Open Mike 06/11/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 6th, 2018 - 180 comments
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180 comments on “Open Mike 06/11/2018 ”

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  1. SHG 1
    6 November 2018 at 12:49 am

    Careful Draco, this is a safe space, we can’t let people’s feelings be hurt

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  2. Jenny 2
    6 November 2018 at 6:19 am

    The Syrianisation of the World

    Nigerian army defends shooting protesters by citing Trump’s migrant caravan remarks
    Rick Noack – November 3, 2018

    When US President Donald Trump suggested that US service members could open fire at the thousands of migrants currently on their way to the American border, he likely wanted to reach two audiences: voters demanding a hard-line stance on immigration and the migrants making their way through Mexico.

    But his words were also heard much farther away from Washington: in Nigeria, where Trump has a higher approval rating than anywhere else in Africa. On Friday (local time), the Nigerian army took to Twitter to defend its decision open fire at Shiite protesters in the capital, Abuja – by citing Trump.

    “Please Watch and Make your Deductions,” read the tweet, which included a video clip in which Trump says: “Anybody throwing stones, rocks … we will consider that a firearm because there is not much difference.”

    Armed American militias heed Trump and head south to confront caravan

    Mary Lee Grant & Nick – November 5, 2018

    Gun-carrying civilian groups and border vigilantes have heard a call to arms in US President Donald Trump’s warnings about threats to American security posed by caravans of Central American migrants moving through Mexico.

    They’re packing coolers and tents, oiling rifles and tuning up aerial drones, with plans to form caravans of their own and trail American troops to the border.

    “We’ll observe and report, and offer aid in any way we can,” said Shannon McGauley, a bail bondsman in the Dallas suburbs who is president of the Texas Minutemen. McGauley said he was preparing to head for the Rio Grande in coming days….

    ,,,,,,,The Rio Grande is less than a mile from Metz’s living room window, and a section of border wall crosses his property. He has watched for years as border-crossers ford the river and walk onto his land, their first step on American soil. The wall has slowed the flow significantly, he said, but between 50 and 100 people a day still cross through the farm next door.

    He worries that the caravan, which includes many women and children, will surge through the area, but he doesn’t want armed vigilantes on his farm.

    “The militia just needs to stay where they are,” said Metz, a Republican. “We don’t need fanatical people. We don’t need anybody here with guns. Why do they have guns? I have dealt with illegals for 30 years, and all of them have been scared, asking for help. The militias need to stay up north where they belong. We have no use for them here. They might shoot someone or hurt someone.”….

  3. Ed 3
    6 November 2018 at 6:34 am

    Just remember corporate media – just don’t mention climate change….then it’s not happening, is it?

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/108363183/get-your-fan-out-its-about-to-get-really-hot-parts-of-nz-could-reach-30c

    • Jenny 3.1
      6 November 2018 at 6:48 am

      Was there any mention, at the Labour Party conference?

      • patricia bremner 3.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 10:18 am

        Yes. Read the speech.

      • Siobhan 3.1.2
        6 November 2018 at 11:30 am

        “James Shaw’s progress on our climate change goals, and with the ambition of New Zealand First in the mix, our plan to plant one billion trees is well under way – for those who don’t follow the tree counter as religiously as I do, we are up to 60.6 million”.

        It was at least mentioned, fair enough to have missed it though.

        And I guess we better ignore the fact that there are many people rather sceptical about the idea that the Emissions Trading Scheme is ever going to be the key to dealing with cataclysmic climate change.

        And what exactly did Jacinda mean by “and with the ambition of New Zealand First in the mix”?.

  4. Ed 4
    6 November 2018 at 6:40 am

    “In the nineteenth century, there was no superannuation or sick leave or paid holidays. People fought so hard to win those rights and now we’re glibly throwing them away.”

    “It’s time to bring employment law into the twenty-first century and ensure all employees, gig or salaried have flexible working opportunities, but also the same protections and benefits. This stops arbitrage of hard-won, and necessary, protections,”

    “If you wouldn’t wear a T-shirt made in a sweatshop,” don’t take an Uber,

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12154870

    • James 4.1
      6 November 2018 at 6:50 am

      Uber is fantastic!!!!! So much better than the old taxi model. Use it in the city all the time

      Uber eats is sadly not out our way – but whenever travelling for work I use it most nights.

      But I have no idea where my t-shirt comes from other than Rod and gun.

      • Bearded Git 4.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 7:14 am

        James without scruples? Surely not? (sarc)

      • Ed 4.1.2
        6 November 2018 at 7:15 am

        Yes James we know you don’t care.

        As long James get what James wants , he doesn’t care a hoot for others.
        Sweatshop workers, Uber drivers, Child Labourers, …..

        Of course, if James doesn’t get what he wants, he’ll throw a tantrum.

        • Draco T Bastard 4.1.2.1
          6 November 2018 at 11:07 am

          Pretty much because everything that he wants should be the price he wants to pay rather than what it actually costs.

          This is the problem with believing that the price should be what you want to pay as told us by politicians and economists.

      • Andre 4.1.3
        6 November 2018 at 8:25 am

        Lemme guess: when you’re not baiting low-self-control commenters here, you get your kicks shooting fish in a barrel.

      • s y d 4.1.4
        6 November 2018 at 10:59 am

        LOL……..Rod & Gun (sic)!
        busted

    • WeTheBleeple 4.2
      6 November 2018 at 7:27 am

      The last time I took a conventional taxi he charged $30 for a 10 minute drive. That’s 1 way Aotea Square to Westmere. The gig I did that night paid the princely sum of $40. The bus in was $2.20 (with student discount).

      Then WINZ wanted all manner of paperwork as I, a student, earned fuck all. They added the $40 to an $80 teaching gig and penalized me for the lot refusing to discount travel expenses.

      So it was not worth leaving the house if taxis were required.

      I attended Tarun Mohanbhai’s Comedy festival show Uber Funny in May this year. It was about his journey to being, and experiences as, an uber driver. Sounded like a total rort on the operators and next to no responsibility for management.

      Abandoning Uber wont help the drivers. Closer scrutiny and regulation might.

      • Ed 4.2.1
        6 November 2018 at 7:48 am

        I’m not ‘abandoning ‘ them.
        I just don’t use them.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2
        6 November 2018 at 11:10 am

        Uber is a great example of a few people getting very, very rich on the work of lots and lots of other people who don’t actually get enough from their hard work to even pay their way. It’s pure exploitation that sucks wealth and money out of the community while providing SFA.

        This is why the capitalists love it so much.

        Helping the drivers would be the government setting up similar software that NZ taxi drivers could use that paid for by taxes. This would have it so that the convenience is there for the customers but the drivers actually get to keep all their income rather than having most of it syphoned off to rich bludgers.

    • OnceWasTim 4.3
      6 November 2018 at 8:53 am

      It’s way past time to bring employment law into the 21stC – we’re 18 bloody years in!
      And one of the big issues to be dealt with is the way corporates and others try to outsource their responsibilities whilst being able to clip the ticket.
      It’s taken a change in government for the Labour Inspectorate to get off its chuff and start to take it all seriously (albeit as under-resourced as it has been, although one of its managers was assuring us all that there were sufficient inspectors not long before the last election).
      And at least we have some prepared to keep the pressure on:
      Congratulations to Teuila Fuatai of Newsroom who is not going to let one instance of it all die: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/11/05/306076/chorus-speaks-out-on-migrant-exploitation and https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/08/269274/migrant-exploitation-and-the-true-cost-of-ufb
      Then there’s the so-called “independent contractors” who are actually DEPENDENT courier drivers. The corporates have shunted their costs onto the subcontractor and bound them through contracts that should (if they are not already) be illegal.

      Again, it’s all been working as designed over the past decade.
      What we should be asking is
      – how long is it going to be before the bloody big shakeup taht’s quite obviously necessary, and
      – are the ticket clippers going to be held to account, or will it be another Wellington wet bus ticket approach which will simply result in quite a few being tempted to try it all on again

      • gsays 4.3.1
        6 November 2018 at 9:13 am

        In regards to the truckies/couriers, John Campbell started looking at this just before he left RNZ.
        It would be good if someone followed up on the traction gained.

        A similar dodgy practice is construction firms having their apprentices as sub contractors.

        • patricia bremner 4.3.1.1
          6 November 2018 at 9:41 am

          Businesses with all workers as subcontractors. We need more inspectors with teeth and the ability to enforce orders.

        • OnceWasTim 4.3.1.2
          6 November 2018 at 9:50 am

          Yep @ gsays. I doubt John Campbell will leave it to die. And there are others who I think will try and keep it all alive. (Laura Toupu? from RNZ appears to have left and gone to New Shub, and there are others such as Michael Morrah, Gil Bonnett scattered around the place).
          What we (lil ole yeah/nah Nu Zull) did was create a structure and policies which NORMALISED exploitation in the workplace. Passing on costs and driving down wages to small self-employed – often immigrants not entitled to any state benefits (income support, medical support, child care et al), and often so that the only way they could survive and recover from their indebtedness was to rip others off.

          (I’ll try and find a link, but several weeks ago – either on NinetoNoon or Saturday, there was a review/author interview of a book I think – whereby an immigrant was confessing to sins he’d never have taken part in till he came here and tried to survive)

          I know there are some in here that hold the view that we can’t save the world and that now we’ve created this situation, we should just boot ’em out and start again. My view is that if we don’t take responsibility for the past structure and policies we’re just setting ourselves up for it all to happen again, and as we do, we descend into the 3rd World.
          And the worst part about it all is that once the indebted get themselves out of the shit (often through exploitative practices), they’re tempted towards the greedy, just like a lot of others.

          NZ had a duty to properly resource agencies such as NZQA, and INZ, and the Labour Inspectorate, AND have them do their fucking job ethically and competently. The good thing is, there are signs they’re getting the message.

          • gsays 4.3.1.2.1
            6 November 2018 at 11:16 am

            As we embraced the rogernomics, so can we formulate and embrace another revolution.
            Especially with kindness as one of its central themes.
            Sharing needs to be at the core too.
            Get profit out of the money system, have the state issue $s.

            Take the profit out of landlording.

            Part of the frustration I sense here on TS is that with this government the key people and ingredients are in place.
            Winnie who has said neo liberalism has failed and must go, a mother Premiere who has repeated kindness as a motto, and a populace young and old ready for radical change.

      • SaveNZ 4.3.2
        6 November 2018 at 10:51 am

        The Uber-economy f**ks us all: How “permalancers” and “sharer” gigs gut the middle class
        The “sharing” economy sounds groovy: politically neutral, anti-consumerist. Wait until it comes for your job

        https://www.salon.com/2015/10/31/the_uber_economy_fks_us_all_how_permalancers_and_sharer_gigs_guts_the_middle_class/

        • SaveNZ 4.3.2.1
          6 November 2018 at 11:10 am

          They said education and hard work would set you free, maybe not …award winning qualified people are now scrabbling around to make ends meet as wages are no longer enough or secure enough to survive on …

          ‘Frederic Larson enjoyed a successful 30-year career as a staff photographer with the San Francisco Chronicle, during which time he won numerous awards, including being a Pulitzer Prize finalist. As Forbes reports, he was downsized during the recession, and needing income he “monetized his assets.” He turned his house into an Airbnb hotel and his spiffy Prius into a Lyft taxi. Now for 12 nights a month—40% of his life—he shutters himself in a rabbit hole inside his own home and showers at the local gym while complete strangers have the run of his place. This award-winning professional photographer has been turned into an innkeeper in his own home and a taxi driver in his own car.’

          https://www.salon.com/2015/12/29/the_sharing_economy_partner/

          P>S> That seems to be the future of NZ, but be aware, a friend of mine from Eastern Europe once said there is saying in their country.

          “we pretend to work and they pretend to pay us”

          Might explain NZ productivity levels.

          So is the government’s end game that our wages are so out of line with expenses, that a professional like a teacher does a 8 hour day, then goes home and does a few uber hours to make ends meet, while staying at friends while they rent out their house for a few extra dollars, just to pay for escalating power, housing, rates, insurance, water, food etc costs…. as their job no longer keeps pace with that.

          meanwhile our councils are increasing rates, extra charges and petrol taxes, while spending it on Stadiums and Billion dollar yacht races…? and extra charges, don’t forget they fully want to extract that share of that ‘shared’ economy https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/363069/airbnb-hosts-angered-by-auckland-council-s-bed-tax

          Funny enough, polluting cruise ships are exempt from the paltry tourist taxes though, nice to be a multinational probably domiciled in a tax haven, and have the locals picking up the tab all the time!

          Go figure that one out.

      • Draco T Bastard 4.3.3
        6 November 2018 at 12:04 pm

        And one of the big issues to be dealt with is the way corporates and others try to outsource their responsibilities whilst being able to clip the ticket.

        Yes, the corporates and other businesses loved it when 20th century employment laws were taken back to the 19th century. National was, and is still trying, to take those laws even further back to produce more poverty so that the rich can be richer and more powerful.

        Then there’s the so-called “independent contractors” who are actually DEPENDENT courier drivers. The corporates have shunted their costs onto the subcontractor and bound them through contracts that should (if they are not already) be illegal.

        When I first went to Otago uni I looked for work at a labour temping agency. One of the clauses pretty much prevented me from even looking for work if I’d signed the contract as it prevented me from accepting work from any of the employers in the region who’d used the labour agency.

        Completely against anything that could be considered a ‘free-labour market’ as it purposefully constrained what the employee could do.

        • WeTheBleeple 4.3.3.1
          6 November 2018 at 2:08 pm

          “pretty much prevented me from even looking for work if I’d signed the contract”

          This behavior is or was prevalent in a lot of comedy clubs in the UK 2000’s

          Which went something along the lines of, if you do a gig here you can’t play other clubs within x time or x distance or both. Some of them probably still try this crap on. Like they think they own you if they hire you.

          Looking at full time jobs today to see what it’s like. Many ask for people who are ‘flexible with hours’ – for ‘working weekends and overtime’. So not enough work or way too much is at their discretion really. They think they own your whole life. I’ve worked for A’holes like this they don’t give a shit about you or your own commitments. Flexibility means be my bitch. And the call for ‘flexibility’ is more common than not.

          Employers whinge cos they can’t get good people. Anyone with half a clue, and the slightest choice, would reject that shit.

          If you want good people be good people, you twats.

          • OnceWasTim 4.3.3.1.1
            6 November 2018 at 2:34 pm

            “If you want good people be good people, you twats”
            Ae!
            It probably still hasn’t dawned on the gNats yet though, or indeed one or two public servants who were angling to set up some kind of Peter Dutton type Border Force with spots on a Joolie Krusty reality TV show.
            And Thompson and Clark are probably still pondering the size of their dicks in the realisation they weren’t as big as they imagined.

    • AB 4.4
      6 November 2018 at 11:04 am

      Deny Uber any IP protection for their apps etc. due to their bad behaviour.
      Encourage the drivers to form driver-cooperatives and the like using the same technology.
      Exploitative, globalised ticket-clipping because you happen to have invented some shitty little app is a grotesquely disproportionate reward.

  5. Morrissey 5
    6 November 2018 at 7:21 am

    National’s Nice Cop, Nasty Cop routine: Paula “Snitch” Bennett,
    assisted by Sidekick Simon, goes after Jami-Lee Ross
    Monday, Nov. 5, 2018

    This is a real, unbowdlerized, transcript of that infamous conversation…..

    JAMI-LEE ROSS: So it would be for medical reasons?

    PAULA BENNETT: If THAT’s what you want. So you either—I think either medical or family’s your best option.

    JAMI-LEE ROSS: Medical’s TRUU-U-UE.

    SIMON BRIDGES: Yeah.

    PAULA BENNETT: If that’s—

    SIMON BRIDGES: Yeah. No that’s RIGHT. That’s RIGHT.

    PAULA BENNETT: And—

    SIMON BRIDGES: There’s no SHAME in that.

    PAULA BENNETT: No. And it mee-e-eans that everyone will back OFF you too – the media and all that sort of stuff. Which I think’s important. …. Just SUCH the lightest option we possibly can in the light of what we’ve got in front of us. And it’s out of respect to the girls.

    JAMI-LEE ROSS: You haven’t even TOLD me what I’ve supposedly done. I don’t even KNOW.

    PAULA BENNETT: Simon told you ALL ABOUT the disloyalty stuff, Jami-Le-e-ee, and quite frankly if that was put to caucus, that would be enough.

    JAMI-LEE ROSS: The stuff around harassing STAFF, which I reject, that is the worst, ‘cos, and I don’t even know what that IS.

    PAULA BENNETT: Well you DO know what the disloyalty stuff is, and that’s been put to you really clearly, and if that was put to caucus, that would be enough.

    JAMI-LEE ROSS: [exasperated sigh]

    PAULA BENNETT: You know? We are trying to give you the LIGHTEST POSSIBLE, um, way out of this.

    SIMON BRIDGES: ‘Cos when we’re finished, Jami-Lee, we can get through it. And you can get through it. And you can come out the other side if your attitude, um, after the time out is, is GOOD and POSITIVE, and you can be promoted again. …. I give you my one HUNDRED percent assurance that if you go with the statement along the lines we’ve talked about, I will NEVER badmouth you in relation to this – privately, publicly, in background, off the record in any way. I will do everything within my power to keep the things we talked about last week out of the public [inaudible]. I will do everything.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/11/new-leaked-recording-suggests-simon-bridges-paula-bennett-planned-jami-lee-ross-cover-up.html

  7. Incognito 7
    6 November 2018 at 7:32 am

    A deep insight into mental illness by journalist Virginia Winder who talks about her journey with bipolar disorder.

    I don’t want your sympathy or pity. I want your empathy and understanding. [her husband’s words]

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/107864708/this-is-a-story-about-how-to-save-your-own-life

    In this context, it is appropriate to quote from I Am a Strange Loop, a book by Douglas Hofstadter:

    In the end, we are self-perceiving, self-inventing, locked-in mirages that are little miracles of self-reference.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Am_a_Strange_Loop

    • patricia bremner 7.1
      6 November 2018 at 9:44 am

      Thank you Incognito. Real food for thought. JLR has been used imo. He is fighting back.

      • Antoine 7.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 11:10 am

        I find it bizarre that JLR is becoming the new darling of the left

        A.

        • ankerawshark 7.1.1.1
          6 November 2018 at 11:16 am

          Hi Antoine, JLR has not become a darling in my eyes, but more a symptom of all that lies beneath in the National party. I am glad its surfacing through him. Again I am unsure of his motivations, what really happened with the women. (we have seen text evidence of behaviour from one of the women he had an affair with though.

          I wish anyone suffering from a mental illness all the very best in their recovery.

          Oh yes and I do have a small amount of sympathy for Bridges……………..just a very small amount.

          Its too early to tell if JLR is a geniune whistle blower or just seeking revenge. Or maybe a bit of both

        • patricia bremner 7.1.1.2
          6 November 2018 at 12:13 pm

          No, not at all. Just used and abused.

          • patricia bremner 7.1.1.2.1
            7 November 2018 at 1:07 am

            This was to Antoine

            • Antoine 7.1.1.2.1.1
              7 November 2018 at 1:56 am

              I believe it in your case but I think others are starting to see him as a martyr. Remember the enemy of your enemy is not your friend. Shades of Kim dot com
              A.

        • Naki man 7.1.1.3
          6 November 2018 at 2:55 pm

          “I find it bizarre that JLR is becoming the new darling of the left”

          Yep JLR is a delusional sleaze bag, It shows how one eyed many on the left are when suddenly they become a fanboy of low-lifes like Ross and Slater.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.4
          7 November 2018 at 12:36 am

          Except that he hasn’t.

          What he has shown is the corruption that is inherent in the National Party.

      • JC 7.1.2
        6 November 2018 at 12:12 pm

        Despite all the noise, numerous allegations and speculation…. from what I heard of the tape, JLR clearly sounded di/stressed!

        And as MS rightly pointed out in his Post yesterday; “It is noteworthy that the allegations only came out publicly when National decided to counterattack after Ross’s stand up conference in Parliament.

        Ross’s mental health was not a significant consideration for them at that time.” (or at anytime!)

        Clearly Bridges and Bennett’s behaviour was totally abhorrent!

        abhorrent
        /əbˈhɒr(ə)nt/
        adjective
        inspiring disgust and loathing; repugnant.

        synonyms: detestable, detested, hateful, hated, loathsome, loathed, despicable, despised, abominable, abominated, execrable, execrated, repellent, repugnant, repulsive, revolting, disgusting, distasteful, horrible, horrid, horrifying, awful, heinous, reprehensible, obnoxious, odious, nauseating, offensive, contemptible

        Just like the 9 years of their tenure

        As above!

  8. marty mars 8
    6 November 2018 at 7:35 am

    So OUR commons turned over so individuals can earn more profit. Water is our life and you farmer-capitalists are abusing that resource. Shame on them and the day of reckoning is coming, of that I have no doubt.

    A controversial Mackenzie Basin high country station can now turn the irrigators on over a chunk of it – but the situation could have been different if it had applied for consents later, according to Environment Canterbury.

    ECan put out a statement on Monday to announce Simons Pass Station could begin irrigating a portion of its land on either side of State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie Basin.

    The area covers 700ha of the 9700ha station, but Simons Pass wants to irrigate up to 4500ha – and has the ECan-issued water consents required for that area…

    … However, Greenpeace’s agriculture spokesperson Gen Toop said allowing the station to turn on the irrigators was a particularly bad decision because it granted consent without the station even undertaking a baseline ecological survey of the dryland area.

    “The irrigators should never be allowed to be turned on,” Toop said.

    “It’s an infuriating decision. What we see here is ECan not even following its own rules designed to minimise the impact of conversions in ecologically fragile environments. They’ve just ignored them.”

    Toop said it was time for the Government to step in and provide stronger rules for land use in sensitive areas.

    “Something has to be done. ECan has served the interest of the irrigation and dairy industries for the last eight years,” she said.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/108361446/greenpeace-lashes-out-at-infuriating-irrigation-decision-in-mackenzie

  9. Nic the NZer 9
    6 November 2018 at 7:59 am

    https://larspsyll.wordpress.com/2018/11/04/solow-on-the-non-existence-of-a-natural-rate-of-unemployment/

    Robert Solow explains that NZs main economic policy initiative for several decades (the OCR and inflation targeting) is based on fiction.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      6 November 2018 at 1:09 pm

      As far as I can make out, the entire capitalist edifice that the politicians and most economists promote is complete bollocks. It’s all based upon false assumptions about human behaviour, drives and economics.

  10. SaveNZ 10
    6 November 2018 at 8:16 am

    Notice Granny is still promoting the deal where rich individuals get free public land worth billions in return for a white elephant Stadium that nobody wants and the poorer folks have no access too aka paid events, even if they could afford the petrol to come into the city centre.

    Note any buildings built on wharves cost 7 times more in maintenance, probably more these days.

    So not only is there a white elephant Stadium that is being pushed as an agenda that nobody wants, but if it even got built, even BEFORE global warming, it is going to cost 7 times more at least to maintain than MT Eden.

    So work harder people, Auckland council is going to need a lot more rates in the future, as we all know money is no object to them.

    Auckland council might soon be running a city that has no teachers or Doctors or Police, but full of empty spec homes…and the working poor sleeping in the parks and cars..

    But who cares, a few individuals have make a killing developing in MT Eden with free billion dollar land. Now that is capitalism!

    • Johnr 10.1
      6 November 2018 at 8:32 am

      Too true,
      This council is fixated on every facility and business being in the CBD, at our expense. It is time that they reversed this philosophy and took the facility’s and jobs to the people in the form of satellite towns. It makes no sense to keep shifting people and goods into an ever increasingly populated area until it freezes from lack of maneuverability.
      Also with our record of constructing leaky buildings any building at the mercy of the sea would appear to be an extremely risky venture

    • Chris T 10.2
      6 November 2018 at 9:12 am

      “Note any buildings built on wharves cost 7 times more in maintenance, probably more these days.”

      This I find difficult to believe

      “Stadium that nobody wants”
      “pushed as an agenda that nobody wants”

      While I don’t live in Auckland so care very little, I think you might be slightly thinking everyone else agrees with you and those you hang out with, when they probably don’t

      • SaveNZ 10.2.1
        6 November 2018 at 9:31 am

        Yes, Chris T you don’t live in Auckland and therefore have few insights into what people want here, and the last thing on anyone’s minds is wasting money on a white elephant stadium after all the other stupid ideas put upon us like the Supercity.

        And yep do some checks and you will find wharf buildings cost 7x more in maintenance and that is before global warming and an idea to sink the stadium into the sea. Costs a lot more to maintain infrastructure underwater, go figure!

        I think that a better idea for the Stadium is private practise own it, pay to build it, pay for the land and run it, independent of the council and pay for the maintenance off their ticket sales but we all know that won’t happen because the stadium is going to generate huge costs to the taxpayers and ratepayers and on going loses and private practise want the taxpayers to pay for it. Oh and don’t steal the harbour to do it.

        A stadium is great for all those offshore luxury waterfront hotels, probably less fun for the residents of Auckland who live in the centre and a big headache for anyone struggling in Auckland, on a fixed income, or who have just been hit with a petrol tax and higher rates (or rents).

        We have sewerage going into the harbour, massive congestion, housing inequity, full hospitals and schools, but the Stadium is where the granny headlines and the council is focused on.

      • Gabby 10.2.2
        6 November 2018 at 6:20 pm

        Is an underwater stadium a good idea christy?

    • gsays 10.3
      6 November 2018 at 9:16 am

      FWIW, the caketin in Wellys is a great regional asset.

      • Bearded Git 10.3.1
        6 November 2018 at 9:41 am

        Shoulda put a roof on it…

        • greywarshark 10.3.1.1
          6 November 2018 at 10:00 am

          Did they thinh it needed a cap on the cost?

          Could stadiums be built in two stages? First get a roof-ready bunch of walls and facilities up, then add a roof – of some sort. In Wellington it would have to withstand regular strong winds. A retractable one then? A canvas one that wouldn’t be a huge loss if torn to ribbons and could be replaced? Something that wouldn’t turn into a flying weapon?

      • mauī 10.3.2
        6 November 2018 at 10:21 am

        It’s ok. The caketin is what happens when you compromise and end up with something that doesn’t really suit anyone. Athletic Park was much better to watch footy at.

        They should have built a rectangular stadium on the waterfront as 80% of sport played at the stadium is on a rectangular field. Then built a large stand at the Basin to increase capacity and there might have been some money leftover to start getting Light Rail to the Basin built.

        • gsays 10.3.2.1
          6 November 2018 at 10:56 am

          I don’t think I caught a game at Athletic park. Although I have heard Keith Quinn recall the south stand move in one of the local breezes.
          As an outsider, I probably couldn’t tell you how to get there.

          Have seen several rugby games there, including Jonah’s last hurricanes game. There isn’t a bad seat in the house.

          Coming from the provinces, it’s great.
          Drive to Raumati, get on the train, day in Wellys, footy, then train back up the line then home.

          I get there are impacts on rate bills, but with a bit of imagination this can be ameliorated. E.g. $1 a ticket for the first 5years goes to the stadium.
          Perhaps they could sell the tickets out of the stadium, because there seems to be some fat in the prices ticketec, ticketmaster charge for their services.

    • Janet 10.4
      6 November 2018 at 10:23 am

      It is a total lack of common sense to build yet another public building that will focus thousand of people into the smallest, narrowest part of New Zealand. An area already congested with other public buildings such as the university which already pulls 20,000 people into the same space.
      For the same reason the port should not be developed any further either. The sea front of central Auckland should become a beautiful public recreational seafront for all to enjoy.
      Get real !

      • SaveNZ 10.4.1
        6 November 2018 at 10:40 am

        Well it seems money does not buy brain power or common sense… apparently approx 50% of the rates money is spend on paying themselves…

        Auckland Council wages bill nearing $1 billion
        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12142579

      • Cinny 10.4.2
        6 November 2018 at 11:14 am

        Lived in Auckland for a number of years, including post and prior Americas Cup.

        That new development proposed sounds epic. Am imagining a type of ‘south bank brisbane’, now that would be wonderful for Auckland city.

        The Auckland waterfront should be developed for all to enjoy.

        Build a stadium somewhere else.

        • Carolyn_Nth 10.4.2.1
          6 November 2018 at 12:04 pm

          I also totally disagree with the privatisation of the Auckland waterfront (I live in Auckland). And with the current approach to centralising all the city’s main events and corporate activities.

          I love the idea of an Auckland version of Brisbane’s south bank as a people’s location for enjoying the waterfront.

  11. mauī 11
    6 November 2018 at 8:16 am

    Mother Agnes Mariam de la Croix wades into the Syria debate and talks about the phony White Helmets and Russia’s helpful contributions. Thank you Mother Superior.

    • joe90 11.1
      6 November 2018 at 9:56 am

      Oh look, another apologist for the Assad regimes war crimes.

      I've informed organizers of @STWuk that I will not participate in their conference if Mother Agnes is on the platform.— jeremy scahill (@jeremyscahill) November 15, 2013

      https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

      • Bill 11.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 11:23 am

        ?

        A tweet from 2013 that came off the back of a campaign mounted by Pulse media – known liberal interventionists.

        She withdrew from the conference. Jones later said he withdrew on the basis that Scahill had withdrawn.

        Now, maybe Mother Agnes is the evil critter that Pulse Media say she is (conspiring in the murder of journalists and refugees). Or then again….

  12. greywarshark 12
    6 November 2018 at 9:55 am

    The AMP demutualised some decades ago. Now it is getting out of life insurance and other things and has sold much of its business to a ‘closed book ‘ investor that apparently will just manage the present policies.

    Is NZ getting uninsurable? As Ryan asked is it the growing numbers of people who won’t die (of course she didn’t use such stark description), also the earthquake and other risks we face, make us hard to quantify for insurance businesses? There was a mention that we are the second riskiest country in the world.

    I think this move will bring an important matter to our attention. All thinking people who visit this blog should listen to this interview and get a worms eye view of what is going on. Later we can aim for a birds eye view but we need to investigate the ground situation of insurance here and what we will need to do.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018669955/impact-of-amp-s-life-insurance-exit

    Something mentioned was that young people are not taking out insurance. That would fit in with the lack of care that many take as they go blindly or optimistically on their way as can be noticed when crossing roads. No look right or left, just step out with your eyes on your Device and whoosh for real.

    I’m thinking of hard times earlier when often unions formed welfare societies which have been declining in NZ. This is in line with the idea that we didn’t need these any more as we had a welfare state, and had trustable commitment from government to provide a helpful environment for all citizens and to extend this to those in need. ACC was started under this mindset. And as a rather somnolent accepting society, we have been slow to complain about a decline from this, slow to feel concern even outrage on behalf of other people being badly treated, and of course the decline spreads like a creeping bindweed.

    Start looking at deliberately forming local groups that assist in a practical way that are funded from locals for locals, and let us start having education sessions on how to manage our society, making the point that Margaret Thatcher and her ilk were talking ideological BS when saying ‘there is no such thing as society’. Also how to protect ourselves, where needed, what our vision is. Because without that there won’t be time to form a vision, it will be just inadequate immediate disaster relief, and repeat.

    • gsays 12.1
      6 November 2018 at 11:05 am

      Right with you on the local organising.
      I assume it is an Amish way, insurance comes from community, someones house, barn burns down, the community rebuilds it.

      Your mention of unions reminds me of what we have lost.
      My father had a massive stroke at work. He didn’t recover.
      Two men knocked on my mother’s door, gave her an envelope.
      It was enough for Dads funeral expenses and a little bit more.

      • patricia bremner 12.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 12:32 pm

        Gsays, yes communities where unions were strong helped in bad times. Often it was union money plus a “whip round” with the hat, to top it up. I have always wondered what was done for the families of those forestry workers killed on the job. No union no rights.

      • greywarshark 12.1.2
        6 November 2018 at 12:54 pm

        The Amish are a cult and it is always dangerous to look at cults as the way to go, though their integrated community helping each other is probably what we need. I understand rural people mid 20th century in some areas of NZ could be a good template for what we need now. Their communal barn raising practice is a good symbol of what could be accomplished with more friendly cohesion.

        The Mafia grew cult-like out of a poverty stricken area. The Exclusive Brethren are an example of a tightly bound group, and perhaps some of the Maori gangs are also tightly bound.

        But cults or gangs or clans are cohesive and want to hold together. The best ones look out for each other, and that is what i thought we had in NZ but apparently no. And it seems to me that once people get comfortable they get bound up in wealth and its enjoyment and the past of striving is dismissed as another world. So my simple ideas that people would put into community some of what they had and the more they had, the more they could and would give; that is the remainder of a child’s idea.

        Community and commitment both start the same way, and are fixed in partnership. So we should keep talking about that, while the sleek predators look to see what they can get hold of and use up majorly for their own benefit.
        The clever predator will offer some deal to the community, but they need to check out net gains and look for fish hooks. And sometimes those who would be the most beneficial get overlooked in favour of another idea group which looks better until you unpick it and see the tell-tale lack of commitment to all the people.

        • gsays 12.1.2.1
          6 November 2018 at 2:11 pm

          I know of two small communities that are organising in case TSHTF.
          Asking my friend who is a senior chappie in one of them, ‘post ‘Shit going down’ will you greet a stranger with a hug or a gun?’
          He responded that a gun would be the first step back towards this mess we are in now.

          • greywarshark 12.1.2.1.1
            6 November 2018 at 3:14 pm

            The best thing would be to start doing something now before the mess we are in now becomes overwhelming.

            I keep being drawn back to John Wyndham’s journey in The Day of the Triffids in which he has the man go from his convalescence in hospital to a temporary sanctuary in a distant rural area, along with a sighted woman partner he rescued from a bunch of blind thugs, and the remaining child of two whose parents, and her brother had been killed by the dangerous triffids. Then with his partner and the teenage girl, they join with a blind pair whose farm they have found sanctuary on, and escape from a dictatorship that has assumed the role of government by the use of arms, outwitting them. They go to an island group that has formed a civilised community which can defend itself and manage to wipe out the triffids there.

            But on the way he stops at a large farm that has tried to take in everyone who arrives and is having trouble helping and feeding everyone. A disease spreads quickly and all the able-bodied flee, leaving the man who is a newcomer. He finds a girl still alive who talks to him knowing she is dying and wishes him well. He helps when she asks him for some sleeping tablets and water so she can take her own life when she wishes. There isn’t much he can do as an individual, most others he comes across have joined into the armed dictatorship run by a few hard men using force. He travels on towards an area where he thinks his partner has gone, offers friendship to the girl and they go on with patient determination and wise decision making till they find his partner.

            It is rather along the lines of some USA films being made about dislocated people, with zombies rather than triffids as a menace. In them there are problems of food, relationships, trust, guns, wariness and privation. To have food it takes at least a month to grow anything, and whether there is anything that can be utilised like wild plants, berries, meat and fish and simple medications (I believe dock plants are useful), keeping alive would be a problem. I would rather we gathered ourselves together now rather than have to face the hard situations forced on us when resources run out.

            I feel that guns and revolution are a last resort. But that trying to be both kind and practical as a guideline will enable people to enjoy a limited life compared to what we have been used to. And we may be able to conserve some of the things we have, think of ways to manage things we can’t influence or control. And I think of Dylan Thomas – he’s enigmatic and so is our future. Rage against the dying of the night, will keep us appreciating each other and our wonderful world, so much taken for granted.
            Do not go gentle into that good night.
            (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2cgcx-GJTQ

            • gsays 12.1.2.1.1.1
              6 November 2018 at 6:22 pm

              I have a vague memory of day of the triffids movie from my youth.

              Your synopsis reminds me of Cormac McCarthy’s The Road.
              A very grim affair.

              • greywarshark …
                6 November 2018 at 6:30 pm

                It doesn’t feel grim, as the protagonist manages to solve problems and becomes part of a band of strong-minded, capable, practical people as a little family and they have hope for the future, and are inventive as to how to manage. The young man is not a drug addict or alcoholic, and is able to plan and imagine the outcomes of different scenarios and is capable, a hard worker and kind, brave, honest and true. Too nice to be a human really. /sarc

        • patricia bremner 12.1.2.2
          6 November 2018 at 5:49 pm

          true.. happening in Island communities with Chinese money.

      • Draco T Bastard 12.1.3
        6 November 2018 at 1:25 pm

        insurance comes from community, someones house, barn burns down, the community rebuilds it.

        The community is the insurance.

        But, of course, if it’s done that way then the capitalists can’t make a profit from doing nothing.

    • marty mars 13.1
      6 November 2018 at 12:38 pm

      RIP Tama.

      So evocative that tune.

      So gut thumping that movie.

      • joe90 13.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 12:53 pm

        A few years ago I saw Tama, Dilworth Karaka and Tama Lundon unplugged at the Whanagnui Opera house.

        Their set list, harmonies and innate showmanship, Tama’s guitar antics, the opera house acoustics and the crowd made it probably the best show I’d been to since the pub rock events of my youth.

  14. patricia bremner 14
    6 November 2018 at 10:01 am

    Did anyone consider Jane Pattison’s article NZ Herald on the NZ Labour Conference contrived.

    My reaction was Jane wanted to “minimize any impact through faint praise and suggested problems”

    Some aspects. “Locked down” “Empty seats” “No fanfare” “No mention of Helen Clarke” “Journalists not allowed to see divisions or blood on the floor during discussions” “One good idea approved by the people”

    Jane did you go to the same conference as Micky and Te Reo Putake? You needed to remove your blue tinted glasses.

  15. esoteric pineapples 15
    6 November 2018 at 10:02 am

    I was just reading a column by Chris Trotter in which he says the Labour Caucus no longer has to comply with the party manifesto after last weekend’s conference but he doesn’t give any links and I can’t find anything on Google. Does anyone have a suitable link about this?

    • te reo putake 15.1
      6 November 2018 at 10:12 am

      Conference endorsed this change. It’s to allow for flexibility in coalition talks. It’s not a free pass to ignore the manifesto, rather it lets the leadership make practical compromises when forming a Government.

      • patricia bremner 15.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 10:31 am

        So Trotter is exaggerating? again?

        • te reo putake 15.1.1.1
          6 November 2018 at 10:35 am

          Not sure, haven’t read his article. It wasn’t controversial at conference and it would be a shame if Trotter is trying to distort the intention.

          • Dennis Frank 15.1.1.1.1
            6 November 2018 at 11:39 am

            I suggest you do read it, as he deftly connects the event to the last LP conference in Dunedin 30 years ago. I’m often critical of his analyses but this essay lacks any flaw to pounce on, so 9/10. Didn’t see distortion but I’ll leave that judgment to others, here’s the relevant paragraph plus the prior to provide context (literary afficionados may find the shakespearean mythos subtext insufficiently subtle):

            ” What Harman doesn’t say is that the only reason such political legerdemain is even possible is because Jacinda Ardern is such an extraordinary electoral asset. Single-handed, she has resurrected Labour’s morale; refilled her coffers, boosted her membership, and filled her activist base with confidence and delight. Her “relentlessly positive” personality is like a powerful spotlight, illuminating brilliantly that little part of Labour’s stage upon which she sits and smiles. Meanwhile, in the darkness her brilliance does so much to render impenetrable, the party leadership does all within its power to render a genuine shift to the left impossible.”

            “It is fitting, in a way, that the decision to free the caucus from its crucial constitutional obligation to uphold the party’s manifesto – its policy platform – was taken in Dunedin. Justified as a practical and necessary concession to the exigencies of MMP, it nevertheless severs the last of the ties that bind the parliamentary wing to the party organisation. The caucus is now officially “Corbyn proof”. Thirty years after stabbing her in the back, the centrists have finally summoned-up the courage to drive the dagger of pragmatism deep into Labour’s democratic-socialist heart.”

            http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2018/11/labours-dunedin-conference-returning-to.html

            • Stuart Munro 15.1.1.1.1.1
              6 November 2018 at 5:08 pm

              I guess Trotter’s going through the depressive part of his cycle.

              True democracy can barely be practiced by contemporary parties. The ‘gotcha’ media hang on every word, and are as likely to go downtown on a policy discussion as the Exclusive Brethren were to sabotage Jeanette Fitzsimons awhile back.

              Parties have to nut out policy in camera, not on camera, and the best that we can hope of them is a sincere effort to serve our interests, neither a simple kowtowing to the nonsensus of public opinion, nor an avid pursuit of possible funders.

              An ideal democratic party will not follow public opinion, it will try to anticipate it, in the same way an astute business anticipates customer needs and desires. At this stage in the electoral cycle, while the horrors of National misrule are fresh in people’s minds, and the coalition have few or none of their own, it’s not so hard.

              Let them lose touch with people though, and like entropy, the Gnats, in some form will be there, carrying out their role as decomposers, preparing the soil for the next round of growth.

    • Carolyn_Nth 15.2
      6 November 2018 at 11:59 am

      I have no knowledge of the actual remit. However, I do agree with the general thrust of Trotter’s post.

      My understanding is that Labour Party conference remits in the past, may or may not be picked up in total by the caucus. It does sound like this latest agreed party policy further severs the links between the policies agreed by rank and file members and the caucus.

      I don’t agree with the way Trotter and Bradbury are dismissive of so-called “identity politics”. But I do agree with their latest posts in which they argue that the left needs a radical shift to re-instate solid left wing values and policies.

      Bradbury argues that it is climate change that will derail incrementalism and the current middle class/centrist focus of the Green Party and Labour.

      https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/11/05/this-is-why-the-current-nz-political-spectrum-will-snap/

      It’s too soon to tell with the Greens. They were knee-capped during the last election, and Davidson is still finding her feet as co-leader.

      I don’t agree it is climate change alone that will derail centrist incrementalism, but it also the current state of effective disenfranchisement of those on low incomes, plus the radical sections of gender, LGBT+ and ethnic politics that will come to the fore.

      I agree with Trotter’s summation:

      Jacinda Ardern is such an extraordinary electoral asset. Single-handed, she has resurrected Labour’s morale; refilled her coffers, boosted her membership, and filled her activist base with confidence and delight. Her “relentlessly positive” personality is like a powerful spotlight, illuminating brilliantly that little part of Labour’s stage upon which she sits and smiles. Meanwhile, in the darkness her brilliance does so much to render impenetrable, the party leadership does all within its power to render a genuine shift to the left impossible.

    • The Chairman 15.3
      6 November 2018 at 1:05 pm

      “I was just reading a column by Chris Trotter in which he says the Labour Caucus no longer has to comply with the party manifesto…”

      The Greens talked of doing similar at their last AGM, allowing their MPs more freedom to act without consulting members on every decision.

  16. SaveNZ 16
    6 November 2018 at 10:30 am

    Ukraine activist Kateryna Handzyuk dies from acid attack
    Campaigner’s death sparks protests and EU concern about violence against civil society

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/05/ukraine-activist-kateryna-handzyuk-dies-from-acid-attack

    Peruvian villagers face murder and intimidation from land traffickers
    Invaders continue to seize land within the Chaparrí ecological reserve, one of Peru’s most biodiverse forests

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/03/peruvian-villagers-face-and-intimidation-from-land-traffickers

    • JC 16.1
      6 November 2018 at 12:24 pm

      “These killers, potential and actual, will be stopped only by real actions, not virtual ones,” reformist lawmaker Mustafa Nayyem wrote , saying the outpouring of condolences on social media wouldn’t be enough.

      “Whether they will continue to drench us with acid, slaughter us in doorways, and shoot us in the back in our own country depends on how and what we do now,” Nayyem added.

      https://www.rferl.org/a/ukrainian-activist-death-triggers-calls-for-ouster-of-law-enforcement-officials/29584083.html

      The horrific acid attack that led to Handzyuk’s death is merely one of several dozen attacks against Ukrainian activists in the past year.

      Re-upping this – another tragic story of a Ukrainian activist murdered while fighting for justice.

      https://www.rferl.org/a/tragedy-on-sunshine-street/29318285.html

      • greywarshark 16.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 1:15 pm

        In NZ high country foreign? land owner gets to use precious water without having satisfied guardian regulations so that he can irrigate unsuitable areas to make a quick buck while the milk rush is still on. Controlling body ECan is fairly relaxed, as it is still in the control of rich-list or easy-rider fascist interests who replaced locally elected civil government body.

        Peru or New Zealand, enabling the phallic rise of the neo liberal man with capital accretion strengthening his mind and body all over the world will be our death knell.

  17. Chris T 17
    6 November 2018 at 11:33 am

    Well that is something that doesn’t happen often.

    David Seymour says something I tend to agree with.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1811/S00042/mallard-brownlee-should-repay-cost-of-junket.htm

    • Pete 17.1
      6 November 2018 at 11:48 am

      David Seymour had his “Um, what can I say to get in the news today?” moment.

      His, “Um, what would be a good populist issue to use” opportunity.

      I remember the headlines he garnered when he went crook about John Key and Jonathan Coleman going to England for All Black games in 2015. His public stand, speaking out loud and long when Bill English defended the use of taxpayer dollars, was quite memorable.

      For a Parliamentary Under-Secretary and Minister to be so outspoken was quite dramatic.

      I made all that last stuff up. David Seymour is playing a pathetic parody of the principled. Again.

    • marty mars 17.2
      6 November 2018 at 1:56 pm

      Yep the waste of time drongo has outed two troughing fatcats – waste of money – you guys have enough, and your perks and your pensions – pay it back and admit you just abused the priviledge WE, the people, gave you.

      https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/108389082/mps-attacked-for-watching-all-blacks-on-taxpayerfunded-trade-junket-to-japan

  18. SaveNZ 18
    6 November 2018 at 11:34 am

    You would think would be an easy one, NZ public good and risks of aquifer outweigh Chinese majority owned private company getting more water but no… also raised point how consent can change use, but no come back as it was formally Kaputone Wool Scour and was unlikely to have used much of the water it was allocated.

    reposted…

    “Genevieve Robinson
    Christchurch, New Zealand
    NOV 5, 2018 —
    ECan has received an application from Cloud Ocean Water to take water from their 180m bore.
    Ecan is currently considering whether to notify the application.
    The Christchurch City Council is concerned that the proposal will put the community water supply at risk.
    Aotearoa Water Action is also concerned about the potential environmental effects.
    AWA believes that if the application can be considered at all, it must be publicly notified – this is because the aquifer is already fully allocated, and because City Council testing shows the community water supply WILL be adversely affected, which is of huge public interest in the matter.
    We believe that ECan needs to hear both the public’s views (including your views) and the evidence of additional experts.
    AWA will be speaking at ECans meeting this Thursday, November 8, at 11am – so please add your comments below!
    Let’s make sure the whole country gets to weigh in on this!”

  19. Cinny 19
    6 November 2018 at 12:39 pm

    And the big question on every ones mind…….

    Will simon ask about fuel prices in question time today?

  20. veutoviper 20
    6 November 2018 at 1:17 pm

    Simon Bridges’ Daily Theme

    Today’s is: “I am done talking about Jami-Lee Ross”.

    He is not going to talk about yesterday’s audio release and said everything yesterday, and people can now hear the tape and decide for themselves, and he won’t be talking about any other recordings … … …

    [Repeat, repeat, repeat, and again, repeat. ]

    Somehow, I don’t think people like Barry Soper will just accept that. Bridges may not want to talk about Ross, but in fact the real subject is Bridges and Bennett, and their fitness to be Leader and Deputy Leader of the National Party.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/national-video/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503075&gal_cid=1503075&gallery_id=200274

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/108384318/simon-bridges-im-done-talking-about-jamilee-ross

    • mac1 20.1
      6 November 2018 at 1:30 pm

      SImon Bridges is keen to point out his role in opposition in holding the government to account” even as he reworks the same questions on fuel taxes ad nauseam in Question TIme.

      But he doesn’t seem to want to afford the same role to the media regarding his effectiveness as Leader of the Opposition and as the leader of a major party. His effectiveness has been reduced by disowning an MP, his party is less effective.

      The media has a part in this, albeit uncomfortable or downright dangerous to his career as he might feel threatened.

      How would he function as PM if this is his current tolerance of media interest?

      • SaveNZ 20.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 4:31 pm

        I don’t even think Trump has managed to get caught on tape, selling donations and entry to MP’s for $100k and thinking 2 Chinese were better than 2 Indians.

    • marty mars 20.2
      6 November 2018 at 3:11 pm

      They have shown themselves unfit for the job. Imagine the embarrassing nightmare if they were running the country – they make t.rump look like a brainiac.

  21. The Chairman 21
    6 November 2018 at 2:01 pm

    With over half of New Zealand households cutting back on heating their homes in winter due to the high cost of heating, I was dismayed to hear new Kiwibuild homes won’t be fitted with solar power. Which leads one to ask has solar power for new state owned homes also been overlooked?

    A common factor I noticed from reports of people being hospitalised due to cold and damp homes was they couldn’t afford to utilize the heating supplied.

    Therefore, while these new homes may be better insulated thus cheaper to heat, one would expect the Government (especially with the Greens in there) would be doing the upmost to keep heating cost at a minimum. Meaning not only would homes be cheaper to heat but heating would also be cheaper to run.

    • Bill 21.1
      6 November 2018 at 2:24 pm

      So what do we know? We know we have to reduce energy demand. We know we have to move energy generation away from fossil and bio. We know that heat kills far more readily than cold does. We know the world is warming. Hmm.

      From the EU

      Energy performance of Building regulations requirements
      Mandatory standards that social housing providers have to achieve, often more ambitious than for the rest of the building stock for the global energy performance of new built dwellings are generally applied to all type of buildings.Thus, from 2020, all new buildings in the EU will have to be nearly zero. In most of the cases this means that not only homes will have to be extremely well insulated, but that they will have to compensate the energy for heating and hot water by using renewable energy or efficient systems like heat pumps.

      I’m guessing they are referring to a net zero carbon footprint. But fck it. NZs just fine….NZ doesn’t need any new fangled means of energy generation. Global warming and climate change is “over there”…until it’s over here and some damned heatwave, or weather event accompanying a heatwave, knackers supply in one way or another (resulting in either brown outs or black outs) and people in housing only designed for a cooler 20th C are unable to cool themselves at night.

      That’ll be fun.

    • marty mars 21.2
      6 November 2018 at 2:49 pm

      Good article on it.

      Mr Twyford told Newshub it’s too expensive at the moment. He says it could’ve added $15,000 in price to each home…

      … According to My Solar Quotes New Zealand, the average price to install solar power is $9000.

      Mr Twyford has kept the door open for solar in future…

      …However, energy efficiency advice was provided in relation to design standards for the homes.

      “We’re also at the moment looking at design standards for Kiwibuild that could mean that all Kiwibuild homes will have to be fitted for solar, wired up so that it would be really easy and cost free in the future to install solar panels…

      … Despite the Green Party pushing for solar, co-leader Marama Davidson doesn’t seem too upset about it.

      “The problem is the provision of solar panels might be better provided at a community collective level rather than an individual house level….

      … National’s housing spokesperson Judith Collins told Newshub it’s treading on hypocrisy…

      … “They say they’re going to do all these things around energy, and it’s actually an opportunity for them to put their money where their mouth is.

      https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/solar-panels-weren-t-considered-for-kiwibuild.amp.html

    • WeTheBleeple 21.3
      6 November 2018 at 3:07 pm

      Absolutely.

      The government could even create a revenue stream for itself by allowing decent rates for power returned to the grid, and then collecting on any excess returned to the grid from HNZ properties. Put those profiteering power companies in their place and let all generators play on the grid.

      • SaveNZ 21.3.1
        6 November 2018 at 6:38 pm

        Sadly the NZ government likes to clip the ticket and price gouge on power, hiding behind “market forces”. Yeah, right. Therefore little incentive to change to solar and not get that lucrative clip of the ticket. Instead they ‘give away’$500 payment to pretend they care . Meanwhile everyone, in particular those under 65 are being ripped off apart from corporate welfare to Tiwai Pt who get million dollar hand outs. Yes it all stems from the Natz, but Labour haven’t exactly been keen to address the power rip offs.

    • Draco T Bastard 21.4
      6 November 2018 at 4:06 pm

      Which leads one to ask has solar power for new state owned homes also been overlooked?

      Sounds like it. State houses should have maximum amount of solar PV and solar water heating on them. The people going in to them are in dire straights and so such things that reduce power usage should be mandatory really.

    • SaveNZ 21.5
      6 November 2018 at 4:26 pm

      Yes no point making everyone have a heater, if nobody can afford to turn it on. Personally think it’s disgusting especially with all the outages that every new house is not designed to be fitted with solar. It is not an end game but a way for extra power to be generated with the increasing population and with increasing outages and disasters people can at least have some free power when they either can’t afford it or the power is off.

      The power companies are talking about importing more oil and gas because the hydro lakes are down!

      And NZ unlike the rest of the world they are trying to tax solar so the power companies can maintain their excessive profits and rip offs.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/102708888/way-to-be-cleared-for-big-electricity-players-to-prey-on-lowincome-households

  22. ianmac 22
    6 November 2018 at 2:21 pm

    I tuned into Question Time to be again entertained by Paula Bennet’s facial contortions, but alas so far she has been subdued almost normal. Damn.

  23. OnceWasTim 23
    6 November 2018 at 4:10 pm

    By the way…… does anyone know where @ Wayne is?
    Normally he’d be on duty to counter some of the ‘scurrilous’ claims being made on this ‘hard left’ blogsite.

    I suppose it is possible that he’s just realised the gNats left a couple of ‘young bucks’ in charge of the chicken coup, and they just shat everywhere.
    And that the only thing worth trying to salvage is the manure that could be marketed as an aid to reconditioning the soil they’ve been dumping on for the past ten years.

    • ianmac 23.1
      6 November 2018 at 4:17 pm

      He did have something on TS yesterday I think.

      • OnceWasTim 23.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 4:35 pm

        Ah well, there ya go! That’s real dedication – was that yesterday you say?

        Well he could be rehearsing his lines I ‘spose for his next gig on one of those panelistas on the weekend ‘incisive raisin affairs shows’ like New Shub Nayshun or Q+A. OR maybe he’s even slumming it with Jum Mora – I’ll have a listen.

        And by the way, has anybody thought about poor old Krus Finalysin? I mean, there goes a rilly rilly decent man. A man that can truly empasoise with all his decent predecessors – loyal to the last man standing as well as to the Caci Clinic’s re-imaging efforts, and with an obvious lerv of leopard skin. WHAT a brick!

    • greywarshark 23.2
      6 November 2018 at 6:48 pm

      Perhaps he went to Japan to watch rugby? Or he has been meeting with his cronies since the year dot to watch the Melbourne races and drink up and talk up how great they are, how great Gnats are.

  24. OnceWasTim 24
    6 November 2018 at 5:55 pm

    OMG LMAO lay on the floor kicking my feet upward whilst watching channel 86, and whilst planning how the fuck to get out of here

    Maureen Pugh – list Neshnool M Poi, channeling Cilla Black.

    Oh fuck! and now the square jawed Chris Penk in a beautiful blue ensemble with a matching spotted toi, and equipped with good intention, and possibly one of a gNatsi ‘good guy ‘ flag for the future (going forward), but with a tonne of Bennett and Bridges effluent immediately above ground.

    How the Hell did it come to this!

    • BM 24.1
      6 November 2018 at 5:58 pm

      [Deleted. You should know better – MS]

      • Ed 24.1.1
        6 November 2018 at 6:01 pm

        Is that necessary?

        • BM 24.1.1.1
          6 November 2018 at 6:07 pm

          It’s the only conclusion I can come to, that post is really ticking all the unhinged/batshit crazy boxes.

          • OnceWasTim 24.1.1.1.1
            6 November 2018 at 6:48 pm

            Which is why your idols are in the state of panic they are now in.
            They were never that ‘very’ nice.
            Whether it was a Nafe (who’d never inhaled) travelling south stopping off at a Rangoli that’s been one of the most complicit in ripping off immigrants on the Ka Piti, or the next pretender to whatever you think is your self-entitled throne.

            (Btw, I actually did due diligence on that Rangoli and there was a shitload of video that went with it, because the oicon John Koi went with it. It IS possible I could resurrect the video
            But you know …… next (the next….. these days come thick and fast).
            These days as I age, I can’t really be that fucked, because I’ve come to realise that arseholes usually get their just deserts in the end, although I’m up for an @ BM challenge at any time.
            I really would like to know what the @ BM post was that I’m not now privy to, but I appreciate this site isn’t a dick measuring pissing contest

            • BM 24.1.1.1.1.1
              6 November 2018 at 6:57 pm

              Don’t worry old fella, it was a rather mundane comment about you not taking your medication.

              In these rather sensitive, sparkle pony dominated times obviously considered unacceptable, so was purged.

              • OnceWasTim …
                6 November 2018 at 7:16 pm

                Shame you’re not up to putting your mouth where your dick is. I’d be happy to indulge though any time your wankness feels up to the challenge and bearing in mind I’m probably now knocking twice your age.
                The Standard though is not the time nor place for this duel So suffice it to say I think you’re a wanker and you’ll resort to whatever softcock response you have in your armoury.
                Oh how I would have loved to have been able to test your bullshit.
                I you can think of a way – rest assured I’m up for it.
                Unfortunately, the likes of you sometimes force people to challenge your wankery.
                PLEASE – think of a way.
                ( I never thought I’d be saying all this, but things must when dickheads think they are prevailing )

                • Antoine …
                  7 November 2018 at 1:57 am

                  > Shame you’re not up to putting your mouth where your dick is. I’d be happy to indulge

                  Please save it for the bedroom guys!

                  A.

        • greywarshark 24.1.1.2
          6 November 2018 at 6:25 pm

          ED
          I don’t think Once was Tim or other regulars care too much about BM ans his slanted remarks. Just enjoy the show Ed and let the man be BM, or Bloody Morose as his friends call him.

          Nothing like a crazy rant eh Tim. I’ve been talking about John Wyndham and his style of writing which he called logical fantasy. Recognising the fantasy, it is logical to let off steam now and then. You will never be as cute as a kitten rolling on its back with its feet in the air though.

          • BM 24.1.1.2.1
            6 November 2018 at 6:30 pm

            Not as cute as racoons

            Check out the cheeky little bastard at the 1-minute mark

          • Grey Area 24.1.1.2.2
            6 November 2018 at 6:48 pm

            I and I would suspect some other regular visitors but irregular posters don’t find him so amusing. A bitter nasty piece of work is a bitter, nasty piece of work.

            He/she and a few others of their ilk are the reason I visit here less often.

    • OnceWasTim 24.2
      6 November 2018 at 6:28 pm

      Unfortunately @ BM – I missed your reply. I’d love to have been privy to it.

  25. Jenny 25
    6 November 2018 at 9:13 pm

    This must be the most unsatisfyingly slipshod and poorly reported news story of all time.

    We sometimes gets stories of unexploded ordinance from the Land wars, which peaked my interest in this story.

    Metre-long live naval shell found by contractors at a Te Puke address
    Waikato Times, November 06 2018

    This is not 19th C it looks more like a 20th C piece of ordinance.

    However on earth did it get there? And When? Is it a World War II piece?

    I am no expert but it looks more modern than that.

    Whatever happened to the ABC of journalism, What When Why Who and how.

    What is it? When and how did it get there? Who is responsible?

    Was it some negligent Kiwi forces armourer who took it home as a souvenir?

    It looks expensive. How much is it worth?

    There must have been at least one casualty. To do his job so poorly, (it must have been a he), the unnamed journalist covering this story must have died of boredom halfway through writing it up.

    • Grant 25.1
      7 November 2018 at 1:24 am

      One of the ex-army lads will be along to put me right soon I guess, but I would think it is a dummy shell for a field artillery piece. Too small for most naval guns for a shell of that age. Maybe an 18 or 25 pounder?? Looks too old for the light howitzer they were using from the 70’s. Prepared to be corrected by those who know..

      • Grant 25.1.1
        7 November 2018 at 10:26 am

        3″ anti aircraft gun?

      • Exkiwiforces 25.1.2
        7 November 2018 at 3:35 pm

        It looks to long and skinny for a 25pdr, it could be one of the following a 3.7inch AA, a 20pdr HE round from the old Centurion Tanks or 17pdr AT HE round. But from my understanding is that 17pdr AT gun never enter service in NZ Army, but some were sent out from the UK from testing and evaluation in the 50’s when the NZ Army was structure for fighting in the Middle East up until the late 50’s.

        P.S I’ve a feeling it could be an 76mm HE round from the old M-41 Walker Bulldog Tank that was in service during the late 60’s until it was replaced by the CVR(T) Scorpion Tank. Which to was a backwards step as the M41 was still useful in SEA with it’s 76mm gunand it could punch its way through the Jungle at the time due to its weight. All we had to was upgrade the power pack and fire control systems.

        Only Navy round I could think of could from the old Dido Class Anti Aircraft Cruisers from the 50’s to 60’s which were armed a 5.5inch semi automatic DP gun and again it look’s to long and skinny to be an 4.5inch HE round from the old Type 12 Frigates. I do know the rounds for the 5inch auto gun on the ANZAC Frigates is long skinny one and I hope it’s one of those or else there might be some please explain WTF going on. But it looks too old for one those by blueing and surface corrosion on the shell, anyway it’s an interesting find.

        Were there any old ammunition depots near the find?

  26. eco maori 26
    7 November 2018 at 8:35 am

    Kia ora The Am Show I agree with Mark the Speaker and Jerry going on a working Holiday to Japan its hard work being a MP nit picking .
    Cyber crime is a big issue for NZ I’m experiencing that every couple of weeks .
    There you go Idris Elba is voted the world’s most handsome man Time’s are changing some will need a lot of tissues .
    Mike some can see the big picture about the mid term elections in America unlike some who cannot see past there Ego’s.
    Hone I don’t think some should encourage you to use those word’s on TV te mokopuna’s will be watching 3 of the 4 of my offspring don’t smoke and we never smoke in the same room or car with the mokopuna’s I say a advertising campaign on the bad effects on secondhand smoke and Alcohol .
    Did you catch a Taxi to work yesterday.
    Can’t you see we have a idiot behaving badly in the world media and it affects other idiots with small———the 1080 threat’s.
    There are a few troll’s lined up for the poll today I new the stat’s will start correcting as the morning.
    There you got I told everyone Wahine are more intelligent than man I seen it in my raising my children and my moko’s Equality is needed the schooling system does not teach te moko the the skill’s the children need to work out the best way to climb up there ladder’s of life .
    Azees I told you the trump trolls have been waiting for your poll.

    Ka kite ano

  27. eco maori 27
    7 November 2018 at 9:22 am

    Eco Maori say’s Ka pai How Taylor Swift turned her Instagram into a get-out-the-vote fan page Americans get out and vote
    American leg of her Reputation Tour at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Taylor Swift announced on Instagram for the first time ever who she’d be voting for: Democrats Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper.She’s among the most followed people on the social network, with more 112 million followers, link below Ka kite ano

    .https://edition.cnn.com/2018/11/06/politics/taylor-swift-instagram-gotv/index.html

  28. eco maori 28
    7 November 2018 at 10:06 am

    Eco Maori Music for the minute.

  29. eco maori 29
    7 November 2018 at 1:00 pm

    There was a sunset rainbow in Washington on Election DayAs Washington, D.C. voters left polling places on Tuesday evening, they were treated to the unexpected view of a rainbow set against a scarlet sunset. Ka kite ano link below
    https://dynaimage.cdn.cnn.com/cnn/livestory/w_900/442b6648-0690-48be-a49e-f30b6bb299ed.jpg

  30. eco maori 30
    7 November 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Beyoncé endorses Texas Democrat Beto O’Rourke: ‘When we are truly united we are unstoppable’ ka kite ano.Link below.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12156030

  31. eco maori 31
    7 November 2018 at 3:50 pm

    This is what the media can do with a small story spin a mountain out of a mole hill
    Jacinda did not say she received death threats this is just another cheating neo liberal capitalist play the actors who are making these treats are there puppets ka kite ano
    link is below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/07/jacinda-ardern-receives-death-threat-as-pesticide-row-grows

  32. eco maori 32
    7 November 2018 at 5:47 pm

    Kia ora Tekaea
    its cool That Jacinda is at the Ratana 100 year commemoration ka pai.
    Nanaia that is a good start to the Papakainga package $1.7 million .
    Mark Dunajtsik has made a huge gift to te tangata a new hospital .
    Haunui Waka back in Aotearoa from the Norfolk Islands good experiences for the young Wahine and Tane ka pai Ka kite ano

  33. eco maori 33
    7 November 2018 at 6:46 pm

    Kia ora Newshub The House was won by Democrats ka pai its not over say Bernie Sanders
    Unemployment has dropped that’s cool to it’s lowest in ten years a bit of positive wairua from the new Coalition Goverment .
    I had thought that would be the outcome off the Ross saga a vote for New Zealand First
    You will always find someone to find a negative comment from someone anywhere the Ratana commemorations for 100 years and the Labour Party’s delivering to tangata whenua some have a very short memorie .
    The weed debate well we know that making it illegal is a dumb and has failed.
    Immunization is the best way to stop Meningococcal disease .
    Ka kite ano P.S got distracted our offspring were picking up the mokopuna’s car after I fixed it

  34. eco maori 34
    7 November 2018 at 7:22 pm

    Kia ora The Crowd Goes Wild James & Wairangi
    Thats a very good over 46 for 2020 cricket from Darryl T.
    That good that the British League player has a 4 week ban and a small fine its better than nothing .
    Lets hope the Football Ferns & there new Coach will get a good wairua going.
    Ka kite ano

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    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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