Logie97.Of course the anxiety in the USA is the serious fall off of national standards on the international comparisons. Ever since they started the No Child Left Behind program which is made up of many standardised tests, they have slipped down the rankings. So what is their answer? More testing! They must be mad and you are right. Key/Tolley will be scuttling back and forward gathering “me too” misinformation.
I wouldn’t call these moves to monitor teacher performance “educational philosophies” but rather neoliberal ideology.
Under the neoliberalism of the ‘Third Way’, teachers are now positioned as productive workers within this new global service industry. We are mere functionaries and in contrast to a educational culture once imbued with critical democratic values, there is now a commercial managerial culture preoccupied with performativity – what is produced, observed, measured. no longer is it process, but rather product and on the global market homogenised out-put is critical.
As a result of privitisation/globalisation teachers have no control over external (national and international) coercion and pressure – we have become neutral operatives implementing the directives of our political masters – well some still have the nerve to fight as you all know.
Another factor to consider is the right-wing’s refusal to accept that social inequality is the determining factor of educational success: generally we leave school to fulfil social positions that are similar to our parents. Schooling is all about the reproduction of class. The right-wing refuses to tackle poverty – it is after all a necessary part of capitalism – and insists that educational outcomes are solely down to quality teaching. Research clearly refutes this.
More of a concern for me is the loss of critical thinking in a curriculum focused on the three R’s. In the need for a healthy democracy, we must move beyond ideology when it comes to education.
And includes a link to Rob’s post on The Standard about the mythical 170,000 jobs.
I hope some of you will join me in asking National a couple of basic questions during this election campaign.
If your goal is to push 100,000 sick, injured and disabled people – and sole parents – off the welfare rolls, where are the jobs going to come from when we don’t have work for over 271,000 jobless people right now?
Why are you making ultraconservative welfare reform a key part of your election campaign if it’s not simply to appeal to that old New Zealand love of beneficiary bashing?
Any pretence that these reforms are about fairness or compassion is nonsense.
So the all-knowing authorities in Canterbury kept the GNS Science information about the 23% chance of another big quake in the next year from the public.
Yet another evidential example of why nobody should trust authority.
Just like the authorities in Japan re Fukishima (sp?). Just like the authorities re Pike River. Just like the authorities re search and rescue in the immediate aftermath of Chch quake no. 2 (how many people died from not being found in time because there were nt enough people looking? Not one survivor was found in Chch after 26 hours after the quake – pathetic and deadly)
It just bloody goes on and on and on and on and on ………….
Keep the public in the dark and feed them bullshit.
I was really struck by the numbers of searchers at the time too – that there didn’t appear to be nearly enough and they were all in the CBD. No-one talked about it that week. Has there been any actual reporting/writing on this since? Are we training up more searchers now? That quake was a wake up for NZ that we won’t/don’t have the ability to cope with very large disasters in terms of immediate emergency response.
Re the authorities, I think developping skills at when and where to trust is important.
Re the 23% chance of another big quake, is that based on past statistics, or on what’s actually happening in the ground?
Yes Draco. Another example is the disestablishment of undergound mine services (unsure of right name) at the Dept of Labour and the resultant 29 Pike River dead men.
Messrs weka and Critic (below), the question of why no survivors were found after such a short time is a valid and important question. I have not seen it answered, or even asked, anywhere. In fact, when I raise it with people it seems it is not something that has even occurred to most of them.
It is legitimate to ask it and one way of answering it would be to see the coroners reported cause of death for each fatality. Did they die of force from being struck by something? Did they die of hypothermia from being not found in time? (recall the day and following days were cold and drizzly wet!). Did they die from subsequent fire? Did they die from drowning due to putting out fires?
I would like to see it asked and answered. I hope my conjecture is wrong but I have some doubts given the fact that usually after an earthquake in a built up area survivors are found days and days after the event. Why did that not happen in Christchurch?
And re the 23% chance of another big quake imo it will have a dramatic effect on the rebuild timeframes. In fact, if such an event happens I suspect it will be the deathknell for Chch as we know it. Many people will vacate.
Hang in there vto.
The 26 hours thing had me scratching my head, too. I wondered whether it might be due to the unusual nature of the earthquake (timing, depth, proximity to Christchurch) and the design philosophy for the buildings. It occurred to me that most of the buildings that failed either killed people or let them walk out. There were, in my hypothesis, relatively few buildings that trapped people alive when they failed. So the searchers had relatively few people to find trapped and alive.
The other side of the 23% thing is that there is a 77% chance that there won’t be another big quake next year. 🙂 Though the whole unusual nature thing casts doubt on the prediction. I think these earthquakes will result in a rewrite of some of the fundamentals of earthquake theory. Old assumptions may need to be thrown out, based on the data from Christchurch.
I think these earthquakes will result in a rewrite of some of the fundamentals of earthquake theory. Old assumptions may need to be thrown out, based on the data from Christchurch.
I’m sure that’s the case, not just here but also internationally. They will keep learning from major quake events (with all the associated activity), but each is unique and they can never know all the answers.
They said as time goes on the 23% will gradually reduce, but will never get to 0%.
The scientists need to remind everyone that an earthquake is an act of god and unpredictable. The Italian authorities are apparently confused about this despite being in a very religious country. Because a panel of seismologists agreed that an earthquake was unlikely in the near future, they are being sued for negligence or misleading the public by sounding too confident or something because a serious one occurred a week afterwards.
The motto is ‘Expect the unexpected, but remember you can’t depend on it’.
Parallels with the Lotteries Commission here and my winning powerball ticket? This is the week, evidently. Can I sue them if it turns out they are misleading me? .
ha ha smoothies?? There aint no such thing as smoothies these here parts these days.
Roads – buckled as all hell. Bodies and souls – all shook up and nervy. Relationships – same same. Houses – out of square and broken. Tolerance – short and explosive. Conversations – jittery, cracked and all over the place.
But maybe you are right. Maybe some smoothies for brekky are in order. Help to set the scene for the new day.
All the best vto. Hope you have a good day, then month, then year. The settling of the earth after a quake is very unsettling for sure. Are you on the east?
Hawke’s Bay locals say Mr Hughes stayed for about a week at former Breakfast television host Paul Henry’s beach house.
Pictures of Mr Henry, Mr Hughes, and Mr Henry’s partner, Linzi Dryburgh, appear in Woman’s Day and were taken at Easter, just weeks after Mr Hughes resigned after sex allegations against him by an 18-year-old man.
The media stories that construct the politicial-media-celebrity mash-up just gets more surreal.
And what has happened re the Darren Hughes story ? it was big news, then he resigned and Nothing. When are we going to hear if there is even a story here or is it a storm in a teacup???
Fed up with the current political offerings?
Not commited to Labour?
Won’t be voting National or Act?
Uninspired by the alternatives?
Would you like to see something really different? It could happen with a will to make it happen.
Welcome diversity?
Independence from an ideological straightjacket?
Policies adressed on their merits on an ongoing basis, not set in concrete?
Individual political leanings don’t matter, representing a democratic majority does?
The electorate comes first?
Would you like to inject some interest and passion and people power into your electorate?
It could happen if you wanted it to. Really.
It couldn’t be worse than some monkeys trying to always turn the steering wheel right with other monkeys trying to always turn the steering wheel left. In a bulldozer. With the people in front of it.
What if it is abundantly clear to the merit based leader that peak oil is a crisis but sufficient of the electorate refused to believe in it. Should the leader act or put his or head in the sand because that is what some of the electorate is doing?
Our current leader has a conflict, well, several conflicts. Whose interests should he put first:
– the interests of the country?
– the interests of their party?
– the interests of their electorate?
Leaders are expected to put the country first, but that can conflict with the party, and the electorate, well, how does that stand a chance?
And look at the current Minister of Finance, one of the most important jobs in government and lives in Wellington – wouldn’t Clutha be better served by someone who can put decent amount of time in down there?
Or do electorates not matter to parties apart from being a way of getting seats in parliament?
In response to your question – leaders do need to show leadership. They have to make decisions on behalf of the country. So do electorate MPs, but to a lesser extent. But they should also enough information and convincing argument to their electorate to take the electorate with them rather than act in isolation.
Many voters feel like they get some attention during an election year and then get forgotten, unneeded until the next “mandate” is required. I know at least some voters would like to be heard more and talked to more, beyond the election blitz.
The parties have become far too self indulgent and don’t seem to care about people, they only care about votes when they need them.
(I know that’s not entirely the case but it’s a widespread perception).
I think he means that Bill English’s electorate is Clutha-Southland despite his non-resident state there. His family home is in Dipton in the electorate. However he has lived in Wellington for quite some time.
Confused? I think that we all are – especially Bill English… 😈 Just look at how much he thinks he can save in a corporate reorganization. I guess that he has never had a close look at the literature on the actual costs… Either that or he still has a touching faith in Treasuries ability to predict anything accurately – just look at the budgets drug inspired growth figures. Now that is a guy who is severely confused.
I’m just guessing, but he could be saving us thousands by not commuting between work and his more distant home all the time.
And it’d be even cheaper if we weren’t paying for him to rent his family home off of him.
The cheapest and best option would be to build and own outright a 120 unit apartment block that the MPs can stay in when in Wellington. The entire cost then would be rates, power and maintenance rather than rates, someone’s mortgage, their profits, power and more expensive maintenance (yes, Bill charges us for cleaning his own home).
Some stand and miss out in electorates, but do they do anything for those electorates?
Yes they do and even when they didn’t stand for an electorate they quite often help out in electorates.
So kind of you to defend double dip’s honor. Personally I think it is a hit of a dead issue, and Bill lost. But guess you like supporting dead causes. If PeteG thinks he is billshitting, then what can us mere mortals do against that certainty… 😈
I don’t think he’s billshitting, he’s playing by the lose rules bestowed on him by fellow MPs.
I suggest that if he wants to look for efficiencies then he could also look a bit closer to home. The allocation of human resources at the top is nuts.
And what is your esteemed leader going to do when he gets the boot??? I know he will piss off back to Hawaii, join a big bank, and ruin NZ from afar by playing with our currency. he is the original bad smell that no matter what you do it keeps popping up in strange places.
National, and right wing governments, believe the market will solve peak oil.
No leadership as a government ethos.
The Central Americian Ancient Maya had the same leadership philosophy.
Eat the people, because its their fault for not having the backbone to
oust the elite, since the heavens will bring a good harvest.
We’re in a commodities boom and we’re going backwards!
We incentivize welfare sloth that means people give up their
kids to care and move to Australia. fewer tax payers more
criminals in a few years! Welfare needs to do no harm and
incentivize moving OFF welfare, National haven’t got a clue.
Labour will bring in a tax free threshold on income which
makes moving into work far less of a barrier (as it is in Australia).
Why does National whine all the time about the poor state of
matters yet does nothing to rectify them???
You owe it to yourself to give you kids up to care when they
become teenagers and get on a plane to Sydney, its where the
jobs are, get off welfare you bludger!!! Make its Nationals problem,
they want you too! They say it every time they open their mouths,
that you are incompetent, you need to work, you need to change.
Ummm I hate to tell you this PeteG but as usual you have got it wrong. There is NO steering wheel on or in a Bulldozer you use steering rods and pedals to turn the beast. IE stop one track to make it turn. Steering wheels jezuz.
Previously, if a company got caught, its lawyers in many cases would be able to negotiate a financial settlement. The company would write the government a check for a number followed by lots of zeroes and promise not to break the rules again. Often the cost would just get passed on to customers.
Now, on top of fines paid by a company, senior executives can face criminal charges even if they weren’t involved in the scheme but could have stopped it had they known. Furthermore, they can also be banned from doing business with government health programs, a career-ending consequence.
Where I would like to see that same approach followed is in the New Zealand political scene and government.
The government should be subject to the Fair Trading Act for a start, so that they are not able to engage in “misleading and deceptive conduct in (government)”.
And, following your link and opinion p’s b, the people who hold the various offices should be held personally acountable. After all, the sums involved are on an entirely comparable scale to those in that article.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander, no? Any good reason why the government and personal office holders should not be subject to the same?
I dear say Bill English and John Key would instantly cease their lies and deception.
I’ve often thought it would be useful to have party leaders put on the spot before elections.
They like to use a job interview metaphor*, but I think that underplays what’s going on. It’s a unique job. Society seems to need politicians and I think ‘lections are the best way to find them. Part of the ‘job description’ is that these are the people that set the rules. They really do have the power, and we really do give it to them.
Part of the thing that naturally pisses us off is that they don’t do what we thought they told us they were going to do and we get buyers remorse. There are bunches of reasons here.
Sometimes the parliament we collectively elect doesn’t have the mandate to do things an individual voted for. If I vote for the greens, I do so knowing that they are going to have to negotiate for the things they tell me they want to do. Seems churlish of me to punnish them for the fact that they can’t deliver.
Other times, the pollies say things in ways that might me think I’m voting for something that is not quite what they meant, to be as charitable about their motives as I can.
On this point I have a right to be pissed off at them to be sure, but I think the solution, or a part of it, is to get them to be more clear.
The way the game is now, we are relying on other politicians to try and hold them to account in the campaign. But all the politcians are playing the same game, and the media are suck at controlling them, for various reasons.
I’d love to see the stupid ‘leaders debate hosted by a view from nowhere idiot’ aboandoned, It teaches us nothing and plays into the horse race, soundbite, nonsense that is a large part of the problem.
Replace it with hour long sessions for each leader currently in parliament getting a going over by someone trained in getting answers. I’m thinking here of QC’s. We could even go pomp and circumastance and raise the somber rating of the thing by having them front up to the supreme court.
“We have a few questions about how you have used, and how you intend to use, this awesome power the people are trusting you with”
That makes some sense but it could be seen through. For example, if the Greens campaigned on something but another thing eventuated then of course a defence for them would be something along the lines of “required negotiations as part of government”.
What I was more getting at is the simple outright dishonesty, which is perhaps best illustrated by example. Key claimed milk prices in New Zealand were set by international prices and not on a cost basis, yet, when the politics suited Key changed that to milk prices being set on a cost basis and not by international prices. He should be charged under my new Fair Trading Act, because clearly one of those statements is “misleading and deceptive conduct in (government)”.
What sort of defence would he have to that?
edit: another recent example is English’s claim that government debt is out of control. He is deceiving with the mixing of private and govt debt.
Make that 6.
I watch and get frustrated – mostly at the opposition’s inability to ask direct questions. Lockjaw constantly chides them but they keep trying to load political clap-trap into the questions. When will they learn to ask questions that cannot be weaseled out of answering directly. Get the Ministers to answer directly and the press will report that.
Key learned a long time ago that Jo Public is not interested in the “across-The -House” banter and furthermore will somehow make an association with that and MMP for the impending referendum.
5 I listen to Parliament, and when I get the printouts of the verbals it has to be quick before NAct gnomes get to them to make those ‘infinitesimal’ changes that seem to alter whole meanings sometimes – the scum.
Don’t read the printouts – you miss the tone and body language which makes up a large part of any verbal conversation. Go here if you want to watch the video which doesn’t include the after effects of ministers changing what they said.
And yes logie I agree they could do a lot better in that regard. Lockwood doesn’t always play straight either but at least if the questions are straight they can pull him up on it.
And you also know when lockwood is going to screw over someone he gets that superior horsey grin, and then starts barking “Order order” like a demented puppy. which he really is, the Nats puppy.
When I said I listen to Parliament, I actually listen when I’m in the car and watch when I am at home, so like I said ‘5’.
Maybe they can devise a way to tell the public what the government is up to other than by referencing info through a question and thereby opening it up to Key’s (insulting to New Zealanders) replies.
Herald, talkback, tv is not on their side.
It’s all about the money honey – the tax cuts these frontmen get from NAct and the selloffs that the printed media whores’ rich shareholders make money out of at NZ’s expense.
“I’ve often thought it would be useful to have party leaders put on the spot before elections.”
Funny that you say that. My boyfriend identified a couple of months ago what he sees as the only redeeming feature of the American political system: primaries.
With primaries, you get various luminaries from each party standing up to say what they think on a national platform. Several of these people will be genuine contenders, whereas others will simply be putting their name forward so that they can publicise the particular issue or policy response that they’re concerned with. But each of them get to stand up and address the broader party and the country with their message; something we simply don’t get in NZ politics.
Future West (the progressive ticket for west Auckland on Auckland Council) dissects Joyce’s pessimistic report on the potential Auckland CBD rail loop:
The analysis is premised on the belief that we are in business as usual mode and that the use of cars will continue to increase. The greatest driver of growth is thought to be job creation in the CBD rather than the possibility that oil price increases will price most people off the road.
[…]
It did not help Auckland Council’s business case that it also presumed business as usual and a gradual increase in road usage. Essentially both the Council and the Government looked in the rear view mirror and based on past events estimated what would happen in the future. They then measured the economic benefit by assessing “decongestion benefits”. They both thought that in 2041 there would still be thousands of cars driving around and that an improved rail system will allow motorists to get to their destinations slightly quicker. But in looking in the rear view mirror they did not see that peak oil had wiped out the bridge ahead of them and that they should have made dramatical alterations to their plans.
Cuts, shrinking kiwisaver, and the export dividend on government services when fed up sane kiwis finally jump the ditch. Is National building a warchest? Another tax cut?
I caught a snip of John Key, probably on the radio, acknowledging that NZ had one of the lowest average tax rates in the OECD (which he said WFF contributed to). So any further tax cuts would be ideologically driven in the extreme.
But if he announced yet another tax cut for his rich mates, surely questions would be asked as he has just spent the last year decreasing the ‘in paid employment’ lists and giving more souls to pudding Bennet to make their now bleak lives bleaker.
And as we all see in the papers ie: Herald and Stuff all the RWNJ’s there that are having fun and bene bashing to their little hearts content, I met a couple yesterday and they were giving it plenty about how me, and all those like me were gonna get it in the next term you know cuts, cuts, cuts. Well I know that 2 of them were public servants, so I happened to just ask how secure did they feel in their jobs now that another Billion has to be cut. That shut them up a bit. But then I had the greatest pleasure of describing to them the hoops and bullshit you have to go through just to get a pittance that is not really enough to live in. And how the standard of living changes completely. I just sat there and watched their superior demeanour just deflate. Shit I even think that 2 of them may just vote Labour this time, because as I said thats your best way of keeping your job.
Someone speaking thoughtfully on the radio recently remarked on how difficult it is for governments, and he was talking of a 4 year British government I think, to look ahead and plan for unproved and uncosted possibilities 20 years ahead. It requires imagination first unlimited, as in brain storming, and then some reference to the past and known behaviours of people and nature.
This approach that regards 5 years ahead as future thinking could be a fatal flaw in our present form of democracy. Particularly with right wing, status quo or theoretical, nostalgic governments (everything was better decades, a century ago, when we had less bureaucracy, less government welfare etc).
The authoritarian mindset they have attempts to make illegal the factors they don’t like with punishment and some form of incarceration for infringement. This approach of course is useless and stupid when dealing with climate change, natural events or known human behaviour traits. It is a policy of diminishing options and resources and they don’t have the nous to think of alternate behaviours, even that of considering an opposite approach to their traditional mindset and policies.
I had the idea that they were but thought the guy said 4 years I like four years actually, five is a bridge too far as the saying goes. Any thoughts on the length of time into the future that a politician can imagine ‘going forward’? Three terms at the most?
National compare unemployment with the 1960’s That seems wrong, because in those days the Government had a much larger railway system with small stations the length of the country with some really big workshops dotted around too (which had quite a few apprenticeships involved).
There where also hospitals in many of the small towns with a huge number of workers and supporting industries.
Then there where the ports with there huge work force.
Also there where more freezing works and dairy factories then than now.
And don’t for get the hydro dambs that the government was build at the time and the extra jobs related to that.
In 1960’s it was easy to find work, there where jobs to be had.
So why does this government think that it’s no different now, can’t they see the world has change and there are not plenty of jobs for all.
To attack the weakest people at the bottom of the heap, those on sickness and invalid benefits is cruel. I think this governments actions will increase the suicide rates in this area as people deal with every increasing hopelessness. But I guess that will get them off a benefit and that could be good for Nationals sadistics.
Interesting interview on Kathryn Ryan just now – the Copenhagenisation of Christchurch. Looking at cycling within the city as a way of creating physical and mental health, improving the economy, protecting the environment etc. Lots of very good ideas discussed within a Christchurch context. One of the best things I’ve heard about the Chch rebuild.
‘However, a spokesman for Finance Minister Bill English said the ”implication the Government had been influenced by the hospitality was wrong”.’
Two points: obviously Westpac is just inviting ministers to corporate boxes out of the kindness of their hearts, not because they expect anything. Like the tobacco industry when it said that advertising didn’t encourage smoking, they just liked spending money on advertising.
Secondly, the “I took the favours, but it didn’t effect my decision” defense was tried by Bacon, and it didn’t work.
Bill English as much as anybody else in the country will know that in the arena of conflicts of interest and justice and fairness perception is almost everything.
The tenet ‘Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done’ would apply similarly here.
Very bad form. So bad in fact, on such a simple matter, that his judgment must be called into question.
The altruism of Westpac is admirable.
We seem to have the same “lobbying as entertaining” culture that surrounds Washington.
Worse, it feeds the sense of privilege that so many of the pollies have fallen foul of.
I wonder why we give any government business to a bank that does this:
The Inland Revenue Department is welcoming a ruling from the High Court in Auckland ordering Westpac to pay $961 million in back taxes.
In a decision released today, Justice Rhys Harrison has ruled the “structured finance” transactions were “tax avoidance arrangements entered into for a purpose of avoiding tax,” IRD said.
“The Commissioner has correctly adjusted the deductions claimed by Westpac in order to counteract its tax advantage gained under an avoided arrangement,” he said in the ruling.
The judge added that the total amount of tax at issue was $961 million including voluntary payments of $443 million made by Westpac under protest.
Justice Harrison said the bank was lucky IRD didn’t attack other parts of the transactions in dispute.
“I have rejected Westpac’s primary arguments on all contested issues,” he said.
Deliberately rip the country off but wine and dine the Prime Minister and still get the government’s business.
yes and the titanic was built to pander to the rich. when the ships radio went on the blink the private company who a station on the boat would not let the crew broadcast a mayday.
truth conquers because that which conquers is truth.
That’s interesting. Dr Gluckman reports back that there is no evidence that the Boot camps or Wilderness experiences (and other activities) are effective. The results are not showing effectiveness in helping troubled teens.
John Key says he welcomes the report but he says, “The Boot Camps are working!”
Remember that they will not report the results costs re-offending stats.
So again we get Key denying the science. Instead going for unproven unsupported opinion brought in for political points.
(Type 9. Play dumb. Deny credibility of Gluckman.)
Recommend that you read through this investigation from the pinkos at The Financial Times:
Britain’s care homes face a deepening crisis as some private-sector companies that piled into the sector struggle with their financial miscalculations amid fresh evidence that they provide worse quality care than their non-profit rivals . . .
The private sector pays lower wages on average than the non-profit and public sectors and has higher staff turnover rates, according to industry data . .
The increased financial pressure on the industry coincides with weakened regulatory oversight. The FT investigation found that the CQC, hit by its own financial constraints, reduced inspections by 70 per cent in the six months to March this year compared with the previous six months . . .
“Fundamentally, it’s now got to a point of being dangerous [for residents] – and it’s going to get worse,” said one CQC inspector, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If I had a relative who needed to go to a care service, I’d be concerned” . .
“At a time when the private sector is being promoted for its astute business strategies, they’ve made a pig’s ear out of it [residential care]” said Margaret Flynn, a senior associate at social care consultancy CPEA.
Whether you’re planting trees, cleaning up a beach or just recycling those dusty things stored in the garage, World Environment Day is an excellent opportunity to do something positive for the Earth. Activities take place all year round but culminate in extensive positive action for the environment on the 5th of June each year. That’s this Sunday folks, so get active and organised.
“Bankrupt Britain is a unique atlas giving a comprehensive picture of the effect of the recession on Britain. In detailed colour maps, it shows how economic, social and environmental fortunes have been affected in different areas in the wake of the 2007 banking crisis, 2008 economic crash and 2009 credit crunch. It is essential reading for a broad audience with detailed local level data and a national snap-shot of Britain during this time.”
Also, click the ‘Additional Materials’ link and get, amongst other things, the excel datasheets behind the maps they present.
left field again dudes but Carterton Post shop is closing for some unannounced reason. now I know there arent that many cow cockies reading this but around Carterton they do contribute more than their share of exports and to foreign exchange and for that effort they need their services to continue and not be taken awayjust because some investor thinks they need more money.
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The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
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 Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
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 ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
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Apparently Joky Hen’s and Professor Delores Umbridge’s educational philosophies are not home grown after all. Watch this space…
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/24/education/24tests.html?_r=1
Logie97.Of course the anxiety in the USA is the serious fall off of national standards on the international comparisons. Ever since they started the No Child Left Behind program which is made up of many standardised tests, they have slipped down the rankings. So what is their answer? More testing! They must be mad and you are right. Key/Tolley will be scuttling back and forward gathering “me too” misinformation.
I wouldn’t call these moves to monitor teacher performance “educational philosophies” but rather neoliberal ideology.
Under the neoliberalism of the ‘Third Way’, teachers are now positioned as productive workers within this new global service industry. We are mere functionaries and in contrast to a educational culture once imbued with critical democratic values, there is now a commercial managerial culture preoccupied with performativity – what is produced, observed, measured. no longer is it process, but rather product and on the global market homogenised out-put is critical.
As a result of privitisation/globalisation teachers have no control over external (national and international) coercion and pressure – we have become neutral operatives implementing the directives of our political masters – well some still have the nerve to fight as you all know.
Another factor to consider is the right-wing’s refusal to accept that social inequality is the determining factor of educational success: generally we leave school to fulfil social positions that are similar to our parents. Schooling is all about the reproduction of class. The right-wing refuses to tackle poverty – it is after all a necessary part of capitalism – and insists that educational outcomes are solely down to quality teaching. Research clearly refutes this.
More of a concern for me is the loss of critical thinking in a curriculum focused on the three R’s. In the need for a healthy democracy, we must move beyond ideology when it comes to education.
anarch. What you said +1.
And make that +2
Another spot-on post from Sue Bradford on the government’s approach to welfare “reform” & bennie bashing:
http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/john-keys-heart-of-darkness
And includes a link to Rob’s post on The Standard about the mythical 170,000 jobs.
So the all-knowing authorities in Canterbury kept the GNS Science information about the 23% chance of another big quake in the next year from the public.
Yet another evidential example of why nobody should trust authority.
Just like the authorities in Japan re Fukishima (sp?). Just like the authorities re Pike River. Just like the authorities re search and rescue in the immediate aftermath of Chch quake no. 2 (how many people died from not being found in time because there were nt enough people looking? Not one survivor was found in Chch after 26 hours after the quake – pathetic and deadly)
It just bloody goes on and on and on and on and on ………….
Keep the public in the dark and feed them bullshit.
Fuck the authorities.
I was really struck by the numbers of searchers at the time too – that there didn’t appear to be nearly enough and they were all in the CBD. No-one talked about it that week. Has there been any actual reporting/writing on this since? Are we training up more searchers now? That quake was a wake up for NZ that we won’t/don’t have the ability to cope with very large disasters in terms of immediate emergency response.
Re the authorities, I think developping skills at when and where to trust is important.
Re the 23% chance of another big quake, is that based on past statistics, or on what’s actually happening in the ground?
And the reason we don’t is because we’ve been cutting government services in favour of the “free-market” which, of course, never plans for a disaster.
Yes Draco. Another example is the disestablishment of undergound mine services (unsure of right name) at the Dept of Labour and the resultant 29 Pike River dead men.
Messrs weka and Critic (below), the question of why no survivors were found after such a short time is a valid and important question. I have not seen it answered, or even asked, anywhere. In fact, when I raise it with people it seems it is not something that has even occurred to most of them.
It is legitimate to ask it and one way of answering it would be to see the coroners reported cause of death for each fatality. Did they die of force from being struck by something? Did they die of hypothermia from being not found in time? (recall the day and following days were cold and drizzly wet!). Did they die from subsequent fire? Did they die from drowning due to putting out fires?
I would like to see it asked and answered. I hope my conjecture is wrong but I have some doubts given the fact that usually after an earthquake in a built up area survivors are found days and days after the event. Why did that not happen in Christchurch?
And re the 23% chance of another big quake imo it will have a dramatic effect on the rebuild timeframes. In fact, if such an event happens I suspect it will be the deathknell for Chch as we know it. Many people will vacate.
(I sound like such a doomsday addict)
Hang in there vto.
The 26 hours thing had me scratching my head, too. I wondered whether it might be due to the unusual nature of the earthquake (timing, depth, proximity to Christchurch) and the design philosophy for the buildings. It occurred to me that most of the buildings that failed either killed people or let them walk out. There were, in my hypothesis, relatively few buildings that trapped people alive when they failed. So the searchers had relatively few people to find trapped and alive.
The other side of the 23% thing is that there is a 77% chance that there won’t be another big quake next year. 🙂 Though the whole unusual nature thing casts doubt on the prediction. I think these earthquakes will result in a rewrite of some of the fundamentals of earthquake theory. Old assumptions may need to be thrown out, based on the data from Christchurch.
I’m sure that’s the case, not just here but also internationally. They will keep learning from major quake events (with all the associated activity), but each is unique and they can never know all the answers.
They said as time goes on the 23% will gradually reduce, but will never get to 0%.
The scientists need to remind everyone that an earthquake is an act of god and unpredictable. The Italian authorities are apparently confused about this despite being in a very religious country. Because a panel of seismologists agreed that an earthquake was unlikely in the near future, they are being sued for negligence or misleading the public by sounding too confident or something because a serious one occurred a week afterwards.
The motto is ‘Expect the unexpected, but remember you can’t depend on it’.
Parallels with the Lotteries Commission here and my winning powerball ticket? This is the week, evidently. Can I sue them if it turns out they are misleading me? .
Although many people think so, Italy is not as religious a country as you might think… 🙂
Unexpected Earthquake Observation #212;
Breakfast shakes are a particularly bad way to start a day.
vto Try smoothies!
ha ha smoothies?? There aint no such thing as smoothies these here parts these days.
Roads – buckled as all hell. Bodies and souls – all shook up and nervy. Relationships – same same. Houses – out of square and broken. Tolerance – short and explosive. Conversations – jittery, cracked and all over the place.
But maybe you are right. Maybe some smoothies for brekky are in order. Help to set the scene for the new day.
All the best vto. Hope you have a good day, then month, then year. The settling of the earth after a quake is very unsettling for sure. Are you on the east?
Strangest media story of the day:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5082743/Darren-Hughes-stayed-with-Paul-Henry
The media stories that construct the politicial-media-celebrity mash-up just gets more surreal.
And what has happened re the Darren Hughes story ? it was big news, then he resigned and Nothing. When are we going to hear if there is even a story here or is it a storm in a teacup???
Fed up with the current political offerings?
Not commited to Labour?
Won’t be voting National or Act?
Uninspired by the alternatives?
Would you like to see something really different? It could happen with a will to make it happen.
Welcome diversity?
Independence from an ideological straightjacket?
Policies adressed on their merits on an ongoing basis, not set in concrete?
Individual political leanings don’t matter, representing a democratic majority does?
The electorate comes first?
Would you like to inject some interest and passion and people power into your electorate?
It could happen if you wanted it to. Really.
Independence from ideological straight jacket = Peter Dunne.
You have to be joking. Without some idea of what you stand for addressing policies on their “merits” = flipping a coin.
You would be better off with monkeys pulling levers.
I didn’t expect you would understand MS.
It couldn’t be worse than some monkeys trying to always turn the steering wheel right with other monkeys trying to always turn the steering wheel left. In a bulldozer. With the people in front of it.
Ok how should independent merit based leaders adress peak oil?
They’d go to the electorate, inform them, discuss with them, try to convince them if they think that is justified, and then act on behalf of them.
What if it is abundantly clear to the merit based leader that peak oil is a crisis but sufficient of the electorate refused to believe in it. Should the leader act or put his or head in the sand because that is what some of the electorate is doing?
Our current leader has a conflict, well, several conflicts. Whose interests should he put first:
– the interests of the country?
– the interests of their party?
– the interests of their electorate?
Leaders are expected to put the country first, but that can conflict with the party, and the electorate, well, how does that stand a chance?
And look at the current Minister of Finance, one of the most important jobs in government and lives in Wellington – wouldn’t Clutha be better served by someone who can put decent amount of time in down there?
Or do electorates not matter to parties apart from being a way of getting seats in parliament?
In response to your question – leaders do need to show leadership. They have to make decisions on behalf of the country. So do electorate MPs, but to a lesser extent. But they should also enough information and convincing argument to their electorate to take the electorate with them rather than act in isolation.
Many voters feel like they get some attention during an election year and then get forgotten, unneeded until the next “mandate” is required. I know at least some voters would like to be heard more and talked to more, beyond the election blitz.
The parties have become far too self indulgent and don’t seem to care about people, they only care about votes when they need them.
(I know that’s not entirely the case but it’s a widespread perception).
What the feck are you on about?
The Minister of Finance lives in DIPTON.
I think he means that Bill English’s electorate is Clutha-Southland despite his non-resident state there. His family home is in Dipton in the electorate. However he has lived in Wellington for quite some time.
Confused? I think that we all are – especially Bill English… 😈 Just look at how much he thinks he can save in a corporate reorganization. I guess that he has never had a close look at the literature on the actual costs… Either that or he still has a touching faith in Treasuries ability to predict anything accurately – just look at the budgets drug inspired growth figures. Now that is a guy who is severely confused.
I’m just guessing, but he could be saving us thousands by not commuting between work and his more distant home all the time.
It would be interesting to know how much time and effort the likes of Key, English, Goff and Hide spend in their electorates.
And where do listies spend all their time? Some stand and miss out in electorates, but do they do anything for those electorates?
And it’d be even cheaper if we weren’t paying for him to rent his family home off of him.
The cheapest and best option would be to build and own outright a 120 unit apartment block that the MPs can stay in when in Wellington. The entire cost then would be rates, power and maintenance rather than rates, someone’s mortgage, their profits, power and more expensive maintenance (yes, Bill charges us for cleaning his own home).
Yes they do and even when they didn’t stand for an electorate they quite often help out in electorates.
No Lynn, he LIVES there.
He said it over and over and so did plenty of other idiots.
He LIVES in Dipton and I won’t have Pete making a liar of him.
So kind of you to defend double dip’s honor. Personally I think it is a hit of a dead issue, and Bill lost. But guess you like supporting dead causes. If PeteG thinks he is billshitting, then what can us mere mortals do against that certainty… 😈
I don’t think he’s billshitting, he’s playing by the lose rules bestowed on him by fellow MPs.
I suggest that if he wants to look for efficiencies then he could also look a bit closer to home. The allocation of human resources at the top is nuts.
Of course he’s not billshitting, he says he lives in Dipton and he does live in Dipton.
Everyone seems to accept that except Pete.
And what is your esteemed leader going to do when he gets the boot??? I know he will piss off back to Hawaii, join a big bank, and ruin NZ from afar by playing with our currency. he is the original bad smell that no matter what you do it keeps popping up in strange places.
National, and right wing governments, believe the market will solve peak oil.
No leadership as a government ethos.
The Central Americian Ancient Maya had the same leadership philosophy.
Eat the people, because its their fault for not having the backbone to
oust the elite, since the heavens will bring a good harvest.
We’re in a commodities boom and we’re going backwards!
We incentivize welfare sloth that means people give up their
kids to care and move to Australia. fewer tax payers more
criminals in a few years! Welfare needs to do no harm and
incentivize moving OFF welfare, National haven’t got a clue.
Labour will bring in a tax free threshold on income which
makes moving into work far less of a barrier (as it is in Australia).
Why does National whine all the time about the poor state of
matters yet does nothing to rectify them???
You owe it to yourself to give you kids up to care when they
become teenagers and get on a plane to Sydney, its where the
jobs are, get off welfare you bludger!!! Make its Nationals problem,
they want you too! They say it every time they open their mouths,
that you are incompetent, you need to work, you need to change.
Ummm I hate to tell you this PeteG but as usual you have got it wrong. There is NO steering wheel on or in a Bulldozer you use steering rods and pedals to turn the beast. IE stop one track to make it turn. Steering wheels jezuz.
Well spotted D_NZ, now read my post again with that knowledge.
’bout time murka. bankers next please.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=136808540
Sic em pup.
Excellent, to a degree.
Where I would like to see that same approach followed is in the New Zealand political scene and government.
The government should be subject to the Fair Trading Act for a start, so that they are not able to engage in “misleading and deceptive conduct in (government)”.
And, following your link and opinion p’s b, the people who hold the various offices should be held personally acountable. After all, the sums involved are on an entirely comparable scale to those in that article.
What is good for the goose is good for the gander, no? Any good reason why the government and personal office holders should not be subject to the same?
I dear say Bill English and John Key would instantly cease their lies and deception.
I’ve often thought it would be useful to have party leaders put on the spot before elections.
They like to use a job interview metaphor*, but I think that underplays what’s going on. It’s a unique job. Society seems to need politicians and I think ‘lections are the best way to find them. Part of the ‘job description’ is that these are the people that set the rules. They really do have the power, and we really do give it to them.
Part of the thing that naturally pisses us off is that they don’t do what we thought they told us they were going to do and we get buyers remorse. There are bunches of reasons here.
Sometimes the parliament we collectively elect doesn’t have the mandate to do things an individual voted for. If I vote for the greens, I do so knowing that they are going to have to negotiate for the things they tell me they want to do. Seems churlish of me to punnish them for the fact that they can’t deliver.
Other times, the pollies say things in ways that might me think I’m voting for something that is not quite what they meant, to be as charitable about their motives as I can.
On this point I have a right to be pissed off at them to be sure, but I think the solution, or a part of it, is to get them to be more clear.
The way the game is now, we are relying on other politicians to try and hold them to account in the campaign. But all the politcians are playing the same game, and the media are suck at controlling them, for various reasons.
I’d love to see the stupid ‘leaders debate hosted by a view from nowhere idiot’ aboandoned, It teaches us nothing and plays into the horse race, soundbite, nonsense that is a large part of the problem.
Replace it with hour long sessions for each leader currently in parliament getting a going over by someone trained in getting answers. I’m thinking here of QC’s. We could even go pomp and circumastance and raise the somber rating of the thing by having them front up to the supreme court.
“We have a few questions about how you have used, and how you intend to use, this awesome power the people are trusting you with”
That makes some sense but it could be seen through. For example, if the Greens campaigned on something but another thing eventuated then of course a defence for them would be something along the lines of “required negotiations as part of government”.
What I was more getting at is the simple outright dishonesty, which is perhaps best illustrated by example. Key claimed milk prices in New Zealand were set by international prices and not on a cost basis, yet, when the politics suited Key changed that to milk prices being set on a cost basis and not by international prices. He should be charged under my new Fair Trading Act, because clearly one of those statements is “misleading and deceptive conduct in (government)”.
What sort of defence would he have to that?
edit: another recent example is English’s claim that government debt is out of control. He is deceiving with the mixing of private and govt debt.
There’ll be parliamentary questions on that topic next week.
And Key will lie, obfuscate, and contradict himself. On record.
And myself and the 3 other people in NZ who listen to parliament will be outraged.
4 I listen and get outraged as well.
Make that 6.
I watch and get frustrated – mostly at the opposition’s inability to ask direct questions. Lockjaw constantly chides them but they keep trying to load political clap-trap into the questions. When will they learn to ask questions that cannot be weaseled out of answering directly. Get the Ministers to answer directly and the press will report that.
Key learned a long time ago that Jo Public is not interested in the “across-The -House” banter and furthermore will somehow make an association with that and MMP for the impending referendum.
5 I listen to Parliament, and when I get the printouts of the verbals it has to be quick before NAct gnomes get to them to make those ‘infinitesimal’ changes that seem to alter whole meanings sometimes – the scum.
Don’t read the printouts – you miss the tone and body language which makes up a large part of any verbal conversation. Go here if you want to watch the video which doesn’t include the after effects of ministers changing what they said.
Ha, I knew it was me and three others!
And yes logie I agree they could do a lot better in that regard. Lockwood doesn’t always play straight either but at least if the questions are straight they can pull him up on it.
And you also know when lockwood is going to screw over someone he gets that superior horsey grin, and then starts barking “Order order” like a demented puppy. which he really is, the Nats puppy.
Felix and Draco T Bastard,
When I said I listen to Parliament, I actually listen when I’m in the car and watch when I am at home, so like I said ‘5’.
Maybe they can devise a way to tell the public what the government is up to other than by referencing info through a question and thereby opening it up to Key’s (insulting to New Zealanders) replies.
Herald, talkback, tv is not on their side.
It’s all about the money honey – the tax cuts these frontmen get from NAct and the selloffs that the printed media whores’ rich shareholders make money out of at NZ’s expense.
I’d like to see something like that, it would be far better than the current circus mentality.
It may peeve the current media celebrities a bit though.
“I’ve often thought it would be useful to have party leaders put on the spot before elections.”
Funny that you say that. My boyfriend identified a couple of months ago what he sees as the only redeeming feature of the American political system: primaries.
With primaries, you get various luminaries from each party standing up to say what they think on a national platform. Several of these people will be genuine contenders, whereas others will simply be putting their name forward so that they can publicise the particular issue or policy response that they’re concerned with. But each of them get to stand up and address the broader party and the country with their message; something we simply don’t get in NZ politics.
Future West (the progressive ticket for west Auckland on Auckland Council) dissects Joyce’s pessimistic report on the potential Auckland CBD rail loop:
http://networkedblogs.com/iyjO4
Cuts, shrinking kiwisaver, and the export dividend on government services when fed up sane kiwis finally jump the ditch. Is National building a warchest? Another tax cut?
I caught a snip of John Key, probably on the radio, acknowledging that NZ had one of the lowest average tax rates in the OECD (which he said WFF contributed to). So any further tax cuts would be ideologically driven in the extreme.
But if he announced yet another tax cut for his rich mates, surely questions would be asked as he has just spent the last year decreasing the ‘in paid employment’ lists and giving more souls to pudding Bennet to make their now bleak lives bleaker.
And as we all see in the papers ie: Herald and Stuff all the RWNJ’s there that are having fun and bene bashing to their little hearts content, I met a couple yesterday and they were giving it plenty about how me, and all those like me were gonna get it in the next term you know cuts, cuts, cuts. Well I know that 2 of them were public servants, so I happened to just ask how secure did they feel in their jobs now that another Billion has to be cut. That shut them up a bit. But then I had the greatest pleasure of describing to them the hoops and bullshit you have to go through just to get a pittance that is not really enough to live in. And how the standard of living changes completely. I just sat there and watched their superior demeanour just deflate. Shit I even think that 2 of them may just vote Labour this time, because as I said thats your best way of keeping your job.
Someone speaking thoughtfully on the radio recently remarked on how difficult it is for governments, and he was talking of a 4 year British government I think, to look ahead and plan for unproved and uncosted possibilities 20 years ahead. It requires imagination first unlimited, as in brain storming, and then some reference to the past and known behaviours of people and nature.
This approach that regards 5 years ahead as future thinking could be a fatal flaw in our present form of democracy. Particularly with right wing, status quo or theoretical, nostalgic governments (everything was better decades, a century ago, when we had less bureaucracy, less government welfare etc).
The authoritarian mindset they have attempts to make illegal the factors they don’t like with punishment and some form of incarceration for infringement. This approach of course is useless and stupid when dealing with climate change, natural events or known human behaviour traits. It is a policy of diminishing options and resources and they don’t have the nous to think of alternate behaviours, even that of considering an opposite approach to their traditional mindset and policies.
UK governments are elected for 5 years.
I had the idea that they were but thought the guy said 4 years I like four years actually, five is a bridge too far as the saying goes. Any thoughts on the length of time into the future that a politician can imagine ‘going forward’? Three terms at the most?
National compare unemployment with the 1960’s That seems wrong, because in those days the Government had a much larger railway system with small stations the length of the country with some really big workshops dotted around too (which had quite a few apprenticeships involved).
There where also hospitals in many of the small towns with a huge number of workers and supporting industries.
Then there where the ports with there huge work force.
Also there where more freezing works and dairy factories then than now.
And don’t for get the hydro dambs that the government was build at the time and the extra jobs related to that.
In 1960’s it was easy to find work, there where jobs to be had.
So why does this government think that it’s no different now, can’t they see the world has change and there are not plenty of jobs for all.
To attack the weakest people at the bottom of the heap, those on sickness and invalid benefits is cruel. I think this governments actions will increase the suicide rates in this area as people deal with every increasing hopelessness. But I guess that will get them off a benefit and that could be good for Nationals sadistics.
Interesting interview on Kathryn Ryan just now – the Copenhagenisation of Christchurch. Looking at cycling within the city as a way of creating physical and mental health, improving the economy, protecting the environment etc. Lots of very good ideas discussed within a Christchurch context. One of the best things I’ve heard about the Chch rebuild.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20110601 (as 11.47)
Just when I thought the ACT Party couldn’t get more dominated by wealthy, bigoted, elderly white men, Bob “Left Testicle” Clarkson joins up.
Apparently, cabinet ministers have been getting all sorts of “hospitality” from Westpac, while a contract between the bank and the government is under review.
‘However, a spokesman for Finance Minister Bill English said the ”implication the Government had been influenced by the hospitality was wrong”.’
Two points: obviously Westpac is just inviting ministers to corporate boxes out of the kindness of their hearts, not because they expect anything. Like the tobacco industry when it said that advertising didn’t encourage smoking, they just liked spending money on advertising.
Secondly, the “I took the favours, but it didn’t effect my decision” defense was tried by Bacon, and it didn’t work.
Exactly McFlock,
Bill English as much as anybody else in the country will know that in the arena of conflicts of interest and justice and fairness perception is almost everything.
The tenet ‘Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done’ would apply similarly here.
Very bad form. So bad in fact, on such a simple matter, that his judgment must be called into question.
This is Taito Phillip Field all over again…
The altruism of Westpac is admirable.
We seem to have the same “lobbying as entertaining” culture that surrounds Washington.
Worse, it feeds the sense of privilege that so many of the pollies have fallen foul of.
I wonder why we give any government business to a bank that does this:
The Inland Revenue Department is welcoming a ruling from the High Court in Auckland ordering Westpac to pay $961 million in back taxes.
In a decision released today, Justice Rhys Harrison has ruled the “structured finance” transactions were “tax avoidance arrangements entered into for a purpose of avoiding tax,” IRD said.
“The Commissioner has correctly adjusted the deductions claimed by Westpac in order to counteract its tax advantage gained under an avoided arrangement,” he said in the ruling.
The judge added that the total amount of tax at issue was $961 million including voluntary payments of $443 million made by Westpac under protest.
Justice Harrison said the bank was lucky IRD didn’t attack other parts of the transactions in dispute.
“I have rejected Westpac’s primary arguments on all contested issues,” he said.
Deliberately rip the country off but wine and dine the Prime Minister and still get the government’s business.
Should all go to Kiwibank.
Last Sunday there was some discussion about the Titanic. Today it is 100 years since the Titanic was launched in Belfast.
Due to international time difference 31 May is the actual day.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43227754/ns/world_news-europe/
Randal much can be learnt from the politics of the Titanic.
yes and the titanic was built to pander to the rich. when the ships radio went on the blink the private company who a station on the boat would not let the crew broadcast a mayday.
truth conquers because that which conquers is truth.
That’s interesting. Dr Gluckman reports back that there is no evidence that the Boot camps or Wilderness experiences (and other activities) are effective. The results are not showing effectiveness in helping troubled teens.
John Key says he welcomes the report but he says, “The Boot Camps are working!”
Remember that they will not report the results costs re-offending stats.
So again we get Key denying the science. Instead going for unproven unsupported opinion brought in for political points.
(Type 9. Play dumb. Deny credibility of Gluckman.)
Recommend that you read through this investigation from the pinkos at The Financial Times:
Britain’s care homes face a deepening crisis as some private-sector companies that piled into the sector struggle with their financial miscalculations amid fresh evidence that they provide worse quality care than their non-profit rivals . . .
The private sector pays lower wages on average than the non-profit and public sectors and has higher staff turnover rates, according to industry data . .
The increased financial pressure on the industry coincides with weakened regulatory oversight. The FT investigation found that the CQC, hit by its own financial constraints, reduced inspections by 70 per cent in the six months to March this year compared with the previous six months . . .
“Fundamentally, it’s now got to a point of being dangerous [for residents] – and it’s going to get worse,” said one CQC inspector, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “If I had a relative who needed to go to a care service, I’d be concerned” . .
“At a time when the private sector is being promoted for its astute business strategies, they’ve made a pig’s ear out of it [residential care]” said Margaret Flynn, a senior associate at social care consultancy CPEA.
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/307bbd3e-8af5-11e0-b2f1-00144feab49a.html#ixzz1NuDa9sTFU
Help the Planet on World Environment Day
http://thejackalman.blogspot.com/2011/06/help-planet-on-world-environment-day.html
Whether you’re planting trees, cleaning up a beach or just recycling those dusty things stored in the garage, World Environment Day is an excellent opportunity to do something positive for the Earth. Activities take place all year round but culminate in extensive positive action for the environment on the 5th of June each year. That’s this Sunday folks, so get active and organised.
Some very good work done here, by the look of it, on ‘Bankrupt Britain’ –
“Bankrupt Britain is a unique atlas giving a comprehensive picture of the effect of the recession on Britain. In detailed colour maps, it shows how economic, social and environmental fortunes have been affected in different areas in the wake of the 2007 banking crisis, 2008 economic crash and 2009 credit crunch. It is essential reading for a broad audience with detailed local level data and a national snap-shot of Britain during this time.”
Also, click the ‘Additional Materials’ link and get, amongst other things, the excel datasheets behind the maps they present.
Australia’s economic miracle falters – largest quarterly GDP drop in 20 years
http://www.smh.com.au/business/national-economy-shrinks-12-20110601-1ffjw.html
One more quarter of similar and the knock on effects are going to hurt NZ
left field again dudes but Carterton Post shop is closing for some unannounced reason. now I know there arent that many cow cockies reading this but around Carterton they do contribute more than their share of exports and to foreign exchange and for that effort they need their services to continue and not be taken awayjust because some investor thinks they need more money.