Open mike 07/05/2024

95 comments on “Open mike 07/05/2024 ”

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1. Ad 1

   7 May 2024 at 9:33 am

   It is particularly weird and unsafe for one side to advise the media that they have reached agreement on a ceasefire without the other side at the same media conference agreeing to those same terms.

   https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/5/6/hamas-accepts-qatari-egyptian-proposal-for-gaza-ceasefire#:~:text=The%20proposal%20includes%20a%20three,exchange%20of%20captives%20and%20prisoners.

   "The proposal includes a three-stage truce, each phase lasting 42 days, according to al-Hayya. In the first phase, indirect negotiations through mediators would resume on the exchange of captives and prisoners."

   Why Netanyahu thinks he can eke out slightly more gains out of Hamas at this point is mind boggling.
   • bwaghorn 1.1

     7 May 2024 at 11:50 am

     Not condoning the massive deaths of innocent Palestinians, but why would Isreal call truce while hamas is still an entity,?
     • Subliminal 1.1.1

       7 May 2024 at 1:18 pm

       Maybe because he's drowning in so much blood he should stop? Or that even his enablers in the US are starting to get a bad taste in their mouths? There is an election later this year dont ya know?
     • Nic the NZer 1.1.2

       7 May 2024 at 6:26 pm

       If you look into the peace process longer term you will find this is not really about Hamas. You can take any leadership of Palestine, be that the PLO, PA or Hamas and Israel has been playing divide and rule between Gaza and the West Bank and (almost certainly in all cases) assainating the leadership when they approach any kind of settlement. This includes the Israeli government funding Hamas (via Jordan) as recently as 2022. The basis for any ceasefire will be US pressure. Probably the US could get a settlement process completed but it would have to really want that outcome and force Israel into something Palestinians can accept.
2. Mikey 2

   7 May 2024 at 10:42 am

   I don't think Israel will accept any terms that leaves Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya as a functioning organisation.
3. Drowsy M. Kram 3

   7 May 2024 at 11:07 am

   Top scientist Mike Joy loses role at Victoria University [31 May 2023]
   Joy has previously received Forest & Bird’s Old Blue award, the Ecology in Action award from the New Zealand Ecological Society, and the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Charles Fleming Award for Environmental Achievement.

   Joy’s criticism has in turn drawn its own – former Prime Minister Sir John Key dismissed his views on BBC’s Hardtalk show and soil scientist and agribusiness commentator Dr Doug Edmeades implied he was biased, prompting a response from the New Zealand Association of Scientists (NZAS).

   “He, more than anyone else, has become a symbol of universities as critic and conscience,” NZAS co-president Professor Troy Baisden said today.

   But amid a series of deep, cost-cutting restructures across most New Zealand universities over recent years, Joy’s case also spoke to the need for more support and investment in what were crucial institutions to society.

   In June 2023 it was announced he [Joy] would take up a five year fellowship as the Morgan Foundation Senior Research Fellow in Freshwater Ecology at Victoria.

   Phew!

   Top climate modellers could be at risk from job-cuts proposal [7 May 2024]

   "We are focused on the outcomes here" [from @27:45 minutes on]
   "We will stop dumb stuff."
   "It’s just naturally what you do as a CEO."

   
4. newsense 4

   7 May 2024 at 11:46 am

   Stand up for Julie Anne Genter!

   She’s obviously being harassed by two triumphalist right wingers, who despite their people skills and having made public how much they disliked the Green Party, unaccountably are having business problems in Wellington.

   Nothing like working hard for something for over a decade and someone moves in and trashes both your years of work and then lies about what you did. Almost enough to want to stuff a prefu down his throat. Much like the last lot of polls.

   It was so odd listening to people who just wanted business to perk up on the Golden Mile on RNZ , then also turning their triumphalist tone to the failure of Wellington council to provide enough corporate welfare for Reading Cinemas. Everyone knows the only way to spark business is to stop cycling! Silly Greens.

   So stand up for the Greens I say. It’s hardly John Presscot.
   • alwyn 4.1

     7 May 2024 at 12:42 pm

     "Nothing like working hard for something for over a decade and someone moves in and trashes both your years of work and then lies about what you did. ".

     That isn't a very nice thing to say about Genter, even if she has led to the wrecking of both those peoples' businesses that they spent so long building up.
     • newsense 4.1.1

       7 May 2024 at 1:07 pm

       Can’t remember what kind of coward you are- the ones who take kids lunches or the kind who sells single smokes outside schools or the kind who gets large sums of grants to give to their mates while kicking other people out of their houses and jobs…

       which one was it now?

       The one who’s so hard on crime that’d they’d rather pay 1.9 million each on tough on crime crime beds than read inquiries into state care and state wards? Sergeant Ballsack himself? He’s hard and tough. Hard on crime. Despite his ESP being numbers they’re a bit flaky though…
       • alwyn 4.1.1.1

         7 May 2024 at 2:01 pm

         Are you always like this?
         • Cricklewood 4.1.1.1.1

           7 May 2024 at 2:07 pm

           Ask a stupid question comes to mind…
         • AB 4.1.1.1.2

           7 May 2024 at 3:08 pm

           Probably Newsense has just temporarily forgotten what a sanctified place business owners occupy within the right-wing mind. So sanctified, that any perturbation of their divine mission is a sin.
         • SPC 4.1.1.1.3

           7 May 2024 at 3:10 pm

           You invited it with your even if … cast it, receive it in kind.
     • mikesh 4.1.2

       7 May 2024 at 2:10 pm

       That isn't a very nice thing to say about Genter, even if she has led to the wrecking of both those peoples' businesses that they spent so long building up.

       So, even if the development of cycleways is the right thing to do (for the safety of cyclists), we should not develop them? I think the florist's business has been "wrecked" by circumstances rather than by Genter. Presumably when the street in question was first put in place, perhaps as much as century ago, nobody envisaged this sort of problem arising; however, many suffer shocks to their mode of making a living, (layoffs etc.), but most just take it in their stride, and get on with things.
       • Shanreagh 4.1.2.1

         7 May 2024 at 6:05 pm

         Really? Just roll over…yes 'Master, yes master' because our so called Green betters have spoken,?

         Like those who don't have access to a garage on their sections because: too small, too steep an aspect etc.

         They/we just roll over & let a cycle lane be put in, apply for a Residents park at $200 apx pa (Noting that there are not enough residents parks being made available for the numbers of homes that will be affected)

         So then, because you need a car to get to work, kids to sport or whatever you look around neighbouring streets and they have parks but you are limited to 3 hours only. So its a merry old merry go round multiplied by two if you happen to be part of the demographic where both parents work and manage split second timing covering child care, being at home and working to raise $$$$ to live on.

         What has happened to us? Have we all become so upwardly mobile that we don't care any more and so we pull the ladders up all round.

         I for one put people, any people, ahead of cycle ways. If we have spare money we should enhance our public transport and, in Wellington, our water.

         We should not spend money on 'nice to haves' (one bike with one person) that achieve a 1:1 change to car driving ratios/use of fossil fuels ahead of an investment in electric public transport with its 1:80 (one car replaced by one bus carrying up to 80 people using the big double deckers)

         If we have spare money once we have improved our public transport, and our water supply, then sure cycle lanes…..
         • Cinder 4.1.2.1.1

           7 May 2024 at 6:57 pm

           Absolute hogwash from the dimwit once again.

           You didn't put cyclists lives ahead of little miss private loading zone and her reeking weeds.

           "Garages on their sections"!?!!? 😀😀😀😀

           1962 called, I told them you were busy talking shit again.
           • Shanreagh 4.1.2.1.1.1

             7 May 2024 at 7:51 pm

             Oh dear the expletive deleted again.

             I am astounded that you don't know what a garage is?

             'a building for housing a motor vehicle or vehicles.'

             From Oxford Dictionary

             https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

             Modern subdivisions have room on the section (ie the plot of land that the house is built on) for a garage. Sections on subdivisions dating back, say to the early 1900s, not so much. Though if a section has room, people around our area have been able to build either a concrete pad or even a garage to house their vehicle (a vehicle included a car or motorbike) Some people use them for storage too or even a workshop.

             Other people have no room ie section is not wide enough, at the front, to put even a concrete pad pull-on (many of those people are the ones on the eastern side of Rintoul street where WCC thinks it would be great to put a cycle way for ghost cycles)

             In Luxford street some of the houses have space but the houses are along a ridge and to make a concrete pad or garage would involve substantial earth works.

             If you lived/live in Newtown I am surprised you don't know this? Most odd.

             I really don't care what you think of flowers. Flowers are as legitimate to sell as bike pumps, electricity or fossil fuels or even the high end decorating stuff that the Cranfield's owner sells.

             You seem bitter about something? Can anyone help? It is not good for health and humour to be bitter.
           • gsays 4.1.2.1.1.2

             7 May 2024 at 7:51 pm

             So no points made, nothing to add to the discussion, just abuse.

             I'd hate to see what yr two ugly step-sisters are like.
             • Shanreagh …

               7 May 2024 at 8:18 pm

               Thank you gsays.

               I've been trying to get some of the more florid posts and worrying to me personally looked at but no luck yet.

               A news agency has now contacted me with my The Standard nom de plum and personal email address. To say I am worried, coupled with the abuse from this poster is an understatement.
               • Cinder …

                 7 May 2024 at 10:55 pm

                 You.

                 Attacked.

                 Me

                 First.

                 Grow up and stop gaslighting people.

                 And if you were mature enough to understand that language is both a tool and a way of gatekeeping you'd wouldn't be bothered by swearing.

                 But you're so dense light bends around you.

                 And I swear at you because you're about as ideologically coherent as David Seymour. IE: Selfish to a fault.

                 Every single "Ill" you describe is a symptom of decades of car dependency (and capitalism, you're soaking in it Jan), And you just want to perpetuate that.

                 [deleted for implicitly outing someone based on a accidental reveal by another commenter]

                 You stated "you put people ahead of cycle lanes" and are too stupid to see the connection between the two. But put one person in particular ahead of the many cyclists and the multitude of bus users she would piss all over if she got her way. You can' even acknowledge what her private loading zone could do to ambulance movements.

                 I laugh at your garage and section comment because all the roads, garages and car parks in Wellington are already full and we don't have enough sections for out population If you looked beyond Berhampore you would have realised that.

                 I don't know if your comment about the press is a threat or whatever – but go for your life. I have noticed someone has been checking up me on Linkedin using a private account, which is a bit weird.

                 [lprent: this appears to be a paranoid delusion. On average I get several ‘private’ clicks on my linked in account per week even when I am not job-hunting. ]

                 But if its one of the admins here then they can tell you I used to work with TV3 News for a long time and am on first name terms with Mark Jennings and many of their current and former journalists. Who still work in their profession.

                 [lprent: we really couldn’t give a shit about you (or virtually any other commenter) apart from looking at your content, ability to contribute to a robust debate and behaviour – all three of which appear to be inadequate in your case having reviewed your comments. ]

                 I'm sure Carol Hirschfeld would love to do an expose on The Standard becoming Turf Digest with a level of vileness to rival Mumsnet – Would you like to do an interview?

                 As for swearing – I swear at you because you're like a puppy that can't stop shitting on the rug. Except the rug is a cycleway.

                 Its also fucking great and its good for you!

                 And everything you learned about swearing in 1282 was wrong.

                 "Instead, swearing appears to be a feature of language that an articulate speaker can use in order to communicate with maximum effectiveness. And actually, some uses of swearing go beyond just communication."

                 .https://www.sciencealert.com/swearing-is-a-sign-of-more-intelligence-not-less-say-scientists

                 [lprent: At this point it is clear that you have gone beyond robust debate and are indulging in cyber-stalking that contributes absolutely nothing to a robust debate and not allowed here (or almost anywhere on the net).

                 The appropriate response on the net and on this site when seeing that someone on site has obviously accidentally released personal information like emails is not to pry into their life and publish details to win an argument.

                 In my opinion you appear to have been starting to adopt a similar same lack of morality that characterised Cameron Slater. That of a stupid arsehole who mostly invents stories based on small levels of fact and a lot of lying or speculation . Someone who prefers to always want to present themselves as a victim as they cowardly run away from the consequences of their actions. My opinion is based entirely on reading 5 pages of your comments on this site.

                 Banned for 2 months, and that is only because I can’t see that you have only been warned about behaviour previously. here, here, here, and have had an explanation about robust debate here.

                 I’d also ask people to take care about not putting personal information (like their email addresses) accidentally into the URL field on comments.

                 Whatever is on that field is assumed to be a website that people want to be public. I’m adding some code to prevent that for e-mails]
                 • lprent …

                   9 May 2024 at 12:27 pm

                   See my moderation notes.
               • veutoviper …

                 8 May 2024 at 2:05 pm

                 Only just caught up with this and other happenings here on TS as for the last few days I have been otherwise engaged with my "second home" in Newtown. Shocked at the comments and developments and share your concerns. Suggest you use the email contacts in the "Contact" link at top of Home page – right side under the Standard banner.

                 A reading of individual commenter's comments history is available using the Search function above the Comments list and could also be of interest for patterns of behaviour, moderation history etc. Projection springs to mind.

                 Hang in there.
                 • Shanreagh …

                   8 May 2024 at 2:17 pm

                   VV I have used the contacts but no response and no action.
                   • veutoviper …

                     8 May 2024 at 3:54 pm

                     No sign of weka here today – no comments. but was here 9/10am and then 7.45pm yesterday. So weka may appear later …

                     Incognito hasn't commented since 12 April … Ad is an author but not a moderator. lprent – rarely comments and last comment was 27 April.

                     I have only recently come back here after a long break. IMO the mood here in recent months has definitely become more confrontational /less tolerant; but I consider that this is true right across NZ – not just on TS – in view of the changed political/ economic situation. This then encourages more extreme behaviour from some commenters so inclined.

                     weka seems to carry the most moderation workload here these days and I have absolute admiration for her for the work she puts in here. I am hoping moderation action will be taken but would not blame weka if she said she has had enough.

                     On a lighter note, your last comment to me re John G's house made me have a mind blow-out back to c1994 and a wonderful film re a trip across the Australian desert in a bus to Alice Springs, and the three main characters – and one in particular.
                   • weka []

                     9 May 2024 at 1:42 pm

                     IMO the mood here in recent months has definitely become more confrontational /less tolerant; but I consider that this is true right across NZ – not just on TS – in view of the changed political/ economic situation. This then encourages more extreme behaviour from some commenters so inclined.

                     I have been seeing this too, here and on twitter especially. This is why I critique the left a lot over how we engage and our unwillingness to talk across difference.

                     My own stress point is that people here would rather bitch about National than talk about climate transition strategy. OM has often had bigger comment counts than posts for quite some time now. What do people think will happen if authors get sick of the place?
                   • SPC …

                     9 May 2024 at 1:49 pm

                     Contacts is more relevant when noticing a problem with the site functionality that needs urgent attention.
                 • weka …

                   9 May 2024 at 1:01 pm

                   only just seen this and yes I would absolutely have stepped in if I had seen it.

                   If there is an issue a mod should look at, the fastest way to get a mod attention is to reply to them in a comment anywhere on site, asking them to take a look (and preferably providing a link). We use the Replies tab to see who is talking to us.

                   Shanreagh did the right thing by emailing because that can include detail that can't be posted in a comment. It's just going to take more time so replying to a mod is a good first step.
         • mikesh 4.1.2.1.2

           8 May 2024 at 1:39 pm

           Cycle lanes are usually placed in main thoroughfares where houses do have offstreet parking, not on backstreets, where the houses without offstreet parking are located. And families who park their cars at the kerb are usually two (or more) car families anyway.

           Cyclists are people too, or hadn't you noticed. It's generally agreed that they have as much right to use the roads as motorists, which implies that they have a right to use the roads in safety. Roads are public spaces, so what gives motorists the right to use public land as their own private carpark.

           PS: there are many roads around Wellington where parked cars impede the flow of traffic, and these are roads which do not have cycle lanes installed.
           • Shanreagh 4.1.2.1.2.1

             8 May 2024 at 2:15 pm

             Cycle lanes are usually placed in main thoroughfares where houses do have offstreet parking, not on backstreets, where the houses without offstreet parking are located.

             Really do you think people would be as concerned if they had off street parking? Have you read any of the posts from Kay or myself supported by others.

             Luxford Street and Rintoul Streets are two main street streets in Berhampore and the majority of houses there do not have off street parking. On both streets there are limitations by aspect and section size that mean that even if the residents had the $$$$ they may not be able to make a pull off concrete pad.

             On Rintoul Street one side is going to be cycle lane and the other side is having a residents park provided. Parking spaces will be taken from both sides of Luxford street. There are not enough parks on the other side of Rintoul St for all of those displaced from parking outside their homes to find a place to park. WCC has also made it difficult for displaced residents to find a park by making 3 hour parking in adjacent streets.

             You do not seem to be aware of the concerns of residents or of the Berhampore proposals and I think that your views need to be tempered by looking at what is proposed.

             Berhampore is a not a rich listers suburb, far from it. Some residents are elderly or disabled and need to have elder/health/home support eg district nurses, meals on wheels. These people are usually 'time hungry' ie multiple clients. Thye go in and away. Others are refugees/immigrants making every hour count for every dollar and two parents are working multiple jobs. It is unrealistic for these families to travel by bike or bus to a cleaning job starting at 11.00pm. They often have two cars to be able to each hold down a job.

             Berhampore also is a great place for those starting or doing up old homes. To do this bins are often required by tradies/families. Cycle lanes prevent this. If there was a concrete pad or on site access a tradies could use this.

             All along Berhampore and Newtown residents have sought to temper the propsals so that they actual would work for all.

             It is interesting that Berhampore and Newtown residents find that they are not alone in decrying the lack of, or predetermined nature of the WCC consultation

             https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350267619/residents-boycott-council-consultation-saying-outcomes-pre-determined?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR0cSMHFPBVl5gpsH7r5y6cqWanW8KYS-mztimnC7mrbX2BCJNNnolnj6Hk_aem_AUKE3Sz45d3Zh0qN1_Eb4a5e3jD08-hCE6eu96Qh2ulu0Id3e4EoOI19kyy5TnhEbEAD1lUkqyQMbdKpVPEBfaUb

             I understand that the Greater Brooklyn Residents Association has also pushed back because of the lack of meaningful consultation.

             Many residents of Wellington, are seeing a pattern.
             • mikesh …

               8 May 2024 at 2:41 pm

               I wouldn't regard Luxford Street or Rintoul Street main roads; most traffic between Island Bay and the city would take the Adelaide Road route. However I think Rintoul Street, because of its lower gradient would be a better route for cyclists.

               So some people need cars for night shift work. Jeepers. how unlucky is that. There are many who don’t, but park their second cars on the road anyway.
               • Shanreagh …

                 8 May 2024 at 3:17 pm

                 People going east don't travel up Adelaide Road. Many going west don't either. Contrary to what you think both Luxford/Rintoul are main traffic roads, particularly to the hospital, Drs/specialists surgeries around the hospital/Wakefield area, Newtown shops etc, east Lyall bay, airport

                 We are talking about people who have NO off street parking so this does not arise: ie they have no on section parking at all. So no concrete pad or garage on the same section that their house is. Do you understand this?

                 So some people need cars for night shift work. Jeepers. how unlucky is that. There are many who don’t, but park their second cars on the road anyway.

                 This what I mean that it is geting so middle class and these let 'them eat cake' attitudes are far too common.

                 You haven't made any comment about the elderly or disabled – is it just 'tough', who cares about them?

                 As for gradients, when I was a kid we had bikes with gears, now we have electric bikes etc as well. Gradients are a pitiful excuse for doing this to a community. Why don't they learn to use a geared bike? or 'shock, horror' get off the bike if it is too steep, which it is not.

                 Why are whole streets needed? We have very few cyclists now even after Island Bay has been opened for years. IB has retained some of its casual, unpaid off street parking. This enables visitors incl health workers to park outside/near a clients house. This is not possible, or WCC has not made it possible, on the Berhampore /Newtown routes

                 Why do people think that it is economically better to transport people on bikes rather than pouring whatever $$$$ of public money we have into getting the best public transport we can afford.

                 After all one car is replaced by one bike, up to 80 cars are replaced by one double decker bus. Are we catering for public transport snobs? (There are such people, believe it or not, who would rather bike or car than take a bus).
                 • mikesh …

                   9 May 2024 at 3:36 pm

                   Between Luxford and Riddiford, how many residential properties are there, after one has fitted in Wakefield Hospital, what used to be Athletic Park, an Intermediate school, a couple of churches, and shops at the Northern end. What residences there are probably have offstreet parking anyway.
                   • veutoviper …

                     9 May 2024 at 4:01 pm

                     mikesh,

                     Luxford St is mainly housing – a mix of older single houses and a block of townhouses where the old Anglican Church was. Luxford is reasonably wide with parking on both sides,currently.

                     As you say, the south end of Rintoul St which adjoins Luxford has a mix of shops, church, SWIS, Village on the Park retirement village on the old Athletic Park site but still contains a fair number of residential properties without on property parking.

                     However, when Rintoul St drops down from Wakefield Hospital to the junction with Riddiford St (the longest part) it is almost all housing with many incapable of onsite parking – and a very narrow road where currently, without a cycle lane, the many buses using the road have trouble passing each other when going in opposite directions.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     9 May 2024 at 6:05 pm

                     One very popular well attended church close to the Top End dairy in Berhampore, no parking though the Vicar's house next door has a daylighted concrete pad.

                     Why not have the cycle way only in front of the houses that do have off street parking?

                     From my reckoning from the junction of Rintoul and Riddiford to the Drs' surgery

                     Starts at No 11 (concrete pull off), 13-25 none, 27- 31 none, 33-35 Drs surgery with 8 Drs practising, no patient off st parking but 2 on street parks allowed (finally). 37 access to space behind, 39 may use space behind 37, but has no gge, 41 none, 43 none, 45 none, but I think shares a park around the corner, 47 none – access steep, 49 none – access steep, 51 none – access steep, 53 new & has gge, ROW, 57 new with 2 gges, 59 none, 61 concrete pad, 63 gge, 65 gge.

                     Old people's home with limited off street access, in practice visitors and some staff park on the street, 77 – 83 Rintoul st large section with on site parking and 4 ramshackle/derelict gges not used, 85 1 gge, 87 1gge, 89 nil & steep, 91 1 gge with concrete pad 93 1, 95 1 Wakefield hospital. New buildings have seriously diminished parking for staff, on site parking for specialist appt is split second depending on times spent at appt.

                     Many, including me, think there is no problem in having a cycle way in front of those houses that have existing off street spaces/garages even if they are not used currently because of being derelict or small. Daylighting the small garages so they are a concrete pad will cater for the larger cars some have now.

                     It should have been possibly with a will, thought, care to fix a problem. I think this type of compromise was expected and would have gone a long way to meeting the needs of residents.

                     As a fellow Wellington South poster has said…this type of action from WCC may/could lead to the possibility of a change to the right in Council. If this happens is a salutary lesson, perhaps similar to Labour last year, that a big chance to act for all is squandered.

                     NB any suggestions of compromise were not accepted at any time during the 'Claytons' consultations. Our Labour Cnclr took a last ditch plan to the last meeting but was defeated by party block voting though, to his credit, he was able to persuade two of the thinkers on Council to his side.

                     It is pretty wally-ish behaviour of WCC to expect a resthome and the Dr's surgery to suddenly find space on already constrained and building consented sites.

                     Surely the cycle way could have started south of the homes with no off street parking and no chance of putting it in, come in for the houses where there is space – perhaps acting as slow lane/refuges for cycles, then allowing for spaces for the Dr's and Alexandra resthome.

                     This is the type of house that has no gge and no chance for one.

                     https://www.google.com/maps/place/15+Rintoul+Street,+Newtown,+Wellington+6021/@-41.3127152,174.776441,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6d38afe4ae89bdaf:0xab0944f0e04a8780!8m2!3d-41.3127193!4d174.7790213!16s%2Fg%2F11kprxcl52?entry=ttu

                     https://www.google.com/maps/place/25+Rintoul+Street,+Newtown,+Wellington+6021/@-41.3130633,174.7763594,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x6d38afe4accb9005:0x1b6d45046d23dc1e!8m2!3d-41.3130674!4d174.7789397!16s%2Fg%2F11jj777xnb?entry=ttu

                     Turning to Luxford st where parking on both sides of the street will go

                     2 Luxford no space but uses land down a ROW

                     4 Luxford no gge 6-8 Luxford large semi industrial yard belonging to Satan's Slaves, 10 no gge, 12 carport, 14 has pull off, 16 no gge is part access to social housing behind, 18 no gge, 20 front room turned into gge, 22 no gge, 24 no gge, 26 no gge 30 gge.

                     1,2,5 two pull offs & one garage, 7 garage, 9 no gge steep section, 11-13 no gges steep sections, 15-19 no gges steep sections, 21 new units on large section all with pull off areas, 25-27 no room but owners have space* between houses that they have communally built shared access to sections behind, 29 no gge.

                     This is the aspect for those without gges and unrealistic ability to put a concrete pad down.

                     https://www.google.com/maps/place/15+Luxford+Street,+Berhampore,+Wellington+6023/@-41.3200437,174.7742797,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3

                     Once again on this flat area, was it any skin off anyone's nose to have placed a Residents parking area outside these ones and had the cycle lane go along past the houses where there is off street parking?

                     The same idea of penalising those without current off street parking and particularly those who have the combo of no off street parking and no realistic ability to place one there has also occurred in Adelaide road south of Britomart street through to the old Granville flats.

                     * For the small houses in Rintoul st many of these are less than 2m apart so this idea would not work.

                     I am currently exploring via OIA the costs to residents who may decide to put in a pull off concrete pad. I am having a less than clear response to my query as to whether these residents, already penalised by having their parking removed and kerbing etc put there for the cycle lanes, will have to pay for this kerbing to be removed/reinstated. Hopefully they won't, but it would not surprise me if they do judging by the WCC actions to date. I note that in the 'olden days' when WCC was keen to help residents park off street they used to meet the costs of a lowered kerbing to allow access to the new pad or garage. This seems to have been deleted but I am clarifying.

                     The excavation costs for some sections in Luxford st are likely to limit more off street parking/garages. Berhampore is not a wealthy suburb. I am toying with the idea of trying to find if there are funds that can be tapped into to help, even community working bees with people plus shovels to help those daunted by the earthmoving costs.

                     Sorry for length
                   • mikesh …

                     10 May 2024 at 9:27 am

                     the many buses using the road have trouble passing each other when going in opposite directions.

                     With kerbside parking available I'm not surprised.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     10 May 2024 at 10:03 am

                     So no thanks for the work that both Veutoviper and I did to explain the situation in lower Rintoul Street – just continued sniping from the sidelines from a no-local!

                     Here is what you do

                     1 Hit the reply button under your name – RHS bottom of post

                     2 Write 'Thanks for the work you both have done, I appreciate it and will read it with care.'

                     3 Click on the blue 'submit comment' button.

                     NB you have 10 minutes to make any further comments should you want to thank us in detail.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     10 May 2024 at 10:26 am

                     the many buses using the road have trouble passing each other when going in opposite directions.

                     With kerbside parking available I'm not surprised.

                     This is a particularly odd comment.

                     The kerbside parking will be replaced by fenced off cycleways so there will be no vacant spaces for the bus drivers to poke the buses' 'nose' into as part of the backing and filling that sometimes goes on.

                     Off course absolute priority should be given to making the journey of buses easier as they are more efficient people movers both transport and $$$-wise.

                     That is why the reasoning of having on street parking for the homes without parks and no ability to build one, is a thoughtful and logical one. From my comment

                     https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-07-05-2024/#comment-1999242

                     Surely the cycle way could have started south of the homes with no off street parking and no chance of putting it in, come in for the houses where there is space – perhaps acting as slow lane/refuges for cycles, then allowing for spaces for the Dr's and Alexandra resthome.

                     Talking of the buses perhaps I could insert the words 'slow lane/refuge for cycles and buses'

                     Then we wake up to the latest plan from WCC and that is to allow cyclists to travel on 18m of the most constrained footpath in the Berhampore shops area. Room exists on the road but……well you know 'cyclists'

                     And they'll probably wonder why they won't get any feedback. But never mind their predetermination policy is 'good to go' and will be a reliable fall back. After all 'It's how we (WCC) roll'

                     https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/350267619/residents-boycott-council-consultation-saying-outcomes-pre-determined
                   • mikesh …

                     10 May 2024 at 6:32 pm

                     just continued sniping from the sidelines from a no-local!

                     I don't live in that area now, but I have lived in both Island Bay and Newtown in the past, so I know the area quite well.
                   • mikesh …

                     10 May 2024 at 7:02 pm

                     When traveling to Island Bay these days I travel via Adelaide Road so I don't travel much in Rintoul Street; However recently I had to make a number of visits to Wakefield Hospital, and I must say that driving in Rintoul Street was not a pleasant experience – and I don’t have a large car.
                   • mikesh …

                     10 May 2024 at 10:58 pm

                     By way of a final comment on this topic I would ask why cyclists should be denied their cycle lanes simply because there are some who do not have off street parking on their property. In time these persons will either sell up or die off, and with their properties not having off street parking, persons who need this will not be willing to purchase them. However this presumably desirable state of affairs won't happen unless we 'bite the bullet' and put in the cycle lanes without waiting until circumstances are right. If we wait for that circumstances will never be right.

                     We cannot have it both ways.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     11 May 2024 at 9:24 am

                     We cannot have it both ways.

                     Of course we can have a road that caters for both. It requires good will, a spirit of compromise and a willingess to be aware of the different parts of a human community that and what they bring.

                     Your assumption that these houses are owned by oldies is also typical of the stereotypical views that have been manifested in this. I am struggling to think of there being oldies being the majority in these houses.

                     So in a one short post your thoughts have exemplifed what has been so worrying about whole roll out

                     1 complete unwillingness to see the points of view of others, especially if these others are residents

                     2 complete unwillingness to compromise on any design features at all even if these would help sell the concept, make the reality better.

                     3 complete unwillingness to consider the idea of review to ensure that both parties are catered for

                     4 misinterpretation of the views of others eg there is no suggestion that the complete length not go ahead. Just a length that caters for those who live there, who go the to resthome or who visit one of the 8 doctors who practice in the medical centre.

                     5 ageist

                     6 'middle classist' failing to see the lives of those who live there who don't work in the CBD, at office jobs from 9-5

                     Those of us who have been on fora about this have seen this all before. It typifies a sad part of our community life. A 'my way or the highway' approach that forgets about people. Don't worry we see these comments for what they are.

                     Is it any wonder people are puzzled saying 'I thought the left was about people'. It may be but it is clearly only certain people.

                     Is it any wonder that some in this Left community are pondering whether to vote at all or to vote for people who are not from the left? or does this not matter……?

                     Should all 'eat cake' somewhere? or grass as some in the area parts of my family came from in Ireland had to do? (funny that it was in the times of the Tories that this happened how the parties have changed sides over the intervening years) We have parties of the left treating others with complete and utter disdain.

                     And you still have not thanked either Veutoviper or myself for bringing information to you. My response to this lack is covered by the short word 'rude'.
                     This also has been a typical part of the process.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     11 May 2024 at 9:39 am

                     Further to get out of the way of what policy analysts call TINA thinking ie there is no alternative, which is a regrettable/sterile state of mind to be in you can do exercises to warm up your brain to open it up to different thinking. These are like the free flow, say quick line drawing, that artists use to warm up.

                     • mind mapping is good
                     • doing an exercise called a 'forced comparison' is good too

                     They really free and open your mind to the possibility of other options. The exercises are fun to do as well.
               • veutoviper …

                 8 May 2024 at 4:31 pm

                 To add to what Shanreagh has said, all buses to/from Island Bay except peak hour Express buses travel via Luxford Street and Rintoul Street. – ie two storey monsters every 10 minutes each way which block the view for -and of – cyclists on some very narrow spots on Rintoul Street.

                 Most of the many school buses early morning and mid afternoon also travel via Luxford and Rintoul St.

                 The only buses that travel via Adelaide Rd from Berhampore to John St are the No 4 and 32 peak hour buses from/to Island Bay.
                 • veutoviper …

                   8 May 2024 at 4:57 pm

                   Tried to correct the above, but timed out, to change the word "all" in line 1 to "most" and add that buses to and from Island Bay also run long rambling routes via:

                   – Southgate and along Buckley Road down to Russell Tce, Riddiford St in Newtown then Adelaide St to Courtnay Place and town

                   -via the waterfront to Owhiro Bay and then circuitous routes via Frobisher St etc and up Happy Valley to Brooklyn and down Brooklyn hill to Willis St to Railway Station.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     8 May 2024 at 5:37 pm

                     Yes the buses travel the old tram routes and so were/are heavily gradient sensitive. When I first decided to walk to work I just followed the bus route. Then I got on Google and did some map work and found there were much quicker ways that did not involve following the long slow bus routes.

                     When my sister rode to work (here in Wgtn) she followed the main bus route a couple of times before deciding on a quicker route,…..back in the days of bikes with gears…..mumble mumble years ago. If I was riding today I'd probably do the same route I followed when walking, if that had an opportunity to go off road through a park or other interesting way I'd incorporate that too.
               • Shanreagh …

                 11 May 2024 at 12:26 pm

                 You know the more I read your comments, esp about those living in houses with no ability to have a car pad, and those of cycling fraternity and the 'to hell with all others message' the more I am reminded that we on the left have been decrying the concept, at least I have been, of 'bottom feeders' as advanced by Luxon.

                 To me the 'to hell with them' concept and that of 'bottom feeders', esp as some would be of that demographic ie poor, are just different words to slam the poor, the stuck in jobs or housing or the just plain poor.

                 I didn't think we were agreeing with this concept…

                 Clearly I've missed some left wing nuance that says it is Ok to treat others poorly (by refusing to advance compromise, seek a way through), who 'get in the way of a middle class guy riding to a safe job in the Wellington CBD'. Not my idea of the left I'm afraid.

                 Shame.
                 • mikesh …

                   13 May 2024 at 12:31 pm

                   I return to what I said originally, i.e. Rintoul Street is not a main route, not even to the Eastern suburbs. Most persons traveling to the Eastern suburbs would travel only as far as Waripori Street, which they would turn into and then travel down Russel Terrace to Riddiford Street. Just because buses travel this route does not make it the sort of road which one would want to install cycle lanes.
     • SPC 4.1.3

       7 May 2024 at 3:08 pm

       even if she has led to the wrecking of both those peoples' businesses that they spent so long building up.

       even if … inferring blame to a person who has only been local MP for a few months for historic policy in the area (and by council decisions) is a contribution, as ridiculous, as it is unwelcome.
       • Shanreagh 4.1.3.1

         7 May 2024 at 8:09 pm

         even if … inferring blame to a person who has only been local MP for a few months for historic policy in the area (and by council decisions) is a contribution, as ridiculous, as it is unwelcome

         I don't think the comment was meant to be interpreted so narrowly.

         JAG is part of a political party that has a majority in WCC. She must at some stage have been involved in policy formulation about putting cycle ways ahead of residents and shops. She certainly has not, to my knowledge anyway, evinced the slightest concern while a list MP for the plight of residents or shop owners.

         As an electorate MP though she is expected to fulfill a different role. She works with people no matter what party she thinks they may support, whether she perceives them to be wealthy or poor. If she believes her role is only to support those who support her then she has misinterpreted the role. I sense she may have.

         Certainly you raised this before

         https://thestandard.org.nz/in-defence-of-julie-anne-genter/#comment-1998543

         Peters made a comment that Genter had not got the help she needed from her party. I'll guess it is about her transition from list to electorate MP. There is less experience in the party than others as to the role (SOP) of an electorate MP.

         to which I responded

         https://thestandard.org.nz/in-defence-of-julie-anne-genter/#comment-1998553

         That is perceptive. I mentioned above that the best electorate MPs don't go around with a political flag around their necks.

         You'd find the same good service from an electorate MP from one party will be mirrored by the successor MP from another party. Helping people in need, getting in touch with agencies to help, seeking second chances for people entangled in regulations or policy does not change from party to party or should not.

         But it is different from a list MP who might be a defacto presence in an electorate. They are not the ones with the regular clinics seeing a wide variety of people and hearing their problems

         I think she needs help on the electorate front. I hope she gets this help.

         The most surprising MPs (if you look at their public persona) turn out to be great electorate MPs, usually unsung, head down, bottom up helping their constituents negotiate through all manner of problems.
         • SPC 4.1.3.1.1

           7 May 2024 at 8:46 pm

           The details

           1. she was in the shop to buy flowers.
           2. a year or more back she was approached in a park (when a list MP by someone whose shop is in the Wellington Central electorate) raising the matter of a letter she sent Mayor Lester 6 years ago when Associate Minister of transport.

           Being approached by those with a grievance about council policy and Greens and engaging is not the best reaction, handing a card with contact details (for correspondence or making an appointment) and walking away is the correct response.

           https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/07/julie-anne-genter-breaks-silence-and-offers-three-more-apologies/
           • Shanreagh 4.1.3.1.1.1

             8 May 2024 at 10:19 am

             I am aware of the circumstances.

             Yes she is not used to the hurly burly of life as an elctorate MP, and that is not her fault.

             The reality is that electorate MPs do get approached while out and about and anything short of real, possibly short, conversation will be seen as a fob off.

             I am hoping she does get some help in managing an electorate so that she is able to go about her daily life and others are able to engage with their electorate MP. In this electorate previous MPs have often been seen out and about, say wandering round the local Saturday market or being seen at kindy galas etc, and these are ways of meeting people, providing a meeting place for a quick conversation.
             • Belladonna …

               8 May 2024 at 5:11 pm

               Certainly our own electorate MP is a regular attendee at a whole range of community events – frequently not as a speaker/presenter – but just being there, and being approachable. It's a very common occurrence for someone to raise an issue in person, rather than making an appointment.

               Some, MPs, as you say, are considerably better than others as electorate MPs. I've heard mixed reports about Swarbrick as an electorate MP (thinking about in house support in the GP for scaffolding Genter into her new role). From the outside, it seems as though she responds more positively to those on the Left than to those on the Right. Of course, now as Leader, she'll have less time for electorate concerns.
               • SPC …

                 9 May 2024 at 1:54 pm

                 It is easier to be an electorate MP if from a centre left or centre-right party and these are the bread and butter of the major parties.

                 Other parties are activist seeking change. And there is also a reaction from those resistant to that.

                 That said, TPM would have no problem with it and obviously the seats ACT and Greens would win will be different to others.
                 • Belladonna …

                   9 May 2024 at 5:42 pm

                   I think it is highly unlikely that the electorate seats the GP are winning are markedly different to others.

                   Certainly in Auckland Central – which is the GP electorate I'm most familiar with – there is a very substantial cohort of National and Labour party voters, with a minority of ACT party voters. Indeed the three major parties are pretty evenly split.

                   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland_Central_(New_Zealand_electorate)#2023_election

                   If Swarbrick can't effectively work as an electorate MP for those whose politics she disagrees with (which is what you seem to be implying), then she has no business to stand as an electorate MP. If the GP want only to be activists – then they need to be list only.
                   • SPC …

                     9 May 2024 at 6:02 pm

                     I think an electorate that is 2/3rd Labour or Green is fairly untypical. It like some Wellington electorates has a larger Green vote than average and Labour would win the seat, if the Greens were not standing a candidate. The same applies as per Epsom and Tamaki for ACT.
                   • Shanreagh …

                     9 May 2024 at 6:44 pm

                     If Swarbrick can't effectively work as an electorate MP for those whose politics she disagrees with (which is what you seem to be implying), then she has no business to stand as an electorate MP. If the GP want only to be activists – then they need to be list only.

                     If you change the word Swarbrick to Genter then many in Ronogtai would agree with this view. Electorate MPs work for everybody, or should, and not just with those that support them party-wise.

                     Going back a few years and before being 4 years working in parliament back in the day, there was one person who was known as being a good electorate MP and that was Muldoon. This was told to me by a Labour Minister. Also Jenny Shipley by the same Minister. From memory he had time for the electorate work of Anne Collins/Cullen who worked hard in the East Cape electorate.
                 • Belladonna …

                   10 May 2024 at 2:41 pm

                   Auckland Central is 33% National party vote – 10% higher than the 23% GP party vote in the electorate at the last election.

                   The point is – that this should not matter. As an electorate MP you are there for all of your constituents – not just the ones that voted for your party, or who agree with your party philosophy.

                   If you have evidence that the Epsom or Tamaki MPs are not working well on behalf of constituents from different political parties/philosophies – then feel free to share it. I have to say that Seymour has the reputation of being an excellent local MP. Haven't heard anything one way or the other about Van Velden.
     • Stephen D 4.1.4

       7 May 2024 at 4:22 pm

       Check out Nicks Kōrero, the one about the florist. Gives you some insight into the “business owner “
       • Patricia Bremner 4.1.4.1

         7 May 2024 at 5:16 pm

         100% Nick gives a revealing look at that florists past interactions.
         No one has pulled up Doocey’s failure to read a document, and his sweeping mistruths.
         • Shanreagh 4.1.4.1.1

           7 May 2024 at 5:48 pm

           I am really surprised at this.

           Since when does it rely on someone being a 'nice person' to expect being treated well by WCC or an MP?

           If this is where we are going as a country it is a ghastly prospect to look forward to.
           • Cinder 4.1.4.1.1.1

             7 May 2024 at 11:14 pm

             So let me get this straight:

             Repeatedly impolite to Local & Central Government staff = acceptable.

             Repeatedly impolite to someone on the internet who hasn't the foggiest on transport issues = ALARMING! I'm in touch with the media!!!

             I believe I used the word hyperbole with regards to you recently. I stand by that.

             I also note little miss private loading zone lies about "getting rid of all the carparks in the precinct" in the audio on Nick's korero.

             Car parks are still there, just across the road, about 10 seconds walk away – except you'd be killed by the traffic, so call it a 30 second walk and a 2 minute wait at the lights. Or you could take your pick at the free supermarket parking which is signposted outside her shop – once again, about a 30 second walk and a 2 minute wait…

             Unless you're feeling lucky and want to take your chances – at least there's a hospital nearby.

             Pray that the ambulance isn't held up by the traffic being impeded by someone parked in a loading zone though..
     • Shanreagh 4.1.5

       7 May 2024 at 6:14 pm

       Yes Alwyn who is the poster talking about…..?
   • Ad 4.2

     7 May 2024 at 2:20 pm

     The silence out of Tory Whanau – whose city and project it actually is – must be unnerving since they are both out of the same party.

     Where is Tamatha Paul on Genter, since she's just come from the City Council and gone into Parliament, within the same party?

     Genter is the best left urban transport person in Parliament by a long long way, and this is way too small an issue to lose her on.
     • Shanreagh 4.2.1

       7 May 2024 at 6:11 pm

       Genter is the best left urban transport person in Parliament by a long long way, and this is way too small an issue to lose her on.

       I agree with this. The correct way, imo, is to let the privileges Cttee deal with the House happenings and for JAG to be counselled, possibly buddied by an experienced electorate MP or former electorate MP or to have someone who knows how this things to 'shadow' her, act as a sounding in working out how to manage an electorate

       The Chathams is part of the Rongotai Electorate. JAG is our electorate MP. .
   • Shanreagh 4.3

     7 May 2024 at 5:36 pm

     What are you referring to? eg who are the so-called ‘triumphalist’ right wingers?

     Newsense at 11:46 am

     Have you any links or is this something that only the 'in' crowd can understand?
5. Reality 5

   7 May 2024 at 1:34 pm

   Plenty of money for a prison extension that warranted an announcement that was embarrassing to say the least. Mitchell is all bombast but not very bright. On the other hand hospital builds are on the deferral list.

   No one is defending Julie Ann Genter's recent behaviour in the debating chamber. However the florist who was quick to contact the media about her opinion of J-AG has some history herself. Nick Rockel's column yesterday covered several complaints about this florist, as in being a very difficult person to deal with. But not a peep from the media with another context.
   • Jimmy 5.1

     7 May 2024 at 2:01 pm

     The announcement was done terribly. Mitchell and Luxon had obviously not discussed beforehand, thus the quickly released memo (or whatever) after the announcement.

     As for JAG, she was out of line in parliament, and I don't think the Greens leaders are too impressed with her behaviour. Thus the now laying low to wait for it to all blow over. Firstly working from home then a trip to Chatam Islands (which we will never know if it was hastily arranged or had been pre-planned).
     • Cricklewood 5.1.1

       7 May 2024 at 2:09 pm

       I would imagine that if you really wanted to know a couple of OIA requests would do it.
     • Phillip ure 5.1.2

       7 May 2024 at 9:08 pm

       Well we do actually know….

       The Chatham trip was not hastily arranged ..it was pre-planned..
       • Jimmy 5.1.2.1

         8 May 2024 at 12:17 pm

         But do you believe them? Like Cricklewood says, an OIA would confirm or deny but would take months to get the answer.
         • Drowsy M. Kram 5.1.2.1.1

           8 May 2024 at 1:37 pm

           How an unreliable boat makes Chatham Islands life harder
           [19 Nov 2023]
           The new MP for the Chathams – part of the Rongotai electorate – visited the island this week. Julie-Anne Genter, from the Green Party, said her priority is finding out what's going on with the replacement ship.

           So it's not Genter's first visit to the Chathams since she was elected MP for Rongotai, and the electorate's former (Labour) MP, Paul Eagle, is now the CEO of the Chatham Islands.

           On 6 May, The New Zealand Herald reported that Genter was attending the Chatham Islands Stakeholder Forum; the islands are considered part of Genter's Rongotai electorate. A Green Party spokesperson confirmed that the trip had been pre-planned and that Genter was attending as an electorate MP.
           https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_Anne_Genter#In_opposition,_2023%E2%80%93present

           Of course that forum could have been staged, and/or Genter could be attending because it’s convenient – people will believe what they want to believe.
   • AB 5.2

     7 May 2024 at 3:24 pm

     Luxon will (or should) soon pay the price of talking up a big game on crime during the election campaign and then 'delivering' an inevitable failure – where the failure is baked in to the way they're approaching the problem. Give it another 6 months and all journalists should be asking whether it's time for Mitchell to go, and noting that not only has Luxon not got his "aces in the right places", but he has no aces and what's left are all in the wrong conceptual places.
   • Shanreagh 5.3

     7 May 2024 at 5:41 pm

     “Nick Rockel’s column yesterday covered several complaints about this florist, as in being a very difficult person to deal with. But not a peep from the media with another context” (Reality)

     Just because a person may be ‘difficult’ does not mean they are not entitled to a fair go.

     One's character does not determine whther you are treated fairly legally, or should not.

     Or have we moved into some new sort of NZ version of law/behaviour that only applies to those we like? I can think of several historic 'country' versions of this and several current versions. In none of these cases could they be thought of as being a democracy
6. ianmac 6

   7 May 2024 at 2:11 pm

   Surprise! Auckland Watercare Dodgy. Brenard Hickey On the ball again:

   Simeon Brown's deal to carve Watercare out of Auckland Council is vague about the Crown's backing of Watercare's bonds & S&P is warning of rating downgrades costing Aucklanders many millions each year.

   thekaka@substack.com
7. SPC 7

   7 May 2024 at 3:00 pm

   Primary health care, supplemented by Pharmac and ACC (funds health care to get people back to work and save the scheme money doing so) essentials of the health care system.

   The irony of the need for some to be able to afford the GP visit is that others do not have one – so we need to increase the availability as well.

   https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/02/opinion-why-free-gp-visits-for-everyone-should-be-a-budget-priority/
   • Belladonna 7.1

     7 May 2024 at 3:13 pm

     Good luck with actually getting a timely GP visit now (even if you're willing to pay).
     There is a regular theme on our local (inner Auckland suburb) community Facebook of 'which local GP is accepting new registrations'. The answer is 'none'.

     This is continuing to get worse as GPs age out of the profession and retire. Which has been signaled by the GP association for at least 20 years. And the governments of the day have done zip about addressing.

     All making GP visits 'free' will do is load more stress onto an already overloaded system. It won't magically make more GP consultations available. The number of GPs sitting twiddling their thumbs waiting for a fee-paying patient, is zero.

     This is the same argument which was made for 'free' dental care. With proponents apparently believing they can wave a magic wand and have the dentists descend from on high to deliver the service.
8. James Simpson 8

   7 May 2024 at 3:19 pm

   The axe falls on ACC tomorrow.

   Most staff have today received an email to attend a meeting tomorrow 8 May.

   We have been exploring options to deliver on the commitment ACC has made to do our part to respond to the Government's clear direction for efficiency and effectiveness from the public service.

   To support us in achieving this we are considering some changes to the organisation.

   The cuts are really heating up now.
   • SPC 8.1

     7 May 2024 at 3:44 pm

     The decision of the government to be the party of landlords and business interest has its consequences for tenants, workers and the provision of public service to the people.

     Managing down cost of ACC levy on business – includes stress on the ACC workforce and cuts in provision to injured workers (and who knows what to ACC fund management).

     All OECD nations bar one have either a CGT and or estate tax to fully staff and fund public service delivery.
     • I Feel Love 8.1.1

       7 May 2024 at 4:06 pm

       In the stand up yesterday (the corrections stand up announcement shambles of Luxon & Mitchell) they were so excited to announce about the 100s (or was it 1000s?) that are applying for the upcoming correction jobs & what an amazing job National are doing with recruitment, & I figured it's more to do with the fact that 1000s of people have lost or are about to lose their jobs is the reason 100s (or 1000s) are applying for the jobs.

       Things are getting really desperate out there, & worse.
       • JeremyB 8.1.1.1

         7 May 2024 at 4:31 pm

         "really desperate out there, & worse"
         160 people turned up to view an apartment for that is for rent in my street yesterday.
         6 vehicles housing 9 people are parked in my street as of an hour ago.
9. Visubversa 9

   7 May 2024 at 5:05 pm

   The house down the road from me has been for sale for over a month. They cancelled the auction that was supposed to be a week ago because there were no registered bidders.
   • Belladonna 9.1

     8 May 2024 at 6:06 pm

     Difficult to tell if it's a one off or reflective of broader trends.

     Volumes of houses for sale continue to remain high:

     From a buyer-choice point of view, housing remains a buyers’ market with the number of properties listed at month end at 5,770, the third month in a row that total listings have remained above 5,000.

     “Total listings at month end were assisted by 1,580 new listings in April, a three-year high for new listings in the month of April.

     However prices, on average,are still trending upwards.

     “Since the start of the year, the median price has increased by 4.2 percent and the average price by 11.9 percent while, compared to the low point of the price cycle, the median price is now up by 6.1 percent and the average price by 13.7 percent.

     “The median sales price for April at $1,007,500, was up 1.3 percent on that 12-months ago, but down 4 percent on that for March.

     The median price still remains above the $1 million mark, which has become something of a benchmark for the median price in Auckland.

     “The average sales price at $1,212,828 in April was down on that for March by 1.2 percent and was 11.6 percent above where it was 12 months ago.

     “Sales numbers for the month at 704 were down a third on those for March but the highest for the month of April for three years.

     https://www.barfoot.co.nz/market-reports/2024/april/market-update

     Results are, of course, averaged across the whole city – and strong growth in middle-low suburbs may be camouflaging a drop in either price of sales volume in wealthy suburbs.
10. joe90 10

    7 May 2024 at 5:49 pm

    Blinken and Romney at the McCain Institute’s 2024 Forum.

    @wideofthepost

    “Why has the PR been so awful?… typically the Israelis are good at PR—what’s happened here, how have they and we been so ineffective at communicating the realities and our POV?… some wonder why there was such overwhelming support for us to shut down potentially TikTok.”

    […]

    @wideofthepost

    Blinken says explicitly that the shift in news diet from major newspapers and cable news to a continuous feed has been very challenging for the narrative; and Romney follows up explicitly that this is why congress moved so fast to ban TikTok –– after pondering Israel's PR woes.

    https://twitter.com/wideofthepost/status/1787104142982283587
11. Stephen D 11

    7 May 2024 at 6:08 pm

    Just seen Maki Sherman doing a piece to camera about JAG and the Greens. The woman’s nearly hysterical!
    • Shanreagh 11.1

      7 May 2024 at 6:16 pm

      Link please Stephen
      • Stephen D 11.1.1

        7 May 2024 at 6:22 pm

        Here you go.

        https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/10/01/live-stream-6pm-weekends/
        • Shanreagh 11.1.1.1

          7 May 2024 at 8:22 pm

          Thanks
      • Traveller 11.1.2

        7 May 2024 at 7:10 pm

        This is a link directly to the piece on You Tube (without all the other news):

        Green MP Julie Anne Genter breaks silence | 1News – YouTube.
        • Shanreagh 11.1.2.1

          7 May 2024 at 8:22 pm

          Thanks
    • Phillip ure 11.2

      7 May 2024 at 8:58 pm

      Sherman also spouted a load of drivel about how the green party leaders were failing in their duties to somehow punish genter ..

      She really likes to over-egg things..that maiki Sherman..

      ..you feel like telling her to take a deep breath..and to just take a moment..
12. joe90 12

    7 May 2024 at 6:19 pm

    The tradwife lark wasn't quite what Lauren imagined it to be.

    /

    There were warning signs from early on. “If I ever disagreed with him in any capacity he’d just disappear, for days at a time. I remember there were nights where he’d call me worthless and pathetic, then get in this car and leave.” But she didn’t see them, thanks to the simplified anti-feminist ideology she’d absorbed and promoted: “I had this delusional view of relationships: that only women could be the ones that make or break them, and men can do no wrong.” So she didn’t spot the red flags, even as they grew more extreme. “He’d lock me out of the house. I remember having to knock on the neighbour’s door on rainy nights, because he’d get upset and drive off without unlocking the house. It was very strange, to go from being this public figure on stage with people clapping, to the girl crying, knocking on someone’s door with no home to get into, being abandoned with a baby.”

    […]

    Then, thousands of miles from friends and family, she reports becoming “the closest thing to a modern day, Western slave”. With no income of her own, she had to do everything: “The lawns, the house, the cooking, the baby care, his university homework. And I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have any support. There was no help changing diapers, there was no help waking up in the night with the baby. I’d still have to get up, to make breakfast before work. I’d be shaking and nervous, for fear I’m gonna get yelled at.” Then he’d berate her for spending all her time on tasks other than earning money: “I was told daily that I was worthless, pathetic. Deadweight. All you do is sit around and take care of the baby and do chores.” When Covid shut down all real-world public life, her situation became “hell on earth”. It was, she said, “the only time in my life where I idealised dying.”

    https://unherd.com/2024/05/lauren-southern-the-tradlife-influencer-filled-with-regret/
13. Phillip ure TV 13

    7 May 2024 at 6:22 pm

    Could a moderator please tell me where the two comments I posted to daily review have gone..
14. Phillip ure 14

    7 May 2024 at 6:24 pm

    Could a moderator please tell me where the two comments I posted to daily review have gone..

    My name may have been altered..again ..

    Btw..how/why is that happening..?
    • weka 14.1

      7 May 2024 at 7:45 pm

      you have 3 comments caught in the filter because of a typo in your username (which means the system treats you as a new commenter and holds back the comments for manual release). You need to check your name and email field when you post a comment.
15. Phillip ure 15

    7 May 2024 at 8:53 pm

    Ok…ta…

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