Ever take a loan, then tell the lender to **** off?
How do you think that works out?
Bloody good job – I hope they go after them all as hard as possible.
All they have to do is make their loan payments like everybody else. Now – just like the real world – they are seeing there are consequences for their (lack of) action and dishonesty.
Ever take a loan, then tell the lender to **** off?
Yep.
How do you think that works out?
Fine. It’s why we have laws for defaulting.
All they have to do is make their loan payments like everybody else.
Except for the fact that they can’t afford to. That’s the real point here. The government is demanding that these people do something that they can’t afford.
Paul, these people have stolen from the collective, if you’re any sort of socialist you’d be appalled at their flagrant dishonesty and be demanding they pay the money back.
So what is this?…. a new found respect for socialism / the collective ?
Very impressed with the use of the word collective. Very impressed.
So building on that idea I say we should now be released to take the former Business Roundtable (now the New Zealand Institute ) to court for charges of social malfeasance , obtaining pecuniary advantage ,and treason.
Additionally , we can also charge the neo liberal leaders of the last 32 years retrospectively with the same criminal charges with the added charges of collusion and being complicit in a crime.
There.
That would solve the issue of those stealing from the collective.
Well done , BM , thank you very much for your input.
“So building on that idea I say we should now be released to take the former Business Roundtable (now the New Zealand Institute ) to court for charges of social malfeasance , obtaining pecuniary advantage ,and treason.”
Yeah – thats a rational response to asking someone to pay their student loan.
Like Whittall who set up a company in Wellington during the Royal Commission of Inquiry called ‘ Whittall and Associates ‘ which specialized in among other things ‘ mining safety ‘….
Didnt work for a few years after that because no one would seek his services the lazy bludging bastard – and we paid for that !.
So off he went and packed his bags back to Australia without so much as a buy you or leave to budge off the Aussie’s Centrelink..
Yep – but you guys seem to have an issue with the laws for defaulting on student loans.
“Except for the fact that they can’t afford to. That’s the real point here. The government is demanding that these people do something that they can’t afford.”
citation please?
There are plently that are just trying to get away with it – unfortunately they cause more issues for the ones with genuine problems.
” There are plently that are just trying to get away with it – unfortunately they cause more issues for the ones with genuine problems.”
I heartily agree !
And so to add to that and following along that line of logic,…. these govt depts that are in collusion with the National party and particularly with ex PM John Key ,…. and also the Pike River Coal Mining company who said they didn’t have any funds left to stand trial….should be taking responsibilities for their actions, reentering Pike River and being manned up enough to accept the consequences of any evidence found and of a renewed High Court trial by which a significant number would be convicted…
Stop em at the airport if they try to get away and throw the book at em , eh James? –
Ooooooooo , yes but dear Jamsey Wamsey ,… but it does…
especially in a liberal social democracy where we are all supposed to be equal under the law… or are you now changing your tune and resorting back to selectivity ?
Oh Jamsey …. Im so disappointed in you…. and here I really thought you’d started to develop a small sliver of humanity and common sense…
See Draco’s comments about their ability to pay back. I agree with him/her on that.
I also believe in justice above the law. It was unjust that the generation after us paid for education when we did not.
Your right wing ‘consumer’ view of education I guess is exemplified by your use of private education.
You have much to learn of the benefits of a civil society, I sense.
Here’s a clue.
It’s not all about you.
Don’t be an ass, when you went to Uni in the 1950’s probably about 5% of the population went onto higher education, the rest entered the workforce.
The country could easily afford that and anyway higher educated people paid their “free” education back in spades when the top tax rate was around 60%.
I received a free education. I have always thought I should pay it back somehow. I also think that my kids and my nephews and nieces should get a free education as well. Things work better when we educate all of our kids, no matter how poor they are.
The country could easily afford that and anyway higher educated people paid their “free” education back in spades when the top tax rate was around 60%.
Yep and we could do the same if we raised the top tax rate back up to 60%+
Thank you for your support for social inclusiveness.
Ah, National going the punitive route rather than making things better.
It would be much better, easier and cheaper just to forgive all student debt, drop the fees, give proper Student Allowance and develop our economy so that when students are ready there’s jobs for them.
compassion and empathy does not come into it – they took a loan, entered a contract and bolted and didnt pay it.
Thieves – and they deserve anything they get.
You see – entering an agreement and taking all the “good stuff” and not paying money for it is theft. There are consequences – its a basic concept that you seem to be lacking Paul
Now look , I’ve already told you about that principle… and that I agree with it. And you also know that nasty Mr Douglas and all his naughty little friends need to be hauled up before the class and given a jolly good talking to..
And yes I agree… taking money that doesn’t belong to you IS theft.
Now wipe that spaghetti from the side of your mouth , please.
And of course James you are so bloody perfect, people like you are a constant irritant – what was so wrong with a public education for your kids that you had to lose an arm and a leg to send them to a private school. Just because you didn’t avail yourself of a tertiary education after your school years doesn’t mean to say it would fail your kids. Your kids might have more sense than you. What an angry man you are. What a waste of money paying out for a private school. Kids can come back and kick you in the bum no matter what you do for then, I hope they do not disappoint you after all that investment. Happy days.
Thanks Kate for your concern. Again not angry – quite happy in life all in all.
As for the private education- it was a choice – and we are happy with it. I’m happy with the education they received. They enjoyed their school years and to me that’s worth it.
amyway – kids are happy, well rounded and contributing members of society. I’m proud of them.
It would be far better for us all if you acted to make yourself proud of our state education system as well. But I suspect you are devoid of such altruism.
“It would be much better, easier and cheaper just to forgive all student debt, drop the fees, give proper Student Allowance and develop our economy so that when students are ready there’s jobs for them.”
Hear hear!
This would apply to ALL fees…including trade training, Class 2+ driving licences etc.
As an aside…how hard would it have been to have some kind of CET arrangement with Australia so NZ student loan repayments could have been collected through the Aussie tax system? If Aus has the capacity to identify and then exclude Kiwis paying tax in Aussie from entitlement to benefits and disability supports….surely their tax computer can perform a NZ student loan repayment function.
Rosemary
You should have added as part of your plan of free tertiary education for everyone and for all course, plus forgiving all existing debt that you have just increased govt spending by about 4% of GDP, since around 70% of the population get some form of tertiary ed.
All you have to do is increase taxes. It will require personal rates to go up by 25% across the board. However presumably you don’t want bottom tax rates to increase so the top rate will need to go to 66% as it was prior to 1984..
Good luck with selling that idea.
“All you have to do is increase taxes. It will require personal rates to go up by 25% across the board. However presumably you don’t want bottom tax rates to increase so the top rate will need to go to 66% as it was prior to 1984..
Good luck with selling that idea.’
absolute bollocks…..what was the rate of GST prior to 1984 Wayne? …it might however require the enforcement of existing tax law and /or closing of a few of those convenient loopholes….IRD funding will likely need increasing as well while we are at it.
Wayne
How much did you pay to enroll for your first degree?
How much did you have to pay for accommodation and living expenses.
How much did you have to borrow from the government to pay for your university education?
You may just have known someone who trained for a trade while you were studying…law, was it? Anyway…how much did apprentices have to pay to train during the time you were studying?
Funny. don’t you think, that the loudest voices demanding today’s youth mortgage potentially their entire future to pay for their education are the privileged who got their education for free.
I firmly hope there is an especially hot zone in hell for those New Zealanders over fifty years old who do not hang their heads in shame at this betrayal of today’s youth.
You live in a fixed wee world with your own fixed wee parameters. That’s how the right present their facts. The right’s position assumes so much is unchangeable. Was Labour’s introduction of user pays in education inevitable? That’s what you’re saying and it’s not true. How about we start with the unnecessary increases in defence spend? And no doubt, true to form, you won’t say a word. That’s because what you all too often do is spray and walk away. You are a coward.
Most – if not all- of Ministry of Ed goals is to get people to leave school with Level 2 NCEA which will allow them entry into basic tertiary education.
School students are told that tertiary qualifications are the goal for success, and many of them have made that choice under that belief. Of course, others have chosen it because entry level job remuneration does not provide them with independence, it often is not enough for covering basic living costs (unless they have support – financial or otherwise).
Our universities have now become oriented around collecting student fees (domestic and international) rather than being sufficiently funded by government. Both policy changes and tax cuts have contributed to this, and let’s stay aware of the debacle of international students that is finally being told in the media.
Along with failure to support local business and local workers, our graduates find that despite following all the rules it was all a big lie. There is no work for graduates. There are limited jobs for young people at all. Housing costs and high immigration alongside an atrophy of workers rights and pay, have resulted in a work environment that will sink them further in the financial mire, at the beginning of their working life. So they head to Australia.
Their home government, despite being able to provide that loan interest free – because let’s face it – they could create that money and tax it out – instead charges an interest rate higher than some retail banks.
Let’s list it in sequence about what has happened in the last couple of decades:
1. Government has Increased student fees and removed access for many to student allowances.
2. Funding has been reduced significantly and this shortfall has been covered by the increased domestic fees charged and the large influx of international students.
3. Ministry of Education continues to lie about the security offered by tertiary education all the way through the schooling years, then issues loans under that fallacy to many students that have no other method of meeting the increased financial costs,
4. Meanwhile, workers rights and housing access continues to worsen, while the economy is reduced to disaster payments and inflated housing and polluting industries,
5. Graduates discover that tertiary qualifications and entry level positions in NZ, do not provide enough to meeting living costs, let alone pay an extra 10% in repayments to their loan.
6. They travel to our nearest neighbour to try and get some kind of life while they are still young, and find they can do so, but sometimes not enough to pay back the required amounts that is requested.
7. They resign themselves to being student loan exiles from their own country. And the debt piles up.
James, our education system should be free.
We have coerced a large demographic of our young people into getting out loans that provide them with a major financial burden at the beginning of their independent lives.
Yes, they did take on that debt. But we ensured that the most financially strapped students had to do so in order to get a tertiary education. Others are lucky enough to have support (financial or otherwise) from friends and family.
In NZ, we are creating an education system where if you are not able to be assisted financially by friends and family, you will be financially penalised for many years to come for getting that degree.
So low paid professions will be disregarded – although they may be in high need.
I personally consider the student loan system to be a big marketing lie, and because of that – I really don’t care if it is collected.
And for that reason would forgive any interest, and the loan itself if the graduates return to NZ to utilise that learning for the benefit of NZ for at least five years.
Go after the avoided tax (on profits) that is avoided by many multi-nationals.
Go after the avoided tax in our immoral tax havens.
Don’t go after those investments in society that an educated repatriated graduate demographic would bring.
Yep. Agree totally – and I am an oldie who had some free tertiary education (mostly part time) and some I did in later years with a student loan I have since paid back. Happy for a student loan write-off, and return to free tertiary education.
Education (vocational or for personal/social/scientific,etc understanding and knowledge) is an investment for the whole of society. Helps serve democracy.
“”And $430 million of that is in default. Inland Revenue will now start chasing up these borrowers and taking action to get their student loan repayments back on track.””
Not asking that much is it Paul – they just need to get their repayments back on track.
And I jolly well hope they chase up all those naughty little brats who put all their stolen lollies from overseas into that precocious little Johnnie Keys piggy banks as well , Jamsey Wamsey…
You know how we all feel about this , Jamsey Wamsey ,… we do our best to look after you children but we cant feed all the neighborhoods children lollies as well…
Angry Kaikoura coast locals vent their quake frustrations at PM Bill English, Gerry Brownlee
English landed in a Defence Force chopper on the lawn of Kekerengu café The Store this afternoon, to be met with around 40 furious and frustrated locals.
One local Clarence farmer, John Murray, told English: “We had a meeting here three weeks ago and Gerry was here, and we left full of hope that something was going to happen … we have sat down there for three weeks and nothing has bloody well happened and its shocking, it is the absolute pits.”
He said progress on opening roads was too slow.
“No-one has attacked this northern end, the road’s been open from Blenheim, no one’s started tidying this road up at all, they’ve made patch-up repairs all the way through and the roads from Ward and Waipapa Bay should have been upgraded and ready to go so we could just go into the next stage.
“Nothing has been done except patch up and I reckon it’s p*** poor and if that’s what our Government feels about us and how they deal with emergencies then I’m afraid you have lost a lot of votes and a lot of confidence in this area.”
Hopefully. And yes, you are right to recognize the public display of arrogance. Hopefully it will be seared on the minds of the locals cometh election day.
“We had a meeting here three weeks ago and Gerry was here, and we left full of hope that something was going to happen … we have sat down there for three weeks and nothing has bloody well happened and its shocking, it is the absolute pits.”
…
“Nothing has been done except patch up and I reckon it’s p*** poor and if that’s what our Government feels about us and how they deal with emergencies then I’m afraid you have lost a lot of votes and a lot of confidence in this area.”
I’m sorry, but Kaikoura isn’t that far from Chch. What on earth made them think that what came out of Brownlee’s mouth was going to be real? And great if they’re not going to vote National now, but what about the last election when this shit was already playing out for several years in Canterbury?
Exactly, and often media are a little too selective on the locals they ask, hence the Nat supporter at the end of the herald article praising them, pushing the echo. Meanwhile the majority of public there are not so happy and I can’t say i blame them, very proud of them for making it known. Well done, speak your mind and tell us all like it really is.
Far out, the arrogance of Brownlee, and the locals won’t forget today and they will be talking about it for sometime afterwards.
I’m sure locals will be thrilled about them stopping at a vineyard aka class b drug manufacturing plantation to inspect their ‘cracked tanks’ on the way back home. Ho fucken ho ho ho.
Dearest Opposition parties, maybe some of your MP’s or people could spend a couple of days here and there in Kaikoura just helping out over the summer holidays, an awesome opportunity to really get to know the locals there, support their community and walk the talk, show you care. Some of us have not the means to go there. Now it’s summer and a great place for a holiday, maybe go help them out. No need to make a media frenzy about it, that would be shallow. Just boots on the ground, no announcement, just stop in and help a bit.
Key was a phenomenon. You really think the nats can win without him? Just look at Bennett. Pure shit comes out of her mouth every time she opens it. And poor old Bill’s just a plodder. The nats need to stay in the late 40% til the next election. Slipping just a bit and it’s curtains. You really think English and Bennett can keep things where Key had them? They made the nats look hopeless at their first press conference. It can only get worse. They’re history.
they are appalling and Key certainly held many in a trance (MSM included) but the opposition parties cannot sleep walk to an election win….they need to up their own game at the same time as the Nats crash
Yes, that’s the trouble. My guess, though, is that Labour’s lack of depth or oomph (or whatever you want to call it), together with the “Key’s gone” factor will mean the nats will lose next year rather than Labour winning. The margins over the last three elections have been slim and MMP at the moment gives the left, as well as Labour, the advantage in that regard. The difference will be whether Labour starts doing stupid things like it’s done over the last couple of elections. They just need to stay boringly steady and let the nats’ cringe factor, led by Bennett, do the work for them.
Why did he have the compulsive need to waste 30 million of the commons money on HIS personal vanity project ?
When the little fucker knew damn well after consulting with his little mate David Farrar no one wanted it and that 30 million could have been better put to 41000 homeless or the poor bastards having to sleep in their cars?
What sort of idiot are you buddy?
You’ve just negated your whole argument about student loans and personal responsibility in deference to those who hold a position of political privilege yet still squander the public purse without any personal responsibility or accountability.
Ha! – the neo liberal is only ever any good when their using someone else’s money – in the classic case above of Jame’s hero John Key spending the commons wealth on his own ego gratification projects – that in itself negates the whole notion of ‘ personal responsibility ‘ they like to crap on about.
Sickening.
What a pathetic two faced hypocritical dogma neo liberalism really and truly is.
Exactly….shonkey knew the Flag was something no-one even thought about, but his Ego said FUCK NZ I AM THE MAN (he fund out he wasnt, but too late, the money was burned)…..and while were at it MCScummy can pay back his Multi million $$ bribe gone wrong Saudi farm….eh James…..the Natz list just goes on and on……
” HIS personal vanity project ?”.
Really?
Actually he was simply being kind to the benighted Labour Party.
Knowing that they were never going to become the Government he very kindly gave the Public a chance to accept or reject one of the core items in Labour’s 2014 manifesto.
There policy was not merely to give the public a chance to change the flag. It was to change it, regardless of what the public thought.
Key very kindly gave the public a chance to give their view on the matter.
They didn’t think very highly of the Labour Party policy, did they?
Nat’s love to pinch policy karma on them if that’s the case.
Keys choice of flag was the vanity
i saw Keys flag the other day, up a pole, looking tatty and torn just like the outgoing government, and thought to myself that’s Keys flag, and Key has gone, must say it was a good feeling.
Yeah and your another idiot alwyn . Along with about 4 or 5 other morons who post here that just cant accept neo liberalism is dying its cancerous death.
Yes , and conveniently for you far right wing neo liberals you like to have a bob each way.
As the ‘change the flag ‘ debacle only pertains to those types of agitators- who have their people in both party’s – and to those who wish to rewrite NZ history.
Kekerengu is Tory heartland, how stupid is Brownlie.
As you say , they are just getting a taste of what everybody else has been putting up with from these bastards.
BTW, the vineyard they visited is Yealands now owned collectively by everyone in Marlborough through the local lines trust. Please don’t bag it too much.
‘For the past few weeks, British news-papers have been informing their readers about two contrasting battles in the killing grounds of the Middle East. One is Mosul, in northern Iraq, where western reporters are accompanying an army of liberation as it frees a joyful population from terrorist control. The other concerns Aleppo, just a few hundred miles to the west. This, apparently, is the exact opposite. Here, a murderous dictator, hellbent on destruction, is waging war on his own people.’
Paul,
Possibly because the reporting accurately reflects the fact that the two situations are different. As indeed the quote you used illustrates that point (although I do realise it is a Fisk quote meant as irony).
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by Phil Duncan In 2016 the National-led government suspended the Parent Visa Category, through which migrants were able to bring their parents into New Zealand. Since then over 5,700 people have been in immigration limbo, stuck on the visa wait list. Labour is now bringing back the scheme. Well, sort ...
The following was released yesterday (Tues, October 8) by the women’s liberation organisation Speak Up for Women. On 23 September Speak Up For Women announced that we would be holding an event at the Massey University Theaterette in Wellington. The event is called Feminism 2020. The intention of the event ...
The government is currently consulting on plans to improve freshwater quality. So naturally, farmers oppose it:South Taranaki farmers are preparing to fight proposed national freshwater changes that some fear will bankrupt them. The Government's proposed National Environment Standard on Freshwater Management, released in September, rated the Waingongoro River as one ...
Yesterday was the last day for (reliably) posting your vote away in local body elections. Turnouts are mostly much lower than the equivalent time last year (Palmerston North is down 2.3%), and so naturally people are pushing their online-voting snake oil again. Because the online census worked so well, lets ...
This essay, on the political legacy of the eugenics movement, by Kenan Malik was originally published in the Observer on 6 October 2019, under the headline ‘The spirit of eugenics is still with us, as immigrants know to their cost’. Birth control. Intelligence tests. Town planning. Immigration controls. It’s striking how ...
Another year, and the government has announced another enormous government "surplus". And just like last year, its nothing of the sort. When we have people homeless and sick and hungry, when we have schools and hospitals still falling down, when we have underpaid public servants and infrastucture unmaintained or unbuilt, ...
James Forsyth at The Spectator (I know, I know) has tapped one of his contacts inside Number Ten for an insight into the Johnson administration's thinking and strategy.It is fascinating, unsettling and quite, quite mad. Some key points:Negotiations have stalled and the Johnson administration are keen to blame the EU: ...
Fatal Contact: With the arrival of captain James Cook in October 1769, the islands of what would become New Zealand ceased to be the preserve of Polynesian navigators and settlers and became a part of both the world’s map and the world’s history.THE MAORI NATIONALIST assault upon the historical meaning ...
Another round of tactical talks about forming a Government of National Unity have come to nothing with the Liberal Democrats still refusing countenance putting Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street:Opposition talks on Monday made little headway over when to try and vote down Boris Johnson's government and who might succeed him as ...
by Nick Rogers The debate around the meaning of sex and gender made an appearance at this year’s British Labour Party conference in Brighton. Women’s Place UK – an organisation that questions the demand that biological males who self-identify as woman should have access to women’s spaces, to all-women shortlists, ...
Yesterday I went down to Wellington to participate in the Extinction Rebellion protest. Its part of the latest global wave of XR actions, with actions happening all over the world. Some of those protests are massively disruptive: in Canada, XR is blocking major bridges, stopping people from getting to work. ...
The Workshop is a charitable trust for public good. The Workshop undertake research to find ways of communicating that will build support for the solutions that work to solve complex social and environmental problems. See their Report on Talking about Poverty and Welfare Reform below. ...
What is language? We generally assume that it a facility unique to humans, allowing us to share what’s in and on our minds. We can tell of our plans, our past exploits, our knowledge. It also allows us to lie. And yet there are vast numbers of people we can’t ...
Being and Being Bought (Spinifex Press, 2013) by Kajsa Ekis Ekman A synopsis and commentary of Chapters 1-2 by Daphna Whitmore Ekman, a Swedish journalist and critic, brings together a Marxist and feminist analysis of prostitution and surrogacy in this groundbreaking book She opens the discussion with a definition of ...
I make no claims to having much legal knowledge, so I defer to those trained in this area.I am very much enjoying this twitter stream from m'learned friend in Edinburgh, deciphering the legal arguments around the Scottish court challenge to Boris Johnson, based on the charmingly obscure principle of Nobile ...
Ivory Folly? The University of Auckland’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart McCutcheon, upheld the right of the radical nationalist group, Action Zealandia to exercise their freedom of speech – not matter how distasteful that speech might be. A wiser community of students and scholars would have nodded their agreement and moved on. ...
If you are not convinced terrorist Organisation ‘Extinction Rebellion’ is very, very dangerous – watch this video at one of their recent meetings. Not only is this obviously mentally ill Woman begging the other terrorists to promote killing and “eating” babies and children, if you watch carefully other members nod ...
The Ombudsman has been surveying people about their knowledge of the OIA and the right to information. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that widespread:The Chief Ombudsman says too many New Zealanders were in the dark over their right to access official information. Peter Boshier said an independent survey released yesterday on ...
In the wake of last Friday's climate strike, Peter McKenzie had an article in The Spinoff about protest strategies. The school strike movement is "polite" and cooperates with those in power because that's its kaupapa - its led by schoolkids who understandably don't want to risk arrest. But there's more ...
So, the latest ruminations on the gnews from Westminster (Again, sorry; I'll stop making that pun right now). This follows on from, and likely repeats bits of, my last post, on the suggestion that a Government of National Unity (GNU) should be set up and then oversee a referendum before ...
New Zealand likes to think of itself as not a racist country (despite being founded on the racist dispossession and subjugation of Maori). But for years, we've had a racist refugee policy, which basicly excludes refugees from Africa and the Middle East unless they already have relatives here. Now, the ...
Several people have asked me whether a particular repeat litigant could be declared a vexatious litigant, in light of their recent decision to appeal an adverse High Court ruling. My nascent tweet thread was getting ridiculously long, so it became this blog post instead.The short answer is: no. The particular ...
Appealing To The Past: Action Zealandia, like so many of the organisations springing up on the far-Right, across what they call the “Anglosphere”, is born out of the profound confusion over what a man is supposed to be in the twenty-first century and, more importantly, what he is supposed to do.THE STATUE OF ...
The attempts of anti-democratic transactivists to (often violently) disrupt women’s rights organising is largely ignored by those sections of the left most prone to misogyny and authoritarianism in New Zealand. In Britain, however, scores of trade union and left activists added their names to a letter in July, defending ...
The Justice Committee has reported back on the Criminal Cases Review Commission Bill. The Bill would establish an independent, quasi-judicial body to investigate and review potential miscarriages of justice, and refer them back to the Court of appeal if required. It would be a vital backstop to our judiciary, help ...
by The Spark On September 14, a total of 22 drones and cruise missiles struck two oil installations in Saudi Arabia, the Abqaiq processing facility and the Khurais oil field. Abqaiq is the largest oil production facility in the world. For a few days afterwards, Saudi Aramco, the Saudi national ...
How much will NeoLiberal irregulation of the building sector and subsequent leaky homes crisis cost us? $47 billion, according to a new book:The total cost to fix all of New Zealand's leaky homes would be $47 billion, probably. The estimate comes from a new book, Rottenomics written by journalist Peter ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is predicting a hard Brexit for the United Kingdom, as he believes British Prime Minister Boris Johnson won’t be able to negotiate terms before the October 30 deadline. The Minister, who was one of the first to publicly come out and predict British voters would leave ...
Speaking at the Council of Trade Unions' (CTU) biennial conference, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters told unionists that any future attacks on the Government won't work. "Now, we are being attacked by the union movement in this country. You can have your views but I'm here to say standing ...
We want every New Zealander to be happy, safe, and healthy. To do this, we need to support strong, safe communities, and a robust and efficient health system. ...
Defence Minister Ron Mark has used his powers to overrule a noise complaint ruling against Whenuapai airbase on the grounds of "national security". The Environment Court last month released a ruling in favour of a private developer, declaring the Auckland airbase had to comply with noise restrictions when it performs ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has opened fire against "unreconstructed morons" after NZ First MP Shane Jones was photographed on holiday holding an AR-15 rifle. Mr Peters is defending Mr Jones, telling Magic Talk host Peter Williams that his MP was just having fun "like most people do". "The ...
New Zealand First Deputy Leader and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau was in attendance during the morning blessing of the Rotorua Lakefront development project. Around 60 people gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua, including city mayor Steve Chadwick and deputy Dave Donaldson. The Lakefront development is a ...
Forestry Minister Shane Jones is considering reining in on conversions of farmland to forestry, and also issued a warning to foreign-owned forestry companies that make up nearly 75 per cent of the industry. He said too many foreign companies had not provided enough access for domestic processors to get timber. ...
Speaking to Radio NZ, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said the tightening of the parental category visa is a direct result of the Party’s coalition negotiations with the Labour Party. He said the new changes switch the financial onus from the parent moving to New Zealand to the child ...
The Coalition Government is set to cut red tape in the building and construction sector in an effort to allow more houses to be built, including prefabricated houses. The changes will enable the mass factory production of "high quality" buildings, slash the likely number of building inspections for factory produced ...
Since coming into Government, we’ve worked hard to tackle homelessness and make sure everyone has a warm, dry home. And today, on World Homeless Day, we want to report back and update you on our progress so far. ...
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has hit back at National Party leader Simon Bridges who criticized the Coalition Government’s approach to crime, and said that the latter isn't credible in his attack on the Government over gang recruitment. "We've got as massive drug problem in this country. It is ...
New Zealand Mānuka honey exporters have welcomed an initiative by the Coalition Government to help secure the term “mānuka honey” to be used exclusively by Kiwi exporters, ensuring that our multimillion-dollar industry is protected. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones had recently announced that a Provincial Growth Funding of $5.7 ...
Political commentator Mike Hosking has labelled New Zealand First leader Winston Peters as “the voice of reason in a government soft on drugs”, for the Party’s stance on drug testing at music festivals. “If common sense is worth a vote, Winston Peters is quids in,” Mr Hosking said. The Labour ...
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau has announced Provincial Growth Funding to ensure work opportunities in Turangi and Whanganui, through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi. A fund of $500,000 will go to Rafting NZ in Turangi for a 16-week river guide training course to train ...
Treasury has shown that the Coalition Government has a $7.5 billion surplus, which is $4 billion higher than what was expected in the 2019 Budget unveiled last May. It is also $2 billion higher than the actual surplus unveiled this time last year, and at a size that has not ...
Official Information Act figures released to NZME show there were 350 assaults on officers in the year to the end of June, 79 more than the year before. The increase in attacks have sparked calls for more legal protection for first responders to be enacted. The assaults included officers being ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
We're making progress on tackling the long-term challenges: from homelessness, to strengthening border security, to bringing banking back New Zealand's small towns. ...
Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones has backed the ambitious plan to move Auckland’s port to Northport, at Whangarei harbour, which he says will be the “King Kong of infrastructure”. The plan is part of the recommendations of a six-person independent working group, which has recommended the Ports of Auckland be ...
A six-member independent working group selected the option of moving Auckland’s port to Northport, in Whangarei, ahead of other options. In what could be New Zealand’s most ambitious infrastructure project yet, a major expansion of the Marsden Point port could happen within 15 years. The project, officially called the “Upper ...
The final Electricity Price Review recommended prohibiting prompt payment discounts but allowing “reasonable” late fees. The findings of this review was welcomed by the Coalition Government, but they hope companies will follow through with its recommendations without regulations needed to be passed. Meridian Energy had already stopped prompt payment discounts, ...
Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF)through its skills and employment programme, Te Ara Mahi,will invest nearly $600,000 to ensure work opportunities for locals in Turangia and Whanganui, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “I’m pleased to announce the PGF ...
An export-led economy is one of New Zealand First’s key principles, and our commitment to achieving this is shown by the continuing skyrocketing demand for our beef and sheep meat exports. Beef + Lamb New Zealand's New Season Outlook 2019-20 report forecasts beef, lamb and mutton prices to lift from ...
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today in Gisborne an investment of $17.27m into bringing “world-leading” food-growing technology and the creation of more than 100 new jobs in the East Coast city. The funding comes from the Provincial Growth Fund, and included a $15 million loan to LeaderBrand, a ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development More than 100 people in Tairāwhiti’s Tolaga Bay will benefit from two employment initiatives supported by the Provincial Growth Fund, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Employment Minister Willie Jackson announced today. “Tolaga Bay is an incredibly tight-knit community, but one in ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is supporting Gisborne business Leaderbrand to produce salad vegetables year round and create more jobs in the Tairāwhiti region, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “Our support for Leaderbrand will help them build large greenhouses ...
“Nobody wants to see babies uplifted”, this was the pronouncement of Minister for Children Hon. Tracey Martin as her department, Oranga Tamariki, faces multiple inquiries into the number of babies being taken from their families. “But a baby can die with a single punch, “the Minister continued. “So sometimes, Oranga ...
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has praised the promise by New Zealand’s biggest banks not to close any provincial branches while the Coalition Government trials regional banking hubs across the country. The Minister said the announce was the “first sign of hope for regional communities”, many of which have ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, New Zealand First Leader New Zealand First is proud to have delivered an upgrade of the SuperGold Card website and a new smartphone app, which will help unlock the full benefits of the SuperGold Card for 750,000 New Zealand seniors.Party Leader Rt Hon Winston Peters, ...
Delivering a key election campaign promise, New Zealand First is proud to have accomplished a long overdue upgrade of the SuperGold Card today. At an event in Auckland, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters joined Minister for Seniors Hon. Tracey Martin in unveiling the new website and smartphone app which ...
Another busy week, from speaking with world leaders on the world stage about climate change, to equipping our school leavers with everything they need to get ahead in life. ...
At 1.30pm tomorrow, hundreds of thousands of Kiwis will join about 65 million people around the globe in ShakeOut, the world’s biggest earthquake drill. The annual drill is to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake which is to Drop, Cover, Hold, and to practise their ...
Kiwis are benefiting from higher wage growth and low inflation under the Coalition Government. Stats NZ data out today shows the rise in the cost of living remains low, as annual Consumers Price Index (CPI) inflation fell to 1.5% in September from 1.7% in June. “The low inflation comes as ...
New Zealand’s economic strength and resilience has been recognised in a major update on the state of the global economy. The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook released overnight shows a reduced global growth forecast over the next two years as issues like the US-China trade war and Brexit take hold. ...
Justice Minister Andrew Little has today introduced a new Bill to prevent terrorism and support the de-radicalisation of New Zealanders returning from overseas. The Terrorism Suppression (Control Orders) Bill gives the New Zealand Police the ability to apply to the High Court to impose control orders on New Zealanders who ...
A Bill that proposes targeted changes to simplify the processes for Māori land owners when engaging with the Māori Land Court has had its First Reading today. “The approach taken by the Government is to ensure that the protection of Māori land remains a priority as we seek to improve ...
Let me first thank all the new unionists and members in the room. There is nothing more important to improving people’s working lives than people making the decision to care, to get on board and help, to take up the reins and get involved. Congratulations to you. You bring the ...
Minister of Defence Ron Mark has signed a certificate exempting the activity of engine testing at Whenuapai Airbase from the Resource Management Act 1991. The Act gives the Minister of Defence the power to exempt activities for the purposes of national security. The certificate will mean the recent Environment Court ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson has announced New Zealand will join the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action while attending APEC meetings in Chile. The objective of the 39 member Coalition is to share information and promote action to tackle climate change. It was formed in April this year, in ...
Ladies and gentlemen, NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff, members of respective unions – thank you for the invitation to speak to you today. This might be preaching to the choir, but the importance of trade unions in New Zealand’s historical arch is difficult to understate. And it is my belief that ...
"Let’s start by acknowledging that it has been a huge year. " Police Association Annual Conference James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel Wellington Nau mai, haere mai. Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, ka nui te mihi, ki a koutou katoa. President of the Police Association, Chris Cahill; Members of the Association and ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters and Minister of Defence Ron Mark have announced the New Zealand Government’s decision to again deploy a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 (P-3) maritime patrol aircraft to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea. New ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says New Zealand continues to have serious concerns for peace and stability in north-east Syria. “Recent reports that hundreds of ISIS-affiliated families have fled from a camp are deeply concerning from a humanitarian and security perspective”, Mr Peters says. “While we acknowledge Turkey’s domestic security ...
Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor is warning travelling Kiwis to be vigilant as the high-season for the crop-eating brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is under way. “We’re on high alert to stop BMSB arriving in NZ. The high season runs until April 30 and we’ve strengthened our measures to stop stink ...
The Government is moving swiftly to change the law to improve the welfare and pastoral care of students living in university halls of residence and other tertiary hostels. Cabinet has agreed to several changes, including creating a new mandatory Code of Practice that sets out the duty of pastoral care ...
The Minister for Conservation Eugenie Sage has launched a new comprehensive trapping guide for community trappers to help them protect our native birds, plants and other wildlife, at Zealandia in Wellington today. ‘A practical guide to trapping’, has been developed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), and was launched during ...
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter welcomes PHARMAC’s move to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARCs). PHARMAC has today announced it will fund the full cost of Mirena and Jaydess for anyone seeking long term contraception, lifting previous restrictions on access to Mirena. “I welcome women having greater choices ...
The Government has approved the next stage of a major redevelopment of Taranaki Base Hospital, which will deliver new and improved facilities for patients. Health Minister Dr David Clark has announced details of a $300 million dollar project to build a new East Wing at the New Plymouth hospital. It ...
Extra funding will allow Rural Support Trusts to help farming families, says Minister for Rural Communities and Agriculture Damien O’Connor. “I know that rural families are worried about some of the challenges facing them, including the ongoing uncertainty created by the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak. “Those concerns sit alongside ongoing worries ...
Thank you for the opportunity to be here to present certificates to the 16 graduates who have completed a beekeeping course delivered by the Howard League. Let us start by acknowledging Auckland Prison’s Deputy Prison Director Tom Sherlock, and Acting Assistant Regional Commissioner of Corrections Northern Region Scott Walker - ...
Finance Minister Grant Robertson leaves this weekend to attend the APEC Finance Ministers meeting in Santiago, Chile. Discussions between APEC Finance Ministers at the meeting will include the effects of the current global economic uncertainty, risks for APEC economies and sustainable development of the region. While at APEC Grant Robertson ...
The Minister for Pacific Peoples Aupito William Sio says for Pacific people, language can be a source of strength. It can help ground us and give us confidence. When we speak them, our languages provide us with an immediate and intimate access to our identity and our story - and ...
The Coalition Government has announced an action plan to improve the wellbeing of disabled New Zealanders by addressing inequalities in play, active recreation and sport. The initiative includes training to develop a workforce that understands the needs of children and young people with a range of impairments, advocacy for fit ...
The construction sector is being freed up to allow more homes to be built more quickly as the Government cuts through some of the red tape of the Building Act. “Every New Zealander deserves a warm, dry, safe home and old inefficiencies in the Building Act make building slow and ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has welcomed further details on the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall’s visit to New Zealand next month. Their Royal Highnesses will visit New Zealand from 17-23 November – their third joint visit to New Zealand and first in four years. They arrive in Auckland ...
Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth and Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, heads to Thailand today to attend the final Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Ministerial meeting, as negotiations enter their final stages. “The RCEP Agreement would anchor New Zealand in a regional agreement that covers 16 countries, ...
Pacific young people living in the Hawke’s Bay, Southland and Otago regions will have access to support services that have proved successful in helping young people find new earning and learning opportunities. “Tupu Aotearoa is about changing Pacific young peoples’ lives. Our young people are talented, they are smart, they ...
Introduction As the Minister for ACC I thank you all for the work that you do supporting New Zealanders in their literally most vulnerable moments. From those who hold people’s lives in their hands, to the people who research technique, technology and trends, your work is highly valued. A special ...
Notes prepared for speeches in Christchurch – Wednesday 9 October 2019 Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There ...
Minister of Health Dr David Clark and Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare say this year’s World Mental Health Day theme is a reminder of why the Government’s work on mental health is so important. “This year the World Federation for Mental Health has made suicide prevention the main theme ...
Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni will represent the government at Australia’s Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Adelaide this week. “This year’s meeting is special because New Zealand is expected to become an International Member of the Meeting of Cultural Ministers at this Australian forum,” Carmel Sepuloni said. “The meeting is an opportunity to ...
The Greater Christchurch Claims Resolution Service has resolved 608 insurance and EQC claims in its first year in operation, Minister Megan Woods has announced. The government service, which celebrates its first birthday today, provides a one stop shop to help Cantabrians still battling to get their homes repaired or rebuilt ...
Today’s topic, “trends and opportunities for the New Zealand economy,” is certainly one getting a great deal of commentary at the moment. Looking across the media landscape lately you’ll notice we aren’t the only ones having this discussion. There has been an increasing amount of attention paid to the outlook ...
The Government is acting swiftly to strengthen NZTA’s regulatory role following a review into the Transport Agency, and Ministry of Transport’s performance as its monitor, Transport Minister Phil Twyford said today. An independent review by Martin Jenkins has found NZTA failed to properly regulate the transport sector under the previous ...
The Netherlands and New Zealand have a long-standing and close relationship based on many shared interests and values. We value the rule of law, our democracies, and multilateralism. And we value our environment – at home and globally. Right now there are major global challenges in all of these areas – ...
The Government is putting right a decade’s worth of underpayment to nurses, doctors and other health workers, says Health Minister Dr David Clark. Initial sampling of District Health Boards payroll records has found that around $550-$650 million is owed to DHB staff to comply with the Holidays Act. It’s expected ...
A strong surplus and low debt show the economy is performing well, and means the Government is in a good position to meet the challenges of global economic uncertainty. “The surplus and low levels of debt show the economy is in good shape. This allows the Government to spend more ...
New applications from mining company OceanaGold to purchase land in Waihi for new tailings ponds associated with its gold mines have been approved. Minister of Finance Grant Robertson and Associate Minister of Finance David Parker considered the applications under the Overseas Investment Act. Earlier this year, applications from OceanaGold to ...
New Zealanders in Tūranganui-a-Kiwa / Poverty Bay will witness Māori, Pākehā and Pacific voyaging traditions come together today as the Tuia 250 Voyage flotilla assembles for the first time, Māori Crown Relations: Te Arawhiti Minister Kelvin Davis says. “Tuia 250 is a national commemoration and an opportunity for honest conversations ...
Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker leaves tomorrow for Dubai, London and Berlin for a series of meetings to advance New Zealand’s trade interests. In Dubai he will visit New Zealand’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 where construction is underway. There he will meet Minister of State for International Cooperation, Her ...
Confirmation that PHARMAC will fund two new cancer drugs is further evidence of the good progress the Government is making to improve the treatment of New Zealand’s leading cause of death, Health Minister David Clark says. From 1 December PHARMAC will fund alectinib (Alecensa) for ALK positive advanced non-small cell ...
Olympic sailors Blair Tuke and Peter Burling are throwing their weight behind a campaign encouraging New Zealander consumers and businesses to reduce their plastic pollution. ...
National Party leader Simon Bridges says his MP Agnes Loheni let him know she'd be contesting the candidacy for Botany, adding it's a "free world". ...
Think you’ve got your KiwiSaver sorted? Try Kōura’s ‘robo-advice’ questionnaire and you might be surprised.If a person who looks like they know about finance asks you whether your appetite for risk is low, medium or high, what do you say? The problem is most Kiwis don’t understand what the question ...
The Social Services and Community Committee is seeking submissions on the Rates Rebate (Statutory Declarations) Amendment Bill. This bill aims to improve the process of applying for rates rebates. It proposes: • Removing the requirement to make a statutory ...
The Māori Affairs Committee is calling for submissions on the Te Ture Whenua Maori (Succession, Dispute Resolution, and Related Matters) Amendment Bill. ...
The New Zealand Police have been used as a political pawn which is stretching their resources and seriously affecting their ability to address the real causes of crime, such as gang related supply of illicit drugs. ...
Alex Casey yarns to Karen O’Leary, early childhood teacher by day and star of Wellington Paranormal and What We Do in The Shadows by night. Two of the funniest moments in New Zealand television last year were entirely fence-based. First up there was Agni on The Block NZ, who packed a ...
NZ Police wish to clarify that cartridges filled with steel or lead shot are not prohibited. They may still be used under the Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019 as shotgun cartridges are specifically excluded from the prohibition order. ...
NZ Police wish to clarify that cartridges filled with steel or lead shot are not prohibited. They may still be used under the Arms (Prohibited Ammunition) Order 2019 as shotgun cartridges are specifically excluded from the prohibition order. ...
Josie Adams is in tonight’s episode of Have You Been Paying Attention. Specifically, she is in the audience.When you watch Have You Been Paying Attention? tonight, please consider the bladders of audience members watching it live. They offer beverages, but my God it’s a dangerous offer. As I found out ...
Despite comments from Auckland City Council CCOs Board Chairs re pay and performance bonuses for top managers—Herald Newspaper Tuesday Oct 15th--there is very little evidence that says high pay and bonuses improve the performance of a company. Most ...
By Michael Andrew Pacific diplomats, academics and youth leaders will gather in Auckland this week to discuss security, economic development and other pressing issues shaping the region’s future. Pacific Futures will be held on October 18 and will feature speakers from across the region, including Samoa’s Deputy Prime Minister ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Hutchinson, PhD Candidate, Australian National University It has been more than two years since “clearance operations” by Myanmar’s security forces, the Tatmadaw, forced more than 700,000 Rohingya across the border to neighbouring Bangladesh. During this time, the UN Security Council has ...
Fast food company Restaurant Brands has made a smaller half year profit largely because of accounting changes as it prepares to invest heavily in the launch of Taco Bell in New Zealand. ...
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk Papua New Guinea police have issued a warrant for the arrest of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill. According to EMTV News, the Waigana district court issued the warrant which was based on evidence previously compiled by police investigators. Acting Police Commissioner David Manning said he ...
Patient Voice Aotearoa welcomes the comments made by the Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters on ‘The Project’ on Friday last week. Peters stated “Right now…we know we are not spending nearly enough on pharmaceuticals and first world drugs…the ...
The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling on outgoing Porirua Mayor Mike Tana to repay money clocked up on his ratepayer-funded fuel card for personal travel. The Ernst and Young report released yesterday reveals that, within less than three ...
We review the entire country and culture of New Zealand, one thing at a time. Today, a new hole-in-the-wall eatery in Auckland dedicated to New Zealand’s favourite snack.Cheese On Toast has unsavoury connotations for a lot of New Zealand music fans, but now you can wash that bad taste out ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Md Arif Hasan, PhD candidate, Victoria University of Wellington CC BY-NDClimate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert ...
There’s an innovation renaissance brewing in post-earthquake Christchurch as multicultural entrepreneurship replaces the old boys’ network. This required a new name, writes Steven Moe.An unusual name that evokes images from Harry Potter is fine by the Ministry of Awesome, because it immediately sets it apart. Founded in the aftermath of ...
Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) and Ngā Tāngata Microfinance endorse the Salvation Army’s call for tougher regulations on debt collectors and mechanisms to provide forgiveness or waivers for debts to private lenders and Government that are "effectively ...
Cotton On members are currently negotiating a new Collective Agreement with their employer, but despite the company’s repeated claims that they will provide “a pathway to the living wage”, a “people first focus” and a “commitment to ...
Today the Wellington Howard League releases the results of its fourth annual Wellington Howard League prison survey. The survey suggests a variation in the conditions experienced across prisons in New Zealand and an overall decline in most aspects surveyed. This ...
Some people go for a run to let off steam after work, while others try their hand at ballroom dancing or hit up a pub quiz. And some, as Greta Yeoman discovers, throw sharp objects at walls. She gives it a go.An uncoordinated, anxious journalist with terrible aim is probably ...
A move by Australia's financial regulator could be enough to turn the big banks' threat to ditch New Zealand into a reality - or at least see them charge customers more. ...
A staffing survey carried out by the senior doctors’ union, the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, has found a gaping shortfall of hospital specialists at the Northland DHB. ...
Iain Lees-Galloway has defended granting residency to a man with multiple drink-driving convictions saying the person had been in the country for 20 years and had kept out of trouble for a long time. ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.New Zealand Parliament Buildings, Wellington, New Zealand.Today’s content by Dr Bryce Edwards.Industrial relations Luke Malpass (Stuff): Winston Peters holds the keys to new union laws. Will ...
Yes we fully support Minister of transport plan to use special speed cameras finally catching all speeding trucks, and other vehicles on our narrow single lane roads that are not fit to use as a speedway by any vehicle. ...
This afternoon Fish & Game posted a public statement responding to my email to supporters this morning – specifically rejecting our claim that steel shot is now deemed "enhanced penetration ammunition" and therefore possession of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandie Shean, Lecturer, School of Education, Edith Cowan University Two-thirds of young people experience levels of exam stress that mental health organisation ReachOut describes as “worrying”. Research shows high levels of exam stress can interfere with attention and reduce working memory, leading ...
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Great news – we are all going to get some of our tax $$ back.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11767791
Did you get a free education?
Pull the ladder up after you?
Ever take a loan, then tell the lender to **** off?
How do you think that works out?
Bloody good job – I hope they go after them all as hard as possible.
All they have to do is make their loan payments like everybody else. Now – just like the real world – they are seeing there are consequences for their (lack of) action and dishonesty.
Yep.
Fine. It’s why we have laws for defaulting.
Except for the fact that they can’t afford to. That’s the real point here. The government is demanding that these people do something that they can’t afford.
Would these kiwis be living in Oz if they didn’t have a job? bludging fuckers need to pay back the money they stole from the taxpayer.
I hope they nail their arses to the wall.
You Tories are so angry.
Paul, these people have stolen from the collective, if you’re any sort of socialist you’d be appalled at their flagrant dishonesty and be demanding they pay the money back.
So what is this?…. a new found respect for socialism / the collective ?
Very impressed with the use of the word collective. Very impressed.
So building on that idea I say we should now be released to take the former Business Roundtable (now the New Zealand Institute ) to court for charges of social malfeasance , obtaining pecuniary advantage ,and treason.
Additionally , we can also charge the neo liberal leaders of the last 32 years retrospectively with the same criminal charges with the added charges of collusion and being complicit in a crime.
There.
That would solve the issue of those stealing from the collective.
Well done , BM , thank you very much for your input.
“So building on that idea I say we should now be released to take the former Business Roundtable (now the New Zealand Institute ) to court for charges of social malfeasance , obtaining pecuniary advantage ,and treason.”
Yeah – thats a rational response to asking someone to pay their student loan.
Oh Jamsey wamsey… we dont want to be seen as having a case of ‘whats good for the goose is NOT good for the gander ‘ , do we now , dearie?
Actually – not angry at all – this makes me happy.
I hope they arrest 100’s of them at the airport after xmas holidays.
Yeah I agree…
Like Whittall who set up a company in Wellington during the Royal Commission of Inquiry called ‘ Whittall and Associates ‘ which specialized in among other things ‘ mining safety ‘….
Didnt work for a few years after that because no one would seek his services the lazy bludging bastard – and we paid for that !.
So off he went and packed his bags back to Australia without so much as a buy you or leave to budge off the Aussie’s Centrelink..
“Fine. It’s why we have laws for defaulting.”
Yep – but you guys seem to have an issue with the laws for defaulting on student loans.
“Except for the fact that they can’t afford to. That’s the real point here. The government is demanding that these people do something that they can’t afford.”
citation please?
There are plently that are just trying to get away with it – unfortunately they cause more issues for the ones with genuine problems.
So some yes – all nope.
” There are plently that are just trying to get away with it – unfortunately they cause more issues for the ones with genuine problems.”
I heartily agree !
And so to add to that and following along that line of logic,…. these govt depts that are in collusion with the National party and particularly with ex PM John Key ,…. and also the Pike River Coal Mining company who said they didn’t have any funds left to stand trial….should be taking responsibilities for their actions, reentering Pike River and being manned up enough to accept the consequences of any evidence found and of a renewed High Court trial by which a significant number would be convicted…
Stop em at the airport if they try to get away and throw the book at em , eh James? –
That’s the spirit !!!
I like what I’m hearing so far.
Keep it up.
Your logic is flawed and hysterical.
Its a pretty basic item – people who take loans need to pay them back or suffer consequences.
Nothing to do with Pike River FFS.
Ooooooooo , yes but dear Jamsey Wamsey ,… but it does…
especially in a liberal social democracy where we are all supposed to be equal under the law… or are you now changing your tune and resorting back to selectivity ?
Oh Jamsey …. Im so disappointed in you…. and here I really thought you’d started to develop a small sliver of humanity and common sense…
Oh well…. never mind…
Nope – I have been pretty consistent about accountability for actions.
Its just your argument is stupid.
Oh dearest Jamsey,… not the little philosopher , are we , dearie?
Never mind snookums,… one bright sunny day when the cognitive processes switch on past puberty , you’ll understand the correlation.
Oh sorry , dearest … correlation is a rather large word… lest say…
‘ things that look quite the same even though not quite the same circumstances’…
Oh darn ,… done it again.
Did you get a free education?
Do you pay your debts?
I benefited from a free tertiary education. I think following generations should too.
Did you? You appear reluctant to answer. I wonder why?
It is because you are only to happy to pull the ladder up after you, like Key, Hosking and Bennett ?
Actually – no I have no uni education.
My kids went to private school – which cost me a blimmin arm and a leg.
So I answered you – how about you teling me – do you pay your debts?
Of course.
Of course – yet here you are arguing that others should not.
So why not expect others to do so?
They entered into an agreement right?
They knew the terms right?
So why let them off?
See Draco’s comments about their ability to pay back. I agree with him/her on that.
I also believe in justice above the law. It was unjust that the generation after us paid for education when we did not.
Your right wing ‘consumer’ view of education I guess is exemplified by your use of private education.
You have much to learn of the benefits of a civil society, I sense.
Here’s a clue.
It’s not all about you.
Don’t be an ass, when you went to Uni in the 1950’s probably about 5% of the population went onto higher education, the rest entered the workforce.
The country could easily afford that and anyway higher educated people paid their “free” education back in spades when the top tax rate was around 60%.
I received a free education. I have always thought I should pay it back somehow. I also think that my kids and my nephews and nieces should get a free education as well. Things work better when we educate all of our kids, no matter how poor they are.
Would you be happy to see a top tax rate of 60% ms?.
Because that’s the only way we could afford free tertiary education.
Yep and we could do the same if we raised the top tax rate back up to 60%+
Thank you for your support for social inclusiveness.
“I benefited from a free tertiary education”.
Really? You disguise it very well. I would never have guessed that you had got that far.
What an unpleasant and unnecessary comment.
Diddums.
alwyn maintains his form as a highly eloquent egg.
Spaghetti and meatballs for dinner , Jamsey – go wash up now and sit up straight at the table like a good boy.
Ah, National going the punitive route rather than making things better.
It would be much better, easier and cheaper just to forgive all student debt, drop the fees, give proper Student Allowance and develop our economy so that when students are ready there’s jobs for them.
Yes, and that requires compassion and empathy, something James appear to lack.
compassion and empathy does not come into it – they took a loan, entered a contract and bolted and didnt pay it.
Thieves – and they deserve anything they get.
You see – entering an agreement and taking all the “good stuff” and not paying money for it is theft. There are consequences – its a basic concept that you seem to be lacking Paul
You RWNJs really get off when people get attacked and threatened …
Jamsey Diddums !!!
Stop that language this instance !!!
Now look , I’ve already told you about that principle… and that I agree with it. And you also know that nasty Mr Douglas and all his naughty little friends need to be hauled up before the class and given a jolly good talking to..
And yes I agree… taking money that doesn’t belong to you IS theft.
Now wipe that spaghetti from the side of your mouth , please.
And of course James you are so bloody perfect, people like you are a constant irritant – what was so wrong with a public education for your kids that you had to lose an arm and a leg to send them to a private school. Just because you didn’t avail yourself of a tertiary education after your school years doesn’t mean to say it would fail your kids. Your kids might have more sense than you. What an angry man you are. What a waste of money paying out for a private school. Kids can come back and kick you in the bum no matter what you do for then, I hope they do not disappoint you after all that investment. Happy days.
Thanks Kate for your concern. Again not angry – quite happy in life all in all.
As for the private education- it was a choice – and we are happy with it. I’m happy with the education they received. They enjoyed their school years and to me that’s worth it.
amyway – kids are happy, well rounded and contributing members of society. I’m proud of them.
It would be far better for us all if you acted to make yourself proud of our state education system as well. But I suspect you are devoid of such altruism.
“It would be much better, easier and cheaper just to forgive all student debt, drop the fees, give proper Student Allowance and develop our economy so that when students are ready there’s jobs for them.”
Hear hear!
This would apply to ALL fees…including trade training, Class 2+ driving licences etc.
As an aside…how hard would it have been to have some kind of CET arrangement with Australia so NZ student loan repayments could have been collected through the Aussie tax system? If Aus has the capacity to identify and then exclude Kiwis paying tax in Aussie from entitlement to benefits and disability supports….surely their tax computer can perform a NZ student loan repayment function.
Rosemary
You should have added as part of your plan of free tertiary education for everyone and for all course, plus forgiving all existing debt that you have just increased govt spending by about 4% of GDP, since around 70% of the population get some form of tertiary ed.
All you have to do is increase taxes. It will require personal rates to go up by 25% across the board. However presumably you don’t want bottom tax rates to increase so the top rate will need to go to 66% as it was prior to 1984..
Good luck with selling that idea.
“the top rate will need to go to 66% as it was prior to 1984..
Good luck with selling that idea.”
Don’t worry Rosemary.
I’ll buy that. After all, how much is enough?
“All you have to do is increase taxes. It will require personal rates to go up by 25% across the board. However presumably you don’t want bottom tax rates to increase so the top rate will need to go to 66% as it was prior to 1984..
Good luck with selling that idea.’
absolute bollocks…..what was the rate of GST prior to 1984 Wayne? …it might however require the enforcement of existing tax law and /or closing of a few of those convenient loopholes….IRD funding will likely need increasing as well while we are at it.
Parmjeet, is that you?
Wayne
How much did you pay to enroll for your first degree?
How much did you have to pay for accommodation and living expenses.
How much did you have to borrow from the government to pay for your university education?
You may just have known someone who trained for a trade while you were studying…law, was it? Anyway…how much did apprentices have to pay to train during the time you were studying?
Funny. don’t you think, that the loudest voices demanding today’s youth mortgage potentially their entire future to pay for their education are the privileged who got their education for free.
I firmly hope there is an especially hot zone in hell for those New Zealanders over fifty years old who do not hang their heads in shame at this betrayal of today’s youth.
You live in a fixed wee world with your own fixed wee parameters. That’s how the right present their facts. The right’s position assumes so much is unchangeable. Was Labour’s introduction of user pays in education inevitable? That’s what you’re saying and it’s not true. How about we start with the unnecessary increases in defence spend? And no doubt, true to form, you won’t say a word. That’s because what you all too often do is spray and walk away. You are a coward.
Most – if not all- of Ministry of Ed goals is to get people to leave school with Level 2 NCEA which will allow them entry into basic tertiary education.
School students are told that tertiary qualifications are the goal for success, and many of them have made that choice under that belief. Of course, others have chosen it because entry level job remuneration does not provide them with independence, it often is not enough for covering basic living costs (unless they have support – financial or otherwise).
Our universities have now become oriented around collecting student fees (domestic and international) rather than being sufficiently funded by government. Both policy changes and tax cuts have contributed to this, and let’s stay aware of the debacle of international students that is finally being told in the media.
Along with failure to support local business and local workers, our graduates find that despite following all the rules it was all a big lie. There is no work for graduates. There are limited jobs for young people at all. Housing costs and high immigration alongside an atrophy of workers rights and pay, have resulted in a work environment that will sink them further in the financial mire, at the beginning of their working life. So they head to Australia.
Their home government, despite being able to provide that loan interest free – because let’s face it – they could create that money and tax it out – instead charges an interest rate higher than some retail banks.
Let’s list it in sequence about what has happened in the last couple of decades:
1. Government has Increased student fees and removed access for many to student allowances.
2. Funding has been reduced significantly and this shortfall has been covered by the increased domestic fees charged and the large influx of international students.
3. Ministry of Education continues to lie about the security offered by tertiary education all the way through the schooling years, then issues loans under that fallacy to many students that have no other method of meeting the increased financial costs,
4. Meanwhile, workers rights and housing access continues to worsen, while the economy is reduced to disaster payments and inflated housing and polluting industries,
5. Graduates discover that tertiary qualifications and entry level positions in NZ, do not provide enough to meeting living costs, let alone pay an extra 10% in repayments to their loan.
6. They travel to our nearest neighbour to try and get some kind of life while they are still young, and find they can do so, but sometimes not enough to pay back the required amounts that is requested.
7. They resign themselves to being student loan exiles from their own country. And the debt piles up.
James, our education system should be free.
We have coerced a large demographic of our young people into getting out loans that provide them with a major financial burden at the beginning of their independent lives.
Yes, they did take on that debt. But we ensured that the most financially strapped students had to do so in order to get a tertiary education. Others are lucky enough to have support (financial or otherwise) from friends and family.
In NZ, we are creating an education system where if you are not able to be assisted financially by friends and family, you will be financially penalised for many years to come for getting that degree.
So low paid professions will be disregarded – although they may be in high need.
I personally consider the student loan system to be a big marketing lie, and because of that – I really don’t care if it is collected.
And for that reason would forgive any interest, and the loan itself if the graduates return to NZ to utilise that learning for the benefit of NZ for at least five years.
Go after the avoided tax (on profits) that is avoided by many multi-nationals.
Go after the avoided tax in our immoral tax havens.
Don’t go after those investments in society that an educated repatriated graduate demographic would bring.
Yep. Agree totally – and I am an oldie who had some free tertiary education (mostly part time) and some I did in later years with a student loan I have since paid back. Happy for a student loan write-off, and return to free tertiary education.
Education (vocational or for personal/social/scientific,etc understanding and knowledge) is an investment for the whole of society. Helps serve democracy.
Molly.
I agree that govt should be making everyone pay a fair share of tax. Google etc included.
But.
Why should an accountancy practice be able to hire a recent graduate for $20/hr?
Why should a librarian with a masters degree get $45,000/yr
Why is a worker on $15/hr paying tax for these people to get trained ?
Salaries need to rise thru demand for staf and this will only happen when graduate numbers in some skill areas drop.
Over training is just wasting precious resources.
Neo liberal translation :
‘Lets keep em all thick and controllable ‘
Education includes not only degrees, but community education and apprenticeship training.
Was replying to James in respect of student loans – also accessible to apprentices as far as I know.
“”And $430 million of that is in default. Inland Revenue will now start chasing up these borrowers and taking action to get their student loan repayments back on track.””
Not asking that much is it Paul – they just need to get their repayments back on track.
And I jolly well hope they chase up all those naughty little brats who put all their stolen lollies from overseas into that precocious little Johnnie Keys piggy banks as well , Jamsey Wamsey…
You know how we all feel about this , Jamsey Wamsey ,… we do our best to look after you children but we cant feed all the neighborhoods children lollies as well…
Angry Kaikoura coast locals vent their quake frustrations at PM Bill English, Gerry Brownlee
English landed in a Defence Force chopper on the lawn of Kekerengu café The Store this afternoon, to be met with around 40 furious and frustrated locals.
One local Clarence farmer, John Murray, told English: “We had a meeting here three weeks ago and Gerry was here, and we left full of hope that something was going to happen … we have sat down there for three weeks and nothing has bloody well happened and its shocking, it is the absolute pits.”
He said progress on opening roads was too slow.
“No-one has attacked this northern end, the road’s been open from Blenheim, no one’s started tidying this road up at all, they’ve made patch-up repairs all the way through and the roads from Ward and Waipapa Bay should have been upgraded and ready to go so we could just go into the next stage.
“Nothing has been done except patch up and I reckon it’s p*** poor and if that’s what our Government feels about us and how they deal with emergencies then I’m afraid you have lost a lot of votes and a lot of confidence in this area.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11767842
Also on TVNZ – Gerry Brownlie displaying his usual bullying asshole personality.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/gerry-brownlee-visits-kaikoura-and-tells-fed-up-local-im-pissed-off-you-took-attitude-after-being-confronted
Great they are showing their born to rule arrogance so publicly.
Wouldn’t have happened with Key.
Are the wheels coming off?
Hopefully. And yes, you are right to recognize the public display of arrogance. Hopefully it will be seared on the minds of the locals cometh election day.
Swearing at a voter – not a good look
only thing new about this is it is now being reported…..maybe I wasn’t imagining things after all
“We had a meeting here three weeks ago and Gerry was here, and we left full of hope that something was going to happen … we have sat down there for three weeks and nothing has bloody well happened and its shocking, it is the absolute pits.”
…
“Nothing has been done except patch up and I reckon it’s p*** poor and if that’s what our Government feels about us and how they deal with emergencies then I’m afraid you have lost a lot of votes and a lot of confidence in this area.”
I’m sorry, but Kaikoura isn’t that far from Chch. What on earth made them think that what came out of Brownlee’s mouth was going to be real? And great if they’re not going to vote National now, but what about the last election when this shit was already playing out for several years in Canterbury?
Some people only get it when it happens to them.
“Are the wheels coming off?”
Nope.
I’d be more interested in what the people of Kaikoura think.
Exactly, and often media are a little too selective on the locals they ask, hence the Nat supporter at the end of the herald article praising them, pushing the echo. Meanwhile the majority of public there are not so happy and I can’t say i blame them, very proud of them for making it known. Well done, speak your mind and tell us all like it really is.
Far out, the arrogance of Brownlee, and the locals won’t forget today and they will be talking about it for sometime afterwards.
I’m sure locals will be thrilled about them stopping at a vineyard aka class b drug manufacturing plantation to inspect their ‘cracked tanks’ on the way back home. Ho fucken ho ho ho.
Dearest Opposition parties, maybe some of your MP’s or people could spend a couple of days here and there in Kaikoura just helping out over the summer holidays, an awesome opportunity to really get to know the locals there, support their community and walk the talk, show you care. Some of us have not the means to go there. Now it’s summer and a great place for a holiday, maybe go help them out. No need to make a media frenzy about it, that would be shallow. Just boots on the ground, no announcement, just stop in and help a bit.
Key was a phenomenon. You really think the nats can win without him? Just look at Bennett. Pure shit comes out of her mouth every time she opens it. And poor old Bill’s just a plodder. The nats need to stay in the late 40% til the next election. Slipping just a bit and it’s curtains. You really think English and Bennett can keep things where Key had them? They made the nats look hopeless at their first press conference. It can only get worse. They’re history.
they are appalling and Key certainly held many in a trance (MSM included) but the opposition parties cannot sleep walk to an election win….they need to up their own game at the same time as the Nats crash
Yes, that’s the trouble. My guess, though, is that Labour’s lack of depth or oomph (or whatever you want to call it), together with the “Key’s gone” factor will mean the nats will lose next year rather than Labour winning. The margins over the last three elections have been slim and MMP at the moment gives the left, as well as Labour, the advantage in that regard. The difference will be whether Labour starts doing stupid things like it’s done over the last couple of elections. They just need to stay boringly steady and let the nats’ cringe factor, led by Bennett, do the work for them.
Labour would benefit for continuing to (re)introduce more candidates like Michael Wood and Laila Harre.
Fucking Askimet, what a piece of fucking shit it is, whoever coded this, needs to be fucked up the arse repeatedly with the sharp end of a pineapple.
Choice set of vocabulary from an advocate of the far right wing neo liberals.
Well done , cherub.
how about $30 Million for a flag referendum / flight of fancy by an ex-PMp – Shonkey should pay that back
Why?
Why did he have the compulsive need to waste 30 million of the commons money on HIS personal vanity project ?
When the little fucker knew damn well after consulting with his little mate David Farrar no one wanted it and that 30 million could have been better put to 41000 homeless or the poor bastards having to sleep in their cars?
What sort of idiot are you buddy?
You’ve just negated your whole argument about student loans and personal responsibility in deference to those who hold a position of political privilege yet still squander the public purse without any personal responsibility or accountability.
Moron.
I think a boycott of James is in order.
James should also pay back his Standard loans (everyone here has spent a lot on his education) too much actually
Ha! – the neo liberal is only ever any good when their using someone else’s money – in the classic case above of Jame’s hero John Key spending the commons wealth on his own ego gratification projects – that in itself negates the whole notion of ‘ personal responsibility ‘ they like to crap on about.
Sickening.
What a pathetic two faced hypocritical dogma neo liberalism really and truly is.
Exactly….shonkey knew the Flag was something no-one even thought about, but his Ego said FUCK NZ I AM THE MAN (he fund out he wasnt, but too late, the money was burned)…..and while were at it MCScummy can pay back his Multi million $$ bribe gone wrong Saudi farm….eh James…..the Natz list just goes on and on……
” HIS personal vanity project ?”.
Really?
Actually he was simply being kind to the benighted Labour Party.
Knowing that they were never going to become the Government he very kindly gave the Public a chance to accept or reject one of the core items in Labour’s 2014 manifesto.
There policy was not merely to give the public a chance to change the flag. It was to change it, regardless of what the public thought.
Key very kindly gave the public a chance to give their view on the matter.
They didn’t think very highly of the Labour Party policy, did they?
Nat’s love to pinch policy karma on them if that’s the case.
Keys choice of flag was the vanity
i saw Keys flag the other day, up a pole, looking tatty and torn just like the outgoing government, and thought to myself that’s Keys flag, and Key has gone, must say it was a good feeling.
Yeah and your another idiot alwyn . Along with about 4 or 5 other morons who post here that just cant accept neo liberalism is dying its cancerous death.
Go back to your knitting.
“” HIS personal vanity project ?”.
Really?”
yes – really. There has never been a popular, public based push for changing the flag. (people have tried but its always been a fizzer)
then from day one he proceeded to put his own view into the debate at every oppourtunity
its pathetic to try and blame labour for the choices key made – grow up
What was labours policy on the flag – scarily similar to keys – just a chance in execution- so hardly HIS vanity project.
Yes , and conveniently for you far right wing neo liberals you like to have a bob each way.
As the ‘change the flag ‘ debacle only pertains to those types of agitators- who have their people in both party’s – and to those who wish to rewrite NZ history.
You’ll never win using that line of attack, bud.
Back to the knitting you go.
Kekerengu is Tory heartland, how stupid is Brownlie.
As you say , they are just getting a taste of what everybody else has been putting up with from these bastards.
BTW, the vineyard they visited is Yealands now owned collectively by everyone in Marlborough through the local lines trust. Please don’t bag it too much.
Wtf is a lines trust doing buying a vineyard…..sounds very dodgy to me given the inherent risk profile in the wine business.
Why is it ok to bomb Mosul but not Aleppo?
http://www.spectator.co.uk/2016/11/youre-not-hearing-the-whole-story-about-aleppo/
‘For the past few weeks, British news-papers have been informing their readers about two contrasting battles in the killing grounds of the Middle East. One is Mosul, in northern Iraq, where western reporters are accompanying an army of liberation as it frees a joyful population from terrorist control. The other concerns Aleppo, just a few hundred miles to the west. This, apparently, is the exact opposite. Here, a murderous dictator, hellbent on destruction, is waging war on his own people.’
Paul,
Possibly because the reporting accurately reflects the fact that the two situations are different. As indeed the quote you used illustrates that point (although I do realise it is a Fisk quote meant as irony).
The situations are the same
Iraq and Syria have both suffered destruction directly and indirectly by western forces. Others are in ruins and others still being reduced to rubble…
Semantics are for the weak, cowardly and dishonest!
It’s only different if you are a US lackey, like you Wayne