Until we see the text of the TPPA, we won’t know the extent of its impact on our health, environment and sovereignty.
However, we do know we didn’t get any magic beans for our cow.
Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.
Mind you, will a political shitstorm in the States while they are full swing into election campaigning, actually provide the people of the 12 nations with a glimmer of hope that the deal won’t be ratified? (See TPP Roundup post).
The lives of NZer’s and the protections of our environment are beyond our control and are now in the hands of the Americans. They decide, not us. We are now at their mercy.
“Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.”
Without knowing the details – how will you know there is anything to protest about?
Oh thats right. The TPP is a totally benign deal that will in no way affect the citizens of the countries involved in any detrimental way at all.
Thats why we don’t have groups like Doctors For Healthy Trade, It’s Our Future and Action Stations and respected academics like Jane Kelsey spending the last few years…………..oh yeah, there might be a problem with the TPP. And those thousands that tuned out in the streets to protest. Just “rent a crowd” eh?
Well one thing we know already James is that under the TPP NZ can’t ban the sale of NZ property to investors from any of the countries signed to the TPP. So, the action that the OIO took in blocking the sale of the Lochivar Station to overseas buyers wouldn’t be allowed to happen once the TPP is ratified.
A massive free for all NZ land grab by wealthy overseas investors. You OK with that? that whole “tenant in our own land” buzz?
Hi Rosie, could you please give me specific examples of how my life and the protection of my environment is no longer to be within my control? How am I personally now to be at the mercy of the Americans?
Groan. I can’t give you specific examples of how your life will be affected because as yet, we don’t have access to the full text of the deal. Hence my initial comment to Paul re planning protest and action. No plans without knowledge of the text.
Our future as NZer’s is at the mercy of the Americans as they are the ones that trigger the TPP being signed off once they ratify it. It’s out of our hands.
In the meantime maybe don’t plan to buy a house in Auckland or get cancer in the next few years.
Yes, I read it that way too. I was winding music4menz up – the comment made was kind of a smart ar*e one. He/she is asking for definites when there aren’t any, especially without knowing what part of the social hierarchy they fit into, and how vulnerable or not they may be the effects of the TPP, further down the track, should it be ratified.
Also, everyone I know who is into music is a lot cooler than that.
Farrell: “this ruling will lead to new pressures to limit the kinds of indiscriminate surveillance against citizens that many countries — not just the United States — have engaged in over the last 15 years. “
Guyon Espiner this morning has gone up in my estimation. Wouldn’t let Joyce away with turning a TPP interview into an anti labour (‘it’s their fault) rant or trying ‘Look!-The point is…blah blah….’diversions. (Only just stopped short of calling him a liar.)
Or how novopay is going….relax he’ll be back to giving him a spongebath and shaitsu in a few months as Gluon’s just a more subtle govt cheerleader than the likes of Hoskins/Henry etc
@Rodel Agreed. Espiner can be very good with his questioning despite his right-leaning views.
The best part was when he got Joyce to admit that the policy that is in force in Australia, where only permanent residents can buy a house and where overseas people investing in housing must build a house, is allowable under TPPA. So Labour can stick to this policy.
My understanding is a new government can renegotiate the whole thing. Labour has said it will not be bound by some parts of the agreement, if it ever comes into force.
@Pat Not quite that simple. Grant Robertson has explained Labour’s position here (from the Herald today):
“The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) includes a non-discrimination provision which would prevent the New Zealand Government banning foreign nations from buying property in New Zealand.
This provision went against of Labour’s bottom lines for supporting the deal.
Mr Robertson said: “We will take a good look at the agreement and we are reserving the right to review and renegotiate.
“There is always the scope to review them, there are just consequences if we make a law, there are consequences if we go against the agreement.
“We will have to look into what all of those are and balance that up.”
The TPP also includes provisions which allow investors to seek compensation from the Government if it breaches its investment obligations.
This meant if a Government banned foreign investment in housing it could face a legal challenge from overseas investors or companies.”
Any legal challenge to a law made by Parliament would take years.
It’s a trade agreement rather than a treaty. Not sure if they have the same status. But if other signatories have get-outs, as Australia appears to have on housing, then would NZ not be able to argue that should apply here too?
Who exactly would sue NZ in the situation where it changed legislation on housing?
Australia have EXISTING restrictions….it is the change that opens the possibility of the ISDS provisions being enacted.
Am not a lawyer but i imagine a case could be made by say a large real estate company ( or even an investment fund) that has a substantial proportion of its commissions (or portfolio) paid by overseas investors in say the Auckland market if offshore investment in the NZ property market was banned……whether this would be successful or not is irrelevant as it would cost the Gov to defend and even before the policy was made the possibility would have to be considered…am sure sharper minds than mine could come up with a myriad of potential scenarios.
Attention all aficionados of mondo bizarro television:
Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte is on Paul Henry this morning!
TV3, Wednesday 7 October 2015
At 7:55 this morning, after a ridiculous interview with “Boobs on Bikes” organiser Steve Crow, Paul Henry made an ominous announcement: “Coming up after the news, the daily panel, today featuring Mary Lambie and Jamie Whyte.”
Mary Lambie is Jim Mora’s wife, and can be relied on for saying something anodyne and unmemorable. So she is about as dependable a guest as it is possible to get.
Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte, however, is another can of worms entirely. He is the disgraced former ACT leader who managed in his brief few months in that rôle to come across as the worst ACT leader of them all, displaying an embarrassing level of ignorance about nearly everything and, memorably, positioning ACT as the pro-incest party.
So it’s high quality commentary as usual on Paul Henry’s show!
How does Mary Lambie get a spot on a political panel?
Because she is Mora’s wife?
The fact she is seen as a welcome guest on Henry’s show demonstrates the political bias within the Mora household.
No wonder he gets away with hat awful show the Panel. The Tories must love him.
And hasn’t he ruined Checkpoint?
I agree but hopefully he will be almost gone soon. Once the new programme format starts Mora will be reduced to 1 hour 3-4 pm. Which sort of suits me I do not like the current host/format of 1-4 so switch to BBC. I am in a little quandy with Checkpoint as by taking Campbell on board we lose Mary who IMHO is one of the best talents RNZ have. I don’t see Campbell ever being a strong interviewer and as much as I like him for the Human Interest story we need strong personalities when interviewing people that need to be held to account. Checkpoint is not necessarily the best use of his talent. Which is probably why he got the job.
This past fortnight makes me realise just how good it is to have Kim available she can actually think on her feet and if the subject tries to fluff around she zeros in and kills them.
No wonder he gets away with that awful show the Panel. The Tories must love him.
And hasn’t he ruined Checkpoint?
No, there’s a difference. David Cundliffe was without any doubt, for whatever reason, a failure. By contrast, Whyte’s catastrophic command of ACT, that doomed ferry of the damned, was a disgrace. Someone who progresses instantly from anonymity to being the butt of public ridicule, without achieving even a modicum of respect in between, has been disgraced.
Right from his disastrously inept first public appearance last year, Whyte was obviously the least eloquent and the least informed of all the political leaders on display. He then, almost incredibly, compounded his dire public image by stating his tolerance for incest.
Only the sort of bewildered souls who voted for ACT would countenance “philosophical exploration” about incest.*
Whyte’s performance on Paul Henry this morning confirmed that impression of intellectual mediocrity. He even, foolishly, quoted Margaret Thatcher’s ideological quip about any man of thirty who travels on public transport being a failure, then undermined himself by admitting he travelled by train in London.
* The question must be asked: how far have the people who propound and/or defend such “philosophical explorations” of incest taken these “philosophical explorations”?
Well, I have to admit that I haven’t ever seriously contemplated taking my sister or my mother as a wife. That sort of philosophical exploration is best left to the broader, subtler, more refined type of intellect that is instinctually drawn to the party of Hide, Garrett, Whyte and Seymour.
For God’s sake why do you waste your time. Stop watching/listening to anything on MediaWorks. Choose something with a modicum of intelligence to follow.
I stopped the day Campbell left. And when RNZ start doing much the same on some of their programmes I limit my time there. Thanks goodness for the BBC World Service.
At 7:55 this morning, after a ridiculous interview with “Boobs on Bikes” organiser Steve Crow, Paul Henry made an ominous announcement: “Coming up after the news, the daily panel, today featuring Mary Lambie and Jamie Whyte.”
Sorry, Ron, but the BBC is even worse, more ideologically biased and politically controlled, than TV3 and Radio New Zealand.
You perhaps are thinking of the good BBC, which brought us such gems as Dad’s Army. Since Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair took an axe to it when it dared to tell the truth, briefly, in 2004, it has more than ever become the British state broadcaster—about as trustworthy and independent as Pravda, XinWa or Fox News.
Nope I was thinking of the BBC World Service that is broadcast in Auckland.
I am not worrying about the political side of things but the articles on World Service are very good. Way ahead of anything we get on RNZ.
Morrissey. I worry about you watching Henry. Its pollutant stuff.
Hope you’re taking medication or preventative therapy.
I cant grab the remote fast enough when he appears.
Actually yes I can with practice, but I did hear his manic
child-cackle for a millisecond last night… couldn’t sleep for hours.
so now jonkey nact has signed the corporate takeover of New Zealand via TPPA… (unless good Americans with a social conscience stop TPPA in its tracks)
….i guess we need an new corporate flag to match our new corporate controlled country …Red Peak anyone? ( afterall this is jonkey’s and James Shaw’s favourite choice)
“the Red Peak flag was created by a Xero product design director (Dustin), has had its online campaign coordinated by another Xero associate (Simpson), and was included in the top 40 while the Xero CEO (Drury) was one of the dozen on the selection panel; perhaps we should ask how has the Greens relationship with that company changed recently?
Two years ago:
Norman issued a media release yesterday questioning whether Palantir, a firm co-founded by wealthy US technology investor and Xero shareholder Peter Thiel, had been hired by the Government to spy on New Zealanders…”
LOL’s the ultimate slap down of NZ citizens, to have an electronic security and surveillance company logo as it’s own branded flag.
I never got excited about the red peak design. I could never see it as something real and meaningful to consider as long as Key was in control of the flag “process”. Maybe if the flag process had been led by the people instead, it might have been different.
I also couldn’t take it seriously when I spend days staring out the window to a sea of new buildings that make up the relentless suburban sprawl of North Wellington, and all I see is the red peak design in the Tekton logo on the building wrap:
I know it’s not the same but it blurs together if you let your mind enter a numb zone, a zone that lets you slip away from the pain of what has become of our country in recent years.
+100 Rosie…and not another vacuous , ubiquitous Red Peak!..maybe you could take up stained glass window making( books in the library, also do- it- yourself kits)…and design yourself a beautiful colourful window to block the bloody thing out …a maidenhair fern in front of a stained glass window which lets in the refracted light could be just the thing to block out the Tekton red peak logo
Gosh that description of the stain glass window with the maidenhair fern on the windowsill took me right back to the memory of sitting in someones villa restoration in the eighties. A pleasant enough memory 🙂
It’s an environmental wasteland up here on The Development. We have responded by planting native trees and shrubs on our borders. That should block out the sight of the sprawl in a few years and bring life to the area by attracting birds and insects. (+ purple flowers to attract the bees)
If Morning Report is going to discuss significant topics, such as a difference in pay between men and women, why can’t they interview people who are actually talking about the subject rather than an entirely different matter?
This morning the first person spoken to about lower pay for women than men came out with the following –
“A school librarian, who asked not to be identified, said gender bias was unmistakable at her work.
“I have been employed as a teacher in a school and I’m now employed as support staff at a school – I feel like I’m the same person with the same abilities and skills and qualifications and work ethic, but the way I’m treated is significantly different.””
What on earth does her complaint have to do with gender bias? It is solely about the fact that in a school the frontline, teaching, staff were treated differently than people in support roles. It doesn’t have anything at all to do with her sex. If it had we wouldn’t be this complaint at all as she wouldn’t be treated any differently as a female support worker than she was as a female teacher.
Don’t the people trying to produce Morning Report understand that interviews on a topic should have something to do with that topic?
+100…what a hero…enjoyed the tv series Wallander ….must watch out for his books
…”Mankell was known for his rights activisim, and joined the 2010 flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip…
“He said he wanted to create a situation where “Palestinians are not treated like second-class citizens in their own country, a sort of apartheid system.”
Mankell’s collection of dark novels about the Swedish police inspector Wallander brought the author international fame after it was made into a television series by the BBC starring Oscar-nominated actor and director Kenneth Branagh.”
I have just read the front page of the Herald ,Top story the romance of Key’s son Max.No wonder the Herald is giving the paper away free for a few weeks, Wh the hell would pay money for the trash. Once the largest daily paper in NZ it is now reduced to local gossip and Tory propaganda Oh fpo the days when the daily newspaper . was something to look forward too. However at least we have the Standard . Which is not to be missed on any day.
+1 – by the way – my theory is that Max Key (does he even work?) is being groomed to collect the 18 – 29 year old votes next election for Pops. The herald is the propaganda site for the grooming to the public.
( nice for some: thinking here about high suicide rate amongst Maori youth, NZ unemployed and top New Zealand graduates who cant afford to carry on and do university postgrad studies in their own country , even although invited to by their professors , because they are already overburdened with student debt….not to mention the fact that nactional has cut postgrad student loans)
Yeah, and to watch the ejaculate smeared all over TVOne News tonight re The Ponce Key’s top secret trip to Afghanistan…….well, you’d think he’d flown a Tiger Moth low over the mountains of Bamyan, touched down and single-handedly slain 40 baddies……
‘The War-Hero Ponce Key !’ what ? Jeezuz ! TV “Boys’ Own” One !
Just to have ago at Sirdom while we all live in Serfdom
Every time I see JK as initials for the PM i cant help but see Sir John Kirwan in there so to avoid any further unnecessary confusion I propose the PM become the patron of what ever depression group Sir JK is promoting as a way of atoning for his constant alcoholic depressed rhetoric because most of it isnt believed by the real world that the majority of the population live with
Anyone who can smile for the camera and speak the bs he does is really out of it and expect to be believed and if it is the truth well God help us all to 2017
Joins the search…..in a suit ? Hope for the sake of the boy and family and friends we’re not to be reminded of Pike River politics ? Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?
“Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?”.
Oh God. Quite possibly.
I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who didn’t vote for Nathan Guy. Then again, I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who has a good hard think about anything……………… Although I think there is a small smattering of TS readers up that way. No offence intended towards our comrades in the Horowhenua.
Just been talking to a mate of mine in Auckland……senior union office-holder……(constantly having to check him about his ever more frequent sorties into the Koru Club !)……his comment on The Ponce Key War Hero’s vile Americanism, “……a God-Damn awful place !” re Iraq. My mate’s response – “Who made it a God-Damn awful place FFS ? True that !
The Times UK
“The newspaper reported that the soft drinks giant, a major sponsor of the Olympics, the Fifa World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, has financial links to more than a dozen British scientists, including government health advisers and others who cast doubt on the commonly accepted link between sugary drinks and the obesity crisis.” http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/news/article4581174.ece
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Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...
Sir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/ShutterstockPlans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...
Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...
Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...
Average ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...
As of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...
Thousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workers’ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Government’s blatantly "anti-worker" ...
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
The PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Talitha Best, Professor of Psychology, CQUniversity Australia Victoria Rodriguez/Unsplash How do sugar rushes work? – W.H, age nine, from Canberra What a terrific question W.H! Let’s explore this, starting with some of the basics. What is sugar? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karinna Saxby, Research Fellow, Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research, The University of Melbourne MART PRODUCTION/Pexels Increasing income support could help keep women and children safe according to new work demonstrating strong links between financial insecurity and domestic violence. ...
ANALYSIS:By Olli Hellmann, University of Waikato When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day today on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also to mark a defining event for national identity. The battle of Gallipoli against ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark A Gregory, Associate Professor, School of Engineering, RMIT University The telecommunications industry faces a major shakeup following the release of the post-incident report on last November’s 12-hour Optus outage. Telecommunications companies will have to share more information with customers during future ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Bookseller Confessional, in which we get to know Aotearoa’s booksellers. This week: Eden Denyer, bookseller at Unity Books Auckland.Weirdest question/request you’ve had on the shop floorA mother came in looking for anything we might have on Alaskan bison as that was her little boy’s ...
NZCTU Economist Craig Renney said new data released by Statistics New Zealand shows the need for Government to act now, with unemployment rising from 3.4% to 4.3%. ...
The outpouring of anger over Maiki Sherman’s hyperbolic presentation of this week’s ‘nightmare’ poll is itself an overreaction, argues Stewart Sowman-Lund. Politicians love nothing more than to pretend they don’t care about polls. This week, deputy prime minister Winston Peters said he didn’t give a “rat’s derriere” about a TVNZ ...
Asia Pacific Report Ngāti Kahungunu in Aotearoa New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region has become the first indigenous Māori iwi (tribe) to sign a resolution calling for a “ceasefire in Palestine”, reports Te Ao Māori News. Reporter Te Aniwaniwa Paterson talked to Te Otāne Huata, who has been organising peace rallies ...
By Dale Luma in Port Moresby “We want grants and not concessional loans,” is the crisp message from Papua New Guinea businesses directly affected by the Black Wednesday looting four months ago. The businesses, which lost millions after the January 10 rioting and looting, say they need grants as part ...
Happy May Day. Join a union. Q: What’s worse than a staff break room where the only place to sit and have a cup of tea is on a teetering stack of old pornography magazines? A: Your boss replacing the magazine stacks with chairs that are “heartily encrusted with ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Former opposition leader Matthew Wale has been announced as the second prime ministerial candidate ahead of the election in Solomon Islands tomorrow. He will face off against former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele, who was announced by the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation ...
We get but one birthday a year – why not make it last as long as possible by scheduling as many meals with friends and family as you can? This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. How do you celebrate your birthday? Do you celebrate at ...
A Koi Tū discussion paper released today proposes sweeping changes to New Zealand’s media industry. The principal’s key author, Gavin Ellis, explains how journalists have a key role to play in making others value their role in society. This is an abridged version of a piece first published on knightlyviews.com ...
The Government’s spending cuts are again targeting support for Māori with proposed reform of the agency charged with advising on Māori wellbeing and development. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Douglas, Honorary Senior Lecturer, UNSW Aviation., UNSW Sydney The history of budget jet airlines in Australia is a long road littered with broken dreams. New entrants have consistently struggled to get a foothold. Low-cost carrier Bonza has just become the industry’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rosalind Dixon, Director, Gilbert + Tobin Centre of Public Law, UNSW Sydney Australia is finally having a sustained conversation about violence against women and what we can do about it. It is more than time. Australian women and girls continue to experience ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne stockfour/Shutterstock Preliminary bulk billing data released this week shows a 2.1% rise in bulk billing up to March. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Schulz, Senior Lecturer, University of Adelaide Australia is once again grappling with how we can stop gendered violence in our country. Protests over the weekend show there is enormous community anger over the number of women who are dying and National ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University AnastasiaDudka/Shutterstock What if the government was doing everything it could to stop thieves making off with our money, except the one thing that could really work? That’s how it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in English and Cultural Studies, University of Canterbury The Conversation It seems to be a time of old favourites. This month our experts have recommended two new seasons – the second season of Alone Australia (although ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland A bright Eta Aquariid meteor photobombed this photo of comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) in May 2020.Jonti Horner Meteors – commonly known as shooting stars – can be seen on any night of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Flannery, Honorary fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Current concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Earth’s atmosphere are unprecedented in human history. But CO₂ levels today, and those that might occur in coming decades, did occur millions of years ago. ...
Winston Peters has been keen to dismiss speculation on our involvement in Aukus but will give a speech tonight on the direction of our foreign policy, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
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Until we see the text of the TPPA, we won’t know the extent of its impact on our health, environment and sovereignty.
However, we do know we didn’t get any magic beans for our cow.
Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.
Mind you, will a political shitstorm in the States while they are full swing into election campaigning, actually provide the people of the 12 nations with a glimmer of hope that the deal won’t be ratified? (See TPP Roundup post).
The lives of NZer’s and the protections of our environment are beyond our control and are now in the hands of the Americans. They decide, not us. We are now at their mercy.
and relying on Congress is fraught as the corporates have the deepest pockets
Yep, they’ll be chucking millions of $$$ at targeted candidates to keep their agenda on track.
“Thats true Paul. And without knowing any of the details of the deal, in full, we can’t organise protest and action around the very worst aspects of the deal.”
Without knowing the details – how will you know there is anything to protest about?
Oh thats right. The TPP is a totally benign deal that will in no way affect the citizens of the countries involved in any detrimental way at all.
Thats why we don’t have groups like Doctors For Healthy Trade, It’s Our Future and Action Stations and respected academics like Jane Kelsey spending the last few years…………..oh yeah, there might be a problem with the TPP. And those thousands that tuned out in the streets to protest. Just “rent a crowd” eh?
Well one thing we know already James is that under the TPP NZ can’t ban the sale of NZ property to investors from any of the countries signed to the TPP. So, the action that the OIO took in blocking the sale of the Lochivar Station to overseas buyers wouldn’t be allowed to happen once the TPP is ratified.
A massive free for all NZ land grab by wealthy overseas investors. You OK with that? that whole “tenant in our own land” buzz?
Hi Rosie, could you please give me specific examples of how my life and the protection of my environment is no longer to be within my control? How am I personally now to be at the mercy of the Americans?
Groan. I can’t give you specific examples of how your life will be affected because as yet, we don’t have access to the full text of the deal. Hence my initial comment to Paul re planning protest and action. No plans without knowledge of the text.
Our future as NZer’s is at the mercy of the Americans as they are the ones that trigger the TPP being signed off once they ratify it. It’s out of our hands.
In the meantime maybe don’t plan to buy a house in Auckland or get cancer in the next few years.
No music4womenz?
All a matter of how you read it Rosie. Could be ‘music 4 me nz’.. 🙂
Yes, I read it that way too. I was winding music4menz up – the comment made was kind of a smart ar*e one. He/she is asking for definites when there aren’t any, especially without knowing what part of the social hierarchy they fit into, and how vulnerable or not they may be the effects of the TPP, further down the track, should it be ratified.
Also, everyone I know who is into music is a lot cooler than that.
The European Court of Justice finds that US surveillance breaches the fundamental rights of European citizens: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/monkey-cage/wp/2015/10/06/heres-how-the-facebook-case-has-just-transformed-the-surveillance-debate/
Farrell: “this ruling will lead to new pressures to limit the kinds of indiscriminate surveillance against citizens that many countries — not just the United States — have engaged in over the last 15 years. “
+1
Guyon Espiner this morning has gone up in my estimation. Wouldn’t let Joyce away with turning a TPP interview into an anti labour (‘it’s their fault) rant or trying ‘Look!-The point is…blah blah….’diversions. (Only just stopped short of calling him a liar.)
Did he ask Joyce about the loss of our sovereignty?
Or how novopay is going….relax he’ll be back to giving him a spongebath and shaitsu in a few months as Gluon’s just a more subtle govt cheerleader than the likes of Hoskins/Henry etc
@Rodel Agreed. Espiner can be very good with his questioning despite his right-leaning views.
The best part was when he got Joyce to admit that the policy that is in force in Australia, where only permanent residents can buy a house and where overseas people investing in housing must build a house, is allowable under TPPA. So Labour can stick to this policy.
except they cannot as it is not an already in force policy
My understanding is a new government can renegotiate the whole thing. Labour has said it will not be bound by some parts of the agreement, if it ever comes into force.
afraid not…confirmed this morning by a number of international treaty experts….and admitted by joyce this morning
@Pat Not quite that simple. Grant Robertson has explained Labour’s position here (from the Herald today):
“The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) includes a non-discrimination provision which would prevent the New Zealand Government banning foreign nations from buying property in New Zealand.
This provision went against of Labour’s bottom lines for supporting the deal.
Mr Robertson said: “We will take a good look at the agreement and we are reserving the right to review and renegotiate.
“There is always the scope to review them, there are just consequences if we make a law, there are consequences if we go against the agreement.
“We will have to look into what all of those are and balance that up.”
The TPP also includes provisions which allow investors to seek compensation from the Government if it breaches its investment obligations.
This meant if a Government banned foreign investment in housing it could face a legal challenge from overseas investors or companies.”
Any legal challenge to a law made by Parliament would take years.
[lprent: Use a link please. ]
yes there are consequences…ISDS… http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/286302/labour-told-tpp-property-provision-here-to-stay
It’s a trade agreement rather than a treaty. Not sure if they have the same status. But if other signatories have get-outs, as Australia appears to have on housing, then would NZ not be able to argue that should apply here too?
Who exactly would sue NZ in the situation where it changed legislation on housing?
Australia have EXISTING restrictions….it is the change that opens the possibility of the ISDS provisions being enacted.
Am not a lawyer but i imagine a case could be made by say a large real estate company ( or even an investment fund) that has a substantial proportion of its commissions (or portfolio) paid by overseas investors in say the Auckland market if offshore investment in the NZ property market was banned……whether this would be successful or not is irrelevant as it would cost the Gov to defend and even before the policy was made the possibility would have to be considered…am sure sharper minds than mine could come up with a myriad of potential scenarios.
Attention all aficionados of mondo bizarro television:
Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte is on Paul Henry this morning!
TV3, Wednesday 7 October 2015
At 7:55 this morning, after a ridiculous interview with “Boobs on Bikes” organiser Steve Crow, Paul Henry made an ominous announcement: “Coming up after the news, the daily panel, today featuring Mary Lambie and Jamie Whyte.”
Mary Lambie is Jim Mora’s wife, and can be relied on for saying something anodyne and unmemorable. So she is about as dependable a guest as it is possible to get.
Jamie “Lock Up His Sisters” Whyte, however, is another can of worms entirely. He is the disgraced former ACT leader who managed in his brief few months in that rôle to come across as the worst ACT leader of them all, displaying an embarrassing level of ignorance about nearly everything and, memorably, positioning ACT as the pro-incest party.
So it’s high quality commentary as usual on Paul Henry’s show!
How does Mary Lambie get a spot on a political panel?
Because she is Mora’s wife?
The fact she is seen as a welcome guest on Henry’s show demonstrates the political bias within the Mora household.
No wonder he gets away with hat awful show the Panel. The Tories must love him.
And hasn’t he ruined Checkpoint?
I agree but hopefully he will be almost gone soon. Once the new programme format starts Mora will be reduced to 1 hour 3-4 pm. Which sort of suits me I do not like the current host/format of 1-4 so switch to BBC. I am in a little quandy with Checkpoint as by taking Campbell on board we lose Mary who IMHO is one of the best talents RNZ have. I don’t see Campbell ever being a strong interviewer and as much as I like him for the Human Interest story we need strong personalities when interviewing people that need to be held to account. Checkpoint is not necessarily the best use of his talent. Which is probably why he got the job.
This past fortnight makes me realise just how good it is to have Kim available she can actually think on her feet and if the subject tries to fluff around she zeros in and kills them.
Its all very utterly utter, pip pip, what what,and please dont get upset Fuck MARYS LEAVING now we really are in the last days
Can’t tell if you’re being satirical or actually showing that level of rabid ignorance.
Whyte was never “disgraced” as far as i know. “Failed” perhaps.
And i would hope you can tell the difference between a philosophical exploration of an idea, and an actual policy platform.
Yes, you’re quite right. Poor hopeless ignorant delusional Jamie is just misunderstood.
No, there’s a difference. David Cundliffe was without any doubt, for whatever reason, a failure. By contrast, Whyte’s catastrophic command of ACT, that doomed ferry of the damned, was a disgrace. Someone who progresses instantly from anonymity to being the butt of public ridicule, without achieving even a modicum of respect in between, has been disgraced.
Right from his disastrously inept first public appearance last year, Whyte was obviously the least eloquent and the least informed of all the political leaders on display. He then, almost incredibly, compounded his dire public image by stating his tolerance for incest.
Only the sort of bewildered souls who voted for ACT would countenance “philosophical exploration” about incest.*
Whyte’s performance on Paul Henry this morning confirmed that impression of intellectual mediocrity. He even, foolishly, quoted Margaret Thatcher’s ideological quip about any man of thirty who travels on public transport being a failure, then undermined himself by admitting he travelled by train in London.
* The question must be asked: how far have the people who propound and/or defend such “philosophical explorations” of incest taken these “philosophical explorations”?
Shit politician perhaps. But he has a broader mind than yours.
Shit politician perhaps.
Shit politician, shit thinker, shit philosopher.
But he has a broader mind than yours.
Well, I have to admit that I haven’t ever seriously contemplated taking my sister or my mother as a wife. That sort of philosophical exploration is best left to the broader, subtler, more refined type of intellect that is instinctually drawn to the party of Hide, Garrett, Whyte and Seymour.
Small things amuse and misuse a small mind a right ridiculous and waste of time and space
For God’s sake why do you waste your time. Stop watching/listening to anything on MediaWorks. Choose something with a modicum of intelligence to follow.
I stopped the day Campbell left. And when RNZ start doing much the same on some of their programmes I limit my time there. Thanks goodness for the BBC World Service.
Sorry, Ron, but the BBC is even worse, more ideologically biased and politically controlled, than TV3 and Radio New Zealand.
You perhaps are thinking of the good BBC, which brought us such gems as Dad’s Army. Since Alastair Campbell and Tony Blair took an axe to it when it dared to tell the truth, briefly, in 2004, it has more than ever become the British state broadcaster—about as trustworthy and independent as Pravda, XinWa or Fox News.
Nope I was thinking of the BBC World Service that is broadcast in Auckland.
I am not worrying about the political side of things but the articles on World Service are very good. Way ahead of anything we get on RNZ.
Morrissey. I worry about you watching Henry. Its pollutant stuff.
Hope you’re taking medication or preventative therapy.
I cant grab the remote fast enough when he appears.
Actually yes I can with practice, but I did hear his manic
child-cackle for a millisecond last night… couldn’t sleep for hours.
so now jonkey nact has signed the corporate takeover of New Zealand via TPPA… (unless good Americans with a social conscience stop TPPA in its tracks)
….i guess we need an new corporate flag to match our new corporate controlled country …Red Peak anyone? ( afterall this is jonkey’s and James Shaw’s favourite choice)
RED PEAK the logo for Active Security Group
http://www.activesecuritygroup.co.uk/
“the Red Peak flag was created by a Xero product design director (Dustin), has had its online campaign coordinated by another Xero associate (Simpson), and was included in the top 40 while the Xero CEO (Drury) was one of the dozen on the selection panel; perhaps we should ask how has the Greens relationship with that company changed recently?
Two years ago:
Norman issued a media release yesterday questioning whether Palantir, a firm co-founded by wealthy US technology investor and Xero shareholder Peter Thiel, had been hired by the Government to spy on New Zealanders…”
Sharp observation Chooky!!!
LOL’s the ultimate slap down of NZ citizens, to have an electronic security and surveillance company logo as it’s own branded flag.
I never got excited about the red peak design. I could never see it as something real and meaningful to consider as long as Key was in control of the flag “process”. Maybe if the flag process had been led by the people instead, it might have been different.
I also couldn’t take it seriously when I spend days staring out the window to a sea of new buildings that make up the relentless suburban sprawl of North Wellington, and all I see is the red peak design in the Tekton logo on the building wrap:
http://tektonproducts.com/images/Tekton-WPS-Logo-333×99.png
I know it’s not the same but it blurs together if you let your mind enter a numb zone, a zone that lets you slip away from the pain of what has become of our country in recent years.
+100 Rosie…and not another vacuous , ubiquitous Red Peak!..maybe you could take up stained glass window making( books in the library, also do- it- yourself kits)…and design yourself a beautiful colourful window to block the bloody thing out …a maidenhair fern in front of a stained glass window which lets in the refracted light could be just the thing to block out the Tekton red peak logo
Gosh that description of the stain glass window with the maidenhair fern on the windowsill took me right back to the memory of sitting in someones villa restoration in the eighties. A pleasant enough memory 🙂
It’s an environmental wasteland up here on The Development. We have responded by planting native trees and shrubs on our borders. That should block out the sight of the sprawl in a few years and bring life to the area by attracting birds and insects. (+ purple flowers to attract the bees)
good on you Rosie…hope those native trees and shrubs grow fast for you
Yes what say should be highlighted to the max more corporate abuse of our democracy
If Morning Report is going to discuss significant topics, such as a difference in pay between men and women, why can’t they interview people who are actually talking about the subject rather than an entirely different matter?
This morning the first person spoken to about lower pay for women than men came out with the following –
“A school librarian, who asked not to be identified, said gender bias was unmistakable at her work.
“I have been employed as a teacher in a school and I’m now employed as support staff at a school – I feel like I’m the same person with the same abilities and skills and qualifications and work ethic, but the way I’m treated is significantly different.””
What on earth does her complaint have to do with gender bias? It is solely about the fact that in a school the frontline, teaching, staff were treated differently than people in support roles. It doesn’t have anything at all to do with her sex. If it had we wouldn’t be this complaint at all as she wouldn’t be treated any differently as a female support worker than she was as a female teacher.
Don’t the people trying to produce Morning Report understand that interviews on a topic should have something to do with that topic?
The Herald seems to have removed all signs of John Armstrong. I had heard that he has been unwell but…
[lprent: He is quite unwell at present. ]
Okay MS. Wish him well.
http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/oct/06/worried-imf-world-economic-outlook-report
…no mystery here…too much in the hands of too few
Following on from our low business confidence and our record suicide rates comes the GOOD NEWS.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/72767992/nz-third-best-place-to-die
NZ Third Best Place To Die!!!!!
Thirds good. Gets a medal.
+1
Jeremy Corbyn is not the only decent man to draw the ire of the haters
This sneering piece in the far right wing Times of Israel tries but fails to denigrate the late, great Henning Mankell…..
http://www.timesofisrael.com/swedish-crime-writer-henning-mankell-dies-at-67/
+100…what a hero…enjoyed the tv series Wallander ….must watch out for his books
…”Mankell was known for his rights activisim, and joined the 2010 flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip…
“He said he wanted to create a situation where “Palestinians are not treated like second-class citizens in their own country, a sort of apartheid system.”
Mankell’s collection of dark novels about the Swedish police inspector Wallander brought the author international fame after it was made into a television series by the BBC starring Oscar-nominated actor and director Kenneth Branagh.”
Great news about soft drinks: they’re good for you.
According to the General Manager of Coca-Cola New Zealand
“We need to stop demonizing sugar, and Coca Cola can be part of a balanced lifestyle.”
—-Paul Fitzgerald, General Manager of Coca-Cola New Zealand
Balanced in favour of increasing CocA-Colas profits is about all it will do to you
David Cameron being roasted in an interview over human rights here (1min 22s).
https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/10153264721241939/
Why oh why have we not got a journalist in NZ who will hold Key to account in the same way?
Because all the ones that are left in the MSM support everything that Key and National do no psychopathic it is.
Greatest trademe auction in history.
October 21 2015 (usa) October 22 2015 (Nzl)
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=960950905&permanent=0
Pledge to march
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/72767069/prices-up-99-per-cent-at-fonterra-globaldairytrade-auction
Thats 9.9% not 99% but still not bad, thats four increases in a row since Mr Andrew Little declared a crisis
And are volumes up as well?
I have just read the front page of the Herald ,Top story the romance of Key’s son Max.No wonder the Herald is giving the paper away free for a few weeks, Wh the hell would pay money for the trash. Once the largest daily paper in NZ it is now reduced to local gossip and Tory propaganda Oh fpo the days when the daily newspaper . was something to look forward too. However at least we have the Standard . Which is not to be missed on any day.
The media has gotten so bad you have to wonder if its end days are not far away.
+1 – by the way – my theory is that Max Key (does he even work?) is being groomed to collect the 18 – 29 year old votes next election for Pops. The herald is the propaganda site for the grooming to the public.
re “Max Key (does he even work?)”…this is what he does:
‘Max Key – I’ll get you into Harvard: Prime Minister’s son gets top consulting role’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11513568
http://www.scout.co.nz/Max-Key-grooms-students-for-Ivy-League/tabid/511/articleID/5617/Default.aspx
‘Auckland’s extravagant, young, elite society you need to know about’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11471687
( nice for some: thinking here about high suicide rate amongst Maori youth, NZ unemployed and top New Zealand graduates who cant afford to carry on and do university postgrad studies in their own country , even although invited to by their professors , because they are already overburdened with student debt….not to mention the fact that nactional has cut postgrad student loans)
hear hear
Yeah, and to watch the ejaculate smeared all over TVOne News tonight re The Ponce Key’s top secret trip to Afghanistan…….well, you’d think he’d flown a Tiger Moth low over the mountains of Bamyan, touched down and single-handedly slain 40 baddies……
‘The War-Hero Ponce Key !’ what ? Jeezuz ! TV “Boys’ Own” One !
John Key has just been so brave. “Prime Minister John Key’s secret trip to Iraq.”
Was he looking for pandas?
Weird story here, but some great journalism, http://thespinoff.co.nz/07-10-2015/media-a-bargain-from-the-block-the-curious-case-of-julie-christies-mansion/
+1
Why did Dan News have to get involved with Glucinas new outfit? I used to like Dan news…
5:07 and all’s well.
Yeah.
My pet theory is that it was a ploy by someone to get easier access to high-demand books held on close reserve 🙂
Fiendish! So all we have to do is round up everyone who borrowed a book yesterday…
Just to have ago at Sirdom while we all live in Serfdom
Every time I see JK as initials for the PM i cant help but see Sir John Kirwan in there so to avoid any further unnecessary confusion I propose the PM become the patron of what ever depression group Sir JK is promoting as a way of atoning for his constant alcoholic depressed rhetoric because most of it isnt believed by the real world that the majority of the population live with
Anyone who can smile for the camera and speak the bs he does is really out of it and expect to be believed and if it is the truth well God help us all to 2017
Missing boy in Levin has National MP, Nathan Guy, joining the search.
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/search-for-missing-boy-continues-near-levin-2015100707?ref=video#axzz3nr5UtXfc
Nathan Guy being there will go down well with locals.
Where is Rob McCann?
Joins the search…..in a suit ? Hope for the sake of the boy and family and friends we’re not to be reminded of Pike River politics ? Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?
No. In his running gear.
“Hope it’s not a case of 0800CrosbyTextorDisasterLine. Couldn’t be……there are depths even they wouldn’t plumb, aren’t there ?”.
Oh God. Quite possibly.
I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who didn’t vote for Nathan Guy. Then again, I don’t know a single person in Horowhenua who has a good hard think about anything……………… Although I think there is a small smattering of TS readers up that way. No offence intended towards our comrades in the Horowhenua.
Just been talking to a mate of mine in Auckland……senior union office-holder……(constantly having to check him about his ever more frequent sorties into the Koru Club !)……his comment on The Ponce Key War Hero’s vile Americanism, “……a God-Damn awful place !” re Iraq. My mate’s response – “Who made it a God-Damn awful place FFS ? True that !
+100
The Times UK
“The newspaper reported that the soft drinks giant, a major sponsor of the Olympics, the Fifa World Cup and the Rugby World Cup, has financial links to more than a dozen British scientists, including government health advisers and others who cast doubt on the commonly accepted link between sugary drinks and the obesity crisis.”
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/health/news/article4581174.ece