Open mike 04/11/2024
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6:00 am, November 4th, 2024 - 61 comments
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- Inside Labour’s difficult tax politics
The former Minister, former finance spokesperson, and one-time leadership contender David Parker suffered a defeat at the Labour Party conference over the weekend over what has been his political crusade: a wealth tax.The conference rejected, apparently by a wide margin, a remit calling for a wealth tax “to proceed”.Instead, they ...32 minutes ago - 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 24, 2024 thru Sat, November 30, 2024. Story of the week Before Skeptical Science and an entire fleet of other websites devoted to combating and correcting climate misinformation ...7 hours ago - Kaamos: Published
New story out, as part of the December issue of Bare Back Magazine:https://www.barebackmag.com/post/kaamos (As previously noted, this one is magical realism mashed up with erotica. But it’s nice for a story first written ... 17 hours ago - Luxon Finally Shows
Mr Moon I like the way you thinkLet's sit a while and have another drinkYou can tell me how the new will rise,How the old will sinkOpen my eyes and make me wiseDon't fall from the sky just yetCause it won't be long enough to make me strongSongwriters: Grant Fell ...17 hours ago - Never mind the planet, check out these savings!
The same day Solar Zero got their legs cut off, we paid a deposit to an other installer. Solar panels should be on our roof on December 23. Merry Christmas to our carbon footprint.We also have a new oven and hot water cylinder coming, which means we'll be able to ...23 hours ago - The Enemy Within – Maire Leadbeater & Nicky Hager
Like so many others involved in social justice movements, Maire Leadbeater was subjected to state surveillance during a long life of activism. With the help of archival material, released SIS files, and other formerly secret material, she has been able to examine the depth of stateintrusion into the lives of ...2 days ago - Sabre-Rattling.
Putin’s Thunderbolts: What message was the devastating arrival of the Russian Federation’s nuclear-defanged MIRVs supposed to send? And how should the government of far-away New Zealand respond?THE IMAGES BROADCAST ON CNN were terrifying. Out of a glowing circle of dim light, multiple bolts of fire, moving at astonishing speed, burst from the lowering ...2 days ago - No Cheers For Democracy.
Sic’em! The silver-tongued demagogue whips up the impoverished masses against those deemed responsible for both the nation’s decline and their own immiseration. He then proceeds to direct his mesmerised followers against a succession of terrified scapegoats, with results that are neither just nor pretty. Out of the ensuing chaos, demagoguery ...2 days ago
- Hearing Ourselves Think.
No Longer Silent: The one sound loud enough to be heard above the efforts of even the most determined makers of political noise, is the sound of the long-suffering majority making up its mind. Emeritus Professor Nigel Biggar addresses the Free Speech Union AGM held at Auckland’s Viaduct Events Centre on ...2 days ago
- Privatisation Kills So Why is Reti, Luxon and Lester Levy Speeding Towards It Like A Rocket Ship?
In 2022, Lancet Medical Journal issued the findings of a long term longitudinal study on the effects of increased outsourcing of health to the private sector i.e. privatisation.Examining the outcomes from between 2013-2020, it conclusively found:The privatisation of the NHS in England, through the outsourcing of services to for-profit companies, ...2 days ago - 2024 Reading Summary: November (+ Writing Update)
Completed reads for November: Clarimonde, by Théophile Gautier The Mummy’s Foot, by Théophile Gautier One of Cleopatra’s Nights, by Théophile Gautier Arria Marcella, by Théophile Gautier Omphale: A Rococo Story, by Théophile Gautier King Candaules, by Théophile Gautier Lot No. 249, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle The Captain of ...2 days ago
- Translation #20 of The Debunking Handbook 2020 published!
In November 2011, we published the first version of The Debunking Handbook. As the update notice on that page already shows, more research has come in since then and the time had finally come for a complete overhaul of this very popular handbook (it still gets downloaded a couple of thousand ...2 days ago
- The Meaning of MAGA
The Dangers of Delusions of GrandeurThis is a column about MAGA – Make America Great Again. But as a prequel I scroll back sixty years to when I was teaching in England. I have fond memories of the students – bright and personable as they were. But their attitudes to ...2 days ago - Police: “It’s OK if you’re a cop”
Imagine you want to buy some guns, but you want to hide the fact from someone. So you abuse your access privileges to obtain the details of a registered owner, then use them to fraudulently register the weapons. If you or I did this, we'd obviously be going to jail. ...3 days ago - The Parade That Didn’t Exist
Hi,I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge all the stories you shared under my last newsletter about my shitty day.Some of your own shitty days were hilarious. Others were devastating. They involved aging parents and lost pets, things lost and things found. Some felt like chaos theory in ...3 days ago - ‘Why we’ve cut the OCR so much since August’
SummaryIn this conversation, Paul Conway, the Chief Economist for the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, discusses the recent cuts to the official cash rate and the underlying economic factors influencing these decisions. He explains the dynamics of inflation in New Zealand, the impact of administered prices, and the role of ...3 days ago - Another day, another breach of te Tiriti
Back in February, the National government disestablished Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority. It was a revolting breach of te Tiriti, but the government avoided a formal ruling of that by rushing the legislation into the House specifically to deprive the Waitangi Tribunal of jurisdiction and kill its ...3 days ago
- Luxon surrenders worker protections to ACT Party
“The Government’s plan to remove unjustified dismissal protections from workers earning over $180,000 shows a concerning lack of leadership from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who has handed too many critical workplace decisions to ACT’s Brooke van Velden, the Minister for Workplace Relations who seems hell-bent on trampling on workers’ rights,” ...3 days ago - Can it be only a year?
This is our fifth first year babyAnd I feel like I'm in jail, LordI'm holding on to this cardCan't seem to get it in the mailAnd the card reads ...Happy anniversary babyGot you on my mindHappy anniversary babyGot you on my mindSongwriters: Beeb Birtles, David Briggs.First, they came for the ...3 days ago - Working in high temperatures
Guidance for workers and union officials regarding high temperatures at work Working in high temperature can be hazardous. Exposure to excessive heat either indoors or outside can pose risks to worker health and safety. If temperatures at your work are creating a serious and immediate to your safety – you ...3 days ago
- Unity for 2025
As we approach 2025, we find ourselves navigating challenging and uncertain times. The global political stage has shifted dramatically, with Trump’s re-election in the US intensifying international instability, environmental inaction, and the rise of far-right movements. Meanwhile, global conflicts are escalating, pressuring governments, economies, and working people worldwide. Here in ...3 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 29-November-2024
It’s another Friday and we’re almost in the final month of the year and the Pohutukawa’s are starting to blossom. Here’s some of the stories that have caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible ...3 days ago - The Hoon around the week to November 29
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with: on the Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North Korea and whether NZ joins AUKUS;Special guest Community Housing Aotearoa CEO Paul Gilberd talking about the Community ...3 days ago
- Report questions Labour’s big Covid spendup
Over 2020 and 2021, the Ardern Government spent a staggering 22 per cent of one year of the country’s GDP on Covid financial relief. All up, over those two years, they spent $70 billion. The money was borrowed, and the Treasury told the Government not to worry about the huge ...3 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission’s fine-tuning of vaccine mandates and lockdowns
Let’s hope politicians of all stripes can agree to limit their urge to politicise the Royal Commission of Inquiry findings about the Covid response. Since ensuring we get properly equipped next time around – having enough PEP gear, hiring sufficient trained medical staff etc – will involve political decisions, some ...3 days ago - Skeptical Science New Research for Week #48 2024
Open access notables Progression of ocean interior acidification over the industrial era, Müller & Gruber Gruber, Science Advances: Ocean acidification driven by the uptake of anthropogenic CO2 represents a major threat to ocean ecosystems, yet little is known about its progression beneath the surface. Here, we reconstruct the history of ocean ...3 days ago
- Under his eye
The only thing can I remember of the few christenings I went to as a child is the spectacle of proud parents with their best friends standing alongside them - the ones who, God forbid a horrible car or plane crash, might become New Mum and New Dad.I don't believe ...4 days ago - The law means something
Former Ports of Auckland CEO Tony Gibson has been convicted of violating his duty to run a safe workplace over the death of one of his workers: In a judgement released today, Judge Steve Bonnar found Gibson was guilty of one charge raised under the Health and Safety at ...4 days ago
- How to make a submission on the Treaty Principles Bill
The Hīkoi mō Te Tiriti sent a clear and resounding message to the coalition Government. There’s deep kotahitanga for Te Tiriti, and major opposition to the Treaty Principles Bill across Aotearoa and the union movement. It’s an important opportunity for our Affiliate Unions to submit to Select Committee submissions. The CTU ...4 days ago
- Economy Nose Dives
The economy is spluttering:4.8% unemployment - a near four year record high - even as NZ keeps breaking new records for citizen departuresEmployment confidence declined to the lowest level since the first Covid lockdownsThe Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion reported firms are more pessimistic about their current trading conditions than ...4 days ago
- Smoke gets in your eyes
They said, "Someday, you'll find all who love are blindOh-oh-oh-oh-oh, when your heart's on fireYou must realise smoke gets in your eyes."Songwriters: Jerome Kern / Otto A. HarbachToday in Nick’s Kōrero:Smoke gets in your eyes and into more people’s lungsDoing more with less in the health sectorIt’s the economy stupid, ...4 days ago - Love your Berm
In today’s guest post, former Auckland Councillor Pippa Coom highlights the value of berms in Auckland – and encourages everyone to submit on ongoing consultation! Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like ...4 days ago
- RBNZ loosening as Govt tightening
Orr delivered a Christmas present for landlords and homeowners with mortgages, but there is little other seasonal cheer as it is becoming clearer how much the Government’s austerity programme is dragging on consumer spending and employment. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note ...4 days ago
- Look out Nicola, your surplus is slipping
With the Reserve Bank’s move to cut the Official Cash Rate yesterday all eyes are now on next year’s Budget. And the question will be whether the blowout in health expenditure and the drop in tax revenue means the return to surplus will have to be delayed again until 2028-29. ...4 days ago
- Recorded webinar about climate change misinformation and disinformation
On November 6, 2024 the Consortium for Climate Risks in the Urban Northeast (CCRUN) hosted a webinar within the Green Infrastructure, Climate, and Cities Seminar Series about climate change misinformation and disinformation. CCRUN is a NOAA-funded initiative that has been studying the impact of climate change on the Northeast since 2010. ...4 days ago
- The Fascism of David Seymour: Censorship
Fascism is a strong word. Powerful. Dangerous.Wield it carefully, the right say, as they defend their politicians from nazi-like behaviour and participate in the dismantling of their own constitutional protections. If you throw it around at just anyone, they say, it weakens it. Fascism doesn’t mean anything when you use ...5 days ago - Let me through I’m here to make money
What kind of government is this, really? What moves it? What is its guiding light? Pretty simple, really. It is a dumb waiter delivering what its paymasters have ordered.And what moves these paymasters? What is their guiding light?Also pretty simple:Get out of my way I want to make moneyGet out ...5 days ago - Secrecy destroys trust: the case of the nuclear waste dump
Something I was not expecting to learn this morning: the government has built a secret nuclear waste dump in rural Manawatu: A facility for storing all of New Zealand’s radioactive waste has been secretly built near Palmerston North, in a decision neighbouring farmers have called “horrifying” and “deceptive”. The ...5 days ago
- RBNZ data highlights weak economy and labour market
“Unemployment is forecast to remain elevated until the end of 2025 and isn’t expected to fall back to its pre-recession lows within the forecast period. Without a plan to reduce it, we are choosing a permanently higher unemployment rate in New Zealand. It’s no wonder so many Kiwis are emigrating ...5 days ago
- Malcolm McKinnon: Māori and other nationalisms
Māori sovereignty, tino rangatiratanga, mana motuhake, a declaration of independence, partnership under Te Tiriti: these are all staples of Māori political mobilization. A succession of political parties – Ratana, Mana Motuhake, the Māori Party, Te Pati Māori – have upheld the cause, with erratic political success but enduring moral, social ...5 days ago - Wednesday 27 November 2024
The Reserve Bank will be announcing a change to the Official Cash Rate this afternoon, with most economists expecting a cut of around 50 basis points. The Government is reallocating $30,000 towards more senior doctors and specialist nurses, but some including the NZNO say that this is a “sticking plaster” ...5 days ago
- NZTA pushing for PT fare hikes and service cuts
How does an up to 70 percent hike in public transport fares sound, or maybe a lower increase but a big cut to services? That could be the reality of a new policy from Waka Kotahi outlined in a discussion document last week to public transport authorities (PTAs) like Auckland Transport. ...5 days ago
- Bishop cautious on guaranteeing social housing bonds
Chris Bishop has disappointed Community Housing Providers (CHiPs) by pouring cold water on the idea of Government guarantees for CHiPs’ borrowing from KiwiSaver managers, and by proposing more leasing of social homes. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around ...5 days ago
- These Days
Soon enough it comesHere it is againThe slowly creeping handOf time and its commandSoon enough it comesAnd settles in its placeIt's shadow in my faceUndignified and lameSongwriters: Jon Coghill, John Collins, Bernard Fanning, Ian Haug, Darren Middleton.This morning, I woke to incessant, high-pitched whining, as if someone had turned on ...5 days ago - What Nicky Kaye’s death means for National
The former Auckland Central National MP Nicky Kaye, 43, who died on Saturday was a critical figure in the recent history of her party. An outpouring of tributes to her from both present and past MPs and leaders of her party and from her political opponents testified to her crucial ...5 days ago
- Government by google
In this year's Budget, cancer Minister Casey Costello gave Philip Morris a $216 million tax cut for their heated tobacco products, on the basis of "independent advice" which contradicted that produced by the Ministry of health. When she finally produced this "independent advice", it did not support her case at ...6 days ago
- Will Luxon let ACT privatise the health system?
The racist piece of shit government is a year old this week, so there's a bunch of retorspectives and looking forwards and so on. Today it was Rimmer's turn - and in addition to gloating about how he's setting the policy agenda and making all the decisions, and about his ...6 days ago
- Our Surgical Waiting List: A Story In Screenshots
...6 days ago - Luxon’s Breakfast
Cover me with kisses, babyCover me with loveRoll me in designer sheetsI'll never get enoughEmotions come, I don't know whyCover up love's alibiSongwriters: Giorgio Moroder / Deborah HarryThis morning, TVNZ realised that they couldn’t credibly put forward Jenny May to interview the Prime Minister again as the possum in the ...6 days ago - Seymour rides high – realising the dreams of Don Brash and Sean Wright – While The Wreck...
1. Seymour rides high David Seymour told RNZ that it wields “disproportionate’ influence in government, claiming credit for “half the ideas” of government, and for helping to lower inflation. "ACT is always there; putting the pressure on.”Seymour also continues to claim "massive support" for the government's Treaty Principles Bill, citing ...6 days ago - ‘Guarantee us and we’ll build thousands of social homes’
Social housing in central Wellington, next to the site of the now-abandoned Arlington redevelopment. To get the building of social housing back on track, a new funding agency has been launched. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy ...6 days ago
- What to do about Auckland Transport?
Greater Auckland is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and fans. If you’d like to support our work, you can join our circle of supporters here, or support us on Substack! Last week Mayor Wayne Brown proposed a major shakeup ...6 days ago
- Human-caused ocean warming intensified recent hurricanes, including all 11 Atlantic hurricanes in 20...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters Hurricane Milton approaching landfall in Florida on October 9, 2024. (Image credit: NOAA/CIRA/Colorado State University) Human-caused climate change boosted the wind speeds of recent Atlantic hurricanes, making them more damaging and costly, according to a pair of scientific ...6 days ago
- Gordon Campbell on what’s wrong with the Treaty Principles Bill
It has taken until 2024, but even the All Blacks now recognise that Māori are the tangata whenua of this country. There is no consensus however, about what that unique status means in terms of the rights it confers on Māori, and the responsibilities it imposes on the Crown. David ...6 days ago
- It’s Time to End Gender-Based Violence at Work
Everyone Deserves Safety and Respect at Work November 25 marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day reminds us of the urgent need to take action against gender-based violence in workplaces across Aotearoa and the globe. C190 is the Path to Safer Workplaces ILO Convention ...7 days ago
- PM Luxon is house proud as David Seymour continues to push the edges of social division
Mountain Tui is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Luxon Is That Job Interviewee That’s All Sunshine And RainbowsCraig McCulloch (RNZ) has an unbeatable report this morning on Luxon’s reflections of his first year as PM.Allow me to replicate:On ...7 days ago - Monday 25 November 2024
Maritime workers are joining opposition to the government’s plans for resuming live animal exports on the basis that the country “would benefit from being seen as a kind of modern and progressive exporter”. The TEU is slamming a proposal that would end an invaluable timber machining apprenticeship programme, while the ...7 days ago
- PM ‘constructively dissatisfied’ with himself
“Look, I don’t really live with regrets,” Luxon said in one of the interviews marking his first year as PM. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, November 25: The news: COP29 ...7 days ago - Team of One
Oh, it's a mystery to me We have a greed, with which we have agreed And you think you have to want more than you need Until you have it all, you won't be freeSongwriter: Eddie VedderToday is the last day to subscribe to Nick’s Kōrero at the original price ...7 days ago - A Bad Day
7 days ago - A visitor from the Hawkes Bay rides AT’s buses & trains.
This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, an examination on cruise control and speed limits, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. Greater Auckland is brought to you by a ...7 days ago
- Bridges challenges Luxon’s foreign policy
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon last Friday appeared to be starting to moderate his pivot to the United States under the foreign policy reset. Back in August he had told Australia’s Lowy Institute last August that New Zealand’s independent foreign policy was a “nonsense”. But in his latest foreign policy speech, ...1 week ago
- 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
A listing of 25 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, November 17, 2024 thru Sat, November 23, 2024. Story of the week This week, we again asked Gemini to create a topical summary of the articles we shared during ...1 week ago
- End Game
Related articles belowIntroductionRecently, I’ve been having some delays in putting pen to paper.It’s not because I’m short on words -Verbosity seems to be one of the banes of my life. And it’s not because there isn’t enough content: I just whipped up a long list from the past few days.So, ...1 week ago - Rowdy scrappers, beautiful birds
Who doesn't love to watch Tūī? Who doesn't love those colours, almost too good to be true - the deepest, glossiest, most lustrous of deep blue, the iridescent turquoise, the crisp-as-a-vicar's-collar white tuft?Who doesn't love the way they move, swooping as swift as a jet or occasionally bashing the hell ...1 week ago - Fact brief – Has human-caused climate change increased extreme weather?
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Has human-caused climate ...1 week ago
- What’s Been Happening? Political Roundup
For paid subscribersI’m currently writing an article in response to a promise to Bill about where everything is heading - and I included a ‘quick’ snapshot of political updates.However, as that list of updates got longer, I thought it made sense to send out as a separate article.So here it ...1 week ago - Bitch
I'm a bitch, I'm a loverI'm a child, I'm a motherI'm a sinner, I'm a saintI do not feel ashamedI'm your Hell, I'm your dreamI'm nothing in betweenYou know you wouldn't want it any other wayWriters: Shelly Peiken, Meredith BrooksGood morning, all you lovely people. 🙂 A newsletter this morning ...1 week ago - Property Rights and the Treaty Principles Bill
Property rights – which enable decisions over tangible and intangible assets – are critical to an economy as Why Nations Fail pointed out. Not just private property rights for, as we shall see, they are more complicated than that. Neoliberals argue that private property rights lead to the maximum economic ...1 week ago - The Hoon around the week to November 22
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with: on the US Presidential elections, Israel vs Gaza/Iran/Lebanon, Ukraine/Nato vs Russia/North Korea and whether NZ now joins AUKUS;Special guest Helen Clark on the issues above, ...1 week ago
- Justice in Brazil
Following the 2022 Brazilian general election, election loser Jair Bolsonaro tried to do a Trump, attempting a coup to overturn the election. It failed. But unlike his American friend, he hasn't been allowed to get away with it: The former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro and some of his closest ...1 week ago
- Treasury warns deeper recession worsening Budget deficit
The gift that keeps giving: David Seymour has now opened a split in the coalition over the future of National’s promise to build a new medical school. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / TheKakaKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and ...1 week ago
- Weekly Roundup 22-November-2024
It’s another Friday and we’re inching closer to the end of the year. Here’s some of the stories that have caught our attention this week. This post, like all our work, is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew and made possible by generous donations from our readers and ...1 week ago
- Beyond Question?
Record Numbers: The Hīkoi mō te Tiriti, which began at the tip of the North, and the tail of the South, on 11 November, culminated outside Parliament on Tuesday, 19 November 2024, in one of the largest demonstrations in New Zealand’s political history.ACCORDING TO TE ARA, the Ministry of Culture ...1 week ago
- The Rush To Blame “The Activists”
Activists are such easy scapegoats. The right and center have been conditioned for decades to roll their eyes at all protests. The left are easily aggravated over students leading movements they see as belonging to grownups, who have more important concerns like the economy and whether the trains come on ...1 week ago
- Release: A Labour Government will not join AUKUS
New Zealand will not sign up to the nuclear-powered pillar one, or the pillar two of AUKUS under a Labour Government. ...9 hours ago - Release: Labour will build Dunedin Hospital
Labour will build Dunedin Hospital as it was committed to prior to election 2023. ...9 hours ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa ...9 hours ago
- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...13 hours ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...17 hours ago - Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...3 days ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...4 days ago
- Waititi Orders Police Withdraw from Matapihi
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki is demanding that the Police Minister immediately remove the heavy Police presence in the Matapihi community, as hundreds of officers saturate the Western Bay of Plenty area. “Minister Mitchell must intervene immediately and order the removal of the armed Police presence in ...4 days ago
- Release: Opposition parties unite on way forward to protect ECE
Early childhood education needs to be treated as a public good, say Labour, the Green Party, and Te Pāti Māori in their newly released report of findings from public hearings they held into the Government’s ECE Regulatory Review. ...4 days ago
- Government’s First Year a ‘Catastrophe for Māori’
Te Pāti Māori is calling the Government’s first year a catastrophe for Māori, following a year of policies that have done nothing but marginalise tangata-whenua. Today marks one year since the coalition was sworn into power. “This year has been an absolute catastrophe for Māori. This Government has fast-tracked us back ...5 days ago
- Release: 1500 Te Whatu Ora cuts will hurt New Zealanders’ health
Massive cuts across Health New Zealand/Te Whatu Ora demonstrate National’s willingness to risk the health of New Zealanders. ...5 days ago
- Release: Government to make public transport more expensive… again
The Government’s decision to push for significant fare increases on buses and trains over the next few years is a huge blow to communities across the country. ...5 days ago
- Release: National has given up on climate action
Climate action is missing from the list of things National is patting themselves on the back for one year on from becoming government. ...5 days ago
- Public transport fare hikes a disaster
The Government’s directive to councils to increase bus and train fares substantially over the next few years is a bitter pill to swallow for communities across the country. ...5 days ago
- Release: Minister leaves Community Housing Providers out in the cold
Housing Minister Chris Bishop’s speech to Community Housing Providers today should have been titled ‘we want you to build houses, but we refuse to spend money so you’re on your own’. ...6 days ago
- Green Party appalled by woeful Government offer to school support staff
Support staff across Aotearoa have been dealt yet another devastating blow with the release of the latest collective agreement offer from the Government. ...6 days ago
- Release: Chris Hipkins sad to hear about Nikki Kaye
"The news today that Nikki Kaye has passed away after her long battle with cancer is incredibly sad," Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...6 days ago
- Release: Government should be transparent on live exports
Targeted consultation on reinstating live cattle exports by sea won’t allow the New Zealand public to have their say. ...1 week ago
- NZ’s global climate rankings plummet as Govt removes agriculture from ETS
The Government has passed legislation to remove agriculture from the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) while Aotearoa’s reputation on climate action plummets. ...1 week ago
- Failed boot camp experiment must end
As legislation to set up boot camps passed its first reading, the Green Party urged the Government to abandon this failed policy experiment for the good of our rangatahi. ...2 weeks ago
- Gender-affirming care must centre evidence and health needs, not political posturing
The Ministry of Health has today released an evidence brief regarding the use of puberty blockers in gender-affirming healthcare, amid moves by the government to limit access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National doesn’t care about manufacturing
The National Government is walking away from our manufacturing sector with constant reports of closures and job losses. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: David Parker speech – Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change
David Parker's speech from the University of Auckland's forum on Piketty, Inequality and Climate Change in September 2024. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Youth mental wellbeing no longer a priority for Child Poverty Minister
Louise Upston has revealed her diminished vision for vulnerable youth against a backdrop of snubbed advice, scrapped priorities, shifted goal posts and thousands more children projected to fall into poverty. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National’s lack of climate action taking NZ backwards
National Government’s backward-looking climate policy has seen New Zealand fall seven places on the Climate Change Performance Index to 41 out of 63 countries measured. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Simple reason for drop in emergency housing
When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...2 weeks ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...2 weeks ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...2 weeks ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
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I remember going down to the Auckland Democrat party for the Biden win, preparing for exultation.
It was so close it became terrifying.
Harris had such a post-Convention surge, and I was preparing for hope.
Now I just want to pull the covers over my head.
The dumbing down of American society began many decades ago. Now it is paying dividends. Too many of them will believe the moon is made of cheese if the fascist Trump or one of his acolytes told them so. It's tragic but what can anyone do.
We're not particularly smart here either.
I suppose if you want to find a silver lining in the dark cloud, I think Luxon was gambling on our economy turning the corner in 2026.
If I were Luxon and Trump got in, I'd be reaching for my brown trousers…
Listening to RNZ's coverage of the US election, tariffs seem to be an issue.
Trump is touting them and Harris may introduce some for political reasons.
Who benefits from the no tariffs situation we are in now?
It occurs to me the citizenry don't benefit, the price we pay for milk and cheeses would be an example as would timber/building products.
$100 a metre for a laminated 120 x 120nn post bears that out as does the MASSIVE decline in the quality of the timber on sale (knots).
The traditional reason for having tariffs is protecting your local industries from being outcompeted by cheaper (or better) foreign imports. So, it's in effect a tax on consumers that subsidizes domestic businesses.
Removing them has kind of like an international game of chicken: I might want have tarriff free exports to your country, but in return, I'll need to remove my tarriffs on yours to make it worth your while.
Trump's made them popular again because they're seen as being supportive of American manufacturing and "punishing" China. But unfortunately, his dumb hick supporters are a) unaware just how distributed global manufacturing is and how reliant how much of their supply chain is on foreign goods and b) too economically and mathematically illiterate to realise how steeply it'll increase the cost of living.
Canada is showing NZ through the WTO that it doesn't give a damn about trade rules and will protect its dairy farmers no matter what.
It's the small and weak like us that need rules.
MBIE and MPI need to start gaming out which of our industries are most vulnerable to tariff increases.
Harris and Trump are closely aligned on trade protection, just like Biden and Trump.
Not so closely aligned:
"Harris has criticised Trump’s sweeping plan to impose tariffs on imports, calling it a national tax on working families which will cost each household $4,000 a year.
She is expected to have a more targeted approach to taxing imports, maintaining the tariffs the Biden-Harris administration introduced on some Chinese imports like electric vehicles.
Trump has made tariffs a central campaign pledge in order to protect US industry. He has proposed new 10-20% tariffs on most imported foreign goods, and much higher ones on those from China.
He has also promised to entice companies to stay in the US to manufacture goods, by giving them a lower rate of corporate tax."
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy343z53l1o
Biden in May directed tariff increases against China in this year alone on $18billion of imports.
This just builds on the Biden-Harris moves against China in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Infrastructure Reduction Act.
Both are just trying to outbid each other.
…..And Trump has well outbid Harris with his "new 10-20% tariffs on most imported foreign goods" that according to Harris will cost people $4k a year.
There is no equivalence. Tariffs are central to Trump's campaign. Trump is much worse than Harris on trade.
The dumb Biden tariffs on EV's are luddite and only serve to protect the dinosaur auto-industry in the US. But Trump will double-down on these.
Yep. Elon Musk is obviously very keen to have the US EV market protected. Therefore the Trump super-support by him.
BYD has overtaken Tesla now (revenue) and there will be a lot more EVs flooding the market going forward.
Basically all of them. Our entire foreign and economic policy framework is predicated on the basis of a rules-based international order that promotes and free trade and protects New Zealand's sovereignty.
On that basis we have about as much change of winning a trade war as we do winning a shooting one.
Our dairy, tourism, film+gaming, wine, and tech industries are all internationally competitive and have near-zero subsidies.
It's our remaining niche manufacturing industries that would be the most vulnerable.
Is this an intentional, joke?
The answer to Simon Shepard's question, is – Yes The whole world should be terrified of tariffs
Economic Crisis > Mass Unemployment > Protectionism > Tariffs > Trade Wars > Shooting Wars > Imperialism > Fascism > Genocide
(Not always in that order)
The answer to KJT's question is – Probably Not.
My question is – will economic trade wars become shooting wars?
What could a megalomaniac like Trump in his second term do as President, that he failed to do in his first?
What will China do with its massive army of unemployed?
(Probably the same thing Germany did with them)
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Oct 26th, 2024
9 Apr 2018
Trade Wars Hurt Everyone
Mehdi Hasan in his debate 'Is Trump a Fascist', says, 'in the comments some guy asked if I knew anyone he could marry in the UK, (presumably to gain UK citizenship).
Friends of mine in the US are telling me that they are considering moving to NZ
We don't know how lucky we are:
They talk about moving to NZ for politics, but no one ever does.
Maybe NZ protection of its key manufacturering isn't dumb. Our exports are weak enough already.
I'd be leery of anyone arguing that there's an inevitable chain of events that starts off with tariffs and ends with genocide. But the historical evidence certainly suggests that times of economic crisis massively increase the risk of Bad Things (TM) happening.
Depends on who's "mainstream" you're talking about. Neoliberism? For sure. It's promised a whole lot over the last 40-odd years and delivered nothing. Keynesian economics? Still orthodox and still working out just fine.
I'm not sure that Fred Dagg, John Clarke in real life, is someone we should be copying. He moved from New Zealand to Australia in 1977 before he was 30 and never came back.
When he talked about being lucky he seems to have had the "Lucky Country" of Donald Horne in mind.
Right now we are in the fastest net migration to Australia that we've ever had.
Might have something to do with Ardern negotiating with Australia for about 380,000 New Zealanders getting the right to apply for Australian citizenship without becoming permanent residents first.
When I moved to Australia in 1989 you were automatically given Permanent Residence when you arrived. That was the only category they had for people arriving with a NZ Passport.
I don't remember how long you had to live there before you could get Citizenship. It wasn't very long though.
I am amazed at the number of people I know in Australia who were born here but have lived in Australia for many years (more than 40 in some cases) and are never coming back to live here but have never bothered to take out Australian Citizenship.
Up until JA negotiated the fast track citizenship deal with Aussie the cost of getting Australian citizenship was horrendous. My family forked out well over 10 thousand for their citizenship just before the fast track deal. (My G'daughter is off to Uni and wants to join the RAN). And if there was even a small error in the application – like a date a day out or the flight number incorrect you had to reapply and the pay full cost again.
The people I am talking about were living in Australia prior to February 2001 when the Australian Government changed the rules. Prior to that date, and it was still the case if you were living in Australia on 22/02/2001 it was easy, and quite cheap to become a citizen.
I can only assume that your family moved to Australia after February 2021. For people in that situation it did get very hard. For those who were there in Feb 2021 it remained easy, and those are the group I was talking about.
Sorry. In the second paragraph the two references to 2021 should have been 2001.
They have been in Australia for 14 years.
They have my sympathy. When the Australian Government brought in the 2001 changes the new scheme allowed New Zealand citizens to go to Oz and work there without problems. However they provided no path at all to citizenship and cut off all the benefits for children. That was not pointed out by our then Government (in NZ) at the time and it wasn't widely known. Instead our PM said that nothing had changed. That was the one thing I never forgave Helen Clark for, her concealing this. It wasn't her fault it happened but she should have explained what it really meant. Did your family understand how hard it would be when they left NZ?
I could have taken citizenship when I was there with no trouble and, IIRC a couple of hundred dollars. It was completely routine during the period up to 2001.
The outflow will quickly reverse when the dispute between the Western powers and China breaks out into open armed conflict and Australia becomes a target for Chinese missiles.
There is a lot to be said about a peaceful little country at the bottom of the world with an independent foreign policy.
Not only will the outward flow of New Zealand citizens reverse, they will be joined by the best and brightest of Australians.
Russia's best and brightest are leaving the country in record numbers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_emigration_during_the_Russian_invasion_of_Ukraine
If there's war between the United States and China, immigration won't be the highest of our concerns.
"What will China do with its massive army of unemployed?"
I've been asking a similar question for years with respect to all the surplus men resulting from the one-child policy and female feticide.
"unaware just how distributed global manufacturing is and how reliant how much of their supply chain is on foreign goods"
That would be all the appliances that can't be repaired-toasters, jugs etc. Or the larger items like fridges, freezers, driers that don't last like they did when Aotearoa had manufacturing capability.
Once again, not serving the public at all well. Another way of undermining our resilience as a nation.
You could just as easily argue that in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis, it's better for the public to pay $3000 for a fridge that's made in China and designed by a Korean company, than $6000 for an equivalent fridge that's manufactured here.
As a taxpayer and consumer, I'd be happy with the government helping build capability in our manufacturing sector, but only if there was some public good generated by it.
Because at the moment, businesses are the first to put their hand out for taxpayer cash, but still want to be able to exploit their staff. Or avoid covering the environmental costs of their activities. Or even just pay their fair share of tax.
I'm not a big fan of privatizing the benefits of government activites but publicizing the negative externalities.
Buying that 'more expensive ' locally made fridge is a tad of a false economy.
If, by some miracle we started local manufacturing, there would be a need for more businesses sprouting up to supply the componentry needed for the fridge.
More better paid jobs therefore more dollars in your pocket to buy said fridge.
I also ask again, who these tariffs benefit?
Classically it is primary producers but the fisheries are foreign companies and crews, a lot of the forestry is foreign owned and even fruit growers employ foreigners and sell to foreigners, where is the benefit to the citizens?
Not asking you directly just broadening my original question.
Like I said, manufacturers. It's basically a subsidy paid for by consumers, who either have to accept the tariff added price for (more expensive) foreign goods or pay the premium for stuff that's manufactured domestically.
The argument for doing so, as you outlined before, is that it stimulates the economy and creates jobs.
The 1974 Commonwealth games were a BFD so mum bought the biggest, flashest, colour TV she could find.
It was was manufactured in Aotearoa and I don't think it ever needed fixing.
As a final year apprentice I was earning a little less than minimum wage.
Mum’s telly was a Phillips K9.
https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/707725
What a flashback!
We had one if them but on a swivel base.
29 inch, it was a monster. You still had to get up to put it on the other channel.
76 million votes cast already.
53% Women 44% Men 3% Other
This gives hope for Harris.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/early-vote
Looks like I will be using my birthday book token towards this new history of NZ identity, by Michael Belgrave, interviewed on RNZ Saturday. Seems a very timely analysis of NZ's colonising past, and the Maori response since then, in particular. I remember the huge impact James Belich's history Making Peoples had on me when I first read it.
This is the sort of stuff you need to read going in to the Treaty debate. So much falls through the cracks in the top-level rhetoric thrown about. Potted-history only goes so far, as we have seen in debate in The Standard. An overview which takes in account our changing ideas in the the last decade will help shape constructive, informed debate.
I'll have to read it over summer, but a theory of NZ identity without the massive ideological and funding force of the NZ state (including all its media and arts institution ideology and funding) through the 20th century – rather than a set of "social contracts" – would seem pretty weird.
“Making Peoples” is a life changing different perspective for some people. The rarest book of all is one that you loan and is returned…and so far Jamie Belich’s tome has always come back. But I recommend Library editions etc. also of course.
Belgrave’s latest book was also ‘reviewed’ recently by Rob Campbell: https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/10/30/are-we-becoming-aotearoa-or-just-getting-back-on-a-colonial-track/
Just skimmed thru it at the bookshop: a drier read than Belich, with a few pages each on a particular topic. But looks comprehensive. Now to ferret the token out.
How many in depth History books of New Zealand have been written by women and more specifically women who had three children by the time they were 23 years old?
Claudia Orange?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/360473666/ex-us-ambassador-slams-sir-john-keys-trump-endorsement-says-harris-will-sweep
key getting a public smacking for exposing his money only world veiw.
Wouldn't be an issue if the media didnt publish his opinions which surprised nobody as Shonky is all about the money.
Donkey the puller was bad for this country. His comments and opinions about trump, sum up how willing he is to be playing the skin flute for corporate interest.
"I'm mates with REALLY rich people"
Well done to the Black Caps. Incredible result.
India were hoisted by their own petard by putting out turning tracks for the last two games which turned it into a lottery. And, we got the right side of the tosses (for a change) which was crucial.
I heard Simon Doull making the point that India has traditionally done well by putting out flat pitches, and their superior spinners were able to make much better use of those than the opposition ones. However, the nature of these pitches was such that any spinner was going to do well, as turned out to be the case.
However, that doesn't take away from our incredible result given the conditions including the heat which was in the mid thirties and feeling like around 40 degrees due to the humidity.
After sleeping on the result, I've come to the conclusion that India didn't even come second.
Bowling them out for 46 and then out batting a much vaunted Indian batting lineup. Apart from a few blunders we outfielded India.
Our bowlers really stepped up to the challenge, Santner being a wonderful revelation in the second test.
In short, a fine all-round team effort, where every player stepped up and outplayed the opposition.
Bring on the poms!
Conway must be sweating on his position with the rise of Young and Williamson returning to the team.
Neither Young nor Williamson are openers, Conway is settled and safe as NZ opener.
He also has a higher average and strike rate than Latham who is also under no threat of replacement.
I agree. Conway had a few good scores in the series in India. Probably no need to change him right now. Though, he does have a few technical deficiencies that I think opposition sides are looking to exploit these days.
tsmith…yes I forgot about the tosses….we were very lucky there.
(p.s your "for a change" is pure Trumpism. You must realise that the toss of a coin is entirely random.)
(p.p.s Glad I have my Hagley Oval tickets)
Women will save the world.
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Maia Sandu
@sandumaiamd
Moldova, today you are victorious. Together, we’ve shown the strength of our unity, democracy, and commitment to a dignified future. Thank you, dear Moldovans, at home and abroad. Walk with pride—you are freedom, hope, and resilience. I am proud to serve you all.
https://x.com/sandumaiamd/status/1853209669390516499
The pro-western incumbent Maia Sandu has won a second term in office in the Moldovan presidential election, preliminary results have shown, marking a significant boost for the country’s EU aspirations and a clear rebuke to Moscow.
The runoff election was seen as a crucial indicator of whether the country’s long-term geopolitical alignment will be with Russia or Europe.
The pro-western incumbent, Sandu, who has intensified the nation’s efforts to break away from Moscow’s influence, was facing the Kremlin-friendly political newcomer, Alexandr Stoianoglo, from the Socialist party, in the second round of voting on Sunday.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/03/moldovans-vote-in-presidential-runoff-amid-claims-of-russian-interference
he runoff election was seen as a crucial indicator of whether the country’s long-term geopolitical alignment will be with Russia or Europe.
It should be with both. Russia and Europe should be aligned. Only Russia seems to have realised this. What is it with the Europeans: are they stupid, or just paranoid.
Tankiesplaining Poots' imperialist Russia to people 🇲🇩 who endured more than a century of first Tsarist, and then Soviet Russia's thuggery….lol..
/
Republican women have come to the party it seems.
Reproductive rights are a nonpartisan issue.
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The latest poll from the Des Moines Register and Mediacom delivered a gut punch to those inside Donald Trump’s orbit Saturday night, several people familiar with the reaction told CNN. The former president has been fuming privately over the numbers, arguing the highly anticipated poll should never have been released.
Trump’s advisers have sought to assure him the survey is not accurate, blasting it as way off and telling him there’s always one poll that stands out. His long-standing pollster issued a memo Saturday night arguing it was a “clear outlier.” But the gender breakdown showing women are driving a shift toward Vice President Kamala Harris has privately concerned Trump’s allies, with a focus on the poll’s finding that Iowa women favor Harris over him, 56% to 36%.
https://edition.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-harris-election-11-03-24/index.html
"We will make our country heel" Donald Trump acceptance speech
(Did I spell that right?)