So already the cuts have begun to bite. 100 classrooms on hold, with rising immigration actively worsening things.
Reports by the Education Minister that she is consulting is interesting. Who with ?you may ask, as Principals say they do not know what the new priorities are, and they have had no formal or face to face contact. Just a list of "On hold" since the election.
Everyone knows from media statements 3 hours for 3 rs,
7.5 cuts to budgets, which plus inflation is really huge. (This is capital expenditure which is not included!!) So children miss out again.
It makes sense when you remember the National Party was formed to stop the Labour Party doing anything. They consider 'on hold' to be fulfilling that promise.
Mayor Wayne Brown on RNZ this morning recognised how many projects will just be stopped. Even something as big as Eastern Busway, or the new CRL trains. That was one small tax adjustment.
Brown is forecasting the point for all other mayors: local government should be able to set the priorities for the locals who vote for them. Not Wellington.
March has more pre-announcements going through every other Department: Health, Education, Welfare, Transport, Kainga Ora, Conservation, SSC, DPMC, Crown Law, DIA, MBIE, MfE, MoT, Maori Affairs, and all the minor quangoes like HRC. Queue groaning.
Which state entities can defend their forecasts? I'm betting the ones that come out well: Corrections, Police, NZDF, SIS, Treasury.
March leads to May Budget.
With those cuts Willis gets to deliver tax cuts. As she and Luxon promised.
Tova O'Brien makes the point I made yesterday 🙂 that Seymour is undermining Luxon by calling him nervous and a liar. I can't remember this happening before.
Thanks, Hooten is rightly terrified of Seymour having the time and space to spend the huge amounts of shadowy far right wing funding on manipulating public opinion.
Basically its Hooton being his usual Machiavellian self by attacking Seymour's Treaty Bill while making what seem reasonable suggestions. However on closer scrutiny they are anything but. This gem of an article is about Paul Goldsmith apologising and settling outstanding Ngati Hine grievances by putting a wedge between them and Ngapuhi. Just the sort of Maori vs Maori turmoil he would enjoy setting up.
My view is if National really want to shut Seymour up they need to back Goldsmith in Epson. As we all know Seymour is only where he is due to the National Party's gerrymandering.
I don't think that there is any evidence of this going on here, and no evidence of the Representation Commission (the organization which sets the electorate boundaries) being influenced by any political party.
If you do have evidence of this occurring, then please share it.
If you mean that Seymour is using MMP to increase ACT representation in parliament – by gaining a higher individual vote in Epsom than the ACT party vote – and that this is reprehensible; then you would have to condemn virtually every TPM MP for doing the same thing – I think in every Maori electorate the party vote was higher for Labour than it was for TPM.
No, the equivalent would be Labour and TPM entering an agreement where Labour deliberately throws Maori seats by encouraging voters to vote for TPM candidate.
Perhaps you have evidence of this happening in the last election?
Difference being there's collusion between National and ACT in Epsom, but none in the Maori electorates between Labour and TPM which is what you implied with the comparison.
Like I said, a good way to dilute the mischievousness in Epsom is to claim both sides do it, even if that is untrue.
How about the 'collusion' in Invercargill between the Greens and Labour?
In 2020 the GP candidate openly endorsed the Labour one, and in 2023 – they pulled the GP candidate completely to try and gain the seat for the Left
And I'm quite sure that the same could be said by the Right – over (for example) Jim Anderton.
ATM – and for the last couple of elections – ACT have not needed the 'Epsom accommodation' – since their party vote is perfectly sufficient to get them over the 5% threshold.
You get Te Pāti Māori are the smartest voters in the country, we be doing polling, we understand overhang. You and others talked about it enough. Oh and Maori know what a deal means, honour, and playing the hand that has been dealt. Te Pāti Māori don't need to beg like some serf.
We don't need dirty deals, we have an open honest one. Old too, 11 years till hundred years in parlimentary terms with the election of Eruera and Tokouru.
To many Pākehā and Māori voted whinge bag Winny. Rather than a party who would work with the left. Gotta love hindsight though. I'm hearing some seriously extreme buyers remorse on this one, in my own family, even.
Oh dear. I think some will be more circumspect in the future.
I was referring to the fact that TPM won each of the Māori Seats and that Labour got the highest Party vote in each electorate, thereby helping the Labour Māori Caucus.
So tactical voting by Left voters for TPM and Green electorate candidates is fine; but tactical voting by the Right for ACT candidates is morally wrong?
Tactical voting is the way MMP works. You can't, honestly, decry it on the right, but celebrate it on the left.
No deal was made by Te Pāti Māori for seats. Unlike act and the prime member of the collective of corporate cock suckers. (CCCS)
The moral question you raise is interesting – should parties gift other parties seats like the prime CCCS has done to act (a minor member of CCCS)?
Nothing wrong with smart voting, just seat fixing is the moral questionable. Indeed it is a cheapening of democracy, but the right have no problem with that concept, and throw out all sorts of useful idiots to spread it's BS around it.
Previously yes, but he's actually a very active and effective elecorate mp so I doubt a Nat candidate would get near him even with say Luxon's endorsement.
Also Brooke Van Velden took the Tamaki electorate, in the teeth of fierce National opposition – no cup of tea there. ACT (little though you may like them) are currently pulling a substantial percentage of the vote in NZ.
Has Seymour ever expressed a liking for playing chess?
He has a series of moves available to him that threaten Luxon with, or hold him in check.
He can crash Luxon's Government at any point and can block National from getting back in should they seek to regain their position.
While his One Big Mission would go on hold, much of the groundwork has already been done; other branches of the Movement can continue with manipulating the public mind over the role of Māori and the hold they have on resources.
He's backing himself and playing hardball (as well as chess) imo.
At one point I had assumed Seymour would not allow himself too be seen as a trouble maker in government, rather wanting to be a serious, dependable player.
But now I don't think he cares, his ideological mission to dilute and disperse Te ao Māori too important to him and his backers, to the point of obsession.
Hooton makes some good points in his article today (paywalled) here:
"Seymour’s bill and “information” campaign will cause ill-informed division and unnecessary angst, before being voted down 112-11 by Parliament. It will then be for Goldsmith, in both his major portfolios, to bring common sense and integrity to heal those wounds. As Justice Minister, he could pick up Prebble’s idea and strengthen everyone’s equal rights of citizenship without undermining anyone’s differing exclusive rights, including to property and other treasures. As Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, it turns to Goldsmith to succeed …. in settling the historic claims of the northern tribes of Ngāpuhi. Historic settlements don’t extinguish the Crown’s contemporary Treaty obligations but they help iwi put their fury behind them and focus on the economic and social development of their people, in partnership with or independently of the state. Nothing would do more to restore a harmonious relationship between the Crown and northern iwi, while boosting Northland’s struggling economy."
It is interesting that Hooton has little time for Seymour.
Act’s Mr Seymour tries to distance himself from Atlas Network. Check out page 7 of the 2008 Atlas Review, Mr Seymour is pictured with some then Atlas leading lights and prospects during his Canadian stint.
This should be spread far and wide. The association is provable not conspiracy. Act are attacking Te Tiriti not just for “Māori bashing” purposes, but to assist international capital to exploit NZ resources.
Even Gosman, [deleted] saw the problems of being associated with Atlas. Tried very hard to claim there is no such connection.
[I’ve never heard that about Gosman before and I have no way of checking. Please don’t try and break pseudonyms. I protect them on principle, that includes RW trolls, and you. – weka]
Kwadwo Afari (Citizens Network for Democracy and Economic Development, Ghana)
Khalil Ahmad (Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan) Judith Auma (Inter Region Economic Network, Uganda) Matt Bufton (Institute for Liberal Studies, Canada) Brad Bergh (Caesar Rodney Institute, U.S.A.) Rosamaria Bitetti (Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy)
Amit Chandra (Centre for Civil Society, India)
Alphonse Crespo (Medicine & Liberty, Switzerland)
D. Dhanuraj (Centre for Public Policy Research, India)
Rand Getlin (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
Matt Harrison (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
Tabriz Jabbarov (Free Minds Association, Azerbaijan)
Biljana Janeva (OHRID Institute, Macedonia)
Thomas David Maqway (Center for Prosperity and Economic
Liberty, Tanzania)
Arpita Nepal Samriddhi (The Prosperity Foundation, Nepal) Mpumelelo (Lelo) Nxumalo (Committee for the Economic
Development of Zimbabwe)
Javier Paz (Fundación Nueva Democracia, Bolivia)
Omar Shaban Ismail (PalThink for Strategic Studies, Palestine) Jim Shaffer (Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia, U.S.A.) Fernando Staffieri (Fundación Libertad, Argentina) David Seymour(Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada) Corin Taylor (TaxPayers Alliance, U.K.)
Sugey Tola (Ecuadorian Institute of Political Economy, Ecuador) Marcin Wegierski (Project Lodz Foundation, Poland) Randolph Williams (Centre for Policy Initiatives, Guyana) Batbold Zagdragchaa (New Policy Institute, Mongolia)”
Be careful here. There maybe more than one David Seymour in this world with ties to Atlas Think Tanks.
I know that there are at least 3 academics with the same name as myself who write on very similar subjects. I constantly receive notifications from around the world thinking that I was the person who wrote or commented on a particular paper.
It certainly seems to be the same – ie "our"! -David Seymour as the reference in the Atlas Year in Review 2008 linked to in Tiger Mountain's comment at 3 to "David Seymour (Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada)" aligns with the Wikipedia entry for "our" David Seymour.
The Wikipedia entry refers to his years in Canada in the early 2000s in the second para of the full entry; and then again in the "Early Life" section, ie:
"Seymour worked in Canada as a policy analyst for five years for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada and the Manning Centre (6)"
Wikipedia provides quick links to both these organisations, and the article in footnote (6) –
Seems naive. The longer it goes on the more difficult it is to shut down.
If it's true Luxon is sniffing the wind on public opinion and he made the call to now be unequivocal, that decision must have been aided by the mahi done at Waitangi.
Quite why he'd hand over operations to David Seymour is baffling. Even more difficult now for Luxton to control the narrative.
Still, making Rimmer associate justice minister only to then strip him of it would be profound. He might have to do that.
"That’s the ugly truth. ACT are happy to have this debate even if it goes nowhere. Although I’m sure they still believe that the money, which is no doubt behind this, will speak loudly when the time comes.
It’s hard not to draw the conclusion from this that Seymour has played Luxon, and that he has won."
Police minister Mitchell and Commissioner Coster seem to have a matey relationship – sufficiently so to be passing text messages about operational matters and warnings of… who might be waiting somewhere to get an impromptu interview with the minister.
Did Coster have such a relationship with the previous government minsters? I doubt it. It smacks of a form of political nepotism and a potential lack of impartiality when dealing with certain sections of society.
Bearing in mind Mark Mitchell is known to be a bully boy, this situation does not auger well for fair and impartial policing practices.
Nash overstepped the bounds as Police Minister by contacting Coster, and subsequently lost his job after two more similar issues (not to do with Coster).
Imo the Police Commissioner should not be texting the Police Minister at all. The message from Coster telling Mitchel about talking to a journalist should have been a formal email not a causal text. We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons, and part of that is how the appearance of separation.
"We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons,…"
Precisely.
Not wishing to appear to be defending Coster, but Mitchell is not past placing the relationship on a more 'intimate' level to ensure he has control of everything that is occurring regardless of whether it falls under his jurisdiction or not.
If there is evidence of Mitchell doing the same (i.e. directing the police on operational matters – whether via text or any other method of communication) – he should suffer the same consequences.
If the communication is limited to 'heads up alerts' – then it can certainly be covered under the 'no surprises' rule that applies to all Ministries and their MPs.
Well if nothing else it certainly reveals “Andy” is a bit of a crawler. It should not be assumed any top cop is a liberal–NZ Police culture is still by and large macho, violent, misogynist, racist and holds long lasting grudges. Modern cops sometimes put some trendy spin on their activities but I predict policing will be more heavy duty and targeting the bottom 50% under this Govt.
A peaceful Palestine solidarity action at Lyttleton was subjected to police violence and elderly people pepper sprayed even after they had moved off a roadway onto the footpath, veteran activist 70 year old John Minto coming in for particular attention and a nasty bashing by gum chewing arrogant coppers.
The sworn police unspoken but primary task is to maintain capitalist property relations. It is why the plods turn up to a union picket in 10 minutes after an employer phone call, and may…get around to investigating your car break in.
Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the Groundswell occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.
Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the climate action occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.
How does that read?
or this one,
Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the tangata whenua occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.
Protest is a legitimate part of democracy. We shouldn't be asking for permission. The freedom protests fucked that up, I don't know if Coster made that worse or less worse.
to clarify that a bit, the UK and Australia have both brought in legislation that undermines right to protest and thus democracy. In that sense Coster did right, but the fallout may mean we end up with such reactionary legislation. It would be good if the left didn't buy into that.
In a related tangent, it is my understanding, after talking to a senior police official, that Coster was called into a meeting with 3 senior politicians. This was the early days of the Wellies parliament occupation.
Police orders at around 6pm was that the steps of the Beehive were the line no-one was to cross. At around 10pm (after said meeting) the orders were changed and that was when the first, clumsy attempt to clear the grounds was made.
Political interference, like being influenced by lobbyists, isn't just a National thing.
quite agree that political interference isn't just a Nat thing. Reference also Nash, which makes me think it's an authoritarian thing instead (political compass).
It's on my list to go back and look at the protest and what happened and write about it. Might talk to you when I get going on that, if that's ok, pick your brains.
Interesting about the Palestine action at Lyttleton.
There was a recent Sunday gathering of around 200 protesters who marched to the Devonport Naval Base. I happened to drive past the local reserve where they were assembling. There were police officers everywhere – including van loads of them tucked around corners. Not knowing what was going on, I slowed down to have a good look at the protesters' banners. Next minute a posse of police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. We're talking about an elderly woman here. I sped off in astonishment.
Don't know about ports in general – but a naval base is another matter. Unsurprising that there was elevated security with a protest specifically directed towards them.
"…police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. "
What did you expect them to do ignore you completely?
If a van slows down close to a group of protesters especially when the issue at hand is so highly emotional and violent then of course the police (if they are doing their job) are going to scrutinize it closely.
Sorry not sure why I said van must have been stuck in my head from the police vans you mentioned.
In regards to 1) and 2) I meant the Israel / Palestine issue as a whole, not the particular event involved here. Police have been told to be extra vigilant in regard to any activities associated with current events in the Middle East and for good reason,
3) Yes but were they slowing down to have a good look as you were?
6) The police didn't know that.
8) You may have had an amusing moment but for the police, never amusing and always incredibly stressful.
But at the end of the day, they could have just been glaring at you for rubber necking.
The police were under no stress whatsoever at that point. All was peaceful and there was no shouting. If it wasn't for the flags etc. one would have thought it was a social function around the band-stand – a popular place for festivities.
I'm sure some of the cars did slow down for the same reason and would have got similar treatment.
A different story once they started marching and chanting of course, and when they came close to the Naval Base entrance, one would expect the police to be very much on the alert to any possible infringements. As far as I know there were none.
Accept it was nothing more than a slightly amusing interlude in response to TM’s comment re- another protest march. You were not there. I was.
Are you sure about that? The maximum term a Commissioner can be appointed for is five years but, unless they have changed the laws in the last few years there is nothing to stop them being appointed for a second term.
Coster's predecessor, Mike Bush was first appointed to a term that ran for 3 years from April 2014 until 2017. He was then reappointed for a second term of three years that finished in April 2020. He served for 6 years.
As far as I know there is no reason to prevent Coster being offered another, or even several more, term(s).
If one looks at the history on would say, the intent of a 5 year term is to allow a longer term than 3 years. Only some ever got a second term of 3 years, when it was 3 years. 5 years is one of the longer ones on record.
"Mitchell has reset the relationship with Coster but there are still a Cabinet minister or two who refer to him as "Cuddles Coster" – an insinuation he's soft on crime………."
Ha! All that will happen is an increased influx into the 'desirable' areas with 'good' schools – pushing house prices even higher. 'Double Grammar zone' will be even more unaffordable.
"Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed."– Einstein
'Double Grammar zone' will be even more unaffordable.
Not unaffordable to all Kiwis, clearly, given your projected "increased influx".
Despite divisive distractions, even the most one-eyed will be hard-pressed to ignore rhe corrosive effects of wealth inequality on societal resilience over the next few years, although adopting a 'head in the sand' strategy might just do it.
Sad really, because when the overshoot chickens come home to roost, money will mean bugger all – still, make hay while the sun shines.
“Is it ethical to exploit our psychology to benefit an economic system destroying the planet?” asks Barnard. “Creativity and innovation are driving overconsumption. The system is driving us to suicide. It’s conquest, entitlement, misogyny, arrogance and it comes in a fetid package driving us to the abyss.”
The team is adamant that solutions that do not tackle the underlying drivers of our growth-based economies will only exacerbate the overshoot crisis.
“Everything we know and love is at stake,” says Barnard. “A habitable planet and a peaceful civilisation both have value, and we need to be conscious about using tools in ethical and justice-based ways. This is not just about humanity. This is about every other species on this planet. This is about the future generations.”
“I do get frustrated that people sit in paralysis thinking, what do I do? Or what must we do? There are moral hazards everywhere. We have to choose how to intervene to keep us working on a path forward as humanity, because everything right now is set up to strip us of our humanity.”
‘The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of’.
– Edward Bernays, Propaganda, 1928
Imho, Einsrtein's quote is relevant to the proposal to "ban private schools and health insurance", and also relevant to reactions to that proposal.
"Double Grammar zone" doesn't interest me – patterns of behaviour do
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Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
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. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
Tara Ward talks to presenter Naomi Toilalo about the new TV show that turns food waste into a three course feast. Naomi Toilalo is standing in the warehouse at Good Neighbour Tauranga, helping unpack the two-and-a-half tonnes of rejected food that will arrive at the community support hub that day. ...
Scout is our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Scout’s human, Avril, for her support. Dog name: Scout (named after the little girl in To Kill a Mockingbird – she inherited the independent spirit ...
Megan Alatini takes us through her life in TV, including ‘terrible’ daytime TV, the class of Carol Hirschfeld and her most embarrassing TrueBliss moment. When she responded to a vague newspaper ad asking “do you have what it takes to be a popstar?” 25 years ago, Megan Alatini never guessed ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
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So already the cuts have begun to bite. 100 classrooms on hold, with rising immigration actively worsening things.
Reports by the Education Minister that she is consulting is interesting. Who with ?you may ask, as Principals say they do not know what the new priorities are, and they have had no formal or face to face contact. Just a list of "On hold" since the election.
Everyone knows from media statements 3 hours for 3 rs,
7.5 cuts to budgets, which plus inflation is really huge. (This is capital expenditure which is not included!!) So children miss out again.
So we are in a freeze.????
It makes sense when you remember the National Party was formed to stop the Labour Party doing anything. They consider 'on hold' to be fulfilling that promise.
It's just the start. And it's serious.
Mayor Wayne Brown on RNZ this morning recognised how many projects will just be stopped. Even something as big as Eastern Busway, or the new CRL trains. That was one small tax adjustment.
Brown is forecasting the point for all other mayors: local government should be able to set the priorities for the locals who vote for them. Not Wellington.
March has more pre-announcements going through every other Department: Health, Education, Welfare, Transport, Kainga Ora, Conservation, SSC, DPMC, Crown Law, DIA, MBIE, MfE, MoT, Maori Affairs, and all the minor quangoes like HRC. Queue groaning.
Which state entities can defend their forecasts? I'm betting the ones that come out well: Corrections, Police, NZDF, SIS, Treasury.
March leads to May Budget.
With those cuts Willis gets to deliver tax cuts. As she and Luxon promised.
Tory economic shitfuckary at it's finest.
It's TINA time again and I don't mean Tina from Turners.
Of course there are alternatives, but not in the small minds of Tory s*bs who can't see beyond their wallet.
As always, its the inability of Tory economics to get off it's knees from corporate blowing and jerking which is the real problem.
Tova O'Brien makes the point I made yesterday 🙂 that Seymour is undermining Luxon by calling him nervous and a liar. I can't remember this happening before.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350173342/pm-may-want-get-his-elbows-out-over-treaty-principles-bill
And, is anyone able to tell us what is this paywalled article?
Luxon really needs to lance the boil that is David Seymour. Very high risk letting the situation continue.
Try this link
https://archive.is/37w4o
Thanks, Hooten is rightly terrified of Seymour having the time and space to spend the huge amounts of shadowy far right wing funding on manipulating public opinion.
Basically its Hooton being his usual Machiavellian self by attacking Seymour's Treaty Bill while making what seem reasonable suggestions. However on closer scrutiny they are anything but. This gem of an article is about Paul Goldsmith apologising and settling outstanding Ngati Hine grievances by putting a wedge between them and Ngapuhi. Just the sort of Maori vs Maori turmoil he would enjoy setting up.
My view is if National really want to shut Seymour up they need to back Goldsmith in Epson. As we all know Seymour is only where he is due to the National Party's gerrymandering.
Gerrymandering yes but in the words of a famous (ior infamous )ex president, Epsom is always a rgged election .
Gerrymandering is manipulating electorate boundaries to favour a particular political party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering
I don't think that there is any evidence of this going on here, and no evidence of the Representation Commission (the organization which sets the electorate boundaries) being influenced by any political party.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_electorates#Distribution
If you do have evidence of this occurring, then please share it.
If you mean that Seymour is using MMP to increase ACT representation in parliament – by gaining a higher individual vote in Epsom than the ACT party vote – and that this is reprehensible; then you would have to condemn virtually every TPM MP for doing the same thing – I think in every Maori electorate the party vote was higher for Labour than it was for TPM.
No, the equivalent would be Labour and TPM entering an agreement where Labour deliberately throws Maori seats by encouraging voters to vote for TPM candidate.
Perhaps you have evidence of this happening in the last election?
Regardless of whether you agree with the practice or not – it is not gerrymandering.
Sure, but your comparison was false. Likely deliberately in an effort to water down the unscrupulous National/ACT arrangement in Epsom.
Is it worse for political parties to openly signal to their (potential) voters? Or for there to just be a nudge and a wink?
Tactical voting is part and parcel of MMP.
Difference being there's collusion between National and ACT in Epsom, but none in the Maori electorates between Labour and TPM which is what you implied with the comparison.
Like I said, a good way to dilute the mischievousness in Epsom is to claim both sides do it, even if that is untrue.
How about the 'collusion' in Invercargill between the Greens and Labour?
In 2020 the GP candidate openly endorsed the Labour one, and in 2023 – they pulled the GP candidate completely to try and gain the seat for the Left
https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/132829589/no-green-candidate-for-invercargill
I think you came unstuck after the point you made about the definition of gerrymandering. Should have stopped there perhaps?
Because now you seem desperate to justify the now 16 year arrangement National and ACT have had in Epsom.
To point , but it's only national that have poisoned mmp by keeping act alive ,
And I'm quite sure that the same could be said by the Right – over (for example) Jim Anderton.
ATM – and for the last couple of elections – ACT have not needed the 'Epsom accommodation' – since their party vote is perfectly sufficient to get them over the 5% threshold.
Bugger me Belladonna.
You get Te Pāti Māori are the smartest voters in the country, we be doing polling, we understand overhang. You and others talked about it enough. Oh and Maori know what a deal means, honour, and playing the hand that has been dealt. Te Pāti Māori don't need to beg like some serf.
We don't need dirty deals, we have an open honest one. Old too, 11 years till hundred years in parlimentary terms with the election of Eruera and Tokouru.
Yep very clever voting in the Māori electorates and good on them.
To many Pākehā and Māori voted whinge bag Winny. Rather than a party who would work with the left. Gotta love hindsight though. I'm hearing some seriously extreme buyers remorse on this one, in my own family, even.
Oh dear. I think some will be more circumspect in the future.
I was referring to the fact that TPM won each of the Māori Seats and that Labour got the highest Party vote in each electorate, thereby helping the Labour Māori Caucus.
The dreams of Matiu Waitai Rata fulfilled?
How did it help the Labour Maori caucus? Most have resigned (Davis, etc.) or signalled retirement (Jackson).
Have a think.
Not interested in guessing games. If you have an answer, give it.
It's not all that difficult:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/494829/labour-releases-party-list-for-2023-election
So tactical voting by Left voters for TPM and Green electorate candidates is fine; but tactical voting by the Right for ACT candidates is morally wrong?
Tactical voting is the way MMP works. You can't, honestly, decry it on the right, but celebrate it on the left.
Sooooo not interested in your offer!
Straw man – argument on your part.
No deal was made by Te Pāti Māori for seats. Unlike act and the prime member of the collective of corporate cock suckers. (CCCS)
The moral question you raise is interesting – should parties gift other parties seats like the prime CCCS has done to act (a minor member of CCCS)?
Nothing wrong with smart voting, just seat fixing is the moral questionable. Indeed it is a cheapening of democracy, but the right have no problem with that concept, and throw out all sorts of useful idiots to spread it's BS around it.
Previously yes, but he's actually a very active and effective elecorate mp so I doubt a Nat candidate would get near him even with say Luxon's endorsement.
Also Brooke Van Velden took the Tamaki electorate, in the teeth of fierce National opposition – no cup of tea there. ACT (little though you may like them) are currently pulling a substantial percentage of the vote in NZ.
Has Seymour ever expressed a liking for playing chess?
He has a series of moves available to him that threaten Luxon with, or hold him in check.
He can crash Luxon's Government at any point and can block National from getting back in should they seek to regain their position.
While his One Big Mission would go on hold, much of the groundwork has already been done; other branches of the Movement can continue with manipulating the public mind over the role of Māori and the hold they have on resources.
He's backing himself and playing hardball (as well as chess) imo.
At one point I had assumed Seymour would not allow himself too be seen as a trouble maker in government, rather wanting to be a serious, dependable player.
But now I don't think he cares, his ideological mission to dilute and disperse Te ao Māori too important to him and his backers, to the point of obsession.
Hooton makes some good points in his article today (paywalled) here:
"Seymour’s bill and “information” campaign will cause ill-informed division and unnecessary angst, before being voted down 112-11 by Parliament. It will then be for Goldsmith, in both his major portfolios, to bring common sense and integrity to heal those wounds. As Justice Minister, he could pick up Prebble’s idea and strengthen everyone’s equal rights of citizenship without undermining anyone’s differing exclusive rights, including to property and other treasures. As Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, it turns to Goldsmith to succeed …. in settling the historic claims of the northern tribes of Ngāpuhi. Historic settlements don’t extinguish the Crown’s contemporary Treaty obligations but they help iwi put their fury behind them and focus on the economic and social development of their people, in partnership with or independently of the state. Nothing would do more to restore a harmonious relationship between the Crown and northern iwi, while boosting Northland’s struggling economy."
It is interesting that Hooton has little time for Seymour.
We're to pin our hopes on Goldsmith?
Aue!
So, unreasonable ACT is paving the way for ‘reasonable’ National? Yeah, right.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Door-in-the-face_technique
Remember that Goldsmith has been gifting Epsom to ACT/Seymour in a number of elections.
Act’s Mr Seymour tries to distance himself from Atlas Network. Check out page 7 of the 2008 Atlas Review, Mr Seymour is pictured with some then Atlas leading lights and prospects during his Canadian stint.
https://admin.atlasnetwork.org/assets/documents/financials/22209874-Atlas-Year-in-Review-2008_1.pdf
This should be spread far and wide. The association is provable not conspiracy. Act are attacking Te Tiriti not just for “Māori bashing” purposes, but to assist international capital to exploit NZ resources.
Even Gosman, [deleted] saw the problems of being associated with Atlas. Tried very hard to claim there is no such connection.
[I’ve never heard that about Gosman before and I have no way of checking. Please don’t try and break pseudonyms. I protect them on principle, that includes RW trolls, and you. – weka]
From the document I linked to @ #3…
“Graduates of the 2008 Atlas MBA for Think Tanks
Kwadwo Afari (Citizens Network for Democracy and Economic Development, Ghana)
Khalil Ahmad (Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan) Judith Auma (Inter Region Economic Network, Uganda) Matt Bufton (Institute for Liberal Studies, Canada) Brad Bergh (Caesar Rodney Institute, U.S.A.) Rosamaria Bitetti (Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy)
Amit Chandra (Centre for Civil Society, India)
Alphonse Crespo (Medicine & Liberty, Switzerland)
D. Dhanuraj (Centre for Public Policy Research, India)
Rand Getlin (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
Matt Harrison (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
Tabriz Jabbarov (Free Minds Association, Azerbaijan)
Biljana Janeva (OHRID Institute, Macedonia)
Thomas David Maqway (Center for Prosperity and Economic
Liberty, Tanzania)
Arpita Nepal Samriddhi (The Prosperity Foundation, Nepal) Mpumelelo (Lelo) Nxumalo (Committee for the Economic
Development of Zimbabwe)
Javier Paz (Fundación Nueva Democracia, Bolivia)
Omar Shaban Ismail (PalThink for Strategic Studies, Palestine) Jim Shaffer (Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia, U.S.A.) Fernando Staffieri (Fundación Libertad, Argentina)
David Seymour (Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada) Corin Taylor (TaxPayers Alliance, U.K.)
Sugey Tola (Ecuadorian Institute of Political Economy, Ecuador) Marcin Wegierski (Project Lodz Foundation, Poland) Randolph Williams (Centre for Policy Initiatives, Guyana) Batbold Zagdragchaa (New Policy Institute, Mongolia)”
Be careful here. There maybe more than one David Seymour in this world with ties to Atlas Think Tanks.
I know that there are at least 3 academics with the same name as myself who write on very similar subjects. I constantly receive notifications from around the world thinking that I was the person who wrote or commented on a particular paper.
You are invited to open the link at #3 there are several photos of Mr David Seymour, start at page 7.
Ahhh! thanks for that.
It certainly seems to be the same – ie "our"! -David Seymour as the reference in the Atlas Year in Review 2008 linked to in Tiger Mountain's comment at 3 to "David Seymour (Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada)" aligns with the Wikipedia entry for "our" David Seymour.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Seymour
The Wikipedia entry refers to his years in Canada in the early 2000s in the second para of the full entry; and then again in the "Early Life" section, ie:
"Seymour worked in Canada as a policy analyst for five years for the Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada and the Manning Centre (6)"
Wikipedia provides quick links to both these organisations, and the article in footnote (6) –
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier_Centre_for_Public_Policy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada_Strong_and_Free_Network
https://web.archive.org/web/20210624211342/https://nzbpt.nz/david-seymour-mp
Note for Mods – first comment again for years; not sure if I've used the same email as before …
Welcome back.
I’ve approved this new email of yours, so please stick to this one from now on, thanks.
mod note.
Stop worrying about ACT. They are already out-manoeuvered.
Not even the Greens had their core legislation strangled at birth.
Seems naive. The longer it goes on the more difficult it is to shut down.
If it's true Luxon is sniffing the wind on public opinion and he made the call to now be unequivocal, that decision must have been aided by the mahi done at Waitangi.
Quite why he'd hand over operations to David Seymour is baffling. Even more difficult now for Luxton to control the narrative.
Still, making Rimmer associate justice minister only to then strip him of it would be profound. He might have to do that.
Act where point fuck all of a % a few years back, don't take them lightly, especially with a weak as f pm who's only goal is to be pm.
Just 6 years ago in 2017 ACT got 0.5% of the party vote.
There many reasons for the resurgence to 8% in 2023 but the most important was the collapse of the National Party in 2020.
Nick Rockel reckons:
"That’s the ugly truth. ACT are happy to have this debate even if it goes nowhere. Although I’m sure they still believe that the money, which is no doubt behind this, will speak loudly when the time comes.
It’s hard not to draw the conclusion from this that Seymour has played Luxon, and that he has won."
https://nickrockel.substack.com/p/little-by-little
"
This Herald article is somewhat concerning:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-and-police-minister-mark-mitchell-texts-reveal-insight-into-relationship/ZCCH2R5YKNEUNCCBWNHNEOMSHQ/
Police minister Mitchell and Commissioner Coster seem to have a matey relationship – sufficiently so to be passing text messages about operational matters and warnings of… who might be waiting somewhere to get an impromptu interview with the minister.
Did Coster have such a relationship with the previous government minsters? I doubt it. It smacks of a form of political nepotism and a potential lack of impartiality when dealing with certain sections of society.
Bearing in mind Mark Mitchell is known to be a bully boy, this situation does not auger well for fair and impartial policing practices.
Nash overstepped the bounds as Police Minister by contacting Coster, and subsequently lost his job after two more similar issues (not to do with Coster).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Nash#2023_ministerial_indiscretions_and_resignation
Imo the Police Commissioner should not be texting the Police Minister at all. The message from Coster telling Mitchel about talking to a journalist should have been a formal email not a causal text. We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons, and part of that is how the appearance of separation.
"We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons,…"
Precisely.
Not wishing to appear to be defending Coster, but Mitchell is not past placing the relationship on a more 'intimate' level to ensure he has control of everything that is occurring regardless of whether it falls under his jurisdiction or not.
Which is (apparently) what Nash did – justifying it by his long-standing 'buddy' relationship with Coster.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/05/texts-between-former-police-minister-stuart-nash-and-police-commissioner-andrew-coster-released.html
If there is evidence of Mitchell doing the same (i.e. directing the police on operational matters – whether via text or any other method of communication) – he should suffer the same consequences.
If the communication is limited to 'heads up alerts' – then it can certainly be covered under the 'no surprises' rule that applies to all Ministries and their MPs.
Well if nothing else it certainly reveals “Andy” is a bit of a crawler. It should not be assumed any top cop is a liberal–NZ Police culture is still by and large macho, violent, misogynist, racist and holds long lasting grudges. Modern cops sometimes put some trendy spin on their activities but I predict policing will be more heavy duty and targeting the bottom 50% under this Govt.
A peaceful Palestine solidarity action at Lyttleton was subjected to police violence and elderly people pepper sprayed even after they had moved off a roadway onto the footpath, veteran activist 70 year old John Minto coming in for particular attention and a nasty bashing by gum chewing arrogant coppers.
The sworn police unspoken but primary task is to maintain capitalist property relations. It is why the plods turn up to a union picket in 10 minutes after an employer phone call, and may…get around to investigating your car break in.
Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the Groundswell occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.
How does that read?
or this one,
Is that your version of a thought experiment weka?
It may surprise you to know that I think Parliament grounds and surrounds should be free of long term occupations by any group.
Protest is a legitimate part of democracy. We shouldn't be asking for permission. The freedom protests fucked that up, I don't know if Coster made that worse or less worse.
to clarify that a bit, the UK and Australia have both brought in legislation that undermines right to protest and thus democracy. In that sense Coster did right, but the fallout may mean we end up with such reactionary legislation. It would be good if the left didn't buy into that.
In a related tangent, it is my understanding, after talking to a senior police official, that Coster was called into a meeting with 3 senior politicians. This was the early days of the Wellies parliament occupation.
Police orders at around 6pm was that the steps of the Beehive were the line no-one was to cross. At around 10pm (after said meeting) the orders were changed and that was when the first, clumsy attempt to clear the grounds was made.
Political interference, like being influenced by lobbyists, isn't just a National thing.
quite agree that political interference isn't just a Nat thing. Reference also Nash, which makes me think it's an authoritarian thing instead (political compass).
It's on my list to go back and look at the protest and what happened and write about it. Might talk to you when I get going on that, if that's ok, pick your brains.
Yep, sure.
You can use my sign in email if that works for you.
thanks, that's great.
Interesting about the Palestine action at Lyttleton.
There was a recent Sunday gathering of around 200 protesters who marched to the Devonport Naval Base. I happened to drive past the local reserve where they were assembling. There were police officers everywhere – including van loads of them tucked around corners. Not knowing what was going on, I slowed down to have a good look at the protesters' banners. Next minute a posse of police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. We're talking about an elderly woman here. I sped off in astonishment.
It seems like “orders from the top” re policing the Palestinian solidarity actions.
I guess ports are regarded as strategic assets not to be interfered with by the likes of ordinary people trying to stop the Israeli butchers.
Don't know about ports in general – but a naval base is another matter. Unsurprising that there was elevated security with a protest specifically directed towards them.
"…police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. "
What did you expect them to do ignore you completely?
If a van slows down close to a group of protesters especially when the issue at hand is so highly emotional and violent then of course the police (if they are doing their job) are going to scrutinize it closely.
Oh dear:
1) The march hadn't started so there was no "highly emotional" activity.
2) There was no violence before, during or after the event according to media reports.
3) There were plenty of passing motorists although not as I passed the scene.
4) There was no van in sight – apart from police vans around the corner.
5) It was a small Toyota Yaris.
6) The driver was a harmless, short-sighted elderly lady [with special medium vision glasses] peering at the scene and wondering what it was about.
7) Methinks the cops in question were going about their business with just a tad too much enthusiasm.
8) Finally, I saw it as an amusing moment, but it would seem your soh needs a seriously good polish old chap.
Edit: And the venue was one 1 km away from the Naval Base.
Sorry not sure why I said van must have been stuck in my head from the police vans you mentioned.
In regards to 1) and 2) I meant the Israel / Palestine issue as a whole, not the particular event involved here. Police have been told to be extra vigilant in regard to any activities associated with current events in the Middle East and for good reason,
3) Yes but were they slowing down to have a good look as you were?
6) The police didn't know that.
8) You may have had an amusing moment but for the police, never amusing and always incredibly stressful.
But at the end of the day, they could have just been glaring at you for rubber necking.
The police were under no stress whatsoever at that point. All was peaceful and there was no shouting. If it wasn't for the flags etc. one would have thought it was a social function around the band-stand – a popular place for festivities.
I'm sure some of the cars did slow down for the same reason and would have got similar treatment.
A different story once they started marching and chanting of course, and when they came close to the Naval Base entrance, one would expect the police to be very much on the alert to any possible infringements. As far as I know there were none.
Accept it was nothing more than a slightly amusing interlude in response to TM’s comment re- another protest march. You were not there. I was.
You're not going to get in control of gang crime with a Beta.
Coster's term finishes in April 2025. That’s his maximum.
To survive even to April Coster has to get gun crime and gang crime trending down fast.
Unfortunately Coster is on record saying gun crime will stay high for years.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/494168/escalated-gun-crime-expected-to-remain-a-problem-for-years-police
Put a fork in him – he's done.
"That’s his maximum."
Are you sure about that? The maximum term a Commissioner can be appointed for is five years but, unless they have changed the laws in the last few years there is nothing to stop them being appointed for a second term.
Coster's predecessor, Mike Bush was first appointed to a term that ran for 3 years from April 2014 until 2017. He was then reappointed for a second term of three years that finished in April 2020. He served for 6 years.
As far as I know there is no reason to prevent Coster being offered another, or even several more, term(s).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bush
Yes, he won't survive more than a term.
Don't worry about the theory.
On that I agree with you. I thought you were talking about whether it could be done, not whether it would be done.
If one looks at the history on would say, the intent of a 5 year term is to allow a longer term than 3 years. Only some ever got a second term of 3 years, when it was 3 years. 5 years is one of the longer ones on record.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commissioner_of_Police_(New_Zealand)
"Mitchell has reset the relationship with Coster but there are still a Cabinet minister or two who refer to him as "Cuddles Coster" – an insinuation he's soft on crime………."
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/12/police-minister-mark-mitchell-thinks-commissioner-andrew-coster-has-potential-to-be-good-leader.html
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/508763/minister-of-education-erica-stanford-promises-plan-to-build-more-cost-effective-classrooms
Canceled class rooms now and more bullshit from the nats,
Roofs falling on kids and rain getting in, only in poor people areas I expect.
Incredible. Two months in and we are already at the stage of, 'your children's classrooms are too luxurious'.
Not their children's though I bet,
Want to change aotearoa for good?
Ban private schools and health insurance!
Ha! All that will happen is an increased influx into the 'desirable' areas with 'good' schools – pushing house prices even higher. 'Double Grammar zone' will be even more unaffordable.
And a substantial increase in health tourism.
"Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed." – Einstein
Not unaffordable to all Kiwis, clearly, given your projected "increased influx".
Despite divisive distractions, even the most one-eyed will be hard-pressed to ignore rhe corrosive effects of wealth inequality on societal resilience over the next few years, although adopting a 'head in the sand' strategy might just do it.
Sad really, because when the overshoot chickens come home to roost, money will mean bugger all – still, make hay while the sun shines.
All of which has zip to do with the proposal to make private schools and private healthcare illegal.
Imho, Einsrtein's quote is relevant to the proposal to "ban private schools and health insurance", and also relevant to reactions to that proposal.
"Double Grammar zone" doesn't interest me – patterns of behaviour do
It's Open Mike – if you're not interested, just scroll on by.
You gotta love the naivety of some people.
After a years long investigation, a pimp gets 10 months home d. for exploiting 15 Brazillian women migrants.
The "national manager of immigration investigations, ” hoped the sentence would be a deterrent.
This chap, Michael Sloan, can carry on his parasite ways while still wearing his ankle bracelet.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350174437/kiwi-man-sentenced-role-illegal-international-sex-worker-operation
Edit: I thought, originally, home d. was for crimes that didn’t occur in the home.