If this virus does take China down economically for a year or more, it gets New Zealand both directly through tourism, students, and commodity exports, and indirectly pulling down other markets critical to us such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Sungapore.
Its time our Finance Minister addressed us on the forecast economic impact here.
here in middle nuzilind where people make money milking cows or tourists the first lay offs have already happened. The hotels are posting vacancy and the eateries are contemplating cutting hours fro staff.
The Listening Post covered the Corona virus in the weekend. The initial burying of the virus's seriousness by the Chinese govt and their state run media, helped in part to facilitate the spread of misleading information via social media. Sadly the silence from Beijing also led to a lack of public awareness about the virus, thereby encouraging it's spread.
I do hope the NZ government is communicating with our exporters and coming up with a plan to avoid false rumours and worry.
Meanwhile in China there was a truly bizarre effort to soothe the population, the Shanghai Media Group and it's tv stars decided to create and air a music video as a response to the virus. It's weird. You can watch it at the end of the link above.
Does anyone know why the returns for candidate donations in previous years that were released to the public are no longer on the original Electoral Commission page they were or where to find them?
I have been bookmarking useful links relevant to the current interest in donations to political parties and the upcoming General Election which others here may also be interested in so here are a few basic ones:
A link to the Electoral Act updated at Jan 2020 to include a few minor changes made/approved by Parliament in about Nov 2019 (IIRC going on memory only!)
[Link goes directly to Section 207JA, one of the sections dealing with overseas donations. To see the other relevant provisions on these, click to see the whole of the Act but the other donations provisions are in the same SubPart as S207JA].
Link to the general section on Political Parties in NZ which covers/provides links to which parties are currently registered, Party Donations rules and returns etc
I predict that in ten years the westcoast will be largely abandoned, this is the 3rd significant road wreacking storm in the last year or so . It will become to expensive to keep open.
Look Guyon, we all know you got given a spreadsheet by a disgruntled ex-NZ First employee and it gave you a hard-on, but you’ve yet to come up with anything other than breathless “revelations” that amount to not much really.
Why don’t you do an in depth look at the systemic issue of party funding in NZ, instead of sensationalist bullshit bully pulpit blathering because since you’ve become woke and learnt a bit of Te Reo you are personally affronted at NZ First’s view of how Maori should think?
Still waiting for your links to were you show disgust at nationals many many dodgy behaviors. Stealing music ,splitting donations , selling list seats take your pick just one example will have me apologising for calling you an empty little man.
Question – has the Standard ever considered going onto Youtube, similar to how Novara Media work?
You know, start to create an alternative left wing media eco system to the boring crapfest the Morning report has become and the dollar store version of the Daily Mail the NZ Herald is these days?
Imagine – Advantage talks to Andrew Geddis and Paul Buchanan about party funding for 90 minutes… Or Mickey Savage talks to the editor of Crickey.com.au and Paul Fitzsimmons about Australian politics…
A little studio is cheap as chips to set up these days!
The focus on low taxes, skimpy investment in infrastructure, user-pays thinking and the primacy of the individual and the short term over the interests of the state and the long term has left us with hundreds of thousands of kids in poverty, a housing shortage estimated at up to 200,000 homes, an infrastructure deficit estimated at up to $300b and a climate emissions reduction task that is impossible with the current settings."
As should be obvious, the underlying idea of Kiwisaver is to shift the burden to saving for retirement off the govt towards user pays.
Then there are the macro-economic implications which mandate that the housing debt is rising to fill in for that saving. If you don't understand that link you don't understand what Dr Cullen has suggested about Kiwisaver rates being available as an economic policy lever.
Democracy in the USA has evolved to the point where only geriatrics are suitable for the top job, according to the system: Trump (73), Biden (77), Sanders (78), Warren (70), Bloomberg (77). Only spring chicken Elizabeth Warren, and Trump, are young enough to be boomers.
We beat them by a generation – it's now thirty years since a boomer cohort restructured governance in Aotearoa. Time for phase two:
"1989 was year zero in many ways for modern New Zealand. It was also the year tax laws were changed to (accidentally) discourage long term pension investment in businesses and encourage housing investment. It was a cross-party effort". Neoliberalism.
"A quick look at the demographics of the voting age population shows Generations X,Y and Z will overwhelm the baby boomers in the decade from 2023 to 2033". "So what would alt-control-delete look like? The leaders of the current Labour-led coalition supported by The Greens would say they are doing that 'rewrite' now with the creation of the Zero Carbon Act and proposed amendments to the Reserve Bank Act, the State Sector Act, the Public Finance Act and the Resource Management Act."
"But the political mathematics of MMP and the legacy of the boomer politicians still in charge of many of the instruments of power and the balance of power means the reforms are incremental at best." Yes, this is a transitional phase. Transformation of the system will be deferred until the demographic shift kicks in.
"The primacy of this median-voter-driven politics and a 'no surprises' culture that drives a risk-averse approach to ministerial advice and the operation of ministries is rock solid, on both sides of politics."
Democracy rules, to ensure that our 19th century economic system will keep lurching on into the future like a dysfunctional robot. Muddle through the middle as usual.
a quick look at the demographics show that the pre boomers could out-vote the boomers-plus now (and have been able to for the last couple of elections) IF they bothered to turn up…implying the change cannot occur until 2023-2033 highlights the fact that there are some pretty simplistic assumptions at play when considering both demographics and voting patterns.
The age range of senior politicos is a curious feature at the moment. Pelosi is also 79.
Is it just coincidence, after all the US has had plenty of much younger Presidents over the last 60 years. Maybe it is the last gasp of the boomers (or those a bit above) at the top jobs. Just like Dole was the last “greatest generation” candidate. Surely in 2024 we will see a whole swath of younger candidates, probably including some of those who dropped out early in the current race. For instance if Biden or Sanders became President, would they do 2 terms?
Much of Europe and of course NZ have top leaders in their 30’s or early 40’s. Though does that actually mean better government. One thing that is evident however, is that climate changes policies matter a lot more with younger politicians.
Systems in decline tend to exhibit the same outward signs of morbidity, including a shuffling gerontocracy. The current US senior leadership looks like the Soviet Politburo at the end of the USSR, glossy animated cadavers shuffling and wheezing and shaking their frail, rheumy fists at each other.
John Key was young….but then again plenty of liberals have exposed themselves lately as being more closely aligned with the ideology of someone like Key than to any actual possible progressive left wing leader that could potentially pop up in NZ….( I wish).
Age matters beyond a certain point. Some people can retain a youthful vitality and good mental acuity into their early 70s, but the reality is by the time you get past 75 your best days are well behind you, no matter how age defying you are. Mental flexibility, decision making skills and ability to handle the pressure and the workload all drop off after your mid to late fifties, which is why people still want to retire at 65. We may be living longer, but all that extra life occurs at the wrong end.
Besides, we are not dealing with a bunch of hyper-fit and agile 60 somethings in the USA, or even sharp and sprightly early 70-year-olds. We are talking a 78 year old Bernie Sanders, a 76 year old Joe Biden, a visibly aging and mentally deteriorating 73 year old Trump, Nancy Pelosi is pushing 80, Mitch McConnell I think is 78. It goes on and on, especially in the senate.
You'll never convince me a but of neo-octagenarians have mental and workload capacity to run the USA better than politicians 20 years younger.
Also, when it comes to the likes of Corbyn and Sanders proudly proclaiming their socialist cred, there's an ideology problem that the likes of AOC don't have.
Old geezers have had their views of socialism formed in the 60s and 70s and 80s, and most of what called itself socialism then was intensely disliked by most of those that lived through it. The downsides of that flavour of socialism flung the door wide open to the excesses of the neo-liberalism that came after. So when Corbyn and Sanders proudly flaunt socialist cred, it gives the idea that they want to take us back to the worst of the 70s. Which falls firmly into the basket of "not fkn wanted" for large sectors of the population, including the demographics with the highest voting turnout.
Whereas when someone much younger such as AOC starts saying "socialist" and talking about what they want, it seems much more likely they are talking about something like the scandinavian social democracies. That's a much more attractive and less threatening prospect.
it seems much more likely they are talking about something like the scandinavian social democracies. That's a much more attractive and less threatening prospect.
Exactly. Keep in mind the USA did all the heavy lifting in the Cold War, and they have long memories of this. The word socialism has a different and much darker connotation to them than it does to us.
But if we want to sell a modern, social democratic ideal, we have to be clear on where the boundaries are. Because any hint of marxism in the mix will ensure a bad reaction.
I agree about the baggage, smearing Sanders and Corbyn is a piece of cake given their long history.
Win or lose, this run by Sanders is really all about setting up AOC in 2024. AOC has no baggage. If Sanders wins, even in the USA his age in 2024 (82 to 86 for a second term – with AOC as his VP?) will be a problem. Lose and AOC becomes the shining hope of re-winning the White House, especially when Trump will be a fully deranged 77 year old and in a country where whites are a rapidly declining voter group.
Whatever happens, I predict AOC will be president of the United States no later than 2028 – and her victory will push the United States into it’s greatest crisis since Lincoln won in 1860.
AOC can’t run till 2028 because of the age restriction of the Constitution. Presidents have to be 36 years old. Buttigieg just scapes in. Kennedy is the youngest President, I think aged 42 when elected.
I also think AOC will never be President, unless she moderates her views. The US basically is not a socialist nation. Her views are to the left of Sanders.
However I also have no doubt she will moderate them enough to become broadly acceptable. I am pretty sure she is no Corbyn and is much more flexible than he ever was.
Wayne, I've often wondered that. Several factors come to mind. The steps to promotion are controlled by older people? The electorate trusts more the wisdom of age than the energy of the young? The vision of the young is different and challenging? The focus of the young is upon other things? The huge non-vote in the US shows a similar sized disconnect with politics? Politics in the US demands access to large cash resources and is a privilege of the wealthy? Politicians are not hugely respected? Being involved in politics bears a personal cost in terms of employment, social standing, personal safety?
All of these factors, framed as questions for I am not sure of their actual strong validity, I am sure apply in some way.
I came into politics as a candidate at age fifty. Before that, I was deeply involved but had job and family commitments. It was first suggested to me at age nearly forty. How long does it take to get into the top of national politics within a party if forty or fifty is the starting age for first engagement?
So it's official, National plan to follow the example of the Australian Liberal Party in their bid to win an 'unwinnable election'
National MPs have been schooling up on the campaign tricks that helped Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison to victory in last year's "unwinnable" election.
…
The Liberals drove a brutal campaign that zeroed in on the economy, repeatedly warning that Labor's big policy proposals posed a massive risk to people's wallets.
"[National] has got a great record from the previous government," Westenberg said. "They've demonstrated that they can deliver, because they did last time."
Bridges has already signalled an intent to use that line of attack, later telling reporters: "This is a government that doesn't deliver. National will get things done."
It's important to remember the Liberals won in part due to numerous untrue claims in advertising. We should be prepared to effectively counter Nationals attempts to repeat this.
I see Chloe Swarbrick is the Green candidate for Auckland Central. For the love of God, Labour please don't run a candidate against her because
a) she is a really good politician and b) she would probably win if you gave her a clear run, meaning the Greens get an insurance policy that would upset Soimon from Accounts no end.
A good ploy. All the likely NZF social conservatives and anti-Greens will flock to vote NZF. They will hope that NZF goes with National (against the pronouncements and the odds) or that NZF gets enough votes to govern with Labour alone, thus leaving the Greens entirely out of it.
Piggy Muldoon was the most equal of them all. Deemed socialist (eventually) by all those straight young guys who voted him into power in '75. Strangely, they never seemed to point out that he was National socialist – perhaps because folks would match that with national socialist. Come '84 nobody was thinking straight…
Thank you for telling it how it is.
There seem to be quite a few in this thread in a dispicable denial.
There can be no soft selling the betrayal that this man and his colleagues committed in this country.
Not only did they rob future generations including my own, the squandered unforgivably the hard work of generations before them.
No there can be no rose tinted eulogies.
We will not allow it.
[The Author of this Post had requested you to stop commenting on this Post, which you have ignored. You seem to have strong views on certain things, which is fine, but your insulting and inflaming language aimed at the Author and another Commenter here are not fine. If you cannot tell the difference between a robust debate and insulting others maybe you should stay away from certain Posts here. I won’t give you a ban but please consider this as a warning – Incognito]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
An appalling decision, but I did wonder about one of the 'rationalisations' given the chairman. It was stated that the ad was on National's facebook page, but the AS appeared to believe that it would only be seen by people who go to that page or have it referred on to them by people they know. Now I am no expert at marketing using Facebook, but wasn't the problem with the US Presidential campaign that 'other parties' are able to target almost anyone. Is it beyond belief that for example a list of transport operators may be leaked to a National support who, acting totally without the knowledge of the party, sends the ad to that list – or to all posters to all those Kiwiblog posters who may not have otherwise seen it. Wilful ignorance, or incompetence by a group who should but appear not to understand the reality of modern advertising? Or have I got it all wrong?
Has anyone heard if Robert Guyton and the other greenie bloke out Riverton way I think, are ok with Southland’s State of Emergency with all water flowing down there?
Hi Exkiwiforces – thanks for your concern. The waters here at my place are not a problem, but elsewhere in Southland, there are serious issues. Gore has challenges and the ex-Tiwai aluminium dross stores in sheds there is worrying many; it and water don't mix comfortably. Milford Sound, as you'll know, is in dire straits; the flooding and road damage there is severe. Various roads across Southland are blocked and the rain is still falling.
Hi weka – the Aparima runs dirty and swells but we have an estuary to buffer our village. My home is 20 metres above sea level. There will be farms covered but stop banks have been in place for decades. If they fail, the story will change but Environment Southland is confident they won't.
A sick joke, really. The aluminium smelter produces waste. Someone bought it, promising to convert it into fertiliser. They didn't, instead storing it in an old paper mill beside the Mataura River, which is presently very swollen. The present owners of the stuff has promised the store is secure against flooding. The people of Gore are not resting easy. Dross plus water + ammonia gas.
When I wrote “dross stores” I meant “dross STORED”
"Media Advisory Flooding in Southland/Fiordland Piopiotahi Number: 10 Date: 4 February 2020 Time: 8.30pm Gore and Mataura residents to prepare for evacuation This is an official message from Emergency Management Southland Modelling data suggests flood levels in the Mataura catchment are likely to reach similar levels to the 1999 floods. Two peaks are expected to pass through Gore tomorrow (Wednesday) – the first at 5.00am and the second at approximately 12.30pm. Existing stop banks have been designed to hold this volume of water. Additional precautions and support, like sandbagging, are being put in place in some areas and residents are being asked to be ready to evacuate if required. People should prepare a grab bag containing medication, clothing and person items, including documents. If you have friends and family outside the potential flood area you can go to, please make those arrangements now. For those needing somewhere to stay, we have set up a welfare centre at the Calvin Community Church in Robertson Street in Gore. Further information about a welfare centre in Mataura will be advised in the morning. Residents will be advised by Council and emergency staff once it is confirmed they need to evacuate but the more prepared they are the better. All schools in the Gore district have been closed for tomorrow. Roads remain closed throughout the region and there is surface flooding on many of those that are still open. Please take care and check the NZTA and local council websites for closures. Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said people should avoid unnecessary travel, check on their neighbours and follow the Civil Defence Southland facebook page and website for updates. Those who have travelled out of the region for events need to be prepared to stay put or check road conditions before setting out. Extreme care is required on all roads. Farmers in low lying areas should consider moving stock and paying extra attention to their effluent storage. Lumsden and Riversdale residents are advised to reduce toilet flushing as the pumps are under significant pressure from the extra water. Trampers in huts in Fiordland have now been evacuated, the remaining 195 tourists in Milford will be evacuated tomorrow morning, weather permitting."
A volunteer who was sandbagging inside the Mataura papermill on Wednesday morning says they were driven out by ammonia gas after floodwaters entered the building.
…
The volunteers were all safe, and some had sore eyes, but they were told to leave by the Fire Service, Stuff has been told.
…
Mataura residents evacuated have been told one of the reasons they were taken from the town was because of the ouvea premix.
And a woman who has always been outspoken about the premix at Mataura says it was time for Government intervention to remove the hazardous substance from their town.
All good Robert, just wasn't sure what part of the woods you lived in due to the amount of rainfall as it was similar to an event we had here in Darwin about 2wks over a 24hr period.
Have been following the sorry saga of the NZAS doss waste for a few yrs now and I still can't believe its not been sorted out and especially in the way its been stored of late next to the Mataura River, which can get a bit nasty when there's been a good amount of rainfall in its catchment.
PS. The Southland Floods even made the 7pm ABC's Darwin News lastnight.
What I find even more depressing is the fact that it is the same the whole world over.
Just reported now from the Iowa Republican caucus:
Joe Walsh, a conservative Republican turned Trump critic, dared to play Daniel in the lion’s den. “Republicans!” he entreated “We’ve got to be more decent. We can’t be cruel.”
A woman shouted in response: “I love our president. I like his tweets.”
Walsh gamely fought on even as he lost the crowd. “If you send me to the White House, I will enact conservative policies but I make you a promise. I will be decent and I won’t be cruel. I will be honest and I won’t lie.”
He continued: “Look, if you want four more years of the Donald Trump show…” but was drowned out by angry shouts in the affirmative.
Walsh said: “Last thing I’ll say. If you want four more years of a president who wakes up every morning and makes every day about himself, then vote for Donald Trump.”
There was uproar and loud booing. One man, wearing Trump regalia, bellowed: “You’re done!”
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A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
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If this virus does take China down economically for a year or more, it gets New Zealand both directly through tourism, students, and commodity exports, and indirectly pulling down other markets critical to us such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Sungapore.
Its time our Finance Minister addressed us on the forecast economic impact here.
it is already getting us through tourism.
here in middle nuzilind where people make money milking cows or tourists the first lay offs have already happened. The hotels are posting vacancy and the eateries are contemplating cutting hours fro staff.
And its not even been two month.
The Listening Post covered the Corona virus in the weekend. The initial burying of the virus's seriousness by the Chinese govt and their state run media, helped in part to facilitate the spread of misleading information via social media. Sadly the silence from Beijing also led to a lack of public awareness about the virus, thereby encouraging it's spread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUS-W81mElQ It's the first story up, the other stories that follow are also well worth watching. Good episode.
I do hope the NZ government is communicating with our exporters and coming up with a plan to avoid false rumours and worry.
Meanwhile in China there was a truly bizarre effort to soothe the population, the Shanghai Media Group and it's tv stars decided to create and air a music video as a response to the virus. It's weird. You can watch it at the end of the link above.
Does anyone know why the returns for candidate donations in previous years that were released to the public are no longer on the original Electoral Commission page they were or where to find them?
https://thestandard.org.nz/the-2017-general-election-electorate-expense-returns/
I know I've seen them before around the time this story was in The Standard
https://vote.nz/events/2017-general-election/2017-parties-candidates-and-third-parties/third-party-returns-2017
The websites relating to Elections etc appear to have all been redone, updated etc – and presented in KISS language and big text!
Here is the new link to the 2017 General Elections expenses returns:
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/2017-general-election/party-expenses-for-the-2017-general-election/
Other historical returns can be found here:
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/historical-events/
I have been bookmarking useful links relevant to the current interest in donations to political parties and the upcoming General Election which others here may also be interested in so here are a few basic ones:
A link to the Electoral Act updated at Jan 2020 to include a few minor changes made/approved by Parliament in about Nov 2019 (IIRC going on memory only!)
[Link goes directly to Section 207JA, one of the sections dealing with overseas donations. To see the other relevant provisions on these, click to see the whole of the Act but the other donations provisions are in the same SubPart as S207JA].
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1993/0087/latest/LMS301741.html
Link to the general section on Political Parties in NZ which covers/provides links to which parties are currently registered, Party Donations rules and returns etc
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/political-parties-in-new-zealand/
https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/political-parties-in-new-zealand/party-donations-and-loans-by-year/
Link to the pages already up on the 2020 General Election (these include other related links):
https://vote.nz/ Electorate boundaries, enrolling etc
https://vote.nz/elections-and-more/all-events/2020/2020-general-election/
Can I just give a big shoutout to the Milford Road Alliance team. Such beauty in that forested valley, such torrential rage.
You've got a mighty load of road building ahead, crack into it.
I predict that in ten years the westcoast will be largely abandoned, this is the 3rd significant road wreacking storm in the last year or so . It will become to expensive to keep open.
I predict the opposite.
They may be shrinking but they're the toughest NZer around.
Continuing huge tourist booms as we get relatively safer with each passing year.
They have been saying that for150 years.
Oh God, Guyon is going on about NZ First again.
Look Guyon, we all know you got given a spreadsheet by a disgruntled ex-NZ First employee and it gave you a hard-on, but you’ve yet to come up with anything other than breathless “revelations” that amount to not much really.
Why don’t you do an in depth look at the systemic issue of party funding in NZ, instead of sensationalist bullshit bully pulpit blathering because since you’ve become woke and learnt a bit of Te Reo you are personally affronted at NZ First’s view of how Maori should think?
NZF has a view on how Maori should think? No wonder Guyon thinks they wankers.
But Guyon aside, what do make of what Andrew Geddis has to say? All looks rather dodgy to me.
If you can’t see how dodgy it is – you are either willfully blind or stupid.
It’s going to amount to something.
The link to the story from above
Interesting indeed
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/in-depth/408785/wealthy-and-powerful-nz-first-foundation-donors-revealed
Funny Ive never noticed you holding national to your high standards.
Could it be that you are a fake little man?
To the personal insults = shows you know there is something stinking going on with this government.
Or you could point to were you have held national to account.
To be clear if nzf are dodgy I hope they get caught.
All donations should be transparent imho
Agreed.
We could solve these problems overnight if all donations had to be disclosed.
Your in luck. I’m guessing that it is dodgy and you will see them caught.
and since a vote for Nz first is a vote for a labour led government this can only be good for national.
Still waiting for your links to were you show disgust at nationals many many dodgy behaviors. Stealing music ,splitting donations , selling list seats take your pick just one example will have me apologising for calling you an empty little man.
You keep waiting – because I have better things to do than go searching for you.
like having a crap.
Which is why your knickers are in a twist over NZ1, but not the National Party dodge upon which the NZ1 system was directly based.
Ah, no. That is just the effect you have on other people.
It all looks "pretty legal" to me. Surely something to be celebrated by aficionados of the St. John Key school of minimalist ethics?
No NZF donations from people linked to the Communist Party of China then, that's good.
The National Party seems to have the dodgy Chinese donors all to themselves.
National Party Dirty Money
https://www.twitter.com/LetsfixthisNZ/status/1223539667028471808
Question – has the Standard ever considered going onto Youtube, similar to how Novara Media work?
You know, start to create an alternative left wing media eco system to the boring crapfest the Morning report has become and the dollar store version of the Daily Mail the NZ Herald is these days?
Imagine – Advantage talks to Andrew Geddis and Paul Buchanan about party funding for 90 minutes… Or Mickey Savage talks to the editor of Crickey.com.au and Paul Fitzsimmons about Australian politics…
A little studio is cheap as chips to set up these days!
For me that's not until I semiretired to Wanaka.
Otherwise have a chat with Mickey or Lyn.
Here I was thinking you were left? Very tame…
You need Ed interviewing Rachel Stewart and Craig Murray for starters.
Then an Ed monologue on how everything can be nationalized.
The Sunday gardening, soil/community/resilience building slot would be appointment viewing.
"But did it work?
The focus on low taxes, skimpy investment in infrastructure, user-pays thinking and the primacy of the individual and the short term over the interests of the state and the long term has left us with hundreds of thousands of kids in poverty, a housing shortage estimated at up to 200,000 homes, an infrastructure deficit estimated at up to $300b and a climate emissions reduction task that is impossible with the current settings."
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2020/02/04/1016821/what-another-1989-style-transformation-would-look-like
Not a bad summation by Bernard Hickey (with a link to Mike Moore's passing) and some practical pathways offered
For an MMP government who made generational moves you need only look to the Clark-Cullen administration. Check your Kiwisaver if you're unsure.
Neither Ardern nor Bridges have a bold bone in their body.
Really, Kiwisaver? You have been sold a right crock if you think that is a transformational policy.
Its bloody brilliant is kiwi saver.
Between a rocky start to life a divorce and being a bit crap with money kiwisaver is my only hope of a decent old age ,unless I hit a lotto win.
Hey, good for you. But that doesn't make it good for everybody. As Pat highlights its probably driving the housing market to some extent.
Na the biggest drivers of the housing problem are immigration and rental subsidies.
Kiwisaver was not however systemic and it can be argued has assisted house inflation.
Clark/Cullen were in fact an excellent example of the incremental policy Hickey describes
That's a very astute observation Pat.
Oh what crap.
Most of the population are in Kiwisaver.
I dont have to defend each policy, but the scope of many of them has been massive.
As should be obvious, the underlying idea of Kiwisaver is to shift the burden to saving for retirement off the govt towards user pays.
Then there are the macro-economic implications which mandate that the housing debt is rising to fill in for that saving. If you don't understand that link you don't understand what Dr Cullen has suggested about Kiwisaver rates being available as an economic policy lever.
Democracy in the USA has evolved to the point where only geriatrics are suitable for the top job, according to the system: Trump (73), Biden (77), Sanders (78), Warren (70), Bloomberg (77). Only spring chicken Elizabeth Warren, and Trump, are young enough to be boomers.
We beat them by a generation – it's now thirty years since a boomer cohort restructured governance in Aotearoa. Time for phase two:
"So what should Gen X/Y/Zers do if they win power in the next decade? Bernard Hickey argues they should give the Infrastructure and Climate Change Commissions Reserve Bank-like independence and tools to target housing affordability and carbon zero by 2050." https://www.newsroom.co.nz/@politics/2020/02/04/1016821/what-another-1989-style-transformation-would-look-like
"1989 was year zero in many ways for modern New Zealand. It was also the year tax laws were changed to (accidentally) discourage long term pension investment in businesses and encourage housing investment. It was a cross-party effort". Neoliberalism.
"A quick look at the demographics of the voting age population shows Generations X,Y and Z will overwhelm the baby boomers in the decade from 2023 to 2033". "So what would alt-control-delete look like? The leaders of the current Labour-led coalition supported by The Greens would say they are doing that 'rewrite' now with the creation of the Zero Carbon Act and proposed amendments to the Reserve Bank Act, the State Sector Act, the Public Finance Act and the Resource Management Act."
"But the political mathematics of MMP and the legacy of the boomer politicians still in charge of many of the instruments of power and the balance of power means the reforms are incremental at best." Yes, this is a transitional phase. Transformation of the system will be deferred until the demographic shift kicks in.
"The primacy of this median-voter-driven politics and a 'no surprises' culture that drives a risk-averse approach to ministerial advice and the operation of ministries is rock solid, on both sides of politics."
Democracy rules, to ensure that our 19th century economic system will keep lurching on into the future like a dysfunctional robot. Muddle through the middle as usual.
a quick look at the demographics show that the pre boomers could out-vote the boomers-plus now (and have been able to for the last couple of elections) IF they bothered to turn up…implying the change cannot occur until 2023-2033 highlights the fact that there are some pretty simplistic assumptions at play when considering both demographics and voting patterns.
The age range of senior politicos is a curious feature at the moment. Pelosi is also 79.
Is it just coincidence, after all the US has had plenty of much younger Presidents over the last 60 years. Maybe it is the last gasp of the boomers (or those a bit above) at the top jobs. Just like Dole was the last “greatest generation” candidate. Surely in 2024 we will see a whole swath of younger candidates, probably including some of those who dropped out early in the current race. For instance if Biden or Sanders became President, would they do 2 terms?
Much of Europe and of course NZ have top leaders in their 30’s or early 40’s. Though does that actually mean better government. One thing that is evident however, is that climate changes policies matter a lot more with younger politicians.
Systems in decline tend to exhibit the same outward signs of morbidity, including a shuffling gerontocracy. The current US senior leadership looks like the Soviet Politburo at the end of the USSR, glossy animated cadavers shuffling and wheezing and shaking their frail, rheumy fists at each other.
What the hell does age matter?
Policies and ideology are all that matter.
John Key was young….but then again plenty of liberals have exposed themselves lately as being more closely aligned with the ideology of someone like Key than to any actual possible progressive left wing leader that could potentially pop up in NZ….( I wish).
Bernie 2020! Turn Labour Left!
Age matters beyond a certain point. Some people can retain a youthful vitality and good mental acuity into their early 70s, but the reality is by the time you get past 75 your best days are well behind you, no matter how age defying you are. Mental flexibility, decision making skills and ability to handle the pressure and the workload all drop off after your mid to late fifties, which is why people still want to retire at 65. We may be living longer, but all that extra life occurs at the wrong end.
Besides, we are not dealing with a bunch of hyper-fit and agile 60 somethings in the USA, or even sharp and sprightly early 70-year-olds. We are talking a 78 year old Bernie Sanders, a 76 year old Joe Biden, a visibly aging and mentally deteriorating 73 year old Trump, Nancy Pelosi is pushing 80, Mitch McConnell I think is 78. It goes on and on, especially in the senate.
You'll never convince me a but of neo-octagenarians have mental and workload capacity to run the USA better than politicians 20 years younger.
Looking at the huge visible toll that particular job takes on younger people, why anyone old would want to hold it is beyond me.
Age is just another ligature point for the choke-hold of identity.
That's droll indeed ….
What Sanc said.
Also, when it comes to the likes of Corbyn and Sanders proudly proclaiming their socialist cred, there's an ideology problem that the likes of AOC don't have.
Old geezers have had their views of socialism formed in the 60s and 70s and 80s, and most of what called itself socialism then was intensely disliked by most of those that lived through it. The downsides of that flavour of socialism flung the door wide open to the excesses of the neo-liberalism that came after. So when Corbyn and Sanders proudly flaunt socialist cred, it gives the idea that they want to take us back to the worst of the 70s. Which falls firmly into the basket of "not fkn wanted" for large sectors of the population, including the demographics with the highest voting turnout.
Whereas when someone much younger such as AOC starts saying "socialist" and talking about what they want, it seems much more likely they are talking about something like the scandinavian social democracies. That's a much more attractive and less threatening prospect.
it seems much more likely they are talking about something like the scandinavian social democracies. That's a much more attractive and less threatening prospect.
Exactly. Keep in mind the USA did all the heavy lifting in the Cold War, and they have long memories of this. The word socialism has a different and much darker connotation to them than it does to us.
But if we want to sell a modern, social democratic ideal, we have to be clear on where the boundaries are. Because any hint of marxism in the mix will ensure a bad reaction.
I agree about the baggage, smearing Sanders and Corbyn is a piece of cake given their long history.
Win or lose, this run by Sanders is really all about setting up AOC in 2024. AOC has no baggage. If Sanders wins, even in the USA his age in 2024 (82 to 86 for a second term – with AOC as his VP?) will be a problem. Lose and AOC becomes the shining hope of re-winning the White House, especially when Trump will be a fully deranged 77 year old and in a country where whites are a rapidly declining voter group.
Whatever happens, I predict AOC will be president of the United States no later than 2028 – and her victory will push the United States into it’s greatest crisis since Lincoln won in 1860.
AOC can’t run till 2028 because of the age restriction of the Constitution. Presidents have to be 36 years old. Buttigieg just scapes in. Kennedy is the youngest President, I think aged 42 when elected.
I also think AOC will never be President, unless she moderates her views. The US basically is not a socialist nation. Her views are to the left of Sanders.
However I also have no doubt she will moderate them enough to become broadly acceptable. I am pretty sure she is no Corbyn and is much more flexible than he ever was.
Wayne, I've often wondered that. Several factors come to mind. The steps to promotion are controlled by older people? The electorate trusts more the wisdom of age than the energy of the young? The vision of the young is different and challenging? The focus of the young is upon other things? The huge non-vote in the US shows a similar sized disconnect with politics? Politics in the US demands access to large cash resources and is a privilege of the wealthy? Politicians are not hugely respected? Being involved in politics bears a personal cost in terms of employment, social standing, personal safety?
All of these factors, framed as questions for I am not sure of their actual strong validity, I am sure apply in some way.
I came into politics as a candidate at age fifty. Before that, I was deeply involved but had job and family commitments. It was first suggested to me at age nearly forty. How long does it take to get into the top of national politics within a party if forty or fifty is the starting age for first engagement?
So it's official, National plan to follow the example of the Australian Liberal Party in their bid to win an 'unwinnable election'
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/408782/nats-take-election-campaign-tips-from-scott-morrison-s-liberals-in-australia
It's important to remember the Liberals won in part due to numerous untrue claims in advertising. We should be prepared to effectively counter Nationals attempts to repeat this.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/may/02/lies-damn-lies-and-campaign-material-the-biggest-fibs-of-the-election-so-far
National delivers all right. It's what they deliver that's the problem.
I see Chloe Swarbrick is the Green candidate for Auckland Central. For the love of God, Labour please don't run a candidate against her because
a) she is a really good politician and b) she would probably win if you gave her a clear run, meaning the Greens get an insurance policy that would upset Soimon from Accounts no end.
A good ploy. All the likely NZF social conservatives and anti-Greens will flock to vote NZF. They will hope that NZF goes with National (against the pronouncements and the odds) or that NZF gets enough votes to govern with Labour alone, thus leaving the Greens entirely out of it.
Pork Plant Workers Turn Out for Sanders in First Caucus in Iowa
Bernie 14 Warren 1
https://theintercept.com/2020/02/03/iowa-first-caucus-satellite-pork-plant-workers/
Bernie 2020! Turn Labour Left!
Music world pays tribute to Gang Of Four guitarist Andy Gill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvJhyJ-OXsU
This timely post by Christine Rose.
Some animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/02/03/what-if-you-were-a-pig/
Piggy Muldoon was the most equal of them all. Deemed socialist (eventually) by all those straight young guys who voted him into power in '75. Strangely, they never seemed to point out that he was National socialist – perhaps because folks would match that with national socialist. Come '84 nobody was thinking straight…
Thank you for telling it how it is.
There seem to be quite a few in this thread in a dispicable denial.
There can be no soft selling the betrayal that this man and his colleagues committed in this country.
Not only did they rob future generations including my own, the squandered unforgivably the hard work of generations before them.
No there can be no rose tinted eulogies.
We will not allow it.
[The Author of this Post had requested you to stop commenting on this Post, which you have ignored. You seem to have strong views on certain things, which is fine, but your insulting and inflaming language aimed at the Author and another Commenter here are not fine. If you cannot tell the difference between a robust debate and insulting others maybe you should stay away from certain Posts here. I won’t give you a ban but please consider this as a warning – Incognito]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
See my Moderation note @ 12:31 PM.
Never mind @ Quinnjin……… one day you'll be on "The Panel".
Not sure who'll be hosting but pretty sure they'll be triggering and it'll all be bloody gorgeous. I'll be in for a listen
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018732152
An appalling decision, but I did wonder about one of the 'rationalisations' given the chairman. It was stated that the ad was on National's facebook page, but the AS appeared to believe that it would only be seen by people who go to that page or have it referred on to them by people they know. Now I am no expert at marketing using Facebook, but wasn't the problem with the US Presidential campaign that 'other parties' are able to target almost anyone. Is it beyond belief that for example a list of transport operators may be leaked to a National support who, acting totally without the knowledge of the party, sends the ad to that list – or to all posters to all those Kiwiblog posters who may not have otherwise seen it. Wilful ignorance, or incompetence by a group who should but appear not to understand the reality of modern advertising? Or have I got it all wrong?
Dirty politics, the reason the nat's won't sign up to FB's transparency tool, to avoid disclosing their targets.
Yes, the regulator lacks even the most basic knowledge. Dangerous clowns.
Has anyone heard if Robert Guyton and the other greenie bloke out Riverton way I think, are ok with Southland’s State of Emergency with all water flowing down there?
I hope so. He posted a comment around 6 PM last night and didn’t mention the weather.
Hi Exkiwiforces – thanks for your concern. The waters here at my place are not a problem, but elsewhere in Southland, there are serious issues. Gore has challenges and the ex-Tiwai aluminium dross stores in sheds there is worrying many; it and water don't mix comfortably. Milford Sound, as you'll know, is in dire straits; the flooding and road damage there is severe. Various roads across Southland are blocked and the rain is still falling.
Glad to year your place is ok Robert. What happens to the Aparima in a big rain? The town is close, but is it high enough to not have flood issues?
Hi weka – the Aparima runs dirty and swells but we have an estuary to buffer our village. My home is 20 metres above sea level. There will be farms covered but stop banks have been in place for decades. If they fail, the story will change but Environment Southland is confident they won't.
What's a dross store?
A sick joke, really. The aluminium smelter produces waste. Someone bought it, promising to convert it into fertiliser. They didn't, instead storing it in an old paper mill beside the Mataura River, which is presently very swollen. The present owners of the stuff has promised the store is secure against flooding. The people of Gore are not resting easy. Dross plus water + ammonia gas.
When I wrote “dross stores” I meant “dross STORED”
"Media Advisory Flooding in Southland/Fiordland Piopiotahi Number: 10 Date: 4 February 2020 Time: 8.30pm Gore and Mataura residents to prepare for evacuation This is an official message from Emergency Management Southland Modelling data suggests flood levels in the Mataura catchment are likely to reach similar levels to the 1999 floods. Two peaks are expected to pass through Gore tomorrow (Wednesday) – the first at 5.00am and the second at approximately 12.30pm. Existing stop banks have been designed to hold this volume of water. Additional precautions and support, like sandbagging, are being put in place in some areas and residents are being asked to be ready to evacuate if required. People should prepare a grab bag containing medication, clothing and person items, including documents. If you have friends and family outside the potential flood area you can go to, please make those arrangements now. For those needing somewhere to stay, we have set up a welfare centre at the Calvin Community Church in Robertson Street in Gore. Further information about a welfare centre in Mataura will be advised in the morning. Residents will be advised by Council and emergency staff once it is confirmed they need to evacuate but the more prepared they are the better. All schools in the Gore district have been closed for tomorrow. Roads remain closed throughout the region and there is surface flooding on many of those that are still open. Please take care and check the NZTA and local council websites for closures. Emergency Management Southland controller Angus McKay said people should avoid unnecessary travel, check on their neighbours and follow the Civil Defence Southland facebook page and website for updates. Those who have travelled out of the region for events need to be prepared to stay put or check road conditions before setting out. Extreme care is required on all roads. Farmers in low lying areas should consider moving stock and paying extra attention to their effluent storage. Lumsden and Riversdale residents are advised to reduce toilet flushing as the pumps are under significant pressure from the extra water. Trampers in huts in Fiordland have now been evacuated, the remaining 195 tourists in Milford will be evacuated tomorrow morning, weather permitting."
Bloody hell. How long has that been stored there?
6 years (since 2014) …initially without consent…and now taxpayers/rate payers are footing a big part of the bill
https://www.goredc.govt.nz/your-council/news/deal-signed-to-remove-ouvea-premix/
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/southland/six-years-work-sort-toxic-stockpile
Yep, ammonia. https://embed.scribblelive.com/embed/post.aspx?Id=1184208456&ss=1
All good Robert, just wasn't sure what part of the woods you lived in due to the amount of rainfall as it was similar to an event we had here in Darwin about 2wks over a 24hr period.
Have been following the sorry saga of the NZAS doss waste for a few yrs now and I still can't believe its not been sorted out and especially in the way its been stored of late next to the Mataura River, which can get a bit nasty when there's been a good amount of rainfall in its catchment.
PS. The Southland Floods even made the 7pm ABC's Darwin News lastnight.
This is dammed disgusting. And nobody on the bus or the driver saw fit to say anything in support for her.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018732659/auckland-doctor-told-to-go-home-to-china
It’s the dumbness and ignorance that gets to me.
QFT
What I find even more depressing is the fact that it is the same the whole world over.
Just reported now from the Iowa Republican caucus:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/feb/03/iowa-caucuses-latest-live-news-democrats-bernie-sanders-joe-biden-elizabeth-warren-buttigieg-updates#block-5e38e3128f086a28115a511f
You just wonder at the mentality of these people.
Is this groundhog day or a legitimate insight into how Winston operates ?
A bet each way.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/408843/nz-first-foundation-donor-thought-they-were-giving-to-party
"What's a dross store?"
Bad News.
broken link aj.