Open Mike 06/10/2017
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6:00 am, October 6th, 2017 - 58 comments
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- Vietnamese reunification 50 years later: ‘let bygones be bygones’
On 27 January 1973, the conflict in Vietnam was brought to an end with the formal signing in Paris of the Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring the Peace in Vietnam by four parties: ...2 hours ago - A “secret” that wasn’t
Back in 2018, Aotearoa was in the midst of the Operation Burnham inquiry. During this, it emerged that key evidence was subject to a US veto under an obscure and secret treaty. Part of the Five Eyes arrangement, this treaty was referred to by a number of different names in ...2 hours ago - Nicola Willis’ Austerity Threatens New Zealand’s Future
I hate to sound the alarm, but New Zealand’s economy is teetering on the edge, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is wielding her austerity axe with a reckless abandon that could plunge us into a prolonged recession. The 2025 Budget, with its brutal $1.1 billion reduction in baseline spending, is ...3 hours ago - Nicola Willis’ Austerity Threatens New Zealand’s Future
I hate to sound the alarm, but New Zealand’s economy is teetering on the edge, and Finance Minister Nicola Willis is wielding her austerity axe with a reckless abandon that could plunge us into a prolonged recession. The 2025 Budget, with its brutal $1.1 billion reduction in baseline spending, is ...3 hours ago
- Punish That Criminal !
Crime Pays for the PoliticiansThis morning, Paul Goldsmith, the Minister who wants Te Reo Maori scrubbed, announced that prisoners who are serving terms of less than 3 years be barred from voting. From left, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith & Mental Health Minister Matt DooceyNZ’s Electoral Review ...4 hours ago - Four Walls
Well, I can't see and I can't hearThey've burnt out all the feelingsAnd I never been so crazy, and it's just my second yearFour walls, wash basinFour walls, wash basinFour walls, wash basin, prison bedSongwriter: Don Walker.The coalition parties are mulling the austerity budget they will soon put to the ...4 hours ago - The Left Must Rally Behind Andrew Little
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- Progressive Resurgence
Trump Kills A Sure-Thing In Canada, the Conservatives fell from a 21 point lead a few months ago to a decisive loss yesterday. The Canadian Liberals are ~ 2 to 3 seats short of a majority, which means PM Mark Carney but will still need to work through opposition parties ...4 hours ago - Defence and Trump shape Australia’s election
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- Waitākere Ranges Ruckus: Unpacking the Anti-Māori Hysteria
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes on Wednesday, April 30
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Truly, these are tough times for our nation’s leaders. In future, how on earth are they going to find the sort of money they’ve been happy to throw at landlords, tobacco companies, and wealthier New Zealanders ever since they got elected? On Defence, how are they going to find those ...15 hours ago - Bad advice on public sector discount rates
A couple of months ago now I wrote a post about the new set of discount rates government agencies are supposed to use in undertaking cost-benefit analysis, whether for new spending projects or for regulatory initiatives. The new, radically altered, framework had come into effect from 1 October last year, ...22 hours ago - Indonesia is hooked on Huawei
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- Bookshelf: The myth of American liberalism
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- Cutting even deeper against the grain
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The Herald had another announcement today about a new solar farm being officially opened - this time the 63MW Lauriston solar farm in Canterbury. It is of course briefly "NZ’s biggest solar farm", but it will soon be overtaken by Kōwhai park at Christchurch airport (168MW) and Tauhei (202MW), both ...24 hours ago
- Shoving the future aside
I woke this morning to the shock news that Tory Whanau was no longer contesting the Wellington mayoralty, having stepped aside to leave the field clear for Andrew Little. Its like a perverse reversal of Little's 2017 decision to step aside for Jacinda - the stale, pale past rudely shoving ...1 day ago
- A pre-Budget speech
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- Weak tax revenue is a national security issue
Of the two things in life that are certain, defence and national security concern themselves with death but need to pay more attention to taxes. Australia’s national security, defence and domestic policy obligations all need ...1 day ago
- Chris Penk’s Leaky Homes 2.0
The Coalition of Chaos is at it again with another half-baked underwhelming scheme that smells suspiciously like a rerun of New Zealand’s infamous leaky homes disaster. Their latest brainwave? Letting tradies self-certify their own work on so-called low-risk residential builds. Sounds like a great way to cut red tape to ...1 day ago
- Assumed Competence
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- National Has Mismanaged The Economy
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- Bernard’s Picks ‘n’ Mixes at 6am on Tuesday, April 29
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- Bernard’s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Monday, April 28
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Nicola Willis announced that funding for almost every Government department will be frozen in this year’s budget, costing jobs, making access to public services harder, and fuelling an exodus of nurses, teachers, and other public servants. ...1 day ago
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- Release: Transparency needed on changes to early childhood education
The Government is putting children at risk in early childhood education (ECE) by proposing to loosen the requirement for qualified teachers. ...6 days ago
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New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill that would ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law. “This is not about being anti-anyone or anti-anything. This is about ensuring we as a country focus on the facts of biology and protect the ...1 week ago - Release: Labour marks the passing of Pope Francis
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins joins those mourning the passing of Pope Francis. ...1 week ago
- Release: Boot camps blog post fails to provide clarity
After stonewalling requests for information on boot camps, the Government has now offered up a blog post right before Easter weekend rather than provide clarity on the pilot. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Inflation rises and families feel the squeeze
Inflation is rising again and it’s landing hardest on families already stretched thin. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Govt doesn’t know how to fund new hospitals
The Government’s health infrastructure plan is big on promises but coy on where the money is coming from. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: $10 million for only 215 students in charter schools
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- Release: Food prices further stretching the family budget
Families already stretched by rising costs will struggle with the news food prices are going up again. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Mental health staff and patients at risk without plan
More people could be harmed if Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey does not guarantee to protect patients and workers as the Police withdraw from supporting mental health call outs. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Driver licensing proposal doesn’t put safety first
The Government’s proposal to change driver licensing rules is a mixed bag of sensible and careless. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Students struggling as Govt sits on hands
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- Release: More must be done to stop children going hungry
More children are going hungry and statistics showing children in material hardship continue to get worse. ...3 weeks ago
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- More children going hungry under Coalition govt
The Government yesterday released its annual child poverty statistics, and by its own admission, more tamariki across Aotearoa are now living in material hardship. ...3 weeks ago
- Release: Longer wait for treatment under National
New Zealanders have waited longer to get an appointment with a specialist and to get elective surgery under the National Government. ...3 weeks ago
- Ka mate te Pire- Ka ora te mana o Te Tiriti o Waitangi me te iwi Māori
Today, Te Pāti Māori join the motu in celebration as the Treaty Principles Bill is voted down at its second reading. “From the beginning, this Bill was never welcome in this House,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi. “Our response to the first reading was one of protest: protesting ...3 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins speech: Treaty Principles Bill second reading
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- Release: End to the Treaty Principles Bill, but challenges remain ahead for Aotearoa
Ka mate te pire I te rā neiThe bill dies today ...3 weeks ago
- Ka mate te Pire, ka ora Te Tiriti o Waitangi – Treaty Principles Bill dead, Te Tiriti o Waitangi m...
The Green Party is proud to have voted down the Coalition Government’s Treaty Principles Bill, an archaic piece of legislation that sought to attack the nation’s founding agreement. ...3 weeks ago
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- Reinstating a blanket ban on prisoners voting is retrograde and harmful
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Why we urgently need to investigate Chinese influence over National.
‘The shocking reality that the National Party is little more than a front for Chinese business interests demands far more attention than it gained…
New research paper lays bare China’s influence campaign in New Zealand
Concerns raised over political donations and directorships offered to former ministers and relatives
Chinese-owned New Zealand dairy farms said to possibly being used to test advanced missile technology’
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/10/06/why-we-urgently-need-to-investigate-chinese-influence-over-national/
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11924169
Can we investigate the unions too?
Infusion = bullshit.
You seriously want to investigate the influence of unions over National?? Keen to do a PhD, aren’t you?
Well that “Taxpayers Union” seems pretty dodgy to me
True, that would produce the first R18-rated PhD in NZ history.
He is talking about Federated farmers and the NZ institute.
Oh, it could be worse, e.g. the New Zealand Food & Grocery Council (FGC).
For what? The irresponsible use of placards?
Don’t see why not.
But I also don’t see why you’re concerned. The unions aren’t a foreign power seemingly working against the interests of the country.
Sure. What for? They seemed very quiet during the election I thought. And hasnt the campaign to destroy their influence resulted in low enough wages yet for yoyr liking?
This is very concerning as it could affect our sovereignty and the incoming government needs to call an inquiry.
We should be funding the elections and limiting the money that can be spent as well.
Apologizes’s for up setting you all as this was not my intention.
But that is my reality as the Government system has not displayed any reason for me to trust them to do the right thing YEA RIGHT .This site and our viewers have given us the power to influence changes to our society’s for the better of everything in OUR WORLD.
I have tried to get life insurance and that was rejected I will be sorting that out later.
So my words yesterday was my way of insuring my safety as if any thing happens to me these people no that my case will be scrutinized and people held responsible for there actions against me.
Bigg upps to OUR net ball Lady’s you have improved your game remarkably and we all no you can win against the AUSSIES Kai Kaha Lady’s
Tory corporate media continues to whinge….,,,,,,
This time Winston is too quick.
Watch them drip by drip try to erode MMP.
There are words for people like that.
And it’s not journalists.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11930072
Over a year ago, two suicide deaths on the edge of my social circle …. came closer to pushing me into depression or breakdown than at any other point in my life.
The Grief of those I was close too …. and the indifference of many wealthy but un-civil New Zealanders …. had my emotions going from despair to fury.
Despite myself & my immediate family doing relatively well in life and circumstances, …. I felt a powerlessness against harms, hardships and stress being put upon our working class citizens … and those at the lower financial end of society.
Deliberate punitive policy choices made law …. despite knowing full well the results literally kill people….even if not as obvious as trade deals for ( illegal ) war participation…. Job insecurity, housing insecurity, debt for the young, poverty for families … it all cuts and claws at our people.
Back at the time I copped a ban for abusing Puckish Rouge, who for me was personifying this sickness of indifference … so comfortable in their casual consent for cruelty …..
saying we are going in the right direction …. even when our numbers increasingly represent a death march … no mercy for stragglers or those left behind.
James sometimes makes me a bit wild and angry ….. for the same reasons …
If People feel I sometimes over-react in my rudeness to RW trolls …….I say they get off light …. it’s my sticks and stones …..versus their shit Kills real New Zealanders …
It’s hurt people I know….
The two suicide victims impacting upon me did not know of each other ….
One was a father, Imperfect and flawed like most of us ….. a rugged incredibly hard working forestry man …, fluently Bi-Lingual, knowledgeable in history ,. a talented musician Artist. …. …
He was made unemployed,…. like just about every other man in his small community …. When the local forestry industry stopped tree felling … during the start of Nationals housing crisis/bubble/shortage…. and when growing numbers of NZ kids… were living in cars… or other substandard, overcrowded and unhealthy accommodation .
Unemployment , Bennett/Keys sick WINZ culture…. and other attacks against human decency …. throughout his life but particularly at the end ….. broke his spirit….Attacked his pride ….stole his hope.
With Death, the grief, sadness and anger of those who knew and loved him … metastasizes through and harms all our society . …
NZ Harder … meaner ……. colder ….. certainly for his children.
The other victim was a teenage girl, ……talented and tough enough to be selected into regional age rep teams in the most competitive woman s sport in New Zealand …. but who suffered from our un-civil treatment towards her parents, which of course affected her circumstances and home life ….
……This coupled with a complete Failure by her school, first with bullying, …. and then in delaying Medical treatment …. turned what was a ‘cry for help’ suicide attempt … into a fatal one. …a needless death of a young, sad, talented, teenager Isolated in her anxietys.
I strongly suspect a white girl would have been taken more seriously….. and had immediate medical action …. rather than sent too and mucked around at her school sick bay …..as she was.
Both of the suicide victims did not have easy lives … both had so much talent …. both were loved
The loss of their sensitivity and humanity …. and the legions of others like them in New Zealand ….. cuts at the very spirit of our society….. they bear the crushed hope of our descent into cruel economic segregation..
Take the civil out of society and what are we left with ? …. The dreams of the rich result in a nightmare for most.
I’ll finish this posts with the words and Lyrics of the forestry worker, father … and musician….A small sliver and sample of what was his life ….. in his words …
Snippets from songs, which had me in tears at times…. knowing the tragic ending.
N8v child: ( native child ) ….. One of our best Artists …. we never knew we had……
“Theres no gas in the subey ……. CV’s are about to snap… Motor smokes like doobies
No warrant or registration …. awww fucken sue me
Im up to my neck . in debt .. with finacial shit …..
And the rest of me out-stretched ….. with I.O.U on my chest “
On drink …..
“Theres a way to make a shitty day a happy day,
N8v child get drunk ,, drink sorrows away.
Nothing can stop you when your in the zone and on your way,
Wake up…….. everythings on the next day .
Theres a way to make a shitty day a happy day,
Square gin, johnny walker, JDs …its all the same.
Nothing can stop you when your in the zone and on your way,
Wake up…….. everythings on the next day.”
Life
“Hey, I gota risk my life for this shit,
Felling Pinus-Radiata with a six , six ..and missed”…
“Like a ghost presence appearing ….you never see me.
I’m a native Cannabil from Aotearoa ….
I aint no Kiwi”
“Dial tone , I’m a little engaged …hard case … Maori or Polynesian
That just a little reminder …. of theres somebody in the background .. preparing for tomorrow”
“No matter how hard you try …your left behind .. in your mind”
“Ashes to dust …Government corruption is such,
The seas black, .. and they’re still trying to drill and frack the fuck.
Mother earths had enough ……
And i’m looking around ,….. and Im looking around alot ,…. you got me looking around …
trying to find a way out… I’m trying to find my way out.”
R.I.P … N8v Child …… his truth grows in strength … the music from his heart will always shine.
https://soundcloud.com/pete-dnanz/vlc-record-2016-05-02-06h39m01s-track-13/stats/plays/2017-09-29/2017-10-05
https://soundcloud.com/pete-dnanz/truth
Link should have been https://soundcloud.com/pete-dnanz/vlc-record-2016-05-02-06h39m01s-track-13/
Tautoko, Reason.
Thanks for that reason. A loved mother in our community, known to all, killed herself the other day. The ripples just go on and on. Arohanui to everyone struggling out there.
Thank you so much for this, Reason, even though it has left me in tears.
Your stories are but two of thousands of similar stories in this “rock-star economy. The RWNJ who refuse to acknowledge that what is happening in this country is both cruel and unnecessary are despicable IMO.
Reason, thank-you for this, it’s a beautiful piece of writing that really touches the situation NZ is in now. It would make a fine Guest Post. If you were willing, I can put it up. I would need to edit the ellipses out for readability (and I might want to take out the RW names, but would probably link back to the original comment if people want to see). Have a think about it, and also if you are ok with the families having their story more prominent (on the front page of The Standard and then out via social media).
Thanks for the support and sharing everyone … there’s so much individualized pain as communities unravel ….
And thankyou Weka,….. I would have to gain permission from N8V childs family as his story is their living heartbreak … I know his children will grow up very proud of him … But its whether his family are ready …..
To let go of him again, in a way.
I will ask.
Soundcloud seems to be playing up … but heres a youtube link to a full n8v child song.
I understand. It’s also an option to post it at a later time if they feel better about that, but I also get they may not want that to happen at all.
I would also want to link to suicide support services at the bottom of the post, and I would moderate comments tightly.
Sorry for your loss.
What I find stunning is how we almost exist in silos (which I suppose explains to some extent how some people can think the place is going fine).
I live in Dunedin, a small city more like a large town. I know of only one friend/acquaintance who has committed suicide, almost 20 years ago. I have a friend in south D, she’s been to several funerals this year, and about half a dozen last year. She knew directly several people who committed suicide.
For some social circles or geographic areas, suicide and other early death is almost at levels seen in war zones, yet for another section of the community life is long and happy. Privilege.
Thanks @Reason, I read that with tears. Kia kaha
Thanks reason for your words, honesty and insight.
I, too, have been consoling friends who lost their beautiful early twenties daughter to suicide
You are right, there is a direct link between this free-market, neo-liberal regime and the real pain folks are feeling.
Thanks again for your articulate words.
reason
You say it well for many of us. A moving obituary to the two.
NZ Harder … meaner ……. colder…
Thanks for taking the time to write and share this.
Kia kaha
@ reason (4) …
The shocking negligence of families struggling in this country is an absolute disgrace! An indictment on the present uncaring, arrogant government!
Many thanks for bravely sharing your double tragic loss.
Kia kaha.
Thankyou everyone ….. but do not feel sorry for me ….. my sadness was for those cut the deepest ….
As marty mars, Karen, McFlock and gsays have shown …. we are all close to those feeling pain and being hurt … Just reaching out and offering a little help or empathy can mean a lot …
Humanity is one of our greatest gifts we can give …. relationships, even with a cat or dog, are lifes greatest rewards.
Weka,… N8v childs family will want his voice heard …. I know for some of them its a mission of respect …. Part of their healing.
Initially the numbing desolation and pain smothered any thoughts or decision making for his Music…
His spirit will shine again….
“Sending aroha to you both Pero & Haam 🙂 may u both be jamming in the after life & jamming beside those who love you and your music in spirit. “got me looking around, trying to find a way out…” Nga mihi aroha, Nga mihi maioha ki a korua xox <3 ma te atua e manaaki – moe mai ra xox <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8uQOCW05Vo
I am continually amazed as to the apathy people show to being rinsed and ripped by the big 4 Australian banks.Recently they abolished other bank ATM charges in Australia, but offer a spurious,lame excuse as to why they cannot do the same here.In Australia depositors have compulsory insurance guaranteeing their investments.Here we have the opposite-an OBR that allows these banks to give NZ customers a ‘haircut’ should the bank find it has been incompetent or imprudent.With TSB,KIWI BANK,and Co-op Banks available here,there are options!With the increasing frequency of online banking transactions and the closure of many physical stores,what USP do the Australian banks offer anyway?Access to investment capital in NZ is supposedly paramount,yet the National Govt seem determined to stymie Kiwi Bank,The Cullen Fund,and Kiwisaver in favour of exporting billions of profits offshore!Winston seems to appreciate the value of Kiwi Bank at least.
Oz consumers get reamed more then kiwis do and a banking royal commission is being pushed for against turdbulls wishes, my there’s a surprise.
What you are seeing is banks pretending they care when in fact they are desperate to avoid a royal commission. It’s been brewing before their last election and banks being banks keep reminding people what vampires they are.
Between the gouging on transactional fees and their superannuation management fees racket you bet they don’t want the gilt edged platinum goose exposed.
Speaking of ATM’s:
https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/97447977/dairy-farmer-waits-two-weeks-for-cash-after-atm-fails-to-deliver
It is a good thing that the guy was a rich farmer who could afford to go without $2000 for 2 weeks. Had this been someone who was living week to week, it would have totally fucked their finances up.
Exactly under neoliberalism the NZ government has turned Kiwis into cash cows for mostly foreign owned businesses. That’s the reason that the cost of living is so high. We also pay some of the highest mortgage rates compared to other comparable countries.
Tried to bank a cheque the other day, found the bank branch had closed down since I last banked a cheque. What are we paying all these fees for?
Banks make record profits here, but not much interest from government – in fact they cheer them on – like the power companies – who now charge people for solar.
My eldest granddaughter has a problem with a skin reaction around her mouths her mother dropped her off about 2 months ago because it takes 10 days to get a doctors appointment where they live.
So I took her to the doctors in Rotorua and met the Kenyan doctor his proscription was some antibiotics and a lip balm that has all natural ingredients in it so we chose Great Barrier ILand with alo vera and manuka honey and her rash came right but she lost it in a week and when i went back to get more I chose another product which just made her rash worse so two more vist to the doctor more antibiotics an the problem got worst .Yesterday I took her to a skin specialist and they were very help full and referred on to some one else . I remembered the first lip balm we got so I said to my granddaughter that we will go and get one of the first lip balms and If that did not work we would go to the person we were advised to go to as one has to watch his money well we found the product and with in 20 hours her proplem has improved 90 % .
I was having selfish thoughts like what if the product gets a big run and runs out ect
But I have over come those thoughts and decided it is to good not to endorse this product and help people with there skin problems P.S I’M going to buy a second lot now and I no that my granddaughter will look after this lip balm now . kai kaha
Watch this as National is driving us quickly to the end.
Two degrees Point of no return.
Two Degrees: The Point of No Return (TV Movie 2017) – IMDb
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7339080
Directed by Matthew Braley. – As the Earth’s average temperature rises each year, experts warn that we are nearing a fatal tipping point, 2 degrees Celsius …
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/carbon-emissions-warming-soils-higher-than-estimated-signalling-tipping-points
Reason, your grief and anger in the face of government indifference is felt here too.
I had two lovely friends, a couple, who worked hard all their lives for their family of five
He developed a mental illness, and wasn’t helped when it made him afraid of the meds
She developed type 2 diabetes and soon after cancer.
They were mainly helped by their children. The safety net more holes than net.
For me, the anger and grief when he was put out of hospital with his meds in his hand.
And when she was asked as she was dying, “Can you work 15 hours a week?”
They didn’t live to 65, so no pension. So I voted for no age increase.
I hear you Reason, and share your grief and pain. The misery inflicted by the comfortable, while they look the other way.
Our hope is together we can make this a better place. Kia kaha.
to PB and Reason above : Yes indeed we MUST make this a better place. Let’s trust that present political deliberations enable it.
I Feel for all the people that are unfortunate but please try and use a method I learned which is to look for something positive in our lives if one looks hard they will find it . all the best to you all I AM SURE THINGS ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE FOR THE GOOD OF ALL OF US. my spelling shit hope you had a few laugh’s Kia Kaha
Hi patricia bremner, and Heather Grimwood…. I’ve just seen and read your post …. sorry for not seeing it and replying earlier.
So sad and cruel regarding your friends …. Almost literally Worked to death…
Causalities of The pressures and stress …. from our sick ‘Greed race’ society …
National rats now being the minority …… means some repairs to to the holes they have gnawed in our society …. may finally be done.
ButNever trust a blue rat ,,,,,,,,, they are from ‘the Sewer’ family.
Under a National led Government the New Zealand’s public education system has suffered…
$35 million gifted to private schools (4% of students).
$25 million slashed from the Education Ministry (according to assessments it is the worst performing ministry).
Introduction of new curriculum abandoned and National Standards implemented without trial, against advice and with limited consultation (legislated into law).
Cost of repairing leaky school buildings over $1.2 billion (after National’s de-regulation of building industry in 1991).
$400 million wiped from the early childhood budget and the target for qualified teachers dropped to 80% (many centres operating at 100% had massive budget cuts).
Curriculum narrowed to literacy and numeracy and all other advisors sacked(Science, Technology, Arts…).
The expectation that schools provide healthy food wiped to allow commercial interests into schools again to sell processed food and fruit in schools scheme slashed.
Funding for technology teachers in intermediates cut.
Class sizes over 1:27, 6 more than the OECD average
Health camps closed.
Residential schools for behavioural needs closed (one illegally).
Schools who questioned Standards were threatened with having boards and principals sacked and had PD withheld.
Christchurch school closures are poorly managed and questioned by an ombudsmen and found wanting by a court decision.
New Education Ministry head employed from UK with a background in Charter Schools and limited knowledge of New Zealand system.
Novopay signed off and implemented without a proper trial despite having 147 software faults. Schools are having to devote hours of time every week to deal with past and ongoing problems.
Charter Schools introduced despite no evidence of need and are given afinancial advantage over public schools. The Civilian’s satirical take on Charter Schools is actually not far from the truth.
Private schools capture special needs funding over low decile schools.
Hekia Parata remains in Ministerial role despite poor performance and little respect from the public or the education sector.
After five years under National, New Zealand’s international ranking plummets to as low as 23rd.
Internationally regarded research reveals New Zealand schools are suffering serious harm under the National Standards regime.
The Prime Minister announces that $359 million will be spent on Executive Principals and Teachers who are successful in raising achievement in National Standards. Many question why the money is supporting a corporate management system and isn’t being spent directly to help children with high needs.
You can add to the list the change to teacher training that allows teachers to train in 6 weeks in the school holidays and then train on the job in one school without varied practicums, just as Teach For America does to bring in low cost, short term, untrained ‘teachers’. (Coincidentally great for charter schools, especially those running for profit.)
https://saveourschoolsnz.com/2014/03/17/the-list-what-national-has-done-to-new-zealand-education/
Add to that horrendous list a further subsidy to private schools via the use of the Aspire scholarships.
Ballot scholarships paying up to $82.500 per student- most of it as fees to a private school – over a period of five years.
Yep the government seem to have it all wrong.
NZ already has a means for special charter in schools and that is independent schools. We don’t need charter schools and public money being siphoned off and used to enrich businesses and banks! If you want a special school you can already do it under independent schools.
Great post saveNZ….I thought I followed the news pretty well but I hadn’t put all those things together. This has been a government of 9 years of nasty incremental changes-environment/education/health/maori/housing/taxes…you name it.
But the 5% are ok, with their private healthcare and private education and their jobs for the boys. They swim in their private pools not in the wadeable rivers.
Another Hollywood scoundrel and faux-liberal Clintonista bites the dust
predator n., a person who ruthlessly exploits others. “a sexual predator”
Peter Jackson’s friend Harvey Weinstein has been one of the loudest and most brutal opponents of the open internet. He’s taken sick leave recently. Here’s why….
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/us/harvey-weinstein-harassment-allegations.html
http://www.scpr.org/blogs/economy/2013/01/24/12175/harvey-weinstein-still-thinks-silicon-valley-steal/
“Auckland ratepayers [are] now paying 6 percent more this year for council salaries. A staggering 52 percent of rates are now used by the council just to pay staff.”
…Mr Town (CEO)- who got a $34,000 payrise to $690,000…”
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/10/bump-in-auckland-council-staff-earning-six-figure-salaries.html
Note the article attacks democratically elected Phil Goff NOT the unelected CEO Town who earns $690,000 who is supposed to ‘run’ the council.
Not sure how much the Ports of Auckland CEO gets, or Metrowater CEO’s but probably more than Phil Goff.
Apparently Auckland council has some unbelievable dissatisfaction rate from ratepayers.
Before the supercity and the COO structures the council seemed to be better off with just democratically elected councillors and some managers under them. Much cheaper, better services and much more accountability.
Buttgate
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/97622773/buttgate-top-official-at-wellington-city-council-slams-stupid-and-wasteful-bylaw
Gotta have a giggle with Lee Camp. Some good points from this short video, and funny as well. 7.15
tl:dw?
Rachel Maddow said something.
Glenn Greenwald thinks that something is untrue.
An Alex Jones / Lewis Black / Aragorn crossover rants for 7 minutes.
Did you watch it to save the rest of us the time? Or just educated guesses from what’s on the screens and past form?
I actually watched it. Totally reminded me of Dr AMP’s podcast/radio show in Twin Peaks. Without the props though lol.
savenz I don’t no how these people who have been destroying our grandchildren’s future can even show there face’s in public let a lone on camera and tell there lies . They are a disgrace to NZ and a disgrace to humanity. We all want the best start for our children everyone no’s that start’s with a good education good health as any little setback will greatly affect our young star’s life in a negative way and will prevent them from reaching there full potential . OUR children are OUR future . and national don’t that. I CAN NOT WRAP MY HEAD AROUND THE WAY national people think because there logic does not exist Kia Kaha
Thanks Maori/kiwi. I think National have got away their shocking social manipulation for 9 years by targeting vulnerable people like children and bullying schools and doing it in a way so that incrementally it’s just getting worse and worse while having a little back slaps with the MSM and so completely misleading reporting with zero facts is being done about what’s happening in this country.
Similar to WINZ targeting beneficiaries. Pick on the vulnerable, like kids and beneficiaries who are less able to ask for help so that money can be siphoned off for other causes (Saudi sheep farms or Sky city convention centres). And we have roads, roads, roads, actually the most expensive road in the world being built by National – so money is no object in some cases. Clearly kids or people in general are not considered worth anything in comparison.
Moko inquiry. Can I say how much I admire Judge, now Childrens Commissioner. Read what this guy writes. He has been trying to be part of solutions for over a decade but so many deaf ears.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11929541
This is why Wayne Mapp makes me annoyed when he avoids answering valid questions about the “collateral damage” of his preferred ideology. When he is affronted that people might think National has done bad things. They have had their go, for 9 years, of addressing the Mokos and Moko mums and Tanias… like Nat MPs, not evil people but unlike National MPs doing bad things through desperation…
Fuck, you’re an obnoxious wanker.
[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.]
I try to be your mirror: thanks for the encouragement.
Had a chuckle at this short piece of satire in The New Yorker
“Doctors at the University of Minnesota Medical School, who have been studying the skeletal structures of both Republicans for months, believe that their ability to stand, walk, and even break into a brisk trot when confronted by reporters’ questions is “virtually inexplicable.”
https://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/scientists-baffled-by-mcconnell-and-ryans-ability-to-stand-upright-without-spines
“When he [Boris Johnson] was lying his way through the referendum campaign, we knew little about what Brexit Britain would look like. Now we are beginning to know more.
The pound worth less – because of Brexit. Rising prices – because of Brexit.
Our falling standing in the world – because of Brexit.
From the top of the G7 growth league to the bottom – because of Brexit.
The investors making plans to move – because of Brexit.
EU workers leaving our NHS and our schools and universities, not welcome – because of Brexit.
Fruit unpicked in East Anglia – because of Brexit.
The Irish border question unresolved and imperiling stability and peace there – because of Brexit. The rights of millions uncertain – because of Brexit.
The most complex negotiations imaginable in the hands of a cabinet incapable of meeting for five minutes without splurging their differences through the media to the other side of the negotiating table. ”
A foreign secretary driven by ego alone; a Prime Minister too weak to deal with it.”
Alastair Campbell in the NewEuropean.
He doesn’t miss and hit the wall.