Nats give the middle finger to Kiwi workers

60 comments on “Nats give the middle finger to Kiwi workers ”

• Comments are now closed

1. blue leopard 1

   9 October 2012 at 2:14 pm

   I noticed a word while flicking through a dictionary: blatherskite. If anyone wishes to know the definition, the Government ministers most often on the News illustrate it well.
2. Tiger Mountain 2

   9 October 2012 at 2:29 pm

   When $1mill is spent on a “Hobbit” red carpet bollocks knees up (albeit from Wellington Council not central govt.–Tui!) and then $2.6 mill previously agreed is withdrawn from the health budget to provide fruit in schools to 36,000 extra kids from decile 3 schools the big finger is looking more malevolent.
3. insider 3

   9 October 2012 at 2:29 pm

   “Ultrafast broadband network – contracted to a dodgy Chinese company.” so you believe everything the yanks say do you?

   “Tourism advertising campaign – contracted to an Aussie company.” given Aus is our largest tourism market it could make sense to use someone who understands that market. Most of the directors are Kiwis or Brits.

   “$20m in subsidies – to foreign oil companies” – Where are these?
   • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.1

     9 October 2012 at 2:49 pm

     so you believe everything the yanks say do you?

     What an extraordinarily asinine response.

     The House Intelligence Committe report is a pretty damning document – it cites evidence of illegal activities, the companies claims to have no ties with the PLA, but when evidence of such links are put to them, they stonewall, even Huawei’s claims to be owned by its employees seem in doubt.

     but, but, New Zealand is a member of ECHELON, one of the “five eyes” – surely we must already be privy to this information, surely the USA wouldn’t keep this sort of thing to themselves and completely crap all over us, perish the thought!

     Oh, that’s right, the Prime Minister has been fully briefed.
     • insider 3.1.1

       9 October 2012 at 3:15 pm

       I view it in the context of the ongoing economic struggle between the US and China. I’m not sure a similar committee of chinese politicians wouldn’t come to similar conclusions about many leading US telecoms providers if roles were reversed. i’m sure they have plenty of links to US defence agencies and arguments about patent infringements and claimes about illegal activities in their histories. the Committee said they weren;t satisfied with the info provided. Would any info have satisfied them?
       • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.1.1.1

         9 October 2012 at 4:05 pm

         I’m sure the Chinese politicians are absolutely justified in their concerns. Your argument seems to be “he did it too!”

         But the fact is that while the primary target of any Chinese intelligence operation will be the USA, that will not stop them passing on information harmful to New Zealand if it falls into their hands. That is what spies do, and good luck to them. I don’t think we should hand it to them on a plate though, and I’m sure there are NZ manufacturers who agree.
         • insider 3.1.1.1.1

           9 October 2012 at 4:17 pm

           Well I’m not sure they are that we’ll based concerns is the point. This seems entirely predetermined.
         • muzza 3.1.1.1.2

           9 October 2012 at 4:25 pm

           But the fact is that while the primary target of any Chinese intelligence operation will be the USA

           Really, how do you know that?

           Oh and CISCO manufacture much of their network equiment in China, so do they see that as a threat? Cant imagine which NZ manufacturers you might be referring to though eh, co there is only a few global players capable in the tier 1 network space.

           This is little more than the US/UK intelligence network ratcheting up the propaganda to suit their own agendas, again!
           • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.1.1.1.2.1

             9 October 2012 at 4:44 pm

             Muzza: Really, how do you know that?

             Good question, perhaps I’m wrong, but it’s a moot point: the issue is whether we would be best advised to beware of Huawei et al in our own interests, not the USA’s.

             Cant imagine which NZ manufacturers you might be referring to though eh,

             Your shortcomings are hardly my problem. I was referring to any NZ manufacturer with trade secrets to protect.

             This is little more than the US/UK intelligence network ratcheting up the propaganda

             We’ll just take your word for that shall we? I don’t think so.

             Insider: This seems entirely predetermined.

             Does it? Perhaps on a casual reading, but have you had a look at the specific concerns the report raises and the arguments that lead them to their conclusions? What will be interesting is whether prosecutions/lawsuits ensue.
             • muzza …

               9 October 2012 at 5:03 pm

               No comment on ‘US’ company CISCO manufacturing their equipment in China then!

               Can’t let those profits get in the way of a good “story”!
               • Kotahi Tāne Huna …

                 9 October 2012 at 5:22 pm

                 I think the profits are a big part of it. It’s well established that espionage is just as much about industry as it is about military.
                 • Kotahi Tāne Huna …

                   9 October 2012 at 5:34 pm

                   PS: You are the one trying to make hay out of CISCO; be my guest – but at the end all you’ll have is an argument based on what one company does.
                   • muzza …

                     9 October 2012 at 6:47 pm

                     Don’t know much about the big players in the industry do you!

                     Let me explain this one, and speak to your comment about my focus on 1 company, seeing as youre not making the connection.

                     USA – Make accusations against Chinese company.

                     1 – CISCO = USA (1 company)
                     2 – Huawei = China (1 company)

                     CISCO are +/- the worlds “leading” network equipment company, and one of the largest in the industry!

                     How many serious global players are in the industry you reckon!
                   • Kotahi Tāne Huna …

                     9 October 2012 at 6:58 pm

                     Oh, it’s a conspiracy then? Why didn’t I think of that? Why have a dog and bark yourself?
                   • muzza …

                     9 October 2012 at 7:50 pm

                     Oh, it’s a conspiracy then?

                     Thats not what I was aluding to, and youre illustrating your ignorance of this industry, and exposing your ignorance, yet again, simply to take a shot!

                     My comments re CISCO/industry were serious, the fact you have not picked that up and used the conspiracy call, not only in this post, but below reference to the illuminati, only serves to emphasize your narrow band, when I am talking about broad band!
             • insider …

               9 October 2012 at 5:44 pm

               I’ve had a skim through the report and it seems a bit vague in the evidence for many of its concerns (but it was a skim). The thing that caught my eye was the level of access the committee got to huawei’s top people and facilities. Yrt still they claim they were evasive. It appears like the committee were obsessive terriers with a ball – no matter how many times you throw it it will never be enough.
               • Kotahi Tāne Huna …

                 9 October 2012 at 7:02 pm

                 Like I said – if there’s something genuinely dodgy going on it will end up in court – failing Muzza explaining how the Illuminatii are behind it I can’t see we’re going to learn anything more than the report’s findings – Huawei, for its part, is reported to have accused the committee of “libel” – corporations are people after all.
           • Poission 3.1.1.1.2.2

             9 October 2012 at 4:49 pm

             Actually the risk is more in IP,where china has significant technology barriers due to having no brands and very little innovative technology.

             http://www.securityweek.com/malware-attack-targeting-autocad-suspected-espionage
             • Kotahi Tāne Huna …

               9 October 2012 at 4:58 pm

               Thanks for that Poission. Interesting article.
     • higherstandard 3.1.2

       9 October 2012 at 5:26 pm

       Here is the Huawei ninjas on a secret mission.

       http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/huawei-labels-us-warning-political-20121008-279n1.html
       • felix 3.1.2.1

         9 October 2012 at 6:14 pm

         You’re so right.

         Come on guys, they gave money to a sports team ffs.

         That should be the end of it, surely.
         • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.1.2.1.1

           9 October 2012 at 7:06 pm

           Damn straight. Charitable donations are a bona fide way of telling good guys from bad guys.
         • Colonial Viper 3.1.2.1.2

           9 October 2012 at 7:21 pm

           Not just any sport either, but league. Bloody cunning Chinese.
           • higherstandard 3.1.2.1.2.1

             9 October 2012 at 8:29 pm

             Not half as cunning as selling their phones through telecom………… I suspect they may be reverse vampires as well……. damn tricky those chinese.
     • infused 3.1.3

       11 October 2012 at 6:58 am

       I know from one person who has recently left. He told me a lot about the company. Yes it is true.
       • felix 3.1.3.1

         11 October 2012 at 7:16 am

         What is?
   • bbfloyd 3.2

     9 October 2012 at 2:59 pm

     When that yank is a well connected, and well informed source within agencies who are responsible for providing this kind of info, then yes you do listen…. Only a blind fool with nothing bu a partisan agenda would ignore information that could save us a lot of grief….

     But I suppose that on planet tory, as long as the leader says it’s fine, then who cares who we are selling out to….

     My god you people are thick!! What kind of blatant idiocy will it take before tories start to wake up to themselves?? Or will they be halfway down the drop to the rocks below the cliff before they realise they might have been wrong??
     • shorts 3.2.1

       9 October 2012 at 3:17 pm

       same committee that said Iraq had WMD isn’t it?

       not suggesting that there isn’t anything to the story, I’m sure there is… but what – who knows…. and its been reported on before…

       I’d think twice before blindly believing any report out of the states – you know the country that see’s china as a strategic rival….
       • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.1

         9 October 2012 at 4:08 pm

         same committee that said Iraq had WMD isn’t it?

         No, actually, it isn’t.

         I’d think twice before blindly believing any report out of the states – you know the country that see’s china as a strategic rival….

         Generally, I’d agree with you but as it was Australia that first drew attention to it then I give it more credence.

         Of course, I’d prefer it if we made the stuff here from our own resources. Much cheaper, better for society and doesn’t have the same security concerns of buying the stuff in.
         • insider 3.2.1.1.1

           9 October 2012 at 4:19 pm

           So the South Pacific yanks agree with the main ones, while the Brits and plenty of other countries don’t. It just comes down to who you trust and I can’t help but thinking there are other agendas at play than tech security.
     • muzza 3.2.2

       9 October 2012 at 4:32 pm

       What kind of blatant idiocy will it take before tories start to wake up to themselves??

       What on earth makes you think that its tories behind all the mess?
   • Draco T Bastard 3.3

     9 October 2012 at 4:03 pm

     US follows Australia in naming Huawei as a possible security threat
     Not just the US and the evidence does seem to be fairly damming.
     • muzza 3.3.1

       9 October 2012 at 4:34 pm

       Australia – The puppet state who bent over even further than we did!
       • karol 3.3.1.1

         9 October 2012 at 5:34 pm

         I’m with muzza in being cautious about what the US evidence shows – it’s guilt by association, but not hard evidence of a problem with Huawei. 
          
         And Gordon Campbell also is cautious.  He does, as usual, a very good job of teasing out the issues: should NZ be concerned about Huawei’s spying capacity attached to the NZ UFB contract, or is this protectionism on the part of the US?
          

         The usual GCSB/SIS modus operandi is to ask its brother intelligence agencies (in the US, Australia and elsewhere) what it should think.
          
         With Huawei, that’s not an option. It poses a nightmare for our spooks. The UK is saying one thing (Huawei is OK) and Washington and Canberra are saying the opposite – yet their warnings run counter to our own government’s policy for the rollout of its pet IT project. At crunch, how can New Zealand partake fully in intelligence traffic if its main allies think that we may have witlessly turned ourselves into a listening post for the Chinese? It won’t matter, at that point, if there is any substance to the fears about Huawei. Perception will have become reality. Hard to see though, the Key government backing down, and backing out of its UFB contracts at this point.

          
         • Kotahi Tāne Huna 3.3.1.1.1

           9 October 2012 at 7:46 pm

           “…not hard evidence…”

           Indeed – that may or may not be heard in court.
       • muzza 3.3.1.2

         9 October 2012 at 7:01 pm

         Australia, getting prepped to be bent over a whole lot more, closely followed by NZ?

         “It’s probably two to three years before we get commercialization with biometrics in banking but obviously it does overcome the issues we have around security at the moment where PINs and codes are so easily intercepted,” Mr Chronican said.

         Citing a recent survey the bank commissioned, he noted that 79 percent of Australians said they would be comfortable with fingerprint technology one day replacing their banking PIN and more than one third of Australians would prefer to live in a cashless world.

         Futurist Ross Dawson said the survey shows Australians are willing to lead the way in the uptake of this kind of technology but it will be up to the banks to respond: “Cash could be on the way out and it’s realistic to imagine a world in which we carry no notes or coins, or even credit or debit cards. Before long we may use our fingerprints or even retina scans to make payments. Australians have shown they are comfortable with biometric identification, because it combines convenience with security.”

         ANZ recently purchased National Bank, so not only will that mean job losses, and consolidation of the industry even further, but the above seems to indicate the following

         1: Either this survey is BS, complete with the comments of “Futurist Ross Dawson” -Just go upload yourself now Ross, who needs real life!

         or

         2:Australians are so consumed with their own machismo, they will have their pants pulled down further, and not actually realise!

         Disturbing!
         • Jokerman 3.3.1.2.1

           9 October 2012 at 9:31 pm

           take your Goanna back Jack…take your Goanna back….”
         • Clashman 3.3.1.2.2

           9 October 2012 at 10:02 pm

           My PIN gets stolen all the time, can’t wait for this!
           • McFlock 3.3.1.2.2.1

             9 October 2012 at 10:15 pm

             PINs are authentication.
             Biometrics are identification, and frequently barely that. 
                 
             But “biometrics” sounds good, and a flashy sales pitch can ignore fifty-cent bypasses. 
                  
             If the computer says it was you, it must have been, and it can’t have been the bar manager with a gelatine cast or even just a wet photocopy of prints lifted off a corona bottle at the bar last night. 

             A brave new world of BS and pretending crime isn’t happening. 
         • Gosman 3.3.1.2.3

           10 October 2012 at 8:16 am

           ANZ didn’t ust recently purchase the National bank. It occurred nearly a decade ago. You really need to keep in touch with the goings on in the economy muzza.
           • Poission 3.3.1.2.3.1

             10 October 2012 at 12:19 pm

             The ANZ may have had it for a decade,but still held the brand as an intangible asset (read goodwill) of over 1 billion which will need to come off its balance sheet,and will affect its dividend.
             • Gosman …

               10 October 2012 at 12:26 pm

               Your point?
               • Poission …

                 10 October 2012 at 12:36 pm

                 Sell
                 • Gosman …

                   10 October 2012 at 12:50 pm

                   You are assuming that they haven’t factored in this already in their financial projections. Any company that didn’t write off these sorts of costs over several years is not a good company in my view.
   • Fortran 3.4

     10 October 2012 at 2:30 pm

     insider

     You are right not to believe what the Yanks say. I worked once for a US company and they tried to take to the cleaners any overseas competition, and suceeded in say it was UnAmerican – they are experts at deniying the truth. Their courts support them whatever.
     Look what Googe are doing (a US company of course) they do not like any competition to what they are doing in collecting and spying on everybody.
     US companies cannot believe that there can be fair opposition.
     Remember the US motto of unfair practice – anybody who hits you first.
     US companies have no business ethics.
4. xtasy 4

   9 October 2012 at 2:36 pm

   Yes – I have decided to keep up the fight, as this can at least at times have some “therapeutic” effect.

   Key’s middle finger must be reaching the size of an oblong water melon by now, so more Kiwi and migrant workers still living here should hopefully see this and get the bloody message.

   Youth rates to be re-introduced for those 16 to 19, for first jobs, for new jobs after 6 months on the benefit (17 and 19 y.o. ones), and other punitive measures coming with the nasty welfare reforms, what a “magic” solution to end the mass exodus to Australia and other places.

   Yeah, right, catching up with incomes in Australia, this must be the way, I am supposed to believe?

   The way NatACT are going, soon Foxconn will open their first factory for mass producing apple computers and so here in NZ, taking advantage of low wages and excesssively long working hours. Yes, that will be the only way to survive, by working longer and putting others out of jobs, following the cut throat competition for the few jobs going.

   Last month another 1600 joining the dole queue, I just heard.

   With rents in Auckland being around $ 300 a week for a 1-brm flat, more like $ 350 to 400 for a 2-brm flat and between $ 450 to $ 600 or more for 3 to 4 brm homes, it will solve the housing problem with having people paid less, I presume.

   Overcrowding by having people stacked on top of each others in bunk beds will be the rule, just like in dormitories in Mainland Chinese company grounds of large factories, where they house their workers.

   Roll on, NZ is becoming part of Asia. Keep Huawei here to roll out broadband too, so they can assist GCSB, SIS and other agencies, to keep an eye on trouble makers, using most modern technology.

   Love it?!
5. vto 5

   9 October 2012 at 4:01 pm

   .

   Monday John Key announces increased money for wealthy Hollywood business.

   Tuesday John Key announces decreased money for young New Zealand workers.

   I think this is called a nutshell… I am astounded
   • David H 5.1

     9 October 2012 at 6:07 pm

     And imagine coming to work today as a 16 year old and being told your pay is cut to $10.80 ph and to go suck if you want to complain. Or worse that you are now overpaid so you sacked. And don’t tell me it won’t happen.
     • Fortran 5.1.1

       10 October 2012 at 2:33 pm

       David H

       It does not affect anybody already in work with regard to their pay rates. They will not face a reduction in pay.

       Look at the statement properly.
   • mickysavage 5.2

     9 October 2012 at 6:23 pm

     Yep it is BS.  Their proposal for increasing employment and improving local conditions and decreasing people going overseas is … wait for it … reducing the minimum wage for the unemployed.

     The only thing it will achieve is that workers who were not on benefits or are over the age of 19 will be less employable.

     And I am listening to an fecking economist saying that removal of the youth wage was bad for employment.  Typical fecking employer.  All that he can analyse is job numbers and not human misery called by poor wages.

     Of course the ultimate logic of this is to put everyone on $10 a day.  That way everyone can have a job.  And cut benefits at the same time.  This will get rid of all of the shirkers.  And we will have progressed to Egypt under the Pharaohs.

     Grrr … 
     • mickysavage 5.2.1

       9 October 2012 at 6:36 pm

       I must have been angry when I typed the last comment.  I meant to say …

       Typical fecking economist.  All that he can analyse is job numbers and not human misery called by poor wages.
       • RedLogix 5.2.1.1

         9 October 2012 at 7:40 pm

         Ignore anything John Key says mickey.

         Just look to his actions and then you know his intentions.
     • Jokerman 5.2.2

       9 October 2012 at 9:33 pm

       laughed 🙂
     • Gosman 5.2.3

       10 October 2012 at 8:12 am

       So increased youth unemployment likely caused by the removal of the youth minimum wage doesn’t qualify as misery in your book then?

       BTW here is the link to the very interesting comments by the Economist that you don’t like

       http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2535043/senior-lecturer-in-economics-at-canterbury-university.asx
6. Reagan Cline 6

   9 October 2012 at 7:29 pm

   Tourism advertising campaign to Aussie firm – why not, if they can do it better than an NZ firm ?
   Home grown tourism promotion has depended too much on Lala Land Hobbit bullshit and No Hoper All Blacks – time for something real.

   UF broad band to a “dodgy” chinese firm – get a life bro. the future is Asian and that ain’t tight-arsed reformation ideas on sanctity of fucking contracts it’s who you fucking know and who they know and how and which palms to grease.

   Subsidies to american film companies ? We should be glad they even know we are on the map.
   If you are a mine of intellectual property they will treat you kindly – they are not idiots. The favoured whores live best.

   Subsidies to foreign oil companies ? NZers certainly won’t stump up the capital. The oil is out there and those who can will grab it. Best to have at least a little clout with the grabbers.

   Foreign miners and foreign casino owners – same deal – thems the ones with the money. Don’t you want to see a mining industry thriving in NZ ? Casinos suck money from the rich isn’t that what you want ?

   Pay cut for young people makes the more employable so they experience “work for pay makes money to buy cool stuff”.

   40,000 manufacturing jobs with no future – better off unemployed and training to do something useful.
   • Clashman 6.1

     9 October 2012 at 10:05 pm

     Bend over (further), Raygun.
7. Jokerman 7

   9 October 2012 at 9:38 pm

   the future is Asian
   (whores by necessity, whores by choice)
8. xtasy 8

   10 October 2012 at 12:05 am

   Ha! Who wants to be a bloody, sucking worker, if you can suck off the tax payer’s teat like me ( John Key), friends Paula Bennett, Hek Yah Parrata, Steven (slimy) Joy(ce), Phil Heatley, Gerry Big Brother Brownlee, Flingling English and the rest of us?

   Life could never be any better, tell the dumb media what to report, f*** the common people, push lies and crap down your throats and rule in an austere manner towards the “low life” “common people”, while we drink champagne, imported top beers, eat the best quality cheese, pate, and fish delicacies and else at the top hotels in lovely NZ, where functions and meetings “for the future” are held.

   And those bloody unions, we will go into the next round to deal to you “suckers” soon. You have NO place in “modern” NZ as we see it.

   JK – the “master” and “shining grand leader”.
9. tracey 9

   11 October 2012 at 6:11 am

   When the media started on the youth rate this week i heard that a survey had shown 68% of employers wont use youhth rates. Yesterday national radio headline said “employers welcone youth rate” the truth doesnt stand a chance
   • Gosman 9.1

     11 October 2012 at 6:16 am

     Link to the survey please.

     Also just because an employer won’t take advantage of youth rates doesn’t mean they don’t welcome them.

• Comments are now closed

• Log in
• Donate
• Contribute post

• Articles RSS