Grey Power contemplating establishing a power company
Lobby group Grey Power is contemplating establishing a power company of a different kind, as pensioners face rising electricity bills this winter.
A major upgrade of the grid by state-owned Transpower has driven a nationwide electricity price hike, prompting Grey Power to look at ways to assist its members, said national president Roy Reid.
“We would run a company that distributes on the power networks as is done at present,” Reid said.
“We would only need to gather in enough profit to maintain the cost of the supply.”
Reid said the rising prices are putting too much pressure on pensioners, which Grey Power hopes to change.
Significant increases in line prices in the last five years has seen line pricing outstrip energy pricing in that period.
A power company that only requires to make enough profit to maintain supply? Isn’t that something a Government working in the public interest should be doing?
Transpower hasn’t been investing in upgrades as it should have, if it had we would have had higher prices sooner than we did now. On the other hand, thanks to the recession we now have ample generation capacity for the next 2-3 years.
If Grey Power think they can magically make power transmission cost less, or never upgrade the infrastructure (and watch what would happen to the country if the cook strait cable broke down, for example…) then they really don’t know what they’re talking about.
Members of Grey Power could organise amongst themselves to buy up shares in one of the power companies being partially sold. Maybe they’d prefer National relaxed their policy and sold more than 49%.
You buy it twice because you can use the power twice. Easy. It wouldn’t be fair if old people can go ahead and use the power twice, but just pay once, because that would mean they got a free lunch with it.
We all have to chip in some money so that the infrastructure can be built. These are called taxes and/or power charges. We can then benefit from cheap power. But sell the infrastructure off and we will have to pay Mr Overseas Investor Man more money so that we can have the benefit of our assets.
Members of Parliament could organize among themselves the distribution of electricity to the elderly who paid the taxes which constructed the electricity generation which we all currently enjoy at a price they all,(the elderly),can afford to pay…
Transpower hasn’t been investing in upgrades as it should have, if it had we would have had higher prices sooner than we did now.
The electricity industry is highly profitable. Not the lines side of it, but as a whole (including generators and retailers). So there’s been plenty of money to put into investing in infrastructure upgrades – if you leave aside all the artificial accounting divisions between activties.
Lines companies are still very profitable, as long as they ensure they have the asset base that allows this return the money flows from the retailers with no effort early in every month.
In which case Grey Power trying to set up their own lines company isn’t going to do bunk: if all the profits are in the retail and generator sector anyway.
Seems what they really want is for the government to rationalise the industry and bring it under state control. Unfortunately our current government is trying to do the opposite.
The problem is We keep discussing such things from within the current socio/economic paradigm,
Species of life upon the Planet that have failed to evolve in terms of what conditions are present upon this Planet have in fact ceased to exist,and, as part of our conditions of existence upon this Planet are reliant upon the economic structures we build We must as a species evolve our thinking around and those actual economic structures or face the threat of simply becoming a foot-note in historical occupation of the Planet the same as T-rex or any of the other dinosaurs,
We can take it as a given that the cash equivalent of 1% of inflation is a known number,just as We can also reach an uneasy agreement about what in economic terms is an ”acceptable” level of inflation,
Having the 2 above ”knowns” we can then ”see” that should We need to build an item of infrastucture such as one that provides electricity in bulk from renewable resources then we in effect only ”need” print such monies neccessary as to make such construction a reality,
So, in all reality and still operating from within the realms of to-days economic paradigm We only need build 1 such structure that delivers to the National Grid such a bulk of electricity as to be able to provide those who have reached the age of retirement electricity at the cost of transmission plus maintainence…
“If Grey Power think they can magically make power transmission cost less, or never upgrade the infrastructure (and watch what would happen to the country if the cook strait cable broke down, for example…) then they really don’t know what they’re talking about.”
They can’t change transmission costs, but they can get rid of those profits that are at present passing into the pockets of shareholders.
“They can’t change transmission costs, but they can get rid of those profits that are at present passing into the pockets of shareholders.”
How, exactly? They’re going to stump up $500m or whatever it costs and not expect a return on investment?
When you put money in the bank, you get interest back, 4.5% is an easily achievable return at the moment.
Saying that they will own a lines company and not take profit is the same as putting that money into the bank and getting 0% interest on it. Worse even because in taking on a business you’re taking on massive risks and unexpected costs, and doing it all for 0% return…
When you put money in the bank, you get interest back, 4.5% is an easily achievable return at the moment.
If the government printed the money that it spends at 0% interest and made “loans” available to businesses and home loans at the same rate then nobody would receive any interest but society would work a whole lot better. Which is how it should be.
“Saying that they will own a lines company and not take profit is the same as putting that money into the bank and getting 0% interest on it. Worse even because in taking on a business you’re taking on massive risks and unexpected costs, and doing it all for 0% return…
Who is going to do that?”
Either the banks or the government. The banks probably won’t because they are a bunch of usurers. The government could though. Fiat money I mean.
Grey Power are proposing to set up this as a private power company themselves. They’re not getting banks or the government involved, nor are they calling for the banks or government to do it.
I doubt they could do it without government involvement. But the debate only serves to highlight the fact that government could sell power at cost, but only if they retain ownership. Public ownership, or government involvement, seems to be the only ways of keeping out the ticket clippers and keeping prices down.
Thousands has been spent on food, chefs and travel for family gatherings under a multimillion-dollar Government “whanau innovation fund”.
The Dominion Post has obtained, under the Official Information Act, details of the 25 most recent successful applicants to the controversial Whanau Integration, Innovation and Engagement (WIIE) Fund.
What a rip-off. Supposedly anyone can apply……… Perhaps we should arrange a Standard whanau gathering!
Yes, but…for us dualies on the South Island renewing the US passport is a pain. If there is a child’s passport to be renewed it means a flight up to Auckland for a visit to the American consulate to have a chat with some politically appointed nincompoop who without the help of his competent staff walking him through the bureaucratic steps, it would devolve into a horrible parody of Kafka’s worst nightmare. The littlies passports are only good for five years so twice a decade it’s a schlep up to effin’ Auckland to apply again.
The DIA’s applications for passports were fairly straightforward, although I thought the bit of having a page filled out by a current passport holder a bit stupid and redundant. Now, a question – for those of you overseas, is it a pain in the arse to apply for your Kiwi passport overseas?
Going up to a possible 800,000 passports – more volume cheaper prices surely. We shouldn’t just look at what Australia does as an excuse to keep prices up.
I can perhaps see why a biometric passport can cost more, as it contains more material. But why only five years? Does biometric data change every five years? Wouldn’t think so!!
And some other countries have the same biometric passport for 10 years.
If the govt is really about seeking efficiency gains (not that they really are – they just like kicking the public sector) – here’s a simple one to change. Make the term 10 years, and cut the total national cost of issuing passports in half just like that.
$500m has been added to the value of Skycity in a few months: how?
Skycity has long cosy relationship with the National Party. British American Tobacco’s then PR man, was a multiple purchaser of $10,000 tables at National Party fun raisers hosted at Skycity. That was Carrick Graham, son of the disgraced Dough Graham. The NATZ annual conferences, election launches and election parties have been held there. The path to the Skycity Executive Offices in Federal Street is well worn by National Party Managers. The latest deal only has upsides for Skycity: a Government backed monopoly on large Conventions; possible Government subsidies, and 100s more pokie machines that were unachievable under the normal regulatory regime.
The Skycity share price shot from $3.25 in mid-November to over $4.00 in April, a 23% leap. That is an increase in market capitalisation from $1.8b to $2.3b. The Skycity Chairman, the talented Rod McGeoch, is doing a great job for his shareholders. That is what he, his board and Exec, is meant to do. Good on him. The National Party are doing the people of New Zealand a great dis-service on many fronts. They are short sighted, greedy, vain-glorious, twits. This is an issue the Labour Party should push very hard. It stinks at many levels.
David Cunliffe asked Joyce in Parliament if he had one of those magical cards that let you do anything. He said he did not. I wonder why David asked the question?
Nothing exemplifies greed more than this sky city deal.
Casinos are gilt edged money spinners yet they will not be happy until they’ve wrung every possible cent from the taxpayer and punter and having a compliant corrupt govt is a bonus.
A mugs game those pokies all computerised to ensure the rate of return, luck and skill….yeah right.
“Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the changes were aimed at “reducing red tape” and “making it easier for low-risk, high-value students to come to New Zealand”.
The international education sector is worth $2.3 billion to the economy.”
Sopheng Veng, a former postgraduate accountancy student from Cambodia who faced a deportation order after he was diagnosed with hepatitis B and C during a medical screening, said he was thrilled with the changes.
Another stupid idea from a wanna-please- my Key master by cutting anything at any cost and hopefully look as though I’m saving money and being productive. (Doesn’t think to self that, even though he will gratefully and happily get the “”Key beam”” for a short while – in the long run he will get disgrace and New Zealand’s disgust and fury as people die due to another unregulated cock up by the National Government e.g. those wonderful 29 men who died at Pike River, may they come home soon.)
Phil Heatley is already well on the path to national disgrace as being completely in thrall now, he desperately grovels trying to get back into the “”Key Beam”” of his pre resignation position, by piling agony upon agony on already stressed and pressured housing NZ tenants (who were supposedly for life tenants ’til kill em off Natty assassins come along. )
You are right muzza there is “something very, very wrong about this change of policy” from Key/ Joyce/English groveller Guy. I am angry -and fearful.
mmmmm, follow the Money Trail. I recall John Banks making a significant investment in an Auckland “International College” business a few years ago. It was around the time he was in court fighting fellow greedy shareholders in a dodgy manuka honey business.
John Banks has form in mixing personal business with government: PM Jim Bolger kicked him out of government when he was Tourism Minister for shonky dealing on the Waitangi Hotel.
Another over-coat changer,whichever way the wind blows as the Queen song goes,it would be nice to believe that Coddington has had an epiphany,such an out of body experience allowing Her after so many years to in effect ”see the light”,
More likely tho,the opportunists have a well honed sense of smelling whats in the wind and Coddington is attempting a piece of re-branding in case such a breeze morph into a storm…
Another muddle of contradictory logic.. support for the large numbers of women who have suffered domestic violence (indeed)….. and for poor (victim?) Nick Smith bruised and trampled by women in sensible shoes?
Coddington!
Weeping crocodile tears over domestic violence and child abuse while advocating the policies of meanness and austerity that have made these problems so much worse.
In a land of plenty,We look to our right as we type, considering the elderly, most of whom worked their whole damn lives to build this country,s infrastructure,
Comparing like with like in terms of the political world we cannot escape the comparison of NZFirst, described by many as the ”old” National Party and the National Party of ”now” best, in our opinion described simply with the word ”spit”,
Whenever We have cause to amble past the local community centre We are caused to smile by the sign being out showing the ”gold-card” holders where this month,s organized ”trip” with the use of the ”gold-card” on the public transport net-work will be, a NZFirst initiative,(the gold-card),which values the elderly for their contribution to our present society,
In comparison, We can only draw any conclusion that springs to mind when We have as our only comparison in ”stated” policy to draw upon being the pre-election sojourn of the present Prime Minister to a retirement village where He addressed the elderly residents,
Slippery left this particular venue visibly perplexed obviously still in the throes of egotistical rapture believing that ”everyone” was entranced with His media enhanced image,and, wondering why He, after having addressed these elderly potential voters He had been met with a stony silence at question time,
Slippery of course had stood befor these people and informed them that He was all in favor of ”euthanasia”,its a wonder He didnt tell Them that He was in favor of pulling the plug now and making it compulsory…
The trip to the retirement village was also Pre the Epsom chimps tea-party, so its easy to see that Slippery carries the dents to His ego round in His head for a while from His ”NZFirsts supporters are all dying off” comment,that(snigger)was reportedly made at that meeting…
wondering why He, after having addressed these elderly potential voters He had been met with a stony silence at question time,
I have in the past 2 weeks * been very surprised in chatting with three or four people ranging in age from my age (50-summat) to fully elderly, who have made absolutely clear their disgust with NACT and John Key! I am amazed, because 6-8 years back, the 50-somethings were all true-blue rightists. (The seriously old, in their late 70s-80s, were good lefties in contrast. )
Some of these people I spoke recently must be the formerly enchanted, who are now the disenchanted…
* Come to think of it, the most surprising was my 50-something boss, the Principal at a language school who in a staff meeting last year, expressed his extreme dis-satisfaction with the ESOL establishment, the government and schools (not ours!) who were out to exploit foreign students, get their money and who cares then?I didn’t know him very well, and I did not expect such dangerously left-sounding comments, especially in a staff meeting!
Aha,the initial love affair with Slippery was part the media generated image of smile’n’wave politics where at all costs He was to be shielded from any public in depth analysis lest there were a revelation of an empty suitcase of intellectual rigour more suited to the used car lot than the 9th floor at the height of our democracy,
The other part of the attraction tho can be found in that most basic of human emotions, Greed, those earning under 50,000 per annum will have or will soon have come to the conclusion that what they did receive from such ”tax changes” was merely an illusion overcome quickly by subsequent events…
The Health Department figures show that year in year out elderly people continue to die every winter from winter ills or complications of previous illness simply because they cannot afford to properly heat their homes,
We havn’t got the figures here,but from memory, the uneccessary annual death toll is around the 400 mark and ”in the land of plenty” We see this as both disgusting and unacceptable,
Our view, in consideration of the elderly,s previous contribution to society is that ”in a land of plenty” is that their power account should be rebated at a rate of at least 20% monthly,or,50% during the winter months…
When urban centres are developed or upgraded, what are the provisions for the elderly?
Is the focus of such developments on a commercially-focused centre, with residential properties for the elderly, and/or retirement villages relegated somewhere to the suburban margins?
How easy is it for elderly people to walk or get a bus to warm community centres, libraries, mainline public transport, etc in winter?
More and more older people are living in inner city and local centre apartments these days. Bus at the door, supermarket across the road, safe and usually easy to heat. The ones by St Lukes are popular with the Library and the CAB as well as all the foodcourts at the Mall. One couple I was talking to had a fortnight when the wife was incapacitated and the husband walked over to the food court every day. He said they ate their way around the world! They sold the car after they had been there 6 months as they never used it.
Carol – How about linking parents with young children in with the elderly when planning. Both
have more vulnerabilities and difficulties than others, and the low income proportion of each group struggle, and the parents have the responsibility for their dependent children as well.
Something could be said on the plus side for having more of the ”older” members of our society who choose to continue to be employed being encouraged into the field of pre-school or after school care of the young, an interesting social juxtaposition may be created where the older workers would be providing care and life skills for those who could conceivably be the care-givers to those older workers at a future time…
Good point, prism, especially with regard to low income parents. As far as I can see new urban developments focus more on providing residential property, largely targeting workers and consumers with easy access to commercial centres. So families can be well catered to. But, of course, housing close to commercial centres becomes more less affordable to those on low incomes.
Retirement villages seem to be located at a fair distance from commercial centres.
But, as the focus is on commerical activity, children’s playgrounds etc, can be placed away from the commercial heart, if they are provided at all.
Good idea bad, re older people being involved in childcare.
Carol – An example that came to mind was the difficulty that poor families can have in getting health care checks etc. If money is short, children have to be gathered, and the sick child/ren made ready then all set off dressed for the weather and a long outing, in good time to make sure they are early at the bus stop, have the money for the fares, get on the bus with pushchairs etc then off. What a task. What a carry-on on top of the normal worries, and parents on low incomes always have more worries than up times. That is a hypothetical example of difficulty even if there are footpaths to the bus and it goes fairly near the needed destination. Then there is getting back and knowing what time to be at departure bus stop.
As for bad12 idea of older people looking after youngers, it would be good for those who want to do it and go through a short period of training. (The problem with us older people is that we tend to think we know it all or to follow personal routines which may have failed us and definitely need to be revised.)
And coercion would not be the answer. Likewise the idea of making older women or the unemployed become caregivers in rest homes. I think Winston Peters threw that up as an idea. The yacht-owning class come up with easy manpower solutions like that. Quality of care plus skill plus kindly attitudes, patience and respect are needed in caring roles. Not everybody is suitable for such tasks.
The cost to communities from the overuse of alcohol by the young is bad but the personal cost as youth explore what their bodies can stand and go to the limit is too high for a responsible society that cares about its youth.
The “Hospitality Industry isn’t going to change in its leech-like attraction to selling booze and exploiting our fun-loving sides. You get into it, make a success, make money and get a knighthood for it too. The sky-city discussion shows how deeply the pollies are in the pockets of the alcohol drug companies for campaign money enabling events to be held in regal surroundings compared to the grassroots political parties venues in church halls.
It’s almost as bad as the sleaze of prohibition days, because we can’t rein in this racehorse and can’t hire political jockeys with the right stuff to slow it down. Is there any integrity out there that has a backbone? It seems out of control, and the situation gives an inkling of why the Temperance Society fought so hard against alcohol in the past.
It seems out of control, and the situation gives an inkling of why the Temperance Society fought so hard against alcohol in the past.
Agreed. The Prohibition era debacle was one of those ‘victories’ of capitalism that bulldozed over the right of communities to determine for themselves how they would control the abuse of alcohol.
And of course the victor re-wrote history to suit themselves as usual.
Kaipara is a hugely important area for snapper fry to develop, there is legitimate concern they will be minced in these turbines. Things like this are always tough. I support alternative energy projects, but we can’t repeat the same mistakes of the past and make them ecologically unsustainable.
They should just build one and see how it goes first. Need to know what the maintenance will be like on it as the marine environment is highly corrosive.
I’m not overly concerned about the fish though, I doubt that many would get minced meanwhile the turbines will act like reefs stirring up the food and thus make the area around then a better breeding ground.
It’s not something that I’ve really been following.
I know reefs stir up the food from the floor of the ocean which is what attracts fish to them. Reefs also provide shelter which the blades won’t do but the rest of the body will. An interesting side effect of oil rigs is the amount of life that grows around them. It’s all this extra life growing on them combined with the corrosive qualities of salt water that is, IMO, going to make these turbines non-viable but will most likely improve the fishing in and around the harbour.
Build one, see how it goes for a few years (i.e. learn what’s happening) before building any others.
“There have been no changes in abundance of either seals or porpoises detected which can be attributed to SeaGen; seals and porpoises are continuing to swim past SeaGen, demonstrating a lack of any concern or hindrance.
The only changes observed after three years of operation of SeaGen have been relatively small scale changes in the behaviour and distribution of seals and harbour porpoises, which suggests a minor degree of local avoidance of SeaGen.
The benthic ecology (seabed life) was also monitored as part of the EMP, using divers. The EMP concluded that the seabed life surrounding SeaGen’s foundations has recovered since its installation in 2008. In addition, the EMP has showed no evidence of significant change to the tidal speeds and flow directions within Strangford Narrows and that it is unlikely that marine traffic between Strangford town and Portaferry has been affected. With regard to bird life, although not a key feature of the EMP, the studies have shown that the overall bird numbers in the Narrows have remained stable.”
Some of the discussion about the Kaipara turbines:
“According to a study by NIWA, 98 percent of all North Island west coast juvenile snapper originate from the Kaipara Harbour, and we already know that the commercially important west coast snapper stock (SNA8) has only 8 percent of its original stock left.”
Kaipara Harbour in poor health
The iwi questions why this “experiment” is being done in the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour – a harbour that the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group’s (IKHMG), gap analysis showed was not in good health and was trying to restore its low levels of fish stocks and marine life.
The Kaipara Harbour ecology was not robust enough to absorb the risks associated with an experimental energy project, he said. Kaipara turbines (Suite101.com since 1996, has a Canadian address and publishes informative articles on wide topics.)
Been following this story for years. The idea is brilliant, renewable energy with no visual pollution. When in full production it’s capable of powering all homes pretty much north of Auckland.
I can understand the environmentalist worries though, which is why Crest should be allowed to go ahead with well monitored trials.
It is a tough one but I agree it needs to be trialled first. Shark, dolphin & other larger fish populations might get hit pretty bad too.
It doesn’t pay to jump into the green stuff without weighing the consequences first. I read a report about windmills in California. They put many on the migration path of various birds, when they decided to research it they discovered tens of thousands of birds were being killed each year by the windmill blades. I wonder what the cost is here.
The barrage has caused progressive silting of the Rance ecosystem. Sand-eels and plaice have disappeared, though sea bass and cuttlefish have returned to the river. By definition, tides still flow in the estuary and the operators, EDF endeavours to adjust their level to minimize the biological impact.
In the United States, an unofficial non-peer-reviewed estimate by a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) scientist in 2009 claimed that wind turbines kill 440,000 birds per year, with future mortality expected to increase significantly as wind power generation expands by 2030 to levels about 12 times higher than 2009 levels.[36] However the high figure estimated was disputed by several organizations, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service later pointed out that it was only an ‘estimate’ by one of many scientists, and was not officially supported by the USFWS. An article in the journal Nature stated that each wind turbine kills an average of 4.27 birds per year.[39]
Sorry, Muzza, gotta disagree on this one. Some pretty good backgrounds and credibility there. And not there to represent their employers. Not my favourite bunch of organisations either, but these people bring their own values to this.
I reckon this lot seem pretty sharp. Let’s see how staunch they might be in exposing some of the dodgy stuff around the place. If they prove to be limp and useless, I am happy to be called on that.
China will stall this through the WTO for years. Hearings and rehearings, appeals and re-appeals. Classic, the Orientals using the western imperial powers’ globalisation mechanisms to their own advantage.
China is stockpiling a wide range of commodities because unlike the West the politicians look further than the next election and they can see where the world is heading.
At current consumption rates there is about 20 years left for zinc, 19 for lead, 18 for tin, 12 for silver and 15 for gold.
Empire has always been about transferring resources from the periphery to the centre. If it’s not done willingly then it will be done by force. The empire we’re in now is the Washington Empire. What we’re seeing is the periphery of that Empire say no to the wealth pump that made the USA rich which is the beginning of the end of the empire.
Yeah, I spotted that too. Totally believable for countries that select the likes of Dr Rowan Williams to lead their church – the best side of Christianity. I suggest a U.S study would reach an entirely different conclusion.
Whatever has already been decided you can be sure that the tech deals have already been done, and it will be very interesting to hear who gets the work for it!
Never any real creative thinking coming to the fore, only ever the beg, steal or borrow!
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Ooh, baby (ooh, baby)It's making me crazy (it's making me crazy)Every time I look around (look around)Every time I look around (every time I look around)Every time I look aroundIt's in my faceSongwriters: Alan Leo Jansson / Paul Lawrence L. Fuemana.Today, I’ll be talking about rich, middle-aged men who’ve made ...
A listing of 26 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 29, 2024 thru Sat, January 4, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
Hi,The thing that stood out at me while shopping for Christmas presents in New Zealand was how hard it was to avoid Zuru products. Toy manufacturer Zuru is a bit like Netflix, in that it has so much data on what people want they can flood the market with so ...
And when a child is born into this worldIt has no conceptOf the tone of skin it's living inAnd there's a million voicesAnd there's a million voicesTo tell you what you should be thinkingSong by Neneh Cherry and Youssou N'Dour.The moment you see that face, you can hear her voice; ...
While we may not always have quality political leadership, a couple of recently published autobiographies indicate sometimes we strike it lucky. When ranking our prime ministers, retired professor of history Erik Olssen commented that ‘neither Holland nor Nash was especially effective as prime minister – even his private secretary thought ...
Baby, be the class clownI'll be the beauty queen in tearsIt's a new art form, showin' people how little we care (yeah)We're so happy, even when we're smilin' out of fearLet's go down to the tennis court and talk it up like, yeah (yeah)Songwriters: Joel Little / Ella Yelich O ...
Open access notables Why Misinformation Must Not Be Ignored, Ecker et al., American Psychologist:Recent academic debate has seen the emergence of the claim that misinformation is not a significant societal problem. We argue that the arguments used to support this minimizing position are flawed, particularly if interpreted (e.g., by policymakers or the public) as suggesting ...
What I’ve Been Doing: I buried a close family member.What I’ve Been Watching: Andor, Jack Reacher, Xmas movies.What I’ve Been Reflecting On: The Usefulness of Writing and the Worthiness of Doing So — especially as things become more transparent on their own.I also hate competing on any day, and if ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by John Wihbey. A version of this article first appeared on Yale Climate Connections on Nov. 11, 2008. (Image credits: The White House, Jonathan Cutrer / CC BY 2.0; President Jimmy Carter, Trikosko/Library of Congress; Solar dedication, Bill Fitz-Patrick / Jimmy Carter Library; Solar ...
Morena folks,We’re having a good break, recharging the batteries. Hope you’re enjoying the holiday period. I’m not feeling terribly inspired by much at the moment, I’m afraid—not from a writing point of view, anyway.So, today, we’re travelling back in time. You’ll have to imagine the wavy lines and sci-fi sound ...
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Welcome to 2025, Aotearoa. Well… what can one really say? 2024 was a story of a bad beginning, an infernal middle and an indescribably farcical end. But to chart a course for a real future, it does pay to know where we’ve been… so we know where we need ...
Welcome to the official half-way point of the 2020s. Anyway, as per my New Years tradition, here’s where A Phuulish Fellow’s blog traffic came from in 2024: United States United Kingdom New Zealand Canada Sweden Australia Germany Spain Brazil Finland The top four are the same as 2023, ...
Completed reads for December: Be A Wolf!, by Brian Strickland The Magic Flute [libretto], by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder The Invisible Eye, by Erckmann-Chatrian The Owl’s Ear, by Erckmann-Chatrian The Waters of Death, by Erckmann-Chatrian The Spider, by Hanns Heinz Ewers Who Knows?, by Guy de Maupassant ...
Well, it’s the last day of the year, so it’s time for a quick wrap-up of the most important things that happened in 2024 for urbanism and transport in our city. A huge thank you to everyone who has visited the blog and supported us in our mission to make ...
Leave your office, run past your funeralLeave your home, car, leave your pulpitJoin us in the streets where weJoin us in the streets where weDon't belong, don't belongHere under the starsThrowing light…Song: Jeffery BuckleyToday, I’ll discuss the standout politicians of the last 12 months. Each party will receive three awards, ...
Hi,A lot’s happened this year in the world of Webworm, and as 2024 comes to an end I thought I’d look back at a few of the things that popped. Maybe you missed them, or you might want to revisit some of these essay and podcast episodes over your break ...
Hi,I wanted to share this piece by film editor Dan Kircher about what cinema has been up to in 2024.Dan edited my documentary Mister Organ, as well as this year’s excellent crowd-pleasing Bookworm.Dan adores movies. He gets the language of cinema, he knows what he loves, and writes accordingly. And ...
Without delving into personal details but in order to give readers a sense of the year that was, I thought I would offer the study in contrasts that are Xmas 2023 and Xmas 2024: Xmas 2023 in Starship Children’s Hospital (after third of four surgeries). Even opening presents was an ...
Heavy disclaimer: Alpha/beta/omega dynamics is a popular trope that’s used in a wide range of stories and my thoughts on it do not apply to all cases. I’m most familiar with it through the lens of male-focused fanfic, typically m/m but sometimes also featuring m/f and that’s the situation I’m ...
Hi,Webworm has been pretty heavy this year — mainly because the world is pretty heavy. But as we sprint (or limp, you choose) through the final days of 2024, I wanted to keep Webworm a little lighter.So today I wanted to look at one of the biggest and weirdest elements ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 22, 2024 thru Sat, December 28, 2024. This week's roundup is the second one published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, ...
We’ll have a climate change ChristmasFrom now until foreverWarming our hearts and mindsAnd planet all togetherSpirits high and oceans higherChestnuts roast on wildfiresIf coal is on your wishlistMerry Climate Change ChristmasSong by Ian McConnellReindeer emissions are not something I’d thought about in terms of climate change. I guess some significant ...
KP continues to putt-putt along as a tiny niche blog that offers a NZ perspective on international affairs with a few observations about NZ domestic politics thrown in. In 2024 there was also some personal posts given that my son was in the last four months of a nine month ...
I can see very wellThere's a boat on the reef with a broken backAnd I can see it very wellThere's a joke and I know it very wellIt's one of those that I told you long agoTake my word I'm a madman, don't you knowSongwriters: Bernie Taupin / Elton JohnIt ...
.Acknowledgement: Tim PrebbleThanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work..With each passing day of bad headlines, squandering tax revenue to enrich the rich, deep cuts to our social services and a government struggling to keep the lipstick on its neo-liberal pig ...
This is from the 36th Parallel social media account (as brief food for thought). We know that Trump is ahistorical at best but he seems to think that he is Teddy Roosevelt and can use the threat of invoking the Monroe Doctrine and “Big Stick” gunboat diplomacy against Panama and ...
Don't you cry tonightI still love you, babyAnd don't you cry tonightDon't you cry tonightThere's a heaven above you, babyAnd don't you cry tonightSong: Axl Rose and Izzy Stradlin“Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so”, said possibly the greatest philosopher ever to walk this earth, Douglas Adams.We have entered the ...
Because you're magicYou're magic people to meSong: Dave Para/Molly Para.Morena all, I hope you had a good day yesterday, however you spent it. Today, a few words about our celebration and a look at the various messages from our politicians.A Rockel XmasChristmas morning was spent with the five of us ...
This video includes personal musings and conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). 2024 has been a series of bad news for climate change. From scorching global temperatures leading to devastating ...
Ríu Ríu ChíuRíu Ríu Chíu is a Spanish Christmas song from the 16th Century. The traditional carol would likely have passed unnoticed by the English-speaking world had the made-for-television American band The Monkees not performed the song as part of their special Christmas show back in 1967. The show's ...
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Morena all,In my paywalled newsletter yesterday, I signed off for Christmas and wished readers well, but I thought I’d send everyone a quick note this morning.This hasn’t been a good year for our small country. The divisions caused by the Treaty Principles Bill, the cuts to our public sector, increased ...
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Hi,It’s my birthday on Christmas Day, and I have a favour to ask.A birthday wish.I would love you to share one Webworm story you’ve liked this year.The simple fact is: apart from paying for a Webworm membership (thank you!), sharing and telling others about this place is the most important ...
The last few days have been a bit too much of a whirl for me to manage a fresh edition each day. It's been that kind of year. Hope you don't mind.I’ve been coming around to thinking that it doesn't really matter if you don't have something to say every ...
The Green Party welcomes the extension of the deadline for Treaty Principles Bill submissions but continues to call on the Government to abandon the Bill. ...
Complaints about disruptive behaviour now handled in around 13 days (down from around 60 days a year ago) 553 Section 55A notices issued by Kāinga Ora since July 2024, up from 41 issued during the same period in the previous year. Of that 553, first notices made up around 83 ...
The time it takes to process building determinations has improved significantly over the last year which means fewer delays in homes being built, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “New Zealand has a persistent shortage of houses. Making it easier and quicker for new homes to be built will ...
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Work is set to get underway on a new bus station at Westgate this week. A contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to start a package of enabling works to get the site ready in advance of main construction beginning in mid-2025, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“A new Westgate ...
Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is encouraging people to use the resources available to them to get help, and to report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need. “The death of a ...
Uia te pō, rangahaua te pō, whakamāramatia mai he aha tō tango, he aha tō kāwhaki? Whitirere ki te ao, tirotiro kau au, kei hea taku rātā whakamarumaru i te au o te pakanga mo te mana motuhake? Au te pō, ngū te pō, ue hā! E te kahurangi māreikura, ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says people with diabetes and other painful conditions will benefit from a significant new qualification to boost training in foot care. “It sounds simple, but quality and regular foot and nail care is vital in preventing potentially serious complications from diabetes, like blisters or sores, which can take a long time to heal ...
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see Pharmac continue to increase availability of medicines for Kiwis with the government’s largest ever investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this government assumed ...
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is wishing all New Zealanders a great holiday season as Kiwis prepare for gatherings with friends and families to see in the New Year. It is a great time of year to remind everyone to stay fire safe over the summer. “I know ...
From 1 January 2025, first-time tertiary learners will have access to a new Fees Free entitlement of up to $12,000 for their final year of provider-based study or final two years of work-based learning, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Targeting funding to the final year of study ...
“As we head into one of the busiest times of the year for Police, and family violence and sexual violence response services, it’s a good time to remind everyone what to do if they experience violence or are worried about others,” Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence ...
The bipartisan support in parliament for the Foreign Interference Bill is a warning that there is no constituency in the New Zealand ruling class for the maintenance of basic democratic rights. There has been no critical reporting on the bill in the ...
Democracy Now!AMY GOODMAN: This is Democracy Now! As we continue our discussion of President Jimmy Carter’s legacy, we look at his policies in the Middle East and North Africa, in particular, Israel and Palestine.On Thursday during the state funeral in Washington, President Carter’s former adviser Stuart Eizenstat praised ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk France’s naval flagship, the 261m aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, is to be deployed to the Pacific later this year, as part of an exercise codenamed “Clémenceau 25”. French Naval Command Etat-Major’s Commodore Jacques Mallard told a French media briefing that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Vaughan, PhD Researcher Sport Integrity, University of Canberra As the Australian Open gets under way in Melbourne, the sport is facing a crisis over positive doping tests involving two of the biggest stars in tennis. Last March, the top-ranked men’s player, ...
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Grey Power contemplating establishing a power company
Lobby group Grey Power is contemplating establishing a power company of a different kind, as pensioners face rising electricity bills this winter.
A major upgrade of the grid by state-owned Transpower has driven a nationwide electricity price hike, prompting Grey Power to look at ways to assist its members, said national president Roy Reid.
“We would run a company that distributes on the power networks as is done at present,” Reid said.
“We would only need to gather in enough profit to maintain the cost of the supply.”
Reid said the rising prices are putting too much pressure on pensioners, which Grey Power hopes to change.
Significant increases in line prices in the last five years has seen line pricing outstrip energy pricing in that period.
http://tvnz.co.nz/business-news/lobby-group-mulls-starting-own-power-company-4821444
A power company that only requires to make enough profit to maintain supply? Isn’t that something a Government working in the public interest should be doing?
From tiny acorns…. This would be a wonderful thing to see happen…enough is enough….our elders starting the ball rolling….. a revolution on the way?
Wow, really?
Transpower hasn’t been investing in upgrades as it should have, if it had we would have had higher prices sooner than we did now. On the other hand, thanks to the recession we now have ample generation capacity for the next 2-3 years.
If Grey Power think they can magically make power transmission cost less, or never upgrade the infrastructure (and watch what would happen to the country if the cook strait cable broke down, for example…) then they really don’t know what they’re talking about.
Members of Grey Power could organise amongst themselves to buy up shares in one of the power companies being partially sold. Maybe they’d prefer National relaxed their policy and sold more than 49%.
Why?
They already own the shares as Citizens of this country. Why buy them twice?
Why buy power? They already own it as citizens of this country. Why buy it twice?
You buy it twice because you can use the power twice. Easy. It wouldn’t be fair if old people can go ahead and use the power twice, but just pay once, because that would mean they got a free lunch with it.
We all have to chip in some money so that the infrastructure can be built. These are called taxes and/or power charges. We can then benefit from cheap power. But sell the infrastructure off and we will have to pay Mr Overseas Investor Man more money so that we can have the benefit of our assets.
Members of Parliament could organize among themselves the distribution of electricity to the elderly who paid the taxes which constructed the electricity generation which we all currently enjoy at a price they all,(the elderly),can afford to pay…
The electricity industry is highly profitable. Not the lines side of it, but as a whole (including generators and retailers). So there’s been plenty of money to put into investing in infrastructure upgrades – if you leave aside all the artificial accounting divisions between activties.
Lines companies are still very profitable, as long as they ensure they have the asset base that allows this return the money flows from the retailers with no effort early in every month.
Right, now that I can believe.
In which case Grey Power trying to set up their own lines company isn’t going to do bunk: if all the profits are in the retail and generator sector anyway.
Seems what they really want is for the government to rationalise the industry and bring it under state control. Unfortunately our current government is trying to do the opposite.
Transpower to return dividend to Govt for first time in 6 years
While hiking prices, borrowing money, and denying it is under govt pressure to hand over more dividends than it is making in profits. Figure that.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/6546910/Transpower-not-pressured-on-dividend
Not if that investment in infrastructure came from profits made.
A lower (or no profit margin) will offset end consumer costs.
This threatens to jeopardize the Governments sell-down plans, Grey Power (supplying power at cost) will clean up
The problem is We keep discussing such things from within the current socio/economic paradigm,
Species of life upon the Planet that have failed to evolve in terms of what conditions are present upon this Planet have in fact ceased to exist,and, as part of our conditions of existence upon this Planet are reliant upon the economic structures we build We must as a species evolve our thinking around and those actual economic structures or face the threat of simply becoming a foot-note in historical occupation of the Planet the same as T-rex or any of the other dinosaurs,
We can take it as a given that the cash equivalent of 1% of inflation is a known number,just as We can also reach an uneasy agreement about what in economic terms is an ”acceptable” level of inflation,
Having the 2 above ”knowns” we can then ”see” that should We need to build an item of infrastucture such as one that provides electricity in bulk from renewable resources then we in effect only ”need” print such monies neccessary as to make such construction a reality,
So, in all reality and still operating from within the realms of to-days economic paradigm We only need build 1 such structure that delivers to the National Grid such a bulk of electricity as to be able to provide those who have reached the age of retirement electricity at the cost of transmission plus maintainence…
“If Grey Power think they can magically make power transmission cost less, or never upgrade the infrastructure (and watch what would happen to the country if the cook strait cable broke down, for example…) then they really don’t know what they’re talking about.”
They can’t change transmission costs, but they can get rid of those profits that are at present passing into the pockets of shareholders.
“They can’t change transmission costs, but they can get rid of those profits that are at present passing into the pockets of shareholders.”
How, exactly? They’re going to stump up $500m or whatever it costs and not expect a return on investment?
When you put money in the bank, you get interest back, 4.5% is an easily achievable return at the moment.
Saying that they will own a lines company and not take profit is the same as putting that money into the bank and getting 0% interest on it. Worse even because in taking on a business you’re taking on massive risks and unexpected costs, and doing it all for 0% return…
Who is going to do that?
30’s Labour Government did. Got us out of the recession.
No interest costs because the money did not come from a bank.
You have just given the best argument against asset sales I have seen for a while.
Sure, but we’re not talking about a government printing money, we’re talking about Grey Power setting this up, privately.
If the government printed the money that it spends at 0% interest and made “loans” available to businesses and home loans at the same rate then nobody would receive any interest but society would work a whole lot better. Which is how it should be.
Fine, but Grey Power aren’t advocating for that. They’re saying they’re going to set up their own private power company.
Funding details are short. However, one possibility is a non-profit co-operative.
Why are Grey Power members going to put their retirement money into a non-profit co-operative?
To save money. Their power bills will be down and at possibly a greater rate than the interest that they would normally get.
You forgot to take out witholding taxes.
And inflation.
Whoops now you’re only left with <1.5% pa returns.
1.5% PA is still more than 0%, or a loss, which a power company would return.
When did the last power company bankruptcy happen in NZ?
“Saying that they will own a lines company and not take profit is the same as putting that money into the bank and getting 0% interest on it. Worse even because in taking on a business you’re taking on massive risks and unexpected costs, and doing it all for 0% return…
Who is going to do that?”
Either the banks or the government. The banks probably won’t because they are a bunch of usurers. The government could though. Fiat money I mean.
Grey Power are proposing to set up this as a private power company themselves. They’re not getting banks or the government involved, nor are they calling for the banks or government to do it.
I doubt they could do it without government involvement. But the debate only serves to highlight the fact that government could sell power at cost, but only if they retain ownership. Public ownership, or government involvement, seems to be the only ways of keeping out the ticket clippers and keeping prices down.
The great NZ passport rip off….really the 5 year term is what I find the bigger farce!
Bloody Winston…he’s good that man.
And on Stuff, an unrelated article on an issue Peters raised in Parliament earlier in the year – the Whanau Innovation Fund.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/6711592/Thousands-spent-on-whanau-gatherings
Thousands has been spent on food, chefs and travel for family gatherings under a multimillion-dollar Government “whanau innovation fund”.
The Dominion Post has obtained, under the Official Information Act, details of the 25 most recent successful applicants to the controversial Whanau Integration, Innovation and Engagement (WIIE) Fund.
What a rip-off. Supposedly anyone can apply……… Perhaps we should arrange a Standard whanau gathering!
Yes, but…for us dualies on the South Island renewing the US passport is a pain. If there is a child’s passport to be renewed it means a flight up to Auckland for a visit to the American consulate to have a chat with some politically appointed nincompoop who without the help of his competent staff walking him through the bureaucratic steps, it would devolve into a horrible parody of Kafka’s worst nightmare. The littlies passports are only good for five years so twice a decade it’s a schlep up to effin’ Auckland to apply again.
The DIA’s applications for passports were fairly straightforward, although I thought the bit of having a page filled out by a current passport holder a bit stupid and redundant. Now, a question – for those of you overseas, is it a pain in the arse to apply for your Kiwi passport overseas?
Going up to a possible 800,000 passports – more volume cheaper prices surely. We shouldn’t just look at what Australia does as an excuse to keep prices up.
I can perhaps see why a biometric passport can cost more, as it contains more material. But why only five years? Does biometric data change every five years? Wouldn’t think so!!
And some other countries have the same biometric passport for 10 years.
If the govt is really about seeking efficiency gains (not that they really are – they just like kicking the public sector) – here’s a simple one to change. Make the term 10 years, and cut the total national cost of issuing passports in half just like that.
$500m has been added to the value of Skycity in a few months: how?
Skycity has long cosy relationship with the National Party. British American Tobacco’s then PR man, was a multiple purchaser of $10,000 tables at National Party fun raisers hosted at Skycity. That was Carrick Graham, son of the disgraced Dough Graham. The NATZ annual conferences, election launches and election parties have been held there. The path to the Skycity Executive Offices in Federal Street is well worn by National Party Managers. The latest deal only has upsides for Skycity: a Government backed monopoly on large Conventions; possible Government subsidies, and 100s more pokie machines that were unachievable under the normal regulatory regime.
The Skycity share price shot from $3.25 in mid-November to over $4.00 in April, a 23% leap. That is an increase in market capitalisation from $1.8b to $2.3b. The Skycity Chairman, the talented Rod McGeoch, is doing a great job for his shareholders. That is what he, his board and Exec, is meant to do. Good on him. The National Party are doing the people of New Zealand a great dis-service on many fronts. They are short sighted, greedy, vain-glorious, twits. This is an issue the Labour Party should push very hard. It stinks at many levels.
Hi ALPB
David Cunliffe asked Joyce in Parliament if he had one of those magical cards that let you do anything. He said he did not. I wonder why David asked the question?
A case of asking a question to which you already know the answer? But holding fire for the meantime, with more to come at a more appropriate time?
Nothing exemplifies greed more than this sky city deal.
Casinos are gilt edged money spinners yet they will not be happy until they’ve wrung every possible cent from the taxpayer and punter and having a compliant corrupt govt is a bonus.
A mugs game those pokies all computerised to ensure the rate of return, luck and skill….yeah right.
More pressure on the already declining NZ health system and tax-payers?
“Immigration Minister Nathan Guy said the changes were aimed at “reducing red tape” and “making it easier for low-risk, high-value students to come to New Zealand”.
The international education sector is worth $2.3 billion to the economy.”
Argh, I see !
And how did my mother get in? She didn’t tell the immigration folk that she’d had tuberculosis.
Hoping people will be honest about their health when they want to get to NZ isn’t a good idea. This is just more incompetence from NACT.
I enjoyed this comment in the article
Sopheng Veng, a former postgraduate accountancy student from Cambodia who faced a deportation order after he was diagnosed with hepatitis B and C during a medical screening, said he was thrilled with the changes.
Now he could come back!!
Something is very , very wrong with the changing of this policy!
I can’t see for the life of me why they would open the door to risk such as this.
Something reeks as ususal!
The more people you have in a country the more money and wealth can be extracted from it for the benefit of NACTs masters.
Another stupid idea from a wanna-please- my Key master by cutting anything at any cost and hopefully look as though I’m saving money and being productive. (Doesn’t think to self that, even though he will gratefully and happily get the “”Key beam”” for a short while – in the long run he will get disgrace and New Zealand’s disgust and fury as people die due to another unregulated cock up by the National Government e.g. those wonderful 29 men who died at Pike River, may they come home soon.)
Phil Heatley is already well on the path to national disgrace as being completely in thrall now, he desperately grovels trying to get back into the “”Key Beam”” of his pre resignation position, by piling agony upon agony on already stressed and pressured housing NZ tenants (who were supposedly for life tenants ’til kill em off Natty assassins come along. )
You are right muzza there is “something very, very wrong about this change of policy” from Key/ Joyce/English groveller Guy. I am angry -and fearful.
mmmmm, follow the Money Trail. I recall John Banks making a significant investment in an Auckland “International College” business a few years ago. It was around the time he was in court fighting fellow greedy shareholders in a dodgy manuka honey business.
John Banks has form in mixing personal business with government: PM Jim Bolger kicked him out of government when he was Tourism Minister for shonky dealing on the Waitangi Hotel.
http://www.vdig.net/hansard/content.jsp?id=44155
Deborah Coddington in her farewell piece for the HoS. My keyboard nearly got my cup of tea when I read that.
A potential new voter for our new centrist Labour Party then? That’ll be the day!
That’s because she awaits instructions before she spins, so she’s correct in that regard….another hollow shill.
Another over-coat changer,whichever way the wind blows as the Queen song goes,it would be nice to believe that Coddington has had an epiphany,such an out of body experience allowing Her after so many years to in effect ”see the light”,
More likely tho,the opportunists have a well honed sense of smelling whats in the wind and Coddington is attempting a piece of re-branding in case such a breeze morph into a storm…
Another muddle of contradictory logic.. support for the large numbers of women who have suffered domestic violence (indeed)….. and for poor (victim?) Nick Smith bruised and trampled by women in sensible shoes?
Coddington!
Weeping crocodile tears over domestic violence and child abuse while advocating the policies of meanness and austerity that have made these problems so much worse.
Good riddance.
@ Rosy .. agree, eyewatering…… with amazement and disbelieving mirth.
In a land of plenty,We look to our right as we type, considering the elderly, most of whom worked their whole damn lives to build this country,s infrastructure,
Comparing like with like in terms of the political world we cannot escape the comparison of NZFirst, described by many as the ”old” National Party and the National Party of ”now” best, in our opinion described simply with the word ”spit”,
Whenever We have cause to amble past the local community centre We are caused to smile by the sign being out showing the ”gold-card” holders where this month,s organized ”trip” with the use of the ”gold-card” on the public transport net-work will be, a NZFirst initiative,(the gold-card),which values the elderly for their contribution to our present society,
In comparison, We can only draw any conclusion that springs to mind when We have as our only comparison in ”stated” policy to draw upon being the pre-election sojourn of the present Prime Minister to a retirement village where He addressed the elderly residents,
Slippery left this particular venue visibly perplexed obviously still in the throes of egotistical rapture believing that ”everyone” was entranced with His media enhanced image,and, wondering why He, after having addressed these elderly potential voters He had been met with a stony silence at question time,
Slippery of course had stood befor these people and informed them that He was all in favor of ”euthanasia”,its a wonder He didnt tell Them that He was in favor of pulling the plug now and making it compulsory…
Surely euthanasia would reduce the ranks of NZ First members even faster, according to Slippery?
The trip to the retirement village was also Pre the Epsom chimps tea-party, so its easy to see that Slippery carries the dents to His ego round in His head for a while from His ”NZFirsts supporters are all dying off” comment,that(snigger)was reportedly made at that meeting…
I have in the past 2 weeks * been very surprised in chatting with three or four people ranging in age from my age (50-summat) to fully elderly, who have made absolutely clear their disgust with NACT and John Key! I am amazed, because 6-8 years back, the 50-somethings were all true-blue rightists. (The seriously old, in their late 70s-80s, were good lefties in contrast. )
Some of these people I spoke recently must be the formerly enchanted, who are now the disenchanted…
* Come to think of it, the most surprising was my 50-something boss, the Principal at a language school who in a staff meeting last year, expressed his extreme dis-satisfaction with the ESOL establishment, the government and schools (not ours!) who were out to exploit foreign students, get their money and who cares then?I didn’t know him very well, and I did not expect such dangerously left-sounding comments, especially in a staff meeting!
Aha,the initial love affair with Slippery was part the media generated image of smile’n’wave politics where at all costs He was to be shielded from any public in depth analysis lest there were a revelation of an empty suitcase of intellectual rigour more suited to the used car lot than the 9th floor at the height of our democracy,
The other part of the attraction tho can be found in that most basic of human emotions, Greed, those earning under 50,000 per annum will have or will soon have come to the conclusion that what they did receive from such ”tax changes” was merely an illusion overcome quickly by subsequent events…
The Health Department figures show that year in year out elderly people continue to die every winter from winter ills or complications of previous illness simply because they cannot afford to properly heat their homes,
We havn’t got the figures here,but from memory, the uneccessary annual death toll is around the 400 mark and ”in the land of plenty” We see this as both disgusting and unacceptable,
Our view, in consideration of the elderly,s previous contribution to society is that ”in a land of plenty” is that their power account should be rebated at a rate of at least 20% monthly,or,50% during the winter months…
An urban planning question:
When urban centres are developed or upgraded, what are the provisions for the elderly?
Is the focus of such developments on a commercially-focused centre, with residential properties for the elderly, and/or retirement villages relegated somewhere to the suburban margins?
How easy is it for elderly people to walk or get a bus to warm community centres, libraries, mainline public transport, etc in winter?
More and more older people are living in inner city and local centre apartments these days. Bus at the door, supermarket across the road, safe and usually easy to heat. The ones by St Lukes are popular with the Library and the CAB as well as all the foodcourts at the Mall. One couple I was talking to had a fortnight when the wife was incapacitated and the husband walked over to the food court every day. He said they ate their way around the world! They sold the car after they had been there 6 months as they never used it.
Carol – How about linking parents with young children in with the elderly when planning. Both
have more vulnerabilities and difficulties than others, and the low income proportion of each group struggle, and the parents have the responsibility for their dependent children as well.
Something could be said on the plus side for having more of the ”older” members of our society who choose to continue to be employed being encouraged into the field of pre-school or after school care of the young, an interesting social juxtaposition may be created where the older workers would be providing care and life skills for those who could conceivably be the care-givers to those older workers at a future time…
Good point, prism, especially with regard to low income parents. As far as I can see new urban developments focus more on providing residential property, largely targeting workers and consumers with easy access to commercial centres. So families can be well catered to. But, of course, housing close to commercial centres becomes more less affordable to those on low incomes.
Retirement villages seem to be located at a fair distance from commercial centres.
But, as the focus is on commerical activity, children’s playgrounds etc, can be placed away from the commercial heart, if they are provided at all.
Good idea bad, re older people being involved in childcare.
Carol – An example that came to mind was the difficulty that poor families can have in getting health care checks etc. If money is short, children have to be gathered, and the sick child/ren made ready then all set off dressed for the weather and a long outing, in good time to make sure they are early at the bus stop, have the money for the fares, get on the bus with pushchairs etc then off. What a task. What a carry-on on top of the normal worries, and parents on low incomes always have more worries than up times. That is a hypothetical example of difficulty even if there are footpaths to the bus and it goes fairly near the needed destination. Then there is getting back and knowing what time to be at departure bus stop.
As for bad12 idea of older people looking after youngers, it would be good for those who want to do it and go through a short period of training. (The problem with us older people is that we tend to think we know it all or to follow personal routines which may have failed us and definitely need to be revised.)
And coercion would not be the answer. Likewise the idea of making older women or the unemployed become caregivers in rest homes. I think Winston Peters threw that up as an idea. The yacht-owning class come up with easy manpower solutions like that. Quality of care plus skill plus kindly attitudes, patience and respect are needed in caring roles. Not everybody is suitable for such tasks.
Booze barons calling the shots
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d realise that New Zealand has a destructive heavy drinking culture that pervades all sectors of society…
The cost to communities from the overuse of alcohol by the young is bad but the personal cost as youth explore what their bodies can stand and go to the limit is too high for a responsible society that cares about its youth.
The “Hospitality Industry isn’t going to change in its leech-like attraction to selling booze and exploiting our fun-loving sides. You get into it, make a success, make money and get a knighthood for it too. The sky-city discussion shows how deeply the pollies are in the pockets of the alcohol drug companies for campaign money enabling events to be held in regal surroundings compared to the grassroots political parties venues in church halls.
It’s almost as bad as the sleaze of prohibition days, because we can’t rein in this racehorse and can’t hire political jockeys with the right stuff to slow it down. Is there any integrity out there that has a backbone? It seems out of control, and the situation gives an inkling of why the Temperance Society fought so hard against alcohol in the past.
It seems out of control, and the situation gives an inkling of why the Temperance Society fought so hard against alcohol in the past.
Agreed. The Prohibition era debacle was one of those ‘victories’ of capitalism that bulldozed over the right of communities to determine for themselves how they would control the abuse of alcohol.
And of course the victor re-wrote history to suit themselves as usual.
Opposition to 200 tidal turbine power generators in the Kaipara Harbour is heating up http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/nor-west-news/4857978/Tidal-turbine-fight-winds-up
Kaipara is a hugely important area for snapper fry to develop, there is legitimate concern they will be minced in these turbines. Things like this are always tough. I support alternative energy projects, but we can’t repeat the same mistakes of the past and make them ecologically unsustainable.
They should just build one and see how it goes first. Need to know what the maintenance will be like on it as the marine environment is highly corrosive.
I’m not overly concerned about the fish though, I doubt that many would get minced meanwhile the turbines will act like reefs stirring up the food and thus make the area around then a better breeding ground.
DTB Sounds a bit once over lightly and facile from you.
Those tidal generators will be extremely difficult to maintain in an economic environment of depleting oil/energy resources.
It’s not something that I’ve really been following.
I know reefs stir up the food from the floor of the ocean which is what attracts fish to them. Reefs also provide shelter which the blades won’t do but the rest of the body will. An interesting side effect of oil rigs is the amount of life that grows around them. It’s all this extra life growing on them combined with the corrosive qualities of salt water that is, IMO, going to make these turbines non-viable but will most likely improve the fishing in and around the harbour.
Build one, see how it goes for a few years (i.e. learn what’s happening) before building any others.
You might be right
“There have been no changes in abundance of either seals or porpoises detected which can be attributed to SeaGen; seals and porpoises are continuing to swim past SeaGen, demonstrating a lack of any concern or hindrance.
The only changes observed after three years of operation of SeaGen have been relatively small scale changes in the behaviour and distribution of seals and harbour porpoises, which suggests a minor degree of local avoidance of SeaGen.
The benthic ecology (seabed life) was also monitored as part of the EMP, using divers. The EMP concluded that the seabed life surrounding SeaGen’s foundations has recovered since its installation in 2008. In addition, the EMP has showed no evidence of significant change to the tidal speeds and flow directions within Strangford Narrows and that it is unlikely that marine traffic between Strangford town and Portaferry has been affected. With regard to bird life, although not a key feature of the EMP, the studies have shown that the overall bird numbers in the Narrows have remained stable.”
http://www.marineturbines.com/3/news/article/56/seagen_tidal_turbine_gets_all_clear_from_environmental___scientific_studies
Some of the discussion about the Kaipara turbines:
“According to a study by NIWA, 98 percent of all North Island west coast juvenile snapper originate from the Kaipara Harbour, and we already know that the commercially important west coast snapper stock (SNA8) has only 8 percent of its original stock left.”
Kaipara Harbour in poor health
The iwi questions why this “experiment” is being done in the mouth of the Kaipara Harbour – a harbour that the Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group’s (IKHMG), gap analysis showed was not in good health and was trying to restore its low levels of fish stocks and marine life.
The Kaipara Harbour ecology was not robust enough to absorb the risks associated with an experimental energy project, he said. Kaipara turbines (Suite101.com since 1996, has a Canadian address and publishes informative articles on wide topics.)
Also a good report by Catherine Delahunty of the Greens – Greens report on Kaipara turbines
Been following this story for years. The idea is brilliant, renewable energy with no visual pollution. When in full production it’s capable of powering all homes pretty much north of Auckland.
I can understand the environmentalist worries though, which is why Crest should be allowed to go ahead with well monitored trials.
It is a tough one but I agree it needs to be trialled first. Shark, dolphin & other larger fish populations might get hit pretty bad too.
It doesn’t pay to jump into the green stuff without weighing the consequences first. I read a report about windmills in California. They put many on the migration path of various birds, when they decided to research it they discovered tens of thousands of birds were being killed each year by the windmill blades. I wonder what the cost is here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rance_Tidal_Power_Station
40 years of operation of tidal power in France.
Environmental impact
The barrage has caused progressive silting of the Rance ecosystem. Sand-eels and plaice have disappeared, though sea bass and cuttlefish have returned to the river. By definition, tides still flow in the estuary and the operators, EDF endeavours to adjust their level to minimize the biological impact.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_wind_power#Birds
Cars kill more.
So we would expect to get transparency out of this lot would we?
What a list of former employers some of the names have had. IMF, World Bank, Reserve Bank, PWC, Deloitte, Bell Gully…
No wonder NZ is the perceived least corrupt country in the world with individuals like these on the board!
What a bloody joke!
Sorry, Muzza, gotta disagree on this one. Some pretty good backgrounds and credibility there. And not there to represent their employers. Not my favourite bunch of organisations either, but these people bring their own values to this.
I reckon this lot seem pretty sharp. Let’s see how staunch they might be in exposing some of the dodgy stuff around the place. If they prove to be limp and useless, I am happy to be called on that.
I very much doubt it
Two thirds down the page has some interesting details…
Oh dear, Muzza. I may have spoken too soon. “limp and useless” may indeed be it. Good follow-up.
So China decides not to sell off it’s Rare Earth Metals as fast as they can be mined. What do the EU and US do? Whinge.
So much for the non-coercive free-market.
China will stall this through the WTO for years. Hearings and rehearings, appeals and re-appeals. Classic, the Orientals using the western imperial powers’ globalisation mechanisms to their own advantage.
China is stockpiling a wide range of commodities because unlike the West the politicians look further than the next election and they can see where the world is heading.
At current consumption rates there is about 20 years left for zinc, 19 for lead, 18 for tin, 12 for silver and 15 for gold.
http://www.24hgold.com/english/contributor.aspx?article=1427726620G10020&contributor=Mike+Hewitt
How many years left?
http://labgrab.posterous.com/how-many-years-are-left-of-earths-natural-res
Also so much for one of the basic tenets of the ism, ”willing buyer, willing seller”…
Empire has always been about transferring resources from the periphery to the centre. If it’s not done willingly then it will be done by force. The empire we’re in now is the Washington Empire. What we’re seeing is the periphery of that Empire say no to the wealth pump that made the USA rich which is the beginning of the end of the empire.
FYI!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/08/religious-people-more-likely-leftwing-demos
I’ve been saying this for years, and will continue to do so.
Yeah, I spotted that too. Totally believable for countries that select the likes of Dr Rowan Williams to lead their church – the best side of Christianity. I suggest a U.S study would reach an entirely different conclusion.
How many cracks at getting tolls in Auckland have they had now!
I wonder what sort of tolls have been planned – Cash, credit card, smart card, in car tracker……
I’d be supportive of tolls on motorways – if it wasn’t so difficult to administer.
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/aboutcouncil/haveyoursay/gettingaucklandmovingfeedbackformdiscussiondocument.pdf
Options are on the final few pages…
Whatever has already been decided you can be sure that the tech deals have already been done, and it will be very interesting to hear who gets the work for it!
Never any real creative thinking coming to the fore, only ever the beg, steal or borrow!
Student loans for kindergarten.
don’t give the bastards here ideas!
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10797701
Still just rolling out the AP narrative – Nice framing by the way in this one!
NZ Herald, nothing short of a propaganda message delivery system!
So much BS in this one, I am not even going into it!
Didn’t see this in the Herald
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1203/S00237/four-days-of-israeli-bombing-leave-25-palestinians-dead.htm