Daily review 26/03/2019
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5:30 pm, March 26th, 2019 - 58 comments
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World Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...7 hours ago - Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and CanadaThe Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts. While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan. “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...10 hours ago
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- Progress with new Police station in MahiaCommunity safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...6 days ago
- Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announcedWith several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said. “Four of the six whitebait species are ...6 days ago
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- Investment in schools – a commitment to communitiesThousands of school-age children, their teachers and wider communities are benefiting from the Government’s multi-million dollar investment upgrading and renewing schools, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “We want New Zealand to be the best place to be a child and that means learning in warm, comfortable and modern classrooms,” ...2 weeks ago
- New Zealand Defence Force sends support to AustraliaMinister of Defence Ron Mark today announced New Zealand is sending three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element to support the Australian Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian fires. The New Zealand Defence Force ...2 weeks ago
- Better access to books for blind and low vision citizens on World Braille Day"Today is World Braille Day and I am delighted to announce that an international treaty giving blind and low vision New Zealanders access to books and literary works comes into force today,” Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “Today the Marrakesh Treaty and the associated amendments to the ...2 weeks ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joe McIntyre, Senior Lecturer in Law, University of South Australia Most of our laws are dense, obscure and effectively unintelligible for most people (even some lawyers). In a country where, every year, 25% of the population face serious legal issues yet often ...44 mins ago - The tender years
How to apply an economic solution to the problem of chores ...55 mins ago - A brain transplant for one of Australia’s top telescopesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ray Norris, Professor, School of Science, Western Sydney University One of Australia’s top telescopes will receive an A$2.6 million upgrade to help extend its three-decade record of improving our understanding of the Universe. The Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA), near Narrabri in ...58 mins ago
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This week I have learnt that at least four Chinese construction workers who came to New Zealand under false pretenses in mid-2018 are being refused an extension of their visas. ...1 hour ago - Unaffordable Housing Requires Partnership Approach“News that New Zealand is the second least affordable place to buy a house, after only Hong Kong, is sadly unsurprising, and signals that a new approach is needed to get more homes built and make housing affordable,” says Infrastructure New Zealand ...2 hours ago
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Fooork! Wonder if pauline has been watching Al Jazeera recently…. llolololollz.
That’s a wickedly excellent photo, perfectly capturing her nature. Kudos to the photographer.
Edit..
Australian PM denounces foreign vote meddling after NRA report
Scott Morrison says laws were made to ‘criminalise taking foreign political donations’ to prevent lobbyists’ influence
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/australian-pm-denounces-foreign-vote-meddling-nra-report-190326032714624.html
Just thinking aloud for a moment reading the words… foreign political donations….. makes me think of jlr and all of his recent questions in parliament.
Pssst pauline, are these some of your mates on the youtube?
…chaser…
Dang!!!!!
Thanks Joe
“Senior One Nation figures James Ashby and Steve Dickson claim they had been “on the sauce” drinking scotch for “three or four hours” when discussing seeking a $20m donation from the National Rifle Association to the far-right Australian party.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/mar/26/one-nations-james-ashby-says-he-was-on-the-sauce-when-seeking-20m-from-nra
Getting on the piss and seeking $20 million from the NRA to water down Australian gun laws sounds like something James Ashby would be proud of.
Mr Ashby been linked to physical altercations, dodgy dealings and sexual harassment allegations — some of which date back decades.
https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/the-biggest-james-ashby-scandals-laid-bare/news-story/34dc77f134ab44f5fe4e547be7bc9f27
hopefully the NRA exposure will trip Angry Paula and her white nation party ..
She was fringe anyway …
Most of us would agree with this short video …. and just need to overcome our shyness to express it more.
No.
Natural.
Justice.
Yeah.
Right.
‘natural justice’ in Mainzeal judgment – Stuff.co.nz
https://www.stuff.co.nz/…/former-pm-jenny-shipley-alleges-no-natural-justice-in-main…
Here we go , – more stupidity from the far right.
When will it ever cease?
Big Read: Speargun and mass surveillance – the … – NZ Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216367
National Party gives platform to ‘Islamophobic’ misinformation via Facebook page in name of free speech
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/111567104/national-party-gives-platform-to-islamophobic-misinformation-via-facebook-page-in-name-of-free-speech
More madness going on.
Jews outraged after mosque leader blames Mossad for Christchurch …
https://www.newshub.co.nz/…/jews-outraged-after-mosque-leader-blames-mossad-for-…
”Their all going mad out there , – stark bloody raving mad ! ” …. said Uncle Hec after listening to the national broadcasts on his wireless…
Your link got redirected to spin about an arrest in Ozzy. Why am I not surprised. Madness is the new norm.
Almost overlooked: You say the Jews are defending Mossad! That is a nasty smear on the Jews – OMG, from the NZ Jewish Council themselves! Ahmed Bhamji is the man, respect to the Masjid E Umar!
Hey folks. It might pay to be wary of the rain. We have a state of emergency declared in Westland and the rain has been half a metre and more to come.
Surface flooding is exacerbated after drought conditions as the ground is hard and largely impervious.
Maureen Pugh’s tweeted about it so obviously Bridges was wrong about her as she can tweet. She’s tweeted about bridges washing out.
Irony, and wild weather.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216555
Yeah , pretty damn epic weather,… but I’ve got to say,… with Bridges squawking so much lately…. I did think of Bridges being washed out…
Hell ,… lets all play it again for old times sake’s…
Mike Curb Congregation – Burning Bridges (with lyrics) – YouTube
And over at stuffed we have that wee poodle Tracy Watkins standing on a bar stool.
Just what is Tract Watkins “sincerely hoping” for here when she says:
“Once the realities of domestic politics intrude – and they have already, after a week-long political truce – those expectations may run far ahead of what Ardern can realistically deliver. Because the extraordinary political circumstances that allowed her to announce new gun laws with near-unanimous support will likely never occur again – we sincerely hope……….”
That was a disgraceful article from a clearly troubled Watkins. Troubled that she wouldn’t have any controversy to bait the government with.
Well, I guess if Watkins fell off the bar stool, who would notice. Really.
Hot air doesn’t fall; it rises up and makes your nostrils tingle and your eyes water.
But if it keeps on rising it will eventually turn cold and become an icicle and then it will fall back to earth and melt away to nothing. Ahhh… not sure what that’s got to do with the price of fish but never mind. It’s late.
You need ice to keep the fish fresh? 🙂
Watkins and the rest of the Press Gallery have been reduced to bit players in the last week and a half, they will be wanting to rectify that and have normal service resumed ASAP.
Pressure’s on for these Nats. Another in a ‘bitter relationship break up’. This one is a close advisor to Bennett.
National = car crash.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12216533
And just WHO is Judith Sloan ???
Australian economist Judith Sloan rips into ‘ordinary’ Jacinda Ardern …
https://www.newshub.co.nz/…/australian-economist-judith-sloan-rips-into-ordinary-jac…
Here’s the rub :
Judith Sloan – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Sloan
And your answer is ‘ conservative’. Which really should translate not as ‘ conservative ‘ at all. Far more accurate to name her as she is : a neo liberal radical liberalist, a globalist.
… ‘ She was a founding member of the group Conservatives for an Australian Head of State ‘…
This is how the far right wing will launch their attacks on our Prime Minister. By couching her as a recipient of good favor by NZ First and Winston Peters,… which may be true to an extent ,… but certainly and by no means detract’s from the excellent job she is doing.
Is Judith jealous ???
PS : Here’s a clue…
———————————
Sloan said the New Zealand election was “surprising” considering the “success of the previous National Party governments” under former prime ministers John Key and Bill English. She said they “artfully” steered us through the global financial crisis and Christchurch earthquakes.
———————————
There have been several mentions today in various news agencies of ‘speakers ‘ against MMP.
We can see whats being formed against this govt so just be a little vigilant for wolves in sheep’s clothing.
They are gearing up for distraction and an assault on our political system in 2020.
They are howling for vengeance.
Don’t let them have it.
“”I get it: she’s young… ”
Clearly she doesn’t get it at all. Jacinda has what Avasarala has: brains, integrity, and heart. The looks are just a bonus.
It’s The Australian. She’s preaching to the choir. Best to just ignore this bullshit.
With the NSW election out of the way it won’t be long now before Morrison calls the Federal polls. Prospects look terrible for the government and their media backers are starting to lose it.
Maybe, … but sticky little fingers making sticky little texts over the Tasman seem to carry a long way, … mates rates and favours,… so to speak…
None of it will matter in the long run though WK. Ardern is forging a bond now with the electorate that leaves the commentariat sidelined and grasping for relevance. I’ve stopped worrying.
Ever since Dirty Politics I wouldn’t trust em as far as I could kick em.
A Murdoch propagandist and a thoroughly unpleasant person.
The Ockers have got their knickers in a knot ’cause the good ol’ Kiwi dollar is up around 95c AUD, and was dollar for dollar a couple of weeks ago. NZD’s rightful place being AUD 80c or less.
Unfortunately for the poor Ockers it’s all their problem, NZD’s cross rates to most major currencies are in sort of normal ranges. Not happy times over the ditch
Yes, I nearly choke on my smoked Chicken roll at lunch today while reading that garbage from old Judith and I normally don’t read anything by her outside the finance section, and even then it’s usually a passing glance as it’s usually a load of bollocks most the time.
Most commentators and most of the journalists in the Oz or in most old Mates paper know 4/5ths of F*** all about MMP and if I had changed $5 since being in Oz since 98 for explaining MMP, the last election and why NZ has MMP I’ll flying about in MkVc Spritfire with my mid to late1930’s Bentley, SS or 3 wheel Morgan in the Hanger with couple of farms in Oz and NZ by now.
They think Key is god and old Bill is a saint over here in the Fourth Estate especially outside of the The Age, SMH and the ABC.
Sometimes I have to bite my tongue 😛 when reading the Oz paper in morning while have a coffee or tea at my local cafe.
You ol petrolhead!
Think of the planet – get a Tesla.
Rest assured Macro, the plant is safe for as I didn’t win $70m Oz lotto last night and I don’t think a Tesla will handle the NT environment as everything up here is big up here in the NT. Even the road trains and the other type of train (the Choo Choo one) have a few problems with the wildlife as the majors roads, rail line outside of Darwin or the major populated areas are unfenced.
Plus I haven’t seen a Tesla car or let alone any charging stations either around Darwin area, but I’ve seen an awful lot of those bloody big gas/ desiel guzzler Yankee 4wd Ute’s / pickup wagons of late and god only knows why the heck you want one of those big wide monsters anyway as they nexts to being bloody useless off road in the wet season.
LOL yeah I’m well aware of those road trains impressive! – I have family in Perth so have visited the West a few times and a friend in Queensland is one of those inveterate outbackers – they just did 10,000 km round the North – can’t for the life of me think why! Actually another mate of mine has a Tesla – and I have been having trouble with the 10th commandment ever since. I shall just have to make do with my hybrid.
Today it was mow the lawns at the bach day -not realising it was also beach hop day. OMG! Literally thousands of yank Tanks – fortunately they were going in the opposite direction. But I spent the day contemplating on the premiss that we really are an adolescent, if not infantile, species.
Having said that – I have a lasting recollection of a ’33 Bentley blatting around the Dunlop tyre factory in Upper Hutt one evening after work had finished for the day. My sis grazed her horse in the paddock next to the factory and I happened to be there when this Bentley arrived. The sound from its large copper pipe exhaust reverberating off the factory walls still lingers in my mind. I was an adolescent then and that sort of thing impressed.
Oh and I’ve got to sit in the cockpit of a Mosquito and been up close and personal to a Spit. Another mate is an ex warbird pilot.
You lucky sod for getting a sit in a mossie, my late NZ grandparents had a Austin 7 Saloon Vintage car which they drag me and younger brother when he was older a enough around NZ and hence my love of the 1930- 40’s cars and planes. But I’ve managed got to having sit in a Panzer 4 and Tiger 1 in the UK a few yrs, but buggers wouldn’t let me out of the hanger after I both started them. That same trip I also got an off limits tour of HMS Victory and would stay with me for a very long time.
In the wops outside Darwin, this might suit a bit better than a Tesla …
hmmmm nice! 2020 delivery and 12,000 pre ordered so maybe not next year. 🙁 but certainly the way to go A range of 200 miles is ok but you would not be taking into the outback very far unfortunately.
Yeah, really needs an i3 style range extender. Workhorse were planning to put one in their w-15, but IIRC last I saw they’ve dropped it. California regs.
Now that is more like it! What was the prob with the regs? A 400 mile range would be very useful. One charge between Auckland and Wellington – making it very do-able.
There’s different regs for petrol-powered range extenders in Cal. Don’t remember exactly what they are, but they’re complicated. They’re the cause of US-spec i3s having to run the battery down to 5% before the range extender can kick on, and the fuel tank being software limited to 7 litres, so the range extender is more a limp-home tool. Whereas euro spec i3s you can tell the range extender to kick on anytime and maintain battery state of charge, and use the full 9 litres of fuel.
That vid is kinda old, it was from before the decision to not have the range extender. The 400 miles was basically 80 miles pure electric plus 320 miles petrol-powered range extension.
Look’s like they nicked a Landrover Defender and just plonked a electic motor in, with hi ho sliver of we go but a of range of 200km aren’t going to get you far in Oz or anywhere else for that matter unless you are Western Europe.
Yeah it looks like a Landrover – but it is a unique design if u watch the vid.
Yes I’ll watched it, as I would be interesting to know how big the engine bay is and wondering to see if it’s possible to retro fit an electric motor into my Landie in the future once the technology advances IRT to range and 4wd.
I have an on-line acquaintance from another site who has retrofitted an old toyota starlet with an electric motor and uses it for local running. It’s been his main mode of transport for some years now. He’s very excited about the new tesla batteries as even a smaller one of them will give him a much extended range. He lives just up the road in the Coromandel and his son attends the local ATC but we haven’t got to meet although he and my eldest used to travel together to Waikato Uni for lectures.
I’ve been watching Tesla IRT it’s batteries of late and have been quite impressed at what they are doing atm. It’s one of the reasons why i has to push the Minister of Finance to spend a little bit more on our on grid Solar System so we can make seemless transition to off grid in the future.
I’ve got fantasies of converting my Defender. Been looking out for a wrecked i3 REx to rob the powertrain and battery out of. Actually bid on one a while back, but it was an easily repairable one so someone else was willing to pay a lot more than I was.
Get rid of the diesel engine and gearbox, stick about a 3:1 single stage reducer on the electric motor, and run it straight into the transfer box. Then I’d have a useful highway speed range, and a useful crawler range.
The electric motor is roughly the same size as the gearbox, so the whole engine bay would be free for controller, range extender etc, and the battery pack would go in the back on the floor. Or maybe below the floor between the chassis rails if I could be bothered tearing it down to package it all in a bit better.
Thank god I’m not the only lunatic around here thinking of converting his Landie to a all electric drive Landie.
I was think of putting the battery system where the fuel tank would’ve been, but between the chassis rails seems a good idea.
My other concern is I have a separate stand alone battery system with Red Arc converter thingy for my fridge and freezer which only put in for very long trips when the local shop isn’t down the road so to speak. I’m wondering if that may need replacing when I go all electric?
I don’t think you’d need replace your existing electronic goods. As long as you’ve got a rough guess of total power output then you should know how much range and usage and storage you’ll need. My neighbour bought a second hand Tesla Model S battery pack online and that’s got enough storage to run his two person house, washer, solar cloth dryer, gadgets, water pump, it’s enough storage to run for three days with out recharging and electric vehicles are, at least the Tesla range is really customisable so you can increase the storage by what ever you want really. Base models are $30k US where as just a year ago they where over a $100k. So the more EVs sold the cheaper they’re getting.
Speaking of One Nation – Mark Latham, the guy who used to be Australia’s next PM found his way into NSW’s upper house over the weekend.
The Labor government in Queensland has transferred two prisons back into state control from Serco.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-03-26/queensland-private-prisons-to-be-run-by-state-government/10938192?section=politics
This was the powerful routinely humiliating the powerless ….complete misunderstanding of the law my arse.
An investigation into illegal internal examinations of female prisoners at an Auckland jail brought back horrific memories for the victims, an independent watchdog says.
Auckland University sociologist Professor Tracey McIntosh spoke to prisoners and told Stuff there appeared to have been “a complete misunderstanding” of the law at the Auckland Region women’s jail at Wiri.
She said for her independent oversight role when Corrections investigated claims of illegal, intrusive physical searches of female inmates, the prisoners were brought in to see her and a senior Corrections staffer one by one.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/111569503/womens-prison-scandal-how-abhorrent-searches-came-to-light
Well hello Joe! Good to see you here. Small world isn’t it?
The rich schools oppose the plan to return education to being a public service for the greater good:
http://www.communityschools.org/
They want:
To be able to charge loads of fees
To be able to make parents buy devices they cannot afford
To pander to internation students
To kick out ‘dumb kids’ that make their schools look bad
**TO RUN SCHOOLS AS A TRADEABLE BUSINESS COMMODITY AND NOT A PUBLIC SERVICE**
To be honest, I trust civil servants to run schools than the red faced reactionary bourgeois hacks that control most boards of trustees, and have their own little networks.
The Hubs are going to shine some light on all the corruption and nepotism that goes on in our education system, and some people dont like that.
All right, OK , … lets get hip , baby ,… so hip were all pelvis …
Neil Diamond – You Got To Me 1967 – YouTube
All the Ruskies need to do is tweet “troops” and out go the lights in Venezuelan again. Hmmmm, James Bond says twice is a coincidence. Who remembers what 007 says about three times?
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/385493/russian-air-force-planes-land-in-venezuela-carrying-troops-report
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/venezuela-suffers-blackout-month-190326055858552.html
Guaido just confirmed he is behind the power outage!
“There will be no continuation of electricity in Venezuela until Maduro is removed.”
Looks like a US/Ruski cyber-tech-war over Venezuela. Most likely the power grid has a virus, which unreportedly drops the three phase down to one.