Daily review 15/07/2019
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5:30 pm, July 15th, 2019 - 19 comments
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- The 1 Good Thing Left In Journalism
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...4 hours ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Monday, December 23
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 ...4 hours ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #51
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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 ...1 day ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
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 ...1 day ago - Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?
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- As Our Power Lessens: Published
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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 ...2 days ago - Bernard’s last Saturday Soliloquy for 2024
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 ...2 days ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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The government published its first Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement yesterday, and the media has correctly noted that it is missing any plan to actually meet our target. While it hypes domestic emissions reductions so far - which have been good, but will likely get worse thanks to ...3 days ago
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- ZB’s Power Couple
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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 ...5 days ago
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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 ...6 days ago
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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 ...6 days ago
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AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...6 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
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 ...6 days ago
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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 ...7 days ago - A Lipstick Government
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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 ...7 days ago
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- Thank You
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 ...1 week ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #50
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...4 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
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Great cricket game this morning.
I hope that anyone who comes across Guppy just gives him a smile.
He is someone who needs so much care.
ditch MMP and decide elections based on who scores the most boundaries
george, is that what they mean by electoral boundary changes?
What should happen if there's a tie in NZ politics? A golden over with a re-polling of one electorate with the closest majority to decide the winner?
No matter what, would the losing party leader gain as much respect as Kane Williamson has earned for himself and NZ cricket?
The English of the past used to ralk in a derogatory way of 'bounders', applied to politicians it would be the party with the least bounders!
Though how you would define them I can't think.
Defining a 'bounder' would require a Bounders Commission, wouldn't it.
Defining the boundaries of what constitutes a bounder would unleash all of our pent up gripes, moans, petty dislikes, prejudices, biases, bigotries and hatred.
Maybe best not to go there……….. or maybe it would be a boon. It could be a giant pimple popping on a national scale.
After all, we are defined to others by our own boundaries.
Edit:
Owners of land including the hot pools at Waiwera, north of Orewa above Auckland are having trouble with getting reliable lessees to run the hot pools, Waiwera’s main feature.
The land had been bought by people with money, who want to make money from the hot springs by leasing them out to other people who want to make money, these were from overseas and the operation wasn't really their thing, probably not glamorous enough. The rents have not been paid the hot springs facility closed. There is talk of apartments on the land. See Open Mike #13 for other info.
It is a clear case of a situation where the people should group together and set up a trust to own the land and run the hot springs business for themselves, training and employing their own young people. That would stop the ticket being clipped all the way. If keen they could make a thriving business for their area and add to their, probable, farming base. They are close to Puhoi which has branched out into dairy products sold widely, and it appears there is a distillery there. They could join a bunch of entrepreneurs making the area hum.
It is a similar case to that of Knoydart in Scotland, a peninsula in the Highlands which was getting depopulated and needed to take on its own future. The people took up the challenge and bought out the landowner and now farm on the peninsula and have tourism, environmental events, horse trekking, home-grown musical events. The schools have remained open, the visitors come, the place is thriving.
https://www.visitknoydart.co.uk/about
https://www.visitknoydart.co.uk/history
https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Knoydart#/media/File:Inverie_from_boat.JPG
http://www.theoldforge.co.uk/
If you don't make your own area thrive, the speculators and rentiers won't fill the gap.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108133674/waiwera-hot-pools-came-to-look-like-a-bomb-site?rm=m
"No-one wants to be in this position and make this kind of decision. We're property investors and landlords and not in the business of operating public facilities….
A history of defaults on rental payments to land-owner Waiwera Properties culminated in the cancellation of the lease and changing of locks on the doors of Waiwera Thermal Resort on Thursday.
Residents and small businesses that run in conjunction with the pools:
"The hot pools were the main reason to come here. They provided great entertainment and were great for kids…
"We are worried about this town and it's been heartbreaking to see the gradual decline. We run the main two businesses in Waiwera and locals don't want to see us go. We don't have any plans to move but will see what the next six months bring."…
Kiran Chandra runs Sugarloaf Beach Bar, across the road from the hot pools, and a grocery store nearby, both also on land owned by Waiwera Properties.
Winter had been tough, since the hot pools closed in February for maintenance and never reopened.
"It is a clear case of a situation where the people should group together and set up a trust to own the land and run the hot springs business for themselves, training and employing their own young people. "
Im guessing you mean "other people" – or is this a clear case of you doing something about it?
James how nice, I lie! I noticed a lack of you and felt a little glow of warmth which was good in the cold midwinter.
By Golly! JT has aged heaps; he looks just like JB now.
JT? But MB looks …… "young"?????
JT is one of the confirmed contenders for the Mayoralty. JB is still thinking about it, or so goes the rumour. MB is the one that binds them all, it seems 😉
The Lord or Sauron?
Exactly!
Oho. Got you. I said what you were thinking. Did you like my prairie dog analogy? I get that desire to chirp chi-chi when I see certain people of the right.
You should watch it in slow motion.
I guess climate change denial makes sense if an expected resource boom is predicated on melting ice.
https://www.rt.com/news/464051-finnish-study-no-evidence-warming/
Yep just watch as those liberals in Europe split ties with Russia and block off the major source of their fossil fuels… Yeah right!
I'm sure your heartfelt sympathy for the fossil fuel industry is appreciated.
But diamonds, uranium, phosphate, bauxite, iron, nickel, titanium, platinum, copper, cobalt, magnetite,feldspathoids, amber, fossil ivory, the multitude of rare earth minerals, etc, etc, really are the jewels in Russia's Arctic exploitation crown.
Sitting in the sun, drinking, and watching a seagull mugger at work.
https://twitter.com/plinketyplink2/status/1150008405328826368