Heh. To honour Independence Day in the US, the NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Trumpkins lose their shit, thinking NPR is hating on their beloved King Donald the Doll-Handed.
Judith Collins says – Oh no, there weren’t any dodgy trusts registering in NZ before law change; now the amount of paper work is just too difficult for large numbers of said “Trusts”.
And arch-spinner (dis)honourable Mr Key, nowhere to be seen.
I don’t think it is “where IN Motueka” will Winnie be speaking that is important.
For anyone reading this who comes from North of the Bombay hills the question is going to be “where IS Motueka”.
Or even “What is Motueka”.
Or possibly I am judging the residents of Auckland a bit harshly.
marty mars
Yes not many speakers say mor-too-eka. The 21st century and it’s improved education is coming, sometime. (Have I got the sound right of the pronunciation.)
motu – an island, in this case, “on land” island, like an oasis or a grove
weka (eka) – well, they’re birds, ain’t they.
Must have been, back in the day, an distinct areain which weka were readily found, I reckon, that Motueka.
Alwyn if any aren’t sure where Motueka is, am sure they would not have been able to make there in time.
But for any who are unsure…
Motueka is a small seaside town located in the Tasman Bay. We’ve a population of around 7k, 11k including the surrounding areas, such as the Motueka Valley etc. We are rich in horticulture especially pip fruit, Talleys Fisheries HQ is located here, it’s the second largest town in the Tasman District and one of NZ’s Top Towns.
Tis the gateway town to the Abel Tasman National Park, around 15 mins drive to either Kaiteriteri Beach or Marahau where the park entrance is.
We’re on the other side of the Nelson boundary, West Coast/Tasman electorate would be gutted if Dr Custard was our MP.
Are lucky enough to have one of the hardest working most approachable MP’s in the country representing us. Damien O’Connor, he’s awesome, seriously everyone here rates him highly from the hippies to the millionaires.
This bit of independent investigative journalism, using Freedom of Info documents obtained from US intelligence services, gives an indication of the widespread influence these services have on Hollywood movies and TV.
This is not terribly surprising to anyone who has watched a lot of US movies and TV.
Alongside the massive scale of these operations, our new book National Security Cinema details how US government involvement also includes script rewrites on some of the biggest and most popular films, including James Bond, the Transformers franchise, and movies from the Marvel and DC cinematic universes.
A similar influence is exerted over military-supported TV, which ranges from Hawaii Five-O to America’s Got Talent, Oprah and Jay Leno to Cupcake Wars, along with numerous documentaries by PBS, the History Channel and the BBC.
Very interesting and important. The depth and range of their influence is surprising. I wonder what other government groups censor stuff – like CC for instance. Not many movies made about that other than ‘grim umm I’d rather not think about it’ ones.
Another round of serious disquiet in Southland involving the National Party
“Prominent Southlanders have appealed to the associate finance minister to urgently investigate the Community Trust of Southland and the treatment of its now former chief executive John Prendergast.
A copy of a letter addressed to minister Amy Adams, obtained by Stuff, asks her to investigate the current happenings at the Community Trust of Southland “which are causing us grave concern for the integrity of the trust and for the impact on, and implications for, the wider Southland community”.
However, Adams has indicated she would not be investigating, saying on Tuesday evening that the information provided to her has so far not met the high threshold needed to begin an investigation.”
Gnats will give 5 million to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre.
The Auckland Women’s Centre, which has provided support services to tens of thousands of women since 1975, has been forced to turn to the community for support after a massive cut to its funding.
It supports about 4000 women including those suffering abuse, eating disorders, health issues and those needing parenting support.
It was receiving $100,000 from government a year but as of this month it will not get anything.
but look the gnats are going to blame another group for this
The Ministry of Social Development last year began transferring about $11.3 million in funding from some community organisations to programmes meeting Whānau Ora outcomes, which target the most vulnerable communities including Māori and Pasifika.
It said contracts that did not meet this requirement would not be renewed – and the Auckland Women’s Centre has missed out as result.
Is 5 million being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre been cut?
The link is that it’s government funding. the link is that 5 million is being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre has been cut.
I don’t have to try make it sound they’re linked, there is a link.
Totally different budget pools – and if you read they give the reason –
“The Ministry of Social Development last year began transferring about $11.3 million in funding from some community organisations to programmes meeting Whānau Ora outcomes, which target the most vulnerable communities including Māori and Pasifika.
It said contracts that did not meet this requirement would not be renewed – and the Auckland Women’s Centre has missed out as result.”
Its a stupid logic jump that this is linked to the America cup.
For starters – the funding for the cup has just happened – and this has been ongoing for a while.
The government makes a choice on where funding is allocated.
The government has chosen to grant $5 million to the America’s Cup.
The government has decided to not continue the $100,000/annum funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre. As you say, this has been achieved by the oft-used mechanism of requiring changes to administration and focus for continued funding. (Shouldn’t withdrawal of funds from established programmes relate to fraud, failure to be effective?)
This familiar technique is often used to withdraw from programmes with established processes and results, and transfer to new untested ones. When some of those new programmes fall over (which is often the case) that funding is then withdrawn completely.
It’s a long dishonest game, but National is world-class player.
“And that reason that the Nats gave speaks of Billshit. The Women’s Centre obviously also targeted the most vulnerable.”
Another aspect of this type of “reason” is that supporters, workers, volunteers and recipients of programmes like this are conditioned to link their withdrawal of funds to Maaori and Pasifika advocacy.
A quiet foment of dog-whistling provided by the Nats once again.
Are you being obtuse or dumb james? I can’t tell. The whole point of political economy is to decide where money goes, not what is in a funding stream or other such spin.
A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.
“A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.”
I find that people who make comments like that are normally the most likely to engage in that kind of behaviour themselves.
We obviously went to different logic schools. You went to the same one as Bill English the results of which have been on display for all to see with the Barclay shambles.
It’s taxpayers’ money doled out by the Government. Just like the payout in the Barclay situation, just like the payout to the Saudi sheep man …
Quite right.
To put it more simply, James, it is all water, and quibbling about which puddle – sorry – pool it comes from is truly asinine. The Government has clearly shown its priorities. Live with it.
The comments still are valid. As marty mars says, Susan Devoy seems to have learnt a lot over the last few years and kudos to her for that.
However, there is likely to have been many people who had that knowledge at the time of her appointment, and would have been a better advocate right from the outset.
The point remains: is the RRC role a set of training wheels for one person to work through their prejudices and issues, or is it a place where an experienced and knowledgeable commissioner can be relied upon to deal with convoluted issues?
I’m glad that she is stepping up to the plate now. I’m not persuaded that those who criticised her appointment were wrong to do so.
Anyone heard anything out of the All Blacks this week? Any cheery pop ups on ZM stations for a bit of joucular bro talk and some reinforcing of stereotypes? No? infotainment bits on the news about new players or milestones? No?
There is a deep, black and angry silence this week. I hope the Zambuks have got extra supplies for Saturday, cos dem Lions, they gonna be made to pay.
Haven’t looked forward to a matchup like this since Tetraites the Myrmillo, hero of the camp of Compendium, took on the Gallo-Briton Brexic back in 74AD…
And how about you try and learn to enjoy yourself, you know, not to be an insufferably boring person with no off switch and apparently no ability to think about more than one issue at a time?
I, for one, am looking forward to kicking back with some suitably partisan friends and watching a big rugby game on Saturday. And what is more, I’ll not have some dreary fellow with an enormous chip on his shoulder dictate the conversation in something called “open mike”, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it maaate.
I, for one, am looking forward to kicking back with some suitably partisan friends and watching a big rugby game on Saturday.
That’s the bit I really found hilarious about blinglish’s “I am hu-mon. Hu-mons like sports, jump up and say ‘yes’ when their team wins. I will do this for the America’s Cup. Hu-mons will recognise me as one of them” tweet: the camera went around the room, and it was empty.
The only people he was watching the race with was the person who filmed him being excited, and they were so carried away by the result that they were concentrating on filming his reaction.
Agree. I’ve been impressed by their articles on suicide – they have been putting some strong and multiple articles up. This is another good one. Thanks for highlighting it SM.
thanks from me too, stunned.
i agree with the former coroner.
i reckon the silent approach is largely flawed nowadays.
the prevalence of devices, and cyber places for youngsters to ‘congrgate’ could lead to lots of disinformation.
if there were honest discussions in the public forum, youth and others would have something to compare to what they experience from the ether.
The Nats will change the law to make irrigation possible wherever they want it to go. No wonder they are intent on denuding the Environment Court and the RMA.
Not dead in the water yet as they are looking at changing the law so the swap can go ahead.
They only see the land to be swapped in monetary terms. But the problem is the land value has never been a monetary one. While the monetary value of the land might be lower, its importance to the vulnerable species that live there is extremely high.
I must say that I’ve been thoroughly underwhelmed by Little. The only way he’s dealt with parasites like Robertson and Mallard has been to pander to them.
Yep, Labour has never been a social party. It has always supported and strengthened capitalism. Even now when it’s obvious that capitalism simply doesn’t work.
Why is he saying that Little hasn’t put a lid on Labour ructions? I’d say that it’s one of his strengths over previous leaders: the ones who expect promotion without putting in the work are slowly trickling down the list and pissing off to the tories.
Most politicians have a tendency towards self promotion, but the “levelling down” of infighting and undermining seems to have a decent lid on it. The tories like to talk about barbeques and Ardern’s puff pieces, but the fact is the number of leakers in caucus seems to have dwindled more than a Canterbury aquifer.
Being a newcomer to the Hawkes Bay I was warned not to buy out along the coast around Clifton as erosion and sea level rise is likely to see a lot of land disappear. Sure enough, yesterday saw the sea come 2 metres closer to homes, roads and power lines. This was not caused by some big storm, just a good swell.
Affected locals call for financial compensation from the council or that it build sea walls for about 5 km.
This scenario will be replicated at many other locations as sea level rise by about 3mm per annum. What should we be doing? Build defences, retreat, compensate, relocate infrastructure, leave land owners to sort out their own problem? I am not sure, but one thing we should do today is stop making the problem bigger by allowing more development below the 10m or 20m contour.
The FO option is one that has some merit, but on the other hand we do socialise risk for earthquakes and slips.
I am waiting for all those holiday suburbs like Pawanui to come to the realisation that their sea views will only increase: to the point that the water is lapping the door step. The political power these people can bring will see it rapidly become a central government problem and you just know that they will want to have their losses socialised. For me, paying a cent from the public purse for a holiday home is totally wrong.
Draco T Bastard is correct, the problem of erosion in Huamoana/Clifton has been known for years, the coast has been going backwards there every since I was a little ‘un.
The council is guilty of continuing to allow people to buy – even being 30m back from the beach isn’t safe – but caveat emptor kicks in somewhere and they shouldn’t bleat for ratepayers money when they took a calculated risk on purchase that hasn’t paid off.
Experience in other places (e.g. Waihi Beach) would tend to reinforce a view that protective works are carried out based, mainly, on who owns the property that may be affected.
DTB and Gistle
It is time for Councils to make these moves and refuse building permits so people don’t feel they are safe from risks, that it is just a bunch of old moaners worrying over nothing. Open them up to camping grounds with some reasonable sewerage, allow trailer parks and then they can drive away when the sea hits the sand.
Seems apart from Standard readers who want him banned from the airwaves – Mike Hosking is doing very well and grew his market share of listeners in Auckland.
Of course some people on here will call him all sorts of names – but I just think this shows the disconnect between the general public and some of the commenters on here (who of course think they know better).
“…who want him banned from the airwaves
Link to this? Most comments seem to be about not wanting our state broadcaster to employ him because of his inaccuracies and rants.
He can retain his private employ and continue his inanities for ever as far as I am concerned. He is a good example for media studies.
Some questions for James: you say you don’t listen to Hoskings. Those here who do, dislike what he says and does. Why do you feel the need to post in favour of someone you haven’t (you say) listened too? Are you just trying to wind-up people here?
How is that not trolling?
I dont listen to him. I posted it as an opposing position to the people who seem to call him all sorts of names and want him off radio. Im just pointing out that a lot of normal people listen to him – so perhaps they should look at their biases.
Why does a lot of people listening mean that he shouldn’t be called names?
and the opinions expressed were that he is too partisan to be funded by the state broadcaster, not that he shouldn’t be allowed to be broadcast at all. Sorry to burst your delusions.
I hope you are fine with people doing it about you and your family in real life also.
Unlike with Hosking, I haven’t noticed McFlock pointlessly making a cunt of himself over and over again in the media, so it’s unlikely he’d be called the kinds of names Hosking is. In any case: don’t think of them as “names,” think of them as “reasonably accurate descriptions.” Someone who makes a career out of publicly broadcasting loathesome opinions should expect a fair amount of loathing as a result.
fair call on the banning thing, although I think you’re emphasising a less-common attitude for convenience.
As for calling people names – yeah, I don’t take it personal. That’s how I managed to do venue security for a decade without getting complaints agin me. I didn’t give a shit if someone called me a cunt because I refused them entry. None of it’s personal. None of the hoons calling names as they pass by at night mean it – if they don’t give it a second thought, why should I?
But on the odd occasion someone has called me a name and it did bother me. Because I reflected on why they called me names, and realised they had grounds to do it, and I was in the wrong. I wasn’t upset at them, I was upset at myself. I deserved it, I’d made a stupid move.
Only a fucking idiot gets upset if someone calls them names without cause. The name-caller’s opinion on the matter is obviously worthless. But maybe that’s an insight one only acquires after being screamed at by a drunk fuck for a constant 45 minutes before your offsider takes his turn on the door. And the following night the same drunk fuck thinks he’s your best mate.
I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.
Yet many on this forum think its reasonable and right.
But (and this is aimed at nobody at all) – lets say your wife / daughter had a view on something – lets say they agree with Hoskins, or liked Trump, or were pro abortion – or whatever.
They have their reasons (whatever they may be). Is it really right that others call them a stupid cunt for their position. Or a fucken baby murderer? What about racist? What about telling people they are racist because they like Trump (the two are not necessarily linked).
Lets call them that to their face, in front of people – write it on public forums so when people searching for them can see the abuse that is leveled at them.
Would you stand by and watch that happen to them and think its OK? IS it OK for people to just let it slide – because they agree with abuser?
NZ Has a suicide problem – on that we can all agree.
Yet many seem happy to ply abuse on people because their views differ – and to me thats never right.
You cannot say its bad to bully and name call a kid, or a transgendered person, or a woman, and then go do it to somebody else because they happen to differ in political views to you.
Well, I try to avoid calling people words like “cunt”, but I’ve definitely called people baby-killers. Anti-vaxxers and/or tories, if I recall correctly.
The thing is, I can and did provide reasons to back it up. It’s not because their opinions differ from mine, it’s because I think that the views they express, and in some cases the very expression of those views, will indirectly cause the deaths of babies.
I think that’s part of the miscommunication: you say it’s because Hosking expresses different views that he is called names. I think that most of the people here who call him names do so because they honestly believe his propaganda validates the very real suffering and hardship, and occasional deaths, of thousands of NZers. And they have reasonable grounds to believe that. That’s one difference between abusing tories and abusing minorities.
The main difference between name-calling someone like Hosking or an advocate for the mismanagement of this government on the one hand, and children/women/minorities on the other, is like the difference between slaves calling a slaveholder a slaveholder and slaveholders calling a slave a slave. There’s a massive power imbalance that your comparison fails to acknowledge. One is a reasonable description that confronts the situation, the other attempts to reinforce the situation.
James said:
“I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.”
It is possible that Garibaldi meant Public (ie, state-owned) TV when he made his comment. That I would agree with, unless immediate right of reply is given after each rant.
Calling people names, James? James, James, James – who here repeatedly calls Andrew Little, “Angry Andy”, James? James, that’s who.
The stench of hypocrisy wafts from you, James, like … a stench.
Hi James,
another thing that is wrong is being deliberately disingenuous.
I reckon some points of pedantry argued on here, while deliberately avoiding the main thrust is also wrong.
You know, derailling behaviour.
Notice that the dominance of RNZ is not mentioned. I believe Morning Report out-guns little Mike by a hundred thousand or so.
Edit: So true Bearded Git.
By crikey… was wondering why I don’t tune into… but according to their frequency list I’d have to warm up my valve radio, only AM frequency in Nelson region.
With that in mind, not many if any people in the Nelson region listen to Hosking on the radio.
“Quality healthcare is important to all of us and this Government is continuing to deliver a world-class healthcare system with proper mental health support for all Southlanders.”
Southlanders respond:
Cousin aged 55 waited six months , was in pain and was ignored, , finally paid private and is now back full time at work We will remember this election.
5 hours ago
Just think
I know of Southlander’s who have died, because by the time they met the criteria to be seen, it was too late to help them.
7 hours ago
Ruz
This is a political broadcast from the National Party written and authorised by the Office of the Prime Minister.
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Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...
What Chris Penk has granted holocaust-denier and equal-opportunity-bigot Candace Owens is not “freedom of speech”. It’s not even really freedom of movement, though that technically is the right she has been granted. What he has given her is permission to perform. Freedom of SpeechIn New Zealand, the right to freedom ...
All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...
As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television. Craig Parker has been a fixture on television in Aotearoa for nearly four decades. He had starring roles in iconic local series like Gloss, Mercy Peak and Diplomatic Immunity, featured in ...
The Ōtautahi musician shares the 10 tracks he loves to spin, including the folk classic that cured him of a ‘case of the give-ups’. When singer-songwriter Adam McGrath returns to Kumeu’s Auckland Folk Festival from January 24-27, he’s not planning on simply idling his way through – he wants the late ...
Alex Casey spends an afternoon on the job with River, the rescue dog on a mission to spread joy to Ōtautahi rest homes.Almost everyone says it is never enough time. But River the rescue dog, a jet black huntaway border collie cross, has to keep a tight pace to ...
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Scully, Professor in Modern History, University of New England Bunker.Image courtesy of Michael Leunig, CC BY-NC-SA Michael Leunig – who died in the early hours of Thursday December 19, surrounded by “his children, loved ones, and sunflowers” – was the ...
The House - On Parliament's last day of the year, there was the rare occurrence of a personal (conscience) vote on selling booze over the Easter weekend. While it didn't have the numbers to pass, it was a chance to get a rare glimpse of the fact ...
A new poem by Holly Fletcher. bejeweled log i was dreaming about wasps / wee darlings that followed me / ducking under objects / that i was fated to pickup / my fingers seeking / and meeting with tiny proboscis’s / but instead / i wake up / roll sideways ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Flora Hui, Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia and Honorary Fellow, Department of Surgery (Ophthalmology), The University of Melbourne Versta/Shutterstock Australians are exposed to some of the highest levels of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. While we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Terry, Professor of Business Regulation, University of Sydney Michael von Aichberger/Shutterstock Even if you’ve no idea how the business model underpinning franchises works, there’s a good chance you’ve spent money at one. Franchising is essentially a strategy for cloning ...
If something big is going to happen in Ferndale, it’s going to happen at Christmas. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. If there’s one episode of Shortland Street you should watch each year, it’s the annual Christmas cliffhanger. The final episode of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By William A. Stoltz, Lecturer and expert Associate, National Security College, Australian National University US President-elect Donald Trump has named most of the members of his proposed cabinet. However, he’s yet to reveal key appointees to America’s powerful cyber warfare and intelligence institutions. ...
Announcing the top 10 books of the the year at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Intermezzo by Sally Rooney (Faber & Faber, $37) The phenomenal Irish writer is the unsurprising chart topper for 2024 with her fourth novel that, much like her first ...
Heh. To honour Independence Day in the US, the NPR tweeted the Declaration of Independence. Trumpkins lose their shit, thinking NPR is hating on their beloved King Donald the Doll-Handed.
http://www.salon.com/2017/07/05/nprs-declaration-of-independence-tweetstorm-angered-some-trump-supporters/
That was depressing. The cult of ignorance strikes again.
Lab-Green claim win in huge drop in foreign trusts registered in NZ.
Judith Collins says – Oh no, there weren’t any dodgy trusts registering in NZ before law change; now the amount of paper work is just too difficult for large numbers of said “Trusts”.
And arch-spinner (dis)honourable Mr Key, nowhere to be seen.
Yep, saw that. But, IMO, it’s telling that 3000 said that they would withdraw while 5000+ simply, quietly, disappeared.
Morena, Winston Peters will be speaking at the Motueka RSA this morning at 10am if anyone is interested.
Motueka RSA is at the North end of High St, opposite the Top of the Town Dairy.
I don’t think it is “where IN Motueka” will Winnie be speaking that is important.
For anyone reading this who comes from North of the Bombay hills the question is going to be “where IS Motueka”.
Or even “What is Motueka”.
Or possibly I am judging the residents of Auckland a bit harshly.
It ain’t mot chew acre that’s for sure ☺
marty mars
Yes not many speakers say mor-too-eka. The 21st century and it’s improved education is coming, sometime. (Have I got the sound right of the pronunciation.)
motu – an island, in this case, “on land” island, like an oasis or a grove
weka (eka) – well, they’re birds, ain’t they.
Must have been, back in the day, an distinct areain which weka were readily found, I reckon, that Motueka.
+ 1 nice one grey ☺
Alwyn if any aren’t sure where Motueka is, am sure they would not have been able to make there in time.
But for any who are unsure…
Motueka is a small seaside town located in the Tasman Bay. We’ve a population of around 7k, 11k including the surrounding areas, such as the Motueka Valley etc. We are rich in horticulture especially pip fruit, Talleys Fisheries HQ is located here, it’s the second largest town in the Tasman District and one of NZ’s Top Towns.
Tis the gateway town to the Abel Tasman National Park, around 15 mins drive to either Kaiteriteri Beach or Marahau where the park entrance is.
Promotional video…. 😀
Like the look of the beer,quite a few small breweries around the area. Where was nick in the promo?
Aye Motueka grows hops 😀
We’re on the other side of the Nelson boundary, West Coast/Tasman electorate would be gutted if Dr Custard was our MP.
Are lucky enough to have one of the hardest working most approachable MP’s in the country representing us. Damien O’Connor, he’s awesome, seriously everyone here rates him highly from the hippies to the millionaires.
This bit of independent investigative journalism, using Freedom of Info documents obtained from US intelligence services, gives an indication of the widespread influence these services have on Hollywood movies and TV.
This is not terribly surprising to anyone who has watched a lot of US movies and TV.
Very interesting and important. The depth and range of their influence is surprising. I wonder what other government groups censor stuff – like CC for instance. Not many movies made about that other than ‘grim umm I’d rather not think about it’ ones.
Another round of serious disquiet in Southland involving the National Party
“Prominent Southlanders have appealed to the associate finance minister to urgently investigate the Community Trust of Southland and the treatment of its now former chief executive John Prendergast.
A copy of a letter addressed to minister Amy Adams, obtained by Stuff, asks her to investigate the current happenings at the Community Trust of Southland “which are causing us grave concern for the integrity of the trust and for the impact on, and implications for, the wider Southland community”.
However, Adams has indicated she would not be investigating, saying on Tuesday evening that the information provided to her has so far not met the high threshold needed to begin an investigation.”
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/94363134/southlanders-ask-minister-to-investigate-community-trust-of-southland
is Question 11 in today’s #nzqt https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/order-paper-questions/list-of-oral-questions/oral-questions-6-july-2017/
Got it, thanks, Sacha.
Gnats will give 5 million to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre.
but look the gnats are going to blame another group for this
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/334494/women-s-centre-funding-whisked-away
Divide and conquer the old time proven way of oppressing people and the gnats are expert.
Has anybody modeled what specifically these guys do before funding is allocated?
They have to be doing, speaking, to someone and using statistics to be consistently successful yah.
“Gnats will give 5 million to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre”
Good try at trying to make them sound as if they are linked.
They are linked by money or financial support from the government.
So you can link anything.
Government invest $$$ in XXX and CUT the funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre.
Yes James money is the link – pretty basic stuff. Hint – governments make CHOICES on what they spend money on.
Yes.
That is right. Government spending indicates priorities.
I’d say values are the link.
Is 5 million being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre been cut?
The link is that it’s government funding. the link is that 5 million is being given to the Emirates Americas Cup Team and Government funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre has been cut.
I don’t have to try make it sound they’re linked, there is a link.
No there isnt.
Totally different budget pools – and if you read they give the reason –
“The Ministry of Social Development last year began transferring about $11.3 million in funding from some community organisations to programmes meeting Whānau Ora outcomes, which target the most vulnerable communities including Māori and Pasifika.
It said contracts that did not meet this requirement would not be renewed – and the Auckland Women’s Centre has missed out as result.”
Its a stupid logic jump that this is linked to the America cup.
For starters – the funding for the cup has just happened – and this has been ongoing for a while.
You have logic issues.
The government makes a choice on where funding is allocated.
The government has chosen to grant $5 million to the America’s Cup.
The government has decided to not continue the $100,000/annum funding to the Auckland Women’s Centre. As you say, this has been achieved by the oft-used mechanism of requiring changes to administration and focus for continued funding. (Shouldn’t withdrawal of funds from established programmes relate to fraud, failure to be effective?)
This familiar technique is often used to withdraw from programmes with established processes and results, and transfer to new untested ones. When some of those new programmes fall over (which is often the case) that funding is then withdrawn completely.
It’s a long dishonest game, but National is world-class player.
So why cut it?
And that reason that the Nats gave speaks of Billshit. The Women’s Centre obviously also targeted the most vulnerable.
“And that reason that the Nats gave speaks of Billshit. The Women’s Centre obviously also targeted the most vulnerable.”
Another aspect of this type of “reason” is that supporters, workers, volunteers and recipients of programmes like this are conditioned to link their withdrawal of funds to Maaori and Pasifika advocacy.
A quiet foment of dog-whistling provided by the Nats once again.
Yep, that too.
Are you being obtuse or dumb james? I can’t tell. The whole point of political economy is to decide where money goes, not what is in a funding stream or other such spin.
A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.
“A jump in logic would be to imply you have a love of violence, and that is extending to women because you won’t support the agencies which protect them. But, then again, in your case that might not be too big a jump.”
I find that people who make comments like that are normally the most likely to engage in that kind of behaviour themselves.
I see you are finally admitting you don’t understand the basics of political economy.
We obviously went to different logic schools. You went to the same one as Bill English the results of which have been on display for all to see with the Barclay shambles.
It’s taxpayers’ money doled out by the Government. Just like the payout in the Barclay situation, just like the payout to the Saudi sheep man …
It’s called priorities.
Quite right.
To put it more simply, James, it is all water, and quibbling about which puddle – sorry – pool it comes from is truly asinine. The Government has clearly shown its priorities. Live with it.
I guess you had no issues when Labour was giving money to Team NZ.
I like it when a tory’s poor reading skills results in friendly fire against other tories. 🙂
I bloody did.
Me too.
I thought the effort was more of a contrast.
Women’s Centers are a fraction of the cost and don’t get a look in. Why?
Ups to Dame Susan for her advocacy of those who suffered at the hands of the state.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201850077/race-relations-commissioner-backs-petitions-call-for-an-inquiry
+ 1
Yep Susan has grown into the role well. I wonder what she thinks of where she was at when she started the role. Massive personal growth is what I see.
Reading some of the comments from around the time Dame Susan was appointed and I reckon there are more than a few apologies due.
The comments still are valid. As marty mars says, Susan Devoy seems to have learnt a lot over the last few years and kudos to her for that.
However, there is likely to have been many people who had that knowledge at the time of her appointment, and would have been a better advocate right from the outset.
The point remains: is the RRC role a set of training wheels for one person to work through their prejudices and issues, or is it a place where an experienced and knowledgeable commissioner can be relied upon to deal with convoluted issues?
I’m glad that she is stepping up to the plate now. I’m not persuaded that those who criticised her appointment were wrong to do so.
Some comments were well beyond criticising the appointment, they were personal attacks on her motives, intellect and ability.
Then those comments were irrelevant to the appointment, and should not have been made.
The comments relating to her experience and knowledge were still valid.
Good discussion. I have posted a sorry to Susan a while ago. Can’t remember what I wrote when she was appointed but I’m sure I was unimpressed.
Anyone heard anything out of the All Blacks this week? Any cheery pop ups on ZM stations for a bit of joucular bro talk and some reinforcing of stereotypes? No? infotainment bits on the news about new players or milestones? No?
There is a deep, black and angry silence this week. I hope the Zambuks have got extra supplies for Saturday, cos dem Lions, they gonna be made to pay.
Haven’t looked forward to a matchup like this since Tetraites the Myrmillo, hero of the camp of Compendium, took on the Gallo-Briton Brexic back in 74AD…
Try radiosport maaate
And how about you try and learn to enjoy yourself, you know, not to be an insufferably boring person with no off switch and apparently no ability to think about more than one issue at a time?
I, for one, am looking forward to kicking back with some suitably partisan friends and watching a big rugby game on Saturday. And what is more, I’ll not have some dreary fellow with an enormous chip on his shoulder dictate the conversation in something called “open mike”, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it maaate.
Or you could try radiosport to get the answers and discussion you want eh dick. ffs.
That’s the bit I really found hilarious about blinglish’s “I am hu-mon. Hu-mons like sports, jump up and say ‘yes’ when their team wins. I will do this for the America’s Cup. Hu-mons will recognise me as one of them” tweet: the camera went around the room, and it was empty.
The only people he was watching the race with was the person who filmed him being excited, and they were so carried away by the result that they were concentrating on filming his reaction.
Well I heard Sonnybill is getting the day off, yay for him!
Why yes… the outgoing PM gave them a mention during his Americas Cup speech
I know right? I was shocked too to hear the name of our national rugby team pass his lips lmfao sarc.
He said something like… if the All Blacks can do as good a job as Team NZ blah blah,
Bill looking for common ground, everyone loves the AB’s give them a mention in an attempt to win some votes, hey it worked for the PM who quit.
Rachel Stewart on twitter:
“How refreshing to hear the ABs got beaten. I love that shit.”
hehe
Best piece I’ve read in the Herald for some time.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11886319
Agree. I’ve been impressed by their articles on suicide – they have been putting some strong and multiple articles up. This is another good one. Thanks for highlighting it SM.
thanks from me too, stunned.
i agree with the former coroner.
i reckon the silent approach is largely flawed nowadays.
the prevalence of devices, and cyber places for youngsters to ‘congrgate’ could lead to lots of disinformation.
if there were honest discussions in the public forum, youth and others would have something to compare to what they experience from the ether.
NPR tweets the Declaration of Independence as part of its regular 4th of July celebration, and followers of the Orangegropenfuhrer freak.
https://www.rawstory.com/2017/07/calling-for-a-revolution-trump-fans-triggered-after-npr-tweets-out-the-declaration-of-independence/
http://americannewsx.com/human-interest/people-take-offense-npr-quoting-declaration-independence/
“Point many missed, re: @NPR DOI hilarity, is not that trump supporters didn’t recognize the doc, but that they DID recognize trump”:
Oh right, Andre at comment 1. Hat tip.
Supreme Court has just held that conservation land cannot be taken to build the Ruataniwha Dam. Nats vanity project dead in the water?
Awesome news!!!
This is massive – a turning point for environmentalists and conservationalists.
+1
Fantastic news. Well done all those groups who have been fighting this for so many years.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11886650
Bill English’s reaction:
“Isaac Davison
@isaac_davison
PM tells @NewstalkZB the law will have to be changed re: land swaps after Supreme Court rules against Ruataniwha dam. @Forest_and_Bird”
We need to change the government.
The Nats will change the law to make irrigation possible wherever they want it to go. No wonder they are intent on denuding the Environment Court and the RMA.
“And we’ve got no Privy Council sob sob……”
Among other things, ag consultant Alison Dewes talks about large scale irrigation pipe dreams.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/201848878/expert-feature-cleaning-up-dairying
Not dead in the water yet as they are looking at changing the law so the swap can go ahead.
They only see the land to be swapped in monetary terms. But the problem is the land value has never been a monetary one. While the monetary value of the land might be lower, its importance to the vulnerable species that live there is extremely high.
Nats quickie legislation on the way?
The Supreme Court has just ruled the land acquisition for the Ruataniwha Dam as unlawful.
Shit will go down.
Any chance you would write a post from that perspective?
Shit will decrease. The two taniwha have twitched.
Dumb arses could have had a nice Forest lake a 170 ha,s more Forest and economic development .
Liking this series by Chris Trotter.
https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2017/07/labour-breaking-bad-second-in-series-of.html
He’s finally noticed?
I must say that I’ve been thoroughly underwhelmed by Little. The only way he’s dealt with parasites like Robertson and Mallard has been to pander to them.
Yep, Labour has never been a social party. It has always supported and strengthened capitalism. Even now when it’s obvious that capitalism simply doesn’t work.
Why is he saying that Little hasn’t put a lid on Labour ructions? I’d say that it’s one of his strengths over previous leaders: the ones who expect promotion without putting in the work are slowly trickling down the list and pissing off to the tories.
Most politicians have a tendency towards self promotion, but the “levelling down” of infighting and undermining seems to have a decent lid on it. The tories like to talk about barbeques and Ardern’s puff pieces, but the fact is the number of leakers in caucus seems to have dwindled more than a Canterbury aquifer.
Not sure why he said that of Little. The Māori caucus? Maybe he knows something.
Maybe. Or maybe he’s just not one to let facts get in the way of his expert opinion.
There is that.
edit: also the fact Chris likes to tease people with information he has.
“Chris likes to tease people with information he has.”
Correction:
Chris likes to pretend he knows stuff when in fact he knows nothing.
Further correction:
Chris likes to weave fiction and fantasy into stuff and then convince himself it’s reality.
Being a newcomer to the Hawkes Bay I was warned not to buy out along the coast around Clifton as erosion and sea level rise is likely to see a lot of land disappear. Sure enough, yesterday saw the sea come 2 metres closer to homes, roads and power lines. This was not caused by some big storm, just a good swell.
Affected locals call for financial compensation from the council or that it build sea walls for about 5 km.
This scenario will be replicated at many other locations as sea level rise by about 3mm per annum. What should we be doing? Build defences, retreat, compensate, relocate infrastructure, leave land owners to sort out their own problem? I am not sure, but one thing we should do today is stop making the problem bigger by allowing more development below the 10m or 20m contour.
They were aware of the risks when they built/bought and so can fuck off.
QFT
The FO option is one that has some merit, but on the other hand we do socialise risk for earthquakes and slips.
I am waiting for all those holiday suburbs like Pawanui to come to the realisation that their sea views will only increase: to the point that the water is lapping the door step. The political power these people can bring will see it rapidly become a central government problem and you just know that they will want to have their losses socialised. For me, paying a cent from the public purse for a holiday home is totally wrong.
Draco T Bastard is correct, the problem of erosion in Huamoana/Clifton has been known for years, the coast has been going backwards there every since I was a little ‘un.
The council is guilty of continuing to allow people to buy – even being 30m back from the beach isn’t safe – but caveat emptor kicks in somewhere and they shouldn’t bleat for ratepayers money when they took a calculated risk on purchase that hasn’t paid off.
Experience in other places (e.g. Waihi Beach) would tend to reinforce a view that protective works are carried out based, mainly, on who owns the property that may be affected.
… and therein lies another risk, that protective works carried out in one location often increase the damage done to neighbouring areas or properties.
DTB and Gistle
It is time for Councils to make these moves and refuse building permits so people don’t feel they are safe from risks, that it is just a bunch of old moaners worrying over nothing. Open them up to camping grounds with some reasonable sewerage, allow trailer parks and then they can drive away when the sea hits the sand.
Seems apart from Standard readers who want him banned from the airwaves – Mike Hosking is doing very well and grew his market share of listeners in Auckland.
Of course some people on here will call him all sorts of names – but I just think this shows the disconnect between the general public and some of the commenters on here (who of course think they know better).
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11886776
I think he could be in for a nice wee bonus.
Oh dear. Proof that Dorkland really is full of dorks.
yes but we take comfort in the fact that our houses are worth zillions
“…who want him banned from the airwaves
Link to this? Most comments seem to be about not wanting our state broadcaster to employ him because of his inaccuracies and rants.
He can retain his private employ and continue his inanities for ever as far as I am concerned. He is a good example for media studies.
Doesn’t NZME also still employ partner-basher Veitch? Fitting company.
Some questions for James: you say you don’t listen to Hoskings. Those here who do, dislike what he says and does. Why do you feel the need to post in favour of someone you haven’t (you say) listened too? Are you just trying to wind-up people here?
How is that not trolling?
I dont listen to him. I posted it as an opposing position to the people who seem to call him all sorts of names and want him off radio. Im just pointing out that a lot of normal people listen to him – so perhaps they should look at their biases.
opposition for the sake of opposition, then.
Why does a lot of people listening mean that he shouldn’t be called names?
and the opinions expressed were that he is too partisan to be funded by the state broadcaster, not that he shouldn’t be allowed to be broadcast at all. Sorry to burst your delusions.
Sorry to burst your lies – but some wanted him pulled from all TV. As in banning.
“garibaldi 2.2
5 July 2017 at 8:10 am
He should be permanently pulled from all public exposure full stop.”
As for calling someone names – if you cannot work that out – I hope you are fine with people doing it about you and your family in real life also.
I hope you are fine with people doing it about you and your family in real life also.
Unlike with Hosking, I haven’t noticed McFlock pointlessly making a cunt of himself over and over again in the media, so it’s unlikely he’d be called the kinds of names Hosking is. In any case: don’t think of them as “names,” think of them as “reasonably accurate descriptions.” Someone who makes a career out of publicly broadcasting loathesome opinions should expect a fair amount of loathing as a result.
no, not so much in the media… 🙂
“loathesome opinions” in your mighty opinion that is.
fair call on the banning thing, although I think you’re emphasising a less-common attitude for convenience.
As for calling people names – yeah, I don’t take it personal. That’s how I managed to do venue security for a decade without getting complaints agin me. I didn’t give a shit if someone called me a cunt because I refused them entry. None of it’s personal. None of the hoons calling names as they pass by at night mean it – if they don’t give it a second thought, why should I?
But on the odd occasion someone has called me a name and it did bother me. Because I reflected on why they called me names, and realised they had grounds to do it, and I was in the wrong. I wasn’t upset at them, I was upset at myself. I deserved it, I’d made a stupid move.
Only a fucking idiot gets upset if someone calls them names without cause. The name-caller’s opinion on the matter is obviously worthless. But maybe that’s an insight one only acquires after being screamed at by a drunk fuck for a constant 45 minutes before your offsider takes his turn on the door. And the following night the same drunk fuck thinks he’s your best mate.
Thanks for the very reasoned reply.
I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.
Yet many on this forum think its reasonable and right.
But (and this is aimed at nobody at all) – lets say your wife / daughter had a view on something – lets say they agree with Hoskins, or liked Trump, or were pro abortion – or whatever.
They have their reasons (whatever they may be). Is it really right that others call them a stupid cunt for their position. Or a fucken baby murderer? What about racist? What about telling people they are racist because they like Trump (the two are not necessarily linked).
Lets call them that to their face, in front of people – write it on public forums so when people searching for them can see the abuse that is leveled at them.
Would you stand by and watch that happen to them and think its OK? IS it OK for people to just let it slide – because they agree with abuser?
NZ Has a suicide problem – on that we can all agree.
Yet many seem happy to ply abuse on people because their views differ – and to me thats never right.
You cannot say its bad to bully and name call a kid, or a transgendered person, or a woman, and then go do it to somebody else because they happen to differ in political views to you.
Well, I try to avoid calling people words like “cunt”, but I’ve definitely called people baby-killers. Anti-vaxxers and/or tories, if I recall correctly.
The thing is, I can and did provide reasons to back it up. It’s not because their opinions differ from mine, it’s because I think that the views they express, and in some cases the very expression of those views, will indirectly cause the deaths of babies.
I think that’s part of the miscommunication: you say it’s because Hosking expresses different views that he is called names. I think that most of the people here who call him names do so because they honestly believe his propaganda validates the very real suffering and hardship, and occasional deaths, of thousands of NZers. And they have reasonable grounds to believe that. That’s one difference between abusing tories and abusing minorities.
The main difference between name-calling someone like Hosking or an advocate for the mismanagement of this government on the one hand, and children/women/minorities on the other, is like the difference between slaves calling a slaveholder a slaveholder and slaveholders calling a slave a slave. There’s a massive power imbalance that your comparison fails to acknowledge. One is a reasonable description that confronts the situation, the other attempts to reinforce the situation.
Hear, hear. McFlock.
James said:
“I still stand by calling names on people because of your views (if they differ from yours) – and Im referring to others on here not so much you – is wrong.”
QFT
It is possible that Garibaldi meant Public (ie, state-owned) TV when he made his comment. That I would agree with, unless immediate right of reply is given after each rant.
Calling people names, James? James, James, James – who here repeatedly calls Andrew Little, “Angry Andy”, James? James, that’s who.
The stench of hypocrisy wafts from you, James, like … a stench.
Fair point – I do say that.
Hi James,
another thing that is wrong is being deliberately disingenuous.
I reckon some points of pedantry argued on here, while deliberately avoiding the main thrust is also wrong.
You know, derailling behaviour.
Radio NZ Morning Report 430,000 listeners (April) Mike Hoskin 325,000 listeners (July).
Looks like there are a few discerning listeners out there.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/05/11/26463/the-rise-and-rise-of-rnz
Notice that the dominance of RNZ is not mentioned. I believe Morning Report out-guns little Mike by a hundred thousand or so.
Edit: So true Bearded Git.
It’s cos people think he’s Jeremy Wells.
By crikey… was wondering why I don’t tune into… but according to their frequency list I’d have to warm up my valve radio, only AM frequency in Nelson region.
With that in mind, not many if any people in the Nelson region listen to Hosking on the radio.
Invercargill MP, Sarah Dowie, National, writes in The Southland Times:
https://i.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/opinion/94397621/healthcare-a-top-priority
Healthcare a top priority
“Quality healthcare is important to all of us and this Government is continuing to deliver a world-class healthcare system with proper mental health support for all Southlanders.”
Southlanders respond:
Cousin aged 55 waited six months , was in pain and was ignored, , finally paid private and is now back full time at work We will remember this election.
5 hours ago
Just think
I know of Southlander’s who have died, because by the time they met the criteria to be seen, it was too late to help them.
7 hours ago
Ruz
This is a political broadcast from the National Party written and authorised by the Office of the Prime Minister.
Admirably clear accessible web design advice from the UK govt: https://accessibility.blog.gov.uk/2016/09/02/dos-and-donts-on-designing-for-accessibility
thanks, that was very interesting.
cheers