Neo-liberal New Zealand.
This will break your heart.
100%.
Axed over the Christmas break, told to be out by lunchtime after 50 years’ loyalty – this is redundancy in New Zealand, where there’s no mandatory notice period or compensation payments and little support for those searching for new work.
………..New Zealand ranks in the bottom third of the OECD for spending on what are known as active labour market policies – government interventions to help people into meaningful new work. The organisation’s report last year said Work and Income focuses largely on people receiving benefits, which only includes a minority of people made redundant. “As a result, social assistance and public employment support are reduced to a minimum and act very much as systems of last resort for displaced workers who end up in the welfare system… Displaced workers are, to a large extent, left by their own to find a new job”
…..”Once you walked out the gate, that was it – no one wanted to know you. Even WINZ didn’t want to know you, because you’ve got all that [redundancy] money. So they don’t wanna know you until all the money’s gone. They were real arseholes about it, to be frank.”
……In New Zealand, unlike Australia, Canada and several other OECD countries, there is no legal requirement to pay workers redundancy compensation, leaving unions and workers to negotiate redundancy clauses in their contracts. The payments are taxed at 33 percent, and if a business goes into receivership, employees’ back-pay and redundancy payments are capped at about $22,000 – regardless of how long they’ve worked for the company or what redundancy clause their contract contains.
There’s no guarantee that a company will pay anything at all
Neo-liberal New Zealand.
Our country has been destroyed.
100%.
The country’s highest-profile suicide prevention helpline is missing one in four phone calls because of a funding shortage.
At the same time, Lifeline is dealing with a rise in phone calls by people who are at risk of suicide.
The helpline now receives an average of six calls a day from people in severe distress – double the amount it received three years ago.
Executive director Glenda Schnell said calls from suicidal people were highly complicated and consumed much more resources from the helpline, which is staffed by a combination of paid staff and volunteers.
Neoliberal Economics removes the human element from the equation and focus’s on the almighty dollar $’s and who can acquire the most in the shortest period of time, ideological B/S from Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics. This ideology was picked up early by the NZ Labour Party and Sir Roger Douglas in the 1980’s.
IMHO is has not been good for NZ and it’s naturalized citizens including te tangata whenua ?
More significant than our Prime Minister attending the South Pacific Forum, is the Prime Minister of Australia not attending the South Pacific Forum.
Morrison’s non-attendance amounts to a cowardly refusal to debate with Forum countries over the differences between Australia and the other Pacific Nations on climate change and immigration.
Morrison obviously does not want to be taken to task over these issues. And so has stayed away.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne says Australia is not snubbing the Pacific Island Forum despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison skipping the event…..
…..”We have absolutely reinforced the Pacific is a key priority of Australia’s foreign policy.”
Pacific leaders are also concerned about climate change, which has once again torn apart the Liberal party as it seeks a new energy policy.
Senator Payne said she was not surprised by the attitudes of Pacific leaders, because climate change had been raised in previous Pacific Island Forum declarations.
“We absolutely recognise it’s in our national interest to take action on climate change,” she said.
As the saying goes; “Actions speak louder than words”.
This snub must be seen for what it is.
The record shows that any Australian leader, (of either major party), who dares stand up to the powerful Australian fossil fuel lobby is immediately rolled by the conservative wings of their party.
Morrison obviously does not want to be taken to task over these issues. And so has stayed away.
Unlike Nixon, Morrison hasn’t even got the courage to issue his own denial.
This bodes ill for Australia ever doing anything meaningful to address climate change, or address the very real concerns of the Pacific Nations on the front line of climate change, facing rising sea levels and more energetic hurricanes fueled by warming seas.
Speaking at the Lowy Institute, just days before the beginning of the Pacific Islands Forum in Nauru, the Samoan prime minister seemed to take a swipe at Australia’s commitment to minimising the impact of climate change, which he called the “single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and wellbeing peoples of the Pacific”.
“While climate change may be considered a slow onset threat by some in our region, its adverse impacts are already felt by our Pacific islands peoples and communities,” said Sailele. “Greater ambition is necessary to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade and Pacific island countries continue to urge faster action by all countries.”
Sailele said addressing climate change required “political guts” from leaders. “We all know the problem, we all know the causes, we all know the solutions. All that is left would be some political courage, some political guts to get out and tell the people of your country, ‘Do this, this, this, or there is any certainty of disaster.’”
All power to our Prime Minister for fronting up.
Despite the political backlash she has attracted in this country, Prime Minister Ardern is showing the political courage and guts that Prime Minister Sailele has called for, but which is sadly missing in Australian political leaders.
I heard Jacinda, I think Monday, explaining in detail about why she decided to go to the Pacific forum and why she would or wouldn’t take her baby, the costs, the problems (something about there being no holding sites for planes on Nauru was one). They had tried to think of all possible matters and nitpickers on the Right can’t easily come up with this or that negative to wave triumphantly in the air. As is their wont.
While if the situation was reversed, the Gmats would just laugh at any questions at all.
The comparison between Morrison and Ardern. – Ardern is fronting up, despite her circumstances and Morrison is ducking for cover.
A leader’s job is to lead.
You don’t send a delegate, or deputy, (as the opposition parties and right wing media say the Prime Minister should). You don’t try to duck the responsibilities of your position like Morrison has. You make it work.
“…….she decided to go to the Pacific forum and why she would or wouldn’t take her baby, the costs, the problems (something about there being no holding sites for planes on Nauru was one). They had tried to think of all possible matters……”greywarshark
To the all the opposition Torrys and right wing media commentators:
Woman have children. Get over it.
When a world leaders conference was called in Teheran in 1943, Churchill didn’t sent a delegate, or representative, he went himself, this despite serious complications. Special arrangements and allowances had to be made to transport Churchill to Iran, to taking into account his health and age.
In the end Churchill was transported from England on a mattress in the back of special transport plane all the way to Iran and back.
Allowances were made for his health and age.
Prime Minister Ardern is a female leader of child bearing age, As a society we need to normalise and accept pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding as part of the human condition, as unavoidable as old age and illness.
Many women have had to make similar difficult decisions and trade offs.
Prime MInister Ardern is a trend setter, but first of all she is a leader of world ranking, like all leaders she has had to make difficult decisions and personal sacrifice to carry out her job.
TBF to the new guy, given Aussies unstable politics he probably thinks if he left the country for more than a day he would be out of a job when he got back.
Scott Morrison has already been out of Australia in his first week as PM – to Indonesia to sign a free trade agreement with them. But can’t make it to Nauru for the Pacific Island Forum – and be exposed to criticism re the refugees sent there by Australia.
First he’s got to survive the Wentworth by- election, which from all accounts is getting really interesting as it’s a very diverse electorate from the big end of town to the bottom end of town. After that he has the cross bench in the upper and lower House’s of Parliament. Then the 85 knife throwers in Party room to deal with and next years budget which is also election yr.
Unless Sco Mo pull’s something out of his hat between now and year or Labour somehow falls off the cliff. Then they’re got buckles chance at getting back as they are already on life support at.
It’s been quite relaxing, not worrying or stressing about the bullshit of RAAF’s SECFOR (Training, Operations/ Op’s planning and planning) within the two NT SEC Flts. My wife and I couldn’t be bothered going the open days at Darwin and the Forward Operation Base setup down the road at Batchor Airfield to show the wife the set up at what we did on my two Timor trips.
The rest of the yr is getting house and my tank hanger (20m x9m shed) setup with my Troop SGT office up before the big wet or before first test match of the summer with all my diecast planes, britan soldiers, tanks, my 1/700 model ships and my gun safe. Looking after my little girl (Saffie cross Ozzie Cattle dog) as the wife ran her over a couple of weeks. Listening to my classical, old school country, British Classical and hymns.
As for the future, want to finish of my pilots license, my mate at my bush block wants to get involved with the Timor veterans programs in ET, the wife to go to Timor, wildlife protection feral animal control and anti poachingtravel back to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and do some wildlife tours before its to late to Africa, sub Antarctic and Arctic Regions. Higher education in History or Strategic studies and of course further training in bush fire fighting and in fire management.
Tinker in the shed with my 50’s or 60’s yank tank with the big fins, my uncle motorcycles when I finally get them and the wife has given me permission to buy an Armoured Vehicle of some sort unless we win lotto a warbird or her uncles warbird. Setting up the garden in next yr in between fishing and hunting.
ROFL – oh so just the usual “what do I do with myself now” retirement things then!
What sort of warbird? Despite being a female civilan Kiwi, when I spent almost seven years in London in the ’70s, I worked in a civil/military organisation, NATS. For almost three years of that, I was private secretary/aide de camp to Air Marshall Sir Ivor Broom, the Controller of NATS – and a rather highly medalled RAF pilot during WW11. He was still in active service and I used to also go to the big wig RAF meetings with him- female and in civvie clothes with a very high security rating obviously. It used to raise eyebrows, which Sir Ivor loved doing. LOL. Part of my role was also to look after Sir Douglas Bader, then a part time Member of the Board of the CAA (who I officially worked for.)
Two hard cases but extreme gentlemen as well. You just did not get in a car driven by either of them if you valued your life, nerves and blood pressure! I also flew with Sir Ivor at the controls quite often in various types of planes when we went around the UK for meetings etc – and sometimes, depending on the plane,once in the air, he would hand over to me despite no formal training and tell me to follow the rail lines. My elder brothers back in NZ were so jealous of me, but I told them it was my revenge for their complaints about having to drag little sister along to the Saturday afternoon movies – many of which were, yes you guessed it, films such as the Dam Busters, etc.
We had a wonderful office set up, quite unusual for the time. As well as me in my role (which included deciding who got to meet, talk to Sir Ivor etc – up your nose bigwigs got to wait a loooonnng time) there was a male typist, a male batman who was also the tea lady (lovely older guy) and Sir Ivor’s driver was female.
Memories are wonderful things.
Ps – Funnily enough, I mentioned on here a few days ago that I worked in London with the father of Brian May of Queen fame and got to know Brian, and the rest of Queen through him. Brian’s Dad was an ex RAF avionics engineer in NATS.
What awesome company you had back then, I reminds me of some the cocktail parties I intended during the few years after Timor (INTERFET) as Airfield Defence Guard (An Aussie Rockape) especially the WW2 and Korean Fighter Pilots. Especially when the Spitfire Pilots from the Morotai Spitfire Wing/ Borneo found out I was and ADG which some them were good mates of old John Gorton en Oz PM had very close encounter with his gun sight when he panged his fighter during the Battle of Malaya.
Brian May would’ve been an interesting fella to talk too, let alone his dad.
As for the warbird, her uncle has a winjeel trainer, but there is a Ex RAAF Mk5c Spitfire in pieces that saw service in Darwin/ Arnhem area on wish list, the wife likes the Me-109G in winter camo, but having read the pilots notes they don’t like asphalt runways all that much and requires big grassy Airfields because of the torque of the big DB engines. The goal would to own a RNZAF, RAAF, RAF, or FAA Aircraft or similar A/C either a single or twin engine that saw service in the Far East or South Pacific to honour my great uncle who was in 3NZ Div, my wife’s Pop (RAN) and Nan (AIF) those veterans and those who have no known grave which to is the saddest thing I’ve seen in War cemetery’s that someone’s lost family member has no known grave.
VV
There are so many stories and paths that cross from war and defence efforts.
I was doing some volunteer counter work at local art gallery, got talking to an English woman and found that her husband had been the Squadron Leader? (in charge) of my birth father’s bomber group around north England Market Rasen area during WW2.
This was interesting. https://www.spitfireclub.co.uk/dowding—park Leigh-Mallory, already envious of Park for leading the key 11 Group while No.12 Group was left to defend airfields, repeatedly failed to support No.11 Group. Leigh-Mallory and his Big Wing (led by Douglas Bader) often ran amok through No.11 Group airspace confusing the defences. Quintin Brand’s No. 10 Group in the South West successfully supported No.11 Group when required despite having far more arduous defensive duties in its own area than No.12 Group.
Park’s subsequent objection to Leigh-Mallory’s behaviour during the Big Wing controversy may have contributed to his and Dowding’s removal from command at the end of the battle, but neither Park nor Dowding had much time for internal politics and fell easy prey to their waiting critics. Richard Saul of 13 Group on the other hand, wrote to Park on learning of his pending departure from No.11 Group, commenting on “the magnificent achievements of your group in the past six months; they have borne the brunt of the war, and undoubtedly saved England”. Park was to remain indignant however over his and Dowding’s treatment for the rest of his life. Park was posted immediately to Training Command before seeing later high ranking service in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.,,
On leaving the Royal Air Force, Park personally selected a Supermarine Spitfire to be donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand. This aircraft is still on display today along with his service decorations and uniform….
While Sir Hugh Dowding controlled the Battle from day to day, it was Keith Park who controlled it hour by hour. Air Vice Marshal ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, one of the top Allied air aces of the war, said: “He was the only man who could have lost the war in a day or even an afternoon”. This was an echo of Winston Churchill’s description of Admiral Jellicoe in the First World War.
Although Park has not received widespread public recognition, either in Britain or his native New Zealand, he has a claim to be one of the greatest commanders in the history of aerial warfare.
You mention the original characters you met. Did you see or know the story of Colonel Wintle shown on TV in Heroes and Villains series?
Exkiwiforces
If you or your wife have time to read and like quirky Laoa and Tahi based mystery/detective books I recommend trying Colin Cotterill’s books. He has a couple of main characters in series Dr Siri Paiboun and his wife is one, and other Jimm Juree, super girl reporter.
Unfortunately the wife goes by the stars with accommodation IRT SEA travels as I tend to sleep under the stars where I go in SEA. As tend to follow J P Cross an eccentric British Army Officer base in Laos during the war in between stints with Gurkhas or at famous British Jungle Warfare School in Borneo, Graham Greene’s travels through Indo- China, and another eccentric British Army Officer from that era called Arthur George Trevor- Wilson who the French booted out in 1950 as he was good Mates with Ho Chin Minh.
The other three I want to follow is Johnny Cooper the SAS fellow not the boxer, Fitzroy McLean travels in Asia Minor and his time with Tito and old mate T.E Lawrence.
Then a little unknown Kiwi lady called Iris a friend of my NZ grandmother who was with SOE in Western Europe as a courier, spy, and escorted escaped or downed RAF aircrew to freedom via Spain and Portugal. She was a bluebell dancer in Paris before the war and she could Fench and German. A 6ft blond with blue eyes and she was petty handily a pistol from all accounts, just as she was with a Croquet mallet.
I’ll take a look at that website.
That bit about Dowding and Park is so true that they not recognise in the wider public and the thing about Park was that was head hunted by old Winnie to be the RAF CInC for Defence of Malta and again he could’ve lose the war in the British Pond (the med) for the first time since 1746.
I find those stories about resistance from SOE fascinating.
Nancy Wake for one. Looking at Violette Szabo the other day. Her little girl was presented with a cross by King George VI and she said she would keep it for Mummy for when she came home.
I think the Gestapo had tortured her and executed her by that time. Apparently she did not give away anybody. It is all very hard to think about and especially it didn’t teach us to be better.
Thinking of JP Cross I see there is a book called Operation janus by him about the Ghurkas on TradeMe here for $23.50NZ with free shipping. It actually comes from booktopia located in Australia.
When Alan Hinlea, a British Gurkha captain with a hatred of a class system that has always kept him down, deserts to the guerillas and is spirited away to the jungle Communist HQ, Chin Peng, the leader of the Malayan Communist Party gloats at what he hopes will be a major propaganda victory.
A fellow British Gurkha officer is despatched with five Gurkhas to hunt Hinlea down and the chase through pathless jungle becomes a race against time and a contest of deadly jungle warfare skills. Operation Janus is the first in a trilogy of books involving Gurkha milita…
I have the upmost respect to my grandparents generation and in your case your late father going through the Great Depression then followed by WW2 and then building a society where everyone had an equal share in the nations wealth alongside a equally caring society as they knew what the alternative was especially with invent of the “bomb”. When everyone kept their word or handshake and prepared to get stuck in when it was need in times of stress or disaster.
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve reading about Luftwaffe’s Aces under the heading “The German Aces Speak” series by Colin D. Heaton and Anne- Marie Lewis also is on British and German Night Fighters. I’ve the last paragraph in each chapter quite somber on their thoughts for the future. Just like as I was brought up with grandparents in the Nelson region many moons weather about the war, the depression or working class fights with bosses or in case of grandparents turning to the 81 protests in Nelson with helmets etc as it was a worthy battle that needed to be fought. But needless to say they were force to take back seat and how they managed to talk my grandmother out of it, I do not know.
Just like those young kids/ man like your late father climbing into their bomber/ fighter every day/ night or in case of Mike Simths relative in Singers climbing into that elderly biplane knowing what odds were at returning or those on the convoys or facing Rommel tanks or Herr Hitlers paras or the likes of Iris in the SOE or the PoW’s to incredible brave. Compared with what I’ve done and seen in my last 15yrs.
Three quotes, I want to share two from JP Cross and the old bulldog Winnie
Fighting in privacy seem to a relic of the past. Propaganda- that branch of the art of lying which consists of nearly deceiving your friends without quite deceiving your enemies- has been become more acute. Now rallies, chiefly negative because they have organised by people leaping to unwarranted conclusions without adequate examination of the evidence, are a feature of modern life now.
The other JP quote,
At the beginning of the 21st century, was no longer worldwide and all- embracing Communism. Instead, an unhealthy mixture of religious bigotry, lust of oil and over educated idiots with no sense of history rising to the top of the political tree have broken the pattern which has created a new type of situation for which no lasting answer has yet been found.
The further back you look, the further for you can see
They are unlikely to have another coup.
Early federal elections are a problem as Victoria has its state election on 24th Nov 2018 and NSW is 23 rd march 2019
Theres really ‘no space’ to do a 6 week federal campaign till after NSW is done next year. Technicalities about Senators terms also mean that it wont happen till after may 2019.
Yes, the Libs have really shot them selves in foot since the last couple of wks. The federal election is really Labour’s to grab unless they do something really stupid before the polls.
to which we should add boo hoo wah wah wah wah wah.
and if the only way business can be conducted is by using slave labour and forcing costs onto others (such as by supposedly ‘independant contractors – couriers, food delivery people, exploitation of immigrants, a series of ticlet clippers in the chain, and so on), then your business isn’t viable,
btw, I post the above having looked at some comments on TDB that are akin to the
“boo hoo hoo wah wah wah – YOU try running a business and see how you get on” bullshit
So far, all I’ve seen from ‘bizzniss’ leaders is that the reason for poor bizzniss confdinse is “uncertaintay”.
Bizzniss doesn’t like ‘uncertainty”
Well fellas, welcome to the whurl of the precariat. Uncertainty is the precariat class’ biggest characteristic, yet it’s something they’re expected to swallow whilst their bizzniss counterparts expect to be able to cut costs, diminish the rights of their greates asset (their worker bees), take on greater risk from the bizzniss they work for, and basically prop up the fortunes (or otherwise) of their masters.
Whether now, or a few more steps down the road – it ain’t gonna last.
Again, if the only way your bizzniss can survice is by imposing slave-like conditions, then your bizzniiss ain’t viable.
(Maybe fuck off to Straya and try your hand there)
Oh how history repeats (or at least echoes)
boo hoo wah wah wah
Perhaps good journalism is not yet quite dead in NZ when the Southland Times can come up with this editorial this morning. Perhaps we should be looking past the biggies and looking more to news sources such as this or ODT.
The subject is Chelsea Manning and her appearance at the Sydney Antidote Festival on Sunday via satellite from Los Angeles in conversation with Peter Greste, the Australian Aljazeera journalist imprisoned by Egypt for over a year.
Yesterday I also read a related article of particular interest in exploring the dubious nature of character by Dr Binoy Kampmark, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, teaching within the Bachelor of Social Science (Legal and Dispute Studies) programme at RMIT in Melbourne. Unfortunately the link to the article at abandonhope. net is currently broken but if it comes up again I will try to post the link, as I think some here would find it worth reading.
As of this morning, the Australian govt has still not made a final decision whether to ban Manning from entry to Australia for the two remaining events in Melbourne on Friday 7 Sept and Tues 11 Sept. It remains to be seen whether they will make a decision one way or another or just procrastinate… Some Australian articles are suggesting that they are not wishing to upset their US friends …
Tickets are still on sale for her two events here next weekend in Auckland and Wellington (Embassy Theatre not St James as I think I said in early posts) and supposedly the issue of her visa will just be a matter of rubber stamping with the decision last Friday to give her a special direction to apply for the visa.
Just for the hell of it because I am just plain nosey, I checked ticket availability.
In Auckland (Q theatre) ticket seem to be about 2/3 booked for the floor A reserve seats, and the same for the B reserve Gods seats. the other two options (VIP Meet and Greet) and Balcony seats are shown as “Not available right now” so whether sold out or quite what is not clear.
In Wellington the Embassy seat plan is showing about half booked in total.
Another slight update – John Pilger has thrown his hat in the ring in joining the petitioners to the Australian govt to allow Manning into Australia for the two remaining events in Melbourne and Brisbane, according to this Australian Green Party report two hours ago,
For those who do not click on links when they don’t know the who or what, this is an interesting take by David Cormack on “What if National had actually retained power?”
Mickysavage or lprent – Possibly good for a post by itself given it is almost a year since the general election?
“By way of a bribe payment, a price was agreed upon which was typically $400 if the applicant attended and sat their IR or IF driving test, and up to $550 if the applicant did not attend and between $1500 and $2500 for a class two to five truck licence.”
The scheme had the potential to allow people to drive heavy trucks on the open roads without having to sit the required test….
Brar was involved in at least 107 corrupt transactions between 2014 and 2016. He received over $56,000 in bribes. More bribe money was passed on to his co-defendants….
Lovepreet Brar, or Love Brar has he is known in online Punjabi pop videos, has been sentenced to 11 months home detention for taking bribes for driver licences.
In some cases people who did not even sit the test were able to buy a New Zealand drivers licence and get behind the wheel.
In the video for his song ‘Jail’, Brar depicts a character who lives in a showy house, owns expensive cars, carries guns and has just been shot in the shoulder. It has had more than 4.3 million hits on Youtube.
His video promotion shows him with a large gun standing staunchly. Hardly something to encourage positive reactions in the public. However it may have appealed to the dairy owners, and the liquor store owners who have suffered menace and death. This young man is a symptom of problems that need to be fixed in our society. There will become a growing division with immigrants from Asia, with NZrs becoming warier and Indians feeling grief and anger, and resentment.
Chinese have been connected with an active and open drug market and imports, and I think this possibility is based on known facts. I have respect for Chinese and Indian, but I think some find us easy pickings and some NZrs are very ready to enlarge established criminal activities.
There may be racism involved when people are refused employment, but often there is a question in the employers’ minds based on known facts of tendencies. If Ia large enough number of Indian people end up in Court or under investigation, any bias against them will increase.
Then we too have to watch that our own dealings with immigrants are of an equitable nature. There is a twisted approach to respect and fair dealings to them in immigration, and in other departments too.
What a ridiculously low sentence. Not even being made to pay the money back. certainly the judiciary seems to be sending a message to migrants that they can just break NZ laws and get away with a slap on the wrist, no jail time for dishonest migrants endangering lives and NZ reputation. Unlike if Kiwi’s do it.
Look at these sentences clearly very light ones, given to migrants who are dishonest and corrupt.
In this a Chinese business man received $33,000 worth of stolen honey and was repackaging it, but only fined $17,500 – sounds like he was still $15,500 better off after being caught. Funny enough endangering our food reputation for quality export honey is fine apparently but less so if you just send a hoax and not even do the crime aka the nearly 9 years jail Jeremy Kerr got for sending a hoax letter to Fonterra about 1080.
“A Chinese businessman has been fined for receiving 480kg of stolen mānuka honey after a well-planned heist targeting a ready-for-export shipment at an Auckland warehouse.”
“Judge Singh convicted and sentenced Sun to pay a $17,500 fine, $15,000 of which would be a reparation payment to Azurelife.
Sun said he was able to pay the fine by week’s end.”
… so they made more than a million in profit but only fined $847k…. that’s certainly sending the message to ignore OIA if you can make a buck, you still get to make a profit even if you are caught.
Come to NZ and poison the locals with drugs, no need to pay an taxes or declare any income and you will become a citizen no questions asked!
“According to Inland Revenue records neither Yim nor Wu, who arrived in New Zealand in 1991 and 1994, have ever declared their income nor paid any tax.”
“As part of the raids on Yim, police also seized 12 luxury sports cars valued at more than $1.3m, including a Ferrari worth more than $500,000 and a Lamborghini Gallardo. More than $1.8m in cash was seized and a further 1kg of methamphetamine found.
Watches, jewellery, electronics, and 48 bottles of vintage French wine valued at about $42,000 were also seized.”
“Yim was sentenced this month in the High Court at Auckland to 11 and a half years in prison for possession of a class A drug for supply.
During sentencing he was described by Justice Geoffrey Venning as being vital to the drug scheme which imported the equivalent of 30kg of pure methamphetamine with a street value of $40m.”
Yim, who came to New Zealand from Hong Kong on a resident visa before gaining citizenship in 1995, has previously been convicted on three unrelated charges.
In July 2006 he was convicted at the Auckland District Court for drink-driving and on a dangerous driving charge, while in April 1997 he was convicted of shoplifting.”
I can only hope that the ird investiagtes this man and taxes him on any undisclosed income. My understanding, even illegal earnings are subject to tax, penalties and use of money interest 🤑
I thought we could seize criminals’ stuff or is it just Maori ganga. I meant gangs (I think Freudian slip.) Spoiler – racist thoughts occurring here. Why do some foreign people get treated so badly, and others get jailed for a long time at our expense and if they are in drugs, they will get a whole new set of traders there. Daft.
Dunno about “redeemed”, but it’d be awkward if they didn’t figure out how to get along at the very least – they get seated next to each other all the time lol
GW will never live down starting the “forever war” (as I saw it called somewhere).
But people who run into each other regularly build relationships.
Very good article on Radio NZ site about redundancy in NZ. However rather than expecting the government to pay for training etc, maybe it should be time in NZ where businesses are regulated to not constantly being making people redundant willy nilly and then often hiring people back later as contractors. This is creating a precriat class not just at the bottom end but through the whole NZ work culture. Part of the reason it is so common, is that it is so easy for an employer to do make employees redundant at little cost to themselves while the costs to the workers are huge. Not easy to find replacement work if they have kids and morgages and so forth and can go from being relatively well off to losing their homes and no guarantee in next job it does not happen again.
“In New Zealand, unlike Australia, Canada and several other OECD countries, there is no legal requirement to pay workers redundancy compensation, leaving unions and workers to negotiate redundancy clauses in their contracts. The payments are taxed at 33 percent, and if a business goes into receivership, employees’ back-pay and redundancy payments are capped at about $22,000 – regardless of how long they’ve worked for the company or what redundancy clause their contract contains.
There’s no guarantee that a company will pay anything at all, as Rob Dempsey found out.”
“The Statistics NZ paper, along with two more follow-up Motu reports, and the OECD report, found people who lose their jobs earn between 12 and 22 percent less than comparable workers four to five years afterward, even if they find other work.
“Income and especially wage effects upon displacement can be considerable, even for those who successfully return to work, and seem to be more pronounced in New Zealand than in most other OECD countries,” the OECD authors wrote.”
Great article about how much money Mondelez has made from NZ as they created debts sent profits to offshore companies in return for ‘intellectual property’ until they destroyed the local business and the factory closes down and they make those workers redundant.
Will she or won’t she? That is, will Jacinda Ardern appear in the House this afternoon for Question Time to parry with Simon Bridges on Question 1, her only question for the day – Does she have confidence in all her Ministers?
The PM has not appeared on her usual Tuesday media slots on RNZ Morning Report, the AM Show etc. Presumably getting ready for her trip to Nauru without Neve for the first time, as Neve is too young for the vaccinations needed to go there.
Neither the PM nor Winston Peters will be in the House tomorrow as Peters is already in Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum and Ardern is flying up this afternoon or tonight on the RNZAF Boeing 757 for a quick one day /36 hour visit for the Leaders Retreat tomorrow, before everyone (Peters, Ardern, other government attendees and the press contingent) return together on the Boeing 757 leaving about midnight Weds. (Flight time to/from Nauru is about 5 – 6 hours; and Nauru is in exactly the same time/day zone as NZ.)
The PM hardly ever attends Question Time on Thursday and it is highly unlikely that Peters will this week after a busy few days in Nauru.
and in other news,
Credlin TV (13:00 bulletin today) has just reported (to paraphase) Winston Peters as saying that if the only reason Straya (which is in breach of its U.N obligations) is worried that Nauru detainees might hop across the deetch once PR/Citizenship was obtained, then NZ could accommodate – even if legislation is necessary.
There is actually no reason for either the Nauru or the Manus Island atrocities other than the trio of Dutton, Corman and Morrisons, and their hanger’s on.
Guys, nothing has been saved from Linguistics. We lost the entire collection of Indigenous Languages: the recordings since 1958, the songs in many languages without live speakers, the Curt Nimuendaju archive: papers, photos, negatives, the original ethnic-historical-linguistic map with the location of all ethnic groups in Brazil , the only record we had dating back to 1945. The ethnological and archaeological references of the Brazilian ethnic groups since the 16th century … In short, an irreparable loss to our Historical Memory.
Which kiwi journo seems tired of life as a right-winger, making a play to reinvent himself on the radical left? Barry Soper: “Chelsea Manning has courage and integrity, and should be welcomed here”. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12117259]
“National’s immigration spokesman Michael Woodhouse was frothing at the mouth at the prospect of the former US Army intelligence analyst coming here saying her criminal record should have seen her banned, and if he was still the minister, that’s most certainly what would have happened.”
“we let in the real Wolf of Wall Street in 2014 to tell sell out audiences here how he ripped off investors to the tune of US$200 million through a fake bond scheme. Jordan Belfort charged Kiwis up to $860 a head to hear how he did it. So who was the Immigration Minister then? Michael Woodhouse!”
I posted a update re Chelsea Manning at 7 above with some other links you may be interested in. They cover reviews etc from her appearance via satellite link at the Sydney Antidote Festival on Sunday, the still no decision from Australian authorities on her visa, and sales etc of tickets here in NZ.
Nah, much more simple. He has always tried to butter his bread on both sides. I am also presuming that he is probably up in Nauru thanks to the RNZAF Boeing 757 and will be coming back tomorrow night on it with Peters and Ardern.
By the way, I have drafted up something re the waka jumping bill and why it will probably not be back in the House this week. Includes a little primer on how to work out what may make it into the House in any week. Will try to post it in Daily Review tonight as now off sleepy drugs after last week.
As you are seem to be a similar age to me, you may be amused at some memories I probably stupidly revealed in a thread under 4 above. LOL
Interesting memories. At age 13, I mostly bought SF at the local 2nd-hand bookshop in 1963 (usual question: “What’s science fiction?”) but I did also get Bader’s famous “Reach for the Sky” and resonated with his struggle with adversity & heroic recovery after losing his legs. Awaiting the reason for delay of the waka bill with interest too!
Jim Mora’s chat show continues to scrape the bottom of the barrel. The Panel, RNZ National, Tuesday 4 September 2018, 4:47 p.m.
Jim Mora, Niki Bezzant, Neil Miller, Caitlin Cherry
Even for this dog of a show, this was a particularly inane exchange of inane inanities. First the host Jim Mora read out, in an evident tone of approval, a gobsmackingly depraved Nigel Farage quote praising Australia’s brutal mistreatment of refugees, claiming it “has saved lives.”
NIKI BEZZANT: I note that his website says he’s the world’s most charismatic politician!
NEIL MILLER: Pshaw! I think Barack Obama might have something to say about that! Not to mention Bill Clinton.
More—if you can bear it—of Neil Miller being vile and fatuous….
“The last election unlocked a new voice born of the quiet revolution of more Māori in Parliament. The number of Māori MPs had grown from 13 in 1996 to 29 after election 2017. Twenty are in the Labour, NZ First and Green Party governing arrangement. Ten have executive portfolios. MPs of Māori descent lead National, NZ First, Act and the Greens and Kelvin Davis is deputy leader of Labour.”
“Factoring all new enrolments, the net gain of 61,000 Māori to the general roll since 2006, compared to 25,000 to the Māori roll, exactly matches the earlier 70 per cent swing to the Māori roll.” “The percentage of Māori on the Māori roll is at its lowest, at 52 per cent, since MMP began. The percentage of Māori on the general roll, 48 per cent, is at its highest.” [Rawiri Taonui] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12118287
Oh wow – this is so, so relevant to what I will hopefully post not just re the waka jumping bill but also about a member’s bill that will probably be debated in the House tomorrow as per my 18.3.1.1. to you above. Must feed the menagerie and me. and then will get to it.
Good morning The Am Show Condolences to Japan for the people lost in that Typhoon that is raging there at the minute .
The police get $70 k for a 40 hour week=$30.00 a hour I think that’s fine for a young person the question is how much do they get in year 2 .3 ,4, 5
I know that some have it hard dealing with some public but not all are on that roster
that has to be the highest pay rate for a first year for most industry’s $1400 extra every year for 3 years is much better than other people..Dairy farm workers have not even had a %1 rise in pay over ten years and they work hard.
trump is causing this Nike gear burning hight light and these intelligent people YEA RIGHT are falling for his lies?????? he is going to keep his deceit going it will get louder as the American President elections get closer . Many thanks to NIKE for making a stand for EQUAL RIGHT’S.
Girls out perform boys at school so why do we not have more in management .
Because these old fossils have bias systems in place that keep wahine out of management .
Segregated schools who paid for this study some old fashion religious group.
Boys have to learn to respect girls how is that going to happen if they are separated at school,s
James Shaw is a good man he has highlighted that National is cooperating on the carbon neutral policy. The polls are showing that a lot of Kiwi voter’s are taking there mokopuna’s future and Climate change seriously our Ausse cousin’s need to take Climate Change seriously . Ka pai enough said
What process do they have in place to stop cheating in harness racing ??????? I see this behavior all through out sport’s .
It’s a BIG KNOW TO SELLING OUR TAB TO AUSTRALIA we have $5 billion going there from the banks and now some fool wants to sell our Tab that would just under mine our sports franchises WAKE UP.
Duncan I see you think that it is your job to hold the government accountable .The
problem Eco Maori has is YOU did not do that to national .
There you go the Duncan that man Tony who is champion single sex is a chauvinistic person and if we let people like his spread his fossilized view’s on us it’s all about the boys in his world and we need more voices championing equal right’s for wahine .
That’s the reason this study has landed on your desk Duncan the old fossil are feeling insecure with the Big Equal right movement that is sweeping across Papatuanuku at the minute .
Its a fine balancing act to keep a coalition government in line I say Jacinda is doing that job well.
Stop calling for her to do thing you know she won’t do .
Ka kite ano
The big computer multi nation soft ware company’s have being milking Aotearoa public sector for many decades they bid low get the contract for the job and then ask for more money 2x the original bid and more .
There actions have kept Aotearoa company’s out of this market they are to big for NZ government to hold to account for there soft ware not preforming the task set out to achieve. NOVA Pay Now Acc has the same plans with Oracle these company will bleed NZ dry they don’t care that there action’s will cause harm to NZ people or anyone it’s all about the money .
The consequences of this is they are actually stunting Aotearoa TEC sector’s we have the coding expertise here what do you think Iprent well I think so .
Conclusion ban foreign company’s from bidding for these soft ware up date jobs for our public services sector.
I have a link to back my claim of the talent we have in Aotearoa
sure we mite have to import a few coders but that will ad to OUR IT service sector.
Wow the sandflys are highly sensitive about there money they had a bunch of young people harresment me at a set of lights and a marked cop car was waiting around the corner how do I know it was a set up because the boys keep perusing me right next to the cops now they have some on on a big road bike following me around muppets the want to get me in there cells and beat me muppets. Ka kite ano
Freedom of the PRESS reporter’s who put there safety on the line to broadcast the fact’s that the powerful are suppressing all the killing and un humane practices that these people are doing in there grab or clinging ont to power Eco Maori Applauds all you great people who are doing this great service for Humanity NEED to be defended .
So the powerful left people of the world need to stand up and defend these great people . I see one of OUR Kiwi reporters was held in custody on Naru
Barbara Dreaver is a Mana Wahine Journalist who is not going to give up Ka pai E hoa .Ka kite ano
Good evening Newshub That’s a strong Typhoon in Japan blowing houses boat’s and truck’s around Tangaroa and Tawhirimatea are a real power full force of Papatuanuku.
There you go Mike Eco Maori has not been barking up the wrong tree pointing out trump’s flaws . May all his fans please stand up
The housing catastrophe is a gift to Aotearoa from shonky and national to Aotearoa’ people and what do you know some of his biggest fans just cashed in there capital gains WOHO I ignore anything they have to say this is the best way to handle that.
Phenomenon.
Eco Maori think’s its ok for Nike to highlight discrimination and get some exposure for there support by using a picture to speak a thousand word they are not dumb.
Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild James & Mulls I agree with the Kiwi’s new Coach Aotearoa has had a positive effect on the International League seen .
Anna is in her element on te maunga there is plenty of snow .
Sore face jame’s NZ net ball had that phenomenon that phenomenon happen to one of our best coaches a couple of decades ago
Ka kite ano P.S electric race cars are the way of the future they are faster and cleaner less noise than there carbon gulpers cousins ka pai
Good morning The Am Show Rua Moko has been going hard all over Papatuanuku .
You no what’s a joke all this spin about the ANZ business poll showing a lack of business confidence yesterday polls show that consumer spending is up ???? and what top’s it off is whos on the ANZ board well no other than shonky so don’t take any notice of the ANZ business poll’s better still change bank’s if you bank with them in protest for the bankers cheating common people once again.
There you go Duncan alcohol is the root of the problem and you champion longer jail terms you don’t want to hurt your capitalist m8 profts .
The problem is what if the person who accidentally dies in the fight was the aggressor and the other person was just defending them selves . I have seen aggressor pick on someone next minute.
I agree with Lowe Jonson had heaps of presser on him he handled it and stayed loyal to the Warriors ka pai. IT,s a exciting weeked for sports the wahine league and Rugby Playing this week to NO People.
BUY a electric car everyone that will sort out your high fuel bill.
collins if the role were reversed ( never going to happen) would you do what you are telling someone else to do total I think not.
trump was a Democrat supporter it was bill influence on trump that gave him the hunger for the President of America trump new Democrats would not stand for his —- so he changed wakas . Ka kite ano c why I don’t like the word crack
Here you go there is a small group of farmers who don’t have the correct effluent systems in place and this tars the rest of farmers link below Ka kite ano.
Typical national neo liberals playing the lets stir up the crime subject about crime to get a lift in there polls .First why don’t they come up with Idears to benefit OUR society O NO they only come up with policys to line there pockets ITS beneath them to think about the common person in a positvey we are just sheep to these people wating to be shorn .Ana to kai ka kite ano P.S
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The Green Party is today unveiling its Poverty Action Plan, which includes a Guaranteed Minimum Income to ensure people have enough to live with dignity. ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Rotorua Museum redevelopment and Whakarewarewa and Tokorangi Forest projects will be accelerated thanks to a $2.09 million Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) boost, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher ...
This week, we rolled out the next steps of our recovery plan, with new infrastructure investment, extra support for tourism operators, and a new programme to get Kiwis into agriculture careers. The global economic consequences of COVID-19 will continue to be a challenge, but we have a detailed plan to ...
Jenny Marcroft MP, Spokesperson for Health New Zealand First welcomes the passage of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill through its final reading in Parliament today fulfilling a coalition agreement commitment. “This is an important step in saving the lives of New Zealanders and delivers a key coalition commitment ...
Whakatāne has been given a $2.5 million boost to speed up previously funded projects and create more than 450 jobs in the next decade. Of those, the equivalent of 160 full-time jobs could be delivered in the next six weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is in town to make ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $2.5 million to accelerate three infrastructure projects in Whakatāne, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “This package is about ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones is throwing his weight behind a bid by the Auckland Council to fast-track the more than doubling of the city's water allowance from the Waikato River. And he's coming out strongly against anyone who plans on getting in the way of this campaign. "It is my ...
The Green Party is thrilled to see changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that mean consents for large projects can be declined if they will have significant climate change implications that are inconsistent with the Zero Carbon Act and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Paris Agreement obligations. ...
Hon Ron Mark, Minister of Defence The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new ship, Aotearoa, set sail for New Zealand on 10 June from the Republic of Korea, and is due to arrive in Auckland tomorrow, announced Minister of Defence Ron Mark. “Aotearoa is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s new fleet ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Racing Racing Minister Winston Peters has today welcomed the Racing Industry Bill passing its third reading, creating the legislative framework for revitalising the racing industry while limiting the need for future government intervention. “For too long our domestic racing industry has ...
The Green Party has today put forward an amendment to the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill to ensure all people in prisons can vote in general elections. ...
The Green Party welcomes the decision to not proceed with Public Public Investment (PPI) delivery of Auckland’s light rail project and to instead run the process through the public service. ...
Hon Ron Mark, New Zealand First List MP based in the Wairarapa New Zealand First List MP Hon Ron Mark welcomes the announcement of Provincial Growth Funding investment of $1.4 million to help secure the Wairarapa’s water supply. The funding boost will allow the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and ...
New Zealand First list MP Mark Patterson has been selected to represent the party in the newly formed Taieri electorate at the upcoming election. Mr Patterson, his wife Jude and two daughters farm sheep and beef at Lawrence and Waitahuna. He previously stood in the Clutha-Southland electorate however boundary changes ...
Hon Shane Jones, Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises A new ‘super depot’ to be built for NZ Post in Wellington will create around 350 jobs during construction, Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones says. Shane Jones today attended a ground-breaking and blessing ceremony for the parcel-processing depot ...
Our strong economic management prior to COVID-19 - with surpluses, low debt and near-record-low unemployment - put us in a good position to weather the impact of the virus and start to rebuild our economy much earlier than many other countries.Now we're putting our plan to recover and rebuild ...
Darroch Ball MP, New Zealand First Spokesperson for Law and Order Recently released Police fleeing driver statistics have shown yet another increase in incidents with another record-high in the latest quarter. “This new quarterly record-high is the latest in a string of record-high numbers since 2014. The data shows incidents ...
The Minister of Police says a major operation against the Mongrel Mob in Waikato will make a big dent in drug harm and violent offending linked to organised crime networks. “Senior leadership of the Waikato Mongrel Mob has been taken out as a result of Operation Kingsville, which resulted in ...
The Government is extending the border exception criteria to enable some offshore victims and support people of the Christchurch mosque attacks to attend the sentencing of the accused beginning on 24 August2020, says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. “We want to support our valued Muslim brothers and sisters who were directly ...
A project to support volunteer efforts to look after streams and rivers is getting a boost thanks to support from DOC’s Community Conservation Fund announced Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today. “The government is backing efforts to look after waterways with $199,400 for the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust from ...
Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter today announced that funding for the COVID-19 Community Fund for women and girls will be doubled, as the first successful funding applications for the initial $1million were revealed. “Women and girls across the country have suffered because of the effects of COVID-19, and I ...
The Government’s books were better than forecast with a higher GST take as the economy got moving again after lockdown, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Crown Accounts for the 11 months to the end of May indicate the year end results for tax revenue will be stronger than forecast. ...
A plan to revitalise New Zealand’s strong wool sector and set it on a new, more sustainable and profitable path was unveiled today by Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. The newly-released report - Vision and Action for New Zealand’s Wool Sector - was developed by the Wool Industry Project Action Group ...
Community efforts to create a Predator Free Whangārei will receive a $6 million boost, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones and Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage announced today. The new funding, through Government company Predator Free 2050 Ltd, will create around 12 jobs while enabling the complete removal of possums over ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced that the New Zealand Government is reviewing the settings of its relationship with Hong Kong. “China’s decision to pass a new national security law for Hong Kong has fundamentally changed the environment for international engagement there,” Mr Peters said. “New Zealand remains deeply ...
Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones has announced details of a multimillion-dollar investment in Whangārei for infrastructure projects that will help it recover from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 200 jobs are expected to be created through the $26 million investment from the Government’s rejuvenation package ...
Following a second incident in which a person escaped from a managed isolation facility, security is being enhanced, including more police presence onsite, Minister Megan Woods said. “The actions of some individuals who choose to break the very clear rules to stay within the facilities means that more resourcing is ...
Waste reduction and recycling programmes in Kaipara are set to get a boost with Associate Environment Minister Eugenie Sage today announcing a $361,447 grant from the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) Sustainable Kaipara. “The new funding will allow Sustainable Kaipara to partner with local schools, kura, community ...
The Government will support the Southland economy in the wake of multinational mining company Rio Tinto’s decision to follow through with its long signalled closure of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. “This day has unfortunately been on the cards for some time now, but nevertheless the final decision is a ...
New tools being developed to help boost Aotearoa’s Predator Free 2050 effort were unveiled today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage and Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau. A new rat poison, a camera with predator recognition software to detect and report predators, a new predator lure and a ...
The Coalition Government has approved the purchase of a fleet of Bushmaster vehicles to replace the New Zealand Army’s armoured Pinzgauers, Defence Minister Ron Mark has announced today. The new fleet of 43 Australian-designed and built Bushmaster NZ5.5 will provide better protection for personnel and improved carrying capacity. “The age ...
The Government’s three prevention frameworks to reduce family violence in Aotearoa were launched this week by Associate Minister for Social Development Poto Williams. The frameworks were developed in partnership with communities around New Zealand, and build on the work the Government has already begun with its new family violence prevention ...
The Government is pleased to confirm funding for improvements to radiology and surgical services at Hawke's Bay DHB, Health Minister Chris Hipkins says. "The Minister of Finance the Hon Grant Robertson and former Health Minister Dr David Clark approved funding for Hawke's Bay DHB’s redevelopment of their radiology facilities ...
• New funding for four beds at Napier’s Springhill Residential Addiction Centre • A new managed withdrawal home and community service, and peer support before and after residential care at Tairāwhiti DHB • A co-ordinated network of withdrawal management services throughout the South Island • Peer support in Rotorua and ...
Introduction, seafarers and POAL Good morning everyone, I am delighted to be online with you all today. Before I begin, I have to acknowledge that COVID-19 has disrupted the maritime sector on an unprecedented scale. The work of seafarers and the maritime industry is keeping many economies around the world ...
A $13 million investment from Government will create jobs and improve the resilience of the rail connection between Christchurch and the West Coast, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones and Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau say. The funding comes from the tagged contingency set aside in Budget 2020 for infrastructure projects ...
The Government is investing $761 million to assist local government upgrade under-pressure water services across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The announcement was made at the site of the water bore that was found to be the source of the fatal ...
Recognised Seasonal Employers and migrant seasonal workers stranded in New Zealand will be able to continue working and supporting themselves with more flexible hours and roles, says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. The time-limited visa changes are: Stranded RSE workers will be able to work part-time (a minimum of 15 hours ...
The Government is making immediate short-term changes to visa settings to support temporary migrants already onshore in New Zealand and their employers, while also ensuring New Zealanders needing work are prioritised, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. We are: Extending temporary work visas due to expire by the end of 2020 ...
Professor Peter Skelton CNZM has been appointed as Chief Freshwater Commissioner and Alternate Environment Court Judge Craig James Thompson as Deputy Chief Freshwater Commissioner for the newly established Freshwater Planning Process (FPP). Environment Minister David Parker today also announced the appointment of Chief Environment Court Judge Laurie Newhook as the ...
Auckland Queen’s Counsel Neil Campbell has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Campbell graduated with a BCom and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1992. He spent two years with Bell Gully Buddle Weir in Auckland before travelling to the United ...
The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to better enable the development and operation of commercial film and video facilities in Christchurch. The Proposal, developed by Regenerate Christchurch in response to a request from Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section ...
The Government has launched a bold plan to boost primary sector export earnings by $44 billion over the next decade, while protecting the environment and growing jobs. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today released Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential, a 10-year roadmap to unlock greater value ...
A new approach to prevent family harm that encourages greater collaboration across government and community groups is being celebrated at the opening of a new facility in Auckland. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today opened the Multi-Disciplinary Family Harm Prevention Hub Te Taanga Manawa in Lambie Road in Manukau. The facility ...
The Government has released a major new report on the options for relocating the Port of Auckland’s freight operations while deferring any decision on the issue. “That decision needs to be informed by policy analysis that is still to be completed. As a result it will be up to a ...
The history of Rāpaki is being restored through the inclusion of te reo in thirteen official place names on Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula and around Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō, the Minister for Land Information, Eugenie Sage, announced today. “I am pleased to approve the proposals from Te Hapū o Ngāti ...
Bookings for seats on Air New Zealand flights into New Zealand will be managed in the short term to ensure the Government is able to safely place New Zealanders arriving home into a managed isolation or quarantine facility, says Housing Minister Megan Woods. “Last week Air Commodore Darryn Webb and I ...
Grant Robertson has today announced the first major release of funding from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package announced at Budget 2020. “Today we’re setting out how $80 million will be invested, with $54 million of that over the 2020/2021 financial year for organisations from community level through to elite ...
The Government is maintaining current levy rates for the next 2 years, as part of a set of changes to help ease the financial pressures of COVID-19 providing certainty for businesses and New Zealanders, ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. “New Zealanders and businesses are facing unprecedented financial pressures as a ...
Small businesses are getting greater certainty about access to finance with an extension to the interest-free cashflow loan scheme to the end of the year. The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme has already been extended once, to 24 July. Revenue and Small Business Minister Stuart Nash says it will be ...
A package of 23 projects across the country will clean up waterways and deliver over 2000 jobs Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Environment Minister David Parker announced today. The $162 million dollar package will see 22 water clean-up projects put forward by local councils receiving $62 million and the Kaipara ...
Tena koutou katoa Nga tangata whenua o tenei rohe o Pōneke, tena koutou Nau mai, haere mai ki te hui a tau mo te roopu reipa Ko tatou! Ko to tatou mana! Ko to tatou kaupapa kei te kokiri whakamua Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa Welcome. I ...
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $1.5 million to ensure QE Health in Rotorua can proceed with its world class health service and save 75 existing jobs, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF funding announced today is in addition to the $8 million ...
A new programme, which sets a firm course for the Building and Construction sector to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has been announced by the Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. “A significant amount of New Zealand’s carbon emissions come from the building and construction sector. If we’re serious ...
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing more than $7.5 million in Northland ventures to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment is going to the Northern Adventure Experience and ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced significant funding for Auckland’s Northcote College as part of the first wave of a new nationwide school redevelopment programme to upgrade schools over the next 10 years. The $48.5 million project brings the total investment in Northcote College to ...
The Government has opened an urgent response fund to support schools and early learning services to get children and young people back on track after the Covid-19 lockdown. “While we are seeing improvements in attendance under Alert Level 1 Ministry of Education data shows that attendance rates in our schools ...
In the heart of Christchurch is a Designated Character high school. What makes it unique? And should there be more like it? Frank Film visits Hagley College Paddy Grant was a 27-year-old truck driver when he rocked up to Christchurch’s Hagley High School, as it was then known. It was ...
"After he calms down we share the pie and talk about how hard the years since the show have been for him": a short story by Wellington writer Jordan Hamel. Every morning it’s the same. Cling wrap on the toilet seat, a pop up snake in my can of breakfast ...
Controversy and the America's Cup go hand-in-hand and the latest edition is no different with Emirates Team New Zealand at the centre of financial mismanagement allegations. Extra Time unpicks the debate and ponders what does the latest Cup drama mean? And should we care? A study has revealed racial bias ...
Over the decades, Mike Fox has witnessed the housing market progressively tilt towards larger, more expensive homes. Without a major overhaul of the current regulatory processes, he says, things will never change.It’s one of the biggest problems our country faces – we cannot produce the affordable housing that’s so desperately ...
So-called dirty deals have been roundly denounced over the years. Hayden Donnell argues that they need to be normalised, and even embraced, in September’s election.Just before the 2011 general election, Patrick Gower was confronted with a political act so stomach-churning, it forced him to abandon his trademark reserve. John Key ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Esterman, Professor of Biostatistics, University of South Australia Victoria has recorded 288 new COVID-19 cases since yesterday, the largest daily increase we’ve seen so far. This big jump must have the Victorian government and health authorities very concerned, especially since nearly ...
The controversial 101 East episode Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown on 3 July 2020. Video: Al JazeeraPacific Media Watch Newsdesk Malaysian police summoned six Al Jazeera media workers today for questioning relating to an investigation for defamation and violation of Malaysia’s Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), reports IFJ Asia-Pacific. ...
Analysis - A National MP destroys his career, the government explains how someone with Covid-19 could walk around a supermarket and the closure of Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is announced. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abrar Ahmad Chughtai, Epidemiologist, UNSW Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly today recommended people in Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire wear masks when leaving the house: […] If people have symptoms and they need to go for a test, for example, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rochelle Wynne, Director, Western Sydney Nursing & Midwifery Research Centre, Western Sydney University Over the past week, we’ve seen a spike in the number of COVID-19 infections among health-care workers in Victoria. This includes a doctor at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital, one ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Paddy Nixon and Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan discuss the week in politics including the return to lockdown in Victoria, National Cabinet setting to slow the flow of Australian’s ...
We prefer our heroes untarnished. And few match the heroism of Winston Churchill. But a recent report in the Times reminds us of the inevitability of human frailty and the consequences of keeping it under wraps.During the second world war, Britain’s greatest single loss of life at sea was the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ou Yang, Research Fellow, University of Melbourne Donald Trump has ordered US federal agencies to bypass environmental protection laws and fast-track pipeline, highway and other infrastructure projects. Signing the executive order last month, the US president declared regulatory delays would hinder “our ...
SAFE CEO Debra Ashton says "The NZDIA has done the right thing, and we’re glad to see Bertram has been held to account over his actions. He should take this as an opportunity to right his wrongs and show that he takes animal welfare seriously." ...
Takuta Ferris, Te Tai Tonga candidate for the Māori Party, is urging government to place whānau first in the wake of announcements around Tiwai Point. “The declaration that one of the region's major employers the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is closing ...
Dietary Requirements is The Spinoff’s monthly podcast in which we eat, drink and talk about it too, with special thanks to Freedom Farms. This month, we’re joined by The Spinoff’s managing editor, mall rat and self-confessed food philistine Duncan Greive.On this month’s Dietary Requirements, the gang’s back in the studio, and ...
Analysis by Keith Rankin. Chart 1: United States and Australia rising. Chart by Keith Rankin. These charts look at Covid19 incidence in China (the most important first-wave country, with a limited second wave), Italy (the lead second-wave country), and USA and Australia (second-wave countries – drawing their caseload from Europe ...
The Government must listen to the Muslim community to rectify its failure to act in the past, says the Human Rights Commission. The Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ) submission to the Royal Commission of Inquiry was released this week. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hugh Breakey, President, Australian Association for Professional & Applied Ethics. Senior Research Fellow, Moral philosophy, Institute for Ethics, Governance & Law, Law Futures Centre., Griffith University Earlier this week, 150 high-profile authors, commentators and scholars signed an open letter in Harper’s magazine ...
You can’t keep a good woman down and Helen Clark is no exception. Her new appointment, as co-chair of a review of how the World Health Organisation handled the coronavirus pandemic, will test her formidable political skills. Sitting with her is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Liberian president, who handled the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Connor, Lecturer, James Cook University While many people may enjoy a game of backyard cricket, only a few go on to become elite professional batsmen in Australia. Cricket batting is example of what human skills can achieve. The fastest bowling delivery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lee Baumgartner, Professor of Fisheries and River Management, Institute for Land, Water, and Society, Charles Sturt University This article is a preview of Flora, Fauna, Fire, a multimedia project launching on Monday July 13. The project tracks the recovery of Australia’s native ...
CEAC review of pre-election National’s “outline plan” just sent to us by Todd Muller 9/7/20 was actually his speech about his plan and was described as ‘an outline’. So in our review of National Party response to A Greener, Smarter Future; climate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Podger, Honorary Professor of Public Policy, Australian National University In Hidden Hand, China scholars Clive Hamilton and Marieke Ohlberg examine the Chinese Communist Party’s influence in Europe and North America in a similar way to how Hamilton dissected the CCP’s influence ...
“I can see why people are fed up, many are wondering how to clothe and feed their kids, or how they are going to pay their rent next week and still others are wondering what has happened to our beautiful Kiwi Way of Life. Well no party in parliament ...
Pacific Media Watch Newsdesk Sixty press freedom groups and civil society organisations, journalism institutions, filmmakers, and other supporters have formed a coalition in support of Maria Ressa and independent media in the Philippines, united around the call to #HoldTheLine. Today the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the International Center for ...
National MP Michael Woodhouse also received Covid-19 patient emails from Michelle Boag, and deleted them when he realised she was implicated in a separate email scandal. National Party leader Todd Muller says no further MPs in his party received confidential information from Michelle Boag, after revelations today that Michael Woodhouse also ...
The government is extending border exceptions to allow overseas victims of the Christchurch mosque attacks and their support people to attend the shooter's sentencing. ...
Ever wanted to be Iron Man? Sam Brooks prefers Pepper Potts, but he had a great time stepping into the iron suit anyway.The first few moments of Iron Man VR are where it plays its hand, confidently and assuredly. You hold your palms out in front of you, and Iron ...
SAP has released to the public a policy paper, “Helping Kiwis get back to work: How data and technology can drive a bigger, better, faster economic recovery.” ...
A new poem by Jordan Hamel.Mermaids When you lose grip and start to drift.The first thing you’re supposed to do issteer into it or steer away? Not all mermaids are royaltysomeone needs to audit the oceanprovide cashflow projectionssome mermaids are actuallymiddle-aged accountants named Stephendreaming of a land-view holiday home. I saw a ...
Want to work for The Spinoff? We’re looking for someone to fill an exciting new role based in our Auckland office. We’re looking for a video and podcast content manager: an experienced writer or sub-editor with a strong understanding of social media to manage our video and podcast content across various channels. ...
National Party leader Todd Muller says no further MPs in his party received confidential information from Michelle Boag, after revelations today that Michael Woodhouse also received four unsolicited emails. ...
By RNZ News Opposition National list MP Dr Jian Yang has announced his retirement from New Zealand politics and says he will not stand in the 2020 general election after three terms in the party caucus. He said politics was “demanding” and he wanted to spend more time with his ...
Bayer-Monsanto's June 24 announcement of a US$10.9 billion pay out (1) to people who have been harmed by Glyphosate, is effectively an admission of guilt. Spokesperson for The People’s Inquiry 2020 Asha Andersen says, “The Ministry of Health, The ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has filed a complaint with the Electoral Commission and the Parliamentary Speaker’s Office over Lawrence Yule’s new taxpayer funded billboards promoting Mr Yule as the ‘Voice in Tukituki’. Union spokesman, Louis Houlbrooke ...
Ten points, two plans. Which points are whose? With an election within spitting distance, Aotearoa’s two biggest political parties are all about the plans. “You don’t have a plan!” says one party to the other. “Yes we have a plan, or certainly a plan to have a plan, or a plan ...
Four months after he announced his re-selection, a National Party MP whose links to Chinese spy agencies attracted the interest of New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service has announced he will not stand in the next election A three-term National Party MP who studied at an elite Chinese spy school before moving to ...
National list MP Dr Jian Yang announced his retirement from politics and said he would not stand in the 2020 general election after three terms in the party caucus. ...
A new political party, the New Zealand TEA Party, with headquarters in Auckland, has been established. The party aims to contest the queen- or kingmaker position to form a coalition with the largest parliamentary party as part of the general elections ...
A review has determined fish oils are non-hazardous and no longer require oversight by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). We regulate pesticides, household chemicals and other dangerous goods and substances under the Hazardous Substances ...
New Conservative calls on the government to join with our Five Eyes allies and add New Zealand's signature to a joint statement condemning the continued removal of freedoms in Hong Kong. New Conservative also calls on the government to give safe-haven ...
Latest from the Beehive – Hard on the heels of the government promising help for the Southland economy in the wake of Rio Tinto’s decision to close the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, it was announcing the delivery of more money to the North, at the other end of the country. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luciano Beheregaray, Professor in Biodiversity Genomics, Flinders University As the global climate shifts, it’s important to know which species have adaptations to survive. Our research published today in PNAS found it largely depends on where they evolved. We looked at the capacity ...
From eggplant emojis and twerking llamas to sweaty anthropomorphic butts, we present some of the most fascinating, hilarious and outrageous complaints dismissed by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) from 2019 to now.Avocadon’t (January 2019)The ad: In this ad from Specsavers, a man gets ready to join a cricket match, but ...
They might sound like the same thing, but light rail is quite different from light metro – the system that transport minister Phil Twyford now favours for Auckland. Katy Wakefield and Jessica Rose of Women in Urbanism explain why the metro option is a poor substitute for LRT. Transport is ...
Why isn't the Government spending $30m to extend Tiwai Point's 2,600 jobs until after the Covid-19 recession, after Manapouri's power can be transmitted elsewhere, and after there's a hydrogen plan for the smelter site, Bernard Hickey asks. The sense of shock and foreboding about the future was clear in Invercargill Mayor ...
An intensive care doctor is outraged health officials are giving helicopter rescue trusts a daily list of Covid-19 patients, saying it's completely unnecessary. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Seth Lazar, Professor, Australian National University In the US, tireless opposition to state use of facial recognition algorithms has recently won some victories. Some progressive cities have banned some uses of the technology. Threetechcompanies have pulled facial recognition products from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rick Sarre, Adjunct Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia Facial recognition technology is increasingly being trialled and deployed around Australia. Queensland and Western Australia are reportedly already using real-time facial recognition through CCTV cameras. 7-Eleven Australia is also ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor of Human Resource Management, University of South Australia The coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us to work from home, often in less than ideal circumstances. Many employees had little choice in the decision, limited time to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katja Hogendoorn, University of Adelaide This article is a preview of Flora, Fauna, Fire, a multimedia project launching on Monday July 13. The project tracks the recovery of Australia’s native plants and animals after last summer’s bushfire tragedy. Sign up to The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By SriPallavi Nadimpalli, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne Women manage many overlapping responsibilities in both public and private spheres. Their busy routines leave them with just a little time to take a break or a pause in their activity. These pauses are a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Naoise McDonagh, Lecturer in Political Economy, University of Adelaide The pandemic has changed the way we think about supply chains, in particular the chains that feed our need for food, medical supplies, and defence equipment. It has led Prime Minister Scott Morrison ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Holden, Professor of Economics, UNSW As Victoria grapples with a second-wave outbreak of COVID-19, the importance of large-scale testing has again been highlighted. Without its “testing blitz” aiming at 10,000 tests a day, the extent of the outbreak would have been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jean Burgess, Professor and Director, Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Perhaps no single character has been as iconic a symbol of Twitter as the now-ubiquitous hashtag. The syntax of the hashtag has a few simple rules: it consists of ...
For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level one – read about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is made possible thanks to donations from Spinoff Members. To support this ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Major implications from Tiwai Pt closure, diplomatic rift over Hong Kong deepens, and grim new approach to managed isolation.The story of Rio Tinto pulling out of the Tiwai Point smelter is one that shows the deep connections between regional stories ...
How can Southland cope without its engine and biggest employer, the Tiwai Point smelter? Invercargill's deputy mayor Toni Biddle and Dee St businesswoman Anne Marie Thomas on what happens nowToni Biddle: "We've always known this could potentially happen. So, therefore, there has been a huge amount of work done in the background ...
This week's biggest-selling New Zealand books, as recorded by the Nielsen BookScan New Zealand bestseller list and described by Steve Braunias.NON-FICTION 1 Pull No Punches by Judith Collins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) Junk. 2 Vegful by Nadia Lim (Nude Food, $55) 3 The Book of Overthinking by Gwendoline ...
Most Kiwis aren't aware that the end of life choice act is not a concept they'll be voting for, but specific, unmovable legislation. And if we make a mistake, death is a heavy penalty, writes Caralise Trayes. A new Colmar Brunton poll revealed last weekend doesn’t do any favours in helping people ...
Talented teenage shooter Khiarna Williams is committed to travelling 18 hours a week - after school - to realise her netball dreams. Three times a week, 17-year-old Khiarna Williams gets picked up from school to make a six-hour round trip, from Whakatāne to Hamilton, to train with the Magic. Her designated driver ...
Dr Michael SW Lee uses an Easter egg hunt analogy to explain wealth distribution and our innate sense of fairness Ten kids are at an Easter egg hunt searching for 100 eggs. Donald was fortunate, he inherited an Easter egg detector. He spends four hours looking and collects 40 eggs. Steve is a ...
In theory, the closure of Tiwai Point aluminium smelter should bring down electricity prices and help get New Zealand closer to its Carbon Zero 2050 goal. In practice, that isn’t so easy. The announcement Tiwai Point aluminium smelter will close by August next year is a massive blow for the ...
Today The Beths release Jump Rope Gazers, the follow-up to their beloved and acclaimed debut album Future Me Hates Me. Back in December, Side Eye cartoonist Toby Morris joined the band in the studio while they recorded ‘Just Shy of Sure’, which you can listen to here: ...
Open Mike 04/09/2018 
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Check out Speak Up For Women’s new podcasts: Episode 3 In this episode Speak Up For Women spokeswoman Ani O’Brien (@aniobrien) is joined by Beth Johnson (@beth_nosnhoj) to discuss the proposal from Statistics NZ to change standard data collection policy to “gender by default” rather than sex. They discuss why the ...12 hours ago
During a recent public consultation on the future of Archives New Zealand, a key report was suppressed. The Ombudsman has ruled that the refusal was unjustified. Sadly, the consultation was over by the time of the the decision has been made. However, the law on the use of the ...13 hours ago
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Neo-liberal New Zealand.
This will break your heart.
100%.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/in-depth/365540/why-being-made-redundant-in-nz-is-so-tough
100% Pure… scum.
Neo-liberal New Zealand.
Our country has been destroyed.
100%.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12118028
Neoliberal Economics removes the human element from the equation and focus’s on the almighty dollar $’s and who can acquire the most in the shortest period of time, ideological B/S from Milton Friedman and the Chicago School of Economics. This ideology was picked up early by the NZ Labour Party and Sir Roger Douglas in the 1980’s.
IMHO is has not been good for NZ and it’s naturalized citizens including te tangata whenua ?
No it hasn’t but could we expect anything else from an ideology based upon one of the Seven Deadly Sins?
More significant than our Prime Minister attending the South Pacific Forum, is the Prime Minister of Australia not attending the South Pacific Forum.
Morrison’s non-attendance amounts to a cowardly refusal to debate with Forum countries over the differences between Australia and the other Pacific Nations on climate change and immigration.
Morrison obviously does not want to be taken to task over these issues. And so has stayed away.
“I am not a crook”
Richard Nixon – November 17, 1973
“We absolutely recognise it’s in our national interest to take action on climate change,”
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne – AAP, September 3, 2018
As the saying goes; “Actions speak louder than words”.
This snub must be seen for what it is.
The record shows that any Australian leader, (of either major party), who dares stand up to the powerful Australian fossil fuel lobby is immediately rolled by the conservative wings of their party.
Morrison obviously does not want to be taken to task over these issues. And so has stayed away.
Unlike Nixon, Morrison hasn’t even got the courage to issue his own denial.
This bodes ill for Australia ever doing anything meaningful to address climate change, or address the very real concerns of the Pacific Nations on the front line of climate change, facing rising sea levels and more energetic hurricanes fueled by warming seas.
Related Posts and comments:
A taste of the Island Nations’ bitterness that Morrison does not want to have to face up to.
“World leaders who deny climate change should go to mental hospital”
Samoan Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele – The Guardian, August 31, 2018
All power to our Prime Minister for fronting up.
Despite the political backlash she has attracted in this country, Prime Minister Ardern is showing the political courage and guts that Prime Minister Sailele has called for, but which is sadly missing in Australian political leaders.
I heard Jacinda, I think Monday, explaining in detail about why she decided to go to the Pacific forum and why she would or wouldn’t take her baby, the costs, the problems (something about there being no holding sites for planes on Nauru was one). They had tried to think of all possible matters and nitpickers on the Right can’t easily come up with this or that negative to wave triumphantly in the air. As is their wont.
While if the situation was reversed, the Gmats would just laugh at any questions at all.
The comparison between Morrison and Ardern. – Ardern is fronting up, despite her circumstances and Morrison is ducking for cover.
A leader’s job is to lead.
You don’t send a delegate, or deputy, (as the opposition parties and right wing media say the Prime Minister should). You don’t try to duck the responsibilities of your position like Morrison has. You make it work.
To the all the opposition Torrys and right wing media commentators:
Woman have children. Get over it.
When a world leaders conference was called in Teheran in 1943, Churchill didn’t sent a delegate, or representative, he went himself, this despite serious complications. Special arrangements and allowances had to be made to transport Churchill to Iran, to taking into account his health and age.
In the end Churchill was transported from England on a mattress in the back of special transport plane all the way to Iran and back.
Allowances were made for his health and age.
Prime Minister Ardern is a female leader of child bearing age, As a society we need to normalise and accept pregnancy, child birth and breastfeeding as part of the human condition, as unavoidable as old age and illness.
Many women have had to make similar difficult decisions and trade offs.
Prime MInister Ardern is a trend setter, but first of all she is a leader of world ranking, like all leaders she has had to make difficult decisions and personal sacrifice to carry out her job.
All power to her.
TBF to the new guy, given Aussies unstable politics he probably thinks if he left the country for more than a day he would be out of a job when he got back.
How long will Morrison last and who will be the next PM ?
Could be an early Election in Australia ?
Scott Morrison has already been out of Australia in his first week as PM – to Indonesia to sign a free trade agreement with them. But can’t make it to Nauru for the Pacific Island Forum – and be exposed to criticism re the refugees sent there by Australia.
And Climate Change.
Exactly.
How long do you think Morrison will last? I always value your take on things Australian.
First he’s got to survive the Wentworth by- election, which from all accounts is getting really interesting as it’s a very diverse electorate from the big end of town to the bottom end of town. After that he has the cross bench in the upper and lower House’s of Parliament. Then the 85 knife throwers in Party room to deal with and next years budget which is also election yr.
Unless Sco Mo pull’s something out of his hat between now and year or Labour somehow falls off the cliff. Then they’re got buckles chance at getting back as they are already on life support at.
So a shoe in then! LOL.
How are you enjoying your ‘separation’ in July? Any firm plans for the future?
It’s been quite relaxing, not worrying or stressing about the bullshit of RAAF’s SECFOR (Training, Operations/ Op’s planning and planning) within the two NT SEC Flts. My wife and I couldn’t be bothered going the open days at Darwin and the Forward Operation Base setup down the road at Batchor Airfield to show the wife the set up at what we did on my two Timor trips.
The rest of the yr is getting house and my tank hanger (20m x9m shed) setup with my Troop SGT office up before the big wet or before first test match of the summer with all my diecast planes, britan soldiers, tanks, my 1/700 model ships and my gun safe. Looking after my little girl (Saffie cross Ozzie Cattle dog) as the wife ran her over a couple of weeks. Listening to my classical, old school country, British Classical and hymns.
As for the future, want to finish of my pilots license, my mate at my bush block wants to get involved with the Timor veterans programs in ET, the wife to go to Timor, wildlife protection feral animal control and anti poachingtravel back to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma and do some wildlife tours before its to late to Africa, sub Antarctic and Arctic Regions. Higher education in History or Strategic studies and of course further training in bush fire fighting and in fire management.
Tinker in the shed with my 50’s or 60’s yank tank with the big fins, my uncle motorcycles when I finally get them and the wife has given me permission to buy an Armoured Vehicle of some sort unless we win lotto a warbird or her uncles warbird. Setting up the garden in next yr in between fishing and hunting.
So I’ve got a lot to keep me busy atm.
ROFL – oh so just the usual “what do I do with myself now” retirement things then!
What sort of warbird? Despite being a female civilan Kiwi, when I spent almost seven years in London in the ’70s, I worked in a civil/military organisation, NATS. For almost three years of that, I was private secretary/aide de camp to Air Marshall Sir Ivor Broom, the Controller of NATS – and a rather highly medalled RAF pilot during WW11. He was still in active service and I used to also go to the big wig RAF meetings with him- female and in civvie clothes with a very high security rating obviously. It used to raise eyebrows, which Sir Ivor loved doing. LOL. Part of my role was also to look after Sir Douglas Bader, then a part time Member of the Board of the CAA (who I officially worked for.)
Two hard cases but extreme gentlemen as well. You just did not get in a car driven by either of them if you valued your life, nerves and blood pressure! I also flew with Sir Ivor at the controls quite often in various types of planes when we went around the UK for meetings etc – and sometimes, depending on the plane,once in the air, he would hand over to me despite no formal training and tell me to follow the rail lines. My elder brothers back in NZ were so jealous of me, but I told them it was my revenge for their complaints about having to drag little sister along to the Saturday afternoon movies – many of which were, yes you guessed it, films such as the Dam Busters, etc.
We had a wonderful office set up, quite unusual for the time. As well as me in my role (which included deciding who got to meet, talk to Sir Ivor etc – up your nose bigwigs got to wait a loooonnng time) there was a male typist, a male batman who was also the tea lady (lovely older guy) and Sir Ivor’s driver was female.
Memories are wonderful things.
Ps – Funnily enough, I mentioned on here a few days ago that I worked in London with the father of Brian May of Queen fame and got to know Brian, and the rest of Queen through him. Brian’s Dad was an ex RAF avionics engineer in NATS.
What awesome company you had back then, I reminds me of some the cocktail parties I intended during the few years after Timor (INTERFET) as Airfield Defence Guard (An Aussie Rockape) especially the WW2 and Korean Fighter Pilots. Especially when the Spitfire Pilots from the Morotai Spitfire Wing/ Borneo found out I was and ADG which some them were good mates of old John Gorton en Oz PM had very close encounter with his gun sight when he panged his fighter during the Battle of Malaya.
Brian May would’ve been an interesting fella to talk too, let alone his dad.
As for the warbird, her uncle has a winjeel trainer, but there is a Ex RAAF Mk5c Spitfire in pieces that saw service in Darwin/ Arnhem area on wish list, the wife likes the Me-109G in winter camo, but having read the pilots notes they don’t like asphalt runways all that much and requires big grassy Airfields because of the torque of the big DB engines. The goal would to own a RNZAF, RAAF, RAF, or FAA Aircraft or similar A/C either a single or twin engine that saw service in the Far East or South Pacific to honour my great uncle who was in 3NZ Div, my wife’s Pop (RAN) and Nan (AIF) those veterans and those who have no known grave which to is the saddest thing I’ve seen in War cemetery’s that someone’s lost family member has no known grave.
VV
There are so many stories and paths that cross from war and defence efforts.
I was doing some volunteer counter work at local art gallery, got talking to an English woman and found that her husband had been the Squadron Leader? (in charge) of my birth father’s bomber group around north England Market Rasen area during WW2.
I have read a bit about Baron Dowding. Did Bader ever talk about him and that time?
Here is a This is your Life on Douglas Bader.
https://www.bigredbook.info/douglas_bader.html
This was interesting.
https://www.spitfireclub.co.uk/dowding—park
Leigh-Mallory, already envious of Park for leading the key 11 Group while No.12 Group was left to defend airfields, repeatedly failed to support No.11 Group. Leigh-Mallory and his Big Wing (led by Douglas Bader) often ran amok through No.11 Group airspace confusing the defences. Quintin Brand’s No. 10 Group in the South West successfully supported No.11 Group when required despite having far more arduous defensive duties in its own area than No.12 Group.
Park’s subsequent objection to Leigh-Mallory’s behaviour during the Big Wing controversy may have contributed to his and Dowding’s removal from command at the end of the battle, but neither Park nor Dowding had much time for internal politics and fell easy prey to their waiting critics. Richard Saul of 13 Group on the other hand, wrote to Park on learning of his pending departure from No.11 Group, commenting on “the magnificent achievements of your group in the past six months; they have borne the brunt of the war, and undoubtedly saved England”. Park was to remain indignant however over his and Dowding’s treatment for the rest of his life. Park was posted immediately to Training Command before seeing later high ranking service in the Mediterranean and elsewhere.,,
On leaving the Royal Air Force, Park personally selected a Supermarine Spitfire to be donated to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, New Zealand. This aircraft is still on display today along with his service decorations and uniform….
While Sir Hugh Dowding controlled the Battle from day to day, it was Keith Park who controlled it hour by hour. Air Vice Marshal ‘Johnnie’ Johnson, one of the top Allied air aces of the war, said: “He was the only man who could have lost the war in a day or even an afternoon”. This was an echo of Winston Churchill’s description of Admiral Jellicoe in the First World War.
Although Park has not received widespread public recognition, either in Britain or his native New Zealand, he has a claim to be one of the greatest commanders in the history of aerial warfare.
You mention the original characters you met. Did you see or know the story of Colonel Wintle shown on TV in Heroes and Villains series?
(Radio Desert Island requests)
You might enjoy the whole written story.
https://www.headstuff.org/culture/history/terrible-people-from-history/alfred-daniel-wintle-english-rascal-hero/
Exkiwiforces
If you or your wife have time to read and like quirky Laoa and Tahi based mystery/detective books I recommend trying Colin Cotterill’s books. He has a couple of main characters in series Dr Siri Paiboun and his wife is one, and other Jimm Juree, super girl reporter.
If you can handle wacky stuff here is Colin’s blog.
http://www.colincotterill.com/home_new.html
I did mean Laos and Thai, but letters crossed somehow.
Unfortunately the wife goes by the stars with accommodation IRT SEA travels as I tend to sleep under the stars where I go in SEA. As tend to follow J P Cross an eccentric British Army Officer base in Laos during the war in between stints with Gurkhas or at famous British Jungle Warfare School in Borneo, Graham Greene’s travels through Indo- China, and another eccentric British Army Officer from that era called Arthur George Trevor- Wilson who the French booted out in 1950 as he was good Mates with Ho Chin Minh.
The other three I want to follow is Johnny Cooper the SAS fellow not the boxer, Fitzroy McLean travels in Asia Minor and his time with Tito and old mate T.E Lawrence.
Then a little unknown Kiwi lady called Iris a friend of my NZ grandmother who was with SOE in Western Europe as a courier, spy, and escorted escaped or downed RAF aircrew to freedom via Spain and Portugal. She was a bluebell dancer in Paris before the war and she could Fench and German. A 6ft blond with blue eyes and she was petty handily a pistol from all accounts, just as she was with a Croquet mallet.
I’ll take a look at that website.
That bit about Dowding and Park is so true that they not recognise in the wider public and the thing about Park was that was head hunted by old Winnie to be the RAF CInC for Defence of Malta and again he could’ve lose the war in the British Pond (the med) for the first time since 1746.
I find those stories about resistance from SOE fascinating.
Nancy Wake for one. Looking at Violette Szabo the other day. Her little girl was presented with a cross by King George VI and she said she would keep it for Mummy for when she came home.
I think the Gestapo had tortured her and executed her by that time. Apparently she did not give away anybody. It is all very hard to think about and especially it didn’t teach us to be better.
Thinking of JP Cross I see there is a book called Operation janus by him about the Ghurkas on TradeMe here for $23.50NZ with free shipping. It actually comes from booktopia located in Australia.
When Alan Hinlea, a British Gurkha captain with a hatred of a class system that has always kept him down, deserts to the guerillas and is spirited away to the jungle Communist HQ, Chin Peng, the leader of the Malayan Communist Party gloats at what he hopes will be a major propaganda victory.
A fellow British Gurkha officer is despatched with five Gurkhas to hunt Hinlea down and the chase through pathless jungle becomes a race against time and a contest of deadly jungle warfare skills. Operation Janus is the first in a trilogy of books involving Gurkha milita…
I have the upmost respect to my grandparents generation and in your case your late father going through the Great Depression then followed by WW2 and then building a society where everyone had an equal share in the nations wealth alongside a equally caring society as they knew what the alternative was especially with invent of the “bomb”. When everyone kept their word or handshake and prepared to get stuck in when it was need in times of stress or disaster.
Over the last couple of weeks I’ve reading about Luftwaffe’s Aces under the heading “The German Aces Speak” series by Colin D. Heaton and Anne- Marie Lewis also is on British and German Night Fighters. I’ve the last paragraph in each chapter quite somber on their thoughts for the future. Just like as I was brought up with grandparents in the Nelson region many moons weather about the war, the depression or working class fights with bosses or in case of grandparents turning to the 81 protests in Nelson with helmets etc as it was a worthy battle that needed to be fought. But needless to say they were force to take back seat and how they managed to talk my grandmother out of it, I do not know.
Just like those young kids/ man like your late father climbing into their bomber/ fighter every day/ night or in case of Mike Simths relative in Singers climbing into that elderly biplane knowing what odds were at returning or those on the convoys or facing Rommel tanks or Herr Hitlers paras or the likes of Iris in the SOE or the PoW’s to incredible brave. Compared with what I’ve done and seen in my last 15yrs.
Three quotes, I want to share two from JP Cross and the old bulldog Winnie
Fighting in privacy seem to a relic of the past. Propaganda- that branch of the art of lying which consists of nearly deceiving your friends without quite deceiving your enemies- has been become more acute. Now rallies, chiefly negative because they have organised by people leaping to unwarranted conclusions without adequate examination of the evidence, are a feature of modern life now.
The other JP quote,
At the beginning of the 21st century, was no longer worldwide and all- embracing Communism. Instead, an unhealthy mixture of religious bigotry, lust of oil and over educated idiots with no sense of history rising to the top of the political tree have broken the pattern which has created a new type of situation for which no lasting answer has yet been found.
The further back you look, the further for you can see
Busier than ever but not stressed. Hope your wee girl recovers ok.
It’s nice and quite for the moment, but I’ll slowly ramp up next yr.
They are unlikely to have another coup.
Early federal elections are a problem as Victoria has its state election on 24th Nov 2018 and NSW is 23 rd march 2019
Theres really ‘no space’ to do a 6 week federal campaign till after NSW is done next year. Technicalities about Senators terms also mean that it wont happen till after may 2019.
Yes, the Libs have really shot them selves in foot since the last couple of wks. The federal election is really Labour’s to grab unless they do something really stupid before the polls.
Reading between the lines and perhaps the letters of pollies speeches.
When they say too many absolutely-s – perhaps one is okay but then b-wary.
Which can be added to the usuals ‘At the end of the day’ etc.
Another gem from Campbell:
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1809/S00004/gordon-campbell-on-trying-to-cheer-up-the-business-sector.htm
to which we should add boo hoo wah wah wah wah wah.
and if the only way business can be conducted is by using slave labour and forcing costs onto others (such as by supposedly ‘independant contractors – couriers, food delivery people, exploitation of immigrants, a series of ticlet clippers in the chain, and so on), then your business isn’t viable,
btw, I post the above having looked at some comments on TDB that are akin to the
“boo hoo hoo wah wah wah – YOU try running a business and see how you get on” bullshit
So far, all I’ve seen from ‘bizzniss’ leaders is that the reason for poor bizzniss confdinse is “uncertaintay”.
Bizzniss doesn’t like ‘uncertainty”
Well fellas, welcome to the whurl of the precariat. Uncertainty is the precariat class’ biggest characteristic, yet it’s something they’re expected to swallow whilst their bizzniss counterparts expect to be able to cut costs, diminish the rights of their greates asset (their worker bees), take on greater risk from the bizzniss they work for, and basically prop up the fortunes (or otherwise) of their masters.
Whether now, or a few more steps down the road – it ain’t gonna last.
Again, if the only way your bizzniss can survice is by imposing slave-like conditions, then your bizzniiss ain’t viable.
(Maybe fuck off to Straya and try your hand there)
Oh how history repeats (or at least echoes)
boo hoo wah wah wah
Holy heck. This is one hell of a story of a crash landing. Its a miracle nobody died.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/travel/news/article.cfm?c_id=7&objectid=12118594
Perhaps good journalism is not yet quite dead in NZ when the Southland Times can come up with this editorial this morning. Perhaps we should be looking past the biggies and looking more to news sources such as this or ODT.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/106771151/she-didnt-come-hardly-saw-but-kind-of-conquered
The subject is Chelsea Manning and her appearance at the Sydney Antidote Festival on Sunday via satellite from Los Angeles in conversation with Peter Greste, the Australian Aljazeera journalist imprisoned by Egypt for over a year.
From all accounts, the session went very well with Manning receiving a standing ovation at the end. A fuller report from the Guardian – https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/sep/03/chelsea-manning-ronan-farrow-and-ta-nehisi-coates-on-terror-and-bravery-at-antidote
Stuff also had a reasonable article yesterday by Alexander Gillespie – https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/106772001/manning-leaked-info-to-break-secrecy-and-privacy-governments-work-under
IMO two of the NZ best on Manning were by Gordon Campbell on Werewolf. If you missed them here are links:
29 Aug – http://werewolf.co.nz/2018/08/gordon-campbell-on-nationals-crusade-against-chelsea-manning/
30 Aug – http://werewolf.co.nz/2018/08/gordon-campbell-on-the-continuing-saga-of-the-chelsea-manning-visit-and-bts/
Yesterday I also read a related article of particular interest in exploring the dubious nature of character by Dr Binoy Kampmark, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, teaching within the Bachelor of Social Science (Legal and Dispute Studies) programme at RMIT in Melbourne. Unfortunately the link to the article at abandonhope. net is currently broken but if it comes up again I will try to post the link, as I think some here would find it worth reading.
As of this morning, the Australian govt has still not made a final decision whether to ban Manning from entry to Australia for the two remaining events in Melbourne on Friday 7 Sept and Tues 11 Sept. It remains to be seen whether they will make a decision one way or another or just procrastinate… Some Australian articles are suggesting that they are not wishing to upset their US friends …
Tickets are still on sale for her two events here next weekend in Auckland and Wellington (Embassy Theatre not St James as I think I said in early posts) and supposedly the issue of her visa will just be a matter of rubber stamping with the decision last Friday to give her a special direction to apply for the visa.
Just for the hell of it because I am just plain nosey, I checked ticket availability.
In Auckland (Q theatre) ticket seem to be about 2/3 booked for the floor A reserve seats, and the same for the B reserve Gods seats. the other two options (VIP Meet and Greet) and Balcony seats are shown as “Not available right now” so whether sold out or quite what is not clear.
In Wellington the Embassy seat plan is showing about half booked in total.
Another slight update – John Pilger has thrown his hat in the ring in joining the petitioners to the Australian govt to allow Manning into Australia for the two remaining events in Melbourne and Brisbane, according to this Australian Green Party report two hours ago,
https://www.greenleft.org.au/content/australia-government-wants-ban-chelsea-manning-they-will-not-silence-her
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12118587
What if national were still in government?
For those who do not click on links when they don’t know the who or what, this is an interesting take by David Cormack on “What if National had actually retained power?”
Mickysavage or lprent – Possibly good for a post by itself given it is almost a year since the general election?
Thanks bwaghorn
I was sorry to see this young Indian guy in this scam about issuing drivers licences.
From what i have heard there seems a lot of corruption in India. If immigrants come here and want to be accepted, they need to keep their noses clean and not just rip off our systems.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/365583/punjabi-singer-gets-home-detention-for-drivers-licences-bribes
“By way of a bribe payment, a price was agreed upon which was typically $400 if the applicant attended and sat their IR or IF driving test, and up to $550 if the applicant did not attend and between $1500 and $2500 for a class two to five truck licence.”
The scheme had the potential to allow people to drive heavy trucks on the open roads without having to sit the required test….
Brar was involved in at least 107 corrupt transactions between 2014 and 2016. He received over $56,000 in bribes. More bribe money was passed on to his co-defendants….
Lovepreet Brar, or Love Brar has he is known in online Punjabi pop videos, has been sentenced to 11 months home detention for taking bribes for driver licences.
In some cases people who did not even sit the test were able to buy a New Zealand drivers licence and get behind the wheel.
In the video for his song ‘Jail’, Brar depicts a character who lives in a showy house, owns expensive cars, carries guns and has just been shot in the shoulder. It has had more than 4.3 million hits on Youtube.
His video promotion shows him with a large gun standing staunchly. Hardly something to encourage positive reactions in the public. However it may have appealed to the dairy owners, and the liquor store owners who have suffered menace and death. This young man is a symptom of problems that need to be fixed in our society. There will become a growing division with immigrants from Asia, with NZrs becoming warier and Indians feeling grief and anger, and resentment.
Chinese have been connected with an active and open drug market and imports, and I think this possibility is based on known facts. I have respect for Chinese and Indian, but I think some find us easy pickings and some NZrs are very ready to enlarge established criminal activities.
There may be racism involved when people are refused employment, but often there is a question in the employers’ minds based on known facts of tendencies. If Ia large enough number of Indian people end up in Court or under investigation, any bias against them will increase.
Then we too have to watch that our own dealings with immigrants are of an equitable nature. There is a twisted approach to respect and fair dealings to them in immigration, and in other departments too.
What a ridiculously low sentence. Not even being made to pay the money back. certainly the judiciary seems to be sending a message to migrants that they can just break NZ laws and get away with a slap on the wrist, no jail time for dishonest migrants endangering lives and NZ reputation. Unlike if Kiwi’s do it.
Look at these sentences clearly very light ones, given to migrants who are dishonest and corrupt.
In this a Chinese business man received $33,000 worth of stolen honey and was repackaging it, but only fined $17,500 – sounds like he was still $15,500 better off after being caught. Funny enough endangering our food reputation for quality export honey is fine apparently but less so if you just send a hoax and not even do the crime aka the nearly 9 years jail Jeremy Kerr got for sending a hoax letter to Fonterra about 1080.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12077932
“A Chinese businessman has been fined for receiving 480kg of stolen mānuka honey after a well-planned heist targeting a ready-for-export shipment at an Auckland warehouse.”
“Judge Singh convicted and sentenced Sun to pay a $17,500 fine, $15,000 of which would be a reparation payment to Azurelife.
Sun said he was able to pay the fine by week’s end.”
only 4 months home detention in palatial mansion for this money launderer.
William Yan AKA Bill Liu to keep NZ citizenship despite money laundering conviction
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11905478
Compare to what happens if you live with a partner and claim a bit more benefit.
$93k fraud: beneficiary jailed for six months
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10806187
Chinese buyers fined $847k after failing to get consent to buy $5m cliff-top Auckland mansion
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12011961
… so they made more than a million in profit but only fined $847k…. that’s certainly sending the message to ignore OIA if you can make a buck, you still get to make a profit even if you are caught.
Come to NZ and poison the locals with drugs, no need to pay an taxes or declare any income and you will become a citizen no questions asked!
“According to Inland Revenue records neither Yim nor Wu, who arrived in New Zealand in 1991 and 1994, have ever declared their income nor paid any tax.”
“As part of the raids on Yim, police also seized 12 luxury sports cars valued at more than $1.3m, including a Ferrari worth more than $500,000 and a Lamborghini Gallardo. More than $1.8m in cash was seized and a further 1kg of methamphetamine found.
Watches, jewellery, electronics, and 48 bottles of vintage French wine valued at about $42,000 were also seized.”
“Yim was sentenced this month in the High Court at Auckland to 11 and a half years in prison for possession of a class A drug for supply.
During sentencing he was described by Justice Geoffrey Venning as being vital to the drug scheme which imported the equivalent of 30kg of pure methamphetamine with a street value of $40m.”
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11842563
Yim, who came to New Zealand from Hong Kong on a resident visa before gaining citizenship in 1995, has previously been convicted on three unrelated charges.
In July 2006 he was convicted at the Auckland District Court for drink-driving and on a dangerous driving charge, while in April 1997 he was convicted of shoplifting.”
He sounds lovely. Wonder if he qualified as highflying entreprenurial gnatzdonator or economic refugee.
It is such a shame, if we didn’t let these people into the country we would have no crime at all.
I can only hope that the ird investiagtes this man and taxes him on any undisclosed income. My understanding, even illegal earnings are subject to tax, penalties and use of money interest 🤑
I thought we could seize criminals’ stuff or is it just Maori ganga. I meant gangs (I think Freudian slip.) Spoiler – racist thoughts occurring here. Why do some foreign people get treated so badly, and others get jailed for a long time at our expense and if they are in drugs, they will get a whole new set of traders there. Daft.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/106760801/did-george-w-bush-give-michelle-obama-candy-at-john-mccains-funeral
Anyone can be redeemed in the USA it seems, wonder how long it’ll take Trump 🙂
Dunno about “redeemed”, but it’d be awkward if they didn’t figure out how to get along at the very least – they get seated next to each other all the time lol
GW will never live down starting the “forever war” (as I saw it called somewhere).
But people who run into each other regularly build relationships.
Very good article on Radio NZ site about redundancy in NZ. However rather than expecting the government to pay for training etc, maybe it should be time in NZ where businesses are regulated to not constantly being making people redundant willy nilly and then often hiring people back later as contractors. This is creating a precriat class not just at the bottom end but through the whole NZ work culture. Part of the reason it is so common, is that it is so easy for an employer to do make employees redundant at little cost to themselves while the costs to the workers are huge. Not easy to find replacement work if they have kids and morgages and so forth and can go from being relatively well off to losing their homes and no guarantee in next job it does not happen again.
“In New Zealand, unlike Australia, Canada and several other OECD countries, there is no legal requirement to pay workers redundancy compensation, leaving unions and workers to negotiate redundancy clauses in their contracts. The payments are taxed at 33 percent, and if a business goes into receivership, employees’ back-pay and redundancy payments are capped at about $22,000 – regardless of how long they’ve worked for the company or what redundancy clause their contract contains.
There’s no guarantee that a company will pay anything at all, as Rob Dempsey found out.”
“The Statistics NZ paper, along with two more follow-up Motu reports, and the OECD report, found people who lose their jobs earn between 12 and 22 percent less than comparable workers four to five years afterward, even if they find other work.
“Income and especially wage effects upon displacement can be considerable, even for those who successfully return to work, and seem to be more pronounced in New Zealand than in most other OECD countries,” the OECD authors wrote.”
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/in-depth/365540/why-being-made-redundant-in-nz-is-so-tough
Great article about how much money Mondelez has made from NZ as they created debts sent profits to offshore companies in return for ‘intellectual property’ until they destroyed the local business and the factory closes down and they make those workers redundant.
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201843153/business-commentator-rod-oram
DONT buy Cadbury chocolate.
Will she or won’t she? That is, will Jacinda Ardern appear in the House this afternoon for Question Time to parry with Simon Bridges on Question 1, her only question for the day – Does she have confidence in all her Ministers?
http://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/list-of-oral-questions/oral-questions-4-september-2018/
The PM has not appeared on her usual Tuesday media slots on RNZ Morning Report, the AM Show etc. Presumably getting ready for her trip to Nauru without Neve for the first time, as Neve is too young for the vaccinations needed to go there.
Neither the PM nor Winston Peters will be in the House tomorrow as Peters is already in Nauru for the Pacific Islands Forum and Ardern is flying up this afternoon or tonight on the RNZAF Boeing 757 for a quick one day /36 hour visit for the Leaders Retreat tomorrow, before everyone (Peters, Ardern, other government attendees and the press contingent) return together on the Boeing 757 leaving about midnight Weds. (Flight time to/from Nauru is about 5 – 6 hours; and Nauru is in exactly the same time/day zone as NZ.)
The PM hardly ever attends Question Time on Thursday and it is highly unlikely that Peters will this week after a busy few days in Nauru.
Latest on the costs of flying the 757 back to NZ to pick up the PM from Grant Robertson
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/09/grant-robertson-defends-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-s-separate-nauru-flight.html
One thing you may have missed with all the change of leadership in Aussie was this frightening piece of legislation. The Assistance and Access bill.
authorised by the dept of home au pairs….lmao
Thanks, Adam. Great link.
Colin Kaepernick is Nike’s new just do it, face.
Conniptions galore.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/sep/03/colin-kaepernick-nike-just-do-it-campaign-nfl
and in other news,
Credlin TV (13:00 bulletin today) has just reported (to paraphase) Winston Peters as saying that if the only reason Straya (which is in breach of its U.N obligations) is worried that Nauru detainees might hop across the deetch once PR/Citizenship was obtained, then NZ could accommodate – even if legislation is necessary.
There is actually no reason for either the Nauru or the Manus Island atrocities other than the trio of Dutton, Corman and Morrisons, and their hanger’s on.
Tragic.
google translate –
RIP Brazilian history. Anyone who has something Brazilian don’t throw it out till you know they don’t want it.
Estamos tristes pela sua perda.
Which kiwi journo seems tired of life as a right-winger, making a play to reinvent himself on the radical left? Barry Soper: “Chelsea Manning has courage and integrity, and should be welcomed here”. [https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12117259]
“National’s immigration spokesman Michael Woodhouse was frothing at the mouth at the prospect of the former US Army intelligence analyst coming here saying her criminal record should have seen her banned, and if he was still the minister, that’s most certainly what would have happened.”
“we let in the real Wolf of Wall Street in 2014 to tell sell out audiences here how he ripped off investors to the tune of US$200 million through a fake bond scheme. Jordan Belfort charged Kiwis up to $860 a head to hear how he did it. So who was the Immigration Minister then? Michael Woodhouse!”
Hoop-la.
You can’t have loose cannons running around telling folk what the government’s been getting up to denny.
Link doesn’t work because of the brackets around it. Here it is.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12117259
I posted a update re Chelsea Manning at 7 above with some other links you may be interested in. They cover reviews etc from her appearance via satellite link at the Sydney Antidote Festival on Sunday, the still no decision from Australian authorities on her visa, and sales etc of tickets here in NZ.
I updated that with a couple of additions under it.
Ok, thanks. Wonder if someone dropped a tab into his coffee?? Induced a light-bulb switching on inside the head kind of moment?
Nah, much more simple. He has always tried to butter his bread on both sides. I am also presuming that he is probably up in Nauru thanks to the RNZAF Boeing 757 and will be coming back tomorrow night on it with Peters and Ardern.
Hence his latest about 11 hours ago – https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12118650
By the way, I have drafted up something re the waka jumping bill and why it will probably not be back in the House this week. Includes a little primer on how to work out what may make it into the House in any week. Will try to post it in Daily Review tonight as now off sleepy drugs after last week.
As you are seem to be a similar age to me, you may be amused at some memories I probably stupidly revealed in a thread under 4 above. LOL
Soper’s been reading that some have thought he was soft-soaping lately and has to redress that mistake.
Interesting memories. At age 13, I mostly bought SF at the local 2nd-hand bookshop in 1963 (usual question: “What’s science fiction?”) but I did also get Bader’s famous “Reach for the Sky” and resonated with his struggle with adversity & heroic recovery after losing his legs. Awaiting the reason for delay of the waka bill with interest too!
Test
Yay thanks Lynn
Jim Mora’s chat show continues to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
The Panel, RNZ National, Tuesday 4 September 2018, 4:47 p.m.
Jim Mora, Niki Bezzant, Neil Miller, Caitlin Cherry
Even for this dog of a show, this was a particularly inane exchange of inane inanities. First the host Jim Mora read out, in an evident tone of approval, a gobsmackingly depraved Nigel Farage quote praising Australia’s brutal mistreatment of refugees, claiming it “has saved lives.”
NIKI BEZZANT: I note that his website says he’s the world’s most charismatic politician!
NEIL MILLER: Pshaw! I think Barack Obama might have something to say about that! Not to mention Bill Clinton.
More—if you can bear it—of Neil Miller being vile and fatuous….
Neil Miller has repulsive views.
“The last election unlocked a new voice born of the quiet revolution of more Māori in Parliament. The number of Māori MPs had grown from 13 in 1996 to 29 after election 2017. Twenty are in the Labour, NZ First and Green Party governing arrangement. Ten have executive portfolios. MPs of Māori descent lead National, NZ First, Act and the Greens and Kelvin Davis is deputy leader of Labour.”
“Factoring all new enrolments, the net gain of 61,000 Māori to the general roll since 2006, compared to 25,000 to the Māori roll, exactly matches the earlier 70 per cent swing to the Māori roll.” “The percentage of Māori on the Māori roll is at its lowest, at 52 per cent, since MMP began. The percentage of Māori on the general roll, 48 per cent, is at its highest.” [Rawiri Taonui] https://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=12118287
Oh wow – this is so, so relevant to what I will hopefully post not just re the waka jumping bill but also about a member’s bill that will probably be debated in the House tomorrow as per my 18.3.1.1. to you above. Must feed the menagerie and me. and then will get to it.
Good morning The Am Show Condolences to Japan for the people lost in that Typhoon that is raging there at the minute .
The police get $70 k for a 40 hour week=$30.00 a hour I think that’s fine for a young person the question is how much do they get in year 2 .3 ,4, 5
I know that some have it hard dealing with some public but not all are on that roster
that has to be the highest pay rate for a first year for most industry’s $1400 extra every year for 3 years is much better than other people..Dairy farm workers have not even had a %1 rise in pay over ten years and they work hard.
trump is causing this Nike gear burning hight light and these intelligent people YEA RIGHT are falling for his lies?????? he is going to keep his deceit going it will get louder as the American President elections get closer . Many thanks to NIKE for making a stand for EQUAL RIGHT’S.
Girls out perform boys at school so why do we not have more in management .
Because these old fossils have bias systems in place that keep wahine out of management .
Segregated schools who paid for this study some old fashion religious group.
Boys have to learn to respect girls how is that going to happen if they are separated at school,s
James Shaw is a good man he has highlighted that National is cooperating on the carbon neutral policy. The polls are showing that a lot of Kiwi voter’s are taking there mokopuna’s future and Climate change seriously our Ausse cousin’s need to take Climate Change seriously . Ka pai enough said
What process do they have in place to stop cheating in harness racing ??????? I see this behavior all through out sport’s .
It’s a BIG KNOW TO SELLING OUR TAB TO AUSTRALIA we have $5 billion going there from the banks and now some fool wants to sell our Tab that would just under mine our sports franchises WAKE UP.
Duncan I see you think that it is your job to hold the government accountable .The
problem Eco Maori has is YOU did not do that to national .
There you go the Duncan that man Tony who is champion single sex is a chauvinistic person and if we let people like his spread his fossilized view’s on us it’s all about the boys in his world and we need more voices championing equal right’s for wahine .
That’s the reason this study has landed on your desk Duncan the old fossil are feeling insecure with the Big Equal right movement that is sweeping across Papatuanuku at the minute .
Its a fine balancing act to keep a coalition government in line I say Jacinda is doing that job well.
Stop calling for her to do thing you know she won’t do .
Ka kite ano
The big computer multi nation soft ware company’s have being milking Aotearoa public sector for many decades they bid low get the contract for the job and then ask for more money 2x the original bid and more .
There actions have kept Aotearoa company’s out of this market they are to big for NZ government to hold to account for there soft ware not preforming the task set out to achieve. NOVA Pay Now Acc has the same plans with Oracle these company will bleed NZ dry they don’t care that there action’s will cause harm to NZ people or anyone it’s all about the money .
The consequences of this is they are actually stunting Aotearoa TEC sector’s we have the coding expertise here what do you think Iprent well I think so .
Conclusion ban foreign company’s from bidding for these soft ware up date jobs for our public services sector.
I have a link to back my claim of the talent we have in Aotearoa
sure we mite have to import a few coders but that will ad to OUR IT service sector.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/106809754/designer-keen-to-scrap-plastic-3d-printing-waste ka kite ano P.S I would not be advocating such drastic action’s if they did not stuff there job’s up
Wow the sandflys are highly sensitive about there money they had a bunch of young people harresment me at a set of lights and a marked cop car was waiting around the corner how do I know it was a set up because the boys keep perusing me right next to the cops now they have some on on a big road bike following me around muppets the want to get me in there cells and beat me muppets. Ka kite ano
Some music from Eco Maori.
Freedom of the PRESS reporter’s who put there safety on the line to broadcast the fact’s that the powerful are suppressing all the killing and un humane practices that these people are doing in there grab or clinging ont to power Eco Maori Applauds all you great people who are doing this great service for Humanity NEED to be defended .
So the powerful left people of the world need to stand up and defend these great people . I see one of OUR Kiwi reporters was held in custody on Naru
Barbara Dreaver is a Mana Wahine Journalist who is not going to give up Ka pai E hoa .Ka kite ano
https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365662/nz-reporter-released-after-being-detained-in-nauru
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/sep/04/myanmar-journalists-jail-press-freedom-attack
Good evening Newshub That’s a strong Typhoon in Japan blowing houses boat’s and truck’s around Tangaroa and Tawhirimatea are a real power full force of Papatuanuku.
There you go Mike Eco Maori has not been barking up the wrong tree pointing out trump’s flaws . May all his fans please stand up
The housing catastrophe is a gift to Aotearoa from shonky and national to Aotearoa’ people and what do you know some of his biggest fans just cashed in there capital gains WOHO I ignore anything they have to say this is the best way to handle that.
Phenomenon.
Eco Maori think’s its ok for Nike to highlight discrimination and get some exposure for there support by using a picture to speak a thousand word they are not dumb.
Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild James & Mulls I agree with the Kiwi’s new Coach Aotearoa has had a positive effect on the International League seen .
Anna is in her element on te maunga there is plenty of snow .
Sore face jame’s NZ net ball had that phenomenon that phenomenon happen to one of our best coaches a couple of decades ago
Ka kite ano P.S electric race cars are the way of the future they are faster and cleaner less noise than there carbon gulpers cousins ka pai
Good morning The Am Show Rua Moko has been going hard all over Papatuanuku .
You no what’s a joke all this spin about the ANZ business poll showing a lack of business confidence yesterday polls show that consumer spending is up ???? and what top’s it off is whos on the ANZ board well no other than shonky so don’t take any notice of the ANZ business poll’s better still change bank’s if you bank with them in protest for the bankers cheating common people once again.
There you go Duncan alcohol is the root of the problem and you champion longer jail terms you don’t want to hurt your capitalist m8 profts .
The problem is what if the person who accidentally dies in the fight was the aggressor and the other person was just defending them selves . I have seen aggressor pick on someone next minute.
I agree with Lowe Jonson had heaps of presser on him he handled it and stayed loyal to the Warriors ka pai. IT,s a exciting weeked for sports the wahine league and Rugby Playing this week to NO People.
BUY a electric car everyone that will sort out your high fuel bill.
collins if the role were reversed ( never going to happen) would you do what you are telling someone else to do total I think not.
trump was a Democrat supporter it was bill influence on trump that gave him the hunger for the President of America trump new Democrats would not stand for his —- so he changed wakas . Ka kite ano c why I don’t like the word crack
Here you go there is a small group of farmers who don’t have the correct effluent systems in place and this tars the rest of farmers link below Ka kite ano.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/106838318/small-group-of-dirty-farmers-still-causing-profound-harm-to-environment-and-industry
Typical national neo liberals playing the lets stir up the crime subject about crime to get a lift in there polls .First why don’t they come up with Idears to benefit OUR society O NO they only come up with policys to line there pockets ITS beneath them to think about the common person in a positvey we are just sheep to these people wating to be shorn .Ana to kai ka kite ano P.S
I warned you people not to stuff with Eco Maori