Mood of the smokoroom – fearful
Written By:
- Date published:
9:11 am, January 18th, 2024 - 53 comments
Categories: uncategorized -
Tags:
The Council of Trade Unions has completed its annual survey of workers and the mood is grim.
From Felix Desmarais at One News:
The survey, the sixth ‘Mood of the Workforce’ conducted annually by the CTU, gathered 2000 responses. Responses were from people who responded to an email from the CTU to a random selection of 50,000 people from the CTU’s ‘Together’ email list.
The email list is a database of people the CTU had contacted with over the last seven years via petitions, parliamentary submission calls, community events, and fundraising for community causes.
The CTU – which is closely aligned with, although not part of, the Labour Party – said the results of the survey showed more than two-thirds of working people felt the Government would make it harder to meet cost of living pressures, and more than three quarters of respondents believed the Government’s policies would make it harder to secure a “fair” pay rise.
President Richard Wagstaff said the results showed working people felt “insecure at work”.
“The feedback from this year’s survey is that many people are worried about the future of their jobs and well-being of their families.
“It’s clear the rushed and backwards looking repeal of employment legislation passed without consultation has signalled to working people that the Government does not care about their interests or the interests of most New Zealanders.
TV One’s reporting has somewhat toned down the tenor of the comments made. The CTU’s analysis included these bullet points:
- 80% of respondents said that the performance of the new government was bad or very bad
- 70% of respondents said that the new government’s policies would make it more difficult to meet the cost of living over the next 12 months.
- 53% of respondents said that the new government’s policies would make their job security worse.
- Many comments from participants identified economic and/or societal divisiveness. They expressed ideas such as the new government “only cares about high-income workers not low-income”, that it “is working for donors not the rest of us”, and that its policies “will increase inequality”.
- 10% of comments provided described the government as racist or pandering to racists/racial division
- The sentiment “the government is taking NZ backwards” appeared in 140 comments.
National’s Nicola Willis replied with a glib throw away line about how the survey only attracted a 4% response. This displays a disturbing lack of comprehension. The survey email was sent to a sample of the CTU’s contact list, not every member. And the responses poured in.
Of course National could surprise us all, work to improve the plight of ordinary workers, and increase their bargaining power so that wages can increase to address the cost of living crisis National trumpeted about. But so far its policies have been retrograde. Getting rid of fair pay agreements and extending the 90 day fire at will law will not improve worker’s conditions.
This National Government is not a John Key Labour lite with privatisation sort of Government. It is more of the Ruth Richardson mother of all budgets Employment Contracts mode proudly brought to you by its right wing sponsors. Workers are totally justified to be pessimistic about their future.
53 comments on “Mood of the smokoroom – fearful ”
- Comments are now closed
- Comments are now closed
CommentsOpinions
Recent Comments
FeedsPartyGovtMedia
- Motorway madness
How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...2 hours ago - Our transport planning system is fundamentally broken
Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...8 hours ago - Thou Shalt Not Steal
And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...8 hours ago - The ‘Infra Boys’ Highway to Budget Hell
Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...9 hours ago - Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.
In this podcast Selwyn Manning and I talk about what appears to be a particular type of end-game in the long transition to systemic realignment in international affairs, in which the move to a new multipolar order with different characteristics … Continue reading ...23 hours ago - The cost of flying blind
Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...1 day ago
- Seymour vs The Clergy
For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...1 day ago - Unstoppable Minister McKee
All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...1 day ago - Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?
This is a guest post by Ben van Bruggen of The Urban Room,.An earlier version of this post appeared on LinkedIn. All images are by Ben. Have you noticed that there’s almost nowhere on Queen Street that invites you to stop, sit outside and enjoy a coffee, let alone ...1 day ago
- Hipkins challenges long-held Labour view Government must stay below 30% of GDP
Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...1 day ago - Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)
Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...1 day ago - Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous
A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...1 day ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36
A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...2 days ago - Time for a Change
You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...2 days ago - Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.
The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading ...2 days ago
- Buried deep
Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...2 days ago - Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.
Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading ...3 days ago
- Leadership for Dummies
If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...3 days ago - Home again
3 days ago - Dead even tie for hottest August ever
Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...3 days ago
- The Hoon around the week to Sept 7
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the debate about how to responde to climate disinformation; and special guest ...3 days ago
- Have We an Infrastructure Deficit?
An Infrastructure New Zealand report says we are keeping up with infrastructure better than we might have thought from the grumbling. But the challenge of providing for the future remains.I was astonished to learn that the quantity of our infrastructure has been keeping up with economic growth. Your paper almost ...4 days ago - Councils reject racism
Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The final councils voted today, and the verdict is in: an overwhelming rejection. Only two councils out of 45 supported National's racist agenda ...4 days ago
- Homage to Simeon Brown
4 days ago
- Government of deceit
When National cut health spending and imposed a commissioner on Te Whatu Ora, they claimed that it was necessary because the organisation was bloated and inefficient, with "14 layers of management between the CEO and the patient". But it turns out they were simply lying: Health Minister Shane Reti’s ...4 days ago
- The professionals actually think and act like our Government has no fiscal crisis at all
Treasury staff at work: The demand for a new 12-year Government bond was so strong, Treasury decided to double the amount of bonds it sold. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September ...4 days ago - Weekly Roundup 6-September-2024
Welcome to another Friday and another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. As always, this and every post is brought to you by the Greater Auckland crew. If you like our work and you’d like to see more of it, we invite you to join our regular ...4 days ago
- Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies; Excerpt Four.
Internal versus external security. Regardless of who rules, large countries can afford to separate external and internal security functions (even if internal control functions predominate under authoritarian regimes). In fact, given the logic of power concentration and institutional centralization of … Continue reading ...4 days ago
- A Hole In The River
There's a hole in the river where her memory liesFrom the land of the living to the air and skyShe was coming to see him, but something changed her mindDrove her down to the riverThere is no returnSongwriters: Neil Finn/Eddie RaynerThe king is dead; long live the queen!Yesterday was a ...4 days ago - Bright Blue His Jacket Ain’t But I Love This Fellow: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power E...
My conclusion last week was that The Rings of Power season two represented a major improvement in the series. The writing’s just so much better, and honestly, its major problems are less the result of the current episodes and more creatures arising from season one plot-holes. I found episode three ...4 days ago - Who should we thank for the defeat of the Nazis
As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...5 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024
Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...5 days ago
- Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.
I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading ...5 days ago
- How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?
Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...5 days ago - A missed opportunity
The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...5 days ago
- Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy
Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...5 days ago - Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies
The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...5 days ago - The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...5 days ago
- Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.
The notion of geopolitical “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading ...5 days ago
- Venus Hum
Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...5 days ago - I Went to a Creed Concert
Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...5 days ago - Government migration policy backfires; thousands of unemployed nurses
The country has imported literally thousands of nurses over the past few months yet whether they are being employed as nurses is another matter. Just what is going on with HealthNZ and it nurses is, at best, opaque, in that it will not release anything but broad general statistics and ...5 days ago
- A Time For Unity.
Emotional Response: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses mourners at the tangi of King Tuheitia on Turangawaewae Marae on Saturday, 31 August 2024.THE DEATH OF KING TUHEITIA could hardly have come at a worse time for Maoridom. The power of the Kingitanga to unify te iwi Māori was demonstrated powerfully at January’s ...6 days ago - Climate Change: Failed again
National's tax cut policies relied on stealing revenue from the ETS (previously used to fund emissions reduction) to fund tax cuts to landlords. So how's that going? Badly. Today's auction failed again, with zero units (of a possible 7.6 million) sold. Which means they have a $456 million hole in ...6 days ago
- Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Two.
A question of size. Small size generally means large vulnerability. The perception of threat is broader and often more immediate for small countries. The feeling of comparative weakness, of exposure to risk, and of potential intimidation by larger powers often … Continue reading ...6 days ago
- Nicola Willis’s Very Unserious Bungling of the Kiwirail Interislander Cancellation
Open to all with kind thanks to all subscribers and supporters.Today, RNZ revealed that despite MFAT advice to Nicola Willis to be very “careful and deliberate” in her communications with the South Korean government, prior to any public announcement on cancelling Kiwirail’s i-Rex, Willis instead told South Korea 26 minutes ...6 days ago - Satisfying the Minister’s Speed Obsession
The Minister of Transport’s speed obsession has this week resulted in two new consultations for 110km/h speed limits, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. There has also been final approval of the Kapiti Expressway to move to 110km/h following an earlier consultation. While the changes will almost certainly see ...6 days ago
- What if we freed up our streets, again?
This guest post is by Tommy de Silva, a local rangatahi and freelance writer who is passionate about making the urban fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland more people-focused and sustainable. New Zealand’s March-April 2020 Level 4 Covid response (aka “lockdown”) was somehow both the best and worst six weeks of ...6 days ago
- No Alarms And No Surprises
A heart that's full up like a landfillA job that slowly kills youBruises that won't healYou look so tired, unhappyBring down the governmentThey don't, they don't speak for usI'll take a quiet lifeA handshake of carbon monoxideAnd no alarms and no surprisesThe fabulous English comedian Stewart Lee once wrote a ...6 days ago - Five ingenious ways people could beat the heat without cranking the AC
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Every summer brings a new spate of headlines about record-breaking heat – for good reason: 2023 was the hottest year on record, in keeping with the upward trend scientists have been clocking for decades. With climate forecasts suggesting that heat waves ...6 days ago
- No new funding for cycling & walking
Studies show each $1 of spending on walking and cycling infrastructure produces $13 to $35 of economic benefits from higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, less congestion, lower emissions and lower fossil fuel import costs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note ...6 days ago - 99
Dad turned 99 today.Hell of a lot of candles, eh?He won't be alone for his birthday. He will have the warm attention of my brother, and my sister, and everyone at the rest home, the most thoughtful attentive and considerate people you could ever know. On Saturday there will be ...7 days ago - Open Government: National reneges on beneficial ownership
One of the achievements of the New Zealand’s Open Government Partnership Fourth National Action Plan was a formal commitment from the government to establish a public beneficial ownership register. Such a register would allow the ultimate owners of companies to be identified - a vital measure in preventing corruption, money ...1 week ago
- Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt One.
This project analyzes security politics in three peripheral democracies (Chile, New Zealand, Portugal) during the 30 years after the end of the Cold War. It argues that changes in the geopolitical landscape and geo-strategic context are interpreted differently by small … Continue reading ...1 week ago
- Tea and Toast
When the skies are looking bad my dearAnd your heart's lost all its hopeAfter dawn there will be sunshineAnd all the dust will goThe skies will clear my darlingNow it's time for you to let goOur girl will wake you up in the mornin'With some tea and toastLyrics: Lucy Spraggan.Good ...1 week ago - NLTP 2024 released – destroying pipeline of shovel ready local projects
Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Waka Kotahi yesterday released the latest National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) for 2024-27. The NLTP sets out what transport projects will be funded for the next three years, including both central and local government projects. As expected given the government’s extremely ideological transport policy, it’s ...1 week ago
- Can Brown deliver his roads
The Government’s unveiling of its road-building programme yesterday was ambitious and, many would say, long overdue. But the question will be whether it is too ambitious, whether it is affordable, and, if not, what might be dropped. The big ticket items will be the 17 so-called Roads of National Significance. ...1 week ago
- New paper about detecting climate misinformation on Twitter/X
Together with Cristian Rojas, Frank Algra-Maschio, Mark Andrejevic, Travis Coan, and Yuan-Fang Li, I just published a paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment where we use the Computer Assisted Recognition of Denial and Skepticism (CARDS) machine learning model to detect climate misinformation in 5 million climate tweets. We find over half ...1 week ago
- Excerpting “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies.”
In the late 2000s-early 2010s I was researching and writing a book titled “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Chile, New Zealand and Portugal.” The book was a cross-regional Small-N qualitative comparison of the security strategies and postures of three small … Continue reading ...1 week ago
- Hating for the Wrong Reasons: Of Rings of Power, Orcs and Evil
A few months ago, my fellow countryman, HelloFutureMe, put out a giant YouTube video, dissecting what went wrong with the first season of Rings of Power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ6FRUO0ui0&t=8376s). It’s an exceptionally good video, and though it spans some two and a half hours, it is well worth your time. But ...1 week ago - Climate Change: “Least cost” to who?
On Friday the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released their submission on National's second Emissions Reduction Plan, ripping the shit out of it as a massive gamble based on wishful thinking. One of the specific issues he focused on was National's idea of "least cost" emissions reduction, pointing out that ...1 week ago
- Israeli Lives Matter
There is no monopoly on common senseOn either side of the political fenceWe share the same biology, regardless of ideologyBelieve me when I say to youI hope the Russians love their children tooLyrics: Sting. Read more ...1 week ago - Luxon Cries
Over the weekend, I found myself rather irritably reading up about the Treaty of Waitangi. “Do I need to do this?” It’s not my jurisdiction. In any other world, would this be something I choose to do?My answer - no.The Waitangi Tribunal, headed by some of our best legal minds, ...1 week ago
- Just one Wellington home being consented for every 10 in Auckland
A decade of under-building is coming home to roost in Wellington. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday September 2:Wellington’s leaders are wringing their hands over an exodus of skilled ...1 week ago - Container trucks on local streets: why take the risk?
This is a guest post by Charmaine Vaughan, who came to transport advocacy via her local Residents Association and a comms role at Bike Auckland. Her enthusiasm to make local streets safer for all is shared by her son Dylan Vaughan, a budding “urban nerd” who provided much of the ...1 week ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #35
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, August 25, 2024 thru Sat, August 31, 2024. Story of the week After another crammed week of climate news including updates on climate tipping points, increasing threats from rising ...1 week ago
- An Uncanny Valley of Improvement: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episodes 1-3 (Season ...
And thus we come to the second instalment of Amazon’s Rings of Power. The first season, in 2022, was underwhelming, even for someone like myself, who is by nature inclined to approach Tolkien adaptations with charity. The writing was poor, the plot made no sense on its own terms, and ...1 week ago - Alcohol debris and Crocodile Tears
I write to you this morning from scenes of carnage. Around the floor lie young men who only hours earlier were full of life, and cocktails, and now lie silent. Read more ...1 week ago - When Do We Look Away?
Hi,The first time I saw something that made me recoil on the internet was a visit to Rotten.com. The clue was in the name — but the internet was a new thing to me in the 90s, and no-one really knew what the hell was going on. But somehow I ...1 week ago - The decades just fly by
You turn your back for a moment and a city can completely transform itself. It was, oh, just the other day I was tripping up to Kuala Lumpur every few months to teach workshops and luxuriate in the tropical warmth and fill my face with Char Kway Teow.It has to ...1 week ago - 2024 Reading Summary: August
Completed reads for August: Aesop’s Fables (collection), by Aesop Berserk: Volume XXV (manga), by Kentaro Miura Benighted, by J.B. Priestly Berserk: Volume XXVI (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVIII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXIX (manga), by Kentaro Miura ...1 week ago - Is recent global warming part of a natural cycle?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is recent global warming part ...1 week ago
- White Noise
Now here we standWith our hearts in our handsSqueezing out the liesAll that I hearIs a message, unclearWhat else is there to decide?All that I'm hearing from youIs White NoiseLyrics: Christopher John CheneyIs the tide turning?Have we reached the high point of the racist hate and lies from Hobson’s Pledge, ...1 week ago - The Death Of “Big Norm” – Exactly 50 Years Ago Today.
1 week ago
- Claims and Counter-Claims.
Whose Foreshore? Whose Seabed? When the Marine and Coastal Area Act was originally passed back in 2011, fears about the coastline becoming off-limits to Pakeha were routinely allayed by National Party politicians pointing out that the tests imposed were so stringent that only a modest percentage of claims (the then treaty ...1 week ago
- Release: Cabinet should stop the Treaty Principles Bill
National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 day ago - Release: Staff gagged to keep fast track list secret
The National Government is so determined to hide the list of potential projects that will avoid environmental scrutiny it has gagged Ministry for the Environment staff from talking about it. ...1 day ago
- Release: Labour challenges Te Whatu Ora gag orders
Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 day ago
- Greens call on Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned after letter from Christian leaders
The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 day ago - Sign the petition: Keep military-style firearms off our streets
Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...3 days ago
- Vast majority of councils support Māori wards
Councils across the country have now decided where they stand regarding Māori wards, with a resounding majority in favour of keeping them in what is a significant setback for the Government. ...4 days ago
- Release: Government on the wrong side of Māori wards
The National-led government has been given a clear message from the local government sector, as almost all councils reject the Government’s bid to treat Māori wards different to other wards. ...4 days ago
- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...5 days ago
- Green Party welcomes new Maaori Kuiini
The Green Party welcomes the coronation of the new Maaori Kuiini, Te Arikinui Nga Wai Hono i te Po, today in Turangawaewae. ...5 days ago
- ECE teachers deserve better than this Government
The Green Party is unsurprised but disappointed by today’s announcement from the Government that will see our Early Childhood Centre teachers undermined and pay parity pushed further out of reach. ...6 days ago
- Urgent intervention needed on supermarkets
The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...6 days ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...1 week ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...1 week ago
- Speech: Barbara Edmonds Building Nations 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa, Thank you for your warm welcome and for having my colleagues and I here today. Earlier you heard from the Labour Leader, Chris Hipkins, on our vision for the future of infrastructure. I want to build on his comments and provide further detail on some key elements ...1 week ago
- Govt transport plan deepens fossil fuel fix
The Green Party says the Government’s new National Land Transport Programme marks another missed opportunity to take meaningful action to fight the climate crisis. ...1 week ago
- Greens call for public to back Wrybill in BOTY and beyond
The Green Party is calling on the public to support the Ngutu Pare Wrybill not just in this year’s Bird of the Year competition but also in pushing back against policies that could lead to the destruction of its habitat and accelerate its extinction. ...1 week ago
- Building consents data bad news for construction
News that the annual number of building consents granted for new homes fell by more than 20 percent for the year ended July 2024, is bad news for the construction industry. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori Pay Tribute to Kiingi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII
Papā te whatitiri, hikohiko te uira, i kanapu ki te rangi, i whētuki i raro rā, rū ana te whenua e. Uea te pou o tōku whare kia tū tangata he kapua whakairi nāku nā runga o Taupiri. Ko taku kiri ka tōkia ki te anu mātao. E te iwi ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Gaps still to be addressed in callouts response
The Government must guarantee New Zealanders will not be at risk after making changes to the way mental health callouts are handled. ...2 weeks ago
- Poroporoaki: Kiingi Tuheitia passing
Haere e te Kīngi o te kotahitangi Haere ki o nui, ki o rahi I te pō ...2 weeks ago
- Green Party pays respects to Kiingi Tuuheitia
The Green Party is paying tribute to the Māori King, Kiingi Tuuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero XVII, after he passed away earlier this morning. ...2 weeks ago
- Potaka Brings Whakaata Māori to its Knees
Today’s Whakaata Māori announcement is yet another colossal failure from Minister Potaka, who has turned his back on te reo Māori, forcing a channel offline, putting whānau out of jobs, and cutting Māori content, says Te Pāti Māori. “A Senior Māori Minister has turned his back on Te Reo Māori. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National restricts access to disability care homes
With disability communities still reeling from the diminishing of Whaikaha, a leaked document now reveals another blow with National restricting access to residential care homes. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt must help save 230 manufacturing jobs
Labour is calling on the Government and Mercury Energy to find a solution to the proposed Winstone Pulp mill closure and save 230 manufacturing jobs. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt shirks its responsibility to Whakaata Māori
The Green Party has called out the Government for allowing Whakaata Māori to effectively collapse to a shell of its former self as job cuts and programming cuts were announced at the broadcaster today. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...2 weeks ago - Release: PM fails in constitutional role and leadership
The failure of the Prime Minister to condemn his Minister for personally attacking the judiciary is another example of this Government riding roughshod over important constitutional rules. ...2 weeks ago
- Waititi urges Rotorua Lakes Council to immediately stop works at Lake Rotokākahi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and Member of Parliament for Waiariki, which includes Rotorua, has written to Rotorua Lakes Councillors requesting they immediately stop sewerage piping works at Lake Rotokākahi in Rotorua. “Mana whenua have been urging Rotorua Lakes Council to stop works and look at alternative plans to protect the ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Patient care at risk from redundancies
Patient care could suffer as a result of further cuts to the health system, which could lose thousands of staff who keep our hospitals and clinics running. ...2 weeks ago
- Greens call on Govt to wake up on child poverty
The Green Party says the latest statistics on child poverty in this country highlight the callous approach that the Government is taking on this issue of national shame. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Police are off the beat under National
Foot patrols around the country have decreased 15 percent since National took office, despite National’s Mark Mitchell claiming otherwise. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Climate denial is an insult to Pacific leaders
Winston Peters’ climate denialism at the Pacific Islands’ Forum is an embarrassing new low. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt must end solitary confinement
The Green Party is urging the Government to end the use of solitary confinement within our prisons after new research revealed some prisoners have been held in confinement for more than 900 days. ...2 weeks ago
- Fossil fuels never the answer in climate crisis
The Government’s moves to enable the import of Liquefied Natural Gas is another step away from the sustainable and affordable energy network that this country needs. ...2 weeks ago
- Government must respect Court’s Uber employee decision
Today’s court ruling upholding the rights of Uber drivers is a message to the Government that it must not tamper with employment protections. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Uber court decision recognises workers’ rights
The Court of Appeal decision that Uber drivers are entitled to employee rights such as minimum wage, sick leave, holiday pay and collective bargaining is welcome news for the drivers involved and their unions. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour calls on Govt to divest from illegal settlements
The Labour Party is calling on the Government to tell the two major wealth funds, the NZ Super Fund and ACC, to withdraw investments from companies listed by the United Nations as complicit in Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt backtrack on fast-track still not enough
Labour welcomes news that the National Government is backing down on its reckless proposal to give Ministers final sign-off on significant projects, but it’s still not enough. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast track still on track to environmental destruction
Our environment remains at risk despite the Government's proposed changes to its controversial fast-track legislation. ...2 weeks ago
- Ohinemuri River pollution highlights mining risks
The harrowing images of the severely polluted Ohinemuri River caused by an old mining shaft could become a more common occurrence under the mining regime the Government is looking to roll out. ...2 weeks ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...3 hours ago - Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test
More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...4 hours ago
- Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction
Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...5 hours ago
- Māori Education Advisory Group established
The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...5 hours ago
- First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight
Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...6 hours ago
- Have your say on suicide prevention
Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...7 hours ago
- Action to grow the rural health workforce
Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...1 day ago
- Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...1 day ago
- Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians
Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris. “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...1 day ago
- Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations
A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report. “It will have the mandate ...4 days ago
- Passport wait times back on-track
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...4 days ago
- New appointments to the FMA board
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...4 days ago
- District Court judges appointed
Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...4 days ago
- Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand
Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...4 days ago
- New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender
New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...5 days ago
- Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...5 days ago
- Improving access to finance for Kiwis
5 September 2024 The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...5 days ago
- Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia
As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...5 days ago
- Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer
Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations. “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...5 days ago
- More choice and competition in building products
A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...5 days ago
- Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul
On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...6 days ago
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...6 days ago
- International tourism continuing to bounce back
Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...6 days ago
- Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency
The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “That is ...6 days ago
- Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape
The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...6 days ago
- Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...6 days ago
- Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review
Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...6 days ago
- Government backs women in horticulture
“The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says. “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...6 days ago
- Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout
The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...1 week ago
- Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003
Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants. “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...1 week ago
- New priorities to protect future of conservation
Toitū te marae a Tāne Mahuta me Hineahuone, toitū te marae a Tangaroa me Hinemoana, toitū te taiao, toitū te tangata. The Government has introduced clear priorities to modernise Te Papa Atawhai - The Department of Conservation’s protection of our natural taonga. “Te Papa Atawhai manages nearly a third of our ...1 week ago
- Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti
A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...1 week ago
- IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...1 week ago
- Delivering priority connections for the West Coast
A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...1 week ago
- Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington
A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...1 week ago
- Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato
A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Waikato through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more efficient, safe, and resilient roading network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With almost a third of the country’s freight travelling into, out ...1 week ago
- Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki
A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...1 week ago
- Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland
A record $1.4 billion for transport investment in Otago and Southland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will create a more resilient and efficient network that supports economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in Otago ...1 week ago
- Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland
A record $991 million for transport investment in Northland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s connections and support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We are committed to making sure that every transport dollar is spent wisely on the projects and ...1 week ago
- Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure
A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...1 week ago
- Former political figure convicted of indecent assault has name suppression lifted, still can’t...
The man has been found guilty on eight charges of sexual assault dating back to the 1990s. ...31 mins ago - Gang, gun law changes ‘absolutely’ followed correct process – Luxon
The opposition is criticisng the government over two last-minute changes to legislation being added with little or no consultation. ...1 hour ago
- ‘I fucking forgot how the song goes’: A review of Fur Patrol in 2024
On Saturday night, almost a quarter century after the release of their hit single, a reunited Fur Patrol played to a packed out Double Whammy. Did they still have it? I had homework to do. I opened up Spotify, typed in Fur Patrol. There was ‘Lydia’ at the number one ...1 hour ago - The documentary Killjoy captures the personal and the political of family violence and gender activi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Crozier-De Rosa, Professor in History, University of Wollongong Stan At 16, Kathryn Joy applied for a passport. To do this, they had to obtain their mother’s death certificate. After growing up in a house in which their father had killed ...1 hour ago - James Earl Jones has died – but as the voice of Darth Vader, he will live forever
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Golding, Associate Professor, Swinburne University of Technology It is difficult to imagine a world of pop culture villains without Darth Vader. The masked and cloaked figure now casts perhaps the longest shadow of any film character on popular culture. When Vader ...1 hour ago
- ‘There’s coal and there’s coal’ – Climate Minister defends opening up ...
"The coal we produce in New Zealand, in the South Island, isn't used to be burned at Huntly - it's used to put in your mobile phone that's right in front of you," Simon Watts says. ...1 hour ago
- Gang, gun law changes ‘absolutely’ followed process – Luxon
The opposition is criticisng the government over two last-minute changes to legislation being added with little or no consultation. ...2 hours ago
- Are New Zealanders ‘sick and tired’ of spending on cycleways? Not according to this surv...
Analysis - The transport minister's claim is not backed up by the facts, a survey shows. ...2 hours ago
- Treaty Principles Bill: Shane Reti urges people to ‘bring respect to this debate’
The health minister is worried about the tone and nature it might take in coming months as the controversial Treaty Principles Bill heads to Parliament. ...3 hours ago
- Why do I need to take some medicines with food?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mary Bushell, Clinical Associate Professor in Pharmacy, University of Canberra Ron Lach/Pexels Have you ever been instructed to take your medicine with food and wondered why? Perhaps you’ve wondered if you really need to? There are varied reasons, and sometimes complex ...3 hours ago
- Are New Zealanders ‘sick and tired’ of spending on cycleways? Not according to this survey
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Crawley, Teaching Fellow, School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images Many more New Zealanders now choose to get around by bike than a few years ago. A Ministry ...3 hours ago
- The mystery of the killer bike lane
A chain of three cafes closed down and the owner blamed cycleways. But none of the cafes were anywhere near one. What is happening? Joel MacManus investigates. Last week, the people of Wellington reacted with shock to the news that Pandoro Panetteria would be closing its three cafe and bakery ...3 hours ago
- ‘Out of line, out of order’: PM slams doctors for prioritising young Māori and Pasifika
"We have a very simple approach to healthcare which is based off need, not ethnicity or race," Christopher Luxon says after the government stepped in at Hawke's Bay . ...3 hours ago
- What’s the difference between MSG and table salt? A chemist explains
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Kilah, Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Tasmania Nenov Brothers Images/Shutterstock It’s dinner time. You’ve worked hard to prepare a nutritious and tasty meal. But after taking your first bite you feel something is missing. Perhaps you should have added ...3 hours ago
- Health Minister assured services safe at Rotorua ED despite patient death
Shane Reti said he was sorry to hear of the "very unfortunate episode" but would not comment on whether it showed a system in crisis. ...4 hours ago
- New Caledonia crisis: Another church burns, spate of attacks continues
ANALYSIS: By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Another church has been set alight in New Caledonia, confirming a trend of arson which has already destroyed five Catholic churches and missions over the past two months. The latest fire took place on Sunday evening at the iconic Saint ...4 hours ago
- New research suggests concussion risks can be outweighed by the benefits of playing sport
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Lennon, Conjoint Lecturer, UNSW Sydney Fotokostic/Shutterstock CTE: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. It is the now popularised term that makes athletes, parents, sports administrators and insurers’ knuckles white with anxiety as sports codes struggle to come to grips with the risks ...4 hours ago
- Takeout Kids: Phitcha
Takeout Kids returns for season two. Meet Phitcha, of Akaroa’s La Thai Restaurant. Building on the success of its 2022 launch, Takeout Kids returns for a second season, following five tamariki and rangatahi growing up in the small businesses owned by their immigrant families. The latest season features ...4 hours ago
- Phitcha | Takeout Kids | The Spinoff
“I don’t know where I’m from… What do I put on there?” | Watch the full series: https://thespinoff.co.nz/videos/takeout-kids ✏️ Phitcha and her friends share shrimp noodles dropped off to school from her family’s Thai restaurant in Akaroa, where she also works at the weekend. Between video calls back home to ...4 hours ago
- State house tenants had no warning home was on a flood plain before big storm
Kelly Dey's state house tilted dangerously and flooded on the night of a major storm. She says she was assured it was safe. ...5 hours ago
- Revealed: What The Spinoff looked like the day it launched
Alex Casey looks back at the first day of The Spinoff, 10 years ago today. September 10 2014 was a huge day for headlines in Aotearoa. ‘Gummy bear penis shock’’ detailed the outrage in Dunedin around “a gummy baby with a penis” that had infiltrated a mixed lolly bag. A ...6 hours ago
- How an award-winning director went from carpenter to filmmaker
When you decide to follow your dreams, it helps to have some experts in your corner. In the first of a series talking to people who’ve retrained in a new career through Yoobee College of Creative Innovation, director Tom Webster tells Jihee Junn how tutors helped turn his cinematic vision ...6 hours ago
- Live: No way Treaty Principle Bill will get National’s support – Luxon
David Seymour's bill will now mention hapū and iwi, but the Prime Minister says no changes will make a difference. ...6 hours ago
- Where did all these dragonflies come from?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlyn Forster, Associate Lecturer, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney Boris Smokrovic / Unsplash If you’ve spent much time outdoors along the east coast of Australia in the past week, particularly near waterways, you’ve probably seen something quite ...7 hours ago
- Warm winters are waking snakes early. Here’s what that means for them and us
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Damian Lettoof, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Wildlife Ecotoxicology, CSIRO Chris Jolly For people in southeast Australia, springtime means soaking up the sun and getting our vitamin D levels back to baseline. But we’re not the only ones likely to be basking. ...7 hours ago
- The cost of being: A self-employed, home-schooling mum who splurges on the outdoors
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a mother of three who owns her own business explains her DIY approach to almost everything. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here. Gender: Female Age: 32 Ethnicity: NZ ...7 hours ago
- Local papers are central to our democracy. We must do more to bring them out of crisis
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kristy Hess, Professor (Communication), Deakin University Shutterstock This is the second piece in a series on the Future of Australian media. You can read the first piece in the series here. Australians who are unaware of stories about social ...7 hours ago
- New COVID vaccines may be coming to Australia. Here’s what to know about the JN.1 shots
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Griffin, Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, The University of Queensland wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock COVID vaccines have unquestionably made a huge difference during this pandemic. For example, it’s estimated COVID shots have saved more than 1.4 million lives in the World Health Organization’s ...7 hours ago
- From runways to film: the untold story of trailblazing First Nations fashion designer Stephen FitzGe...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Treena Clark, Chancellor’s Indigenous Research Fellow, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building, University of Technology Sydney Larissa Behrendt (right) in a still from the film Jindalee Lady. Tracey Schramm, Author provided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article ...7 hours ago
- Health Minister Shane Reti intervenes to scrap Hawke’s Bay health policy targeting Māori and Pasi...
Young Māori and Pasifika in Hawke's Bay are no longer eligible on the basis of their ethnicity to receive some free healthcare services after the health minister demanded the policy be changed. ...7 hours ago
- ‘Disastrous’: Southland board chair belittles own council
The new chair of a troubled Southland board made statements about council finances, Māori land policy and "premature climate change modelling" prior to her appointment. ...8 hours ago
- New stormwater infrastructure is needed for Canadian cities to handle increased urban flooding
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mauricio Carvallo Aceves, PhD Candidate, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia Flooding in Montréal, and other Canadian cities, is becoming a more frequent occurrence. (Shutterstock) Urban flooding is increasingly concerning in Canada, where water drainage systems are at ...8 hours ago
- Treaty Principles Bill to now include specific mention of hapū and iwi
Cabinet has agreed on the outline of the Treaty Principles Bill that will be introduced to Parliament, with a change to include specific acknowledgement of the rights of hapū and iwi. ...8 hours ago
- Live: Political updates as debate continues over Treaty Principles Bill
The ACT party's Treaty Principles Bill will now include specific mention of hapū and iwi. ...9 hours ago
- Crowds, water guns and protests: could ‘slow tourism’ be the answer to an overtourism backlash?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amy Errmann, Senior Lecturer, Marketing & International Business, Auckland University of Technology With overtourism in the spotlight as the travel industry continues to rebound after the pandemic, popular destinations around the world are feeling the strain. Bali is overwhelmed by waste ...9 hours ago
- NZ’s next climate target needs to be more ambitious, says diplomat
A former top climate diplomat says New Zealand is going to have to step up its game the next time sets a climate target. ...9 hours ago
- Is the health system set up to deliver the new cancer drugs?
The Cancer Society says there is still no sign the health system is ready to administer new cancer drugs, after Pharmac confirmed its first cancer medication funding decisions since its budget boost. ...9 hours ago
- ‘Man had eel in his bum’: Remembering the story that almost broke the Herald
The Herald on Sunday is about to celebrate a significant birthday. Hayden Donnell takes a look back at one of its most defining moments. When the Herald on Sunday turns 20 next month, current and former staff will gather at their usual haunt, the Shakespeare, to reminisce. They might talk ...11 hours ago
- The epic, thrilling, ridiculous story of The Spinoff’s first 10 years
Told in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive. The Spinoff Cover Story is our premier long-form feature offering, made with the generous support of our members. Read our other cover stories here. 2014: An accidental birth, in a corporate boardroom The Spinoff was never meant ...11 hours ago
- Mike Joy’s grave new world
On a recent Tuesday afternoon at Victoria University, I watched freshwater ecologist and longtime environmental champion Mike Joy tell an undergraduate class that their world was headed off a cliff. He was being generous; the way he sees things, the cliff has well and truly been run over. He told ...11 hours ago
I am not sure you will get to much disagreement from the right on your conclusions.
Their intention is to limit wage growth as a way to reduce the rate of inflation. Throughout the summer, they have proudly and repeatedly promoted the fact that they have amended the Reserve Bank's mandate. The Reserve Bank will no longer required consider employment when setting the OCR.
That change will result in increased unemployment which will create downward pressure on wages.
That was one of their key election promises so I don't see them going back on it and surprising us.
How many responses where there from the random selection of addresses emailed?
Just under 2000 within 7 days, according to the PDF summary by the CTU (linked in the post). If Willis' claim of a 4% response-rate is accurate, therefore, the email must have gone out to about 50,000 members.
Don't hold your breath!
Giving a $ billion to very well off landlords while the bonded rentiers peasants pay higher prices for rent and everything else.
Creating more misery for the expendable peasants.
Wealth disparity on crack!
We have the same wealth gap as the UK these days.
So do the class system it's just glossed over spun like it doesn't exist .But it exists.
The peasants and bonded labourer ie beneficiaries and migrant labourers who often work in slave like conditions.
The impoverished minimum wage worker. Who can t pay all the minimum bills
Lower middle class you wage worker on under $35 per hour. Who just scrapes through
Middle Middle class who can afford a few luxuries.
Upper Middle class who can afford to keep all their bills paid and have a late model car and a few luxuries
Then lower upper class who can afford a decent house a company car with a fuel card have an oversea trip every year
Then Middle upper class the snobby gobby ones like Luxon Helen Clark Adrrn etc.
Then the upper class The wide boys John Key type money is no object who don't give a rats about the poorer people and laud it over everyone.
The two Ronnie's had a skit explaining it years ago.
When NZ was a fare society.
Austerity compounding low returns from our biggest exports will mean a lower tax take rising interest rates imports being dearer then tax cuts causing increased spending causing more inflation.
Nationals economic policy could be described like putting your foot hard down on the accelerator while you have you handbrake fully on causing the economy to go into a tailspin leaving the economy drifting into a recession.
I think we will find that we are already in recession. Liam Dann had a good analysis pre-Christmas
Liam Dann
Of course, government policy will accelerate this though.
The reason workers are feeling less secure in their employment is the slowing economy….something they witness in their workplace daily and something that has been grinding away for months (in some industries years).
Thanks Pat. I feel so much better after reading YOUR reasoning of why workers are feeling less secure in their employment. Nothing to do with the repealing of legislation which was in place to protect their employment security then? Repealing under urgency with no consultations or scrutiny I might add. This COC Govt is very bad for New Zealand/Aotearoa. …..Something I just read recently…..’There is nothing more corrosive to character than money’. ….Very true. The evidence is sitting there in our present Government. All BOTTOM FEEDERS need to stand strong.
There is nothing to be gained by misattributing cause nor erroneous analysis.
'The fact remains that the economy was slowing prior to the election, the then Government had already announced public service cuts and fair pay agreements do nothing to protect positions that are no longer available.
But if it makes you feel better by all means blame the current set of managers in the Beehive for events that were in train long before October and outcomes that will occur irrespective of who sits where in Parliament.
The politicians gave away what little control they had of the real economy decades ago.
You may wish to consider another factor impacting employment security unmentioned by the CTU…”In the whole of last year 204,327 people arrived in this country on work visas and another 73,659 arrived on student visas.”
https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/125938/number-people-country-work-visas-increased-54-last-year
Given NACT were demanding more workers in (and the return of students), and so were their business backers it cannot be said that this was something they did not want.
Labour buckled to the post lockdown Enzed mood – lest there be media reports about firms unable to find workers pre election.
And so instead they got criticised for not maintaining a considered process, demonstrating "incompetence".
The economy was slowing despite the increase in workers because of RB policy – holding the dollar up to prevent imported inflation (rising rates offshore), managing down property values (because of the poor allocation of QE money via banks) and the effects of weather related (and gib board) shortages.
So in summary
Both Labour and National want increased immigration
Both National and Labour are subject to media/electoral pressures
Both National and Labour support central bank independence
And neither National nor Labour control the weather
The economy was not slowing because of government action.
The difference of degree, as per public sector cuts, was significant.
Fair Pay Agreements apply to more than the public sector.
The difference between a MW increase of over a $ and one of 50 cents would be c$75 a week in 3 years.
And when added to the new ability for landlords to remove tenants they have maximised rent from …
No Pat, it is the threat to the Public Service jobs, the removal of protections, and this Governments 100 day plan, which was cobbled together for the three unlikely coalition partners who care less about ordinary folk.
Health has again become the preserve of the well off.
Education will be undermined by light funding and heavy top down edicts, while Seymore will take from that pot for his charter schools.
The black ops are active once more in media and in the background, putting up puff pieces to flatter the current “leaders”.
When small businesses start to fall over, and mortgagee sales start in earnest we will be back into “The Fire Economy”. as Jane Kelsey explained so well in her book.
Further, when many can not afford insurance any more, there will be no protection from climate change, covid or any other mishap, and those with money will buy up any worthwhile assets.
We will become renters in our own land or homeless, especially those from families with no assets. They will be told “To work harder”. not quite “Work will set you free” but bloody close to that with the removal of all protections and back to the contracting spiral.
The growth of money making charities tells you it is a sick society with band aides everywhere, leaning on the American idea of Foundations, where money gifts from the rich are tagged, and not part of taxes.
Maori are holding a hui to discuss how to counter the Governments moves.
Workers and other interested parties should send representatives or join online.
Unions need to rally representatives of all unions, especially the Public Service. and work on strategies. Otherwise the self interested will win. We need to get tech savvy.
The economy has slowed along with China, and all countries affected by the costs of fighting covid are fighting inflation. The way the USA arranges their recovery, makes it worse for other economies.
The tale of woe sold to us, is just that, a tale. NZ wealthy did not suffer, NZ workers were supported through it, but those who went down rabbit holes made out it was a health shambles that caused inflation.
So promised tax cuts were the answer for “the squeezed middle”, until those could not be conjured up in quite the way they dreamed, by selling off properties over 2 mill.
The idea that this is all down to a “slowing economy” fudges the drastic behaviour of this cabal of greed imo.
Yes, the NZCTU should be calling regional delegates and members meetings–non members and families invited where appropriate–to organise action and support for communities as the union busting begins.
Low membership density is the very reason direct action and community organising is needed–not an excuse not to, as the CTU has claimed over the years (we can only be as strong as our affiliates)–time now to provide some class leadership on a daily basis. Various state sector unions need to drop the BS political neutrality position and get stuck in. Several public sector unions were fine with strike action under a Labour Govt. so lets hope that continues under a filthy tory one!
Minimum wage is likely to be frozen and whether other workers realise it or not the organised working class set a floor for them, and we all benefit from previous struggles…Paid Parental Leave, Redundancy agreements, weekends! holidays! time for a class left focused union movement to reassert itself.
The Natzos are quite clear–they are here to enforce a “Tale of Two Cities” NZ Aotearoa, where the cashed up become better off at the expense of the bottom 50%.
National coalition agreement with NZ First commits the coalition to moderate increases in minimum wage (pg 4 under the 'Employment and Immigration' heading) so probably not a freeze.
Have a look at your list Patricia and then honestly answer yourself how different the fundamental settings of this coalition and the previous are…..the differences are marginal by design.
Baldrick lovers may get away with assertions like Pat’s on Kiwiblog and many other places–but not here.
Patricia Bremner’s points are confirmed, all there in plain view via the Natzo’s 100 day plan.
https://www.national.org.nz/100dayplan
Act and NZ First have some even worse measures pending for the NZ working class.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-to-announce-cost-savings-as-economy-slows/RUK5QUIFQBEMHODX3HTZHML5EI/
I doubt those effected would agree…..the message is the same no matter who sends it.
Stop equivocating. There is a difference in extent and therefore impact.
The extent is determined by the fiscal position, which is not static.
Although I am sure you will demur Labours cuts may well have increased given the likely further deterioration of the economy…..as Robertson said in the linked piece at 7.2.1.1
“All these measures taken together will help ensure we meet our fiscal goals to keep debt under 30 percent of GDP and get the books back into surplus in the forecast period,”
Perhaps use your words…unexplained links are of little use…and plain rude.
You can lead a horse to water…
And when it finally becomes patently obvious even to Nicola that she hasn't the money to pay for the tax cuts for the wealthy and landlords, will she raise GST to 20% or just 17.5%?
Because it's coming!
Pat, you may be in the “lucky” cohort who are not impacted by the changes.
Your idea of “marginal” is quite strange and unsupported by the facts.
I do hope your area is not impacted by climate change, as the money for that eventuality is being redirected to Landlords. Just one of those “marginal ” changes. this should link to Pat @ 7.2
Am I in the "lucky" cohort?…..I am in the cohort that dosnt seek to rail against those things which I cannot change, seeks to understand the causes and does its best to mitigate the ramifications….is that lucky?
Or do you mean am I inured to economic conditions due to a wealth of financial assets…most certainly not (nor are my offspring) and it is for exactly that reason that I am in the cohort I am.
That sort of makes sense, you're here to gaslight those who think there being daylight being one party and another means anything.
Just a more subtle nihilist than Corey, then.
If you consider facilitating understanding through discussion debate 'gaslighting' the you may be correct….if.
As to daylight between one party and another….if the teams agree as to the format of the game does the game change if one team or another wins?
Yes the "game" can aim at fairer rules for those with less.
Doing away with the checks and balances and saying "they're all the same and nothing can be done" is rubbish defeatist and negates strategies to rebalance. It rubbishes voting.
The fact you are in the cohort affected should rile you, and have you planning how to cope. Or do you believe it is all ordained, and we are helpless?
I hope not, because that is what is wanted. Subservient workers and unemployed grateful for any "scrap" of charity.
People have died to protect these rights. Why the hell are you so accepting and critical of well directed anger?
I see responses like yours and Corey’s aimed at your own instead of the rich and powerful, who beat down opposition any way they can with their power and money. We need to use our numbers and the rules of the game, plus expose their crooked schemes.
The 3 amigos have removed rights with urgency and no consultation. Like we don't matter. Well we do matter and some of us intend to fight back, because what has been done is plain wrong on any level.
"Yes the "game" can aim at fairer rules for those with less."
Indeed it can (and should)…as I have outlined on numerous occasions. Labour refuses to go there
"Doing away with the checks and balances and saying "they're all the same and nothing can be done" is rubbish defeatist and negates strategies to rebalance. It rubbishes voting."
I have never said nothing can be done…on the contrary, I have called for progressive taxation, a compression of remmuneration and public ownership of infrastructure. In these manners they are the same….it dosnt rubbish voting because if sufficient agree then they are forced to change.
"The fact you are in the cohort affected should rile you, and have you planning how to cope. Or do you believe it is all ordained, and we are helpless?"
All cohorts are affected….some however more immediately than others.
"People have died to protect these rights. Why the hell are you so accepting and critical of well directed anger?"
Yes people have (and people have also died fighting them) …my criticism is the anger is NOT well directed.
"I see responses like yours and Corey’s aimed at your own instead of the rich and powerful, who beat down opposition any way they can with their power and money. We need to use our numbers and the rules of the game, plus expose their crooked schemes."
And I see mindless support of 'our team' and unthinking criticism of the other as detrimental to gaining sufficient support for real meaningful change.
"The 3 amigos have removed rights with urgency and no consultation. Like we don't matter. Well we do matter and some of us intend to fight back, because what has been done is plain wrong on any level."
The coalition has made changes to some policies rapidly and without consultation….just as the previous government did in implementing many.
Ultimately they both succeed or fail by the will of the majority….the trick is to build policies wanted by the majority.
Liberal use of "mindless" and "unthinking" may also be "detrimental to gaining sufficient support for real meaningful change" – time will tell.
If only the majority understood what’s best in the long run – that's the 'trick'.
"If only the majority understood what’s best in the long run – that's the 'trick'."
The voting public are always right….despite your misgivings
Despite your misgivings about the "mindless' and "unthinking"?
Still, maybe we’re on the cusp of “real meaningful change” – time will tell.
Yes despite the mindless and unthinking…..for the alternatives are worse.
Democracy is indeed the best of a bad bunch (imho), but does it necessarily follow that voters (including the "mindless" and "unthinking") "are always right"? That seems incompatible with our impending environmental and societal collapse, but perhaps your view of the prospects for this iteration of civilisation is rosier than mine.
Unlike you, I'm not convinced "the voting public are always right".
If you consider that democracy is the best option then the voters must always be right ….otherwise you are suggesting there is a better system.
And democracy does not preclude environmental nor societal collapse though I would suggest that it is the system that would likely delay both of those the longest.
Nope, I'm not suggesting there is a better system. Like you, democracy is my preferred option – I just don't believe that “the voters must always be right“. Surely you aren't suggesting that voters are (collectively) always infallible – what then would be the point of a supermajority?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendums_in_New_Zealand#Parental_corporal_punishment
Imho, the idea that in a democracy "the voters must always be right" is illogical – all individuals, groups, and even majorities make mistakes, for example when voter views are seriously at variance with facts.
To err is human – we can agree to disagree.
I did not say voters (or the governments they elect) are infallible.
They are however always right (or correct if you prefer) in their selection of government, otherwise you are questioning the method of governance…or suggesting that there is a better system (which you have twice agreed you dont believe there is).
It is so because ultimately the consequences of those decisions impact all….rightly or wrongly, and who is best to determine whether those decisions need to be revisited/changed/enhanced?….those impacted….and how best to ascertain such?….by majority.
Nothing else offers such ability to recognise and correct errors.
Obviously, the result of a correctly conducted democratic vote is (correctly/rightly) democratic. I (mis)interpreted your assertion that "the voting public are always right" to mean that voters are 'correct' (without error) in the broader sense, but (as you alluded to), this is not always (or perhaps even often) the case, hence the need to "correct errors".
I hope we can agree that even the 'best' (new and improved) democracies are failing to correct errors at an alarming rate – probably just a natural result of the human 'overshoot' condition.
Still, democracy is preferable to non-democratic governance – just imagine what a global democracy could achieve on spaceship Earth.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_globalization
With only 24 full democracies in the world I suspect global democracy is about as close as world peace.
I also suspect that democracy is at its most effective a smaller scale.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist_Democracy_Index
Yep..we are a species that showed a lot of promise.
Pat First thanks for your full reply. Your last point.
"To build Policies wanted by the majority."
That is not what the majority voted in, as Policy building was not very evident.
It was tax cuts which are not viable in this economic climate, plus promises to their base to change back laws which they considered punitive.
Policies for nation building are thin on the ground imo.
You are making a grand assumption on the reason(s) why the coalition received the votes they did…..tax cuts may have been the motivation (or part of) for some and may not have been.
The fact is they received the required votes to form a Government….and within 3 years we will have the opportunity to pass judgement on how we think they have performed.
Pat, on reflection, after reading over the whole thing plus DMKs contribution…Wow your passive aggression is showing. 'Mindless railing', and now "grand assumption.' Just wow.
You are very critical but you do not offer any solutions, just passive aggressive comebacks. I note Drowsy M Kram tried to show you the fallacies in your statements, and then you redirected the conversation to democracy.
I looked back and many of your "discussions" are like that. "Above the fray" Well good luck with that. There are plenty of subtle digs from you at the left and supporters, but few comments critical of the right… except as a passive observer. No doubt you will return the serve, but try to discuss the points without the pejoratives thanks.
Wow your passive aggression is showing. 'Mindless railing', and now "grand assumption.' Just wow."
Im sure you will find passive aggression when you misquote me….perhaps you may wish to reread what I wrote.
"You are very critical but you do not offer any solutions, just passive aggressive comebacks. I note Drowsy M Kram tried to show you the fallacies in your statements, and then you redirected the conversation to democracy."
Again, reread what I wrote…e.g. "I have never said nothing can be done…on the contrary, I have called for progressive taxation, a compression of remmuneration and public ownership of infrastructure. In these manners they are the same….it dosnt rubbish voting because if sufficient agree then they are forced to change."
My conversation with Drowsy was about democracy…hardly a redirection.
"I looked back and many of your "discussions" are like that. "Above the fray" Well good luck with that. There are plenty of subtle digs from you at the left and supporters, but few comments critical of the right… except as a passive observer. No doubt you will return the serve, but try to discuss the points without the pejoratives thanks."
Wow, just wow!
Pat = Passive Aggressive Tory…
Possibly I missed this detail in the post, but my questions would be:
1. How many of the 50,000 'randomly selected' replied, and were surveyed to get the 2,000 responses?
2. How many people are on the total CTU list?
3. Why was the full list not surveyed? (you know, to get a full picture)?
Not doubting at all that people feel under pressure due to the so called cost of living crisis, but keen to get some perspective based on statistical integrity.
It is [as] in the Post.
https://union.org.nz/working-people-fear-for-their-future-and-new-zealands/
Any further question regarding the methodology and ‘statistical integrity’ should be directed to NZCTU @ https://union.org.nz/contact/ and your Statistics Professor if you’re still completing your studies at uni.
Undoubtedly, your scepticism of “the so called cost of living crisis” is well founded.
In my workplace people who a couple of months ago were dancing in the streets at the fall of the Labour government are now asking themselves "what have we done?"