Yeah, too subtle for him or her to get the irony of those two statements.
The other thing about this excitement people have house prices going up in their area. – Unless they are going to sell and downscale and take the profit how do they think the money will actually materialise? Or do they think the value is a tangible thing?
How is in increased house value going to make you any wealthier?
In our case, our increasing house value is making us poorer as our rates have gone up $400 in 4 years due to an artificial increase. The bank has told me our house prices have gone up because the large houses on the new development around us have a high value and that is pushing ours up.
Its all fake. The way the housing market works is rigged against housing being an accessible affordable necessity for all.
Rosie
Increased valuation means an increased lending limit – which feels like wealth to the shortsighted. The rates downside is something that drives residents out of communities and frees their properties for landbankers to acquire.
“Increased valuation means an increased lending limit –”
Ok, got that. btw, when a I was shopping around for a new fixed mortgage rate I was looking an offer from another bank. Although the QV valuation had said the house had an increased by $30K the person at the bank who told me the banks uses a different approach to valuation (?!?) said our valuation had gone up by $60K! so based on that we had enough equity for that bank to take us on as a home loan customer. (I didn’t go with it, I got my bank to match it as much as they could – too much hassle otherwise)
So suddenly there is extra lending opportunities. I see what you are saying. But this is just daft. Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?
Rosie, changing banks is a piece of cake these days. When I changed a couple of years ago, mortgage, credit card, savings and cheque was all done by my new bank. Just had to go in and sign some paperwork.
Thing is it was going to cost. There was the cost of leaving the other bank which the new bank would only partially cover, and I also didn’t want to take my other accounts and insurance to the new bank, which was a condition of them giving me a home loan.
Lol, I did make them earn their money. It basically got down to the two banks trying to out do each other with reducing that fee and giving that incentive etc but in the end, it was easier to stay with kiwibank and get a fixed rate of 4.25% down from 5.25%. BNZ had offered 4.19% so it worked out pretty well.
The whole exercise was really to get my bank to sit up and take me seriously, I never fully intended to move. I also didn’t want to move to a foreign owned bank either. One of the main reasons I’m with Kiwibank is because we own it.
Rosie: “Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?”
Not only that, Rosie, but when the bubble bursts, those sitting on a mortgage for what was a 2 million house will lose a helluva lot more than those sitting on the mortgage for what was a half-million house.
AND they’ll still have the original mortgage to pay, even though its now worth more than the house.
Affordable good housing must be the corner stone of any modern democracy without it we are no more than serfs https://t.co/w2sh8hgNQu— Harry Leslie Smith (@Harryslaststand) March 3, 2016
interesting article looking at the rise of Trump . . .
Various pundits have pointed out that Donald Trump is a nightmare of the Republican Party’s own making. Since Richard Nixon first began exploiting the ‘culture wars’ to deliberately woo socially conservative Democrat voters in the early 1970s, the GOP’s dependence on reactionary populism has grown increasingly dangerous. The racial dog-whistles have become more audible and the anger of the ‘angry white men’ harder to contain within a political machine whose ultimate purpose is to defend corporate and elite interests.
The contradiction that was brilliantly papered-over by the likes of Reagan, Gingrich and Rove, between alienated grass-roots conservatives and big money, has broken cover. One of Trump’s main virtues in the eyes of his supporters is that he ‘says what he thinks’, and the fact that it is incoherent is only further proof of his honesty. Coherence is viewed as an artefact of political management, and the Republican hardcore have had enough of that . . .
“Because her name was already known to the offender, and Corrections used generic work email addresses, Mr Davis did not feel he had revealed any new information, or put the officer in any danger”
Yeah I can just imagine the left letting this one go if it had been a National MP that had done this
We probably would because we have such an abundance of material. The Key government is frankly a disaster for New Zealand, there is no metric upon which they are not a disaster, we don’t have to beat up pitiful shite like this.
What you have here is a fatuous accusation like the Clark forgery bullshit and you cackle like a goose up to its ankles in good luck. To attain any level of credibility you must look objectively at what is happening.
No doubt the tame MSM can be stimulated to make disapproving noises – but Collins complaining about impropriety is like Tamerlane reproaching someone for unnecessary roughness.
Context is everything – was the Whale recommending peace and civility? And what did the staffer have to say about it all – Collins is quite capable of taking umbrage over a non-issue for her own purposes.
Collins …………….. who’s friends with Cameron Slater and has been sacked from cabinet once already.
I would rate this ex tax lawyer the most corrupt justice and police minister we have ever had ………………
Seems like her free-styling make it up as you go approach is still the same …..
“Its a pretty obvious effort to front-foot and limit the bad publicity bubbling out of her portfolio. Its also illegal. Section 161 of the Corrections Act 2004 gives MP’s an absolute right to visit prisons and talk to prisoners at any time. This right is not subject to Ministerial approval or prior notification, and for good reason: its to ensure independent eyes on the system and to allow problems to be exposed” http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/
Does illegal mean competent in PukeR speak ???????
“Tonight’s Politics Panel talks about yesterday’s Super Tuesday results, how Hillary advisers are trying to appeal to Trump supporters, and whether Trump is holding Chris Christie hostage. Thom discusses the presidential candidates’ economic policies with economist Marshall Auerback and in tonight’s Daily Take Thom debunks the myth that Democrats are bad for business.”
I agree PR, although would seem highly unusual for a sitting member to be deselected. I would have thought their instinct would be to ride it out and hope it blows over as per Bill English’s “nothing to see here” comments. Clearly the local media down here know there is more to run on this or they would not be giving it so much oxygen.
Yes, quite happy to discuss employment matters when it is seen to corroborate his version of events. Amateur mistake that calls into question his suitability for role. Luckily for him the local Nats have kept their public discipline.
So to recap. A total of three staff have resigned, there is something about a secret recording which some National Party members would like to get to the bottom of and to top it off the kid releases private and confidential employment documents, a resignation letter, to the media. (See BLiP 6.2)
Great stuff there kiddo. Well on your way as a Dirty Politics cadet. To pass on private communications you’d either have to be ignorant of the way such comms should be appropriately handled, which he shouldn’t be, as he has worked at Parliament and would understand protocols. OR you are wanting to turn the view around and make it look like you’re the victim and act in a way that is in keeping with the DP handbook?
Listening to the crowd it seems America is ready to elect a president who makes blowjob jokes about his political opponents.
All class.
/
Thursday, blasting the former Massachusetts governor for “begging” for his endorsement four years ago only to sharply criticize him now.
“I don’t know what happened to him,” Trump said during a rally in Portland, Maine. “You can see how loyal he is. He was begging for my endorsement. I could have said, ‘Mitt, drop to your knees.’ He would have dropped to his knees.”
Y’know, I can see Trump doing the ponytail thing, publicly talking about peeing in the shower and “feeding the chickens”, really off jokes to foreign heads of state, no problem. I still can’t picture Trump climbing into a cage to “pick up the soap” though.
He could’ve meant either. It’s being interpreted as a BJ reference by some reporters.
He’ll get away with it because like you say it’s interpreted by what’s in the mind of the listener/reader. I shudder to think Trump might become POTUS but as a GOP candidate he’s endlessly entertaining. 🙂
The GOP establishment’s wheeled Mitt Romney out with a robotic script delivery I guess as their first shot across the bows of Donald J. He’s already blown Mitt out of the water.
How outrageous!!! How can the council pursue costs when the commissioners said the river needed greater environmental protection?
More info please.
Also looking forward to seeing how much legal fees the council have spent pursuing a few individuals who appear to be trying to make the water safer for the community the council are supposed to work for!
The council has apparently spent almost $300,000 attacking this group. Group has also just won a big environmental award. Something seriously wrong in regional government in Taranaki.
Ok. Well, If it’s any reassurance at all, Iain Lee Galloway used to be an organiser for the NZNO, so he has some sympathies in that area.
I understand your reluctance to trust Labour on working with the National government on a major piece of employment legislation when Andrew Little rang alarm bells last year with his mention of “tweaking” the 90 day act, when addressing a bunch of business people in the Hutt.
It took me two weeks to get an answer from Grant Robertson – I was asking him to clarify Labour’s poistion, and I still felt uneasy about the response.
Believe me, as a former union organiser myself as a job seeker in today’s use and abuse job market I’m hypersensitive to how such talks with National will proceed. The framework that Iain provided did give me some reassurance that they are at least approaching this the right way.
Legislation is only part of addressing the wrongs that are occurring however. There must be employer cultural change and employees must learn to regain their self respect and dignity – we’ve been brutalised for years and to a certain degree given up on the belief we can have better work lives.
All the above will take years and it will be a difficult transition for some.
Mr Galloway would do well to come on this site and explain himself.
Labour have no digital means of engaging since they shut down Red Alert.
So they may as well actually front up here.
I have received no other communications from Labour about why they are cutting a deal with National on our employment law. Their media releases on the matter were raw spin.
I’m not interested in cultural change: legislative change is the only thing that will lead cultural change in this area.
Suggestion for a new slogan for Labour, since it’s supposed to be “rebranding” itself this year:
“Sprinkling the very best glitter on National’s turds.”
A bit more seriously, again, I think that it’s indicative of Labour’s closed-door culture and Little’s past as a negotiator who worked as part of a hierarchically-structured organisation on behalf of subscribers.
In essences, it’s “trust us, we’ll get you the best deal, then you can vote.” Public, democratic politics is messier, more overtly populist, more dynamic.
Closed-door dealmaking only alienates the base. Bloviating press releases like Iain L-G’s go straight into the recycling bin.
That alienation is only going to get worse with a younger generation who actually knows how to use social media. Little wouldn’t dream of tweeting from a meeting, a millennial wouldn’t dream of not doing business that way.
Hi Ad. That link I sent WAS Labour fronting up on this site. Iain Lees Galloway explained their strategy. If you’re a Labour party member you should have received an email earlier this week – explaining their position.
Agree that legislative change must come first to then filter down to cultural change. Of course it does.
As a vulnerable worker in often precarious work situations I know first hand how the culture has changed as a direct result of legislation. But employers won’t change their attitudes based on new rules – their workers have to hold them to account and push for their rights – this is culture change and it HAS to happen. Believe me, even the ads posted for jobs these days are hostile, insulting and patronising. Thats to do with culture, not legislation.
You may not interested in culture change, but as someone hugely affected by employer attitudes I am.
Rosie, Labour wants to remove the ability for employers to put people on contracts where they are on call with no permanent hours. Implying, apart from being given a number of permanent hours, Labour are not seeking compensation for workers being on call.
If this is the case, this is insufficient protection for workers, thus far from reassuring.
Valid point re the compensation for on call workers. As far as I know they were using “set minimum hours” as a base. I don’t know what happens after that.
Maybe email Iain himself. From time to time I email MP’s when something isn’t clear. Sometimes you need to give them a prod as a reminder to respond.
I don’t know what to say. It was just a practical suggestion, regardless of what anyone’s expectations might be of their MP’s, you know, things like responding to questions in public forum.
If you do email him, you can copy his answer into a comment of Open Mike and then we’ll all know.
It’s sort of like Labour has sold the essence of its very name. “Labour” was formed to represent workers, and here we have it supporting a bit of legislation by its polar opposite that concerns the very people it was formed to represent.
Worse, i read someplace that fair compensation shoul be paid, and so all Labour needed to do was speak to that, in parliament. i.e more than the dole, less that the minimum wage per hour to wait. But not it has to be a fight not a principled negoiation.
Years ago, Jim Mora called that bag of wind Barack Obama “the leading
orator of our time”; now look at who he’s calling “quite a thinker”. The Panel, RNZ National, Friday 4 March 2016
Jim Mora, Ali Jones, Selwyn Manning, Zara Potts
This piece of penetrating analysis occurred about halfway through the program….
JIM MORA: It’s interesting, all these secret Trump supporters. An Hispanic woman whose family escaped from Castro’s Cuba says she will vote for Trump and so will all her acquaintances. She said political correctness is the beginning of the end. And you know, she’s quite a thinker. …
ALI JONES: He’s a racist bully.
MORA: But they aren’t all, by any means, the red-necked owners of guns…..
Piss off Soper…….what evidence is there that ‘Prince Max’ is being cyberbullied……none except the whining of an effete daddy grasping at the straws of political lift, off the back of his own blood if needs be. That’s no evidence. Daddy’s doing a number – that’s all that whining amounts to.
In any event, Max is right into it. “Me asleep on Air Force One” as he Instagrams an obviously staged pic’ of himself. What ? The son of PMONZ trying to put himself across the son of POTUS. Gimme a break !
You’re boring and unartful Soper, even to yourself. That’s why you’re driven to make yourself part of the story. Winston Peters had your measure years ago in John McCain’s office in Washington DC. Remember that one Soper……? You didn’t learn did ya ? Still the old wahanui.
This excerpt from 1943 in the Evening Post just about sums up this govt of today and there attitude Just change the names as you see fit to today’s world
This is the shit that Key bastard wants to keep going
“Because of the attacks made on the trade union movement by the Nationalists during the election campaign it appears necessary to express the views on this point of an organisation which represents 38,000 workers,” said Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Wellington Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, in a statement today.
“Mr. Holland’s attack on the trade union leaders reveals that he is fundamentally opposed to industrial unionism,” said Mr. Walsh. “Like his political ancestors throughout the past century Mr. Holland would be delighted with a leaderless trade union movement. The Nationalists, like all Tories of the past, hate the leaders of trade unions because the activities of those leaders, and their insistence on fair play for the workers, disturb the tranquillity of those who enjoy easy profits and big dividends from organised business. “Members of trade unions throughout the country have had to put up with a great deal of abuse of their leaders, whom the Nationalists term ‘Labour bosses.’ That Nationalist attitude was also adopted by the Lee Party. They side-stepped the fact that the trade union movement, by reason of its constitution, rules, and love of liberty, has no dictators. Its leaders are elected annually on democratic principles. “What the trades union movement has accomplished on behalf of the workers and the people as a whole, not only in ameliorating labour conditions, but in social services generally, is appreciated by everybody. But we realise that a victory of the Fascist Powers in the present war would destroy all that has been achieved, and we are wholeheartedly behind the Government in its administration of the war effort of the Dominion. THE WAR EFFORT. “Yet the attitude taken up by the Nationalists during the election has been definitely damaging to that war effort. For political gain and to help the employing class the Nationalists advocated a reduced military effort. To catch a few votes they set out to capitalise on the furlough draft, regardless of the fact that the course they advocated would have jeopardised the chances of any further men being granted a well-earned holiday in New Zealand. “The Nationalists also attempted to weaken New Zealand’s war effort on the home front. They attacked every law and every provision for maintaining full efficiency in defence and in military training for overseas. They endeavoured to” turn people’s wartime sacrifices, and wartime shortages of commodities, and inevitable wartime inconveniences into political grievances. They tried to convince the people that they would be better off if all the measures for their protection against wartime difficulties were removed. They advocated that prices should be left to the will of private enterprise, and that nothing should be protected except the old Tory privilege of grabbing all the good things of life. “In all of these actions the Nationalists sapped the morale of the nation. “Another enemy of our war effort was the doctrine that the war could be paid for without any cost to the people of the country. “The people showed by their votes that they are not so gullible as the glib but muddle-headed apostles of easy money who contested the election. The people of New Zealand showed that they have a true understanding of the fact that the war has to be paid for by ourselves, out of the goods and services that we produce, and that no jugglery can avoid it. INDUSTRIAL LABOUR’S PLEDGE. “The workers of New Zealand are, therefore, determined to work wholeheartedly to increase their production and thus do all that is in their power towards achieving victory. •’They are convinced also that the I industrial conditions under which they can do their best are only possible under the Labour Government. “The whole of organised industrial labour, therefore, gives its pledge that it will continue to work to its utmost to increase the production of the Dominion, and to support the Labour Government in its policy of carrying on the war without any relaxation, and at the same time maintaining the highest possible standard of living in fair play to all sections of the community.”
The war being today, the TPPA
We are going to get that little tory prick one way or another
Sorry – as I do appreciate that OM is special and not a tech forum !
However it is difficult to be anywhere else on TS using FireFox 44.0.2 on FC2x – just renders a “Content Encoding Error”.
This message is posted using IE11 on Windows8.1 – not where I wish to be – get me out of here please !
And Chrome 48.0.2564.116 (64-bit) on FC2x
ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED
Was all good till today
No cache/cookies retained in either FC2x browser and W8/IE11 VM uses the same network and ISP
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Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
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What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
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rwnj coworker, yesterday: “awesome, property prices in my suburb are shooting up and i am going to make 500k woohoo!”
rwnj coworker, later: “i hate paying taxes to lazy bludgers that never get off their arses”
my reply: “white collar criminals are the real problem mate”. Too subtle?
Best answer to the second drivel is to point out that there are always so many more bludgers under National.
Reply to rwnj
“How are your kids going to buy a house?”
Yeah, too subtle for him or her to get the irony of those two statements.
The other thing about this excitement people have house prices going up in their area. – Unless they are going to sell and downscale and take the profit how do they think the money will actually materialise? Or do they think the value is a tangible thing?
How is in increased house value going to make you any wealthier?
In our case, our increasing house value is making us poorer as our rates have gone up $400 in 4 years due to an artificial increase. The bank has told me our house prices have gone up because the large houses on the new development around us have a high value and that is pushing ours up.
Its all fake. The way the housing market works is rigged against housing being an accessible affordable necessity for all.
Rosie
Increased valuation means an increased lending limit – which feels like wealth to the shortsighted. The rates downside is something that drives residents out of communities and frees their properties for landbankers to acquire.
+1
“Increased valuation means an increased lending limit –”
Ok, got that. btw, when a I was shopping around for a new fixed mortgage rate I was looking an offer from another bank. Although the QV valuation had said the house had an increased by $30K the person at the bank who told me the banks uses a different approach to valuation (?!?) said our valuation had gone up by $60K! so based on that we had enough equity for that bank to take us on as a home loan customer. (I didn’t go with it, I got my bank to match it as much as they could – too much hassle otherwise)
So suddenly there is extra lending opportunities. I see what you are saying. But this is just daft. Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?
Rosie, changing banks is a piece of cake these days. When I changed a couple of years ago, mortgage, credit card, savings and cheque was all done by my new bank. Just had to go in and sign some paperwork.
Make them earn their money I say.
Thing is it was going to cost. There was the cost of leaving the other bank which the new bank would only partially cover, and I also didn’t want to take my other accounts and insurance to the new bank, which was a condition of them giving me a home loan.
Lol, I did make them earn their money. It basically got down to the two banks trying to out do each other with reducing that fee and giving that incentive etc but in the end, it was easier to stay with kiwibank and get a fixed rate of 4.25% down from 5.25%. BNZ had offered 4.19% so it worked out pretty well.
The whole exercise was really to get my bank to sit up and take me seriously, I never fully intended to move. I also didn’t want to move to a foreign owned bank either. One of the main reasons I’m with Kiwibank is because we own it.
Rosie: “Why would you willingly take on more debt, eg trade up to bigger flasher house just because you could. You’d be a fool as you’d be more indebted no?”
Not only that, Rosie, but when the bubble bursts, those sitting on a mortgage for what was a 2 million house will lose a helluva lot more than those sitting on the mortgage for what was a half-million house.
AND they’ll still have the original mortgage to pay, even though its now worth more than the house.
And what a hard lesson in greed that would be!
This discussion reminds of a book I haven’t read yet. Jane Kelseys F.I.R.E book about our finance, insurance and real estate industries.
Anyone read it?
should have asked him if he would have enough money to buy another house in the same neighbourhood were he to sell his house.
This:
‘
interesting article looking at the rise of Trump . . .
http://www.perc.org.uk/project_posts/trump-and-the-charisma-of-unreason/
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11599390
I don’t think Kelvin Davis is going to be making easy hits now that someone competent is in charge of corrections
Who would that be? I thought it was Collins.
“Because her name was already known to the offender, and Corrections used generic work email addresses, Mr Davis did not feel he had revealed any new information, or put the officer in any danger”
Yeah I can just imagine the left letting this one go if it had been a National MP that had done this
We probably would because we have such an abundance of material. The Key government is frankly a disaster for New Zealand, there is no metric upon which they are not a disaster, we don’t have to beat up pitiful shite like this.
What you have here is a fatuous accusation like the Clark forgery bullshit and you cackle like a goose up to its ankles in good luck. To attain any level of credibility you must look objectively at what is happening.
No doubt the tame MSM can be stimulated to make disapproving noises – but Collins complaining about impropriety is like Tamerlane reproaching someone for unnecessary roughness.
So basically if National does it = bad but if Labour does it = its ok because National does it as well
I’m sure I’ve heard that claim somewhere before
No you read it – that meme’s on your tr0ll instruction sheet – you’re not supposed to put that online, they’ll probably dock your pay now.
Naah I’m in tight with the smoking room so its all good, nepotism is a wonderful thing 🙂
Instamax – it’s you! I guess it was inevitable what with the DJ thing not panning out.
Witness the wailing and gnashing of teeth when Cameron Slater published Nicki Hager’s address (even though he’s in the phone book)!
Context is everything – was the Whale recommending peace and civility? And what did the staffer have to say about it all – Collins is quite capable of taking umbrage over a non-issue for her own purposes.
Collins …………….. who’s friends with Cameron Slater and has been sacked from cabinet once already.
I would rate this ex tax lawyer the most corrupt justice and police minister we have ever had ………………
Seems like her free-styling make it up as you go approach is still the same …..
“Its a pretty obvious effort to front-foot and limit the bad publicity bubbling out of her portfolio. Its also illegal. Section 161 of the Corrections Act 2004 gives MP’s an absolute right to visit prisons and talk to prisoners at any time. This right is not subject to Ministerial approval or prior notification, and for good reason: its to ensure independent eyes on the system and to allow problems to be exposed”
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/
Does illegal mean competent in PukeR speak ???????
I didn’t know that National had outsourced the Minister of Corrections to a party of the Left.
‘Is Trump holding Christie hostage?’
https://www.rt.com/shows/big-picture/334370-super-tuesday-presidential-candidates/
“Tonight’s Politics Panel talks about yesterday’s Super Tuesday results, how Hillary advisers are trying to appeal to Trump supporters, and whether Trump is holding Chris Christie hostage. Thom discusses the presidential candidates’ economic policies with economist Marshall Auerback and in tonight’s Daily Take Thom debunks the myth that Democrats are bad for business.”
The continuing saga of Todd Barclay.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/375242/claim-secret-recording
Time to cut him loose, its a safe seat so it should go to someone deserving
I agree PR, although would seem highly unusual for a sitting member to be deselected. I would have thought their instinct would be to ride it out and hope it blows over as per Bill English’s “nothing to see here” comments. Clearly the local media down here know there is more to run on this or they would not be giving it so much oxygen.
I’ll also add someone local and deserving
‘
So, Todd Barclay can’t talk about employment matters but he can release a resignation letter to the media. What a creepy chap he is.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/375034/barclay-apologises-release-letter
Yes, quite happy to discuss employment matters when it is seen to corroborate his version of events. Amateur mistake that calls into question his suitability for role. Luckily for him the local Nats have kept their public discipline.
So to recap. A total of three staff have resigned, there is something about a secret recording which some National Party members would like to get to the bottom of and to top it off the kid releases private and confidential employment documents, a resignation letter, to the media. (See BLiP 6.2)
Great stuff there kiddo. Well on your way as a Dirty Politics cadet. To pass on private communications you’d either have to be ignorant of the way such comms should be appropriately handled, which he shouldn’t be, as he has worked at Parliament and would understand protocols. OR you are wanting to turn the view around and make it look like you’re the victim and act in a way that is in keeping with the DP handbook?
Nice new mobile site, soo much faster and cleaner. Thanks lprent
Listening to the crowd it seems America is ready to elect a president who makes blowjob jokes about his political opponents.
All class.
/
Thursday, blasting the former Massachusetts governor for “begging” for his endorsement four years ago only to sharply criticize him now.
“I don’t know what happened to him,” Trump said during a rally in Portland, Maine. “You can see how loyal he is. He was begging for my endorsement. I could have said, ‘Mitt, drop to your knees.’ He would have dropped to his knees.”
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/03/03/politics/donald-trump-mitt-romney-would-have-dropped-to-his-knees-for-my-endorsement/
Y’know, I can see Trump doing the ponytail thing, publicly talking about peeing in the shower and “feeding the chickens”, really off jokes to foreign heads of state, no problem. I still can’t picture Trump climbing into a cage to “pick up the soap” though.
Gosh joe90.
I thought he meant go down on your knees and beg.
To the pure all things are pure I guess.
He could’ve meant either. It’s being interpreted as a BJ reference by some reporters.
He’ll get away with it because like you say it’s interpreted by what’s in the mind of the listener/reader. I shudder to think Trump might become POTUS but as a GOP candidate he’s endlessly entertaining. 🙂
The GOP establishment’s wheeled Mitt Romney out with a robotic script delivery I guess as their first shot across the bows of Donald J. He’s already blown Mitt out of the water.
Please will people help the Waitara Three. Being sued for bankruptcy by a very vindictive regional council run by a Fonterra man https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/supportthewaitara3/
+100 Sirenia
How outrageous!!! How can the council pursue costs when the commissioners said the river needed greater environmental protection?
More info please.
Also looking forward to seeing how much legal fees the council have spent pursuing a few individuals who appear to be trying to make the water safer for the community the council are supposed to work for!
The council has apparently spent almost $300,000 attacking this group. Group has also just won a big environmental award. Something seriously wrong in regional government in Taranaki.
I just wondering if people in the round world have heard of this new threat ;
http://thehackernews.com/2016/03/drown-attack-openssl-vulnerability.html
Should be in the news. Cybersecurity is one of the Govt.s focus points is it not?
If TRP is out there could I please get an opinion on Labour’s stance on this new National employment legislation?
I just detest the idea of Labour agreeing with National about any kind of employment legislation.
I would hate to think it’s a precursor to the ‘flexibility’ Labour will espouse from Robertson’s ridiculous ‘Future Of Work’.
Check this out – from the horses mouth. Iain Lees Galloway talks us through Labour’s strategy.
http://thestandard.org.nz/iain-lees-galloway-were-winning-on-zero-hour-contracts/
I was looking for a union view.
I don’t yet trust Labour on this issue after folding on 90 day fire at will.
Ok. Well, If it’s any reassurance at all, Iain Lee Galloway used to be an organiser for the NZNO, so he has some sympathies in that area.
I understand your reluctance to trust Labour on working with the National government on a major piece of employment legislation when Andrew Little rang alarm bells last year with his mention of “tweaking” the 90 day act, when addressing a bunch of business people in the Hutt.
It took me two weeks to get an answer from Grant Robertson – I was asking him to clarify Labour’s poistion, and I still felt uneasy about the response.
Believe me, as a former union organiser myself as a job seeker in today’s use and abuse job market I’m hypersensitive to how such talks with National will proceed. The framework that Iain provided did give me some reassurance that they are at least approaching this the right way.
Legislation is only part of addressing the wrongs that are occurring however. There must be employer cultural change and employees must learn to regain their self respect and dignity – we’ve been brutalised for years and to a certain degree given up on the belief we can have better work lives.
All the above will take years and it will be a difficult transition for some.
Mr Galloway would do well to come on this site and explain himself.
Labour have no digital means of engaging since they shut down Red Alert.
So they may as well actually front up here.
I have received no other communications from Labour about why they are cutting a deal with National on our employment law. Their media releases on the matter were raw spin.
I’m not interested in cultural change: legislative change is the only thing that will lead cultural change in this area.
Front up someone.
He fronted up the other day.
I was hoping for a reply, but have yet to receive one. Which, is far from reassuring.
Cheers, didn’t realize that he’d come on.
I stand corrected.
“Cheers, didn’t realize that he’d come on.’
Well, that’s exactly what I clearly pointed out to you in my link provided to you 20 minutes after you suggested Labour needed to front up.
Maybe I’m just talking to a brick wall.
Why am I not surprised?
OK, because I’m a cynical bastard.
Suggestion for a new slogan for Labour, since it’s supposed to be “rebranding” itself this year:
“Sprinkling the very best glitter on National’s turds.”
A bit more seriously, again, I think that it’s indicative of Labour’s closed-door culture and Little’s past as a negotiator who worked as part of a hierarchically-structured organisation on behalf of subscribers.
In essences, it’s “trust us, we’ll get you the best deal, then you can vote.” Public, democratic politics is messier, more overtly populist, more dynamic.
Closed-door dealmaking only alienates the base. Bloviating press releases like Iain L-G’s go straight into the recycling bin.
That alienation is only going to get worse with a younger generation who actually knows how to use social media. Little wouldn’t dream of tweeting from a meeting, a millennial wouldn’t dream of not doing business that way.
Hi Ad. That link I sent WAS Labour fronting up on this site. Iain Lees Galloway explained their strategy. If you’re a Labour party member you should have received an email earlier this week – explaining their position.
Agree that legislative change must come first to then filter down to cultural change. Of course it does.
As a vulnerable worker in often precarious work situations I know first hand how the culture has changed as a direct result of legislation. But employers won’t change their attitudes based on new rules – their workers have to hold them to account and push for their rights – this is culture change and it HAS to happen. Believe me, even the ads posted for jobs these days are hostile, insulting and patronising. Thats to do with culture, not legislation.
You may not interested in culture change, but as someone hugely affected by employer attitudes I am.
Rosie, Labour wants to remove the ability for employers to put people on contracts where they are on call with no permanent hours. Implying, apart from being given a number of permanent hours, Labour are not seeking compensation for workers being on call.
If this is the case, this is insufficient protection for workers, thus far from reassuring.
Still waiting for Iain to clear this up.
Valid point re the compensation for on call workers. As far as I know they were using “set minimum hours” as a base. I don’t know what happens after that.
Maybe email Iain himself. From time to time I email MP’s when something isn’t clear. Sometimes you need to give them a prod as a reminder to respond.
In regards to emailing him, It’s Iain’s job to inform the public on such matters. Not just individuals that can be bothered to email him.
Moreover, he chose to utilize this site, but failed to keep up with communications.
He really needs to clear this matter up.
Furthermore, what with the 90 days and TPP, they can’t afford to mess this up.
I don’t know what to say. It was just a practical suggestion, regardless of what anyone’s expectations might be of their MP’s, you know, things like responding to questions in public forum.
If you do email him, you can copy his answer into a comment of Open Mike and then we’ll all know.
And get this, the Greens claim to not have seen the changes made. What happen to working closer together with their potential coalition partners?
I’m still awaiting his reply to my questions.
It’s sort of like Labour has sold the essence of its very name. “Labour” was formed to represent workers, and here we have it supporting a bit of legislation by its polar opposite that concerns the very people it was formed to represent.
Natbour.
Labours argument is voting against it would mean leaving thousands of New Zealanders stuck in zero hour contracts.
However, If zero hour contracts remain, they will vote against it. Go figure?
There seems to be no discussion on attaining fiscal compensation for those on-call.
Worse, i read someplace that fair compensation shoul be paid, and so all Labour needed to do was speak to that, in parliament. i.e more than the dole, less that the minimum wage per hour to wait. But not it has to be a fight not a principled negoiation.
Don’t blame Robertson, blame the writer for The Economist he plagiarised.
https://garethsworld.com/blog/health/pharmac-and-the-crazies-john-key-admits-mistake-andrew-little-looks-to-repeat-it/
Normally I’d be using it as proof that Littles stuffed up again but since its Gareth Morgan saying it…
Racist cops deny problem. They’ll deal with it as well as they deal with their internal rape culture no doubt.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/298060/police-reject-africans'-claims-of-racial-abuse
Watch this go through the usual stages:
1. “No problem”, belittle the victim.
2. Under duress, pretend to hold an inquiry and issue new “guidelines.”
3. Claim that the new guidelines have solved the problem.
4. “No problem, we dealt with it long ago, it’s historical.” Belittle the victim.
In the interests of efficiency, the current government will allow them to go directly from stage 1 to 4.
Some monkeys were bypassed by evolution alright – so they shaved and put on blue suits.
Years ago, Jim Mora called that bag of wind Barack Obama “the leading
orator of our time”; now look at who he’s calling “quite a thinker”.
The Panel, RNZ National, Friday 4 March 2016
Jim Mora, Ali Jones, Selwyn Manning, Zara Potts
This piece of penetrating analysis occurred about halfway through the program….
JIM MORA: It’s interesting, all these secret Trump supporters. An Hispanic woman whose family escaped from Castro’s Cuba says she will vote for Trump and so will all her acquaintances. She said political correctness is the beginning of the end. And you know, she’s quite a thinker. …
ALI JONES: He’s a racist bully.
MORA: But they aren’t all, by any means, the red-necked owners of guns…..
Haha some of my mates think I should buy this piece of history.
Of course I see it as history showing Tory Prime Minister getting benefits from socialist ownership.
Of course the Tory’s win when it’s in private ownership as well.
It’s just the rest of us that miss out when stuff is sold off.
Muldoons free NZR pass.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/a.aspx?id=1044490240
On a more serious note some time back there were some posts referring to the Ottoman massacre of Armenians.
This photographer has increased awareness of this in a pretty cool way.
http://www.dianamarkosian.com/pages/1915
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11599987
Piss off Soper…….what evidence is there that ‘Prince Max’ is being cyberbullied……none except the whining of an effete daddy grasping at the straws of political lift, off the back of his own blood if needs be. That’s no evidence. Daddy’s doing a number – that’s all that whining amounts to.
In any event, Max is right into it. “Me asleep on Air Force One” as he Instagrams an obviously staged pic’ of himself. What ? The son of PMONZ trying to put himself across the son of POTUS. Gimme a break !
You’re boring and unartful Soper, even to yourself. That’s why you’re driven to make yourself part of the story. Winston Peters had your measure years ago in John McCain’s office in Washington DC. Remember that one Soper……? You didn’t learn did ya ? Still the old wahanui.
Interesting, http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/03/secret-donald-trump-voters-speak-out?CMP=twt_gu
wow
This excerpt from 1943 in the Evening Post just about sums up this govt of today and there attitude Just change the names as you see fit to today’s world
This is the shit that Key bastard wants to keep going
“Because of the attacks made on the trade union movement by the Nationalists during the election campaign it appears necessary to express the views on this point of an organisation which represents 38,000 workers,” said Mr. F. P. Walsh, president of the Wellington Trades Council of the New Zealand Federation of Labour, in a statement today.
“Mr. Holland’s attack on the trade union leaders reveals that he is fundamentally opposed to industrial unionism,” said Mr. Walsh. “Like his political ancestors throughout the past century Mr. Holland would be delighted with a leaderless trade union movement. The Nationalists, like all Tories of the past, hate the leaders of trade unions because the activities of those leaders, and their insistence on fair play for the workers, disturb the tranquillity of those who enjoy easy profits and big dividends from organised business. “Members of trade unions throughout the country have had to put up with a great deal of abuse of their leaders, whom the Nationalists term ‘Labour bosses.’ That Nationalist attitude was also adopted by the Lee Party. They side-stepped the fact that the trade union movement, by reason of its constitution, rules, and love of liberty, has no dictators. Its leaders are elected annually on democratic principles. “What the trades union movement has accomplished on behalf of the workers and the people as a whole, not only in ameliorating labour conditions, but in social services generally, is appreciated by everybody. But we realise that a victory of the Fascist Powers in the present war would destroy all that has been achieved, and we are wholeheartedly behind the Government in its administration of the war effort of the Dominion. THE WAR EFFORT. “Yet the attitude taken up by the Nationalists during the election has been definitely damaging to that war effort. For political gain and to help the employing class the Nationalists advocated a reduced military effort. To catch a few votes they set out to capitalise on the furlough draft, regardless of the fact that the course they advocated would have jeopardised the chances of any further men being granted a well-earned holiday in New Zealand. “The Nationalists also attempted to weaken New Zealand’s war effort on the home front. They attacked every law and every provision for maintaining full efficiency in defence and in military training for overseas. They endeavoured to” turn people’s wartime sacrifices, and wartime shortages of commodities, and inevitable wartime inconveniences into political grievances. They tried to convince the people that they would be better off if all the measures for their protection against wartime difficulties were removed. They advocated that prices should be left to the will of private enterprise, and that nothing should be protected except the old Tory privilege of grabbing all the good things of life. “In all of these actions the Nationalists sapped the morale of the nation. “Another enemy of our war effort was the doctrine that the war could be paid for without any cost to the people of the country. “The people showed by their votes that they are not so gullible as the glib but muddle-headed apostles of easy money who contested the election. The people of New Zealand showed that they have a true understanding of the fact that the war has to be paid for by ourselves, out of the goods and services that we produce, and that no jugglery can avoid it. INDUSTRIAL LABOUR’S PLEDGE. “The workers of New Zealand are, therefore, determined to work wholeheartedly to increase their production and thus do all that is in their power towards achieving victory. •’They are convinced also that the I industrial conditions under which they can do their best are only possible under the Labour Government. “The whole of organised industrial labour, therefore, gives its pledge that it will continue to work to its utmost to increase the production of the Dominion, and to support the Labour Government in its policy of carrying on the war without any relaxation, and at the same time maintaining the highest possible standard of living in fair play to all sections of the community.”
The war being today, the TPPA
We are going to get that little tory prick one way or another
Sorry – as I do appreciate that OM is special and not a tech forum !
However it is difficult to be anywhere else on TS using FireFox 44.0.2 on FC2x – just renders a “Content Encoding Error”.
This message is posted using IE11 on Windows8.1 – not where I wish to be – get me out of here please !
All was good till 44.0.2 upgrade yesterday.
And Chrome 48.0.2564.116 (64-bit) on FC2x
ERR_CONTENT_DECODING_FAILED
Was all good till today
No cache/cookies retained in either FC2x browser and W8/IE11 VM uses the same network and ISP
Change the flag for a bag of of DAGS