Daily Review 11/12/2017
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5:30 pm, December 11th, 2017 - 39 comments
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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
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
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 is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
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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
- ECE no place to cut corners
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. ...5 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. ...5 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
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
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. ...6 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
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
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
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
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Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...19 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
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
- New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
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- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...5 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
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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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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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- Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December
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. ...29 minutes ago - Govt walks away from infrastructure alliance
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Smart move to see Adrian Orr appointed as new head of the NZReserve Bank.
He has been our most progressive force in wealth management in New Zealand that I have ever seen, and has been highly regarded internationally for his consistent performance.
His track record and his policy framework at NZSuper has been outstanding, and he will be well up for any reforms that the new government might want to put in place there.
Sincerely hope they get someone even better to run NZSuper. There’s a lot riding on it.
I’d like to see some analysis of the reserve bank experiment – it doesn’t seem to have produced anything that could be mistaken for a rising tide that lifts all boats. It looks increasingly like yet another unwarranted Rogergnomic outsourcing of government responsibility – and like all the others, a signal failure. Orr is no doubt merely the latest in the long tawdry line of reserve bank execs who perform for financial interests and leave NZ the poorer.
The Reserve Bank is a banking regulator.
That’s it.
The government of the day provides the broader economic direction.
if you want to see analysis of the Reserve Bank, you could do worse than check out its most recent Letter of Expectation from the new government.
Adrian Orr is one of the finest public servants we have ever produced.
Yes…
The Reserve Bank seems to have been obsessed with inflation – a trope that favours financial over productive investment to the detriment of society at large.
Were this Orr fellow indeed the paragon you suggest it ought to be possible, indeed easy, to produce some examples of his no doubt well compensated performance.
Here’s the awards:
https://www.nzsuperfund.co.nz/performance/awards
And here’s the returns:
https://www.interest.co.nz/personal-finance/90056/nz-super-fund-returns-207-june-year-after-costs-and-tax-now-sits-35-bln
Disgraceful abuse of their workforce by Restaurant Brands, denying holiday pay by cynical manipulation of rosters. Most or all of those abused are already paid far below the living wage – most on the minimum wage or a handful of cents above.
Meanwhile, their exploiting scumbag CEO got a 64% payrise to $969,999 p.a. in 2012 , got an additional $1m bonus in 2015 – and god knows what he is being paid now.
Profit is not a dirty word, they used to tell us.
But Profit-Gouging is exploitative, callous, cruel and evil.
That is what these bastards do.
Profit-gougers create hell on Earth for those below them.
We need to cast these bastards down.
Get rid of capitalism.
On radio live they have “the best of” each evening. Just listened to a clip from Garner talking to Jacinda, surprisingly amicable. He finished off by asking her what she was doing for Christmas. She said “I’m going to Gizzy”
Garner replied “Your partner comes from there”. She said “Yes and my parents are coming down and it’ll great”.
Damn that woman puts a smile on my face a regular kiwi doing kiwi stuff. But still with a keen eye on what matters.
Christ, and you lefties spent the last nine years bagging Key for doing the same thing.
Only because he was also an arsehole who was wrecking the country.
At least 46% of voters will be saying the same thing about Ardern
na they are just sulky muppets who arn’t paying enough attention to know how crap the nats are , tell me whats the nats legacy after 9 years.
Getting NZ’s infrastructure development back on track after nines years of Labour playing Santa Claus with taxpayers money.
what the road thats A falling to bits and B not sped the trip up at all , is that it?
Next time in English.
good honest hard work , you should try it , right in ”the we vote blue just because ”country , much fun to be had baiting them too
Wag you need to go for a drive outside of Taumarunui.
why ?will that change the lack of teachers , the over worked doctors , the people living on the streets , will it stop corrupt scum like collins being in national , or them thinking scum like brash and key are fit leaders.
You’ve been spending too much time hanging out the backend of sheep, that’s your problem.
“Building new roads” != “Getting NZ’s infrastructure development back on track.”
– City Rail Link $3.5 billion (partnership with AC)
– Cycleways $ 600 million
– Kiwirail $2.5 billion plus over 9 years
– RONS $4 billion plus
– Irrigation $ 400 million
– Christchurch $8 billion and rising (another $25 b of insurance)
– Kaikoura/Welly $ 1.5 billion and rising
etc
– Preparation for road+rail tunnel under Auckland harbour
– HOP card system being rolled out nationwide
– North-south electricity link rebuilt
– Tonnes of new geothermal on stream
– Closure of last coal-fired power station
Don’t have to like all of them, but National’s infrastructure record is strong.
oh ad i was just playing with the local troll
Yeah, but 75% think English is and Idiot, and the majority can’t be wrong, can they?
And going to his mansion in Hawaii wasn’t so ordinary…the relatability in that case was skilfully faked.
hawaii and gissy a vastly different incase you hadn’t noticed
much prefer Gizzy at least you don’t have to fight for a wave
Yep Key was a regular kiwi alright spending Christmas at his Kiwi bach in……..Oh that’s right Hawaii. So very Kiwi
Over 50% of voters don’t like what you bastards were offering BM.
And 75% don’t like English, the knives will be out for the opposition leader with such a low poll as preferred PM, oh well!
When key was PM there were a lot on here that argued that the preferred PM poll was a meaningless waste of time.
But are less vocal on it now.
By the way just because they vote someone else as preferred PM dosnt mean that they think he an idiot or don’t like him. – there is a newsflash for newsflash.
James
They don’t think he’s an idiot because of the poll for preferred PM, it’s his inability to comprehend the finer details of MMP, he shouldn’t need reminding the number of times National governed with a minority, the very reason NZers voted for MMP, National have manipulated the electoral process to their benefit for as long as they’ve been a party.
again for the hard of thinking – you have no evidence that they think he an idiot at all.
far less your claim that “75% think English is and Idiot,”
if you are going to put a %age figure on something, at least have something to back it up.
A difference is that when Ardern talks about spending Christmas in Gizzy it sounds genuine whereas Key is a charlatan.
Christ, and you lefties spent the last nine years bagging Key for doing the same thing.
True enough – journos dishing up propaganda-friendly questions to politicians sucks a big one.
Thing is, in these stories there’s a big difference between Key and Ardern in two ways:
1. Key made that just about the only kind of interview he’d accept.
2. The journos had a hell of an uphill struggle trying to make Key’s Christmases in Hawaii into a “typical Kiwi bloke” story – they must be breathing a sigh of relief now they can report on Ardern spending Christmas with with rellies in Gisborne.
key is a fondling pervert, a quitter and that’s a fact.
Key had a private holiday dacha in Hawaii. In Gisborne it would be a typical Kiwi holiday, with the BBQ out, kids everywhere, blokes telling tall tales and the ladies telling even taller ones.. Cindy might even pop down to the local dairy for ice blocks.
Whereas Key goes on about being an ordinary kiwi, but, locking himself away in his summer palace.
Just saying …
German spy agency warns of Chinese LinkedIn espionage….
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-42304297
‘Dairy farming could pollute the water drunk by our grandchildren in years to come as scientists have found waste from intensive North Canterbury agriculture is likely to contaminate aquifers.’
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/north-canterbury/99535131/nitrates-in-christchurch-drinking-water-at-safe-but-increasing-levels-modelling-shows