Yeah, another poll showing the opposition out polling the right. Note the desperate optimism and pisspoor mathematics in this bit of analysis:
“National would get 58 seats, add three from the Maori Party and one each from Act and United Future and the centre-right would have a majority of 63.”
A more marginally more accurate reading of NZF’s popularity totally changes the electoral outcome as well. Over 5% and Key loses control.
Still perplexing to see little recent tracking progress for Labour.
Annoying that Peters is getting up there in the Preferred PM stakes. Naturally I was pleased when he left Shipley’s government for the sale of Wellington Airport. But it’s still a shudder of instability in a government.
A relief to see Key is far less of an asset to National than previous. If he survives into a third term, his government will be as smelly as a six month old whale on a beach, and as prone to having further bits fall off. I probably wouldn’t wish that on the country.
National have, support wise, lost half their governing majority in less than a year. Another year and they lose the other half. A year after that – oh look, election time…
Fox has released an excellent video that is bound to destroy the election chances of that damned new dealer Obama and return the control of America to the very wealthy. God bless America!
what is interesting is the media coverage of thousands of people in ” the greatest city on earth” queueing for half a day on foot, or in their cars, for petrol (maybe for the ride-on mower); In large cities it appears a great deal of the population are totally enmeshed and dependent on services supplied by other concerns.
Now it’s gonna freeze over the big apple and related fruit; sorta reminds me of Moscow before glastnost.
Many on here and elsewhere have tried to defend Key’s comments re Beckham.
The simple fact is, those same people need to ask the question, What sort of person makes that sort of statement off the cuff to that sort of audience? And can they list what other country leaders would have made them.
Mr Taylor said a CEO’s remuneration “should be measured by how well he or she protects jobs and should bear a direct relationship to how well the employees … are paid”.
In a letter to the Herald, he referred to a comment last week by former Nuplex chairman Fred Holland, who, when referring to a 26 per cent rise for non-executive directors, said: “You won’t get anything but monkeys if you pay peanuts.”
Mr Taylor said: “If that means I have joined our fellow primates in his eyes then I know who I would rather spend my time with: Them and the countless other CEOs and management of small New Zealand companies who still live in the real world.”
Mr Taylor’s business, established in 1990, is considered to be one of the top computer animation companies in the country.
a comment last week by former Nuplex chairman Fred Holland, who, when referring to a 26 per cent rise for non-executive directors, said: “You won’t get anything but monkeys if you pay peanuts.”
This is the sort of cliche that a shallow thinker comes up with. Cliches can be handy but this situation requires more than a throw-away line. But he can’t justify his salary so the flip cliche works best. It doesn’t say much for the acumen and intelligence of Mr Holland, and yet I think it is likely to be the tone and extent of thinking of many of our CEOs. Probably psychopaths most of them, who are known for relentless self promotion, stealing any kudos that should have gone to others etc.
Interesting to see that Andrew Little is putting forward the idea that ACC should be extended to cover illnesses and disease. He also favours dropping the “fully funded” model, as it is only relevant when it is in competition with other systems.
I’m for the extension, but I’m not so sure about dumping the fully funded model.
Great to see new innovative proposals from Labour. Even if the details are not there its important to get Joe Public understanding that yes, there are real alternatives.
holy shit, and i thought we had a social security system that looked after people if they became sick.
I guess instead of this, we’ve just got to introduce an insurance based model and when it’s all nicely set up we can introduce a bit’o’competition……
“holy shit, and i thought we had a social security system that looked after people if they became sick.”
No. We have a social security system that deliberately sets benefit rates below the poverty line. And of next year, all sickness beneficiaries will be deemed unemployed ie available for work unless they can prove otherwise.
chanced across Chris Trotters’ article on violence in the Dom at the library; very timely if you have watched the development of violence in NZ over say, four decades. ( I watch less and less audio-visual now, de-sensitization, bias and all that) Though, I did see an article on the right-wing allegiences of the Greek police, and how painful that is turning out for left-wing demonstrators and activists; if Greek portrays the birth place of democracy (athenian) and its denoument, then Heaven help us!
RogueT
We do need to keep an eye on heaven which we might need to help us. In fact Bracken put it in our national anthem ‘God Defend New Zealand’. We should never get puffed up with the idea that we can’t get torn apart by implacable forces and need some greater aid.
There need to be more first names released from the lock-up for men in NZ. First there seems to be too many Davids and I have recently heard David Farrier speaking, not The David Farrar.
Then there is Matthew Horton and Matthew Hooton.
I have this interest in how many men’s names are from the bible. What about going to Greek mythology, gods etc. Zeus, Hermes etc. Or more stressing strength and son of the planet stuff, Rock, Cliff, Clay? Compost even.
My middle son has always insisted that he will call his son Horus. (Pity his wife doesn’t agree!) 🙂
My youngest says his daughter will be called Storm (he has yet to meet her mother, but is confident that she will be persuaded).
Theoretically he is right, but in practice he forgets that the formats people would use to publish his call for “more speech” aren’t impartial in themselves. Facebook and twitter comments are taken from their original environment and then played with by existing forces within the mainstream media. The MSM has it’s bias and method and predestined outcome for matters, usually adhering to a particular cultural norm. Under that format, “more speech” will only ever favour one side of the equation. MSM is not a two way dialogue or a dialogue at all, it’s all statements dressed as enquiries.
So while freedom of speech is a great idea in the abstract, it runs into problems in practice and not many people have the ability to create a format or environment suitable to hearing “more speech” in the way he would like.
The next problem his request for “more speech” runs into is outlined in his story of the teen arrested for calling a police horse “gay”. This is one side of a particular line of argument that you often find LGBT, feminist and indigenous rights groups arguing: that however “normalised” a colloquial word has become, it started out as a prejudice that deeply effected, or currently effects, the lives of certain people in real and negetive terms. To hear such a word, even in passing, often raises strong emotions, from aggressive through to depressive, in the target.
For people not affected by these words to then say, let’s hear more of this without any format changes or discretion on who may speak, in the interests of working it all out, is pretty insensitive. It would be a difficult balance to meet, with the clumsy media tools we have, between those that are aware and those that aren’t and be able to recognise the malicious attacks on both sides of those who just like to fight. There’d need to be some kind of harmonic global community, with a shared language and generous portions of goodwill – otherwise known as Utopia – for it work.
The next problem with “more free speech” is that these days it is mostly considered as “freedom of unexamined opinion”. No one is obliged to think about what they say, or research the subject to the best of their ability. Choosing not to speak is hardly ever promoted, but having a critical opinion is regularly considered the highest form of communication. Expressing opinions may well be more than half the problem, but that is best solved on an individual basis. The immediacy with which anyone can publish an opinion could also contribute to the problem.
It’s too hard for my brain to give a conclusive answer. If somone handed me a pen right now and said, here, write an anti-hate speech law for us, maybe it would be something along the lines of don’t tell people, or imply, that you want them dead or oppressed, or encourage other people to kill or oppress them. Penalties for implication over open calls would vary depending on the specifics of the situation.
very wise. 🙂
it is very encouraging to have “decided” on such a “caring” “worldview”, do you think? After all, there are worse things I could do…. . Seriously though, for someone so knowledgeble, what have you determined to be a helpful “perspective” ? and do you think one could really “get in trouble” for asthetically bearing such ideas, here and now? After all, thinkers like these (loved Lacan, although a little wordy those Europeans) would be a great help in the further emancipation of our fellows, don’t you think? (or every body can just continue tearing themselves and others apart to fit the dominant hegemony / discourse?)
and a person could be in a lot worse idea company than Ecclesiastes / Solomon or Tolstoy I was thinking as I weeded.
Re Jacque Ellul, nope hadn’t come across him. Last night I had a look on online sources of his ideas. Christian Anarchist sounds like an interesting mix.
To stay in context of Rowan’s speech, I think that the issue of free speech in heavily populated and mixed culture cities is more one of crowd control than pushing for “liberty and freedom” and the inherent difficulties and impossibilities of that task.
My only experience of the police at street level in the UK was in the mid 1990’s and they appeared to me like a confident and pragmatic type: seperating parties in dispute as a first measure and not diving for arrests and displays of authority just because they could. Things may well have changed; police forces are often politicised. In Australia police can issue “move on” notices and this also seperates and neutralises situations they see getting out of control without using more resources than necessary. Here, I’ve only come across “behaviour likely to cause violence” and for that you will likely end up in court. Anyone wandering around making an ass of themselves or abusing other people is likely to attract discretionary police attention without organised groups getting worked up about “thought control”.
Top-down laws that say “thou shalt not be mean” aren’t likely to stop humans being humans and will take a few generations to become normalised at street level. Laws that say “don’t abuse people in public” won’t stop people being abused, but it may create a breathing space for certain groups of society that need it and I think that is a good progression towards offering an equal distribution of care by society’s keepers. The real problem may be centralised power and millions of people hearded together in confined areas, but that’s more difficult to address than crowd control.
Brett D Thanks for giving us this. Rowan’s speech on free speech 18/10/12. Section 5 of a Brit Act that allows people to be censured for saying anything that others ‘might’ regard as offensive (or similar). There doesn’t have to be a specific complaint for the police to act. Words like censorious, new intolerance, authoritarian were voiced by Rowan and rightly.
Yes an interesting speech on the right to express yourself freely. I particularly liked Rowan’s acknowledgement, in summary, that ‘firstly we all have to take responsibility for what we say’.
In the June 2012 quarter compared with the June 2011 quarter:
The seasonally adjusted number of filled jobs rose 1.9 percent.
The seasonally adjusted number of FTEs rose 2.0 percent.
Average ordinary time hourly earnings rose 2.9 percent.
Those docs last week that showed the whole reason behind preventing elections for ECAN was to ensure that the ‘water for cows first’ policy gets bedded in?
There is only one conclusion – they (the relevant farmers and their political lackeys) don’t care.
They don’t care that for the last dozen years or so the shit from their cows has leaked into the aquifers that supply people with their drinking water. These farmers don’t care for the people who drink that water, they only care for the $kg/butterfat.
This is evidenced by the fact that there was no pause or hesitancy in loading up the paddocks with cows. Get the herd on and bugger the consequences. That was the starting attitude.
This is also evidenced by the fact that none of these farmers are standing up and doing something about their shit in people’s drinking water. This is the continuing attitude.
I would love to be shown how this is not and has not been the attitude …………. anyone?
Not South Island example but this from Forest and Bird site
“One dairy farmer who has taken a different route to most is Jeff Williams from Manawatu, who has reduced the need for fertiliser and cut the number of cows his property carries. His methods mean he produces less milk but he is more profitable because his costs are much lower. He calls the heavy use of fertiliser and squeezing as many animals as possible on every paddock the “moron theory”.”
Further reading about this farmer’s biological approach is around.
As far as South Island, I can’t think off hand any exception to the “moron theory” not to say they don’t exist.
The rivers and streams are already polluted on the plains.. Nutrient levels set by asking the industry what they could manage are meaningless. By the time they enforce and test (years?) the system they are angling for most likely the situation will be much worse. Take more water out of the system and add more nutrient, guess what happens?
Acshually there was a report on radionz this a.m. by a doc who said that babies were at risk from high nitrates that have built up in the Christchurch water. This is dangerous for bottle fed babies and can lead to ‘ble baby syndrome’ or similar, and even death was mentioned. These annoying side effects can occur when there is too much focus on what ‘I’ want to institute that will make money for ‘me’. And ‘we’ don’t worry about how ‘they’ might be affected.
Key weaseling around the issue of his undiplomatic slur is in my opinion further insult to injury. Why doesn’t he just admit the gaffe, apologize to the thousands of people he’s offended and move on? That’s what anybody else with an iota of credibility would do. The story would soon die in a ditch, and Key could focus on what a government is meant to be doing…
While i think to ask, how has it come about that people like you (in particular) and the many other informed people who comment here know so much, about such a wide range of topics individually?
For me specifically, my interests are broad and I’ve looked into those interests by reading what’s available on the internet and in libraries. I’ve also worked in numerous industries and positions within those industries.
And why aren’t some of you people running for parliament?
Never wanted the job and, mostly I think, didn’t grow up in a politically active family. The way things are going though I may change my mind about going for the job though as it’s becoming obvious that we can’t leave the idiots that we have there in charge or nothing will change.
Personally I’ve found that blogging has vastly increased my knowledge on certain subjects, and also removed some previous misconceptions. Although I’ve never actually blogged about my particular areas of expertise, I find the blogosphere to be an effective and cheap way of increasing my knowledge about how the world works and the way people think.
As for being a politician… There’s always the problem of becoming the thing you want to change. Never underestimate the insidious effects of power and its ability to corrupt.
Someone who has a great desire to become a politician probably should be discounted. I think underestimating the insidious nature of power and its influence on our daily lives is the reason things are such a mess at the moment. The sneaky and the unscrupulous, the greedy and immoral have quietly taken over and now own democracy.
I certainly enjoy DTB commentary and some others and share many views as well as changed my views on reflection.
Debating is very important.
That was Rogue Trooper but it was OT so I moved it here.
As for being a politician… There’s always the problem of becoming the thing you want to change. Never underestimate the insidious effects of power and its ability to corrupt.
There is that problem but we really can’t leave it to those that have already been corrupted. Catch 22.
Actually, the only one that has a two term limit is the president – the rest have no such limits so a two term limit on every elected official might work but it also has one other drawback – it means we lose the experience.
Reading this blog, and appreciating it’s collective ethic of care (Habermas et al;) , which it conveys a significant portion of the time (and space), has REALLY developed my mind and established a security for the types of thinking I have always had; ya thrown into the world, dasein, which is something to be grateful for, and then the human distortions start, in your home and nuclear family first, and before long one may become a distortion distorting distortions.
Thank God for helpful thinkers, helpful ideas and helpful stories and text, and the discernment to stick to what we understand.
(I just love the revelation idea concerning The Propaganda of Man, Ellul; master that and we are getting somewhere )
I do not know if that was your intention Ad, but some things are like “the garden path”; once you have been “down” there, you can never go back!
now I better finish a book, and I really recommend The Great Partnership by Jonathan Sacks (it’s also got great bibliography)
🙂 (i’m over wasting mental energy on our “sign of the times” pm; he’s not fooling anyone but the greedy and himself; I saw them trying to soften Collins’ portrayal in the MSM recently, softer than Power was the angle)
🙂
Oh it’s as much about a basic problem with this site: on the one hand, New Zealanders are often Heideggerian in that they are so often proud of their version of dasein – having so many of their own Black Forest equivalents to wander through, in which “regioning is a gathering and a sheltering within a resting and an abiding”. Heidegger, On The Way To Language.
And yet New Zealanders are so in love with speed and travel, of which Habermas’s theory of communicative competence that strips out psychoanalytic depth is so well suited to this kind of anonymised site. Because we can be as free and fast as we like.
We are free to be regioned, free to communicate, but resolutely generally unfree to join the two by naming – naming ourselves.
So the realm of freedom gets pretty constrained pretty fast if one’s prosthetic selves stay so compartmentalised.
I used to think that there were only two types of freedom: freedom from (against constraint), and freedom to (the generous and generative capacity). But the self-willed unfreedom of anonymity points to another freedom (a kind of sweet spot between belonging and communicating). Someone will have to theorise it at some point. Ellul is too deep into his atavistic surges into old analogue space to really get this.
oscillation between anonymity and name has been practised, in situ, tabla rasa by moi, and considering the forum, was experienced as both exhile-arating and fear-arousing (but then i’m a sensitive sort of a chap), yet it was very empowering, what-ever-this-may-mean.
While looking at some of the youtube offerings I found this one of John Cleese with an instructional message for air travellers from AirNewZealand with a Hobbit theme. Watch for Peter Jackson. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_bsMGsBjWc&feature=related
An occasional interloper only, so fuff shit any and all criticism] BUT re Poik Riva
Cheers to Kate Wilkinsons who is the HONOURABLE Minsta.
Not so however Ger Brownlee or the Proim Minsta (who was going to to “whatever i takes”)
ALL have blood on their hands. At the very least, there’s one that I’d usually refer to as a pathetic silly bitch, that has the Honour to resign.
Blubber boy is running for cover, meanwhile ………… itchim sssssmetchim, goan forwid ………etc.
(The one that appeared on “BREAKFAST” this moring telling us there would be some “learnings” – After telling us all how thick as pig-shit Beckam was.
Well Jonky – hopefully the Roil Kmishun has learned ya.
And let’s hope – yea – you know what I mean………..but its all as shakey es waifa-thin.
Ooh aaaaH Jonky hes jiss septid Wilksins resnashun.
Oh well, then that makes it all ok yea?
I need to replay the video right now to try and unna Stan shhhssh itsch schmozzz ssssss itch itch setch shmuzzz roit insayn scruptiv snatcah cha cha cha…….etc to make sure I unna STAN what the Proim Minsta is actually saying. (Generally I find it easier to understand most people that are completely pissed.
Hissss schscsh smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiz truncate truncate shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwazz smiiiiizzzzzzzzzz neeeeeeeeeeese ta prove,,,,,,,,,,,,, veeeissssly un ssssssssssssssept BULL.
The one electorate seat threshold for the allocation of list seats should be abolished.
The party vote threshold should be lowered from 5% to 4%.
There should be a statutory requirement for the Electoral Commission to review the operation of the 4% party vote threshold and report to the Minister of Justice for presentation to Parliament after three general elections.
If the one electorate seat threshold is abolished, the provision for overhang seats should be abolished.
Consideration should be given to fixing the ratio of electorate seats to list seats at 60:40 to help maintain the diversity of representation and proportionality in Parliament obtained through the list seats.
Political parties should continue to have responsibility for the selection and ranking of candidates on their party lists.
Political parties should be required to give a public assurance by statutory declaration that they have complied with their rules in selecting and ranking their list candidates.
In any dispute relating to the selection of candidates for election as members of Parliament, the version of the party’s rules that should be applied is that supplied to the Commission under section 71B as at the time the dispute arose.
Candidates should continue to be able to stand both for an electorate seat and be on a party list at a general election.
List MPs should continue to be able to contest by-elections.
Jar rekin Meth Yootin kin spin this one eart on Noint Noon? I’ll bet he’s exploring all the ways possible along with a muppet called Farrar on Kwoiblog misinterpreting and spinning statistics (yea that’s roit: stat – isss-tiks) for all he’s worth
Only problem is now we have Chris Finlayson who lost his balls somewhere along the high-road/left road junction on route 69 – the Bitter Old Queen Route to Eternity.
Awake Sleepy Hobbits – or forever hold your ‘pieces’
The fact that they put Chris Finlayson on to the portfolio is a damn good thing. He is one of a small handful of seriously competent people in that Cabinet.
This is an eye-waterer about city councils posturing as biiig important financial entities from Jim Mora’s guest Dr Robert Hamlin this afternoon. This is just a taste from google heading.
Afternoons with Jim Mora: The Panel today [DCC interest rate swaps …
dunedinstadium.wordpress.com/…/afternoons-with-jim-mora-the-pan…
40 minutes ago – The two councils together may have lost up to $200 million of ratepayer funds. In Dunedin City Treasury’s case, interest swap rates may be being used to ‘assist’ … businesses and local bodies into high levels of interest ahead of those rates falling. …. DCC consolidated debt substantially more than $616m to June 30, 2012 …
Basically, bad news for anyone who is not a professional trader. The fact that banks sold these derivative products to unsuspecting people and tried to position them as a kind of ‘insurance’ is, to my mind, fraud.
Especially if they don’t inform the customer of the potential for massive losses should unexpected market movements occur.
In the US, derivative products like this were sold to unsuspecting municipal bodies and pension funds, causing massive losses to those organisations…while the banks reaped the upside on the other end of the trade.
Again I ask myself why 3 News in general and Patrick Gair in particular, are so desperately pro-Romney and against Obama? I mean, seriously, what’s in it for them?
This international report on alternative studies for young people who aren’t getting a lot from school was interesting and could shed some light on possibilities for charter schools. If only the government wasn’t setting such low teacher numbers I could be almost positive about what they could achieve.
Windows on the World
Monday 5 November: School for Entrepreneurs
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a 25-year-old initiative started in the USA which now has programmes in India, China and Saudi Arabia. It goes into schools in deprived areas and teaches entrepreneurship from the age of 12. Peter Day finds out how it works and speaks to two female alumni, one from Calcutta and one from Chicago.
Just listening to the cacophony in the neighbourhood this evening (poor dog fretting and shaking like a leaf at our side) and cannot help wondering how many school lunches and pairs of shoes and trips and other unaffordables have gone up in smoke for the sake of a good bang …
Round here the Dog doesn’t seem to mind fireworks at all. Or even register them really. Which is odd for an animal who freaks out at the sound of rain on the roof.
Exactly. My neighbours had started ‘celebrating’ with fireworks on Saturday night, so my patience was in shreds by last night.
“More money than sense” is what I kept thinking…
Better give up on sense and other “sensible” things, recommend some music, which is now mainstream anyway. So what the heck? It is not even worth mentioning. aye?
Asked at his post-Cabinet press conference whether he was homophobic, Mr Key said: “No, I’m voting for gay marriage, I’m hardly homophobic – I led the charge on it.”
Thought it was Louisa Wall who did that. Nah, turns out I was wrong.
Why not turn homo-amorphous, embrace, re-“marry”, indulge and share your “free” love full galore with Hone Key? He is desparate to be “loved”, after all that hostile treatment as of recent. I am sure, he needs a “fix”!
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Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
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A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/national-support-holds-labour-slips-in-poll-5194717
Don’t worry its just a rogue poll, everything is going to plan.
Yeah, another poll showing the opposition out polling the right. Note the desperate optimism and pisspoor mathematics in this bit of analysis:
“National would get 58 seats, add three from the Maori Party and one each from Act and United Future and the centre-right would have a majority of 63.”
A more marginally more accurate reading of NZF’s popularity totally changes the electoral outcome as well. Over 5% and Key loses control.
Agreed. A coalition government in the offing.
Still perplexing to see little recent tracking progress for Labour.
Annoying that Peters is getting up there in the Preferred PM stakes. Naturally I was pleased when he left Shipley’s government for the sale of Wellington Airport. But it’s still a shudder of instability in a government.
A relief to see Key is far less of an asset to National than previous. If he survives into a third term, his government will be as smelly as a six month old whale on a beach, and as prone to having further bits fall off. I probably wouldn’t wish that on the country.
So Labour going down and n/c for the Greens is a good thing? Relying on WinstonFirst is a good thing?
Is the election to be held tomorrow? Nope.
National have, support wise, lost half their governing majority in less than a year. Another year and they lose the other half. A year after that – oh look, election time…
Labour only need to sit tight and wait for the tide to go out on National to get back in. That’s what all the trends say.
Indeed.
But I grant you that they’d get farther, quicker, if they did more paddling themselves.
I just see no reason to give them up as lost at sea quite yet.
Fox has released an excellent video that is bound to destroy the election chances of that damned new dealer Obama and return the control of America to the very wealthy. God bless America!
what is interesting is the media coverage of thousands of people in ” the greatest city on earth” queueing for half a day on foot, or in their cars, for petrol (maybe for the ride-on mower); In large cities it appears a great deal of the population are totally enmeshed and dependent on services supplied by other concerns.
Now it’s gonna freeze over the big apple and related fruit; sorta reminds me of Moscow before glastnost.
Many on here and elsewhere have tried to defend Key’s comments re Beckham.
The simple fact is, those same people need to ask the question, What sort of person makes that sort of statement off the cuff to that sort of audience? And can they list what other country leaders would have made them.
Obama? Thatcher? Howard? Bulger? Frazer? Menzies? Rowling? …
The simple answer is none – except Joky
Hawke.
So true Logie.
Clinton
For example?
Abbott is capable of saying anything, but he’s only leader of the opposition.
Top exec and businessman speaks out against outrageous executive pay
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10845155
CV 4
This is the sort of cliche that a shallow thinker comes up with. Cliches can be handy but this situation requires more than a throw-away line. But he can’t justify his salary so the flip cliche works best. It doesn’t say much for the acumen and intelligence of Mr Holland, and yet I think it is likely to be the tone and extent of thinking of many of our CEOs. Probably psychopaths most of them, who are known for relentless self promotion, stealing any kudos that should have gone to others etc.
Since minimum wage workers are paid peanuts, minimum wage workers must be “Monkeys” QED
Good to understand how the societal logic of the elites work, isn’t it.
Interesting to see that Andrew Little is putting forward the idea that ACC should be extended to cover illnesses and disease. He also favours dropping the “fully funded” model, as it is only relevant when it is in competition with other systems.
I’m for the extension, but I’m not so sure about dumping the fully funded model.
Great to see new innovative proposals from Labour. Even if the details are not there its important to get Joe Public understanding that yes, there are real alternatives.
CV – of course there are always real alternatives to just about anything – but is Joe Public going to like them when details are spelled out?
holy shit, and i thought we had a social security system that looked after people if they became sick.
I guess instead of this, we’ve just got to introduce an insurance based model and when it’s all nicely set up we can introduce a bit’o’competition……
“holy shit, and i thought we had a social security system that looked after people if they became sick.”
No. We have a social security system that deliberately sets benefit rates below the poverty line. And of next year, all sickness beneficiaries will be deemed unemployed ie available for work unless they can prove otherwise.
I am confused, I thought it already had been!
chanced across Chris Trotters’ article on violence in the Dom at the library; very timely if you have watched the development of violence in NZ over say, four decades. ( I watch less and less audio-visual now, de-sensitization, bias and all that) Though, I did see an article on the right-wing allegiences of the Greek police, and how painful that is turning out for left-wing demonstrators and activists; if Greek portrays the birth place of democracy (athenian) and its denoument, then Heaven help us!
RogueT
We do need to keep an eye on heaven which we might need to help us. In fact Bracken put it in our national anthem ‘God Defend New Zealand’. We should never get puffed up with the idea that we can’t get torn apart by implacable forces and need some greater aid.
There need to be more first names released from the lock-up for men in NZ. First there seems to be too many Davids and I have recently heard David Farrier speaking, not The David Farrar.
Then there is Matthew Horton and Matthew Hooton.
I have this interest in how many men’s names are from the bible. What about going to Greek mythology, gods etc. Zeus, Hermes etc. Or more stressing strength and son of the planet stuff, Rock, Cliff, Clay? Compost even.
My middle son has always insisted that he will call his son Horus. (Pity his wife doesn’t agree!) 🙂
My youngest says his daughter will be called Storm (he has yet to meet her mother, but is confident that she will be persuaded).
Rowan Atkinson’s brilliant political speech.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gciegyiLYtY
Theoretically he is right, but in practice he forgets that the formats people would use to publish his call for “more speech” aren’t impartial in themselves. Facebook and twitter comments are taken from their original environment and then played with by existing forces within the mainstream media. The MSM has it’s bias and method and predestined outcome for matters, usually adhering to a particular cultural norm. Under that format, “more speech” will only ever favour one side of the equation. MSM is not a two way dialogue or a dialogue at all, it’s all statements dressed as enquiries.
So while freedom of speech is a great idea in the abstract, it runs into problems in practice and not many people have the ability to create a format or environment suitable to hearing “more speech” in the way he would like.
The next problem his request for “more speech” runs into is outlined in his story of the teen arrested for calling a police horse “gay”. This is one side of a particular line of argument that you often find LGBT, feminist and indigenous rights groups arguing: that however “normalised” a colloquial word has become, it started out as a prejudice that deeply effected, or currently effects, the lives of certain people in real and negetive terms. To hear such a word, even in passing, often raises strong emotions, from aggressive through to depressive, in the target.
For people not affected by these words to then say, let’s hear more of this without any format changes or discretion on who may speak, in the interests of working it all out, is pretty insensitive. It would be a difficult balance to meet, with the clumsy media tools we have, between those that are aware and those that aren’t and be able to recognise the malicious attacks on both sides of those who just like to fight. There’d need to be some kind of harmonic global community, with a shared language and generous portions of goodwill – otherwise known as Utopia – for it work.
The next problem with “more free speech” is that these days it is mostly considered as “freedom of unexamined opinion”. No one is obliged to think about what they say, or research the subject to the best of their ability. Choosing not to speak is hardly ever promoted, but having a critical opinion is regularly considered the highest form of communication. Expressing opinions may well be more than half the problem, but that is best solved on an individual basis. The immediacy with which anyone can publish an opinion could also contribute to the problem.
It’s too hard for my brain to give a conclusive answer. If somone handed me a pen right now and said, here, write an anti-hate speech law for us, maybe it would be something along the lines of don’t tell people, or imply, that you want them dead or oppressed, or encourage other people to kill or oppress them. Penalties for implication over open calls would vary depending on the specifics of the situation.
have ya checked out Jacque Ellul on “freedom”?
personally, this entire project of “freedom” and “liberty” appears to have been a poisoned chalice!
“God is dead but his locus has survived Him. Into that absence we now project the blueprint of freedom.” – Ernst Bloch.
Or something like that.
Bon mots to buttress up a worldview.
very wise. 🙂
it is very encouraging to have “decided” on such a “caring” “worldview”, do you think? After all, there are worse things I could do…. . Seriously though, for someone so knowledgeble, what have you determined to be a helpful “perspective” ? and do you think one could really “get in trouble” for asthetically bearing such ideas, here and now? After all, thinkers like these (loved Lacan, although a little wordy those Europeans) would be a great help in the further emancipation of our fellows, don’t you think? (or every body can just continue tearing themselves and others apart to fit the dominant hegemony / discourse?)
and a person could be in a lot worse idea company than Ecclesiastes / Solomon or Tolstoy I was thinking as I weeded.
Re Jacque Ellul, nope hadn’t come across him. Last night I had a look on online sources of his ideas. Christian Anarchist sounds like an interesting mix.
To stay in context of Rowan’s speech, I think that the issue of free speech in heavily populated and mixed culture cities is more one of crowd control than pushing for “liberty and freedom” and the inherent difficulties and impossibilities of that task.
My only experience of the police at street level in the UK was in the mid 1990’s and they appeared to me like a confident and pragmatic type: seperating parties in dispute as a first measure and not diving for arrests and displays of authority just because they could. Things may well have changed; police forces are often politicised. In Australia police can issue “move on” notices and this also seperates and neutralises situations they see getting out of control without using more resources than necessary. Here, I’ve only come across “behaviour likely to cause violence” and for that you will likely end up in court. Anyone wandering around making an ass of themselves or abusing other people is likely to attract discretionary police attention without organised groups getting worked up about “thought control”.
Top-down laws that say “thou shalt not be mean” aren’t likely to stop humans being humans and will take a few generations to become normalised at street level. Laws that say “don’t abuse people in public” won’t stop people being abused, but it may create a breathing space for certain groups of society that need it and I think that is a good progression towards offering an equal distribution of care by society’s keepers. The real problem may be centralised power and millions of people hearded together in confined areas, but that’s more difficult to address than crowd control.
Brett D Thanks for giving us this. Rowan’s speech on free speech 18/10/12. Section 5 of a Brit Act that allows people to be censured for saying anything that others ‘might’ regard as offensive (or similar). There doesn’t have to be a specific complaint for the police to act. Words like censorious, new intolerance, authoritarian were voiced by Rowan and rightly.
Yes an interesting speech on the right to express yourself freely. I particularly liked Rowan’s acknowledgement, in summary, that ‘firstly we all have to take responsibility for what we say’.
In the June 2012 quarter compared with the June 2011 quarter:
The seasonally adjusted number of filled jobs rose 1.9 percent.
The seasonally adjusted number of FTEs rose 2.0 percent.
Average ordinary time hourly earnings rose 2.9 percent.
Source http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/income-and-work/employment_and_unemployment/QuarterlyEmploymentSurvey_HOTPJun12qtr.aspx
Its all about the economy
Good thoughts to all, Ally
Those docs last week that showed the whole reason behind preventing elections for ECAN was to ensure that the ‘water for cows first’ policy gets bedded in?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/7905535/Canterbury-water-quality-poses-risks
wankers.
Yep p’s b.
There is only one conclusion – they (the relevant farmers and their political lackeys) don’t care.
They don’t care that for the last dozen years or so the shit from their cows has leaked into the aquifers that supply people with their drinking water. These farmers don’t care for the people who drink that water, they only care for the $kg/butterfat.
This is evidenced by the fact that there was no pause or hesitancy in loading up the paddocks with cows. Get the herd on and bugger the consequences. That was the starting attitude.
This is also evidenced by the fact that none of these farmers are standing up and doing something about their shit in people’s drinking water. This is the continuing attitude.
I would love to be shown how this is not and has not been the attitude …………. anyone?
Not South Island example but this from Forest and Bird site
“One dairy farmer who has taken a different route to most is Jeff Williams from Manawatu, who has reduced the need for fertiliser and cut the number of cows his property carries. His methods mean he produces less milk but he is more profitable because his costs are much lower. He calls the heavy use of fertiliser and squeezing as many animals as possible on every paddock the “moron theory”.”
Further reading about this farmer’s biological approach is around.
As far as South Island, I can’t think off hand any exception to the “moron theory” not to say they don’t exist.
The rivers and streams are already polluted on the plains.. Nutrient levels set by asking the industry what they could manage are meaningless. By the time they enforce and test (years?) the system they are angling for most likely the situation will be much worse. Take more water out of the system and add more nutrient, guess what happens?
Acshually there was a report on radionz this a.m. by a doc who said that babies were at risk from high nitrates that have built up in the Christchurch water. This is dangerous for bottle fed babies and can lead to ‘ble baby syndrome’ or similar, and even death was mentioned. These annoying side effects can occur when there is too much focus on what ‘I’ want to institute that will make money for ‘me’. And ‘we’ don’t worry about how ‘they’ might be affected.
Check out the Tait Cullen paper about External Costs of Dairy Farms in Canterbury.
Love the line in the conclusion.
“The consequences of the environmental risks of industrial agriculture are not entirely known or understood.”
I would argue social, economic and environmental risks.
Makes no odds to a corporate fascist government.
Thicker than batshit
Key weaseling around the issue of his undiplomatic slur is in my opinion further insult to injury. Why doesn’t he just admit the gaffe, apologize to the thousands of people he’s offended and move on? That’s what anybody else with an iota of credibility would do. The story would soon die in a ditch, and Key could focus on what a government is meant to be doing…
Because in his mind that’s permanently on Planet Key, he has just made an earth shattering funny.
Here on Planet Earth we all cringe.
For me specifically, my interests are broad and I’ve looked into those interests by reading what’s available on the internet and in libraries. I’ve also worked in numerous industries and positions within those industries.
Never wanted the job and, mostly I think, didn’t grow up in a politically active family. The way things are going though I may change my mind about going for the job though as it’s becoming obvious that we can’t leave the idiots that we have there in charge or nothing will change.
You’ve got my vote
Who are you replying to DTB?
Personally I’ve found that blogging has vastly increased my knowledge on certain subjects, and also removed some previous misconceptions. Although I’ve never actually blogged about my particular areas of expertise, I find the blogosphere to be an effective and cheap way of increasing my knowledge about how the world works and the way people think.
As for being a politician… There’s always the problem of becoming the thing you want to change. Never underestimate the insidious effects of power and its ability to corrupt.
Someone who has a great desire to become a politician probably should be discounted. I think underestimating the insidious nature of power and its influence on our daily lives is the reason things are such a mess at the moment. The sneaky and the unscrupulous, the greedy and immoral have quietly taken over and now own democracy.
I certainly enjoy DTB commentary and some others and share many views as well as changed my views on reflection.
Debating is very important.
That was Rogue Trooper but it was OT so I moved it here.
There is that problem but we really can’t leave it to those that have already been corrupted. Catch 22.
So give em a time limit, like America, election every four years and only 2 terms or less if you are useless.
And the US is so not corrupt…
Oh, wait…
Actually, the only one that has a two term limit is the president – the rest have no such limits so a two term limit on every elected official might work but it also has one other drawback – it means we lose the experience.
Reading this blog, and appreciating it’s collective ethic of care (Habermas et al;) , which it conveys a significant portion of the time (and space), has REALLY developed my mind and established a security for the types of thinking I have always had; ya thrown into the world, dasein, which is something to be grateful for, and then the human distortions start, in your home and nuclear family first, and before long one may become a distortion distorting distortions.
Thank God for helpful thinkers, helpful ideas and helpful stories and text, and the discernment to stick to what we understand.
(I just love the revelation idea concerning The Propaganda of Man, Ellul; master that and we are getting somewhere )
I do not know if that was your intention Ad, but some things are like “the garden path”; once you have been “down” there, you can never go back!
now I better finish a book, and I really recommend The Great Partnership by Jonathan Sacks (it’s also got great bibliography)
🙂 (i’m over wasting mental energy on our “sign of the times” pm; he’s not fooling anyone but the greedy and himself; I saw them trying to soften Collins’ portrayal in the MSM recently, softer than Power was the angle)
🙂
Oh it’s as much about a basic problem with this site: on the one hand, New Zealanders are often Heideggerian in that they are so often proud of their version of dasein – having so many of their own Black Forest equivalents to wander through, in which “regioning is a gathering and a sheltering within a resting and an abiding”. Heidegger, On The Way To Language.
And yet New Zealanders are so in love with speed and travel, of which Habermas’s theory of communicative competence that strips out psychoanalytic depth is so well suited to this kind of anonymised site. Because we can be as free and fast as we like.
We are free to be regioned, free to communicate, but resolutely generally unfree to join the two by naming – naming ourselves.
So the realm of freedom gets pretty constrained pretty fast if one’s prosthetic selves stay so compartmentalised.
I used to think that there were only two types of freedom: freedom from (against constraint), and freedom to (the generous and generative capacity). But the self-willed unfreedom of anonymity points to another freedom (a kind of sweet spot between belonging and communicating). Someone will have to theorise it at some point. Ellul is too deep into his atavistic surges into old analogue space to really get this.
oscillation between anonymity and name has been practised, in situ, tabla rasa by moi, and considering the forum, was experienced as both exhile-arating and fear-arousing (but then i’m a sensitive sort of a chap), yet it was very empowering, what-ever-this-may-mean.
I wonder if the Gnats’ are going to argue the TPPA with the USA re Kim Dotcoms’ new business venture ??
What was the bloody document meant to do for us all again ?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845253
A “funny” Gay remark from Key?? Surely not!
I warned everyone the other day that Key would be going into 24/7 dickhead mode.
It’s all he’s got left.
Now, he is really losing it!
While looking at some of the youtube offerings I found this one of John Cleese with an instructional message for air travellers from AirNewZealand with a Hobbit theme. Watch for Peter Jackson.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_bsMGsBjWc&feature=related
Don’t know where airnz went? http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/233376/air-nz-hobbit-video-draws-6-million-views
Following John Key’s lead I’m going to start using “batshit” as an all purpose word, regardless of meaning or convention.
It could be funny as batshit or it could get batshit confusing. We’ll see.
Kate Wilkinson has resigned as Labour Minister in the wake of the Pike River report
Here is a live stream of the Post-cabinet press conference
http://www.3news.co.nz/LIVE-STREAM-Post-Cabinet-press-confrence/tabid/1568/articleID/275465/Default.aspx
Wow. Kudos to Wilkinson for stepping up and being accountable. Shes gone up in my estimation, significantly.
Well, she’s shown she’s got more integrity than the Prime Minister. And unlike some of Key’s other incompetents, at least we know why she’s going.
Good to see that someone in that party still has a sense of responsibility.
An occasional interloper only, so fuff shit any and all criticism] BUT re Poik Riva
Cheers to Kate Wilkinsons who is the HONOURABLE Minsta.
Not so however Ger Brownlee or the Proim Minsta (who was going to to “whatever i takes”)
ALL have blood on their hands. At the very least, there’s one that I’d usually refer to as a pathetic silly bitch, that has the Honour to resign.
Blubber boy is running for cover, meanwhile ………… itchim sssssmetchim, goan forwid ………etc.
(The one that appeared on “BREAKFAST” this moring telling us there would be some “learnings” – After telling us all how thick as pig-shit Beckam was.
Well Jonky – hopefully the Roil Kmishun has learned ya.
And let’s hope – yea – you know what I mean………..but its all as shakey es waifa-thin.
Ooh aaaaH Jonky hes jiss septid Wilksins resnashun.
Oh well, then that makes it all ok yea?
I need to replay the video right now to try and unna Stan shhhssh itsch schmozzz ssssss itch itch setch shmuzzz roit insayn scruptiv snatcah cha cha cha…….etc to make sure I unna STAN what the Proim Minsta is actually saying. (Generally I find it easier to understand most people that are completely pissed.
Hissss schscsh smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmiz truncate truncate shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhwazz smiiiiizzzzzzzzzz neeeeeeeeeeese ta prove,,,,,,,,,,,,, veeeissssly un ssssssssssssssept BULL.
MMP Review is out (PDF).
Jar rekin Meth Yootin kin spin this one eart on Noint Noon? I’ll bet he’s exploring all the ways possible along with a muppet called Farrar on Kwoiblog misinterpreting and spinning statistics (yea that’s roit: stat – isss-tiks) for all he’s worth
Only problem is now we have Chris Finlayson who lost his balls somewhere along the high-road/left road junction on route 69 – the Bitter Old Queen Route to Eternity.
Awake Sleepy Hobbits – or forever hold your ‘pieces’
The fact that they put Chris Finlayson on to the portfolio is a damn good thing. He is one of a small handful of seriously competent people in that Cabinet.
This is an eye-waterer about city councils posturing as biiig important financial entities from Jim Mora’s guest Dr Robert Hamlin this afternoon. This is just a taste from google heading.
Afternoons with Jim Mora: The Panel today [DCC interest rate swaps …
dunedinstadium.wordpress.com/…/afternoons-with-jim-mora-the-pan…
40 minutes ago – The two councils together may have lost up to $200 million of ratepayer funds. In Dunedin City Treasury’s case, interest swap rates may be being used to ‘assist’ … businesses and local bodies into high levels of interest ahead of those rates falling. …. DCC consolidated debt substantially more than $616m to June 30, 2012 …
http://dunedinstadium.wordpress.com/2012/11/05/afternoons-with-jim-mora-the-panel-today-dcc-interest-rate-swaps/
also
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/7903907/Banks-plundering-society-globally
What is an interest rate swap?
Basically, bad news for anyone who is not a professional trader. The fact that banks sold these derivative products to unsuspecting people and tried to position them as a kind of ‘insurance’ is, to my mind, fraud.
Especially if they don’t inform the customer of the potential for massive losses should unexpected market movements occur.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interest_rate_swap
In the US, derivative products like this were sold to unsuspecting municipal bodies and pension funds, causing massive losses to those organisations…while the banks reaped the upside on the other end of the trade.
Scum.
Again I ask myself why 3 News in general and Patrick Gair in particular, are so desperately pro-Romney and against Obama? I mean, seriously, what’s in it for them?
Who owns TV3 these days?
This international report on alternative studies for young people who aren’t getting a lot from school was interesting and could shed some light on possibilities for charter schools. If only the government wasn’t setting such low teacher numbers I could be almost positive about what they could achieve.
Windows on the World
Monday 5 November: School for Entrepreneurs
The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) is a 25-year-old initiative started in the USA which now has programmes in India, China and Saudi Arabia. It goes into schools in deprived areas and teaches entrepreneurship from the age of 12. Peter Day finds out how it works and speaks to two female alumni, one from Calcutta and one from Chicago.
I meant to note that the report on young entrepreneurs was on Radionz tonight.
Just listening to the cacophony in the neighbourhood this evening (poor dog fretting and shaking like a leaf at our side) and cannot help wondering how many school lunches and pairs of shoes and trips and other unaffordables have gone up in smoke for the sake of a good bang …
4 nights in a row in my neighbourhood. I don’t mind so much tonight, but at the weekend it kept me awake when I had to get up for work the next day.
Round here the Dog doesn’t seem to mind fireworks at all. Or even register them really. Which is odd for an animal who freaks out at the sound of rain on the roof.
Exactly. My neighbours had started ‘celebrating’ with fireworks on Saturday night, so my patience was in shreds by last night.
“More money than sense” is what I kept thinking…
The shit is going down!
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/11/estuaries-shellfish-and-shit.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fRVOew2WpA&feature=fvwrel
What is all this about?
Better give up on sense and other “sensible” things, recommend some music, which is now mainstream anyway. So what the heck? It is not even worth mentioning. aye?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fRVOew2WpA&feature=fvwrel
just got a new news feed exposing that excitement is not well justified. Who can you trust and bother with now???
What a hero!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10845253
Asked at his post-Cabinet press conference whether he was homophobic, Mr Key said: “No, I’m voting for gay marriage, I’m hardly homophobic – I led the charge on it.”
Thought it was Louisa Wall who did that. Nah, turns out I was wrong.
Why not turn homo-amorphous, embrace, re-“marry”, indulge and share your “free” love full galore with Hone Key? He is desparate to be “loved”, after all that hostile treatment as of recent. I am sure, he needs a “fix”!
This guy Key is either mentally unwell or should be made to undertake a drugs test.