Open mike 10/02/2021
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Well, I've been there, sitting in that same chairWhispering that same prayer half a million timesIt's a lie, though buried in disciplesOne page of the Bible isn't worth a lifeThere's nothing wrong with youIt's true, it's trueThere's something wrong with the villageWith the villageSomething wrong with the villageSongwriters: Andrew Jackson ...17 hours ago - Government Forces Universities to Enforce “Free Speech” While Limiting Universities̵...
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AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...6 days ago - Minimum wage ‘increase’ is an effective cut
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- Thank You
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All those tears on your cheeksJust like deja vu flow nowWhen grandmother speaksSo tell me a story (I'll tell you a story)Spell it out, I can't hear (What do you want to hear?)Why you wear black in the morning?Why there's smoke in the air? Songwriter: Greg Johnson.Mōrena all ☀️Something a ...1 week ago
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Returning to the model that was failing for most polytechnics and Institutes of Technology is not the answer. ...3 days ago
- Release: National buries 1019 planned homes
It’s been revealed that National has cancelled 60 percent of its housing projects planned before mid-2025 amidst housing woes. ...3 days ago
- Release: Rule-Czar bill a right-wing power grab
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...3 days ago
- Release: Why not both? Luxon shuns Waitangi celebrations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is running away from problems of his own creation, with his decision not to go to Waitangi. ...4 days ago
- Govt’s ‘free speech’ legislation stokes fear, not freedom
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...4 days ago - Release: Nicola Willis spirals country deeper into recession
The economy shrank 1% this quarter and New Zealand has tumbled into the depths of a recession of Nicola Willis’ making. ...4 days ago
- Release: Hikes for company directors but not ordinary Kiwis
Working people are going backwards while company directors are being given huge pay hikes. ...5 days ago
- ECE no place to cut corners
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...5 days ago
- Release: Strengthening Justice Services for New Zealanders
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...5 days ago
- Release: Labour will continue fight against destructive projects
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...6 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...6 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...6 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...6 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...7 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...7 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
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- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
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- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
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- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
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- New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
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- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
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- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
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- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
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- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
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- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
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- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
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- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
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- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
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- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- Building consent processing times improve
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- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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- Vanuatu quake: Warnings as bad weather threat looms for Port Vila
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- Israeli-American historian describes attacks on Gaza as ‘war of annihilation’
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- NZ govt plans to make ‘heavy handed’ change to free speech rules for universities
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Here's a reminder of what can be achieved by people working together against crooks, bullies, manipulators and parasites.
"This is for you, Dad"
https://taibbi.substack.com/p/this-is-for-you-dad-interview-with
Yes I think very few wealthy people realize how desperate are large part of the population had become and now accelerated by Covid…it feels like the pitch forks are on the horizon.
"Pitchforks Coming – Billionaire Nick Hanauer Unpacked – Bridging Economic, Political and Moral Gaps – Affordable Housing and Manufactured Homes"
but please keep the dress code in parliament. Call me conservative, just mho
Anket Women can wear what they want to why can't men
So long as they don't show their ankles.
Yup, definitely no ankles on display in NZ Parliament.
There's a post about that topic: https://thestandard.org.nz/parliaments-tie-issue/
Sorry everyone meant to post it on the Tie post not open mike.
Call me old fashion but I support a dress code for parliament. I can justify this by saying that pushing to change the dress code is wasting valuable time when they should be focussing on us! Realise that is not the strongest arguement, but the dress code is a distraction from what they are there to do. I think there is some sort of code for women in parliament.
Many people have to wear a uniform in the workplace. Some of us chose to dress in a way that reflects the role.
Ruffs and codpieces I say. Anything less is a shocking debasement.
Let's have a uniform for them all then. Problem solved.
… it’s about getting on and representing us on what matters to kiwis.
Exactly. So why are you fixating on what they wear?
Finally the Wuhan report is out
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300225983/coronavirus-who-team-in-wuhan-dismisses-covid19-lab-leak-theory-in-report
It'll be a disappointment for the China haters
As will be the Atlantic's report on Chinese debt traps
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2021/02/china-debt-trap-diplomacy/617953/
So after arriving a year too late to do any meaningful investigation – the team concludes they have no idea where the virus came from, except that it cannot possibly have come from the one lab that was working on coronavirus GoF research.
Well done.
Surely the preliminary report of the WHO investigators is good news – certainly puts the hypothesis that Covid-19 leaked from a research lab in the bin. Isn't that a relief? After all, why on earth would anyone hope that hypothesis was true?
Looks like working Americans are about to get screwed just as bad from the other side now, turns out you do get what you vote for….
Biden Caves On $15 Minimum Wage, BREAKING Key Promise
The only thing breaking is how the $15 minimum wage element has been included in the Biden stimulus bill… As he says he wanted in the first 15 seconds of your video. lol
The Senate is an undemocratic handbrake on legislation Biden like Obama have to do deals with the repugnants to get legislation passed a 2/3rd majority is required in many cases.Gerrymandering voter suppression on top of that makes the US one of the least democratic countries in the developed world.
When a small rural state has more voting power than urbanised states,poverty will continue to rise..
Well it's great to see Cuba finally opening up its economy a wee tad more, now that their tourist enclaves are dead.
At some point they'll have to open up to having some actual human rights as well.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/02/09/americas/cuba-private-work-analysis-oppmann-intl/index.html
Yes and great to see Socialist Cuba's medical research and production sectors showing the rest of the world what can and should be done when profit motive is taken out of an essential service…and especially in a crisis…
Cuba’s COVID-19 Vaccines Serve the People, Not Profits
https://www.counterpunch.org/2021/02/08/cubas-covid-19-vaccines-serve-the-people-not-profits/
It's a rare perfectly competitive moment to have multiple entities all releasing drugs to combat the same disease within weeks of each other.
And not a single word about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine!? Probably because it didn’t suit his narrative.
Que?
Whose narrative ?
I believe it was Ad who brought Cuba under the spotlight.
I wasn't replying to Ad
"his narrative" ??
Whitney's a woman
No, he’s not “a woman” and it is utterly irrelevant anyway
At some point they’ll have to open up to having some actual human rights as well.
Then hopefully the United States and other rogue regimes like Australia and the U.K. might follow suit.
Although, on the grim evidence in this Reuters report, there’s little chance of that happening….
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-justice-assange/biden-administration-plans-to-continue-to-seek-extradition-of-wikileaks-assange-official-idUSKBN2A92T4
He's gone burger.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/300226344/sean-plunket-has-left-magic-talk
However, those who make the decision to 'outflank' Newstalk ZB remain on their salaries.
The advertisers that continue to pay for air time on Magic, don't cop any criticism. They only develop a conscious when a host is a little bit too racist.
Don't get me wrong, I am no Plunkett fan, nor talkhate radio, but as per usual a token sacrifice is offered to appease the twittisphere.
Commercial interests can cancel RW voices – they do so fairly rarely and it triggers a firestorm of hyperbole about 'freedom of speech'. Commercial interests have almost always stopped genuine LW voices from even making it onto the air – not so much cancellation as suppression – with very little ensuing discussion of 'freedom of speech'.
This doesn't mean that the profit motive is agnostic in matters of political/economic ideology. It isn't – but it will throw the more unruly members of its own cabal under the bus if it really has to.
oh noes, but what if left wing commentary becomes a commercial liability for talkback radio? "Can't-sell culture" might see the end of talkback hosts like… um… er… ???
What is that person doing in the background to Jacinda's response???
https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/
Which video?
Marja Lübeck, in a fleeting moment of clarity, addressed Trevor Mallard, as "Mr Squeaker" !!!
Unforgettable – if you caught it 🙂
https://ondemand.parliament.nz/parliament-tv-on-demand/
Same Q again.
Question 2
Not a good look from Menendez taking a spot in MIQ (and expecting special treatment to queue jump) when people cant get spots to see sick and dying relatives.
Green MP tried to jump the queue as Kiwis stuck in the UK desperately seek MIQ spots (msn.com)
Some are more equal than others.
Horrendous look. Newshub reporting he always travels to Mexico for 6 weeks this time of year.
Link please
He was seeing sick and/or dying relatives.
JuCo echos your comment,
But RMM is a New Zealander who was spending time with his family. Why should he be any different?
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/436160/green-party-gave-list-mp-ricardo-menendez-march-permission-to-travel-overseas
Family First strike back:
"Family First New Zealand
Sponsored · Paid for by Family First New Zealand
·
A legal opinion has just been released on the proposed law to ban ‘conversion therapy’ which shows that the proposed ban will be yet another attack on parents’ rights and is fundamentally flawed and dangerous.
The legal opinion says that a ban would criminalise parents who wish to protect their child from the physical, emotional, and psychological harm caused by gender dysphoria. Parents would be criminalised and liable to six months imprisonment simply for affirming that their sons are boys and their daughters are girls. These bans will lock children into transgenderism. The government wants to legislate against the discussion and practice of alternatives to hormones, surgery and confusion."
Just had a read through of the FB page for Family First. First came the overwhelming confusion as I took in the twist on reality they seem to have.