Daily review 28/09/2022
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5:30 pm, September 28th, 2022 - 27 comments
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- Dance Magic
Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...7 hours ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
ACT would like to dictate what universities can and can’t say. We knew it was coming. It was outlined in the coalition agreement and has become part of Seymour’s strategy of “emphasising public funding” to prevent people from opposing him and his views—something he also uses to try and de-platform ...8 hours ago - Fact brief – Are we heading into an ‘ice age’?
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The Natural Choice: As a starter for ten percent of the Party Vote, “saving the planet” is a very respectable objective. Young voters, in particular, raised on the dire (if unheeded) warnings of climate scientists, and the irrefutable evidence of devastating weather events linked to global warming, vote Green. After ...1 day ago - Bernard’s last Saturday Soliloquy for 2024
The Government cancelled 60% of Kāinga Ora’s new builds next year, even though the land for them was already bought, the consents were consented and there are builders unemployed all over the place. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political ...1 day ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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Our economy has experienced its worst recession since 1991. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, December 20 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above and the daily Pick ‘n’ Mix below ...2 days ago
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In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...5 days ago
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At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...5 days ago
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AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...5 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
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Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...6 days ago
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- Thank You
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...7 days ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #50
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...2 days ago
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The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...3 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...4 days ago
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The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...4 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
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The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
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- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...5 days ago
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- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...5 days ago
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The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...5 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
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The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...6 days ago
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The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...6 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...1 week ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
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I wonder how much cheaper than usual things would have to be to have one fly from Invercargill to Auckland to buy. You spend $800 on shopping, get around the city on the mission and then go home. How much do you save?
Cheapest return flights middle of November at least $300. You go to Auckland to buy cheap pillows? What happens when the Invercargill retailers struggle and close?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/costco-superfan-flies-from-deep-south-to-bag-bargains-at-store-opening/7RQ7E63M5DMXHEH2P6RL5C5JQE/
This isn't about economics, it's about shopping as entertainment.
It's the equivalent of UMC hopping across to Melbourne or Sydney for a shopping weekend with the girls.
Hardcore fans never count the true cost of their fandom
Never underestimate the utter stupidity misplaced as benevolence, in this backward country.
They say a people gets the society they deserve; but the individuals that 'get' aren't the ones that 'deserve'.
Something's going on in Kherson….
https://twitter.com/JamWaterhouse/status/1574760080259665922
Those are overwhelming majorities…no surprise I guess in Russian speaking regions that were banned from..speaking Russian by the incumbent Ukraine..Govt.
"Overall, there have been 60 prohibitions on the Ukrainian language in the 337 years that Ukraine was under foreign rule.
They aimed to eradicate the Ukrainian language by inhibiting or prohibiting its use in education, official use, and the print.
Most of these policies contributed to the forced Russification of Ukrainians in the Russian Empire and the USSR.
Today, Ukraine grapples to overcome the negative legacy of these policies and undo the centuries of repressions, as Russia plays on the dividing lines it created in Ukraine"
https://euromaidanpress.com/2017/02/22/a-short-guide-to-the-linguicide-of-the-ukrainian-language-infographics/
Thats a real Ukraine nationalist site.
I note the role of Poland,and Austria/Hungary as well as Russia regarding the language.
Nevertheless post the reference date the Ukrainian language has survived in a nation of over 140million.
Of course 2 wrongs don't make things..right.
Ukraine adopts language law opposed by Kremlin | Ukraine | The Guardian
Those are overwhelming majorities
Sure. In other election news, Kim Jong Un got 100%.
Amateurs. They should learn from the 1927 Liberian election (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1927_Liberian_general_election). Recognised by Guinness as the most crooked election ever.
"Despite there being fewer than 15,000 registered voters, according to the official falsified results, King received around 240,000 votes, compared to 9,000 for Faulkner, theoretically resulting in a voter turnout that was in excess of 1,660%."
We need that level of electoral dedication for our local body elections – which seem to be on track for record low turnouts
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018860532/abysmal-early-voter-turnout-raises-questions-around-approach-to-local-elections
[Yes, tongue in cheek, of course about the solution; but the issue is real]
Not forgetting the referendum in Serbia ,where Kosovo was sliced off….all done in the best…possible..taste.
I am shocked, shocked, I say, that 3% of people didn't vote for Mother Russia.
[Needless to say /sarc/]
Clearly those opposed to the Russian occupation of Kherson must have protested twice.
Has Joe Biden denounced these results as "rigged" yet? When is he expected to make that announcement? Or does he want to avoid anticipating Zelenskyy?
"Getting to know you …"
Luxon saw a sizeable 14% drop in those who did not know or refused to answer, while there was an 11% increase in those who disapproved and a 4% increase in those approved.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/09/28/poll-approval-ratings-of-jacinda-ardern-christopher-luxon-revealed/
Luxon's numbers exactly match the party vote for National plus ACT in the same poll. No more.
Whereas Ardern's numbers are significantly higher than Labour plus Green – and as we sometimes see on this blog, we can't assume that all those voters automatically "approve" of Ardern.
Will the voters in Ilam, Hamilton West, Whangarei, Nelson, New Plymouth, Northcote, Rangitata, Tukituki, Wairarapa, Ōtaki, Hamilton East and Northland vote for Labour candidates because of Ardern?
Or will they all go back to National, in part because of Ardern? It's absolutely feasible they will all change.
Just like that the 46 -23 electorate seats picture changes to 34-35. Then it's into the Party Vote.
Just in that swag the 46 Labour – 23 National electorate seats picture changes to 34 – 35
Labour will obviously lose electorates. The number lost doesn't affect the party vote, i.e. the election result.
Also, very interestingly, how will Labour fare with the Maori seats?
TPM will be well placed to fight a very convincing battle in several of them, and at least one high-profile current MP (Ruwhare) is likely to go list only (it's pretty much automatic for the Speaker role) – leaving his seat wide open for Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (who has done a lot of leg work in that electorate over the past 5 years)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/129730751/adrian-rurawhes-job-as-speaker-could-leave-opening-for-mori-party
And a general discussion about succession within Labour (a bit dated now – May seems a long time ago – Mallard has left already) – and an indication of where TPM are a significant risk.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/political-future-about-to-come-clearer-for-labour-mps
Of course, under MMP, a lot of this is academic – it's your total party vote that really counts — win fewer electorates, and you simply have more list MPs. But that makes the jockeying for a 'winnable' list position even more intense.
Al Jazeera lifts the lid on the Starmer betrayal.
News gets even worse for UK,as rating agencies fire shots across bows.
https://twitter.com/BloombergUK/status/1575022332636192768?cxt=HHwWgICzoe-dzdsrAAAA
Debt servicing rising to 100b pound in interest and rising as 500b disappears from markets and a trillion pound lost on pensions ( which are funded on gilts)
Truss and Kamikaze (or whatever the guy's name is) taking care of their sponsors. RIP "great" Britain
https://twitter.com/AhirShah/status/1574676249099833345?s=20&t=WyJ8hLFJOGW9MKYfPG9JCA
Memes aside,the Bank of England postpones sale of gilts( QT) and starts temporary purchase of long dated gilts ,
https://twitter.com/BloombergUK/status/1575066990007427074?cxt=HHwWhICxzaLF4dsrAAAA
The loss of wealth to pension funds and insurance companies was substantive.
Bloomberg commentators were suggesting if pound and gilts depreciate the UK gvt would be gone in a week.
Skills.
https://twitter.com/CallumGRobinson/status/1574812509835501575
one of the most wonderful things I've seen online this year.
That's gorgeous!
Queensland unveils large plan for energy reconstruction,reducing reliance on FF,with non carbon renewables,pumped hydro,smart grid with expansion of household solar and battery storage,replacement of coal station with new energy hubs.
The latter is a good reuse of existing infrastructure with the turbines to be reused for generating hydrogen (from renewable electricity) that can then be used with heavy transport including rail and trucking.
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/96233
Long way behind NZ in electricity generation transformation,ahead with distributed solar and peak load battery interconnected with smart grid.