Daily Review 29/11/2017
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5:30 pm, November 29th, 2017 - 41 comments
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So the Solstice has arrived – Summer in this part of the world, Winter for the Northern Hemisphere. And with it, the publication my new Norse dark-fantasy piece, As Our Power Lessens at Eternal Haunted Summer: https://eternalhauntedsummer.com/issues/winter-solstice-2024/as-our-power-lessens/ As previously noted, this one is very ‘wyrd’, and Northern Theory of Courage. ...3 hours ago - By Any Other Name.
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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 ...9 hours ago - Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes for Saturday, December 21
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Over on Kikorangi Newsroom's Marc Daalder has published his annual OIA stats. So I thought I'd do mine: 82 OIA requests sent in 2024 7 posts based on those requests 20 average working days to receive a response Ministry of Justice was my most-requested entity, ...1 day ago - Climate Change: A perverse incentive
The government published its first Biennial Transparency Report under the Paris Agreement yesterday, and the media has correctly noted that it is missing any plan to actually meet our target. While it hypes domestic emissions reductions so far - which have been good, but will likely get worse thanks to ...1 day ago
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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 ...1 day 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 ...4 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
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Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...4 days ago - How much should you worry about a collapse of the Atlantic conveyor belt?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob Henson In this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...4 days ago
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Last week, I was speaking to a doctor in a public health hospital.She was wearing a brown Christmas seasoned shirt littered with pics of candy canes, elves, Xmas trees and mini Santas.And it took me a few minutes into the conversation before the realisation slowly struck me: “It’s Christmas time..!”How ...1 week ago
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...1 day ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...1 day ago
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The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...1 day ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...2 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
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. ...2 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. ...2 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. ...3 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
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. ...3 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. ...3 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. ...4 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. ...4 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. ...4 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. ...4 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. ...4 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 ...4 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. ...4 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. ...4 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. ...4 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. ...5 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. ...5 days 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. ...5 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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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
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- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
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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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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
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- New Zealand ratifies AANZFTA Upgrade
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Won’t the reduced LVR requirements just encourage debt to push up house prices even more?
Yes, on the other hand it will make it easier for buyers to get a deposit together, so pros and cons…
An excellent post from NRT today.
I am sure that regular readers here will applaud his sentiments regarding the behaviour of Ms Curran and her conscientious attention to her duties.
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/
Or not, as the case may be.
Good grief if anyone expected more of Clare Curran they really must be delusional.
Since her admirable advocacy for squatters’ rights I’ve adopted a
“wait and see” approach.
OMG, Clare Curran is as crap as National. Did anyone see that coming?
Yes.
Exactly. Labour still has a significant dead weight to it, consisting of dead wood they should have got rid of way back when it first started dragging the party down. Curran’s demonstrated her dead-wood quality over and over again – how many times before someone in the Labour heirarchy notices?
Depends what she does next I suppose. Especially if she’s part of the hierarchy.
I hope that Idiot Savant is wrong, and that Ministerial diaries will soon be published automatically again, after the previous National government cancelled the practice.
I also hope that Alwyn will remove the nose-ring that the National Party has inserted in his face, but I’m not optimistic that either scenario will occur.
When were these diaries published, and where.
I have been looking for any occurrence of the Office Diaries for Helen Clark and can find nothing.
Neither can I find any reference to them having been published.
Can you please provide some evidence for the statement
“Ministerial diaries will soon be published automatically again, after the previous National government cancelled the practice.”
What was the question I/S was pissed wasn’t answered?
It was a spam question:
‘What was she doing between the hours of 1— and 1— on the date of 17 — 2017’.
‘Who should replace 2 time loser the billshitter as leader of a weak and failing gnat party?
After a reasonable question was replied to with the same “more specific” request
And you think that’s specific?
They’re lucky the response wasn’t “took a shit, might have used a nat manifesto to wipe off”.
So basically you guys have forgotten how to ask a question.
It was specific enough when labour used to ask the same (or very similar) question.
lolz @ “or very similar”.
Lots of wriggle room for a false equivalence there.
@Alwyn: “His”. Check your assumptions, dupe.
I’m sorry but I don’t understand this comment.
I thought Idiot/Savant was male and I therefore used “his”.
On the other hand I really did think that Clare Curran was a female and I therefore used “her” when referring to her.
Am I wrong? Is “she” a “he”? Or is “he” a “she”?
Yes.
You are not a Minister of the Crown.
Or if you are you are not currently in the House and under the rules of their Question Time.
You can’t therefore choose to only answer one part of a multipart question.
Would you really like me to get more specific and ask multiple questions?
1. Is I/S male?
2. Is I/S female?
3. Is Clare Curran female?
4. Is Clare Curran male?
There. Four one part questions. In this exam answer all four questions.
No.
lol
Alwyns gonna flip out now 3,2,1… The banshee has been released now feel his/her angryness.
I think that you misread what I had written and thought I had made an error.
Now you are embarrassed by your foolishness and don’t have the guts to admit you made a mistake.
Well to err is human (you)
To forgive divine (me).
Given that I am, of course, Almighty God, I am willing to forgive you little man.
Don’t let it happen again though dupe.
Which looks like a pretty good example of Dunning-Kruger, unless you know who Idiot/Savant actually is and know their gender.
I am so delighted to learn that there is something our beloved Alwyn is no longer certain about.
I went to school with him as it happens (shameless name drop)
A.
Really?
I don’t remember you.
Idiot savant, not you.
A.
I did assume that was what you meant.
I just couldn’t resist the opportunity.
I take it that you can confirm that, at least at that date, “he” was a “he”.
I can now rest assured that my use of gender in the comment about I/S and CC was correct.
Damning evidence for the Herald.
https://scontent.fakl2-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/24129812_1301998639934912_105814741450749955_n.jpg?oh=40887585ecbe2b4e645cfc97bc5f9d75&oe=5A9D5DA7
Is anyone else freaking out about this new alliance of Israel and Saudi Arabia? The drums of war are beating, so they will be wanting the blood of our young. It would appear that the Yanks will take the brunt of this rubbish, Saudi Arabia cares not – how many Americans die.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42094105
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/11/covert-israeli-saudi-arabia-relations-171120142229835.html
And if you canny be bothered reading 6 minute video.
Off topic but does anyone else think the middle east oil economy is screwed because of very rapidly advancing electric technology?
Could be carnage in the region when the money tap turns off.
Nope, I’m not “freaking out” about this particular piece of political theatre any more than any other.
“The International situation is desperate, as usual”. Tom Robbins.
“Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia”. George Orwell.
“Situation normal: all fucked up”. Anonymous, WWII.
Isnt it good that at least some of them are getting on? I like it better than them saying death to everyone.
The enemy of my enemy is still the National Party 😉
And on the edge of the Pacific …
“In his 12-day trip to Asia, U.S. President Donald Trump largely focused on North Korea and trade, all but avoiding the simmering disputes in the South China Sea and steering clear of sharp criticism of Beijing’s increasingly aggressive activities there.
http://foreignpolicy.com/2017/11/16/with-trump-focused-on-north-korea-beijing-sails-ahead-in-south-china-sea/?utm_content=bufferc63b3&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
With the Trump administration focused elsewhere….
Ed Sheeran wants to get New Zealand citizenship, and Prime Minister Ardern replies directly:
– Do you like Pineapple lumps, and do you know what they are
– Do you wear jandals mildly inappropriately, and do you know what they are, and
– Will you make New Zealand your home?
https://i.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/99381728/jacinda-ardern-responds-to-ed-sheerans-request-for-new-zealand-citizenship
(sigh 🙂 )