Daily Review 28/11/2016
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5:30 pm, November 28th, 2016 - 22 comments
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
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It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
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- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
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The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 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. ...5 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. ...5 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. ...5 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. ...6 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
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. ...6 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
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. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- 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. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- 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. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
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. ...6 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. ...6 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. ...7 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
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. ...1 week ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
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. ...1 week 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
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- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
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- PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
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- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- Building consent processing times improve
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...10 hours ago
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Disappointed to see Phil Goff’s proposed visitor bed tax proposal for Auckland.
Given the terrible state of inequality in NZ, the primary consideration for any change in tax should be who will pay it – the top end of town, or everyone else? We desperately need the rich to pay more. Goff’s tax simply targets head count, rather than wealth, and given that by the numbers the majority are poor compared to the few very rich, will result in a broad tax on everybody (albeit indirectly, via the impact on tourist spend).
It will give tourists less to spend, including the numerous poorer tourists who frequent lower-cost NZ establishments.
Why not a mansion tax instead?
He campaigned on a clear rates platform of rises no more than 2.5%. So he’s delivering what he said.
I am not saying Goff should not limit rate rises (at least on the poorer majority), or that he should not raise more money from levies and taxes.
I am saying that any increased levies and taxes should be sourced from the wealthy, who in New Zealand have amassed most of the wealth and who contribute far less to the public purse than NZ needs them to.
Property owners ARE the wealthy now. Especially in Auckland.
Ahh tax the rich pricks.
Yeah – we are kinda sick of that being the the go to answer.
“We”?
Can you say who “we” are, James?
Why is that, James? You aren’t providing a reason for your view, a suspicious Troll-like symptom.
Also – I did not call them pricks. There is a body of evidence that the rich tend to be more antisocial (and you can ask yourself – is this the type of person we want to give enormous power in our society and politics?), but on the other hand some rich people agree the system should require them to pay more tax.
Some more about your heroes James:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/1/16/1269980/-The-rich-really-are-different
No problem for the cheapy independent traveler…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11755411
“Freedom campers might be able to pitch their tents across more of Auckland this summer.
Under current bylaws freedom camping is only allowed at 12 sites in three parts of the city – the Franklin, Hibiscus and Bays and Rodney local board areas.
However, under a new proposed trial that could start in February campers would be able to set up for the night in many other parts of the city too.
The pilot aims to double capacity for freedom campers to sleep in designated areas – and to encourage them to see more of the city.
It said freedom campers “are spending as much as $1.2 million in Auckland”, and they “spend more and stay longer than other tourists”.
Auckland Council social policy and bylaws manager Mike Sinclair said about 60 sites that might be suitable for the pilot had been identified during the investigation phase. It is expected those would reduce to between 15 and 20 following consultation at local board workshops next month.”
Being a regular vehicle based freedom camper (CSC) ,I can see this going down like a cup of cold sick with the locals.
Acknowledging that I muttered “rotten little shits” to myself, there really is some crap going on here. Some official from Rainbows End tweets that the ride was stopped “due” to children spitting.
What? It was stopped ‘because’ someone made the decision to stop it. Mechanical failure? No. Official’s tweet expressly negatives that.
Beats me that sophisticated machinery like that isn’t able to turn already electronically swivelled seats any which way. So that everyones’ head can be pointing upwards if/when needed.
But it doesn’t obviously. So no. Someone made the decision to leave people hanging for inordinately long, ‘because’ children were spitting.
That’s a piss poor ‘because’ in my book. Slow the ride. Call the cops. They’re only 200 metres away (mall or station).
And very strange shit happening in Horowhenua….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/86951454/woman-registers-online-support-for-underfire-mayor-gets-call-from-police
“Clapperton said staff spoke with police about the protest to ensure public safety, “and for the protest to be carried out peacefully and without incident”.
“Police indicated they would contact protest organisers,” he said.
Horowhenua relieving senior sergeant Sam Gilpin said it was common for police to make contact with people involved in protests and “identify their intentions, obtain the correct information and ensure planned protests are carried out in a peaceful manner”.”
Hmmm…she just signed an on line petition and gets harassed by the cops…wtf?
So can anybody tell me what the “correct information” that the police are seeking actually is?
Here is the latest and a bit of background
A Horowhenua woman planning to attend a protest in Levin next week has complained to the police watchdog about what she says was an intimidating phone call from an officer.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/319151/protester-complains-to-ipca-over-'threatening'-phone-call
Horowhenua residents oppose council rolling deputy mayor
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/86632090/horowhenua-residents-oppose-council-rolling-deputy-mayor
Feyen to drive change in Horowhenua
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/elections/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503523&objectid=11726197
This popped up on Natrad this morning….http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201825687/police-complaint-over-pre-protest-phone-calls
My radar tells me that this is the biggest story of the week…politicswise.
Scary that merely signing a petition brings one to the attention of the Police.
The people are on the march and the establishment is fighting back.
By rolling the newly selected Deputy, it seems we have a council trying to undermine a new Mayor who campaigned (and was voted in) on representing the people.
Resulting in a protest being formed.
Love the photo. Says it all. At least for those whose eyes are wide open and can see…
A National relative sent me a John Key clip to explain how good he is to the Earthquake victims. Very smooth.
But a little blond girl in a red top looks very anxious as he talks to her. She is checking her pony tail for some reason.
Can’t copy a pic from early part of the clip, but if you are an expert…. 3 seconds in.
Was that Our Leader with his hands in his groin while speaking with the worried ponytailed girls? ( He really needs to work on the hands thing…has no one told him?)
Was that Our Leader handing out furry blue thingies passed to him by BGB?
And…why didn’t the diplomatic protection squad remove that woman in red from the ‘furry blue thingy hand’ out shot?
All in all, and all things considered, a pretty poor photo op effort.
How cute!
What are the chances that those furry blue thingies are made in China and have the National Party logo on the label?
I think the woman in red was perhaps concerned for the safety of the children, which is a big no-no for the DPS as they get easily confused about who is protecting whom from whom …
Pauline Hanson goes snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to prove that Climate Change is a lie and the reef isn’t damaged. Problem is, she goes diving at the wrong end of the reef – the end which is not yet damaged.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=11755446
A 1 to 2 deg C increase in sea temperatures for just a few days in a row is enough to kill coral dead.
I’m impressed that some parts of the Great Barrier Reef survive. For now.
Great video article on this topic at the Guardian a couple of weeks ago by Naomi Klein: Climate change is intergenerational theft. That’s why my son is part of this story
Why no leftie fake news?
It could be that the right is better at targeting it’s base
Here is an essential body of research on the topography of fake news, right wing propaganda, and Facebook:
https://medium.com/@d1gi/whats-missing-from-the-trump-election-equation-let-s-start-with-military-grade-psyops-fa22090c8c17#.nfngb3lr9