Daily Review 08/08/2017
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5:30 pm, August 8th, 2017 - 28 comments
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- The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...53 minutes ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, December 23
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
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It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
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The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
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The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
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Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...4 days ago
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State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
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Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...5 days ago
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...5 days ago
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The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...5 days ago
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A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...5 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
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- Daily crossword, Monday 23 December
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...3 hours ago
- Govt walks away from infrastructure alliance
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Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...1 day ago
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- Israeli-American historian describes attacks on Gaza as ‘war of annihilation’
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- NZ govt plans to make ‘heavy handed’ change to free speech rules for universities
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MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...2 days ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Scully, Professor in Modern History, University of New England Bunker. Image courtesy of Michael Leunig, CC BY-NC-SA Michael Leunig – who died in the early hours of Thursday December 19, surrounded by “his children, loved ones, and sunflowers” – was the ...3 days ago
15 July “James Shaw speech to the Greens’ conference – Greening the government” 25 comments
16 July “The Greens New Welfare Policy” 310 comments
17 July “Metiria Turei and Paula Bennett on Benefit Fraud” 241 comments
19 July “I Am Metiria” 75 comments
20 July “#I Am Metiria” 35 comments
27 July “Raging at Metiria is not about the fraud – it’s that she sided with lepers” 324 comments
29 July “Reactions to Metiria – the political and the personal” 181 comments
31 July “Metiria’s gamble pays off in latest opinion poll” 157 comments
4 August “This is why we need the Greens in government” 247 comments
4 August “Metiria Turei will not seek Ministerial position” 176 comments
5 August “I Too, am not resigning” 208 comments
5 August “Gower on Turei’s sacrifice” 46 comments
6 August “Messages for the left” 106 comments
7 August “Two Green MPs remove themselves from the list” 400+ comments
8 August “Metiria for PM” 36 comments
8 August “James Shaw: ‘I completely support what Metiria has done’ 180+ comments
Simon Wilson at The Spinoff, July 14th, the day before the Greens conference:
“Time’s nearly up, Labour, the Greens. Ten weeks to go, and you guys have to blitz this country with heart and soul and inspiration and determination. With a spirit that tells us all you’re going to win. You have to make us believe you. And you have to do it now.”
6.5 weeks to go. Time to change the focus.
I reckon best way to change the govt is to support Labour and the Greens.
… ” I reckon best way to change the govt is to support Labour and the Greens ” …
Got it in one. And its the plain and simple truth.
As a side issue, I believe Alan Duff nails it well , he , … being a social conservative type , … and I being something a little similar, – the only difference being he votes National and I would like to see National become a discarded , forgotten and unpleasant relic…
So this is what he says :
… ” Minister of Finance Steven Joyce saying that the Labour leadership change and Metiria Turei’s predicament makes the left in turmoil is nonsense. They’re in exactly the same position as the right, or Greens, at any given time – with a problem or two”…
In other words, mountains are being made by the media out of molehills.
By a few select embedded National party media shills.
We should not be humoring such blatant political interference and attempts to skew voters opinions by the media by lending them credence.
Labour or the Greens.
Labour and the Greens. 2 Votes
You guys need to chill and rock out.
And another classic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6G1fIbulvo
“The less I say the more my work gets done” – words to live by; do you think?
“From the day that I was born I’ve waved the flag” – more about flags, please.
But seriously, impressive choice of a song written in support of equal rights for women. Go Metiria, Jacinda and (half-heartedly) Paula.
I didn’t quite see the powerful woman stuff in that song, but anyway here is a real power woman song.
To soft …… All Black changing room music
L0L !… There’s a peculiar rough as guts primal honesty I like about ‘Chopper Reid’ … non PC, shocking and … you can hear echoes of that sort of straight up exhortation to ‘ harden the f@%k up in so many ways… almost as an encouragement.
Its definitely a kind of ‘cut the crap, get to the chase and hang in there’ .
Thought not always the best vid to show at the family Christmas dinner get together with the grandparents …
🙂
They’re turning, slowly, one by one
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11899875
Alan Duff is thinking about changing his vote to Labour, “I’m possibly changing parties because, like everyone, I hate seeing politicians change from passionate idealists to dismissive egotists.”
I heard the same thing from a young bluer than blur farmer the day Andrew Little passed the baton on. He was more excited about Jacinda’s promotion than a lot of lefties.
“…passionate idealists to dismissive egotists.”
Minister of Health Coleman supreme egostical dismisser.
Even tonight on Checkpoint the Southern Health practitioners dispute Coleman because he is so dismissive of the facts.
Butbutbut deficit halved!
I’m pretty sure that this constitutes lying.
Can the Greens actually sue them for this?
For what?
Lying is so normal to right they cannot imagine how honest people think.
I just saw the link he was referring to.
Pretty clear case for a complaint of bias – speculation about dirty deals when in fact the ‘journalist’ has no reason to presume there is any deal at all. The story is misleading and the misleading elements have no basis in fact.
It reminds me of the EB leaflet used to foment mischief against the Greens in Jeanette’s electorate – one of the claims was that the Greens were going to implement a CGT. Having spent six months trying to get them to do just that on their policy forum (the current housing crisis being utterly predictable) I knew the claim was utterly false.
And did you realise the lies that were so bloody blatant or are you still going WTF?
Seems Gower has retracted – and he’s been getting some tips from “Labour insiders”
yeah, tips that he’s full of shit, it looks like.
Quite nice, actually – he accuses labgrn of a “dirty deal”, someone dusts off his phone number and calls bullshit.
Probably. However it is unlikely to be of any particular use. They did have the correct facts. It was the spin that was effectively lying.
I’m pretty sure that proving that the MSM lied about a political party during the electioneering period (or any period for that matter) would be worth it just to show that what the MSM reports needs to be taken with a large dose of scepticism.
Alan Duff: Why I’m thinking about changing who I vote for
New Zealand Herald · 8/8/2017
An article well worth reading. Its hard not to agree, as Duff pretty much lays out a very balanced piece , and doesn’t spare senior National party figures from a critical view either , while certainly seeing the advantages of Labour and the Greens and NZ First. I’m inclined to agree…
The relationship between Shane Jones, Winston Peters, and Kelvin Davis is a powerful one. Its a strong Maori presence, Duffs views are not excluding either the Greens or the Maori party but rather inclusive. I like that because it is a healing of old enmity’s such as between NZ First /Greens, Labour / Maori party.
This is what our country needs. Healing.
We need peace and goodwill , not division and acrimony.
A little political argy bargy to keep them on their toes, sure , but this is no longer a game and many people are really , truly suffering now. We need to all have a feeling of all pulling the load together. Imagine such a political environment. Imagine a widespread pride in being Kiwis again in all fields. Imagine New Zealand as one big connected community again.
And that’s powerful stuff.
Green Party list is sexist. 8 out the top 10 on the party list are female.
We expect better, i hope they rebalance the list after the resignations. Practice gender equality please.
The Green party does it’s best to vet candidates, but if two of their highly ranked male candidates decide to do something completely stupid, there’s not much they can do but ditch them.
And the Greens are practising gender equalitiy anyway – they’re trying to balance out National’s man-festival.
However, I suspect you don’t actually care about gender equality and are just being a dick.
Waiting for your comment that the heavily male dominated lists of all other parties are sexist…
*crickets*
Yep. Pretty sure your outrage is faux.