Open mike 08/08/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 8th, 2016 - 78 comments
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78 comments on “Open mike 08/08/2016 ”

  1. Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster) 1

    Perhaps I’m being naive, but if true and not manipulated by the anti-clinton brigade, this video clip is quite disturbing!

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqbDBRWb63s

    Was there ever a presidential campaign like this 2016 one? Jill Stein is looking more and more like the only credible and worthwhile candidate!

    • miravox 1.1

      According to deleted wiki the guy whose name is on that video is a

      British libertarian activist, and a reporter currently associated with [conspiracy theorist site] Infowars.com. Watson is controversial and is well known for his criticisms of immigration, feminism, transexuality, political correctness, and EU policy regarding the European migrant crisis

      More on uncyclopedia Make of that what you will.

      Hmm – uncyclopedia. I learned something new today…

    • “strange lesions on her tongue…”

      lol thanks for that laugh – I hope we never lose the comedy types that create this ‘info’. Luckily those types are thick in the air in certain places and yay there is lots of flypaper up at The Standard.

    • Colonial Viper 1.3

      I think health reasons are behind why Hillary never does more than one open public campaign stop every two or three days. Which for this stage of the election, is crazy lazy. And she never does press conferences. She just releases statements or does one on one interviews with fully vetted questions.

      • To be fair, every time Trump has opened his mouth in the last week, Clinton got a poll boost. There’s simply no pressure on her at all, so she can run the campaign in idle at the moment. We can expect the turbo chargers to kick in in the last weeks, if needed. Trump also hasn’t got the Republican organisation behind him. It’s hard to win elections without door knockers, phone callers etc. and it looks like the on the ground Republican organisation is switching to trying to retain seats and governorships rather than the presidency.

        • marty mars 1.3.1.1

          American Nazti Party chairman endorses trump today – more votes for someone else methinks.

          • te reo putake 1.3.1.1.1

            You might get a laugh out of this spoof Japanese Trump ad, marty. Vote Trumpo, get sparkly unicorns!

          • adam 1.3.1.1.2

            Who are these American Nazti you talk of marty mars?

            I’m getting all the fringe far right hate groups are loving trump. From the KKK to white power have lined up behind him.

            So the real question is, are you going to vote for someone who is a fascist like trump, or more of the same which gave us a fascist like trump, h.r.c?

            The choice is yours.

        • marty mars 1.3.1.2

          The latest clinton attack ad linking putin and trump is pretty despicable imo.

          Sorry – struggling to link again from phone

        • mosa 1.3.1.3

          Her most ardent critic Bernie Sanders is out of the picture and subdued and now it would seem his supporters.
          With 12 weeks too the general election she will want to consolidate support after the “convention bounce”.
          The next 6 weeks polling data will be eagerly anticipated and the effect from the first of 3 debates at the end of September.
          Its shaping up to be the most wacky ,unpredictable race in the history of the States and the debates will be worth watching if the last 8 months is anything too go by.
          Importantly for the Clinton team is she appears too be holding the support Obama has banked scince 2008 according too CNN projections and a variety of polling data and is giving Trump a run for his money (excuse the pun) in the republican stronghold of Georgia.
          A lot of republicans now wish they had speaker Paul Ryan as the nominee as his skills are now becoming recognised as a potential president.

          • Lanthanide 1.3.1.3.1

            “A lot of republicans now wish they had speaker Paul Ryan as the nominee as his skills are now becoming recognised as a potential president.”

            He’s going to run in 2020, and if Hillary is the President, he’s got a pretty good shot at winning.

          • McFlock 1.3.1.3.2

            Her most ardent critic simply does not view her as the worst of the two candidates. Hardly subdued.

            • mosa 1.3.1.3.2.2

              I dont buy that about him viewing her the lesser evil when Republicans are always bad for the people who support Bernie that just a given.
              But its the Democratic party thats moved away from representing blue collar workers and Clinton is a product of the establishment that Bernie was rallying against and is just a lighter version of the Republican party and those who pull the strings.
              He was pressured too show unity by endorsing her even though he knows nothing will change.
              Better to be in the tent pissing out than outside pissing in…. for now.

              • McFlock

                Even taking your pessimistic, unsupportable assertion (does he look like the guy who can be forced to do something against his principles? What in his track record makes you think that?), “a lighter version of the Republican party” is still a better candidate for workers than a xenophobic and impulsive far-right demagogue. The [weaker] enemy of my [strongest and could possibly beat me] enemy is my friend.

                • adam

                  So you’re happy to support the far right demagogue, so you don’t have to support the ever further right demagogue? How that working out for you? You get rotten, or completely rotten.

                  Now if voting for the far right demagogue means you don’t get the even further far right demagogue this time. Every time you vote for this far right demagogue, you are step closer to the next far right demagogue, and at some point the far right demagogue you didn’t want now, gets in anyway – because there is a far worse far right demagogue in play.

                  So don’t tell me what better for working people McFlock because you choice is a insanity now, or insanity later. At some point you actually have to be an adult and stop this.

                  • The choice is someone with a proven track record of service to the people or someone with a track record of looking after No 1. The former’s clearly not perfect, however the latter is the ugly face of capitalism, with a sideline in misogyny, racism and anti-working class rhetoric. Nobody with any empathy for their fellow humans would give the 1%er their support.

                    • adam

                      They both represent the 1% te reo putake. And that is the problem. One is the face of it is self indulgence, versus a self absorbed maniac and I struggle with which is which some days.

                      That aside, my argument is simple – the one we can not influence is the neo fascist trump – the one we can influence is h.r.c. and the only way to do that is for her to fear working people. If the only thing that happens is a vote, epic fail for the us, and epic fail for all my friend in america.

                      The pressure has to be from working people on her, and one her hard. That if she wants a second term, she better cough up or she is gone. Electoral reform, money out of politics, these are basics to fix the american republic. If she does not do these, and she won’t unless pressure is kept up.

                      Going ra ra h.r.c helps no one, except maybe the fascist little pig. And let’s be clear – trump is a fascist little pig!

                    • Te Reo Putake

                      I have no idea what that comment means, Adam. Are you saying that working class people should put the fear into Clinton by voting for Trump? If so, that’s not the least bit rational and is obviously counter productive.

                      Btw, saying Clinton is for the 1% is pretty childish. As a politician, she’s quite literally put the working and middle classes first. Millions of Americans now have medical cover for the first time because of the work she did to champion health insurance for the poor. She’s a progressive who actually does seem to make a difference. That’s kinda why the right hate her. Well, that and she’s a woman.

                    • adam

                      You do know what is meant by 1%? The income and power that is involved in being part of that group. You know trump and bill are friends right, 1% friends. Because you seem to be either misinformed, or using the term to suit your own political agenda.

                      That aside, I’m saying you don’t have to vote for h.r.c. If you are in a safe republican and or safe democrat state, then a vote for the Greens is a vote for a more progressive america.

                      You can say she is progressive till the cows come home, I’m not buying it. She voted for two broken wars – that is not progressive. She oversaw the bombing of countries into the stone age, yeah real progressive. She helped write and championed a bill which means that 2 million black americans under 25 have been, or are incarcerated – that’s not progressive. I can go on.

                      Obama care is not progressive, it helped the insurance industry – as a matter of fact if anything it will hold back true socialized medicine in the USA for some time.

                      But the reality is rara h.r.c, is as painful as rara trump as far as I’m concerned.

                    • Te Reo Putake

                      Yeah, well, if you can’t tell the difference between the two, that says a lot about your political nous. Or lack thereof. Do some research and then have a hard think about which candidate will be best positioned to make life better for the majority. Hint: it’s not the billionaire bigot who we already know has done nothing good for anyone, ever.

                      You don’t strike me a racist, anti-worker, woman hating tool, Adam. But yet here you are advocating for someone who is all of those things. That’s not a good look, bud.

                      Try and get some perspective. You might start with a bit of Marx. or more pertinently, Lenin on social democracy. Supporting a lurch to the right is entirely counter productive. There has not been a single incidence in the world’s political history where the workers’ lot was improved by voting in a neo-fascist bully.

                    • adam

                      So you are marxist-leninist, that explains a lot.

                      Not sure if it explains why you have not read a word I said, but hey you’re waka – you chose how to paddle it.

                      If you can’t see the similarities between h.r.c and trump that, says a lot about your political nous.

                      How about you try reading Emma Goldman or Kropotkin or Murray Bookchin and get your head around that Marx is not the be all and end all.

                      Actually, Marx is quite a sexist prick in my opinion, if it was not for Engles most marxist would be like him. I’ve read Marx, Engel (who I like better) and lenin who I found is an apologist for any sort of extreme violence. Lenin was the road to Stalin, and PLA – which still plagues humanity.

                      I’ve read Stalin too, sick puppy that he is. Mao was little better, except for his analysis on guerrilla warfare – which is exceptional. Ironical if anyone from the US military had read it, they might have won the two wars they just lost.

                      I’m saying that the left in USA is actually waking up to the nightmare of lesser of two evils. Now is the time to do somthing about it. If you OK with the lesser evil, again your waka. Just don’t tell me I’m wrong, for not supporting your evil.

                  • McFlock

                    Oh, bollocks.

                    1: no matter how much you say it, Clinton isn’t a “far right demagogue” in the US political spectrum. Barely even compared to NZ spectrum.

                    2: even if 1 is incorrect, stopping the ‘farther-right’ candidate by supporting the ‘less farther-right’ candidate, you still stop the worst candidate from winning and fucking things up until next time.

                    3: “At some point you actually have to be an adult and stop this.” What are you going to do, as an individual? Do a drum circle in a park and say “it’s not my fault” when the racist cheet-o nukes someone? How the fuck are you going to “stop” a damned thing?

                    At some point you actually have to be an adult and realise that in the real world, some situations have no “best” outcome, just a “least bad”. Stand up straight, look it squarely in the eye, and if you can’t fix it at least try to fuck it up as little as possible. That way you still have some hope of doing better next time. Take it on the chin, reassess, and improve.

                    Don’t cry and throw your toys out of the cot in impotent rage – that’ll just ensure you’re even more fucked next time.

                    • adam

                      Have you slipped so far to the right McFlock that you think h.r.c is not far right? Because you’re deluded if you think she is left, left of centre or even in the middle. She is on the right, just look at her voting record. I have, have you? Have you actually taken the time to look at her record as a member of the Obama cabinet?

                      You’re the one proposing to do jack, not me. Vote for h.r.c, like that will save society – thats just deluded. I’m saying do somthing, and most of all think about the problem that has been presented. You’re approach to put it off till next time serves no one. It’s that approach which will leave us with somthing worse that trump next time.

                    • weka

                      What are you suggest people do adam?

                    • weka

                      “Hillary Rodham Clinton is a liberal Democrat on domestic matters, and Bernie Sanders is a socialist. They voted the same way 93 percent of the time in the two years they shared in the Senate.”

                      http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/05/28/upshot/the-senate-votes-that-divided-hillary-clinton-and-bernie-sanders.html?_r=0

                    • McFlock

                      No.
                      I disagree.
                      Yes.
                      Yes.

                      Nope.
                      Not what I said.
                      “Do something”? What is this “something” that we should do?
                      My approach serves people who might actually have something to do.

                      What approach will actually improve things? Name it. Don’t hand-wave. In a choice between Trump, Clinton, third-party that might be the difference between Clinton beating trump, and doing nothing of any consequence in the electoral system, what should US voters do? Because those are the cards that have been dealt to the American people, right now, in 2016.

                    • adam

                      weka, in NZ.

                      Go online and talk to yanks. particular left wing yanks. Make sure they vote, and if in swing states encourage them to hold their nose and vote h.r.c.

                      But to actually vote Green in safe areas. Get the greens over 5%, this will send shock waves throughout the left in USA. It also send a clear message to h.r.c that working people are watching her, and will walk if she does not give what she has said.

                      Pressure must be put on h.r.c. to actually reform.

                      The rest – organise, join groups like Blank Lives Matter, the Greens and other groups which actually represent the left in the USA.

                      Because if the democratic party does not feel the fear of working people, we are sunk.

    • Chooky 1.4

      ‘Assange tells Green Party convention choosing Trump or Clinton like ‘cholera or gonorrhea’ (VIDEO)’

      https://www.rt.com/usa/354974-assange-green-party-trump-clinton/

  2. Sanctary 2

    Are the Olympics over yet?

  3. Tiger Mountain 3

    rugby the subterranean culture…
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11689016

    “Root more! Eat more! Drink more piss!” (’81 Springbok tour NZ Police Red Squad unit training chant, Red Squad was headed by future Nat and ROC MP Ross Meurant)

    • Garibaldi 3.1

      In all fairness Ross Meurant has had a complete turnaround from the infamy of his red squad days and is now one of the good guys with respect to the tour. I can’t understand how you didn’t know this TM.

      • Tiger Mountain 3.1.1

        read that a while back, yes I could have added “has recanted” but jeez every post cannot cover every angle, and I certainly would not tag Ross Meurant with “good guy” in any event, the cops were blatantly used by Muldoon to assist the Nat’s re-election in that era

      • weston 3.1.2

        Same guy recommended david lange
        ‘ be strung up from the nearest power pole “…. in his maiden speech to parliment if my memory serves me well !

    • Puckish Rogue 3.2

      Bit of a long bow to draw there don’t you think?

      • Tiger Mountain 3.2.1

        no, even under FPP Rob Muldoon needed the votes in the less populous regions to get home in 1981, Labour got more votes overall, National more electorate seats

        the Police Commissioner got a hell of a towelling after the cancellation of the Hamilton game and policing subsequently got even tougher to ensure Robs Mob got their rugby, to the extent the 3rd test was virtual civil war in the streets of Mt Eden

        the Red Squad represented the fantasies of what rugby heads across the nation both wanted to “do” to “the protestors” and on occasion did do

        • Puckish Rogue 3.2.1.1

          that has to do with what happened in Scotland how exactly? (and that he thought it was good idea is probably why he’s coaching a second teir team)

          • Tiger Mountain 3.2.1.1.1

            oh, you were referring to the rabbit mangling, that puts rugby in such a good light too

            • Puckish Rogue 3.2.1.1.1.1

              Trying to work out the connection between NZ Police Red Squad and what Vern Cotter was making his players do, yes

        • mosa 3.2.1.2

          Yeah TM Muldoon just got over the try line winning Taupo and giving him a 1 seat majority after specials were confirmed ending the prospect of a Labour- Social Credit coalition in this Rugby-Think Big Election.

  4. The Chairman 4

    It is the latest dairy to be targeted in a spate of robberies nationwide that appear to be aimed at stealing cigarettes.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/82907776/porirua-dairy-owner-stabbed-up-to-five-times-returns-to-work-the-next-day

    And think, there are more tobacco price increases to come.

    Thoughts?

    • Yeah, but who could possibly have foreseen that making an addictive recreational drug really, really expensive would create a black market and get criminals involved in supplying it? I mean, what are the odds?

      • Sabine 4.1.1

        look we need criminals and the ‘war on drugs’ is really good at creating criminals. I mean how would Serco have a guaranteed ‘bed occupancy’ and ‘profit’ if it were not for us creating laws and such to grow criminals.

        • Muttonbird 4.1.1.1

          Yes, private companies are bound by their shareholders to maximise profit and if that means creating more crime then all the better for them.

          I’m reminded of a job I did a few years ago at a certain power tools manufacturer’s NZ conference. The global sales guy spoke and with graphs and pie charts and lamented the lack of natural disasters that particular year having an negative impact on turnover.

          Short story is no corporate is interested in societal wellbeing first, that’s why the state must do it.

    • weston 4.2

      Cognitive dissonance on the part of pc anti smoking lobbyists in refusing to take into account the quite obvious raft of worsoning effects of their doomed to fail campaign to make nz smoke free by whenever !!

  5. Psych nurse 5

    Hats off to Nick Smith for his latest innovation in solving the housing crisis.Tree cars.

  6. North 6

    RNZ National Nine to Noon in the past 20 minutes; Hooton flaunting his sociopathc core…….increase the supply of housing in a concerted way so as to reach those hopelessly denied……..that’s creating slum housing and crime according to the sociopath.

    • Muttonbird 6.1

      Hooton is the nimby’s nimby. Won’t truck any support of the vulnerable or of future generations lest it affect the value of his house.

      He’s the ultimate ladder-kicker.

  7. Sanctuary 7

    Goodness me, I think I upset the hipsters over at transport blog, You can never accuse them of not taking themselves very serriously.

    • Muttonbird 7.1

      What have you done now, Sanctuary?

      I’ve not read transport blog but the fact one of the highest rating blogs in NZ is solely devoted to transport shows that NZ is in major trouble on this issue, imo.

      You say ‘hipsters’ derogatorily, but I’m not sure why. What is the tone of posts at transport blog that make you refer to them as hipsters? Are the pro rail? Are they socially aware and distrustful of the current government?

    • Muttonbird 7.2

      Sanctuary. I went and read the post in question and understand what you mean about level of discussion at the transport blog. They seem obsessed with the detail of what decisions their masters (i.e, anyone in authority) deliver to them rather than questioning the reasoning behind the policy of those decisions.

  8. Chooky 8

    What is wrong with the Christchurch City Council?…hope they haven’t got Auckland’s disease?…or become compromised like Len Brown

    “The Christchurch City Council is accused of shameful behaviour in going back on an agreement to keep 800 notable trees on a protected list. The future of the trees is now back in the hands of an Independent Hearings Panel.”

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201811223/council-accused-of-shameful-u-turn

  9. Muttonbird 9

    Let’s see Farrar and other conformist white males attack this…

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/310409/mahuta-in-mp-tattoo-first

    They’ll have to stay silent no matter how much it irks them.

  10. Cynicaljester 10

    Time Clark conceded, it’s absolutely rotten that tax payers fund her ego trip when we are switching to 100 pupil classrooms in decile one zones and have children sleeping in bushes meanwhile we’re paying for her to run a losing campaign that will be of no benefit to nz. I time for her to accept defeat, and bow out of public life, this is no less a waste of money than keys flag referendum. Tax payers shouldn’t fund political vanity projects

    • Key’s vanity project cost us $26 million. Clark’s bid is going to be funded to the tune of a few hundred thousand, if she makes it to the final cut. The benefit to NZ if she wins is clear in terms of global recognition, trade, tourism etc., while Key’s flag project had no upside at all. If you’re going to troll, at least put some thought into it.

    • Sabine 10.2

      Yes, lets send an email to the National Party led Government to fund larger class rooms, emergency housing for teenagers, babies and adults that sleep in bushes, cars and in garages. It is truly time the National led Government accepts defeat in their ‘trickle down economics’ campaing that has been and will be of no benefits ot the country.

      I think it is time for them to accept defeat and bow out of public life, they already have wasted money on keys flag referendum, Sheep for Saudi Arabia, and payments to homeless / badly housed people to leave Auckland and payments to unemployed people to move to Auckland.

      i aggree.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 10.3

      The politics of envy. And hatred. Clark’s international mana and success must really wind you up, and now I’m laughing at you 😆

  11. Chooky 11

    ‘Corruption PSYOPS’

    https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/338885-panama-papers-interpretation-west/

    “The so-called Panama Papers are sold to us as a vast leak chronicling the financial misdeeds of the rich and powerful. But is this really the case? Certainly we are given insight into the secretive world of offshore banking, but is it a complete and balanced story? One interpretation of the Panama Papers is the West targeting its enemies.

    CrossTalking with Mitch Feierstein, Alexander Mercouris, and Pepe Escobar.”

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    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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