As I recall it, one of the more stupid aspects of the asset sales was that the returns for the assets were higher than the interest rates on the loans.
So if it covers $4bil interest bills, we’re foregoing >$4bil in profits.
I’m not particularly worried about debt incurred for capital expenditure. I’d rather have hospitals and schools here and now and pay them off over the lives of these assets than have to wait to save up and pay for them. If we can afford to service the debt over the years, it’s not a big issue. And as a good Keynesian knows, borrowing and spending in tough times is perfectly appropriate.
It’s when we borrow to pay for operational expenditures such as tax cuts that I have a problem.
Thanks Paul, that is a great link! Especially when you look at Finland, who is held up as a great country to emulate by a number of commentators here and their net debt per citizen is almost twice that of NZ! http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/finland
We are also lower per citizen than Norway, Belgium, Austria, Canada, France, Germany…..I could go on, but I think your point about National keeping debt under control has been well made.
National was forced to rack up debt for several reasons:
1) the GFC caused out economy to shrink by 3% in one year
2) the Christchurch earthquake. We had to borrow money to pay for this. The alternative was to leave Christchurch to rot.
3) huge spending and future spending promises by Labour in the 2000s, during a time of relative economic prosperity, meant that we were all of a sudden spending beyond our means. We are only now getting back to a position where we can actually pay our way.
1) so maybe not the best time to give $2 billion a year in tax cuts ?
2) ‘total Government spending on the rebuilding of Christchurch will be $15 Billion by 2028’
– Bill English Budget speech to Parliament 2014
3) see point 1
Given that all government buildings, infrastructure etc have to have recovery insurance and most home owner did too, it would be reasonable to assert that this will not necessary be part of the debt. If it is NZ has been taken to to cleaners big time by the insurers and god forbid if something like this happens again. Lets not forget that Christchurch is unearthing costs and liabilities even after 3 years and who knows what will hear about tomorrow.
Bad news from the US “The Supreme Court dealt a serious blow to public sector unions Monday, limiting their ability to automatically deduct dues from public workers who nevertheless benefit from union-negotiated contracts. ”
We can only hope that NZ doesn’t follow suit.
The US political and justice systems are quite different from pretty much any other country in the world, so generally what goes on in the US, stays in the US.
Trev is imo, one of those people that is quite smart and silly at the same time – he has hit the smart side with this one – it will get the headlines, get people talking and increase his chances of being reelected – and you never know I’m sure moa would be over the moon to be born again, raised for meat and their skin, kept in cages or even ‘free range’. And why not, it’s not like there are any other issues to worry about so win win win.
With “the science of de-extinction advancing quickly”, as he put it, the Hutt South MP has laid down a challenge for Lower Hutt and for scientists: Let’s work towards the possibility of moa one day striding again through the bush of Rimutaka Forest Park.
It’s an interesting thing to make a campaign issue (and the tories will probably fall into it by calling him Moa Mallard or something), but it does provide a handy segue into all sorts of issues like regional development, environmental preservation, environmental tourism, revitalising the spirit of kiwi ingenuity, cutting-edge technology and blue skies research – all that good stuff.
Then how can it satisfy the needs of institutions which have obligations which have nothing to do with making a profit?
e.g. – electricity supply to elderly in winter
e.g. – hospitals bringing people back to health
e.g. – housing to those who cannot provide for themselves
e.g. – teaching children how to read and write
e.g. – the list goes on
why do people insist that the business model is capable of more than they admit business owes as an obligation? These people make no sense.
Yet curiously these same people claim there is an obligation on the people to help business….
e.g. – money for farming businesses water
e.g. – electricity companies to deepen the NZX
e.g. – loans to keep Joyce’s mediaworks solvent
e.g. – taxpayer support for greedy finance company investors
I truly shake my head ………
I personally believe these people are both shallow thinking and duplicitous in pushing this nonsense
Should the country at the center of the, in my opinion, wrongful use of the Diplomatic Immunity case be named???,
i would suggest no, naming the country will simply have the less thinking in our society blaming all the citizens of that country for the abhorrent actions of one of its Diplomats,
My view is that Slippery the Prime Minister should for once in His miserable Premiership actually behave like one and tell the Embassy/High Commission involved to bring the alleged perpetrator of that crime back here to face His accuser in our courts or send the whole Embassy/High Commission back to their country of origin…
The current situation in my opinion is simply a misuse of the ability for Diplomatic staff to have immunity,
Diplomatic immunity is simply a device intended to retain diplomatic relations even in a situation where two countries are apparently hostile toward each other and as a device which prohibits one country from holding another’s diplomats to ransom via trumped up criminal charges,
This isn’t a situation of alleged espionage or any other political wrongdoing, it is an alleged serious offense against a citizen of the host country and by refusing to waive the alleged offenders immunity the country of His origin is effectively condoning such alleged behavior…
What? Dotcom is not claiming diplomatic immunity?Extradition is only possible as part of due process at law. In New Zealand that due process is tested and exercised by our Courts if one wishes to challenge it. What country are you from?
Forget about unpcnzcougar – unbrainedthickasaplanknzcougar wins. Doesn’t get even that simple little detail right. Phew ! It’s a disconnect bound to have something to do with ”bloody unions” or “I Hate Hone” or such. So favoured by idiots trying to appear knowing. Or pique that KDC’s richer than GodKey ?
The “Liar in Chief” is such a shallow little prick. He warned against releasing details of this criminal because a judge ordered name suppression. Oh the irony when one of Key’s best friends (the hideous Cameron Slater) has no such regard for a judges orders…
If you haven’t already seen it, the country involved is available on google fender.
There is meant to be a press conference in ________ today with their Foreign Affairs Minister.
Wasn’t hard to find on the interweb, assuming the news source from within the country is correct. Not a place with a terrific respect for women’s rights and somewhere where sodomy is still a criminal offence. But in our top ten for exports, so that may have played a part.
I think the way you refer to the Prime Minister is disrespectful. There is no way I would have referred to Helen Clark in those terms despite her serious shortcomings.
The situation here is simple as. It has happened many times world over. The Vienna Convention.
Suddenly it is the Prime Minister’s fault. You are both being absurd.
srylands operates a whole swag of identities over a number of websites. He uses odd combinations of letters to make up his usernames because that makes it easier to search within webpages for his many, many interactions.
When we play around with the spelling it makes it so much harder for him to keep track of all his work.
Ha Ha SSLands, you will tolerate what we dish up to you, you have ‘choice’ tho, toddle off to Blubber boy’s sewer where you obviously belong and have asmooch fest with all your friends…
‘I can no longer tolerate this’ says Sslands. How funny. He gathers himself up to his full height, climbs on a table for further extension, and berates us as being disgraceful and rude to him. This in response to his propaganda on how the world works well for him, and we should accept what we have as The Only Way, The Right Way, The Truth and The Word, and abase ourselves as it is TINA.
The natives are revolting! Yes sir, they definitely are.
SSLands, typical ‘wing-nuts’ diversionary tactic, ”it has happened many times the world over”, and this makes it right for us as a nation just to let the alleged perpetrator of an alleged sexual attack and home invasion simply walk away from the misuse of the convention of immunity for diplomats???
You are indeed a sick little individual and thus you should exhibit no surprise that the majority of commenter’s treat you as a mere spitoon here…
I think the way the Prime Minister refers to and deals with us as citizens, and misleads us, abuses our trust and misuses our public property, is disrespectful!
I don’t know why the country and the diplomat’s names were suppressed – judges order? In which case I don’t have a huge problem with it.
Nor do I have an issue with the Vienna Convention.
However, we should be looking very closely at the nature of our diplomatic relationship with a country that shields alleged offenders like this if that country both preserves immunity and fails to take its own legitimate criminal proceedings against the suspect in a serious offence.
True Mac, tis early days, from my wireless at one o’clock comes news that the country in question,(and i have no real care exactly which country this is),is considering sending the alleged offender back to New Zealand,
If that is true i can only but express my applause for them ”doing the right thing”,
The news added a codicil that the country involved would only do so IF the alleged offender were to receive a fair trial and would be guaranteed no physical harm,
The country concerned can be assured that i at least have tested the system of Justice in this country on a number of occasions and except for the overall power imbalance expressed in the State Versus the individual, our system of Justice especially where a case is ‘high profile’ is relatively fair,
Although i can point to isolated incidences of extra-judicial ”harm” coming to defendants from those employed by the State the country concerned can be assured that as far as can be ascertained such harm is not sanctioned by the higher levels of our State,
my suggestion to the State concerned would be to negotiate the return of this alleged offender and while doing so also negotiate in which country any sentence should be served should He be found guilty along with which countries ‘Parole Board’ will be the arbiter of His release and any conditions of that release from any sentence imposed…
“… A free market in news is not the same as a free press, unless freedom is defined so narrowly that it refers only to the power of government, rather than to the power of money…”
I think there is one journalist who stands out above all others in the NZ media and I urge everyone to listen to Wayne Brittenden’s ‘Counterpoint’ on Radio New Zealand (easily Googled)
Brittenden presents refreshing, factual and insightful analyses of topics such as the TPPA, Ukraine and Iraq situations, incarceration and the private prison industry.
I think his presentations are ‘fair, balanced and unafraid’.
The TPPA one is particularly interesting…
+1
Appointing someone like Colin Peacock or Jeremy Rose as head of News and Current Affairs wouldn’t be a bad idea either in terms of raising public service journalism and editorial standards.
@PU … yep, heard that.
C Peackock has a good history and vast experience, and can hardly be regarded as partisan.
I imagine the privatisers would fear him too much though. Besides, their programme of destruction and crony hack appointments is already well underway – by no means irreversible.
I remember someone once asked me on this site whether I thought public media could EVER be restored to something that represents the values of PSB.
Actually, I’m even more convinced now than I was then that it can be. I’m not so sure whether the political opposition (of whatever stripe) is that committed to it however. It’s a shame really, because if they actually thought about it, it’s probably the MOST important thing that should be on the political agenda – up there with child and other poverty et al (since its generally the means by which political and other policy is conveyed to ‘the masses’).
[Rant check! STOP! Keep your powder dry OwT]
Whilst I’ve supported both the save TVNZ7 and CBB, I don’t really think they’re ambitious enough (not that I’m an ambitious person myself).
There’s actually one existing umbrella institution that could deal very nicely to the bullshit we’ve been experiencing over the past 6 (PLUS) years – and without crony appointments of personnel with bullshit titles on huge salaries. (Somewhat simpler than what even Tim Selwyn was proposing elsewhere).
@ Rodel I agree about Wayne Brittenden. Listen hard to him as the management moochers at Radionz will drop him before too long. They have an advertisement that raves about how good Jim Mora’s Panel is. ‘Comments from the leading people in NZ’ or such. They can’t possibly keep Wayne who would provide a measuring standard too high for the opinionated chattering class to compare to.
Radionz likes the Panel to be leaders in opinion-making, and then gives them the scarce air time that makes them leaders, because nobody else gets a chance to enter with their informed and experienced spiel into the chat show. A really vicious circle. Coffee froth is what we are damned to receive, and the more difficult conditions get, the more we will get along with beer froth and champagne bubbles as the ‘leaders’ toast each other in forced gaiety.
What is it about ACT MPs thinking swearing and signing documents means nothing?
I mean when the 3 legged pig with lipstick wins Epsom, how should we greet its swearing in to parliament, its electoral return or anything it ever signs.
I hadnt realised quite what a serial fuckwit garrett was…
Awatere fraud
Banks signing false return
Garrett stealing identity of dead baby, false affidavit, assault,
Hang your head in shame people of Epsom. There is a clear pattern here.
Some people don’t know all that you people do.
This from google
Beth Houlbrooke is a retired business woman and mother who has resided in the Warkworth area for 20 years.
She has a lifetime connection to the area with a humble family bach on the Takatu Peninsula.
In partnership with her husband Barry she has been a farmer, and owner of a number of successful small businesses.
She is very humble, has served on all the education entities in which her children are involved, and wants the best of everything for everybody with less bureaucracy and has joined ACT to advance the commonsense individualistic policies that they purvey. (My version of her info summary.)
David Cunliffe should fly to Port Vila, shake hands with Green PM of Vanuatu Carilles, and express his solidarity with that country’s attempts to create a nuclear-free, demilitarised Pacific where societis like Kanaky and West Papua are decolonised and the US-China Cold War is defused…
Joe Natuman of the Vanua’aku Pati replaced Moana Carcasses a month ago, after he lost a motion of no confidence. The Vanuatu parliament is a place of unsteady loyalties, with coalitions constantly changing, but it was significant that for a year the minority Greens were seen as the honest brokers there.
Granted, I haven’t watched any TV1 news lately, but has there been any coverage of the hilarious disaster that the #TeamKey hashtag has become?
I’m pretty sure if David Cunliffe had launched an ill-advised Twitter campaign, there would be constant CUNLIFFE MUST RESIGN CAN HE BE TRUSTED headlines. Maybe even some clearly pre-written editorials & WHAT IS CUNLIFFE’S MOST DIABOLICAL GAFFE polls.
Glad you said that, as last nights TV1 news had the results of a poll “should David Cunliff resign”. Knowing the outcome of the smear campaign against DC I wonder why they ran this news item. WTF. What had DC done for them to continue with this resignation crap. Before the ad break the usual shock horror must see the results after the break etc. Can’t remember exact figures but the majority of labour and non labour supporters said he should not. Not happy with that we then had Shearer interviewed and when they were told by Shearer that he was loyal to DC the female anchor person had a last snide remark like that’s what David Shearer says at the moment.
Did not really take much notice perhaps someone on here can either confirm or deny what I have written.
If there hasn’t been any I would now like to see similar polls on “how people feel about the smear campaign orchestrated by Key and the Herald” and also one asking the same questions about Collins resigning.
Too many simple knuckle-dragging jonos I think. Is it all right to call them knuckle-dragging or is that lifting my veneer? Or perhaps I lost my shine long ago.
NZ Herald continues with its recent form of ludicrously overstated stories:
Startling front page headline of the printed version “Cow hits Car”
First sentence of actual story “A Dunedin driver who smashed into a cow”
Dr RUSSEL NORMAN to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his statements?
JOHN HAYES to the Minister of Finance: What progress is the Government making in allocating proceeds from its share offer programme to pay for new public assets through the Future Investment Fund?
Hon DAVID CUNLIFFE to the Prime Minister: Does he have confidence in the Minister of Education and all of her decisions?
DAVID BENNETT to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has the Prime Minister made regarding the Government’s commitment to transport infrastructure in regional New Zealand?
Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Prime Minister: Is the Government “working for New Zealand”; if so, does that apply to all New Zealanders?
GRANT ROBERTSON to the Minister for Economic Development: What does he consider are the core components of a regional economic development plan?
JULIE ANNE GENTER to the Minister of Transport: Why are the regional State highway projects announced at the weekend being funded from asset sales rather than the transport budget?
LOUISE UPSTON to the Minister for Economic Development: What reports has he received on how the regions contributed to New Zealand’s economic recovery?
PHIL TWYFORD to the Minister of Housing: Does he stand by his statement that the rate of new house builds in Auckland “is the highest it has been in years, and it shows the progress we are making”, given the average number of building consents issued for new dwellings in the last six years is 4,408 per year, compared to an average of 9,055 from 1999-2008?
GARETH HUGHES to the Minister of Conservation: Did New Zealand officials at a recent International Whaling Commission meeting in Europe agree with or disagree with the Commission’s recommendations that protection for Maui’s dolphins be granted out to 20 nautical miles from Maunganui Bluff down to Wanganui?
MIKE SABIN to the Minister for ACC: What changes has the Government announced about the way ACC covers claims for hearing loss?
CHRIS HIPKINS to the Minister of Education: Does she stand by all her statements?
Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South.
Hi I’m from The National Party.
Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
A. Yeah!!
Do you like that idea from John Key?
A . Yeah Too right.
Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
A. Sort of.
Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
A. No way.
So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September.
A Probably.
Thanks
I liked the cult of personality, though – three mentions of John Key, only opening and closing with “National” to try and do a bit of positive association.
Given you’re a proven liar, I suspect the real transcript is more like this:
Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South (ie all of Hutt South, except Bob Jones’s place).
Hi I’m from The National Party.
A: Oh, really? Are you lost?
Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
A: Yeah, well it would have helped, six years ago.
Do you like that idea from John Key?
A: I liked that idea when it was from the Greens and Labour, six years ago.
Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
A: Sort of. But I don’t know what that job is. Do you?
Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
A: Great? They’d be awesome!
So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September?
A: Probably. For about a micro second.
Hutt South’s like Mana – some striking social contrast – Deep Red territory next to Deep Blue territory. Now that Naenae’s headed off to the Hipster’s Rimutaka, I’d say Wainui would be the major Red stronghold. Along with Moera (though that, too, may have moved to Rimutaka, not sure). Hutt Central, Boulcott and, above all, Woburn are the deepest Blue suburbs (as blue as a new tatoo). Increasingly gentrified Petone (once as Red as a Railway Shed back in mid-20th Century) is now pale Orange, as are one or two other formerly Blood Red areas.
Hi I’m from The National Party. Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
A. Of course. Was that policy copied from the progressive parties?
Do you like that idea from John Key?
A . I like the idea but I think Key and National are thieves of policies of other parties for votes though it is against their RWNjob agenda..
Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
A. Yes, primarily for the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful.
Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
A. You bet! Those leaders have more sense, integrity, care, conscience, fairness and concern than any of your rich bastards in National or Act can ever have.
So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September.
A. You have the bloody cheek! Bugger off, fool.
*Thanks
A : You are welcome. The whole lot of you may be going to hell when you reach the Pearly gates! Sorry about that. Take that as a warning,dude. It isn’t too late to get out of the dark side. See ya!
” Hi I’m from The National Party. Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? ”
Unfortunately this won’t happen until July 2015 so if your child is between 5 and 13 and falls ill before then and you can’t afford to pay, then …….
If #teamgetlostkey had truly cared they would have brought this in today. Now some children may really suffer. How can such a cynical and profit driven group of so called humans have been given the mandate to run this country.What is wrong with us?
Perhaps John Key might need to spend a little more time in his own Helensville electorate?
I hear that’s he’s not there much – seems he spends lots of time in Wellington and overseas looking after the interests of his corporate and U$A bankster mates?
Will John Key stand down as Leader of the National Party, if Public Watchdog Penny Bright beats him for the Helensville electorate vote?
Quite simply – why would the voting public of Helensville waste their electorate vote on John Key. when he’ll be Number One on National’s Party List, and get in anyway?
If Helensville folk vote STRATEGICALLY , and electorate vote ‘Public Watchdog’ Penny Bright for Helensville, they can get ‘two for one’ – sort of thing…..
A proven, hardworking, effective advocate for the 99% PM – Penelope Mary Bright, vs a proven, hardworking advocate for the `1% – PM John Key.
Want some evidence to support this?
Try this: (for starters ….)
What more do you expect from the ‘poodle from Wall St’ John Key, who is STILL a shareholder in the Bank of America?
NZ MPs ‘Register of Financial Interests’ )just downloaded today):
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully earlier said the Solicitor-General had advised the Government abide by the suppression ruling while it was in place.
“I can’t see any good public policy reason why you’d want to protect someone from publicity given there won’t be a trial.”
Surely he meant to add ‘in New Zealand’ to that statement? Or is it yet another disgustingly ignorant example of how the impact of this event upon the victim is never considered by those in power?
Further to a comment on Israel-Palestine I put on yesterday, to round the picture out I should add: It is possible Israel could strike harder in Gaza, which has been tense throughout the kidnapping drama as militants fired rockets at southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes. On Monday night there were reports that the Israeli Air Force was in the skies above Gaza.
Palestinians don’t get far with peace talks, likewise Israelis. Someone always manages to put a spanner in the works. Perhaps the status quo suits some bodies.
Never in the dangerous fray himself , a master of bureaucratic manipulation and intrigue, in love to a fault with secrecy, willing to undertake any crime under the sun so long as it leads to profit, deeply relishing every moment of evil he is able to engineer, and a master of masking it all through adroit, politically-attuned public relations aimed at people too stupid to question him — all while paying absolutely no attention to what his past clearly demonstrates he has done, thus thoroughly frustrating the decent folks all around him.
Is this Key,Cunliffe,Cheney or Leopold?.
Traditionally,once upon a time, Labour used to be the party that would be prepared to stand up for the poor, and any other people not getting a fair deal.It was a party, who’s politicians would get out there in among the people,seeking to find evidence of any people not getting a fair deal.
There is many people not getting a fair deal.Even to the extent of beneficiary’s being refused help with very severe dental problems.And so much more
Labour expects to have their people, become prepared to step out to vote for them.But sadly many of their people have lost hope.Many see little good reason, to even care about voting.
Why? would Labour voters, think it worthwhile to bother to step-out to vote for Labour politician’s,when Labour politicians don’t even seem so bothered to be prepared to help publicly highlight the plight of these sorts of people whom are not getting a fair deal under rule of National government
Its getting closer and closer to voting time. And the people that Labour needs to get interested, in getting active involved in voting. Are busy feeling pretty much like they have been totally forgotten
People feeling that way. Are not inclined to think to vote. Because they feel like the games-lost,already. They feel like nobody seems to even care , so then why even bother to vote
Labour needs to be getting out there,busy, tracking these people down. Finding out exactly where they are.Finding out what problems they are dealing with. And then also make it very publicly known (on TV)
Only “then” will Labout voters , start to begin to think like, it really might be very worth while voting.
Because people whom have given up hope, need to be personally reminded,and shown, “how” hope exists. As well as the way forward, so as to go-get help
I’m traditional a Labour voter. I’ve always voted Labour.
But to be honest, i’m starting to feel mighty embarrassed .That it seems like these Labour politicians, are not even so-bothered, to care to make the “most mileage”,out of their peoples problems and misery
Why? would they expect to have their people bothered with stepping-up to vote for them
And i raised my weeping eyes to toward the stars and other celestial bodies and cried, why, why, oh why please tell me why oh why, befor breaking out in a fit of the giggles about planning to vote InternetMana…
what a load of crap.
join the party if you are that concerned.
get some input into policy.
tell people what they can do to make things better.
stop this whining that is little better than national party whingeing dressed up to look like something else.
begone foul spirit.
dimebag russell says : “what a load of crap.
join the party if you are that concerned.”
What a stupid idea.
If our doctors were not doing their job. Dimebag russells best answer, would be to suggest that maybe the sick people, should need to study to become doctors themselves
The national party is not whining .They have little need to whine.The way things are going, they will very likely win the next election.
I know of plenty of people, from last elections, whom might have voted Labour. But they said they didn’t feel it was worth while. This will happen again this election. Especially when we have people like dimebag russell, demanding these folk, all need to join the party, train to become politicians
Its the politicians job to let these people know,why its worthwhile to vote. Its not my job.Hell people like me don’t even have the wherewithal ,to go get in touch with these sorts of people personally
Only an ignorant idiot would think it was the voters job, to get out and go drum-up voting-interest
If these are the sorts of people, behind the labour party. Then little wonder so many folks done see it as even worthwhile voting for Labour
Not really a stupid idea at all Pete, a political party is reflective of those who are its members, that is where the policies of the party are formed,
If you choose to sit on the sidelines never becoming involved then you have to accept that how a party looks at those they may want to help, but, have little actual experience of what they experience as a real life situation will be delivered via the real life experiences of those in the party, and, the party as all organisms are inclined to do will serve its members first…
bad12 ,yes i agree its a great idea, except for it not always being possible, “for everyone”, to have time left,in which to get personally involved, in the way that dimebag suggested.
Its easy to fob someone off, by just saying that they should decide to get involved themselves, if they feel there is a real problem.So be it , if people here decide to simply dismiss what ive said.
But this still doesn’t disprove the possibility that a problem may indeed exist.And there must be some good reason why Labour voters don’t care to vote. Labour voters are not the same as National voters. Labour voters are more in need of “being led” to believe their is in fact hope. And they are less likely to believe there might be hope , if they are “feeling” forgotten , and worthless
Do you? deny that many people within NZ, are not getting a very fair deal.
If you don’t deny it. Then please explain to me, why it is,that we are not seeing evidence of it,being display widely on the media,for all the general public to see.Especially when its only months away, from an election. An election, that the Labour party is still not looking so very much like winning
Are they hoping? to be able to lose the election, once again
Labour voters need to be “led to believe” , that voting is indeed worthwhile. For too many of them, are the kind of people, whom have given up hope
Labour voters want to vote for a Labour Party. If they cannot see an actual Labour Party around they will not vote.
Hence the results of that recent poll showing support falling away from Labour, but not going to any other party, simply going into undecided instead. If Labour gave those people real red reasons to vote, they would be back in a flash.
By the way I calculated today that under Labour’s scheme I’m basically going to get my Super at about 66.8 years of age, while most MPs in Parliament voting for it will happily get theirs at 65. Plus of course their very generous Parliamentary retirement plans. Also known as the baby boomer generation voting solely for their own interests, again.
And of course we can’t afford super going into the future, but Labour is happy to speculate that we will be able to afford tax cuts in their second term.
Pete, not fucking likely, that i am going to sit here and provide you with such explanations as you demand,
You only have to read the pages of the Standard to find the answers to your questions,and, as far as me personally providing any answers to you on/about the Labour Party, forget that too as i have not been a member of that Party for so many years i forget when my membership lapsed…
yes thats right roniie and that is what the national party are good at..
but mainly taking peoples money off them.
they too squeamish to do the dirty work themselves and people going missing are to ohard to hide in this country.
they are evil malignant spirits and they need exorcising.
Just watched the ending of that. Mcnamara was a car company accountant and look where he ended up? But I have to say that I was not impressed by Stacy Daniels on ‘Media Take’ straight after. I have to tell her that neither Carol Hirschfiled, Judy Bailley and Wendie Petrie are my mother and nor are they in any way the mother of the nation. If you believe this media nonsense then you have been suckered into a false consciousness that is very dangerous to cleave to. Their jobs are to put a nice face onto the crap that comes between selling soap and other false promises. They are talking heads and thats all.
Outstanding example of doublespeak and UK nuclear weapons in the mainstream media
“The reason why we set up the commission was to stimulate a debate that we perceive has been dominated by electoral calculation. We believe Britain is well placed to lead global nuclear disarmament by renewing Trident.”
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Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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(i found this on my rounds this morn..’tis very cool..)
“..Patatap: the addictive art app that turns your keyboard into a music machine – interactive..”
“..Press any letter on your keyboard –
Prepare to be amazed – and kill a lot of time..”
(cont..)
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/ng-interactive/2014/jun/30/patatap-addictive-art-app-that-turns-your-keyboard-into-a-music-machine-interactive
Thanks for this – it is very cool, indeed.
Are we borrowing less since asset sales, do you know?
The asset sale may cover the 4B year interest bill.
As I recall it, one of the more stupid aspects of the asset sales was that the returns for the assets were higher than the interest rates on the loans.
So if it covers $4bil interest bills, we’re foregoing >$4bil in profits.
If anyone ever tells you the economy is being well run, link them to this…
http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/newzealand
That is good.
Opposition should stik it up on an Auckland motorway billboard to illustrate the borrow and spend wastrel actions of this government.
It says,
You could wrap $1 bills around the Earth 278 times with the debt amount!
If you lay $1 bills on top of each other they would make a pile 7,796 km, or 4,844 miles high!
BUT, we don’t have $1 bills and don’t know their size either!
Needs to be reworded?
Clemgeopin, quick question, did you see the site is not solely for calculating NZ debt?
I hadn’t. Ok, in that case, it would have been better to have stated, ‘US $1 bills’
Thanks Paul. I have saved that clock to show those who don’t recognize the debt that this Government has and is running up.
chrs 4 that..i’ve whoar-ed it..
I’m not particularly worried about debt incurred for capital expenditure. I’d rather have hospitals and schools here and now and pay them off over the lives of these assets than have to wait to save up and pay for them. If we can afford to service the debt over the years, it’s not a big issue. And as a good Keynesian knows, borrowing and spending in tough times is perfectly appropriate.
It’s when we borrow to pay for operational expenditures such as tax cuts that I have a problem.
Or we could have created the money to pay for those assets without debt and no need to save money.
The biggest problem with Keynes was that he was still working to protect the rich despite, seemingly, understanding that the rich were the problem.
The government should never be borrowing at all, ever. In fact, I’d say that the government borrowing is a massive misunderstanding of economics.
Thanks Paul, that is a great link! Especially when you look at Finland, who is held up as a great country to emulate by a number of commentators here and their net debt per citizen is almost twice that of NZ! http://www.nationaldebtclocks.org/debtclock/finland
We are also lower per citizen than Norway, Belgium, Austria, Canada, France, Germany…..I could go on, but I think your point about National keeping debt under control has been well made.
National was forced to rack up debt for several reasons:
1) the GFC caused out economy to shrink by 3% in one year
2) the Christchurch earthquake. We had to borrow money to pay for this. The alternative was to leave Christchurch to rot.
3) huge spending and future spending promises by Labour in the 2000s, during a time of relative economic prosperity, meant that we were all of a sudden spending beyond our means. We are only now getting back to a position where we can actually pay our way.
1) so maybe not the best time to give $2 billion a year in tax cuts ?
2) ‘total Government spending on the rebuilding of Christchurch will be $15 Billion by 2028’
– Bill English Budget speech to Parliament 2014
3) see point 1
Given that all government buildings, infrastructure etc have to have recovery insurance and most home owner did too, it would be reasonable to assert that this will not necessary be part of the debt. If it is NZ has been taken to to cleaners big time by the insurers and god forbid if something like this happens again. Lets not forget that Christchurch is unearthing costs and liabilities even after 3 years and who knows what will hear about tomorrow.
What irritates me about that is that it has the citizens share and the household share as being exactly the same.
(john oliver works his magic..)
..i am such an oliver fan-boy..i feel he has eclipsed both stewart and colbert..
http://www.alternet.org/video/watch-john-oliver-rants-about-how-america-celebrates-gay-pride-home-exports-anti-gay-hatred
Bad news from the US “The Supreme Court dealt a serious blow to public sector unions Monday, limiting their ability to automatically deduct dues from public workers who nevertheless benefit from union-negotiated contracts. ”
We can only hope that NZ doesn’t follow suit.
The US political and justice systems are quite different from pretty much any other country in the world, so generally what goes on in the US, stays in the US.
only legally, not ideologically
already happens in NZ.
Unions negotiate the contracts, and it just becomes the generic contract for all employees.
+1
Which is why belonging to a union was compulsory – it stops the free-loading that the free-marketeers say that they’re against.
Trev is imo, one of those people that is quite smart and silly at the same time – he has hit the smart side with this one – it will get the headlines, get people talking and increase his chances of being reelected – and you never know I’m sure moa would be over the moon to be born again, raised for meat and their skin, kept in cages or even ‘free range’. And why not, it’s not like there are any other issues to worry about so win win win.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10216641/Time-to-bring-back-the-moa
It’s an interesting thing to make a campaign issue (and the tories will probably fall into it by calling him Moa Mallard or something), but it does provide a handy segue into all sorts of issues like regional development, environmental preservation, environmental tourism, revitalising the spirit of kiwi ingenuity, cutting-edge technology and blue skies research – all that good stuff.
If business has a sole obligation to make profit…
Then how can it satisfy the needs of institutions which have obligations which have nothing to do with making a profit?
e.g. – electricity supply to elderly in winter
e.g. – hospitals bringing people back to health
e.g. – housing to those who cannot provide for themselves
e.g. – teaching children how to read and write
e.g. – the list goes on
why do people insist that the business model is capable of more than they admit business owes as an obligation? These people make no sense.
Yet curiously these same people claim there is an obligation on the people to help business….
e.g. – money for farming businesses water
e.g. – electricity companies to deepen the NZX
e.g. – loans to keep Joyce’s mediaworks solvent
e.g. – taxpayer support for greedy finance company investors
I truly shake my head ………
I personally believe these people are both shallow thinking and duplicitous in pushing this nonsense
i responded to slylands on this in the other thread vto. You may or may not want to read it.
Should the country at the center of the, in my opinion, wrongful use of the Diplomatic Immunity case be named???,
i would suggest no, naming the country will simply have the less thinking in our society blaming all the citizens of that country for the abhorrent actions of one of its Diplomats,
My view is that Slippery the Prime Minister should for once in His miserable Premiership actually behave like one and tell the Embassy/High Commission involved to bring the alleged perpetrator of that crime back here to face His accuser in our courts or send the whole Embassy/High Commission back to their country of origin…
the liar in chief says he asked for the guy to be charged at home before he left the country. No one has asked him for proof though.
The current situation in my opinion is simply a misuse of the ability for Diplomatic staff to have immunity,
Diplomatic immunity is simply a device intended to retain diplomatic relations even in a situation where two countries are apparently hostile toward each other and as a device which prohibits one country from holding another’s diplomats to ransom via trumped up criminal charges,
This isn’t a situation of alleged espionage or any other political wrongdoing, it is an alleged serious offense against a citizen of the host country and by refusing to waive the alleged offenders immunity the country of His origin is effectively condoning such alleged behavior…
Agreed. It is an outdated notion vis a vis violent and sexual crimes.
Then we should have no problems complying with extraditing Kim Dotcom who is already a convicted criminal.
Huh? What’s the connection?
There isn’t any, it’s just another example of the ethical illiteracy endemic on the right.
What? Dotcom is not claiming diplomatic immunity?Extradition is only possible as part of due process at law. In New Zealand that due process is tested and exercised by our Courts if one wishes to challenge it. What country are you from?
Forget about unpcnzcougar – unbrainedthickasaplanknzcougar wins. Doesn’t get even that simple little detail right. Phew ! It’s a disconnect bound to have something to do with ”bloody unions” or “I Hate Hone” or such. So favoured by idiots trying to appear knowing. Or pique that KDC’s richer than GodKey ?
one of those old fierce-eyed rightwing women..
..hands probably trembling from too much gin..
..or too little gin..
..a helmet-hairdo..
..tacky jewellery..
..am i close..?..there..
..old..rightwing..lady..?
The “Liar in Chief” is such a shallow little prick. He warned against releasing details of this criminal because a judge ordered name suppression. Oh the irony when one of Key’s best friends (the hideous Cameron Slater) has no such regard for a judges orders…
Whaleoil will release the name this afternoon.
…after his mate Key gives him the details.
If you haven’t already seen it, the country involved is available on google fender.
There is meant to be a press conference in ________ today with their Foreign Affairs Minister.
Wasn’t hard to find on the interweb, assuming the news source from within the country is correct. Not a place with a terrific respect for women’s rights and somewhere where sodomy is still a criminal offence. But in our top ten for exports, so that may have played a part.
I think the way you refer to the Prime Minister is disrespectful. There is no way I would have referred to Helen Clark in those terms despite her serious shortcomings.
The situation here is simple as. It has happened many times world over. The Vienna Convention.
Suddenly it is the Prime Minister’s fault. You are both being absurd.
Regular Old World Emily Post you SSLands. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emily_Post
Manners, manners, manners and etiquette. Huh !
Yes manners are very important. And it is “srylands”. I request that you stop distorting my name.
I can no longer tolerate this.
Don’t let the door hit your arse on the way out.
and yet you can tolerate children living in poverty and 160-odd thousand unemployed.
Choice ! How will your intolerance manifest SSLands ? Troublesome SSGlands ? Unleashed SSBands ? Clenched SSHands ? On your head SSStands ?
well i mean..miserylands…
..were you polite to the poor as you fucked them over..?
..(‘cos that’s what matters..eh..?)
..fascists can be very well-mannered…
..one of the few good things you can say about them..
..polite..with clean-fingernails..
..is that you miserylands..?
srylands operates a whole swag of identities over a number of websites. He uses odd combinations of letters to make up his usernames because that makes it easier to search within webpages for his many, many interactions.
When we play around with the spelling it makes it so much harder for him to keep track of all his work.
Ha Ha SSLands, you will tolerate what we dish up to you, you have ‘choice’ tho, toddle off to Blubber boy’s sewer where you obviously belong and have asmooch fest with all your friends…
‘I can no longer tolerate this’ says Sslands. How funny. He gathers himself up to his full height, climbs on a table for further extension, and berates us as being disgraceful and rude to him. This in response to his propaganda on how the world works well for him, and we should accept what we have as The Only Way, The Right Way, The Truth and The Word, and abase ourselves as it is TINA.
The natives are revolting! Yes sir, they definitely are.
‘liar-in-chief’ is hardly vitriolic/purple..there..miserylands..
..it is just stating the truth..
..he is the current ‘chief’..
..and when his lips move..you can tell he is ‘lying’…
..hence..’liar-in-chief’..geddit..?
..(do you need a copy of the blip-list..?..
..as a handy-to-have reminder..?..)
SSLands, typical ‘wing-nuts’ diversionary tactic, ”it has happened many times the world over”, and this makes it right for us as a nation just to let the alleged perpetrator of an alleged sexual attack and home invasion simply walk away from the misuse of the convention of immunity for diplomats???
You are indeed a sick little individual and thus you should exhibit no surprise that the majority of commenter’s treat you as a mere spitoon here…
I think the way the Prime Minister refers to and deals with us as citizens, and misleads us, abuses our trust and misuses our public property, is disrespectful!
I don’t know why the country and the diplomat’s names were suppressed – judges order? In which case I don’t have a huge problem with it.
Nor do I have an issue with the Vienna Convention.
However, we should be looking very closely at the nature of our diplomatic relationship with a country that shields alleged offenders like this if that country both preserves immunity and fails to take its own legitimate criminal proceedings against the suspect in a serious offence.
But it’s early days yet.
True Mac, tis early days, from my wireless at one o’clock comes news that the country in question,(and i have no real care exactly which country this is),is considering sending the alleged offender back to New Zealand,
If that is true i can only but express my applause for them ”doing the right thing”,
The news added a codicil that the country involved would only do so IF the alleged offender were to receive a fair trial and would be guaranteed no physical harm,
The country concerned can be assured that i at least have tested the system of Justice in this country on a number of occasions and except for the overall power imbalance expressed in the State Versus the individual, our system of Justice especially where a case is ‘high profile’ is relatively fair,
Although i can point to isolated incidences of extra-judicial ”harm” coming to defendants from those employed by the State the country concerned can be assured that as far as can be ascertained such harm is not sanctioned by the higher levels of our State,
my suggestion to the State concerned would be to negotiate the return of this alleged offender and while doing so also negotiate in which country any sentence should be served should He be found guilty along with which countries ‘Parole Board’ will be the arbiter of His release and any conditions of that release from any sentence imposed…
“… A free market in news is not the same as a free press, unless freedom is defined so narrowly that it refers only to the power of government, rather than to the power of money…”
Topical piece from Monboit.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/30/censorship-newsroom-freedom-of-expression
Thanks. And another good one from Monbiot.
I think there is one journalist who stands out above all others in the NZ media and I urge everyone to listen to Wayne Brittenden’s ‘Counterpoint’ on Radio New Zealand (easily Googled)
Brittenden presents refreshing, factual and insightful analyses of topics such as the TPPA, Ukraine and Iraq situations, incarceration and the private prison industry.
I think his presentations are ‘fair, balanced and unafraid’.
The TPPA one is particularly interesting…
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2590769/wayne-brittenden-s-counterpoint
+1
Appointing someone like Colin Peacock or Jeremy Rose as head of News and Current Affairs wouldn’t be a bad idea either in terms of raising public service journalism and editorial standards.
peacock sat in for one of the regulars recently..he did good work..
Jim Mora: 1974
Chris Trotter: 1981
Colin Peacock: 1991
(oh, and Holly Walker, 2005)
Editor’s of Otago University Student’s Association paper, Critic. No wonder the Nats wanted voluntary student membership of their organisations.
@PU … yep, heard that.
C Peackock has a good history and vast experience, and can hardly be regarded as partisan.
I imagine the privatisers would fear him too much though. Besides, their programme of destruction and crony hack appointments is already well underway – by no means irreversible.
I remember someone once asked me on this site whether I thought public media could EVER be restored to something that represents the values of PSB.
Actually, I’m even more convinced now than I was then that it can be. I’m not so sure whether the political opposition (of whatever stripe) is that committed to it however. It’s a shame really, because if they actually thought about it, it’s probably the MOST important thing that should be on the political agenda – up there with child and other poverty et al (since its generally the means by which political and other policy is conveyed to ‘the masses’).
[Rant check! STOP! Keep your powder dry OwT]
Whilst I’ve supported both the save TVNZ7 and CBB, I don’t really think they’re ambitious enough (not that I’m an ambitious person myself).
There’s actually one existing umbrella institution that could deal very nicely to the bullshit we’ve been experiencing over the past 6 (PLUS) years – and without crony appointments of personnel with bullshit titles on huge salaries. (Somewhat simpler than what even Tim Selwyn was proposing elsewhere).
@ Rodel I agree about Wayne Brittenden. Listen hard to him as the management moochers at Radionz will drop him before too long. They have an advertisement that raves about how good Jim Mora’s Panel is. ‘Comments from the leading people in NZ’ or such. They can’t possibly keep Wayne who would provide a measuring standard too high for the opinionated chattering class to compare to.
Radionz likes the Panel to be leaders in opinion-making, and then gives them the scarce air time that makes them leaders, because nobody else gets a chance to enter with their informed and experienced spiel into the chat show. A really vicious circle. Coffee froth is what we are damned to receive, and the more difficult conditions get, the more we will get along with beer froth and champagne bubbles as the ‘leaders’ toast each other in forced gaiety.
What is it about ACT MPs thinking swearing and signing documents means nothing?
I mean when the 3 legged pig with lipstick wins Epsom, how should we greet its swearing in to parliament, its electoral return or anything it ever signs.
I hadnt realised quite what a serial fuckwit garrett was…
Awatere fraud
Banks signing false return
Garrett stealing identity of dead baby, false affidavit, assault,
Hang your head in shame people of Epsom. There is a clear pattern here.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10759020
The reason Garret was suspended from the bar was for swearing a false affidavit.
Some one needs to point that out to the editor of the herald.
3 legged pig with lipstick? Is Beth Houlbrooke running?
Really classy Populuxe, fascinating what slips out from beneath the veneer.
well..i just had to go and find her..
..and i went to her facebook page..
..and had a bit of a spray..
..it was fun..
..dunno how long the comments will stay up…
..heh..!
..i might seek out other act candidate facebook pages..
..(excuse the non-vegan simile)..but it really is like shooting ducks in a barrel..)
Some people don’t know all that you people do.
This from google
Beth Houlbrooke is a retired business woman and mother who has resided in the Warkworth area for 20 years.
She has a lifetime connection to the area with a humble family bach on the Takatu Peninsula.
In partnership with her husband Barry she has been a farmer, and owner of a number of successful small businesses.
She is very humble, has served on all the education entities in which her children are involved, and wants the best of everything for everybody with less bureaucracy and has joined ACT to advance the commonsense individualistic policies that they purvey. (My version of her info summary.)
Labour announced a good piece of policy on migration from the Pacific yesterday. This could be part of a wider Pacific strategy, aimed at energising not just Pasifika but palangi voters:
http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2014/03/why-labour-needs-pacific-strategy.html
David Cunliffe should fly to Port Vila, shake hands with Green PM of Vanuatu Carilles, and express his solidarity with that country’s attempts to create a nuclear-free, demilitarised Pacific where societis like Kanaky and West Papua are decolonised and the US-China Cold War is defused…
Joe Natuman of the Vanua’aku Pati replaced Moana Carcasses a month ago, after he lost a motion of no confidence. The Vanuatu parliament is a place of unsteady loyalties, with coalitions constantly changing, but it was significant that for a year the minority Greens were seen as the honest brokers there.
Granted, I haven’t watched any TV1 news lately, but has there been any coverage of the hilarious disaster that the #TeamKey hashtag has become?
I’m pretty sure if David Cunliffe had launched an ill-advised Twitter campaign, there would be constant CUNLIFFE MUST RESIGN CAN HE BE TRUSTED headlines. Maybe even some clearly pre-written editorials & WHAT IS CUNLIFFE’S MOST DIABOLICAL GAFFE polls.
Glad you said that, as last nights TV1 news had the results of a poll “should David Cunliff resign”. Knowing the outcome of the smear campaign against DC I wonder why they ran this news item. WTF. What had DC done for them to continue with this resignation crap. Before the ad break the usual shock horror must see the results after the break etc. Can’t remember exact figures but the majority of labour and non labour supporters said he should not. Not happy with that we then had Shearer interviewed and when they were told by Shearer that he was loyal to DC the female anchor person had a last snide remark like that’s what David Shearer says at the moment.
Did not really take much notice perhaps someone on here can either confirm or deny what I have written.
If there hasn’t been any I would now like to see similar polls on “how people feel about the smear campaign orchestrated by Key and the Herald” and also one asking the same questions about Collins resigning.
You can watch it here:
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/poll-backs-cunliffe-stay-but-shearer-favourite-replacement-6015723
Another example of a journalist spinning a story in order to make David seem unpopular IMO.
Probably worth a complaint of bias, but there are so many …
Too many simple knuckle-dragging jonos I think. Is it all right to call them knuckle-dragging or is that lifting my veneer? Or perhaps I lost my shine long ago.
NZ Herald continues with its recent form of ludicrously overstated stories:
Startling front page headline of the printed version “Cow hits Car”
First sentence of actual story “A Dunedin driver who smashed into a cow”
alternate headline:..’jersey punches out volvo’..
Lack of steering sees steer staring at stairway to heaven?
Nice one.
Questions For Oral Answer July 1
http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/about-parliament/see-hear/ptv
answer to number 10 will be interesting
none of it was ‘interesting’..
..it was all just national cracking weak moa-jokes..
..one of the worst i have seen..and i’ve seen some bad ones..
did smith not wonder why the greens want to save dolphins in hawaii?
i couldn’t hear him for the moa-jokes..
Good to see the web version of Aljazeera reporting on:
“New Zealand Opposition Takeover National Party Hashtag”
http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201406301922-0023887
(You have to scroll down to get to the good bits.)
Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South.
Hi I’m from The National Party.
Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
A. Yeah!!
Do you like that idea from John Key?
A . Yeah Too right.
Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
A. Sort of.
Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
A. No way.
So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September.
A Probably.
Thanks
My prognosis: Took one look at you and lied to get rid of you
if it ever happened that way.
I liked the cult of personality, though – three mentions of John Key, only opening and closing with “National” to try and do a bit of positive association.
How was Chris? Did he offer you a cuppa?
🙂
Given you’re a proven liar, I suspect the real transcript is more like this:
Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South (ie all of Hutt South, except Bob Jones’s place).
Hi I’m from The National Party.
A: Oh, really? Are you lost?
Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? Will that help?
A: Yeah, well it would have helped, six years ago.
Do you like that idea from John Key?
A: I liked that idea when it was from the Greens and Labour, six years ago.
Do you think John Key is doing a good job?
A: Sort of. But I don’t know what that job is. Do you?
Do you think Labour/ Greens NZF and Hone Harawira would be a great government?
A: Great? They’d be awesome!
So will you consider voting National and John Key for Prime Minister in September?
A: Probably. For about a micro second.
Thanks.
A: Fuck off.
lol…cat laughed too!
Cheers, Chooky. Fish in barrel etc.
Do you give away free cigarettes to those promising to vote National…
Considering the size of Trev’s majority in Hutt South you would be scratching to know which is a red or blue ‘area’ in that electorate,
Considering your previous trail of elongated bullshit i would have to consider this is simply part of the toilet paper trail…
Hutt South’s like Mana – some striking social contrast – Deep Red territory next to Deep Blue territory. Now that Naenae’s headed off to the Hipster’s Rimutaka, I’d say Wainui would be the major Red stronghold. Along with Moera (though that, too, may have moved to Rimutaka, not sure). Hutt Central, Boulcott and, above all, Woburn are the deepest Blue suburbs (as blue as a new tatoo). Increasingly gentrified Petone (once as Red as a Railway Shed back in mid-20th Century) is now pale Orange, as are one or two other formerly Blood Red areas.
have you thought of offering oral-sex..?
..a blow-vote..?..as it were..?
did you tell them you were recording the conversation?
Door knocking in Red Areas in Hutt South.
A. Of course. Was that policy copied from the progressive parties?
A . I like the idea but I think Key and National are thieves of policies of other parties for votes though it is against their RWNjob agenda..
A. Yes, primarily for the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful.
A. You bet! Those leaders have more sense, integrity, care, conscience, fairness and concern than any of your rich bastards in National or Act can ever have.
A. You have the bloody cheek! Bugger off, fool.
*Thanks
A : You are welcome. The whole lot of you may be going to hell when you reach the Pearly gates! Sorry about that. Take that as a warning,dude. It isn’t too late to get out of the dark side. See ya!
Lol…like it!
” Hi I’m from The National Party. Did you know we have brought in free doctors visits for children under 13 and free prescriptions? ”
Unfortunately this won’t happen until July 2015 so if your child is between 5 and 13 and falls ill before then and you can’t afford to pay, then …….
If #teamgetlostkey had truly cared they would have brought this in today. Now some children may really suffer. How can such a cynical and profit driven group of so called humans have been given the mandate to run this country.What is wrong with us?
..+ 1
..i hope labour is promising to do better than that..
..and a.s.a.p. after the election..as possible..
@ fishyanis
you never knocked on a door in your life.
you are just a liar.
Perhaps John Key might need to spend a little more time in his own Helensville electorate?
I hear that’s he’s not there much – seems he spends lots of time in Wellington and overseas looking after the interests of his corporate and U$A bankster mates?
Will John Key stand down as Leader of the National Party, if Public Watchdog Penny Bright beats him for the Helensville electorate vote?
Quite simply – why would the voting public of Helensville waste their electorate vote on John Key. when he’ll be Number One on National’s Party List, and get in anyway?
If Helensville folk vote STRATEGICALLY , and electorate vote ‘Public Watchdog’ Penny Bright for Helensville, they can get ‘two for one’ – sort of thing…..
A proven, hardworking, effective advocate for the 99% PM – Penelope Mary Bright, vs a proven, hardworking advocate for the `1% – PM John Key.
Want some evidence to support this?
Try this: (for starters ….)
What more do you expect from the ‘poodle from Wall St’ John Key, who is STILL a shareholder in the Bank of America?
NZ MPs ‘Register of Financial Interests’ )just downloaded today):
http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/00CLOOCMPPFinInterests20141/2e04287ad20ee5da12a308149e59bb16d7f47ce5
(Pg 30)
Rt Hon John Key (National, Helensville)
2 Other companies and business entities
Little Nell – property investment, Aspen, Colorado
Bank of America – banking
4 Beneficial interests in, and trusteeships of, trusts
JP & BI Key Family Trust
Aldgate Trust (blind trust)
(Scroll down and watch the news clip – May 2010 about John Key’s ‘insider trading in Tranz Rail’ and his not-so-blind trusts?)
https://plus.google.com/107879574662689768068/posts/CGQpVTbDorP
Cheers!
Penny Bright
(Evidence of ‘working for the 99%’ as one of two successful Appellants in the Occupy Auckland Appeal.)
http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/OCCUPY-AUCKLAND-APPEAL-APPLICATION-BY-APPELLANT-BRIGHT-TO-ADDUCE-NEW-EVIDENCE-pdf.pdf
http://www.dodgyjohnHASgone.com
Next – ‘shonky’ John Key?
(Meant of course in a caring way …… 🙂
Penny when you pay your rates, and show some common sense, you will have more credibility.
Banking is not evil. Neither is holding shares in banks. If you are a Kiwisaver member you probably hold Bank of America stock.
Srylands, please provide evidence that all of your bills are paid.
p.s. “There Is No Alternative” to your credibility remaining sub-zero.
slylands please provide evidence you are a real person.
Penny commands a lot more respect than right wing folk who can only add snide insults to this blog.
No, that would be the psychopathic banksters.
She does, you don’t.
+100…GO Penny!…Go GIRL!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11285543
Surely he meant to add ‘in New Zealand’ to that statement? Or is it yet another disgustingly ignorant example of how the impact of this event upon the victim is never considered by those in power?
Further to a comment on Israel-Palestine I put on yesterday, to round the picture out I should add:
It is possible Israel could strike harder in Gaza, which has been tense throughout the kidnapping drama as militants fired rockets at southern Israel and Israel responded with airstrikes. On Monday night there were reports that the Israeli Air Force was in the skies above Gaza.
Palestinians don’t get far with peace talks, likewise Israelis. Someone always manages to put a spanner in the works. Perhaps the status quo suits some bodies.
Never in the dangerous fray himself , a master of bureaucratic manipulation and intrigue, in love to a fault with secrecy, willing to undertake any crime under the sun so long as it leads to profit, deeply relishing every moment of evil he is able to engineer, and a master of masking it all through adroit, politically-attuned public relations aimed at people too stupid to question him — all while paying absolutely no attention to what his past clearly demonstrates he has done, thus thoroughly frustrating the decent folks all around him.
Is this Key,Cunliffe,Cheney or Leopold?.
Perfect description of my younger brother when we were four and five….
bad12
LOL But who is Ronnie Chow referring to? Is there a prize? I hope I know the answer.
Lolz Ronnie is my new ”guru” His word (a gender assumption there),must remain unquestioned…
Traditionally,once upon a time, Labour used to be the party that would be prepared to stand up for the poor, and any other people not getting a fair deal.It was a party, who’s politicians would get out there in among the people,seeking to find evidence of any people not getting a fair deal.
There is many people not getting a fair deal.Even to the extent of beneficiary’s being refused help with very severe dental problems.And so much more
Labour expects to have their people, become prepared to step out to vote for them.But sadly many of their people have lost hope.Many see little good reason, to even care about voting.
Why? would Labour voters, think it worthwhile to bother to step-out to vote for Labour politician’s,when Labour politicians don’t even seem so bothered to be prepared to help publicly highlight the plight of these sorts of people whom are not getting a fair deal under rule of National government
Its getting closer and closer to voting time. And the people that Labour needs to get interested, in getting active involved in voting. Are busy feeling pretty much like they have been totally forgotten
People feeling that way. Are not inclined to think to vote. Because they feel like the games-lost,already. They feel like nobody seems to even care , so then why even bother to vote
Labour needs to be getting out there,busy, tracking these people down. Finding out exactly where they are.Finding out what problems they are dealing with. And then also make it very publicly known (on TV)
Only “then” will Labout voters , start to begin to think like, it really might be very worth while voting.
Because people whom have given up hope, need to be personally reminded,and shown, “how” hope exists. As well as the way forward, so as to go-get help
I’m traditional a Labour voter. I’ve always voted Labour.
But to be honest, i’m starting to feel mighty embarrassed .That it seems like these Labour politicians, are not even so-bothered, to care to make the “most mileage”,out of their peoples problems and misery
Why? would they expect to have their people bothered with stepping-up to vote for them
And i raised my weeping eyes to toward the stars and other celestial bodies and cried, why, why, oh why please tell me why oh why, befor breaking out in a fit of the giggles about planning to vote InternetMana…
@ pete..
..+ 1..
..well-said/summarised…
what a load of crap.
join the party if you are that concerned.
get some input into policy.
tell people what they can do to make things better.
stop this whining that is little better than national party whingeing dressed up to look like something else.
begone foul spirit.
dimebag russell says : “what a load of crap.
join the party if you are that concerned.”
What a stupid idea.
If our doctors were not doing their job. Dimebag russells best answer, would be to suggest that maybe the sick people, should need to study to become doctors themselves
The national party is not whining .They have little need to whine.The way things are going, they will very likely win the next election.
I know of plenty of people, from last elections, whom might have voted Labour. But they said they didn’t feel it was worth while. This will happen again this election. Especially when we have people like dimebag russell, demanding these folk, all need to join the party, train to become politicians
Its the politicians job to let these people know,why its worthwhile to vote. Its not my job.Hell people like me don’t even have the wherewithal ,to go get in touch with these sorts of people personally
Only an ignorant idiot would think it was the voters job, to get out and go drum-up voting-interest
If these are the sorts of people, behind the labour party. Then little wonder so many folks done see it as even worthwhile voting for Labour
Not really a stupid idea at all Pete, a political party is reflective of those who are its members, that is where the policies of the party are formed,
If you choose to sit on the sidelines never becoming involved then you have to accept that how a party looks at those they may want to help, but, have little actual experience of what they experience as a real life situation will be delivered via the real life experiences of those in the party, and, the party as all organisms are inclined to do will serve its members first…
bad12 ,yes i agree its a great idea, except for it not always being possible, “for everyone”, to have time left,in which to get personally involved, in the way that dimebag suggested.
Its easy to fob someone off, by just saying that they should decide to get involved themselves, if they feel there is a real problem.So be it , if people here decide to simply dismiss what ive said.
But this still doesn’t disprove the possibility that a problem may indeed exist.And there must be some good reason why Labour voters don’t care to vote. Labour voters are not the same as National voters. Labour voters are more in need of “being led” to believe their is in fact hope. And they are less likely to believe there might be hope , if they are “feeling” forgotten , and worthless
Do you? deny that many people within NZ, are not getting a very fair deal.
If you don’t deny it. Then please explain to me, why it is,that we are not seeing evidence of it,being display widely on the media,for all the general public to see.Especially when its only months away, from an election. An election, that the Labour party is still not looking so very much like winning
Are they hoping? to be able to lose the election, once again
Labour voters need to be “led to believe” , that voting is indeed worthwhile. For too many of them, are the kind of people, whom have given up hope
Labour voters want to vote for a Labour Party. If they cannot see an actual Labour Party around they will not vote.
Hence the results of that recent poll showing support falling away from Labour, but not going to any other party, simply going into undecided instead. If Labour gave those people real red reasons to vote, they would be back in a flash.
By the way I calculated today that under Labour’s scheme I’m basically going to get my Super at about 66.8 years of age, while most MPs in Parliament voting for it will happily get theirs at 65. Plus of course their very generous Parliamentary retirement plans. Also known as the baby boomer generation voting solely for their own interests, again.
And of course we can’t afford super going into the future, but Labour is happy to speculate that we will be able to afford tax cuts in their second term.
WTF.
Pete, not fucking likely, that i am going to sit here and provide you with such explanations as you demand,
You only have to read the pages of the Standard to find the answers to your questions,and, as far as me personally providing any answers to you on/about the Labour Party, forget that too as i have not been a member of that Party for so many years i forget when my membership lapsed…
blah blah blah.
take ya stuff with ya and dont come back.
Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively impose domination over others.
yes thats right roniie and that is what the national party are good at..
but mainly taking peoples money off them.
they too squeamish to do the dirty work themselves and people going missing are to ohard to hide in this country.
they are evil malignant spirits and they need exorcising.
great doco on maori tv @ 8.30..’fog of war’..
Just watched the ending of that. Mcnamara was a car company accountant and look where he ended up? But I have to say that I was not impressed by Stacy Daniels on ‘Media Take’ straight after. I have to tell her that neither Carol Hirschfiled, Judy Bailley and Wendie Petrie are my mother and nor are they in any way the mother of the nation. If you believe this media nonsense then you have been suckered into a false consciousness that is very dangerous to cleave to. Their jobs are to put a nice face onto the crap that comes between selling soap and other false promises. They are talking heads and thats all.
@ Dimebag
+1
Dimebag, i had to resist the urge not to use douchebag here, the name is Stacey Morrison thanks, at least get something right,
Outstanding example of doublespeak and UK nuclear weapons in the mainstream media
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jul/01/trident-nuclear-missile-renewal-study
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