I’ve noticed that over the past several days that election signs are going up on fences around town. National is recycling its ‘For a Brighter Future’ claptrap and National’s electorate candidates are heavily promoting Key on their signage as well. In my electorate it is perennial also-ran Nicky Wagner’s mug to the right of Smile and Wave’s smug face with between a large exhortation to Party Vote National.
Not in a million years would I tick the box for these creeps.
I saw some with ‘(Candidate x), a Strong Voice in John Key’s National Party’. It’s an obvious indication that the Nats have only one strategy; smiling and waving.
I noticed that the Sam Collins/John Key Wigram billboard near the Sockburn overbridge was up for weeks then mysteriously came down when the spending period kicked in (I think). Obviously had to get rid of a few thou’ before the spending limits started deducting it from the allowable spend.
The photo of Key on the billboard was not a good one (neither was Sam’s). Very tired and ‘non-Duchenne’ smile – surely there were better snaps (something commensurate with a ‘brighter/more vital future’) they could have put up?
Many good old fashioned demos will be scheduled if the Nats sleaze in again, it would save us all a bit of trouble though if someone would go through Shonkey’s trash and discover something interesting (ooh look at all those Oxycontin wrappers), or reveal his liking for 4 legged girlfriends or something…
But yeah smile and wave is pretty much all they have got. And what NZ appears to have is a classic rural/urban tory divide akin to 1981. Thank goodness for mmp.
Funnily enough, in the rural town I live in, Key is not that popular. He’s seen as just another city slicker, though preferable to the socialists, of course. I find it interesting that ex farmer’s fed boss Don Nicholson is standing for ACT. In the past, he would have waltzed in to a safe Nat seat or list placing. It’s an indication that National are seen as meddling and soft on rural issues, I think.
Or simple positioning where Don N. can rant and act all indignant without upsetting the illusion of unity the nats like to portray….ACT is after all the ranting nutty granddads of national, backed and run by the same hollow men. being named Don or John also makes it easier for the senile old goats to get the names right.
branding pure and simple,….same dog different leg action.
Attacks on universal enfranchisement seem to be gaining ground – especially in the more right-wing states such as the US. We’ve just had our prisoners being disenfranchised by this RWNJ government so I doubt that this isn’t a coordinated move across the world.
The rich are working to prevent everyone else from voting.
An interesting observation on Political Dumpground:
National changed the law to remove the right of people with sentences under three years to be registered to vote. This means people like Josie very short sentences will be removed from the electoral roll, they may not be told this has happened, they do not receive support to re-enrol when they leave prison. This will probably leave most these people having left prison turning up at the polling booth and finding they are not enrolled to vote and thus cannot.
“Muckraker Reveals Sad Truths About System”
blares the header for Matt McCarten’s story about Nicky Hager’s book. “Muckraker?”
The text of Matt’s article in no way reflected the header, but I guess the sub-editors (in Australia?) have their own agenda. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10749281
I recall (from my history studies at Uni) that ‘muck-raker’ used to be an honorable term – a muck-raker was considered a good guy/woman in the 1920s. Sadly, not any more! Oh yes, sub-eds have a lot to answer for..
I would like to see that stats for a survey question that asked: “How likely are you to still vote National if John Key was no longer the Party leader?” I think it would quickly drop 20% or so.
Perhaps preface it with:
” Sources inside the National Party inform us that John Key is going to retire straight after the next election. Would you still vote for National…….”
The country has just recently witnessed the puppet masters parachuting one Dolt in to hijack a party.
Next, the country will see the puppet masters and their bankers helicoptering out a Jerk from another.
Along the lines of that famous documentary “Someone Else’s Country”, supporters of the National Party can be powerless spectators to their political mandate being stolen by “Someone Else’s Party”.
National Party list has been released. Few women and little representation of diverse NZ. Many current MPs have been dropped down list. Waiting for the howls of derision and personal attacks on candidates by media and others, as has met the release of other party lists.
Tau Henare has dropped like a stone, obviously a talent based decision.
But Melissa Lee improves three places! As does Bakshi! It seems more and more clear that positions 34 to 37 are the ethnic token places. Last time it was positions 35 to 38.
The prime news lead in I just watched is certainly on the offensive, mentioning the gender imbalance “The National party list has been released, and only 2 woman in the top 10′ be interesting to see if the others follow…
On Saturday the 3 September, Sean Plunket interviewed Businessman and multi-millionaire Owen Glenn, on The Nation Program. During the interview he was asked a question concerning donations to political parties. Owen Glenn stated that he would make a donation of $100 million to the government if the National and Act parties won the next general election. It was inferred that he would not make the donation if Labour won…
Why doesn’t he do the honourable thing and offer to fix the ChCh schools that are uninsured, pay the wages of the academics that have been made redundant, etc?
That is why we need things like education, etc to be funded through taxation, and we need to hit prize pricks like Glenn to pay for it.
Otherwise we have this situation, in which filthy rich millionaires only fund things with a list of strict conditions, ie the right people being in power.
Sunday and today there is a chance for Auckland people to hear and talk to POLLY HIGGINS
a lawyer with corporate and court background turned to environmental matters – capable, able speaker, interesting, with an exciting idea for a new approach to stopping earth deterioration that can work.)
(Full background on Jim Nald 1/9 Open Mike 3.51pm)
Confirming today’s meeting opportunity Jim Nald advises –
Confirming the following and Google tells me the phone number for the contact person for the Sunday event, ie Helen McNeil, is (09) 832 8181:
Sunday 4th September 1- 9pm, Auckland
Eradicating Ecocide
Earthsong, 457 Swanson Road, Ranui, Waitakere, Auckland
Please email Helen McNeil, bagend (at) clear.net.nz
to book a place ($20 includes dinner)
If you can’t get to meetings I believe on Monday she will be interviewed by Radionz Kathryn Ryan 9toNoon which will go onto download so you can pick it up later at home.
Also there is a meeting in Auckland city on Monday 7-9pm –
Monday 5th September, 7 – 9pm, Auckland University
Ecocide, the missing 5th Crime Against Peace (Facebook), Auckland
Lecture Theatre 260-098, Owen Glenn Building, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
(I note that the theatre is in the Owen Glenn Building and earlier on the blog it has been stated that he has announced a $100 million gift? grant? handout? to National/Act if they get in. I wonder if he will want to rename New Zealand too – Owen Glenn South Pacific Properties?)
Polly Higgins & Ecocide
People’s Book Prize Winner 2011
Polly is brilliant. Not a time waster. Strategic, practical and visionary. And at various points, she provides surprisingly fresh insights.
Google for reviews about the book. For eg, an extract from Univ College London:
“Polly Higgins defined ecocide as the extensive destruction, damage to or loss of ecosystems of a given territory (whether by human agency or other causes) to such an extent that the peaceful enjoyment of the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished. …
“The crime of ecocide should not be about closing down companies, she argued, but about ensuring that they are part of the solution.
“Two hundred years ago industry said that the end of the slave trade was uneconomic and would lead to loss of jobs, and there was public demand for slaves as they were a necessity. Industry proposed that reductions in use of slaves should be left to market forces and self regulation, and that industry itself would improve conditions and limit numbers. Legislation against the slave trade led to the industries involved developing hugely successful technological solutions in very short timescales.
“By legislating against ecocide, companies would develop new technologies and new ways of working far more rapidly than they would otherwise.”
Polly Higgins advocates a different approach to preventing the destruction of our planet. Instead of our laws protecting the property rights of the few, we can shift to laws that impose responsibilities, duties and obligations for the benefit of the many. Polly Higgins is a barrister, author and international environmental lawyer, voted by the Ecologist as one of the ‘Worlds Top ten Visionary Thinkers’ for her earlier work advancing the Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights.
For tomorrow (Mon):
* Her RadioNZ interview is around 9:20am (up till 9:50am).
New Zealand is a sporting nation that loves a good game. We punch above our weight and should rightly feel proud about our achievements. Through the good work of many volunteers, our young are engaged in sports, which is healthy for all concerned. However there’s something this sporting mad nation needs to be aware of; our terrible poverty levels are affecting New Zealand’s ability to produce great athletes…
If ever there was a case for ‘the spirit level’
Toff’s school cherry pick the elite athletes; the private schools make it worse by having elite academies, professional coaches, etc, so that only the privileged get the best support.
So unfair!
You’re right to question my assumption of course. I note that Peter Blake is the only Kiwi to win a Laureus World Sports Award (Sport for Good Award and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002). So perhaps the media exposure sport receives is not relative to the countries sporting achievement.
Dramatic plans to disband the Tories north of the border were unveiled by the front-runner for its leadership in a move one senior party figure warned could encourage the break-up of the United Kingdom.
The Prime Minister – who is spending the weekend in Scotland – faces the prospect of being the first British Prime Minister whose party has no Scottish MPs.
Murdo Fraser, who is favourite to become leader of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party, will announce that he plans to wind up the party if he wins a ballot of members next month.
He would follow disbanding the party by launching a new Right-of-centre party that would contest all Scottish elections — council, Scottish Parliament and Westminster.
Mr Fraser, a member of the Scottish Parliament, believes the Conservatives have become a “toxic brand” in Scotland since losing all 11 of their Commons seats in the 1997 Labour landslide.
A very thoughtful and well explained interview on Chris Laidlaw on Radionz this morning with Peter Hyde who was one of a pro-active group down in Christchurch who stepped into the hole of ineptness,and council and government PR with little commitment to actual services for the people suffering most destruction and deprivation, (as opposed to the CBD buildings destroyed.)
Peter Hyde
Is convinced that those in the Eastern suburbs have been given the thin end of the stick regarding the relief effort. (34′51″)
Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3 | Embed
More details –
10:06 Peter Hyde – Tale of Three Cities
Peter Hyde coined the ‘three cities’ phrase following the February quake – rescue city, shower city and refugee city. He warns there are lessons to be learned for the rest of the country from the experience of the residents of the Eastern suburbs.
Peter made good points and gives examples of the lack of assistance given by Council, Civil Defence and the slowness of government to step forward. (I think that central government should have been on the spot to help these citizens of NZ more, not just leave it to Christchurch to organise and cope.)
Peter talked of people being advised that water would be available at one spot which was soon cordoned off and inaccessible but that further information wasn’t made available. A civil defence person tried to open up one post but the key was missing so he/she went home. There were numerous examples of the lack of leadership and aid to the local community who could have manned permanent hubs of information and provided feedback.
Chris Laidlaw was a bit odd. He tended to take the attitude of the organisation offered having been as good as it could be, when I would expect he would be asking for the reasons and solutions for the dissatisfaction expressed. When it was information needed he referred straight away to newspapers, not to the media he was on, radio which would be of prime importance.
I would have thought there would have been an hourly update of useful news for stricken areas, the portaloos are coming tomorrow, water available here, go out to your gate at 9am till 9.30am if you need something and wave down the red car with white sign on sides in the Bexley area etc.
It comes I think from a right wing attitude that has little respect for community, remember Thatcher said there was no such thing having absorbed toxic economic theory of the time.
Therefore you manage the people from above, you map them as individuals and place the burden of coping on their shoulders by advising they need to be self-sufficient for a week, and having passed that responsibility, turn and get onto managing the really valuable matters, the buildings and properties.
Instead of setting up aid and information points which the able-bodied can access that had services like electricity to charge cellphones, awaken battery radios with rechargeables, nothing was offered. He referred to the Student Army that came forward but could have done with more help, and there was no-one centrally placed to exchange, advise, report, request strategic information with. So much was ad hoc. The Farmy Army sacrificed time, also the students who had vital studies they will be paying for, and they gave up part of their limited time needed to prepare for their tests or exams.
There were numerous examples of the lack of leadership and aid to the local community who could have manned permanent hubs of information and provided feedback.
I heard only the end of this, and just as Laidlaw’s programme ended, he read out an email from a renter, who talked about how the media have not given a tinker’s about the poor – but we hear constantly about home owners, businesses and even cafes in the CBD. I for one, want to hear about tenants, and the poor… How are they getting on? Spectrum was as usual, banging on and on about artists, cafes and musicians… Well yes, I am sure that’s interesting – especially to lovers of ‘bluegrass’ (how very Kiwi that is!) But what about real people who are trying to survive without having a $750 000 home to get compensation for?
Do you really think Owen can buy National into power. Pathetic!
Joke Key is the big boy now and Glenn likes to curry favour with the big boys and girls. Thought he’d have an easy ride with the last lot but it didn’t work out so he got the sulks. He’s looking to score another plaque with his name on it!
There was a very good article bt John Minto exposing the blatantly covert eliteism and racism that is the driving force behind ACT.
ACT claim to be the party of property rights but Minto points out that they are ‘demonising as privilidged citizens and begrudging them even one percent of their claim.’
I didn’t know this but South Canterbury Finance bailout (by NATS) was almost twice that of the total of the treaty claims.
Tonight here in chch we had a small reminder on what the past year has been like. Lets hope there wont be a big reminder. the lights are great in the sky, might I add.
Yeah, great lights! Designed by Bob Parker, personally built by Bob Parker, choir conducted by Bob Parker, script by Bob Parker, switched on by Bob Parker (snr), choreographed by Bob Parker, not paid for by Bob Parker ( fuck no ) , for the honour of Bob Parker.
Open access notables A survey of interventions to actively conserve the frozen North, van Wijngaarden et al., Climatic Change:The frozen elements of the high North are thawing as the region warms much faster than the global mean. The dangers of sea level rise due to melting glacier ice, increased ...
Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealand’s biggest-ever political donations scandal is finally at an end. But what is the conclusion? No one can really be sure. The Court of Appeal released its judgement on Tuesday about the Serious Fraud Office case against the NZ First Foundation. On ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Waves of rain are set to lash much of the North Island during Easter Weekend as a low-pressure system forms east of New Zealand, according to a weather forecast published in the past day or so. Niwa was warning of a “moisture-laden” long weekend, with rain expected ...
Look around us…Nicola Willis’ promises of balancing the books, of cutting spending without reducing services, and of delivering game changing tax cuts are disappearing before her eyes.Everyday we see stories of violent crime ending in horrific injuries, or worse. The cost of living worsens, whereas the PM claimed renters would ...
TL;DR: My top six news of note on the morning of Thursday, March 28 include:The Government will have to borrow between $10 billion to $15 billion more than previously expected in order to make up for a slowing economy and to pay for $14.9 billion of tax cuts, according to ...
This story by Naveena Sadasivam and Kate Yoder was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The long-awaited jobs board for the American Climate Corps, promised early in the Biden administration, will open next month, according to details shared exclusively ...
Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don’t think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of ...
Treasury’s first report on the economy since the change of government presents a damning indictment of Labour’s economic management. The problem for National is that it is so damning that logically, coupled with a rapidly slowing economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis should respond to it by postponing or even cancelling ...
Budget tensions are becoming evident within the Coalition Government. Winston Peters made numerous political points in his speech to the NZF annual conference. But the attack on his own government’s fiscal policies raised issues of substance. ‘Today in the Sunday Star Times, journalist and former advisor to the Labour ...
Buzz from the Beehive The media – sure enough – have been binging on Finance Minister Nicola Willis’ release of the Budget Policy Statement and a statement headed Government announces Budget priorities This assures us – or rather, this parrots the Luxon team mantra – that the Budget “will deliver ...
The Ides of March brought me COVID followed by a bereavement. No wonder they tell you to be careful of them.I’m home now and have resumed the interrupted recuperation. Very much looking forward to getting back to regular things. Meanwhile, some thoughts…OneThis new Prime Minister guy just keeps getting more dire. ...
News that the Chinese ATP 40 cyber-hacking unit penetrated parliamentary internet networks in 2021 has renewed concerns about the PRC’s malign intentions in Aotearoa. But is the hack that significant given the length of time that has passed since its … Continue reading → ...
When Parliament passed the Intelligence and security Act in 2017, they assured us all that it was full of safeguards. Any intrusive surveillance of New Zealanders would be subject to a "triple lock", requiring the approval of the Minister and (supposedly independent) Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, as well as post-facto ...
Eric Crampton writes – Richard Harman’s Politik newsletter provides a bit of the context that ought to have been showing up in other media reports on potential reductions in public service staffing. Media has been reporting on staffing cuts on the order of about 7%. Is that ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – It’s becoming increasingly apparent that many perceive free speech to have become the preserve of the politically right wing, the religiously conservative, the libertarian fringe, the anti-trans, the anti-Māori and…. well, just fill in with whatever groups or individuals you don’t like and don’t ...
Don Brash writes – As everybody who is not blind and deaf is aware, there is a huge political preoccupation with climate change at the moment, a widespread (though by no means unanimous) belief that global temperatures are rising mainly as a result of the greenhouse gases created ...
TL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy on Wednesday, March 27 include:Chris Bishop laid out his vision for filling Aotearoa-NZ’s $100 billion infrastructure deficit in a speech yesterday, emphasising user pays and private funding, but failed to say how to achieve bipartisanship on population, public borrowing and ...
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On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Buzz from the Beehive China has loomed large in Beehive considerations over the past 24 hours, largely because of that country’s mischief-making in the cyber espionage department. Two media statements emerged on that subject hard on the heels of the PM baulking at questions put to him on RNZ’s Morning ...
Chris Trotter writes – WHY IS THE NATIONAL PARTY doing so much for landlords, property developers, trucking, and construction companies, and so little for everybody who isn’t already pretty well-off? It’s as if protecting landlords’ investments and building apartments and roads now constitute the whole of National’s ...
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Robert MacCulloch writes – The Reserve Bank has doubled staff numbers in five years to 510, with personnel costs rising to $80 million in 2023 from $32 million in 2018 – up by a whopping 150%. I guess when you print $50 billion and flood markets with liquidity, ...
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Welcome to the first, and possibly last, edition of Brickbats, Bouquets and Bull’s Wool. In which I’ll take a look at the events of the last week or so, and rate them.In such ratings the numbers usually have more to do with the opinions of the reviewer, than the actual ...
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Peter Dunne writes – Nearly three decades after the introduction of MMP and multiparty governments there should be a greater level of understanding about their finer points than often appears to be the case. The reaction to the despicable outburst from the Deputy Prime Minister at the weekend highlights ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – “It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April ...
David Farrar writes – The Electoral Commission has published the expense returns for political parties for the 2023 election. I’ve put them in a table with how many votes a party got so we can see the spend per vote. National only spent $3.34 for every vote they got, almost ...
Winston Peters’ headline-making actions over the past week may have been a show of political power intended to strengthen his hand in Budget negotiations. It was no accident that his State of the Nation speech was as it was. He made it as New Zealand First Leader, not as Deputy ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson bowed out of politics this week, giving a series of exit ...
Graham Adams writes — If you love the law or sausages, as the saying goes, best not to look too closely at how they are made. And after watching the orgy of self-pity when Newshub’s closure was announced on February 28, television journalism should definitely be added to the list of those ...
Venerable New Zealand political commentator, Chris Trotter (https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/), is a sad creature these days. Once one of the most reliable Leftist writers out there – Economic Left at that – Trotter seems to have absorbed the worldview of Auckland culture-war obsessives. It is not for me to categorise what he ...
The cruelty of short-term memory loss is that each time you ask where she is, you get the fresh shock and grief of the news. That was Dad's day yesterday.Comfortingly, it seems to be less so today. Last night he looked crumpled, today he seems more settled. There's a card ...
Photo by Alvan Nee on UnsplashIt’s that new day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news ...
Buzz from the Beehive One minister is talking tough while a colleague – whose ministry had acted tough and drawn a barrage of flak – has shown an official softening. Some ministers are doing what Labour was good at, which is distributing public funds to causes regarded as worthy or ...
A ballot for 4 Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Insurance Contracts Bill (Duncan Webb) Income Tax (Clean Transport FBT Exclusion) Amendment Bill (Julie Anne Genter) Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill (Greg Fleming) Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) ...
One of the strongest narratives about "our" spy agencies is that they are basically institutional traitors, working for foreign powers (or just themselves), without any control or oversight by the elected government. And today, we have yet another report from the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security which explicitly confirms this. ...
“It is often said that behind every great man is a great woman”. This is the pitch by the National Party Botany electorate branch to attend their “Ladies Afternoon Tea with Amanda Luxon”. For $110 including GST, you can turn up on Saturday 20 April to meet the Prime Minister’s ...
The Coalition Government’s plan to ‘get Auckland moving’ is a cuts cover-up that will ultimately cost Aucklanders more to move around the city, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Slashing the Ministry of Pacific Peoples by 40% will have a devastating impact on pacific communities and further highlights how little this government cares about anything other than cutting taxes for the wealthiest few. ...
Labour has proposed an urgent inquiry to investigate the ever-increasing profits of supermarkets, aiming to lower costs for shoppers and food producers alike, says Labour Spokesperson for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Arena Williams and Primary Production Spokesperson Cushla Tangaere-Manuel. ...
With 14% of jobs on the line at the Ministry for Ethnic Communities, the responsible Minister Melissa Lee is failing to stand up for the very communities she’s meant to be representing. ...
COURT OF APPEAL: TRIFECTA OF VICTORY FOR NZ FIRST, TRIFECTA OF FAILURE FOR OPPONENTS For the third time since April 2020, New Zealand First has defeated the Serious Fraud Office and all those complicit in a malicious attack against a political party going about its lawful business in a lawful ...
The Green Party stands with people who live in public housing, people in dire housing need, experts and advocates in demanding better than the Government’s archaic approach to housing those who need our support the most. ...
New Zealand has recently lost the hosting rights of some major international sporting events including the America’s Cup, the Rugby Championship, Netball World Cup, and the Wellington Sevens. We are now at a huge risk of losing SailGP as well. And it won’t stop there. The recent issues with SailGP ...
A Member’s Bill drawn this week would modernise insurance law and make things fairer and more transparent for consumers, Christchurch Central MP Duncan Webb said. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues has confirmed she was aware of funding issues in mid-December and did nothing to stop it. On 14 March, she signed off on changes that were announced and implemented on 18 March without any consultation with disability communities. ...
Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter says her members' bill is an opportunity for the coalition government to plug the gap in electric vehicle incentives. ...
The National Government continues to talk about irresponsible tax cuts that will only drive up inflation, despite the country entering a technical recession. ...
The Minister for Disability Issues must act urgently to reinstate flexibility around the funding for disability support and apologise to disabled carers. ...
This story has been initiated by a leftie shill reporter who proactively sought to call a member of a former band, which disbanded twelve years ago, give their biased appraisal of what was said in my speech, and concocted a ham-fisted attempt at a story that does nothing but show ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Many in the mainstream media have taken what was said in New Zealand First’s State of the Nation Speech in Palmerston North on Sunday and deliberately, deceitfully, and ignorantly misrepresented what I said and why I said it. The headlines and commentary on the news stated that I compared ‘co-governance ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
Good afternoon. Thank you for, in your very busy lives, turning up to this meeting today. On October 14th last year New Zealanders overwhelmingly voted for change. That is exactly what this new government is bringing. New Zealand First campaigned to ‘take back our country’ and stop the disastrous economic ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April. “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates. Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend. “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says. Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track. “Dam safety regulations ...
The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis. “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says. “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009. ...
The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function. The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union. “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says. “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
Good morning, it’s great to be here. First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning. I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed. “Northland has faced a number ...
New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
EDITORIAL:The Jakarta Post It happens again and again; indigenous Papuans fall victim to Indonesian soldiers. This time, we have photographic evidence for the brutality, with videos on social media showing a Papuan man being tortured by a group of plainclothes men alleged to be the Indonesian Military (TNI) members. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robyn J. Whitaker, Director of the Wesley Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Policy & Associate Professor, New Testament, Pilgrim Theological College, University of Divinity A strange and eclectic range of activities takes place across these few weeks of the year. Some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University It’s Easter weekend, which means many of us will be kicking back with the greatest hits on repeat. But whether you’re a boomer, or an ‘80s or ’90s kid, you might be ...
RNZ Pacific Fiji’s Acting Public Prosecutor has filed an appeal against the sentences of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended police chief Sitiveni Qiliho in their corruption case. Bainimarama was granted an absolute discharge for attempting to pervert the course of justice while Qiliho received a conditional discharge with ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Arosha Weerakoon, Senior Lecturer and General Dentist, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland Casezy idea/Shutterstock How does toothpaste work? What did people use before toothpaste was invented? – Amelia, age 7, Meanjin (Brisbane) Thanks for your ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Hallam, Associate professor, UNSW Sydney IM Imagery/Shutterstock Solar SunShot is well named. The Australian government announced today it would plough A$1 billion into bringing back solar manufacturing to Australia, boosting energy security, swapping coal and gas jobs for those ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Clare Dix, Research Fellow in Nutrition & Dietetics, The University of Queensland Easter is the time for chocolate. The shops are full of fantastically packaged and shiny chocolates in all shapes and sizes, making trips to the supermarket with children more challenging ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emma Felton, Adjunct Senior Researcher, University of South Australia Even in a stubborn cost-of-living crisis, it seems there’s one luxury most Australians won’t sacrifice – their daily cup of coffee. Coffee sales have largely remained stable, even as financial pressures have ...
Mining company Trans-Tasman Resources has unexpectedly withdrawn its application for a consent to suck the valuable metals vanadium and titanium from the Taranaki seafloor, as it apparently wagers on the Government’s new fast-track process. It had spent two-and-a-half days putting its case to the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision-making committee, at ...
Contrary to the Associate Minister of Education’s claims, analysis of Healthy School Lunches Programme - Ka Ora, Ka Ako assessments has revealed it provides excellent value for the taxpayer dollar, as a groundswell of public opposition to Government ...
Greenpeace says wannabe Taranaki seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is likely banking on Christopher Luxon’s fast-track process to side-step proper scrutiny of its Taranaki seabed mining proposal by bailing out of the Environmental Protection Agency hearing ...
Kiwis Against Seabed mining today slammed Australian owned would-be seabed miner Trans Tasman Resources (TTR) for abandoning its application to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to mine the seabed of the South Taranaki Bight. The company ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Katie Attwell, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia Ground Picture/Shutterstock Months after COVID vaccines were introduced in 2021, governments and private organisations mandated them for various groups. Health and aged care workers were among the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Dzurak, Scientia Professor Andrew Dzurak, CEO and Founder of Diraq, UNSW Sydney Diraq For decades, the pursuit of quantum computing has struggled with the need for extremely low temperatures, mere fractions of a degree above absolute zero (0 Kelvin or ...
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 A national Essential poll, conducted March 20–24 from a sample of 1,150, gave the Coalition a 50–44 lead including undecided, a reversal ...
The Taxpayers’ Union has today made a formal request under the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Open Government Information () for information held about how New Zealand Members of Parliament are spending taxpayer ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Nelson, Honorary Principal Fellow, The University of Melbourne A Byzantine depiction of the Eucharist in Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv.Jacek555/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA A nasty quarrel arose in the 11th century over what kind of bread should be used in holy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Hesp, Professor, Flinders University Patrick Hesp In some parts of Australia, coastal dunes are retreating from the ocean at an alarming rate, as waves carve up the beach and wind blows the sand inland. But coastal communities are largely ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luke Heemsbergen, Senior Lecturer, Digital, Political, Media, Deakin University With an impressive 60% of the US smartphone market, Apple is undeniably big, but not a clear monopoly. Yet, years of innovation by Apple have effectively given the company its own exclusive ...
Whether you’re facing layoffs or are just an emotional junior staffer, it’s always a good idea to scout out a good crying place before you need it. It’s an incredibly hard time for Wellington. Across the city, thousands of public servants are hearing tough news about redundancies and layoffs. Government ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Miller-Jones, Professor, Curtin University Nuclear explosions on a neutron star feed its jets. Danielle Futselaar and Nathalie Degenaar, Anton Pannekoek Institute, University of Amsterdam, CC BY-SA How fast can a neutron star drive powerful jets into space? The answer, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daryl Adair, Associate Professor of Sport Management, University of Technology Sydney Earlier this week, independent MP Andrew Wilkie accused the AFL of conducting “off the books” illicit drug testing to identify players using substances of abuse, then inappropriately withdrawing them from matches ...
The Government’s announcement that it will scrap plans for a vast marine sanctuary around the Kermadec Islands is ‘shameful’ and will make it impossible for Aotearoa New Zealand to meet its international commitments, says the World Wide Fund for Nature ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland Shutterstock The federal government has bowed to pressure from the car industry, announcing it will relax proposed emissions rules for utes and vans and delay enforcement of the new standards ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suzanne Rutland, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney In his latest book, Jewish Life in Medieval Spain, Jonathan Ray focuses on the tumult of the 14th century in Spain – a time of the plague, civil strife and war between the two largest ...
While creating a slate of world-class shows, Whakaata Māori also developed a generation of world-class creatives. Television is an odd word. It mixes the Ancient Greek and Latin languages, and its most literal meaning is “far-off sight”. In the contemporary and living language of te reo Māori, “whakaata” as a ...
Yesterday the UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza. This significant step and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza prompted an urgent debate in the New Zealand Parliament. Leader ...
The Government’s decision to reduce access to continuous glucose monitors (CGM) not only threatens the lives of children with type 1 diabetes and increases the potential for ‘Dead in Bed’ syndrome, but also threatens the health of their parents an ...
Apples are available year-round, but the wide variety on offer involves intensive scientific research – and large-scale commercialisation. What’s beautiful, red, sweet and crunchy? Tony Martin’s favourite kind of apple: Sassy. The CEO of apple and pear breeding organisation Prevar, Martin’s fondness for Sassy represents professional success as well as ...
Family violence specialist service Shine is calling on employers to stop asking for proof of domestic violence in order for employees to access domestic violence leave. The call comes five years after the introduction of the Domestic Violence ...
The Deputy Chairperson of the Finance and Expenditure Committee is calling for public submissions on the Budget Policy Statement 2024. The Budget Policy Statement 2024 (BPS) sets out the Government's priorities for the 2024 Budget. It explains the approach ...
Brutal government spending cuts that will see the size of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples slashed by 40% will hit Pasifika communities hard, the PSA says. The Ministry has told staff that it is seeking voluntary redundancies, and to redeploy and reassign ...
I live with five people I mostly love, but our different ideas about generosity are starting to really irk me.Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,This is a bit of a random one but here goes. I’m 22 and work an OK job (OK meaning I get paid ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Maria Nicholas, Senior Lecturer in Language and Literacy Education, Deakin University Earlier this month, the New South Wales government announced it would roll out programs for gifted students in every public school in the state. This comes amid concerns gifted school ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Massachusetts General Hospital In a world first, we heard last week that US surgeons had transplanted a kidney from a gene-edited pig into a living human. News reports said the procedure was a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Tombs, Howard Paterson Chair of Theology and Public Issues, University of Otago The 5th-century Maskell panel showing Jesus in a loincloth.British Museum, CC BY-NC-SA When Jesus is shown on the cross, he is almost always depicted wearing a loincloth around ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Panizza Allmark, Professor Visual & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University Shutterstock When you think about a red object, you might picture a red carpet, or the massive ruby in the Queen’s crown. Indeed, Western monarchies and marketing from brands such ...
COMMENTARY:Jewish Voice for Peace The UN Security Council passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza on Monday — and for the first time since the beginning of the Israeli military’s genocide of Palestinians, the United States abstained rather than vetoing it. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, ...
Asia Pacific Report A New Zealand investigative journalist and author says the US spy system hosted by the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) appears to be a controversial intelligence system used in global capture-kill operations. Writing a commentary for RNZ News today, Nicky Hager, author of Secret Power, a 1996 ...
While Nicola Willis wouldn’t give any details on its size, she said a package of tax cuts is definitely still coming in this year’s budget, 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 up here. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the investigation into the Department of Internal Affairs after it was revealed that the Department’s Chief Executive personally reached out to expedite a DJs passport application. Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns ...
Finance minister Nicola Willis delivers her first budget statement, and unwittingly helps Joel MacManus save his relationship. Nicola Willis strode into the Beehive Theatrette. Around me, on the green foldout seats, were the country’s top business and political journalists. They were all here to see her announce the Budget Policy ...
Twenty years ago today, Māori Television launched after much controversy. Jamie Tahana looks back on its survival and impact across two decades. Chad Chambers stepped onto the stage, the brim of his cap casting a shadow across his face. His smile beamed as bright as his white freezing works gumboots, ...
Tauranga, Rotorua, Wellsford, Onehunga, Westhaven marina – Gavin Strawhan walks the meanish streets of New Zealand in his entertaining debut novel The Call, almost sure to roar into the number 1 position on the Nielsen bestseller chart, its front cover bearing a rave from somebody: “A really good and genuinely ...
On a Thursday in February, at Wellington’s Conservation House, the Conservation Authority, a statutory body advising the eponymous department and minister, Tama Potaka, opened its 195th meeting. Under consideration that afternoon was an agenda item written by Tim Bamford, chief advisor in the Department of Conservation’s biodiversity, heritage and visitors ...
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A lengthy response to the recently released draft Government policy statement on transport will soon be delivered from Auckland Council to Minister of Transport Simeon Brown. A submission raising concerns about funding distribution and the plan’s treatment of Auckland passed through the council’s transport committee on Wednesday, despite some councillors ...
The unidentified foreign intelligence operation discussed in a scathing report by New Zealand’s Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) last week appears to be a controversial United States intelligence system. The IGIS report said the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) decision to host a foreign system from 2012-2020 was “improper” ...
As a young gymnast, Aimee Didierjean was always conscious of making sure her underwear wasn’t showing on the competition floor. A peek of a bra strap, or briefs if a leotard rode up, would cost a gymnast points in her routines. “When I was growing and going through puberty, it ...
Jubi/West Papua Daily Repeated cases of Indonesian military (TNI) soldiers torturing civilians in Papua have been evident, as seen in the viral video depicting the torture of civilians in the Puncak Regency allegedly done by soldiers of Raider 300/Brajawijaya Infantry Battalion. There is a pressing need for stringent law enforcement ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In 2023, Anthony Albanese was shooting for the moon, his eyes on the Voice referendum. On one view, he looked like the idealist reflecting his left-wing roots. In 2024, we’re seeing a pragmatic, determined, ...
The House - The principle that all MPs are honourable and that they should be taken at their word has been tested multiple times this week in Parliament. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Dickinson, Professor, Public Service Research, UNSW Sydney Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock Since the review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) released its recommendations in December, there has been a series of Town Hall events to discuss them around the country ...
Asia Pacific Report Two of the global Freedom Flotilla ships are being prepared in Turkey and almost ready for the upcoming humanitarian mission to Gaza. It is expected that the flotilla will include a New Zealand medical team. Kia Ora Gaza is a member of the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition ...
I’ve noticed that over the past several days that election signs are going up on fences around town. National is recycling its ‘For a Brighter Future’ claptrap and National’s electorate candidates are heavily promoting Key on their signage as well. In my electorate it is perennial also-ran Nicky Wagner’s mug to the right of Smile and Wave’s smug face with between a large exhortation to Party Vote National.
Not in a million years would I tick the box for these creeps.
More appropriate for Nats to campaign ‘For a Bullshit Future’.
Especially taking their environment policy into account, I think “For a briefer future” is the best fit.
I saw some with ‘(Candidate x), a Strong Voice in John Key’s National Party’. It’s an obvious indication that the Nats have only one strategy; smiling and waving.
the saying goes smile and wave
Re brighter future:
After the last three years of mismanagement we should now be able to sue the bastards for false advertising.
I noticed that the Sam Collins/John Key Wigram billboard near the Sockburn overbridge was up for weeks then mysteriously came down when the spending period kicked in (I think). Obviously had to get rid of a few thou’ before the spending limits started deducting it from the allowable spend.
The photo of Key on the billboard was not a good one (neither was Sam’s). Very tired and ‘non-Duchenne’ smile – surely there were better snaps (something commensurate with a ‘brighter/more vital future’) they could have put up?
Many good old fashioned demos will be scheduled if the Nats sleaze in again, it would save us all a bit of trouble though if someone would go through Shonkey’s trash and discover something interesting (ooh look at all those Oxycontin wrappers), or reveal his liking for 4 legged girlfriends or something…
But yeah smile and wave is pretty much all they have got. And what NZ appears to have is a classic rural/urban tory divide akin to 1981. Thank goodness for mmp.
With one difference, perhaps, ..
Once were Farmers
Now are corporate Farmers .. and foreign owners
Funnily enough, in the rural town I live in, Key is not that popular. He’s seen as just another city slicker, though preferable to the socialists, of course. I find it interesting that ex farmer’s fed boss Don Nicholson is standing for ACT. In the past, he would have waltzed in to a safe Nat seat or list placing. It’s an indication that National are seen as meddling and soft on rural issues, I think.
Key aint that popular in Levin either-nor is that creepy Nathan Guy
Or simple positioning where Don N. can rant and act all indignant without upsetting the illusion of unity the nats like to portray….ACT is after all the ranting nutty granddads of national, backed and run by the same hollow men. being named Don or John also makes it easier for the senile old goats to get the names right.
branding pure and simple,….same dog different leg action.
Rolling Stone: The GOP War on Voting.
edit: Reading this brought Two Minutes of Hate to mind.
Two Minutes of Hate?
Well, that is like in current NZ where there are the equivalent of two blogsites located under the bridge and in the sewer?
Attacks on universal enfranchisement seem to be gaining ground – especially in the more right-wing states such as the US. We’ve just had our prisoners being disenfranchised by this RWNJ government so I doubt that this isn’t a coordinated move across the world.
The rich are working to prevent everyone else from voting.
A work in progress DTB.
http://www.truth-out.org/new-court-filing-reveals-how-2004-ohio-presidential-election-was-hacked/1311603015
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2010/11/30/132532/tea-party-voting-property/
An interesting observation on Political Dumpground:
“Muckraker Reveals Sad Truths About System”
blares the header for Matt McCarten’s story about Nicky Hager’s book. “Muckraker?”
The text of Matt’s article in no way reflected the header, but I guess the sub-editors (in Australia?) have their own agenda.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10749281
The agenda of the MSM is to denigrate everyone who questions the establishment and to turn into heroes their preferred politicians.
I recall (from my history studies at Uni) that ‘muck-raker’ used to be an honorable term – a muck-raker was considered a good guy/woman in the 1920s. Sadly, not any more! Oh yes, sub-eds have a lot to answer for..
So the charge is correct as it stands then… would appear that rugby is in fact played by cheats?
http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-world-cup/everybody-cheats-not-just-mccaw-say-wales-boks-4382930
There are the laws of (any) game then there is what you do to win.
And if it is OK for the All Blacks its OK for us Boy Racers.
I would like to see that stats for a survey question that asked: “How likely are you to still vote National if John Key was no longer the Party leader?” I think it would quickly drop 20% or so.
Perhaps preface it with:
” Sources inside the National Party inform us that John Key is going to retire straight after the next election. Would you still vote for National…….”
That would be right.
The country has just recently witnessed the puppet masters parachuting one Dolt in to hijack a party.
Next, the country will see the puppet masters and their bankers helicoptering out a Jerk from another.
Along the lines of that famous documentary “Someone Else’s Country”, supporters of the National Party can be powerless spectators to their political mandate being stolen by “Someone Else’s Party”.
Are we wasting our waste? While spending huge amounts on chasing and digging up fossil fuels are we ignoring a potential resource that is hiding in our rubbish bins and dumping sites?
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/09/wasting-our-waste.html
National Party list has been released. Few women and little representation of diverse NZ. Many current MPs have been dropped down list. Waiting for the howls of derision and personal attacks on candidates by media and others, as has met the release of other party lists.
Yep
Tau Henare has dropped like a stone, obviously a talent based decision.
But Melissa Lee improves three places! As does Bakshi! It seems more and more clear that positions 34 to 37 are the ethnic token places. Last time it was positions 35 to 38.
Tau seems to have given up on winning Te Atatu too, according to this freudian tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/tauhenare/status/110132641038221312
Henare’s a fucking douchebag, but seeing as being one is a pre-requisite to get onto National’s list, he must have pissed someone off big time…
As for the lack of women on the list, I’m putting it down to not enough Thatcher-wannabes in this country..
Julie does the numbers here: http://thehandmirror.blogspot.com/2011/09/womans-place-nationals-list-electorate.html
Bottom line is that after the election National will likely have an even worse ratio of women/men than they currently do.
National’s list has 212% more males than females. How is that representative?
Chester Borrows says he’s 54. Looks like he’s closer to 70 is you ask me.
Hekia Parata doesn’t even list her age. Botoxed!
These are no longer real persons:
First they sell their souls,
Then they sell our assets.
Gender shouldnt matter, I mean would you vote for Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann if you in the USA, or would you vote for Obama?
WTF does that have to do with gender representation, Brett?
Brett, they all represent the same party: The Top 1%.
So in a way you are correct – gender does not matter.
The prime news lead in I just watched is certainly on the offensive, mentioning the gender imbalance “The National party list has been released, and only 2 woman in the top 10′ be interesting to see if the others follow…
Owen Glenn’s Bribery Blues
On Saturday the 3 September, Sean Plunket interviewed Businessman and multi-millionaire Owen Glenn, on The Nation Program. During the interview he was asked a question concerning donations to political parties. Owen Glenn stated that he would make a donation of $100 million to the government if the National and Act parties won the next general election. It was inferred that he would not make the donation if Labour won…
Why doesn’t he do the honourable thing and offer to fix the ChCh schools that are uninsured, pay the wages of the academics that have been made redundant, etc?
What on earth for? Did he say?
That is why we need things like education, etc to be funded through taxation, and we need to hit prize pricks like Glenn to pay for it.
Otherwise we have this situation, in which filthy rich millionaires only fund things with a list of strict conditions, ie the right people being in power.
The RWNJ’s are going ballistic over at Kiwibog about it.
Sunday and today there is a chance for Auckland people to hear and talk to POLLY HIGGINS
a lawyer with corporate and court background turned to environmental matters – capable, able speaker, interesting, with an exciting idea for a new approach to stopping earth deterioration that can work.)
(Full background on Jim Nald 1/9 Open Mike 3.51pm)
Confirming today’s meeting opportunity Jim Nald advises –
Confirming the following and Google tells me the phone number for the contact person for the Sunday event, ie Helen McNeil, is (09) 832 8181:
Sunday 4th September 1- 9pm, Auckland
Eradicating Ecocide
Earthsong, 457 Swanson Road, Ranui, Waitakere, Auckland
Please email Helen McNeil, bagend (at) clear.net.nz
to book a place ($20 includes dinner)
If you can’t get to meetings I believe on Monday she will be interviewed by Radionz Kathryn Ryan 9toNoon which will go onto download so you can pick it up later at home.
Also there is a meeting in Auckland city on Monday 7-9pm –
Monday 5th September, 7 – 9pm, Auckland University
Ecocide, the missing 5th Crime Against Peace (Facebook), Auckland
Lecture Theatre 260-098, Owen Glenn Building, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
(I note that the theatre is in the Owen Glenn Building and earlier on the blog it has been stated that he has announced a $100 million gift? grant? handout? to National/Act if they get in. I wonder if he will want to rename New Zealand too – Owen Glenn South Pacific Properties?)
Polly Higgins & Ecocide
People’s Book Prize Winner 2011
Polly is brilliant. Not a time waster. Strategic, practical and visionary. And at various points, she provides surprisingly fresh insights.
Google for reviews about the book. For eg, an extract from Univ College London:
“Polly Higgins defined ecocide as the extensive destruction, damage to or loss of ecosystems of a given territory (whether by human agency or other causes) to such an extent that the peaceful enjoyment of the inhabitants of that territory has been severely diminished. …
“The crime of ecocide should not be about closing down companies, she argued, but about ensuring that they are part of the solution.
“Two hundred years ago industry said that the end of the slave trade was uneconomic and would lead to loss of jobs, and there was public demand for slaves as they were a necessity. Industry proposed that reductions in use of slaves should be left to market forces and self regulation, and that industry itself would improve conditions and limit numbers. Legislation against the slave trade led to the industries involved developing hugely successful technological solutions in very short timescales.
“By legislating against ecocide, companies would develop new technologies and new ways of working far more rapidly than they would otherwise.”
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1101/11012501
p.s. I don’t get a commission for this! Her arguments and intelligence stand on their own merits.
p.p.s. It’s looking like the interview tomorrow (Mon) on RadioNZ will start from about 9:20am onwards (the interview should end by 9:50am)
Found one of Polly Higgins’ podcast – London School of Economics:
To download:
http://richmedia.lse.ac.uk/publicLecturesAndEvents/20110525_1830_eradicatingEcocide.mp3
To listen:
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Business/Economics/London-School-of-Economics-Podcast/30325#3
From:
http://www.learnoutloud.com/Podcast-Directory/Business/Economics/London-School-of-Economics-Podcast/30325
Polly Higgins advocates a different approach to preventing the destruction of our planet. Instead of our laws protecting the property rights of the few, we can shift to laws that impose responsibilities, duties and obligations for the benefit of the many. Polly Higgins is a barrister, author and international environmental lawyer, voted by the Ecologist as one of the ‘Worlds Top ten Visionary Thinkers’ for her earlier work advancing the Universal Declaration of Planetary Rights.
For tomorrow (Mon):
* Her RadioNZ interview is around 9:20am (up till 9:50am).
* Her Auckland Univ lecture is at 7pm.
She leaves for Australia on Tuesday
The evil empire: How US firms profited from torture flights.
Disabling Sporting Greatness
New Zealand is a sporting nation that loves a good game. We punch above our weight and should rightly feel proud about our achievements. Through the good work of many volunteers, our young are engaged in sports, which is healthy for all concerned. However there’s something this sporting mad nation needs to be aware of; our terrible poverty levels are affecting New Zealand’s ability to produce great athletes…
If ever there was a case for ‘the spirit level’
Toff’s school cherry pick the elite athletes; the private schools make it worse by having elite academies, professional coaches, etc, so that only the privileged get the best support.
So unfair!
Do we really push above our weight though????
We seem to do well in sports that other countries dont care about or have heard of.
Eg: Rugby, Netball, Lawnbowls, Squash, Boat racing.
Although our basketballers and soccer players and sometimes rowers and swimmers and Track and field certainely push above their weight.
You’re right to question my assumption of course. I note that Peter Blake is the only Kiwi to win a Laureus World Sports Award (Sport for Good Award and Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002). So perhaps the media exposure sport receives is not relative to the countries sporting achievement.
You know that the right in the UK is buggered when you read this!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/scottish-politics/8739927/Scottish-Conservative-Party-set-to-disband.html
A very thoughtful and well explained interview on Chris Laidlaw on Radionz this morning with Peter Hyde who was one of a pro-active group down in Christchurch who stepped into the hole of ineptness,and council and government PR with little commitment to actual services for the people suffering most destruction and deprivation, (as opposed to the CBD buildings destroyed.)
Peter Hyde
Is convinced that those in the Eastern suburbs have been given the thin end of the stick regarding the relief effort. (34′51″)
Download: Ogg Vorbis MP3 | Embed
More details –
10:06 Peter Hyde – Tale of Three Cities
Peter Hyde coined the ‘three cities’ phrase following the February quake – rescue city, shower city and refugee city. He warns there are lessons to be learned for the rest of the country from the experience of the residents of the Eastern suburbs.
Peter made good points and gives examples of the lack of assistance given by Council, Civil Defence and the slowness of government to step forward. (I think that central government should have been on the spot to help these citizens of NZ more, not just leave it to Christchurch to organise and cope.)
Peter talked of people being advised that water would be available at one spot which was soon cordoned off and inaccessible but that further information wasn’t made available. A civil defence person tried to open up one post but the key was missing so he/she went home. There were numerous examples of the lack of leadership and aid to the local community who could have manned permanent hubs of information and provided feedback.
Chris Laidlaw was a bit odd. He tended to take the attitude of the organisation offered having been as good as it could be, when I would expect he would be asking for the reasons and solutions for the dissatisfaction expressed. When it was information needed he referred straight away to newspapers, not to the media he was on, radio which would be of prime importance.
I would have thought there would have been an hourly update of useful news for stricken areas, the portaloos are coming tomorrow, water available here, go out to your gate at 9am till 9.30am if you need something and wave down the red car with white sign on sides in the Bexley area etc.
It comes I think from a right wing attitude that has little respect for community, remember Thatcher said there was no such thing having absorbed toxic economic theory of the time.
Therefore you manage the people from above, you map them as individuals and place the burden of coping on their shoulders by advising they need to be self-sufficient for a week, and having passed that responsibility, turn and get onto managing the really valuable matters, the buildings and properties.
Instead of setting up aid and information points which the able-bodied can access that had services like electricity to charge cellphones, awaken battery radios with rechargeables, nothing was offered. He referred to the Student Army that came forward but could have done with more help, and there was no-one centrally placed to exchange, advise, report, request strategic information with. So much was ad hoc. The Farmy Army sacrificed time, also the students who had vital studies they will be paying for, and they gave up part of their limited time needed to prepare for their tests or exams.
I heard only the end of this, and just as Laidlaw’s programme ended, he read out an email from a renter, who talked about how the media have not given a tinker’s about the poor – but we hear constantly about home owners, businesses and even cafes in the CBD. I for one, want to hear about tenants, and the poor… How are they getting on? Spectrum was as usual, banging on and on about artists, cafes and musicians… Well yes, I am sure that’s interesting – especially to lovers of ‘bluegrass’ (how very Kiwi that is!) But what about real people who are trying to survive without having a $750 000 home to get compensation for?
It is an interesting exercise to compare party lists to see how well represented the diversity of our society is within each. I have looked at the top 15 on each list and am open to any corrections.
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/09/comparing-party-lists.html
Wonder how long before New Orleans is abandoned. It’s just not possible to keep a city that is half under water going.
So, how about that Owen Glen then aye?
Even Labour’s biggest fan has come over to the “right side”
I almost feel sorry for you guys.
Scroll up dipshit! Do you really think Owen can buy National into power. Pathetic!
Do you really think Owen can buy National into power. Pathetic!
Joke Key is the big boy now and Glenn likes to curry favour with the big boys and girls. Thought he’d have an easy ride with the last lot but it didn’t work out so he got the sulks. He’s looking to score another plaque with his name on it!
ACT EXPOSED
There was a very good article bt John Minto exposing the blatantly covert eliteism and racism that is the driving force behind ACT.
ACT claim to be the party of property rights but Minto points out that they are ‘demonising as privilidged citizens and begrudging them even one percent of their claim.’
I didn’t know this but South Canterbury Finance bailout (by NATS) was almost twice that of the total of the treaty claims.
Interesting reading http://www.converge.org.nz or http://www.cafca.org.nz
Tonight here in chch we had a small reminder on what the past year has been like. Lets hope there wont be a big reminder. the lights are great in the sky, might I add.
Yeah, great lights! Designed by Bob Parker, personally built by Bob Parker, choir conducted by Bob Parker, script by Bob Parker, switched on by Bob Parker (snr), choreographed by Bob Parker, not paid for by Bob Parker ( fuck no ) , for the honour of Bob Parker.
Adrian
Is that the same Bob Parker who thrashed Anderton in the mayoral Elections?