To my mind the so called “Chris Carter amendment” currently before parliament, shows the fear that the establishment and the state have of any ‘populist’ democratic movement that may arise to challenge the accepted neo liberal market led austerity measures proposed to deal with the coming combined crises of economic and environmental collapse.
Hone Harawira has stated publicly on more than one occasion that he intends to spend most of his time after the election outside of parliament.
I imagine that behind Hone’s public statements may be some sort of plan to build his Mana Party into a popular mass party/movement.
Such a project would require Hone to spend a lot of his time outside parliament forging the necessary broad links with many grass roots groups and organisations and other NGOs.
The amendment before parliament seeks to increase the fine for MPs absent from the house with out proper excuse, from the current $10 per day, to a whopping $270 per day!
Also pointedly targeting Hone Harawira – In this amendment, is a clause that will give the Speaker of the House greater power to evict from the house any MP who deviates in any way from the archaic legal oath to the Queen and her heirs, in a way that displeases the Speaker.
As well as increasing the power of the Speaker to evict our elected representatives from the House, the bill also gives he Speaker the power to banish that MP from parliament for as long as the Speaker sees fit.
Included in the bill is a clause to take the power to moniter and control MPs presence in the House away from the political parties and hand it to the State forces.
A register of MPs attendance in parliament will be kept and monitored by the parliamentary police instead of, as at present by the respective party whips.
This Bill can only be seen as an attempt to increase the power of the state to hinder the possible development outside of parliament of a ‘populist’ led movement powerful enough to challenge the power of big business to undemocratically set all public policy.
To call this bill “the Chris Carter amendment”, is a deliberate misnomer it’s real title should be “the anti- Hone Harawira Law”
“A register of MPs attendance in parliament will be kept and monitored by the parliamentary police instead of, as at present by the respective party whips.”
This used to be the way it was done up until about 1986 I believe it was. The politicians became under too much negative publicity so they effectively gave the record over to the whips so it wouldn’t need to be published.
IMO they’re elected to do a job, they should do it. If they don’t, we should know that.
You object to an MP being pinged HALF of their wages for wagging work?
I wish my boss was so kind!
davidc
davidc, We are their bosses!
And what sort of work is it, that MPs that really want to serve their constituents are forced to attend powerless back room committee hearings, to be endlessly patronised by having their views listened to and then ignored?
What sort of work is it, that people who claim to be leaders let themselves become infantilised in parliament by engaging in endless and pointless parliamentary debates that always descend into childish one-up-man-ship point scoring that change nothing and only disgust the public?
The greatest New Zealand political leaders of recent history achieved more out of parliament than they ever did in it.
Dame Whina Cooper who led the Maori Land March, and brought about the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Eva Rickard and Joe Hawk who through land occupations and protest action saw that Tribunal given legislative teeth.
John Minto who rescued New Zealand’s reputation from collaborating in apartheid sporting contests with South Africa while that regime was murdering protesting school children.
Nicky Hager who led the anti-nuclear movement that made this country nuclear free.
Parliamentary politics is a purpose built machine designed to manipulate and crush sincere MPs into the corporate politician mould.
I get really sick to the stomach when I hear that so and so was a really hard working MP, what is really meant, is that this MP jumped through all the hoops like a trained poodle and never ever rocked the boat.
What the mainstream corporate politicians and big business lobbyists they serve, fear the most, are elected leaders who are determined to stay close to their constituency, refusing to become isolated and buried alive under the tight bureaucratic constraints of parliament.
Hence the need to tighten the leash that this amendment represents.
So what sort of work is it, that this legislation seeks to keep our MPs noses ground into?
National MP Simon Power gives us a clue in his valedictory speech to parliament:
At a day-to-day level, politics, particularly at a ministerial level, can quickly deteriorate to the daily management of tasks – dealing with papers, the media, OIA requests, Question Time, Written Questions, expectations from colleagues and your Party; tasks that become all consuming, and tasks that in the end do not improve the lives of New Zealanders at all.
It’s like Simon Power read my comments on this thread and they had struck a chord with him:
That’s not why we run for Parliament. We run to lead agendas, improve the lot of our countrymen, to push change, and to execute ideas. People don’t spend years getting elected, more years waiting to get into Cabinet, to then say “Well, I managed that week well, I minimised risk, had no view, took no decisions, stayed out of trouble: well done me.”
So how about that TV3 poll and the TVNZ poll last night? Very very bad for Labour. Phil is now going backwards. Does anybody seriously still think Labour is on track to win the election off National?
And what do you think of the Greens continuing to cannibalise Labour’s vote? Personally I think that’s a good thing, because at least the Greens know where they stand on policy, and can be counted on to do what they say they will do.
Actually, it’s not been a good weekend’s polling for National, given that we have MMP. You righties always seem to forget that salient fact, eh. 4 polls, all of them strongly suggesting it’ll be No Mates National on the big day. Which means the pressure is on Key to deliver the holy grail of an outright win. Which isn’t going to happen.
The gap between the left/right blocs is still consistent and a small shift away from the right on election day can easily lead to a Labour led Government. Especially as Labour have not released their campaign policy yet, and the Nats can only offer more of the same muddle.
Voice of Reason, do you really think Labour’s got a big game changing policy up its sleeve? Capital gains tax, no GST on fruit and vegetables, no asset sales. This is what we’re seeing on labour party billboards up and down the country (you know, those signs without Phil Goff on them, wonder why they’re not proud of him?), if Labour had a bigger and brighter policy up its sleeve why wouldn’t it be hammering it now? If you did have a better policy, you know, it might better distract that you’re trying to hide your leader.
Why would Labour put out all their policy now, BWS? The real fight isn’t till November and laying all the cards out now would only give the Tories time to counter-act them. There is plenty more to come from Labour, don’t you worry!
BTW, isn’t it great to see all the Labour hoardings going up around the country? They seem to outnumber the National ones by a large margin and they have actual policy on them, rather than just a photo of the drunk guy we use to open sporting events.
This is the first time ever Voice that Labour has a leaderless campaign. Is this the new campaign strategy, to pretend that the public don’t care who’s going to lead them, and appeal to the 2% who care about obscure policy?
I think it has always been policy versus personality, BWS, and this isn’t a presidential campaign, thankfully. Goff can’t out poll Key on the popularity stakes but Labour and friends can out poll National on the things that matter. Can and will, I think.
I agree V/R I think the well thought out excellent policies Labour is forwarding are going to impress once the Rugby madness is over. Now having said that I just cannot understand how Key can be so in front,(if he really is>) I have watched this goon (and thats a kind word) acting in the House like a nutty teenager ,Flounting shouting and grinning, Then outside unable to answer questions , Playing silly buggers in bumper cars .Swanning up and down in womens clothes and wrapping his arms around young women. Always has a drink in hand and shows the signs of having drunk to much,.All this when the financial news is terrible and our young men are now being killed protecting a corrupt government. Its baffling and concerning.
The public don’t actually need leaders – they need engagement and empowerment within the political system. We certainly don’t need Nationals authoritarian approach to government where everyone just does as the “leader” tells them to.
Bloated With Stupidity, I find your comments here fascinating.
Your comments regarding polls are, best case for you, pure gloating by somebody who doesn’t realise that slime alienates voters. A more realistic case is that you are either so dumb you believe your bullshit or you are desperately trying to make it true by repeating it often enough. Both of those options look quite foolish.
This is what we’re seeing on labour party billboards up and down the country (you know, those signs without Phil Goff on them
Maybe you can tell me why all the National billboards have only John Key’s face on them, and never the local candidate? Is this because everyone else in the National party is a nonentity? We don’t elect the PM here, we don’t have a presidential system…
Those polls have as much credibility as the news services they sit within and have the task of making people think it’s a done deal…..that same media that claims the nats romped it in 08 when they still need the MP and ACT to govern.
I’d like to see Lab work hard keep it simple and maybe force a coalition on the Nats by all opposition making inroads and ACT disappear off to rest homes.
Tough to win with a rigged game where the MSM give the govt an armchair ride and ignore solid policy from the opposition in preference for a smile and wave she’ll be right bankster approach…..a level playing field would see it closer and these polls are part of that agenda to tell you it’s over.
In 2008 it was the 0.8% of the vote that NZ1st failed to get that made the difference, so it can hardly be said that the right wing parties “romped in”.
It sounds like the dairy farmers are telling Key to keep his nose out of their business, they are not happy about him wanting to get Fonterra on the stock exchange. The subtext is that they don’t trust his motives. About bloody time.
And further to the above, I don’t think we are going to win the Cup. Just ask the Warriors, the Key jinx strikes again! We’ve never had such bad luck as a country since he turned up. Keep him well away.
Well, now Key has to do a press conference in front of the Aussie flag, having lost a grand final bet with Gillard. A great photo op, worthy of billboard, and viral vids highlighting the draining to Aus of NZ workers and money to banks… contradicting Key’s over-optimistic promises to NZ.
…viral vids highlighting the draining to Aus of NZ workers…
but, but, but Carol, one mustn’t distort the numbers.
Statistics New Zealand figures show that there was a greater net migration to Australia under the last three years of the Clark administration – so net migration has actually slowed under National…
JB only while they believed that Key would bring them a brighter future. now we are moving into negative territory again Blinglishs last term as finance minster of borrow and hope lead down the same path.Telling half the story again.
Key jinx strikes again! We’ve never had such bad luck as a country since he turned up. Keep him well away.
Struth mate!
Its like the only way that Key’s own personal good luck can be powered is by sucking it up from everything else around him, leaving jinxes and misfortune instead.
Nah, he’s probably got a summoning grid in the basement with the appropriate Da Nho geometry to create a destiny generator with which to manipulate probabilities, only need a drop of blood to activate it, or a willing, suicidal, young nat… (see The Jennifer Morgue, by Charles Stross)
No bad luck required, unless you try a break the geas generated by the trap…
Sorry if it doesn’t hyperlink people, now I know a lot of NZers are apathetic and don’t care too much about our defence force, but have a read of this article and see if you can smell the bullshit.
If I had some backing I would start my own party to contest this sort of crap, our boys in green (blue and white) deserve better from us the public.
National always talks up the defence forces and always cuts them to ribbons at the same time relying on the hope that someone else will save us when we’re invaded. The last Labour led government, despite being led by a seeming pacifist, was actually building up the defence forces.
Afewknowthetruth highlighted the concerns in this comment
“While the masses were being distracted with bread and circuses some REALLY NASTY stuff was being done. I received another alert today with respect to the sneaky tactics the government is using to widen the scope of the control their neofascist state has over the people.”
Some strong opposition from Dr Jessica Hutchings and Te Waka Kai Ora (the National Māori Organics Authority)
“the law change will increase costs, bureaucracy and government control over our food taonga (treasures) and will ultimately undermine our tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).”
Amazing breakdown of the Bill and its ramifications fron NZ Food Security with an shocking video showing ‘a SWAT team raiding an health food store in California with guns drawn’.
“Under the bill, any “undertaking” (anyone) that “processes” (grows/produces) “food” (plants/anything that can be eaten/plant material/seeds) for “sale” (bartering/offering/giving away/feeding people/selling for reserve bank notes etc) OR that just “sells” (barters, gives away) any “food” (plants, seeds etc) however that “food” is acquired will need to be licensed by the government in some way, or have a specific exemption.”
“One of the features of this world is that much is topsy turvy – organic food should be half as cheap as non organic not twice as expensive. Heirloom seeds and diversity should be cherished not blown away by monoculture and profit. It doesn’t get more fundamental than this and the Bill is almost ready to become law – all so that we can comply with agreements signed with the WTO. We must oppose this any way we can and the first place to start is to talk about it with others.”
Douglas made this abusive claim on Sunday QA. That the welfare
budget was too high. As compared I suppose to OZ. Well in OZ
citizens do not pay tax on food, or on the first $5,000. So of
course welfare would be more costly in NZ if the government
has to pay more to cover 15% GST on food and more people
are forced into welfare because they pay tax on the first dollar.
It also explains why Australia is in the habit of denying Kiwis
there the dole, because the policies of Lab and Nat, have been
to depopulate NZ and push kiwis over to Aus.
Just think about it for a moment, Douglas last major interview,
he calls crisis on a policy that gives people welfare funds and
then takes it back from them as GST, as being too expensive.
That’s how much turd rate our politics is, and only now has Labour
pulled its figure out, good on Goff, finally some policy to
bridge the growing divide between Aus and NZ, poor and rich.
Think about it, a business is competing for workers who
can come from Perth or Dundin, do they set up in Auckland or
Sydney. Well here they have to pay more in tax so that
its worth workers while to take the job, and workers here
pay more tax and so demand higher remunartions, but its
worse! Govt gives roughly $200 a week, and every week
most of that is spent and 15% collected as GST, thats
every week, the churn goes on the welfare budget blows out.
And all government need to do is pass a law saying fresh
good is GST off and bring us into line with those Aussies
who can handle the complex maths involved, not taking
GST off items instead of adding it.
Geez…
The private ‘contractocracy’ as opposed to the ‘in-house’ public ‘bureaucracy’?
Where’s the Government ‘Review’ of CORPORATE welfare?
How much public money is being spent by Public-Benefit Entities – (local and central government departments, most CCO’s and Crown Entities) – whose primary objective is ‘social benefit’ – not a financial return for equity shareholders – on Profit-Oriented Entities ?
ie: Private sector consultants and contractors whose primary objective is most definitely a financial return for equity shareholders ???
How many BILLION$ of hard-earned public monies could be saved by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
On proclaiming it’ll destroy heirloom varieties, I call bullshit as seed distribution networks in NZ are fairly robust and any stupid attempts to crush them will just result in a return to the older mail networks. And given the number of people on trademe etc who sell seeds, bulbs and others bits inside NZ, any attempts at a crack down will result in massive backlashes.
One of the features of this world is that much is topsy turvy – organic food should be half as cheap as non organic not twice as expensive.
lulwat?
Organic food’s more expensive simply due to limited supply, on top of the higher costs of production of crops @commercial levels, as more labour is required to deal with pests, combined with potential lower yields. Some crops can do just as well, but they’re usually low maintenance crops such as brassicas, pumpkins and other plants with decent defence genes that haven’t been inadvertently removed by breeders without extensive knowledge of plant genetics.
And frankly, for the most part organic farming is full of shit, with far too much pseudo science (hello biodynamics) and scientific illiteracy infesting it. Perhaps not as bad as big agri’s myopia when it comes to crop genetic diversity (protip, it’s all down to defence gene diversity/numbers, not shape/taste etc) and patenting GMO’s without thinking through pests evolutionary adaptations (defence in depth, i.e use BT + 1 or more others) or bothering with adding in some slightly more specific gene regulation to insure inserted genes are only active in vegetative tissue, rather than reproductive tissue.
Canada in just six years has lost nearly 50 percent of the massive ice shelf area that holds back glacial ice from melting into the ocean, scientists report.
Two of Canada’s biggest ice shelves diminished significantly this summer, one nearly disappearing altogether. The two are among six that make up Canada’s biggest shelves, all located on Ellesmere Island.
Hooton on morning report this morning is appalling.
He keeps trotting out the slogans. “Decade of deficits” is mentioned repeatedly. He cannot respond why you would then give tax cuts if the country’s banks were so bad.
Word for word he probably spoke twice as much as Mike Williams was able to and kept interrupting.
He destroys the show. He is a disgrace and should be replaced.
I quite like hearing Hooton lose his rag. Means he’s panicking.
I also think there’s some value for the public in having a raving, frothing, irrational, transparent fool representing the National Party on a show where the host doesn’t take him at all seriously.
But yeah, today’s vein-popping meltdown was a doozy alright:
” At least Ryan stopped him from using the Peter Leitch diversion and tried to get him back on topic.”
Lol – and how!
14m5s when Hooten tries to go into it again – “oh for goodness sake – don’t start talking to ma about bloody sausages, for goodness sake. I mean you saying you’re not going to patronise the public over the fact that they can’t watch the rugby at the same time, are you now saying that the mad butcher is the centre of the election?”
Had a nice chuckle over that one.
The thing is, it’s probably a tactic which Hootton and the Right are practising. Keep the debate so boring/unintelligent/frustrating that no one will listen. It’s the practice that leads to the conclusion- why get involved, don’t encourage them- the dumbing down of political debate to the point where people cease to engage.
Saw a ad for a bicycle service fee, cost about a quarter of the price of
new bike I saw elsewhere. Thirty years of exploitation by faceless
markets have left us with the absurdity that its cheaper to buy a
new bike every other year than get it services properly, then use
the parts. One reason for the high price of service is the bike
shops don’t had you the tools that come with the new bike and
give you the once over on how to maintain it, making the service
fee worth while every other year. And why is that, because
the right has reduced consumer power by letting lousy lazy capitalists
off their responsibilities. Parliament was about reconciling differences,
where the needs of the consumer and producer were balanced, not
so under ACT/NAT, its now an offence under PC to call for
proper laws that all parties have a say on. Just look at the Police
video law, this law will only push up costs for consumers of
justice as lawyers have to charge even more for watching every
frame by frame, for getting names of everyone in the picture,
for, etc, etc. A picture is a thousand words, and like art, it
depends on the viewer even more than ever. So I’m firstly gobsmacked
that Police are asking for so much power, and if they had needed
it why wasn’t already in place for the slated terrorism possibilities
of the Rugby world cup.
Sorry crime ain’t down, its seething out of every pore of corrupted
democratic practices that now passes as ‘fair and balanced’.
Mixed reaction for me regarding the crime rate as not down in some areas e.g. sexual assault up 12.4% and the CBD in Christchurch being a ghost town is a variable.
Lowest murder rate in 25 years is pleasing.
Possibly crime in some areas is not being reported e.g. minor theft from business, home and inside vehicles as excess is more than value taken or no insurance.
Yep that will be the next big “wow how great is John Key” line. Those extra thousand cops that Helen brought into play up until 2008 are finally hitting their straps but of course this has nothing to do with it.
We all know that National MP’s have very little empathy for the poor. In just one term of governance, National has managed to profoundly disadvantage them by markedly increasing inequality…
The average income of a person in a HNZ home is the minimum wage. Average person in a HNZ dwelling is better off by $8,000 PA, those recieving accommodation supplement will get about $4,000 PA so a loss of $4,000 PA.
Heatley on the Nation last Saturday said that any new tenants will be on the three year review, those current in a HNZ dwelling are not being given notice. I expect notice will be given if National win the election.
166 homes built last year by National, 639 in a year by Labour. Heatley said that they were renovating a lot of the housing stock because it was run down. Garner kept raising the long waiting list and the shortage of homes.
HNZ policy is to pit people against one another, to have condensed housing and for the elderly, unwell, people with addictions and those on the lowest incomes to be their tenants. Social problems will escalate because you will have people home all day pissing one another off.
Heatley did not mention the income formula that HNZ uses either and the formula excludes most people on NZ super and invalid benefit in provincial NZ. Starting to troll on this.
The future of HNZ is ghetto style living with increased social tension.
Heatley on the Nation last Saturday said that any new tenants will be on the three year review, those current in a HNZ dwelling are not being given notice. I expect notice will be given if National win the election.
It’s a bit personally worrying for me, as I’ve been told that applying for a transfer means I am considered a “new applicant”, and will have a “new tenancy”. I don’t understand? I would be made up to not be a state tenant, if I could only get a job! But chances are that can’t happen.. 🙁
Vicky32 I am so mindful of that which I write about when it comes to HNZ as I do not want to upset anyone and I try to be accurate on what information I state.
Were I in your position when it comes to downsizing the property you live in and HNZ want to make you a new tenant, tell them to SHOVE it. Heatley raised puting people into a smaller property but he did not say that they would be classified as a new tenant.
Heatley needs to tell the country of the new HNZ income criteria. People on NZ super or invalids in the main centres probably quailify but not in provincial NZ.
“… investigate whether Housing New Zealand wants to buy the rest of its portfolio of 395 units.”
I am left wondering how many pensioners will make the HNZ income criteria in Hamilton? Perhaps if you have a car it will help but the main benefit rate for a person on NZ super is $339 a week and the accommodation supplement can be applied for. I really need to have it confirmed on what is required to make the cut. I thought it was a minimum of two 3s.
A reporter needs to go to every provincial council in NZ and ask if the council waiting list is growing due to people on NZ super and invalids not making the HNZ income criteria?
I would ask this question in the main centres as well.
To think that elderly frail people may end up in costly rest homes because of the income criteria that HNZ now use is mindless. Also private sector rental it is costly to move and the rents increase.
People need to have control over their housing as this gives them some control over their life.
Maybe HNZ strategy is not transfering people into a smaller property so then they can make you a new tenant and impose a three yearly review.
It is a fact that properties are remaining empty as they want to sell stock or subdivide.
Under National 30 people have purchased a HNZ property where they were the tenant. (Average 10 a year; and not an error).
My strategy is that were I to be housed in the near future, in three years time there is no way National will be the government, if they are lucky enough to win on 26 November.
People need to have control over their housing as this gives them some control over their life.
That’s absolutely true! The transfer idea was mine to start with, but I am not at all happy about the “new tenant” thing… however that does explain why after saying it would be a matter of days or at most weeks, they’ve kept me waiting for months… This place is such a dump – the Tenants Protection woman was gob-smacked when the boss woman said no, when asked if a family could be straight in here if/when I got a transfer – no, said the boss woman, because this dump is not considered habitable for a family! (What were my son and I, chopped liver?)
In 11.1 I raised that Heatley gave as a defence for building 166 homes as focusing on renovating the dwellings as they are run down. Well Vicky32 it is obvious that the property you live in has not been attended to and just may sit vacant in its dilapidated state. Heatley cannot organise himself when it comes to renovating, increasing dwellings, transferring/down sizing.
I found this link which gives more on the categories and other information but does not have the income test formula which will vary as private sector housing and accommodation supplement is in the formula. I think the categories have been posted here before but see: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/social-housing-assistance inparticular [5] – [8] at the end of the article.
I really don’t think that NZ super are exempt from the HNZ income test even though NZ super is not means tested at Work and Income even though there are different NZ super catergories. There maybe a new assest limit for HNZ and most councils have an assest test. It always comes back to HNZ being there for needy people and the older a person on NZ super generally the more needy. People with permanent health conditions also have enough to worry about.
The unemployment benefit is survival money and in particular single older people, flatting does not suit them and due to age, employment can be harder to engage. Heatley needs to get his a into g and build a lot of 1 bedroom properties.
Well Vicky32 it is obvious that the property you live in has not been attended to and just may sit vacant in its dilapidated state. Heatley cannot organise himself when it comes to renovating, increasing dwellings, transferring/down sizing.
I am sure you’re right! Most of the State houses in Segar Avenue parallel to our street) have been sold off…. advertised as “starter” houses, or “do-er ups” for investment. Either way, they’re not available for state tenants…
the older a person on NZ super generally the more needy. People with permanent health conditions also have enough to worry about.
True! My former neighbours, in their 80s, all had serious conditions, which is why they’re now the late Mrs & Mr T., and Mrs P.
Heatley needs to get his a into g and build a lot of 1 bedroom properties.
Pensioners saying they will not vote National until they are suitably housed in a insulated 1 bedroom HNZ dwelling saying they are too independent to go into a costly rest home.
Heatley having it pointed out to him that there is a shortage of 1 bedroom homes and that a person only reqires to sleep in 1 bedroom each night and not the three bedroom dump they are now allocated.
People on NZ super or invalids in the main centres probably quailify but not in provincial NZ.
Nup! Although HNZ is taking new applicants in the A and B categories, they are no longer placing people in categories C and D in houses. It does not matter where you are located, whether you’re a pensioner or an invalid… Housing New Zealand is making zero houses available.
That means if HNZ say you need to relocate or downgrade and re-apply under the new criteria, don’t! It’s simply more bullshit to get you out of a state house and paying higher rents in the private sector. You could be in a wheel chair living on the smell of an oily rag and they will say you are not category A or B and do not qualify.
This is especially the case where the value of the property you’re currently in is high and can be easily on-sold.
If not a current tenant and you meet the criteria A or B then a HNZ dwelling is allocated.
Current HNZ tenants are not being given notice, cunning how when you apply to tranfer you lose your current status. Vicky32 pointed the transfer status out.
I was talking about the income criteria for invalid and NZ super that if in a main centre you would qualify but not in a provincial centre. There are five criteria in the link I posted 11.1.1.2.2.1 as well as A – D criteria. Cannot see the income criteria anywhere, aware of private sector rent in the area and accommodation supplement that a person is entitled to regarding the area private sector rent but there has to be clearly allowable costs. Next the allowable costs will be slashed.
Did you read about the Hamilton Council and the pensioner housing?
I presume you mean this article in the Waikato Times by Danial Adams. Hadn’t read it before but it is a similar story to other areas around New Zealand.
Rents for the city’s pensioner housing stocks have been unchanged since 2009, providing an obvious target for council managers looking to carve $14.5m from their budgets and lift city hall revenues by 5 per cent by 2014.
The chance to slash looming maintenance and renewal costs for the city’s pensioner housing over the next two years from $1.3m to $565,000 will make it even more difficult for council to resist the proposals.
Selling the housing would also allow council a big head start as it tries to rein in its galloping debt levels.
Management has recommended that rents rise next year from the current levels of 50 per cent to 60 per cent of market rates.
Such a cowardly thing picking on the poor and old just to balance the books. Surely there are better places to reduce spending?
The story was in the NZ Herald by Nikki Preston and another reporter, link is in 11.1.1.2 in this thread.
Infield International based in Auckland are doing a survey for HNZ: Information on housing choices. Apparently HNZ are running seminarrs on housing choices and the person who rang me could go no further as I had not attended the seminar. I did not know that HNZ offered seminars.
Is the seminar compulsory for prospective HNZ tenants?
What does the survey expect to achieve?
I was told that participating in the survey would not affect my HNZ application.
“The future of HNZ is ghetto style living with increased social tension.”
Spot on. We’ve lived in (and owned) a former state house for more than 20 years. It’s part of a 2-house unit, the other house (stuck on to us on the other side of a flimsy/not-even-remotely-soundproof wall is still a state house).
Up until 3 years ago, HNZ had always allocated the house next door to low-income elderly or late middle-aged couples. We know for a fact that this had been the policy since the houses were built in the early 60s. So, for 45 years – quiet, elderly tenants. They were always quiet, conscientious, concerned not to disturb us with noise and they always became good friends.
Suddenly, over the last 3 years, it’s been allocated to young dysfunctional or incredibly bloody selfish Maori couples/solo mothers. The first couple (who lasted about a year) would – almost without fail – come home at 1am and have a loud, violent, abusive shouting match on the other side of our bedroom wall, while their pre-schooler (who we felt really sorry for) would still be up and (naturally enough) crying his head off. We just got used to waking up in shock at 1 or 1.30am and then being kept awake for 1, 2 sometimes 3 hours. So loud that you could hear every word the fuckers were shouting. It’s hard to over-emphasise the shock of this after 20 years of peace and quiet. It felt like going from something akin to a quiet stand-alone home to a cheap, nasty boarding house. All courtesy of the useless, incompetent, negligent fuckers at dear old HNZ.
The current tenant is a 30-something Maori solo mother (from, it seems, a middle-class background), with a 5 year-old and an unemployed boyfriend who regularly turns up like a bad penny. Normally, we’d have a great deal of sympathy for them, but Christ !, when they’re on the other side of a flimsy dividing wall with their stereo up full bore until late at night (and sometimes through to 3 or 4 in the morning), large dog constantly barking its fucking head off in the yard straight outside our house and 5 year-old stomping relentlessly back and forwards on wooden floorboards like a 24/7 childcare centre – well, let’s just say we’re not big fans of constant sleep deprivation, constant stress or loud never-ending fucking noise.
Its not only making the time we spend at home intolerable but also potentially putting our careers in jeopardy.
Like I say, it’s pitting us against the sort of people we’d normally have a great deal of sympathy for – Maori, solo mothers, public service employees. At the moment, I’m just feeling extreme anger towards both them and the useless fuckers at HNZ.
I posted on Openmike 01/10/2011 (17.) about social problems which are evident in HNZ dwellings in particular. HNZ need to invest in some jib solutions and hush glass for their more inconsiderate tenants, but when it comes to children being emotionally or physically abused sound proofing the home endangers them.
I haven’t started on the social housing yet.
Housing needs to be a big election issue and the housing stock needs to double, not be reduced by a third.
Shame Heatley couldn’t spend the weekend at your place!
I wonder if this policy is written for the benefit of private landlords to compensate them for changes in the tax treatment of rental properties. It would seem that this is the perfect recipe for across the board rent rises.
Its not only the poor that are going to be hit hard with this policy. The rot will extend up into the middle class as well with rents rising for them.
Just listened to the Hooton Brainstorm thanks Felix. Wow. Listen to the panic! Sort of looking over his shoulder fearfully, at the shadows behind him.”Look out Matthew. They are right behind you. Boo!”
Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards are on the Panel tonight. Would be great if they discuss politics because Brian’s intellectual approach to issues makes poor old Michelle look rather sad.
Kristof points to the the “Occupy Wall Street” movements lack of clearly stated goals and has some suggestions.
Impose a financial transactions tax. This would be a modest tax on financial trades, modeled on the suggestions of James Tobin, an American economist who won a Nobel Prize. The aim is in part to dampen speculative trading that creates dangerous volatility. Europe is moving toward a financial transactions tax, but the Obama administration is resisting — a reflection of its deference to Wall Street.
Close the “carried interest” and “founders’ stock” loopholes, which may be the most unconscionable tax breaks in America. They allow our wealthiest citizens to pay very low tax rates by pretending that their labor compensation is a capital gain.
Protect big banks from themselves. This means moving ahead with Basel III capital requirements and adopting the Volcker Rule to limit banks’ ability to engage in risky and speculative investments. Another sensible proposal, embraced by President Obama and a number of international experts, is the bank tax. This could be based on an institution’s size and leverage, so that bankers could pay for their cleanups — the finance equivalent of a pollution tax.
(Just published the following comment on NBR – but given that the last two comments that I have made referring to POGO research – (which has proved that at USA Federal Government level – the cost of contracting-out Government services is twice as expensive as ‘in-house’ public service provision) have been removed – I don’t know how long it will stay up!
If the USA Federal Government could potentially slash $250 BILLION from their $500 BILLION Federal Government budget – how much could NZ save?
Could NZ slash $35 BILLION from a $70 BILLION central government budget by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
In my view, The Don’s brash support for the decriminalisation of marijuana was a smokescreen.
A smokescreen to distract public attention from the fact that neither he nor John Banks have been convicted of any offence arising from their being Directors of Hulich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd – unlike their fellow (former) Director – Peter Huljich?
Wonder what the ACT Party policy is on ‘white collar’ crime and ‘white collar’ criminals?
Wonder what ACT Party policy is on eradicating the infestation of (in my considered opinion) corrupt corporate cockroaches that push vested interests at the highest levels of central and local government?
How is it that ‘Public Benefit Entities’ at central and local government transform public monies into private profit for private sector contractors and consultants?
If the USA (P.O.G.O) research figures are anything to go by – NZ could save $35 BILLION per year – by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
How come no one seems to be focussing on Government SPENDING – rather than debt and borrowing?
(Wonder how long THIS comment will remain published? 🙂
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
[lprent: I can’t see what this has to do with the post (which is about National’s policy or lack or it) except tangentially in Act. Bouncing it and it’s replies to OpenMike. ]
One of the main purposes of government is to increase indebtedness and expand debt slavery. Without increased indebtedness the international money-lenders Ponzi scheme would fall over very quickly. Hence, the name of the game is not to do things efficiently and save money, but to do them inefficiently, spend money and have to borrow more of it. The government is doing it. Local government is doing it. And a lot of people are doing it. (Note that the US has already broken through the debt ceiling that was raised just a couple of months ago; it’s all going exponential.)
The other things governments are charged with are keeping the civilian population under control and keeping them misinformed. Part of the ‘keeping them misinformed’ includes persuading the general populace to reject anyone who challenges mainstream dogma.
The National government of John Key is doing quite well on all counts at the moment. In the process it is destroying the future of the nation and the future of humanity, of course. But money-lenders are not concerned about such things.
That awful film on TV last night, 2012, presented an end-of-the-world scenario and then portrayed the psychotic sociopaths at the top as caring people. It also provided a ‘happy-ever-after ending. That is not what happens in the real world, I’m afraid.
This company was also selling a MLM scheme with the ultimate vitamin pill that when it was researched by govt lab was found to have no benefit.Con Artists in charge
It might be from ’08, but seriously, in these cash strapped times, why the fuck are we still subsidising religious groups oft highly profitable businesses? Not to mention the issue with regarding proselytising as a “charitable act”, despite the NZ government being rather secular…
Having read that article, I have to say it seems like nothing more than paranoid bigotry. (Rather typical of the Listless, which is one of the reasons why I don’t read it any more. The main reason of course is that it’s so relentlessly middle class, it’s Metro/North & South in disguise.)
The head of the Secular Association is a truly objective fair-minded guy, hey? 😀
So because he’s biased, therefore none of the real issues he’s raised have any legitimacy?
What
The
Fuck?
That’s the sort of bullshit reasoning I’d expect over at kiwiblog. Then again, QoT has time and time again pointed out how much of a muppet you are on certain things, so yeah…
Mainstream media are refusing to pick up or publicise this HUGELY significant POGO research.
So – it would be REALLY helpful if people help by passing it on to as many as possible?
If this USA research has similar results in NZ – then potentially $35 BILLION could be saved by CUTTING OUT THE CONTRACTORS at central government level!
Shouldn’t the public majority benefit from OUR public monies?
Why should a greedy private minority get bloated on OUR public monies – if the services they are providing AREN’T more cost-effective than providing them ‘in-house’?
Isn’t it time to bring back (for example) – the Ministry of Works and Council Works Departments – and cut out all those private ‘piggies-in-the-middle’?
What is ‘efficient’ about allowing private companies to effectively write their own cheques?
___________________________________________
This, (for those who have missed it) is the research to which I am referring…..
“USA Project On Government Oversight (POGO)[1] decided to take on the task of doing what others have not—comparing total annual compensation for federal and private sector employees with federal contractor billing rates in order to determine whether the current costs of federal service contracting serves the public interest.
Based on the current public debate regarding the salary comparisons of federal and private sector employees, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO)[1] decided to take on the task of doing what others have not—comparing total annual compensation for federal and private sector employees with federal contractor billing rates in order to determine whether the current costs of federal service contracting serves the public interest.
The current debate over pay differentials largely relies on the theory that the government pays private sector compensation rates when it outsources services. This report proves otherwise: in fact, it shows that the government actually pays service contractors at rates far exceeding the cost of employing federal employees to perform comparable functions.
POGO’s study analyzed the total compensation paid to federal and private sector employees, and annual billing rates for contractor employees across 35 occupational classifications covering over 550 service activities. Our findings were shocking—POGO estimates the government pays billions more annually in taxpayer dollars to hire contractors than it would to hire federal employees to perform comparable services. Specifically, POGO’s study shows that the federal government approves service contract billing rates—deemed fair and reasonable—that pay contractors 1.83 times more than the government pays federal employees in total compensation, and more than 2 times the total compensation paid in the private sector for comparable services.”
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
[lprent: Bounced to OpenMike. I’d suggest that not causing me work is probably a good way of ensuring that they stay up here as well. I can’t see anything that this has to do with Nationals lack of policy. ]
Penny the US system is screwed; you are talking about a bureaucracy that shipped million dollar pallets of shrinkwrapped USD to Iraq and ‘lost’ the whole shipment, one that cannot make a new fighter plane for less than US$100M a piece, and one which runs on pork barrel earmarks greasing the wheels of every state and every congressman.
These things certainly hold warnings for us in NZ but their way of doing things is (thankfully) far removed from ours.
Auckland councillors have been summoned to an urgent meeting tomorrow to approve more than $1 million in new funding for the Rugby World Cup.
The Herald understands the funding includes extra costs for the knockout stages of the cup, including regional fan zones at Albany, Henderson and Manukau.
…
Since then, the council has been severely embarrassed by the failure of its tourism and events arm to forecast a crowd of about 200,000 for the opening ceremony that led to a transport meltdown and chaotic scenes on the waterfront.
….
Auckland ratepayers have already spent about $102 million on the cup, including $65 million for infrastructure and $37 million for running costs and events, such as the $2.7 million opening night extravaganza.
Homeless people, social services and the public sector can go rot, but another $1M needed for the RWC? Now that’s a real emergency to be approved with urgency!
Auckland councillors have been summoned to an urgent meeting tomorrow to approve more than $1 million in new funding for the Rugby World Cup.
Why oh why? I’ve just muted Clive, because I am so sick and desperately tired of hearing about Don Carter’s injury, and hearing it referred to as if it’s equivalent to the suffering of a child with leukaemia! Why don’t these media idiots get that heaps of us don’t care, and if forced to watch thugby would sooner gouge our eyes out!
Yeah I’m over Dan Carter and his groin too. The way some people are going on its like the end of the world.
Im actually over the World Cup full stop, and rugby in general. Thank god after its all over we wont hear about rugby till the Super 123 starts in Feb.
Fascinating.
I’m not sure it’s worth the electoral experiment to see whether the polls are right (literally 🙂 ) though.
It’s sort of all or nothing – if 60% greens really do want to go blue (notwithstanding the vociferous denials on this issue from some greens), then the nats will probably govern alone, anyway. If the polls are substantially skewed (from the greens I know I would have put the “coalition with national crowd” at 30-40%. Unscientific, it’s just that I’m a bit surprised at 60%), then the Greens won’t do a Maori Party.
More likely the “green vote” sampled consists largely of “not nat / not lab” floaters, rather than the green core support – the ones who keep them in parliament when the “floating voter” gets distracted by a shiney toy. Plus the landline bias, of course.
Faulty polling methods aside, it would suggest, perhaps, that the ‘bump’ in support for the Greens is ‘blue green’ rather than previous Labour supporters?
Unless, it is that part of the Labour vote that switches between National and Labour on a regular basis? (So not ‘core’ Labour vote).
It might be a combo – say a bump from 2008Nats (because they fell forLabour-lite) who are still a bit leery of labour and Goff (“magenta” greens?), as well as some discontentd blue-greens who are soooo happy that the nasty hippy nandor (even though he was a tory) and the red/greens seem to have left/aren’t so visible/now wear suits.
But the core 3-5% of green votes would probably still be pretty pissed to see norman at the same table as english and brash. As the Maori Party have discovered with their core catchment. I don’t think that blaming it all on Hone is realistic.
If you haven’t had your head buried in the sand lately, you might be aware that unchecked climate change is starting to have a major impact on the earth, especially on low lying Islands.
The Polynesian Nation known as Tuvalu declared a state of emergency today, because of a lack of clean drinking water. This is undoubtedly due to seawater intrusion contaminating groundwater…
John Key has been masterfully ‘packaged’ – but – in my considered opinion – the ‘packaging’ is coming unstuck.
As the truth about ‘white collar’ crime and corruption in NZ is further exposed – I predict John Key’s popularity, and National’s will plummet.
EG: Does John Key agree that Don Brash and John Banks (the National “B” Team?) should face charges for investors being misled by Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?
How come only Peter Huljich was charged – when both Don Brash and John Banks were also Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?
According to the Securities Act 1978
s 58 (3):
“Subject to subsection (4) of this section, where a registered prospectus that includes an untrue statement is distributed, every person who signed the prospectus, or on whose behalf the registered prospectus was signed for the pursposes of section 41(1) (b) of this Act, commits an offence.”
How come – in a letter to investors, Don Brash (as Chairman) stated:
“.. Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Limited is an independent specialist funds management company based in Auckland, new Zealand.
……………………
Our company is owned by our directors and senior management and we all invest in the unit trusts that we manage, so you can have confidence that we are acting in the best interests of investors.
It is my pleasure to invite you to invest with Huljich Wealth Management.
Don Brash
Chairman”
How does this help inspire ‘investor confidence’ in NZ – ‘perceived’ to be the least corrupt country in the world (along with Denmark and Singapore according to Transparency International’s 2010 ‘Corruption Perception Index’?
(NZ – which STILL hasn’t ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption – because our domestic legislative anti-corruption framework is not yet in place.)
‘Clean’, ‘green’ ‘corruption-free’ NZ – with the 51 (FIFTY-ONE) collapsed finance companies.
Pity about the NZ corruption ‘reality’……
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
Thank you for this information Penny, it just sounds unbelievable.
So let me get this right, Both John Banks and Don Brash were also the directors of Huljich Investments, but only Peter Huljich is being charged?
How does that work?
How many other directors are there?
Is anyone else facing charges?
When is the court case due to be heard?
Is the hearing before or after the election?
Will Banks and Brash be called as witnesses to give evidence into their knowledge of the corrupt dealings of their company?
I imagine that if sub section 58 (3) of the Securities Act that you quoted is correct, then, both Banks and Brash will at the very least will have to be called.
Will the hearing be open to the media?
Is the media even interested?
Is this sort corruption by high profile business leaders considered by the MSM to be only a minor everyday hum drum occurrence like a parking ticket?
I would also have thought that the opposition parties would have been all over this. Following so closely after the marijuana statement foul up, Surely this is another major embarrassment for both Banks and Brash.
Can’t post the pictures of these t-shirts obviously and no web site unfortunately. But those familiar with Sex Pistols fashion can probably get the picture, just swap Queenie for Key n bobs your uncle.
“Hello fellow Hobbits my name is John Key and I am here
to sell off your land and assets to foreign corporations,
privatise your water, jails, schools, hospitals under TPPA
public private partnerships and basically leave you up a
proverbial (effluent infested) river without a paddle.
I am proud to say that during my term as Prime Sinister I’ve:
• Doubled NZ’s international debt to $36+ billion
• Provided excellent tax cuts to the rich, helping increase
the top 150 peoples wealth last year by $7 billion
• Made inflation go up to 5.3% by introducing
a GST rise to 15% last year
• Helped triple the number of people receiving
unemployment benefits
• Passed 17 pieces of undemocratic emergency
legislation without any form of public debate
• Helped oversee a massive rise in child poverty
• Made sure 7000 families won’t be eligible for
Working for Families tax credits next year
• Dished out a 5 year deepsea exploratory oil permit
to Petrobras which has absolutely no conditions for
environmental protection, and that would leave the
NZ tax payer to pay the clean up bill for any oil leak
• Agreed to not mine the National Parks, yet changed the
boundary of the Oteake Conservation Park to exclude
a 195 hectare area over the Hawkdun lignite deposit
As you can see I am a great choice to lead you forward
into oblivion, so I really hope you will support me by
purchasing one of these campaign t-shirts I have had kindly
donated by the kind folks at Anarkey & Lovely Ltd.
If you could be so kind as to spread the good word about
these I’d be most grateful. As an extension of my thanks
I personally promise to gift you an extra dollar per week
in the next round of tax cuts, should we be reelected.
God Save New Zealand T-Shirts
> 100% organic non-bleached cotton tees
> Available in Sml, Med, Lge, XL, XXL
> $30 +postage (or free pick up)
For orders email godsavenz@gmail.com
or contact Roxanne on 021 701 494″
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A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, 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 ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
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To my mind the so called “Chris Carter amendment” currently before parliament, shows the fear that the establishment and the state have of any ‘populist’ democratic movement that may arise to challenge the accepted neo liberal market led austerity measures proposed to deal with the coming combined crises of economic and environmental collapse.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10754883
Hone Harawira has stated publicly on more than one occasion that he intends to spend most of his time after the election outside of parliament.
I imagine that behind Hone’s public statements may be some sort of plan to build his Mana Party into a popular mass party/movement.
Such a project would require Hone to spend a lot of his time outside parliament forging the necessary broad links with many grass roots groups and organisations and other NGOs.
The amendment before parliament seeks to increase the fine for MPs absent from the house with out proper excuse, from the current $10 per day, to a whopping $270 per day!
Also pointedly targeting Hone Harawira – In this amendment, is a clause that will give the Speaker of the House greater power to evict from the house any MP who deviates in any way from the archaic legal oath to the Queen and her heirs, in a way that displeases the Speaker.
As well as increasing the power of the Speaker to evict our elected representatives from the House, the bill also gives he Speaker the power to banish that MP from parliament for as long as the Speaker sees fit.
Included in the bill is a clause to take the power to moniter and control MPs presence in the House away from the political parties and hand it to the State forces.
A register of MPs attendance in parliament will be kept and monitored by the parliamentary police instead of, as at present by the respective party whips.
This Bill can only be seen as an attempt to increase the power of the state to hinder the possible development outside of parliament of a ‘populist’ led movement powerful enough to challenge the power of big business to undemocratically set all public policy.
To call this bill “the Chris Carter amendment”, is a deliberate misnomer it’s real title should be “the anti- Hone Harawira Law”
You object to an MP being pinged HALF of their wages for wagging work?
I wish my boss was so kind!
“A register of MPs attendance in parliament will be kept and monitored by the parliamentary police instead of, as at present by the respective party whips.”
This used to be the way it was done up until about 1986 I believe it was. The politicians became under too much negative publicity so they effectively gave the record over to the whips so it wouldn’t need to be published.
IMO they’re elected to do a job, they should do it. If they don’t, we should know that.
davidc, We are their bosses!
And what sort of work is it, that MPs that really want to serve their constituents are forced to attend powerless back room committee hearings, to be endlessly patronised by having their views listened to and then ignored?
What sort of work is it, that people who claim to be leaders let themselves become infantilised in parliament by engaging in endless and pointless parliamentary debates that always descend into childish one-up-man-ship point scoring that change nothing and only disgust the public?
The greatest New Zealand political leaders of recent history achieved more out of parliament than they ever did in it.
Dame Whina Cooper who led the Maori Land March, and brought about the creation of the Waitangi Tribunal.
Eva Rickard and Joe Hawk who through land occupations and protest action saw that Tribunal given legislative teeth.
John Minto who rescued New Zealand’s reputation from collaborating in apartheid sporting contests with South Africa while that regime was murdering protesting school children.
Nicky Hager who led the anti-nuclear movement that made this country nuclear free.
Parliamentary politics is a purpose built machine designed to manipulate and crush sincere MPs into the corporate politician mould.
I get really sick to the stomach when I hear that so and so was a really hard working MP, what is really meant, is that this MP jumped through all the hoops like a trained poodle and never ever rocked the boat.
What the mainstream corporate politicians and big business lobbyists they serve, fear the most, are elected leaders who are determined to stay close to their constituency, refusing to become isolated and buried alive under the tight bureaucratic constraints of parliament.
Hence the need to tighten the leash that this amendment represents.
So what sort of work is it, that this legislation seeks to keep our MPs noses ground into?
National MP Simon Power gives us a clue in his valedictory speech to parliament:
It’s like Simon Power read my comments on this thread and they had struck a chord with him:
Really, I don’t see it! I think you’re being too kind to Hone here…
So how about that TV3 poll and the TVNZ poll last night? Very very bad for Labour. Phil is now going backwards. Does anybody seriously still think Labour is on track to win the election off National?
And what do you think of the Greens continuing to cannibalise Labour’s vote? Personally I think that’s a good thing, because at least the Greens know where they stand on policy, and can be counted on to do what they say they will do.
Actually, it’s not been a good weekend’s polling for National, given that we have MMP. You righties always seem to forget that salient fact, eh. 4 polls, all of them strongly suggesting it’ll be No Mates National on the big day. Which means the pressure is on Key to deliver the holy grail of an outright win. Which isn’t going to happen.
The gap between the left/right blocs is still consistent and a small shift away from the right on election day can easily lead to a Labour led Government. Especially as Labour have not released their campaign policy yet, and the Nats can only offer more of the same muddle.
Voice of Reason, do you really think Labour’s got a big game changing policy up its sleeve? Capital gains tax, no GST on fruit and vegetables, no asset sales. This is what we’re seeing on labour party billboards up and down the country (you know, those signs without Phil Goff on them, wonder why they’re not proud of him?), if Labour had a bigger and brighter policy up its sleeve why wouldn’t it be hammering it now? If you did have a better policy, you know, it might better distract that you’re trying to hide your leader.
Why would Labour put out all their policy now, BWS? The real fight isn’t till November and laying all the cards out now would only give the Tories time to counter-act them. There is plenty more to come from Labour, don’t you worry!
BTW, isn’t it great to see all the Labour hoardings going up around the country? They seem to outnumber the National ones by a large margin and they have actual policy on them, rather than just a photo of the drunk guy we use to open sporting events.
This is the first time ever Voice that Labour has a leaderless campaign. Is this the new campaign strategy, to pretend that the public don’t care who’s going to lead them, and appeal to the 2% who care about obscure policy?
I think it has always been policy versus personality, BWS, and this isn’t a presidential campaign, thankfully. Goff can’t out poll Key on the popularity stakes but Labour and friends can out poll National on the things that matter. Can and will, I think.
I agree V/R I think the well thought out excellent policies Labour is forwarding are going to impress once the Rugby madness is over. Now having said that I just cannot understand how Key can be so in front,(if he really is>) I have watched this goon (and thats a kind word) acting in the House like a nutty teenager ,Flounting shouting and grinning, Then outside unable to answer questions , Playing silly buggers in bumper cars .Swanning up and down in womens clothes and wrapping his arms around young women. Always has a drink in hand and shows the signs of having drunk to much,.All this when the financial news is terrible and our young men are now being killed protecting a corrupt government. Its baffling and concerning.
The public don’t actually need leaders – they need engagement and empowerment within the political system. We certainly don’t need Nationals authoritarian approach to government where everyone just does as the “leader” tells them to.
Bloated With Stupidity, I find your comments here fascinating.
Your comments regarding polls are, best case for you, pure gloating by somebody who doesn’t realise that slime alienates voters. A more realistic case is that you are either so dumb you believe your bullshit or you are desperately trying to make it true by repeating it often enough. Both of those options look quite foolish.
Keep it up – the left need more tories like you!
Why aren’t National proud of their entire caucus? They only ever promote Jonkey.
Better question though: Why is National so keen to stay away from discussing policies?
Why aren’t National proud of their entire caucus?
I’m with you on this and perhaps doing a rating on the cabinet may open up the eyes of those who are asleep?
As well we all know what happens to tall poppies when they wilt.
They have none except borrow and hope
Maybe you can tell me why all the National billboards have only John Key’s face on them, and never the local candidate? Is this because everyone else in the National party is a nonentity? We don’t elect the PM here, we don’t have a presidential system…
The right vote actually declined in those polls- not that anybody could be bothered pointing it out.
Those polls have as much credibility as the news services they sit within and have the task of making people think it’s a done deal…..that same media that claims the nats romped it in 08 when they still need the MP and ACT to govern.
I’d like to see Lab work hard keep it simple and maybe force a coalition on the Nats by all opposition making inroads and ACT disappear off to rest homes.
Tough to win with a rigged game where the MSM give the govt an armchair ride and ignore solid policy from the opposition in preference for a smile and wave she’ll be right bankster approach…..a level playing field would see it closer and these polls are part of that agenda to tell you it’s over.
In 2008 it was the 0.8% of the vote that NZ1st failed to get that made the difference, so it can hardly be said that the right wing parties “romped in”.
“Does anybody seriously still think Labour is on track to win the election off National?”
Are they on track? I’d have to say no. Can they still win? Yes.
It sounds like the dairy farmers are telling Key to keep his nose out of their business, they are not happy about him wanting to get Fonterra on the stock exchange. The subtext is that they don’t trust his motives. About bloody time.
Earlier this year Laurie Penny (blogger Penny Red) wrote vivid accounts from the London riots. Here she reports from New York, at the escalating Occupy Wall Street protest.
http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/laurie-penny/2011/10/wall-street-york-police-bridge
Ta,
Nice to read something heartening amongst all this gloom. And Penny Red is such a good writer.
And further to the above, I don’t think we are going to win the Cup. Just ask the Warriors, the Key jinx strikes again! We’ve never had such bad luck as a country since he turned up. Keep him well away.
Well, now Key has to do a press conference in front of the Aussie flag, having lost a grand final bet with Gillard. A great photo op, worthy of billboard, and viral vids highlighting the draining to Aus of NZ workers and money to banks… contradicting Key’s over-optimistic promises to NZ.
…viral vids highlighting the draining to Aus of NZ workers…
but, but, but Carol, one mustn’t distort the numbers.
Statistics New Zealand figures show that there was a greater net migration to Australia under the last three years of the Clark administration – so net migration has actually slowed under National…
JB only while they believed that Key would bring them a brighter future. now we are moving into negative territory again Blinglishs last term as finance minster of borrow and hope lead down the same path.Telling half the story again.
I thought that too Carol. Catching up with Australia? More like selling out to Australia. That image could be very damaging.
Yeah cause the All Blacks have always had great luck at world cups before?
Struth mate!
Its like the only way that Key’s own personal good luck can be powered is by sucking it up from everything else around him, leaving jinxes and misfortune instead.
Nah, he’s probably got a summoning grid in the basement with the appropriate Da Nho geometry to create a destiny generator with which to manipulate probabilities, only need a drop of blood to activate it, or a willing, suicidal, young nat… (see The Jennifer Morgue, by Charles Stross)
No bad luck required, unless you try a break the geas generated by the trap…
😯
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5717428/Govt-targets-names-not-ranks-for-cull
Sorry if it doesn’t hyperlink people, now I know a lot of NZers are apathetic and don’t care too much about our defence force, but have a read of this article and see if you can smell the bullshit.
If I had some backing I would start my own party to contest this sort of crap, our boys in green (blue and white) deserve better from us the public.
National always talks up the defence forces and always cuts them to ribbons at the same time relying on the hope that someone else will save us when we’re invaded. The last Labour led government, despite being led by a seeming pacifist, was actually building up the defence forces.
Where’s all that ‘honour’ Key was crapping on about now? Key, happy to swap lives for trade desks, not happy to treat our forces with respect.
This NZ Food Bill is bad news.
Afewknowthetruth highlighted the concerns in this comment
“While the masses were being distracted with bread and circuses some REALLY NASTY stuff was being done. I received another alert today with respect to the sneaky tactics the government is using to widen the scope of the control their neofascist state has over the people.”
http://thestandard.org.nz/game-on-2/#comment-380308
Some strong opposition from Dr Jessica Hutchings and Te Waka Kai Ora (the National Māori Organics Authority)
“the law change will increase costs, bureaucracy and government control over our food taonga (treasures) and will ultimately undermine our tino rangatiratanga (self-determination).”
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1109/S00376/new-food-bill-presents-a-serious-threat-to-maori-food-sovere.htm
Amazing breakdown of the Bill and its ramifications fron NZ Food Security with an shocking video showing ‘a SWAT team raiding an health food store in California with guns drawn’.
“Under the bill, any “undertaking” (anyone) that “processes” (grows/produces) “food” (plants/anything that can be eaten/plant material/seeds) for “sale” (bartering/offering/giving away/feeding people/selling for reserve bank notes etc) OR that just “sells” (barters, gives away) any “food” (plants, seeds etc) however that “food” is acquired will need to be licensed by the government in some way, or have a specific exemption.”
http://nzfoodsecurity.org/
and my angle
“One of the features of this world is that much is topsy turvy – organic food should be half as cheap as non organic not twice as expensive. Heirloom seeds and diversity should be cherished not blown away by monoculture and profit. It doesn’t get more fundamental than this and the Bill is almost ready to become law – all so that we can comply with agreements signed with the WTO. We must oppose this any way we can and the first place to start is to talk about it with others.”
http://mars2earth.blogspot.com/2011/10/bad-nz-food-bill.html
Douglas made this abusive claim on Sunday QA. That the welfare
budget was too high. As compared I suppose to OZ. Well in OZ
citizens do not pay tax on food, or on the first $5,000. So of
course welfare would be more costly in NZ if the government
has to pay more to cover 15% GST on food and more people
are forced into welfare because they pay tax on the first dollar.
It also explains why Australia is in the habit of denying Kiwis
there the dole, because the policies of Lab and Nat, have been
to depopulate NZ and push kiwis over to Aus.
Just think about it for a moment, Douglas last major interview,
he calls crisis on a policy that gives people welfare funds and
then takes it back from them as GST, as being too expensive.
That’s how much turd rate our politics is, and only now has Labour
pulled its figure out, good on Goff, finally some policy to
bridge the growing divide between Aus and NZ, poor and rich.
Think about it, a business is competing for workers who
can come from Perth or Dundin, do they set up in Auckland or
Sydney. Well here they have to pay more in tax so that
its worth workers while to take the job, and workers here
pay more tax and so demand higher remunartions, but its
worse! Govt gives roughly $200 a week, and every week
most of that is spent and 15% collected as GST, thats
every week, the churn goes on the welfare budget blows out.
And all government need to do is pass a law saying fresh
good is GST off and bring us into line with those Aussies
who can handle the complex maths involved, not taking
GST off items instead of adding it.
Geez…
How much is being spent on CORPORATE welfare?
The private ‘contractocracy’ as opposed to the ‘in-house’ public ‘bureaucracy’?
Where’s the Government ‘Review’ of CORPORATE welfare?
How much public money is being spent by Public-Benefit Entities – (local and central government departments, most CCO’s and Crown Entities) – whose primary objective is ‘social benefit’ – not a financial return for equity shareholders – on Profit-Oriented Entities ?
ie: Private sector consultants and contractors whose primary objective is most definitely a financial return for equity shareholders ???
How many BILLION$ of hard-earned public monies could be saved by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
Lawl:
http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/policy-law/food-bill/key-aspects/questions-answers.htm
On proclaiming it’ll destroy heirloom varieties, I call bullshit as seed distribution networks in NZ are fairly robust and any stupid attempts to crush them will just result in a return to the older mail networks. And given the number of people on trademe etc who sell seeds, bulbs and others bits inside NZ, any attempts at a crack down will result in massive backlashes.
lulwat?
Organic food’s more expensive simply due to limited supply, on top of the higher costs of production of crops @commercial levels, as more labour is required to deal with pests, combined with potential lower yields. Some crops can do just as well, but they’re usually low maintenance crops such as brassicas, pumpkins and other plants with decent defence genes that haven’t been inadvertently removed by breeders without extensive knowledge of plant genetics.
And frankly, for the most part organic farming is full of shit, with far too much pseudo science (hello biodynamics) and scientific illiteracy infesting it. Perhaps not as bad as big agri’s myopia when it comes to crop genetic diversity (protip, it’s all down to defence gene diversity/numbers, not shape/taste etc) and patenting GMO’s without thinking through pests evolutionary adaptations (defence in depth, i.e use BT + 1 or more others) or bothering with adding in some slightly more specific gene regulation to insure inserted genes are only active in vegetative tissue, rather than reproductive tissue.
Canada’s Arctic ice shelves breaking up fast
Canada in just six years has lost nearly 50 percent of the massive ice shelf area that holds back glacial ice from melting into the ocean, scientists report.
Two of Canada’s biggest ice shelves diminished significantly this summer, one nearly disappearing altogether. The two are among six that make up Canada’s biggest shelves, all located on Ellesmere Island.
Hooton on morning report this morning is appalling.
He keeps trotting out the slogans. “Decade of deficits” is mentioned repeatedly. He cannot respond why you would then give tax cuts if the country’s banks were so bad.
Word for word he probably spoke twice as much as Mike Williams was able to and kept interrupting.
He destroys the show. He is a disgrace and should be replaced.
I quite like hearing Hooton lose his rag. Means he’s panicking.
I also think there’s some value for the public in having a raving, frothing, irrational, transparent fool representing the National Party on a show where the host doesn’t take him at all seriously.
But yeah, today’s vein-popping meltdown was a doozy alright:
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20111003-1109-politics_matthew_hooton_and_mike_williams-048.mp3
Means he’s panicking.
Those record poll leads must be scaring the shit out of him.
if only because they’re imaginary
Yeah Ole you’re probably right.
He’s only freaking out because everything’s going so perfectly according to plan.
Lolz.
Oh yes, heaps of ranting and raving! At least Ryan stopped him from using the Peter Leitch diversion and tried to get him back on topic.
” At least Ryan stopped him from using the Peter Leitch diversion and tried to get him back on topic.”
Lol – and how!
14m5s when Hooten tries to go into it again – “oh for goodness sake – don’t start talking to ma about bloody sausages, for goodness sake. I mean you saying you’re not going to patronise the public over the fact that they can’t watch the rugby at the same time, are you now saying that the mad butcher is the centre of the election?”
Had a nice chuckle over that one.
: )
Macbeth !
Keep up the good work – your repetitive and lame attempt at a taunt serves only to convince people of the lack of sincerity in your claim of outrage.
Macbeth
Is this a dickhead who commented before me?
lolz it’s just higherstandard. He and Farrar are all excited about Blackadder today.
Silly Geese.
Oh, and I assume that we here are akin to the actors who had to do the funny ritual every time it was said?
Boys will be boys, I guess. Saves actually trying to sell whatever passes for nact policy these days.
The thing is, it’s probably a tactic which Hootton and the Right are practising. Keep the debate so boring/unintelligent/frustrating that no one will listen. It’s the practice that leads to the conclusion- why get involved, don’t encourage them- the dumbing down of political debate to the point where people cease to engage.
And lose.
Good to see Crime is down.
Good to see the rain today.
At least I can look out the window and verify that the rain is falling. Can you verify your claim, please, Brett Dale?
You really need to start giving your member better nicknames BD.
Ah, so that’s what Lockwood means when he says “I call the member…”
Saw a ad for a bicycle service fee, cost about a quarter of the price of
new bike I saw elsewhere. Thirty years of exploitation by faceless
markets have left us with the absurdity that its cheaper to buy a
new bike every other year than get it services properly, then use
the parts. One reason for the high price of service is the bike
shops don’t had you the tools that come with the new bike and
give you the once over on how to maintain it, making the service
fee worth while every other year. And why is that, because
the right has reduced consumer power by letting lousy lazy capitalists
off their responsibilities. Parliament was about reconciling differences,
where the needs of the consumer and producer were balanced, not
so under ACT/NAT, its now an offence under PC to call for
proper laws that all parties have a say on. Just look at the Police
video law, this law will only push up costs for consumers of
justice as lawyers have to charge even more for watching every
frame by frame, for getting names of everyone in the picture,
for, etc, etc. A picture is a thousand words, and like art, it
depends on the viewer even more than ever. So I’m firstly gobsmacked
that Police are asking for so much power, and if they had needed
it why wasn’t already in place for the slated terrorism possibilities
of the Rugby world cup.
Sorry crime ain’t down, its seething out of every pore of corrupted
democratic practices that now passes as ‘fair and balanced’.
Mixed reaction for me regarding the crime rate as not down in some areas e.g. sexual assault up 12.4% and the CBD in Christchurch being a ghost town is a variable.
Lowest murder rate in 25 years is pleasing.
Possibly crime in some areas is not being reported e.g. minor theft from business, home and inside vehicles as excess is more than value taken or no insurance.
Yep that will be the next big “wow how great is John Key” line. Those extra thousand cops that Helen brought into play up until 2008 are finally hitting their straps but of course this has nothing to do with it.
Destroying State Housing
We all know that National MP’s have very little empathy for the poor. In just one term of governance, National has managed to profoundly disadvantage them by markedly increasing inequality…
The average income of a person in a HNZ home is the minimum wage. Average person in a HNZ dwelling is better off by $8,000 PA, those recieving accommodation supplement will get about $4,000 PA so a loss of $4,000 PA.
Heatley on the Nation last Saturday said that any new tenants will be on the three year review, those current in a HNZ dwelling are not being given notice. I expect notice will be given if National win the election.
166 homes built last year by National, 639 in a year by Labour. Heatley said that they were renovating a lot of the housing stock because it was run down. Garner kept raising the long waiting list and the shortage of homes.
HNZ policy is to pit people against one another, to have condensed housing and for the elderly, unwell, people with addictions and those on the lowest incomes to be their tenants. Social problems will escalate because you will have people home all day pissing one another off.
Heatley did not mention the income formula that HNZ uses either and the formula excludes most people on NZ super and invalid benefit in provincial NZ. Starting to troll on this.
The future of HNZ is ghetto style living with increased social tension.
It’s a bit personally worrying for me, as I’ve been told that applying for a transfer means I am considered a “new applicant”, and will have a “new tenancy”. I don’t understand? I would be made up to not be a state tenant, if I could only get a job! But chances are that can’t happen.. 🙁
Vicky, I hate to say this, but if I were you I would be very afraid …:-(
Vicky32 I am so mindful of that which I write about when it comes to HNZ as I do not want to upset anyone and I try to be accurate on what information I state.
Were I in your position when it comes to downsizing the property you live in and HNZ want to make you a new tenant, tell them to SHOVE it. Heatley raised puting people into a smaller property but he did not say that they would be classified as a new tenant.
Heatley needs to tell the country of the new HNZ income criteria. People on NZ super or invalids in the main centres probably quailify but not in provincial NZ.
Yesterday I came across “Pensioners fear new landlord as council looks at selling units”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nikki-preston/news/article.cfm?a_id=7628&objectid=10756257
“… investigate whether Housing New Zealand wants to buy the rest of its portfolio of 395 units.”
I am left wondering how many pensioners will make the HNZ income criteria in Hamilton? Perhaps if you have a car it will help but the main benefit rate for a person on NZ super is $339 a week and the accommodation supplement can be applied for. I really need to have it confirmed on what is required to make the cut. I thought it was a minimum of two 3s.
A reporter needs to go to every provincial council in NZ and ask if the council waiting list is growing due to people on NZ super and invalids not making the HNZ income criteria?
I would ask this question in the main centres as well.
To think that elderly frail people may end up in costly rest homes because of the income criteria that HNZ now use is mindless. Also private sector rental it is costly to move and the rents increase.
People need to have control over their housing as this gives them some control over their life.
I haven’t finished with my opinion on HNZ.
Maybe HNZ strategy is not transfering people into a smaller property so then they can make you a new tenant and impose a three yearly review.
It is a fact that properties are remaining empty as they want to sell stock or subdivide.
Under National 30 people have purchased a HNZ property where they were the tenant. (Average 10 a year; and not an error).
My strategy is that were I to be housed in the near future, in three years time there is no way National will be the government, if they are lucky enough to win on 26 November.
correction: is transfering, ignore the not.
That’s absolutely true! The transfer idea was mine to start with, but I am not at all happy about the “new tenant” thing… however that does explain why after saying it would be a matter of days or at most weeks, they’ve kept me waiting for months… This place is such a dump – the Tenants Protection woman was gob-smacked when the boss woman said no, when asked if a family could be straight in here if/when I got a transfer – no, said the boss woman, because this dump is not considered habitable for a family! (What were my son and I, chopped liver?)
In 11.1 I raised that Heatley gave as a defence for building 166 homes as focusing on renovating the dwellings as they are run down. Well Vicky32 it is obvious that the property you live in has not been attended to and just may sit vacant in its dilapidated state. Heatley cannot organise himself when it comes to renovating, increasing dwellings, transferring/down sizing.
I found this link which gives more on the categories and other information but does not have the income test formula which will vary as private sector housing and accommodation supplement is in the formula. I think the categories have been posted here before but see: http://www.dbh.govt.nz/social-housing-assistance inparticular [5] – [8] at the end of the article.
I really don’t think that NZ super are exempt from the HNZ income test even though NZ super is not means tested at Work and Income even though there are different NZ super catergories. There maybe a new assest limit for HNZ and most councils have an assest test. It always comes back to HNZ being there for needy people and the older a person on NZ super generally the more needy. People with permanent health conditions also have enough to worry about.
The unemployment benefit is survival money and in particular single older people, flatting does not suit them and due to age, employment can be harder to engage. Heatley needs to get his a into g and build a lot of 1 bedroom properties.
I am sure you’re right! Most of the State houses in Segar Avenue parallel to our street) have been sold off…. advertised as “starter” houses, or “do-er ups” for investment. Either way, they’re not available for state tenants…
True! My former neighbours, in their 80s, all had serious conditions, which is why they’re now the late Mrs & Mr T., and Mrs P.
But what will it take before he does that?
But what will it take before he does that?
Pensioners saying they will not vote National until they are suitably housed in a insulated 1 bedroom HNZ dwelling saying they are too independent to go into a costly rest home.
Heatley having it pointed out to him that there is a shortage of 1 bedroom homes and that a person only reqires to sleep in 1 bedroom each night and not the three bedroom dump they are now allocated.
Nup! Although HNZ is taking new applicants in the A and B categories, they are no longer placing people in categories C and D in houses. It does not matter where you are located, whether you’re a pensioner or an invalid… Housing New Zealand is making zero houses available.
That means if HNZ say you need to relocate or downgrade and re-apply under the new criteria, don’t! It’s simply more bullshit to get you out of a state house and paying higher rents in the private sector. You could be in a wheel chair living on the smell of an oily rag and they will say you are not category A or B and do not qualify.
This is especially the case where the value of the property you’re currently in is high and can be easily on-sold.
National are a bunch of heartless cretins!
If not a current tenant and you meet the criteria A or B then a HNZ dwelling is allocated.
Current HNZ tenants are not being given notice, cunning how when you apply to tranfer you lose your current status. Vicky32 pointed the transfer status out.
I was talking about the income criteria for invalid and NZ super that if in a main centre you would qualify but not in a provincial centre. There are five criteria in the link I posted 11.1.1.2.2.1 as well as A – D criteria. Cannot see the income criteria anywhere, aware of private sector rent in the area and accommodation supplement that a person is entitled to regarding the area private sector rent but there has to be clearly allowable costs. Next the allowable costs will be slashed.
Did you read about the Hamilton Council and the pensioner housing?
I presume you mean this article in the Waikato Times by Danial Adams. Hadn’t read it before but it is a similar story to other areas around New Zealand.
Such a cowardly thing picking on the poor and old just to balance the books. Surely there are better places to reduce spending?
The story was in the NZ Herald by Nikki Preston and another reporter, link is in 11.1.1.2 in this thread.
Infield International based in Auckland are doing a survey for HNZ: Information on housing choices. Apparently HNZ are running seminarrs on housing choices and the person who rang me could go no further as I had not attended the seminar. I did not know that HNZ offered seminars.
Is the seminar compulsory for prospective HNZ tenants?
What does the survey expect to achieve?
I was told that participating in the survey would not affect my HNZ application.
Building poorer communities
“The future of HNZ is ghetto style living with increased social tension.”
Spot on. We’ve lived in (and owned) a former state house for more than 20 years. It’s part of a 2-house unit, the other house (stuck on to us on the other side of a flimsy/not-even-remotely-soundproof wall is still a state house).
Up until 3 years ago, HNZ had always allocated the house next door to low-income elderly or late middle-aged couples. We know for a fact that this had been the policy since the houses were built in the early 60s. So, for 45 years – quiet, elderly tenants. They were always quiet, conscientious, concerned not to disturb us with noise and they always became good friends.
Suddenly, over the last 3 years, it’s been allocated to young dysfunctional or incredibly bloody selfish Maori couples/solo mothers. The first couple (who lasted about a year) would – almost without fail – come home at 1am and have a loud, violent, abusive shouting match on the other side of our bedroom wall, while their pre-schooler (who we felt really sorry for) would still be up and (naturally enough) crying his head off. We just got used to waking up in shock at 1 or 1.30am and then being kept awake for 1, 2 sometimes 3 hours. So loud that you could hear every word the fuckers were shouting. It’s hard to over-emphasise the shock of this after 20 years of peace and quiet. It felt like going from something akin to a quiet stand-alone home to a cheap, nasty boarding house. All courtesy of the useless, incompetent, negligent fuckers at dear old HNZ.
The current tenant is a 30-something Maori solo mother (from, it seems, a middle-class background), with a 5 year-old and an unemployed boyfriend who regularly turns up like a bad penny. Normally, we’d have a great deal of sympathy for them, but Christ !, when they’re on the other side of a flimsy dividing wall with their stereo up full bore until late at night (and sometimes through to 3 or 4 in the morning), large dog constantly barking its fucking head off in the yard straight outside our house and 5 year-old stomping relentlessly back and forwards on wooden floorboards like a 24/7 childcare centre – well, let’s just say we’re not big fans of constant sleep deprivation, constant stress or loud never-ending fucking noise.
Its not only making the time we spend at home intolerable but also potentially putting our careers in jeopardy.
Like I say, it’s pitting us against the sort of people we’d normally have a great deal of sympathy for – Maori, solo mothers, public service employees. At the moment, I’m just feeling extreme anger towards both them and the useless fuckers at HNZ.
I posted on Openmike 01/10/2011 (17.) about social problems which are evident in HNZ dwellings in particular. HNZ need to invest in some jib solutions and hush glass for their more inconsiderate tenants, but when it comes to children being emotionally or physically abused sound proofing the home endangers them.
I haven’t started on the social housing yet.
Housing needs to be a big election issue and the housing stock needs to double, not be reduced by a third.
Shame Heatley couldn’t spend the weekend at your place!
I wonder if this policy is written for the benefit of private landlords to compensate them for changes in the tax treatment of rental properties. It would seem that this is the perfect recipe for across the board rent rises.
Its not only the poor that are going to be hit hard with this policy. The rot will extend up into the middle class as well with rents rising for them.
Just listened to the Hooton Brainstorm thanks Felix. Wow. Listen to the panic! Sort of looking over his shoulder fearfully, at the shadows behind him.”Look out Matthew. They are right behind you. Boo!”
Michelle Boag and Brian Edwards are on the Panel tonight. Would be great if they discuss politics because Brian’s intellectual approach to issues makes poor old Michelle look rather sad.
Nah they are going to discuss Dan Carter’s groin – it suits Jim Mora better.
Nicholas D Kristof:
The Bankers and the Revolutionaries.
Kristof points to the the “Occupy Wall Street” movements lack of clearly stated goals and has some suggestions.
Impose a financial transactions tax. This would be a modest tax on financial trades, modeled on the suggestions of James Tobin, an American economist who won a Nobel Prize. The aim is in part to dampen speculative trading that creates dangerous volatility. Europe is moving toward a financial transactions tax, but the Obama administration is resisting — a reflection of its deference to Wall Street.
Close the “carried interest” and “founders’ stock” loopholes, which may be the most unconscionable tax breaks in America. They allow our wealthiest citizens to pay very low tax rates by pretending that their labor compensation is a capital gain.
Protect big banks from themselves. This means moving ahead with Basel III capital requirements and adopting the Volcker Rule to limit banks’ ability to engage in risky and speculative investments. Another sensible proposal, embraced by President Obama and a number of international experts, is the bank tax. This could be based on an institution’s size and leverage, so that bankers could pay for their cleanups — the finance equivalent of a pollution tax.
(Just published the following comment on NBR – but given that the last two comments that I have made referring to POGO research – (which has proved that at USA Federal Government level – the cost of contracting-out Government services is twice as expensive as ‘in-house’ public service provision) have been removed – I don’t know how long it will stay up!
If the USA Federal Government could potentially slash $250 BILLION from their $500 BILLION Federal Government budget – how much could NZ save?
Could NZ slash $35 BILLION from a $70 BILLION central government budget by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
(My above-mentioned comment………
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/wr-nbr-editorialpublic-keeps-key-perspective-101771#comment-204752 )
In my view, The Don’s brash support for the decriminalisation of marijuana was a smokescreen.
A smokescreen to distract public attention from the fact that neither he nor John Banks have been convicted of any offence arising from their being Directors of Hulich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd – unlike their fellow (former) Director – Peter Huljich?
Wonder what the ACT Party policy is on ‘white collar’ crime and ‘white collar’ criminals?
Wonder what ACT Party policy is on eradicating the infestation of (in my considered opinion) corrupt corporate cockroaches that push vested interests at the highest levels of central and local government?
How is it that ‘Public Benefit Entities’ at central and local government transform public monies into private profit for private sector contractors and consultants?
If the USA (P.O.G.O) research figures are anything to go by – NZ could save $35 BILLION per year – by ‘cutting out the contractors’?
How come no one seems to be focussing on Government SPENDING – rather than debt and borrowing?
(Wonder how long THIS comment will remain published? 🙂
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
[lprent: I can’t see what this has to do with the post (which is about National’s policy or lack or it) except tangentially in Act. Bouncing it and it’s replies to OpenMike. ]
Penny
One of the main purposes of government is to increase indebtedness and expand debt slavery. Without increased indebtedness the international money-lenders Ponzi scheme would fall over very quickly. Hence, the name of the game is not to do things efficiently and save money, but to do them inefficiently, spend money and have to borrow more of it. The government is doing it. Local government is doing it. And a lot of people are doing it. (Note that the US has already broken through the debt ceiling that was raised just a couple of months ago; it’s all going exponential.)
The other things governments are charged with are keeping the civilian population under control and keeping them misinformed. Part of the ‘keeping them misinformed’ includes persuading the general populace to reject anyone who challenges mainstream dogma.
The National government of John Key is doing quite well on all counts at the moment. In the process it is destroying the future of the nation and the future of humanity, of course. But money-lenders are not concerned about such things.
That awful film on TV last night, 2012, presented an end-of-the-world scenario and then portrayed the psychotic sociopaths at the top as caring people. It also provided a ‘happy-ever-after ending. That is not what happens in the real world, I’m afraid.
That ‘happy-ever-after ending’ made me laugh. What do you really think is going to happen to a bunch of rich-worlders washing up on a starving Africa?
Oh, that’s an easy one to answer. IMO, Act doesn’t believe in white collar crime.
This company was also selling a MLM scheme with the ultimate vitamin pill that when it was researched by govt lab was found to have no benefit.Con Artists in charge
http://www.listener.co.nz/commentary/the-god-dividend/
It might be from ’08, but seriously, in these cash strapped times, why the fuck are we still subsidising religious groups oft highly profitable businesses? Not to mention the issue with regarding proselytising as a “charitable act”, despite the NZ government being rather secular…
Having read that article, I have to say it seems like nothing more than paranoid bigotry. (Rather typical of the Listless, which is one of the reasons why I don’t read it any more. The main reason of course is that it’s so relentlessly middle class, it’s Metro/North & South in disguise.)
The head of the Secular Association is a truly objective fair-minded guy, hey? 😀
/raised-eyebrow
So because he’s biased, therefore none of the real issues he’s raised have any legitimacy?
What
The
Fuck?
That’s the sort of bullshit reasoning I’d expect over at kiwiblog. Then again, QoT has time and time again pointed out how much of a muppet you are on certain things, so yeah…
Mainstream media are refusing to pick up or publicise this HUGELY significant POGO research.
So – it would be REALLY helpful if people help by passing it on to as many as possible?
If this USA research has similar results in NZ – then potentially $35 BILLION could be saved by CUTTING OUT THE CONTRACTORS at central government level!
Shouldn’t the public majority benefit from OUR public monies?
Why should a greedy private minority get bloated on OUR public monies – if the services they are providing AREN’T more cost-effective than providing them ‘in-house’?
Isn’t it time to bring back (for example) – the Ministry of Works and Council Works Departments – and cut out all those private ‘piggies-in-the-middle’?
What is ‘efficient’ about allowing private companies to effectively write their own cheques?
___________________________________________
This, (for those who have missed it) is the research to which I am referring…..
“USA Project On Government Oversight (POGO)[1] decided to take on the task of doing what others have not—comparing total annual compensation for federal and private sector employees with federal contractor billing rates in order to determine whether the current costs of federal service contracting serves the public interest.
http://www.pogo.org/pogo-files/reports/contract…/co-gp-20110913.html
Executive Summary
Based on the current public debate regarding the salary comparisons of federal and private sector employees, the Project On Government Oversight (POGO)[1] decided to take on the task of doing what others have not—comparing total annual compensation for federal and private sector employees with federal contractor billing rates in order to determine whether the current costs of federal service contracting serves the public interest.
The current debate over pay differentials largely relies on the theory that the government pays private sector compensation rates when it outsources services. This report proves otherwise: in fact, it shows that the government actually pays service contractors at rates far exceeding the cost of employing federal employees to perform comparable functions.
POGO’s study analyzed the total compensation paid to federal and private sector employees, and annual billing rates for contractor employees across 35 occupational classifications covering over 550 service activities. Our findings were shocking—POGO estimates the government pays billions more annually in taxpayer dollars to hire contractors than it would to hire federal employees to perform comparable services. Specifically, POGO’s study shows that the federal government approves service contract billing rates—deemed fair and reasonable—that pay contractors 1.83 times more than the government pays federal employees in total compensation, and more than 2 times the total compensation paid in the private sector for comparable services.”
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
[lprent: Bounced to OpenMike. I’d suggest that not causing me work is probably a good way of ensuring that they stay up here as well. I can’t see anything that this has to do with Nationals lack of policy. ]
Penny the US system is screwed; you are talking about a bureaucracy that shipped million dollar pallets of shrinkwrapped USD to Iraq and ‘lost’ the whole shipment, one that cannot make a new fighter plane for less than US$100M a piece, and one which runs on pork barrel earmarks greasing the wheels of every state and every congressman.
These things certainly hold warnings for us in NZ but their way of doing things is (thankfully) far removed from ours.
Homeless people, social services and the public sector can go rot, but another $1M needed for the RWC? Now that’s a real emergency to be approved with urgency!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10756265
Why oh why? I’ve just muted Clive, because I am so sick and desperately tired of hearing about Don Carter’s injury, and hearing it referred to as if it’s equivalent to the suffering of a child with leukaemia! Why don’t these media idiots get that heaps of us don’t care, and if forced to watch thugby would sooner gouge our eyes out!
Yeah I’m over Dan Carter and his groin too. The way some people are going on its like the end of the world.
Im actually over the World Cup full stop, and rugby in general. Thank god after its all over we wont hear about rugby till the Super 123 starts in Feb.
Labour have complained to the electoral commission about Key’s radio electioneering. Will be interesting to see how it goes.
I presume this was what Duncan Garner was referring to on the other thread.
Green and National supporters support a formal coalition with each other.
Fascinating.
I’m not sure it’s worth the electoral experiment to see whether the polls are right (literally 🙂 ) though.
It’s sort of all or nothing – if 60% greens really do want to go blue (notwithstanding the vociferous denials on this issue from some greens), then the nats will probably govern alone, anyway. If the polls are substantially skewed (from the greens I know I would have put the “coalition with national crowd” at 30-40%. Unscientific, it’s just that I’m a bit surprised at 60%), then the Greens won’t do a Maori Party.
More likely the “green vote” sampled consists largely of “not nat / not lab” floaters, rather than the green core support – the ones who keep them in parliament when the “floating voter” gets distracted by a shiney toy. Plus the landline bias, of course.
This +1
Colour me sceptical about their polling methodology too.
I think you’re ‘right’ ( 🙂 not really!).
Faulty polling methods aside, it would suggest, perhaps, that the ‘bump’ in support for the Greens is ‘blue green’ rather than previous Labour supporters?
Unless, it is that part of the Labour vote that switches between National and Labour on a regular basis? (So not ‘core’ Labour vote).
It might be a combo – say a bump from 2008Nats (because they fell forLabour-lite) who are still a bit leery of labour and Goff (“magenta” greens?), as well as some discontentd blue-greens who are soooo happy that the nasty hippy nandor (even though he was a tory) and the red/greens seem to have left/aren’t so visible/now wear suits.
But the core 3-5% of green votes would probably still be pretty pissed to see norman at the same table as english and brash. As the Maori Party have discovered with their core catchment. I don’t think that blaming it all on Hone is realistic.
as soon as Phill Goff realises that people like him then he is a shoo in!
Tuvalu’s State of Emergency
If you haven’t had your head buried in the sand lately, you might be aware that unchecked climate change is starting to have a major impact on the earth, especially on low lying Islands.
The Polynesian Nation known as Tuvalu declared a state of emergency today, because of a lack of clean drinking water. This is undoubtedly due to seawater intrusion contaminating groundwater…
(See how long this comment lasts? 😉
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-politics-daily-labour-wont-support-goff-wont-replace-him-ck-101875
A week is a LONG time in politics……………;)
John Key has been masterfully ‘packaged’ – but – in my considered opinion – the ‘packaging’ is coming unstuck.
As the truth about ‘white collar’ crime and corruption in NZ is further exposed – I predict John Key’s popularity, and National’s will plummet.
EG: Does John Key agree that Don Brash and John Banks (the National “B” Team?) should face charges for investors being misled by Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?
How come only Peter Huljich was charged – when both Don Brash and John Banks were also Directors of Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Ltd?
According to the Securities Act 1978
s 58 (3):
“Subject to subsection (4) of this section, where a registered prospectus that includes an untrue statement is distributed, every person who signed the prospectus, or on whose behalf the registered prospectus was signed for the pursposes of section 41(1) (b) of this Act, commits an offence.”
How come – in a letter to investors, Don Brash (as Chairman) stated:
“.. Huljich Wealth Management (NZ) Limited is an independent specialist funds management company based in Auckland, new Zealand.
……………………
Our company is owned by our directors and senior management and we all invest in the unit trusts that we manage, so you can have confidence that we are acting in the best interests of investors.
It is my pleasure to invite you to invest with Huljich Wealth Management.
Don Brash
Chairman”
How does this help inspire ‘investor confidence’ in NZ – ‘perceived’ to be the least corrupt country in the world (along with Denmark and Singapore according to Transparency International’s 2010 ‘Corruption Perception Index’?
(NZ – which STILL hasn’t ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption – because our domestic legislative anti-corruption framework is not yet in place.)
‘Clean’, ‘green’ ‘corruption-free’ NZ – with the 51 (FIFTY-ONE) collapsed finance companies.
Pity about the NZ corruption ‘reality’……
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
Thank you for this information Penny, it just sounds unbelievable.
So let me get this right, Both John Banks and Don Brash were also the directors of Huljich Investments, but only Peter Huljich is being charged?
How does that work?
How many other directors are there?
Is anyone else facing charges?
When is the court case due to be heard?
Is the hearing before or after the election?
Will Banks and Brash be called as witnesses to give evidence into their knowledge of the corrupt dealings of their company?
I imagine that if sub section 58 (3) of the Securities Act that you quoted is correct, then, both Banks and Brash will at the very least will have to be called.
Will the hearing be open to the media?
Is the media even interested?
Is this sort corruption by high profile business leaders considered by the MSM to be only a minor everyday hum drum occurrence like a parking ticket?
I would also have thought that the opposition parties would have been all over this. Following so closely after the marijuana statement foul up, Surely this is another major embarrassment for both Banks and Brash.
Penny, some further questions have come to my mind regarding your comment. Exactly how did Huljich allegedly mislead investors?
Do you know what penalty he faces if found guilty?
Are any investors out of pocket?
Is Huljich investments now facing insolvency due to the alleged actions of one of their directors?
If so, will these investors be entitled to be bailed by the tax payer under government’s investment guarantee scheme?
Shouldn’t people know better than to invest in any company that has losers like John Banks and Don Brash as directors, and therefore have to wear it?
Can’t post the pictures of these t-shirts obviously and no web site unfortunately. But those familiar with Sex Pistols fashion can probably get the picture, just swap Queenie for Key n bobs your uncle.
“Hello fellow Hobbits my name is John Key and I am here
to sell off your land and assets to foreign corporations,
privatise your water, jails, schools, hospitals under TPPA
public private partnerships and basically leave you up a
proverbial (effluent infested) river without a paddle.
I am proud to say that during my term as Prime Sinister I’ve:
• Doubled NZ’s international debt to $36+ billion
• Provided excellent tax cuts to the rich, helping increase
the top 150 peoples wealth last year by $7 billion
• Made inflation go up to 5.3% by introducing
a GST rise to 15% last year
• Helped triple the number of people receiving
unemployment benefits
• Passed 17 pieces of undemocratic emergency
legislation without any form of public debate
• Helped oversee a massive rise in child poverty
• Made sure 7000 families won’t be eligible for
Working for Families tax credits next year
• Dished out a 5 year deepsea exploratory oil permit
to Petrobras which has absolutely no conditions for
environmental protection, and that would leave the
NZ tax payer to pay the clean up bill for any oil leak
• Agreed to not mine the National Parks, yet changed the
boundary of the Oteake Conservation Park to exclude
a 195 hectare area over the Hawkdun lignite deposit
As you can see I am a great choice to lead you forward
into oblivion, so I really hope you will support me by
purchasing one of these campaign t-shirts I have had kindly
donated by the kind folks at Anarkey & Lovely Ltd.
If you could be so kind as to spread the good word about
these I’d be most grateful. As an extension of my thanks
I personally promise to gift you an extra dollar per week
in the next round of tax cuts, should we be reelected.
God Save New Zealand T-Shirts
> 100% organic non-bleached cotton tees
> Available in Sml, Med, Lge, XL, XXL
> $30 +postage (or free pick up)
For orders email godsavenz@gmail.com
or contact Roxanne on 021 701 494″
Roseanne Barr politicised, running for President
Great interviewer with Max Keiser. Starts around 13:50 in. She nails it to the banksters and the undead wealthy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaU3wX6N1Tc