Daily review 17/07/2024
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5:30 pm, July 17th, 2024 - 10 comments
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- Jurors are being ripped off
I had to do a morning of jury service this week, and was fortunate to not get selected for what sounded like an unpleasant and psychologically damaging case. I still have to check whether I have to go back tomorrow (hopefully not), but in the meantime I've begun thinking about ...3 hours ago - Starting The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50)
Kia ora.The Sunday before last I proposed restarting The Kākā Project work done before the 2023 election as The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50), aiming to be up and running before the 2025 Local Government elections, and then in a finalised form by the 2026 General Elections. ...4 hours ago - Gordon Campbell On How “fast Track” Steamrolls The Public Good
New Zealand has a habit of creating official posts – the Overseas Investment Office, the Banking Ombudsman, the Grocery Commissioner – as a sop to public concerns, but where the terms of reference guarantee that such posts won’t interfere unduly with the conduct of business-as-usual. Recently, the Grocery Commissioner gave ...7 hours ago
- Learning from our Past
Our government is in the course – before our very eyes – of declaring that it has lost confidence in, and is accordingly abandoning, the founding concept of New Zealand. It apparently prefers the path trodden by others. The world is not short of countries in which an invading population ...7 hours ago - Northwest Busway Next Steps
Auckland has a long history transport mistakes and one of the big recent ones was to not build a Northwest busway at the same time as we were rebuilding most of the Northwestern motorway a decade ago. One of the few areas where we’re in strong agreement with the government ...9 hours ago - Labour revisiting 30/30 fiscal rules. Good.
Hipkins seems to be rethinking the long-held doctrine that Governments must aim to keep spending and debt below 30% of GDP - a doctrine that has led to a massive intergenerational wealth transfer and a ballooning infrastructure deficit. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my ...10 hours ago - Luxon’s first crisis
Transpower has begun “creative” work on an electricity conservation campaign that it fears could be needed by late January if it does not get substantial water inflows into its hydro lakes. Meanwhile, the Government announced yesterday that it would take a suite of measures to deal with the electricity crisis, ...12 hours ago
- Not a solution
Aotearoa is currently suffering from one of its regular electricity crises, thanks to systematic underinvestment by the power cartel. Today. driven by business outrage over high power prices, the government announced its response to this, consisting of: a thing which won't lower electricity prices at all (but will ...23 hours ago
- China and India are so big. Do my country’s climate actions even matter?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections At a Republican presidential debate in 2023, several candidates articulated a common sentiment about whose climate policies really matter. “If you want to go and really change the environment, then we need to start telling China and India that they have to lower their emissions,” ...1 day ago - What’s Far Is Close & What’s Close Has Already Arrived
Open to allText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedIt’s hard to describe it all. I mean, most people don’t even care. They don’t understand. It’s too opaque and theoretical. But my gut screeches.OPINIONLast week, I realised there’s only 70 + days left until the US Election ...1 day ago
- Simply not credible
RNZ has more information this morning on Phillip Morris Minister Casey Costello's mysterious tobacco policy document, and it just gets worse and worse. Costello has consistently claimed to have no idea who authored the document; now she's saying she has no idea how it even got into her office: ...1 day ago
- Māori Seabed, For Shore!
No one owns the waterNo one owns the landsNo one owns the oceansNo one owns the sandsThese are given by our motherThe planet provides for freeOnly at the hands of the greedyDoes the Earth require a fee, eyeah (ooh-ooh-ooh)You hear me singing (ah-ah-ah)Song - Ria Hall.“This is going to blow ...1 day ago - Neurodiversity in urbanism
This is a guest post by Shaun Baker. It originally appeared on his blog Multimodal Adventures and is shared here by kind permission. A necessary component of creating an inclusive and equitable city is accessibility. Designing our cities with accessibility in mind is important so everyone, particularly our disabled ...1 day ago
- How covenants trumped density in court
Mōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, August 26:A precedent-setting series of court decisions appear to have weaponised old covenants in suburb development plans to block the push for density from the Beehive. It may ...1 day ago - Spaceman Barry
Today’s podcast episode contains distressing descriptions of events. Please don’t listen with your kids in the car. There are signposts along the way where you can switch off or pause if you need to. Please take care when listening. Read more ...1 day ago - Fast track to more electricity generation
The Government is now pulling out all the legislative stops as it attempts to deal with the energy crisis. There is intense pressure on it to provide assurances that there will be sufficient power to keep industry working. POLITIK has learned that one Asian ambassador has warned Ministers that plants ...2 days ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #34
A listing of 30 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, August 18, 2024 thru Sat, August 24, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is another stab at "connecting the dots," drawing a line between not ...2 days ago
- The Price of Power
Even on the darkest day, you shineEven on the coldest nightYou warm me up through winter′s dayEven through the longest night you shine so brightLyrics of Electric Dream by Shapeshifter.The turning point in my day usually comes an hour or two after I’ve sent out my newsletter. The first reviews ...2 days ago - Other words
No column today. sorry. I’m sick in a hotel room in Kolkata staying near the bathroom. I have been careful what I eat, but evidently not enough. Meanwhile here are the words I was gladdest to hear this week. Lurching towards constitutional improprietyThe combination of substantive policy issues and legislative methods discussed ...2 days ago - Fact brief – Is decreased cosmic ray activity driving global warming?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is decreased cosmic ray activity ...3 days ago
- The Ministry of Bag
It's all swamp and no mosquitoesalong the stripes of pinThe boots have all the vetoesand the bags to put them inIt's all blues and no dinnerat the Ministry of BagThe steaks are getting thinnerthe office is a dragSong - Jack BruceThe Ministry of Bag, or Ministry of Bagging the left, ...3 days ago - Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for August 24
Luxon’s angry lecture of a speech did not go down well with the mayors and councillors at the LGNZ conference. File photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty for the week to Saturday, August 24:Christopher ...3 days ago - Trading Towards a Multipolar World
.AUKUS is a backward-looking policy. The World needs to move forward. Economists think that the more interconnected countries are by trade and investment, the less likely warfare will occur between them. On many occasions countries have consciously intensified those interconnections as an alternative to war. Examples include the federation of ...4 days ago - Justice for Alan Hall?
In June 2022 the Supreme Court quashed Alan hall's conviction for murder. Along the way, they found that the case against him - built on coercive and oppressive interviews, doctored witness statements, and exculpatory evidence concealed from the defence - was so bas that as to be the result of ...4 days ago
- The War of the Rohirrim Trailer
‘Tis the season for Tolkien adaptation trailers. No sooner do we get a couple out of Rings of Power, than we get the first trailer out of Warner Brothers’ anime version of Helm Hammerhand: I am definitely looking forward to the film, of course. Anime ...4 days ago - Weirdly hot oceans that are losing their breath, and solar panels in the wrong place
Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:Scientists are not entirely sure why sea surface temperatures have been accelerating so quickly over the past year, at ...4 days ago
- The Pied Piper of Hamilton West
Come on, babeCan't you seeI'm the Pied PiperTrust in meI'm the Pied PiperAnd I'll show you where it's atSong by Crispian St. PetersThis morning a bit of a wrap of the week, or in other words, making light of terrible things to somehow endure them.When you look at this government ...4 days ago - The Hoon around the week to August 23
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest science of changing sea temperatures and how most of the solar generation installed is too far north; on ...4 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 23-August-2024
Greetings and welcome to another Friday wrap-up, featuring all the stories that caught our eye this week in transport, housing, and things that make cities great. Today’s header image shows the Mercury Lane facade of Karanga-ā-Hape station. As always, huge thanks to our supporters. If you enjoy our posts, you’re ...4 days ago
- ‘Those spending cuts will go into the bone’
Concerns over health funding have only worsened since this 2020 rally by primary healthcare workers, with deep cuts planned by the new government flying in the face of pleas to consider health spending as a investment. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in ...4 days ago - The human impact of Coalition games
Open to allNew Zealand should be a place of safety and hospitality for those that visit. It’s a beautiful country and many people around the world think highly of Aotearoa and its people.And so it is with great sadness that I learned that members of South Korea’s national ski team ...5 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #34 2024
Open access notables The ocean losing its breath under the heatwaves, Li et al., Nature Communications: The world’s oceans are under threat from the prevalence of heatwaves caused by climate change. Despite this, there is a lack of understanding regarding their impact on seawater oxygen levels - a crucial element in ...5 days ago
- The irreducibly reductive Mr Luxon
5 days ago - Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm
Photo by Rafaëlla Waasdorp on UnsplashCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm - 5.10 pm - Bernard and ...5 days ago - In Whose Footsteps?
Who To Follow? Helen Clark is one of the prime movers of Labour’s anti-nuclear policy, and principal author of New Zealand’s independent foreign policy. Andrew Little has come out swinging in favour of AUKUS Pillar 2. Helen Clark negotiated the Free Trade Agreement with China that has kept the New Zealand ...5 days ago - Luxon’s red-headed lecturing of councils is political genius
Open for allI’ll keep this one short, at least as short I can.Luxon and his government are lying hypocrites. Yesterday Luxon went on a rant at councils, lecturing them like a headmaster admonishing kids who had been naughty and caught skipping school.The reaction from the left has been fairly irate. ...5 days ago - The power cartel’s nightmare
Aotearoa is currently suffering from one of its regular electricity crises, thanks to systematic underinvestment by the power cartel. Meanwhile, in Europe, electricity prices have gone negative: European power markets are experiencing a notable shift as renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, become a larger part of the ...5 days ago
- Gordon Campbell On The Plague Of The Seymourites
What a charlatan David Seymour is. Like one of those American Televangelists he so closely resembles, the enemy of bureaucracy is now building his own temple of bureaucracy…and it shall be known as the Ministry of Regulation and many regulations previously passed to benefit the consumer, protect the environment, and ...5 days ago
- Still Fighting It
Everybody knowsIt hurts to grow upAnd everybody doesIt's so weird to be back hereLet me tell you whatThe years go on andWe're still fighting it, we're still fighting itAnd you're so much like meI'm sorrySong by Ben FoldsGood morning lovely people, and thank you for the many kind birthday wishes. ...5 days ago - The Government Declares Total War on Localism
In a recent conversation, the person I was talking to outlined the purpose of central and local government in the most simple and clear way I have yet heard: Central government is for nation-building. Local government is for city-building. This was in the context of Auckland, so I would expand ...5 days ago
- Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis
The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs. ...1 day ago - Government must respect Court’s Uber employee decision
Today’s court ruling upholding the rights of Uber drivers is a message to the Government that it must not tamper with employment protections. ...1 day ago
- Release: Uber court decision recognises workers’ rights
The Court of Appeal decision that Uber drivers are entitled to employee rights such as minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and collective bargaining is welcome news for the drivers involved and their unions. ...1 day ago - Release: Labour calls on Govt to divest from illegal settlements
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to tell the two major wealth funds, the NZ Super Fund and ACC, to withdraw investments from companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...1 day ago
- Release: Govt backtrack on fast-track still not enough
Labour welcomes news that the National Government is backing down on its reckless proposal to give Ministers final sign-off on significant projects, but it’s still not enough. ...2 days ago
- Fast track still on track to environmental destruction
Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. ...2 days ago
- Ohinemuri River pollution highlights mining risks
The harrowing images of the severely polluted Ohinemuri River caused by an old mining shaft could become a more common occurrence under the mining regime the Government is looking to roll out. ...3 days ago
- Govt Incarcerating our Mokopuna into a Failed System
Information released by the Minister for Children has revealed that almost 800 mokopuna Māori have been taken by the state this year, putting it on track for the largest displacement of tamariki Māori since the introduction of Section 7AA in 2019. “Oranga Tamariki is running a crusade against whakapapa Māori ...4 days ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins’ Speech to Local Government New Zealand
...4 days ago
- Release: Regional deals can’t leave ratepayers picking up the bill again
On the back of a patronising speech to local councils the Government has rushed out an announcement on regional and city deals that leaves out the crucial component – funding. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt in thrall to tobacco lobbyists
The National Government has put the interests of tobacco lobbyists ahead of New Zealanders and their health. ...5 days ago
- Govt overreach on councils an assault on local democracy
The Government’s move to enforce austerity measures on councils is an assault on local democracy. ...6 days ago
- Release: Christopher Luxon hangs councils out to dry
“The Government is ignoring its responsibilities to councils and setting up local elected officials to take the blame for its lack of action,” Labour local government spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...6 days ago
- Govt must maintain Treaty provisions in Corrections Bill
The Green Party is calling on the Government to support its proposed amendments to leave Treaty provisions in the Corrections Bill. ...6 days ago
- Submit: Tell National you care about climate action
We all know that climate change is here and already causing more extreme weather events that impact our lives, environment and economy. We need to work together with other countries to confront this global problem. ...1 week ago
- Release: New Zealand behind in workplace health and safety
New Zealand is falling behind our overseas counterparts when it comes to workplace health and safety a new report shows, yet the National Government is pushing ahead with cuts to the agency responsible for improving workplace safety. ...1 week ago
- Tribunal Scathes Government’s Anti-Tiriti Agenda
Today the Waitangi Tribunal issued a scathing report of the Government’s Treaty Principles Bill and Treaty Clause Review polices. The report described the government’s policy to whitewash Te Tiriti o Waitangi as a distortion of the language of the Treaty based on a false historical narrative. The Tribunal found no ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Minister blames family support services for her own incompetence
It’s been another frustrating week for our family support and prevention services who are still coming to grips with funding cuts and a Minister who is laying the blame at their feet. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Luxon to abandon Treaty Principles Bill following Waitangi Tribunal report
The Green Party is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill following the Waitangi Tribunal’s scathing report on the proposed legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Luxon to abandon Treaty Principles Bill following Waitangi Tribunal report
The Green Party is calling on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill following the Waitangi Tribunal’s scathing report on the proposed legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Rising rents continue to inflict hardship on households
Statistics released today show that rents have increased at 4.3 per cent compared to the same period last year. This comes after last month’s 4.8 per cent hike compared to July last year. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National takes the knife to Nelson hospital
The Government is leaving one of New Zealand’s fastest growing regions without the medical facility it desperately needs. ...2 weeks ago
- Add your voice: Save Whaikaha, the Ministry for Disabled People
Disabled people deserve to lead meaningful and dignified lives. They deserve a fully-fledged ministry that serves and advocates for them. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt fails disabled communities again
The Government’s move to limit the role of Whaikaha is a major setback for disabled people. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt delivers its biggest blow to disability communities
After months of targeting disabled people, the Government has dealt its harshest blow yet by slashing Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled People. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Boot camps experiment drags on
The Government’s half-hearted report card on their boot camps experiment just highlights again why they are a waste of time and money. ...2 weeks ago
- RBNZ lowers OCR, Govt continues ‘let them eat cake’ strategy
While the Reserve Bank lowers the Official Cash Rate, it’s this Government’s policies driving poverty in our communities. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt deals another blow to Maori-Crown relations
The cuts to Te Arawhiti will worsen relations between Māori and the Crown. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt more interested in punishing beneficiaries than ending poverty
The expansion of compulsory money management and introduction of mandatory community service for beneficiaries reheats failed policies that have not supported people into work both here and in Australia. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Aucklanders want better transport not tax
A damning report on Auckland’s future is an ugly cloud over Simeon Brown’s head as he announces yet another cost for our largest city. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Consultation farce as agenda is set on firearms changes
The Government appears to have made its decision on the direction of firearms changes, promising the public would be able to have their say but then hand-picking a list of groups to talk to instead. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Emergency housing changes will see more people on streets
The Government is cutting support for those who need somewhere to live, but not building anymore homes so they have somewhere to go. ...3 weeks ago
- Kaipara Council Feast Off Anti-Māori Govt Agenda
Member of Parliament for Te Tai Tokerau, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi, and Te Pāti Māori have come out in full support for the action against the racially fuelled decision to get rid of the Te Moananui o Kaipara Māori ward in the Kaipara. “What we have witnessed in Kaipara is a group ...3 weeks ago
- Greens launch petition against speed limit increases
The Green Party has launched a petition urging the Government not to push ahead with blanket speed limit increases that will come at an incredible cost to our communities. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Funding cuts will hurt community mental health
Community mental health groups are on the precipice of folding due to Government cuts to frontline funding. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Government confirms rates to go up
Rates are about to go up even further now with the Government pushing local councils under a borrowing bus. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: More Māori and Pasifika people jobless under National
Unemployment figures released today show 11,100 more Māori and Pasifika people are without jobs compared to this time last year, bringing the total number to 54,400. ...3 weeks ago
- Fishing levies cut to provide industry relief
Levies paid by the fishing industry have been cut to help support the sector to increase its value to New Zealand through exports and jobs, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The industry pays an annual Fisheries and Conservation Services Levy to the Government to cover a range of ...1 hour ago - First 110km/h speed limit proposed for South Island
Proposed speed limit increases to 110km/h on State Highway 1/76 Christchurch Southern Motorway to Rolleston will mean faster journey times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Christchurch from the south and has been welcomed by Transport Minister Simeon Brown. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of ...5 hours ago
- Speech to the Aviation Industry Association Conference
Introduction Good morning. Thank you, Simon, for that warm introduction, and thank you to the Aviation Industry Association for inviting me to speak today at your annual conference.I’d like to begin by acknowledging Ashok Poduval, President of the Aviation Industry Association, and Simon Wallace, the Association’s Chief Executive. The work you ...7 hours ago
- A ‘Beneficiaries-First’ approach to employment
New targets will see a greater proportion of MSD’s spending on employment programmes go towards supporting people on Jobseeker benefits, rather than non-beneficiaries. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has today outlined the Government’s employment investment framework, which will guide how the $1.1 billion available for MSD’s employment support ...10 hours ago
- Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says the Government has finalised the detailed terms of reference for Phase 2 of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons. “These terms of reference reflect the decision taken by the Government in June to establish Phase 2 of the Royal Commission. Both the ...11 hours ago
- Next steps on Electrifying New Zealand
The Government will progress a series of reforms to make it easier and cheaper to consent, build and maintain renewable electricity generation as well as electricity distribution and transmission, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simeon Brown. “New Zealand has an exciting future powered by clean and ...23 hours ago
- Urgent action taken to bolster energy security
Cabinet has moved quickly to approve a raft of actions to address the serious risk to New Zealand’s energy security and affordability, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Resources Minister Shane Jones say.Cabinet has committed to: Act with urgency to reverse the ban on offshore oil and gas exploration, with legislation ...1 day ago
- Prime Minister to visit Malaysia and Korea
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Malaysia and the Republic of Korea (Korea) next week, accompanied by a senior business delegation. “Malaysia and Korea are both strong partners for New Zealand on the world stage, crucial to our prosperity and security. I look forward to meeting with my counterparts ...1 day ago
- New weather radar for Tonga a lifesaver
A new weather radar for Tonga will help save lives through improved forecasting and early warnings for communities during hazardous weather events, says Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters. Making the announcement while attending the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting, Mr Peters says the launch of the facility situated at the Fua’amotu ...1 day ago
- Huge interest in one-stop shop Fast-track Bill
Cabinet has agreed to recommend a suite of sensible changes to the Fast-track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. The Ministers also today released an overview of the 384 projects that have applied to be listed in the Bill. “We’re delighted by ...2 days ago
- New Zealand heads to Tonga to talk Pacific
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Tonga next week to meet with Pacific leaders on priority regional issues, including climate change, security and development. The 53rd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Week brings together leaders from 18 Pacific countries, including New Zealand. “This meeting is our region’s ...4 days ago
- Technology to enable more court remote participation
Enabling more remote participation in our courts using Audio Visual (AV) technology is an important part of the Coalition Government’s commitment to improving court performance and access to justice, Minister for Courts Nicole McKee says. “The second reading today of the Courts (Remote Participation) Amendment Bill has moved us closer ...5 days ago
- Government supports Police to search for illegally held guns
The Coalition Government is one step closer to delivering on its commitment to keep firearms out of the hands of serious offenders, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “The Firearms Prohibition Orders Legislation Amendment Bill was part of our 100-day plan and committed to giving Police greater powers to ...5 days ago
- Speech to the Local Government New Zealand Conference
Introduction and acknowledgements Good afternoon. It’s my pleasure to speak to you today about Resource Management Act reform, which intersects nicely with my other important portfolios of Infrastructure and Housing. Reform of the RMA is fundamental to the coalition Government’s ambitions for a faster growing, more productive economy. Our reform ...5 days ago
- RMA Reform Phase Two priorities and plan
The Government will progress a second Resource Management Act Amendment Bill and a suite of changes to national direction to drive economic growth and productivity, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop says. “It’s too hard to get things done in New Zealand, and our planning system is a big part of ...5 days ago
- New chair appointed to Māori Heritage Council
Edward Ellison ONZM has been appointed chair of the Māori Heritage Council and deputy chair of the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Edward is a highly respected chair who will bring a wealth of governance and cultural experience to these roles. “He has been ...5 days ago
- Govt funding boosts immunisation in high needs communities
Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti has welcomed preliminary data on a major immunisation initiative, saying it reinforces a commitment to get resources and funding out of a Wellington-based bureaucratic tangle and directly to frontline providers. “Immunisation is one of the most important ways to protect New Zealanders against diseases ...5 days ago
- New dance competition set to bring economic benefits
Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee is looking forward to seeing the economic boost from a new international street dance competition, the World Dance Crew Championship, taking place in Auckland next year. “Kiwi dance crews are a common sight at international competitions. They’re often favourites and regularly taking top spots on ...5 days ago
- Giving our children a greater voice
The Government has finalised a framework that will strengthen the oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system by ensuring the independence of the children’s monitor and creating a stand-alone Children’s Commissioner. “We are providing confidence to New Zealanders that the rights of our children and young people will be protected,” Social ...5 days ago
- Further support to Councils to speed up recovery
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has allocated $16.8 million of Budget 24 funding to support councils in accelerating recovery efforts following the severe weather events of 2023. “The funding comes from the Cyclone Recovery Capability Fund which was announced as part of Budget 2024. Councils have said they ...5 days ago
- Better outcomes in early childhood education
More support will be available for Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers to help them drive better literacy and numeracy outcomes for young learners, Education Minister Erica Stanford announced today. Online curriculum resource Kōwhiti Whakapae will now help ECE teachers strengthen planning, formative assessment and teaching practice in oral language, literacy ...5 days ago
- Regional Deals framework announced
The Government has launched a framework to establish Regional Deals between central and local government that will drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure New Zealand needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is facing an infrastructure deficit. Water pipes are bursting, roads have been falling apart, and ...5 days ago
- Du Val Group companies placed into statutory management
The Government has placed companies associated with Du Val Group, a developer of large-scale residential property projects in Auckland, into statutory management, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Du Val Group has recently gone into interim receivership, leaving significant liabilities. The situation is complex and of such a ...6 days ago
- Back to basics for local government
The Government has announced measures to ensure councils are getting back to basics to reduce the cost of living, deliver core services and infrastructure, and improve the efficiency of decision making, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says. Refocusing the purpose provisions in the Local Government Act. Investigating performance benchmarks for ...6 days ago
- Speech to LGNZ SuperLocal conference
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Before I begin, I’d like to thank LGNZ for their invitation to speak here today. I spend a lot of time meeting with many good mayors and councillors across the country, but this is a great opportunity to ...6 days ago
- Rushed gun laws haven’t made New Zealanders safer
"The previous Labour Government’s rushed gun laws haven’t made New Zealanders safer,” Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “The Coalition Government knows that targeting law-abiding licenced firearms owners will not reduce gun crime. That is why we are strengthening Firearms Prohibition Orders to give Police greater powers to search ...6 days ago
- Approach set out for Agricultural and Horticultural Products Regulatory Review
The Ministry for Regulation has published an Economic Analysis Issues paper as part of the ongoing agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The analysis supports the feedback process for the regulatory review’s mission to identify unnecessary red tape and make things easier for growers and producers around New Zealand. “We ...6 days ago
- New x-ray machines boost radiology services in the Wellington region
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has announced significant improvements in radiology services in the Wellington region, with the first of eight new digital radiography machines now operational at Wellington Regional Hospital. “This new technology is a significant step forward for radiology in Wellington, providing faster, higher quality x-rays,” says Dr ...6 days ago
- Prime Minister of Qatar to visit New Zealand
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, will visit New Zealand this week, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced. “I’m delighted to host Prime Minister Al-Thani. His visit comes as New Zealand and Qatar mark 40 years of diplomatic ...1 week ago
- OECD Secretary-General visits New Zealand
Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay today announced the Government will welcome the Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Mathias Cormann, to New Zealand on 27-28 August. “I’m pleased to host Secretary-General Cormann for his first official visit to New Zealand. This is an opportunity to highlight ...1 week ago
- Delivering more competitive banking for Kiwis
The Government will act on all 14 recommendations made by the Commerce Commission’s final report into bank competition Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister, Andrew Bayly say. “The Commerce Commission has proven what’s been long-suspected: New Zealand’s banking sector is uncompetitive, and Kiwis are not being ...1 week ago
- Updated settings to restore ETS market confidence
Settings for the New Zealand Emission Trading Scheme have been updated to ensure New Zealand has a more credible market, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Since coming into Government, we have been clear we want a credible ETS-led approach to reduce emissions, and we were willing to make tough ...1 week ago
- New pathway for essential seasonal workers
The coalition Government is providing immediate relief to employers with upcoming seasonal peaks by creating a new subcategory of the Specific Purpose Work Visa (SPWV). “We know in the coming months a number of sectors will need a significant number of additional workers to undertake key seasonal roles. “Alongside the changes to the Recognised ...1 week ago
- New TAB Board appointments announced
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced four appointments to the TAB New Zealand (TAB NZ) Board. The new members of the Board are Hon David Bennett, Tim Gillespie, Bill Moran, and Kereyn Smith. In addition, Wendie Harvey has also been reappointed for a further term of office, and existing member ...1 week ago
- Drunk and drugged drivers targeted by new road policing programme
Drunk drivers and drugged drivers will be heavily targeted to improve safety on our roads by the new $1.3 billion Road Policing Investment Programme RPIP (2024-2027) which has been released today by Transport Minister Simeon Brown. The package includes: Increased alcohol breath tests with a target of 3.3 million roadside ...1 week ago
- 20 Government actions free up the rural economy
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- Australia-New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting 2024 Joint statement
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Thank God for John Stewart.
Multipolarity: The Post Post-Cold War. The Fact The West Can't Stop (Although It Is Trying)
I already knew about the casino nature of global currency speculation but the figures are mind-blowing. This video (and Part 1) is very interesting, this is a short transcript of parts of the first 20 mins or so as they discuss the movement of currency around the world compared to actual trade needs.
Dr. Warwick Powell https://substack.com/@warwickpowell
Dr. Pascal Lottaz: Neutrality Studies @neutralitystudies
Anna Malindog-Uy https://twitter.com/annamalindoguy?s=…
Kathleen Tyson https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-…++
Hussein Askary https://twitter.com/husseinaskary?s=2…
Dr. Digby Wren https://substack.com/@digbywren
Dr. David Oualaalou: Geopolitical Trends / @geopoliticaltrends
S.L. Kanthan https://slkanthan.substack.com
Einar Tangen https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehtangen/…
Dr. John Pang https://twitter.com/jynpang?s=21&t=2Q…
Now I understand why a Financial Transaction Tax or Tobin tax can be set at such a low level (.001%)and replace PAYE, GST, etc.
And the worst part, it would hardly hurt their bottom line.
The Republican Party is currently giving the Democratic Party an object lesson in how to shore up a weak and disliked Presidential candidate and give him momentum and a winning energy.
Of course the global left could just keep chipping away looking for some other candidate, some other way, in their usual Splitter moves. Or they could watch and learn how to make a candidate great again.
I was impressed with the Biden interview, and how he took on the journalist in that NBC interview. (see my video link above)
They are not going to ditch Biden, they can't. But a VP with some universal appeal would do wonders for the Democratic cause.
I think it's impossible now for the Dems to win, no matter who they selected. Ryan Grim (ex the Intercept) says the following to Owen Jones:
Leaning Democratic? Seems a stretch. They would need someone with youth and real star power. I have no suggestions.
Is Trump VP's Pick JD Vance MORE EXTREME Than Him? – w/. Ryan Grim
Nope, not a cult.
/
@Acyn
Just saw this
https://x.com/Acyn/status/1813351674653917302
Hehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, what a clonic response lol
J D Vance will sink Trump IMO.