One thing that has puzzled me over the past months is why Iran has been singled out as the bogey-man of the middle east, the funder of terrorists, the purveyor of extremist religious views?
I mean, at the very least, that role should be held by Saudi Arabia, shouldn’t it?
Until I heard Lee Camp (yes, on RT, automatically fake views, so I won’t link to it) point out that Iraq moved away from the petro-dollar shortly before WMD were ‘discovered’ in the country, which necessitated regime change.
And that Libya under Gaddafi was trying to bypass the dollar and the euro and set up a gold dinar for Africa. Which is why NATO and America needed to ‘liberate’ the country from a brutal dictator.
Now, Iran has begun trading in euros, bypassing the dollar. Which might explain why Macron defended the anti-nuclear agreement with Iran that Trump seems hell bent on scrapping. Now Israel has absolute ‘proof’ that Iran has been reneging on its nuclear deal! Regime change coming for Iran?
I have to ask, it this all about preserving America’s world banking domination? The almighty dollar? Or is this view too simplistic?
You are spot on.
China has also done the same and is creating the petro yuan.
We are looking at an Empre fighting to preeserve its preeminent position – at the end of its Empire.
As in: some people in the decision-making loop would think about the weakening of US soft power and the strengthening of European soft power, as represented by their currencies being hard currencies of international choice.
But it’s a massive stretch to regard it as being a significant motivator for invasion, because very few decision-makers would give a damn about it to that degree. Maybe a few State Department folks with a bee in their bonnets about the soft power value of USD being traded in Timbuktu, but not most people. The primary motivators are hard power: access to bases, access to resources (especially oil), access to markets, and having allied buffer states to head off other global powers.
And, in the case of Iran and Libya, hurt balls because those countries told the yanks to go fuck themselves.
I think you’re underestimating the importance to America of having the world’s ‘reserve currency,’ It enabled them to print money during the GFC with, up to now, no really bad effects.
But take away that position of strength, and America becomes just another indebted nation – so indebted that it could lead to the collapse of their monetary system.
The consequences to the bankers are enormous, well worth a few million deaths and untold suffering of ‘other people.’
What enabled them to print money was having the biggest pool of consumers in the world. Their hiccup dragged everyone else down, too, so the USD didn’t lose as much ground as it might have done, relative to other nations.
And half of corporate america like a weaker dollar, because it makes their offshore profits look better when transferred to the US.
As in: some people in the decision-making loop would think about the weakening of US soft power and the strengthening of European soft power, as represented by their currencies being hard currencies of international choice.
Except for the fact that they’re not hard currencies. Hard currencies would be backed by gold.
But it’s a massive stretch to regard it as being a significant motivator for invasion, because very few decision-makers would give a damn about it to that degree.
And what would happen if the US$ suddenly dropped to half it’s value?
How would USians respond when they could no longer afford to buy inexpensive imported stuff? National has a point about a decrease in exchange rates being a drop in wages.
So, yeah, I’m pretty sure that every single law maker in the US looks at way to keep the US$ as the Reserve Currency and to keep it highly valued. And as it’s been the Petro-dollar since the US dropped the Gold Standard against international agreements that means ensuring that all oil is priced in US dollars.
Which all means that invasion to keep it that way would definitely be a play that the US lawmakers would make.
What people speculate a currency is worth is no less or more abstract than what people speculate gold is worth.
Sure, dropping to half its value is an issue for an import-dominated economy. But we, for example (because you brought up national) to better with a low dollar. More export dollars flowing through the economy from the regions, while import dollars largely circulate around the urban and financial centers.
So there are swings and roundabouts to exchange rates. But even if being the primary reserve currency is an advantage, is it more or less of an advantage than guaranteed arms exports to a client state, market access, having a forward base for your forces, and your client state giving your companies cheap access to the state’s natural resources? Would all foreign policy decisionmakers prioritise primary reserve currency status ahead of all of those other factors?
Well, considering that the US’s seems to use invasion to get a client state as well as to control oil then it certainly looks like it’s a major part of it.
The US needs oil to be traded in US$ to maintain the demand for US$ so as to maintain Reserve status. Kill oil being traded in US$ and the demand for US$ drops and it’s reserve status questioned and, finally, dropped.
As I say, in reality it’s Reserve status should have been dropped when the US dropped the Gold Standard. Freely floating currencies don’t have any need for a Reserve Currency.
Yeah they do – they’re a hedge. Your lira goes down to levels unsuitable for your economy but you think it’ll bottom out soon, you can raise the seabed a little and temporarily by buying up lira with the francs you have in your vault. And vice versa.
Just like physical gold reserves. Nice shiny bricks.
Doesn’t help if your economy is tanking completely, but does help provide a modicum of stability, which makes your economy stronger in the long term.
We also need to remember that old Saddam tried to or did trade his oil in EUR dollars quite successfully until he was knocked off. If we going back prior to the 2nd or 3rd gulf war (depending on who you read on the subject btw). You would find that Iraq/ Saddam was getting more money from trading in EUR than if he was trading in USD which is the international norm for trading in commodities. The result was US was the biggest loser not in the short term, but when we now include the cost of resulting War as well then the US has been the biggest loser with Iraq 2nd by a nose so far and I get the feeling we haven’t heard the last of this either from economic POV or a further outbreak of conflict within the greater Middle East Region.
Even from Australian and New Zealand POV we have also have taken our eye off the ball within the Sth Pacific, Sth East Asia and Antarctic Regions as our focus has on the MER from an Aid, Trade Climate change and Defence POV.
I have to ask, it this all about preserving America’s world banking domination?
Nope. That’s about it.
Thing is, the US$ should have stopped being the world’s Reserve Currency when the US dropped the Gold Standard in 70/71. As soon as they did that the US$ was no longer the Gold Reserve that the Bretton Woods agreement called for.
I seriously doubt it. (Craven images and all that. Not to mention the potential to cement in bitter sectarian animosities with its construction).
Will the grotesque “I have come to save the world” statue of Jesus erected in Saydnaya which towers over the whole area including the notorious death camp, (even being visible from Jordan and Israel), become as notorious in the Moslem world as the ‘Work Makes Free’ sign in Auschwitz Poland. Both symbols being the last things that condemned prisoners saw before entering these two prospective death camps.
As usual Ed, you ignore and gloss over the fact that this giant statue to religious sectarianism is built outside the town of Saydnaya* within eyesight of the notorious Saydnaya extermination camp. Which in my opinion is about as brutal an act of sectarian triumphalism, as if the Germans built a big statue to Jesus in the Polish town of Auschwitz, within eyesight of the Auschwitz death camp at the height of the time that they were murdering people of Jewish faith there.
*There are several versions of the Arabic to English translation of this town’s name.
Another day.
Another day of head chopping Jihadist propaganda.
Ed
So Ed, going by the intemperate bigotted Islamphobic slur directed at me by you; Are Amnesty, by your reckoning, also, “head chopping Jihadist propagandists”?
A chilling new report by Amnesty International exposes the Syrian government’s calculated campaign of extrajudicial executions by mass hangings at Saydnaya Prison. Between 2011 and 2015, every week and often twice a week, groups of up to 50 people were taken out of their prison cells and hanged to death. In five years, as many as 13,000 people, most of them civilians believed to be opposed to the government, were hanged in secret at Saydnaya.
Human slaughterhouse: Mass hangings and extermination at Saydnaya prison, Syriaalso shows that the government is deliberately inflicting inhuman conditions on detainees at Saydnaya Prison through repeated torture and the systematic deprivation of food, water, medicine and medical care. The report documents how these extermination policies have killed massive numbers of detainees.
These practices, which amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, are authorized at the highest levels of the Syrian government.
“The horrors depicted in this report reveal a hidden, monstrous campaign, authorized at the highest levels of the Syrian government, aimed at crushing any form of dissent within the Syrian population,” said Lynn Maalouf, Deputy Director for Research at Amnesty International’s regional office in Beirut.
Let us know your view.
I know you won’t. And that you limit your ad hominem abuse to personal attacks only, rather than address the issues raised.
National’s environmental credentials are like a mayfly: it undergoes many changes and has a very short-lived latest form or stage but they do make good fish food.
More National party voters work on the environment here. Canterbury farmer Brent Thomas destroys a threatened native, a third of the surviving population in order to plant oats for feeding dairy herds.
Over-riding National’s environment policy is business. We’ll think about the environment and long as it doesn’t get in the way of business.
How pathetic have DOC become. From what I can make out there was only some old gentleman’s agreement to protect an endangered species from being wiped out.
Another organisation is bringing prosecution, not DOC infact they are calling the guy a ‘good guy’ basically for his actions. Now DOC propose to reward the farmer by giving him money so he doesn’t own other land that he will potentially destroy.
Agree, they are an embarrassment at the moment. Nats got DOC doing the tourist thing earning cash, yet reduced their scope and ability to y’know conserve.
So the Department of Conservation can’t do anything if someone wants to nearly wipe out an endangered species on their own land? That’s ridiculous. The fact it rings true in this case shows how much they’ve dropped the ball.
Muehlenbeckia astonii is not rare or threatened although local populations on Kaitorete Spit may have been affected by the reported development. The ideologues in DoC persist in trying to preserve flora and fauna in geographically limited locations whereas history shows diversification (of locations) has proven more successful.
The NZ Plant Conservation Network does list the plant as endangered but don’t state their criterion for that assessment. One can buy seed by the kilogram and I grow thousands of M. astonii a year for my revegetation projects – so in my view, the plant is not rare or endangered.
For a number of reasons, DoC has had limited success in conserving habitats. That of course should be the priority. But given the reality, growing the plant in a number of different locations, including botanic gardens, is preferable to extinction.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a classification for species that are ‘extinct in the wild’, that classification comes after ‘endangered’ and ‘critically endangered’.
In conservation terms, if you have to put a species in a cage or in some potting mix to keep it alive then it’s basically extinct.
Some people buy a rare species like kakabeak at a garden centre and then go and put it in their garden. I’m sure some of these people think they’re doing a good thing by increasing their numbers, but all they’re doing is gardening, not anything to do conservation.
The IUCN also recognise the role of ‘conservation horticulture’ in the management of rare, threatened and endangered flora. I guess that’s why DoC have their Motukarara plant nursery. Sometimes, intervention is more effective than the alternative.
If you send me your postal address, I’ll courier you 10 Muehlenbeckia astonii that you can plant in your garden so you’ll be able to feel your restricted definition of ‘conservation’ is less futile.
If National is or had been more environmentally conscious and genuinely committed it might attract a greater share of the so-called (well off) green vote. On the other hand, National is much more conscious of and committed to votes, first and foremost, and will ‘adjust’ any policy and ‘adopt’ just about anything to get those votes – the end justifies the means. National has it all back to front: profit & growth before social equality and justice, businesses & economy before the environment & climate change, greed & entitlement before compassion & social welfare, and, above all, power & control. So, I respectfully disagree with you.
I was just pointing out why they are doing it. The reality is a lot of Green party votes come from very well off electorates which could be susceptible to going to them.
But will it work ?
Look up the election votes online , or do it by looking at Wikipedia for the electorates names. Most have the last few election results in detail.
Surely you dont have blinkers on to what has been plain for ages, its not a startling revelation.
Are Auckland Central and Wellington Central teeming with poverty and disadvantage or covered with $1.5 mill plus homes.
Another place to look is the huge difference in Dunedin North and Dunedin South. The poorer electorate has half the greens vote of its better off neighbor.
No, I don’t think so. In fact, raising awareness among those so-called blue-green voters might even cause blue voters to go green. They will have to run an extremely subtle and highly targeted campaign to make it work IMHO and I don’t believe the current Opposition as a whole can pull that off.
In my view, the well-off Green voter in Epsom will be well-off regardless of who’s in government. I think they generally are high & dry and likely to be more concerned about the future of the environment for their children and grandchildren. They realise that their vote is much more important for the Green Party and that this party is more likely to make policies that are positive for the environment than National. Think about it, your vote counts more for a small party like the Greens than for the largest party (National). Nobody likes to be just a number on an electoral role; we all want to make some kind of impact …
“mori”.
I suspect it may be a problem with the macron in the word.
It may not be acceptable in the link to the article. Anyone actually know what the limitations are?
I see that the macron is present throughout the article in the paper.
Might have been better to use the spelling “maori” without the macron though in the link. https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30401962/what-are-the-legal-and-illegal-characters-in-url-link
Have you ever considered putting an apostrophe after the ‘o’ in your handle Mister Duke?
It’d more accurately describe that dainty wee disposition ( complete with its ideology ) you come from (going forward)
Duke o’ Furl perhaps ?
I came across this video, the footage taken in Damascus and this reporter’s experience of Damascus, which one person she spoke to likened to 1984, reminded me very strongly of my time in pre war Latakia. The suffocating presence of the dictator’s image everywhere. Weirdly the video footage filmed in Latakia of people holidaying at a beachside resort, is something that I don’t recognise at all as being of Latakia. Not even Latakia in peace time. The version of Latakia in this video is completely alien to me.
Not saying that this side of Latakia wasn’t there, I just never saw it. Of course this might be because I shared my time between the Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Latakia and the city centre and the featurless working class suburbs. Funnily enough the refugee camp in Latakia where I spent most of my time, was also on the seashore. No one spent anytime there however, and I never saw anyone swimming, maybe because the makeshift sewers from the camp flowed straight into the water.
Seeing the version of this other Syria in this video, I wouldn’t have minded spending a little time there, just to get away from the dreary and repressive reality of the rest of this town.
Hi Gabby, I was in Syria prior to the war, not during it. But even then there were a couple of times, I worried about that. Unnecessarily, as it turned out. But still, the all pervading claustrophobic almost suffocating feeling of being in a police state, that I felt, is well captured by this reporter’s visit to Damascus. The dictator’s image everywhere, the ever present armed police and army presence everywhere. The need by the citizens to pledge allegiance to the dictator at the mere mention of his name. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny, The rather portly man who pulls out a picture of the dictator and lays it on the hood of a car at a wedding, and feeling the camera on him, feels compelled, rather awkwardly I thought, to salute the dictator’s image, (presumably just in case he wasn’t perceived as being loyal enough).
The U.S. State Department acknowledged Monday it has been funding opponents of Syrian President Bashar Assad, following the release of secret diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks that document the funding.
The files show that up to $6.3 million US was funnelled to the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based dissident organization that operates the Barada TV satellite channel, which broadcasts anti-government news into Syria. Another $6 million went to support a variety of initiatives, including training for journalists and activists, between 2006 and 2010.
Asked point-blank by reporters whether the United States is funding Syrian opposition groups, State Department spokesman Mark Toner told a news conference Monday, “We are — we’re working with a variety of civil society actors in Syria with the goal here of strengthening freedom of expression.”
Then pressed to specify whether the U.S. provides satellite bandwidth for Barada TV’s broadcasts, Toner said: “I’d have to get details of what exactly technical assistance we’re providing them.”
Toner insisted the financing is not aimed at overthrowing Assad’s rule. “We are not working to undermine that government.”
However, an April 2009 diplomatic cable from the U.S. mission in Damascus recognizes the risky optics of the funding.
“Some programs may be perceived, were they made public, as an attempt to undermine the Assad regime.… The Syrian Arab Republic government would undoubtedly view any U.S. funds going to illegal political groups as tantamount to supporting regime change.”
Whistleblower website WikiLeaks provided the cables to the Washington Post newspaper, which first reported on them. The files are part of a haul of 251,000 secret U.S. diplomatic documents the website says it has obtained. It began disclosing them in November through partner media outlets and so far has released nearly 7,000.
So, if the US hadn’t funded the opposition would there still have been a civil war?
What I was referring to, was the stifling police state atmosphere captured by this video in Damascus, which I found very reminiscent of my time in Latakia, the omnipresence of dictator’s image everywhere, the omnipresence of police and army everywhere. This was the reality of Syria which I was familiar with and which, one off camera, Syrian likened to, being Winston Smith in George Orwell’s 1984.
What you are referring to, is the destruction wrought by the regime on the Syrian people in revolt, captured in the link you supplied.
With more than 300,000 Syrians killed and six million people who have fled or displaced, the war in Syria was last night described on Q&A as “the biggest story on the planet”. Host Tony Jones said “we rarely get to talk about it (because it) seems like a long way to affluent people”.
The war it seems, is also a long way from affluent people, even in Syria. The images of Latakia captured in the video I supplied, was of people holidaying at a luxury beach resort untouched by the war. This was a revelation to me, these images were completely alien to anything I experienced in Latakia. They were scenes completely unlike anything I ever saw during my time in that city, even in peace time.
To me Latakia was the grim featureless tower blocks in the working class suburbs with out a park or bit of greenery, or child’s playground, and the jumbled over-crowded Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the city which was later strafed and shelled by the regime from warships off the coast, which I witnessed as it was happening by live feed back in Auckland. (And don’t dare tell me that this live feed was faked, I knew this camp well).
More from the link you supplied:
Syria descended into full-scale civil war in 2012, causing about half the country’s pre-war population to be displaced as forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad and those opposed to his rule battle each other and jihadists.
And while the world now sees a country devastated by years of war and left in ruins, it wasn’t always this way……
…..Today Aleppo, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, has all but been obliterated by barrel bombs, bullets, chemical attacks and air strikes in the war.
Once the beating heart of Syria’s industrial and commercial industries, it has witnessed some of the most brutal violence of the country’s six-year war.
Before and after photos of the Old City of Aleppo, a UNESCO World Heritage site, show the full extent of the catastrophic destruction which has taken place.
Aleppo was pummelled by air strikes last December, shrinking the rebel enclave just days ahead of parallel talks in France and Switzerland which aimed to save the Syrian city from “complete” destruction.
The city’s east — a rebel stronghold since 2012 — has been the target of a major assault by forces loyal to President Bashar’s Russian-backed regime.
During last December’s air strikes, Ibrahim Abu al-Leith, spokesman for the White Helmets rescue force inside Aleppo described the terror many left behind faced.
“The streets are full of people under the rubble. They are dying because we can’t get them out,” he told AFP.
“Keep that impatience in mind. Because after nine years of media complacency about the systematic underfunding of the health system by the National government – as signified by the steady erosion since 2010, of the share of GDP devoted to Vote Health – we are now being invited to have a cow because the coalition government isn’t fixing all the problems in public health within nine months!
Yes, on the campaign trail last year Labour had aimed to make doctors’ visits cheaper by July 1st 2018. But because of the raft of other problems that National left behind them in public health, this aim may need to be delayed a tad by the coalition government until sometime later during its first term. At that rate, it will still be achieving in one term what its predecessor failed to do in triple that time.”
I merely asked a question, Pat. Therefore, it is you that requires to chill.
But as for your defensive response, I’ll address it.
I don’t think most were expecting changes over night, but considering Labour are fully aware investing in primary care helps to avoid health problems worsening to the point where they need expensive hospital treatment, I think most would have expected it to be a high priority.
Leaving it to fester will add to the cost of public health Labour are trying to get on top of.
. Sea lioning (also spelled sealioning and sea-lioning) is a type of Internet trolling which consists of bad-faith requests for evidence, or repeated questions, the purpose of which is not clarification or elucidation, but rather an attempt to derail a discussion or to wear down the patience of one’s opponent
Labour claim they believe they have the balance about right, hence the question was relevant, thus legit. Presenting an opening for a discussion, which you attempted to derail with your off topic troll crap. And you are persisting to do so. Therefore, if anybody is trolling here, it’s you Joe.
The govt probably figure that improving the lot of those half million but phasing in direct action on GP fees has a higher chance of keeping the government stable and continuing those improvements after reelection, than lowering all those fees and being portrayed by you and other tories as forcing the country into bankruptcy through fiscal lunacy, losing the election, and having a nat government reintroduce those fees and then increase them further still.
Option a) concernobot says “half a million kiwis abandoned”;
Option b) concernobot says “country on brink of bankruptcy, TINA!!!”
But it didn’t, did it? You and national expressed concern for the poor, not the economic feasibility of the nation. The belated mention of cost was certainly not made in relation to the overall budget, maintainiing a surplus, or anything else.
It’s simply an observation that no matter what this government does, the nats and you find something to moan about. Today, a fiscally responsible act is criticised for supposedly hurting the poor. Tomorrow, a policy that helps the poor will have some other criticism levelled at it.
“Today, a fiscally responsible act is criticised for supposedly hurting the poor”
No, it’s far from fiscally responsible. Investing in primary health care now helps avoid health problems worsening to the point where they need expensive hospital treatment. And Labour know this.
Yes indeed. I’m shocked, shocked that you didn’t raise this very serious and honest concern immediately.
Why are you so lax on fiscal issues? If you want to be taken seriously when you raise these important concerns, you really shouldn’t make the amateurish mistake of leaving these very important issues until other people directly confront you.
I’m only pointing out your neglect of this issue so you can lift your game and really make an impact on political discourse in the country. The nation deserves better.
He knows he has a lot of money to spend and he’s going to make a difference.
My mental framing assisted if I think of this government located on a spectrum between Clark and English: nowhere near as bold or programmatic as Clark and Cullen, both National and Labour happy to spend public funding if it can be proven to work, but like English in that they are sufficiently fiscally disciplined to reach for surpluses. It’s impossible for any MSM commentator to disagree with.
They are very clearly going to throw everything they have at housing, transport, health, and education.
They are going to do little of note in tax.
They don’t have a integrated plan for government or for New Zealand.
They are going to spend towards what they state on the tin:
strong public services and networks.
The country will be sufficiently agreeable to that.
He might argue that ‘if elected, a labour govmnt will…’ promises would have more moral force had a labour govmnt been elected, which it wasn’t chairie.
“try and convince yourself that is what the normal person on the street thinks”
Oh there’s obviously scope for a public education campaign, including for a fair few ‘journalists’ editors and publishers who should know better by now.
The Sixth Labour Government is the current government of New Zealand. It is headed by Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. It took office on 26 October 2017. [my bold]
From your link, James.
You know what “heading” means here, James?
And you know what a “coalition government” is, James, and a “confidence and supply agreement”?
Quite frankly, I am shocked by this blatant breaking of election promises when they got a vote majority (44.4%) and are the single largest party in Parliament. This is not good for democracy, I say.
I save my disappointments and concerns for my own personal shortcomings and missteps in life of which there are too many to mention. Life is one hell of a journey without destination …
I agree, it is a part but on its own it is rather inefficient and ineffective. Democracy can be so much more than justquestioning and expressing political concerns to others and waiting for an answer or reply from them. Do you see what I’m getting at and where I’m going with this?
It’s tends to be far more effective when large numbers express their concern or outrage. Thus, if we all took your personal stance of not expressing it, it would be totally ineffective.
And yes, a healthy democracy is more than that, hence why I said it was part of it.
They didn’t even know they were going to have the numbers to form a government of some description! NZF held the balance of power; only they were reasonably confident of being in the next government. That is the point. Once in Government you make different kinds of ‘promises’ because you can reasonably expect to be able to deliver on them.
“They didn’t even know they were going to have the numbers to form a government of some description!”
Yes, but they also knew there was little to no chance of them governing alone when the promise was made. Which is the point.
Once in Government there was no mention the promise wouldn’t be upheld until the other day when we were given some indication it is likely to be phased in. And this is after they made more from the tax take than was expected.
The way Labour are going (delaying policy implementation) they’ll be largely campaigning on the same policies at the next election as they did in the last one.
Yes, but they also knew there was little to no chance of them governing alone when the promise was made. Which is the point.
I see, they must only make promises that they are absolutely 100% certain and guaranteed to keep, no matter what, Scout’s Honour.
Actually, I can see where you’re coming from but it is way too rigid and legalistic to be practical. I think it would be less confusing if they campaigned more on values as the basis of policy decisions; the value system underpins everything.
In politics if a party promises something then fails to keep that promise, they lose their credibility, disappoint their supporters, thus risk losing their support.
“No Government should again make the mistake of launching economic reforms without a plan to compensate and help the losers. We are still living with the legacy of failing to help those who lost out in the last big reforms.”
“Act’s productivity commission has proposed penalising owners of older gas guzzlers to subsidise new electric vehicles as part of transitioning NZ to a lower-carbon economy”
Yes, and the Greens seem rather supportive and are considering it. Leaving their commitment to social justice looking rather hollow.
Why do we need to seriously curtail our carbon emissions?
Rail not road freight is a start here.
Firstly take a look at this startling video by a prominent scientists projection data just recovered from satellite long term data from 2008 till now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp5kK0Td-Vc
Pine Island Bay off South America.
This Pine Island glacier” is the size of Texas. – Total collapse will cause a 11ft of sea level rise.
We should all become seriously worried about why national never moved forward on rail or reducing CO2 emissions as they knew this study has going on since 2006 when it begun.
That was why Labour got serious on freight and bought back and was alleviated by this report National produced ; – called “The value of rail in New Zealand” Government report that was hidden by national 2 yrs ago but labour found it again. The study shows rail saves the country $1.5 Billion a year as is but would save vastly more if more rail was used. Report was produced for NZTA/Kiwirail in 2016 by Ernest Young accountants.
Labour should be admired and complimented by buying back our National rail system in 2008, but national has done nothing to move freight back to rail rather they spent their entire 9 yrs closing rail down.
May I ask why on earth we are going on about dictators in Arabia, Assassins in Russia, Egotists and Atomic Bombers in the USA,…..
when we have got awful problems of our own here in New Zealand.
Particularly in sluggish dead Auckland. Drugs, Murder, Violence; Illiteracy; Dishonesty in Parliament ; Obesity; Drugs; Drunkenness; Child neglect; Rape; Fraud; Inability to Build and construct ; Road Carnage; Foul Rivers nationwide; Prisons; Prisons and prisons.
Whilst all the time Aucklanders are pretending it is not happening.
We have a once in 70 yr opportunity to fix NZ up, with a new and young Government.
Let’s get out of the Auckland stupor. National Incompetence. Why on earth stuff around with old half pie wealthly dumb bums of old.
Can you please bin the anti Auckland diatribe – we like all other parts of NZ are composed of individuals with different values, beliefs and behaviours. I hope our new government can work to rectify the damage caused by the Natzional regime and hey I live in Auckland – please neuter that Bee stuck in your bonnet my friend.
The Am Show here we go all the negative storys about farms is just softening up small farmers to sell to big foreign corporation’s that will cut all the trees down destroy mother nature just to make a buck.
The Labour lead Coalition Government will deliver a budget that will deliver to all the peoples NEED’s and the wants mite have to wait a bit.
Yes that negative gearing is just handing more money to people who already have alot of money it needs to be stopped you know how it is the asset owners pay little tax on there income . and the wage earners pay the most.
Duncan my wife is my soul m8 we have been through our ups and downs but we see the big picture in my view and OUR mokopunas and children come first and the rest follow I know that I have a great future ahead of me leading us down the sustainable path it is my destiny.
Albatross are one of my favorite birds I use to watch them for ages gliding above Tangaroa they are great magnificent create who we need insure they have a great future. Ka kite ano .
Newshub Its good news that the ownership of the Warriors Rugby League club is staying in New Zealands hands as We are the only ones that have the best interest for the game and the club and players to prosper Ka pai.
Yes we need to keep up with the Jones on any technology and Artificial Intelligence will be a game changer the Government needs someone like Rod Jury to advise them on this new Technology or we will be left behind in the dust.
Kanye West either needs to take his meds or he is taking to much meds or he is bored and just boosting his twitter hits he has learnt the Trump way of getting noticed .
Eco Maori backs minimum alcohol pricing that will save lives.
One nite Eco Maori felt Ruaumoko in Rotorua the thing was no one else felt him.
Ka kite ano . P.S is that how much PEE is in New Zealand that that University is advising young people how to cope with it after use WTF.
The Crowd Goes Wild I have followed Eric Watson for a few years hes A good Kiwi Business man Many thanks to Eric for doing the right thing for the club game and players by selling to Kiwis ka pai.
James are you sure its your bunions that needs healing there was a episode of Mysfits that British comedy were a girl could heal it did not ened up very good
for her she caught his ailments lol.
That Turkish guy must realy love his soccer getting that crane so he could watch the good game hes a bit like Eco Maori never give up ka pai.
It will be good for the Kiwi run Americas cup having Dean Barker as helmsman for the New York yacht club the rivalry will be there and help promote the races . Ka pai
Ka kite ano P.S thats mean all right that guy riding down a skie slop on his bike
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
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By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Security forces reinforcements were sent from France ahead of two rival marches in the capital Nouméa today, at the same time and only two streets away one from the other. One march, called by Union Calédonienne party (a component of the ...
A poll last August found that just 16% of New Zealanders oppose bringing back the ‘Three Strikes’ law. The nationwide poll of 1,000 New Zealanders was commissioned by Family First NZ and carried out by Curia Market Research. ...
The solo show from Ana Scotney is both sprawling and intimate, and a must-see, writes Mad Chapman. In the opening moments of Scattergun: After the Death of Rūaumoko, writer and performer Ana Scotney lays out the groundwork, literally. Silently moving around the square stage, Scotney is not so much dancing ...
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In the case of New Zealand, the results confirm that there is no popular support for the vicious austerity program being imposed by the National Party-led government, which is backed in all fundamental respects by the opposition Labour Party. ...
The ‘Vampire’ singer has never visited our part of the world, but that might all be about to change. We assess the evidence.Olivia Rodrigo’s Guts World Tour is pulling in massive crowds as it whips around the US and Europe, even helping to catapult regular supporting act Chappell Roan ...
Testing of drinking water in rural Canterbury over the weekend by Greenpeace revealed that several public town supplies were reaching levels of nitrate above 5 mg/L - the threshold which a growing body of scientific evidence has linked to increased ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rohan Fisher, Information Technology for Development Researcher, Charles Darwin University It may come as a surprise to hear 2023 was Australia’s biggest bushfire season in more than a decade. Fires burned across an area eight times as big as the 2019–20 Black ...
Responding to the Government’s announcement of changes to resource management laws, Taxpayers’ Union Executive Director, Jordan Williams, said: “These changes are a step in the right direction in terms of removing ideological and unworkable ...
More than two years after the Human Rights Council called for the establishment of a national human rights commission, such a body has yet to be formed. ...
Comment:An emergency management system with wide variations in performance, significant capability gaps, funding shortfalls and above all a setup that is not meeting the needs of New Zealanders at times of crisis. The Government’s inquiry into the response to Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events in the North ...
Welcome to the whirring wonders of one brain trying to align its actions with its beliefs within a system it thinks is evil. My brain has been spiralling in a woke conundrum ever since I found out a bookshop I’ve never been to was shutting down. Good Books, a bookshop ...
We repeat our call for criminal justice policy to be based on evidence, something the three strikes regime neglects to recognise – with no evidence that it either reduces crime or assists with rehabilitation. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara With only four more seats in the 50-member Parliament yet to be officially declared, there is no outright winner in the Solomon Islands elections. As of Monday, the two largest blocs in the winner’s circle, independents and the incumbent Prime Minister Manasseh ...
Two/fiftyseven is a multi-purpose space hidden in the heart of Wellington that is paving a way for sustainable building and responsible landlording in Aotearoa and beyond.By 2060 the world is predicted to double its entire building stock, which equates to building an entire New York City every 34 days, ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Pepping, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Griffith University Marvin / Shutterstock Are all single people insecure? When we think about people who have been single for a long time, we may assume it’s because single people have insecurities that make ...
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One thing that has puzzled me over the past months is why Iran has been singled out as the bogey-man of the middle east, the funder of terrorists, the purveyor of extremist religious views?
I mean, at the very least, that role should be held by Saudi Arabia, shouldn’t it?
Until I heard Lee Camp (yes, on RT, automatically fake views, so I won’t link to it) point out that Iraq moved away from the petro-dollar shortly before WMD were ‘discovered’ in the country, which necessitated regime change.
And that Libya under Gaddafi was trying to bypass the dollar and the euro and set up a gold dinar for Africa. Which is why NATO and America needed to ‘liberate’ the country from a brutal dictator.
Now, Iran has begun trading in euros, bypassing the dollar. Which might explain why Macron defended the anti-nuclear agreement with Iran that Trump seems hell bent on scrapping. Now Israel has absolute ‘proof’ that Iran has been reneging on its nuclear deal! Regime change coming for Iran?
I have to ask, it this all about preserving America’s world banking domination? The almighty dollar? Or is this view too simplistic?
You are spot on.
China has also done the same and is creating the petro yuan.
We are looking at an Empre fighting to preeserve its preeminent position – at the end of its Empire.
https://www.telesurtv.net/english/news/Experts-Chinese-Petro-Yuan-to-Threaten-US-Petrodollar-Dominance-20180407-0010.html
It’s possibly a small factor.
As in: some people in the decision-making loop would think about the weakening of US soft power and the strengthening of European soft power, as represented by their currencies being hard currencies of international choice.
But it’s a massive stretch to regard it as being a significant motivator for invasion, because very few decision-makers would give a damn about it to that degree. Maybe a few State Department folks with a bee in their bonnets about the soft power value of USD being traded in Timbuktu, but not most people. The primary motivators are hard power: access to bases, access to resources (especially oil), access to markets, and having allied buffer states to head off other global powers.
And, in the case of Iran and Libya, hurt balls because those countries told the yanks to go fuck themselves.
My question at the end of my post was rhetorical.
I think you’re underestimating the importance to America of having the world’s ‘reserve currency,’ It enabled them to print money during the GFC with, up to now, no really bad effects.
But take away that position of strength, and America becomes just another indebted nation – so indebted that it could lead to the collapse of their monetary system.
The consequences to the bankers are enormous, well worth a few million deaths and untold suffering of ‘other people.’
What enabled them to print money was having the biggest pool of consumers in the world. Their hiccup dragged everyone else down, too, so the USD didn’t lose as much ground as it might have done, relative to other nations.
And half of corporate america like a weaker dollar, because it makes their offshore profits look better when transferred to the US.
Except for the fact that they’re not hard currencies. Hard currencies would be backed by gold.
And what would happen if the US$ suddenly dropped to half it’s value?
How would USians respond when they could no longer afford to buy inexpensive imported stuff? National has a point about a decrease in exchange rates being a drop in wages.
So, yeah, I’m pretty sure that every single law maker in the US looks at way to keep the US$ as the Reserve Currency and to keep it highly valued. And as it’s been the Petro-dollar since the US dropped the Gold Standard against international agreements that means ensuring that all oil is priced in US dollars.
Which all means that invasion to keep it that way would definitely be a play that the US lawmakers would make.
What people speculate a currency is worth is no less or more abstract than what people speculate gold is worth.
Sure, dropping to half its value is an issue for an import-dominated economy. But we, for example (because you brought up national) to better with a low dollar. More export dollars flowing through the economy from the regions, while import dollars largely circulate around the urban and financial centers.
So there are swings and roundabouts to exchange rates. But even if being the primary reserve currency is an advantage, is it more or less of an advantage than guaranteed arms exports to a client state, market access, having a forward base for your forces, and your client state giving your companies cheap access to the state’s natural resources? Would all foreign policy decisionmakers prioritise primary reserve currency status ahead of all of those other factors?
Well, considering that the US’s seems to use invasion to get a client state as well as to control oil then it certainly looks like it’s a major part of it.
They don’t need the oil for the reserve currency. They need the oil for its own sake.
The US needs oil to be traded in US$ to maintain the demand for US$ so as to maintain Reserve status. Kill oil being traded in US$ and the demand for US$ drops and it’s reserve status questioned and, finally, dropped.
As I say, in reality it’s Reserve status should have been dropped when the US dropped the Gold Standard. Freely floating currencies don’t have any need for a Reserve Currency.
Yeah they do – they’re a hedge. Your lira goes down to levels unsuitable for your economy but you think it’ll bottom out soon, you can raise the seabed a little and temporarily by buying up lira with the francs you have in your vault. And vice versa.
Just like physical gold reserves. Nice shiny bricks.
Doesn’t help if your economy is tanking completely, but does help provide a modicum of stability, which makes your economy stronger in the long term.
We also need to remember that old Saddam tried to or did trade his oil in EUR dollars quite successfully until he was knocked off. If we going back prior to the 2nd or 3rd gulf war (depending on who you read on the subject btw). You would find that Iraq/ Saddam was getting more money from trading in EUR than if he was trading in USD which is the international norm for trading in commodities. The result was US was the biggest loser not in the short term, but when we now include the cost of resulting War as well then the US has been the biggest loser with Iraq 2nd by a nose so far and I get the feeling we haven’t heard the last of this either from economic POV or a further outbreak of conflict within the greater Middle East Region.
Even from Australian and New Zealand POV we have also have taken our eye off the ball within the Sth Pacific, Sth East Asia and Antarctic Regions as our focus has on the MER from an Aid, Trade Climate change and Defence POV.
Nope. That’s about it.
Thing is, the US$ should have stopped being the world’s Reserve Currency when the US dropped the Gold Standard in 70/71. As soon as they did that the US$ was no longer the Gold Reserve that the Bretton Woods agreement called for.
Can you post images here? Because the Sunday Times front page from the UK has to be seen to be believed…
Please do!
You can’t post images here but you can put them on to, say, Google drive (if you have a Google account) and then link to that.
“Jesus would have done it”
I seriously doubt it. (Craven images and all that. Not to mention the potential to cement in bitter sectarian animosities with its construction).
Will the grotesque “I have come to save the world” statue of Jesus erected in Saydnaya which towers over the whole area including the notorious death camp, (even being visible from Jordan and Israel), become as notorious in the Moslem world as the ‘Work Makes Free’ sign in Auschwitz Poland. Both symbols being the last things that condemned prisoners saw before entering these two prospective death camps.
https://themoscowtimes.com/articles/muscovite-builds-record-breaking-jesus-statue-in-syria-28831
Though commissioned before the war, the regime ceased all military activity in the region to allow for the statue’s construction.
Amnesty International: Sednaya
Syria’s torture prisons
Wikipedia: Sednaya Prison
Another day.
Another day of head chopping Jihadist propaganda.
Very few people on this site are saying Assad’s regime is pleasant.
But they aren’t taking sides.
And the alternative is way worse.
The headchopping Jihadists aren’t doing Syrian civilians any favours.
Imagine an ISIS style Syria.
The barbarism would be something else.
And if Assad falls they take over.
Do you want that?
When Assad wins, he knows he is in debt to Russia.
And I would imagine Putin will move him on and find a replacement.
Yeah maybe, the Jesus of psychopaths.
As usual Ed, you ignore and gloss over the fact that this giant statue to religious sectarianism is built outside the town of Saydnaya* within eyesight of the notorious Saydnaya extermination camp. Which in my opinion is about as brutal an act of sectarian triumphalism, as if the Germans built a big statue to Jesus in the Polish town of Auschwitz, within eyesight of the Auschwitz death camp at the height of the time that they were murdering people of Jewish faith there.
*There are several versions of the Arabic to English translation of this town’s name.
So Ed, going by the intemperate bigotted Islamphobic slur directed at me by you; Are Amnesty, by your reckoning, also, “head chopping Jihadist propagandists”?
“HUMAN SLAUGHTERHOUSE: MASS HANGINGS AND EXTERMINATION AT SAYDNAYA PRISON, SYRIA”
Amnesty International
Let us know your view.
I know you won’t. And that you limit your ad hominem abuse to personal attacks only, rather than address the issues raised.
But surprise me.
Imperialism bad, Russian imperialism good, huh?
/
Tragic and necessary: https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356326/waitakere-ranges-closure-starts-from-today
A tragedy for kids. How are National’s environmental credentials looking now?
National’s environmental credentials are like a mayfly: it undergoes many changes and has a very short-lived latest form or stage but they do make good fish food.
More National party voters work on the environment here. Canterbury farmer Brent Thomas destroys a threatened native, a third of the surviving population in order to plant oats for feeding dairy herds.
Over-riding National’s environment policy is business. We’ll think about the environment and long as it doesn’t get in the way of business.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/356316/it-s-tragic-farmer-destroys-threatened-native-shrub
How pathetic have DOC become. From what I can make out there was only some old gentleman’s agreement to protect an endangered species from being wiped out.
Another organisation is bringing prosecution, not DOC infact they are calling the guy a ‘good guy’ basically for his actions. Now DOC propose to reward the farmer by giving him money so he doesn’t own other land that he will potentially destroy.
Agree, they are an embarrassment at the moment. Nats got DOC doing the tourist thing earning cash, yet reduced their scope and ability to y’know conserve.
DOC isn’t bringing a prosecution because, just like Forest & Bird, it isn’t a relevant party to any proceedings.
And on the face of it, what Thomas has done isn’t illegal, so there is that too.
So the Department of Conservation can’t do anything if someone wants to nearly wipe out an endangered species on their own land? That’s ridiculous. The fact it rings true in this case shows how much they’ve dropped the ball.
Muehlenbeckia astonii is not rare or threatened although local populations on Kaitorete Spit may have been affected by the reported development. The ideologues in DoC persist in trying to preserve flora and fauna in geographically limited locations whereas history shows diversification (of locations) has proven more successful.
So spraying the local population to make way for oats is the right thing to do? Sounds like a National Party approach to conservation.
In that case let’s kill off the remaining panda in the wild and just breed more of them in zoos because they do better under our watch 🙄
And the plant is endangered, look it up.
The NZ Plant Conservation Network does list the plant as endangered but don’t state their criterion for that assessment. One can buy seed by the kilogram and I grow thousands of M. astonii a year for my revegetation projects – so in my view, the plant is not rare or endangered.
For a number of reasons, DoC has had limited success in conserving habitats. That of course should be the priority. But given the reality, growing the plant in a number of different locations, including botanic gardens, is preferable to extinction.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has a classification for species that are ‘extinct in the wild’, that classification comes after ‘endangered’ and ‘critically endangered’.
In conservation terms, if you have to put a species in a cage or in some potting mix to keep it alive then it’s basically extinct.
Some people buy a rare species like kakabeak at a garden centre and then go and put it in their garden. I’m sure some of these people think they’re doing a good thing by increasing their numbers, but all they’re doing is gardening, not anything to do conservation.
The IUCN also recognise the role of ‘conservation horticulture’ in the management of rare, threatened and endangered flora. I guess that’s why DoC have their Motukarara plant nursery. Sometimes, intervention is more effective than the alternative.
If you send me your postal address, I’ll courier you 10 Muehlenbeckia astonii that you can plant in your garden so you’ll be able to feel your restricted definition of ‘conservation’ is less futile.
2017 election results
Epsom party vote Green 3263
Mangere party vote Green 760
Why wouldnt national go after a share of the ‘well off greens’ party vote?
If National is or had been more environmentally conscious and genuinely committed it might attract a greater share of the so-called (well off) green vote. On the other hand, National is much more conscious of and committed to votes, first and foremost, and will ‘adjust’ any policy and ‘adopt’ just about anything to get those votes – the end justifies the means. National has it all back to front: profit & growth before social equality and justice, businesses & economy before the environment & climate change, greed & entitlement before compassion & social welfare, and, above all, power & control. So, I respectfully disagree with you.
100% Incognito;
National wont care about the environment as they showed this for nine years and we now have poor water quality worse than other countries do.
I hoped that with Simon Bridges at the lead of national, they may become more environmentally savvy but no they haven’t sadly for NZ.
I think they are doing green camouflage too.
I was just pointing out why they are doing it. The reality is a lot of Green party votes come from very well off electorates which could be susceptible to going to them.
But will it work ?
“The reality is a lot of Green party votes come from very well off electorates”
Interesting – do you have a link for that?
Look up the election votes online , or do it by looking at Wikipedia for the electorates names. Most have the last few election results in detail.
Surely you dont have blinkers on to what has been plain for ages, its not a startling revelation.
Are Auckland Central and Wellington Central teeming with poverty and disadvantage or covered with $1.5 mill plus homes.
Another place to look is the huge difference in Dunedin North and Dunedin South. The poorer electorate has half the greens vote of its better off neighbor.
No, I don’t think so. In fact, raising awareness among those so-called blue-green voters might even cause blue voters to go green. They will have to run an extremely subtle and highly targeted campaign to make it work IMHO and I don’t believe the current Opposition as a whole can pull that off.
In my view, the well-off Green voter in Epsom will be well-off regardless of who’s in government. I think they generally are high & dry and likely to be more concerned about the future of the environment for their children and grandchildren. They realise that their vote is much more important for the Green Party and that this party is more likely to make policies that are positive for the environment than National. Think about it, your vote counts more for a small party like the Greens than for the largest party (National). Nobody likes to be just a number on an electoral role; we all want to make some kind of impact …
Racism in action. Huri seems like a good man who cares for the community
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/103137846/police-politics-and-race-long-and-anguished-tale-of-constabularys-relationship-with-mori
(Wait.. “mori”?!)
You should include the conclusion to make it clear for those just flicking through
ie “Measures designed to reduce the prosecution of maori for smaller offences seem to benefit pakeha more”
“mori”.
I suspect it may be a problem with the macron in the word.
It may not be acceptable in the link to the article. Anyone actually know what the limitations are?
I see that the macron is present throughout the article in the paper.
Might have been better to use the spelling “maori” without the macron though in the link.
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30401962/what-are-the-legal-and-illegal-characters-in-url-link
The link is probably automatically generated upon the name of the article and also automatically removes illegal characters.
Yes. That would certainly make sense.
It fits exactly with the heading in the paper.
Man from the 1840’s debates Māori democratic representation with future race relations commissioner. Juddy you’re the man!
http://www.maoritelevision.com/news/politics/don-brash-and-andrew-judd-debate-maori-equality
Have you ever considered putting an apostrophe after the ‘o’ in your handle Mister Duke?
It’d more accurately describe that dainty wee disposition ( complete with its ideology ) you come from (going forward)
Duke o’ Furl perhaps ?
It comes from a song name num’skull
Still no sign of weka I think. Hope she’s ok.
And don’t recall oAB being around for a bit either
Bloke and Bill got involved in some biffo – he’s still on a ban I believe.
Re – Weka hope she’s fine, she may just have got fed up with the site and the moderating which is quite understandable.
Last post was the election of Marama , which she was excited about.
Maybe shes now working for Marama ??
Two Syrias
I came across this video, the footage taken in Damascus and this reporter’s experience of Damascus, which one person she spoke to likened to 1984, reminded me very strongly of my time in pre war Latakia. The suffocating presence of the dictator’s image everywhere. Weirdly the video footage filmed in Latakia of people holidaying at a beachside resort, is something that I don’t recognise at all as being of Latakia. Not even Latakia in peace time. The version of Latakia in this video is completely alien to me.
Not saying that this side of Latakia wasn’t there, I just never saw it. Of course this might be because I shared my time between the Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of Latakia and the city centre and the featurless working class suburbs. Funnily enough the refugee camp in Latakia where I spent most of my time, was also on the seashore. No one spent anytime there however, and I never saw anyone swimming, maybe because the makeshift sewers from the camp flowed straight into the water.
Seeing the version of this other Syria in this video, I wouldn’t have minded spending a little time there, just to get away from the dreary and repressive reality of the rest of this town.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESWCzPy7SgQ
How did you get out alive?
Hi Gabby, I was in Syria prior to the war, not during it. But even then there were a couple of times, I worried about that. Unnecessarily, as it turned out. But still, the all pervading claustrophobic almost suffocating feeling of being in a police state, that I felt, is well captured by this reporter’s visit to Damascus. The dictator’s image everywhere, the ever present armed police and army presence everywhere. The need by the citizens to pledge allegiance to the dictator at the mere mention of his name. If it wasn’t so tragic it would be funny, The rather portly man who pulls out a picture of the dictator and lays it on the hood of a car at a wedding, and feeling the camera on him, feels compelled, rather awkwardly I thought, to salute the dictator’s image, (presumably just in case he wasn’t perceived as being loyal enough).
Was it like that before the US started a civil war there?
The US started the civil war?
Indications are that they certainly had a hand in it:
So, if the US hadn’t funded the opposition would there still have been a civil war?
It takes more than a TV station and a journalist to shoot hungry protestors.
The US has been supporting the FSA since sometime near the beginning as well as other armed groups.
Supporting groups after they’d armed themselves and started shooting isn’t starting the civil war, is it?
By that logic the Russians and Hezbollah started the civil war, too.
You mean, was it like that before the people revolted?
Yes it was.
So, a civil war that has raged for 6+ years has made absolutely no difference?
Yeah, no.
Draco,
What I was referring to, was the stifling police state atmosphere captured by this video in Damascus, which I found very reminiscent of my time in Latakia, the omnipresence of dictator’s image everywhere, the omnipresence of police and army everywhere. This was the reality of Syria which I was familiar with and which, one off camera, Syrian likened to, being Winston Smith in George Orwell’s 1984.
What you are referring to, is the destruction wrought by the regime on the Syrian people in revolt, captured in the link you supplied.
And thanks for supplying this.
From the link you supplied:
“Syria ‘before and after’ photos reveal war’s terrifying toll”
“WE’VE been accused of ignoring what’s going on in this once “normal” city. But the before and after photos are pretty hard to forget.”
The war it seems, is also a long way from affluent people, even in Syria. The images of Latakia captured in the video I supplied, was of people holidaying at a luxury beach resort untouched by the war. This was a revelation to me, these images were completely alien to anything I experienced in Latakia. They were scenes completely unlike anything I ever saw during my time in that city, even in peace time.
To me Latakia was the grim featureless tower blocks in the working class suburbs with out a park or bit of greenery, or child’s playground, and the jumbled over-crowded Palestinian refugee camp on the outskirts of the city which was later strafed and shelled by the regime from warships off the coast, which I witnessed as it was happening by live feed back in Auckland. (And don’t dare tell me that this live feed was faked, I knew this camp well).
More from the link you supplied:
Grant Robertson promises a surplus
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/103510950/grant-robertson-promises-a-surplus-and-defends-budget-responsibility-rules
Wonder if that will appease the half a million or so Kiwis who can’t afford to see a doctor?
“Keep that impatience in mind. Because after nine years of media complacency about the systematic underfunding of the health system by the National government – as signified by the steady erosion since 2010, of the share of GDP devoted to Vote Health – we are now being invited to have a cow because the coalition government isn’t fixing all the problems in public health within nine months!
Yes, on the campaign trail last year Labour had aimed to make doctors’ visits cheaper by July 1st 2018. But because of the raft of other problems that National left behind them in public health, this aim may need to be delayed a tad by the coalition government until sometime later during its first term. At that rate, it will still be achieving in one term what its predecessor failed to do in triple that time.”
http://werewolf.co.nz/2018/05/gordon-campbell-on-health-promises-bp-and-the-white-house-correspondents-furore/
Chill Homer
I merely asked a question, Pat. Therefore, it is you that requires to chill.
But as for your defensive response, I’ll address it.
I don’t think most were expecting changes over night, but considering Labour are fully aware investing in primary care helps to avoid health problems worsening to the point where they need expensive hospital treatment, I think most would have expected it to be a high priority.
Leaving it to fester will add to the cost of public health Labour are trying to get on top of.
/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A0l93Bzgbw
.
Sea lioning (also spelled sealioning and sea-lioning) is a type of Internet trolling which consists of bad-faith requests for evidence, or repeated questions, the purpose of which is not clarification or elucidation, but rather an attempt to derail a discussion or to wear down the patience of one’s opponent
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_lioning
Cut out the troll crap. What’s your position on the matter?
Cat got your tongue, Joe?
Seeing as it seems you don’t want to partake in a discussion on the matter. Some may think you only posted that troll crap to derail the discussion.
That’s joe.
Usually a barbed comment about Russia.
Not those who have read your concern trolling for a while, Chairperson. They will think the video quite apt.
You’re JAQing off.
That little jab merely confirms my point, Joe. Thanks.
You post under the guise of I merely asked a question, Pat, so you fit the bill, you’re a concern troll JAQing off.
Labour claim they believe they have the balance about right, hence the question was relevant, thus legit. Presenting an opening for a discussion, which you attempted to derail with your off topic troll crap. And you are persisting to do so. Therefore, if anybody is trolling here, it’s you Joe.
Maximising the good.
The govt probably figure that improving the lot of those half million but phasing in direct action on GP fees has a higher chance of keeping the government stable and continuing those improvements after reelection, than lowering all those fees and being portrayed by you and other tories as forcing the country into bankruptcy through fiscal lunacy, losing the election, and having a nat government reintroduce those fees and then increase them further still.
Option a) concernobot says “half a million kiwis abandoned”;
Option b) concernobot says “country on brink of bankruptcy, TINA!!!”
As I highlighted above, leaving it to fester will add to the cost of public health Labour are trying to get on top of.
Which, as you put it, would be fiscal lunacy. Thus, would be more likely to attract the insinuation of bankruptcy you’re concerned about.
But it didn’t, did it? You and national expressed concern for the poor, not the economic feasibility of the nation. The belated mention of cost was certainly not made in relation to the overall budget, maintainiing a surplus, or anything else.
Very different to option b.
“But it didn’t, did it?”
It’s yet to happen. Moreover, attracting the insinuation of bankruptcy was your concern, not mine.
It’s not a concern, as such.
It’s simply an observation that no matter what this government does, the nats and you find something to moan about. Today, a fiscally responsible act is criticised for supposedly hurting the poor. Tomorrow, a policy that helps the poor will have some other criticism levelled at it.
“Today, a fiscally responsible act is criticised for supposedly hurting the poor”
No, it’s far from fiscally responsible. Investing in primary health care now helps avoid health problems worsening to the point where they need expensive hospital treatment. And Labour know this.
Yes indeed. I’m shocked, shocked that you didn’t raise this very serious and honest concern immediately.
Why are you so lax on fiscal issues? If you want to be taken seriously when you raise these important concerns, you really shouldn’t make the amateurish mistake of leaving these very important issues until other people directly confront you.
I’m only pointing out your neglect of this issue so you can lift your game and really make an impact on political discourse in the country. The nation deserves better.
I can only agree with McFlock’s fair and accurate assessment of your abysmal failings, Chairman.
Satire and reality are getting really blurred- Brilliant work by Dave Armstrong, but would it register with the people it needs to register with?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/103487100/dave-armstrong-the-reasons-why-work-and-income-doesnt-work
This is the Minister’s speech from this morning.
It is solid.
He remains confident that definitely has the money.
He also remains confident that he can achieve almost all of his campaign promises while also lowering debt.
http://img.scoop.co.nz/media/pdfs/1805/Grant_Robertson_preBudget_speech_1_May.pdf
There’s plenty to argue about in it, but also plenty that is rock solid.
I think that’s OK to expect in the first budget.
“He can achieve almost all of his campaign promises”
“Almost all” doesn’t sound all that “solid” to me.
Labour believe they have the balance (between debt repayment and expenditure) about right, hence it will be interesting to see if voters confirm that.
It’s definitely all on Roberston in 17 days.
But his performance was solid this morning.
He knows he has a lot of money to spend and he’s going to make a difference.
My mental framing assisted if I think of this government located on a spectrum between Clark and English: nowhere near as bold or programmatic as Clark and Cullen, both National and Labour happy to spend public funding if it can be proven to work, but like English in that they are sufficiently fiscally disciplined to reach for surpluses. It’s impossible for any MSM commentator to disagree with.
They are very clearly going to throw everything they have at housing, transport, health, and education.
They are going to do little of note in tax.
They don’t have a integrated plan for government or for New Zealand.
They are going to spend towards what they state on the tin:
strong public services and networks.
The country will be sufficiently agreeable to that.
To me “almost all” means what it says; to National it means 44.4%.
There has never been and there never will be a budget that pleases each and every voter.
How and when will voters confirm your concern?
“To me “almost all” means what it says”
Exactly, hence the problem.
No one expects them to please everybody. But many generally expect a promise to be kept.
“How and when will voters confirm your concern?”
From the decline in support we have seen in the polls before and will no doubt see again.
How many promises did they (Labour, NZF, and Greens as individual parties) make during the election campaign?
How many promises did they keep after the election and which they collectively agreed on in the coalition agreement and C & S agreement?
And remember, not all promises are equal.
Yes, I expected you to mention the polls; public polls, internal polls, anecdotal polls, personal feedback polls, C & W polls, etc.
He might argue that ‘if elected, a labour govmnt will…’ promises would have more moral force had a labour govmnt been elected, which it wasn’t chairie.
LOL brilliant – we cannot be held to any promised made by “labour” because a labour government has not been elected.
Best argument ever Gobby – I would love for them to come out and say that.
oh – and just to burst your bubble – it is a labour covernment – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sixth_Labour_Government_of_New_Zealand
So yeah – labour were elected. They just are continuing to break promises.
It’s MMP. Labour’s promises as a government are in the agreements they signed with NZ First and the Greens.
No party gets to implement their whole campaign platform, as the Nats and their supporters seem to be struggling to learn.
Yeah sure – try and convince yourself that is what the normal person on the street thinks.
“try and convince yourself that is what the normal person on the street thinks”
Oh there’s obviously scope for a public education campaign, including for a fair few ‘journalists’ editors and publishers who should know better by now.
Trolling glee? You are coming across a bit desperate James.
Not really glee.
But – if you are happy with the broken promises – then good for you.
James, your comments are becoming increasingly ridiculous. You really need to think more clearly if you want anyone to take you seriously.
James.
The election policy said:
Reduced Doctors fees From July 2018
Its politics to expand the policy ‘from’ whenever
or by NOT doing it ‘from’ July 2018 is a broken promise.
Simple really.
Jus puttin on my Ponyboy’s not the PM hat jimbo, I ashleigh don’t find wikipeda personally credible. Enithiday.
okaaaaaaaaaaay …. so you dont believe that that the country is being run by the 6th Labour government – then who is?
From your link, James.
You know what “heading” means here, James?
And you know what a “coalition government” is, James, and a “confidence and supply agreement”?
National has failed to deliver on all its election promises so far.
Are you disappointed? I’m not. I didn’t vote for them.
Quite frankly, I am shocked by this blatant breaking of election promises when they got a vote majority (44.4%) and are the single largest party in Parliament. This is not good for democracy, I say.
I save my disappointments and concerns for my own personal shortcomings and missteps in life of which there are too many to mention. Life is one hell of a journey without destination …
Questioning and expressing political concern is part of a healthy democracy.
I agree, it is a part but on its own it is rather inefficient and ineffective. Democracy can be so much more than justquestioning and expressing political concerns to others and waiting for an answer or reply from them. Do you see what I’m getting at and where I’m going with this?
It’s tends to be far more effective when large numbers express their concern or outrage. Thus, if we all took your personal stance of not expressing it, it would be totally ineffective.
And yes, a healthy democracy is more than that, hence why I said it was part of it.
“Promises would have more moral force had a labour govmnt been elected, which it wasn’t chairie.”
When Labour made that promise, it was largely accepted they wouldn’t govern alone.
Which is confirming the point that Gabby made @ 13.
No, it doesn’t. It highlights they knew there was little chance of them governing alone when the promise was made.
They didn’t even know they were going to have the numbers to form a government of some description! NZF held the balance of power; only they were reasonably confident of being in the next government. That is the point. Once in Government you make different kinds of ‘promises’ because you can reasonably expect to be able to deliver on them.
“They didn’t even know they were going to have the numbers to form a government of some description!”
Yes, but they also knew there was little to no chance of them governing alone when the promise was made. Which is the point.
Once in Government there was no mention the promise wouldn’t be upheld until the other day when we were given some indication it is likely to be phased in. And this is after they made more from the tax take than was expected.
The way Labour are going (delaying policy implementation) they’ll be largely campaigning on the same policies at the next election as they did in the last one.
I see, they must only make promises that they are absolutely 100% certain and guaranteed to keep, no matter what, Scout’s Honour.
Actually, I can see where you’re coming from but it is way too rigid and legalistic to be practical. I think it would be less confusing if they campaigned more on values as the basis of policy decisions; the value system underpins everything.
“I see, they must only make promises that they are absolutely 100% certain and guaranteed to keep, no matter what, Scout’s Honour.”
If they want to maintain their credibility, thus future support and not disappoint, then yes.
I don’t think binary thinking is a fruitful pursuit in general and most certainly not in politics.
How do you cope with the consensus approach of the Green Party?
In politics if a party promises something then fails to keep that promise, they lose their credibility, disappoint their supporters, thus risk losing their support.
Act’s productivity commission has proposed penalising owners of older gas guzzlers to subsidise new electric vehicles as part of transitioning NZ to a lower-carbon economy. Not so fast, writes Bernard Hickey:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/04/30/106833/help-the-old-bomb-owners-this-time
“No Government should again make the mistake of launching economic reforms without a plan to compensate and help the losers. We are still living with the legacy of failing to help those who lost out in the last big reforms.”
Poor people will have trains to look at. Chuff chuffing off to where they don’t work.
The full rail, tram and bus network will connect all over the region – but it is years away yet.
They just need to hang in there.
“Act’s productivity commission has proposed penalising owners of older gas guzzlers to subsidise new electric vehicles as part of transitioning NZ to a lower-carbon economy”
Yes, and the Greens seem rather supportive and are considering it. Leaving their commitment to social justice looking rather hollow.
Why do we need to seriously curtail our carbon emissions?
Rail not road freight is a start here.
Firstly take a look at this startling video by a prominent scientists projection data just recovered from satellite long term data from 2008 till now.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp5kK0Td-Vc
Pine Island Bay off South America.
This Pine Island glacier” is the size of Texas. – Total collapse will cause a 11ft of sea level rise.
We should all become seriously worried about why national never moved forward on rail or reducing CO2 emissions as they knew this study has going on since 2006 when it begun.
That was why Labour got serious on freight and bought back and was alleviated by this report National produced ; – called “The value of rail in New Zealand” Government report that was hidden by national 2 yrs ago but labour found it again. The study shows rail saves the country $1.5 Billion a year as is but would save vastly more if more rail was used. Report was produced for NZTA/Kiwirail in 2016 by Ernest Young accountants.
http://www.kiwirail.co.nz/uploads/Publications/The%20Value%20of%20the%20Rail%20in%20New%20Zealand.pdf
Labour should be admired and complimented by buying back our National rail system in 2008, but national has done nothing to move freight back to rail rather they spent their entire 9 yrs closing rail down.
+1
Our Own Mess
May I ask why on earth we are going on about dictators in Arabia, Assassins in Russia, Egotists and Atomic Bombers in the USA,…..
when we have got awful problems of our own here in New Zealand.
Particularly in sluggish dead Auckland. Drugs, Murder, Violence; Illiteracy; Dishonesty in Parliament ; Obesity; Drugs; Drunkenness; Child neglect; Rape; Fraud; Inability to Build and construct ; Road Carnage; Foul Rivers nationwide; Prisons; Prisons and prisons.
Whilst all the time Aucklanders are pretending it is not happening.
We have a once in 70 yr opportunity to fix NZ up, with a new and young Government.
Let’s get out of the Auckland stupor. National Incompetence. Why on earth stuff around with old half pie wealthly dumb bums of old.
Can you please bin the anti Auckland diatribe – we like all other parts of NZ are composed of individuals with different values, beliefs and behaviours. I hope our new government can work to rectify the damage caused by the Natzional regime and hey I live in Auckland – please neuter that Bee stuck in your bonnet my friend.
I see more people from rural NZ ignoring the problems than I do those from Auckland.
Aucklanders know that we have problems. We also know that the rural areas have problems like dairying.
Can we please not be invited to any more Auckland Goff parties?
Hi Barfly
It is good that you are facing the facts. I admire you for that.
Our biggest city is defective – and need not be. Only Aucklanders can turn things around.
BLASTED LIMBS, BROKEN DREAMS
Israeli gunfire is taking a severe toll on the lower limbs of Palestinian protesters
http://normanfinkelstein.com/2018/04/30/even-awful-washington-post-better-than-the-new-york-sturmer-times/
That didn’t take long. A labour / nz first government up to its old tricks
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/103508670/labour-mp-ruth-dyson-error-led-to-wrongful-spending-accusation
So easy to just pull it out of the drawer, dust it off, implement the plan but forget about the reaction
The Am Show here we go all the negative storys about farms is just softening up small farmers to sell to big foreign corporation’s that will cut all the trees down destroy mother nature just to make a buck.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/103518908/wealthy-australian-buys-more-rural-land-near-gisborne
The Labour lead Coalition Government will deliver a budget that will deliver to all the peoples NEED’s and the wants mite have to wait a bit.
Yes that negative gearing is just handing more money to people who already have alot of money it needs to be stopped you know how it is the asset owners pay little tax on there income . and the wage earners pay the most.
Duncan my wife is my soul m8 we have been through our ups and downs but we see the big picture in my view and OUR mokopunas and children come first and the rest follow I know that I have a great future ahead of me leading us down the sustainable path it is my destiny.
Albatross are one of my favorite birds I use to watch them for ages gliding above Tangaroa they are great magnificent create who we need insure they have a great future. Ka kite ano .
Newshub Its good news that the ownership of the Warriors Rugby League club is staying in New Zealands hands as We are the only ones that have the best interest for the game and the club and players to prosper Ka pai.
Yes we need to keep up with the Jones on any technology and Artificial Intelligence will be a game changer the Government needs someone like Rod Jury to advise them on this new Technology or we will be left behind in the dust.
Kanye West either needs to take his meds or he is taking to much meds or he is bored and just boosting his twitter hits he has learnt the Trump way of getting noticed .
Eco Maori backs minimum alcohol pricing that will save lives.
One nite Eco Maori felt Ruaumoko in Rotorua the thing was no one else felt him.
Ka kite ano . P.S is that how much PEE is in New Zealand that that University is advising young people how to cope with it after use WTF.
The Crowd Goes Wild I have followed Eric Watson for a few years hes A good Kiwi Business man Many thanks to Eric for doing the right thing for the club game and players by selling to Kiwis ka pai.
James are you sure its your bunions that needs healing there was a episode of Mysfits that British comedy were a girl could heal it did not ened up very good
for her she caught his ailments lol.
That Turkish guy must realy love his soccer getting that crane so he could watch the good game hes a bit like Eco Maori never give up ka pai.
It will be good for the Kiwi run Americas cup having Dean Barker as helmsman for the New York yacht club the rivalry will be there and help promote the races . Ka pai
Ka kite ano P.S thats mean all right that guy riding down a skie slop on his bike