Says it all really of the MSM – when the Herald puts up as web-page headline, links to commentary written by Year 11 Students. (That’s the old Fifth Form or Level 1 NCEA, people)
Bit sad but unsurprising that the media think his reasoning is sound. In fact, he sounds a lot like most of what you’ll read in the papers – stuff wrtten by people 20 or 30 years older than him. Which is sadder still. If I were an English teacher, I’d have kids write opinions like that and then show them how to examine the evidence of their thinking processes.
It’s the logic used by the Centre for Independent Thought, the neoliberal political lobby group, and the piece is formulated in much the same way as their usual opinion pieces in the MSM. It’s clever sounding, patronising bullshit.
Just another pic for his photo album. Him smiling at the camera, telling everyone it’ll be alright cos we have started the hunt for people, to do what our doc people used to do, we will pay them heaps as consultants. Have faith we will muddle through.
With all the usual reservations about standardised personality and aptitiude testing, and the limitations of surveys, (and I have a lot, especially where used with individuals rather than groups), here is an extended summary of Marc Wilson’s NZ personality, attitudes, and political preferences survey.
It does make interesting reading, for quirky things, e.g. the association between authoritarianism and moustache wearing in men (confirms a long held predjudice of mine), and more important stuff.
Problem with those types of surveys is that the questions themselves are deeply orthodox and conservative.
eg (just as a throw-a-way) Co-operation doesn’t figure as a main heading value in that particular survey.
If questions were such that people had to rely on their ‘innate’ sensibilities to respond, rather than their interpretation or reactions to ‘orthodoxy as propaganda’, then the responses would be remarkably different in some instances.
I remember posting a British Attitudes survey results from the Guardian a while back that showed this. On questions couched in orthodoxy, the results were quite conservative or right wing. But when the same attitudes were sought employing questions outside the bounds of ‘received wisdom’, the results were often diametrically opposed.
I did the survey and had difficulty with the liberal/conservative spectrum. To me liberal attitudes are pretty much centre of the left-right spectrum and based in notions of individualism and individual social rights – rather than, for instance, in the relative power/marginalisation of various social/demographic groups. I don’t see the left-right spectrum as just one focused solely on economic issues, as assumed in the above linked summary of the survey results.
PS: The listed scales of published indexes the survey was based on seemed to include are pretty skewed list of topics: e.g. hunting attitudes, food diaries, conspiracy beliefs, religious orthodoxy and fundamentalism (the latter 2 quite US-centric IMO), competitiveness, paranoia and death anxiety… and nothing on co-operation as mentioned above by Bill.
On page 15 “Where does John Key fall on these continua?” This was a self answering set rather than what others might assess. What this shows is a self delusional approach to life. But what sort of person would score thus:
Maybe a middle aged bloke who is doing a simple job and who goes fishing in his weekend and drinks the odd beer with his mates and gets on well with his easy-going wife and 3 kids, would also score highly on the Agreeableness, Emotional Stability, and Openess self scoring.
I laughed at that too. It doesn’t reflect well on Wilson as an academic, that he took the answers given by a named politician (in an election year to boot), as being a genuine reflection of his personality. Naive to say the least.
Because an individual’s score may have important consequences for his or her future, and because the potential for harm if the test is used or administered incorrectly is considerable, Hare argues that the test should only be considered valid if administered by a suitably qualified and experienced clinician under controlled and licensed conditions.
I’d say that would be true of any psychological test especially when you consider that psychopaths are very good at pretending to be normal, ie, they know the answers that are being looked for. I’d say that John Keys actions (throat slash to Labour, his snide remarks and sneer in parliament, and his obvious snap decisions (Pike River getting the bodies out etc etc)) show that he was less than truthful on the test.
In fact, Act supporters endorsed ‘protecting freedom of speech’ more than any other party (remember they value self-direction as much as the Greens), but (paradoxically) were also second-least concerned about giving people a say in government decisions.
It’s not paradoxical at all. Act supporters want to do whatever they like, whenever they like without anybody else having a say no matter if they’re affected by the Act supporters actions or not. It is this unconcern about their actions affects others that make them (libertarians in general) dictators hiding behind liberal values. They, quite simply, don’t want others to have a say in what they do.
From the department of criminalising a whole country.
Under the French HADOPI law 60 ISP account holders have received their third strike, 650,000 have received “first strike” notices with 44,000 of those receiving a second strike as well.
I think the lignite mining proposal is really this government’s response to peak oil: a coal to liquids plant. IIRC I read that once production gets up to full levels it’ll be able to provide about 2/3rds of the countries annual consumption of diesel.
But does the cost of producing that diesel from such a filthy source make it truly viable, Lanthanide? I can see the lignite mines of Southland becoming like the tar sand mining in Canada. Peter Jackson didn’t require a real Modor for his movies and there is no reason to create one out of our farmland. If we reduced the demand for diesel (increased rail use etc) we wouldn’t be so dependent on it. Producing more diesel in such a desperate way is just delaying the transition to other forms of energy.
As I understand it, it takes more energy to extract the diesel from lignite than what the aforementioned diesel produces, so it will probably be very uneconomic to run those lignite fields.
I belive that the Alberta tar sands have the same problems, though Harper and his gang of merry men are too stupid to realise it. We are better off leaving the lignite where it is (or at least finding a more economical use for it)
As I understand it, it takes more energy to extract the diesel from lignite than what the aforementioned diesel produces
Nope, you’re looking at it the wrong way, although you are quite right to bring up the EROEI discussion.
The lignite is a source of energy itself, and you can use it to provide most of the energy investment (particularly thermal energy) required to get a L of diesel out, without having to source that much external energy from offsite.
BTW it’s an approximate 40% conversion loss to convert lignite into diesel. IE you start with 1MJ of lignite, but you only get 0.6MJ of diesel out.
The lignite being dug up and turned into diesel will produce more food nationally, as well as allow it to be distributed, than the land that would be ruined by any open cast mining.
Perhaps, but someone will have to do the math on that assertion. And there may be other ways of achieving the same thing while leaving the lignite in the ground.
What’s more productive: modern industrial farming with fossil-fuel derived pesticides, fertilisers and farm equipment such as tractors and ploughs, or 19th century farming techniques that don’t have those things?
Lanthanide-Dairy farms produce huge amounts of waste that could easily be converted into methanol based fuel.
I recently heard a dairy farmer talking about his conversion to organic methods (contemporary not 19th century) and he has found greater profits. He spends a minimum on supplementary feed and artificial fertilizer and both his pastures and his cows are healthier. His cows live twice as long and require fewer medications as well. It works: http://www.organicnz.org/108/the-profitability-of-organic-dairy-farming/
Despite organic dairy products being popular and profitable, Fonterra has recently removed their support.
Do you think John Key and his bank$ter mates will approve of this USA bill to ‘nationalise the Federal Reserve’?
Dennis Kucinich introduces key bill to nationalise the Federal Reserve
Dennis Kucinich
You Tube
October 6, 2011
Washington D.C. (October 4, 2011) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following video and statement in support of the protestors on Wall Street and around the country who have identified themselves with the hashtag #OccupyWallStreet.
…
“We need a government of the people and for the people. We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people. It is time we take our nation back and take our monetary system back from the big banks.
“I recently introduced H.R. 2990, the National Emergency Employment Defense Act, to put the Federal Reserve under the Treasury, to end the practice of fractional reserve banking and to take control of our monetary policy and make sure it works for the people.
“We can use our Constitutional authority to coin money and spend it into circulation to put millions of Americans back to work in a way that is noninflationary. The time for bold change is now.
“We are the American people. Our dream of freedom and prosperity is too big to fail.”
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
Campaigning against ‘White Collar’ CRIME, CORPORATE WELFARE, CORRUPTION – and its root cause – PRIVATISATION (how is it decided who gets the contract$?)
There was a report on the current goevernment’s use of urgency, with justifications from Simon Power, criticisms from opposition MPs ( Chauvel, Greens, Goff), plus a more nuanced critique by a Vic Uni academic who has been researching use of urgency since the 90s, and comments by law lecturers like Andrew Geddis.
But I was gobsmacked to hear that Bomber (about 26 mins on the mediawatch audio file) has been excluded from Jim Mora’s afternoon Panel in the future. This is because, last Thursday, he read his “partisan” blog and Stratos rants about the PM’s response to the guy who attempted to jump from the public gallery of Parliament.
Part of the reason for exclusion related to Bomber talking over Mora. However, the main reason given by RNZ is that Bomber unacceptably breached RNZ’s editorial policies. The RNZ editor claims Bomber breached their requirement for fairness and balance, that they hadn’t been advised in advance that Bomber was going to strongly criticise the PM, and wouldn’t jeopardise RNZ’s hard earned reputation for “fairness and balance” – really? on The Panel?
Sorry… didn’t see that Anthony had already posted on this, in the last hour.
.
I missed that panel discussion and tried to get it on replay radio but Part 2 was not hung up. Now I know why.
Ever heard Matthew Hooton talk over both Katherine or whoever is the Left commentator? And promote some pretty nasty stuff. To be consistent Hooton would be banned but surprise surprise? Not
This morning has been spent on the Cambridge Labour Party stall.
We take a lot of flake in Tory Cambridge, but today has been different .A number of people have told us they are voting Labour .Many saying they were fed up with Key ,this from Cambridge the heart of Toryism. This branch has had a stall here for about 15 years and never has there been a positive response like this . Has there been a change in attitude over the last few days? Has the outburst of madness from Key over the balcony incident made people realise just what Key is like. Has anyone else noticed this change?
I’ve spent some time this weekend campaigning in some very Tory suburbs.
A few evil looks from passer-bys in flash new vehicles but a lot of people I talked to were interested in the Labour message or at least neutral and wanting more information. AND we got some new volunteers for Labour as well.
There was some reminiscing about the Helen Clark days too.
Has there been a change in attitude over the last few days? Has the outburst of madness from Key over the balcony incident made people realise just what Key is like. Has anyone else noticed this change?
Good stuff PP. In Auckland I cannot reconcile the polls with the on the ground feeling. I am hoping that on November 28 the tories will say “bugger the polls” …
After further consideration I’m siding with the speaker on his recent banhammering.
The chap from the Herald thinks his reporters should follow the standing orders up to the point where they reckon they shouldn’t. He reckons this was such an extraordinary situation that breaking the rules was justified.
But look at what they were reporting. Was this a matter of crucial importance to our democracy? Nah, they don’t do that sort of reporting because they reckon no-one’s interested. Political journalism is strictly limited to “who’s winning the horse race this week”. It’s sports coverage.
They published Audrey’s photo for one reason only: the sensationalist value of the story.
So fuck ’em. It’s high time they started earning their press gallery credentials by acting as our fourth estate instead of the gossip hacks they’ve reduced themselves to.
I do not know why they did not go to Smith and show him Audrey’s iPhone and say “mind if we print this”? A quiet word to Joyce and I am sure it could have been arranged.
too right felix. these little popinjays from the herald are starting to believe their own bylines. What was a personal tragedy is just an excuse for them to break down the dignity of parliament in a manner that the neo -cons would be proud of. They should get real jobs before they get shoulder tapped in J school for being obedient servants of the bosses that employ them and kid them along that they are doing something mneaningful.
We don’t so much have media but mediums for delivering their masters message…media works was a bargain using taxpayers dosh, TVNZ and granny were already onside with the nats so neutering RNZ via Griffin etc just rounded it out nicely.
It’s the arrogance and aloofness of sideshows mob in general and in treating Epsom like a doormat mat that should make this a lot more interesting than the MSM would have you believe.
Everything you wanted to know about national intelligence, but were afraid to ask! A refreshingly open look into intelligence gathering in Britain has been provided in the Reith Lectures this year on Radionz. During 4 ‘til 8 with Katrina Batten, as the former Director-General of the British security service MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller has discussed the MI5 role and added her own comment and answered questions or not as possible (she has made the point that she finished her role in 2007).
4:07 The Sunday Feature: The BBC Reith Lectures: Securing Freedom. This year’s annual BBC Radio’s Reith Lectures resume in our Sunday Feature slot this week. To mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the former Director-General of the British security service MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller offers a unique perspective on the event, its impact on the world and the repercussions from it. She considers the role of security intelligence, and reflects more broadly on the threats to freedom and the means of countering them. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes//4til8
There have been 3 or 4 lectures delivered in a cool and intelligent way. Matters discussed have been wide ranging and included Saudi Arabia and its actions to control extremism, and her feeling that fairer conditions and inclusion and advances for the lower class would reduce it. On the other hand she dropped in a comment on the need for infrastructure in Russia, after a Russian diplomat was (probably) stung into a comment after somebody made reference to the murder of one of their defectors. The Baroness remarked that they needed women’s toilets for visitors to the Lubianka prison. She had noted the lack of provision on a recent visit.
Eliza Manningham-Buller was Director General of MI5, the British Security Service, from October 2002 until her retirement in April 2007. She led the organisation through substantial change in the wake of 9/11 and the growing threat from Al-Qaeda.
Under her leadership MI5 doubled in size and altered its approach to the professional development of staff with the establishment of a training academy.
See the BBC website to find out more about this programme.
Simon Bridges arguing against MMP – icky – just yuck.
And while we are on icky – Simon Power goes on the list too, I find it hard to believe that he is really respected by both sides of the house, the relentless praise of the MSM for the ‘blitzkrieg legislator’ makes me suspect that he might be a comeback kid – I hope not, he doesn’t seem to care much for democracy (those pesky OIA requests and dealing with the media etc etc)
Anyone interested in joining an elite team to go and clear mines from fields so small farmers could use them again? People thrill-oriented yet brave, disciplined and committed only. For a period of one month (first week on training). Must provide own transport and return ticket also medical insurance and death certificate fund to be held on behalf by group leader. Wouldn’t that be a holiday with a difference as a birthday present for the young man or woman who has it all?
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Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
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Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
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. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland A bright Eta Aquariid meteor photobombed this photo of comet C/2020 F8 (SWAN) in May 2020.Jonti Horner Meteors – commonly known as shooting stars – can be seen on any night of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Flannery, Honorary fellow, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock Current concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in Earth’s atmosphere are unprecedented in human history. But CO₂ levels today, and those that might occur in coming decades, did occur millions of years ago. ...
Winston Peters has been keen to dismiss speculation on our involvement in Aukus but will give a speech tonight on the direction of our foreign policy, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Patrick Usmar, Lecturer in Critical Media Literacies, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images With the coalition government’s ban of student mobile phones in New Zealand schools coming into effect this week, reaction has ranged from the sceptical (kids will just get ...
A new report on protecting journalism and democracy in New Zealand recommends a levy be charged on global platforms like Facebook and Google to fund media firms undertaking public interest reporting. It also calls for the reinstatement of a powerful Broadcasting Commission to distribute public funding for journalism and other ...
On International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi and the wider union movement are celebrating the proud history of the labour movement during a tough time for working people. ...
From bills to beards, a walk through the former Green co-leader’s time in politics. After close to a decade in politics, James Shaw is preparing to bid farewell to parliament. Tonight will see the former minister deliver his valedictory address, certain to be a speech filled with Shaw’s trademark wit ...
Two months ago, MPs unanimously voted to give themselves a week off in Efeso Collins’ honour. On Tuesday, most were too busy to give even an hour of their time. The day Fa’anānā Efeso Collins died, parliament felt different. In a building that operates at a breakneck pace, everyone stopped ...
India’s election involves hundreds of millions of people and is a months-long affair. Here’s how voting works and what’s at stake.The biggest-ever election in world history started on April 19, with more than 10% of the world’s population eligible to vote. Elections in India, the world’s most populous country ...
“I had just come off the end of a major robbery case which I had been working on for six months when I got a call on the afternoon of September 1, 1992, that some remains had been found at a building site in Devonport, so I drove over with ...
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Comment: Journalists are very good at telling other people’s stories, but they fall well short when writing about their own profession. Perhaps that is why it is so undervalued. Every successive poll on the public’s attitude toward journalism is more alarming than the last. In the last month we have ...
Opinion: A young Māori woman and her Pacific partner arrive at their local hospital by ambulance. She has gone into labour at just under 24 weeks, but the couple haven’t recognised the symptoms – and don’t know the risks of premature birth for their baby. By the time they arrive, ...
Behind closed doors, NZ First will be arguing fiercely against any watering down of the ministerial decision-making powers in the Bill The post Bishop backtracks after fast-track backlash appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Emotional scenes played out in the Invercargill courthouse on the first two days of the coronial inquest into the death of Gore toddler Lachlan Jones, in which the boy’s mother was accused of disposing of her son’s body. The second season of Newsroom’s award-nominated podcast The Boy in the Water ...
Opinion: The impression from the carpark is very inviting. The area is well fenced but barred so there is easy visibility of loved ones. Inside, the spaces are welcoming and clean and staff are friendly and clearly comfortable. I am greeted by ‘Kim’. She has worked here for three years, ...
After the Christchurch earthquake, the then-national civil defence boss compared his experience to “putting a team on the rugby field who have never ever played together before”. Now, eight years later – and following a damning inquiry into the emergency response of cyclones Gabrielle, Hale and the Auckland anniversary weekend floods – ...
Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
Koi Tū New Zealand cannot sit back and see the collapse of its Fourth Estate, the director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says in the foreword of a paper published today. The paper, “If not journalists, then who?” paints a picture of an industry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Foreign investment proposals with implications for Australia’s strategic or economic security will face tougher scrutiny, under a policy overhaul to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday. At the same time, the government ...
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry report has warned government that a repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cause harm to children in care. ...
The Treasury has published today three new papers covering government consumption multipliers, automatic stabilisers and the impacts of global shocks on New Zealand’s economy. ...
Asia Pacific Report The Pacific state of Hawai’i’s House of Representatives has joined the state’s Senate in calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution, reports Hawaii News Now. In March, the Senate passed a ceasefire resolution with a 24–1 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Ferrie, A/Prof, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Technology Sydney PsiQuantum The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley. Half ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Cameron Prins/Shutterstock If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will McCallum, PhD Candidate – School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not supporting Operation Sovereign Borders – the military-led border security operation that has “closed Australia’s borders ...
By Melyne Baroi in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea MP, Peter Isoaimo, who had been ousted by the National Court in an alleged bribery case, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court on appeal. A three-member Supreme Court bench found that the National Court had erred in finding that ...
Publisher Chris Holdaway reflects on the unique project of collecting the work of the late, terrific poet Schaeffer Lemalu. One of the nice things you can do as a truly independent publisher is to make the books that writers want to make, whatever they happen to be. That’s how I’ve ...
Those profiled in the stamp series served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service Medal. ...
Last night’s dismal poll result for the coalition government shows the limits of trying to govern as an opposition, argues Joel MacManus. There’s a quote from the American political activist Barbara Deming: “Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people’s minds, the thought ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shireen Morris, Associate Professor and Director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School, Macquarie University Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock Foreign interference in Australian democracy poses a growing risk to our national sovereignty. It refers to coercive, corrupt or ...
A defendant charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining by deception in relation to a mortgage fraud scheme. Sentencing has been scheduled for 14 August 2024. ...
What to say when pesky journalists ask gotcha questions like ‘can you name a single book you’ve ever read?’ and ‘did you read it, or did you just see the movie?’This week, Act Party arts spokesperson Todd Stephenson foolishly agreed to an interview with Newsroom’s Steve Braunias regarding his ...
Explainer - What will a ban on cellphones in schools achieve? Can students use them during lunch breaks? And what happens if you need to contact your child? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Jodi Rowley, CC BY-NC-ND In winter 2021, Australia’s frogs started dropping dead. People began posting images of dead frogs on social media. Unable to travel to investigate the deaths ...
In the year ended March 2024, 0.4 percent of home transfers were to people who didn’t hold New Zealand citizenship or a resident visa, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wasay Majid, Research Assistant , University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau New Zealand’s accommodation supplement scheme is facing scrutiny, with Social Development Minister Louise Upston recently saying “there is merit in considering whether the current settings are fair and sustainable long-term”. The ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The first prime ministerial candidate has been announced in Solomon Islands and it is not Manasseh Sogavare. The man of the hour is Jeremiah Manele, the MP for Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency in Isabel Province, who served as minister of foreign affairs in the last government. ...
Protesting the removal of bins by leaving piles of your dog’s shit for others to deal with doesn’t make you a hero – it’s precious and entitled behaviour. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve stood on the shoreline of Auckland’s Cheltenham beach, desperately trying to scoop increasingly liquid dog shit ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon will be alert to the factors driving the dire polling, but won't be waving the white flag just yet, RNZ political editor Jo Moir writes. ...
Writer, teacher and academic Vincent O’Sullivan died on Sunday 28 April. Here we gather tributes from friends, colleagues, and students who remember his extraordinary contributions. I went down to the garage tonight. There was a bird shrieking out in the bush, in the dark, maybe a kākā. Miraculously, through the ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a burnt-out corporate escapee explains how she gets by ‘working as little as possible’. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 31 Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: Contractor in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Schmidt, Professor of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney Albert Russ / Shutterstock The icebreaker of many a barbeque conversation is something like “what do you do for a crust?” “I teach chemistry at university,” is what we usually reply. Then silence. Our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asher Flynn, Associate Professor of Criminology, Monash University Shutterstock Sexual harassment is often considered to be a person-to-person act, but new research shows Australians are also experiencing and perpetrating workplace harassment in large numbers through technology. Our latest study shows one ...
A petition signed by more than 16,500 people, demanding the government take stronger action to halt the genocide of Palestinians by the State of Israel, is being presented to the House of Representatives today by Hon Phil Twyford. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University jenmartin/Shutterstock April has been a bad month for the Australian environment. The Great Barrier Reef was hit, yet again, by intense coral bleaching. And Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek delayed ...
Winston Peters might not give a ‘rat’s derriere’ about last night’s poll, but it revealed the unusual absence of a honeymoon period and little payoff for the government’s action plan approach, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marco de Jong, Lecturer, Law School, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Details released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Official Information Act reveal New Zealand officials have been considering involvement in AUKUS from the outset. ...
The government's treatment of Māori raised eyebrows, with countries saying New Zealand needed to do more to reduce health, education and justice inequities. ...
The age of criminal responsibility was one of numerous human rights issues raised during Aotearoa New Zealand’s UPR. Other key themes were racism and discrimination, the disproportionate representation of Māori in prison, and to uphold the UN Declaration ...
In a sitdown interview ahead of his final day at Parliament this week, the former Green Party co-leader tells RNZ about his lowest point during 2017's rough election campaign. ...
Is the fringe radio station really in a financial crisis, or is it just running a hyped-up donation drive? Fringe internet radio station Reality Check Radio was launched by the anti-vaccine mandates group Voices for Freedom in March 2023. For the next year, it undertook probably the most aggressive promotional ...
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Says it all really of the MSM – when the Herald puts up as web-page headline, links to commentary written by Year 11 Students. (That’s the old Fifth Form or Level 1 NCEA, people)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/college-herald/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502920&objectid=10757205
Bit sad but unsurprising that the media think his reasoning is sound. In fact, he sounds a lot like most of what you’ll read in the papers – stuff wrtten by people 20 or 30 years older than him. Which is sadder still. If I were an English teacher, I’d have kids write opinions like that and then show them how to examine the evidence of their thinking processes.
It’s the logic used by the Centre for Independent Thought, the neoliberal political lobby group, and the piece is formulated in much the same way as their usual opinion pieces in the MSM. It’s clever sounding, patronising bullshit.
The kid obviously needs lessons in logic.
/shrug
It’s probably just the drivel that he’s been told by his father and nothing he’s actually thought about or researched.
John Key to visit the Rena. Is he walking there?
The guy’s been walking on water for the past 5 years…
No i have just heard, he flew over. He also told the country that it is inevitible that the oil will come ashore, guy knows everything.
Just another pic for his photo album. Him smiling at the camera, telling everyone it’ll be alright cos we have started the hunt for people, to do what our doc people used to do, we will pay them heaps as consultants. Have faith we will muddle through.
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/psyc/attachments/wilson-2011-sst-descriptive-summary.pdf
Especially for Draco T:
With all the usual reservations about standardised personality and aptitiude testing, and the limitations of surveys, (and I have a lot, especially where used with individuals rather than groups), here is an extended summary of Marc Wilson’s NZ personality, attitudes, and political preferences survey.
It does make interesting reading, for quirky things, e.g. the association between authoritarianism and moustache wearing in men (confirms a long held predjudice of mine), and more important stuff.
Problem with those types of surveys is that the questions themselves are deeply orthodox and conservative.
eg (just as a throw-a-way) Co-operation doesn’t figure as a main heading value in that particular survey.
If questions were such that people had to rely on their ‘innate’ sensibilities to respond, rather than their interpretation or reactions to ‘orthodoxy as propaganda’, then the responses would be remarkably different in some instances.
I remember posting a British Attitudes survey results from the Guardian a while back that showed this. On questions couched in orthodoxy, the results were quite conservative or right wing. But when the same attitudes were sought employing questions outside the bounds of ‘received wisdom’, the results were often diametrically opposed.
I did the survey and had difficulty with the liberal/conservative spectrum. To me liberal attitudes are pretty much centre of the left-right spectrum and based in notions of individualism and individual social rights – rather than, for instance, in the relative power/marginalisation of various social/demographic groups. I don’t see the left-right spectrum as just one focused solely on economic issues, as assumed in the above linked summary of the survey results.
PS: The listed scales of published indexes the survey was based on seemed to include are pretty skewed list of topics: e.g. hunting attitudes, food diaries, conspiracy beliefs, religious orthodoxy and fundamentalism (the latter 2 quite US-centric IMO), competitiveness, paranoia and death anxiety… and nothing on co-operation as mentioned above by Bill.
Taken as read Bill.
There’s no way it can not be skewed and show incomplete and inaccurate pictures, for a myriad of reasons.
On page 15 “Where does John Key fall on these continua?” This was a self answering set rather than what others might assess. What this shows is a self delusional approach to life. But what sort of person would score thus:
Maybe a middle aged bloke who is doing a simple job and who goes fishing in his weekend and drinks the odd beer with his mates and gets on well with his easy-going wife and 3 kids, would also score highly on the Agreeableness, Emotional Stability, and Openess self scoring.
I laughed at that too. It doesn’t reflect well on Wilson as an academic, that he took the answers given by a named politician (in an election year to boot), as being a genuine reflection of his personality. Naive to say the least.
Hare Psychopathy Checklist
I’d say that would be true of any psychological test especially when you consider that psychopaths are very good at pretending to be normal, ie, they know the answers that are being looked for. I’d say that John Keys actions (throat slash to Labour, his snide remarks and sneer in parliament, and his obvious snap decisions (Pike River getting the bodies out etc etc)) show that he was less than truthful on the test.
Quoting referenced article.
It’s not paradoxical at all. Act supporters want to do whatever they like, whenever they like without anybody else having a say no matter if they’re affected by the Act supporters actions or not. It is this unconcern about their actions affects others that make them (libertarians in general) dictators hiding behind liberal values. They, quite simply, don’t want others to have a say in what they do.
Indeed – tory “freedoms” are when THEY get to do what they want, without being inconvenienced by anyone else.
For some reason, despite many tries, I can’t get it to load.. 🙁
From the department of criminalising a whole country.
Under the French HADOPI law 60 ISP account holders have received their third strike, 650,000 have received “first strike” notices with 44,000 of those receiving a second strike as well.
There is an alternative to mining lignite in Southland that will provide long term benefits for the region, silica.
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/10/silica-not-lignite-should-be-southlands.html
I think the lignite mining proposal is really this government’s response to peak oil: a coal to liquids plant. IIRC I read that once production gets up to full levels it’ll be able to provide about 2/3rds of the countries annual consumption of diesel.
But does the cost of producing that diesel from such a filthy source make it truly viable, Lanthanide? I can see the lignite mines of Southland becoming like the tar sand mining in Canada. Peter Jackson didn’t require a real Modor for his movies and there is no reason to create one out of our farmland. If we reduced the demand for diesel (increased rail use etc) we wouldn’t be so dependent on it. Producing more diesel in such a desperate way is just delaying the transition to other forms of energy.
As I understand it, it takes more energy to extract the diesel from lignite than what the aforementioned diesel produces, so it will probably be very uneconomic to run those lignite fields.
I belive that the Alberta tar sands have the same problems, though Harper and his gang of merry men are too stupid to realise it. We are better off leaving the lignite where it is (or at least finding a more economical use for it)
Nope, you’re looking at it the wrong way, although you are quite right to bring up the EROEI discussion.
The lignite is a source of energy itself, and you can use it to provide most of the energy investment (particularly thermal energy) required to get a L of diesel out, without having to source that much external energy from offsite.
BTW it’s an approximate 40% conversion loss to convert lignite into diesel. IE you start with 1MJ of lignite, but you only get 0.6MJ of diesel out.
The long term future of Southland’s lignite region is food production. This highly fertile farmland will be lost to open cast mines that will not be restored to farmland by Solid Energy but turned into “recreational lakes”.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leave-the-Lignite-Save-the-Soil/129179047159254
The lignite being dug up and turned into diesel will produce more food nationally, as well as allow it to be distributed, than the land that would be ruined by any open cast mining.
Perhaps, but someone will have to do the math on that assertion. And there may be other ways of achieving the same thing while leaving the lignite in the ground.
What’s more productive: modern industrial farming with fossil-fuel derived pesticides, fertilisers and farm equipment such as tractors and ploughs, or 19th century farming techniques that don’t have those things?
Lanthanide-Dairy farms produce huge amounts of waste that could easily be converted into methanol based fuel.
I recently heard a dairy farmer talking about his conversion to organic methods (contemporary not 19th century) and he has found greater profits. He spends a minimum on supplementary feed and artificial fertilizer and both his pastures and his cows are healthier. His cows live twice as long and require fewer medications as well. It works:
http://www.organicnz.org/108/the-profitability-of-organic-dairy-farming/
Despite organic dairy products being popular and profitable, Fonterra has recently removed their support.
You also have to consider the costs of the huge increase in carbon emissions from using lignite, over 17 million tonnes annually.
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/04/lignite-mining-what-price-for-future.html
Seen this?
Do you think John Key and his bank$ter mates will approve of this USA bill to ‘nationalise the Federal Reserve’?
Dennis Kucinich introduces key bill to nationalise the Federal Reserve
Dennis Kucinich
You Tube
October 6, 2011
Washington D.C. (October 4, 2011) — Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today released the following video and statement in support of the protestors on Wall Street and around the country who have identified themselves with the hashtag #OccupyWallStreet.
…
“We need a government of the people and for the people. We need a financial system that is of the people and for the people. It is time we take our nation back and take our monetary system back from the big banks.
“I recently introduced H.R. 2990, the National Emergency Employment Defense Act, to put the Federal Reserve under the Treasury, to end the practice of fractional reserve banking and to take control of our monetary policy and make sure it works for the people.
“We can use our Constitutional authority to coin money and spend it into circulation to put millions of Americans back to work in a way that is noninflationary. The time for bold change is now.
“We are the American people. Our dream of freedom and prosperity is too big to fail.”
http://www.infowars.com/dennis-kucinich-tells-occupy-wall-street-to-nationalize-the-federal-reserve/
Penny Bright
Independent ‘Public Watchdog’
Candidate for Epsom
Campaigning against ‘White Collar’ CRIME, CORPORATE WELFARE, CORRUPTION – and its root cause – PRIVATISATION (how is it decided who gets the contract$?)
There was some interesting and informative stuff on Media Watch on RNZ this morning:
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday
There was a report on the current goevernment’s use of urgency, with justifications from Simon Power, criticisms from opposition MPs ( Chauvel, Greens, Goff), plus a more nuanced critique by a Vic Uni academic who has been researching use of urgency since the 90s, and comments by law lecturers like Andrew Geddis.
But I was gobsmacked to hear that Bomber (about 26 mins on the mediawatch audio file) has been excluded from Jim Mora’s afternoon Panel in the future. This is because, last Thursday, he read his “partisan” blog and Stratos rants about the PM’s response to the guy who attempted to jump from the public gallery of Parliament.
This kind of thing:
http://tumeke.blogspot.com/2011/10/keys-attempt-to-blame-labour-for-man.html
Part of the reason for exclusion related to Bomber talking over Mora. However, the main reason given by RNZ is that Bomber unacceptably breached RNZ’s editorial policies. The RNZ editor claims Bomber breached their requirement for fairness and balance, that they hadn’t been advised in advance that Bomber was going to strongly criticise the PM, and wouldn’t jeopardise RNZ’s hard earned reputation for “fairness and balance” – really? on The Panel?
Sorry… didn’t see that Anthony had already posted on this, in the last hour.
.
I missed that panel discussion and tried to get it on replay radio but Part 2 was not hung up. Now I know why.
Ever heard Matthew Hooton talk over both Katherine or whoever is the Left commentator? And promote some pretty nasty stuff. To be consistent Hooton would be banned but surprise surprise? Not
This morning has been spent on the Cambridge Labour Party stall.
We take a lot of flake in Tory Cambridge, but today has been different .A number of people have told us they are voting Labour .Many saying they were fed up with Key ,this from Cambridge the heart of Toryism. This branch has had a stall here for about 15 years and never has there been a positive response like this . Has there been a change in attitude over the last few days? Has the outburst of madness from Key over the balcony incident made people realise just what Key is like. Has anyone else noticed this change?
I’ve spent some time this weekend campaigning in some very Tory suburbs.
A few evil looks from passer-bys in flash new vehicles but a lot of people I talked to were interested in the Labour message or at least neutral and wanting more information. AND we got some new volunteers for Labour as well.
There was some reminiscing about the Helen Clark days too.
This fight is only just starting.
Let’s (cautiously) hope!
Good stuff PP. In Auckland I cannot reconcile the polls with the on the ground feeling. I am hoping that on November 28 the tories will say “bugger the polls” …
After further consideration I’m siding with the speaker on his recent banhammering.
The chap from the Herald thinks his reporters should follow the standing orders up to the point where they reckon they shouldn’t. He reckons this was such an extraordinary situation that breaking the rules was justified.
But look at what they were reporting. Was this a matter of crucial importance to our democracy? Nah, they don’t do that sort of reporting because they reckon no-one’s interested. Political journalism is strictly limited to “who’s winning the horse race this week”. It’s sports coverage.
They published Audrey’s photo for one reason only: the sensationalist value of the story.
So fuck ’em. It’s high time they started earning their press gallery credentials by acting as our fourth estate instead of the gossip hacks they’ve reduced themselves to.
I do not know why they did not go to Smith and show him Audrey’s iPhone and say “mind if we print this”? A quiet word to Joyce and I am sure it could have been arranged.
The Speaker does have a valid point. Giving media oxygen to Public Gallery protests would open a very undesirable floodgate.
However his response was OTT which played into the hands of the Herald.
too right felix. these little popinjays from the herald are starting to believe their own bylines. What was a personal tragedy is just an excuse for them to break down the dignity of parliament in a manner that the neo -cons would be proud of. They should get real jobs before they get shoulder tapped in J school for being obedient servants of the bosses that employ them and kid them along that they are doing something mneaningful.
Every one wants their next job to be as Key’s Press Secretary, and maybe after that, Chair of Radio New Zealand (or TVNZ).
We don’t so much have media but mediums for delivering their masters message…media works was a bargain using taxpayers dosh, TVNZ and granny were already onside with the nats so neutering RNZ via Griffin etc just rounded it out nicely.
It’s the arrogance and aloofness of sideshows mob in general and in treating Epsom like a doormat mat that should make this a lot more interesting than the MSM would have you believe.
Pretty big quake just now, some distance away. I’m guessing 5-5.5M on banks peninsula, so Akaroa might be a little screwed.
looks like lyttleton/port hills
7 on the intensity (not ritcher) scale. could be damaging.
http://www.geonet.org.nz/earthquake/shakenz-interactive.html
5.5M
That intensity scale is always way off so I wouldn’t bother with it.
http://geonet.org.nz/earthquake/quakes/3591999g.html
Argies have 73% possession against the AB’s??? What is up with that???
JonKey is probably chewing his finger nails, blaming Phil Goff, and wondering if he should schedule some photo ops with Robbie Deans.
Good point. An Australian win will in fact be a New Zealand win because of Robbie Deans. Textor Crosby scribbling away furiously taking notes.
Everything you wanted to know about national intelligence, but were afraid to ask! A refreshingly open look into intelligence gathering in Britain has been provided in the Reith Lectures this year on Radionz. During 4 ‘til 8 with Katrina Batten, as the former Director-General of the British security service MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller has discussed the MI5 role and added her own comment and answered questions or not as possible (she has made the point that she finished her role in 2007).
4:07 The Sunday Feature: The BBC Reith Lectures: Securing Freedom. This year’s annual BBC Radio’s Reith Lectures resume in our Sunday Feature slot this week. To mark the 10th anniversary of 9/11, the former Director-General of the British security service MI5, Baroness Manningham-Buller offers a unique perspective on the event, its impact on the world and the repercussions from it. She considers the role of security intelligence, and reflects more broadly on the threats to freedom and the means of countering them.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes//4til8
There have been 3 or 4 lectures delivered in a cool and intelligent way. Matters discussed have been wide ranging and included Saudi Arabia and its actions to control extremism, and her feeling that fairer conditions and inclusion and advances for the lower class would reduce it. On the other hand she dropped in a comment on the need for infrastructure in Russia, after a Russian diplomat was (probably) stung into a comment after somebody made reference to the murder of one of their defectors. The Baroness remarked that they needed women’s toilets for visitors to the Lubianka prison. She had noted the lack of provision on a recent visit.
Eliza Manningham-Buller was Director General of MI5, the British Security Service, from October 2002 until her retirement in April 2007. She led the organisation through substantial change in the wake of 9/11 and the growing threat from Al-Qaeda.
Under her leadership MI5 doubled in size and altered its approach to the professional development of staff with the establishment of a training academy.
See the BBC website to find out more about this programme.
Big aftershock 5.5, biggest one i felt since june.
Simon Bridges arguing against MMP – icky – just yuck.
And while we are on icky – Simon Power goes on the list too, I find it hard to believe that he is really respected by both sides of the house, the relentless praise of the MSM for the ‘blitzkrieg legislator’ makes me suspect that he might be a comeback kid – I hope not, he doesn’t seem to care much for democracy (those pesky OIA requests and dealing with the media etc etc)
Ah so I’m old and I only just discovered humans could do this. Moogaloop and MoogaloopMore
Wow. Exactly like the dreams.
Anyone interested in joining an elite team to go and clear mines from fields so small farmers could use them again? People thrill-oriented yet brave, disciplined and committed only. For a period of one month (first week on training). Must provide own transport and return ticket also medical insurance and death certificate fund to be held on behalf by group leader. Wouldn’t that be a holiday with a difference as a birthday present for the young man or woman who has it all?
In complete bad taste, I would comment that they have a significiant probability of coming back with less.
Personally I would only go near a minefield only if I absolutely had to.
Tax the Rich!
It seems Bill Gates may come out publicly in support of an FTT.
Maybe.
http://english.aljazeera.net/indepth/features/2011/09/2011924125427182350.html