With the sheer magnificence of the Beautiful Game in all its ostentatious glory … currently enjoying a brief interlude as a temporary calm descends from the Urals to the Baltic Sea … I’ll take this brief window of opportunity to advertise my latest blog post:
Opening sentences from the Conclusion might give you an idea of where I’m going with this:
Conclusion
Between his gross misrepresentations and glaring internal contradictions, National Party Pollster David Farrar has managed to fundamentally subtract from our understanding of the Ardern Government’s comparative popularity.
Indeed, in a veritable negativetour de force, he manages to get every single facet wrong.
Seeking to reconcile politically-motivated spin with radically incompatible empirical data, Farrar is forced to brazenly conjure up historic opinion poll trends out of thin air, asserting the absolute antithesis of historical reality, while concurrently finding himself mired in embarrassing internal contradictions as old Kiwiblog posts come back to haunt him.
You can see I’m in the mood to go easy on the young fellow 🙂
Great to see the Good Doctor (Wayne) engaging in a bit of healthy debate and robust criticism.
Just to quickly reply to the Doc:
Farrar’s claims:
– TV3 “2% bump” tradition = Porkies
– New Govts reach their maximum popularity immediately following their First Budget = Pork Pies
– Ardern Govt’s comfort margin over the Opposition after First Budget is unusually narrow = Porky Pies
– First Budgets always engender a surge in popular support for Incoming Govts = Load of old Tosh
– New Govts always head downwards in popular support following the post-First Budget Poll = Horrendous load of old Bollocks
– Astonishing that National continues to poll so high despite a leadership change = Entirely contradicted by none other than the younger Farrar (of August 2017) himself
The trouble is getting that counter-message across to the public.
I had the impression the coalition government was struggling a bit – and I’m pro-labour etc. And I don’t read the Herald or Stuff and only watch TV1 news. The facts, unfortunately, don’t matter – what sticks is the insidious and constant messaging that the coalition is not doing as we as . . .
We really do need a completely independent, or rather, a balanced news media.
Perhaps that’s what John Campbell will bring to TV1?
We all need to sack ‘Clear-ly clue-less Curran’ and puit someone in as the ministermof broadcasting that will bring us another TVNZ 7; with real invesigative jouralism;n – Otherwisw labour are history.
I read the article. For the author to claim “gross misrepresentation” is itself a gross misrepresentation.
It is a fact that National outpolls Labour, though Labour and the Greens outpoll National. It is a fact there was no uptick for Labour following the budget.
The next election is highly competitive, which is usually not the case when a government has been first elected. The next election was basically in the bag for the last two new governments (see 2002 and 2011). You have to go back to 1993 to find a competive election for the next election following a change of government.
My very strong memory is that it is about the creating of a meme that new govts always get a poll bounce. That came from Farrar anke was picked up and repeated by many in the msm, in fact no one disputed it, until swordfish did some meticulous research and showed it to be utterly false.
The point being that farrar lied and the msm accepted the lie, the aim of which was to undermine the coalition.
DPF has not lied. He may have a different interpretation to you about the poll results, but that does not make him a liar.
From what I see of the polls, and their analysis, different people can interpret them in a way that best favours their position. And I know enough about polls and how the data that supports them is analysed to know that the same poll will say different things to different people. That is all that has happened here.
It is frankly tiresome to read various posts that immediately go to the liar accusation simply because different people have a different view.
The ‘liar’ accusation is up their with the ‘do you still beat your wife’ question. It is generally thrown around to shut down debate, a fairly common leftist tactic.
With your own record here, and Key’s list of over a thousand lies in office, you need to own it – you’ve got serious problems with the truth. The Left is perfectly justified in shutting your lies down because they are not debate – if anything they let you away with too much.
Rubbish – your record is of constantly pushing shit uphill until it collapses and buries you.
Your longest argument with me was about your right to make shit up with no basis in reality – it was only by returning the favour I got you to even briefly return to a few of the rules of civilized discourse.
You’re a faux couer and a disgrace, and your far right fantasies have no basis in reality, nor are they in any way desirable. It astonishes me that your vapid trolling has been tolerated as long as it has – it lacks the validating leavening of truth that once every millennium or so justifies the generally negative presence of unconstructive trolls.
Politicians lie. Of all stripes. Labour politicians have been lying from the very first sitting day of parliament when they screwed up the election of the speaker, and they have been lying ever since about a raft of issues.
Ok Wayne I made a mistake thinking the above article was the one I read about 6weeks ago but swordfish called honey moon scam . The is the one that farrar is exposed as a liar. You have to read to the very end of that article to realize that….when I have a chance I will read the above and comment as to whether it’s a matter of interpretation or a lie.
My strong opinion re your party and associates is they lie. One of the posters here kept a dossier on keys lies. I also consider Coleman’s error of omission re the state of Middlemore in the dishonesty category. That’s my opinion.
By the way did you ever get round to reading dirty politics?
Yeah the Gnats were great at polling. Anywhere there are numbers they can fake they prosper. Not so good at governing though – it’s not their game. They’re here to steal public property and run down public services, a strategy that isn’t particularly useful after decades of underinvestment in infrastructure and social support.
Blocs are the only relevant metric under MMP. Anything else is just misleading. People like yourself and Farrar are smart enough for us to believe that is not an accident.
Yeah swordfish. Yesterday’s posts good example. How dare the guy point out all the clusterf**cks this Govt is making and the increasing antipathy towards them. I mean we’ve got increasing numbers of lefties & Maori complaining, 1000’s of poor families moving out of their cars into kiwibuild houses, harmonious industrial relations, a replacement already sorted for Oil & Gas, a well spent $2.5B increasing student numbers, extremely competent ministers in corrections, broadcasting, housing – everywhere. Labour are smashing Nats in the polls too. All is rosy in this Govt and it’s dreams.
I can’t believe how bad National’s attack lines are on Kiwibuild. Amy Adams sounds like a pursed lipped harpy.
There opposition to Kiwibuild is characterised by a Scrooge like hysteria and an anxiety attack over eligibility which reveals to all just how much cost cutting and compulsive (and repulsive) parsimony were elevated to an unreasoning fetishised cult under Bill English, an eye rolling “concern” for the poor.
Worst of all, politically it is an attack on a government policy that is guaranteed to be hugely popular with the middle NZ that John Key’s popularity (and Sue Bradford’s idiocy) has had locked up for the right for the last decade.
National have no strategy beyond using their well funded war chest and numerous establishment media shills to launch constant and intemperate attacks on any sort of initiative whatsoever.
don’t rip into Sue buddy boy – she is one of the BEST people on this planet.
I can’t really stand twyford and I thought his interview this morning on RNZ was excellent. The problem is wide and this is one improvement – I especially liked how he dismissed adams without mentioning the thickgnats. You’ve gone up a bit in my estimation phil – onya.
The $180,000 household income does seem rather high, though I imagine it is based on two teachers (or police officers or nurses) at the top of the scale, which is typically reached around age 30 for most teachers (starting at age 22 to 24).
Even so, I would have thought $150,000 for two incomes might have been more credible.
I presume that attraction of Kiwibuild for those putting the names in the ballot is the capped price of $650,000 (for a three or four bedroom home), plus the finance package.
In McLennan Park, Papkura (the first Kiwibuild project) this gets a three bedroom house on its own section with a one car garage. This development has 30 KiwiBuild houses. I understand that this number of houses with the $650,000 cap was already planned under the previous govt. In fact on looking at their website the Kiwibuild homes are $579,000. The development also has a lot more houses in the $700,000 to $800,000 price range.
Phil is under a lot of pressure to deliver lots more house in Auckland under the $650,000 price cap. It seems he is doing this by renegotiating with a lot of existing group home developments to have more houses built within the cap, than previously was the case. I know that is happening in Northcote.
If he delivers Kiwibuild houses as per his target, (6,000 houses next year, 12,000 in 2020), well good on him. I presume around 40% will be in Auckland.
It is, at best, a gross distortion to suggest nurses are on $90,000.
Perhaps it is a deliberate lie.
To get near that figure, EVERY shift must be anti-social i.e.: night shift and weekends.
At the ‘top of the scale’ you are tending to be on the other shifts, supervising the ever changing staff.
While I can’t be certain, for a teacher to be near $90,000, I think the term is private school principal.
Lots of nurses and teachers are on around $90,000. One or two promotions, or units of responsibility, in addition to being at the top of the scale will do it. After ten years, most nurses and teachers will have got some promotions. I was also assuming the new pay deals being done.
As a comparator, median police sergeant pay is currently about $85,000. An Army sergeant ranges from $67,00 to $85,000, and by age 30 a lot of NZDF people are at that level.
Ok Wayne I made a mistake thinking the above article was the one I read about 6weeks ago but swordfish called honey moon scam . The is the one that farrar is exposed as a liar. You have to read to the very end of that article to realize that….when I have a chance I will read the above and comment as to whether it’s a matter of interpretation or a lie.
My strong opinion re your party and associates is they lie. One of the posters here kept a dossier on keys lies. I also consider Coleman’s error of omission re the state of Middlemore in the dishonesty category. That’s my opinion.
By the way did you ever get round to reading dirty politics? (
It seems that’s what happens when a ministry is set up as a sales department.
It could start by totally switching around its list of objectives in the about us statement
The Ministry for Primary Industries is helping maximise export opportunities for our primary industries, improve sector productivity, ensure the food we produce is safe, increase sustainable resource use, and protect New Zealand from biological risk.
And then hire people at levels to match the importance of the reversed list ranking.
A typical descent into a “sales department” went like this:
My example: NZ Meteorological Service between 1988-1993.
1. Throw out the Director General (a highly qualified scientist of international ranking) and his equally well qualified senior staff.
2. Install a General Manager and support staff from the private sector who have little or no knowledge of meteorology but who have a gift of the gab.
3. Produce a new ‘mission statement’ which in effect turns wind, rain, sunshine, snow, hail and heatwaves into marketable products.
4. Gradually (or not so gradually if possible) get rid of all staff who have been employed for more than 20 years or who are over 40 years old and replace with members of a more youthful variety who can be payed less.
5. Close field stations which provided most of the intelligence that enabled forecasters to forecast. (now basically redundant due to modern technology but not back in those days)
6. Trim down the public services on offer and pour all resources into money making ventures aimed at the private sector eg. aviation. In other words, you only get a decent service if you’re willing to pay big bucks for it.
Fortunately a form of sanity prevailed in the early days of the Bolger government (yes, the Bolger govt.) and the service became an SOE. The old ‘new’ management was discarded and a new ‘new’ management installed who appear to have known what they were doing and had knowledge of the subject matter in hand.
For 9 dark years it was keep your head down and ride out the dirty floodwater, else you too will drown. This was not by accident, it is inevitable and known and happens when government focuses on the wrong things imo. Labour and mates are actually the heroes come to save the day. Right across all services things have been allowed to go to shit. It is going to take time to sort. EVERY govt department should be offered ways to sort their shit out because a lot of them are shitty and that is NOT the fault of employees.
the argument that managers are managers,and have transferable skills across complex institutions is a legitimate question.
Government institutions once had significant institutional memory,against the corporate structure that has been brought to gvt departments ie finacialization (read washighton consensus)
Financialization is a process whereby financial markets, financial institutions and financial elites gain greater influence over economic policy and economic outcomes. Financialization transforms the functioning of economic system at both the macro and micro levels. Its principal impacts are to (1) elevate the significance of the financial sector relative to the real sector; (2) transfer income from the real sector to the financial sector; and (3) increase income inequality and contribute to wage stagnation. There are reasons to believe that financialization may render the economy prone to risk of debt-deflation and prolonged recession. Financialization operates through three different conduits: changes in the structure and operation of financial markets; changes in the behavior of non-financial corporations, and changes in economic policy. Countering financialization calls for a multi-faceted agenda that (1) restores policy control over financial markets, (2) challenges the neo-liberal economic policy paradigm encouraged by financialization, (3) makes corporations responsive to interests of stakeholders other than just financial markets, and (4) reforms the political process so as to diminish the influence of corporations and wealthy elites.
hence the rise of the corporate manager eg.
This realignment of corporate manager interests to coincide with those of financial markets has been facilitated by the destruction of union power. This has removed a countervailing force that previously prevented managers from siding excessively with financial interests.
(read my golf bags were held up at biosecurity hence I missed connecting flight to resort)
Most MSM are still banging a tired worn out drum, most do not have the ability to think for themselves, they are all wired into group think and are programmed to spread a certain message to the masses ?
The NZ media are very poor period and need an overhaul, so balance can return to reporting and drop the self serving biased views they all serve us every day.
“It is supposedly an adaption from court records…”
It is transcripts from court records. No, they didn’t film the actual hearings. The judge in the video is an actual judge, and the transcripts are actual transcripts.
If this information was presented as a written news item, with lots of commentary and interviews with experts, would you be more inclined to have a view on the message rather than the presentation of the message?
Winston shouldn’t be taking the money for the cold weather however what National should do (but won’t) is announce it’ll be championing means testing for everything
With ‘parties’ you mean the No mates Party? Cause the coalition has agreed to this benefit already and rolled the programme out?
I can see the housing allowance fraud and his side kick the welfare queen of national importance to be the first one lining up to get the money. After all both Enlish and Bennett have never seen a benefit that would not apply to them and to which they would not feel entitled too.
so again i propose you formulate your concerns in a nice letter addressed to Simon’No’Bridges and mates.
I hope not.
Transfer payments from the state to individuals should be universal and regarded as a right of citizenship.
You address the issue of wealthy people getting transfers from the state by having much more steeply progressive income taxes as we used to do pre-1984. It is incredibly efficient, and equitable both among and between generations. (Oh and you count capital gain as income)
I come from the viewpoint that if you don’t need it you shouldn’t receive it, a viewpoint that puts me at odds with my in-laws (which is always amusing)
Instead of more taxes I’d prefer giving less money away
A good tax system should always be in place. Of course, National did try to turn us into an international tax haven and refused to go after those not paying their taxes.
A woman just scaled the almost sheer 30ft base of the statue of LIberty without any climbing gear, even managing to get around a large jutting overhang at the top.
Pundits suggest that this means the Trump Wall will have to be made 10ft higher at the cost of many $billions more.
“Border wall tests find heights — say, 30 feet — should keep out crossers.”
Fail:
Recent assaults by tactical teams on prototypes of President Donald Trump’s proposed wall with Mexico found their imposing heights should stop border crossers……
…….Military special forces based in Florida and U.S. Customs and Border Protection special units spent three weeks trying to breach and scale the eight models in San Diego, using jackhammers, saws, torches and other tools and climbing devices
Tho’ on second thoughts you could just bring along a ladder and a bit of rope. (like the cops did)
$21billion 30ft high wall, vs. $200 30ft high ladder
No contest
Makes me wonder why the military special forces based in Florida and U.S. Customs and Border Protection special units who spent three weeks trying to breach and scale the eight models in San Diego, using jackhammers, saws, torches and other tools and climbing devices, didn’t think to use a ladder, like the NYPD did.
One of the people tRump is considering to replace Kennedy on SCOTUS bench is Amy Coney Barrett, who’s sworn a loyalty oath to a religious group called The People of Praise and is answerable to a personal adviser called a handmaid.
“The Court of Appeal has upheld the decision that Kim Dotcom is eligible to be extradited to the United States of America.
The court released its judgment today that Dotcom, Mathias Ortmann, Bram van der Kolk, and Finn Batato are eligible to be extradited to the US to face criminal copyright charges over the now-defunct file-sharing website Megaupload.”
Well it did all work out pretty good in the end with Keys re-election but that Dot Com tried to sway the election just so he could avoid extradition didn’t sit well with me and it seemed a large number of people agreed
National were elected in (really large) part thanks to Dotcom?
How hopeless are they, needing that help?
You must despair of them, Pucky, despite your tribalism.
Having recently started watching Dr Jordan Petersons lectures on youtube I have to say yes tribalism is a very bad thing and as such is something I’m actively working on to remove
You do realize that Jordan Peterson wants homosexuality, pre maritial sex and abortion outlawed do you? If you make out with a woman in a bar, it’s jail for you boyo.
Not going to lie but taking off the blinkers isn’t easy and in fact can make things harder for yourself because you have to think more
Like I’m quite big on on the courts being the final arbiter but the law can be used by the rich (Colin Craig for example) to “get away it”
So I don’t want to be glib and say something like “well its up to the government” but I’m not sure of what else to say as they are ultimate law of the country
Hey, that’s interesting, Pucky; expunging tribalism’s a topic worth pursuing and I hope others will join the conversation as everyone benefits from more thoughtful commentary on all issues. How are you going about your detribalising? Have you other examples of something you’ve identified and adjusted; a belief or position held? I’m keen to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being politically tribal; maybe we could move this discussion to today’s Open Mike?
“For playing a really large part in getting National re-elected.”
So, it’s revenge then? That’s the right thing for the Minister of Justice? Use the processes of law to get even with another politician? That’s the right thing.
Its not one thing or the other, in this case doing the right thing also allows for some payback so hopefully Little will allow himself some small measure of enjoyment
Dotcom is one of those rarest of new immigrants, one with both the skills and capital for entrepreneurship. US interests needed to fuck him over or he’d own what would’ve become Netflix. Same thing happened to the folk who started Napster.
The whole sorry saga is what you expect from an utterly corrupt government that doesn’t have a fucking clue what it’s doing. Dotcom was a gift along the lines of McCully’s flying sheep, to the US, for which the quid pro quo was to be a free trade deal. Do we have a free trade deal? We do not – though an article of surrender called the TPP is slated to be signed shortly.
* Human rights fail – Dotcom was not subject to US law.
* NZ law fail – Dotcom’s activety was commercial, not criminal so extradition is a bust.
* Entrepreneurship fail – an NZ government with any sense would have got behind Dotcom to build on the burgeoning cyberlocker technology in which he led the world.
* Dishonest ‘pragmatism’ fail. The flying sheep didn’t secure a Saudi trade deal and harassing Dotcom didn’t secure a US trade deal on anything approaching fair terms.There’s a pattern here, but fuckwits like Groser and McCully were too stupid to see it.
In addition, regardless of what anyone thinks of Kim Dotcom, what is at issue here is justice – and justice seen to be done. Not revenge or any other reason, as some people have suggested above and elsewhere.
The decision by the Court of Appeal does not surprise me because from memory, all of the CoA decisions to date in this case have been to uphold the lower court decisions whereas the Supreme Court have taken a different view is some instances. (I will need to check to be sure.)
What is frustrating me right now is the lack of clear reporting by the media as to what happens from here.
Some are saying (currently as I write this) that the decision now rests with Andrew Little as Attorney-general under the Extradition Act – eg RNZ
Update: The Stuff link above still works but the heading has now been changed from the original ” Kim Dotcom loses appeal against extradition case now sent to andrew little” to ” Kim Dotcom loses appeal against extradition, will take case to Supreme Court”.
Wayne’s comment at 13.1.1 points out that if it is the Attorney-General that makes extradition decisions under the Extradition Act 1999, then that is David Parker, not Andrew Little.
This led me to actually look at the Extradition Act 1999 and under section 30 of the Act it is the “Minister” that makes the decision under the Act – not the Attorney-General as suggested in some media reports on the CoA decision.
One thing you can be sure of patricia bremner and that is Andrew Little will put his heart and soul into any decision he has to make on the matter. He will leave no stone unturned and will apply strict impartiality to his deliberations. I can say this because it is the nature of the man and we can be grateful we now have him as Minister of Justice.
If it is the AG, then it is David Parker. I assume it will go to the Supreme Court.
If the SC decides that KDC should be extradited, then I would expect the AG to follow that. What possible basis would there be for the AG to come to a different decision to the SC? Every possible thing has been (or will have been) exhaustively considered by the courts. Of course that means KDC can go for judicial review of any such decision by the AG.
The only way this ends any time soon is if the SC decides KDC should not be extradited. Otherwise perhaps another 5 years.
As I have now commented at 12.2.1.2, your comment prompted me to check the Extradition Act 1999, and under section 30 it is the “Minister” – not the Attorney-General – that makes decisions under the Act. “Minister” is defined as the Minister of Justice under s.2. So Andrew Little, not David Parker.
Sorry if my original 12.2.1 confused people. My references to A-G and Andrew Little were straight from some of the media reports and I should have clicked that Andrew Little was not the A-G but Minister of Justice.
But the same general point applies. It will be very difficult for the Minister to do anything other than confirm the courts decision (assuming the SC actually decides the the US extradition request should be accepted). At least that is how I see it.
If theres any actions against the law then it should be investigated and, if any guilty parties are discovered, they should be punished to the full extent of the law
The belief that governments might be held accountable for dishonesty offences in office is not one sitting MPs wish to strengthen. By avoiding the issue however, they merely sponsor the creation of a fresh generation of rorters.
There will be some disappointments – as there was under the previous schemes- but there will be many thousands who have their dreams fulfilled who would otherwise not get that shot.
And the more that get built, the more see that it is worthwhile continuing to vote in the government who has delivered for others.
Punish at least those waiting for a kiwi built will know they are not competing against buyers who are investing and renting out the property or foreign speculators
Yeah this is dumb, NZFirst and National are over reacting to this. It’ll probably end up not being well received and then it’ll be taken off the menu and everyone’ll be happy
NFZ are pushing the debate forward, what is rural nz to do when we hit infinite protein? It’s coming. Holding back the inevitable, you can trust NZF when reshaping the rural economy. National haven’t your back farmers.
Thing about tofu is to get it fresh (or make your own), not to make ‘steak’ out of it. It’s quite possible to cook it in an appealing form, sundubu jjigae for instance, but low grade meat substitutes are rarely appealing.
I did actually have some tofu I didn’t despise a week or two back – excellent restaurant, the tofu was crisply fried on the outside.
But my comment was more about how people occasionally come out with “substitutes” that are “just as good as / just like” meat – I can’t help thinking that the last time they had a decent steak was so long ago their memory has been warped.
It’s not just about protein – texture, fibres, gristle, flavour, fat…
I’m hard to move from, ‘because they are silly and not that bright’. I’m actually okay if less than brilliant people run the show but the gnats are just spinning – probably poor leadership, it usually springs from there.
Same reason as Labour barked at every passing car I guess, what the actual reason is I don’t know but I’m guessing this is not something that will resonate with the general public
Neither Ed or I need this sort of attack veuto. Its no wonder people like us have been driven from the site. Right now I have better things to do like planning next years Veganuary.
Over 19,000 NZers have registered their interest in buying a home in twenty four hours, Minister Twyford announced just now in response to question 8 supplementary.
Over 19,000 people in the first 24 hours.
Of course there never was a housing crisis that 19,000 at their first opportunity would want a chance to at an affordable house when possible…………
You have been mis informed re the 19k interest in buying
This link may better inform you
“Yes, anyone can register their interest in KiwiBuild. This includes potential home buyers as well as people who simply want to receive updates about KiwiBuild.”
“5. Can you register someone else – e.g. a mum registering their adult children?
Yes, anyone can register to receive more information about KiwiBuild.”
https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=201422
Also I note the subtle dig at teachers 2 minutes in, with the example of “say 2 teachers with 5 years experience lets say earning $160k” IF ONLY, or is there an intention to give the teachers more than they were asking !!!!!!
Herodotus, the transcript of part of Q8 which I observed on Parliament TV is as follows.
“What interest has there been in purchasing a KiwiBuild home?
Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I said that the KiwiBuild unit was opening their doors, but, in fact, Kiwis have smashed the door down. Over 19,000- —over 19,000—New Zealanders have registered their interest in the last 24 hours. This just shows how many young New Zealanders are desperate for a chance at homeownership, and as KiwiBuild ramps up, we look forward to seeing these families buy and move into their own homes.”
you said “Over 19,000 NZers have registered their interest in BUYING a home in twenty four hours,” it was not the same as what the minister said ( linked) from question 8, and what the official link re Kiwibuild states as who can register, not everyone who registers is a buyer, I have registered just to keep informed in this matter. This is different from how I read your comment. Perhaps that is an error on my behalf 🙁
The minister IMO handled the pre pared question and subsequent questions poorly re my comment on teachers with 5 years experience, at least he could base his answers on facts 🙁
The Minister replied to a questioner who asked, “What interest has there been in purchasing a KiwiBuild home?” That was the question he responded to. ‘Buying’ is the same as’ purchasing’, and Minster Twyford said that 19,000 had registered their interest. He didn’t explain what registered their interest’ meant.
It says, “More than 6000 people registered for a KiwiBuild home yesterday, and that number has more than tripled today.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford told Newshub that more than 19,000 Kiwis have now registered for the programme.”
How many actually will be purchasers is a moot point. These are the numbers of people registering for KiwiBuild. Why would they do that if not interested in purchasing such a home? Most will be seeking to buy a home, which is my point. So many people needing state intervention to enable their home-owning dreams. Homes being provided by this government in contrast to the last government which could not even acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
Why would they do that if not interested in purchasing such a home?
– People interested in the policy and want a highly functional coherent policy that works for those that have been shut out, not only for those who earn $100k as per ZB link 13 minutes in the our Minister agrees with!!!
[audio src="http://120.138.20.16/WeekOnDemand/ZB/auckland/2018.07.05-07.00.00-S.mp3" /]
– Those who manage family trusts , as beneficiaries of family trusts it seem will be eligible to purchase kiwibuild 4:30 into todays question 6 https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=201420
IMO spend the money and use the land to construct State Houses, then we can house those in need, and not allow private landlords to be the recipients of state sanctioned welfare, but that is only my opinion 🙂
So I’m glad first of all that the small matter of whether I misreported what i saw and heard in Parliament today has been dealt with.
That was as far as I wanted to go with this, Herodotus.
You seem to have an agenda of attacking Twyford or the government.
So I will answer your perception that Labour is somehow in the pockets of people who are into trusts.
Again, from my recollection of the House today, Twyford was at pains to point out that people who are thus inclined will not be the natural respondents to purchase lower cost houses .
I would also make the point that such houses can not be on sold for three years. Would not-genuine buyers who are trust-connected people be interested in buying housing aimed at lower income folk which cannot be sold for three years. I’m not privy to he thinking of such folk, but I doubt it.
Especially if the housing market increases are slowed down by the various measures designed to discourage speculators and non-resident buyers. That alone would discourage owners trying to make a profit since a three year compulsory retention should raise questions of doubt about successful profit-taking.
By all means build more state rentals, but the KiwiBuild programme is catering for those who want to own their own homes, a totally understandable objective, and is supposed to self-funding as houses sold will pay for the next tranche of houses to be built and so on.
These matters are however subsidiary to the main aim which is to provide 100,000 homes of affordable nature over ten years,
19000 people interested in 24 hours is a massive indication of the interest and the need for this programme.
Is there something wrong in making observations in an area I have some knowledge and experience in?
Re your comments on attacking the government, is there anything wrong in keeping them honest? I had the same attitude towards the previous govt.
I still think that they should be held accountable for what they went into last years election on.
Re Twyford I have the impression from encounters with him and that others have had with him within the industry, that he has the desire to make improvements regarding housing, BUT holds some wild ideas that are impracticable.
And I was taken back on his comment today of 2 teachers with 5 years experience earning $160k- That mis information should be pointed out especially with the current teachers pay demands.
And I do accept that discussions can get beyond what contributors desire or intended !!!
Anyone who’s been in that situation would realise that a supposedly desperate first home buyer who can only commit to 3 years ownership isn’t a home buyer, they are an investor and a property speculator.
Clearly I don’t mean people should be tied to a house if it conflicts with their changing circumstances, but that should be an exception.
If anything should have a 3 year timeframe, its rentals.
Sure it’s a wee way off, but the 2026 Football World Cup is going to be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
The USA may not be going, but America’s **other** team will represent in Russia. Is this the year #ElTri gets over the round-of-16 roadblock? (COVER 2/4) pic.twitter.com/dFyhQ39dPg
Sports Illustrated recently called Mexico the US’s OTHER team.
True in the theoretical as well as the symbolic and actual senses.
As a supplement to the human religious impulse, this 2026 event will have a real unifying impulse in the frame of a threatened NAFTA and vey very high immigration borders.
This idiot Scott Pruitt is trying to play the GOD card while he is doing everything in his power to destroy GOD’S Creatures and OUR environment good ridence he has resigned link below.
This is the humane system needed for Papatuanukue to help all the common people.
With a universal basic income for all the tangata of Papatuanukue everyone will gain. There will be less crime less health problems the government will get a better tax take business will make more profits common people will become more confident they should be able to still work and get the unervisal income it’s not ROCK SCIENCE people its humane nature. Some people were saying that a fuel tax would not lower traffic jams in Auckland well te Kumara never tells how sweet it is. Ka kite ano
This is what Aotearoa has to do to tackle our plastic waste problems
Australia has the same issue as Aotearoa nowhere to send the graded waste to be recycled. Link below.
Some people don’t know a good thing when it’s staring the in the face Elon Mus mega factory will change things in Nevada but he has changed the game on renewable energy Ka pai Elon ignore the oil barrons trolls. Ka kite ano
Ka pai Phil Goff the Mayor of Auckland for banning these two far right hired trolls from Canada from using council venues. We don’t need you spreading your dumb ass ways in Aotearoa.
You know the old saying when a Wahine enters a room some men are captured by her Wairua and lose all logicthat’s what it looks like to ECO MAORI Ana to kai links below.
Good evening Newshub that’s a brilliant idea having a giant orange bollon to greet trump he’s you know what.
I have seen a lot of camera on the road in my travels big brother is being put in place in Atoearoa.
Many thanks to the Wellington council for give the beautiful Right Wale the respect that Tangaroas creates deserves Ka pai.
Ka kite ano
Our Prime minister did a great thing for Maori culture buy giveing her first born girl a Maori middle name Nevea Te Aroha Ardern Gayford some people just can’t see the big picture and they try and use this for their cause charter schools ECO MAORI once again says don’t bite te person that Tau toko you
One of the challenges of working on illegal wildlife markets, is you don’t really have scope to talk about your research into illegal wildlife markets. There is some stuff though that willbe coming out on Asiatic black bears in China, and before Covid19, I was delving more into rhinos. Which ...
Some are surprised at this sudden brain implosion on the part of both Michelle Boag, former National Party President, and the National Party in general, in exposing the private, confidential details of COVID patients. Others…? Let’s be blunt: not so much. Too many of that Party have long operated with ...
Michelle Boag - Former National Party PresidentWhen Todd Muller decided not to discipline Hamish Walker for his horribly racist press release last week, you had to wonder if his lack of proper leadership had something to do with a shared belief system? After all, the whiteness of the blue “team” ...
On Twitter today, lawyer Felix Geiringer asked a good question: why are MP's exempt from the Privacy Act? The Act imposes its obligations on "agencies", and s8 of the 2020 Act states that this term does not include... a member of Parliament in their official capacity The 1993 Act, ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzWhat was the climate and sea level like at times ...
So now we know, beyond all doubt. The National party has no interest in joining the “team of five million” in our fight against the pandemic but its priority is to take every opportunity it can to damage the government. The cynicism is breathtaking. It was prepared to leak the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters The massive dust storm that formed over the Sahara Desert in mid-June invaded the southeastern U.S. June 25-28, bringing dangerous levels of air pollution, low visibility, and colorful sunsets. The air pollution event over parts of Texas and the Gulf ...
In 1987, as a British Labour MP, I was elected to the Shadow Cabinet by my colleagues and was asked by the party leader to direct Labour’s campaign in the general election of that year. The election was to take place at the height of Mrs Thatcher’s dominance and we ...
National MP Nicola WillisHousing, which I would argue is a fundamental human right, has long been a problem in New Zealand. Not only do we have some of the most overpriced houses in the entire world, much of the housing stock is substandard and therefore affects not just people’s health ...
If the government has not lined up behind a "Yes" vote in this year's cannabis referendum the way some reformers would have liked, one entirely laudable thing it did do was commission some science around the public's choice.That science landed today, in the form of the report from an expert ...
Associate Professor Sara WaltonAt the heart of the discussion on opening up our borders is the dichotomy of health and the economy – both of which are actually intertwined, like many things with our economy, as this epidemic has shown.If we think about our country as a system, ...
This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Josh Gabbatiss This year will see the largest ever drop globally in both investment and consumer spending on energy as the coronavirus pandemic hits every major sector, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The crisis is accelerating the shutdown of older fossil-fuelled ...
A short opinion piece – Friday 26th June 2020 Whilst our Government has treated many financial victims of the current Covid-19 virus with appropriate generosity, the same cannot be said for those of the two earlier “epidemics” in NZ. The “Covid-84” virus (also called “Rogernomics”) spread systemic greed, with the ...
Everyone deserves a a decent life. We know this is possible with a fairer approach to income support and tax Read the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Poverty Action Plan here ...
After a long break, the government is back inserting secrecy clauses in legislation. This time its the Overseas Investment Amendment Bill (No 3), which in its clause allowing Ministers to exempt purchasers of farm land from the usual rules also allows them to exempt an exemption from the publication requirement: ...
Over the past two years the government has repeatedly delayed a scheme to put cameras on boats to monitor Mew Zealand's pervasively criminal fishing industry. But it turns out that the industry actually wants cameras: Three of the country's biggest seafood companies have broken ranks with the rest of the ...
Louise Delany (public health lawyer)Health and emergency laws have played a critical role in this country’s successful elimination of community transmission of the COVID-19 pandemic. This blog details key aspects of the legislation and comments on issues around testing, payments by incoming travellers for quarantine costs, and mask use. ...
I like Andrew Curry’s succinct and insightful futures blog The Next Wave. His most recent post is about social change. In particular, the decadal-long periods usually required for changes in values. He highlights a 2016 paper by Inglehart and Norris, who examined whether economic insecurity or a “cultural backlash” ...
Story of the Week... Toon of the Week... Coming Soon on SkS... Poster of the Week... SkS Week in Review... Story of the Week... Stop making sense: why it's time to get emotional about climate changeThe science has been settled to the highest degree, so now ...
MONDAY JULY 6Washington (History, Sky 073, 7.30pm). The brilliant Doris Kearns Goodwin is the executive producer of this six-part series about America's first president. It combines interviews with live action and is narrated by Jeff Daniels. It's engaging, said Salon.TUESDAY JULY 7The ABC Murders (Prime, 8.30pm). Sarah Phelps has done incredible things with ...
I think we can all agree that the mainstream media in New Zealand has a very different set of rules for the right wing compared to the left. While Labour and Green Party politicians don’t seem to be able to fart without it becoming a sackable offence, National and Act ...
A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, June 28 through Sat, July 4, 2020Editor's Choice'2040': A funny, entertaining, upbeat climate documentaryA timely Australian documentary takes a 'solutions' approach, with the filmmaker inspired by visions of ...
Racist National MP Hamish WalkerEven before Todd Muller's coup ousted Simon Bridges by a single vote, it was patently obvious that the National Party promotes and stands for white privilege. In fact they’ve always worked to ensure the discriminatory status quo in New Zealand doesn’t change.So it’s no surprise that ...
Dave HeatleyZero community transmission. Just a handful of active cases, all in quarantine. New Zealand is in an attractive situation, at least compared to much of the world. The situation could be robust and enduring – or it might be fragile, just one border incursion away from a “second ...
Is the consequence of the Simpson Report proposals for restructuring the health system poorer accountability to people? When in doubt, centralise‘ has been a persistent theme in New Zealand public policy throughout our history. The current government is no exception. Here are some examples. - The regional polytechs have been ...
I wrote earlier in the week about the Scientology front organisations Drug Free World and Drug Free Ambassadors and their quite prominent role in anti-cannabis reform "coalition" assembled by Family First and a newloca branch of the American prohibitionist organisation SAM.It turns out Family First aren't the only ones helping ...
Nik GreenMuch of the public debate about the response to the COVID-19 pandemic has focused on the extent to which government regulations have restricted personal and business activity.Oxford University Blavatnik School of Government Here in New Zealand, the question of when to change Alert Levels dominated the ...
James Higham, University of OtagoUnprecedented border closures and the domestic lockdown have paralysed New Zealand’s $40.9 billion a year tourism industry. In the process, the vulnerability of the sector to external shocks and the tenuous nature of tourism employment have been exposed. While New Zealand’s handling of the pandemic ...
Raising The Bar: Would that the Prime Minister and her colleagues would listen as intently to what the people – as opposed to the power elites – are saying as the Greens. Were they so disposed, the popular clamour for a transformational post-Covid reset would be loud in their ears. ...
Climate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, please send it to climate.change@stuff.co.nzDo you think the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown will slow or ...
A bit like a letter home. I have now been full-time at the University of Melbourne since 2019. Before that, I was 20 years at the University of Otago, Wellington. Indeed, I set up this very Public Health Expert Blog with Nick Wilson ten years ago. Now I am your ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections House Democrats have released a comprehensive report showing how – if they control the White House and both the Senate and the House of Representatives – they might move forward on climate change. Their “Climate Crisis Action Plan,” released June 30 by the ...
A ballot for three Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Electoral (Integrity Repeal) Amendment Bill (David Carter) Harmful Digital Communications (Unauthorised Posting of Intimate Visual Recording) Amendment Bill (Louisa wall) Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Bill (Judith ...
Not Ready: Todd Muller’s lack-lustre and self-contradictory performances offer conclusive proof that a political leader cannot be managed into competence. National’s new boss has Janet Wilson handling his media and Matthew Hooton writing his speeches. Both are highly professional political and public relations specialists, and Muller is lucky to have ...
Unfortunately, due to a medical emergency, I have landed in hospital so am not able to do a current update on the NZ blog statistics. Let’s hope I can get back to this in good time. ...
It started as a family story, about a step-father who went out one night to break into an embassy in Wadestown, Wellington. John Daniell wanted to understand what his family had been part of when his mother and then step-father work for New Zealand’s Security Intelligence. He wanted to know ...
The Greens have shaken up the election campaign with the announcement of their radical poverty and action plan to reform welfare provision and introduce a new wealth tax for millionaires. It’s a big-thinking, controversial policy and has generated a lot of disagreement over how radical it is, whether it could ...
My house is currently supplied electricity by Meridian. As soon as I can change I will because Meridian spilled water to hike electricity prices. They got consumers to spend an extra $80 million on power unnecessarily. Clever them. The Electricity Authority has called their behaviour an “undesirable trading situation”, or ...
When Jacinda Ardern unexpectedly became the Labour Party leader shortly before the 2017 general election, she promised to lead a government of transformation. After nearly three years occupying the Treasury benches, health professionals working in public hospitals have been keenly waiting for transformational progress, including in the capacity and quality ...
Last night, One News ran a follow-up story to its Colmar Brunton poll results on the cannabis referendum, headed here as Government accuses big American anti-cannabis group of interfering in NZ politics.In truth it wasn't just the government: Justice minister Andrew Little, National's Shane Reti and the Greens' Chloe Swarbrick ...
When the government refused to put cameras on fishing boats to ensure fishers obeyed the law, Fisheries Minister Stuart Nash claimed that coalition partner NZ First (which has received large donations from the fishing industry) was not responsible for the decision. He has repeated that claim repeatedly since then. But ...
Heroic Evasions: Labour needs to be unequivocal in its communications with the electorate. Either it has a plan to prevent their fellow New Zealanders from falling off the economic cliff, or it doesn’t. Either it has a fiscal policy equal to the task of funding that plan, or it hasn’t. ...
Prof John Potter*Elimination has been an effective strategy for New Zealand in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic virus (SARS-CoV-2). Most other countries have not pursued this goal and are ignoring the opportunity even now. SARS-CoV-2 is not manageable by the influenza playbook; its longer incubation period makes tracing ...
This is a re-post from Weather Underground by Bob HensonAbove: This rainbow appears unusually low in the sky because it has formed early in the afternoon, rather than toward sunset. For a rainbow to form, water droplets must be present in the air in front of an observer ...
On Monday, Todd Muller gave an important speech to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, He spoke firmly about his belief in the need for foreign investment, for the public sector to partner with the private sector rather than boss it around and, crucially, demanded the government deliver a clear strategy ...
Todd Muller's first act on become party leader was to appoint an all-white front bench. This understandably raised eyebrows, so he is now apparently reconsidering caucus and list rankings. Which is obviously necessary, but there's still the underlying problem: National doesn't have a lot of Māori MP's. And the reason ...
Meridian energy has been caught manipulating the electricity market for fun and profit: Meridian Energy pushed up power prices by unnecessary spilling water from its south dams in December that could have been used for generation, the Electricity Authority has ruled in a preliminary decision. The authority said the ...
When the Christchurch murderer pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder and a number of other violent assault charges a few months ago, he effectively closed the door on what the public will know about the lead up to and commission of the event. His plea means that no evidence ...
Daphna Whitmore The Philippines is enduring one of the longest lockdowns in the world. For President Duterte the lockdown provides an opportunity to garner more powers and to push through a brazen assault on human rights. A new law called the Anti-Terror Bill has been passed under urgency and it ...
Hearing the Prime Minister castigate the Warehouse for laying off 1,000 workers after receiving $52 million in wage subsidies reminds me of the fabled frog who agreed to carry a scorpion across a river. The scorpion stings the frog halfway across, dooming both to drown. The frog cries “Why on ...
Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Amanda Kvalsvig, Prof Michael BakerCompared with other OECD countries NZ is a stand-out success story by ending community transmission of COVID-19. While there have been some well-publicised recent deficiencies (eg, quarantine organisation), there has still been no evidence of community transmission for many weeks. Nevertheless, ...
It’s June 30th, marked as Asteroid Day by many people of an astronomical bent around the globe. On this date in 1908, early in the morning in a remote part of central Siberia, the sky fell in. Well, not literally. What happened is a substantially-sized lump of cosmic detritus ...
There really is not much about Paula Bennett concerning her career trajectory, the policies she promoted, and most importantly, the socio-economic effect this had upon New Zealand (and particularly the most vulnerable in this, our oft-cited “egalitarian” society of this country) that can be said now that hasn’t already been ...
Don Franks Poverty, inequality – really – aren’t politicians paid to sort that stuff ? Why can’t they just get it together and come up with something fair and sensible? A cold rainy 2020 morning, a headline showed promise. “Green Party’s $8b plan would guarantee an income of $325 a ...
A guest repost by Climate Science Legal Defense Fund (CSLDF) staff attorney Augusta Wilson. Fundraising is not the objective of this article but readers may wish to know that CSLDF is currently conducting a summer fundraiser to support defense of research scientists and research integrity from anti-science interference by politicians and industrial interests. The COVID-19 pandemic ...
Helloy… My name is Todd Muller and I am the leader of the National Party of New Zealand. Many people come up to me on the street and ask me who I am. I’m often walking through Tauranga, or in a mall in suburban Auckland, or maybe even a farmers’ ...
The US state of Mississippi has finally voted to remove the Confederate emblem from its state flag. Good. Its appalling that it was put there in the first place, but even more appalling that it took so long to remove it. Its basicly as if a German Länder still had ...
No one could have predicted when David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill was passed by Parliament last November that the referendum required to bring the legislation into force would be held against the backdrop of a deadly global pandemic. Since then, the mounting tally of casualties around the world ...
Paul GoldsmithYou can often tell just how effective a progressive policy proposal will be by how much the right wing criticise it. The more socially beneficial, the more vitriolic and unhinged they seem to become.That was the case when the Green Party announced their Poverty Action Plan yesterday. The response ...
Back at the beginning of April, when we had much else on our minds, I wrote this post urging some caution in interpreting the results of the latest Horizon poll, conducted in February, on voting intentions in this year's cannabis referendum, which was paid for by Helius Therapeutics.I wrote that ...
Over the weekend the Greens made their first election policy announcement, and promised transformational change: a more progressive tax system, with new rates applying to incomes of $100,000 and $150,000; a new wealth tax on net wealth over $1 million; and a guaranteed minimum income to eliminate poverty. Its bold, ...
Mark Patterson MP, Spokesperson for Primary Industry New Zealand First is supporting calls by hunters and the New Zealand Tahr Foundation (NZTF) to halt a large scale cull of Himalayan Tahr by the Department of Conservation in National Parks. The calls are supported by a 40,000 strong petition and the ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First leader Winston Peters today scoffed at suggestions that a team of six political operatives have been dispatched to New Zealand to assist his campaign. ‘As President Ronald Reagan once said, ‘there they go again.’ ‘The clickbait journos can’t ...
New Zealand First is pleased to announce Jenny Marcroft as the party’s election 2020 candidate for the Auckland Central electorate. Jenny spent years working in Auckland Central, having spent a vast proportion of her broadcasting career there. She says she, "knows the place and knows the people." Ms Marcroft says ...
New Zealanders deserve healthy rivers and lakes that are safe to swim in - but they have been getting worse for decades. That's why, with our latest announcement, we're investing in projects that will help clean up our rivers and lakes and restore them to health, within a generation. ...
This week we moved into the second half of 2020 - and our Government delivered another week of big changes and major progress for New Zealanders. Read below for a wrap of the key things moments from the week - from extending paid parental leave, to making major investments in ...
The Green Party has opposed the COVID-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Bill which shortcuts normal consenting processes under the Resource Management Act (RMA), reduces public participation and narrows environmental considerations. ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister of Regional Economic Development A regional freight hub for the lower North Island will be built just northeast of Palmerston North, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones has announced. The Government is investing $40 million through the Provincial Growth Fund to designate and buy land and design ...
Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson is calling for the introduction of a Guaranteed Minimum Income to lift hundreds of thousands of people out of poverty and prevent more families entering into further debt with the Ministry of Social Development. ...
There has been renewed focus on New Zealand First acting as a handbrake on the Government after our decision to not support Auckland light rail. We are a handbrake for bad ideas, that istrue, but our track record since 2017 has seen New Zealand First constructively also serve as an ...
Mark Patterson MP, New Zealand First List MP New Zealand First’s Fair Residency for Superannuation Bill passed its First Reading in Parliament today. The Bill makes a significant change to NZ Super by raising the minimum residency requirement from 10 to 20 years, after age 20. “Currently, a migrant of ...
Darroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Law and Order A New Zealand First member’s bill in the name of Darroch Ball introducing a six-month minimum prison sentence for assaults on first responders has passed its second reading in Parliament. The new offence of "injuring a first responder or corrections officer with ...
Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Deputy Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand First welcomes the launch of the new Criminal Cases Review Commission, gifted with the name from Waikato-Tainui - Te Kāhui Tātari Ture, announced in Hamilton today by Justice Minister Andrew Little. “New Zealand First has long believed in and ...
The Green Party is celebrating over $800m in new funding for green projects, which will get people into jobs while solving New Zealand’s long-term challenges. ...
Mark Patterson MP, Spokesperson for Primary Industries New Zealand First is appalled that Meridian seems to have been unnecessarily spilling water from its dams to drive up its profits."While New Zealanders have been coming together in some of our darkest hours, we don’t expect power gentailers to waste water and ...
We wrapped up the first half of 2020 with a busy month, taking additional steps to support New Zealanders as we continue with our economic recovery. We rolled out targeted packages to support key industries like tourism and construction, helped create jobs in the environmental and agriculture sectors, and set ...
Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Infrastructure Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones has welcomed the appointment of Maurice Davis and his deep infrastructure and construction experience to the board of the Infrastructure Commission. Mr Davis (Ngāti Maniapoto), is the seventh and final appointment to the board led by former Reserve Bank Governor ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Leader of New Zealand First New Zealand’s click bait journalism is taking a turn for the worse, with yet another example of sensationalist, wilful-misrepresentation of the facts. “New Zealand First has worked constructively with its Coalition partner on hundreds of pieces of legislation and policy, and ...
The Green Party is today unveiling its Poverty Action Plan, which includes a Guaranteed Minimum Income to ensure people have enough to live with dignity. ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Rotorua Museum redevelopment and Whakarewarewa and Tokorangi Forest projects will be accelerated thanks to a $2.09 million Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) boost, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher ...
This week, we rolled out the next steps of our recovery plan, with new infrastructure investment, extra support for tourism operators, and a new programme to get Kiwis into agriculture careers. The global economic consequences of COVID-19 will continue to be a challenge, but we have a detailed plan to ...
Jenny Marcroft MP, Spokesperson for Health New Zealand First welcomes the passage of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission Bill through its final reading in Parliament today fulfilling a coalition agreement commitment. “This is an important step in saving the lives of New Zealanders and delivers a key coalition commitment ...
Whakatāne has been given a $2.5 million boost to speed up previously funded projects and create more than 450 jobs in the next decade. Of those, the equivalent of 160 full-time jobs could be delivered in the next six weeks. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters is in town to make ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $2.5 million to accelerate three infrastructure projects in Whakatāne, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. “This package is about ...
Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones is throwing his weight behind a bid by the Auckland Council to fast-track the more than doubling of the city's water allowance from the Waikato River. And he's coming out strongly against anyone who plans on getting in the way of this campaign. "It is my ...
The Green Party is thrilled to see changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that mean consents for large projects can be declined if they will have significant climate change implications that are inconsistent with the Zero Carbon Act and Aotearoa New Zealand’s Paris Agreement obligations. ...
Hon Ron Mark, Minister of Defence The Royal New Zealand Navy’s new ship, Aotearoa, set sail for New Zealand on 10 June from the Republic of Korea, and is due to arrive in Auckland tomorrow, announced Minister of Defence Ron Mark. “Aotearoa is the Royal New Zealand Navy’s new fleet ...
Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Racing Racing Minister Winston Peters has today welcomed the Racing Industry Bill passing its third reading, creating the legislative framework for revitalising the racing industry while limiting the need for future government intervention. “For too long our domestic racing industry has ...
The Green Party has today put forward an amendment to the Electoral (Registration of Sentenced Prisoners) Amendment Bill to ensure all people in prisons can vote in general elections. ...
The Green Party welcomes the decision to not proceed with Public Public Investment (PPI) delivery of Auckland’s light rail project and to instead run the process through the public service. ...
Hon Ron Mark, New Zealand First List MP based in the Wairarapa New Zealand First List MP Hon Ron Mark welcomes the announcement of Provincial Growth Funding investment of $1.4 million to help secure the Wairarapa’s water supply. The funding boost will allow the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), and ...
New Zealand First list MP Mark Patterson has been selected to represent the party in the newly formed Taieri electorate at the upcoming election. Mr Patterson, his wife Jude and two daughters farm sheep and beef at Lawrence and Waitahuna. He previously stood in the Clutha-Southland electorate however boundary changes ...
Hon Shane Jones, Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises A new ‘super depot’ to be built for NZ Post in Wellington will create around 350 jobs during construction, Associate Minister for State Owned Enterprises Shane Jones says. Shane Jones today attended a ground-breaking and blessing ceremony for the parcel-processing depot ...
Our strong economic management prior to COVID-19 - with surpluses, low debt and near-record-low unemployment - put us in a good position to weather the impact of the virus and start to rebuild our economy much earlier than many other countries.Now we're putting our plan to recover and rebuild ...
Darroch Ball MP, New Zealand First Spokesperson for Law and Order Recently released Police fleeing driver statistics have shown yet another increase in incidents with another record-high in the latest quarter. “This new quarterly record-high is the latest in a string of record-high numbers since 2014. The data shows incidents ...
New Zealand First MP Fletcher Tabuteau is pleased to be confirmed today as the party’s candidate for the Rotorua electorate. Speaking at the Rotorua AGM for New Zealand First, Mr Tabuteau said this is an election that is incredibly important for the people of Rotorua. “The founding principles of New ...
The Human Rights Commission’s PRISM report on the issues impacting people based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) provides an excellent programme of work for future governments to follow, say the Greens. ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the trans-Tasman bubble had not been jeopardised after aborder botch-upresulted in New Zealand having two active cases of COVID-19. On Friday, Mr Peters told RNZ's Morning Report he had heard from Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison that borders for trans-Tasman travel would open by ...
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said today he was pleased the army was now running the quarantine and isolation process - up until now it has been the Ministry of Health. Peters told Newstalk ZB's Mike Hosking that the army knew how to introduce and follow protocols and instil discipline. ...
The Government’s three prevention frameworks to reduce family violence in Aotearoa were launched this week by Associate Minister for Social Development Poto Williams. The frameworks were developed in partnership with communities around New Zealand, and build on the work the Government has already begun with its new family violence prevention ...
The Government is pleased to confirm funding for improvements to radiology and surgical services at Hawke's Bay DHB, Health Minister Chris Hipkins says. "The Minister of Finance the Hon Grant Robertson and former Health Minister Dr David Clark approved funding for Hawke's Bay DHB’s redevelopment of their radiology facilities ...
• New funding for four beds at Napier’s Springhill Residential Addiction Centre • A new managed withdrawal home and community service, and peer support before and after residential care at Tairāwhiti DHB • A co-ordinated network of withdrawal management services throughout the South Island • Peer support in Rotorua and ...
Introduction, seafarers and POAL Good morning everyone, I am delighted to be online with you all today. Before I begin, I have to acknowledge that COVID-19 has disrupted the maritime sector on an unprecedented scale. The work of seafarers and the maritime industry is keeping many economies around the world ...
A $13 million investment from Government will create jobs and improve the resilience of the rail connection between Christchurch and the West Coast, Infrastructure Minister Shane Jones and Regional Economic Development Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau say. The funding comes from the tagged contingency set aside in Budget 2020 for infrastructure projects ...
The Government is investing $761 million to assist local government upgrade under-pressure water services across the country, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. The announcement was made at the site of the water bore that was found to be the source of the fatal ...
Recognised Seasonal Employers and migrant seasonal workers stranded in New Zealand will be able to continue working and supporting themselves with more flexible hours and roles, says Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway. The time-limited visa changes are: Stranded RSE workers will be able to work part-time (a minimum of 15 hours ...
The Government is making immediate short-term changes to visa settings to support temporary migrants already onshore in New Zealand and their employers, while also ensuring New Zealanders needing work are prioritised, Immigration Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. We are: Extending temporary work visas due to expire by the end of 2020 ...
Professor Peter Skelton CNZM has been appointed as Chief Freshwater Commissioner and Alternate Environment Court Judge Craig James Thompson as Deputy Chief Freshwater Commissioner for the newly established Freshwater Planning Process (FPP). Environment Minister David Parker today also announced the appointment of Chief Environment Court Judge Laurie Newhook as the ...
Auckland Queen’s Counsel Neil Campbell has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Campbell graduated with a BCom and LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland in 1992. He spent two years with Bell Gully Buddle Weir in Auckland before travelling to the United ...
The Associate Minister for Greater Christchurch Regeneration, Poto Williams, is seeking feedback on a proposal to better enable the development and operation of commercial film and video facilities in Christchurch. The Proposal, developed by Regenerate Christchurch in response to a request from Christchurch City Council, asks that powers under section ...
The Government has launched a bold plan to boost primary sector export earnings by $44 billion over the next decade, while protecting the environment and growing jobs. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today released Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential, a 10-year roadmap to unlock greater value ...
A new approach to prevent family harm that encourages greater collaboration across government and community groups is being celebrated at the opening of a new facility in Auckland. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today opened the Multi-Disciplinary Family Harm Prevention Hub Te Taanga Manawa in Lambie Road in Manukau. The facility ...
The Government has released a major new report on the options for relocating the Port of Auckland’s freight operations while deferring any decision on the issue. “That decision needs to be informed by policy analysis that is still to be completed. As a result it will be up to a ...
The history of Rāpaki is being restored through the inclusion of te reo in thirteen official place names on Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū / Banks Peninsula and around Lyttelton Harbour/Whakaraupō, the Minister for Land Information, Eugenie Sage, announced today. “I am pleased to approve the proposals from Te Hapū o Ngāti ...
Bookings for seats on Air New Zealand flights into New Zealand will be managed in the short term to ensure the Government is able to safely place New Zealanders arriving home into a managed isolation or quarantine facility, says Housing Minister Megan Woods. “Last week Air Commodore Darryn Webb and I ...
Grant Robertson has today announced the first major release of funding from the $265 million Sport Recovery Package announced at Budget 2020. “Today we’re setting out how $80 million will be invested, with $54 million of that over the 2020/2021 financial year for organisations from community level through to elite ...
The Government is maintaining current levy rates for the next 2 years, as part of a set of changes to help ease the financial pressures of COVID-19 providing certainty for businesses and New Zealanders, ACC Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says. “New Zealanders and businesses are facing unprecedented financial pressures as a ...
Small businesses are getting greater certainty about access to finance with an extension to the interest-free cashflow loan scheme to the end of the year. The Small Business Cashflow Loan Scheme has already been extended once, to 24 July. Revenue and Small Business Minister Stuart Nash says it will be ...
A package of 23 projects across the country will clean up waterways and deliver over 2000 jobs Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Environment Minister David Parker announced today. The $162 million dollar package will see 22 water clean-up projects put forward by local councils receiving $62 million and the Kaipara ...
Tena koutou katoa Nga tangata whenua o tenei rohe o Pōneke, tena koutou Nau mai, haere mai ki te hui a tau mo te roopu reipa Ko tatou! Ko to tatou mana! Ko to tatou kaupapa kei te kokiri whakamua Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa Welcome. I ...
The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $1.5 million to ensure QE Health in Rotorua can proceed with its world class health service and save 75 existing jobs, Under Secretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF funding announced today is in addition to the $8 million ...
A new programme, which sets a firm course for the Building and Construction sector to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, has been announced by the Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. “A significant amount of New Zealand’s carbon emissions come from the building and construction sector. If we’re serious ...
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing more than $7.5 million in Northland ventures to combat the economic impact of the COVID-19 virus, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones have announced. The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) investment is going to the Northern Adventure Experience and ...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Education Minister Chris Hipkins today announced significant funding for Auckland’s Northcote College as part of the first wave of a new nationwide school redevelopment programme to upgrade schools over the next 10 years. The $48.5 million project brings the total investment in Northcote College to ...
The Government has opened an urgent response fund to support schools and early learning services to get children and young people back on track after the Covid-19 lockdown. “While we are seeing improvements in attendance under Alert Level 1 Ministry of Education data shows that attendance rates in our schools ...
The law to boost the economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19 by speeding up resource consenting on selected projects has passed its second and third readings in the House today. “Accelerating nationwide projects and activities by government, iwi and the private sector will help deliver faster economic recovery and ...
Five port-related projects in Whanganui will receive a $26.75 million Provincial Growth Fund investment to support local economic recovery and create new opportunities for growth, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This is a significant investment that will support the redevelopment of the Whanganui Port, a project governed ...
Whanganui’s Sarjeant Gallery will receive an investment of up to $12 million administered by the Provincial Growth Fund to support its redevelopment, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. The project is included in a $3 billion infrastructure pipeline announced by Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Shane Jones yesterday. ...
The Provincial Growth Fund is investing nearly $2.5 million into three Te Ara Mahi programmes to support Manawatū-Whanganui jobseekers and employees to quickly train and upskill, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “Up to 154 local people will be supported into employment within the first year by these ...
This morning I have formally tendered my resignation as Minister of Health, which was accepted by the Prime Minister. Serving as Minister of Health has been an absolute privilege – particularly through these extraordinary last few months. It’s no secret that Health is a challenging portfolio. I have given ...
Scholarships for 57 early-career agricultural emissions scientists from 20 developing countries is another example of New Zealand’s international leadership in primary sector sustainability, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Mr O’Connor, announcing the scholarships today, says hundreds of applications were received for this fourth round of the CLIFF-GRADS programme (Climate, Food ...
A project to help rejuvenate the Horowhenua town of Foxton will receive a Provincial Growth Fund investment of $3.86 million, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This funding for the Foxton Regeneration project will be used to make the well-known holiday town even more attractive for visitors and ...
Moa bones and other sub-fossil remains of extinct species are set to have improved protection with proposals to prevent the trade in extinct species announced the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage today. “We have lost too many of our native species, but these lost species, such as moa, remain an ...
The Government’s free and healthy school lunches programme moves south for the first time creating jobs for around 30 people in Otago and Southland. “Eighteen schools with 3000 students are joining the programme – 11 have already begun serving lunches, and seven are preparing to start during Term 3. This is ...
Thousands of Kiwi jobs and investment in New Zealand productions will be protected through a screen sector support package announced today by Associate Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Economic Development Phil Twyford and Minister for Broadcasting Kris Faafoi. The package also includes investment in broadcasting ...
The Government has established a new $10 million fund for the domestic events sector to help save jobs and protect incomes as it recovers from the impacts of COVID-19, Minister of Economic Development Phil Twyford announced today. This funding from Budget 2020 follows talks with the event sector designed to ...
The Government has taken another step in its commitment to making sure New Zealanders get a fairer deal at the petrol pump with the introduction of legislation to improve competition in the retail fuel market, says Energy and Resources Minister Megan Woods. “The fuel market study that this Government ordered ...
New Zealand has joined a global initiative that aims to enable all countries to access a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters announced today. The COVAX Facility was recently launched by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The Alliance includes the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank ...
From today new legislation takes effect to both restore the right to legal representation at the start of a Care of Children (CoCA) dispute in the Family Court, and allow parties to those proceedings to access legal aid where eligible. During a visit to the Family Court in Auckland today, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison will take a proposal to Friday’s national cabinet to slow the influx of Australians returning from overseas. Morrison’s proposal followed this week’s request from Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan that international flights be ...
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua has created an action station petition to oppose the application for the proposed Dome Valley Landfill. Find the petition here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-our-kaipara-moana The Petition asks that the Mayor of Auckland, Auckland Council and the Minister for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Kaine, Associate Professor UTS Centre for Business and Social Innovation, University of Technology Sydney In late March, the Victorian government put private security firms in charge of hotel quarantine in Melbourne. This happened without a formal tender process. It was a ...
By RNZ News Health Minister Chris Hipkins says New Zealand’s latest case of covid-19 will be charged for breaching isolation and visiting a central Auckland supermarket last night. Hipkins said the 32-year-old man, who arrived from India on July 3, left his managed isolation last night to go to the ...
Claire from McLeod’s Daughters died in 2003 and Tara Ward is still not over it. The unexpected death of Claire McLeod is the most tragic event you’ll see on television. It was a miserable day when that white Brumby bolted across the road and made Claire drive off a cliff, ...
Luckily for Labour, Jacinda Ardern's leadership in the Covid-19 crisis is a much more powerful political weapon than bread-and-butter issues about the country’s future. ...
IrrigationNZ believes Government investment in the water sector is a step in the right direction – but calls for a broader strategy to encompass all water infrastructure, including storage and policy development. ...
The race relations commissioner, Meng Foon, has just sent the following letter to leaders of New Zealand political parties.Tēnā koe, Talofa, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Kia orana, 你好, Namaste.My role as Race Relations Commissioner is to promote and enhance harmonious communities in our diverse nation. As the leader of a political ...
National MP Hamish Walker's unconscionable privacy breach has already ended his career and that of a party stalwart - but his caucus colleagues may also be cursing his terrible judgment come September 19, Sam Sachdeva writes A young, promising politician gifted one of the safest seats in the country and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Gillespie, Professor of Law, University of Waikato The leak of the confidential personal information of COVID-19 patients by Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker and influential party figure Michelle Boag has been highly embarrassing for the National Party. In less than 24 hours ...
An extract from The Quick and the Dead, the new memoir by Palmerston North pathologist Cynric Temple-Camp.Books editor Catherine Woulfe writes: Strong recommend for this medical memoir, the second by the most excellently-named Cynric Temple-Camp after his 2017 bestseller The Cause of Death.Ostensibly a collection of yarns and case studies, after ...
National Party leader Todd Muller has spoken about the controversy around Hamish Walker at a roading announcement this afternoon, saying the National MP's exit from politics was "the only option". ...
National Party leader Todd Muller has made another roading announcement this afternoon, as the controversy around the National MP who leaked Covid-19 patient details continues to unfold. ...
"Linking funding to commitment from councils to reform the investment, planning and delivery of their water assets is a welcome move," says Infracom (New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga) Chief Executive Ross Copland, in response ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dani Larkin, Associate Lecturer in Law, University of Newcastle Gunnai-Kurnai and Gunditjmara woman Lidia Thorpe was recently elected by Greens party members to replace the former party leader, Richard Di Natale, as senator for Victoria. Thorpe is the first Indigenous woman to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Charlene Zietsma, Associate professor, Pennsylvania State University In May this year, we were convening a dream conference: 140 like-minded academics on a Greek island for three-and-a-half days to work on a topic we cared about – organising sustainably. We recognised the contradiction ...
“The Government’s long-awaited funding boost and water reform agenda is New Zealand’s best chance to create a high performing water sector for New Zealanders,” says Infrastructure NZ CEO Paul Blair. “The Government has today announced it will ...
Yesterday evening I received a letter from Leader Todd Muller, asking the National Party Board of Directors to urgently meet and consider some very serious, publicly reported, issues concerning Clutha-Southland MP Hamish Walker. The Board met at midday ...
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua is working with Marae, hapū, Post Settlement Governance Entities (Te Uri o Hau, Ngā Maunga Whakahī, and Ōrākei) and Fight the Tip to lead a hikoi in Tāmaki Mākaurau (Auckland) on Friday 17 July 2020. It is the position ...
The country's latest case of Covid-19 will be charged for visiting an Auckland supermarket last night, Health Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed. Hipkins said the 32-year-old man, who arrived from India on July 3, left his managed isolation last night to go to the Countdown supermarket on Victoria Street in central ...
The Government has formally confirmed that it will not use any of the current or future serology tests to assess how widespread the Covid19 disease has been in New Zealand. In answer to an Official Information Request by the Covid Plan B group, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Yue Zhang, Associate Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Swinburne University of Technology Only 40% of students in China who previously intended to study overseas still plan to, while just under 50% of those who had studied overseas plan to return to ...
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) welcomes the announcement of $761 million for Tranche One funding as part of the Government’s three waters reform programme, saying it provides a measure of financial assistance to councils as they consider ...
Latest from the Beehive The government’s economic engineers were hard at work yesterday. One minister was set on establishing a base for film production in Christchurch while – much more critically for the wellbeing of the nation – a cluster of others led by the PM were unveiling their grand ...
Recent shocks to our economy have shown that when it comes to knowing how to manage our money, New Zealand still has a long way to go. Having now moved on from my first illustrious job as a graduate tax accountant, a lot of what I learnt about tax in my ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming the proposed removal of water services from local councils , but says that the new ‘Rolls Royce’ drinking quality standards risk lumping communities with the enormous costs of engineers' gold plating. Union ...
Auckland Action Against Poverty is launching a campaign to build commitment from Members of Parliament seeking to be part of Government to increase incomes across the board to liveable levels. The campaign launch will be held tomorrow, Thursday ...
As the settler government did in the late 1800s, it’s high time we erected a bunch of new monuments to the great people of this country (and maybe take some of the stink ones down). Ātea editor Leonie Hayden has some suggestions. Hundreds of heroic and revered ancestors proudly adorn walls, ...
New research from Unisys Corporation (NYSE: UIS) reveals New Zealand women are significantly more concerned than their male counterparts about the impact of COVID-19, according to the new 2020 Unisys Security Index™. ...
“The Zero Waste Network Aotearoa is extremely pleased to announce that we will host a free, international online zero waste conference in December this year. The conference is called Our Zero Waste World Digital Summit . It will highlight zero ...
The High-profile former National Party president has resigned from her campaign and electorate roles for Auckland Central MP and National deputy leader Nikki Kaye. ...
Murray Chong has been selected as the New Conservative candidate for New Plymouth for the 2020 General Election. “I’m delighted to be the New Conservative candidate for the 2020 election. Having stood for another party in 2017, only to be let down ...
Michelle Boag has stood down as Auckland Central MP Nikki Kaye's campaign chair for the upcoming election and no longer has any role with the party. ...
How did the bizarre story of Hamish Walker trying to leak confidential Covid details to media all play out? Radio NZ’s Jo Moir was one of the journalists contacted by the MP, and wrote this timeline. In an extraordinary move National Party leader Todd Muller has had one of his own ...
By RNZ News The opposition National Party leader says he has written to the party’s board asking them to remove MP Hamish Walker from the party after it was revealed he leaked private health information to New Zealand media. It was revealed yesterday that former National Party president Michelle Boag ...
COMMENT:By Nasya Bahfen in Melbourne Australia’s Victorian state government told returned travellers to quarantine for two weeks. Some broke the rules. It then paid for them to stay in hotels with security guards. Some of the guards couldn’t keep their dicks in their pants. Some of the returned travellers ...
Toby Manhire, Annabelle Lee-Mather and Ben Thomas on ministerial resignations in the recent and middle-distant past, a new book from Judith Collins, and the reinvention of Simon Bridges.This episode was recorded on Tuesday morning, before news broke that Hamish Walker and Michelle Boag were behind the Covid-19 data leak.The Gone ...
Fonterra will be greeted by drums, cow costumes, placards and a pile of coal on Thursday morning, 9 July, as Extinction Rebellion Ōtautahi ask the question, ‘Why are Fonterra still using coal in a climate emergency?’ The group will be gathering ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bjorn Sturmberg, Research Leader, Battery Storage & Grid Integration Program, Australian National University Electric vehicles can help keep the air clean in our cities – as we’ve seen recently with the reduction of traffic through COVID-19 lockdowns – but they face two ...
Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage.Today’s contentNational Party revealed as source of Covid-19 privacy leak Audrey Young (Herald): National’s failures on patient leak from top to bottom (paywalled) Luke Malpass (Stuff): National leader Todd Muller ...
Troy Mihaka , local Wellington Conservation Volunteer, Arts Manager and LGBTQ+ Advocate announces candidacy in the 2020 General Election. Standing in the Electorate of Rongotai , Mihaka will be representing the Integrity Party of Aotearoa New Zealand . A political ...
As universities around the world slash jobs and courses in response to the pandemic, Victoria University of Wellington is signalling its intention to introduce sweeping austerity measures, a group of concerned tutors write. A response from Victoria University of Wellington is at the end of this column.So far, 2020 has ...
New Conservative is appalled by the lack of consultation provided by DOC to stakeholders in the management of the New Zealand Tahr herd by not following protocol and not allowing all stakeholders to consult on the plan proposed. DOC released its new Tahr ...
For all The Spinoff’s latest coverage of Covid-19 see here. Read Siouxsie Wiles’s work here. New Zealand is currently in alert level one – read about what that means here. For official government advice, see here.The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak is made possible thanks to donations from Spinoff Members. To support this ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Paul Haskell-Dowland, Associate Dean (Computing and Security), Edith Cowan University In an age of isolation, video sharing platform TikTok has emerged as a bonding force for many. But recent headlines allege the service, owned by Beijing-based company ByteDance, is feeding users’ data ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kingsley Dixon, John Curtin Distinguished Professor, Curtin University This article is a preview from Flora, Fauna, Fire, a multimedia project launching on Monday July 13. The project tracks the recovery of Australia’s native plants and animals after last summer’s bushfire tragedy. Sign ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Shulmeister, Professor, University of Canterbury CC BY-NDClimate Explained is a collaboration between The Conversation, Stuff and the New Zealand Science Media Centre to answer your questions about climate change.If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dallas Rogers, Associate Dean, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney A target of 70% private and 30% public dwellings is an accepted standard for public housing renewal projects in several Australian states. This level of private ownership is said ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Lacey, Senior Lecturer in International Trade, University of Adelaide When the United Kingdom completed its telecom supply chain review last year it gave a green light to Huawei by concluding that nationality-based bans did nothing to improve network security and could ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison M Joubert, Lecturer in Marketing, The University of Queensland Cancel culture — withdrawing support for public figures when they do or say something offensive — has become so widespread it was Macquarie Dictionary’s 2019 word of the year. A practice where ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Fastnedge, Lecturer in Advertising Creativity, Auckland University of Technology When the New Zealand government wanted a campaign to keep kids safe online, naturally it turned to a couple of naked porn actors to get the message across. Actually the government turned ...
A grassroots campaign has launched this week calling on political party leaders to support the implementation of a gender-balanced Cabinet with 50 percent women and 50 percent men in this year’s election. The many vital issues discussed each ...
Air NZ shares fall as quarantine capacity stops it from selling new international tickets for at least three weeks and as Melbourne goes into complete lockdown ...
A flood of Kiwis returning home from Australia has overwhelmed quarantine capacity. Bernard Hickey reports the Government is looking at bringing in cruise ships to expand supply and a quarantine booking system to further restrict demand. Meanwhile, there is now no space for new guest workers, tourists or students for the foreseeable future. ...
The National Party leader says he has written to the party's board asking them to remove MP Hamish Walker from the party after it was revealed he leaked private health information to media. ...
Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Scandal for MP after leaking confidential Covid data, new bookings for return to country put on hold, and Islamic Women’s Council release evidence of being ignored.We now know exactly how the leak of private information of all active Covid-19 patients happened. National ...
Opinion: While the investigation into the security of patient data may still find the Government wanting, a rookie National MP’s spectacular own goal has put the opposition in the firing line, writes Laura Walters Political gameplay 101: If you're trying to highlight that another political party shouldn't be trusted with ...
A new survey supports fundamental changes to the country's criminal justice system, but a parallel study shows many still believe in a punitive system, Laura Walters reports A new survey suggests strong support amongst Kiwis for fundamental changes in the resourcing and funding of the criminal justice system, as well as a ...
Matteo Di Maio takes a look at New Zealand’s most expensive rare books. Anah Dunsheath from Rare Books in Auckland knows how you ought to take an old book off the shelf, and how you ought not to. Novices will just pull the book out by the top of its ...
The incoming government needs to wake up and have a critical look at the child protection monster that is Oranga Tamariki, writes Dr Ian Hyslop There is always risk of a chronic disconnect between the policy and operational arms of public service organisations. This risk is particularly acute in excessively ...
The genetic secrets of New Zealand’s predatory 'lion' have been revealed with the mapping of the stoat genome, and there's hope better, kinder ways of getting rid of the introduced killing machines might be found A stoat’s spleen, liquid nitrogen, supercomputers, and 18 months of international effort has led to the mapping ...
Auckland 'move the port' studies have averaged out to at least two per year over the last decade with almost every one of them throwing out a different option or result. ...
The Covid-19 pandemic made us see the value of a life. Now the Team of Five Million needs to take that lesson and open its eyes to the value of the lives of Maori, Pasifika and People of Colour, writes Karamia Muller. This year, 2020, is asking everyone: What is ...
The Covid-19 lockdown has only confirmed how vital New Zealand’s early childhood sector is to the future of this country. Now is the time to bed in a systemic policy infrastructure to support resilient children, write three experts. The Early Learning Action Plan (ELAP), released in December 2019, was barely ...
Picked as a star by one of the great women golfers of all time, Wellington teenager Darae Chung is preparing herself mentally and physically to play overseas again. When 16-year-old Darae Chung travels around the country – and eventually around the globe again – playing golf, she will have the ...
He has been in the job less than a week, but new Health Minister Chris Hipkins is already making his presence felt on some critical Covid-19 issues, Sam Sachdeva writes When it was revealed Chris Hipkins would replace David Clark as Health Minister, some observers wondered whether the role may stretch him ...
Power Play - Todd Muller is dreaming if he thinks saying no comment will wash after his MP leaked the private details of Covid-19 patients to the media. ...
The leak, we discovered last night, was the work of a first-term MP and a veteran National Party operator. What does it mean for the pair, and for the party, asks Ben Thomas.The latest whodunit in New Zealand politics was solved last night in a flurry of releases, as National’s ...
The Government wants to accelerate improvements to production and sustainability on the land to almost double export earnings in a decade. But big change will be needed, Tim Murphy reports. ...
Open Mike 05/07/2018 
One of the challenges of working on illegal wildlife markets, is you don’t really have scope to talk about your research into illegal wildlife markets. There is some stuff though that willbe coming out on Asiatic black bears in China, and before Covid19, I was delving more into rhinos. Which ...2 hours ago
79 Articles Observations & observational methods of global warming & effects Six hundred years of South American tree rings reveal an increase in severe hydroclimatic events since mid-20th century (open access) Late summer temperature variability for the Southern Rocky Mountains (USA) since 1735 CE: applying blue light intensity to low-latitude ...2 hours ago
Some are surprised at this sudden brain implosion on the part of both Michelle Boag, former National Party President, and the National Party in general, in exposing the private, confidential details of COVID patients. Others…? Let’s be blunt: not so much. Too many of that Party have long operated with ...5 hours ago
Michelle Boag - Former National Party PresidentWhen Todd Muller decided not to discipline Hamish Walker for his horribly racist press release last week, you had to wonder if his lack of proper leadership had something to do with a shared belief system? After all, the whiteness of the blue “team” ...6 hours ago
On Twitter today, lawyer Felix Geiringer asked a good question: why are MP's exempt from the Privacy Act? The Act imposes its obligations on "agencies", and s8 of the 2020 Act states that this term does not include... a member of Parliament in their official capacity The 1993 Act, ...7 hours ago
So now we know, beyond all doubt. The National party has no interest in joining the “team of five million” in our fight against the pandemic but its priority is to take every opportunity it can to damage the government. The cynicism is breathtaking. It was prepared to leak the ...9 hours ago
Today’s content National Party revealed as source of Covid-19 privacy leak Audrey Young (Herald): National’s failures on patient leak from top to bottom (paywalled) Luke Malpass (Stuff): National leader Todd Muller found wanting in first real test of moral leadership Jo Moir (RNZ): How the Hamish Walker Covid-19 patient detail leak played out Mark ...11 hours ago
If the government has not lined up behind a "Yes" vote in this year's cannabis referendum the way some reformers would have liked, one entirely laudable thing it did do was commission some science around the public's choice.That science landed today, in the form of the report from an expert ...1 day ago
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Is the consequence of the Simpson Report proposals for restructuring the health system poorer accountability to people? When in doubt, centralise‘ has been a persistent theme in New Zealand public policy throughout our history. The current government is no exception. Here are some examples. - The regional polytechs have been ...5 days ago
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Unfortunately, due to a medical emergency, I have landed in hospital so am not able to do a current update on the NZ blog statistics. Let’s hope I can get back to this in good time. ...6 days ago
When the Christchurch murderer pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder and a number of other violent assault charges a few months ago, he effectively closed the door on what the public will know about the lead up to and commission of the event. His plea means that no evidence ...1 week ago
Daphna Whitmore The Philippines is enduring one of the longest lockdowns in the world. For President Duterte the lockdown provides an opportunity to garner more powers and to push through a brazen assault on human rights. A new law called the Anti-Terror Bill has been passed under urgency and it ...1 week ago
There really is not much about Paula Bennett concerning her career trajectory, the policies she promoted, and most importantly, the socio-economic effect this had upon New Zealand (and particularly the most vulnerable in this, our oft-cited “egalitarian” society of this country) that can be said now that hasn’t already been ...1 week ago
Helloy… My name is Todd Muller and I am the leader of the National Party of New Zealand. Many people come up to me on the street and ask me who I am. I’m often walking through Tauranga, or in a mall in suburban Auckland, or maybe even a farmers’ ...1 week ago
Mark Patterson MP, Spokesperson for Primary Industry New Zealand First is supporting calls by hunters and the New Zealand Tahr Foundation (NZTF) to halt a large scale cull of Himalayan Tahr by the Department of Conservation in National Parks. The calls are supported by a 40,000 strong petition and the ...1 day ago
New Zealanders deserve healthy rivers and lakes that are safe to swim in - but they have been getting worse for decades. That's why, with our latest announcement, we're investing in projects that will help clean up our rivers and lakes and restore them to health, within a generation. ...3 days ago
The Green Party has opposed the COVID-19 Recovery Fast-track Consenting Bill which shortcuts normal consenting processes under the Resource Management Act (RMA), reduces public participation and narrows environmental considerations. ...6 days ago
The Government’s three prevention frameworks to reduce family violence in Aotearoa were launched this week by Associate Minister for Social Development Poto Williams. The frameworks were developed in partnership with communities around New Zealand, and build on the work the Government has already begun with its new family violence prevention ...1 hour ago
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Scott Morrison will take a proposal to Friday’s national cabinet to slow the influx of Australians returning from overseas. Morrison’s proposal followed this week’s request from Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan that international flights be ...37 mins ago
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Whātua has created an action station petition to oppose the application for the proposed Dome Valley Landfill. Find the petition here: https://our.actionstation.org.nz/petitions/protect-our-kaipara-moana The Petition asks that the Mayor of Auckland, Auckland Council and the Minister for ...49 mins ago
Claire from McLeod’s Daughters died in 2003 and Tara Ward is still not over it. The unexpected death of Claire McLeod is the most tragic event you’ll see on television. It was a miserable day when that white Brumby bolted across the road and made Claire drive off a cliff, ...3 hours ago
Luckily for Labour, Jacinda Ardern's leadership in the Covid-19 crisis is a much more powerful political weapon than bread-and-butter issues about the country’s future. ...3 hours ago
Services to help those with drug and alcohol addictions are set to get an extra $32 million in funding over the next four years. ...4 hours ago
National MP Hamish Walker's unconscionable privacy breach has already ended his career and that of a party stalwart - but his caucus colleagues may also be cursing his terrible judgment come September 19, Sam Sachdeva writes A young, promising politician gifted one of the safest seats in the country and the ...4 hours ago
The country's latest case of Covid-19 will be charged for visiting an Auckland supermarket last night, Health Minister Chris Hipkins has confirmed. Hipkins said the 32-year-old man, who arrived from India on July 3, left his managed isolation last night to go to the Countdown supermarket on Victoria Street in central ...6 hours ago
Latest from the Beehive The government’s economic engineers were hard at work yesterday. One minister was set on establishing a base for film production in Christchurch while – much more critically for the wellbeing of the nation – a cluster of others led by the PM were unveiling their grand ...6 hours ago
Air NZ shares fall as quarantine capacity stops it from selling new international tickets for at least three weeks and as Melbourne goes into complete lockdown ...12 hours ago
A flood of Kiwis returning home from Australia has overwhelmed quarantine capacity. Bernard Hickey reports the Government is looking at bringing in cruise ships to expand supply and a quarantine booking system to further restrict demand. Meanwhile, there is now no space for new guest workers, tourists or students for the foreseeable future. ...12 hours ago
Opinion: While the investigation into the security of patient data may still find the Government wanting, a rookie National MP’s spectacular own goal has put the opposition in the firing line, writes Laura Walters Political gameplay 101: If you're trying to highlight that another political party shouldn't be trusted with ...13 hours ago
A new survey supports fundamental changes to the country's criminal justice system, but a parallel study shows many still believe in a punitive system, Laura Walters reports A new survey suggests strong support amongst Kiwis for fundamental changes in the resourcing and funding of the criminal justice system, as well as a ...13 hours ago
Matteo Di Maio takes a look at New Zealand’s most expensive rare books. Anah Dunsheath from Rare Books in Auckland knows how you ought to take an old book off the shelf, and how you ought not to. Novices will just pull the book out by the top of its ...14 hours ago
The incoming government needs to wake up and have a critical look at the child protection monster that is Oranga Tamariki, writes Dr Ian Hyslop There is always risk of a chronic disconnect between the policy and operational arms of public service organisations. This risk is particularly acute in excessively ...14 hours ago
The genetic secrets of New Zealand’s predatory 'lion' have been revealed with the mapping of the stoat genome, and there's hope better, kinder ways of getting rid of the introduced killing machines might be found A stoat’s spleen, liquid nitrogen, supercomputers, and 18 months of international effort has led to the mapping ...14 hours ago
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With the sheer magnificence of the Beautiful Game in all its ostentatious glory … currently enjoying a brief interlude as a temporary calm descends from the Urals to the Baltic Sea … I’ll take this brief window of opportunity to advertise my latest blog post:
Farrar Deja vu
(white background version)
https://sub-zero-politics.blogspot.com/2018/07/farrar-deja-vu.html
(grey background version)
https://subzpsubzp.blogspot.com/2018/07/farrar-deja-vu.html
Opening sentences from the Conclusion might give you an idea of where I’m going with this:
Conclusion
You can see I’m in the mood to go easy on the young fellow 🙂
Good stuff SF. Mind if we cross post this?
Oops ! … sorry Mickey – this is the first moment I’ve had available to look at the net since posting the above comment last Thursday morning.
Just catching up with the reaction as we speak.
Probably a bit late now … but if you still want to cross-post then, of course, by all means.
Cheers, s.w. fish.
_________________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile …
Great to see the Good Doctor (Wayne) engaging in a bit of healthy debate and robust criticism.
Just to quickly reply to the Doc:
Farrar’s claims:
– TV3 “2% bump” tradition = Porkies
– New Govts reach their maximum popularity immediately following their First Budget = Pork Pies
– Ardern Govt’s comfort margin over the Opposition after First Budget is unusually narrow = Porky Pies
– First Budgets always engender a surge in popular support for Incoming Govts = Load of old Tosh
– New Govts always head downwards in popular support following the post-First Budget Poll = Horrendous load of old Bollocks
– Astonishing that National continues to poll so high despite a leadership change = Entirely contradicted by none other than the younger Farrar (of August 2017) himself
Great summary/conclusions, Swordfish.
The trouble is getting that counter-message across to the public.
I had the impression the coalition government was struggling a bit – and I’m pro-labour etc. And I don’t read the Herald or Stuff and only watch TV1 news. The facts, unfortunately, don’t matter – what sticks is the insidious and constant messaging that the coalition is not doing as we as . . .
We really do need a completely independent, or rather, a balanced news media.
Perhaps that’s what John Campbell will bring to TV1?
What we need is a news media that checks for and reports the facts rather than the BS.
100% Draco.
We all need to sack ‘Clear-ly clue-less Curran’ and puit someone in as the ministermof broadcasting that will bring us another TVNZ 7; with real invesigative jouralism;n – Otherwisw labour are history.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TVNZ_7
I read the article. For the author to claim “gross misrepresentation” is itself a gross misrepresentation.
It is a fact that National outpolls Labour, though Labour and the Greens outpoll National. It is a fact there was no uptick for Labour following the budget.
The next election is highly competitive, which is usually not the case when a government has been first elected. The next election was basically in the bag for the last two new governments (see 2002 and 2011). You have to go back to 1993 to find a competive election for the next election following a change of government.
Highly competitive? Lol you wish.
Wayne I read the article around six weeks ago.
My very strong memory is that it is about the creating of a meme that new govts always get a poll bounce. That came from Farrar anke was picked up and repeated by many in the msm, in fact no one disputed it, until swordfish did some meticulous research and showed it to be utterly false.
The point being that farrar lied and the msm accepted the lie, the aim of which was to undermine the coalition.
I am sick to death of these lying pricks
DPF has not lied. He may have a different interpretation to you about the poll results, but that does not make him a liar.
From what I see of the polls, and their analysis, different people can interpret them in a way that best favours their position. And I know enough about polls and how the data that supports them is analysed to know that the same poll will say different things to different people. That is all that has happened here.
It is frankly tiresome to read various posts that immediately go to the liar accusation simply because different people have a different view.
…it is frankly tiresome to read…
So as not to leave room for any confusion, wayne…
Why do you read and comment on this site?
Honest response if you can manage one….
The ‘liar’ accusation is up their with the ‘do you still beat your wife’ question. It is generally thrown around to shut down debate, a fairly common leftist tactic.
With your own record here, and Key’s list of over a thousand lies in office, you need to own it – you’ve got serious problems with the truth. The Left is perfectly justified in shutting your lies down because they are not debate – if anything they let you away with too much.
My record here is one of exposing your lies. Remember when you tried to call in the mods?
Rubbish – your record is of constantly pushing shit uphill until it collapses and buries you.
Your longest argument with me was about your right to make shit up with no basis in reality – it was only by returning the favour I got you to even briefly return to a few of the rules of civilized discourse.
You’re a faux couer and a disgrace, and your far right fantasies have no basis in reality, nor are they in any way desirable. It astonishes me that your vapid trolling has been tolerated as long as it has – it lacks the validating leavening of truth that once every millennium or so justifies the generally negative presence of unconstructive trolls.
Yawn.
If you’re bored, fuck off, troll.
“If you’re bored, fuck off, troll.”
I’m only bored with you, Stuart.
That would be because I see right through your flimsy tissues of lies.
Yaba;
A right wing tactic is to ‘repeat the lies until it becomes the truth’ – as you well know that is what the right are doing.
As to the left, ‘we all have long memory’ to recall all the lies that your mentor ‘John Key’ was tracked with over his years.
Now we will see in opposition the right will repeat lies; – as they think this is how they willl win.
We will remember their lies.
We have a long memory, so they will get tripped up by carrying out their constant lying.
National are very easy to read, as they always repeat their mistakes.
Politicians lie. Of all stripes. Labour politicians have been lying from the very first sitting day of parliament when they screwed up the election of the speaker, and they have been lying ever since about a raft of issues.
False equivalence again? I guess it’s all you’ve got.
Real rightwingers, the respectable kind, would have actual policy and not allow lying to become their defining trait.
Despising all politicians is not a false equivalence. The left lies just as well as the right. The left just don’t admit it.
Substantiate that ambitious claim, troll.
Match the list of John Key’s lies – and you’d better have better evidence than your own notoriously poor judgement.
Ok Wayne I made a mistake thinking the above article was the one I read about 6weeks ago but swordfish called honey moon scam . The is the one that farrar is exposed as a liar. You have to read to the very end of that article to realize that….when I have a chance I will read the above and comment as to whether it’s a matter of interpretation or a lie.
My strong opinion re your party and associates is they lie. One of the posters here kept a dossier on keys lies. I also consider Coleman’s error of omission re the state of Middlemore in the dishonesty category. That’s my opinion.
By the way did you ever get round to reading dirty politics?
The dossier of Key’s lies was a joke. But if you seriously think only National politicians tell lies, I have several bridges to sell you.
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2018/03/labours_lies.html
https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2017/05/labours_lies_on_health_spending.html
We know all about national and the bridges they offer, thanks
I’m looking to sell some, not give them away!
Good luck with that. You’ll never shift ’em alongside that false equivalence you’re pushing.
Yeah the Gnats were great at polling. Anywhere there are numbers they can fake they prosper. Not so good at governing though – it’s not their game. They’re here to steal public property and run down public services, a strategy that isn’t particularly useful after decades of underinvestment in infrastructure and social support.
And you have the facts to back up that assertion?
No?
Colour me surprised.
“It is a fact that National outpolls Labour”
Let go of FPP. Surely a couple of decades is enough time for you to adjust.
Context matters. You have (deliberately) ignored the next sentence which said that Labour and the Greens outpoll National.
Blocs are the only relevant metric under MMP. Anything else is just misleading. People like yourself and Farrar are smart enough for us to believe that is not an accident.
Read it swordfish. A stunning piece of work, illustrating how the right /msm work. This should be widely disseminated. Deception uncovered
Excellent show of nats missuse of data.
Lies and stats.
Who would guess LOL.
Yeah swordfish. Yesterday’s posts good example. How dare the guy point out all the clusterf**cks this Govt is making and the increasing antipathy towards them. I mean we’ve got increasing numbers of lefties & Maori complaining, 1000’s of poor families moving out of their cars into kiwibuild houses, harmonious industrial relations, a replacement already sorted for Oil & Gas, a well spent $2.5B increasing student numbers, extremely competent ministers in corrections, broadcasting, housing – everywhere. Labour are smashing Nats in the polls too. All is rosy in this Govt and it’s dreams.
@Righton
Alex Jones called, he wants his viewer back
@Righton, Amy Adams called, she wants a foot rub.
Do you have any facts to back your assertions?
Or is it that, as per normal for RWNJs, you’re talking out your arse?
Jordanians call on government to open the border.
http://syriadirect.org/news/%E2%80%98they%E2%80%99re-our-brothers%E2%80%99-donation-centers-in-jordan-overwhelmed-as-citizens-rally-for-displaced-syrians-stranded-at-border/
Great stuff swordfish.
Far to many journalists rely on a tired groove of a received narrative.
I can’t believe how bad National’s attack lines are on Kiwibuild. Amy Adams sounds like a pursed lipped harpy.
There opposition to Kiwibuild is characterised by a Scrooge like hysteria and an anxiety attack over eligibility which reveals to all just how much cost cutting and compulsive (and repulsive) parsimony were elevated to an unreasoning fetishised cult under Bill English, an eye rolling “concern” for the poor.
Worst of all, politically it is an attack on a government policy that is guaranteed to be hugely popular with the middle NZ that John Key’s popularity (and Sue Bradford’s idiocy) has had locked up for the right for the last decade.
National have no strategy beyond using their well funded war chest and numerous establishment media shills to launch constant and intemperate attacks on any sort of initiative whatsoever.
Who created the problem ? How did NZ get itself into this situation ?
don’t rip into Sue buddy boy – she is one of the BEST people on this planet.
I can’t really stand twyford and I thought his interview this morning on RNZ was excellent. The problem is wide and this is one improvement – I especially liked how he dismissed adams without mentioning the thickgnats. You’ve gone up a bit in my estimation phil – onya.
The $180,000 household income does seem rather high, though I imagine it is based on two teachers (or police officers or nurses) at the top of the scale, which is typically reached around age 30 for most teachers (starting at age 22 to 24).
Even so, I would have thought $150,000 for two incomes might have been more credible.
I presume that attraction of Kiwibuild for those putting the names in the ballot is the capped price of $650,000 (for a three or four bedroom home), plus the finance package.
In McLennan Park, Papkura (the first Kiwibuild project) this gets a three bedroom house on its own section with a one car garage. This development has 30 KiwiBuild houses. I understand that this number of houses with the $650,000 cap was already planned under the previous govt. In fact on looking at their website the Kiwibuild homes are $579,000. The development also has a lot more houses in the $700,000 to $800,000 price range.
Phil is under a lot of pressure to deliver lots more house in Auckland under the $650,000 price cap. It seems he is doing this by renegotiating with a lot of existing group home developments to have more houses built within the cap, than previously was the case. I know that is happening in Northcote.
If he delivers Kiwibuild houses as per his target, (6,000 houses next year, 12,000 in 2020), well good on him. I presume around 40% will be in Auckland.
It is, at best, a gross distortion to suggest nurses are on $90,000.
Perhaps it is a deliberate lie.
To get near that figure, EVERY shift must be anti-social i.e.: night shift and weekends.
At the ‘top of the scale’ you are tending to be on the other shifts, supervising the ever changing staff.
While I can’t be certain, for a teacher to be near $90,000, I think the term is private school principal.
Lots of nurses and teachers are on around $90,000. One or two promotions, or units of responsibility, in addition to being at the top of the scale will do it. After ten years, most nurses and teachers will have got some promotions. I was also assuming the new pay deals being done.
As a comparator, median police sergeant pay is currently about $85,000. An Army sergeant ranges from $67,00 to $85,000, and by age 30 a lot of NZDF people are at that level.
Wayne
Top of salary scale is 71,000$ (Sept 2017)
PR units are 4k each
Thus to get 90k you would need 5 pr units
The most was 4.
Basic Hod 2/3 units thus paid 83$
Oops noticed you gave a 10% rise.
Your figures are 10% high
Ok I was wrong, it wasn’t a distortion, you were lying, and true to form as eluded to by ankerawshark below.
Ok Wayne I made a mistake thinking the above article was the one I read about 6weeks ago but swordfish called honey moon scam . The is the one that farrar is exposed as a liar. You have to read to the very end of that article to realize that….when I have a chance I will read the above and comment as to whether it’s a matter of interpretation or a lie.
My strong opinion re your party and associates is they lie. One of the posters here kept a dossier on keys lies. I also consider Coleman’s error of omission re the state of Middlemore in the dishonesty category. That’s my opinion.
By the way did you ever get round to reading dirty politics? (
How much pressure are the Ministry Primary Industries under?
M.bovis
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=12082344
Abuse of farm animals
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/360693/mpi-says-it-can-t-legally-secretly-film-for-farm-abuse
botched OIA request
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018651525/mpi-msd-botch-thompson-and-clark-oia
and now weeds on recommended planting list
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/361119/ministry-recommended-pest-weeds-in-oversight-for-billion-tree-plan
They need more resources I think – it is inadequate following unimpressive and it needs improvement asap.
It seems that’s what happens when a ministry is set up as a sales department.
It could start by totally switching around its list of objectives in the about us statement
And then hire people at levels to match the importance of the reversed list ranking.
A typical descent into a “sales department” went like this:
My example: NZ Meteorological Service between 1988-1993.
1. Throw out the Director General (a highly qualified scientist of international ranking) and his equally well qualified senior staff.
2. Install a General Manager and support staff from the private sector who have little or no knowledge of meteorology but who have a gift of the gab.
3. Produce a new ‘mission statement’ which in effect turns wind, rain, sunshine, snow, hail and heatwaves into marketable products.
4. Gradually (or not so gradually if possible) get rid of all staff who have been employed for more than 20 years or who are over 40 years old and replace with members of a more youthful variety who can be payed less.
5. Close field stations which provided most of the intelligence that enabled forecasters to forecast. (now basically redundant due to modern technology but not back in those days)
6. Trim down the public services on offer and pour all resources into money making ventures aimed at the private sector eg. aviation. In other words, you only get a decent service if you’re willing to pay big bucks for it.
Fortunately a form of sanity prevailed in the early days of the Bolger government (yes, the Bolger govt.) and the service became an SOE. The old ‘new’ management was discarded and a new ‘new’ management installed who appear to have known what they were doing and had knowledge of the subject matter in hand.
Nice example, Anne.
The Department of Conservation is another that the last government put through this process too. That hasn’t exactly turned out well either.
You missed PSA in the kiwifruit industry ?
And the mismanagement of the fisheries. MPI is not fit for purpose.
Thanks – massive issues for this crew.
Keys dumb move with smartgate was noted.
https://www.labour.org.nz/biosecurity_rethink_a_long_time
Yep the gnats did this.
//rantmode on
For 9 dark years it was keep your head down and ride out the dirty floodwater, else you too will drown. This was not by accident, it is inevitable and known and happens when government focuses on the wrong things imo. Labour and mates are actually the heroes come to save the day. Right across all services things have been allowed to go to shit. It is going to take time to sort. EVERY govt department should be offered ways to sort their shit out because a lot of them are shitty and that is NOT the fault of employees.
//rantmode off
the argument that managers are managers,and have transferable skills across complex institutions is a legitimate question.
Government institutions once had significant institutional memory,against the corporate structure that has been brought to gvt departments ie finacialization (read washighton consensus)
Financialization is a process whereby financial markets, financial institutions and financial elites gain greater influence over economic policy and economic outcomes. Financialization transforms the functioning of economic system at both the macro and micro levels. Its principal impacts are to (1) elevate the significance of the financial sector relative to the real sector; (2) transfer income from the real sector to the financial sector; and (3) increase income inequality and contribute to wage stagnation. There are reasons to believe that financialization may render the economy prone to risk of debt-deflation and prolonged recession. Financialization operates through three different conduits: changes in the structure and operation of financial markets; changes in the behavior of non-financial corporations, and changes in economic policy. Countering financialization calls for a multi-faceted agenda that (1) restores policy control over financial markets, (2) challenges the neo-liberal economic policy paradigm encouraged by financialization, (3) makes corporations responsive to interests of stakeholders other than just financial markets, and (4) reforms the political process so as to diminish the influence of corporations and wealthy elites.
hence the rise of the corporate manager eg.
This realignment of corporate manager interests to coincide with those of financial markets has been facilitated by the destruction of union power. This has removed a countervailing force that previously prevented managers from siding excessively with financial interests.
(read my golf bags were held up at biosecurity hence I missed connecting flight to resort)
Thanks Marty, will be planting 3 trees to replace unsuitable ones in spring… good to have a reminder of the ‘no no’s’.
Most MSM are still banging a tired worn out drum, most do not have the ability to think for themselves, they are all wired into group think and are programmed to spread a certain message to the masses ?
yeah, nah they aren’t.
When you get people on the right and left complaining about the media then they’re probably doing their job right
Lol or really badly
Well yes thats an option also
The NZ media are very poor period and need an overhaul, so balance can return to reporting and drop the self serving biased views they all serve us every day.
in court in the US
go watch it.
The kids are actors. It is supposedly an adaption from court records, but who knows?
It’s not necessary to sensationalise the appalling situation.
How dare the little children upset adults.
“It is supposedly an adaption from court records…”
It is transcripts from court records. No, they didn’t film the actual hearings. The judge in the video is an actual judge, and the transcripts are actual transcripts.
If this information was presented as a written news item, with lots of commentary and interviews with experts, would you be more inclined to have a view on the message rather than the presentation of the message?
Would people have even noticed?
it kind of reminds me of this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Freisler and his court https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Court_(Germany)
Winston shouldn’t be taking the money for the cold weather however what National should do (but won’t) is announce it’ll be championing means testing for everything
Do any parties want to bring in means testing?
Yeah maybe their leader Simon Seymour could front it – could be good for his profile.
It’d be nice to see him try (attempt) some gravitas
With ‘parties’ you mean the No mates Party? Cause the coalition has agreed to this benefit already and rolled the programme out?
I can see the housing allowance fraud and his side kick the welfare queen of national importance to be the first one lining up to get the money. After all both Enlish and Bennett have never seen a benefit that would not apply to them and to which they would not feel entitled too.
so again i propose you formulate your concerns in a nice letter addressed to Simon’No’Bridges and mates.
Do any parties want to bring in means testing?
I hope not.
Transfer payments from the state to individuals should be universal and regarded as a right of citizenship.
You address the issue of wealthy people getting transfers from the state by having much more steeply progressive income taxes as we used to do pre-1984. It is incredibly efficient, and equitable both among and between generations. (Oh and you count capital gain as income)
I come from the viewpoint that if you don’t need it you shouldn’t receive it, a viewpoint that puts me at odds with my in-laws (which is always amusing)
Instead of more taxes I’d prefer giving less money away
are you gonna ask the No mates Party ?
cause the ‘other’ ‘any’ parties do not see the need for it.
so ‘any’ party leaves only the no mates party.
Do any parties want to bring in means testing?
Bennett & English would definitely not apply for these subsidies as they are straight as a die ?
Lol – good one.
A good tax system should always be in place. Of course, National did try to turn us into an international tax haven and refused to go after those not paying their taxes.
I look forward to the list of tax avoiders brought to justice under the current government
So do I.
I also hope that they’ll rectify some of the laws that allow people to avoid paying what taxes they should really be paying.
I’m not going to hold my breath on either of them though.
“Resting in the folds of Lady Liberty”
“Abolish ICE”
“Authorities evacuate Liberty Island”
Give us your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to be free.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/protester-climbs-statue-liberty-prompting-evacuation-island/story?id=56370410
Give us your tired your poor your huddled masses yearning to be free. And we will demonise them as rapists, and put their children in cages.
A woman just scaled the almost sheer 30ft base of the statue of LIberty without any climbing gear, even managing to get around a large jutting overhang at the top.
Pundits suggest that this means the Trump Wall will have to be made 10ft higher at the cost of many $billions more.
https://www.sltrib.com/news/nation-world/2018/01/20/border-wall-tests-find-heights-say-30-feet-should-keep-out-crossers-but-itll-cost-more-to-build-and-could-endanger-nearby-wildlife-opponents-say/
Women can do anything
“Border wall tests find heights — say, 30 feet — should keep out crossers.”
Fail:
Rise and Resist
“The unidentified female protester scaled the base of the statue and took up temporary residence by the statue’s right foot.”
Success:
New trial event proposed for the next Olympics
The Trump Wall
Open class all ages all genders, requirements, sheer will power and courage
30ft high, no ropes, no climbing equipment.
Tho’ on second thoughts you could just bring along a ladder and a bit of rope. (like the cops did)
$21billion 30ft high wall, vs. $200 30ft high ladder
No contest
Makes me wonder why the military special forces based in Florida and U.S. Customs and Border Protection special units who spent three weeks trying to breach and scale the eight models in San Diego, using jackhammers, saws, torches and other tools and climbing devices, didn’t think to use a ladder, like the NYPD did.
One of the people tRump is considering to replace Kennedy on SCOTUS bench is Amy Coney Barrett, who’s sworn a loyalty oath to a religious group called The People of Praise and is answerable to a personal adviser called a handmaid.
https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/07/amy-coney-barretts-alleged-religious-group-people-of-praise-what-is-it.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People_of_Praise
Dont let the door hit you on the way out
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12083480
“The Court of Appeal has upheld the decision that Kim Dotcom is eligible to be extradited to the United States of America.
The court released its judgment today that Dotcom, Mathias Ortmann, Bram van der Kolk, and Finn Batato are eligible to be extradited to the US to face criminal copyright charges over the now-defunct file-sharing website Megaupload.”
Good, this farce has gone on for far too long. Do the right thing Little:
“It is now up to the Minister of Justice Andrew Little to decide if extradition should take place.”
Time for some payback, if he wants it:
https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/labour-should-have-spurned-dotcoms-party-%E2%80%94-little-ns-163808
Payback puckers?
For playing a really large part in getting National re-elected
Vindictive little shit aren’t you puckers. Mask slipping? Time for a kitkat mate 😊
Well it did all work out pretty good in the end with Keys re-election but that Dot Com tried to sway the election just so he could avoid extradition didn’t sit well with me and it seemed a large number of people agreed
National were elected in (really large) part thanks to Dotcom?
How hopeless are they, needing that help?
You must despair of them, Pucky, despite your tribalism.
Having recently started watching Dr Jordan Petersons lectures on youtube I have to say yes tribalism is a very bad thing and as such is something I’m actively working on to remove
You do realize that Jordan Peterson wants homosexuality, pre maritial sex and abortion outlawed do you? If you make out with a woman in a bar, it’s jail for you boyo.
You can of course provide links to that?
Hey well done PR on looking to remove your tribalism.
It doesn’t do any of us any good to blindly follow anyone just because…
For our democracy to be strong, the PTB need to be held to account.
I reckon that is what is needed in the wash up of the KDC debacle.
What was said at Sir slippery John’s meeting with warners?
What assurances were given by the greasy one?
Has any member off the constabulary been held to account over the illegal raids on KDC? Or Nicky Hager while I am on my high horse.
Not going to lie but taking off the blinkers isn’t easy and in fact can make things harder for yourself because you have to think more
Like I’m quite big on on the courts being the final arbiter but the law can be used by the rich (Colin Craig for example) to “get away it”
So I don’t want to be glib and say something like “well its up to the government” but I’m not sure of what else to say as they are ultimate law of the country
Hey, that’s interesting, Pucky; expunging tribalism’s a topic worth pursuing and I hope others will join the conversation as everyone benefits from more thoughtful commentary on all issues. How are you going about your detribalising? Have you other examples of something you’ve identified and adjusted; a belief or position held? I’m keen to talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being politically tribal; maybe we could move this discussion to today’s Open Mike?
I’d agree the big reveal was such a fuck up . It sent people running
” Do the right thing Little”
“Time for some payback, if he wants it”
Do you see these things as contradictory or complementary, Puckish Rogue?
Justice or revenge?
“For playing a really large part in getting National re-elected.”
So, it’s revenge then? That’s the right thing for the Minister of Justice? Use the processes of law to get even with another politician? That’s the right thing.
Or is that the Right thing?
Its not one thing or the other, in this case doing the right thing also allows for some payback so hopefully Little will allow himself some small measure of enjoyment
And you dont think there will be another appeal, there are higher courts yet to play, outcome years away
Dotcom is one of those rarest of new immigrants, one with both the skills and capital for entrepreneurship. US interests needed to fuck him over or he’d own what would’ve become Netflix. Same thing happened to the folk who started Napster.
The whole sorry saga is what you expect from an utterly corrupt government that doesn’t have a fucking clue what it’s doing. Dotcom was a gift along the lines of McCully’s flying sheep, to the US, for which the quid pro quo was to be a free trade deal. Do we have a free trade deal? We do not – though an article of surrender called the TPP is slated to be signed shortly.
* Human rights fail – Dotcom was not subject to US law.
* NZ law fail – Dotcom’s activety was commercial, not criminal so extradition is a bust.
* Entrepreneurship fail – an NZ government with any sense would have got behind Dotcom to build on the burgeoning cyberlocker technology in which he led the world.
* Dishonest ‘pragmatism’ fail. The flying sheep didn’t secure a Saudi trade deal and harassing Dotcom didn’t secure a US trade deal on anything approaching fair terms.There’s a pattern here, but fuckwits like Groser and McCully were too stupid to see it.
I am with you on this issue, SM.
In addition, regardless of what anyone thinks of Kim Dotcom, what is at issue here is justice – and justice seen to be done. Not revenge or any other reason, as some people have suggested above and elsewhere.
The decision by the Court of Appeal does not surprise me because from memory, all of the CoA decisions to date in this case have been to uphold the lower court decisions whereas the Supreme Court have taken a different view is some instances. (I will need to check to be sure.)
What is frustrating me right now is the lack of clear reporting by the media as to what happens from here.
Some are saying (currently as I write this) that the decision now rests with Andrew Little as Attorney-general under the Extradition Act – eg RNZ
https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/361139/kim-dotcom-eligible-to-be-extradited-to-us-court-rules
OTOH others are saying that it will first go to appeal to the Supreme Court –
eg Stuff
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/105254436/kim-dotcom-loses-appeal-against-extradition-case-now-sent-to-andrew-little
Ira Rothken via KDC’s Twitter feed – https://twitter.com/rothken/status/1014648362706952192
So plenty of water to go under the bridge yet.
Update: The Stuff link above still works but the heading has now been changed from the original ” Kim Dotcom loses appeal against extradition case now sent to andrew little” to ” Kim Dotcom loses appeal against extradition, will take case to Supreme Court”.
Update No 2
Wayne’s comment at 13.1.1 points out that if it is the Attorney-General that makes extradition decisions under the Extradition Act 1999, then that is David Parker, not Andrew Little.
This led me to actually look at the Extradition Act 1999 and under section 30 of the Act it is the “Minister” that makes the decision under the Act – not the Attorney-General as suggested in some media reports on the CoA decision.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0055/latest/DLM26248.html?search=ts_act_extradition_resel&p=1
Under section 2 of the Act, the “Minister” is the Minister of Justice – hence Andrew Little.
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0055/latest/DLM25635.html?search=ts_act_extradition_resel&p=1
Thanks for that.
It just means that the case will be dragged out for a few more years.
Personally I am ashamed of NZ’s role in all of this. Our justice system has failed imo.
One thing you can be sure of patricia bremner and that is Andrew Little will put his heart and soul into any decision he has to make on the matter. He will leave no stone unturned and will apply strict impartiality to his deliberations. I can say this because it is the nature of the man and we can be grateful we now have him as Minister of Justice.
If it is the AG, then it is David Parker. I assume it will go to the Supreme Court.
If the SC decides that KDC should be extradited, then I would expect the AG to follow that. What possible basis would there be for the AG to come to a different decision to the SC? Every possible thing has been (or will have been) exhaustively considered by the courts. Of course that means KDC can go for judicial review of any such decision by the AG.
The only way this ends any time soon is if the SC decides KDC should not be extradited. Otherwise perhaps another 5 years.
As I have now commented at 12.2.1.2, your comment prompted me to check the Extradition Act 1999, and under section 30 it is the “Minister” – not the Attorney-General – that makes decisions under the Act. “Minister” is defined as the Minister of Justice under s.2. So Andrew Little, not David Parker.
Sorry if my original 12.2.1 confused people. My references to A-G and Andrew Little were straight from some of the media reports and I should have clicked that Andrew Little was not the A-G but Minister of Justice.
Yes, the Minister, not the AG.
But the same general point applies. It will be very difficult for the Minister to do anything other than confirm the courts decision (assuming the SC actually decides the the US extradition request should be accepted). At least that is how I see it.
That sordid Saudi sheep deal – when will that be exposed for what it was and excepted for what it is?
If theres any actions against the law then it should be investigated and, if any guilty parties are discovered, they should be punished to the full extent of the law
The prima facié evidence is that it was an outright bribe. Such are illegal and so it needs to be investigated to see if illegal actions were taken.
If thats the case why isn’t it being investigated, theres certainly no love lost between Winston, the Greens and Labour and National
Don’t know. It should have been investigated when it happened.
Why isn’t our justice not hunting down the perpetrators of an injustice? Is it because it was National that did it?
Is it because the decision was poor, bad, shouldn’t have happened but not illegal
Don’t know – there hasn’t been an investigation.
Its starting to sound a little circular 🙂
The belief that governments might be held accountable for dishonesty offences in office is not one sitting MPs wish to strengthen. By avoiding the issue however, they merely sponsor the creation of a fresh generation of rorters.
Wow
http://www.astronomy.com/magazine/press-releases/2018/04/nasas-juno-mission-provides-infrared-tour-of-jupiters-north-pole
Huh? Oh, cool
Kiwibuild:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12083472
5,800 signed up in one day, now it’s 17,000 in two days, and rising.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1807/S00054/kiwis-want-kiwibuild.htm
That’s a whole bunch of people motivated to keep this Labour-led government in power to ensure that those houses are delivered.
A government with a plan, giving people hope, and with money and will to do it.
Love your work Mr Twyford.
Or, alternatively, there’ll be a lot of unhappy people having to wait years for the opportunity to buy a house
Pretty much like it is now.
There will be some disappointments – as there was under the previous schemes- but there will be many thousands who have their dreams fulfilled who would otherwise not get that shot.
And the more that get built, the more see that it is worthwhile continuing to vote in the government who has delivered for others.
They may find there are a few more rentals available at sane rates though puckers.
1000+ Ad
Punish at least those waiting for a kiwi built will know they are not competing against buyers who are investing and renting out the property or foreign speculators
John Hart:
The replies are a must read 😈
Yeah this is dumb, NZFirst and National are over reacting to this. It’ll probably end up not being well received and then it’ll be taken off the menu and everyone’ll be happy
NFZ are pushing the debate forward, what is rural nz to do when we hit infinite protein? It’s coming. Holding back the inevitable, you can trust NZF when reshaping the rural economy. National haven’t your back farmers.
What do you mean by infinite protein?
Grow meat protein in factories means when you need it just in time, grow it.
As long as it makes better steak than tofu, good.
Thing about tofu is to get it fresh (or make your own), not to make ‘steak’ out of it. It’s quite possible to cook it in an appealing form, sundubu jjigae for instance, but low grade meat substitutes are rarely appealing.
I did actually have some tofu I didn’t despise a week or two back – excellent restaurant, the tofu was crisply fried on the outside.
But my comment was more about how people occasionally come out with “substitutes” that are “just as good as / just like” meat – I can’t help thinking that the last time they had a decent steak was so long ago their memory has been warped.
It’s not just about protein – texture, fibres, gristle, flavour, fat…
Sounds ghastly
“… then it’ll be taken off the menu and everyone’ll be happy.”
Not everyone – eg Ed and his sycophant, Maui won’t be happy.
PS – Draco’s link is a hoot! Well worth a click.
I despair at times at things like this, this is not what National should be doing
I agree, so why do they do it?
I’m hard to move from, ‘because they are silly and not that bright’. I’m actually okay if less than brilliant people run the show but the gnats are just spinning – probably poor leadership, it usually springs from there.
Same reason as Labour barked at every passing car I guess, what the actual reason is I don’t know but I’m guessing this is not something that will resonate with the general public
It’s the common disease of opposition – they are starved of media oxygen. There are simply times when they should just STFU.
Neither Ed or I need this sort of attack veuto. Its no wonder people like us have been driven from the site. Right now I have better things to do like planning next years Veganuary.
You mean people like those who will recommend a movie without having seen it because the propaganda seems to fit?
So seeing the trailer for LOTR never influenced your decision to go and see it? yeah right. Anyway you’ve switched topics.
I’m curious to know if all members of Fed Farmers, National and NZ First religiously fly Air New Zealand if they have a service available?
Over 19,000 NZers have registered their interest in buying a home in twenty four hours, Minister Twyford announced just now in response to question 8 supplementary.
Over 19,000 people in the first 24 hours.
Of course there never was a housing crisis that 19,000 at their first opportunity would want a chance to at an affordable house when possible…………
You have been mis informed re the 19k interest in buying
This link may better inform you
“Yes, anyone can register their interest in KiwiBuild. This includes potential home buyers as well as people who simply want to receive updates about KiwiBuild.”
“5. Can you register someone else – e.g. a mum registering their adult children?
Yes, anyone can register to receive more information about KiwiBuild.”
https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=201422
Also I note the subtle dig at teachers 2 minutes in, with the example of “say 2 teachers with 5 years experience lets say earning $160k” IF ONLY, or is there an intention to give the teachers more than they were asking !!!!!!
From below teacher with 5 years is on $60k . To earn $160k for 2 they must be on Step 12, and that does not take 5 years
https://www.education.govt.nz/school/working-in-a-school/teachers/primary-teachers/#Pay
https://www.education.govt.nz/school/running-a-school/employing-and-managing-staff/collective-agreements/primary-teachers-collective-agreement/pa
Herodotus, the transcript of part of Q8 which I observed on Parliament TV is as follows.
“What interest has there been in purchasing a KiwiBuild home?
Hon PHIL TWYFORD: I said that the KiwiBuild unit was opening their doors, but, in fact, Kiwis have smashed the door down. Over 19,000- —over 19,000—New Zealanders have registered their interest in the last 24 hours. This just shows how many young New Zealanders are desperate for a chance at homeownership, and as KiwiBuild ramps up, we look forward to seeing these families buy and move into their own homes.”
That is what I reported.
you said “Over 19,000 NZers have registered their interest in BUYING a home in twenty four hours,” it was not the same as what the minister said ( linked) from question 8, and what the official link re Kiwibuild states as who can register, not everyone who registers is a buyer, I have registered just to keep informed in this matter. This is different from how I read your comment. Perhaps that is an error on my behalf 🙁
The minister IMO handled the pre pared question and subsequent questions poorly re my comment on teachers with 5 years experience, at least he could base his answers on facts 🙁
The Minister replied to a questioner who asked, “What interest has there been in purchasing a KiwiBuild home?” That was the question he responded to. ‘Buying’ is the same as’ purchasing’, and Minster Twyford said that 19,000 had registered their interest. He didn’t explain what registered their interest’ meant.
In the meantime Stuff has published this article. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/07/nearly-20-000-kiwis-have-applied-for-kiwibuild.html
It says, “More than 6000 people registered for a KiwiBuild home yesterday, and that number has more than tripled today.
Minister for Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford told Newshub that more than 19,000 Kiwis have now registered for the programme.”
How many actually will be purchasers is a moot point. These are the numbers of people registering for KiwiBuild. Why would they do that if not interested in purchasing such a home? Most will be seeking to buy a home, which is my point. So many people needing state intervention to enable their home-owning dreams. Homes being provided by this government in contrast to the last government which could not even acknowledge the seriousness of the situation.
Why would they do that if not interested in purchasing such a home?
– People interested in the policy and want a highly functional coherent policy that works for those that have been shut out, not only for those who earn $100k as per ZB link 13 minutes in the our Minister agrees with!!!
[audio src="http://120.138.20.16/WeekOnDemand/ZB/auckland/2018.07.05-07.00.00-S.mp3" /]
– Those who manage family trusts , as beneficiaries of family trusts it seem will be eligible to purchase kiwibuild 4:30 into todays question 6
https://www.parliament.nz/en/watch-parliament/ondemand?itemId=201420
IMO spend the money and use the land to construct State Houses, then we can house those in need, and not allow private landlords to be the recipients of state sanctioned welfare, but that is only my opinion 🙂
So I’m glad first of all that the small matter of whether I misreported what i saw and heard in Parliament today has been dealt with.
That was as far as I wanted to go with this, Herodotus.
You seem to have an agenda of attacking Twyford or the government.
So I will answer your perception that Labour is somehow in the pockets of people who are into trusts.
Again, from my recollection of the House today, Twyford was at pains to point out that people who are thus inclined will not be the natural respondents to purchase lower cost houses .
I would also make the point that such houses can not be on sold for three years. Would not-genuine buyers who are trust-connected people be interested in buying housing aimed at lower income folk which cannot be sold for three years. I’m not privy to he thinking of such folk, but I doubt it.
Especially if the housing market increases are slowed down by the various measures designed to discourage speculators and non-resident buyers. That alone would discourage owners trying to make a profit since a three year compulsory retention should raise questions of doubt about successful profit-taking.
By all means build more state rentals, but the KiwiBuild programme is catering for those who want to own their own homes, a totally understandable objective, and is supposed to self-funding as houses sold will pay for the next tranche of houses to be built and so on.
These matters are however subsidiary to the main aim which is to provide 100,000 homes of affordable nature over ten years,
19000 people interested in 24 hours is a massive indication of the interest and the need for this programme.
Is there something wrong in making observations in an area I have some knowledge and experience in?
Re your comments on attacking the government, is there anything wrong in keeping them honest? I had the same attitude towards the previous govt.
I still think that they should be held accountable for what they went into last years election on.
Re Twyford I have the impression from encounters with him and that others have had with him within the industry, that he has the desire to make improvements regarding housing, BUT holds some wild ideas that are impracticable.
And I was taken back on his comment today of 2 teachers with 5 years experience earning $160k- That mis information should be pointed out especially with the current teachers pay demands.
And I do accept that discussions can get beyond what contributors desire or intended !!!
Anyone who’s been in that situation would realise that a supposedly desperate first home buyer who can only commit to 3 years ownership isn’t a home buyer, they are an investor and a property speculator.
Clearly I don’t mean people should be tied to a house if it conflicts with their changing circumstances, but that should be an exception.
If anything should have a 3 year timeframe, its rentals.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-44671094
Sure it’s a wee way off, but the 2026 Football World Cup is going to be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
Sports Illustrated recently called Mexico the US’s OTHER team.
True in the theoretical as well as the symbolic and actual senses.
As a supplement to the human religious impulse, this 2026 event will have a real unifying impulse in the frame of a threatened NAFTA and vey very high immigration borders.
JK and National said there was no housing crisis ?
What did national do when they said they ‘prefer to give less money away’
Oh they spent it on changing Flags or paying to keep banks afoat?
“Just to name a few”
This idiot Scott Pruitt is trying to play the GOD card while he is doing everything in his power to destroy GOD’S Creatures and OUR environment good ridence he has resigned link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/05/scott-pruitt-resigns-epa-trump-latest-news-resignation
Ka kite ano
This is the humane system needed for Papatuanukue to help all the common people.
With a universal basic income for all the tangata of Papatuanukue everyone will gain. There will be less crime less health problems the government will get a better tax take business will make more profits common people will become more confident they should be able to still work and get the unervisal income it’s not ROCK SCIENCE people its humane nature. Some people were saying that a fuel tax would not lower traffic jams in Auckland well te Kumara never tells how sweet it is. Ka kite ano
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2018/jun/27/benefit-or-burden-the-cities-trying-out-universal-basic-income
This is what Aotearoa has to do to tackle our plastic waste problems
Australia has the same issue as Aotearoa nowhere to send the graded waste to be recycled. Link below.
https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://amp.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/28/with-incentives-industry-could-tackle-australias-waste-crisis&ved=2ahUKEwjwmqqytIncAhXJZt4KHeMyDEAQFjAAegQIBhAB&usg=AOvVaw35kRMsj9aXIgp2wz0Y5wF9&cf=1
Ka kite ano
Some people don’t know a good thing when it’s staring the in the face Elon Mus mega factory will change things in Nevada but he has changed the game on renewable energy Ka pai Elon ignore the oil barrons trolls. Ka kite ano
Link for the above post
‘All humanity has left the area’: paying for Tesla’s Gigafactory
Ka pai Phil Goff the Mayor of Auckland for banning these two far right hired trolls from Canada from using council venues. We don’t need you spreading your dumb ass ways in Aotearoa.
You know the old saying when a Wahine enters a room some men are captured by her Wairua and lose all logicthat’s what it looks like to ECO MAORI Ana to kai links below.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12084381
Ka kite ano
Eco Maori did tautokoing The Rock radio station but it got to hot for them + they keep using words I don’t like like Crack ect enough said
http://spy.nzherald.co.nz/spy-news/did-dwts-make-listeners-turn-off-the-rock/
Ka kite ano
Good evening Newshub that’s a brilliant idea having a giant orange bollon to greet trump he’s you know what.
I have seen a lot of camera on the road in my travels big brother is being put in place in Atoearoa.
Many thanks to the Wellington council for give the beautiful Right Wale the respect that Tangaroas creates deserves Ka pai.
Ka kite ano
Here we go more of trump making statement that are unlogical the EU was set up to Rob AMERICAS piggy banks. And than a attack on Nato.
http://www.euronews.com/2018/06/30/u-s-ambassador-estonia-resign-amid-frustration-trump-administration-n888021
Ka kite ano
Our Prime minister did a great thing for Maori culture buy giveing her first born girl a Maori middle name Nevea Te Aroha Ardern Gayford some people just can’t see the big picture and they try and use this for their cause charter schools ECO MAORI once again says don’t bite te person that Tau toko you
https://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm%3Fc_id%3D1%26objectid%3D12082999&ved=0ahUKEwiZotXtwYrcAhUMat4KHfnFDHYQxfQBCDkwAQ&usg=AOvVaw37GEgaOyqJHnI5AUYmojar Ka kite ano