Daily review 17/09/2020
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5:30 pm, September 17th, 2020 - 65 comments
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Daily review is also your post.
This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.
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- This doesn’t sound like exoneration
The SFO has finally reported back on NZ First's dodgy foundation, and charged two people with "obtaining by deception". They're at pains to say that neither of the people charged (who have name suppression, but we can all guess who they are, even if we cannot say publicly) is a ...3 hours ago - Elections in NZ: some Redline articles
For a campaign of positive abstention in the 2017 elections 9/4/17 by Phil Duncan In 2014, most of us at Redline favoured not voting in the New Zealand general election. There was simply no party that represented the interests of workers, much less that attempted to politicise and organise workers to ...3 hours ago - The transport policy we needTransport was responsible for 21% of our greenhouse gas emissions in 2017. Its our second-biggest source of pollution after agriculture. And the Greens have just announced a serious policy to tackle it: The Green Party wants to make public transport free for under-18s, ban petrol car imports from 2030, ...6 hours ago
- Dunedin as Spring Snowglobe
Dunedin has had a succession of mild winters – our last genuinely cold one was in 2015. 2020 was no exception. But that still leaves spring… and having lived through the week-long spring blizzard of 2011, I am not unaware that September snows are a thing. Such was this morning, ...6 hours ago - Spain is (still) not a democracyThe list of Spanish abuses of Catalonia's democracy is long. When Catalans voted for independence, Spanish riot police seized ballot boxes and beat them in the streets. When they elected leaders to represent their views, Spain refused to allow them to take their seats, or jailed them for "sedition". And ...7 hours ago
- Crusher threatens Nicky Hager
Crusher Collins - National Party LeaderEverybody should know by now that Judith (Crusher) Collins is a very malicious person. She is perhaps the most vindictive MP ever to disgrace our halls of power.Some of her unprecedented nastiness over the decades has been well documented in the book Dirty Politics: How ...8 hours ago - The Confident Traveller Led Astray – A Poem For Winston Peters.
12 hours ago - Racism loses in SwitzerlandOver in Switzerland, the racist "People's Party" tried to have a Brexit-style referendum on ending freedom of movement with the EU, so they could stop the "flood" of foreigners. But the Swiss people said No: Swiss voters have resoundingly rejected an attempt to tear up the country’s agreement with ...1 day ago
- International Right To Know DayToday, 28 September, is International Right To Know Day (or, as the UN puts it, the "International Day for Universal Access to Information"). The Ombudsman is celebrating with a poll showing that while most people don't know about their freedom of information rights, those that use them mostly get what ...1 day ago
- One way or another, we’re paying for thisBack in July, when foreign polluters (and archaeological criminals) Rio Tinto announced they planned to close Tiwai Point, I was dancing on its grave. Why? Because the carbon subsidies alone were more than enough to fund alternative jobs - or even just to pay everyone dependent on it a reasonable ...1 day ago
- End of life – it isn’t so easy
In a few weeks, New Zealanders will make a choice whether we implement into law the End of Life Choice Act 2019. My scientific expertise includes developing and validating methods to predict future events of ill people including death. There is one section of the Act that concerns me deeply. Section ...1 day ago - Democracy Under Threat
My wife and I are at an age when we have begun to think (and worry) about the kind of world we will leave behind for our children and, particularly, our grandchildren. We have experienced during our own lives, like others of our generation, our fair share of hard times ...2 days ago - Liam Hehir: Why it’s important to be open to relationships with people who vote differently
There are few things written more deeply on the human heart than religion. Differences between us on the purpose and ultimate destiny of human existence have sometimes inspired great intolerance and even wars. But what would we make today of a Catholic who refused to countenance a meaningful relationship ...2 days ago - 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #39
Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Review... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... The Warming Climates of the Arctic and the Tropics Squeeze the Mid-latitudes, Where Most People Live Melting Arctic ice sends ...2 days ago - Where in the world will the next epidemic start?Naomi Forrester-Soto, Keele University Viruses jumping from animals to humans have been the starting point of numerous outbreaks, from Ebola to Zika. Given the similarity of SARS-CoV-2 to coronaviruses found in bats, this probably marked the beginning of COVID-19 too. We know that viruses have passed from animals to humans ...2 days ago
- Fiscal Maths with Paul “Goldie” Goldsmith
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- National behind the timesWhen Todd Muller resigned as leader of the National Party and allowed for Judith Collins to assume command, you could tell the blue “team” was desperate and in search of past glories. After all, Crusher is towards the end of her political career and from a bygone era where dirty ...3 days ago
- Coronavirus: the road to vaccine roll-out is always bumpy, as 20th-century pandemics showSamantha Vanderslott, University of Oxford If you have been following the media coverage of the new vaccines in development for COVID-19, it will be clear that the stakes are high. Very few vaccine trials in history have attracted so much attention, perhaps since polio in the mid-20th century. A now ...3 days ago
- PREFU: The State of Government Accounts
‘The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update’ (PREFU) tells us something about the future of the Public Sector but it requires careful analysis to assess how it is going. The 2020 PREFU is the most important economic statement during any election campaign. Unfortunately the commentariat tends to treat it briefly ...4 days ago - Predatory delayFarmers are whining again about being expected to clean up their act: Canterbury farmers want politicians to stop painting them as climate change villains, listen to their needs and allow them more time to boost environmental standards. [...] “The targets are necessary for the environment, but do we ...4 days ago
- Flight to nowhere sends the wrong message in climate crisisQantas Airlines’ 7-hour “flight to nowhere”, that sold out in 10 minutes with prices from A$787 to A$3787, seemed like a sick joke to climate advocates. Apart from the waste of fuel and the pointless emissions, passengers would be able to see first-hand, from a plane just like those that ...4 days ago
- Speaker: The cannabis referendum – a doctor’s perspective
Cannabis is part of our culture: 80% of adults have tried it sometime. Intuition tells us that legalising cannabis will increase use – science suggests that is not likely. Our Dunedin and Christchurch studies show that cannabis use peaks in our 20s. Older people are less frequent users whether it ...4 days ago - First steps: Jerry DeSilva on the evolution of bipedalismYesterday morning I got up (at the rather early and unaccustomed hour of 3.30am) to listen to a webinar by paleoanthropologist Dr Jeremy DeSilva¹. Titled “First Steps”, his presentation was about the origins of bipedalism in the human lineage. It was a fascinating session & I thought I’d turn my ...4 days ago
- True Believers In A False God.Down The Rabbit Hole: "Social psychologists have found that when fearful people contemplate potential misfortunes, they tend to feel helpless and pessimistic, but when angry people contemplate the same, they feel a sense of optimism and control. And one simple way to transmute fear into anger is to perceive an evil ...4 days ago
- Majority Rule Requires Majorities That Are Real.Fifty Percent Plus One: New Zealand’s genuine-majority-delivering two-party system endured for five elections only (1938, 1943, 1946, 1949, 1951) a period of just 16 years. Very few New Zealanders alive today can boast of participating in an election which delivered a true majority to either Labour or National. Someone who ...5 days ago
- Labour super exploitation
This is the second in the lecture series by Andy Higginbottom on superexploitation. Here he looks at Marini’s theory of labour super-exploitation and Capital ...5 days ago - Small asteroid to make near-miss of Earth in NZ skies tonightSorry for the late notice on this one, but I only just heard myself, in common with most of the human race. A small asteroid, somewhere between the size of a truck and the size of a house in dimensions, will hurtle past the Earth tonight, dipping closer to ...5 days ago
- This is not what accountability looks likeWhen someone commits trespass, assault with a weapon, and kidnapping, you'd expect them to be prosecuted, right? But apparently the rules are different if you wear a blue uniform: A police investigation has found officers in Northland trespassed on a man's property, then unlawfully pepper sprayed him and arrested ...5 days ago
- Cycling: head injuries ignored because of entrenched macho cultureHoward Hurst, University of Central Lancashire and Jack Hardwicke, University of Winchester Competitive road cycling is a demanding and unique sport. One where crashing is inevitable – especially at the professional level. While the risk of head injury is relatively low in cycling – approximately 5-13% – compared to contact ...5 days ago
- The coming US shitshowToday President Trump once again refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the US election. Coincidentally, The Atlantic has a long article on exactly what that means, from voter suppression by armed thugs in the name of "ballot security", to refusing to allow the vote ...5 days ago
- A moral voidThat's the only way to describe the SIS, who - like their British counterparts - decided to look the other way on child abuse: The SIS knew a young woman was being sexually abused by her father but failed to lodge a complaint with the police, effectively allowing the ...5 days ago
- When will Goldsmith resign?The National Party’s campaign has gone from bad to worse with a further two large miscalculations being uncovered in their alternative fiscal plan. Firstly, National’s economic spokesperson and list MP, Paul Goldsmith, used May's Budget figures instead of last week's PREFU numbers, and came up with a whopping $4.3 billion ...5 days ago
- The Adventures of Annalax: Part IX
The initial session was a struggle. Annalax and Magni tried sorting out the details with the Isaac twins (the people pursuing the mountain trip). Annalax happened to mention his devotion to Lolth… whom the Isaacs, being ... 5 days ago - This is bullshitOn March 13, three plainclothes police officers kicked in Breonna Taylor's door under a no-knock warrant targeting another person. When a person inside reasonably assumed they were home invaders and (this being America) started shooting, they shot up the place and everyone around them - killing Taylor. Today, one of ...5 days ago
- Arctic sea ice is being increasingly melted from below by warming Atlantic waterTom Rippeth, Bangor University Arctic sea ice today (white) is covering a much smaller area than in 1980-2010 (orange line). National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado, Boulder, CC BY-SA Each September, scientists like me look out for the point when the Arctic’s meagre summer fizzles out and ...5 days ago
- The long-term health burden of COVID-19: further justification for NZ’s elimination strategyProf John D. Potter* This blog briefly surveys the emerging scientific evidence on the longer-term burden of symptoms and disease in survivors of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these symptoms point to damage in the brain and heart. These long-term harms add to the wide range of other reasons for ...5 days ago
- Going High, Going Low: An Assessment Of The First Leaders’ Debate.Uncrushed: Jacinda Ardern knew exactly what was expected of her in the first Leaders' Debate. Labour’s dominant position, three weeks out from the general election, is constructed out of the admiration and gratitude of hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who, more often than not, vote National. Nothing she said ...5 days ago
- The smokefree policies of political parties: Do they care about people who smoke?George Thomson*, Nick Wilson, Janet Hoek, Andrew Waa, Richard Edwards In this time of Covid-19, helping people who smoke to quit their addiction has an even greater importance. Smokers are more vulnerable to many harmful health effects, including severe effects from the virus. Policies that support people who smoke to ...5 days ago
- The Fog Of Economic Policy Is Starting To Clear…
Bryan Bruce, https://www.facebook.com/www.redsky.tv, 19 September 2020 National’s economic policy of temporary tax cuts yesterday proved, if proof be needed, that they are unapologetic neoliberals. While their claim that with more money in their pockets people will spend more might sound attractive, the reality is that tax cuts always benefit the ...6 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38, 2020Highlighted article: Carbon pricing and planetary boundaries Engström et al take what might be called a systems approach to evaluating carbon pricing, taking into a account various economic sectors affected by and affecting paying for emissions. The conclusions are overall a rare pleasant surprise— a feature predicated on cooperation. Abstract: ...6 days ago
- Humans ignite almost every wildfire that threatens homesNathan Mietkiewicz, National Ecological Observatory Network and Jennifer Balch, University of Colorado Boulder CC BY-ND Summer and fall are wildfire season across the western U.S. In recent years, wildfires have destroyed thousands of homes, forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate and exposed tens of millions to harmful ...6 days ago
- Climate Change: China steps upChina has increased its climate change ambition, and set a target to be carbon-neutral by 2060: China will reach carbon neutrality before 2060 and ensure its greenhouse gas emissions peak in the next decade, Xi Jinping has told the UN general assembly. “China will scale up its intended nationally ...6 days ago
- Humans have dealt with plenty of climate variabilityClimate 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 to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nz How much climate variability have humans dealt with since we ...6 days ago
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- A rabbit-hole election debate: So do you want more avocado orchards?
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- Friction and the Anti-lock Braking SystemYesterday afternoon I had to call on my car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS). For reasons best known to its driver, a car pulled out of a side road right in front of me while I was driving home after work, and I needed to stop in a hurry. I rather ...1 week ago
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There are a fair few misconceptions about conditions within New Zealand’s Quarantine Hotels. Madeline Grant’s misplaced accusations being one prominent example, though she is not alone. Today, I thought I’d share the inside word, so to speak. A friend of mine has recently returned to New Zealand from overseas, and ...1 week ago - Hard News: ASA: Let’s not talk about thisLast week, major newspapers carried a full-page ad as part of the campaign for a "No" vote to the referendum question about supporting the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill. The ad was authorised by the SAM NZ Coalition, which takes its name from a controversial American anti-cannabis group and includes ...1 week ago
- This is not kindNew Zealand has a serious homelessness problem, due to skyrocketing rents and a lack of state houses. One of the ways we stick a band-aid on it is to put people up in motels. Previously, they were charged full commercial rates, saddled with odious debt due to the government's failure ...1 week ago
- Wokies are the establishmentby Ani O’Brien In the absence of a better word with which to refer to the rabid activists who claim progressivism while demanding adherence to an increasingly prescriptive set of political beliefs, I call them “woke”. With its roots in Black American slang, the term originally denoted a person or ...1 week ago
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- Liam Hehir: Our obsession with American politicsMany New Zealanders take a strong interest in US politics, with the death of Supreme Court Judge Ruth Bader Ginsberg being the latest example. Liam Hehir wonders if it very wise for New Zealanders to get so worked about it. Many politically engaged New Zealanders are now furiously ...1 week ago
- COVID: Back to Level 1
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- Good riddanceThe border closure and resulting lack of foreign slave-workers is driving the fishing industry out of business: One fishing company is effectively out of business while others are bracing for large financial hits as the deepwater New Zealand industry, unable to get skilled foreign workers into the country, have ...1 week ago
- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming Digest #38Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Climate Feedback Claim Review... SkS Week in Review... Poster of the Week... Story of the Week... The tipping points at the heart of the climate crisis Many parts of the Earth’s climate system have been destabilised by ...1 week ago
- Anyone for Collins?In the absence of national public opinion polls, we have had to make do in recent weeks with other guides to voter intentions. Those guides, such as the Auckland Central poll, the incidence of google enquiries and the responses to Vote Compass questions, have suggested, not unexpectedly, that Labour is ...1 week ago
- Crusher’s fiscal malfunctionCrusher Collins - National Party leaderWe all know that the National Party is desperate to gain some traction during this election campaign and have been throwing pretty much everything at the Labour Party in order to try and undermine Jacinda Ardern and what the Coalition Government has achieved. But unfortunately ...1 week ago
Much of the commentariat’s reporting of the most recent GDP figure was misleading and unhelpful. The prize for the stupidest remark about the GDP figure for second quarter 2020 (2020Q2) released on Thursday (17 Sept) goes to Judith Collins, whose response to Grant Robertson’s comments indicated she did not ...1 week ago- Love and Hate as Complementary Revolutionary Actsby Gearóid Ó Loingsigh goloing@gmail.com (19/09/2020) Che Guevara said that a true revolutionary is motivated by love i.e. love of the oppressed, the poor, the children dying from preventable illnesses. This phrase of his is true but has been used by reformists and their more hippy wing have taken advantage ...1 week ago
- 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 13, 2020 through Sat, Sep 19, 2020 Editor's Choice Get to Net-Zero by Mid-Century? Even Some Global Oil and Gas Giants Think it Can Be Done A report by a ...1 week ago
- Tax cuts for all!!! (except you, you, and you)With the National Party this week announcing a new policy of tax cuts to spice up the election campagin. MyThinks went along to the launch and afterwards we spoke to the party’s finance spokesperson Paul “Golden Touch” Goldsmith. MT: Thanks for speaking to us Mr Goldsmith. PG: No. Thank you. ...1 week ago
- Great Waves Washing Over New Zealand
Always to islanders danger Is what comes over the seas ‘Landfall in Unknown Seas’ (Allen Curnow)Six economic issues external to New Zealand, which will greatly impact upon us. 1. The Diminishing Global Dominance of the US. Since 1941 America has dominated the world economically and politically. Probably it could ...2 weeks ago - New Zealand has role to play in resolving crisis on ‘geopolitical fault line’, Helen Clark saysBy Geoffrey Miller New Zealand should continue to champion human rights in Belarus amidst an ongoing crackdown on protests by the country’s regime, former Prime Minister Helen Clark says. Protests in the country often referred to as ‘Europe’s last dictatorship’ erupted after the country’s disputed presidential elections on August 9 ...2 weeks ago
- Euthanasia referendum: How to cut through the emotionsJacqui Maguire, registered clinical psychologist This podcast episode highlights how difficult it is to have effective conversations about euthanasia due to how polarised people’s views are. I’m a clinical psychologist, with a passion for science communication. In early 2020 I founded the podcast Mind Brew, with an aim to make psychological ...2 weeks ago
- Why we need cameras on boatsIn case anyone needed further convincing, there's another example today of why we need cameras on fishing boats: reported seabird bycatch doubled during a camera trial: Commercial fishers operating off Auckland's coast around vulnerable seabirds are twice as likely to report accidentally capturing them when cameras are on ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party responds to NZ First Foundation SFO charges
Green Party spokesperson on Electoral Issues Golriz Ghahraman said: “We’re glad to see the SFO has laid charges before the election, so voters have more clarity on what is going on before they cast a vote. ...2 hours ago - Greens announce bold transport plan for Auckland to tackle climate change and congestionThe Green Party has today outlined a major transport plan for Auckland including new investments in light rail, busways, an expansion of regional rail services, and quick improvements to buses. ...7 hours ago
- Greens announce bold transport plan for Wellington to tackle climate change and congestionThe Green Party has today outlined a major transport plan for Wellington including investments in light rail, an expansion of regional passenger rail, and fast-tracking improvements to buses. ...7 hours ago
- Greens announce bold transport plan for Christchurch to tackle climate change and congestionThe Green Party has today outlined a major transport plan for Christchurch including new investments in commuter rail, a high frequency bus service to the airport, and cycleways. ...7 hours ago
- Greens announce bold plan to ensure NZ transport tackles climate changeThe Green Party will transform how New Zealanders get around to address the climate crisis, with a comprehensive climate-focused transport package. ...7 hours ago
- Reports of great whites finned alive cement case for cameras on boatsClaims of illegal fishing and live finning of great whites in New Zealand waters show once again that cameras on fishing boats are long overdue, and must be urgently rolled out. ...1 day ago
- We must investigate COVID-19 retraining support that skews towards men: GreensThe Green Party is calling for a review into the gender split of training programmes offered by government to help New Zealanders retrain following COVID-19 job losses. ...2 days ago
- Labour’s plan for plastic and waste
As part of our plan to build back better, we’re taking action on waste and improving recycling to protect our environment, create jobs and future proof our economy. ...2 days ago - Labour’s plan for plastic and wasteAs part of our plan to build back better, we’re taking action on waste and improving recycling to protect our environment, create jobs and future proof our economy. ...2 days ago
- Week that was: Three weeks to go!Today marks three weeks until the election, and the campaign is ramping up. This week, we’ve continued to focus on our economic recovery, announcing our plan to reduce costs for farmers and growers. We also set out our commitment to continuing our partnership with Māori as we rebuild together. ...3 days ago
- Labour’s Māori Manifesto: Working together in partnershipTogether, Māori and Labour have walked a new path in our first term of Government. Based on the articles of the Treaty and the promise of equality, this path has been one of partnership and collaboration. Our Māori Manifesto builds on the work we’ve undertaken with Māori during our first ...3 days ago
- Healthy, affordable homes a Green Party priority for WellingtonThe Green Party would push to ensure everyone in Wellington has a warm, safe and affordable place to live as part of the next Government. ...4 days ago
- Environment and climate will be decimated by National’s dangerous agriculture policyThe Green Party is slamming National’s agriculture policy as a huge step backwards which puts future generations at risk. ...5 days ago
- Reducing costs for Kiwi farmersNew Zealand’s farmers and growers play a key role in our economy and in our communities. Labour has set out a clear vision to transition to a carbon-neutral economy and today we committed to supporting our farmers and growers to achieve this goal. ...6 days ago
- Jacinda Ardern sets out Labour’s plan in first TV debateTonight was the first Leaders’ Debate, broadcast live on TVNZ 1. It was the first time New Zealanders have seen Jacinda Ardern side-by-side Opposition Leader Judith Collins this campaign. ...7 days ago
- Our plan to keep New Zealand movingLast updated 30 July 2020. The whole world is battling with COVID-19, and no country is immune. In New Zealand, our focus is getting the latest resurgence under control and making sure we put in place immediate financial supports to cushion the economic blow. As before, the best economic response is ...1 week ago
- Our AchievementsLed by Jacinda Ardern, our strong, stable government has delivered results and put people first every step of the way. In health, housing, education and more, we've got a strong track record of delivering for New Zealanders. Now, we’re continuing to put people first with our decisive response to COVID-19. ...1 week ago
- Why should I vote for Labour?Labour has a strong track record of making progress on the big issues facing our country. Now, as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19, we’re rolling out our plan to grow our economy, support businesses and communities, and keep New Zealand moving. If you’re still undecided ahead of this year’s ...1 week ago
- Greens call for a bus lane to bypass congestion on Harbour BridgeThe Green Party is calling for Waka Kotahi the NZ Transport Agency to convert a lane over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to bus-only and make buses free to use across the bridge until all lanes are back in operation. ...1 week ago
- Greens to protect Aotearoa’s oceans with marine sanctuaries, bottom trawling and set-netting restr...The Green Party has released its Thriving Oceans Plan, which would dramatically increase marine protected areas and ban bottom trawling on seamounts. ...1 week ago
- Week that was: Jobs, trades training and supporting Kiwi workersIt was another busy week out on the campaign trail, with Labour focused on jobs, training, and supporting Kiwi workers. As we continue to roll out our five-point plan for recovery, we’re investing in our people, businesses, communities and vital services, so we can keep our economy moving as we ...1 week ago
- Labour is backing our regions for recoveryOur regions are a vital part of our economic recovery plan. They’re home to innovative and creative businesses, and the backbone of our export economy - which is why Labour will continue to support our regions to grow as together, we rebuild better. ...1 week ago
- Green Party will work next term with Labour to quickly implement Fair Pay Agreements and extended si...The Green Party welcome Labour committing to implement fair pay agreements and extended sick leave for workers in the next term of Government. ...1 week ago
- No surprise in National’s latest attempt to slash public servicesNational’s ‘alternative budget’ that includes huge cuts to the government’s operating allowance would risk gutting critical public services, and put health, education and nature at dire risk. ...2 weeks ago
- Latest figures show stronger economic recoveryData released this week shows that, while New Zealand is not immune to the economic impacts of the global pandemic, our strong health response has meant we’ve been able to get our economy going faster than many other countries. ...2 weeks ago
- 17 ways to get involved with the 2020 electionThis year’s election is on 17 October - and it’s coming up fast! With one month to go until Election Day, we’ve come up with 17 ways you, your friends and family can get involved in our campaign and help Labour keep New Zealand moving. ...2 weeks ago
- PREFU shows efforts to keep us all healthy, now we need to revenue raisePREFU has given a good insight into what was required to ensure New Zealanders were largely supported to continue work and remain healthy during COVID-19, but it is clear we need additional revenue raising measures ongoing, Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said today. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens now the only political party sticking up for studentsThe Green Party is disappointed with the Labour Party’s decision to reverse their three free years education policy and back down on their commitment to postgraduate student allowances. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour are backing teachers and building a stronger, fairer education systemIn the first two years of our term in Government, we gave teachers record pay rises as a way of recognising the lack of adequate adjustments over the previous decade and the significant role they play in the lives of children and young people. We also increased the number of ...2 weeks ago
- Carmel Sepuloni: Backing families to get aheadInvesting in people has never been so important - and it’s a key part of Labour’s five point economic plan. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour supports working New ZealandersLabour has a proud history of supporting working New Zealanders, whether through the implementation of the 40hr work week or the introduction of the Working for Families package. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens will push next term for Government to expand dignified income beyond public service with Fair...The Green Party welcome Labour’s commitment to extend the living wage to Government contractors, but will push for Fair Pay Agreements across industries in the next Government so more New Zealanders can earn a dignified income. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must walk the talk on commitment to te reo MāoriThe Green Party is urging the Government to act on its commitment to te reo Māori, by making it a core subject up to year 10, and including te reo courses in the Targeted Training and Apprenticeships scheme. ...2 weeks ago
- Week That Was: Back on the campaign trailWe're officially back to the campaign for the 2020 General Election. The campaign may look a little different this year, but our candidates are still getting out and about in their communities and spreading the word about how another term of Labour will keep New Zealand moving in the right ...2 weeks ago
- Labour’s plan to bring down debt: Your questions answeredYou might have heard a bit of discussion about Government debt lately, as experts weigh in on the COVID-19 economic recovery. If you’re wondering why it’s such a contested topic, or even if you’re unsure of what Government debt actually is, then read on - we’ve got you covered! ...2 weeks ago
- Greens unveil $297m fund to support sustainable food and farmingThe Green Party has released its Farming for the Future Plan, including a $297m fund to support farmers and growers to transition to climate-friendly practices. ...2 weeks ago
- Labour’s plan for tax: Your questions answeredWe believe every New Zealander deserves the chance to make an informed decision on Election Day. We’ve answered some of the most common questions on our 2020 tax policy, including how much money will be raised from our new top tax rate, and how this will be used to control ...3 weeks ago
- Labour’s energy policy shows progress, but more action needed to protect the planetThe Green Party says Labour’s energy policy is a step in the right direction, but the Greens would go further and faster to meaningfully tackle the climate crisis. ...3 weeks ago
- How does tax work?All this tax talk leaving you a bit dazed and confused? Read below to find out more about our progressive tax system and what Labour's policy means for you. ...3 weeks ago
- Pasifika churches gain from PGF funding
Pasifika churches around the country will receive a total of nearly $10 million in government funding for renovations and improvements which will improve facilities for the communities they serve and create jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Pacific Peoples Minister Aupito William Sio have announced. The funding will ...6 hours ago - Job numbers up in AugustNew data from Stats NZ today shows a rise of more than 9,000 filled jobs from July – driven mostly by the education and training sector, Grant Robertson says. Filled jobs were up 9,147 to 2.2 million in August 2020 compared with July – with 7,409 of those in education ...1 day ago
- Māori development receives fundingMāori development projects across the country will receive a total of $18.8 million from the Provincial Growth Fund that will create infrastructure and permanent jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “These projects will support economic development in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Tairawhiti, Manawatū-Whanganui, Waikato and Southland to ...1 day ago
- Hand-up for owners of earthquake-prone unitsFrom today, owner-occupiers of unit and apartments living in earthquake-prone buildings can apply for financial support to fix their homes, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa says. The Residential Earthquake-Prone Building Financial Assistance Scheme will help unit owners facing financial hardship over earthquake strengthening costs. “We understand how complicated ...1 day ago
- PGF backing successful Māori enterpriseWhanganui will benefit from a Provincial Growth Fund investment in a local food-processing company which will help the company increase production and create jobs, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. Kii Tahi Ltd, which is owned by South Taranaki iwi Ngaa Rauru Kiitahi, will receive a Provincial Growth Fund ...2 days ago
- Hokitika Landmark earmarked for $22m restorationSeddon House in Hokitika, once a hub for government on the West Coast, has been earmarked for government use once again. “Today we’re announcing a $22 million investment from the Government’s $3 billion infrastructure fund for shovel ready projects for the purchase and restoration of Seddon House in the heart of ...3 days ago
- Town halls and war memorials in PGF renovation programmeTown halls, war memorials and other community landmarks across the country will be renovated thanks to grants totalling just under $12.4 million from the Provincial Growth Fund. Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says more than 1000 jobs are expected to be created during the renovation programme. “Town halls, other ...4 days ago
- Minister of Foreign Affairs makes two diplomatic appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced two new diplomatic appointments: • Michael Appleton as New Zealand’s first resident High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. • Tredene Dobson as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Viet Nam. Sri Lanka “New Zealand is opening a post in Colombo in 2021 because we are ready ...4 days ago
- NZ’s most prestigious conservation award – Loder Cup presented to Graeme AtkinsThe Minister of Conservation Minister, Eugenie Sage, today presented Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prestigious conservation award, the Loder Cup, to the 2020 winner Graeme Atkins while in Gisborne/Tūranga-nui-a-Kiwa. “Graeme Atkins of Ngāti Porou is a Department of Conservation ranger whose contribution to conservation goes well above and beyond his employment,” ...4 days ago
- Early help for whānau who need extra supportThe Government is investing in a new, whānau-centred early intervention prototype designed to strengthen families and improve the safety and wellbeing of children. The new programme, Ngā Tini Whetū, is a collaboration between Oranga Tamariki, Te Puni Kōkiri, ACC and the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency (WOCA) and was announced today ...4 days ago
- Parliament to install solar and cut carbonParliament is leading by example by taking action to cut its carbon footprint by installing solar and improving energy efficiency, the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw said today. The Minister confirmed that Parliamentary Services will receive support through the Clean-Powered Public Service Fund to install solar PV and LED ...4 days ago
- Tuvalu Language Week theme promotes community resilience in the face of COVID-19The Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio says the 2020 Tuvalu Language Week theme of “Fakatili Te Kiloga Fou” which means “Navigating the changing environment” is a call on all Pacific peoples to be strong and resilient in the face of COVID-19. “This theme is a reminder to us ...4 days ago
- International sport back up and running in New ZealandThe Government is welcoming today’s announcement that the West Indies and Pakistan cricket teams will tour New Zealand this summer. “A lot of hard work has been undertaken by sports officials including New Zealand Cricket, Netball New Zealand and government officials to ensure that international sport can return safely to ...4 days ago
- 1BT funds for Northland forest taongaNorthland’s indigenous tree canopy is set to grow for the benefit of mana whenua and the wider community thanks to nearly $2 million in One Billion Trees funding, Forestry Minister Shane Jones announced today. Te Komanga Marae Trust has received more than $1.54 million to restore and enhance the native ...4 days ago
- Better health care for West Coasters as Te Nikau Hospital officially openedThe Government has delivered a new hospital for Greymouth and is starting work on a much needed new health centre in Westport, ensuring local communities will benefit from better access to high quality integrated health services. Today, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Associate Health Minister Peeni Henare officially open Te ...4 days ago
- Government backing local with PGF loanA West Coast distillery will benefit from a Provincial Growth Fund investment that will enable it to expand its operations and create jobs in the town of Reefton, Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. The Reefton Distilling Co will receive a $928,000 ...5 days ago
- Primary sector exports and jobs up againPrimary sector exports and jobs are up again, demonstrating the sector’s underlying strength amid the COVID-19 global pandemic and US-China trade war, and supporting New Zealand’s economic recovery. Stats NZ today reported New Zealand’s merchandise exports in August were up 8.6% on a year ago, driven by an increase in ...5 days ago
- Clean energy future for more schoolsSchools across Aotearoa New Zealand will be supported by the Government to upgrade to run on clean energy, the Minister for Climate Change James Shaw announced today. The Minister has allocated $50 million from the Clean Powered Public Service Fund to replace, or convert, coal boilers in schools with clean ...5 days ago
- Building business strength with digital toolsNew training and tools for digital commerce will give small businesses, especially in the tourism sector, the support they need to adapt and innovate in a COVID world. Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis and Small Business Minister Stuart Nash have announced details of how $20 million digital capability funding set aside ...5 days ago
- New pest lures to protect natureThe Department of Conservation (DOC) is investing $1.4 million to develop new predator lures that would be game-changers for trapping and surveillance towards a predator-free Aotearoa, the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage, announced in Christchurch today. The proposal is to develop long-life lures attractive to a range of predators—rats, mustelids ...5 days ago
- Support for innovative Pacific education responses to COVID-19 needsSupporting new and creative Pacific education practices as part of our COVID-19 response and recovery is the focus of a new $28.5 million Pacific Education Innovation Fund announced today by Associate Minister of Education Jenny Salesa. “There is already an incredible amount of innovative and creative work going on in ...6 days ago
- Eligibility expanded for COVID-19 leave supportThe expanded scheme will cover: People who have COVID-19 like symptoms and meet the Ministry of Health’s criteria, and need to self-isolate while awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test. People who are directed to self-isolate by a Medical Officer of Health or their delegate or on advice of their ...1 week ago
- Seasonal work visa available to more peopleThe Government is putting in place a range of immigration policy changes to help fill labour shortages in key industries while ensuring New Zealanders, who have lost jobs due to COVID-19, have the chance to find new employment. “Two key sectors we are moving to help are horticulture and wine ...1 week ago
- More border exceptions for critical rolesThe Government has established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, as well as agricultural and horticultural machinery operators. “Tight border restrictions remain the backbone of the Government’s border strategy to protect New Zealand against COVID-19 and ensure New Zealand citizens and ...1 week ago
- Crown will not appeal Dodds v Southern Response decisionThe Crown will not appeal the Court of Appeal decision in the Dodds v Southern Response case, Grant Robertson announced today. “Southern Response will be paying the damages awarded by the Court to Mr and Mrs Dodds shortly. The Crown was already meeting their legal costs for this appeal. “The ...1 week ago
- Crucial PGF investments for NorthlandThe Provincial Growth Fund is investing nearly $30 million in a diverse range of projects that will create immediate and long-term jobs and lift economic and social outcomes for Northland and its people. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones made the announcement today in ...1 week ago
- $27million investment in global vaccine facilityThe Coalition Government has committed to invest $27 million in COVID-19 vaccine development through the global COVAX Facility, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today. “The COVAX Facility is a key part of our COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy to obtain safe and effective vaccines. It allows us to invest in a high-quality, ...1 week ago
- Government backing Māori landownersThe Government will provide up to $1.69 million through the One Billion Trees programme to Māori landowners to make their whenua more productive through the planting of forests, both native and exotic, and improve economic and environmental outcomes, Forestry Minister Shane Jones has announced. “Around 1.5 million ha of land ...1 week ago
- New tools to make nature more accessiblePeople planning to head outdoors now have a resource that lets them know how accessible an area is for people with varying levels of mobility, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced today. The Halberg Foundation, Sensibel, and the Department of Conservation (DOC) have launched Accessibel, a new tool which helps ...2 weeks ago
- PGF makes Māori history more accessibleOne of the most significant battle sites of the 1860s Land Wars will receive $2.96 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to improve the site and help tell the New Zealand story to visitors, Māori Development Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. Nanaia Mahuta ...2 weeks ago
- Making it official: The journey of te reo Māori | Kia whakapūmautia: Ngā piki me ngā heke o te r...The journey towards recognising Māori as an official language and taonga has been captured as a web series and launched today during Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, announced Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Carmel Sepuloni. “Te reo Māori is a living language, and understanding its significance, and pathways to ...2 weeks ago
- Better-than-forecast GDP reflects decision to protect New ZealandToday’s better-than-forecast GDP figures show the expected impact of the decision to act quickly to protect New Zealanders from the global COVID-19 pandemic. GDP fell 12.2% in the June quarter from March, reflecting decisions to close New Zealand’s borders and enter Alert Level 4. “This result was better than the ...2 weeks ago
- Boost for COVID-19 related Pacific education needsThe Government is investing $39.7 Million over four years to support the educational needs of Pacific learners and families in the regions hardest hit by COVID-19, with Auckland getting an immediate boost, Associate Minister of Education Jenny Salesa says. “Like all New Zealanders Pacific families want learners to do well ...2 weeks ago
- More resources for kiwi conservationNew Zealand’s goal of 100,000 kiwi by 2030 is being helped by an extra $19.7 million in funding to accelerate iwi and community efforts to protect kiwi, Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage announced. “$19.7 million of Jobs for Nature funding is being invested in kiwi conservation activities including increased predator ...2 weeks ago
- Improving access to affordable electricityEnsuring New Zealanders can get the best deal on their electricity takes a step in the right direction today with the South Island launch of the EnergyMate pilot run by the Electricity Retailers’ Association, says Minister of Energy and Resources, Dr Megan Woods. EnergyMate is an industry-led programme providing coaching ...2 weeks ago
- Government achieves 50 percent women on state boardsMinister for Women Julie Anne Genter announced today that the Government has reached its target of 50 percent on women on state sector board and committees – setting a new record level of women on state sector boards. “This Government is committed to having more women in leadership roles - ...2 weeks ago
- Record transport investment to help economic recovery and save livesTransport Minister Phil Twyford released today the final Government Policy Statement on land transport (GPS) 2021 which outlines the planned $48 billion investment in services and infrastructure over the next decade. “The final GPS supports our Government’s five-point plan for economic recovery by confirming our record investments in transport infrastructure ...2 weeks ago
- Advancing clean energy technologyThree ambitious and cutting-edge research programmes that will lift New Zealand’s advanced energy technology research capability over seven years, have been supported by Government today, says Research, Science and Innovation Minister Megan Woods. The projects will each receive a share of $40.7 million investment from the Strategic Science Investment Fund. ...2 weeks ago
- Major milestone reached in Pike River Re-entryThe critical area for forensic examination known as Pit Bottom in Stone has been reached in what is a major milestone for the Pike River re-entry project, Minister Responsible for Pike River Re-entry Andrew Little announced. “The infrastructure located in Pit Bottom in Stone is of very significant interest in ...2 weeks ago
- Economic recovery guides Govt response to retirement income policy reviewThe Government is working on how New Zealand’s retirement income policies and settings can best support Kiwis in light of the COVID-19 economic recovery, with the help of the Retirement Commissioner’s latest review, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi said. “The Retirement Commissioner’s three-yearly review into New Zealand’s retirement ...2 weeks ago
- Going cashless isn’t straightforward. Ask Sweden, or Zimbabwe
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Vasantkumar, Lecturer in Anthropology, Macquarie University “No Cash Accepted” signs are increasingly common in Australian shops, thanks to COVID-19. Even before the the pandemic struck, though, we were well along the cashless path, with demand for coins halving between 2013 and ...9 mins ago - We can build a more inclusive government and economy out of the pandemic — this blueprint shows us...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amanda Tattersall, Research Lead Sydney Policy Lab, Postdoctoral Fellow Geography, Host of ChangeMakers Podcast, University of Sydney When the COVID-19 pandemic transformed our lives earlier this year, our political leaders joined hands and said we were all in this together — and ...39 mins ago
- Regional Pasifika churches receive $10m from PGF
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says 27 churches will benefit from the funding, as part of the Covid-19 response and recovery plan. ...42 mins ago - Government’s $800m Digital Business plan will let you access myGov with facial recognitionSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Nicholls, Associate professor in Business Law. Director of the UNSW Business School Cybersecurity and Data Governance Research Network, UNSW An A$800 million JobMaker Digital Business Plan has been released this week to support economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19. Treasurer ...1 hour ago
- LIVE: Clark v Collins debate cannabis referendum
Join Newsroom columnist Shane Te Pou and former MP Tau Henare as they host Korero Mai, a debate on the cannabis referendum live from Auckland Arguing the case that recreational use of cannabis should become legal are former PM Helen Clark and Media commentator, Russell Brown. The case against will be ...1 hour ago - ‘Our own 1945 moment’. What do rising China-US tensions mean for the UN?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Melissa Conley Tyler, Research Fellow, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne As the General Assembly’s 75th session wraps up on Wednesday, it’s been a dramatic time at the United Nations. Usually, this is the time of year when world leaders come to New ...1 hour ago
- Exporting Corruption Downunder
Free Webinar. Thursday 15th October, 6.30 pm- New Zealand; 4.30 pm - Australia and 8.30 am - Berlin Join our Australasian/international discussion on foreign bribery on Thursday 15 October. Foreign bribery is not an abstract phenomenon; it has huge ...2 hours ago - A sustainable Australian video game industry? Production rebates are a small, important stepSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan Keogh, ARC DECRA Fellow, Queensland University of Technology In a first for Australia, the South Australian government has announced a new rebate for video game development. Companies will be able to recoup 10% of production costs on projects spending at least ...2 hours ago
- ACT announces infrastructure policyACT says it would allow central and regional governments to establish 30 year infrastructure partnerships in order to streamline projects if elected. ...2 hours ago
- Two charged over NZ First Foundation donations
An investigation into donations made to a foundation for the benefit of New Zealand First has ended with criminal charges against two people - but Winston Peters is trying to claim vindication while promising vengeance against investigators Two people have been charged with "obtaining by deception" over donations made to the mysterious ...2 hours ago - What’s Coming Up For It’s In The Ballot – Palmerston NorthPalmerston north - It's in the Ballot is happening this Thursday, 1st October at the Square Edge Art Studio, with members of the public are welcome to attend as Audience members, doors open from 530pm, with the show going live on Facebook, Youtube and ...3 hours ago
- Two people charged with ‘obtaining by deception’ in NZ First foundation investigationThe Serious Fraud Office has filed a charge of 'obtaining by deception' against two people following its investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation. ...3 hours ago
- SFO Files Charges In Relation To NZ First Foundation DonationsThe SFO has filed a charge of ‘Obtaining by Deception’ against two defendants in the New Zealand First Foundation electoral funding case. The charges were filed on 23 September. The defendants have interim name suppression and so cannot be named ...3 hours ago
- Winston Peters holds ‘important’ media conference as SFO releases NZ First Foundation in...New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is holding what he calls an 'important' media conference at 5pm - the same time as Serious Fraud Office (SFO) plans to release a statement on its investigation into the New Zealand First Foundation. ...3 hours ago
- SFO lays charges over NZ First Foundation inquiry – all you need to know
Two individuals have been charged by the Serious Fraud Office, but neither is an MP. What’s the skinny? The Serious Fraud Office announced in a 5pm statement that two people have been charged with “obtaining by deception” following its inquiry into the New Zealand First Foundation and donations and loans provided ...3 hours ago - Cautious Optimism Toward Labour’s Pledge To Increase Cochlear Implant FundingToday’s announcement by the Labour Party that, if elected next month, it would increase cochlear implant funding has been met with cautious optimism by New Zealand’s two providers of cochlear implant services. Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) ...4 hours ago
- Soy, oat, almond, rice, coconut, dairy: which ‘milk’ is best for our health?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Leah Dowling, Lecturer in Dietetics, Swinburne University of Technology A trip to the supermarket presents shoppers with an overwhelming number of milk choices. And far from just being the domain of the modern hipster, plant-based milk alternatives are going mainstream. These alternatives ...4 hours ago
- Advance NZ party takes exclusion from debate to courtThe Advance NZ party is taking legal action against MediaWorks after it was not invited to take part in the network's minor party leaders debate. ...4 hours ago
- 12 Calls To Make Transport Better, Safer And CleanerThe AA has published its Election Calls, highlighting 12 actions it wants the next Government to take to make transport better, safer and cleaner. The calls are realistic and achievable, says AA Motoring Affairs ...4 hours ago
- E Tū Welcomes Commitment To ‘Just Transition’ For Tiwai WorkersE tū says Labour’s just transition approach will give workers and communities in Southland confidence to plan for a future with good jobs to replace those at the Tiwai Point smelter. On Monday, the Labour Party announced its commitment to keeping ...4 hours ago
- NZEI Te Riu Roa Welcomes Labour Promise To Provide Mental Health Support To StudentsNZEI Te Riu Roa says Labour's promise to provide mental health support in primary and intermediate schools would deliver a much-needed resource for both children and teachers, especially given the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. If re-elected, Labour's ...5 hours ago
- Socialist Equality Group Election Meeting Saturday October 3rd...5 hours ago
- Old stories exhumed: Ted Dawe on schools and bullies, and truthIn Ted Dawe’s new novel Answering to the Caul, traumatised young men obliterate the schools that made ‘ordinary kids into evil bastards’. And as Dawe told the Herald last week, his sensational 2012 novel Into the River had its roots in the sex abuse scandal that’s just blown open at ...5 hours ago
- Record corporate fines don’t deter: here’s a ‘frank’ fix to make penalties biteSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael William Blissenden, Professor of Law, University of New England All things considered, Westpac’s record A$1.3 billion fine for breaching anti-money-laundering laws could have been worse. Each of the alleged 23 million breaches of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Act between 2010 ...5 hours ago
- Pacific television training initiative boosts region’s broadcastersPacific Media Watch Newsdesk Television New Zealand and Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) have launched a new training programme to help broadcasters across the region deliver a premium news product to their audiences. Designed and led by 1 NEWS’ Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and produced by Lee Taylor, the 10-week ...5 hours ago
- Greens ‘right On Track’ With Bold Transport PlanKāpiti Coast commuter rail campaigner Gwynn Compton has endorsed the Green Party’s new Future of Transport plan which includes new hybrid trains, electrification and double tracking from Waikanae to Ōtaki, and eventually rapid intercity passenger ...5 hours ago
- Creativity blossoms in the shadow of the virus (with seed money from taxpayers who may not be aware...
We have acknowledged on previous occasions that the Point of Order Trough Monitor was not calibrated to pick up every example of dubiously spent public money. But when our monitor misses examples of eyebrow-raising grants, investments, loans and what-have-you, other monitors and watchdogs are on the job. The Taxpayers’ Union ...6 hours ago - Vaping Ban In Hamilton Makes Absolutely No Sense – AVCAAotearoa Vapers Community Advocacy (AVCA) is deeply disappointed that Hamilton City councillors unanimously resolved this morning to ‘include vaping alongside smoking as a prohibited activity in Smokefree areas in reference to the Smokefree Outdoor ...6 hours ago
- Greens plan to connect provinces, major cities via rapid passenger railA multi-billion dollar public transport plan is how the Green Party aims to reduce emissions and congestion if elected. ...7 hours ago
- Schools Welcome Support For Mental Health IssuesWith mental health issues on the rise, the President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF), Perry Rush, has given full support to today’s announcement to roll out the successful Canterbury based Mana Ake programme across all primary and ...7 hours ago
- Greens pledge future ban on new petrol cars
The Green Party wants to ban the import of new fossil fuel cars, vans and utes by as early as 2030, while pouring billions into intercity rail and urban cycle "highways", Marc Daalder reports The Green Party has unveiled an ambitious policy package promising to tackle the country's fastest growing ...7 hours ago - Greenpeace Welcomes Greens’ Transport Policy, Calls For Climate To Be Bottom LineTuesday, 29 September: Greenpeace has welcomed the Green Party’s transport policy announced today, but is seeking assurances that the Greens will make clean transport a bottom line in any potential coalition agreement. The Greens are promising to invest ...7 hours ago
- Billion-dollar Health Spend Risks Disappearing In The Black HoleThe New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is warning that Labour’s $1 billion health policy could turn into unproductive black hole spending unless efficiencies are found. Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Louis Houlbrooke says, “In 2019’s Wellbeing Budget, ...8 hours ago
- Do You Value Welfare Above Warfare?The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated lives and livelihoods around the world, highlighted and exacerbated systemic social, economic and political inequities, and exposed the flaws in government spending and other priorities. The critical need for cooperation ...8 hours ago
- 100 Year Forecast: Where will New Zealand get wetter and drier?Watch all five episodes of 100 Year Forecast on our special interactive website HERE.The future of rainfall in Aotearoa is complicated. As the country warms up, some places will get drier, while others will become far wetter. These changes will not be spread evenly through the year. Some places will ...8 hours ago
- Ouch. This guy just got Vodaf-ownedA tragedy in four parts.INT. DIMLY LIT BASEMENT – MORNINGDanny awakens and kicks off his Star Wars duvet. He picks up his phone to check if anyone responded to his incendiary revelation about Jacinda Arden’s Covid-19 mind control experiment on Reddit last night. He stares at his phone in mute ...9 hours ago
- BSA Upholds Complaint From Ōwairaka Activist That RNZ Item Misrepresented Her ViewsThe Broadcasting Standards Authority ( BSA ) has upheld a complaint from environmental activist Lisa Prager that an RNZ Checkpoint item misrepresented her position and was unfair to her. The Checkpoint item summarised the complainant’s submission ...9 hours ago
- Labour wants mental health rollout across schools
Labour has revealed its health policy for the election, with mental health services for children and $200 million to cut surgery waitlists among the key planks The Labour Party has pledged to roll out mental health services to every primary and intermediate school child within five years, saying the initiative ...10 hours ago - Māori Party Announces Its 25 Year Generational Mana Motuhake Programme At WaitangiMāori Party Co-Leader said today’s Te Tiriti Policy release is a 25-year strategy that would bring about major change for Māori. “Our policies are designed by Māori for Māori to Māori,” Tamihere said. “They are not a 3 year lolly scramble. ...10 hours ago
- Labour health policy: Mental health for school children, mobile dental clinicsLabour would make mental health support available to all primary and intermediate students, and increase dental health grants to $1000, if elected. ...10 hours ago
- Politicians try to woo young voters in fiery NZ election debateBy RNZ News Housing and climate change caused the most heated exchanges at TVNZ’s young voters debate in New Zealand last night, an event far more colourful than last week’s debate between Labour leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and National leader Judith Collins. Kiri Allan from Labour, Simeon Brown ...10 hours ago
- Understanding investing, part one: The basicsHow to stop procrastinating and actually (finally) get on top of investing. Because there’s a good chance that if you’re reading this, you don’t know a single thing about it. I can’t say I have a lot of good habits, but one habit I can vouch for is my inclination to ...10 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – September 29 2020Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content 1News Colmar Brunton poll Thomas Coughlan and Luke Malpass(Stuff): Spectre of Labour-Green coalition National’s worst nightmare Pattrick Smellie (BusinessDesk): Labour needs Greens on latest One News poll (paywalled) Claire ...10 hours ago
- Māori Party promises to establish Māori ParliamentThe Māori Party would set up a separate Māori Parliament among other constitutional changes as outlined in its Mana Motuhake policy. ...10 hours ago
- James Shaw on Green Party polling resultsGreen Party co-leader James Shaw is remaining tight-lipped about what roles the party might want if Labour turned to it to form a government. ...10 hours ago
- International Food Waste Awareness Day – Champions’ Ask Government To Halve Food Waste By 2030Today is International Food Waste Awareness Day and New Zealand’s Food Waste Champions are calling on political parties to commit to halving food waste by 2030. “New Zealand does not currently have a national food waste reduction target. We are lagging ...11 hours ago
- Consequences Of Policies, Laws And RulesDo the people who dream up policies, laws or rules or the people who draft them ever think of the consequences of their actions or just look at the end result that they want? These policies, Laws or Rules are often driven by the need to satisfy ...11 hours ago
- Rocky icebergs and deep anchors – new research on how planetary forces shape the Earth’s surfaceSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Lamb, Associate Professor in Geophysics, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Have you ever wondered why the Earth’s surface is separated into two distinct worlds – the oceans and large tracts of land? Why aren’t land and water more ...11 hours ago
- There’s no single gene for left-handedness. At least 41 regions of DNA are involvedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Evans, Professor of Statistical Genetics, The University of Queensland Most people consistently use the same hand to do tasks that require skill and control such as writing or threading a needle. We know genetics plays a big part in which hand ...11 hours ago
- No mail-in votes, proof of citizenship: the long history of preventing minorities from voting in the...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lloyd Cox, Lecturer, Department of Modern History, Politics and International Relations, Macquarie University “We really are the only advanced democracy on Earth that systematically and purposely makes it really hard for people to vote,” President Barack Obama lamented in 2016. He was ...11 hours ago
- Specialist referral rules haven’t changed much since the 70s, but Australia’s health needs sure ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christie M. Gardiner, Associate Lecturer of Law, University of Newcastle You have a chronic health condition and visit your specialist for an annual check-up, but the referral’s expired. You’re told to get a new referral from the GP to claim the Medicare ...11 hours ago
- Does Australia really have the deadliest snakes? We debunk 6 common mythsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Damian R. Michael, Senior research fellow, Charles Sturt University As we settle into spring and temperatures rise, snakes are emerging from their winter hideouts to bask in the sun. But don’t be alarmed if you spot one, it’s hard to imagine a ...11 hours ago
- It’s about to become easier to lend irresponsibly, to help the recoverySource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeannie Marie Paterson, Professor of Law, University of Melbourne What used to be known as a requirement to lend responsibly is now regarded as red tape. The National Consumer Credit Protection Act introduced by the Rudd government after the global financial crisis ...11 hours ago
- ‘Virtue signalling’, a slur meant to imply moral grandstanding that might not be all badSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Stollznow, Research fellow, Griffith University Last month, on the centennial of the 19th amendment granting American women the vote, US President Donald Trump announced he would issue a posthumous pardon for Susan B. Anthony. A suffragette, Anthony was convicted of voting ...11 hours ago
- The humiliating, thrilling experience of learning to ride a bike as an adultIs learning to get around on two wheels as easy as riding a bike? Not exactly, writes Wyoming Paul.As an adult, saying that you can’t ride a bike can feel like admitting you’re not sure how to use a can opener, make a bed, fry an egg, or read a ...11 hours ago
- The week in memes: Bad quotes from both leadersToo much news? Welcome to the only round-up you need.We’re on the last lap! This election campaign has been a marathon in every sense but we’ve entered the stadium now, the finish line is in sight… just. Hang in there and don’t forget to read up as much as you ...11 hours ago
- National Will Do More To Stamp Out CorruptionA National Government will back the Serious Fraud Office to do more to stamp out corruption, National Party Leader Judith Collins says. “New Zealand’s most successful crime fighting agency will get the resources it needs to deliver on its stated role ...12 hours ago
- And then there were three: The race is on for Auckland CentralThe battle for the Auckland Central electorate is shaping up to be an unusual race with Green Party's Chlöe Swarbrick driving a 'two ticks' campaign. ...12 hours ago
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Surely if little old Barbados can remove the Queen as Head of State, we can too?
And they are still able to remain a member of the Commonwealth.
I'm sold, where do we vote please?
I think that is a little Precipi-state. Knee-jerk responses following Pavlovian stimulation.
Was speaking to a lady today whose life has changed dramatically. She has suffered from seizures her whole life, which has limited her ability to do many things. Just going to the supermarket was a nightmare for her, as she would worry about having a seizure.
Four weeks ago she got some CBD oil via the black market. She looked at getting CBD oil on prescription but could not afford it. She has not had a seizure for four weeks and it's changed her life beyond compare. She is so happy, a huge comparison to the depressed individual she was when I last saw her around three months ago. Am over the moon for her. She really has become a different person who now has the confidence to join community groups, which she has. Such a good buzz, she was near on suicidal before. Life changing for the better.
It's because of people like her that I will be voting YES in the referendum.
Absolutely YES.
same, I know someone whose severe epilepsy went into remission.
there are lessons here for people who believe that RCTs are the only way to do medicine. So many more people could be helped.
I had thought this referedum did not affect access to medical cannabis
'The proposed Bill does not cover medicinal cannabis, hemp, driving while impaired, or workplace health and safety issues. These are covered by existing laws.
Medicinal cannabis is already legal under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme.'
from
https://www.referendums.govt.nz/cannabis/index.html
So if people are voting yes so that others can get access to cannabis health products then I suggest a little more thought may be in order. If you are voting 'yes' so you or others can get access to cannabis because it makes you/them feel good ie recreational cannabis and they don't have to hassle to get it then that is what this referendum covers.
So a Majority yes vote
Yes I support the proposed Cannabis Legalisation and Control Bill.
The Bill legalises restricted access to cannabis
The Bill's purpose is to reduce harm to people and communities
The Bill controls the production and supply of cannabis
Medicinal cannabis and hemp will not be affected by the outcome of the referendum. Medicinal use of cannabis will still be allowed if prescribed by a doctor, and hemp will still be legal.
There are still many people who are not taking the option of seeing their Dr to get a prescription for medicinal cannabis. One family I know has had access to medicinal cannabis for their epileptic son and it has made a difference.
I worry about people venturing into what is the criminal world accessing unregulated oil ie the methods and ingredients are not controlled oil etc
So the referendum is about social or recreational use not medical use.
https://www.referendums.govt.nz/cannabis/index.html
But voting YES would enable her to grow a plant and make CBD oil for her own personal use. Can't get more affordable than that.
Voting yes would mean that she wouldn't have to reach out offshore to purchase it. Under current restrictions the only CBD oil available is from offshore.
Presently medical cannabis is totally unaffordable under current restrictions for an unwaged person, like the lady I talked with today.
I worry that the stigma surrounding cannabis is overshadowing a referendum to allow assisted death. No one has ever overdosed on cannabis. Sorry but that's been annoying me lately.
Cannabis clinic doctor Waseem Alzaher has written an op-ed about this: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/cannabis-referendum/122728636/cannabis-referendum-the-real-cost-of-medicinal-cannabis–separating-fact-from-fiction
Thanks for the link Sacha.
welcome
The referendum doesn't cover medicines which you describe.
I'm over the moon for her as well.
But it's not a reason to vote yes in the referendum.
Agree Ad. Make sure we are voting for the reasons in the referendum ie for use as a recreational drug. if you are happy about this then vote 'yes' and if not vote 'no'…..
Affordability of medical cannabis is whole other ball-game & not connected with the referendum.
Too true.
it's one reason that a lot of people will vote yes. We don't have equitable or full access to medicinal cannabis, this Bill will go a long way to redressing that. Atm people make their medicine themselves, after the Bill is passed they and others will continue to do so only they won't have to be afraid of being arrested, or having their supply confiscated.
Yes we could. However, it should be by referendum, not just by parliament.
Of course, but the governments haven't seemed willing to put it to the vote.
Some interesting polls:
The country is getting ever closer to being in favour of becoming a republic.
The more I look at the senior NZ politicians most likely to take her place, the better Lizzy & Charlie look.
fair point. Not that impressed with the electorate either.
And just look at the USA! Would they be in quite this mess if they had a further brake on their shenanigins?
I'm pretty sure that the crown sets no brakes upon our politicians.
Gough Whitlam ?
There is potential, yes, but almost no chance of it happening.
It's no joke that the NZ Parliament can do pretty much whatever it wants but I don't want foreign interference either.
I like the idea that it potentially acts as a deterrent
It doesn't though. The government would have to be fairly bad before the GG actually acted to remove it.
What I like about Liz & Charlie is they don't cost us a bean unless we ask them to visit and the next one in the queue is always known. Very low maintenance.
And we don't then have to fight over who gets the top ceremonial job. I mean could you imagine a 70 year old Judith Collins swanning around in a tiara. I rest my case.
And also a load of bollocks.
Our governor General, does, as a matter of fact, cost us. It's unlikely that a president would cost us any more.
But we should. We should be the ones that set the direction of the country should also be the ones who sets the face and voice.
Why the insult?
Yeah except NZ is a small horribly cliquey little country on a bad day – and if you are not part of the in crowd tough. I could see a president costing more frankly but who knows.
I've always regretted the demise of the privy council legal appeals. , I would far rather it had been replaced by a "commonwealth council" with top judges from Aust Canada etc. It would have been a bit further removed from the small legal cohort here.
As to Judith – I can see her in a tiara but I really wouldn't want her as a president. Not sure where you get the insult in that.
Even a Corgi would do – active, intelligent, charismatic, and not corrupt beyond a decent enthusiasm for treats.
There are times I'd like to replace most of parliament with them.
Why?
Our High Court is more responsive and costs less.
Last time I looked, we call on them as well even with out High Court.
I wouldn't want her as president either but you most definitely phrased what you you said as an insult. Hence the swanning around.
Oh for heavens sake DTB pretty much anyone wearing a tiara except for actual royalty is swanning around in one. It's a figure of speech I guess not necessarily to be interpreted as an insult.
No, they'd just be wearing one.
And why do you think that tiaras are only for royalty? They're just another piece of jewellery.
Do you think that only royals should be wearing purple as well?
president would need mirrored sunnys and gold braid. as with anything the costs would blow out. better to stick with what works.
Gold Braid – $15 at the Warehouse.
Mirrored Sunnys – $20 at the Warehouse
Besides, I'm pretty sure our GG has those already.
@Ad 1
Canada, Australia and Aotearoa will be the last to go.
@Cinny 1.1
Of the 54 countries in the Commonwealth only 16 are Commonwealth Realms who have QEII as Head of State.
Pie in the sky? Millions to be spent. Not from the regions growth fund I hope. Would Maori like the land back and they could choose what they do with it? The government to take this out of the hands of chancers and big-talkers.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018764224/finally-a-plan-for-abandoned-waiwera-hot-pools
But there’s a potentially happy ending to the tale: the present owners have just this month made preliminary decisions on a $250m masterplan which could see the pools and the slides return to Waiwera, along with a day spa, a hotel spa complex, a micro-brewery and apartments. Evan Vertue, Waiwera project director for property company Urban Partners talks about the plans.
On a brighter note. Had the first asparagus of the season tonight. It’s Spring people!
Oh! Your late! I had mine last week and yummy.
Skite skite.
Just saw a tweet from one of the party insiders.
Labour still 50%+
Nats below 30%
Greens in trouble.
and most importantly what was Advance NZ on??
Well, whatever it was I don't want any….
Third biggest party in New Zealand according to some sources… Billy TK was ranked 34th preferred Prime Minister in the latest COlmar Brunton, which he himself says is "unheard of". They've had over 2 million social medias interactions which is mind boggling too.
"Billy TK was ranked 34th preferred Prime Minister" – “unheard of” in his own words.
Maui, please can you provide a link to these "latest COlmar Brunton" poll results.
It's all in the latest July Colmar:
https://static.colmarbrunton.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/25-29-July-2020_1-NEWS-Colmar-Brunton-Poll-report-.pdf
Sorry 34th ranked was wrong…. Billy TK is ranked 5th equal with Christopher Luxon for Preferred PM at 0.7% and more than twice as popular as John Key on 0.3%.
Remarkable. Of course if you want to look outside yourself and hear the Colmar results first hand you can seek out the latest video between Billy TK and Dr Buttar.
A 0.7% share of the preferred PM choice is indeed "remarkable" – one in every 143 people polled said they actually preferred Billy TK for PM – that's six out of the 843 people who responded to the ‘Preferred PM‘ question.
Unfortunately for Billy TK, apparently no-one polled chose to support the political party he and Jami-Lee Ross lead. An optimist might say that Advance NZ's party vote poll results can only get better. Best of luck ANZ.
Don't the polls usually start coming thick and fast about a month out from the election?
might be worth beginning to pay attention to the trends lol
This turned up on my fb feed by some dude called David Clark, me and numbers dont get on so I have know idea if hes right or not.
""Over the weekend I had a phone call from a mate who lives in urban Auckland and he wanted to have a yarn about the new Green Party Agricultural Policy, that to his mind seemed logical, fair and reasonable, almost an exciting step forward, but he wanted to see the policy through the lens of a farmer as well,
I have been reflecting on his question regarding the launching of the Green Party Agricultural "Policy" trying to quantify the feeling of hopeless that I and many farmers feel.
So let's unpack this a bit.
How our business works is we have a farm income, that is the culmination of all the stock we sell and the grain and seed crops that we grow and sell to processors as it's eventually makes it way to your local Supermarket.
Out of that income, we pay our farm expenses, seed, fertiliser, fuel and electricity, farm supplies, and various other goods and services. Most of this expenditure benefits businesses in our local town Ashburton and across the wider Canterbury economy.
Once we have sold our produce and paid for our expenses, there is hopefully a wee bit left over, which is what most business owners refer to as their return on investment.
Last year our arable and stock farming business made a pre-tax return on total assets of 3.6%.
The Greens intend to impose a "Wealth Tax" of 2%.
That leaves us with 1.6% return on assets before we pay any Income Tax.
The Greens then plan to "charge a fair price" for the Methane burped by our sheep. I have previously heard prices of $50-$250/t of Carbon Equivalent suggested by the Greens, but let's say at the low end of that range, our Climate Change cost just for Methane will be 1.5% of total assets.
That leaves us with 0.1%.
The Greens intend to develop a Water Charge in consultation with Iwi.
Previously the Greens have stated that charge should be 10 cents per cubic metre. David Parker publicly stated an intention for a water charge of 2 cents per cubic metre.
Here a Valetta, even at the lower charge of 2 cents per cube, the cost of watering our arable crops would be another 0.4% of total assets annually.
That leaves us making a 0.3% loss.
The Greens then want to impose a levy of fertiliser, want us to run a zero-till or minimum-till system, not sure how that works in a long term seed production system and adopt Regenerative principles.
But here's the clanger, they intend to impose a Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) level of 1mg/litre for all waterways in NZ. Currently water flows out of DoC land at western side of Mid Canterbury at 3.2mg/l.
To meet a DIN of 1mg/l, Environment Canterbury's own report from 2017 found that land use in the neighbouring Selwyn Te Waihora Catchment would have to revert to dryland sheep grazing.
We have budgeted that impact on this farm and it looks like this-
Crop Income, down 92%
Sheep Gross, down 62%
Expenditure, down 70%
Wages, down 91%
EBIT, down 68%
Capital Re-investment, down 74%
Net Profit, down 105%
Tax Paid, down 75%
The actual numbers are irrelevant, because the percentage drops will be seen across many or most farm businesses, regardless of size.
Of course, that is before any of the other new taxes and levies they wish for detailed above.
This conversation hasn't even begun to touch on the significant investment in technology and infrastructure we have made in the last 15 years to reduce our environmental impact, all of which would be both unaffordable, and irrelevant because none of it will get us even close to meeting the limits the Greens wish for.
The end result of all this is we would now own a totally unviable, un-bankable business that is not much more than a glorified life style block and has no economic future in food production. The knock on impact is that land values will collapse.
My suggestion to my mate, or anyone else in urban New Zealand reading this is to enjoy and savour the standard of living that you currently enjoy, make diary notes, take photographs so that you can look back on the "good ole days" as we embark on our journey to becoming a Zimbabwe or Venezuela of the South Pacific.
It was not sensible policy announced this last weekend, it was the framework for economic destruction.
Given the catastrophic economic news released in the PERFU today, I'm not sure we can afford to take a wrecking ball to the agricultural and horticultural sectors right now.
(Feel free to share)""
I can't argue accounting very well, and I've no idea if all those numbers claimed are broadly accurate.
But even without the wealth tax, if everything there is true, essentially that person is arguing that they can't operate their business without polluting what little water they leave behind.
Yeah, looks like he's demanding that an uneconomical business be subsidised.
yes looking at it, may as well throw in the towel and walk off the land right now. if they are only making 3.6% before tax, their rate of return is nearly as bad as hollywood moviemaking, and we know how much they need to be propped up.
Sounds like something that was planted by the National campaign. This is too contrived to be real and I'm surprised everyone is falling for it.
Yeah, smells like a load of lies to me.
Two accountants in my family tell me that farmers don't pay tax.
The best hope in respect of nitrogen, in my humble opinion, is for the Greens to encourage bioremediation of some kind – a gross feeding crop like hemp, or pollarded white poplars, which are used for waste treatment in parts of Europe. Of course you'd need the space for such a thing, but as a mitigation measure it wouldn't send you broke out of the box – it might even be able to be made to pay.
Except:
https://www.greens.org.nz/poverty_action_plan
What’s there not to like?
I don't like the whole couples thing. A house that was bought years ago can now be "worth" close to or over 1 million dollars so if that house is owned by a person who is now single, they will have to pay the wealth tax (or pay it later) even if they have bugger all other assets or income whereas if a couple live in that same house, they will not.
Ordinary people do not set house prices, so I think there needs to be some kind offset on the home such as, say, the first $500,000 Is disregarded or a different starting rate for singles.
The threshold for individual net wealth is the same for single individuals as for individuals in a long-term relationship: $1 million. Why should it be $1.5 million because an individual is single? People who are asset-rich but cash-poor can defer payments until sale of assets, usually a house. You do realise that an individual with net wealth of $999,999 will not pay a cent in wealth tax under the scheme, yes?
Yes maybe 500k is too much but my point is why should a couple get an advantage over a single person what with house prices being so mental in Auckland etc. I knew a young couple who bought an old house for 27,000 or thereabouts in the late 70s in Grey Lynn – now I would assume it's worth over a million so if one partner died or whatever, that remaining person would be asset rich which is great if the person has enough income to pay the rates and insurance and whatnot.
Deferred payments still mean the single person pays when they downsize or go into care. It costs more per capita to live as a single person and that is reflected in pensions and other benefits as far as I understand it so I think something similar should be applied here. It is likely that this would likely hit older single cash-poor women harder. Sure you are still better off than many but still if the tax hits one group harder than another, it is unfair.
I don't know what the mechanism would be or what amount of $$ is right but there should be some kind of offset in my opinion. Why should couples only get to live in a high priced house? It would be great if there were decent smaller houses in the more "desirable" places rather than the choice of a either a massive house or a rabbit hutch (shitboxes my boss calls them) or apartment but that just doesn't happen.
Hope that makes sense …
There's not enough substance, or actual figures in it make any judgement about it's accuracy. But there's some misrepresentation of the Green's wealth tax, 1%, not 2%, and net, and going by the supposed development that would be financed by debt rather than cashflow, so probably not enough net wealth to be paying it, which would put the whole thing under a bit of a cloud.
Whole thing looks like someone who's over capitalised their farm and the whole thing is falling apart financially and environmentally. But that's a pretty common picture all around the country.
Bottom line though, it's political spin designed to make people fearful.
Wait, he doesn't run his farm under a company or trust business model? Crikey.
Doesn't the wealth tax only apply to individual wealth, so a company etc would be exempt?
There's a David Clark who is president of mid Canterbury Fed Farmers. So colour me skeptical of that post.
This propaganda piece lacks crucial bits of information that would allow you to work out if it is true. Either his property is incredibly valuable so the wealth-tax threshold is diluted to nothing, or he has incorrectly applied the tax to the entire property….
DIN of 3.2mg/L is incredibly high for an unmodified catchment in NZ. So there is almost certainly something very unusual about "Currently water flows out of DoC land at western side of Mid Canterbury at 3.2mg/l ". Is the entire catchment DOC land, or is there a DIN-creating activity further upstream perhaps??
I smell misleading bullshit!!
@maui 8.1
No info on Advance NZ but safe to say they’re sub 5%.
@McFlock 8.2
IMO there will be less public polls this election. The media outlets are all too skint and the change of election date has caught them on the hop. And, yes, the trend line has been really strong for 6 months now.
Which "party insider" was the tweet from @ScottGN?