendment has to already be on the list. Most amendments from workshops get sorted into a manageable (and language tidied up) form for the floor (by the NZLP Policy Council – which already has been through the Regional Conference remits).
Then each remit will come up, and be voted on. Most votes are are accepted unanimously.
Thanks. What do you mean by votes being accepted unanimously?
Sorry, votes are typically unanimous (no opposition).
fishy you know all about wishy washy
STOP TALKING IN ACRONYMS!!
There’s one for that. You guessed it – STIA
And stop using TLAs …
At the justice workshop.
Who really cares about a republic? Or not?
Never turn your back on good civilised thinking ….
A distinct age division. Grey against putting a move towards a republic forward.
Why turn your back on an ally … I don’t get it … where’s the advantage ?
What ally?
The Royal Family.
The Royal Family an ally? What are you smoking?
We ought be very much more worried at the moment about America being a pressing ally of Israel. Great start by Obama, he cries in public, but cares not a jot for the slaughtered children of Gaza.
+1 – winning timing that Israel decide to assassinate a Hamas leader the week after the election.
4 more years (of the same old shit!)
Meanwhile, Diane Bellamy opts for an interesting choice of word to argue for the monarchy. What kind of relationship does she actually have with her parents ?? Actually, we don’t really want to know.
“To discard the royal family would be like divorcing our parents.”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/7953416/Dysfunctional-colourful-royals-link-to-our-past
“To discard the royal family would be like divorcing our parents.”
Yes, sounds a little inbred, but if we are in a marriage…do we get half their assets when we tell those leeches to f-off?
inbred?
more like incestuous*
but if that is Diane’s cup of tea …
*there is a law against this. it is not constitutional, but criminal.
Whose royal family?
One third of the population of London is non-white. At the big wedding earlier this tens of thousands lined the parade route . . . all white faces.
NZ is not white anymore either. My Maori, Tongan, Thai and other friends know who their royal family is. And they don’t live in Windsor castle.
divorcing our parents
I know plenty of people who really wish they could …
Ok, in the hope of directing all of yas away from the personal insults etc..
I should have said the “Crown”, please leave the Royal Family Out of this.
I care a bloody great deal about a REPUBLIC Lynn!
A republic is just the “people’s system and state”, not some aged, pre senile royals, travelling on tax payers’ expense and deliver bloody nothing of substance at all, neither to where he comes from, nor to the ones he visits.
I HATE BLUDGERS, especially the ones at the top!
Apparently the room I was in agreed with you. They voted for it. And it was pretty much a younger vs older split (and I would have been on the older side).
Glad to hear there’s a lot of young/new blood making their voices heard. I am an older person for a Republic & anti-royal bludgers.
Labour proposing yet more taxes.
There’s a surprise…..
Good on you LPrent.
I hope you are in full ceremonial costume : a blackened curtain with an unreadable name tag 😀
Lol.
No problems. I may have mentioned before that I am quite antisocial under the best of circumstances. What I am interested in is the mood of the conference and some information on a few topics. So far when I have asked I have gotten access. Was asking Phil Goff about his view on the TPPA
Looks like Gower is discussing Cameron Slater and Tamihere not being allowed to attend as media.. That could be worth a post. Sounds like a dumbarse beat up.
It was a beat-up, but Tamihere certainly demonstrated why he’d be a walking time-bomb if he was a Labour candidate/MP.
He wouldn’t last five minutes.
Tami who? You mean the one who was yesterday’s old story?
I guess he’s Tamiwhere.
Very good. I could not have bettered that. Maybe because I could only think about the stockpile of Tamiflu that the Ministry of Health accumulated in anticipation of swine flu. Roche made a tidy sum out of that?
The intention was good. Inaction could have had disastrous consequences. Whether John T can be compared? His medicine would be of variable quality.
There’s a word I’ll check on google.- picaresque. It’s a bit strong but I think can be applied now to a number of people, perhaps JT.
Of or relating to a genre of usually satiric prose fiction originating in Spain and depicting in realistic, often humorous detail the adventures of a roguish hero of low social degree living by his or her wits in a corrupt society.
News was promising something on Tamihere wanting back into Labour, on tonights 6pm news. I just had a shower, so I don’t know if I missed it.
So they want to stir things up over Tamihere?
It’s here
Tamihere is complaining about being excluded from the Labour Party – not just the conference. Ar least, his membership still hasn’t been approved.
I’m pleased to see that Shearer failed to support him today when asked. Tamihere didn’t do himself any favours by saying the Labour Party is a close knit gang like the Headhunters.
The report did include something about Shearer – but, really, there are far more significant things going on at the Conference than Tamihere issues.
Yes.
Looks like the 40-40-20 is the only thing left on the table for leadership from what I hear despite some ardent opposition. The result of the 1980’s TINA. Has to go past the floor, but I gather that it is now either go for that or nothing.
Somehow I think that the affiliates and members will go for it.
Does that men a challenge to a current leader won’t require – what was it? 65% of caucus?
mean – not men (no edit button).
Separate issue Karol.
The 40:40:20 is the proportion of votes for MPs:members:affiliates during a leadership contest.
The trigger for a contest will require either the leader stepping down or a petition by caucus. The original proposal of 2/3 was too high. A significant majority of Caucus could have no faith in the leader and it would not happen.
NZ Council is suggesting that it be 55% of caucus but I am sure it will be no more than 50%. It may go as low as 40% of caucus having the power to start a leadership contest.
UK Labour requires 20%. That’s ample.
The 20% of caucus who sign the petition know if the leader is not ousted they are dead meat. The leader will relegate them to Siberia.
If you can get 20% to sign a challenge, the leader is probably finished. You will NEVER get 40% to sign.
Tokenism. It preserves those in power and blunts future attempts at meaningful change.
The supposed change to 40:40:20 is also tokenism. The caucus and unions together will have 60%.
Well, then, Shearer do the dirty deed now, thanks! That is if he has the dignity, sincerity and guts to admit defeat. Or rather live in lala land, pretending all is “sweet”, which is a bit like the ruler that lost touch with his people. I am waiting!!!!!!!!!
This conference will just be another big disappointment, I fear.
Sitting watching Patrick Gower do a remote Q&A. Might have to do an ondemand to see what he is saying.
The word on the street is that John Tamihere has been banned from attending the Labour party conference.
Please let it be true.
I love how Fis says “street” instead of the actual source, which is in fact his favourite blog.
Like, only Fisiani has the internets.
Looks like there was a good reason. Seems like Tamihere was more interested in raising his ratings than he was in the party. But that is no more than I suspected.
He was neither a delegate nor was he accepted as media. He was merely a useless gatecrasher.
That sounds about right – he was stirring up the gay issue. And the problem with our news media is they tend to go for drama and sensationalism over substance.
Tamihere is not a member or a delegate so has no right to be here. Strange he thinks he does…
Sounds like he was just out to sabotage, and get attention – that Headhunters comment: he surely wouldn’t have said that if he really wanted to be a candidate again?
Yep. Makes you wonder if he is serous about becoming a member.
“Corporate Maori” or what? Waipareira Trust or what? Self promotion or what? I am seeking answers, if there are any.
The comments on National Radio from caucus members, like Phil Goff and Andrew Little, about the questioning of Shearer leadership, were kinda surreal. They effectively said the whole thing was probably coming from anonymous right wing bloggers!
*sigh* I guess it’s the convenient thing to say when they don’t want to talk about it.
But this “anonymous” meme makes them look so out of touch with the internet – speaking as someone who has been around Internet forums since about 95/6.
They don’t seem to realise how attached we can become to our online handles – it’s part of our identity. So dismissing that without responding to the criticisms, seems to me a bit like an ad hominin.
Yeh. Perhaps one of us should write a post explaining exactly how out of touch it is.
… Here’s one I prepared earlier. /shamelesslinksp*m
this, and “picaresque” I find interesting 🙂
Yeah, I have always been inclined to be “right wing”!?
What is the problem with grey?
I spent years of hard learning, working, talking, loving, drinking et al to get them. Grey is to be valued. I do not see any negative elements inherent in grey.
Some people are visionless, conservative, inflexible or whatever from their youth.
As that great Dubliner GBS said: Youth is wasted on the Young.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with ‘Grey’ except that, statistically speaking, they are much more likely to represent capitalist interests rather than the interests of…..well actual people.
Grey. And I think conservative. And often not interested in debating it. Too old to change what beliefs have got concreted in.
KH. Yes, it is all too easy to slip into ageism. Many older people have learned an awful lot about life (and politics).
Hey I am quite Grey.
But I have been always amazed at how each year for the last 20 years how the conference got steadily greyer. There were always the mayflies of young labour, but few persisted.
This looks like a generational transition is taking place. People I saw in young labour years ago have reappeared.
That’s wonderful news.
This is the generation that has grown up with a Neo-Liberal ideology that deliberately isolates the individual and forces them to act self-interestedly. I’ve always been anxious that it would turn them off political engagement.
Moira is up on stage.
“Making important decisions about being a modern party”
Largest conference since 1988
Yes, I too want to vote Labour (again).
But the current leadership is making it so difficult.
I would have been at the conference if it wasn’t for personal matters to attend to this weekend.
I hope the Labour Party will rediscover and reconnect its soul, head and heart again this weekend.
The country needs them to before the current lot in government continue to undermine our society and economy.
Going by Shearer’s latest, we might just as well leave Key in office (which I certainly do not want!) Shearer wishes to take on Key concerning the economy. He is not particularly interested in social sorrows. If the problems of society are properly addressed, the economy will soon be looking up.
Jacinda Arden is up.
She is attempting bribery. Everyone who says something nice to the media will get one less letter from the head office asking for money.
Hey what do I get?
Glad you’re there lynn. Hope you don’t get any aggravation directed at ts
Nope. But
1. I have a thick skin.
2. Generally people don’t want the responses.
I made a small donation to TS last week.
If your skin can grow thicker and your responses more potent, I would donate some more 🙂
David Shearer up.
“Becoming a more transparent democratic party.”
The emphasis in the speech is definitely on the reform of the party so far.
The organisation of the Obama campaign has obviously made a real impact on thinking. I will (cynically) believe it when I see that attitude express into actual organisation.
Good speech. Not great oratory, but that isn’t what inquired.
The emphasis on party reform and organisation was refreshing.
Let’s hope Shearer talking about transparent and democratic party won’t end up like John Key talking about jobs and higher standards for the country.
Iprent. You have every reason to be very cynical, I should think.
Sheerbama now?
Were there details about party reform, or is that to come?
No. That will be on the floor tomorrow. And media are allowed to be present.
Len Brown up.
He was at the 1988 conference. Points out that the numbers were there for quite a different reason.
He spoke very well but the audience response at the end of the speech was very tepid.
Eh, is he Labour??? Where is his mansion placed, by the way, in Mangere or Manurewa!!!???
Higlights of David Shearer’s Speech:
New Zealand is better under Labour.
The Democrats won last week by organising from the bottom up. We will take their ideas.
We will also take ideas from the Australian Labour Party.
1,000 a week leaving for Australia. Many people feel that under national things are going backwards.
The shine is coming off National.
A common theme do disappointment. A sense of being let down by National.
Good précis. I’m afraid that I am far more interested in the organizational stuff. Shades of being a organizer activist for decades.
Damn I need to turn prediction off. Keeps rewriting my typing.
Do you think they realise that organising from the ground up often requires blogging? they may want to rethink the dark rooms and generally disparaging comments then…
David Shearer CANNOT organize the way Obama did because he is an elitist.
In his guts he hates the idea that the party and country should be run by anyone other than “the right sort of people.”
If he was not an elitist, he would have the leader elected ONLY by the members. He would support binding referendums. He would not have taken the leadership last year when he saw Cunliffe was the people’s favorite.
I do wonder if it’s sunk in to Labour’s thinking that there are a lot of different ways to be grassroots, and the kind of grassroots movement you get from engaging young/disengaged/marginalized groups online is very different from engaging low-paid workers in union halls.
It’s pretty basic audience/channel/message planning.
lprent: I am starting to feel sorry for you there, being “media” now. So the agenda is “wait until the gloss and paint drops off National and Key” to win the next election?!
What a bloody cheapskate, useless cop-out! If that is a “strategy” and “organisation”, I will organise the next coup d’etat in Mainland China tomorrow!
[deleted]
Hey a new name for this outfit. “The Double Standard.”
[lprent: bye. Troll. ]
Organizational lessons dickhead troll.
Len Brown:
A cracker. An understandable focus on Auckland: but makes it relevant to wider domestic concerns and world issues.
Kids are asking for hope. We need leadership that will give them that hope.
Auckland Council strategies are delivering a great city.
The Rail strategy is critical and Len is grateful for Labour support.
2m population by 2030. We need 30,000 houses a year.
Len wants to know what the Abour Policy is for Housing.
More Pools, Libraries and Parks.
And NOT selling Assets like Airport and Port.
Yep. That last one was particularly great.
Isn’t the Airport already a mixed ownership model? In fact, from what I can see, the Auckland City Council only own 22.5% of the Airport, so isn’t this worse than what National are proposing for the power companies?
Libraries, no surely not, they are so yesterday. Only the other day a letter to the editor of the Waikato Times pointed out they need to be scrapped.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/opinion/letters/7931657/Letter-Get-rid-of-libraries
‘Public libraries are becoming the repository of deadbeats and the dispossessed.
Why should homeowners (read ratepayers) cater for them.
Libraries are no longer a needed public service. Time has moved on. Access to knowledge has changed and it now costs a fraction of what it used to.’
All you need to know is on Google. Any questions?
Just as well a library for the sprawl suburbs in the north of Hamilton is on hold more or less indefinitely.
[deleted]
[lprent: bye. Troll. ]
Whitney Houston song? Is that meant to be inspirational?
And Mariah Carey?
Not a duet. Not ‘When You Believe’ from the Prince of Egypt? Haahaa.
It seems it is a duet!
(Hah, I am good. Blowing my own trumpet)
Oh that Disney stuff.
Labour praying for a miracle now ..
Here are the lyrics after the Youtube clip ..
Many nights we prayed
With no proof anyone could hear
In our hearts a hope for a song
We barely understood
Now we are not afraid
Although we know there’s much to fear
We were moving mountains
Long before we knew we could, whoa, yes
There can be miracles
When you believe
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Mmmmmmmmmyeah]
Mmmyeah
In this time of fear
When prayer so often proves in vain
Hope seems like the summer bird
Too swiftly flown away
Yet now I’m standing here
My hearts so full, I can’t explain
Seeking faith and speakin words
I never thought I’d say
There can be miracles
When you believe (When you believe)
Though hope is frail
It’s hard to kill (Mmm)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve)
When you believe somehow you will
You will when you believe
[Hey]
[Ooh]
They don’t always happen when you ask
And it’s easy to give in to your fears
But when you’re blinded by your pain
Can’t see the way, get through the rain
A small but still, resilient voice
Says love is very near, oh [Oh]
There can be miracles (Miracles)
When you believe (Boy, when you believe, yeah) [Though hope is frail]
Though hope is frail [Its hard]
It’s hard to kill (Hard to kill, oh, yeah)
Who knows what miracles
You can achieve (You can achieve, oh)
When you believe somehow you will (Somehow, somehow, somehow)
Somehow you will (I know, I know, know)
You will when you believe [When you]
(Ohoh)
[You will when you]
(You will when you believe)
[Oohoohooh]
[Oh… oh]
[When you believe]
[When you believe]
So will the Shearer leadership team’s slogan for 2014 General Elections be:
Leap of Faith – Vote for Labour!
Cunliffe’s recent speeches have stressed the need for us to work together (business, labor, government) to develop modern industries for the green technology age.
Building more houses won’t do it. Nor will the Nat’s more milk and mines.
Well, I hope they are serious about transformation and organising from the bottom up. Does that mean they HAVE been listening to the members? And maybe one or two Standartisa Labour members?
[deleted]
[lprent: bye. Troll. ]
Pillock.
Worth a ban?
So Mrs savage,… [Deleted …. a very poor grade of trolling indeed. RL]
Thank You.
Second prejudiced cliche. Definitely a ban.
That’s really offensive. Please ban.
No, they have NOT been listening.
That’s why they came up with 40% members; 40% caucus; and 20% affiliates to elect the leader.
Under that formula a caucus vote is worth 1,647 more than my vote.
Supposedly a central Labour party policy is democracy. There is only ONE definition of democracy:
“One person, one vote.”
To David Shearer and Grant Robertson and the policy council: What part of that sentence do you NOT understand?
A very immediate, relevant and inspirational speech by Nigel Haworth.
Here is his profile fom Auckland Uni.
http://staff.business.auckland.ac.nz/5337.aspx
Prof Haworth says National are “A do nothing, sit on their backside government”
He says “Benign neglect can no longe be tolerated”
(I wish some of his points had been up on PowerPoint. I hope his speech is posted up on Red Alert and the Standard?)
Dr Judy McGregor giving a smart entertaining and serious speech on women in our society.
https://alumnionline.massey.ac.nz/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=440
Extract:
Since 2003 she has been the Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, focusing on pay equity, ageism in the workplace and extending equal employment opportunities in the public and private sectors.
Sounds good! Partly on the topic I posted on today? Gender and political representation – also equal pay.
Silent observer I am. Interesting stuff. Thanks Iprent.
+1 and thanks also to all the conference attendees who have contributed.
A good opening evening, followed by a few drinks accompanied by some Top-class jazz.
I heard the Affiliates session went well today: plenty of good speeches in favour of more open democracy: Tolich and the two usual suspects from the leadership spoke against! And the usual suspects did not win…
The two special guests, Judy McGregor and Nigel Haworth, were fantastic. Inspired guest selection HO!
The Mayor of Auckland, the hosting city, is an old school mate of Shearer’s. As a De La Salle Club player, Len played against Shearer and Shearer says Len was a full-on mouthy competitor.
Tonight Len out-played and out-mouthed Shearer again. Len went well beyond normal local government and Super-city scope to sharply highlight housing, employment and youth issues very very effectively.
Len upstaged “my mate” David!
Naughty Len.
Maybe that’s why Len was set down to follow Shearer, not vice versa.
It is “amazing”, how guys like Len Brown come out with the “people talk” every time there is an election or a conference going. Does he really mean what he says, or does he think we are all thick as planks?
His silence on the Ports of Auckland industrial dispute is NOT forgotten by me, nor have I heard him say anything about the new looming industrial dispute there.
Len, I would have thought more of you a few years back, but to me, you are as hollow as a disemboweled animal stuffed for decoration for a dedicated, habitual, old fashioned hunter.