Stop trade agreements that limit rights of citizens to know where their food is coming from and how it is processed!!
“‘Chinese chicken’ will soon have a whole new meaning, as the US Department of Agriculture [USDA] recently gave the green-light to four chicken processing plants in China, allowing chicken raised and slaughtered in the US to be exported to China for processing, and then shipped back to the US and sold on grocery shelves here.”
Due to the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL) and it’s subsequent repeal in the Dec., 2015, omnibus bill, the imported processed poultry will not require a country-of-origin label. Additionally, US inspectors will not be on site at processing plants in China before it is shipped to the United States for human consumption.
In 2006 the Bush White House approved the USDA request to certify Chinese facilities for the processing of US-raised poultry. Once processed, these chickens would be shipped back to the US market for sale. Severe health problems arising from the way food is processed in China resulted in Congress defunding this certification program.
China “appealed to the World Trade Organization, which ruled in 2009 that Congress’s treatment of the country was unfair. Funding was restored and the process of approval began again. A series of USDA audits followed, all of which found China unfit to process U.S. poultry. Then, in 2013, without further inspection, the agency granted four Chinese plants certification.”
Fran O’Sullivan pimps for large corporates and forced trade agreements for the 2nd week running.
‘After TPP – fine-tuning to get full value’
Notice the assumption, the TPP is a done deal. By writing that, O’Sullivan is trying to persuade the ever diminishing band of Herald readers that it’s all over. My, some people would sell their country away for a few pieces of silver.
Does the fine tuning include making rushed changes to our domestic laws soon after Feb 4 while the US just sits on this agreement for years. This is a foreign corporate takeover as far as I can tell.
Yes, heard it.
People like Brash do not care about ordinary New Zealanders.
From the Hollow Men wikipedia article.
‘The book describes Brash’s rise to power in the New Zealand National Party as being assisted by an “informal network of people from the right of New Zealand politics”, including a number of ACT members, and alleges the funding of the National Party in the 2005 election was mainly from prominent New Zealand businessmen through blind trusts.’
Seems like people who do not care about democracy or NZ wanted Brash to become PM. When that failed, they put their money behind Key.
Rosemary McD mentioned this on Saturday, and there didn’t seem much I could add then. Last year I had been working on a timeline of the SDHB Compass foodoutsourcing/ Board sacking/ Comissioneer installing story, but it was getting way too long and involved for a post, so was discontinued. Besides, it just angried up the blood way too much.:
A Dunedin woman says she had better food growing up in a Nazi-occupied country than the ‘‘disgusting” meals on wheels trucked from Auckland and Tauranga…
The Otago Daily Times reported on Saturday that fears have emerged about the viability of the volunteer delivery system run by Age Concern Otago, because of cancellations and shrinking delivery runs…
Aileen Baker (89), of Dunedin, said she was likely to cancel the ‘‘dreadful” meals. Her neighbour received St Barnabas Trust meals on wheels, which were excellent but more expensive than the health board service…
The meals were not supposed to be reheated, but Mrs Baker was doing so anyway, as she was used to eating a portion later in the day. Anne Marie Parsons (74), of Dunedin, said she had no choice but to continue with the meals, as at $5 a day they were cheaper than alternatives.
Age Concern executive officer Susan Davidson said the organisation had noticed the runs had become smaller, but did not have a full understanding of the situation yet.
“Overall, the runs do seem to be smaller,” she said.
Cancellations are handled by the health board, and Age Concern did not know how many people had ditched the service…
“If the meals are not satisfactory and people choose to leave that service in droves, it will affect us. It will affect our ability to organise the volunteer delivery of meals on wheels.”
The health board is staying tight-lipped about the number of cancellations in the past couple of weeks, and did not respond to a question on the subject yesterday.
The trial run for Compass/ Medirest meals on Wheels was at Christmas, and didn’t go well – so these issues can hardly be a surprise:
Diana Graham said she was ‘‘absolutely shocked” when she saw what her friend, whom she did not want to name, was given.
‘‘If this is what we can expect in the future from this new Compass Group which has taken over, I really fear for the health and wellbeing of our sick and elderly in our community.
‘‘These people must be making a huge profit at the expense of our sick and elderly,” she said.
The meagre meal her friend was given consisted of tiny bits of potato, two very small bits of broccoli and diced bits of pumpkin, a ‘‘minute sliver of white sauce” and two and a-half paper-thin slices of dry turkey, with gravy too salty for her friend to eat…
The Christmas Day meal was the first frozen meal trucked down from Auckland.
‘‘They are back to normal being made by the kitchen at the moment.”
Thanks Pasupial and Rosemary. I have to say the rage factor is very high for me on this one too. The sheer incompetence that tells elderly people what time of day to eat and gives them measly portions and basically treats them like stock units. Wheels on Meals bought to you by Federated Farmers.
Fuck you National and Act parties (yes all of you) and voters, and fuck you Jonathon Coleman, and fuck you Peter Dunn.
Here are the Health Portfolio contacts if anyone wants to talk to the responsible people,
Hi pasupial, I have kept half an eye on this issue thru last year.
What peeves the most ( blood boiling indeed), is the well renumerated looking to trim fat from their budget, by having the most vulnerable bear the brunt of the boards penny pinching.
Why o why can’t these decisions be viewed from a wider lens?
Eg social cost, carbon footprint, nutritional value.
It reminds me of toll buying their locos from China because they were25% cheaper. Ironically another recent kick in the teeth for Dunedin workers.
Here’s my coverage of that meeting where the majority of the elected board (bar two) voted to accept the Compass contract – after the public were excluded:
The reasoning seemed to be that if they didn’t, then the board would be sacked and a commissioner appointed who would do it anyway. So what happened? They voted for the outsourcing and were soon sacked leaving the new commissioner’s hands clean. The term of democratic hiatus was supposed to be just until the next local elections, then late last year it turned out that the commissioner hadn’t even assembled her staff yet, so it had to be extended to 2019.
This required legislation in parliament, and what was the local Labour MP’s response to this ECaning of the SDHB?
The Labour Party voted for the Bill, but it was opposed by New Zealand First and the Green Party.
The Government is taking the unprecedented step of removing the embattled health board from the 2016 local body elections and extending the commissioner regime until 2019, despite earlier promising the next election would go ahead as usual…
Dunedin North MP David Clark told the Otago Daily Times Labour believed the commissioner’s good work might be lost if a health board election was held next year.
Dunedin North MP David Clark said he did not have a ”crystal ball” and did not know what, if anything, Labour – if elected in 2017 – would do to change the arrangements at the Southern DHB.
Dr Clark said the Government had become incredibly protective about information pertaining to the Southern board, so it was hard to know what was going on.
Really? The idea of talking to his constituents is obviously too much for Clark to contemplate. Fuck that shithead!! The only good thing I have to say about him is that he isn’t Michael Woodhouse.
The only board member who remains democratically accountable is Richard Thomson, who is still a city councillor while acting as deputy commissioner. As he voted for the compass plan at that closed meeting, I suspect that he will lose his place in next year’s council election. I sure as hell won’t be putting him very high up the list!
So he’ll only have the $900/ day he gets in his new job (the commissioner gets $1400/ day).
when do we stop playing by their rules, and start doing stuff for ourselves.
a fight can’t be won by fighting against someone who writes the rules and judges the outcomes.
is there an option of a local group starting up a local food supply initiative, with food from community gardens, donated food and labour?
harvesting, preperation, cooking and drop off by volunteers/community groups.
scouts, rotary, schools, retired folk.
start small and sure, maybe have a small premium to start with and grow the service.
i know there is lots of knowledge and experience sitting in retirement villages and council flats just waiting to be organized/utilized.
+100 to you Gsays. No you’re not naive. Neither are you an effete anti-social like The Gauche Man Key. Your comments mark our community being taken away from us. In favour of a small percentage of already fabulously wealthy people distinguished by their narcissism, sociopathy, and greed. Key to a tee. We will come up with answers !
“Dunedin North MP David Clark said he did not have a ”crystal ball” ”
Or any balls at all?
You know…this shit has to stop, but won’t unless Labour pulls whatever from out its collective aft crevasse and totally refuses to back…in fact kick up mega shit…when National pulls anti democratic stunts like this.
Free Tertiary for Three Years is all very well…but it is the bedrock that is being undermined….
If miracles happen and they ever get to the government benches there will be nothing solid left for them to build on.
Hi draco, I am teeing up an exit interview with my rural cafe owner boss.
The main bug bear is low staffing levels.
Now I all too well know, the perils of being overstaffed- cruise mode, some one else will do.it …
When wages are 40% of yr income you have to be careful.
Surely one of these business minded execs could see the wider good of investing in their communities. The pay off isn’t: on this years balance sheet, it occurs on someone elses or on yours in years down the line.
I do this with my meagre income even easier with someone else’s money.
Norway has announced that the armament of its police officers, which began in 2014, will cease “as soon as possible” after it was no longer deemed necessary.
A raised terror threat level saw officers ordered to carry firearms at all times in November 2014, but the measure was described as temporary….
…The Police Directorate announced plans to end the armament on 13 November 2015, but it was extended after the Paris terror attacks hit that same evening.
Police have announced once again that the armament will cease, with the Police Directorate saying that “there are no longer grounds to continue”.
“Since Lynton Crosby OBE started showing off about his “dead cat” news management methods, we can now see dead cats coming a mile off, like smallpox-infected pigs catapulted over the walls of a besieged medieval citadel, and a political gaff one might once have forgiven as a thoughtless slip of the tongue, we now realise is in fact a cynically scripted media misdirection strategy.
In short, if Cameron said “bunch of migrants” by accident, he is a dick, but if he said it on purpose, in order to draw the eye, dead-cat-style, away from the Google atrocity, which he did, then he is a bastard, which is worse.
Increasingly, the once proud visionary dreamer of the “big society” is like those sleazy guys they warn you about on posters at railway stations, who call your attention to an imaginary problem while pick-pocketing your wallet and grabbing your genitals. David Cameron is the Cologne New Year’s Eve of British politics. “
i heard on the ozzy segment on rnz, just before the 9.00am news, an item about immunisation and child care centres.
i dont want to open an immunisation debate.
to me this is wrong.
i see many parallels with mid central health’s policy of not having sugary drinks in the vending machines. instead you can have your sweet soda laced with an accumulative neuro-toxin.
it is disgraceful the hospital holding hands with coke all in the name of a few $ more.
how about getting rid of all the vending machines and having chilled water dispenser instead?
Could this possibly go up as a Guest Post if that’s o.k.? It has some points of connection with Andrew Little’s comments on the Future of Work in his State of the Nation Speech and presents a different point of view.
Politics is Pointless …
That’s the answer. So, what’s the question?
It’s the Economy, Stupid – this is the political equivalent of a black hole that all political discourse gets sucked into.
Almost everything political is put in an economic framework and discussed in economic terms. Our ‘wellbeing’ is described in economic terms, in metrics, data tables and stats dutifully compiled by Treasury. Quality of life that cannot be easily measured or indexed is often ignored. For example, elderly or disabled people living in dignity, dying with dignity (cf. euthanasia debate) are put into the too-hard basket. Economic indicators such as CPI, GDP or Government surplus, for example, get a special status that they don’t deserve and this detracts from dealing with real and pressing issues.
At the same time it is becoming more obvious that all is not well in and with our political system. Democracy is in dire straits according to some. But we have little idea what to do about it, on how to ‘fix’ it. Some political parties are almost tearing themselves apart (AKA ‘soul-searching’) in an attempt to reconquer lost political ground and regain some traction in the polls. Voter turn-out is at an all-time low and still declining. People just want to get on with their lives, which is somewhat ironic given that through politics it is decided what we can and cannot do.
This delicate and dire situation is further threatened by rapid changes in the nature of labour. While productivity is going up the shrinking labour market combined with growing labour force will force wages down. It must be neo-liberal Nirvana when work-seekers compete ferociously with each other for fewer jobs at ever-decreasing pay – a Darwinian struggle for ‘life’ and survival of the fittest. This is literally a race to the bottom.
We are slowly running out of secure well-paid full-time employment in the traditional sense because we may have passed peak-employment some time ago – the precariat is growing. But we are so used to the current situation and conditioned by the economic thinking of our time that we haven’t got a clue what to do.
Our current plight and the ongoing conflict between liberty and equality will not be resolved by clinging to dogmatic orthodoxy or through (new) Schools of Economic Thought and/or economic theories. Neither will a solution be found on the left or right sides of the political divide. I believe that we need a new and different approach.
What might this look like? Well, it seems that our behaviour is conditioned to a large degree, i.e. it depends on and is influenced by many factors but foremost by cultural and societal forces and we, in turn, collectively exert these influences on the members of our society, i.e. on ourselves! So, if we could integrate our own internal conflicting personality traits and resolve swings between empathy and cooperation, or group solidarity, on the one hand, and selfishness and competition, or individualism, on the other, we may find a way forward out of the current quagmire. According to primatologist Frans de Waal it all depends on the environmental context which of the two traits dominates. But we can and do influence our environment!
If/when we know what we want, how we want to live our lives in a truly meaningful manner guided by purpose, besides and alongside working for a living or trying to find work, we will (have to) see this mirrored in politics. After all, politics exists for us, because of us and through us and parties need to align with us, not the other way round. Most of all, the Government of the day needs to reflect and represent the ‘will of the people’, and most definitely not the other way round.
So, now you know what the question is, as well as the answer.
Some good news then, we’re going to have a fisiani-free summer 😀 May I suggest we make the most of it? Instead of filling the void with another RWer with a man-crush on FJK, how about we start talking to each other about the things that really matter? Or what we want to have happen in the world?
Make the capital Invercargill. That way we have employment substitutes for the folks out of work when the smelter is shut down, and we can sell the Manapouri power to north islanders for huge profit.
@PR
Perfect! With transport policy tested at the Highlands race track, food safety sampled at one of the orchards, and tourism strategy explored out on the lake. What a winner!
As a north islander I’d vote for that, you can have your barren rock and your racist undertones. Hell I’m white and they treated me with a vague sort of racism when I lived there for time. “Pig Islander” ring a bell
No wonder Herald readers might think the TPPA isn’t a disaster for NZ.
It allows propagandists to write pieces without any challenge.
Neither article has the damning quote marks the Herald uses when it says this is an opinion we disagree with.
I wonder if the insurance company paid the claim that Andrew Little signed off in the story he told in his speech? It sounds like there was so much gross negligence in that episode that I’m sure the insurance company would have framed the insurance claim form to be put on display.
The screeching noise coming from Audrey’s column was from her agony for having to write even mild approval.
“Never mind,” she was heard to mutter.”I’ll put the knife in and twist next time!”
Why is Cruz so weak? Can’t he find the money to have a simple neg ad! How stupid Trump would look in Office whinging and whining, Pocking fun at world leaders, etc.
Ain’t it obvious the guy is there to lose big, just to draw out the rep party into the public arena, for some eleventh hour selection at the come.
Hi draco, I am teeing up an exit interview with my rural cafe owner boss.
The main bug bear is low staffing levels.
Now I all too well know, the perils of being overstaffed- cruise mode, some one else will do.it …
When wages are 40% of yr income you have to be careful.
Surely one of these business minded execs could see the wider good of investing in their communities. The pay off isn’t: on this years balance sheet, it occurs on someone elses or on yours in years down the line.
I do this with my meagre income even easier with someone else’s money.
Duncan Garner on the TPPA in his NewShub column says “We won’t get rich buying and selling to each other”
Ffs this is one of the most basic errors silly eggs make… perhaps best explained by asking “how then has the world itself got richer? By trading with f$#king Mars or Venus?”
People who think the only way to get wealth is by bringing in from the outside… sheesh, fails at the outset.
Based on your logic, China has no need to trade with the world. There are over 1B of them happily trading with each other, all of them are equally getting richer together!
Try some reading comprehension . Vto’s post does not imply that vto considers internal trade to be the only way to trade, only that external trade is not the only path to wealth.
realistically for an educated, innovative nation of 4.5 million stuck at the bottom of the Pacific, international trade is pretty much the only path to wealth.
That is correct Indiana, and there are many many many similar examples of past societies on the planet which achieved extraordinary wealth with little to no dealings or trade with other societies on the planet at the time.
You might even want to look at the contribution such external dealings contributed to earlier US wealth.. you know, virtually zip..
This idea that we can only get wealth by bringing it in from outside is just loopy banana-head thinking believed by true believers and other extremists. And poorly thinking opinionists like Duncan Garner
I have a friend that designs and sells specialist steel framed building systems best suited to extreme climate conditions.
He employs 130 staff, is a major contributor to technical advances within his industry and runs a very successful business.
Over 95% of his sales are international, NZ simply does not have either the population or extreme weather conditions that his product is designed for.
Sheesh VTO, simple examples like this are everywhere.
I’m sure if the rest of the world did not exist your very talented friend would be contributing very successfully to the only 4.5million people on the planet here in NZ. And that we would not be living under a rock.
But do please answer the question – if the only way to wealth is to bring in money from outside the system, then how has the world got wealthier? Where has the money come from? Mars? Or Venus? Does the moon have a secret bank perhaps?
You believers need to open your eyes to some basic assumptions in your bible.
Yeah these opinionists are like politicians – get people liking them by talking about fishing and boats then morph that popularity into a qualification for informed comment…..
We were having a conversation yesterday about disability and it was discussed how the Ministry of Health has contracted out the supports for disabled people to various providers.
On the surface it is a happy clappy article about sudden disability, institutionalisation and ultimate liberation to community living with the assistance of the contracted provider tasked with the job of providing Needs Assessment and Service Coordination for those with disabilities.
However, the employee of this business credited with enabling this move from residential care to community living is quoted as saying…
“”When I found Cathy in this environment, at 38, it just broke my heart really.”
Disability Support Link can help with home care, supported independent living, rehabilitation and respite.
“It took several months before we could get her into a community home,” Walters said.
“She had to be able to stay overnight on her own and to be able to look after her personal needs.””
Now lets stop right there….”…and to be able to look after her personal needs.”
Wrong. Bollocks. Total misrepresentation.
You do NOT have to be able to look after your own personal care needs to be able to live in the community as opposed to living in a residential care facility.
That’s why there are Home and Community Support Services providers…to assist those with disabilities with personal care needs.
The victim of a “horrendous” Dunedin dog attack is set to be evicted from her cottage as she remains unable to work, struggling to pay rent.
The woman sustained injuries to much of her body when three Irish wolfhounds attacked her in Walter St about 6.30am on December 2 last year.
The most serious injury was to her right leg.
“My leg will never be the same again … the deep wounds are still healing and raw.”
Before the attack, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, worked two part-time jobs, delivering newspapers and doing cleaning jobs, to supplement her benefit, but the injuries left her unable to work.
She declined ACC compensation for lost income because every dollar ACC gave would reduce her benefit by a dollar – making her financially no better off.
————————————————————————————————————————-
New Zealand, not so compassionate, and WINZ and ACC missing in action. And for what its worth, personally i would like the dog owner charged with providing for this women to the tune of lost wages. She would not be where it not for his dogs – and yeah I know stuff happens, but having three irish wolfhounds by yourself does not seem safe to me in the first place, unless i were partnered up to controll and maintain the dogs.
“Tim Leissner, chairman of Goldman Sachs Southeast Asia’s operations, has taken a “personal leave” amidst corruption scandals associated with Malaysia’s state-owned 1MDB fund, with which Goldman worked closely.
President of Goldman’s Singapore operations since 2006 and chairman of its Southeast Asia operations since 2014, Leissner oversaw the bank’s operations in Malaysia, where it became the top international bank with a 20.3 percent market share since 2010.
Leissner was seen as a “key player” in cultivating the bank’s very profitable relationships with Kuala’ Lumpur’s banking and government elite, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Financial Times reports….
…and in New Zealand…where NZ KiwiRail is being run down
bookmark that link.
Another nactoid will probably recycle the same bullshit tomorrow, and pretend to be equally surprised that they’re not the first one to mention it 🙂
Why why why did Jordan Williams get a platform on the Panel this afternoon?
Why does someone representing the viewpoints of the ACT Party get so many opportunities to propagate their extreme viewpoints?
Please explain Mr Mora.
Please explain Mr Griffin.
Hillary Clinton’s campaign is about standing with the (multimillionaire and establishment) leader. Bernie Sanders’s campaign is about the grassroots rising up together, with Bernie: it’s not about me, but about *us*.
As the Iowa caucus looms with Bernie and Hillary tied….go Bernie!
God I hope so. Of course if Bernie did make it he wouldn’t be long for this Earth. The one world government of multi-billionaires would swing into action.
Euthanasia submissions close tonight. if you make a submission by email or through the website, it must be sent through by midnight (ie before.)
Please send any submissions on the petition of Hon Maryan Street to Health@parliament.govt.nz
and from chienfou
There’s a prospect of appearing before the committee to speak to your submission. I’d encourage anyone who possibly can to volunteer. It adds a lot of weight to the democratic process, especially if it’s not just the same old Wellington hacks turning up.
Ms Seales took legal action for the right to die with dignity in a case that played out as the curtain fell on her life. She died hours after the High Court ruled it was a debate that needed to be had by Parliament and not the courts.
Lecretia Seales’ husband Matt Vickers after her death and the judge’s decision
Parliament picked up on that challenge, with its health select committee launching an inquiry in response to a petition calling for a law change to permit medically assisted dying in the event of terminal illness or other specific circumstances.
Her husband Matt Vickers said it would be a tragedy if the chance to have a debate on the topic was wasted.
Lecretia and Matt’s blog – http://lecretia.org/ Lecretia’s Choice
Lecretia Seales believed ill people enduring intolerable suffering with no hope of recovery should have the choice to request assistance to end their lives.
And Compass’s response – “Last week Compass issued a statement saying it welcomed feedback and would make changes if there were “genuine problems”. ” What alot of bullshit !
For those who don’t know, these “pick up artists” think things like: women shouldn’t be allowed to vote, rape is sometimes okay (like, on private property), a woman’s value depends on her beauty and fertility while a mans value depends on his resources, intellect and character…
And a bunch of other self serving BS.
The “pick up” tips they advocate border on illegal. Some of it instructs guys to physically force women to do as they wish, sexually. Which is sexual assault. Illegal.
So… with the NZ police all up in arms about groups that promote terrorising the public… I wonder if they’ve got these guys under surveillance?
Yeah. Right.
It’s just NZ women at risk here. I suspect the NZ police don’t give a shit actually.
Hmmm. 12,000 global likes and he reckons he has handlers/contacts in 44 locations, including Dunedin.
I wonder if they’ll lurk in their anoraks in front of the Dunedin town hall, or do they mean down the Harrop St side, or in the Octagon?
I suspect that the role of the contact is to immediately collect a large amount of money from the sad, frustrated dicks for a skype session where they’re told that they’re lions, not timid little rats.
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Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
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. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
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 ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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Stop trade agreements that limit rights of citizens to know where their food is coming from and how it is processed!!
“‘Chinese chicken’ will soon have a whole new meaning, as the US Department of Agriculture [USDA] recently gave the green-light to four chicken processing plants in China, allowing chicken raised and slaughtered in the US to be exported to China for processing, and then shipped back to the US and sold on grocery shelves here.”
Due to the recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling against the Country of Origin Labeling law (COOL) and it’s subsequent repeal in the Dec., 2015, omnibus bill, the imported processed poultry will not require a country-of-origin label. Additionally, US inspectors will not be on site at processing plants in China before it is shipped to the United States for human consumption.
FULL ARTICLE: http://bit.ly/1WUZMGy
______________________
2009 WTO RULING OVERRIDES CONGRESS
In 2006 the Bush White House approved the USDA request to certify Chinese facilities for the processing of US-raised poultry. Once processed, these chickens would be shipped back to the US market for sale. Severe health problems arising from the way food is processed in China resulted in Congress defunding this certification program.
China “appealed to the World Trade Organization, which ruled in 2009 that Congress’s treatment of the country was unfair. Funding was restored and the process of approval began again. A series of USDA audits followed, all of which found China unfit to process U.S. poultry. Then, in 2013, without further inspection, the agency granted four Chinese plants certification.”
FULL ARTICLE: http://bit.ly/1SqbxkG
_____________________
And then there’s the carbon footprint to take into account!
Fran O’Sullivan pimps for large corporates and forced trade agreements for the 2nd week running.
‘After TPP – fine-tuning to get full value’
Notice the assumption, the TPP is a done deal. By writing that, O’Sullivan is trying to persuade the ever diminishing band of Herald readers that it’s all over. My, some people would sell their country away for a few pieces of silver.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11582661
Maybe she needed to come and listen to Lori Wallach. It is not a done deal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8taG38o_bo
Does the fine tuning include making rushed changes to our domestic laws soon after Feb 4 while the US just sits on this agreement for years. This is a foreign corporate takeover as far as I can tell.
‘This is a foreign corporate takeover as far as I can tell.’
Yes and it’s obvious by who supports it.
Key. Merrill Lynch henchman.
Brash. Ex-Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand
The Hollow Men.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hollow_Men_(book)
Hear for yourselves Don Brash being his usual self, up against a graciously determined Jeanette Fitzsimons…
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/201787485/don-brash-and-jeanette-fitzsimons-politics-2016
I believe it is very important to remind ourselves who the enemy is.
Yes, heard it.
People like Brash do not care about ordinary New Zealanders.
From the Hollow Men wikipedia article.
‘The book describes Brash’s rise to power in the New Zealand National Party as being assisted by an “informal network of people from the right of New Zealand politics”, including a number of ACT members, and alleges the funding of the National Party in the 2005 election was mainly from prominent New Zealand businessmen through blind trusts.’
Seems like people who do not care about democracy or NZ wanted Brash to become PM. When that failed, they put their money behind Key.
“I believe it is very important to remind ourselves who the enemy is.”
wise words indeed
the Hollow Men, as Paul mentions below, are still here, still dong their thing, for themselves. We know and we don’t forget.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8taG38o_bo
encore for Wayne
We all need to remember that is not a free trade agreement.
It’s a forced trade agreement.
Rosemary McD mentioned this on Saturday, and there didn’t seem much I could add then. Last year I had been working on a timeline of the SDHB Compass foodoutsourcing/ Board sacking/ Comissioneer installing story, but it was getting way too long and involved for a post, so was discontinued. Besides, it just angried up the blood way too much.:
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-30012016/#comment-1126040
However there is an update in today’s ODT:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/371588/better-meals-under-nazis-87-year-old-says
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/371407/absolutely-yuck-meals-upset-elderly
The trial run for Compass/ Medirest meals on Wheels was at Christmas, and didn’t go well – so these issues can hardly be a surprise:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/368472/compass-dinner-panned
Compass is to food what Serco is to ‘security’.
Well worth a google cruise….I’m having computer problems else would have put up some links yesterday.
? If over 50% of the consumers think the Compass food is inedible should the 15 year contract be cancelled.?
Links for Compass Group linked; Listeria, employee exploitation, horsemeat in school meals & bribery:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/possible-listeria-exposure-in-ontario-jails-1.702077
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/22/i-am-a-cook-in-the-us-senate-but-i-still-need-food-stamps-to-feed-my-children?CMP=share_btn_tw
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-21476736
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/oct/16/money.internationalnews
R McD’s comparison of Compass to Serco is apt.
COMPASS – specialists in bribery, listeria and horse meat.
joe90 4.4
20 March 2015 at 10:22 am
Bribery, listeria and horse meat, things go better with Compass.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2006/oct/16/money.internationalnews
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/possible-listeria-exposure-in-ontario-jails-1.702077
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21476736
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-20032015/#comment-988733
my Mother gave up on ‘Meals on Wheels’…she now has scrambled eggs on toast for lunch
( mind you the people who delivered ‘Meals on Wheels’ were lovely…and I am sure the cooks were too and did their best)
Thanks Pasupial and Rosemary. I have to say the rage factor is very high for me on this one too. The sheer incompetence that tells elderly people what time of day to eat and gives them measly portions and basically treats them like stock units. Wheels on Meals bought to you by Federated Farmers.
Fuck you National and Act parties (yes all of you) and voters, and fuck you Jonathon Coleman, and fuck you Peter Dunn.
Here are the Health Portfolio contacts if anyone wants to talk to the responsible people,
http://www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/health
Credit where credit is due, when the nats fuck something up, they fuck it up good and proper.
I suppose a pensioner could commit a crime if they want a decent meal – I think prison food is still made on site…
Hi pasupial, I have kept half an eye on this issue thru last year.
What peeves the most ( blood boiling indeed), is the well renumerated looking to trim fat from their budget, by having the most vulnerable bear the brunt of the boards penny pinching.
Why o why can’t these decisions be viewed from a wider lens?
Eg social cost, carbon footprint, nutritional value.
It reminds me of toll buying their locos from China because they were25% cheaper. Ironically another recent kick in the teeth for Dunedin workers.
gsays
Here’s my coverage of that meeting where the majority of the elected board (bar two) voted to accept the Compass contract – after the public were excluded:
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-07052015/#comment-1011080
The reasoning seemed to be that if they didn’t, then the board would be sacked and a commissioner appointed who would do it anyway. So what happened? They voted for the outsourcing and were soon sacked leaving the new commissioner’s hands clean. The term of democratic hiatus was supposed to be just until the next local elections, then late last year it turned out that the commissioner hadn’t even assembled her staff yet, so it had to be extended to 2019.
This required legislation in parliament, and what was the local Labour MP’s response to this ECaning of the SDHB?
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/366244/sdhb-bill-passes-its-first-reading
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/365764/no-dhb-election-2016
Really? The idea of talking to his constituents is obviously too much for Clark to contemplate. Fuck that shithead!! The only good thing I have to say about him is that he isn’t Michael Woodhouse.
The only board member who remains democratically accountable is Richard Thomson, who is still a city councillor while acting as deputy commissioner. As he voted for the compass plan at that closed meeting, I suspect that he will lose his place in next year’s council election. I sure as hell won’t be putting him very high up the list!
So he’ll only have the $900/ day he gets in his new job (the commissioner gets $1400/ day).
call me naive..
when do we stop playing by their rules, and start doing stuff for ourselves.
a fight can’t be won by fighting against someone who writes the rules and judges the outcomes.
is there an option of a local group starting up a local food supply initiative, with food from community gardens, donated food and labour?
harvesting, preperation, cooking and drop off by volunteers/community groups.
scouts, rotary, schools, retired folk.
start small and sure, maybe have a small premium to start with and grow the service.
i know there is lots of knowledge and experience sitting in retirement villages and council flats just waiting to be organized/utilized.
keep up your good work in keeping us updated.
+100 to you Gsays. No you’re not naive. Neither are you an effete anti-social like The Gauche Man Key. Your comments mark our community being taken away from us. In favour of a small percentage of already fabulously wealthy people distinguished by their narcissism, sociopathy, and greed. Key to a tee. We will come up with answers !
“Dunedin North MP David Clark said he did not have a ”crystal ball” ”
Or any balls at all?
You know…this shit has to stop, but won’t unless Labour pulls whatever from out its collective aft crevasse and totally refuses to back…in fact kick up mega shit…when National pulls anti democratic stunts like this.
Free Tertiary for Three Years is all very well…but it is the bedrock that is being undermined….
If miracles happen and they ever get to the government benches there will be nothing solid left for them to build on.
THIS is what we need to hear from Labour.
Thanks for the links….
Because then the profits, a dead-weight loss, would have to be decreased.
Hi draco, I am teeing up an exit interview with my rural cafe owner boss.
The main bug bear is low staffing levels.
Now I all too well know, the perils of being overstaffed- cruise mode, some one else will do.it …
When wages are 40% of yr income you have to be careful.
Surely one of these business minded execs could see the wider good of investing in their communities. The pay off isn’t: on this years balance sheet, it occurs on someone elses or on yours in years down the line.
I do this with my meagre income even easier with someone else’s money.
oops, poor grammer and punctuation, typed above on my phone at the river.
Good graphic comic explaining “Free Trade” and the TPPA (pg 24 onwards) over on filmsforaction.org.
Thank you for this, it made me late but was a good way to start the day.
Strange world in Norwegian politics, where “temporary” means … temporary.
Norway to disarm its police force after officers ordered to carry guns for just one year’
Great news for those of us who oppose the lockwood tea towel:
“John Key’s hopes of changing the flag have been dealt a blow with a poll showing 61% of voters want to keep the flag we’ve got.
The Newshub/Reid Research poll shows only 30% want to change to the Kyle Lockwood Silver Fern design. The other 9% either didn’t know or didn’t care about changing the flag.”
http://www.newshub.co.nz/politics/poll-shows-most-kiwis-opposed-to-changing-nzs-flag-2016020103#axzz3yqtgPwjt
**Keep the NZ flag** and get rid of Key.
Turnout will be interesting. I bet there are a lot of people motivated to make sure they vote specifically to prevent the teatowel.
Mike Hosking has a great interview with Andrew Little re the tertiary policy. Well answered Andrew. Good questions too from Hosking.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_cid=1&gallery_id=157449
Yes, that was weird….
Hosking actually listened and did not speak over Little
Little also was very well briefed it appeared.
Holy shit a Polly that talks clearly and concisely, no evasiveness or spin , never triggered my bullshit detector once ,
I liked this…. from the Guardian: http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/31/google-tax-osborne-cameron-spaghetti-westerns
“Since Lynton Crosby OBE started showing off about his “dead cat” news management methods, we can now see dead cats coming a mile off, like smallpox-infected pigs catapulted over the walls of a besieged medieval citadel, and a political gaff one might once have forgiven as a thoughtless slip of the tongue, we now realise is in fact a cynically scripted media misdirection strategy.
In short, if Cameron said “bunch of migrants” by accident, he is a dick, but if he said it on purpose, in order to draw the eye, dead-cat-style, away from the Google atrocity, which he did, then he is a bastard, which is worse.
Increasingly, the once proud visionary dreamer of the “big society” is like those sleazy guys they warn you about on posters at railway stations, who call your attention to an imaginary problem while pick-pocketing your wallet and grabbing your genitals. David Cameron is the Cologne New Year’s Eve of British politics. “
i heard on the ozzy segment on rnz, just before the 9.00am news, an item about immunisation and child care centres.
i dont want to open an immunisation debate.
to me this is wrong.
i see many parallels with mid central health’s policy of not having sugary drinks in the vending machines. instead you can have your sweet soda laced with an accumulative neuro-toxin.
it is disgraceful the hospital holding hands with coke all in the name of a few $ more.
how about getting rid of all the vending machines and having chilled water dispenser instead?
Could this possibly go up as a Guest Post if that’s o.k.? It has some points of connection with Andrew Little’s comments on the Future of Work in his State of the Nation Speech and presents a different point of view.
Politics is Pointless …
That’s the answer. So, what’s the question?
It’s the Economy, Stupid – this is the political equivalent of a black hole that all political discourse gets sucked into.
Almost everything political is put in an economic framework and discussed in economic terms. Our ‘wellbeing’ is described in economic terms, in metrics, data tables and stats dutifully compiled by Treasury. Quality of life that cannot be easily measured or indexed is often ignored. For example, elderly or disabled people living in dignity, dying with dignity (cf. euthanasia debate) are put into the too-hard basket. Economic indicators such as CPI, GDP or Government surplus, for example, get a special status that they don’t deserve and this detracts from dealing with real and pressing issues.
At the same time it is becoming more obvious that all is not well in and with our political system. Democracy is in dire straits according to some. But we have little idea what to do about it, on how to ‘fix’ it. Some political parties are almost tearing themselves apart (AKA ‘soul-searching’) in an attempt to reconquer lost political ground and regain some traction in the polls. Voter turn-out is at an all-time low and still declining. People just want to get on with their lives, which is somewhat ironic given that through politics it is decided what we can and cannot do.
This delicate and dire situation is further threatened by rapid changes in the nature of labour. While productivity is going up the shrinking labour market combined with growing labour force will force wages down. It must be neo-liberal Nirvana when work-seekers compete ferociously with each other for fewer jobs at ever-decreasing pay – a Darwinian struggle for ‘life’ and survival of the fittest. This is literally a race to the bottom.
We are slowly running out of secure well-paid full-time employment in the traditional sense because we may have passed peak-employment some time ago – the precariat is growing. But we are so used to the current situation and conditioned by the economic thinking of our time that we haven’t got a clue what to do.
Our current plight and the ongoing conflict between liberty and equality will not be resolved by clinging to dogmatic orthodoxy or through (new) Schools of Economic Thought and/or economic theories. Neither will a solution be found on the left or right sides of the political divide. I believe that we need a new and different approach.
What might this look like? Well, it seems that our behaviour is conditioned to a large degree, i.e. it depends on and is influenced by many factors but foremost by cultural and societal forces and we, in turn, collectively exert these influences on the members of our society, i.e. on ourselves! So, if we could integrate our own internal conflicting personality traits and resolve swings between empathy and cooperation, or group solidarity, on the one hand, and selfishness and competition, or individualism, on the other, we may find a way forward out of the current quagmire. According to primatologist Frans de Waal it all depends on the environmental context which of the two traits dominates. But we can and do influence our environment!
If/when we know what we want, how we want to live our lives in a truly meaningful manner guided by purpose, besides and alongside working for a living or trying to find work, we will (have to) see this mirrored in politics. After all, politics exists for us, because of us and through us and parties need to align with us, not the other way round. Most of all, the Government of the day needs to reflect and represent the ‘will of the people’, and most definitely not the other way round.
So, now you know what the question is, as well as the answer.
If you want to follow NZ politics on Facebook, there’s a new list which brings all the different pages together at http://bit.ly/NZpolitics
The list has MPs, media, interest groups etc. Completely cross-partisan.
It’s easy to miss updates in your timeline because of the Facebook algorithm, so the list is a way to make Facebook politics a bit easier.
Labour caucus on the TPP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbNaRE0gbXg
Odd, people were claiming just yesterday that the caucus was completely unified behind Andrew Little.
lol that really says so much about your motivations – real scraping the bottom of the barrel – why bother?
This bloke blogged his Conspira-sea Cruise. Hilarious.
http://violentmetaphors.com/2016/01/26/a-skeptic-on-the-conspira-sea-cruise-day-1/
http://violentmetaphors.com/
Some good news then, we’re going to have a fisiani-free summer 😀 May I suggest we make the most of it? Instead of filling the void with another RWer with a man-crush on FJK, how about we start talking to each other about the things that really matter? Or what we want to have happen in the world?
🙂
“Or what we want to have happen in the world?”
Anyone for a South Island Independence Party? 🙂
independent of what/whom?
Only if the headquarters are based in Cromwell
That’s an odd choice.
Yeah true Cromwells so nice why would you want to ruin it…Dunedin it is then
yeah, nah.
Make the capital Invercargill. That way we have employment substitutes for the folks out of work when the smelter is shut down, and we can sell the Manapouri power to north islanders for huge profit.
I have a soft spot for Invers. Some local bright spark has even been stealing the lockwood tea towel from Queen’s Park.
I like it
@PR
Perfect! With transport policy tested at the Highlands race track, food safety sampled at one of the orchards, and tourism strategy explored out on the lake. What a winner!
I knew the left and right could work together
Tempting cogito, but I’m not sure how the left/right balance would work out.
I’m sure theres enough consensus that the South Island is superior to the North between the left and the right to smooth things over
Too many Aucklanders living here now.
They can stay as long as they pledge allegiance to the South Island (or Richie)
Yeah but they might not play by the Mainland rules and so your point about the left/right divide being smoothed over probably won’t work.
“They can stay as long as they pledge allegiance to the South Island (or Richie)”
….and join the local pipe band!
I’m ok with that
As a north islander I’d vote for that, you can have your barren rock and your racist undertones. Hell I’m white and they treated me with a vague sort of racism when I lived there for time. “Pig Islander” ring a bell
Pig Islander, I’ve not heard that before, what does it mean?
I agree about the racism. Kāi Tahu’s recolonisation of Te Waipounamu will eventually sort that out 😉
Indeed it does – anyone born in the South Island.
LOL. You should have rolled your “r”s and not complained about the porridge!
No wonder so many New Zealanders don’t know about the TPPA or the state of the global economy. The corporate media wants them to talk about this
Christchurch cafe trims its coffee menu – and maybe some customers
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11582804
No wonder Herald readers might think the TPPA isn’t a disaster for NZ.
It allows propagandists to write pieces without any challenge.
Neither article has the damning quote marks the Herald uses when it says this is an opinion we disagree with.
Stephen Jacobi: What Labour’s not seeing in TPP deal
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11582655
Charles Finny: TPP deserves praise from Maori, not condemnation
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11582657
Maybe you can enlighten us where these two opinions are wrong Paul,
@Reddelusion 11.34am re Paul’s 16 comment, this might help :
http://www.bryangould.com/a-second-bite-at-the-cherry/
A clear history and explanation as to how we have been beguiled in to thinking the TPP is a ‘trade’ agreement.
Waste of time trying to enlighten you deluded Red.
Here we go
Have a read on what the experts think.
Jacobi is not an expert, rather a publicist.
https://tppascratchspace.files.wordpress.com/2015/12/complete-public-citizen.pdf
https://tpplegal.wordpress.com/nzlf-expert-paper-series/
Jacobi is a National PR Agent – Academic
I wonder if the insurance company paid the claim that Andrew Little signed off in the story he told in his speech? It sounds like there was so much gross negligence in that episode that I’m sure the insurance company would have framed the insurance claim form to be put on display.
His story was about as believable as Rufus Paynter
Yea, nah, nah,
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/295415/six-iwi-refuse-to-perform-tpp-powhiri
Silly but their call, not sure anyone will really care
A pretty good non-violent protest sabine.
Audrey Young has written a mildly pro-Labour article.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11582692
The screeching noise coming from Audrey’s column was from her agony for having to write even mild approval.
“Never mind,” she was heard to mutter.”I’ll put the knife in and twist next time!”
Why is Cruz so weak? Can’t he find the money to have a simple neg ad! How stupid Trump would look in Office whinging and whining, Pocking fun at world leaders, etc.
Ain’t it obvious the guy is there to lose big, just to draw out the rep party into the public arena, for some eleventh hour selection at the come.
Hi draco, I am teeing up an exit interview with my rural cafe owner boss.
The main bug bear is low staffing levels.
Now I all too well know, the perils of being overstaffed- cruise mode, some one else will do.it …
When wages are 40% of yr income you have to be careful.
Surely one of these business minded execs could see the wider good of investing in their communities. The pay off isn’t: on this years balance sheet, it occurs on someone elses or on yours in years down the line.
I do this with my meagre income even easier with someone else’s money.
Duncan Garner on the TPPA in his NewShub column says “We won’t get rich buying and selling to each other”
Ffs this is one of the most basic errors silly eggs make… perhaps best explained by asking “how then has the world itself got richer? By trading with f$#king Mars or Venus?”
People who think the only way to get wealth is by bringing in from the outside… sheesh, fails at the outset.
Bloody useless Duncan Garner
http://www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/opinion-tpp-or-die—-why-we-need-it-2016013120#ixzz3ysTIhKlQ
Based on your logic, China has no need to trade with the world. There are over 1B of them happily trading with each other, all of them are equally getting richer together!
Try some reading comprehension . Vto’s post does not imply that vto considers internal trade to be the only way to trade, only that external trade is not the only path to wealth.
realistically for an educated, innovative nation of 4.5 million stuck at the bottom of the Pacific, international trade is pretty much the only path to wealth.
I see that the point has been missed.
That is correct Indiana, and there are many many many similar examples of past societies on the planet which achieved extraordinary wealth with little to no dealings or trade with other societies on the planet at the time.
You might even want to look at the contribution such external dealings contributed to earlier US wealth.. you know, virtually zip..
This idea that we can only get wealth by bringing it in from outside is just loopy banana-head thinking believed by true believers and other extremists. And poorly thinking opinionists like Duncan Garner
I have a friend that designs and sells specialist steel framed building systems best suited to extreme climate conditions.
He employs 130 staff, is a major contributor to technical advances within his industry and runs a very successful business.
Over 95% of his sales are international, NZ simply does not have either the population or extreme weather conditions that his product is designed for.
Sheesh VTO, simple examples like this are everywhere.
Sure. But you miss the point.
I’m sure if the rest of the world did not exist your very talented friend would be contributing very successfully to the only 4.5million people on the planet here in NZ. And that we would not be living under a rock.
But do please answer the question – if the only way to wealth is to bring in money from outside the system, then how has the world got wealthier? Where has the money come from? Mars? Or Venus? Does the moon have a secret bank perhaps?
You believers need to open your eyes to some basic assumptions in your bible.
Garner is a dreadful journalist.
Where did he learn his trade?
Stop it VTO…..Garner’s a bumptious fellow and a ‘star’. Is that not enough for you ? Do not question Te Wahanui !
Yeah these opinionists are like politicians – get people liking them by talking about fishing and boats then morph that popularity into a qualification for informed comment…..
…. suppose it gets them the audiences
nothing else matters in their worlds
it is what pays them
We were having a conversation yesterday about disability and it was discussed how the Ministry of Health has contracted out the supports for disabled people to various providers.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31012016/#comment-1126446
Further conversation was had about the “piss-poor” service from some of these providers.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-31012016/#comment-1126504
Almost on cue, this article appears in the local rag…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/76437205/hamilton-woman-who-had-stroke-at-38-said-her-life-is-much-better-than-before
On the surface it is a happy clappy article about sudden disability, institutionalisation and ultimate liberation to community living with the assistance of the contracted provider tasked with the job of providing Needs Assessment and Service Coordination for those with disabilities.
However, the employee of this business credited with enabling this move from residential care to community living is quoted as saying…
“”When I found Cathy in this environment, at 38, it just broke my heart really.”
Disability Support Link can help with home care, supported independent living, rehabilitation and respite.
“It took several months before we could get her into a community home,” Walters said.
“She had to be able to stay overnight on her own and to be able to look after her personal needs.””
Now lets stop right there….”…and to be able to look after her personal needs.”
Wrong. Bollocks. Total misrepresentation.
You do NOT have to be able to look after your own personal care needs to be able to live in the community as opposed to living in a residential care facility.
That’s why there are Home and Community Support Services providers…to assist those with disabilities with personal care needs.
See what we have to put up with?
Eviction notice worsens dog attack victim’s woe
By Shawn McAvinue
6:08 AM Monday Feb 1, 2016
The victim of a “horrendous” Dunedin dog attack is set to be evicted from her cottage as she remains unable to work, struggling to pay rent.
The woman sustained injuries to much of her body when three Irish wolfhounds attacked her in Walter St about 6.30am on December 2 last year.
The most serious injury was to her right leg.
“My leg will never be the same again … the deep wounds are still healing and raw.”
Before the attack, the woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, worked two part-time jobs, delivering newspapers and doing cleaning jobs, to supplement her benefit, but the injuries left her unable to work.
She declined ACC compensation for lost income because every dollar ACC gave would reduce her benefit by a dollar – making her financially no better off.
————————————————————————————————————————-
New Zealand, not so compassionate, and WINZ and ACC missing in action. And for what its worth, personally i would like the dog owner charged with providing for this women to the tune of lost wages. She would not be where it not for his dogs – and yeah I know stuff happens, but having three irish wolfhounds by yourself does not seem safe to me in the first place, unless i were partnered up to controll and maintain the dogs.
‘Goldman Sachs executive takes ‘personal leave’ amid Malaysian fund corruption probes’
https://www.rt.com/business/330665-goldman-leissner-malaysia-corruption/
“Tim Leissner, chairman of Goldman Sachs Southeast Asia’s operations, has taken a “personal leave” amidst corruption scandals associated with Malaysia’s state-owned 1MDB fund, with which Goldman worked closely.
President of Goldman’s Singapore operations since 2006 and chairman of its Southeast Asia operations since 2014, Leissner oversaw the bank’s operations in Malaysia, where it became the top international bank with a 20.3 percent market share since 2010.
Leissner was seen as a “key player” in cultivating the bank’s very profitable relationships with Kuala’ Lumpur’s banking and government elite, including Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, the Financial Times reports….
…and in New Zealand…where NZ KiwiRail is being run down
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/treasury-hires-goldman-sachs-run-ruler-over-kiwibank-bd-136461
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11262662
http://www.goldmansachs.com/what-we-do/investing-and-lending/direct-private-investing/equity-folder/gs-infrastructure-partners.html
http://jacobi.co.nz/open-letter-to-andrew-little-leader-labour-party-on-tpp/
Not sure if this has been posted but food for thought
Are you too incompetent to use the search function much?
bookmark that link.
Another nactoid will probably recycle the same bullshit tomorrow, and pretend to be equally surprised that they’re not the first one to mention it 🙂
Why why why did Jordan Williams get a platform on the Panel this afternoon?
Why does someone representing the viewpoints of the ACT Party get so many opportunities to propagate their extreme viewpoints?
Please explain Mr Mora.
Please explain Mr Griffin.
Mora also regularly has on David Farrar…
Jordan Williams in this instance was invited for his ‘expert’ opinion. The panellists were two others.
Interesting contrast between the Clinton and Sanders campaigns…
Clinton’s hashtag/slogan: #StandWithHillary #ImWithHer
Sanders hashtag/slogan: #NotMeUs
Hillary Clinton’s campaign is about standing with the (multimillionaire and establishment) leader. Bernie Sanders’s campaign is about the grassroots rising up together, with Bernie: it’s not about me, but about *us*.
As the Iowa caucus looms with Bernie and Hillary tied….go Bernie!
God I hope so. Of course if Bernie did make it he wouldn’t be long for this Earth. The one world government of multi-billionaires would swing into action.
Euthanasia submissions close tonight.
if you make a submission by email or through the website, it must be sent through by midnight (ie before.)
Please send any submissions on the petition of Hon Maryan Street to Health@parliament.govt.nz
Just to recap – another way of submitting:
This link put up by a commenter on RADIONZ comment channel RNZ Talk –
Frithogar
Make submissions here – note there is a verification process at the bottom of the page
The closing date is February 1
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/sc/make-submission/0SCHE_SCF_51DBHOH_PET63268_1/petition-of-hon-maryan-street-and-8974-others
and from chienfou
There’s a prospect of appearing before the committee to speak to your submission. I’d encourage anyone who possibly can to volunteer. It adds a lot of weight to the democratic process, especially if it’s not just the same old Wellington hacks turning up.
RADIONZ broadcast Matt Vickers asking people to come forward and take up Lecretia’s plea.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294319/have-your-say-on-euthanasia,-urges-lecretia%27s-husband
Lecretia and Matt’s blog – http://lecretia.org/
Lecretia’s Choice
Lecretia Seales believed ill people enduring intolerable suffering with no hope of recovery should have the choice to request assistance to end their lives.
Scoop reporting the Lecretia Seales tragedy and the initiative taken by her and her husband.
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=76594
Another of The Gauche Man Key’s Higher Standards – http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11582779
It’s unabashed “Let them eat cake !”
And Compass’s response – “Last week Compass issued a statement saying it welcomed feedback and would make changes if there were “genuine problems”. ” What alot of bullshit !
Holy shit – NZers get free dental care in the UK. We don’t even get that in our own country.
But we should.
I’ve never seen or heard any reasoning why dental and visual health is excluded from governmental health assistance for adults in New Zealand.
So… this is planned for 6th February.
I figured they’d find their way to NZ eventually.
For those who don’t know, these “pick up artists” think things like: women shouldn’t be allowed to vote, rape is sometimes okay (like, on private property), a woman’s value depends on her beauty and fertility while a mans value depends on his resources, intellect and character…
And a bunch of other self serving BS.
The “pick up” tips they advocate border on illegal. Some of it instructs guys to physically force women to do as they wish, sexually. Which is sexual assault. Illegal.
So… with the NZ police all up in arms about groups that promote terrorising the public… I wonder if they’ve got these guys under surveillance?
Yeah. Right.
It’s just NZ women at risk here. I suspect the NZ police don’t give a shit actually.
Hmmm. 12,000 global likes and he reckons he has handlers/contacts in 44 locations, including Dunedin.
I wonder if they’ll lurk in their anoraks in front of the Dunedin town hall, or do they mean down the Harrop St side, or in the Octagon?
I suspect that the role of the contact is to immediately collect a large amount of money from the sad, frustrated dicks for a skype session where they’re told that they’re lions, not timid little rats.
The Aussie Unity Flag:
http://www.flagforaustralia.org/
Now that is a pretty stunning flag. Makes that lockwood piece of sh*t look even worse than it did already.