Isn’t that the Gower boy, being the smart arse reporter continually asking the same question? He certainly does get the knives out for some Labour MPs!
Well Lloyd Burr’s interviews with Ardern today, as on the Newshub site, are very positive about/with Ardern. So, don’t see him as a smart arse trying to pressure her.
It was a post caucus press stand-up so could have been a reporter from one of the newspapers or radio stations. It wasn’t Corin Dann or Paddy Gower. Their voices are well known and recognisable.
media bias agree Anne in the last 2 elections the tories have had an unfair advantage the media did there lobbying and were an important part of there election team and this needs to stop
Bill English is not on 7 pc that’s the big difference Also simply denying what is quite probable ( the ostrich strategy) will not happen is not really and answer
I worry that presenting it this way will be vulnerable to “one law for all” style attacks. I think Henare’s comment about investing in Maori health to lift Maori life expectancy is on target, and couple that with early superannuation for those unable to continue in their occupation through disability. Which would hopefully provide the same outcome for Maori that have spent their lives in demanding manual occupations, as well as including non-Maori in the same situation.
Despite Ministers laying red herrings before journos this week, research shows that Maori have shorter life expectancy even after accounting for factors like their health and the type of work they undertake. Rangi the factory worker is a figment of Joyce’s overactive imagination.
Those attacks come what may – cannot and must not adjust for those racists.
The facts are well known.
And why those facts exist are also well known – just one of the unhappy coincidences for most indigenous peoples colonised – lower life expectancy, higher mental health issues including suicide and self harming, higher prison population, lower incomes throughout their working life, less home ownership, over populated on all deprivation statistics and so on and on and on…
That won’t get addressed by this but it is worthwhile pointing it all out imo.
also Marty mars bad and unfair treatment from the state a sector that is suppose to help. For example we were more likely to be offered state flats in the bronxs the same areas the gnats have knocked down and built 500k houses for who not our people racist pigs
I think that is exactly what is eventually going to happen dv. After the age of 60 when a person wishes to retire from full time work, they will have to apply to a special agency set up for the task of investigating applicants’ circumstances. If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.
When (and its only a matter of time before it happens) they reach the age of 67 they will automatically receive the super. That does not mean others cannot start receiving it at 65 but they will have to fulfill the criteria laid down by legislation which could include anything from physical or mental impairment making it impossible for them to be able to continue earning a living.
No one automatically gets super now. Everyone applies for it if they think they are eligible.
The great thing about NZ’s system is that it’s universal. You just need to prove age, ID and years lived in NZ.
There is no need to include some means test. Actually, 60 years for all to apply would be better. Then properly pre-fund the super fund, and use the tax system to take back a high tax from those 60yrs + on a high income.
Means testing involves too much surveillance of individuals, and always results in some people trying to cheat the system, by using false info.
Or better still. Basic income for everyone, cradle to grave.
Seen several proposals discussed but not really my area. Financial transaction taxes seem hard to avoid. Taxing capital accumulation seems more useful than income to achieve distributional equity.
My accumulated capital already gets taxed: that’s my savings’ interest. But I do not own property, and property owners do not get taxed on their gains from rising house prices.
But I would think you are talking about capital accumulation in all kinds of investments, not just my little savings accounts.
Nothing to do with today, but Danyl MacLauchlan’s dimpost seems to have basically shut up shop. Does everyone else have trouble accessing: https://dimpost.wordpress.com/
Or did my IP/wordpress account just get banned? T^T
Would make sense if he was planning on publishing some of his posts in book format and wanted to pull it from online, but sad all the same if it’s gone.
“If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.”
But surely Anne, these injured workers will be on ACC 80% of there present earnings till they are 65 which will be far better than the miserable amount National Supper will pay. What ever the age of retirement ACC will turn off the insurance payments then anyway.
I know this to be true, as I went through this recently with a friend.
No. Those are called “gradual process injuries”, or “age related degeneration” and you are put on the laughably called, “job seekers benefit.
I have several acquaintances who have obvious long term impairment related to jobs such as fishing, machine shop, or building, who are incapable of sustained work.
They all have to go with the WINZ torture monthly, for, what was, the “sickness benefit”, Including applications for jobs they will never get, due to their physical condition and age.
Which is why I am implacably opposed to raising the retirement age, means testing and any form of trying to adjust for individual disability or condition.
It doesn’t work. Universal is effective, fair and well understood.
It also stops the wealthy from getting rid of it. As they get it to.
We already have ample proof that “Austerity” and “tax cuts” are a failure.
The fact is, super, and other forms of welfare are becoming unaffordable because successive Governments have cut tax levels below that required for a functioning country.
US states are instructive, because you can see the effect of less or more socialist policies side by side with similar populations. The recent success of Minnesota where a State Government has raised minimum wages and business and State taxes has resulted in the opposite to the predicted decline. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/opinion/campaign-stops/the-path-to-prosperity-is-blue.html?_r=0 Note, Blue States in the USA are Democrat.
When contemplating significant changes to Government Policy in relation to superannuation (which affects everyone) best not to come out the blue with a prescriptive change to be set in concrete.
Guaranteed to get everyone’s backs up, highlight previous little known social divisions, and likely to give easy fodder to your political opponents.
What he should have done:
1 Acknowledged that he wasn’t bound by the same pledge as Key.
2 Make a new pledge that he would not make any wholesale changes to the NZ Super scheme without cross party support.
3 State that he supports setting up a cross party inquiry (after the election) into the future of NZ super in which input from all parties and the public would be taken into account.
4 State that any final outcome would not be proposed in Parliament without at least 66% support. This would allow Nat/Labour to figure out a reasonable plan for the future without giving Peters too much power.
Outcome: Frees English from Key’s foolish pledge AND removes it from being a lightening rod for discontent at the 2017 election.
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Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tatou katoa. Thank you for having me to speak today. To start, I’d like to acknowledge Sharron Lloyd, the General Manager of the Trans–Tasman Business Circle, the partners for this event Westpac’s David McLean, and Derek McCormack from AUT, and, of course ...
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The Government is making progress on improving the wellbeing of the one million New Zealanders under the age of 18,” Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on World Children’s Day. The Government has today recommitted to the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history – the United Nation’s Convention on ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter has released a new report celebrating the contribution of Māori women in business across Aotearoa New Zealand. “Māori women are leaders in our communities, they employ many people and support our economy and our communities,” Julie Anne Genter said. The report, Ngā wāhine kaipakihi: ...
Four parcels of land have been bought in Omokoroa, in the Western Bay of Plenty District, for an education facility that will accommodate both a primary and secondary school on a campus-like facility, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. Two parcels were acquired from private land owners and two were ...
1 million New Zealanders warmed by the Winter Energy Payment 36,000 families bank the Best Start Payment in first year 6,000 more families received the Family Tax Credit, 220,600 in total They receive an increase too – from an average of $117 to $157 a week for Inland Revenue clients, ...
New rules to clamp down on overzealous wheel clamping and extortionate fees charged in order to release a vehicle have passed their final stage in Parliament today. The Land Transport (Wheel Clamping) Amendment Bill has now passed its third reading. “These changes mean $100 will be the maximum wheel clamping ...
An independent Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is a step closer after it unanimously passed its first vote in Parliament today. The Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill lays the groundwork for establishing the Commission as a fully independent crown entity – delivering on a key recommendation of He Ara ...
We’ve improved border security with the NZeTA, New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, which helps us to screen travellers for border and immigration risks off-shore before they travel to New Zealand. It was launched in August and became mandatory on 1 October 2019. More than 500,000 NZeTAs have been issued since ...
A proposed national plan of action to reduce the number of seabirds caught in fisheries is being circulated for public feedback. Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage say New Zealand is a global centre of seabird diversity with about 145 species in our waters. It has more ...
The Government is delivering on its promise to protect New Zealanders’ interests by applying a new national interest test to the sales of our most sensitive and high risk assets to overseas buyers. Associate Finance Minister David Parker said under current Overseas Investment Act rules, assets such as ports and ...
The Government is building special housing to accommodate one of Aotearoa’s greatest taonga- our kaumātua, says the Minister for Māori Development, Hon Nanaia Mahuta. Speaking at a National Kaumātua Service Providers Conference in Rotorua today, the Minister reinforced the importance kaumātua play in maintaining and passing on mātauranga Māori, knowledge, ...
Eleven men from a pilot forestry training programme for prisoners in Northland now have full time jobs or job offers upon release, Corrections Minister Kelvin Davis and Forestry Minister Shane Jones announced today. The ‘release to work’ programme was a collaboration between Te Uru Rākau and the Department of Corrections, ...
Minister of State Services Chris Hipkins today introduced into Parliament a Bill that will make it easier for the public service to tackle the biggest challenges facing Governments. The Bill represents the most significant change in the public service in 30 years. The State Sector Act 1988 will be repealed ...
The families of more than 416,000 students will be better off next year as their schools have signed up to the Government’s donations scheme, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. The scheme will see almost $62.5 million in additional Government funding go to schools nationwide next year. “I’m really pleased ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced further support as the Government of Samoa responds to a serious measles outbreak. “New Zealand will deploy a further 18 vaccination nurses, bringing the total to 30 working in Samoa over the next four weeks,” Mr Peters said. “A New Zealand Medical Assistance ...
Fa’atalofa atu, malo e lelei, Kia ora koutou katoa Thank you to the Child Poverty Action Group for asking me to be here today to provide an update on some of the things that have been happening across my the social development portfolio. Can I firstly acknowledge the vast ...
***Please check against delivery*** Good morning everyone. It is a pleasure to be with you this morning to open this year’s New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Conference and AGM. Firstly, thank you Dr Alan Jackson, NZTR Chair for your introduction. And let us acknowledge also: The NZTR Board; Dean McKenzie, Chair ...
The Government has delivered on its promise to the over one million New Zealanders who now rent to make it fairer and more secure, Associate Minister of Housing (Public Housing) Kris Faafoi has announced today. Both renters and landlords will benefit from the suite of practical changes to the Residential ...
A marine conservation milestone - the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve - is being celebrated today at a community event in Tairāwhiti/East Coast attended by the Minister of Conservation, Eugenie Sage. “The creation of this marine reserve in November 1999 was a game ...
The Government is asking the food industry to step up work to tackle obesity including reducing sugar, fat and salt in their products, better information for consumers, and tighter restrictions on advertising to children. Health Minister David Clark and Food Safety Minister Damien O’Connor have responded to a ...
ew, modern emergency department and outpatient facilities at Queenstown’s Lakes District Hospital mean better emergency care for the growing tourist mecca’s visitors and locals, says Health Minister David Clark. Today Dr Clark officially opened the hospital’s redeveloped Emergency Department and Outpatient facilities. The new facilities include: • An extended Emergency Department ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter says today’s release of sexual and reproductive health data reinforces the significance of the Government’s commitment to providing free or very low-cost contraception. The Ministry of Health today published statistics from the Ministry of Health’s 2014/15 Health Survey. “It is important people can make ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced that at the request of the Samoan Government, New Zealand will be providing further support to Samoa as it faces a worsening measles outbreak. “In response to a request from the people of Samoa, New Zealand is providing 3000 measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) ...
“The new Disability Action Plan 2019–2023 moves us towards the inclusive and accessible New Zealand that this government has committed to,” Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “The Action Plan was designed by disabled people, their family and supporters, the disability sector and government agencies. It will ensure ...
Third Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting 14 November 2019 Joint Statement 1. Defence Ministers Ron Mark and Dr Ng Eng Hen today conducted their third annual Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Singapore. 2. Building on the Enhanced Partnership signed between both countries in May this year, this annual meeting ...
A Bill to improve the court system’s response to sexual violence has passed its first reading in Parliament today. Justice Minister Andrew Little says the Sexual Violence Legislation Bill will reduce the trauma sexual violence complainants experience in court, while maintaining defendants’ fundamental rights and making sure the trial process ...
Streamlined payment practices are a step closer for Kiwi businesses with the formal launch of New Zealand’s e-Invoicing framework. Small Business Minister Stuart Nash says the government has now established the structure to enable automated and direct data exchange between the accounting systems of buyers and sellers. “The move to ...
Another 51 quarantine officers and four new biosecurity detector dog teams will help protect New Zealand from invasive pests and diseases this summer, says Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor. “The Government is delivering on its commitment to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system and support our valuable primary sector “New Zealand’s flora, fauna ...
A new report has found New Zealand’s space sector contributed $1.69 billion to the economy in the last financial year and employs 12,000 people, Minister for Economic Development Phil Twyford announced today. The report by Deloitte was commissioned by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and shows New Zealand ...
Judge Coral Shaw has been appointed as the new Chair of the Royal Commission into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions, Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin announced today. "Judge Shaw, who is currently one of the inquiry commissioners, is extremely well qualified for the ...
The Government has confirmed its third major mental health facility upgrade since the Budget, this time at Palmerston North Hospital. The Prime Minister and Health Minister today visited MidCentral DHB to announce that $30 million has been allocated to upgrade its acute mental health facility. It follows earlier announcements in ...
Shane Jones downplays NZ First Foundation scandal by slamming 'despicable' media; and Green MP lambasts bill allowing overseas agents to carry otherwise-illegal guns in NZ. ...
New Zealand First has upped the ante in the saga over its mysterious foundation, with party leader Winston Peters' long-time lawyer Brian Henry threatening to sue National for $30 million. ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Focus shifts to lawyer in NZ First Foundation scandal, Canterbury hail smashes crops, and tobacco companies cynically raise prices under tax cover.
Around this time last year, a party leader had just brazened out a week of scandal, much of ...
A report from the NZ Disability Support Network has laid bare a funding crisis impacting every level of the sector. Here, Rachel Lodewyk, of Gisborne, says the health system is failing but parent-led trusts are offering solutions in desperate times. ...
With emissions still rising, climate geo-engineering requires debate. But political researchers fear people are falling into the same left/right tribalism that's long plagued climate politics. ...
Our kinship with plants is etched out in the mythology on which our societies are founded, and in the web of life it is a scientific fact that we are indeed close kin to the plant kingdom. So why do we not live like we are, asks Matt Hall.There are ...
There’s been outrage since it was revealed that up to one in five final year medical students at the University of Otago falsified their overseas placements by spending portions of that time travelling instead. But GP registrar and former Otago medical student Toby Hills finds himself empathising deeply with his ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison’s government is heading to the end of 2019 amid a debate about its economic judgement and with a number of substantial policy moves started but not completed. Morrison this week delivered to an ...
Newsroom's major investigations into Oranga Tamariki and a Fijian resort development have won us the award for best current affairs programme at the NZ TV awards. ...
The government is facing criticism that it is not doing enough, fast enough to raise people out of poverty. But Minister Carmel Sepuloni says her ministry are working as quickly as possible. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Christoff, Associate Professor, School of Geography, University of Melbourne A new United Nations report shows the world’s major fossil fuel producing countries, including Australia, plan to dig up far more coal, oil and gas than can be burned if the world ...
New Zealand First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters with Governor General Dame Patsy Reddy and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.New Zealand is officially one of the least corrupt countries in the world. But it could be argued that our political system is still biased in favour of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Scott Hamilton, Strategic Advisory Panel Member, Australian-German Energy Transition Hub, University of Melbourne The possibilities presented by hydrogen are the subject of excited discussion across the world – and across Australia’s political divide, notoriously at war over energy policy. Read more: Hydrogen ...
The Real Pod assembles to dissect the week in reality television and real life, with special thanks to Nando’s.We’re still buzzing after the rip-roaring success of the Corny Christmas party this week and we won’t even let a rogue earwig in the studio dampen our spirits. There’s a lot of exciting ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains images and names of deceased people.Review: Linear, Powerhouse Museum, Sydney The value of Australian First Peoples’ scientific ...
Sam Brooks reviews the latest generation of the Pokémon games which finally hits the big-ish screen.“I love Pokémon but I wish I could play it on my TV.”I’ve been playing Pokémon for 20 years and that’s been the main thing I’ve heard from my fellow Pokémon friends/fans. The games have been engrossing, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Minister Stuart Robert this month announced a number of “practical changes” to the scheme. Acknowledging the NDIS is not consistently living up to expectations, he said these improvements will put ...
The trustee of the New Zealand First Foundation and Winston Peters' personal lawyer has threatened a $30 million lawsuit against a National MP, in the latest twist of the donations scandal. ...
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum based in the Asia-Pacific Region. New Zealand will host APEC 2021 in November 2021, with related events running for a year from December 2020 until November 2021. ...
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he talks to Dr Brian Ward of soft-tissue repair company Aroa.Dr Paul Callaghan, who inspired Callaghan ...
Emerging political leaders from 15 Pacific countries and territories will be in New Zealand next week to meet with one and other, and their New Zealand counterparts, to discuss major challenges and opportunities in the Pacific. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Billingsley, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Sciences, UNSW The small number of Australians being held in prison camps in northern Syria has been an ongoing, albeit low-level, challenge for the Australian government. There are believed to be eight Australian fighters for ...
Louise Mensch is set to hit New Zealand airwaves this evening. Who is this conspiracy theorist and what could she possibly be saying to Lisa Owen?Who is Louise Mensch?She’s a former Tory MP, founder of the Rupert Murdoch-funded “no safe spaces” website Heat Street, a romance novelist, and a conspiracy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dennis McNevin, Professor of Forensic Genetics, University of Technology Sydney Designer baby, anyone? A New Jersey startup company, Genomic Prediction, might be able to help you. Genomic Prediction claims to be able to use DNA testing to predict disease risk in an ...
Marion McLeod revels in the return of Olive Kitteridge, the compassionate curmudgeon who won Elizabeth Strout a Pulitzer Prize. It’s the year of the sequel: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Toy Story 4, Rambo 5 … Do movies ever make it to double figures? Books and miniseries certainly do. Genre ...
National is questioning those in charge of the Provincial Growth Fund after it was revealed a NZ First-linked forestry company made an application to the fund, headed by NZ First MP Shane Jones. ...
James Borrowdale spent the last cricket season examining Neil Wagner and his unique approach to bowling. Today, in the first test of the Black Caps’ summer, Wagner returns.Neil Wagner has a wicket. He freezes mid-pitch, fists clenched at his side, knees slightly bent, a roar on his lips. His brows ...
A record volume of resales of units in its retirement villages has boosted Ryman's first half profit with the second half expected to be stronger than the first, the company says. ...
The main problem with HIV today is stigma – and it is almost entirely based on outdated information and fear, says Mark Fisher of HIV+ support organisation Body Positive ahead of the World AIDS Day Festival which opens in Auckland tomorrow.A person living with HIV on effective treatment cannot pass ...
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is hoping floating platforms will help to keep the chicks of a central Christchurch colony of critically endangered tarāpuka/black-billed gulls from drowning this breeding season. ...
The Foundation Against Islamophobia and Racism (FAIR) is a newly formed NZ-based independent Muslim human rights advocacy organisation. One of the key projects of FAIR is to provide a Report Islamophobia ( http://report.islamophobia. ) portal where ...
The Royal Commission held its fourth hui with the Muslim Community Reference Group in Christchurch this month as part of an ongoing discussion with Muslim communities. ...
The Spinoff presents the premiere of buzzed-about Auckland post-punk band Daffodils’ new music video ‘Boys’.Theo Spike Salmon says:I wrote ‘Boys’ two years ago, around the end of high school. We’ve revised stuff, and played around with slightly different structuring, but it’s honestly not changed much at all. When I wrote ...
A Waikato stud owner Garry Chittick reveals as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got to the party, as long as it was used to benefit it. ...
In the wake of Wellington City Councillors voting for a 28 per cent increase in their base salaries , the New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is questioning Iona Pannett’s decision to take a second salary. Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director Jordan Williams ...
For nearly six years, Laura Giddey has been a permanent house sitter in Auckland. Here, she explains why she does it and how it’s changed her life for the better. It all began in December 2013. I had a friend whose husband was in the navy and was going away for ...
A Waikato stud owner revealed as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got there, as long as it was used to benefit the party. ...
The Point of Order Trough Monitor, programmed to alert us to ministerial handouts, nevertheless sounded the alarm when the latest Provincial Growth Fund spending was announced by a politician further down in the pecking order. Accordingly we have learned that the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has allocated $3.5 million to develop ...
Fonterra’s farmer shareholders might have been stung by pangs of envy as they looked into the next paddock, and discovered how another company in the same industry is racking up huge revenue gains from the same markets in which their co-op is competing. But A2 Milk, a company founded in ...
In the 1970s, agriculture made the largest single contribution to New Zealand’s economy, but other industries, especially services, have become more dominant in recent years, Stats NZ said today. ...
Government finance statistics (general government) gives an economic representation of New Zealand's central and local government financial activity. ...
The government should look at an unemployment insurance scheme and add new benefits to help support people who lose their jobs, the Productivity Commission suggests. ...
Today Hāpai Te Hauora’s Māori Public Health Team launches "Tobacco is Not Our whakapapa" a series of video clips which seeks to re-center whakapapa in the narrative of tobacco harm minimisation. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.NZ First Matt Shand (Stuff): Who are the donors behind the NZ First Foundation? Matt ...
A leaked email from prominent share broking firm Forsyth Barr perpetuates a tediously old-fashioned idea of the way people think – and it isn’t even salvaged by wit or originality, writes business editor Maria Slade.Investment manager Forsyth Barr’s daily market commentary came with a seasonal extra on November 1. Atop ...
Newly released documents reveal Cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...
More than 640 letters in parcels filled with nonrecyclable single-use plastics have been mailed to MPs in Parliament via freepost since the plastic2parliament initiative started in mid-October. Another 125 plastic-stuffed letters were directed to National ...
Agrochemical company Ravensdown is risking potentially disruptive direct action by refusing to allow port workers to register their protest at the importing of Blood Phosphate from the Western Sahara, says the Rail and Maritime Transport Union (RMTU). ...
A few days ago, Fanimals announced it would not be returning for another season. Emily Writes, and her kids, are heartbroken.On my list of things I might write about one day it simply said ‘Fanimals’ sandwiched between ‘How old is BeckBroJack?’ and ‘Is Peter Krause the most dad-like dad on television?’I ...
Family First says that the trend to extend daycare times, and its role to be virtually de facto parents, is concerning, ignores the real needs of children, and reinforces the need for more support to be given to parents with young children. “Babies are ...
Donors to NZ First’s slush fund believed they were making political donations to the party itself in accordance with the law – especially as an NZ First MP organised some of the donations. ...
When the current coalition government was formed, there was some comment that this was perhaps New Zealand First's last chance at political redemption. The party's two previous stints in government had failed to last three years. The 1996-98 coalition ...
Newly released documents reveal the cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gavin Rowell, Associate Professor in High Energy Astrophyics, University of Adelaide The brightest fireworks in the universe are called gamma-ray bursts and are created by the death throes of certain kinds of stars. These intense blasts release as much energy in one ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter McPhee, Emeritus professor, University of Melbourne We live in a world of violent challenges to the status quo, from Chile and Iraq to Hong Kong, Catalonia and the Extinction Rebellion. These protests are usually presented in the media simply as expressions ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Sadler, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne A career in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), or the armed forces in any country, can be rewarding, but also demanding. Challenges include the rigorous training, frequent moves, and maintaining social connections. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aniko Blanka Toth, Postdoctoral Fellow, Macquarie University As the world grapples with an extinction crisis, our large mammals are among the most endangered. These threatened species – rhinos, pandas, tigers, polar bears and the like – greatly influence their ecosystems. So what ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Nickl, Lecturer in International Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, University of Sydney In September, the Fair Work commission rejected an unfair dismissal claim by a BP worker who made a Downfall video meme about his boss. Fair Work called it “inappropriate ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Dozens of electorates will have boundary changes, Zespri launches legal action over special kiwifruit, and more tumbles out of NZ First Foundation.Dozens of electorates will see their boundaries change, and a whole new electorate will be created in Auckland, if ...
Daily Review 07/03/2017 
Coasters Turn Out In Droves: It’s precisely the widening gulf between those with actual experience of things like guns, chainsaws and drilling machines, and those who regulate their use, that accounts for the angry crowd at Greymouth’s Messenger Park on Sunday, 17 November 2019. In the rarefied atmosphere where decisions ...2 hours ago
There are perennial arguments about the circumstances of the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963, and in particular whether more than one shooter is required by the evidence (such as the Zapruder film). Those who know little about physics frequently claim that the sharp backwards motion of JFK’s head as ...6 hours ago
Last week we learned that New Zealand First had apparently tried to enrich itself from public office, with a dodgy forestry company linked to a number of NZ First figures sticking its hand out repeatedly for government money. Today in Question Time Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had his ...16 hours ago
The Council of Disobedient Women has learned that the Prefect of Aro Valley has been promoted to a new role with the blessing of the Pope of Wellington. Softy Jejune Parson has been appointed Mother Superior of Woke Wellington for the work she has been doing calling out heretics, ...1 day ago
On both sides of the Atlantic, some purportedly “contentious” and “difficult to deal with” leadership contenders to lead the US and UK, as President and Prime Minister respectively, seem to have thrown a few spanners into the works of the normal messaging most are used to hearing constantly. Except they’re ...2 days ago
It has been revealed that firing ranges used by the NZDF while deployed to the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, contained unexploded ordnance that caused numerous deaths and injuries after the NZDF withdrew the PRT in April 2013. In 2014 seven children were killed when an unidentified ...2 days ago
by Gearóid Ó Loingsigh Initially it was reported that in an aerial bombardment that took place on August 30th seven children were massacred; the figure then went up to eight and then on November 11th Noticias Uno reported that, according to people from the community in close proximity to the ...3 days ago
MediaWorks announced in October 2019 that it intended to sell off its struggling television business and cancel or cut back on several popular local programmes, including New Zealand Today, Married at First Sight New Zealand and 7 Days. Its radio and outdoor advertising arms are currently performing well, but MediaWorks’ ...4 days ago
There is an article in The Conversation, written by Jeremy P. Shapiro (Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University), about what he sees as the psychologically-based underpinnings of three main matters that seem to vex people all around the planet. The article is titled “The Thinking ...6 days ago
. . Blogger Martyn Bradbury has won his case against unreasonable search and surveillance against the NZ Police; and subsequent Police attempts to produce evidence in secrecy, in a closed Court. His case highlights a disturbing growing trend in Aotearoa New Zealand for State power to be used against ...6 days ago
by The Council of Disobedient Women In her excellent oral submission to the Abortion reform select committee on 31st October on behalf of Otago University’s Department of Public Health, historian and public health researcher Hera Cook stated: “We would ask that the committee not use the term ‘pregnant persons’ and ...1 week ago
If FFNZ really put their faith in “Top Medical Journals” they would now be amending their billboards to recognise new research results. Image from FFNZ but updated to agree with the latest research. ... 2 weeks ago
New Zealand First are celebrating the announcement of an investment of $3.5 million into five new trapping devices. These are a range of bait and trap devices, all designed to be left unattended for long periods of time. NZ First conservation spokesperson Jenny Marcroft says that this latest development will ...20 hours ago
We're setting our young people up for success, investing in education around the country. ...4 days ago
A major new report on the global economy shows New Zealand is in good shape amid increased global headwinds. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has just released its latest Economic Outlook. It shows the OECD group of economies is forecast to grow between 1.6% and 1.7% across ...2 hours ago
Shane Jones downplays NZ First Foundation scandal by slamming 'despicable' media; and Green MP lambasts bill allowing overseas agents to carry otherwise-illegal guns in NZ. ...39 mins ago
New Zealand First has upped the ante in the saga over its mysterious foundation, with party leader Winston Peters' long-time lawyer Brian Henry threatening to sue National for $30 million. ...53 mins ago
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Focus shifts to lawyer in NZ First Foundation scandal, Canterbury hail smashes crops, and tobacco companies cynically raise prices under tax cover.
What are the pros and cons of building a mega-port in the Firth of Thames? It's becoming a very heated infrastructure debate. ...2 hours ago
Using terms like 'psycho' to insult people is revealing of our underlying and enduring attitudes and prejudices, writes Dr Dougal Sutherland. ...3 hours ago
A report from the NZ Disability Support Network has laid bare a funding crisis impacting every level of the sector. Here, Rachel Lodewyk, of Gisborne, says the health system is failing but parent-led trusts are offering solutions in desperate times. ...3 hours ago
With emissions still rising, climate geo-engineering requires debate. But political researchers fear people are falling into the same left/right tribalism that's long plagued climate politics. ...3 hours ago
Hamilton's new world MMA champion, Michelle Montague, must now be pondering turning pro, in her dream to become the first Kiwi woman in the UFC. ...3 hours ago
In what’s become the curious incident of the rats on the beach, opinions are divided over the most plausible scenario leading to 680 dead rats. ...3 hours ago
The leaky homes crisis that drew huge headlines in the 1990s is worse today than it ever was. ...4 hours ago
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison’s government is heading to the end of 2019 amid a debate about its economic judgement and with a number of substantial policy moves started but not completed. Morrison this week delivered to an ...9 hours ago
Newsroom's major investigations into Oranga Tamariki and a Fijian resort development have won us the award for best current affairs programme at the NZ TV awards. ...11 hours ago
The government is facing criticism that it is not doing enough, fast enough to raise people out of poverty. But Minister Carmel Sepuloni says her ministry are working as quickly as possible. ...13 hours ago
After days of tricky questions about the NZ First Foundation, the PM and her deputy have earned a respite - but not for long. ...14 hours ago
Former director general of health says the Government needs to prioritise digitising the healthcare system. ...14 hours ago
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum based in the Asia-Pacific Region. New Zealand will host APEC 2021 in November 2021, with related events running for a year from December 2020 until November 2021. ...16 hours ago
Rarely does a troubled stock market float tell us so much about the world. ...16 hours ago
A record volume of resales of units in its retirement villages has boosted Ryman's first half profit with the second half expected to be stronger than the first, the company says. ...18 hours ago
A Waikato stud owner Garry Chittick reveals as a New Zealand First donor says he doesn't care how the money got to the party, as long as it was used to benefit it. ...20 hours ago
The Point of Order Trough Monitor, programmed to alert us to ministerial handouts, nevertheless sounded the alarm when the latest Provincial Growth Fund spending was announced by a politician further down in the pecking order. Accordingly we have learned that the Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) has allocated $3.5 million to develop ...21 hours ago
Fonterra’s farmer shareholders might have been stung by pangs of envy as they looked into the next paddock, and discovered how another company in the same industry is racking up huge revenue gains from the same markets in which their co-op is competing. But A2 Milk, a company founded in ...22 hours ago
The government should look at an unemployment insurance scheme and add new benefits to help support people who lose their jobs, the Productivity Commission suggests. ...22 hours ago
Donors to NZ First’s slush fund believed they were making political donations to the party itself in accordance with the law – especially as an NZ First MP organised some of the donations. ...1 day ago
Newly released documents reveal the cabinet considered whether immigrants should be forced to take their elderly parents with them if they leave the country. ...1 day ago
Simon Bridges wants PM to take action over NZ First allegations; and electoral boundaries change with new Flat Bush electorate. ...1 day ago
I liked this from Jacinda Ardern. The new no nonsense Jacinda who challenges the media:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-you-worried-jacindas-popularity-overtake-yours-terse-andrew-little-ardern-desperately-try-shut-down-reporters-curly-questions
As for the terminology used to head the item… garbage in… garbage out. Little and Ardern called the smart-arse reporter out and they didn’t like it?
Did any smart arsed reporter ask English what he would do if Bennett out-polled him for the PM stakes? NO.
Isn’t that the Gower boy, being the smart arse reporter continually asking the same question? He certainly does get the knives out for some Labour MPs!
I don’t think it’s Gower, he’s a bit dazzled by Jacinda. That was good work though from her.
Must have been Corin Dann, then. TV1 news does seem to be cheerleading for Bling this week.
Not his voice. Possibly Lloyd Burr from mediaworks?
Well Lloyd Burr’s interviews with Ardern today, as on the Newshub site, are very positive about/with Ardern. So, don’t see him as a smart arse trying to pressure her.
It was a post caucus press stand-up so could have been a reporter from one of the newspapers or radio stations. It wasn’t Corin Dann or Paddy Gower. Their voices are well known and recognisable.
Ta. So that’s both Lloyd and Paddy in the positive column so far.
Love her to bits. Easily shut that smart arse down.
Yep – the silly journos will start getting used to that answer, and it will become a non-question after a while – it’ll get boring.
media bias agree Anne in the last 2 elections the tories have had an unfair advantage the media did there lobbying and were an important part of there election team and this needs to stop
Bill English is not on 7 pc that’s the big difference
Bill English is not on 7 pc that’s the big difference Also simply denying what is quite probable ( the ostrich strategy) will not happen is not really and answer
“Labour supports a call from the Māori Party to have the superannuation age lowered for Māori because their live expectancy is lower the non-Māori.”
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/should-maori-receive-superannuation-lower-age
Good call and lots of evidence to back this up.
Working together??? Start off with some shared values and see how we go eh…
+1
Personally I believe Labour has a lot more in common with MP than NZF …
Voting record in parliament supports that.
I worry that presenting it this way will be vulnerable to “one law for all” style attacks. I think Henare’s comment about investing in Maori health to lift Maori life expectancy is on target, and couple that with early superannuation for those unable to continue in their occupation through disability. Which would hopefully provide the same outcome for Maori that have spent their lives in demanding manual occupations, as well as including non-Maori in the same situation.
Despite Ministers laying red herrings before journos this week, research shows that Maori have shorter life expectancy even after accounting for factors like their health and the type of work they undertake. Rangi the factory worker is a figment of Joyce’s overactive imagination.
Those attacks come what may – cannot and must not adjust for those racists.
The facts are well known.
And why those facts exist are also well known – just one of the unhappy coincidences for most indigenous peoples colonised – lower life expectancy, higher mental health issues including suicide and self harming, higher prison population, lower incomes throughout their working life, less home ownership, over populated on all deprivation statistics and so on and on and on…
That won’t get addressed by this but it is worthwhile pointing it all out imo.
anyway I wrote this a few years ago
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2011/10/lower-maori-retirement-age.html
also Marty mars bad and unfair treatment from the state a sector that is suppose to help. For example we were more likely to be offered state flats in the bronxs the same areas the gnats have knocked down and built 500k houses for who not our people racist pigs
Women can look forward to longer careers due to their higher life expectancy. Will smokers and drinkers get to retire early as well?
Pity you are so scornful gabby – you could have made a contribution to the discussion instead of your usual sour comment.
Pity you’re so grumpy, marty. You could have thought the thing through a bit less narrowmindedly couldn’t you.
why chuck smokers and drinkers in gabby – were you trying to be provocative or just couldn’t think of much to say and wanted to say it anyway?
Smokers and drinkers don’t live as long marty. It might get a bit tricky working out just how smoky or drinky they are though.
yep sure is funny that one ha ha
“…Māori because their live expectancy is lower the non-Māori”
that isn’t funny though, is it gabby?
‘men because their live expectancy is lower the non-men’
that’s just hilarious is it marty.
Lol no but you are – just say what you want to say, don’t fluff around with the bullshit gabby or are you not that brave
Get a grip marty. Stay off the piss and ciggies and you’ll be fine.
Lol gabby – better luck next time eh
Smokers and drinkers get to die early. Think of all those savings ..
Race-based super is an absolutely terrible idea
I suspect however, that wiser heads within Labour will prevail and this idea will be quickly shut down…
A.
I’m sure it will be shut down with ill-informed and ignorant commentary like yours out there.
I agree.
A.
PS Anyway NZ 1st would never agree to it
With all the big data stuff, surely we can fit retirement age to the background of the retiree?
I think that is exactly what is eventually going to happen dv. After the age of 60 when a person wishes to retire from full time work, they will have to apply to a special agency set up for the task of investigating applicants’ circumstances. If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.
When (and its only a matter of time before it happens) they reach the age of 67 they will automatically receive the super. That does not mean others cannot start receiving it at 65 but they will have to fulfill the criteria laid down by legislation which could include anything from physical or mental impairment making it impossible for them to be able to continue earning a living.
No one automatically gets super now. Everyone applies for it if they think they are eligible.
The great thing about NZ’s system is that it’s universal. You just need to prove age, ID and years lived in NZ.
There is no need to include some means test. Actually, 60 years for all to apply would be better. Then properly pre-fund the super fund, and use the tax system to take back a high tax from those 60yrs + on a high income.
Means testing involves too much surveillance of individuals, and always results in some people trying to cheat the system, by using false info.
Or better still. Basic income for everyone, cradle to grave.
“use the tax system to take back a high tax from those 60yrs + on a high income.”
High wealth would be better – many of our richest manage their affairs to show hardly any income. Tax their capital and transactions.
wealth tax? Capital gains tax?
Seen several proposals discussed but not really my area. Financial transaction taxes seem hard to avoid. Taxing capital accumulation seems more useful than income to achieve distributional equity.
My accumulated capital already gets taxed: that’s my savings’ interest. But I do not own property, and property owners do not get taxed on their gains from rising house prices.
But I would think you are talking about capital accumulation in all kinds of investments, not just my little savings accounts.
Nothing to do with today, but Danyl MacLauchlan’s dimpost seems to have basically shut up shop. Does everyone else have trouble accessing: https://dimpost.wordpress.com/
Or did my IP/wordpress account just get banned? T^T
Would make sense if he was planning on publishing some of his posts in book format and wanted to pull it from online, but sad all the same if it’s gone.
I think he is “taking a break” from blogging. He intimated it was temporary due to other commitments – or whatever.
Interesting phenomenon. Blogging is a marathon. Danyl was really good at it. But it is not easy to keep it up for ever …
Isn’t he involved somehow with official Green party policy work now? Missed the announcement, just noticed missing site.
“If they qualify under a set of reasonable criteria – such as in injuries caused by years of heavy manual labour – then they will be able to begin receiving super at an earlier age.”
But surely Anne, these injured workers will be on ACC 80% of there present earnings till they are 65 which will be far better than the miserable amount National Supper will pay. What ever the age of retirement ACC will turn off the insurance payments then anyway.
I know this to be true, as I went through this recently with a friend.
No. Those are called “gradual process injuries”, or “age related degeneration” and you are put on the laughably called, “job seekers benefit.
I have several acquaintances who have obvious long term impairment related to jobs such as fishing, machine shop, or building, who are incapable of sustained work.
They all have to go with the WINZ torture monthly, for, what was, the “sickness benefit”, Including applications for jobs they will never get, due to their physical condition and age.
Which is why I am implacably opposed to raising the retirement age, means testing and any form of trying to adjust for individual disability or condition.
It doesn’t work. Universal is effective, fair and well understood.
It also stops the wealthy from getting rid of it. As they get it to.
We already have ample proof that “Austerity” and “tax cuts” are a failure.
The fact is, super, and other forms of welfare are becoming unaffordable because successive Governments have cut tax levels below that required for a functioning country.
US states are instructive, because you can see the effect of less or more socialist policies side by side with similar populations. The recent success of Minnesota where a State Government has raised minimum wages and business and State taxes has resulted in the opposite to the predicted decline. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/31/opinion/campaign-stops/the-path-to-prosperity-is-blue.html?_r=0 Note, Blue States in the USA are Democrat.
+1. Timeforacuppa has no idea at all about the outcomes of the ACC claims processor manual workers. Needs to be outed as a right wing troll.
The year zero reference has me WTF….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_Zero_(political_notion)
edit:
https://twitter.com/hashtag/Vault7?src=hash
Lesson number 1 for Bill English.
When contemplating significant changes to Government Policy in relation to superannuation (which affects everyone) best not to come out the blue with a prescriptive change to be set in concrete.
Guaranteed to get everyone’s backs up, highlight previous little known social divisions, and likely to give easy fodder to your political opponents.
What he should have done:
1 Acknowledged that he wasn’t bound by the same pledge as Key.
2 Make a new pledge that he would not make any wholesale changes to the NZ Super scheme without cross party support.
3 State that he supports setting up a cross party inquiry (after the election) into the future of NZ super in which input from all parties and the public would be taken into account.
4 State that any final outcome would not be proposed in Parliament without at least 66% support. This would allow Nat/Labour to figure out a reasonable plan for the future without giving Peters too much power.
Outcome: Frees English from Key’s foolish pledge AND removes it from being a lightening rod for discontent at the 2017 election.
Think before you stink is a wonderful saying.