With their latest legislation to restrict the rights of protest around mining and drilling, National has declared open season on the environment and environmentalists.
It all adds up.
This government is waging open warfare on the environment
For all their numerous big and small other assaults on the environment up and down the country.
This is clearly a government in the pocket of the polluters, on whose behalf they are waging this undeclared war.
Have the National Party got a mandate for this war?
No they haven’t
Time for all the opposition parties to call a public rally on the steps of parliament to oppose the legislation scrapping the final last remaining level of environmental protection, the right for the public to effectively protest against the actions of the polluters and the wreckers.
Come on you guys. Do you want to win the next election or not?
Years back environmentalists etc predicted that as resources such as water became scarce there would be a greater grab for the public domain by private capital, alongside a stronger resistance to these grabs. The corollary was that private interests via their own agencies or the state would do their utmost to ensure that resistance was squashed….hence 1 year inside, or $100,000 fines for doing a Lucy Lawless.
So, the game of chess continues. Rio Tinto has turned down the government’s offer of short term help to get over the current problem. Rio Tinto say they want a longer term deal from the government. What a bunch of leeches. They want to bleed kiwi tax payers indefinitely in order to protect their desired profit margin.
But Prime Minister John Key told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking that the company came back over the weekend to turn down the offer made by the Government, saying they wanted a longer term deal than the Government was prepared to offer.
Key admitted it was possible the issue would not be sorted out.
“In the end, that will leave Rio Tinto with their contract,” he said.
“They will pay more than they otherwise would for that period of time, and then there would be some sort of phase-down of the smelter. That’s definitely a possibility.”
Why is the PM releasing this info on Newstalk ZB?
PS: No, that is just where the NZH got their info. It was also disclosed on Firstline this morning, and possibly elsewhere.
Labour’s state-owned enterprises spokesperson Clayton Cosgrove says Rio Tinto has the Government “bent over a barrel”.
“They were warned about this by analysts,” he said on Firstline this morning.
“They were told that if they didn’t tie down the Rio Tinto issue before proceeding to sell Mighty River Power, that the trap would be sprung. The trap has been sprung, and the Government is all over the place.”
Mr Cosgrove says Rio Tinto executives will be “licking their lips” over the Government’s handling of the issue.
“All the cards are, of course, in Rio Tinto’s hands because the Government has said [it will sell state-owned power companies] come hell or high water, regardless of the risks.”
Rio Tinto have the perfect negotiating position: they dont really care short term because the whole market is shaky, price may collapse. As a consequence, they will demand all sorts of unrealistic deals because they have nothing to lose short term: NZ however see this as a big loss. Its a little blip on RTs books..
The Green Party took time out yesterday to have a laugh on themselves, and send up the stereotype of the party peddled by many in the MSM and beyond. In the form of a press release on employment law proposals, it ends:
Proposed additional statutory holidays
March 24: Look after the environment day (all)
April 16 – Rebirth the Earth (Catherine Delahunty)
May 5 – Buy local, Eat local day (Eugenie Sage)
May 11: Bob Marley’s commemoration day (all)
June 20: Love your cycle (not in a dirty way) day (Julie Anne Genter)
July 12: Bigger words are better day (Kennedy Graham/Eugenie Sage)
September 20: Dave’s dancing day (David Clendon)
October 11: Dolphin love day (Gareth Hughes)
April 1: April’s fool’s day (all)
All days would be Mondayised or Fridayised as appropriate
LOL, go The Greens! Being able to have a laugh at oneself shows humility and that’s a quality that would be good to see more of in our main opposition party. (not to mention fire in the belly, unity, strong leadership and direction but thats all been said before).
Sad that the hippy dippy stereotype still prevails after all this time. That clueless buffoon Jesse Mulligan (God only knows why he calls himself a comedian) made a fool of himself on 7 Days when he lampooned The Green Party many episodes ago now. No one else on the panel laughed. It was like they had moved on from the stereotype and he hadn’t. He was also quite patronising towards Mojo Mathers when she was a guest on the show. He was shouting at her. Oh dear. It’s not helpful that someone so ignorant has a role in the media.
I was having a squiz at the batch of Treasury papers that were released and there was this one containing a comment that the board thought that Solid Energy’s current strategy was appropriate and that “a retail-based IPO for Solid Energy is not the appropriate way forward”.
Are they saying that Solid Energy should not be sold off? I wonder what the Minister thinks?
This paper from the Real World Economics Review argues that we are being intentionally and systematically mislead about the nature of money and about the role of central banks and commercial banks in the monetary system.
Understanding our monetary system is vital for all people.
Counter party obligations, bundled securities, rehypothecated debt, repackaged derivatives, debt obligations, etc etc etc. We should understand but the language deliberately obscures understanding. Joe Average (aka me and my greater circle of acquaintances) don’t stand a snow balls chance in Hell of keeping up to speed on the language of fraud (aka finance). Jokey Hen by comparison seems to have either been the author of the terms or to have known the person/s responsible well.
IMO, Once understanding of the basics is known then picking out the BS becomes easier. And the paper linked to is about the basics – how money is actually formed.
National keeps hammering home how the Greens want to print money, I mean, the nerve of the Green party to use government to manage the money supply for the good of the people. Even as the partial downgrading of the ability of banks to prime the gearing levers in the housing sector. National want it both ways, and Labour just keep letting them off. Now the attack is on the speaker for not holding ministers to account, geez, if Labour had real pertinent penetrating questions that unbalanced the govt benches you can be damn sure the govt would be answering them. Its in the interests of govt to have a balanced open debating forum, and to keep the debate from uncovering their deceptions. Money is controlled by the people, for the people and of the people (govt), how hard is that for Labour to get out and say????
Look at farming, capital gains exemption has left farmers in debt and running into regular droughts and floods without a lifeboat (as govt won’t do anything since the market will provide farmers with the incentives to change, like water rights for 35 years that make it uneconomic to invest in farm dams!!!). So whose actually looking after farmers, and citizens? Not National, not Labour.
Labour doesn’t want to be seen as supporting unorthodox monetary policy (even though the G7 is already printing money as fast as they can). Too socialist. Might scare the capitalist market horses.
Fun fact: since the GFC started, the world’s major central banks have printed an additional US$10T of money into the world economy. For all the good it’s done the ordinary citizen.
$10T, could be used to provide life sustaining/enhancing systems, for most of the underprivileged, in any part of the world they happen to be!
But it went to propping up balance sheets, capital ratios, margin calls, and bonus payments, while preventing the house of cards from collapse! – $10T can support huge amounts of leveregded transactions, and thats what most of the money has been used for!
Meanwhile the global derivatives, commodities, and equities markets , forge ahead with scant regards!!!
DTB is quite right. Bullshit baffles brains. The thing that TPTB absolutely resist is simplification of the system. They need more and more layers of complexity in order to play their money/debt/obligation shuffling games.
If we were to stick with the basics it would be around:
– Fulfilling of fiduciary duty.
– Sourcing debt free, non interest bearing money.
– Making banking absolutely boring and basic, aimed at the needs of the real economy.
But in a situation like that, the big finance banking types couldn’t justify their $5M salaries.
As for cutting through the financial BS, Max Keiser on youtube is excellent. As is Kyle Bass:
The financial system and the legal system both use alternative representations (persons) for the people they deal with. Their systems are paper based, and the alternative representation is a name written in ALL CAPS. This representation has been called a nom-de-guerre, or war name. The enforcers for this system, here and in England, also use military titles (constable & seargant).
Yes, its unfortunate that you have attracted so much heat from commentators here, although it seeks to illustrate the trouble NZ is in, when the supposed *more thoughful* types, attack information which attempts to explain how the fraud is possible, via the legal/judicial systems which NZ is controlled by.
Same owners of the financial systems of course, but thats not something which people want to hear about!
The good ship status quo doesn’t turn on a dime, muzza. Hopefully everyone involved can put ego aside long enough to think about the points being raised.
yeah Russia is very annoyed at what the EU has done to Russian bank accounts held in Cyprus. Very annoyed.
And one reason that the EU timed it the way they did: it’s coming to the European summer. If it was the Winter, Russia would have retaliated by turning the gas taps off.
By the way, I think you’ll find this analysis of how big the EU bailout of Cyprus will actually be quite amusing. In a frightening way:
but at last it resulted in BBC admitting that the video “left a misleading impression of how banks in fact work, and of the impact of the working of banks on the economy at large.” and the video was removed from the website.
Seems to have been a long process to get the BBC to admit that they were wrong.
Saw this on Open Mike big brother and the screw cru
The new fascist credit sharing of your info with the biggest parasites in the finance industry you know the ones 40 years ago who use to repo your car at ten at night or before you went to work in the morning usually with a large persuader in the form of a wrestler or someone for hire with no name got the picture
These thugs now are respectable legal and powerful and who knows who they will be able to swap your credit history to….
A year ago I was not allowed to pay rego on my scooter because I had no warrant….being slack I left it off the road. Rego bills appeared, attempts to pay were rejected. I remained resolutely slack.
Next thing: Dun & Bradstreet letter demands money with menaces to my credit worthiness. So I was able to pay. Somehow the cash had now become acceptable despite the other regulations.
More importantly it raised some very basic questions about my role as a citizen and my relationship to the state. Who out there feels some degree of dis-ease that the state gives your “debt” to them to a private contractor who makes commercial threats against you?
If crime has been reduced why the hell would you think that is bad news for Labour. ?
You bloody Tories are a strange nasty lot .zs a Labour Party member I find that remark most offensive.
Any way if anyone believes that crime is reduced they will believe anything. the violence in our present society is rapidly rising regardless of what the
Tory press tell. Just look at the reported acts of violence reported each week.
Or amount of recording has reduced as traditionally happens under National as they steadily erode the ability of police to effectively deal with any crime.
It was pointless telling the police about most petty crimes in the 1990s because they didn’t do anything with it. The only reason that anyone did was because the insurance companies insisted. Oh and now the ever increasing cost of insurance is reducing the number of people having it.
Look at the serious violence crimes and see the picture change. And that will be despite a aging population that is steadily reducing the crime rate, just as it is in every developed country.
You really are a stupid pissant – relying on total figures without looking at the detail.
Like crimes figures are down so the left say its due to non-reporting.
John Key won’t give extra subsidies to rio tinto (and we all know you lefties lurve subsidies to foreign companies) and you lefties will (probably) say hes doesn’t care about jobs.
Actually, a lot of the folk here argued that Tiwai should be closed based on emissions, lower energy costs for the rest of the country, and that subsidy argument you just brought up. I’m one of the few against that on the grounds of the massive harm to Southland should it shut. But even then I’m not in favour of subsidies to Rio Tinto. No real reason against nationalisation, given its regional importance.
Profitless? I doubt that the energy subsidy is all that is between Tiwai and bankruptcy, but I’m open to correction on that score.
It’s a classic value-added industry – import raw material, smelt into higher quality material, export. And the employment injects income into a rural centre so the money flows back through the country into the financial centres.
Rod Oram says that the big picture is that China is rapidly developing its aluminium smelting, with new efficient smelters that Tiwai Point could never compete with unless you spent oodles of money. Rio Tinto is trying to flog off all of its old smelters (like Tiwai Point) because they can’t make money from them.
Rio Tinto can’t make money from it but you think if NZ owned it then we could??
– Sure of course, I’ll just scrawl through the entire back catalogue of The Standard just to find an instance of where lprent showed double standards towards John Key.
Then after I’ve posted it you’ll probably reply with something along the lines of “you got it wrong”
Look at the serious violence crimes and see the picture change. And that will be despite a aging population that is steadily reducing the crime rate, just as it is in every developed country.
You really are a stupid pissant – relying on total figures without looking at the detail.
In the last year –
Homicide and related offences, down 18.1%
Acts intended to cause injury (violence), down 3.4%
Total offences 2010, 2011, 2012 –
Homicide and related offences – 97; 83; 68, down 30%
Acts intended to cause injury, last 3 years – 44,515; 42,278; 40,851, down 8.2%
Since National elected in 2008 to 2012 –
Homicide and related offences, down 33%
Acts intended to cause injury, down 3%
Interesting that “murder and related offences” went down (by 15 offences), while the number of murders went up by 3.
There’s not only the issue of (under)reporting but differences in what is recorded. From the above linked article:
A departure in recent years from the way police report domestic violence has lead to a reduction in recorded domestic violence offences.
“Assaults in dwellings most commonly occur between family members,” Rickard said.
“Police now have the ability to issue PSOs – Police Safety Orders.
“These enforce a cool-down period by providing temporary separation of parties in domestic situations where police believe there is a risk of escalation to serious violence.
In 2012 police issued 10,064 PSOs – up nearly 40 per cent on the number of PSOs delivered in 2011.
Burlary stats went down, and car thefts. However, if people are not insured, they are less likely to report burglaries.
These kinds of things will also be impacted by the willingness of police to pursue and/or record the matter:
Theft and related offences dropped by 11.8 per cent (15,966 offences). This category makes up approximately one third of all recorded offences.
– Nationally, there were 2917 fewer stolen vehicles than the previous year – a drop of 14.1 per cent. Thefts from cars reduced by 15.8 per cent.
– Property damage and environmental pollution offences fell by 5.9 per cent.
Burlary stats went down, and car thefts. However, if people are not insured, they are less likely to report burglaries.
I experienced first hand a situation, where an intruder was inside a property, a call placed to the police, the response was, *sorry you will have to make an appointment*, 48 hours.
When it was repeated there was someone in the house, same answer – 48 hours!
Banks threaten to increase repossessions as Irish mortgage crisis deepens
‘A massive property bubble prior to 2008, brought on by the speculative activities of the banks and encouraged by low tax rates, contributed significantly to the financial collapse five years ago. Since then, the austerity policies implemented by the political elite have shifted the burden of the crisis onto the backs of working people. ‘
Iceland told the banksters and bondholders to take a leap off a cliff. Their economy is recovering. Greece didn’t, and went along with the plans of the banksters and bondholders.
And yet kind of ignoring that the Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland used emergency legislation to take over the domestic operations of the three largest banks, the IMF Stand-By-Arrangement since November 2008, and Iceland’s application to join the EU in 2009 which was a big factor in restoring international confidence. Currency devaluation effectively reduced wages by 50% making exports more competitive and imports more expensive. Iceland is not the fantasy some people keep trying to sell it as.
Did I say that there wasn’t hard work and sacrifice involved mate? But at least in the case of Iceland, they charted their own path, pissed off a whole lot of bondholders, and have made it to the other side.
Names have power and they create context and connection that is why I support the changing of the names of the bland and ridiculous ‘North’ and ‘South’ Islands of this country. The fact that the names are not official just shows the idiocy of keeping them. And I don’t support the NZGB’s idea of “that either the English name or the Māori name, or both names together could be used as official.” I say, “FFS just change the names into ‘Te Ika-a-Māui’ (for the North Island) and ‘Te Waipounamu’ (for the South Island). Who in their right mind is attached to ‘North’ and ‘South’ – it is completely bogus and an insult to Māori.”
Very right Marty – Why would they not be renamed, is the question.
What might renaming the island alter in the legal sense?
There has been little to no contention, (w(h)anganui aside), about the maori naming etc of various locations in NZ, country included, but the North/South Island, seem to the *outside* the conversation!
indeed muzza and considering that north and south are not official names is interesting, perhaps more evidence (if it is needed) of the illegitimacy of the colonisation process considering that “on 21 May 1840, Lieutenant-Governor Hobson proclaimed sovereignty over the South Island by discovery”.
If a lie is told, or a fraud committed, the actions thereafter, become focused on hiding the original lie/fraud. Assuming the truth did not come to light, and all lie/fraud related activities , unwound…
Names indicate the character of things, so Māori names for the islands would imply Māori pre-eminence over the land. Arguably this is appropriate since Māori have historical pre-eminence.
The reaction would be entertaining to watch from a safe distance… just look at how the racist fringe resident in Whanganui have been reacting to a simple fixing up of a spelling mistake!
It’s not a spelling mistake, it’s a travesty of linguistic colonisation. The Ngāti Hau dialect doesn’t have the ‘f’ pronunciation of ‘wh’, therefore the original spelling was perfectly correct phonetically. The so-called “official” standardised Te Reo was originally the version noted down by Professor Samuel Lee working with Hongi Hika and therefore is essentially Ngapuhi. Similarly the Kāi Tahu dialect of the South Island mostly gets ignored except for Aoraki.
>The reaction would be entertaining to watch from a safe distance… just look at how the racist fringe resident in Whanganui have been reacting to a simple fixing up of a spelling mistake!
Whanganui (when pronounced funganui) is now a common pronunciation mistake. But never mind. Iwi let go of their dialect for the sake of a standard spelling, water under the bridge. Sometimes wonder if the river’s getting back at them via the sewage treatment plant 🙂
Only problem I have with Te-ika-a-Maui and Te Waipounamu as names is they’re a 6 and 5 syllable mouthful and will get mispronounced horribly.
They’re not hard to pronounce. That said, I think the way Wikipedia has Te Wai Pounamu is probably easier. I don’t know which is the actual correct way or even if there is such a thing.
Like separatist flag flying on the the harbour bridge, these are just modern day beads and blankets.
I’m surprised you keep falling for it.
I reckon, instead of looking for whites under the bed and seeing insults where there are none, you should focus on getting rid of the Maori party collaborators that have done so much harm to Maoridom over the past four and a bit years.
Change the names or don’t, I’m not bothered either way, but if you think it makes up for a great outrage and insult, then I hope you get your want.
But the MP are still there, supporting Key all the way to a third term.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the MP they will receive their justice at election time and I’m working quite hard to ensure that happens.
I wonder how you would feel if the name of your country of birth was changed from England to New Paris for instance – I’m sure you would huff and puff quite a bit. Everytime NZ is used it is a slap in the face to tangata whenua who should be equal in this country. And as for the north and south bit – well you tell me what it means – they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? and in my mind are quite meaningless and insulting.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about the MP they will receive their justice at election time and I’m working quite hard to ensure that happens.”
Good on’ya, as the locals say. Shitty self serving politicians are a huge insult in any culture.
” Everytime NZ is used it is a slap in the face to tangata whenua who should be equal in this country.”
It isn’t a slap, and to me, you already are my equal, just like everyone else is.
“And as for the north and south bit – well you tell me what it means – they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? and in my mind are quite meaningless and insulting.”
I’m not sure how you reconcile the insult as you see it, the stealing of your place names, with the insult to generations of New Zealanders by dismissing even the mention of joint names of equal status, crapping all over it so to speak.
That’s an Achilles heel dressed in the short skirt of reconciliation if ever I saw one.
You can call anything you like what you want, but I doubt very much it will improve the outcomes of tens of thousands of Maori one little bit.
there is no insult by calling the islands their rightful names – that is idiotic and shows you don’t really understand much about it – try some reading on reality before you put your oar in mate.
“there is no insult by calling the islands their rightful names – that is idiotic and shows you don’t really understand much about it – try some reading on reality before you put your oar in mate.”
You do that a lot, tanty throw your position.
I will, one time, de-construct my post so you understand it, then after that, if you’ve nothing to offer, I’ll leave you to your revolution.
The insult is not in using the original names, but the denial of millions of New Zealander’s to use names they have long used (uninterrupted occupation by word, if you will) on an equal footing, by not accepting joint names, is.
It’s the Achilles heel to your argument.
Simple as that.
Tell me, when was the last time that you heard of Taranaki being referred to as Mt Egmont?
IIRC, there was a bit of a huff from some of the more excitable but it died down quite rapidly and everyone just started calling the mountain Taranaki. I think you’ll find the same to be true of Ti Ika-A-Maui and Te Wai Pounamu.
Never have heard Taranaki called by it’s other official name, but I wouldn’t be outraged and insulted if I did.
I don’t think there’s any credibility in denying joint naming, and agree somewhat perversely enough on a left wing site to, as you point out, let the market decide the outcome.
interestingly on the tour the other day when I described how you could sometimes see Mt Taranaki an older gentlemen said, what about Egmont? I said the times they are a changing.
“they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? ”
They also have historical context, and therein lies the problem. Removing the names will upset people in the same way that your example of England to New Paris would.
I take your point about the insult to Maori though. I’m not sure what the solution is exactly, but am pretty sure that those of pakeha middle NZ who might otherwise be in a process of change re Maori rights, would be put off by being told to stop using ‘South Island’ and “North Island’ because they are bland and meaningless.
“those of pakeha middle NZ who might otherwise be in a process of change re Maori rights”
The problem is this incremental change is not really happening imo. Māori have to fight for every scrap of concession and that just isn’t good enough. Middle NZ will continue to focus on their positions and that is the way of it. If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.
I don’t see the double naming not happening, so the majority will decide and they will decide without real consideration of Māori – that’s the country we live in.
“If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.”
😆 Like everyone speaking English has made all our lives better.
You may as well wait a few years ’til they have the numbers and learn mandarin or cantonese instead.
I can’t speak or write any of them properly, how would I know? Best you tell me.
I do actually think an induction series for new arrivals is a great idea, and mentioned it in a mail I wrote to Hone last year. Don’t know if it’s part of mana’s policy yet.
In the context of your previous comment, English and the Chinese languages were/will be tools of colonisation. Marty’s suggestion of compulsory Maori is a restitution of a colonisation process, it’s not a colonisation process itself despite how some pakeha may feel.
“Marty’s suggestion of compulsory Maori is a restitution of a colonisation process, it’s not a colonisation process itself despite how some pakeha may feel.”
Non Maori don’t need to be compelled to learn a language they have no use for, but if some have a genuine urge to learn it, then sure, assist them to do so, by all means.
I don’t think many in NZ would complain about dual labelling and signage like used in Canada, and if Maori have words for things like baked beans with cocktail sausages, then all well and good, but compulsory just won’t fly.
“In the context of your previous comment, English and the Chinese languages were/will be tools of colonisation.”
I get pendulums swinging back the other way before a state of balance, but there are fights worth having right now that will effect better rights and conditions for all of us, especially Maori as they are sadly represented in poverty figures. Forcing new kiwis to learn Maori is not one one of them.
They would have a use for it – that is the point. And as for the poverty figures ummm maybe they might need some teachers of the compulsory language thus reducing unemployment for Māori, and perhaps other negative social statistics might be reduced as recognition of the importance of indigenous rights takes hold – there are lots of ancillary benefits for the country. Try not to be so one-dimensional because the word compulsory is used.
“And as for the poverty figures ummm maybe they might need some teachers of the compulsory language thus reducing unemployment for Māori, and perhaps other negative social statistics might be reduced as recognition of the importance of indigenous rights takes hold – there are lots of ancillary benefits for the country.”
I fully support flooding, with cash and good intentions, the bottom end of all NZ negative social statistics. I reckon most here do. If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.
“They would have a use for it – that is the point.”
You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.
I’d rail against compulsory English lessons for new arrivals too, for the same reasons I derided Norman Tebbit’s cricket test in Blighty, and will always fail it here. I’ve protested against the NF, the BNP and other assorted idiots who make claims that newcomers have to adapt their cultures to assimilate with the new world. It’s bullshit, whatever the colour and creed of the home team. Live by the law, as part of the whole, however you fucking want to, it’s your personal right.
You’ll achieve little with compulsory anything.
I get why you want your language spoken more, just like welsh and Cornish people do, but forcing an issue that has negative impact is just stupid policy.
“Try not to be so one-dimensional because the word compulsory is used.”
Try not to be such a princess, just because someone thinks you’re talking shit.
Oh dear seems like I’m not the only one that can throw a tanty.
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
That’s not what I was talking about fool. Do you want me to deconstruct my point for you?
“You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.”
If as, per my original post, we change all the names then unless they know the language they won’t know where they are or where they are going will they?
“I’d rail against…”
Yes i know but your northern hemisphere references are not relevant to this discussion.
“I get why you want your language spoken more…”
For some reason i doubt that very much but thank you for your contribution.
‘being a princess’ and ‘talking shit’ should have come with a smiley.
I know you [MM] genuinely believe in your point and though I disagree with your methodology, agree with the reasoning somewhat, we probably a share more than a few common goals.
If I read like I dismiss out of hand your views, I’m sorry.
“Oh dear seems like I’m not the only one that can throw a tanty.”
No tanty, just a language thing 😉
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
“That’s not what I was talking about fool.”
I got it, I actually already know what your point is and I care not for it. You can try and bring the argument to compulsory re-education v a few jobs for Maori, but it’s wafer thin. tread carefully.
“Do you want me to deconstruct my point for you?”
one can’t spell touche without reading touchy. 😆
“You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.”
“If as, per my original post, we change all the names then unless they know the language they won’t know where they are or where they are going will they?”
And as my response, it’s not good policy.
“I’d rail against…”
“Yes i know but your northern hemisphere references are not relevant to this discussion.”
Yep, they are.
“I get why you want your language spoken more…”
“For some reason i doubt that very much but thank you for your contribution.”
Somewhat disingenuous, but no reason why we can’t get along.
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
Te Reo Maori is an official language of NZ. It’s OUR language.
Al1en, you say that pakeha have no use for Te Reo Maori, but they do. When you expose pakeha to te reo, the begin to understand many things better, including their treaty partners.
“Al1en, you say that pakeha have no use for Te Reo Maori,”
I actually didn’t say that at all. I said non Maori, which of course includes Somalians, Egyptians and Chinese for example, among many others who are not sons of European pioneers.
‘but they do. When you expose pakeha to te reo, the begin to understand many things better, including their treaty partners.’
People don’t have to do anything they don’t want to, including learning and using languages spoken by a very small percentage of the populace, even if they are first arrivals.
For many, even though you might really really want it to, it means nothing, at all.
You can’t teach those who don’t care to learn.
I’m suggesting that te reo be compulsory at schools (and free to adults). Much of the school curriculum is compulsory.
Ok, so rephrasing, you appear to be saying that non-Maori have no use for te reo. My point still stands – they do, because it enables them to understand concepts of Te Ao Maori that are hard to grasp otherwise.
“I’m suggesting that te reo be compulsory at schools (and free to adults). Much of the school curriculum is compulsory.”
No problem with schools, though some parents may wish to opt out and their children learn another language, and that should be ok.
No problem with free adult classes for those that want them either.
“Ok, so rephrasing, you appear to be saying that non-Maori have no use for te reo.”
No, some non Maori have no use for te reo, nor wish to learn it, nor be forced to.
*edit Have just read back and I can see didn’t write ‘some’, but the point is the same.
“My point still stands – they do, because it enables them to understand concepts of Te Ao Maori that are hard to grasp otherwise.”
But the point still remains that some don’t wish to understand better, and whilst understanding and honest dialogue usually always lead to better outcomes, I don’t see the grounds to compel. I mean, what are you going to do, lock them up for not saying Kia ora?
So rephrasing, I’d fund the language in school and further education if wanted, continue with Maori tv and Maori language progs on tvnz, run induction classes for new immigrants and dual name anything that moves including the North/South islands and baked beans with sausages.
What a cunt I am 😆
I see te reo as compulsory in schools in the same that way that civics should be. Or that maths, science, English already is. Suggesting an opt out for te reo misses the point.
“But the point still remains that some don’t wish to understand better, and whilst understanding and honest dialogue usually always lead to better outcomes, I don’t see the grounds to compel. I mean, what are you going to do, lock them up for not saying Kia ora?”
No, they just fail in that subject like in any other. If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori? You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.
“You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.”
For some, who aren’t as passionate as yourself, or indeed passionate to any degree about it all, that’s all it is and all it ever will be.
That’s surely a fact, sad or otherwise depending, you’ll concede?
“No, they just fail in that subject like in any other.”
In school, of course, but my main point of focus was addressing the suggested compulsory/mandatory learning of a language and culture in order to live here. I didn’t expect or demand it from immigrants to the UK and don’t accept it here either.
“If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori?”
Because they don’t need to learn Maori any more than Maori need to learn Urdu, French or Welsh to live together.
We’re lucky English is the worlds language.
“a very small percentage of the populace, even if they are first arrivals.”
Māori are not just ‘first arrivals’, the culture developed here and that is why they are indigenous to these islands. As wikipedia outlines, “Indigenous peoples are ethnic minorities who have been marginalized as their historical territories became part of a state.[1] In international or national legislation they are generally defined as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and to their cultural or historical distinctiveness from politically dominant populations. The concept of indigenous people may define them as particularly vulnerable to exploitation, marginalization and oppression by nations or states that may still be in the process of colonialism, or by politically dominant ethnic groups.”
It is a very important concept to grasp and I emphasise it because too often the line ‘first arrivals’ is used to marginalise and denigrate Māori as if somehow in some strange universe they are not indigenous and by not being indigenous, under this worldview, they are not due the rights and respect that indigenous peoples should be given in this world. I say should because the sad truth is that that rarely has happened unless the dominant culture decides to misappropriate some aspect of the indigenous culture for their own purposes.
Understanding the indigenous culture of a land people choose to live in imo should be step 1 otherwise we end up with the sorts of negative social statistics for marginalised indigenous cultures we see here and around the world.
I know it is a tangential point but I felt I had to make it to correct any misunderstandings that may be there with the use of the term ‘first arrivals’.
“The problem is this incremental change is not really happening imo. Māori have to fight for every scrap of concession and that just isn’t good enough. Middle NZ will continue to focus on their positions and that is the way of it.”
Ae, and that seriously sucks. I guess the way I see it is that if middle NZ can feel like they are still part of something, then the fighting that Maori are doing will be more effective (or, middle NZ will be less resistant).
“If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.”
I completely agree. I think most pakeha fail to grasp just how important te reo is in understanding Te Ao Maori, or the land for that matter. Or history. Compulsory te reo at schools would do more for race relations in this country than any other act (apart from treaty setttlements I guess).
I feel a cultural affinity with the name South Island. I have no problem with Te Wai Pounamu being used as the official name, yet myself would also continue to use South Island alongside that.
I’d like to know more about the history and origins of the name ‘Te Wai Pounamu’ and how the Geographic Board chose it as the best one for an official name.
I agree ‘Te Wai Pounamu’ is a mouthful for many pakeha, but that’s just a matter of practice and an opportunity for us to improve our pronunciation. ‘Pounamu’ is an excellent word for learning one of the more difficult Maori vowel sounds.
“the names of the bland and ridiculous ‘North’ and ‘South’ Islands of this country.”
Could have been worse 😉 …
“In the 19th century, some maps named the South Island as Middle Island or New Munster, and the name South Island or New Leinster was used for today’s Stewart Island/Rakiura.”
He didn’t even have the stones to give credit to Eddie.
Then he proceeded to argue the case, which many on The Standard have been making, about the prospect of Shearer getting ripped to shreds during the election campaign. Must have only just occurred to Hooton…
The only amusing part was Mike Williams being put on the spot trying to defend Shearer.
I suppose Hooton believes that any credible coup threat from a properly leftwing labour candidate is now unlikely before the election. He can now change tack and stop publically defending Shearer (as he has been doing on numerous occasions) and start attacking him to help National win the election.
He also managed to turn Shearers offshore ‘bank account’ into Shearers offshore ‘bank accounts’.
That Hooton really makes for poor radio, no idea why they persist with him, he comes across as venal, rude and immature. Kathryn Ryan could do better in pulling him up on his bullshit, as could Mike Williams who seems to have his head in the clouds too often than not. I’d like to hear different commentators each week rather than these stale crusty leftovers.
At least Kathryn does pull Hooton up on things, Mike Williams just wheezes and puffs. His head isn’t in the clouds, he’s thinking about his lunch and afternoon nap. It’s unsuprising that the rightwing turds who decided to bring Matthew Hooton into RNZ were also the ones that chose a particularly weak leftwing opponent.
The only amusing part was Mike Williams being put on the spot trying to defend Shearer.
No it wasn’t.
Mike’s attempt to pass off Lianne Dalziel and David Cunliffe as Labour dissidents was also amusing. Intellectually superior and principled MPs are now dissidents? They lost another when Charles Chauvel walked so they had better be careful…
Labour dissidents? That is just jaw dropping! Someone should point that Mike Williams to the list of Labour values and ask him what he thinks they mean, and what he thinks they are there for.
At that point I turned my radio off Olwyn. This childish aside came from a former Labour Party president – the present incumbent’s immediate predecessor. It sort of helps explain why Labour is not doing anything like as well as it should be given the NAct govt’s appalling management.
I remember he was known for being a very good fund raiser at the time. I do not know whether he is working for Labour in any capacity now, but calling elected members dissidents on air is astoundingly disrespectful. There is also a sinister undertone in the implication that it is now dissident for a member of a centre left party to show any left wing leanings whatsoever. But on what authority? Not on the party’s principles, not on the wishes of the party’s members, not on widespread public acclaim.
Yep, shameless theft there, but it’s Matthew Hooten so it’s hard to be too shocked. Indeed it’s a bit of a turn around from his comments on this blog giving hand-claps and other encouragement to Shearer to now saying things like “I don’t see how he can compete,” and being unable to hide his glee at repeatedly bringing up Shearer’s bank account gaffe no matter how irrelevant.
Mike Williams says he watched parliament last week and was bothered to see John Key ‘making flippant jokes’ about serious issues like the EQC data leak. (Um Mike that’s been his arrogant style since, well always.) Hooten responds with (paraphrasing) “Well, in fairness to John Key, David Shearer’s undeclared bank accounts! *Chortle*” (At about the 20min mark.)
I also gagged a bit at the end when after Williams tries to defend Shearer and Labour’s current performance, Hooten quips that he would do well as a propagandist in North Korea. Oh dee irony.
I found it a little interesting that Hooton was so adamant to downplay the effects of the smelter on the Mighty River share price. Makes me wonder if there is something more going on there than merely defending a tory policy…
Lianne Dalziel just put up a strong effort representing her constituents on National Radio’s The Panel, but unbelieveably, they cut her off mid sentence saying that they were now going to move on to another topic. I don’t think they even thanked her for her time, they just switched her off. Whoever the guy was on the panel kept up with the Tory spin saying that all which could be done has been done, which was maddening.
For Lianne, may I suggest the following improvements in radio interview technique:
– It’s important to stay cool and not to take on a “shrill” tone of voice: it’s off putting to even sympathetic listeners. Maintain an even reasoned tone even in the face of Tory stupidity.
– Ensure you link your “what would you have done different (and why)” answers to “what Gerry Brownlee needs to do different right now” (don’t refer to what the Government needs to do, put the pressure on King Brownlee)
– It’s always tricky to challenge a radio show where the tone is basically a defeatist “look the situation is rubbish but hasn’t the Government done so well with the hand it was given”. The most important thing is to pierce the veil early and hard. Your specific example about land swaps was perfect for this, but needed to come in earlier and harder, to halt the shows preprogrammed narrative in its tracks.
She was being seriously provoked CV. The usual story… the ignorant Graham Bell putting her down because she was a stupid woman who didn’t know what she was talking about? It was disgraceful manners. Lianne should lay a formal complaint about her treatment and especially the way Noelle (whatever her surname is) cut her off mid-sentence without so much as a by your leave. Appalling stuff.
Check out the board and editors of RNZ, and I would not be surprised that the present members, and the ones they keep employed as moderators and journalists, fit the National Party line of “allowing” certain things to be said and broadcast, none else.
They are still confiscating Māori land and still pretending to consult with Māori when they have already made up their minds. They use many guises for the process such as roads.
“Harry Wilson, one of the NZTA Directors stood to make the announcement that the Eastern Arterial Route (EAR) option had been selected for development along the eastern lake side of Rotorua.”
“This decision will decimate traditional wāhi tapu and disconnect whānau from their papakainga along the Owhata, Ngapuna areas.”
The response of whānau and hapu members was to all walk out of the meeting showing their strong solidarity and rejection of the decision. This land confiscation is what tangata whenua are fighting against and the fight is the same fight that previous generations have fought.
Confiscation can only be done with legitimate authority. If the land is rightfully yours then it cannot legally be confiscated. Of course this does not stop them from assuming authority. It is more difficult for them to assume authority if you can show why they don’t have any. Showing how they are in conflict with the law of the land is one way of doing this.
Faith in the Westminster system doesn’t make it legitimate, but that faith can still motivate people to act as if they were lawfully confiscating the land. Legitimacy is consistent with reason, not with faith.
People can be mistaken when they say they understand something, especially when it involves the combination of religion and politics.
Legitimate, adj. That which is lawful, legal, recognized by law, or according to law; as, legitimate children, legitimate authority, lawful power, legitimate sport or amusement.
Lex est ratio summa, quae jubet quae sunt utilia et necessaria, et contraria prohibet. Law is the perfection of reason, which commands what is useful and necessary and forbids the contrary.
Maori have been ripped off from word go, all else is LIES and bull shit. All the compensation will in part restitute the resources, but there will never be a true justice. If I was Maori, I would have NO TRUST in PAKEHA. I am European, but not descendant of a colonial power that took this land. It could be a much better land anyway, if people here learned and joined together, but that is proved to be a “dream” never to happen.
Division, resentment, hatred and down-right neo-colonialism of the wrong kind are ruining this country, especially when joined with right neo lib capitalist sell out agendas, where only a small elite gain and control matters. I have NO hope in this damned piece of earth, that seems to have been cursed for ever.
NO social justice, NO fairness, NO joint responsibility and ownership, still a ROTTEN elite owning and running a post colonial back stop that is reality. All else is lies. Too many “Kiwis” are NO “Kiwis”, they are all out for personal gains and self righteousness, hence they leave in droves to sell and buy, to get a turf in a perceived “safer” territory, to save their post colonial skin and betrayed mentality.
I an still waiting to meet “real” New Zealanders that stand their grounds and fight for it. I met NONE!
Re my critical rant last night: People like John Minto and Sue Bradford I would exempt from my criticism, as they are truly standing up for justice and the rights of every person, particularly the poor and disadvantaged.
I just get so frustrated and angry about Mr and Mrs Average, who I see and meet every day, who do not seem to give a toss about the future of their country.
So while Ugly Truth goes on with is interpretation of matters, which I actually understand (due to having met similarly minded people), I feel, he is lost in some marginal lot that believe that common law will set us all free.
Google Mary Croft and read some of her stuff, and you know where she comes from. It is all about individualising matters and using legal angles to set yourself free, without any social responsibility and conscience. That is where UT also fails to convince.
Ugly – What you have encountered here, is that they don’t want to hear anything which can’t be *rationalised*, or *solutionalised*.
Problem is that there is scant interest in trying to understand where the core issues probably exist, and as such, *rationalising and solutionising*, are being considered under conditions of certain failure, basically , square pegs round holes scenario!
In exactly the same scape, that until the monetary supply issue is handled in a way which will allow benefit for this country and all its people, the legal fraud must be exposed and unraveled also, if not, then it is an amplification, of the downward trajectory we have in front of us now!
Its as if people are content, acting as an official recorded timeline of scheduled disaster, speculating about remedies which can’t exist, and refusing to consider the reasons why this country continues to be, *legally/financially rooted*
Labour is picking up support from potential coalition partners – in this case mainly NZ First, not denting National support. Still, I guess to close to call is better than not at all close…. ?
The confidence rating is better for National than the last poll. Sort of disappointing really.
The confidence rating is better for National than the last poll.
Huh? I think you may be reading that wrong. The government got the traditional holiday bump in the GCR (you can see the Dec/Jan/Feb pattern in previous years if you look), but it appears to be going down again (need another downward or flat data point to feel more confident)
I was pretty excited to see the CR dropping in the last couple of polls, but this one? So I was only commenting compared to last poll. It’s back up. Yes compared to last year it’s a little less.
Slightly better, and despite the noise I think that there is an upwards trend in there over the last year. Problem is that at the current rate of growth Labour would be well below ~38-40% it needs going into and election and to form a reasonably stable two party coalition post-election.
Incidentally, have a look at the polls in the second year of last term where there was a higher average poll rating than at present. Then look at what happened in the third year.
There’s perhaps a 50/50 chance that Labour will get to form the next government. But will it be because Labour have made a strong case or will it be because National just keep screwing up enough. And for me the question remains – what major new directions and ethos will Shearer lead in that next government. I can’t tell that yet. At all. Which is pretty concerning from a political party supposedly based on clear values and principles.
“You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.”
For some, who aren’t as passionate as yourself, or indeed passionate to any degree about it all, that’s all it is and all it ever will be.
That’s surely a fact, sad or otherwise depending, you’ll concede?
That’s only true if you think that Maori are just another minority. They’re not. They’re the treaty partner of the crown which represents non-Maori.
“No, they just fail in that subject like in any other.”
In school, of course, but my main point of focus was addressing the suggested compulsory/mandatory learning of a language and culture in order to live here. I didn’t expect or demand it from immigrants to the UK and don’t accept it here either.
Yes, but the reason I side more with marty is because once you get successive generations of kids leaving school with a decent grasp of te reo, then society will change dramatically, and how immigrants should/can fit into that will become apparent. Marty says make it compulsory, you say don’t, I say be sneaky.
“If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori?”
Because they don’t need to learn Maori any more than Maori need to learn Urdu, French or Welsh to live together.
Why have any compulsory subject at school then? No-one ‘needs’ to learn maths or science, they do it because they are told to.
“Just in case this goes on for a wile I answered here”
It probably won’t, not ’cause were diametric (which I don’t believe we are) but first day off for the week tomorrow and I like to maximise my ‘I did the minimum required, this is my time now’, and don’t want to sleep in and lose precious two fingers to the world saluting time.
“That’s only true if you think that Maori are just another minority. They’re not. They’re the treaty partner of the crown which represents non-Maori.”
Adding I fully support the treaty to my list of shame 😉 I think that’s too simplistic a view, even though the answer is probably much more so. I suspect most people just see people, not minority people, and because we’re all in the same boat (waka) as each other, we’ve morphed into a one. Doesn’t necessarily follow that because it’s not so important or even relevant that it’s an attack or an affront.
I don’t know, I sort of like the concept, but then you might be right and that would be a bit of sad bring-me-down.
“Yes, but the reason I side more with marty is because once you get successive generations of kids leaving school with a decent grasp of te reo, then society will change dramatically, and how immigrants should/can fit into that will become apparent. Marty says make it compulsory, you say don’t, I say be sneaky.”
I see his point about promoting the use of te reo, which is why I push for dual naming, which is sort of sneaky, isn’t it?
“Maybe, but te reo is the language of THIS land.”
Yes, rightly one of the official languages of NZ, and one of a vast number being spoken by kiwis up and down the country on a daily basis.
“Why have any compulsory subject at school then? No-one ‘needs’ to learn maths or science, they do it because they are told to.”
There’s no smart arse set up or wordsmithery. People already get on with their lives without knowing Maori, their language or their culture, this is fact, so I’m not sure the question is relevant, especially given the original context that to some people there is zero benefit in learning it and forcing them to won’t benefit anyone.
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
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 ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara Solomon Islands’ incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected in the East Choiseul constituency. It is the opening move in the political chess match to form the country’s next government. Returning officer Christopher Makoni made the declaration late last night after ...
Headline: The moment of friction. – 36th Parallel Assessments In strategic studies “friction” is a term that it is used to describe the moment when military action encounters adversary resistance. “Friction” is one of four (along with an unofficial fifth) “F’s” in military strategy, which includes force (kinetic mass), ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
Lucinda Bennett on the art of being greedy but resourceful. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. When I picture the market, it is always this time of year. Crisp air, dripping nose, counting coins with cold fingers. Sunlight pale, filtered through specks of dew still ...
Zoë Colling’s favourite piece in the ‘That’s So Last Century’ collection is a lubrication chart for a sewing machine from the ’60s. It’s about the size of a postcard, and carefully maintained. “I like it that this piece of ephemera highlights that manual and technical side of the skill involved ...
Kia Ora Gaza A passionate haka reverberated through Auckland International Airport as a medical team of three New Zealand doctors received an emotional farewell from a big crowd of supporters before flying to Turkey to join the international Freedom Flotilla to Gaza. The doctors, who left Auckland yesterday, hope to ...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
COMMENTARY:By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)Hot off the press, this debut ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously.The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
With their latest legislation to restrict the rights of protest around mining and drilling, National has declared open season on the environment and environmentalists.
It all adds up.
This government is waging open warfare on the environment
From weakening the Resource Management Act
To withdrawing from Kyoto
To downsizing Doc
For all their numerous big and small other assaults on the environment up and down the country.
This is clearly a government in the pocket of the polluters, on whose behalf they are waging this undeclared war.
Have the National Party got a mandate for this war?
No they haven’t
Time for all the opposition parties to call a public rally on the steps of parliament to oppose the legislation scrapping the final last remaining level of environmental protection, the right for the public to effectively protest against the actions of the polluters and the wreckers.
Come on you guys. Do you want to win the next election or not?
Years back environmentalists etc predicted that as resources such as water became scarce there would be a greater grab for the public domain by private capital, alongside a stronger resistance to these grabs. The corollary was that private interests via their own agencies or the state would do their utmost to ensure that resistance was squashed….hence 1 year inside, or $100,000 fines for doing a Lucy Lawless.
So, the game of chess continues. Rio Tinto has turned down the government’s offer of short term help to get over the current problem. Rio Tinto say they want a longer term deal from the government. What a bunch of leeches. They want to bleed kiwi tax payers indefinitely in order to protect their desired profit margin.
Why is the PM releasing this info on Newstalk ZB?
PS: No, that is just where the NZH got their info. It was also disclosed on Firstline this morning, and possibly elsewhere.
Rio Tinto have the perfect negotiating position: they dont really care short term because the whole market is shaky, price may collapse. As a consequence, they will demand all sorts of unrealistic deals because they have nothing to lose short term: NZ however see this as a big loss. Its a little blip on RTs books..
“Why is the PM releasing this info on Newstalk ZB?”
Leaking of the leeches?
And in the Herald:
“Rio Tinto has rejected the Government’s offer to subsidise the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter power bill……..”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10874850
Why is the PM releasing this info on Newstalk ZB?
NewstalkZB is the semi-official state broadcaster.
Interestingly, one of its slogans is “Fair and Balanced.” And, yes, that’s also the Fox News slogan.
The Green Party took time out yesterday to have a laugh on themselves, and send up the stereotype of the party peddled by many in the MSM and beyond. In the form of a press release on employment law proposals, it ends:
LOL, go The Greens! Being able to have a laugh at oneself shows humility and that’s a quality that would be good to see more of in our main opposition party. (not to mention fire in the belly, unity, strong leadership and direction but thats all been said before).
Sad that the hippy dippy stereotype still prevails after all this time. That clueless buffoon Jesse Mulligan (God only knows why he calls himself a comedian) made a fool of himself on 7 Days when he lampooned The Green Party many episodes ago now. No one else on the panel laughed. It was like they had moved on from the stereotype and he hadn’t. He was also quite patronising towards Mojo Mathers when she was a guest on the show. He was shouting at her. Oh dear. It’s not helpful that someone so ignorant has a role in the media.
Has the Solid Energy board gone rogue?
I was having a squiz at the batch of Treasury papers that were released and there was this one containing a comment that the board thought that Solid Energy’s current strategy was appropriate and that “a retail-based IPO for Solid Energy is not the appropriate way forward”.
Are they saying that Solid Energy should not be sold off? I wonder what the Minister thinks?
Interesting. Keep digging MS!
I think they’re arguing for one big investor, rather than a bunch of little ones.
The veil of deception over money
Understanding our monetary system is vital for all people.
Counter party obligations, bundled securities, rehypothecated debt, repackaged derivatives, debt obligations, etc etc etc. We should understand but the language deliberately obscures understanding. Joe Average (aka me and my greater circle of acquaintances) don’t stand a snow balls chance in Hell of keeping up to speed on the language of fraud (aka finance). Jokey Hen by comparison seems to have either been the author of the terms or to have known the person/s responsible well.
IMO, Once understanding of the basics is known then picking out the BS becomes easier. And the paper linked to is about the basics – how money is actually formed.
National keeps hammering home how the Greens want to print money, I mean, the nerve of the Green party to use government to manage the money supply for the good of the people. Even as the partial downgrading of the ability of banks to prime the gearing levers in the housing sector. National want it both ways, and Labour just keep letting them off. Now the attack is on the speaker for not holding ministers to account, geez, if Labour had real pertinent penetrating questions that unbalanced the govt benches you can be damn sure the govt would be answering them. Its in the interests of govt to have a balanced open debating forum, and to keep the debate from uncovering their deceptions. Money is controlled by the people, for the people and of the people (govt), how hard is that for Labour to get out and say????
Look at farming, capital gains exemption has left farmers in debt and running into regular droughts and floods without a lifeboat (as govt won’t do anything since the market will provide farmers with the incentives to change, like water rights for 35 years that make it uneconomic to invest in farm dams!!!). So whose actually looking after farmers, and citizens? Not National, not Labour.
Labour doesn’t want to be seen as supporting unorthodox monetary policy (even though the G7 is already printing money as fast as they can). Too socialist. Might scare the capitalist market horses.
Fun fact: since the GFC started, the world’s major central banks have printed an additional US$10T of money into the world economy. For all the good it’s done the ordinary citizen.
$10T – just the printing ? Does that figure include the TARP schemes, Bond purchases, bail outs etc?
Expect the number to be magnificantly higher than that!
So that is the saliant point $10 trillion printed and released and for what.
$10T, could be used to provide life sustaining/enhancing systems, for most of the underprivileged, in any part of the world they happen to be!
But it went to propping up balance sheets, capital ratios, margin calls, and bonus payments, while preventing the house of cards from collapse! – $10T can support huge amounts of leveregded transactions, and thats what most of the money has been used for!
Meanwhile the global derivatives, commodities, and equities markets , forge ahead with scant regards!!!
Indeed, $10T in base money probably turned into US$500T in leveraged financial mechanisms and associated debt.
DTB is quite right. Bullshit baffles brains. The thing that TPTB absolutely resist is simplification of the system. They need more and more layers of complexity in order to play their money/debt/obligation shuffling games.
If we were to stick with the basics it would be around:
– Fulfilling of fiduciary duty.
– Sourcing debt free, non interest bearing money.
– Making banking absolutely boring and basic, aimed at the needs of the real economy.
But in a situation like that, the big finance banking types couldn’t justify their $5M salaries.
As for cutting through the financial BS, Max Keiser on youtube is excellent. As is Kyle Bass:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUc8-GUC1hY
You can apply the same to the legal systems!
The financial system and the legal system both use alternative representations (persons) for the people they deal with. Their systems are paper based, and the alternative representation is a name written in ALL CAPS. This representation has been called a nom-de-guerre, or war name. The enforcers for this system, here and in England, also use military titles (constable & seargant).
Yes, its unfortunate that you have attracted so much heat from commentators here, although it seeks to illustrate the trouble NZ is in, when the supposed *more thoughful* types, attack information which attempts to explain how the fraud is possible, via the legal/judicial systems which NZ is controlled by.
Same owners of the financial systems of course, but thats not something which people want to hear about!
The good ship status quo doesn’t turn on a dime, muzza. Hopefully everyone involved can put ego aside long enough to think about the points being raised.
Pravda on money and the NWO
http://english.pravda.ru/business/finance/01-04-2013/124188-cyprus_nwo-0/
yeah Russia is very annoyed at what the EU has done to Russian bank accounts held in Cyprus. Very annoyed.
And one reason that the EU timed it the way they did: it’s coming to the European summer. If it was the Winter, Russia would have retaliated by turning the gas taps off.
By the way, I think you’ll find this analysis of how big the EU bailout of Cyprus will actually be quite amusing. In a frightening way:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-03-31/guest-post-how-big-bailout-cyprus-hint-trick-question
Recommended viewing on the Federal Reserve from a mainstream source
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8nNzA7v7JA
BBC admitted their video “How do Banks Work?” was misleading
Seems to have been a long process to get the BBC to admit that they were wrong.
Saw this on Open Mike big brother and the screw cru
The new fascist credit sharing of your info with the biggest parasites in the finance industry you know the ones 40 years ago who use to repo your car at ten at night or before you went to work in the morning usually with a large persuader in the form of a wrestler or someone for hire with no name got the picture
These thugs now are respectable legal and powerful and who knows who they will be able to swap your credit history to….
A year ago I was not allowed to pay rego on my scooter because I had no warrant….being slack I left it off the road. Rego bills appeared, attempts to pay were rejected. I remained resolutely slack.
Next thing: Dun & Bradstreet letter demands money with menaces to my credit worthiness. So I was able to pay. Somehow the cash had now become acceptable despite the other regulations.
More importantly it raised some very basic questions about my role as a citizen and my relationship to the state. Who out there feels some degree of dis-ease that the state gives your “debt” to them to a private contractor who makes commercial threats against you?
Do the current crime stats just released, which show the lowest level of recorded offences in 24 years, indicate more people are happy with their lot?
Good news for National…not so good for Labour
No. Youth just realizes that a criminal record means you cannot travel, and given the way the country is run, they need the ability to.
If crime has been reduced why the hell would you think that is bad news for Labour. ?
You bloody Tories are a strange nasty lot .zs a Labour Party member I find that remark most offensive.
Any way if anyone believes that crime is reduced they will believe anything. the violence in our present society is rapidly rising regardless of what the
Tory press tell. Just look at the reported acts of violence reported each week.
The number of “recorded” crimes dropped. Depends if they got stricter/more lax in which crimes were recorded.
Murders went up – it’s hard not to record a murder, though there is fuzzy territory for how some deaths are classified.
PS: note this:
ie indicates stats went up because police were more vigilant in pursuing and recording reported crimes.
Lol
And the Canterbury stats though 5.6% increase crime is still lower than pre-quake.
Or amount of recording has reduced as traditionally happens under National as they steadily erode the ability of police to effectively deal with any crime.
It was pointless telling the police about most petty crimes in the 1990s because they didn’t do anything with it. The only reason that anyone did was because the insurance companies insisted. Oh and now the ever increasing cost of insurance is reducing the number of people having it.
Look at the serious violence crimes and see the picture change. And that will be despite a aging population that is steadily reducing the crime rate, just as it is in every developed country.
You really are a stupid pissant – relying on total figures without looking at the detail.
Relying on total figures when it suits National: Bad
Relying on total figures when it suits Labour: Good
Wow, devasting putdown of your own strawman, Chris. Did you spend all of Easter working this epic effort up?
Well it wasn’t a put down more so a statement.
Like crimes figures are down so the left say its due to non-reporting.
John Key won’t give extra subsidies to rio tinto (and we all know you lefties lurve subsidies to foreign companies) and you lefties will (probably) say hes doesn’t care about jobs.
Actually, a lot of the folk here argued that Tiwai should be closed based on emissions, lower energy costs for the rest of the country, and that subsidy argument you just brought up. I’m one of the few against that on the grounds of the massive harm to Southland should it shut. But even then I’m not in favour of subsidies to Rio Tinto. No real reason against nationalisation, given its regional importance.
No real reason against nationalisation, given its regional importance.
It’s a profitless export business, apart from saving jobs why on earth would you nationalise it?
Profitless? I doubt that the energy subsidy is all that is between Tiwai and bankruptcy, but I’m open to correction on that score.
It’s a classic value-added industry – import raw material, smelt into higher quality material, export. And the employment injects income into a rural centre so the money flows back through the country into the financial centres.
Rod Oram says that the big picture is that China is rapidly developing its aluminium smelting, with new efficient smelters that Tiwai Point could never compete with unless you spent oodles of money. Rio Tinto is trying to flog off all of its old smelters (like Tiwai Point) because they can’t make money from them.
Rio Tinto can’t make money from it but you think if NZ owned it then we could??
Show an instance of me doing it?
Otherwise you’re really just farting from the fingers yet again with yet another silly myth.
Show an instance of me doing it?
– Sure of course, I’ll just scrawl through the entire back catalogue of The Standard just to find an instance of where lprent showed double standards towards John Key.
Then after I’ve posted it you’ll probably reply with something along the lines of “you got it wrong”
Yeah I’ll just do that
I did look at the detail, did you?
In the last year –
Homicide and related offences, down 18.1%
Acts intended to cause injury (violence), down 3.4%
Total offences 2010, 2011, 2012 –
Homicide and related offences – 97; 83; 68, down 30%
Acts intended to cause injury, last 3 years – 44,515; 42,278; 40,851, down 8.2%
Since National elected in 2008 to 2012 –
Homicide and related offences, down 33%
Acts intended to cause injury, down 3%
Whose the stupid pissant now?
Don’t bother, someone will just say its either:
A. More people are reporting crimes (so nothing to do with National)
or
B. People aren’t reporting crimes (so everything to do with National)
Depending on the situation
Interesting that “murder and related offences” went down (by 15 offences), while the number of murders went up by 3.
There’s not only the issue of (under)reporting but differences in what is recorded. From the above linked article:
Burlary stats went down, and car thefts. However, if people are not insured, they are less likely to report burglaries.
These kinds of things will also be impacted by the willingness of police to pursue and/or record the matter:
I experienced first hand a situation, where an intruder was inside a property, a call placed to the police, the response was, *sorry you will have to make an appointment*, 48 hours.
When it was repeated there was someone in the house, same answer – 48 hours!
Nothing about the crimes being committed against the populace by the government then!
Check out the lead in paint link before starting to apportion votes.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jan/07/violent-crime-lead-poisoning-british-export
Fkkn errrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I used to chew the ends of painted pencils…..
US monetary shenanigans summarised : Sundown in America
Related: Gallery of economic Villains and Heroes
Capitalism is fscked.
Banks threaten to increase repossessions as Irish mortgage crisis deepens
‘A massive property bubble prior to 2008, brought on by the speculative activities of the banks and encouraged by low tax rates, contributed significantly to the financial collapse five years ago. Since then, the austerity policies implemented by the political elite have shifted the burden of the crisis onto the backs of working people. ‘
http://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/04/01/irel-a01.html
Iceland told the banksters and bondholders to take a leap off a cliff. Their economy is recovering. Greece didn’t, and went along with the plans of the banksters and bondholders.
Guess how Greece are going in comparison.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2013-04-01/iceland-vs-greece-pick-winner
And yet kind of ignoring that the Financial Supervisory Authority of Iceland used emergency legislation to take over the domestic operations of the three largest banks, the IMF Stand-By-Arrangement since November 2008, and Iceland’s application to join the EU in 2009 which was a big factor in restoring international confidence. Currency devaluation effectively reduced wages by 50% making exports more competitive and imports more expensive. Iceland is not the fantasy some people keep trying to sell it as.
Did I say that there wasn’t hard work and sacrifice involved mate? But at least in the case of Iceland, they charted their own path, pissed off a whole lot of bondholders, and have made it to the other side.
Names have power and they create context and connection that is why I support the changing of the names of the bland and ridiculous ‘North’ and ‘South’ Islands of this country. The fact that the names are not official just shows the idiocy of keeping them. And I don’t support the NZGB’s idea of “that either the English name or the Māori name, or both names together could be used as official.” I say, “FFS just change the names into ‘Te Ika-a-Māui’ (for the North Island) and ‘Te Waipounamu’ (for the South Island). Who in their right mind is attached to ‘North’ and ‘South’ – it is completely bogus and an insult to Māori.”
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1304/S00022/alternative-naming-for-north-south-islands.htm
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/just-change-nothing-names.html
Very right Marty – Why would they not be renamed, is the question.
What might renaming the island alter in the legal sense?
There has been little to no contention, (w(h)anganui aside), about the maori naming etc of various locations in NZ, country included, but the North/South Island, seem to the *outside* the conversation!
indeed muzza and considering that north and south are not official names is interesting, perhaps more evidence (if it is needed) of the illegitimacy of the colonisation process considering that “on 21 May 1840, Lieutenant-Governor Hobson proclaimed sovereignty over the South Island by discovery”.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Waitangi
If a lie is told, or a fraud committed, the actions thereafter, become focused on hiding the original lie/fraud. Assuming the truth did not come to light, and all lie/fraud related activities , unwound…
What you end up with, is NZ!
Names indicate the character of things, so Māori names for the islands would imply Māori pre-eminence over the land. Arguably this is appropriate since Māori have historical pre-eminence.
Would that be changing the names or just giving their rightful names back?
+ 1 Very true Draco
+more!
The reaction would be entertaining to watch from a safe distance… just look at how the racist fringe resident in Whanganui have been reacting to a simple fixing up of a spelling mistake!
It’s not a spelling mistake, it’s a travesty of linguistic colonisation. The Ngāti Hau dialect doesn’t have the ‘f’ pronunciation of ‘wh’, therefore the original spelling was perfectly correct phonetically. The so-called “official” standardised Te Reo was originally the version noted down by Professor Samuel Lee working with Hongi Hika and therefore is essentially Ngapuhi. Similarly the Kāi Tahu dialect of the South Island mostly gets ignored except for Aoraki.
They were here, all thirty six of them.
Whanganui (when pronounced funganui) is now a common pronunciation mistake. But never mind. Iwi let go of their dialect for the sake of a standard spelling, water under the bridge. Sometimes wonder if the river’s getting back at them via the sewage treatment plant 🙂
Only problem I have with Te-ika-a-Maui and Te Waipounamu as names is they’re a 6 and 5 syllable mouthful and will get mispronounced horribly.
Still might be an improvement on “seff illan” and “nuff illan”
Ika (NI) and Pounamu (SI) will be fine by me. But what do we call Stewart Is?
(BTW, most the people I know currently call them “The Naw Thighland”, and “The Sow Thighland”, especially TV newsreaders. 🙂 )
Rakiura, obviously.
They’re not hard to pronounce. That said, I think the way Wikipedia has Te Wai Pounamu is probably easier. I don’t know which is the actual correct way or even if there is such a thing.
Many people do have trouble pronouncing the ‘ou’ sound correctly. Many Kiwis can’t even pronounce ‘te’ correctly.
Te Ika-a-Maui or Nigel ?
🙂
sadly I have no sense of humour with that stuff – my bad I know.
The funniest ones I have heard so far are
‘racist’ and ‘slightly less racist’
now that is top shelf
Like separatist flag flying on the the harbour bridge, these are just modern day beads and blankets.
I’m surprised you keep falling for it.
I reckon, instead of looking for whites under the bed and seeing insults where there are none, you should focus on getting rid of the Maori party collaborators that have done so much harm to Maoridom over the past four and a bit years.
fank you 🙂
Oh dear I missed my spelling mistake 🙂
“fank you
Oh dear I missed my spelling mistake”
I’d guessed as much 😉 😆
Change the names or don’t, I’m not bothered either way, but if you think it makes up for a great outrage and insult, then I hope you get your want.
But the MP are still there, supporting Key all the way to a third term.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the MP they will receive their justice at election time and I’m working quite hard to ensure that happens.
I wonder how you would feel if the name of your country of birth was changed from England to New Paris for instance – I’m sure you would huff and puff quite a bit. Everytime NZ is used it is a slap in the face to tangata whenua who should be equal in this country. And as for the north and south bit – well you tell me what it means – they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? and in my mind are quite meaningless and insulting.
“I wouldn’t worry too much about the MP they will receive their justice at election time and I’m working quite hard to ensure that happens.”
Good on’ya, as the locals say. Shitty self serving politicians are a huge insult in any culture.
” Everytime NZ is used it is a slap in the face to tangata whenua who should be equal in this country.”
It isn’t a slap, and to me, you already are my equal, just like everyone else is.
“And as for the north and south bit – well you tell me what it means – they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? and in my mind are quite meaningless and insulting.”
I’m not sure how you reconcile the insult as you see it, the stealing of your place names, with the insult to generations of New Zealanders by dismissing even the mention of joint names of equal status, crapping all over it so to speak.
That’s an Achilles heel dressed in the short skirt of reconciliation if ever I saw one.
You can call anything you like what you want, but I doubt very much it will improve the outcomes of tens of thousands of Maori one little bit.
there is no insult by calling the islands their rightful names – that is idiotic and shows you don’t really understand much about it – try some reading on reality before you put your oar in mate.
“there is no insult by calling the islands their rightful names – that is idiotic and shows you don’t really understand much about it – try some reading on reality before you put your oar in mate.”
You do that a lot, tanty throw your position.
I will, one time, de-construct my post so you understand it, then after that, if you’ve nothing to offer, I’ll leave you to your revolution.
The insult is not in using the original names, but the denial of millions of New Zealander’s to use names they have long used (uninterrupted occupation by word, if you will) on an equal footing, by not accepting joint names, is.
It’s the Achilles heel to your argument.
Simple as that.
I actually already know what your point is and I care not for it so I’ll just keep tantying on.
I believe you think you know my point, which isn’t the same thing, but if you’re happy, it’s not my job to bring you down.
Tell me, when was the last time that you heard of Taranaki being referred to as Mt Egmont?
IIRC, there was a bit of a huff from some of the more excitable but it died down quite rapidly and everyone just started calling the mountain Taranaki. I think you’ll find the same to be true of Ti Ika-A-Maui and Te Wai Pounamu.
Never have heard Taranaki called by it’s other official name, but I wouldn’t be outraged and insulted if I did.
I don’t think there’s any credibility in denying joint naming, and agree somewhat perversely enough on a left wing site to, as you point out, let the market decide the outcome.
interestingly on the tour the other day when I described how you could sometimes see Mt Taranaki an older gentlemen said, what about Egmont? I said the times they are a changing.
“they only have context in relation to themselves as in north or south of what? ”
They also have historical context, and therein lies the problem. Removing the names will upset people in the same way that your example of England to New Paris would.
I take your point about the insult to Maori though. I’m not sure what the solution is exactly, but am pretty sure that those of pakeha middle NZ who might otherwise be in a process of change re Maori rights, would be put off by being told to stop using ‘South Island’ and “North Island’ because they are bland and meaningless.
“those of pakeha middle NZ who might otherwise be in a process of change re Maori rights”
The problem is this incremental change is not really happening imo. Māori have to fight for every scrap of concession and that just isn’t good enough. Middle NZ will continue to focus on their positions and that is the way of it. If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.
I don’t see the double naming not happening, so the majority will decide and they will decide without real consideration of Māori – that’s the country we live in.
“If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.”
😆 Like everyone speaking English has made all our lives better.
You may as well wait a few years ’til they have the numbers and learn mandarin or cantonese instead.
Compulsory Maori lessons
Compulsory English lessons
Compulsory Cantonese/Mandarin lessons when the Chinese have the numbers
Which of these is not like the others?
“Which of these is not like the others?”
I can’t speak or write any of them properly, how would I know? Best you tell me.
I do actually think an induction series for new arrivals is a great idea, and mentioned it in a mail I wrote to Hone last year. Don’t know if it’s part of mana’s policy yet.
In the context of your previous comment, English and the Chinese languages were/will be tools of colonisation. Marty’s suggestion of compulsory Maori is a restitution of a colonisation process, it’s not a colonisation process itself despite how some pakeha may feel.
“Marty’s suggestion of compulsory Maori is a restitution of a colonisation process, it’s not a colonisation process itself despite how some pakeha may feel.”
Non Maori don’t need to be compelled to learn a language they have no use for, but if some have a genuine urge to learn it, then sure, assist them to do so, by all means.
I don’t think many in NZ would complain about dual labelling and signage like used in Canada, and if Maori have words for things like baked beans with cocktail sausages, then all well and good, but compulsory just won’t fly.
“In the context of your previous comment, English and the Chinese languages were/will be tools of colonisation.”
I get pendulums swinging back the other way before a state of balance, but there are fights worth having right now that will effect better rights and conditions for all of us, especially Maori as they are sadly represented in poverty figures. Forcing new kiwis to learn Maori is not one one of them.
They would have a use for it – that is the point. And as for the poverty figures ummm maybe they might need some teachers of the compulsory language thus reducing unemployment for Māori, and perhaps other negative social statistics might be reduced as recognition of the importance of indigenous rights takes hold – there are lots of ancillary benefits for the country. Try not to be so one-dimensional because the word compulsory is used.
“And as for the poverty figures ummm maybe they might need some teachers of the compulsory language thus reducing unemployment for Māori, and perhaps other negative social statistics might be reduced as recognition of the importance of indigenous rights takes hold – there are lots of ancillary benefits for the country.”
I fully support flooding, with cash and good intentions, the bottom end of all NZ negative social statistics. I reckon most here do. If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.
“They would have a use for it – that is the point.”
You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.
I’d rail against compulsory English lessons for new arrivals too, for the same reasons I derided Norman Tebbit’s cricket test in Blighty, and will always fail it here. I’ve protested against the NF, the BNP and other assorted idiots who make claims that newcomers have to adapt their cultures to assimilate with the new world. It’s bullshit, whatever the colour and creed of the home team. Live by the law, as part of the whole, however you fucking want to, it’s your personal right.
You’ll achieve little with compulsory anything.
I get why you want your language spoken more, just like welsh and Cornish people do, but forcing an issue that has negative impact is just stupid policy.
“Try not to be so one-dimensional because the word compulsory is used.”
Try not to be such a princess, just because someone thinks you’re talking shit.
Oh dear seems like I’m not the only one that can throw a tanty.
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
That’s not what I was talking about fool. Do you want me to deconstruct my point for you?
“You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.”
If as, per my original post, we change all the names then unless they know the language they won’t know where they are or where they are going will they?
“I’d rail against…”
Yes i know but your northern hemisphere references are not relevant to this discussion.
“I get why you want your language spoken more…”
For some reason i doubt that very much but thank you for your contribution.
‘being a princess’ and ‘talking shit’ should have come with a smiley.
I know you [MM] genuinely believe in your point and though I disagree with your methodology, agree with the reasoning somewhat, we probably a share more than a few common goals.
If I read like I dismiss out of hand your views, I’m sorry.
“Oh dear seems like I’m not the only one that can throw a tanty.”
No tanty, just a language thing 😉
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
“That’s not what I was talking about fool.”
I got it, I actually already know what your point is and I care not for it. You can try and bring the argument to compulsory re-education v a few jobs for Maori, but it’s wafer thin. tread carefully.
“Do you want me to deconstruct my point for you?”
one can’t spell touche without reading touchy. 😆
“You think they would, but they won’t, and that’s the point.”
“If as, per my original post, we change all the names then unless they know the language they won’t know where they are or where they are going will they?”
And as my response, it’s not good policy.
“I’d rail against…”
“Yes i know but your northern hemisphere references are not relevant to this discussion.”
Yep, they are.
“I get why you want your language spoken more…”
“For some reason i doubt that very much but thank you for your contribution.”
Somewhat disingenuous, but no reason why we can’t get along.
All good mate no offence taken and I do actually appreciate your contribution.
“All good mate no offence taken and I do actually appreciate your contribution.”
Ka amohia atu ia ki tōna wāhi okiokinga; ko ia ko te whakaaio whenua.
“If part of that, for you, is teaching your people to speak your own language and practice your own culture, that’s okay by me too.”
Te Reo Maori is an official language of NZ. It’s OUR language.
Al1en, you say that pakeha have no use for Te Reo Maori, but they do. When you expose pakeha to te reo, the begin to understand many things better, including their treaty partners.
“Te Reo Maori is an official language of NZ.”
No one has said otherwise.
“Al1en, you say that pakeha have no use for Te Reo Maori,”
I actually didn’t say that at all. I said non Maori, which of course includes Somalians, Egyptians and Chinese for example, among many others who are not sons of European pioneers.
‘but they do. When you expose pakeha to te reo, the begin to understand many things better, including their treaty partners.’
People don’t have to do anything they don’t want to, including learning and using languages spoken by a very small percentage of the populace, even if they are first arrivals.
For many, even though you might really really want it to, it means nothing, at all.
You can’t teach those who don’t care to learn.
“You can’t teach those who don’t care to learn.”
I’m suggesting that te reo be compulsory at schools (and free to adults). Much of the school curriculum is compulsory.
Ok, so rephrasing, you appear to be saying that non-Maori have no use for te reo. My point still stands – they do, because it enables them to understand concepts of Te Ao Maori that are hard to grasp otherwise.
“You can’t teach those who don’t care to learn.”
“I’m suggesting that te reo be compulsory at schools (and free to adults). Much of the school curriculum is compulsory.”
No problem with schools, though some parents may wish to opt out and their children learn another language, and that should be ok.
No problem with free adult classes for those that want them either.
“Ok, so rephrasing, you appear to be saying that non-Maori have no use for te reo.”
No, some non Maori have no use for te reo, nor wish to learn it, nor be forced to.
*edit Have just read back and I can see didn’t write ‘some’, but the point is the same.
“My point still stands – they do, because it enables them to understand concepts of Te Ao Maori that are hard to grasp otherwise.”
But the point still remains that some don’t wish to understand better, and whilst understanding and honest dialogue usually always lead to better outcomes, I don’t see the grounds to compel. I mean, what are you going to do, lock them up for not saying Kia ora?
So rephrasing, I’d fund the language in school and further education if wanted, continue with Maori tv and Maori language progs on tvnz, run induction classes for new immigrants and dual name anything that moves including the North/South islands and baked beans with sausages.
What a cunt I am 😆
I see te reo as compulsory in schools in the same that way that civics should be. Or that maths, science, English already is. Suggesting an opt out for te reo misses the point.
“But the point still remains that some don’t wish to understand better, and whilst understanding and honest dialogue usually always lead to better outcomes, I don’t see the grounds to compel. I mean, what are you going to do, lock them up for not saying Kia ora?”
No, they just fail in that subject like in any other. If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori? You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.
“You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.”
For some, who aren’t as passionate as yourself, or indeed passionate to any degree about it all, that’s all it is and all it ever will be.
That’s surely a fact, sad or otherwise depending, you’ll concede?
“No, they just fail in that subject like in any other.”
In school, of course, but my main point of focus was addressing the suggested compulsory/mandatory learning of a language and culture in order to live here. I didn’t expect or demand it from immigrants to the UK and don’t accept it here either.
“If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori?”
Because they don’t need to learn Maori any more than Maori need to learn Urdu, French or Welsh to live together.
We’re lucky English is the worlds language.
Just in case this goes on for a wile 😉 I answered here
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-02042013/#comment-613664
“a very small percentage of the populace, even if they are first arrivals.”
Māori are not just ‘first arrivals’, the culture developed here and that is why they are indigenous to these islands. As wikipedia outlines, “Indigenous peoples are ethnic minorities who have been marginalized as their historical territories became part of a state.[1] In international or national legislation they are generally defined as having a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory, and to their cultural or historical distinctiveness from politically dominant populations. The concept of indigenous people may define them as particularly vulnerable to exploitation, marginalization and oppression by nations or states that may still be in the process of colonialism, or by politically dominant ethnic groups.”
It is a very important concept to grasp and I emphasise it because too often the line ‘first arrivals’ is used to marginalise and denigrate Māori as if somehow in some strange universe they are not indigenous and by not being indigenous, under this worldview, they are not due the rights and respect that indigenous peoples should be given in this world. I say should because the sad truth is that that rarely has happened unless the dominant culture decides to misappropriate some aspect of the indigenous culture for their own purposes.
Understanding the indigenous culture of a land people choose to live in imo should be step 1 otherwise we end up with the sorts of negative social statistics for marginalised indigenous cultures we see here and around the world.
I know it is a tangential point but I felt I had to make it to correct any misunderstandings that may be there with the use of the term ‘first arrivals’.
Yeah, certainly didn’t use the term as described in your second paragraph, so misunderstanding avoided.
“The problem is this incremental change is not really happening imo. Māori have to fight for every scrap of concession and that just isn’t good enough. Middle NZ will continue to focus on their positions and that is the way of it.”
Ae, and that seriously sucks. I guess the way I see it is that if middle NZ can feel like they are still part of something, then the fighting that Maori are doing will be more effective (or, middle NZ will be less resistant).
“If it was up to me I’d change all the names back to their Māori names, have an extensive education program to create connection for people about the context of the names and why they are called what they are called, and instigate compulsory te reo Māori classes for everyone living here, or wanting to come here. Those measures would make this country a better place for tangata whenua and everyone else and bind us together much tighter and in more meaningful ways that occurs or is even considered today.”
I completely agree. I think most pakeha fail to grasp just how important te reo is in understanding Te Ao Maori, or the land for that matter. Or history. Compulsory te reo at schools would do more for race relations in this country than any other act (apart from treaty setttlements I guess).
I feel a cultural affinity with the name South Island. I have no problem with Te Wai Pounamu being used as the official name, yet myself would also continue to use South Island alongside that.
I’d like to know more about the history and origins of the name ‘Te Wai Pounamu’ and how the Geographic Board chose it as the best one for an official name.
I agree ‘Te Wai Pounamu’ is a mouthful for many pakeha, but that’s just a matter of practice and an opportunity for us to improve our pronunciation. ‘Pounamu’ is an excellent word for learning one of the more difficult Maori vowel sounds.
“the names of the bland and ridiculous ‘North’ and ‘South’ Islands of this country.”
Could have been worse 😉 …
“In the 19th century, some maps named the South Island as Middle Island or New Munster, and the name South Island or New Leinster was used for today’s Stewart Island/Rakiura.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Island#Naming_and_usage
Matthew Hooton on nine to noon this morning….
Hooton completely ripped off Eddie’s analysis on Labour’s factions (http://thestandard.org.nz/labours-three-factions/)
He didn’t even have the stones to give credit to Eddie.
Then he proceeded to argue the case, which many on The Standard have been making, about the prospect of Shearer getting ripped to shreds during the election campaign. Must have only just occurred to Hooton…
The only amusing part was Mike Williams being put on the spot trying to defend Shearer.
I suppose Hooton believes that any credible coup threat from a properly leftwing labour candidate is now unlikely before the election. He can now change tack and stop publically defending Shearer (as he has been doing on numerous occasions) and start attacking him to help National win the election.
Near the end:
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20130402-1108-politics_with_matthew_hooton_and_mike_williams-048.mp3
He also managed to turn Shearers offshore ‘bank account’ into Shearers offshore ‘bank accounts’.
That Hooton really makes for poor radio, no idea why they persist with him, he comes across as venal, rude and immature. Kathryn Ryan could do better in pulling him up on his bullshit, as could Mike Williams who seems to have his head in the clouds too often than not. I’d like to hear different commentators each week rather than these stale crusty leftovers.
At least Kathryn does pull Hooton up on things, Mike Williams just wheezes and puffs. His head isn’t in the clouds, he’s thinking about his lunch and afternoon nap. It’s unsuprising that the rightwing turds who decided to bring Matthew Hooton into RNZ were also the ones that chose a particularly weak leftwing opponent.
The only amusing part was Mike Williams being put on the spot trying to defend Shearer.
No it wasn’t.
Mike’s attempt to pass off Lianne Dalziel and David Cunliffe as Labour dissidents was also amusing. Intellectually superior and principled MPs are now dissidents? They lost another when Charles Chauvel walked so they had better be careful…
Labour dissidents? That is just jaw dropping! Someone should point that Mike Williams to the list of Labour values and ask him what he thinks they mean, and what he thinks they are there for.
At that point I turned my radio off Olwyn. This childish aside came from a former Labour Party president – the present incumbent’s immediate predecessor. It sort of helps explain why Labour is not doing anything like as well as it should be given the NAct govt’s appalling management.
I remember he was known for being a very good fund raiser at the time. I do not know whether he is working for Labour in any capacity now, but calling elected members dissidents on air is astoundingly disrespectful. There is also a sinister undertone in the implication that it is now dissident for a member of a centre left party to show any left wing leanings whatsoever. But on what authority? Not on the party’s principles, not on the wishes of the party’s members, not on widespread public acclaim.
Yeah Williams is appalling.
Isn’t it strange that the Labour leadership has expressed their disapproval and asked him to stop his radio appearances? Oh wait. Never mind.
Yep, shameless theft there, but it’s Matthew Hooten so it’s hard to be too shocked. Indeed it’s a bit of a turn around from his comments on this blog giving hand-claps and other encouragement to Shearer to now saying things like “I don’t see how he can compete,” and being unable to hide his glee at repeatedly bringing up Shearer’s bank account gaffe no matter how irrelevant.
Mike Williams says he watched parliament last week and was bothered to see John Key ‘making flippant jokes’ about serious issues like the EQC data leak. (Um Mike that’s been his arrogant style since, well always.) Hooten responds with (paraphrasing) “Well, in fairness to John Key, David Shearer’s undeclared bank accounts! *Chortle*” (At about the 20min mark.)
I also gagged a bit at the end when after Williams tries to defend Shearer and Labour’s current performance, Hooten quips that he would do well as a propagandist in North Korea. Oh dee irony.
I found it a little interesting that Hooton was so adamant to downplay the effects of the smelter on the Mighty River share price. Makes me wonder if there is something more going on there than merely defending a tory policy…
When pipes rupture.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/03/31/shocking-tar-sands-oil-flows-throw-arkansas-neighborhoods-streets/
http://t.co/QhZqFEibVZ
Lianne Dalziel just put up a strong effort representing her constituents on National Radio’s The Panel, but unbelieveably, they cut her off mid sentence saying that they were now going to move on to another topic. I don’t think they even thanked her for her time, they just switched her off. Whoever the guy was on the panel kept up with the Tory spin saying that all which could be done has been done, which was maddening.
For Lianne, may I suggest the following improvements in radio interview technique:
– It’s important to stay cool and not to take on a “shrill” tone of voice: it’s off putting to even sympathetic listeners. Maintain an even reasoned tone even in the face of Tory stupidity.
– Ensure you link your “what would you have done different (and why)” answers to “what Gerry Brownlee needs to do different right now” (don’t refer to what the Government needs to do, put the pressure on King Brownlee)
– It’s always tricky to challenge a radio show where the tone is basically a defeatist “look the situation is rubbish but hasn’t the Government done so well with the hand it was given”. The most important thing is to pierce the veil early and hard. Your specific example about land swaps was perfect for this, but needed to come in earlier and harder, to halt the shows preprogrammed narrative in its tracks.
Overall good to hear you on air.
She was being seriously provoked CV. The usual story… the ignorant Graham Bell putting her down because she was a stupid woman who didn’t know what she was talking about? It was disgraceful manners. Lianne should lay a formal complaint about her treatment and especially the way Noelle (whatever her surname is) cut her off mid-sentence without so much as a by your leave. Appalling stuff.
Yeah she was being provoked by ignoramuses.
Yeah she was being provoked by ignoramuses.
She was being provoked by ignorami.
Check out the board and editors of RNZ, and I would not be surprised that the present members, and the ones they keep employed as moderators and journalists, fit the National Party line of “allowing” certain things to be said and broadcast, none else.
They are still confiscating Māori land and still pretending to consult with Māori when they have already made up their minds. They use many guises for the process such as roads.
“Harry Wilson, one of the NZTA Directors stood to make the announcement that the Eastern Arterial Route (EAR) option had been selected for development along the eastern lake side of Rotorua.”
“This decision will decimate traditional wāhi tapu and disconnect whānau from their papakainga along the Owhata, Ngapuna areas.”
The response of whānau and hapu members was to all walk out of the meeting showing their strong solidarity and rejection of the decision. This land confiscation is what tangata whenua are fighting against and the fight is the same fight that previous generations have fought.
http://news.tangatawhenua.com/archives/21532
http://mars2earth.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/land-confiscation-2013-style.html
Confiscation can only be done with legitimate authority. If the land is rightfully yours then it cannot legally be confiscated. Of course this does not stop them from assuming authority. It is more difficult for them to assume authority if you can show why they don’t have any. Showing how they are in conflict with the law of the land is one way of doing this.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-28032013/#comment-611335
That’s what the Public Works Act is for.
Acts can’t grant authority that they don’t have.
You do understand that this is about a veneer of legitimacy, right?
Faith in the Westminster system doesn’t make it legitimate, but that faith can still motivate people to act as if they were lawfully confiscating the land. Legitimacy is consistent with reason, not with faith.
People can be mistaken when they say they understand something, especially when it involves the combination of religion and politics.
Nah your rationale about power and legitimacy is all up the creek.
Legitimate, adj. That which is lawful, legal, recognized by law, or according to law; as, legitimate children, legitimate authority, lawful power, legitimate sport or amusement.
Lex est ratio summa, quae jubet quae sunt utilia et necessaria, et contraria prohibet. Law is the perfection of reason, which commands what is useful and necessary and forbids the contrary.
Funny according to this your definitions don’t have much legitimacy.
How’s that?
ugly – not interested in anything you have to say or as someone recently said to you – fuck off
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-28032013/#comment-612842
but I do appreciate your use of macrons.
With a name like mine, do you think I’m doing this for the popularity?
why are you doing it?
You could call it enlightened self interest. I don’t want to see this place go to hell in a handbasket.
Bullshit UT. You’re up yourself. That’s why you’re doing it. Go and do it somewhere else… that’s a good boy/girl.
Project much, Anne?
Anne doesn’t come across as being “up herself”. Try again.
Assumption of authority is very much a indication that you are up yourself.
Must admit, calling someone up themselves is seldom left without a “you can talk” response.
verbal diarrhoea
Thinking before you type should help with that.
I’m starting to feel like even the return of PG would be better than this.
Maori have been ripped off from word go, all else is LIES and bull shit. All the compensation will in part restitute the resources, but there will never be a true justice. If I was Maori, I would have NO TRUST in PAKEHA. I am European, but not descendant of a colonial power that took this land. It could be a much better land anyway, if people here learned and joined together, but that is proved to be a “dream” never to happen.
Division, resentment, hatred and down-right neo-colonialism of the wrong kind are ruining this country, especially when joined with right neo lib capitalist sell out agendas, where only a small elite gain and control matters. I have NO hope in this damned piece of earth, that seems to have been cursed for ever.
NO social justice, NO fairness, NO joint responsibility and ownership, still a ROTTEN elite owning and running a post colonial back stop that is reality. All else is lies. Too many “Kiwis” are NO “Kiwis”, they are all out for personal gains and self righteousness, hence they leave in droves to sell and buy, to get a turf in a perceived “safer” territory, to save their post colonial skin and betrayed mentality.
I an still waiting to meet “real” New Zealanders that stand their grounds and fight for it. I met NONE!
How would you recognize them, xtasy?
Re my critical rant last night: People like John Minto and Sue Bradford I would exempt from my criticism, as they are truly standing up for justice and the rights of every person, particularly the poor and disadvantaged.
I just get so frustrated and angry about Mr and Mrs Average, who I see and meet every day, who do not seem to give a toss about the future of their country.
So while Ugly Truth goes on with is interpretation of matters, which I actually understand (due to having met similarly minded people), I feel, he is lost in some marginal lot that believe that common law will set us all free.
Google Mary Croft and read some of her stuff, and you know where she comes from. It is all about individualising matters and using legal angles to set yourself free, without any social responsibility and conscience. That is where UT also fails to convince.
Ugly – What you have encountered here, is that they don’t want to hear anything which can’t be *rationalised*, or *solutionalised*.
Problem is that there is scant interest in trying to understand where the core issues probably exist, and as such, *rationalising and solutionising*, are being considered under conditions of certain failure, basically , square pegs round holes scenario!
In exactly the same scape, that until the monetary supply issue is handled in a way which will allow benefit for this country and all its people, the legal fraud must be exposed and unraveled also, if not, then it is an amplification, of the downward trajectory we have in front of us now!
Its as if people are content, acting as an official recorded timeline of scheduled disaster, speculating about remedies which can’t exist, and refusing to consider the reasons why this country continues to be, *legally/financially rooted*
Dilma Roussef’s Brazilizan “wonder”, see for yourself , how police deal there to perceived out of hand carnavalistas in Bahia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&v=yV0I96MpCGI&NR=1
Is this another dictatorship in the making???
AND then let us look at “racial harmony” in NZ, which is the biggest dirty lie in NZ history! There is NO harmony! Rectify it, thanks, you liars!
Another roy morgan.
Lab back up to 34.5%.
[lprent: added charts. ]
Labour is picking up support from potential coalition partners – in this case mainly NZ First, not denting National support. Still, I guess to close to call is better than not at all close…. ?
The confidence rating is better for National than the last poll. Sort of disappointing really.
Huh? I think you may be reading that wrong. The government got the traditional holiday bump in the GCR (you can see the Dec/Jan/Feb pattern in previous years if you look), but it appears to be going down again (need another downward or flat data point to feel more confident)
I was pretty excited to see the CR dropping in the last couple of polls, but this one? So I was only commenting compared to last poll. It’s back up. Yes compared to last year it’s a little less.
Slightly better, and despite the noise I think that there is an upwards trend in there over the last year. Problem is that at the current rate of growth Labour would be well below ~38-40% it needs going into and election and to form a reasonably stable two party coalition post-election.
Incidentally, have a look at the polls in the second year of last term where there was a higher average poll rating than at present. Then look at what happened in the third year.
The GCR looks better than after the xmas break
There’s perhaps a 50/50 chance that Labour will get to form the next government. But will it be because Labour have made a strong case or will it be because National just keep screwing up enough. And for me the question remains – what major new directions and ethos will Shearer lead in that next government. I can’t tell that yet. At all. Which is pretty concerning from a political party supposedly based on clear values and principles.
surely any government changes simply because it screwed up enough?
“You’re argument only really makes sense if you believe that te reo is just another language option like Japanese.”
For some, who aren’t as passionate as yourself, or indeed passionate to any degree about it all, that’s all it is and all it ever will be.
That’s surely a fact, sad or otherwise depending, you’ll concede?
That’s only true if you think that Maori are just another minority. They’re not. They’re the treaty partner of the crown which represents non-Maori.
“No, they just fail in that subject like in any other.”
In school, of course, but my main point of focus was addressing the suggested compulsory/mandatory learning of a language and culture in order to live here. I didn’t expect or demand it from immigrants to the UK and don’t accept it here either.
Yes, but the reason I side more with marty is because once you get successive generations of kids leaving school with a decent grasp of te reo, then society will change dramatically, and how immigrants should/can fit into that will become apparent. Marty says make it compulsory, you say don’t, I say be sneaky.
“If we can say that all people growing up here need to have an understanding of science, or civics, then why not Te Ao Maori?”
Because they don’t need to learn Maori any more than Maori need to learn Urdu, French or Welsh to live together.
Why have any compulsory subject at school then? No-one ‘needs’ to learn maths or science, they do it because they are told to.
We’re lucky English is the worlds language.
Maybe, but te reo is the language of THIS land.
“Just in case this goes on for a wile I answered here”
It probably won’t, not ’cause were diametric (which I don’t believe we are) but first day off for the week tomorrow and I like to maximise my ‘I did the minimum required, this is my time now’, and don’t want to sleep in and lose precious two fingers to the world saluting time.
“That’s only true if you think that Maori are just another minority. They’re not. They’re the treaty partner of the crown which represents non-Maori.”
Adding I fully support the treaty to my list of shame 😉 I think that’s too simplistic a view, even though the answer is probably much more so. I suspect most people just see people, not minority people, and because we’re all in the same boat (waka) as each other, we’ve morphed into a one. Doesn’t necessarily follow that because it’s not so important or even relevant that it’s an attack or an affront.
I don’t know, I sort of like the concept, but then you might be right and that would be a bit of sad bring-me-down.
“Yes, but the reason I side more with marty is because once you get successive generations of kids leaving school with a decent grasp of te reo, then society will change dramatically, and how immigrants should/can fit into that will become apparent. Marty says make it compulsory, you say don’t, I say be sneaky.”
I see his point about promoting the use of te reo, which is why I push for dual naming, which is sort of sneaky, isn’t it?
“Maybe, but te reo is the language of THIS land.”
Yes, rightly one of the official languages of NZ, and one of a vast number being spoken by kiwis up and down the country on a daily basis.
“Why have any compulsory subject at school then? No-one ‘needs’ to learn maths or science, they do it because they are told to.”
There’s no smart arse set up or wordsmithery. People already get on with their lives without knowing Maori, their language or their culture, this is fact, so I’m not sure the question is relevant, especially given the original context that to some people there is zero benefit in learning it and forcing them to won’t benefit anyone.