UN Security Council inaction on Syria ‘past unacceptable’ says Murray McCully
“The fact the Security Council has not managed to find a resolution amongst the parties is just past unacceptable. We are doing everything we can to try to create some sort of resolution that will enable the humanitarian challenges to be addressed
Shame NZ isn’t doing every thing we can to met the humanitarian challenge.
Yep. Expect a flip-flop from Key on this in the very near future. Except it won’t be called a flip-flop – that term is reserved for the opposition. The government’s furious back-pedalling has already been framed as a “softening of position”, which sounds much nicer.
What this shows is the default position of this government is indifference, and this is backed up by the sweeping changes to WINZ and social housing. However, they are happy to throw cruel ideology away at the first sign of trouble from their own voter base.
“Unacceptable” is a classic weasel word. Whenever a politician uses the word “unacceptable”, they mean that they want to be seen to be condemning someone else but never in a news release containing that word will you see an alternative or a commitment to do anything. It means, ‘thank you for doing what I would do, but which would make me more unpopular if I did it.’ When ‘leading Labour, Goff was very fond of it himself when he wasn’t saying ‘me too’.
Note how quiet the MSM is keeping on the fact that John Key’s mother was a refugee from 1930s Europe. She was one of the lucky ones who escaped the holocaust and ended up starting a new life in NZ. She and her children were looked after by the state… lived in a warm, dry home… good food in their stomachs… and the recipients of a first class education.
The Refugee Association mention sit every chance they get. I think People have forgotten that Key’s parents were refugees and I thought Little missed a great chance to look into the camera and speak to MR Key ” hey, remember how NZ helped your parents?”
To them, John Key’s parents were the right sort of refugees – they were white and had the right God, not brown and Islamic.
Peter Dunne wants refugees to be vetted on an wealth and skills basis which defeats the entire idea of compassion, I would have thought. Further proof that this government is indifferent to the vulnerable.
That daft Scots migrant, Jock Anderson, made a complete fool of himself on the radio yesterday afternoon advocating that only rich refugees be allowed access.
yes, a general misunderstanding of what a refugee is. We have categories for welathy immigrants, refugee is a different beats. It is of concern when so called intelligent people don’t get this, or don’t want to.
Key said it was easy for the Opposition to say the Government should do more and while the number of displaced people had increased in recent years – “there were still tens of millions when Helen Clark was Prime Minister”.
Look at the careful imprecision of Key’s statement.
1. “We’re not ruling out”. This says nothing and indicates very little positive action in a negative way.
2. “more”. Not quantified or defined. Could have been a little more, lot more, a whole lot more.
3. “possibly’. Again no action indicated and ‘possibly’ is very low down the chain of probability of something happening.
4. “maybe specifically”. This is a wonderful juxtaposition of a low probability word ‘maybe’ with a very definite word ‘specifically’, meaning very little.
4. “what we are seeing”. Not described. Later, Key could say he was talking about anything.
This is not Orwellian “newspeak”. This is “nothingspeak”, “zilchtalk”, ‘nadamessaging”. It is the verbal equivalent of candy floss.
That substance possibly derives from good nutrition, whereas with Key there’s nothing to bite on, chew on, give nourishment. I prefer candy floss as a symbol since it also conjures up fairground hucksters, snake oil merchants and winning prizes that turn out to be less than the cost of the turn.
@ mac1 (4.2) But … but did FJK make those statements as FJK (faux) PM, FJK NatzKEY leader, FJK private citizen, FJK Bronagh’s hubby, FJK Moonbeam’s dad, FJK Uncle Sam’s scrooge, or FJK whoever? His position at the time of flapping his gob off here, makes all the difference to where his responsibility lies!
But did he make those statements, and did he mean what you think he said, because he can always get another opinion, and anyway actually Helen did it too, and Labour were to blame in their nine long years…………………….
The only thing more upsetting than the story itself are the numerous comments underneath the story, where the compassion that used to be a hallmark of our nation is exposed to be woefully (and increasingly) absent.
I also fail to understand how he could have run out of the WINZ office seeing as every WINZ office in the country currently has at least one security guard stationed at the door and usually another inside the offices themselves. Many also have a local representative from the Police in situ during office hours.
I can’t see the country I was raised in anymore. I do miss it though.
We got another bad link in a incoming RSS feed. Due to having a nasty cold last week, I didn’t find a permanent fix for this.
People were getting locked out of the site for writing comments for several hours. I have cleared all of those blocks now, and the RSS feeds are switched off.
They will stay off until I have time to build a permanent fix.
lprent -some info on today:
I have been sent to the ‘statcounter’ page a number of times today whilst ‘downforme’ sites said this site was up.
Have a screengrab if you want/need it
was just about to post on that – but had site access issues – ….
It’s not a brand, it’s a national flag, right? A national flag is about many things; pride, unity, respect, solidarity, patriotism. So why all the copyright issues circling the Flag referendum selections? We have the Rugby Union unequivocally putting their foot down about their rights. The Companies and Immigration Offices are both remarkably quiet about one of the selections, while (co-incidentally)the man who designed the NZRU Silver Fern talks up redesigning all the ferns that have been shortlisted.
And have you seen the story where Kyle Lockwood is looking at challenging the RNZAF in a copyright battle over prior use of his Siver Fern Flag designs?
These stories highlight how the focus of the exercise seems to be flagging. I don’t see how prior use copyright battles with the very people you are freely giving up your copyright claims to, can be said to support any of those tall standards of pride, unity, respect, solidarity & patriotism. It has recently been reported people representing Kyle Lockwood are making inquiries about the “kiwi party plates” and their possible breach of his designs’ copyright. They seem to have been slow off the mark however, the Silver Fern Flag website states they first became aware of the plates back in 2011.
These are very clear terms. We have no reason not to think they have been rightfully enacted by that very same government he is now questioning over rights of prior use. Rights that would now let the government comfortably use any such design in the very function the [prior] owner of the copyright is making enquiries about.
His lawyers may well have a case about prior use (though there are enough design variances to raise doubt) but under the terms of the flag selection process, Kyle Lockwood has to sign over all rights for current and future use (and should have already done so). Considering it is a group within the RNZAF whom, it is questioned, might have committed a prior use infringement, we are left to puzzle over his motivations for even bothering to contest it. Companies selling plastic plates is one thing. The armed forces of the nation whose flag your design is shortlisted to replace does seem an odd choice of litigant, if it gets that far.
Remember, Kyle Lockwood was also very passionate about NZ bringing back ten year passports and petitioned the government on the issue and was spokesperson for the ‘NZ Ten’ campaign. http://www.nzten.com/petition.html I thank him for that, and thank all those who played their small part in pushing for this incredibly important return to sanity.
Kyle Lockwood seems to have a genuine passion for NZ, the fact he is currently based in Melbourne is irrelevant and yes, his career should rightfully beneift from the exposure of his designs’ success. However, I do not believe that success should include ongoing commercial gain directly drawn from the sale of flags and associated materials bearing a design that is now meant to be the commercial and legal property of the NZ government. Not only is the commercial activity continuing, after all rights are meant to have been signed over, but he is actually expanding the commercial activity related to his design. It appears he plans to sell even more flags.
Due to unprecedented demand as a result of the Crown’s top four release, all flags have sold out, however more are on the way. our manufacturers are busily making new flags and we are setting up distribution centres in Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne, with a view to opening a London distribution centre.
Please bear with us if your flags take a little while to arrive, thank you!
Kyle Lockwood, Designer.
http://www.silverfernflag.org/store.html
How much longer is he going to be selling the flags for?
Have the Silver Fern Flag outlets become some unofficial marketing or revenue arm of the referendum process?
Weird huh? What’s weirder still? Even though he proudly updated the commercial arm of his website there is STILL not any update announcing his designs’ success either on the Homepage, or the Press page! As the copyright lawyers get together and the media have said as little as possible, the government seems happy to leave the entire issue in legal limbo. Seems Lockwood is free to carry on selling product I guess. At least we can rest peacefully knowing “It’s not a brand”.
There really is a very limited number of ways to draw a Silver Fern and they will all look similar, ergo, I think Kyle Lockwood can go fuck himself. The original copyright holder is Nature and She’s not complaining.
I thought he could go fuck himself when there were conflicting stories about whether he is based in Hutt Valley or Melbourne.
I don’t give a shit either way, it just seems to me that he’s been clumsily bullshitting in order to get people to give a fuck. And, it seems, make himself money.
A settlement with the Crown enables Key and Smith to get some of that Auckland land for housing.
The agreement appears to reinforce the first right of refusal principle and leads to the withdrawal of the legal challenge..
“The Government and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau have come to an agreement, where we will be able to get on and use vacant public land for housing while at the same time ensuring Treaty settlements covering the Auckland region are respected and upheld. I welcome the decision by Ngāti Whātua Rōpū to withdraw legal proceedings to allow the programme to continue at pace,” Dr Smith says.
And the Iwi have withdrawn it cos they have had their right of first refusal acknowledged by the Government, which is what they were challenging.
Last night the Turkish government just rolled over the war against ISIS – and in one sense extended it to include active participation in Syria. Will this come with them fighting against the Kurds? As Kurdish forces control many of the vital strategic and tactical cross roads on the northern Syrian and Southern Turkish boarder.
Also have the Kurds done to well? If our troops had to be in the region, I would have preferred them helping Kurdish and other minorities, against the worlds latest theocratic state.
From what I recall they recently got some additional US gear in exchange for ramping up against ISIL, but also sneak in a few attacks against the kurds. They cooled off against the kurds previously because the kurds were the only ones opposing ISIL with any success.
Basically, Turkey seems happy to let the Kurds and ISIL weaken each other, and turkey will take on the weakened victor.
I agree McFlock – the Kurds victories over ISIS have been protracted and bloody. They have been slowly dragging more and more of their population into the militias. I’m not sure for stability it is a good tactic from Turkey.
I know from Greek friends, they are mightily pissed off with Turkey at the moment. One friend said there has been some sabre-rattling from the Greek military over Turkey again. It all seem fubar.
The comment Anne said about John Keys Mother is timely
Apart from not being war torn what can NZ offer refugees when our social services (housing, child poverty etc)are abysmal, maybe we should get our own house in order and politicians should fix (instead of talking )NZs social issues
Grandstanding on issues like refugees doesn’t help anyone and is insincere point scoring, nothing more
IMO the import of more refugees will be detrimental for NZ and it’s social services “the cart before the horse “comes to mind
Good to see NZFirst standing against the proposed sale of 50% of Silver Ferm Farms to the Chinese.
Whether it’s Chinse, Russian, British or Fijian, it pisses me off.
There has been huge multi-year efforts by NZ farmers to try and get the two big meat operators to cooperate
Until this takeover succeeds, there is still a chance to form a common NZ international marketing organisation for NZ grass-fed beef, just like Zespri, and the old ENZA etc. it is so crap that the two of them compete on the same Sainsbury meat shelf on price, when the power of the national food brand remains so high internationally. And the government have not lifted a finger to help. Typical.
Last month, last week, even yesterday, the PM could have announced an immediate increase of a hundred places without any real concern about costs and support infrastructure and still run with ‘we’ll see what the reports say and maybe have a look at a greater increase soon… ‘
Now, any action he forwards is branded for what it is, shame induced tokenism
Documents obtained under the Official Information Act show the 2013 advice to Cabinet on the refugee quota was based on the preferences of the Prime Minister and did not allow for the relevant Ministers or Immigration officials to put forward a previously suggested case for an increase.
On Monday the Prime Minister admitted that he thought the nation’s annual refugee quota was “three or four thousand”. He later corrected himself by acknowledging just over one thousand total places were available every year.
Here is the interview with Paul Henry where the PM states the Family Re-unification process pushes the quota of 750 refugees up to “three to four thousand people” every year and he obviously accepts that number, as he goes on to say “we are set in about the right place”
(note that three to four thousand is a number which he later corrected to a much lower figure -see above quote)
During the interview, he discusses how including family Re-unification numbers, the total of three to four thousand is about where the numbers should be. He admitted after the interview he was incorrect in the number of refugees NZ does take in, but if he was comfortable talking about three to four thousand people as being “set in about the right place” surely he accepts there is a case for increasing the number of refugees?
Public Service Announcement specifically directed @ Morissey….
Please DON’T bother with this arvo’s “The Panel”. It’ll be damaging to your health. (Especially once you’ve got past the ‘suffistik- aided woin’ analysis, and when the ‘father of the Nayshun’ (Jum Mora) comes on board.
Truly fuckn horrible.
I was thinking of emailing the Jessy to tell him to ease up a bit. It’s not yet “The Wireless” on the ether and airwaves – no matter how much he might like it – and there’s still a generation from above as well as a Natzi gummint looking for an excuse.
Whilst I’m no longer a regular here – I feel it my duty to warn you on the grounds of health prevention and in the knowledge that it may make you want to just hoik at them (Memories of those signs “no spitting on the pavement” that used to adorn kent terrace/courtenay place lamposts)
Jesse Mulligan’s smartarse 6th former delivery is irritating. Simon Pound is a bass frog. they’re marginally less annoying than emphysemic mouthbreather Chris Trotter. For fucksake back away from the mike, Trotter!
Yeah….Mulligan’s RNZ could easily be Coast or Breeze. Eminently missable indeed approaching unlistenable. Rhema’s bloody near more interesting. From memory he doesn’t have the proudest recent provenance….for a time riding second shotgun to Mutton/Lamb Hosking on Seven PM Sharp ?
In fact the only afternooon RNZ I anticipate at all is Mensa (Allegedly) Mora. And then only when BFs Boag/Edwards are on. The ‘joshing’ across the Putative Political Divide and the Punch & Judy-ness of them resonates a little I confess. The House & Garden stuff they trot out almost always is sweet as well.
In a month it’s all the Once-Ferbulous-Aging-Auckland-Glit’s (and ubiquitous silver two-door Merc’ criminally slow up College Hill) that I need !
The US and UK tried to bring “freedom and democracy” to the Middle East.
Well, that’s what Waikato’s AL GILLESPIE asserted this afternoon. The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 4 September 2015
Jim Mora, Steve McCabe, Simon Pound
The Harvard School of Law, with its monstrous needles-under-the-fingernails enthusiast Alan Dershowitz and his incompetent dean Elena Kagan, has long been the natural home for the academic psychopath; now it looks as if the Waikato School of Law might be giving it a run for its money.
Last year I praised Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie as “an honorable exception to the troubling collection of cranks and fanatics that are ensconced at Waikato”. [1] And indeed, he is vastly superior to the likes of such Waikato mediocrities as Jacqueline Rowarth, Ron Smith, Willem De Lange and Dov Bing.
But when you think about it, that’s faint praise. Last month, I was appalled to hear Prof. Gillespie intone, in apparent high seriousness: “To a degree we have to trust the government.” He assured the Panel that in future, governments would have learned their lesson and would never be as secretive as this one has been about the TPPA “negotiations.” [2] That is the sort of complacent, irresponsible statement that Panel sufferers would expect from such regulars as Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, Barry Corbett, David Farrar or Karl Du Fresne.
Professor Gillespie’s brief appearance on this afternoon’s program raises further questions about his judgement. After Jim Mora and his two guests had spent a couple of minutes sighing about the refugee crisis in Europe, it was time to talk to the designated “expert”—Professor Gillespie. Mora raised a question which he said “a few people have been asking”, i.e., why do we never hear any admission by American and British leaders that they bear a huge responsibility for this disaster?
Professor Gillespie then spoke for a couple of minutes, but whatever he said was surely rendered null and void by the bizarre statement he made right at the end of his contribution. The United States and Great Britain, he told the panelists, had “tried to bring democracy and freedom to these countries.”
Perhaps some time in the future Prof. Gillespie should try making that statement to an audience comprising Egyptian democracy activists, Iranians who experienced the American-backed dictatorship of Reza Pahlavi, Iraqis who experienced the American-backed dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, Palestinians, Saudi dissidents, Yemenis, Qataris, Indonesians….
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Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
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You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
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http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11507588
Its all the UN’s fault …
It’s never Nationals fault even when it is.
Yep. Expect a flip-flop from Key on this in the very near future. Except it won’t be called a flip-flop – that term is reserved for the opposition. The government’s furious back-pedalling has already been framed as a “softening of position”, which sounds much nicer.
What this shows is the default position of this government is indifference, and this is backed up by the sweeping changes to WINZ and social housing. However, they are happy to throw cruel ideology away at the first sign of trouble from their own voter base.
“Its all the UN’s fault …”
Nah, It’s Labour’s fault. Just ask the Spiv.
Always easy to speak tough on stuff you can’t change…. big bad courageous mccully
“Unacceptable” is a classic weasel word. Whenever a politician uses the word “unacceptable”, they mean that they want to be seen to be condemning someone else but never in a news release containing that word will you see an alternative or a commitment to do anything. It means, ‘thank you for doing what I would do, but which would make me more unpopular if I did it.’ When ‘leading Labour, Goff was very fond of it himself when he wasn’t saying ‘me too’.
Emmerson: Living in less enlightened times
Note how quiet the MSM is keeping on the fact that John Key’s mother was a refugee from 1930s Europe. She was one of the lucky ones who escaped the holocaust and ended up starting a new life in NZ. She and her children were looked after by the state… lived in a warm, dry home… good food in their stomachs… and the recipients of a first class education.
Something the opposition should be skewering him over and using his cynical flag exercise costs as a clear example of vanity before humanity.
Somedays I wonder if we even have an opposition…
You’ve got to remember that a large part of the opposition actually agree with National on charging for education and not providing social housing.
The Refugee Association mention sit every chance they get. I think People have forgotten that Key’s parents were refugees and I thought Little missed a great chance to look into the camera and speak to MR Key ” hey, remember how NZ helped your parents?”
Makes no difference to Key’s support base.
To them, John Key’s parents were the right sort of refugees – they were white and had the right God, not brown and Islamic.
Peter Dunne wants refugees to be vetted on an wealth and skills basis which defeats the entire idea of compassion, I would have thought. Further proof that this government is indifferent to the vulnerable.
That daft Scots migrant, Jock Anderson, made a complete fool of himself on the radio yesterday afternoon advocating that only rich refugees be allowed access.
yes, a general misunderstanding of what a refugee is. We have categories for welathy immigrants, refugee is a different beats. It is of concern when so called intelligent people don’t get this, or don’t want to.
But if we could take 10 000 that could support themselves as well as increasing our true refugee numbers buy double wouldn’t that be better.?
+100 Anne
But, but Helen Clark did it too – – – –
Key said it was easy for the Opposition to say the Government should do more and while the number of displaced people had increased in recent years – “there were still tens of millions when Helen Clark was Prime Minister”.
From yesterdays’ DomPost
What a snotty nosed, out of context and infantile response! Did the DomPost point out he’s behaving like a child? I’m sure the answer was ‘no’.
Incisive leadership (sarc) on the refuge crisis from the Prime Minister.
Quoted in today’s Press.
“We’re not ruling out whether there’s more that we could possibly do earlier, and maybe specifically in relation to what we are seeing at the moment”
I’m not comfortable with that level of ‘leadership’.
But he and Bling did rule it out, just two days ago.
yes, but he is a perpetual liar so does that. Remember that 2103 poll where only 28% believe anything he says?
Look at the careful imprecision of Key’s statement.
1. “We’re not ruling out”. This says nothing and indicates very little positive action in a negative way.
2. “more”. Not quantified or defined. Could have been a little more, lot more, a whole lot more.
3. “possibly’. Again no action indicated and ‘possibly’ is very low down the chain of probability of something happening.
4. “maybe specifically”. This is a wonderful juxtaposition of a low probability word ‘maybe’ with a very definite word ‘specifically’, meaning very little.
4. “what we are seeing”. Not described. Later, Key could say he was talking about anything.
This is not Orwellian “newspeak”. This is “nothingspeak”, “zilchtalk”, ‘nadamessaging”. It is the verbal equivalent of candy floss.
mac1-Candy floss?- I was thinking of another substance, somewhat heavier and brownish rather than pink. cheers!
That substance possibly derives from good nutrition, whereas with Key there’s nothing to bite on, chew on, give nourishment. I prefer candy floss as a symbol since it also conjures up fairground hucksters, snake oil merchants and winning prizes that turn out to be less than the cost of the turn.
It is the words of a man who knows he will not be held to account for his words. And is waiting for more polling before he makes up his mind
@ mac1 (4.2) But … but did FJK make those statements as FJK (faux) PM, FJK NatzKEY leader, FJK private citizen, FJK Bronagh’s hubby, FJK Moonbeam’s dad, FJK Uncle Sam’s scrooge, or FJK whoever? His position at the time of flapping his gob off here, makes all the difference to where his responsibility lies!
But did he make those statements, and did he mean what you think he said, because he can always get another opinion, and anyway actually Helen did it too, and Labour were to blame in their nine long years…………………….
‘Leadership’ is soooo yesterday……for bleeding hearts, “munters”, Helen Clark a decade ago.
The New Order is ‘CelebriKey’ !
C’mon NiuZilndizz……”Gerr-Sarrm-Garrtzz !” Check it out on E! Channel, Seven PM Sharp, week nights.
Bennett and Tolley’s New Keyland…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/71705496/Homeless-man-walks-Blenheim-to-Kaikoura-for-shelter
BUT. LOOK? OVER THERE?
A FLAG
The only thing more upsetting than the story itself are the numerous comments underneath the story, where the compassion that used to be a hallmark of our nation is exposed to be woefully (and increasingly) absent.
I also fail to understand how he could have run out of the WINZ office seeing as every WINZ office in the country currently has at least one security guard stationed at the door and usually another inside the offices themselves. Many also have a local representative from the Police in situ during office hours.
I can’t see the country I was raised in anymore. I do miss it though.
Thanks for the article, muttonbird. Very close to home, in more ways than one.
Huge credit due to the helpers in this situation.
We got another bad link in a incoming RSS feed. Due to having a nasty cold last week, I didn’t find a permanent fix for this.
People were getting locked out of the site for writing comments for several hours. I have cleared all of those blocks now, and the RSS feeds are switched off.
They will stay off until I have time to build a permanent fix.
thanks Lynn.
lprent -some info on today:
I have been sent to the ‘statcounter’ page a number of times today whilst ‘downforme’ sites said this site was up.
Have a screengrab if you want/need it
Odd. Send it through to me.
I had a look through the rest of the site and didn’t see any other odd links.
YHM
Wil llook in the morning
A badge worn by members of RNZAF 3 squadron, has a silver fern and the stars of the southern cross in exactly the same location as the two flags designed by Kyle Lockwood. Designed or copied?
Picture at http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/71710031/air-force-unit-has-been-wearing-one-of-final-four-flags-for-years.html
was just about to post on that – but had site access issues – ….
It’s not a brand, it’s a national flag, right? A national flag is about many things; pride, unity, respect, solidarity, patriotism. So why all the copyright issues circling the Flag referendum selections? We have the Rugby Union unequivocally putting their foot down about their rights. The Companies and Immigration Offices are both remarkably quiet about one of the selections, while (co-incidentally)the man who designed the NZRU Silver Fern talks up redesigning all the ferns that have been shortlisted.
And have you seen the story where Kyle Lockwood is looking at challenging the RNZAF in a copyright battle over prior use of his Siver Fern Flag designs?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/71710031/air-force-unit-has-been-wearing-one-of-final-four-flags-for-years
These stories highlight how the focus of the exercise seems to be flagging. I don’t see how prior use copyright battles with the very people you are freely giving up your copyright claims to, can be said to support any of those tall standards of pride, unity, respect, solidarity & patriotism. It has recently been reported people representing Kyle Lockwood are making inquiries about the “kiwi party plates” and their possible breach of his designs’ copyright. They seem to have been slow off the mark however, the Silver Fern Flag website states they first became aware of the plates back in 2011.
As I might have mentioned previously, his designs are meant to have had all rights signed over to the government under part 15 of the Flag Design Terms and Conditions. (excepting some recent application of part 19 of course) https://www.govt.nz/browse/engaging-with-government/the-nz-flag-your-chance-to-decide/resources/terms-and-conditions/
These are very clear terms. We have no reason not to think they have been rightfully enacted by that very same government he is now questioning over rights of prior use. Rights that would now let the government comfortably use any such design in the very function the [prior] owner of the copyright is making enquiries about.
His lawyers may well have a case about prior use (though there are enough design variances to raise doubt) but under the terms of the flag selection process, Kyle Lockwood has to sign over all rights for current and future use (and should have already done so). Considering it is a group within the RNZAF whom, it is questioned, might have committed a prior use infringement, we are left to puzzle over his motivations for even bothering to contest it. Companies selling plastic plates is one thing. The armed forces of the nation whose flag your design is shortlisted to replace does seem an odd choice of litigant, if it gets that far.
Remember, Kyle Lockwood was also very passionate about NZ bringing back ten year passports and petitioned the government on the issue and was spokesperson for the ‘NZ Ten’ campaign. http://www.nzten.com/petition.html I thank him for that, and thank all those who played their small part in pushing for this incredibly important return to sanity.
Kyle Lockwood seems to have a genuine passion for NZ, the fact he is currently based in Melbourne is irrelevant and yes, his career should rightfully beneift from the exposure of his designs’ success. However, I do not believe that success should include ongoing commercial gain directly drawn from the sale of flags and associated materials bearing a design that is now meant to be the commercial and legal property of the NZ government. Not only is the commercial activity continuing, after all rights are meant to have been signed over, but he is actually expanding the commercial activity related to his design. It appears he plans to sell even more flags.
http://www.silverfernflag.org/store.html
How much longer is he going to be selling the flags for?
Have the Silver Fern Flag outlets become some unofficial marketing or revenue arm of the referendum process?
Weird huh? What’s weirder still? Even though he proudly updated the commercial arm of his website there is STILL not any update announcing his designs’ success either on the Homepage, or the Press page! As the copyright lawyers get together and the media have said as little as possible, the government seems happy to leave the entire issue in legal limbo. Seems Lockwood is free to carry on selling product I guess. At least we can rest peacefully knowing “It’s not a brand”.
You mean it has become all about money?
quel horreur!
So much for the flag representing all of us as a nation…
There really is a very limited number of ways to draw a Silver Fern and they will all look similar, ergo, I think Kyle Lockwood can go fuck himself. The original copyright holder is Nature and She’s not complaining.
I thought he could go fuck himself when there were conflicting stories about whether he is based in Hutt Valley or Melbourne.
I don’t give a shit either way, it just seems to me that he’s been clumsily bullshitting in order to get people to give a fuck. And, it seems, make himself money.
” and She’s not complaining”
can be awesome when worked up though ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZcBlAjf2NE
A settlement with the Crown enables Key and Smith to get some of that Auckland land for housing.
The agreement appears to reinforce the first right of refusal principle and leads to the withdrawal of the legal challenge..
“The Government and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau have come to an agreement, where we will be able to get on and use vacant public land for housing while at the same time ensuring Treaty settlements covering the Auckland region are respected and upheld. I welcome the decision by Ngāti Whātua Rōpū to withdraw legal proceedings to allow the programme to continue at pace,” Dr Smith says.
And the Iwi have withdrawn it cos they have had their right of first refusal acknowledged by the Government, which is what they were challenging.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1509/S00061/crown-iwi-agreement-on-auckland-housing-programme.htm
Last night the Turkish government just rolled over the war against ISIS – and in one sense extended it to include active participation in Syria. Will this come with them fighting against the Kurds? As Kurdish forces control many of the vital strategic and tactical cross roads on the northern Syrian and Southern Turkish boarder.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/03/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-mandate-idUSKCN0R32GL20150903
Also have the Kurds done to well? If our troops had to be in the region, I would have preferred them helping Kurdish and other minorities, against the worlds latest theocratic state.
http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/syrias-kurds-have-little-choice-but-to-flee-amid-the-desolution-ruins-and-danger-they-face-10485357.html
Turkey has been bombing the kurds for a while.
From what I recall they recently got some additional US gear in exchange for ramping up against ISIL, but also sneak in a few attacks against the kurds. They cooled off against the kurds previously because the kurds were the only ones opposing ISIL with any success.
Basically, Turkey seems happy to let the Kurds and ISIL weaken each other, and turkey will take on the weakened victor.
I agree McFlock – the Kurds victories over ISIS have been protracted and bloody. They have been slowly dragging more and more of their population into the militias. I’m not sure for stability it is a good tactic from Turkey.
I know from Greek friends, they are mightily pissed off with Turkey at the moment. One friend said there has been some sabre-rattling from the Greek military over Turkey again. It all seem fubar.
Matt Taibbi…worth a read..http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/eric-holder-wall-street-double-agent-comes-in-from-the-cold-20150708#ixzz3fPUnQTlR
The comment Anne said about John Keys Mother is timely
Apart from not being war torn what can NZ offer refugees when our social services (housing, child poverty etc)are abysmal, maybe we should get our own house in order and politicians should fix (instead of talking )NZs social issues
Grandstanding on issues like refugees doesn’t help anyone and is insincere point scoring, nothing more
IMO the import of more refugees will be detrimental for NZ and it’s social services “the cart before the horse “comes to mind
Good to see NZFirst standing against the proposed sale of 50% of Silver Ferm Farms to the Chinese.
Whether it’s Chinse, Russian, British or Fijian, it pisses me off.
There has been huge multi-year efforts by NZ farmers to try and get the two big meat operators to cooperate
Until this takeover succeeds, there is still a chance to form a common NZ international marketing organisation for NZ grass-fed beef, just like Zespri, and the old ENZA etc. it is so crap that the two of them compete on the same Sainsbury meat shelf on price, when the power of the national food brand remains so high internationally. And the government have not lifted a finger to help. Typical.
A massive tragedy if this sale goes through.
NZFirst are on the money.
+100…New Zealand can ill afford to sell off its primary asset which is land… to sell out the land is to sell off its sovereignty
GO Winston Peters and NZF
…and it is not just New Zealand farmers who are having a hard time of it…
https://www.rt.com/news/314241-tractor-protest-french-farmers/
…we must hold on to our land!
Graeme Brazier, our own Gluepot Zoolander.
Gutter Black!
.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71751191/protesters-at-parliament-call-for-refugee-quota-increase
Last month, last week, even yesterday, the PM could have announced an immediate increase of a hundred places without any real concern about costs and support infrastructure and still run with ‘we’ll see what the reports say and maybe have a look at a greater increase soon… ‘
Now, any action he forwards is branded for what it is, shame induced tokenism
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1506/S00238/refugee-advocate-seeks-assurances-of-evidence-based-review.htm
Here is the interview with Paul Henry where the PM states the Family Re-unification process pushes the quota of 750 refugees up to “three to four thousand people” every year and he obviously accepts that number, as he goes on to say “we are set in about the right place”
(note that three to four thousand is a number which he later corrected to a much lower figure -see above quote)
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/AUDIO-Prime-Minister-John-Key-on-the-refugee-quota-and-Colin-Craig/tabid/506/articleID/88438/Default.aspx
During the interview, he discusses how including family Re-unification numbers, the total of three to four thousand is about where the numbers should be. He admitted after the interview he was incorrect in the number of refugees NZ does take in, but if he was comfortable talking about three to four thousand people as being “set in about the right place” surely he accepts there is a case for increasing the number of refugees?
Public Service Announcement specifically directed @ Morissey….
Please DON’T bother with this arvo’s “The Panel”. It’ll be damaging to your health. (Especially once you’ve got past the ‘suffistik- aided woin’ analysis, and when the ‘father of the Nayshun’ (Jum Mora) comes on board.
Truly fuckn horrible.
I was thinking of emailing the Jessy to tell him to ease up a bit. It’s not yet “The Wireless” on the ether and airwaves – no matter how much he might like it – and there’s still a generation from above as well as a Natzi gummint looking for an excuse.
Whilst I’m no longer a regular here – I feel it my duty to warn you on the grounds of health prevention and in the knowledge that it may make you want to just hoik at them (Memories of those signs “no spitting on the pavement” that used to adorn kent terrace/courtenay place lamposts)
How did it come to thus? oi akse moisef
Oh….. and didja know…. Mex Koi is a DeeJay!
Only heard Steve McCabe on school buildings. On the money!
Jesse Mulligan’s smartarse 6th former delivery is irritating. Simon Pound is a bass frog. they’re marginally less annoying than emphysemic mouthbreather Chris Trotter. For fucksake back away from the mike, Trotter!
Yeah….Mulligan’s RNZ could easily be Coast or Breeze. Eminently missable indeed approaching unlistenable. Rhema’s bloody near more interesting. From memory he doesn’t have the proudest recent provenance….for a time riding second shotgun to Mutton/Lamb Hosking on Seven PM Sharp ?
In fact the only afternooon RNZ I anticipate at all is Mensa (Allegedly) Mora. And then only when BFs Boag/Edwards are on. The ‘joshing’ across the Putative Political Divide and the Punch & Judy-ness of them resonates a little I confess. The House & Garden stuff they trot out almost always is sweet as well.
In a month it’s all the Once-Ferbulous-Aging-Auckland-Glit’s (and ubiquitous silver two-door Merc’ criminally slow up College Hill) that I need !
WOW, Just WOW.
Clarke and Dawe. Hat tip us over this side of the ditch.
“Can I get a cup of tea?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFih4NakbOg
A discussion on the possible effects of the TPPA on a country’s ability to protect the environment.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mattias-wallander/is-the-trans-pacific-partnership-an-environmental-pollution-pass-for-corporations_b_8078460.html
The US and UK tried to bring “freedom and democracy” to the Middle East.
Well, that’s what Waikato’s AL GILLESPIE asserted this afternoon.
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Friday 4 September 2015
Jim Mora, Steve McCabe, Simon Pound
The Harvard School of Law, with its monstrous needles-under-the-fingernails enthusiast Alan Dershowitz and his incompetent dean Elena Kagan, has long been the natural home for the academic psychopath; now it looks as if the Waikato School of Law might be giving it a run for its money.
Last year I praised Waikato University law professor Al Gillespie as “an honorable exception to the troubling collection of cranks and fanatics that are ensconced at Waikato”. [1] And indeed, he is vastly superior to the likes of such Waikato mediocrities as Jacqueline Rowarth, Ron Smith, Willem De Lange and Dov Bing.
But when you think about it, that’s faint praise. Last month, I was appalled to hear Prof. Gillespie intone, in apparent high seriousness: “To a degree we have to trust the government.” He assured the Panel that in future, governments would have learned their lesson and would never be as secretive as this one has been about the TPPA “negotiations.” [2] That is the sort of complacent, irresponsible statement that Panel sufferers would expect from such regulars as Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, Barry Corbett, David Farrar or Karl Du Fresne.
Professor Gillespie’s brief appearance on this afternoon’s program raises further questions about his judgement. After Jim Mora and his two guests had spent a couple of minutes sighing about the refugee crisis in Europe, it was time to talk to the designated “expert”—Professor Gillespie. Mora raised a question which he said “a few people have been asking”, i.e., why do we never hear any admission by American and British leaders that they bear a huge responsibility for this disaster?
Professor Gillespie then spoke for a couple of minutes, but whatever he said was surely rendered null and void by the bizarre statement he made right at the end of his contribution. The United States and Great Britain, he told the panelists, had “tried to bring democracy and freedom to these countries.”
Perhaps some time in the future Prof. Gillespie should try making that statement to an audience comprising Egyptian democracy activists, Iranians who experienced the American-backed dictatorship of Reza Pahlavi, Iraqis who experienced the American-backed dictatorship of Saddam Hussein, Palestinians, Saudi dissidents, Yemenis, Qataris, Indonesians….
[1] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24062014/#comment-837881
[2] http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17082015/#comment-1059852
Don’t know whether he still is, but Ron Smith was an ACToid.
Indeed he was, Anne. He also wrote an exceptionally bad book about foreign policy.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11508129
What does this pig mean by “strong economy” ?