New polls show unions have come around to labours 172 mps way of thinking.
As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.
“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed, 63% thought Mr Corbyn was doing badly as leader, compared with 33% who thought he was doing well.
Also, 76% said it was unlikely that Mr Corbyn would ever become prime minister, while 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Corbyn must be aggressive in his approach and get the disloyal ring leaders de-selected at the electorate level. No compromises. The backstabbing Blairites will offer him none.
Anyone who supported that war should not be putting themselves forward as a candidate of the Labour Party.
—
“If he wins will you accept the result?”
“You have to accept the result of any democratic process” – Unless Jeremy Corbyn wins, which is highly likely. The knives were out for Corbyn from day one.
Labour’s leadership is much more complicated than a single issue like that, but even though I opposed the UK’s involvement, better her than the current unelectable one.
Suppose the B-liar-ites capture the NEC into stating that white is black and Corbyn isn’t to run against any nominee, you don’t think that will be challenged in the High Court?
I’m not sure that’s his MO. Corbyn’s instincts are pretty democratic – and in any membership ballot the PLP will be like Angela Eagle – conspicuously less attractive than Julia Gillard. He gets reaffirmed and they get blighted by fading support. He doesn’t need to wield mana-depleting electoral violence or party authority. It’s like he has electoral Aikido and they’ve got no game.
Ha! 1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million. Now, I don’t know how many would be members of the unions surveyed, but I’m picking there would be a few million of them at least. And what’s the bet those “1221” members were umm… carefully selected?
Of course it’s only a poll, which may or may not be truly representative, that’s a given, so go ahead and mock the statistics if you will, even if they are the only union specific ones we have so far.
Though do remember we make a big fuss over here when labour and the greens edge past national on similar small sample numbers, so let’s not be in too much of a rush to knock the figures too much we rely on to give us hope.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.
On a site where labour voters routinely get rounded upon and abuse by the ultras is par for the course, there’s your honesty for you 😉
Mr Peter Swift“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed … 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.”
You “inadvertently” forgot to mention, Peter, that Union members in the YouGov Poll you cite also believe any replacement Leader is Unlikely to win the next General Election for Labour.
YouGov
If Jeremy Corbyn was replaced as leader of the
Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is
that they would win the next general election?
Also, as many of those Union members polled believe he should stay on as believe he should step down now – 45%/45%
Among those who voted Labour at the last Election – it’s 47%/44% in his favour.
“1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million.”
Still a statistically useful number polled, Anne. Bear in mind it’s more than are polled here for our political polls where 800 to 1200 is regarded as a reliable number to call.
Ironically, it’s roughly 4 times the number of people who just elected the new UK PM 😉
Mr Peter Swift“As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.”
Leading Unionists strongly back Corbyn according to the New Statesman:
(1) George Eaton
“Labour’s National Executive Committee will meet at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday) to determine the terms of the contest, including whether Corbyn is automatically on the ballot. The party’s HQ and the leader’s office have received contradictory legal advice on whether he requires 51 nominations. But it is the NEC that will ultimately decide.
Those I spoke to yesterday suggested that the 33-member body could rule that Corbyn requires nominations – if a secret vote is held. But senior Labour figures told me this afternoon that there is “no doubt” that the leader has the numbers required to prevail (“whatever the legal advice”). As well as left-wing allies on the NEC, Corbyn crucially retains the backing of the 12 trade union delegates. A senior source told me the unions’ support was “on lockdown” even in the event of a secret ballot (which would require a show of hands). “Unite are flying Martin Mayer in by plane. The TSSA delegate has cancelled her holiday,” he said.”
(2) Stephanie Boland
“With Angela Eagle expected to challenge the Labour leader imminently, Len McClusky and other union representatives have declared their support for Corbyn.
◦Len McClusky and the general secretaries of unions Unison and the GMB have come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn after news that “peace talks” had broken down, and a formal leadership challenge could be expected imminently.
McClusky called Tom Watson’s statement earlier today, in which the deputy leader said he believed there “is little to be achieved by pursuing wider conversations with our union affiliates at this time”, “deeply disigengenuous”.
Union support could be crucial in deciding whether or not Corbyn has an automatic place on the leadership ballot in the event of a challenge. The party is believed to have conflicting legal advice on the subject, with the final decision likely to be taken by Labour’s NEC, of which several seats are occupied by trade union representatives.”
I think the NZ Labour party is holding together pretty well under AL, there is a lot to like about its current direction back to its roots.
If dirty politics is any guide, with Nats losing momentum, things will be getting pretty ugly behind closed doors, just look at Joyce/Bennett v English, McCully v Key.
But NZ politics is boring tranquillity compared to the UK at the moment
Freaking ridiculous. I tell you if they wanted to put a turbine on Lion Rock in Piha I would favourably consider it because climate change is that much of a threat.
There are other ways to address climate change without screwing up the landscape micky. The guy interviewed by ryan on 9 to noon last week said completely self sufficient (battery in house) solar systems will be Cheaper than connecting to the grid by 2018. He is the Oxford Uni expert…and that is the way to go not fecken massive towers.Anton Oliver has this right.
My comment about Lion Rock was to emphasise how important the issue is. All good if there is an alternative but I am prepared for scenic desecration to stop climate change.
There are differences between the Blueskin Bay project and the Lammermoor one though. Wind is useful in ways that solar isn’t. No batteries for a start, which aren’t renewable, they’re a pollutant/waste, plus the whole night time thing. We should be looking at appropriate use of windfarms. That’s why I’m hoping the ODT will do better coverage. I’d like to know what the decision was actually based on.
Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages. Wind towers are ok in some places but solar technology is rapidly taking over
Think cradle to grave and what happens in all of that (same with windfarms of course). Some of the issues are solvable (eg manufacturing in NZ so we don’t enable local manufacturing pollution in countries with laxer standards). Some probably aren’t (the economics will be harder in a small country like NZ). Ultimately we should be using less power.
Even allowing for the probably bias in that last link, it’s still an interesting look at why the whole renewable thing isn’t a silver bullet even if we were to do it.
Can’t find a decent link to the battery problem. Last time I checked in NZ there wasn’t a good system for recycling. Might have changed though, that was a few years ago. Even with recycling we’re talking about levels of pollution once we get up to scale because they have to be replaced. Again, some of these problems are solvable, some not, and we should be looking at using less as our first instinct.
so your talking production carbon cost?….. fair enough but in total solar is still way ahead of internal combustion or gas….dont forget lifespan is 25 years plus
Completely agree, windfarms come with their own set of problems. Back in the day when people first started talking about renewables I would say wind and solar aren’t renewable, they use finite resources and create waste that can’t be dealt with (and think about that in a society that is hell bent on perpetual growth). Hey ho.
The deeper Green perspective works from principles of the natural world systems. Is the resource finite? What happens at the end of the life of the thing being made or used? What waste is created in between? The natural world generally has closed loops that can take those things in their stride. And above all, despite sun and wind being relatively infinite, we still live in a finite world. That’s how we should be designing.
The problem isn’t wind vs solar. It’s that people want a lifestyle that the planet simply cannot sustain. This would be true even if the pressure wasn’t on re CC.
hi weka, ironically i was catching up with a permies site that had two relevant articles. incidentally permaculture offers a lot of knowledge that may become relevant very soon.
first is the conflict between living frugally vs expectations of others:
permies.com/t/57567/frugality/frugal-life-expectations-friends-family.
this one is about a book recently published about community power schemes;
permies.com/t/57432/books/Energy-Revolution-Howard-Johns
IMO, The actual answer to that isn’t more anti-biotics but more vaccines. Teaching the body to resist these diseases is a better way than teaching the body to rely on anti-bacterial drugs to defend it.
Go look up what the most common fatal nosocomial infections are. Then ask yourself why no one has invented vaccines for these common deadly infections.
Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it – unless your exposed to the diseases while engaging in those things. Falling off your bicycle and getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus or having someone cough all over you while in a swanky health food cafe and thus being exposed to the cold bacterium.
Are you naturally stupid or did you have to work at it?
Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens whereas diet and exercise simply don’t do that. Being healthy means that the body have the strength and energy to respond which is, of course, needed and will certainly help keep you well a little bit longer if you do contract a pathogen. It might even be enough to keep you alive long enough for your immune system to learn how to respond but I wouldn’t count on it. Lots and lots of “young, otherwise healthy adults” have died over the ages due to not being able to fight off the disease.
There are numerous scientific studies fucken proving it.
So, unless you’ve got actual scientific studies proving the exact opposite of what science has been telling us for half a century or more I suggest you STFU.
Really, all you’re doing is proving your ignorance.
“Cars are the most inefficient form of transport…”
“I used to work in technology…”
“The science tells us…”
What you lack is intelligence levels capable of rational critique, your comments say as much. They are full of fundamental inaccuracies, which you don’t even recognize. That’s a serious flaw in my opinion
So is your anger and agression, indicating how arrested your developmental pathways are
It’s no surprise you have the views and beliefs that you do. Fantasy and ego are a terrible mix for anyone
Only a few short years until it’s all completely exposed. I’ve said that before, it can’t be stopped now!
Nothing you or I say or do is going to alter that outcome
And, again, you’ve spouted off proving your ignorance.
Instead of addressing the points that I’ve made (all backed up) all you’ve done is throw ad hominem attacks at me. The sign of some one who’s lost the argument but is unwilling to let it go.
Vaccinations typically force your immune system to react to molecules that it would never normally respond to, in ways that would normally never happen in nature.
I wouldn’t accept chemicals like that into my body unless their level of tangible, real life benefit was high. Measurable increase in life expectancy etc.
Yeah, was trying to remember. Should have googled.
…most vaccines are developed to combat viral diseases, most antibiotics target bacterial infections.
Yes, I’m aware of that. The reason being that anti-biotics don’t work on viruses so we have to get the immune system to work on them thus we have vaccines. This doesn’t mean that a vaccine couldn’t be developed for various bacterium.
phage therapy seems to have the most blue sky potential. On the one hand it looks like something CV would come up with, but on the other hand what limited research there has been has also been quite promising for a range of conditions.
For seventy years antibiotics have been a magic bullet that was plentiful, so the temptation was to use only the magic bullet. In 20 years it’ll be one of several tools in the box. It’s an issue, but my cynics’ handbook on crisis assessment suggests that as soon as rich white people start getting resistant strains ofr the clap, billionswill be invested in researching alternatives… 🙂
Our political leaders are well protected by the establishment.
And NZ has a establishment which protects elites from revealing very serious nefarious activities. despite Justice Goddard claims we have no establishment.
politicians are mostly managers who answer to the global elite .1% after they pledge to do their bidding they get backed and installed.
It’s the pollies who don’t that get targeted, smeared, attacked by the msm, maligned and face constant challenges from outside and within. JC in the UK and DC here, they’ll start in on AL as the election cycle nears.
The interview this Morning Guyon V English was a great interview.
Tonight John Campbell V Paula Bennett gave a stunning example of asking the right questions and getting a great example of the Bennett worm Squirming. John tackled her at the small temporary house launch tonight.
Para phrased:
“John you should talk to Bill English as he is the Minister of Housing.”
“Oh but I am talking to the Minister of Housing Paula Bennett. Now I am confused….” http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201807992/no-dividend-from-housing-nz,-say-nats
She is a Tory convert, like an ex smoker that hates other smokers, Tories hate where they came from. And they pull up the drawbridge to keep others down. Can you see her lasting a coup when Key has retired with his knighthood. She will need a electorate seat to keep getting at ballamys buffet table.
Are they seeing a bright future in farming, spotted a bargain, or trying to prop things up so the excreta doesn’t hit the air circulating device until very late next year…
they should be buying high country hill stations, and National assets, not proxy dairy farms in the wrong location, which use precious water supplies, that we subsidize paying for in the supermarket.
and i bet they employ immigrant labour,
The hill stations should simply have had their leases cancelled and the land transferred to DoC with enough funding for them to replant back to native forestry.
they should have a risk investment arm, to promote aquaculture,
National claim that our economy is diverse, jesus where is it,
most diversity risks are small scale,
seaweed farming has more potential that dairy,
reasoning = billions being lactose intolerant,
moo cows must be milked cheaply is Nationals mantra,
commodity prices are set n new york,
not at the farm gate,
can the standard show any employment costs rises on the back of export volumes, to prove trade claims are wonderful,
Apples should be a easy study to the Aussie market,
so it doesnt matter how hard we work to be productive,
does it
moo moo,
Interesting. I’m part way through reading this, and noted that the Federated Farmers were up to their eyeballs in it.
Robert Muldoon telephoned David Lange when it was clear he had lost the general election.
”Congratulations, Mr Lange. I’ve got some bad news for you tomorrow”, the defeated prime minister said, hanging up before Mr Lange could reply.
It was the evening of Saturday, July 14, 1984. New Zealand was standing on the edge of a precipice.
The economic boom years of the 1950s and 1960s were long gone.
A tightly regulated economy was failing to thrive.
Militant trade unionists were at loggerheads with intractable employers.
A wage and price freeze had been in place for two years in an attempt to tackle high rates of inflation and unemployment.
The country was on the verge of defaulting on its overseas debts.
Into this storm walked 41-year-old prime minister-elect Mr Lange.
”I believed in our capacity to do good,” he said of that heady time.
Mr Lange devalued the dollar by 20%. He convened an economic summit attended by all the big players and many interest groups.
And he worked with his cabinet to develop what, at the time of the election, was only a half-formed economic policy.
That blueprint for the economy was not made public until Finance Minister Roger Douglas delivered the Budget, in November.
Observing the process was Margaret Pope, Mr Lange’s speechwriter, lover and later his second wife.
Ms Pope noted the influence of Treasury on the Labour finance minister’s increasingly right-leaning economic views.
But Treasury advisers and Mr Douglas were not the only voices, she said in her 2011 biography.
”Any number of factors coloured its [Cabinet’s] decision-making – the ability and interests of its members, official advice, the advocacy of the finance ministers, the leanings of senior ministers, the prime minister’s chairmanship, the mood of the moment or the last poll result – but no outsider could accurately gauge their influence,” Ms Pope wrote.
One influential voice she did not cite was that of big business.
In July, within days of the election, a grouping of the country’s leading business sectors had written to the incoming prime minister with their vision for a new economic model.
The Top Tier Group
Assoc Prof Brian Roper knows it happened.
In 1989, while conducting research for his PhD thesis, the University of Otago political economist was given a copy of the letter.
It was addressed to Mr Lange and signed by the presidents of Federated Farmers, the Chambers of Commerce, the Employers Federation, the Manufacturers Federation and the Retailers Federation.
Collectively calling themselves the ”Top Tier Group”, they advocated for a radical restructuring of New Zealand’s economy.
Muldoonism was a horrible thing. I was trying to start a career in construction and had 8 jobs in as many years, a couple of them PEP schemes and a couple of stints on the dole or meat hunting. By the time Muldoon got the arse I was on the dam at Clyde and an active union member until Zublins said i had t wear a white hat. I was surprised by the support for the reforms from some of the union leaders, especially Kelvin Fisher, who gave a very prescient explanation of how and why the process would unfold.
It’s weird now talking about New Zealand’s journey to visitors at the shop and saying that we tried to deal with inflation in the early 80’s by outlawing it. And the subsidies. They think that we were always like we are now and are often quite stunned where we’ve come from.
I don’t want to see us as a country going back to the stupid things we did in the Muldoon years. Like our taxes / savings / govt debt saving farmers and business from their stupid lemming like decisions. And that’s what our superannuation fund buying dairy farms looks like right now.
An incoming government could turn it to a positive by turning these farms into display farms of low input ,clean green farms being farmed by young kiwis.
An international tribunal has ruled China has no legal basis to claim historic rights to disputed territory in the South China Sea.
The landmark ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on Tuesday also said China had breached the sovereign rights of the Philippines and caused permanent damage to coral reef ecosystems.
The ruling on Tuesday is expected to further increase tensions in the region, where China’s increased military assertiveness has spread concern among its smaller neighbours and is a point of confrontation with the United States.
More to follow…
Copy/pasted the whole thing.
Now lets see how China reacts to the ruling of them trying to steal area from other nations.
The problem will be the Hague has few teeth. If the US or Russia choose to involve themselves it will likely be by intruding their own anti-local-democratic influence into the area. The Philipines have been savaged for over a century now, from the US genocides to the loss of Sabah. What’s needed is an international climate that allows them to prosper in peace.
That said, China generally avoids massive international confrontations – perhaps they will be moved to find some middle ground.
Nothing to indicate the Hague’s position on Japan’s terra nullius claims as yet either.
The worms will live in every hostIt's hard to pick which one they eat the mostThe horrible people, the horrible peopleIt's as anatomic as the size of your steepleCapitalism has made it this wayOld-fashioned fascism will take it awaySongwriter: Twiggy Ramirez Read more ...
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) ...
This morning’s six standouts for me at 6.30am include:Rachel Helyer Donaldson’s scoop via RNZ last night of cuts to maternity jobs in the health system;Maddy Croad’s scoop via The Press-$ this morning on funding cuts for Christchurch’s biggest food rescue charity;Benedict Collins’ scoop last night via 1News on a last-minute ...
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 15, 2024 thru Sat, December 21, 2024. Based on feedback we received, this week's roundup is the first one published soleley by category. We are still interested in ...
Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Are we heading ...
So the Solstice has arrived – Summer in this part of the world, Winter for the Northern Hemisphere. And with it, the publication my new Norse dark-fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens at Eternal Haunted Summer: https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/winter-solstice-2024/as-our-power-lessens/ As previously noted, this one is very ‘wyrd’, and Northern Theory of Courage. ...
The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...
Photo by CHUTTERSNAP on UnsplashEvery morning I get up at 3am to go around the traps of news sites in Aotearoa and globally. I pick out the top ones from my point of view and have been putting them into my Dawn Chorus email, which goes out with a podcast. ...
Over on Kikorangi Newsroom's Marc Daalder has published his annual OIA stats. So I thought I'd do mine: 82 OIA requests sent in 2024 7 posts based on those requests 20 average working days to receive a response Ministry of Justice was my most-requested entity, ...
Welcome to the December 2024 Economic Bulletin. We have two monthly features in this edition. In the first, we discuss what the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury and the Budget Policy Statement from the Minister of Finance tell us about the fiscal position and what to ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have submitted against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, slamming the Bill as a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tino rangatiratanga and the collective rights of Tangata Whenua. “This Bill seeks to legislate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles that are ...
I don't knowHow to say what's got to be saidI don't know if it's black or whiteThere's others see it redI don't get the answers rightI'll leave that to youIs this love out of fashionOr is it the time of yearAre these words distraction?To the words you want to hearSongwriters: ...
Our economy has experienced its worst recession since 1991. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, December 20 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above and the daily Pick ‘n’ Mix below ...
Twas the Friday before Christmas and all through the week we’ve been collecting stories for our final roundup of the year. As we start to wind down for the year we hope you all have a safe and happy Christmas and new year. If you’re travelling please be safe on ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the year’s news with: on climate. Her book of the year was Tim Winton’s cli-fi novel Juice and she also mentioned Mike Joy’s memoir The Fight for Fresh Water. ...
The Government can head off to the holidays, entitled to assure itself that it has done more or less what it said it would do. The campaign last year promised to “get New Zealand back on track.” When you look at the basic promises—to trim back Government expenditure, toughen up ...
Open access notables An intensification of surface Earth’s energy imbalance since the late 20th century, Li et al., Communications Earth & Environment:Tracking the energy balance of the Earth system is a key method for studying the contribution of human activities to climate change. However, accurately estimating the surface energy balance ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guests and , ...
“Like you said, I’m an unreconstructed socialist. Everybody deserves to get something for Christmas.”“ONE OF THOSE had better be for me!” Hannah grinned, fascinated, as Laurie made his way, gingerly, to the bar, his arms full of gift-wrapped packages.“Of course!”, beamed Laurie. Depositing his armful on the bar-top and selecting ...
Data released by Statistics New Zealand today showed a significant slowdown in the economy over the past six months, with GDP falling by 1% in September, and 1.1% in June said CTU Economist Craig Renney. “The data shows that the size of the economy in GDP terms is now smaller ...
One last thing before I quitI never wanted any moreThan I could fit into my headI still remember every single word you saidAnd all the shit that somehow came along with itStill, there's one thing that comforts meSince I was always caged and now I'm freeSongwriters: David Grohl / Georg ...
Sparse offerings outside a Te Kauwhata church. Meanwhile, the Government is cutting spending in ways that make thousands of hungry children even hungrier, while also cutting funding for the charities that help them. It’s also doing that while winding back new building of affordable housing that would allow parents to ...
It is difficult to make sense of the Luxon Coalition Government’s economic management.This end-of-year review about the state of economic management – the state of the economy was last week – is not going to cover the National Party contribution. Frankly, like every other careful observer, I cannot make up ...
This morning I awoke to the lovely news that we are firmly back on track, that is if the scale was reversed.NZ ranks low in global economic comparisonsNew Zealand's economy has been ranked 33rd out of 37 in an international comparison of which have done best in 2024.Economies were ranked ...
Remember those silent movies where the heroine is tied to the railway tracks or going over the waterfall in a barrel? Finance Minister Nicola Willis seems intent on portraying herself as that damsel in distress. According to Willis, this country’s current economic problems have all been caused by the spending ...
Similar to the cuts and the austerity drive imposed by Ruth Richardson in the 1990’s, an era which to all intents and purposes we’ve largely fiddled around the edges with fixing in the time since – over, to be fair, several administrations – whilst trying our best it seems to ...
String-Pulling in the Dark: For the democratic process to be meaningful it must also be public. WITH TRUST AND CONFIDENCE in New Zealand’s politicians and journalists steadily declining, restoring those virtues poses a daunting challenge. Just how daunting is made clear by comparing the way politicians and journalists treated New Zealanders ...
Dear Nicola Willis, thank you for letting us know in so many words that the swingeing austerity hasn't worked.By in so many words I mean the bit where you said, Here is a sea of red ink in which we are drowning after twelve months of savage cost cutting and ...
The Open Government Partnership is a multilateral organisation committed to advancing open government. Countries which join are supposed to co-create regular action plans with civil society, committing to making verifiable improvements in transparency, accountability, participation, or technology and innovation for the above. And they're held to account through an Independent ...
Today I tuned into something strange: a press conference that didn’t make my stomach churn or the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Which was strange, because it was about the torture of children. It was the announcement by Erica Stanford — on her own, unusually ...
This is a must watch, and puts on brilliant and practical display the implications and mechanics of fast-track law corruption and weakness.CLICK HERE: LINK TO WATCH VIDEOOur news media as it is set up is simply not equipped to deal with the brazen disinformation and corruption under this right wing ...
NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting Secretary Erin Polaczuk is welcoming the announcement from Minister of Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden that she is opening consultation on engineered stone and is calling on her to listen to the evidence and implement a total ban of the product. “We need ...
The Government has announced a 1.5% increase in the minimum wage from 1 April 2025, well below forecast inflation of 2.5%. Unions have reacted strongly and denounced it as a real terms cut. PSA and the CTU are opposing a new round of staff cuts at WorkSafe, which they say ...
The decision to unilaterally repudiate the contract for new Cook Strait ferries is beginning to look like one of the stupidest decisions a New Zealand government ever made. While cancelling the ferries and their associated port infrastructure may have made this year's books look good, it means higher costs later, ...
Hi there! I’ve been overseas recently, looking after a situation with a family member. So apologies if there any less than focused posts! Vanuatu has just had a significant 7.3 earthquake. Two MFAT staff are unaccounted for with local fatalities.It’s always sad to hear of such things happening.I think of ...
Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
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 ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
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 ...
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 ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
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 ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
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 ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
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 ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
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, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
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 ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
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 ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
A separate passport, citizenship and membership of the United Nations are only available to fully independent nations, Winston Peters' office says. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern at RNZ News The New Zealand fuel company Z Energy is swapping out street names for “correct” kupu on service stops around the country, with the help of local hapū. When Z took over 226 fuel sites from Shell in 2010, ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
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. ...
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
An unrelenting faith in “swift transition” has driven Tauranga Whai to their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship. At a boisterous Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, the visiting Tokomanawa Queens were blown away 90-71 in the final.Whai led by 20 points at halftime as their urgent movement and unflinching faith in three-point shooting from anywhere ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
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 ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
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 ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
New polls show unions have come around to labours 172 mps way of thinking.
As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.
http://election-data.co.uk/poll-of-trade-union-members
“Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed, 63% thought Mr Corbyn was doing badly as leader, compared with 33% who thought he was doing well.
Also, 76% said it was unlikely that Mr Corbyn would ever become prime minister, while 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36770627
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
Corbyn must be aggressive in his approach and get the disloyal ring leaders de-selected at the electorate level. No compromises. The backstabbing Blairites will offer him none.
That’s looking increasingly unlikely. He’s looking toasted with these latest numbers.
But you can dream on, bro.
One simple question from Andrew Neil leaves Labour coup leader Angela Eagle floundering.
Interviewing Angela Eagle MP about her leadership bid against Jeremy Corbyn, Andrew Neil had a simple question:
http://www.thecanary.co/2016/07/11/simple-question-andrew-neil-leaves-labour-coups-angela-eagle-floundering/
She is no Helen Clark.
—
Anyone who supported that war should not be putting themselves forward as a candidate of the Labour Party.
—
“If he wins will you accept the result?”
“You have to accept the result of any democratic process” – Unless Jeremy Corbyn wins, which is highly likely. The knives were out for Corbyn from day one.
Eagle or seagull.. Crap either way. Just one cliche after another, like Cameron and certainly, certainly is no Helen Clark.
A labour leader who supported the invasion of Iraq. How do you feel about that Peter?
Labour’s leadership is much more complicated than a single issue like that, but even though I opposed the UK’s involvement, better her than the current unelectable one.
I felt OK with having a Labour leader here who as a young MP supported the party’s dodgy economic reforms. Helen turned out great.
You’re dreaming.
Suppose the B-liar-ites capture the NEC into stating that white is black and Corbyn isn’t to run against any nominee, you don’t think that will be challenged in the High Court?
Now who’s dreaming?
I’m not sure that’s his MO. Corbyn’s instincts are pretty democratic – and in any membership ballot the PLP will be like Angela Eagle – conspicuously less attractive than Julia Gillard. He gets reaffirmed and they get blighted by fading support. He doesn’t need to wield mana-depleting electoral violence or party authority. It’s like he has electoral Aikido and they’ve got no game.
Ha! 1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million. Now, I don’t know how many would be members of the unions surveyed, but I’m picking there would be a few million of them at least. And what’s the bet those “1221” members were umm… carefully selected?
Of course it’s only a poll, which may or may not be truly representative, that’s a given, so go ahead and mock the statistics if you will, even if they are the only union specific ones we have so far.
Though do remember we make a big fuss over here when labour and the greens edge past national on similar small sample numbers, so let’s not be in too much of a rush to knock the figures too much we rely on to give us hope.
They Have Crossed the Rubicon
Must say George Galloway immeasurably more satisfying than Peter Swift’s polemics. There appears an honesty in the former.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.
On a site where labour voters routinely get rounded upon and abuse by the ultras is par for the course, there’s your honesty for you 😉
Mr Peter Swift “Meanwhile, a YouGov poll for the Election Data website suggested that of 1,221 trade union members surveyed … 69% said it was unlikely Labour would win the next election while he was leader.
Damn those neo lib, neo con, blairite union members.
I’m not lying, I really do want Corbyn out and an electable leader put in his place.”
You “inadvertently” forgot to mention, Peter, that Union members in the YouGov Poll you cite also believe any replacement Leader is Unlikely to win the next General Election for Labour.
YouGov
If Jeremy Corbyn was replaced as leader of the
Labour party, how likely or unlikely do you think it is
that they would win the next general election?
Entire sample and by Individual Unions
………………..ALL…..UNITE…..OTHER….CWU….GMB….UNISON….USDAW
Likely ……….34%……29%………33%…….34%……37%…….35%……..39%
Unlikely ……49%……55%………55%…….55%……47%…….45%……..44%
Also, as many of those Union members polled believe he should stay on as believe he should step down now – 45%/45%
Among those who voted Labour at the last Election – it’s 47%/44% in his favour.
“1221 Union members polled out of a population of 63 million.”
Still a statistically useful number polled, Anne. Bear in mind it’s more than are polled here for our political polls where 800 to 1200 is regarded as a reliable number to call.
Ironically, it’s roughly 4 times the number of people who just elected the new UK PM 😉
get away with you, trp. that’s a foolish statement , and you know it.
Which statement? And how so?
Mr Peter Swift “As union representatives take up 12 of the NEC seats – about a third of the total, Corbyn’s looking weaker by the minute.”
Leading Unionists strongly back Corbyn according to the New Statesman:
(1) George Eaton
“Labour’s National Executive Committee will meet at 2pm tomorrow (Tuesday) to determine the terms of the contest, including whether Corbyn is automatically on the ballot. The party’s HQ and the leader’s office have received contradictory legal advice on whether he requires 51 nominations. But it is the NEC that will ultimately decide.
Those I spoke to yesterday suggested that the 33-member body could rule that Corbyn requires nominations – if a secret vote is held. But senior Labour figures told me this afternoon that there is “no doubt” that the leader has the numbers required to prevail (“whatever the legal advice”). As well as left-wing allies on the NEC, Corbyn crucially retains the backing of the 12 trade union delegates. A senior source told me the unions’ support was “on lockdown” even in the event of a secret ballot (which would require a show of hands). “Unite are flying Martin Mayer in by plane. The TSSA delegate has cancelled her holiday,” he said.”
(2) Stephanie Boland
“With Angela Eagle expected to challenge the Labour leader imminently, Len McClusky and other union representatives have declared their support for Corbyn.
◦Len McClusky and the general secretaries of unions Unison and the GMB have come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn after news that “peace talks” had broken down, and a formal leadership challenge could be expected imminently.
McClusky called Tom Watson’s statement earlier today, in which the deputy leader said he believed there “is little to be achieved by pursuing wider conversations with our union affiliates at this time”, “deeply disigengenuous”.
Union support could be crucial in deciding whether or not Corbyn has an automatic place on the leadership ballot in the event of a challenge. The party is believed to have conflicting legal advice on the subject, with the final decision likely to be taken by Labour’s NEC, of which several seats are occupied by trade union representatives.”
New Jonathan Pie, freaking out over UK political chaos.
Yet the blokes who created the tipping point (Farage and Johnson) are nowhere to be seen.
Hope the electorate remembers these opportunists that had no plan or the guts to stay around and clean up their mess.
Ouch!!
Tories want a new Thatcher and Labour wants a new Blair.
Brilliant. He’s right. The country’s fucked up. Can’t wait for the movie so long as it’s not out of Hollywood.
Great work Jonathon. Thanks Ropata. Do you think our parties are equally dislocated?
I think the NZ Labour party is holding together pretty well under AL, there is a lot to like about its current direction back to its roots.
If dirty politics is any guide, with Nats losing momentum, things will be getting pretty ugly behind closed doors, just look at Joyce/Bennett v English, McCully v Key.
But NZ politics is boring tranquillity compared to the UK at the moment
Windfarm at Bluekin Bay is denied consent. ODT article is very light for such an important issue, hopefull there will be in tomorrow
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/390093/no-wind-farm-blueskin-bay
Freaking ridiculous. I tell you if they wanted to put a turbine on Lion Rock in Piha I would favourably consider it because climate change is that much of a threat.
There are other ways to address climate change without screwing up the landscape micky. The guy interviewed by ryan on 9 to noon last week said completely self sufficient (battery in house) solar systems will be Cheaper than connecting to the grid by 2018. He is the Oxford Uni expert…and that is the way to go not fecken massive towers.Anton Oliver has this right.
My comment about Lion Rock was to emphasise how important the issue is. All good if there is an alternative but I am prepared for scenic desecration to stop climate change.
There are differences between the Blueskin Bay project and the Lammermoor one though. Wind is useful in ways that solar isn’t. No batteries for a start, which aren’t renewable, they’re a pollutant/waste, plus the whole night time thing. We should be looking at appropriate use of windfarms. That’s why I’m hoping the ODT will do better coverage. I’d like to know what the decision was actually based on.
Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages. Wind towers are ok in some places but solar technology is rapidly taking over
“Was based on fact that would wreck the lifestyle of people who have lived in blueskin bay for ages”
That’s the superficial story. I’d like more detail.
Solar has inherent pollutant issues.
what inherent pollution issues does solar have?
Think cradle to grave and what happens in all of that (same with windfarms of course). Some of the issues are solvable (eg manufacturing in NZ so we don’t enable local manufacturing pollution in countries with laxer standards). Some probably aren’t (the economics will be harder in a small country like NZ). Ultimately we should be using less power.
https://www.mysolarquotes.co.nz/blog/renewable-energy/preventing-environmental-damage-by-recycling-solar-power-panels
http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5650
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/energy/2014/11/141111-solar-panel-manufacturing-sustainability-ranking/
http://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2008/03/the-ugly-side-o.html
Even allowing for the probably bias in that last link, it’s still an interesting look at why the whole renewable thing isn’t a silver bullet even if we were to do it.
Can’t find a decent link to the battery problem. Last time I checked in NZ there wasn’t a good system for recycling. Might have changed though, that was a few years ago. Even with recycling we’re talking about levels of pollution once we get up to scale because they have to be replaced. Again, some of these problems are solvable, some not, and we should be looking at using less as our first instinct.
so your talking production carbon cost?….. fair enough but in total solar is still way ahead of internal combustion or gas….dont forget lifespan is 25 years plus
I’m talking pollution cradle to grave. All of it.
What’s the lifespan of a wind turbine?
Hi weka, re pollution probs with solar: any thoughts on the embedded energy contained in the cement to hold a turbine tower in place.?
I will check some numbers but from memory it was 150 cubic metres per tower for the Te Apiti wind farm here on the tararuas/ruahines.
Solar solar solar, no moving parts.
Completely agree, windfarms come with their own set of problems. Back in the day when people first started talking about renewables I would say wind and solar aren’t renewable, they use finite resources and create waste that can’t be dealt with (and think about that in a society that is hell bent on perpetual growth). Hey ho.
The deeper Green perspective works from principles of the natural world systems. Is the resource finite? What happens at the end of the life of the thing being made or used? What waste is created in between? The natural world generally has closed loops that can take those things in their stride. And above all, despite sun and wind being relatively infinite, we still live in a finite world. That’s how we should be designing.
The problem isn’t wind vs solar. It’s that people want a lifestyle that the planet simply cannot sustain. This would be true even if the pressure wasn’t on re CC.
hi weka, ironically i was catching up with a permies site that had two relevant articles. incidentally permaculture offers a lot of knowledge that may become relevant very soon.
first is the conflict between living frugally vs expectations of others:
permies.com/t/57567/frugality/frugal-life-expectations-friends-family.
this one is about a book recently published about community power schemes;
permies.com/t/57432/books/Energy-Revolution-Howard-Johns
@gsays, agreed about permaculture! I’m working my way round to reading the threads on that forum about carbon sequestration and soil farming.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/energy/windpower/9770837/Wind-farm-turbines-wear-sooner-than-expected-says-study.html
I also understand that the reinforced concrete foundations used for most wind turbines are unlikely to last longer than 50-100 years.
Probably a good place for it to. Unfortunately, I don’t thin we could get more than one up there.
It’s crumbling into the sea though? How about Devonport, the wind screams around North Head and the old gun emplacements
If there is anything that epitomises the failings of the industrial world, it’s this.
A ‘slow catastrophe’ unfolds as the golden age of antibiotics comes to an end
http://www.latimes.com/science/sciencenow/la-sci-antibiotic-resistance-20160711-snap-story.html
IMO, The actual answer to that isn’t more anti-biotics but more vaccines. Teaching the body to resist these diseases is a better way than teaching the body to rely on anti-bacterial drugs to defend it.
lol fail.
Go look up what the most common fatal nosocomial infections are. Then ask yourself why no one has invented vaccines for these common deadly infections.
Ok, looked it up, now what was your point?
Hospital infections tend to be worse because it’s strongest of the bugs around due to the over-use of anti-biotics and sterile environment.
A vaccine for every bug out there would seriously decrease the need for anti-biotics.
Of course, the big problem we have now is that anti-biotics are no longer working due to that over-use.
You still don’t get it. It’s not about the seed, it’s about the soil.
And WTF does that fucken mean?
‘Teaching’ the body using neurotoxic petro poisons…
Often the expression of those who have no idea how the immune system functions , even at an elementary level
Perhaps try nutrition, diet and exercise before reaching for alcohol,cigarettes and pharma drugs
More vaccines is not the answer, in any biologically healthy and neurologically undamaged human being
Are you naturally unhealthy?
And an anti-vaxxer pops up spouting BS and trying to sound knowledgeable.
Making Vaccines: How Are Vaccines Made?
Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it – unless your exposed to the diseases while engaging in those things. Falling off your bicycle and getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus or having someone cough all over you while in a swanky health food cafe and thus being exposed to the cold bacterium.
Are you naturally stupid or did you have to work at it?
Straight to’anti vax’…oh dear lord there are some thick headed people around
“A vaccine for every bug out there…”
“Getting a graze and thus being exposed to tetanus…”
“Exposed to the cold bacterium…”
Your two comments are easily the most jumbled, confused and contradictory I’ve read on this site
Slow.hand.clap
No they’re not else you’d be able to put up an argument as to why instead of just an ad hominem.
Yes they are. In fact you could not identify the inaccuracies with your statements because you have so little knowledge and understanding
Put up an argument against the 3 statements you made, which I pointed out…..
The same posts where you believe diet and nutrition does not influence the immune system and that a cold is “bacterium”
No chance bro, you are so far wrong it is a moot point
So far, the only person who is wrong is you and you continue to prove your ignorance through your lack of argument.
“Yes, I do know how the immune system functions which is why I know that diet and exercise do nothing for it…”
You believe diet does not influence the immune system and you’re asking if I’m stupid…Have mercy
Do yourself a favour and use the internet more effectively
Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens whereas diet and exercise simply don’t do that. Being healthy means that the body have the strength and energy to respond which is, of course, needed and will certainly help keep you well a little bit longer if you do contract a pathogen. It might even be enough to keep you alive long enough for your immune system to learn how to respond but I wouldn’t count on it. Lots and lots of “young, otherwise healthy adults” have died over the ages due to not being able to fight off the disease.
“Vaccines teach the immune system how to deal with pathogens…”
No, they do not!
Yes they do.
There are numerous scientific studies fucken proving it.
So, unless you’ve got actual scientific studies proving the exact opposite of what science has been telling us for half a century or more I suggest you STFU.
Really, all you’re doing is proving your ignorance.
You bleat the same old nonsense , Draco
“We can’t afford the rich…”
“Cars are the most inefficient form of transport…”
“I used to work in technology…”
“The science tells us…”
What you lack is intelligence levels capable of rational critique, your comments say as much. They are full of fundamental inaccuracies, which you don’t even recognize. That’s a serious flaw in my opinion
So is your anger and agression, indicating how arrested your developmental pathways are
It’s no surprise you have the views and beliefs that you do. Fantasy and ego are a terrible mix for anyone
Only a few short years until it’s all completely exposed. I’ve said that before, it can’t be stopped now!
Nothing you or I say or do is going to alter that outcome
And, again, you’ve spouted off proving your ignorance.
Instead of addressing the points that I’ve made (all backed up) all you’ve done is throw ad hominem attacks at me. The sign of some one who’s lost the argument but is unwilling to let it go.
Now you’ve even thrown in Psychological projection as the anger is obviously yours.
I won’t reply to you again as you’ve got nothing to say.
Vaccinations typically force your immune system to react to molecules that it would never normally respond to, in ways that would normally never happen in nature.
I wouldn’t accept chemicals like that into my body unless their level of tangible, real life benefit was high. Measurable increase in life expectancy etc.
The common cold is a virus, not a bacterium, most vaccines are developed to combat viral diseases, most antibiotics target bacterial infections.
Yeah, was trying to remember. Should have googled.
Yes, I’m aware of that. The reason being that anti-biotics don’t work on viruses so we have to get the immune system to work on them thus we have vaccines. This doesn’t mean that a vaccine couldn’t be developed for various bacterium.
phage therapy seems to have the most blue sky potential. On the one hand it looks like something CV would come up with, but on the other hand what limited research there has been has also been quite promising for a range of conditions.
For seventy years antibiotics have been a magic bullet that was plentiful, so the temptation was to use only the magic bullet. In 20 years it’ll be one of several tools in the box. It’s an issue, but my cynics’ handbook on crisis assessment suggests that as soon as rich white people start getting resistant strains ofr the clap, billionswill be invested in researching alternatives… 🙂
Looks interesting and certainly seems to have a great deal of potential. I like the idea that it can be used to treat the specific infection rapidly.
Have to wonder what history reveals about leaders, and why they make decisions which only possibly risk losing a election.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/tony-blair/11547808/Revealed-how-Tony-Blair-makes-his-millions.html
Our political leaders are well protected by the establishment.
And NZ has a establishment which protects elites from revealing very serious nefarious activities. despite Justice Goddard claims we have no establishment.
politicians are mostly managers who answer to the global elite .1% after they pledge to do their bidding they get backed and installed.
It’s the pollies who don’t that get targeted, smeared, attacked by the msm, maligned and face constant challenges from outside and within. JC in the UK and DC here, they’ll start in on AL as the election cycle nears.
The interview this Morning Guyon V English was a great interview.
Tonight John Campbell V Paula Bennett gave a stunning example of asking the right questions and getting a great example of the Bennett worm Squirming. John tackled her at the small temporary house launch tonight.
Para phrased:
“John you should talk to Bill English as he is the Minister of Housing.”
“Oh but I am talking to the Minister of Housing Paula Bennett. Now I am confused….”
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/201807992/no-dividend-from-housing-nz,-say-nats
she is vile.
She is a Tory convert, like an ex smoker that hates other smokers, Tories hate where they came from. And they pull up the drawbridge to keep others down. Can you see her lasting a coup when Key has retired with his knighthood. She will need a electorate seat to keep getting at ballamys buffet table.
like the boss, squeaks when caught
What happened to all that money and all that land when National cleared “unsuitable” State Houses?
notice they dont mention SOE’s or shaving playgrounds of public schools.
When public schools cnvert to charter schools it will be a tempting to do.
I wrote to Key and said be careful about public school land, most of it was donated by IWI for education.
So they have first dibs,..?
What’s going on here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/81985156/decision-on-nz-super-funds-southland-farm-buyup-future-yet-to-be-made
Are they seeing a bright future in farming, spotted a bargain, or trying to prop things up so the excreta doesn’t hit the air circulating device until very late next year…
they should be buying high country hill stations, and National assets, not proxy dairy farms in the wrong location, which use precious water supplies, that we subsidize paying for in the supermarket.
and i bet they employ immigrant labour,
I grew up in moo moo country near Hamilton.
The hill stations should simply have had their leases cancelled and the land transferred to DoC with enough funding for them to replant back to native forestry.
they should have a risk investment arm, to promote aquaculture,
National claim that our economy is diverse, jesus where is it,
most diversity risks are small scale,
seaweed farming has more potential that dairy,
reasoning = billions being lactose intolerant,
moo cows must be milked cheaply is Nationals mantra,
commodity prices are set n new york,
not at the farm gate,
can the standard show any employment costs rises on the back of export volumes, to prove trade claims are wonderful,
Apples should be a easy study to the Aussie market,
so it doesnt matter how hard we work to be productive,
does it
moo moo,
Interesting. I’m part way through reading this, and noted that the Federated Farmers were up to their eyeballs in it.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11672504
i think we can call the federated farmers a union, not a federation,
and all the others,
i wonder if it could work in reverse for my union at work,
my labouring wages digging in electric power cables went up by half when Muldoons wage freeze finished,
we get 2% increase next year.
Muldoonism was a horrible thing. I was trying to start a career in construction and had 8 jobs in as many years, a couple of them PEP schemes and a couple of stints on the dole or meat hunting. By the time Muldoon got the arse I was on the dam at Clyde and an active union member until Zublins said i had t wear a white hat. I was surprised by the support for the reforms from some of the union leaders, especially Kelvin Fisher, who gave a very prescient explanation of how and why the process would unfold.
It’s weird now talking about New Zealand’s journey to visitors at the shop and saying that we tried to deal with inflation in the early 80’s by outlawing it. And the subsidies. They think that we were always like we are now and are often quite stunned where we’ve come from.
I don’t want to see us as a country going back to the stupid things we did in the Muldoon years. Like our taxes / savings / govt debt saving farmers and business from their stupid lemming like decisions. And that’s what our superannuation fund buying dairy farms looks like right now.
An incoming government could turn it to a positive by turning these farms into display farms of low input ,clean green farms being farmed by young kiwis.
No historic title for China over South China Sea: Court
Copy/pasted the whole thing.
Now lets see how China reacts to the ruling of them trying to steal area from other nations.
The problem will be the Hague has few teeth. If the US or Russia choose to involve themselves it will likely be by intruding their own anti-local-democratic influence into the area. The Philipines have been savaged for over a century now, from the US genocides to the loss of Sabah. What’s needed is an international climate that allows them to prosper in peace.
That said, China generally avoids massive international confrontations – perhaps they will be moved to find some middle ground.
Nothing to indicate the Hague’s position on Japan’s terra nullius claims as yet either.
all this hand wringing policy for the f()cking breeders,
listen, what about the single baby boomers, n women who will be forced to live alone, build more single accommodation,
=and when we die, students can rent it.
why is Govt building policy ignoring us loners.
=bury me when i have flies =:)