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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Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
The Government Communications Security Bureau denies hosting a foreign spying capability flagged by the watchdog, differentiating it from the system recently criticised. ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
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 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
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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.