Open Mike 05/07/2017

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 5th, 2017 - 91 comments
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91 comments on “Open Mike 05/07/2017 ”

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  1. Ed 1
    5 July 2017 at 6:49 am

    I see that Nick Smith thinks housing affordability is ‘in the eye of the beholder’
    I am sure most Zealanders will like being told this by a rich political trougher.

    These people claim to represent us.
    They don’t.
    They represent the few, not the many.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334454/housing-affordability-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder-minister

  2. Sanctuary 2
    5 July 2017 at 8:03 am

    Question:

    Should Mike Hoskings be pulled from Seven Sharp until after the election?

    • James 2.1
      5 July 2017 at 8:06 am

      No.

      • Cinny 2.1.1
        5 July 2017 at 8:33 am

        Why not please James? What is it that you like about him, apart from his opinions?

        • james 2.1.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 10:38 am

          Actually – I dont watch him. I only use Netflix and haven’t watched normal TV for years.

          Simply put – I believe anyone is entitled to their views – and to be held accountable for them if they are stupid. Which is normally a matter of perspective.

          Why do you think his views should be censored from TV – apart from you not liking his opinions?

          • Kevin 2.1.1.1.1
            5 July 2017 at 12:22 pm

            Because the same broadcaster does not offer a differing opinion.

            As he is on NZ’s public broadcaster there is an obligation to give both sides of a political argument. They are not there to be a mouthpiece for the government of the day.

          • Cinny 2.1.1.1.2
            5 July 2017 at 3:55 pm

            James, you don’t watch him either? Funny. I’m hearing you re censorship.

            However I strongly agree with Kevin.

            But then again globally many government run media outlets have their own version of Hosking. Or a country’s leader broadcasts their own propaganda show.

            Interesting audio examination from 2015 when Hosking had his head up Keys arse. Even more interesting because his opinions of the future are now in our past.

            http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201767468

            Off topic James, any series you can recommend on the Netflix please? Am looking for something new to watch. Thanks 😀

    • garibaldi 2.2
      5 July 2017 at 8:10 am

      He should be permanently pulled from all public exposure full stop.

      • James 2.2.1
        5 July 2017 at 8:13 am

        Must stop opposing views – stifling free speech – removing a guy’s income all because you don’t like what he says.

        The caring and fair left you are not.

        • Robert Guyton 2.2.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 8:16 am

          “caring and fair” – a fan-boy’s view of Hoskings.

          • james 2.2.1.1.1
            5 July 2017 at 10:39 am

            Not a fan boy – dont actually watch him (see above).

            But dont believe that he should be pulled from TV because some dont like his views.

            • Cemetery Jones 2.2.1.1.1.1
              5 July 2017 at 3:02 pm

              Censoring Mike Hostking is a terrible reason to suggest his removal. However, I must admit, there is a certain humorous undertone to the notion of removing him from state broadcasting on philosophical grounds –his philosophical grounds.

              Since he hates leftism and statism so much and thinks so highly of the market and an expanded role for the market in roles traditionally ascribed to the state in commonwealth systems, it would only be right to make sure he never compromises himself by pocketing a salary out of public money, etc.

              Hyperbole for sure, but then that’s his stock in trade, right?

        • Gabby 2.2.1.2
          5 July 2017 at 7:35 pm

          I’d settle for a station disclaimer after every time he opens his gob.

      • greywarshark 2.3.1
        5 July 2017 at 10:43 am

        These paras are from Robert G’s link.

        And to prove all of this, here are some numbers that expose the lie around public transport. The Transport Outlook: Current State report, yes that’s called, as released by the government tells us the following, 53% of us drive a car, 26% of us are passengers in a car, 17% walk, 1% cycle – so that shows you what a waste of time cycleways are, 1% are on motorbikes. Now add up all those numbers and how many do you have left for public transport, 2%. So, we are wrecking roads, hijacking the majority for what, 2%, it’s a scandal.

        The report he refers to is the one we highlighted yesterday and the first thing to note is that the report actually says PT is at 3%. This adds up to 101% due to the rounding on some of the other modes. Regardless, when it comes to talking about this subject, he couldn’t have picked a more irrelevant number.

        The 3% based on PT use across the entire country, that’s as irrelevant to the discussion of PT in Auckland as arguing that New York doesn’t need its subway because of how many people use PT in Wyoming.

        Note that: the 2% Hosking quotes to back up his inconveniences in his city, is a measure drawn from use across the country, it is irrelevant to his argument.
        The raving loonie is merely saying what all the RWs are thinking, which of course is nothing at all. Thought costs in time and money so they don’t waste time on anything unprofitable to them.

        I made a joke yesterday about Blinglish stating the new social policy as being data-driven. Bwahahahahahah – where would it be driven to I ask? When you don’t want to know things, do they get lured up an alley and garrotted or taken for a midnight ride and dumped on the roadside. Poor dead-duck-data, RWs want to believe what their Mega-phone tells them, their Hosking Bullhorn.

    • Ma Rohemo 2.4
      5 July 2017 at 8:21 am

      At the very least Hosking’s salary should be included in National’s election advertising total allowance.
      It should also include GST as it is obviously a service to them.

      • alwyn 2.4.1
        5 July 2017 at 8:58 am

        Are you really sure you want a policy like that?
        You would have to include the whole RNZ news budget in the Labour Party costs.
        They would already be over the limit for expenditure allowed in the last 3 months wouldn’t they, with only a couple of weeks gone?

        • In Vino 2.4.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 8:39 pm

          I fully agree with you, Alwyn. National Radio are totally biased, and support the Labour party by having them shown as light National by such right-leaning commentators as Josie Pagani, whom they misrepresent as ‘Left’. Utterly disgusting. Then every so often they reveal an unpleasant truth – this is obviously an anti-National campaign. National Radio should be annihilated by renaming! I know – RNZ!

    • Cinny 2.5
      5 July 2017 at 8:32 am

      Get rid of him now I say, how many kiwis can relate to him… not many, if any.

      • james 2.5.1
        5 July 2017 at 10:39 am

        His ratings are pretty good – which would indicate you are wrong.

        • jcuknz 2.5.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 11:24 am

          Just shows how many idiots watch TV…. both left and right wing twits.
          Thank goodness for Netflix.

        • Cinny 2.5.1.2
          5 July 2017 at 3:22 pm

          Someone knocked on the door not so long ago, wanting to know if we would take part in TV ratings, many questions were asked, even household income etc.

          They said they would be in touch if we were deemed the type of household that they could give a ratings monitor device to. Almost felt like they screened anyone whom they wanted to generating ratings information from, it didn’t appear random at all. They were even sent to selected houses, nah it wasn’t a scam, was the real deal. I was rather surprised ratings were gathered in that manner.

          James do you know if ratings are collected in any other way please?

    • Enough is Enough 2.6
      5 July 2017 at 10:37 am

      Absolutely not.

      You don’t defeat bigots like Hosking by silencing them. You defeat them by debating them and offering an alternative view point.

      What kind of society do we want where people with opposing views are not permitted to speak them?

      • james 2.6.1
        5 July 2017 at 10:40 am

        ^ Comment of the day and agree 100%

      • Barfly 2.6.2
        5 July 2017 at 11:19 am

        So where is the opposing view to Hosking on free to air TV ? … not provided by management.

        • garibaldi 2.6.2.1
          5 July 2017 at 11:32 am

          Comment of the day Barfly. Hosking should not be on free to air TV.

        • Enough is Enough 2.6.2.2
          5 July 2017 at 11:46 am

          Umm Street opposed his demented view before he had even finished preaching it.

        • McFlock 2.6.2.3
          5 July 2017 at 11:59 am

          That’s the issue for me – he’s an out-and-out propagandist. He lies, he rants, he is completely unchallenged, and he is always pro-nact. If the state broadcaster must pay for a pro-government propagandist, what about an opposition one of similar shameless insanity, too?

          Oh – might be too difficult to find. May as well just fire the fucker, then.

          • weka 2.6.2.3.1
            5 July 2017 at 12:35 pm

            It is kind of interesting to consider who the left might put up that would be the Hosking equivalent though 😈

          • Robert Guyton 2.6.2.3.2
            5 July 2017 at 3:01 pm

            “an out-and-out propagandist” – in a nut-shell, McFlock. How best to counter an unfettered propagandist, that’s the question. Railing against him, calling for his head, seem reactions designed to feed the pyre, rather than quench the fire. Let’s get smarter. The problem isn’t hard to describe; yours’s perfect, the effective response though, that’s the challenge.

            • McFlock 2.6.2.3.2.1
              5 July 2017 at 4:21 pm

              Maybe there is no effective response.

              Can’t call for his firing, can’t sink to his level, can’t out-yell him, reasoned rebuttal just legitimises his absurdities with recognition.

              Just have to hope the self-inflated manchild eventually takes his sense of entitlement too far to warrant his continued presence, like Paul Henry did.

              • Robert Guyton …
                5 July 2017 at 4:45 pm

                We can rejoice in his naked greed and prejudice, measuring our own behaviour against his worst-practice behaviour. We can use his popularity as a measure of how much has to change in our society before it’s as we wish it to be. We can use reactions to him by people we talk to as a measure of their position and degree of discernment. We can use his continued existence in a public role as a measure of our ruling party’s methods and ethical levels. There is so much his performing offers us, aside from the obvious opportunities to lampoon and mock, both him and his sycophants. All in all, a useful chap, ol’ whatshisname.
                *confession time; I’ve never seen the guy perform as I have no television.

                • garibaldi …
                  5 July 2017 at 5:11 pm

                  “takes his sense of entitlement too far to warrant his continued presence”…. this is what he specializes in.

      • mpledger 2.6.3
        5 July 2017 at 11:52 am

        It would be alright if the opposing views got the same prominence but the small snippet I unavoidably watch last week had his offsider simpering all over him. Gross.

    • Chris 2.7
      5 July 2017 at 12:20 pm

      For every Hoskings there is a John Campbell

      Personally think everyone is entitled to their views, whether I agree or not.

      Would be a pretty boring place otherwise

    • tc 2.8
      5 July 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Nope leave him in place as an example of why tvnz need to be made a public broadcaster or scrapped as you would yesterdays technology.

      Most people know hes a nat sycophant and his smarmy arrogance cuts both ways

    • Ed 2.9
      5 July 2017 at 7:39 pm

      Yes and keep him off forever.

  3. dv 3
    5 July 2017 at 9:15 am

    Hosking is a useful window into RWing ‘thinking’

  4. gsays 4
    5 July 2017 at 9:16 am

    Further to my rant on Nick Smith housing handling…

    We, of the left, seem to be captured by the shenanagins of the Tories.
    Rather than debating a direction for our future.
    For example water, labour has talked about a levy charged per litre.
    Rather than a ‘Hell No’.
    Perhaps there is a middle ground.

    Housing, as I eluded to in the Nick Smith post, the opposition is failing to get traction with their tactics. Don’t want to upset landlords?

    Inequality? A bit hard to deal with. Unless we have a ftt and a ubi…
    Tad radical, think of the horses.

    Health funding, especially mental health and youth mental health. Where to start?

    Paula Bennett is alleged to behaved abhorrently, (I don’t doubt the accusations) and we are lining up to add our two cents.

    C’m on standardistas we can lift our game.

    Right, that’s better.
    I am off to work to have my promised 90 day performance review, albeit after 110 days.
    I am aiming to get a living wage for working in a busy kitchen after having practiced the craft for 30 years.
    What chance the youngsters in the industry, most of whom are grateful to be just above minimum wage.
    (I won’t be back at my phone till later as I am not allowed it at work)

  5. Ma Rohemo 5
    5 July 2017 at 9:18 am

    @ alwyn I wasn’t suggesting serious policy. It was a small joke at Hosking’s expense, but you sound serious about RNZ.

    RNZ as biased as Hosking? I think not.

    Do you consider the Herald a leftie rag too?

    • alwyn 5.1
      5 July 2017 at 11:56 am

      “the Herald”?
      Does that fish and chip wrapper still exist?

      I am just back from doing a little bit of work in France. We (the people doing the work) were provided with all the major UK newspapers.
      God it is wonderful to be able to read well written papers like The Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian and The Financial Times. It is about the only English language country left with decent papers. Even in the US they are rubbish including the old staples like The Washington Post and The New York Times.

      Here we have the Herald and the DomPost for crying out loud.
      The only decent paper in Australasia in The Australian. You don’t have to like Rupert Murdoch but he is just about the last of the great Press Barons who believed in printing the news properly that we have left.
      Here endeth the rant for the day.

      As for RNZ being biased? Yes I do. We will simply have to agree to differ.

      • In Vino 5.1.1
        5 July 2017 at 8:55 pm

        Alwyn, I agree with you about the range of quality reading available in the UK compared to here, but I would also have mentioned the Spectator, (and Punch, which, unfortunately, no longer exists). And Rupert Murdoch is the enemy of literacy, not its friend. He presided in the downward slide you lament, and you should know that, unless you are too young.

  6. Bearded Git 6
    5 July 2017 at 10:03 am

    The headline on RNZ news this morning was “Auckland house price growth at 5 year low”. Let me show how it should have been reported:

    “Auckland house prices growing at $70,000 a year; average price is now over $1 million. Prices continue to grow at three times rate of inflation.”

    Someone at Radio NZ has been told how to report this issue so the government looks good.

    The government’s weakest issue in the upcoming election is housing affordability (not just in Auckland) so it is trying to portray this problem as solved, which is rubbish. Nick Smith was at it yet again in his RNZ interview yesterday. Lies and more spin.

    The Labour/Green bloc needs to get some clear stats out on housing affordability in its manifesto (and pledge card?) telling it as it is. In particular the fall in first time buyers and the rise in investors/multiple home owners needs to be highlighted.

    The expert they interviewed on this said “first time buyers are at their lowest ever”. That should have been the headline.

    • Bearded Git 6.1
      5 July 2017 at 10:22 am

      And following on from the above, in the Herald today:

      “House sales have made a mint in the first quarter of 2017, with $3.8 billion in profits.
      But it’s not all good news, with $24 million in losses recorded by those who made a bad bet on the property market.”

      Incredible numbers-profits of $3.8 billion in just 3 months, almost all non-taxable.

      As with the RNZ headline above, the article contains lots of spin, concentrating on the losses made by very few people, losses which are miniscule compared with the profits-$24m versus $3800m.

      It’s here:
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11885935

      • The Lone Haranguer 6.1.1
        5 July 2017 at 12:03 pm

        The article does not comment on the profit split between home owners and between investors.

        And nobody (except me it seems) thinks ALL housing stock should be taxed upon sale.

        Gee, the Nats dont want to tax property gains, and Labour seem to think that the “personal residence” should be exempt. But where is the financial responsibility or tax fairness in that?

        Why should a person who lives in say Dunedin, have little to no capital gains – probably under $100,000 in this decade, and thats tax free, when an Auckland home owner may have a $500,000 tax free profit.

        And lets not discuss the poor buggers who dont own a house so have no chance to make a tax free gain.

    • alwyn 6.2
      5 July 2017 at 12:03 pm

      You are going to have a real problem on about the 5th of September.
      They will be reporting, absolutely accurately, that the rate of house price increases in Auckland for the 12 months ending August 2017 was ZERO.
      True, that is what they will be reporting. The Labour Party are going to have trouble with that don’t you think?
      Your numbers, like theirs, are simply out of date. They don’t reflect the reality of today. Sorry about that.

      • Bearded Git 6.2.1
        5 July 2017 at 5:19 pm

        @Alwyn One wonders why you don’t leave out the snide comments like “sorry about that” and simply argue your case. Maybe it is because you know you are on the wrong side of the argument given that the Gnats have failed catastrophically on housing policy.

        But you are right that, unless the Labour/Green bloc can win the debate in the media on this issue, it will not be the definitive issue it should be at the election. The fact that houses in Akl are now more than a million a pop and first-time buyers are at an all time low is the issue. If the Labour/Green bloc is smart they will highlight the latter especially.

        Under this government over the last 9 years it has become impossible for young people to afford to buy a house; there must be votes in this.

        • In Vino 6.2.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 9:02 pm

          Prices staying where they are is no solution, Alwyn. Too late for that – a significant drop is needed. Not something you will find palatable I suspect, and I can almost hear you screaming already about whether I want to destroy innocent people’s wealth by collapsing property values.

  7. savenz 7
    5 July 2017 at 10:57 am

    Something’s wrong with this picture

    Mad Butcher fundraising $15,000 for unpaid staff

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/07/mad-butcher-fundraising-15-000-for-unpaid-staff.html

    We also had Mondelez announcing earlier this year it would stop manufacturing Cadbury products in Dunedin in March 2018, with the loss of 350 jobs.

  8. Pete 8
    5 July 2017 at 11:27 am

    Apropos the article about Mike Hosking and bus lanes.
    https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/2017/07/05/hoskings-idiotic-bus-lane-rant/

    How about having “busless, trainless days” in Auckland a la the old carless days, just for an experiment? It would be fun to see what happens. Do it for a week even.

    Thing is, Hosking would make sure that on those he won’t go to work or the week he’ll go to Hawaii on holiday.

    “We don’t like public transport, we like cars and cars need roads,” he says. We didn’t need this latest rant to have us think he’s a self-centred, short-sighted, up-himself cretin. Having him say that though is a nice little reminder.

    • garibaldi 8.1
      5 July 2017 at 11:52 am

      “Self-centred, short sighted, up-himself cretin”. That describes most of the right wingers I know. The rest of them are women!

      • In Vino 8.1.1
        5 July 2017 at 9:03 pm

        Are you suggesting that women cannot be cretins, or that the rest of women are?

        • McFlock 8.1.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 9:07 pm

          I think a woman can’t be “up himself”. She’d have to be up herself.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    5 July 2017 at 1:31 pm

    Currency-issuing governments can keystroke their outstanding debt into oblivion

    In other words, a currency-issuing government can always absorb any outstanding liabilities (public debt) if it chooses, and, effectively, never have to repay the obligation.

    It can do that by purchasing these liabilities in secondary bond markets, and then just ignoring the maturity obligations, and with the stroke of a computer keyboard set the value to 0.

    Alternatively, it is obvious that such a government is never in danger of defaulting on any outstanding liabilities which remain in the non-government sector until maturity and presentation for repayment.

    Alternatively, what this clearly demonstrates, is that such a government never has to issue debt in the first place.

    Say it again out aloud – “central banks are ultimately owned by governments”.

    Say it again out aloud – any public bonds on central bank balance sheets amount to the government owning its own debt. One computer keystroke turns the positive accounting balance for that debt into a zero balance with no consequences of importance whatsoever.

    Which is basically what I and many other have been saying for quite some time.

    A government that issues it’s own money never has to go into debt even when running a deficit. Done properly it could even get rid of the so-called Business Cycle and fully develop the economy while eliminating the need for exports and imports.

  11. Ad 11
    5 July 2017 at 1:55 pm

    Has anyone seen Win The Future?

    https://winthefuture.com/set-agenda

    They are seeking to change Democratic Party policy with crowdsourcing.

    On the other hand the founders of the effort are Silicon Valley billionaires.

    I would love to see The Standard evolve into something similar though.

  12. Ad 12
    5 July 2017 at 2:03 pm

    Italian Police have just raided an apartment for drugs, so they get the perfect headline:

    “Vatican Rocked: Police raid drug-fuelled gay orgy at cardinal’s apartment”.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11886097

    Historic sex crimes have already got Cardinal Pell.
    Hopefully the Police get to go through the whole of the Cardinals.

    A further excellent opportunity for the current Pope to not merely sound good, but to clean house and act.

  13. james 13
    5 July 2017 at 2:21 pm

    http://politik.co.nz/en/content/politics/1133/?ct=t(POLITIKToday_07_10_2016_10_6_2016)&mc_cid=2b2600b050&mc_eid=6dd3d7f03f

    Two times labour candidate leave Labour and Joins National.

    Apparently he is well respected in his local community and his move is indicative of a lot of feeling in the Kiwi Indian community.

    Time will tell – but cannot see this as be bad for National in the slightest.

    I wonder if Labours anti immigration campaign will come back to bite them?

    • McFlock 13.1
      5 July 2017 at 2:27 pm

      Candidate swaps parties after low list ranking, justifies low list ranking. Gives law and order as reason.

      James tries to blame immigration policy. [Slow clap]

      • james 13.1.1
        5 July 2017 at 3:11 pm

        So you are saying you believe he jumped to Nation just because of his low list ranking?

        • McFlock 13.1.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 4:18 pm

          No, although his political affinity with the nats certainly justifies the low placing.

          I wouldn’t be surprised if his placing contributed significantly to his decision, though.

          • The Fairy Godmother 13.1.1.1.1
            6 July 2017 at 6:34 am

            Definitely contributed. Leaving Labour happened just after he lost the nomination for Papaura to an excellent young candidate of Indian ethnicity and received either a low list placing or no list placing.

    • Cemetery Jones 13.2
      5 July 2017 at 3:19 pm

      So for a second election campaign in a row, National are buying the loyalties of disaffected self-appointed ‘leaders’ of ‘communities’ to turn them from Labour and we’re supposed to take that as a sign of a shift in attitudes within that ‘community’?

      I mean, call me cynical, but my general impression of these people is that they usually aren’t ‘leaders’ at all – except in the eyes of gullible white people trying to buy the votes of said ‘community’ from above instead of winning them from below with good policy and solid face-to-face connections. Are we all really so racist that we think everyone with dark skin is part of a ‘community’ which has ‘leaders’ who are able to tell them how to vote? That doesn’t bode well for democracy if true!

      I guess given that us white folks tend not to have ‘communities’ with ‘leaders’ who can influence their votes, maybe we’re gullible or racist enough to think that everyone else is a sheep with a shepherd, and if you win over that shepherd he’ll deliver you his flock at the polling booth. But me, I have my doubts.

      Ah well, let National spend their money being rainmade by wannabe mandarins. It says all you need about them and their attitude to democratic tradition.

      • james 13.2.1
        5 July 2017 at 3:42 pm

        “So for a second election campaign in a row, National are buying the loyalties of disaffected self-appointed ‘leaders’ of ‘communities’ to turn them from Labour and we’re supposed to take that as a sign of a shift in attitudes within that ‘community’?”

        Or it could be that people are giving up on Labour – as would be evidenced by their very low poll ratings (and Littles as preferred PM).

        “I mean, call me cynical, but my general impression of these people is that they usually aren’t ‘leaders’ at all – except in the eyes of gullible white people trying to buy the votes of said ‘community’ ”

        Yet Labour were happy to have him stand for them…. twice. Perhaps he actually is a leader in that community?

        “Are we all really so racist that we think everyone with dark skin is part of a ‘community’ which has ‘leaders’ who are able to tell them how to vote?”

        Its not racist – there are may leaders in the the community that indicate to their community about where they see the most benefit to their community. Ratana Church for example.

        • Cemetery Jones 13.2.1.1
          5 July 2017 at 5:49 pm

          Where did he stand for Labour? The seat where he stood or the placing he had on their list will tell all.

          Ratana Church isn’t comparable to individuals, it’s an institution with a unique place in NZ culture. I doubt there’s much at all you could compare it to.

          • Cinny 13.2.1.1.1
            5 July 2017 at 6:51 pm

            Pakaranga, just once, in 2011, it’s Maurice Williamson seat

            The following election he decided to only opt for the list, and the candidate that Labour stood in same electorate received around 700 more votes than the prior year when Kaushal stood….

            Then bums out when he gets a low list ranking for this election llolz, throws a wobbly and jumps ship.

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakuranga_(New_Zealand_electorate)

            Says the outgoing government are listening to his concerns re the massive number of dairy robberies. And it’s probably all they are doing.. listening.

            Maybe he has forgotten how much the price of tobacco has increased since national took office, and the flow on effects re robberies etc etc.

            Will he be standing for Pakuranga or just this list with national?

            Why are National waiting so long to release their list? Are they short on players?

            • Cemetery Jones 13.2.1.1.1.1
              6 July 2017 at 9:09 am

              Hahah I had his number right off then. Thanks for confirming! Knew this didn’t pass the sniff test, especially when it broke via Politik.

    • ianmac 13.3
      5 July 2017 at 3:31 pm

      So he was upset at Labour’s inaction re Law and Order. Those pesky Labour fellows should have set up a team of special police to bounce the thieves the instant a complaint came in.
      What’s that? You mean the National Party is the Government with the power to do something to appease the shop owners. And this candidate has joined the National Party to get action???
      That is ridiculous! Have they promised him a high ranking then?

    • Ad 13.4
      5 July 2017 at 6:03 pm

      If Labour are losing the central Auckland Indian vote they are in very serious trouble. Indian subcontinent voters have been incredibly loyal to this point.

      Sunny will take a lot of votes out of Mt Roskill, New Windsor, Avondale, Sandringham, and New Lynn.

      • james 13.4.1
        6 July 2017 at 7:53 am

        “they are in very serious trouble”

        They poll in the mid to high 20%’s – they are already in serious trouble – anymore drops it could well be terminal.

      • The Fairy Godmother 13.4.2
        6 July 2017 at 9:03 am

        Really? Shail Kaushal is a hardworking Labour member of the Puketapapa Local board and is on Michael Wood’s campaign team. Michael Wood and Jacinda Aden did really well in recent by-elections. I certainly don’t belive Sunny played a significant role in their wins. Sunny missed out on the Papaura selection to Jesse Pabla a young New Zealand born candidate of Indian ethnicity. Baljit Kauri is standing for Hunua. Priyanca Radhakrishnan is standing for Maungakieie and has a high place on the list. All these candidates of Indian ethnicity have strong Labour values.I think Labour is renewing itself with good strong Labour values. It must have been galling for Sunny to realise their is really no place in the party for an old right wing careerist like himself. He is an excellent fit for National.

    • Gabby 13.5
      5 July 2017 at 7:44 pm

      They still won’t get to keep shotties under the counter jimbo.

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  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    6 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    8 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    9 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    10 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    12 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    13 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    14 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    17 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    18 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    18 hours ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    19 hours ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    21 hours ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    22 hours ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    24 hours ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
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  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
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  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
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  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
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    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
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