‘Commercial banks have been moderating their growth forecasts, based on sharply lower dairy prices and on reports that the Christchurch rebuild is past its peak.’
Remember when Hosking said our high dollar was a sign we were doing really well?
Does that mean the dollar being much lower since then means we aren’t doing well anymore?
“It is hard to know what I am more excited about this week, our dollar or our houses. Records all over the place. But both signs of just how well we are doing.”
remember when Hosking (like fisiani on here at the time) were smug about the meaning of parity, the great golden summer for NZ our coming of age, our sign that we are doing well?
Yet, the dropping dollar, apparently, doesnt mean the opposite of a rising dollar.
“This little nation of four and a half million produces a dollar that is at least as appealing as that monstrous land to our left. When the traders can invest in whatever they like … they like us. And they like us for good reason.
Yes it makes a holiday cheaper, yes it makes imported TVs cheaper, and yes it makes selling our milk harder, but it is more than that, the dollar is our fiscal calling card. It is a huge number of policies, ideas, attitudes, outlooks and actions all encapsulated in a currency.
A freely floated currency can’t hide, it can’t trick, it can’t be a charade. It is judged on all its frailties and merits. And the call being made this week, the reason the word parity is in the vocab, is because at last we’ve nailed it.
The dollar is on a roll, housing is on a roll, we’re on a roll. These are golden days.”
Slight difference: Hager used the data in the public interest and thus doing so wasn’t a crime. Apparently Slater used it to defame someone for personal gain thus it was a crime.
If you live in Auckland, have any friends / relations / contacts in the Hawkes Bay region – you might care to pass on this suggestion?
‘Open Letter’ to the people of the Hawkes Bay region –
“Ask Aucklanders about our ‘Supercity’ (for the 1%!)”
“For those folk in the Hawkes Bay region, who have yet to cast their vote on the proposed Hawkes Bay amalgamation (‘Supercity’) – may I respectfully suggest that you consider the following?” asks Penny Bright, confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
“Try contacting ordinary Auckland citizens and ratepayers that you know – who are NOT big business private contractors / consultants, NOT overseas investors, NOT property developers, NOT speculators, NOT representatives of overseas-owned financial institutions – and ask how the (forced) Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation has worked for them, their neighbours, workmates and local communities?”
(Votes need to be posted TODAY – to make the September 15th 2015 deadline!)
Accepting Norway’s freedom of speech prize via a video link from Moscow, due to Washington’s pressure for his extradition, whistleblower Edward Snowden noted that the US’ reputation is crumbling every year it stands against human rights, the rule of law and its own values.
Snowden said that as he became increasingly exposed to top secret material, he noted that the statements offered on a number of issues by the US establishment were not “simply untrue” but raised questions as to how the US was “interpreting the law.”
“And this is fundamentally dangerous. It is about more than just surveillance, I think. It is about democracy. It is about the relationship between the governed and the governing,” Snowden said.
Which, of course, is true. As long as the US stands as an oppressor it looses the any reputation it ever had for standing for freedom. Of course, it never really stood for freedom but for capitalism – the freedom of the rich to oppress and exploit the poor.
ISIS told the world they would infiltrate the West through a refugee crisis. Now we have one and Andrew Little is catering to the people who want to invite refugees to come to New Zealand and is calling for an increase in refugee numbers.
What he should be calling for is the arrest of the Western war criminals terrorizing these poor people into fleeing their countries when we bomb them back to the stone age of course.
So what will happen when the first false flag bombs go off in Europe or God forbid in New Zealand somewhere? Will that be the end of whatever we have left of an opposition as National can claim the refugees were here because of Labour and them softie left wing nampiepampies in the first place?
Could you identify the “Western war criminals” you imagine are terrorising the people of Syria? (Hint: the Syrian government, Da’esh and the Russian Federation are not “Western.”)
well syrias a tricky one, since the west aren’t seen openly to doin much, but I think you will find that most of the so-called ‘freedom fighters’ are heavillty financed, armed and trained by “the west” ie amerika. Funny to think that many of the groups are being fed with one hand in Syria yet are fought in other territories.
also if we broaden our gaze a little from Syria to other areas of conflict that are contributing to the refugee crisis we can see the heavy hand of the west at work. think Yemen, Libya, etc
Traveller, we’ll need to be more even-handed about determining who might be a terror threat.
Key will have to send Immigration and other border security profile agencies (the intelligence ones) to determine who would be a risk to the country. I don’t mind if the Cabinet gets manipulated by the public through tv images. If only they reacted with heart more often.
Ordinarily, New Zealanders who so much as visit Syria (or Somalia, or Yemen) get files made on them. No problem about welcoming them in, but we need to do so with our eyes open.
Refugees is a defined term with associated criteria. Anyone saying “I’m from Syria, let me in” and with nothing else to back a claim for refugee status won’t qualify.
“I’ve been waiting most of my life for the Left to make its glorious return. This is not what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve not changed my principles, and have only changed my views to fit the facts. I’m the one who feels abandoned – everything has moved around me. I lay down in a big tent, and I woke up in the rain.”
A fascinating and depressing read on Corbyn and the state of the left in Britian
Does it make a difference to you that Little doesn’t seem to have the kind of “baggage” that Corbyn has? Interm sof how you feel about the NZ LP I mean, as a comparisson to Labour UK?
I feel the same kind of tension that you express and is expressed in this article. And mostly I come to the same place;;;
vote for a blairish type and see the rot slowed but harm continuing, or vote for someone I can hope will gain support and will roll back the rot (as it were).
My biggest problem is that voting for the Blair-type means watching while some of the same old means are perpetuated but by the “good guys”.
And I feel sad when I consider that when the Right did (in 2007/2008) what Corbyn is criticised for below, it works, but it fails if the Left do it.
“All he’s done is offer up the very basic outline of a social democratic programme, and then waved his hands in place of explanations as to where he’d get the money – never mind what the holy hell he’d do about capital flight or uncontrolled inflation – but by God, these are filthy and desperate times, and if the things he said tonight were all he had to say, he’d have my vote tomorrow morning”
My personal experience, Ad, is that I closely-read the colourful first half then found myself resorting to skimming the article. Not because I’m lazy/time-poor (OK, I am both) but because the criticisms suddenly began feeling awfully re-heated, and some of the shots at the activists were hackneyed and cheap (albeit colourful).
Criticisms of Corbyn based around anti-semitism simply because he represents a departure from the British Oxbridge status quo on Israel and the Middle East are lazy. It will be delightful to see what is pulled from the “top drawer” to skewer him on this issue once leader, but I think it safe to say that they had credible material to portray him as a Jew-hater, they would have made a much better job of it thusfar.
Then again, with the formidable powers of Mossad et al. at their side, they might at least manage something as incontrovertibly damning as a Donghua Liu letter. /sarc
Well, I’m glad it gave you warm, fuzzy feelings, Ad.
Personally, I thought it was disingenuous beyond belief.
No surprise to me that the Phil Quin’s and Nick Cohens of this world are enthusiastically linking to it. And, of course, dear old affluent hand-wringing, Liberal Centrist, Russell Brown.
Essentially a mix of those who believe that Israel’s brutal 48-year Occupation and regular carpet-bombing and massacre of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians is all down to the evil, bearded, bogeyman, Hamas and Hezbollah (you know, the 2 groups that emerged as a response to that brutal Occupation – Hamas initially financed and nurtured by Israel as a means to dissipating Palestinian national sentiment) …….and those smugly comfortable centrists like Brown who, deep down, believe the western, American, Neo-Liberal establishment really is a force for great good.
Personally, I thought it was disingenuous beyond belief.
I agree. And no amount of mealy mouthed “reasonableness” can alter the fact that when a big chunk of the constituency you take for granted starts looking for a saviour, your lot have failed. Moreover, you are lucky when those people end up placing their hope in someone like Corbyn – desperate people can turn to far more alarming leaders than he appears to be.
Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II for being the Uks longest ever benefits claimant!!
Going 63 years and 7 months without being sanctioned, falling foul of her Claimant Commitment, missing her Jobcentre Plus appointments,
not attending a Customer Service training course, missing any compulsory job interviews, or quitting any previous jobs because of her behaviour is a real achievement !
ouch Anno.
I think her destiny/jobs a bit shit really. Her Majesty seems to have made a good fist of it. I mean ..really? Her Majesty? you gotta laff 🙂
The royals are spreading like boils, it does your head in
We have no choice, we’re invoiced for the weddings
It’s like a soap, a Dallas or a Dynasty
We live in hope so put them out their misery
Fire the freaky family, we’re tired of the cheek
As you holiday your life away our futures look bleak
As your castle’s burning down you want the people to pay for it
Ask us to defend you, we’ve got nothing to say for it
Kicking at the gates like we think we’re on the guest list
We’re told to wait, too late, we’re getting restless
The crowd is swelling as they’re smelling the thrill
There’s dancing in the rubble and there’s trouble at the mill
There’s warning of the storming, news of the resistance
The peasants are revolting, advancing from the distance
There’s panic and there’s anarchy and breaking the rules
They’re making fake money and they’ve taken the jewels
All without a fuss, the coup has been victorious
The banners wave, proclaiming annus glorious !
1701 also largest beneficiery claiment
UK taxpayers fork out about a billion $ a year so she can maintain her platinum plated diamond encrusted lifestyle .
Her estimated wealth $20 billion+ its alright for some.
The Queen has given something a permanent dignified presence as leader to Britain as a reliable interested principled head of state unlike the motley collection of politicians. She had to put up with Margaret Thatcher queening about though and dominating the stage for some time. Eclipsed the Queen some thought. The Queen has outlasted her though.
Anno1701
In 1701 the Royal Family may have been this, In 1901 they may have been that. This Royal Family today, this Queen, has done very well. Don’t lay every royal wrongdoing on her shoulders.
Here are some interesting stories on royalty’s actual history. First, I noted the other day that the vicious Belgian monarch of the Congo sadistic regime was Queen Victorias uncle. Then also Germans have a big input into the British family..
The abdication of Edward VIII to marry Wallis was a fortunate avenue for the British in stepping down from the throne when he had unreliable attitudes to Germany, feeling that they should be left to fight communism. Fascism was acceptable.
It was apparently unwise to have had the susceptible British future king Edward VIII roaming around unmarried. After affairs with other women he met and became fascinated by Wallis who was a bit of a femme fatale and a very attractive, intelligent woman. Wikipedia –
In 1935, the head of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch told the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that Wallis was also having an affair with Guy Marcus Trundle, who was “said to be employed by the Ford Motor Company”.[50] Claims of an affair were doubted, however, by Captain Val Bailey, who knew Trundle well and whose mother had an affair with Trundle for nearly two decades,[51] and by historian Susan Williams.[52]
Like Princess Diana, Wallis before they married had to flee the British press, eager for a good royal story. Wikipedia – ” In November [1936] the King consulted with the British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, on a way to marry Wallis and keep the throne. The King suggested a morganatic marriage, where he would remain king but Wallis would not be queen, but this was rejected by Baldwin and the Prime Ministers of Australia and South Africa.[59] If the King were to marry Wallis against Baldwin’s advice, the Government would be required to resign, causing a constitutional crisis.[63]
Wallis’s relationship with the King had become public knowledge in the United Kingdom by early December. She decided to flee the country as the scandal broke, and was driven to the south of France in a dramatic race to outrun the press.”
“Here are some interesting stories on royalty’s actual history. First, I noted the other day that the vicious Belgian monarch of the Congo sadistic regime was Queen Victorias uncle. Then also Germans have a big input into the British family.. ”
If you dig a little deeper you will find the majority of European Monarchs are related to each other somehow, these ties even cross the Atlantic with blood ties to various American “royal family’s” as well
gods, please tell me this is misreporting and they wouldn’t be as stupid as to remove the civil defence air sirens?
Not enough people have signed on to a new emergency text alert system and Civil Defence heads fear it will take an emergency for people to recognise its importance.
The new alert system was established at the end of May to replace emergency sirens around the region.
What morons. People might not use the important texting system until they learn about it after an emergency. So Civil Defence are adopting the tried-and-true old NZ way of blaming people for lax behaviour instead of ensuring that safe reliable systems are in place. They are taking out the sirens that would have ensured the message did reach all. Technoaddicts at Civil Defence. I can feel a really uncivil response coming on. NZs are such a lot of preachy smarties, always ready to blame others for any holes the systems have in them. It’s always the hapless one’s fault, the ritual phrase is “They should have”.
I thought that part of it astounding. Also, how about explaining properly what is going on? I’m still assuming that if there is a civil emergency I’ll hear a siren. Has that been turned off, where? etc
They are taking out the sirens that would have ensured the message did reach all.
High probability that the sirens don’t actually everyone. In fact, I’d be surprised if they reached 10% of the population. On the other hand, better than 75% of people have cell-phones and they’re usually in range of a cell site thus making them the most reliable system.
Personally, I’d pass a law requiring that a cellphone responds to emergency messaging rather than asking people to sign up for a notification.
If it was my cellphone it probably would have been left at home or elsewhere or not have a recharged battery. Why couldn’t they leave the sirens and for those who haven’t a cellphone the 10% who hear the siren would account for a warning for that group. All this relying on having technology about you all the time is denying the possibility and the right to not have a cellphone, yet still be regarded as a citizen and a person of worth.
Why couldn’t they leave the sirens and for those who haven’t a cellphone the 10% who hear the siren would account for a warning for that group.
Chances are there will be someone within the group that will have a cell phone and be able to tell you what the problem is. Hell of a lot better than just hearing a siren that you probably don’t recognise and don’t know what the problem is.
All this relying on having technology
You do understand that sirens are technology don’t you?
about you all the time is denying the possibility and the right to not have a cellphone, yet still be regarded as a citizen and a person of worth.
Society has moved on and it’s now pretty much essential to have a cellphone to operate effectively in it. That’s just the way things are.
Rather than sending messages to phones individually (e.g. “tower to 021 12345, there’s a flood”, “tower to 021 12346, there’s a flood”, “tower to 021 12347, there’s a flood”), it is a separate type of message sent to everyone who can hear (“tower to everyone, there’s a flood”).
Individual sms messages involve lots of back and forth of confirming whether the phone got the message. That uses up traffic if you’re sending the same message to 5000 phones. So the tower just screams at the top of its lungs, and everyone in the area can hear it.
Just caught up with the right biased media report on NZF and its position on the refugee situation
The point Tracey Martin made completely subverted by these Key fascists putting a spin on it that was nothing like she intended
This is the crap like the stupid flag debate that gets people all fucked up and Key slips another one under the radar
Be very aware of the propaganda machine its finding new fuel
Martin defended NZ First’s policy as being about doing more for refugees, which should involve bringing women and children first, and said Peters had “added on” his comment about Syrian men defending their country.
Asked if the men would get military training under that idea, Martin said, “I don’t really know”.
“The comment was actually about a policy of women and children first.”
Seems like it may have been Winston misrepresenting the policy although the MSM would then have taken it for a ride.
At 30, the property entrepreneur from western Sydney has a staggering portfolio of more than 170 properties, earning rental income of $500,000 a year after expenses.
Birch caught the property investment bug at a tender age when he watched his older brothers buy houses…
Hailing from a blue collar background, Birch bought his first property at 18 for $248,000 in western Sydney. He pushed himself to buy 10 properties.
“By the time I was 24, I was able to exit the workforce. I had a passive income stream coming in at around $30,000 a year at that point.”..
Birch says he has made property investment his life’s work, sacrificing his youth, relationships, holidays and partying.
“One of the benefits of this business is you can start with a single property investment,” says Kelman, who trained to be a veterinary surgeon.
Some of the money you make on your deals can be put into your next property ventures, he says…
“I think if negative gearing was scrapped, rents will rise anyway, so investors will push up rents,” he says. “I think there will be a benefit to me if it got scrapped. I highly doubt that will happen because then the government would have to support public housing more.”
If only we could get people like him to go on with his vet training and not buy houses for his main job. The market would open up for those who wanted a house as a place to make their life in, not as a place to make your living out of.
Yes – it made a point of saying he was from a “blue collar background” but I did notice they seem to have very carefully left out the “how” of his first property “investment”.
From the radionz article on the OCR changes I found this nugget:
“Investors accounted for 33 percent of transactions in Auckland two years ago but that had risen to 41 percent, Mr Wheeler said.
So anyone know where this information came from, and why opposition parties have not used this to beat the government over the head for their lack of action?
“Conservation groups had asked for a formal inquiry, alleging MPI was allowing exporters to send raw timber and unfinished objects out of the country – contrary to the Forests Act.
Ms Provost released the findings of her investigation today, saying she had seen no evidence the ministry allowed the export of illegal timber products.
“But she said interpreting the law – in terms of what was and was not a finished product – was a matter for the courts.
Ms Provost said she had suggested the ministry and local councils carry out an estimate of the total amount of swamp kauri, and work more closely to make sure the kauri is not coming from indigenous wetlands.
Oh, okay then. Where are the non-indigenous wetlands?
ah, so the devil is in the legal interpretation… even if the intention of the law is clear. i see she has basically told forest and bird to sue if they want to get clarity. So, as long as you have money, you can test the behaviour
“We have suggested to the Ministry some changes that are intended to:
promote better oversight of swamp kauri;
increase transparency and public access to information; and
increase the Ministry’s understanding of the cultural, heritage, and scientific value of swamp kauri.
SUGGESTION ONE: The Ministry should, in co-operation with relevant councils, consider compiling, and making publicly available, information about estimates of the quantity/scarcity of the total swamp kauri resource. This could include the extent of current and potential mining areas.
SUGGESTION TWO: While we acknowledge the Ministry’s July 2015 release of new regulatory measures, the Ministry should work more closely with councils to ensure that extraction takes place from an “approved source” before issuing milling statements.
SUGGESTION THREE: The Ministry should, in co-operation with relevant councils, raise public awareness of improved site inspection and the consequences for milling of illegally sourced and illegally extracted swamp kauri to encourage future industry-wide compliance. Appropriate statistics on the results of those inspections and information on monitoring could be made publicly available by either the council or the Ministry.
SUGGESTION FOUR: In consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and other relevant parties, and well before the resource is exhausted, the Ministry for Primary Industries should use information it has on the industry to initiate and inform discussions with relevant parties about the cultural, heritage, and scientific value some of the swamp kauri might have. This process should provide ways for that value to be retained for future New Zealanders. This information should be publicly released.”
Where do other 2016 Auckland (yet to confirm) Mayoral candidates stand on the current (forced) Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation, and the proposed Hawke’s Bay ‘Supercity’ amalgamation?
I for one, have opposed the Auckland ‘Supercity’ (forced) amalgamation, since the day of the ‘failed Mayoral coup’ – 5 September 2006, and actively opposed the proposed Wellington and Northland ‘Supercity’ amalgamations.
Where is the ‘cost-benefit’ analysis of the Auckland ‘Supercity’ for the majority of citizens and ratepayers, particularly the CCO model, which has been the mechanism by which the Auckland region is now run – ‘like a business – by business – FOR business’?
Hawke’s Bay folks – if you’re still undecided about which way to vote on this amalgamation proposal – remember that in Auckland, 7 democratically elected Councils (warts and all) were replaced, through railroaded legislation, with 7 undemocratically selected Council (Corporate) Controlled Organisations (CCOs), with unelected Boards, and ‘governed’ through a ‘Statement of Intent’ in which the public have no say.
Check it out for yourselves – talk to ordinary Auckland citizens and ratepayers that YOU know, and ask how ‘super’ – this Auckland ‘Supercity’ has been for them?
At least you Hawke’s Bay folks are getting a vote .
Aucklanders didn’t.
In my considered opinion, if YOU don’t want a ‘super-sized’ DISASTER – regarding rates increases / ‘ cost-effectiveness’ / democracy / transparency and accountability – vote NO to the Hawke’s Bay amalgamation.
If National was serious about protecting the critically endangered Maui’s dolphins…
And that’s the thing. Government ministers are of the opinion that NZ Dolphins are beyond saving. I guess it’s a bit like that colonial tear that was shed over the imminent and unavoidable ‘fading’ of ‘the lesser races’.
By the way. If you eat elephant fish (common in fish and chips) , you might want to consider asking for something else. The dolphins are attracted to the nets that are used to catch them – I mean, it being one of their staples and all….
OCR has dropped, great for those in debt, they are now “less” poor, or can increase their indebtedness by paying even more for the 1/4 acre paradise in jafaland!! unfortunately many retirees are also now under greater financial stress. 6 years ago they were receiving over 8% interest less RWT now they are receiving 3% less RWT. And not a mention of this group and the impact the OCR has on this group in the news 😢
Can somebody please tell me why we aren’t putting climate change deniers in prison? We put holocaust deniers in prison and climate change deniers are more of a threat cos climate change deniers threaten our planet! All holocaust deniers threaten is the fascist state of Israel!!
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As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
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 has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
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 ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne I covered the May 2 United Kingdom local government elections for The Poll Bludger. The Blackpool South parliamentary byelection was also held, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deanna Grant-Smith, Professor of Management, University of the Sunshine Coast The federal government has announced a “Commonwealth Prac Payment” to support selected groups of students doing mandatory work placements. Those who are studying to be a teacher, nurse, midwife or social ...
We round up everything coming to streaming services this week, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple TV+, ThreeNow, Neon and TVNZ+. If you love a dark comedy: Bodkin (Netflix, May 9)An English podcaster, an Irish podcaster and American podcaster walk into a pub and…make a TV show? ...
By Eleisha Foon, RNZ Pacific senior journalist A Pacific regionalism academic has called out New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS and says the security deal “raises serious questions for the Pacific region”. Auckland University of Technology academic Dr Marco de Jong ...
How worried should we be about the cloud? This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. I currently have a few thousand unread emails languishing in my inbox, mostly old marketing newsletters and piles of unread science journal press releases. I have a similar number ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nuurrianti Jalli, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies College of Arts and Sciences Department of Languages, Literature, and Communication Studies, Northern State University Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian governments not only have to deal with the virus but also with the false ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Murakami Wood, Professor of Critical Surveillance and Securities Studies, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa The skyline of Riyadh, the capital and largest city of the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia.(Shutterstock) There is a long history of planned city building by both governments ...
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin today at 12:45pm May 6, 2024 (NZST) which is Sunday evening, 8:30pm (USEST). In an analytical essay titled ‘A moment of friction’ political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan wrote how we are living within a decisive moment of ...
The Boil Up’s Lucinda Bennett considers the oyster – from freshness to pearls to the joy of shucking your own. This is an excerpt from our weekly food newsletter, The Boil Up. In Carmen Maria Machado’s short story ‘Eight Bites’, a woman begins her last supper before bariatric surgery with “a cavalcade ...
Asia Pacific Report A group of 65 Auckland University academics have written an open letter to vice-chancellor Dawn Freshwater criticising the institution’s stance over students protesting in solidarity with Palestine. They have called on her administration to “support” the students who were denied permission to establish an “overnight encampment” by ...
The Student Volunteer Army is on the march, generating approximately 1.6 million hours of volunteering from roughly 35,000 secondary school students in just five years. For Rebekah Brown, the pathway to volunteering started with her singing coach. With a passion for the arts, the suggestion to volunteer at Acting Antics, ...
Keeping up with online communication can be exhausting, so Fran Barclay enlisted the help of Meta’s new ‘intelligent assistant’ to respond to all her messages. Could her mates tell the difference? For centuries, technology has ruled the ways in which we communicate. From the dawn of written language, to the ...
Jamie Arbuckle, a councillor who has become an member of parliament, says he has settled into having two roles so comfortably he's going to keep both pay cheques. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Luis Gómez Romero, Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, Constitutional Law and Legal Theory, University of Wollongong Fifty years ago, Australian feminist Anne Summers denounced “the ideology of sexism” governing over so many women’s lives. Unfortunately, sexism is as lethal today as it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jose Antonio Lara-Hernandez, Senior Researcher in Architecture, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images The COVID-19 pandemic and the hybrid work patterns it fostered have changed the way we think about office space, and central business districts in general. While fears ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dale Boccabella, Associate Professor of Taxation Law, UNSW Sydney There’s a good reason your local volunteer-run netball club doesn’t pay tax. In Australia, various nonprofit organisations are exempt from paying income tax, including those that do charitable work, such as churches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marina Deller, Casual Academic, Creative Writing and English Literature, Flinders University NetflixComedy is opening up spaces for silences to be broken and trauma stories to be told. In 2018, Hannah Gadsby started a revolution with Nanette, asking audiences to rethink ...
The workplace can be a minefield of bad comms and passive aggression. Kinksters can help you navigate it. A friend and colleague recently gave me a compliment I loved. They told me I’d always been good at emotional communication and making people feel comfortable. “But I feel like it’s really ...
Even if some students are now just texting on their laptops. Stewart Sowman-Lund writes in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...
Councils from Horowhenua, Kāpiti, Wairarapa, the Hutt Valley, Porirua and Wellington City will meet this Friday to work together on a plan for a Greater Wellington region water deal. ...
Renowned musician, advocate, and proud born and raised daughter of Tauranga, Ria Hall, is announcing her candidacy for Mayor of Tauranga and Pāpāmoa Ward for the upcoming election on July 20th. ...
The new Aotearoa histories curriculum is rich with potential. There’s still work to be done, but the education minister’s criticisms about ‘balance’ miss the mark, argues primary school teacher Jessie Moss. In 2015, Ōtorohanga College students presented to parliament a petition signed by more than 10,000 people calling for a ...
For too long our so-called national bird has maintained its stranglehold on the economy of regional New Zealand. Thanks to the fast track legislation, we will have our revenge. Theories abound on what ails New Zealand’s economy. National leader Chris Luxon has posited that we’re negative, wet, whiny, and inward-looking; ...
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Old news.
Fonterra abandons plan to dig for coal.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11510485
That was a typo .
Meant to say good news.
Good news.
Fonterra abandons plan to dig for coal.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11510485
Rock star economy.
What a lie NZ were told.
‘Commercial banks have been moderating their growth forecasts, based on sharply lower dairy prices and on reports that the Christchurch rebuild is past its peak.’
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11510305
Remember when Hosking said our high dollar was a sign we were doing really well?
Does that mean the dollar being much lower since then means we aren’t doing well anymore?
“It is hard to know what I am more excited about this week, our dollar or our houses. Records all over the place. But both signs of just how well we are doing.”
remember when Hosking (like fisiani on here at the time) were smug about the meaning of parity, the great golden summer for NZ our coming of age, our sign that we are doing well?
Yet, the dropping dollar, apparently, doesnt mean the opposite of a rising dollar.
“This little nation of four and a half million produces a dollar that is at least as appealing as that monstrous land to our left. When the traders can invest in whatever they like … they like us. And they like us for good reason.
Yes it makes a holiday cheaper, yes it makes imported TVs cheaper, and yes it makes selling our milk harder, but it is more than that, the dollar is our fiscal calling card. It is a huge number of policies, ideas, attitudes, outlooks and actions all encapsulated in a currency.
A freely floated currency can’t hide, it can’t trick, it can’t be a charade. It is judged on all its frailties and merits. And the call being made this week, the reason the word parity is in the vocab, is because at last we’ve nailed it.
The dollar is on a roll, housing is on a roll, we’re on a roll. These are golden days.”
Candlelit vigils for refugees this evening.
http://www.actionstation.org.nz/refugees_welcome
Good news, Cameron Slatter is being arm-twisted to go back into the ring.
I think, Irene should give him a good bout.
Thx for the chuckle on this grey morning ! 🙂
Heh heh! good one
Better news would be a private prosecution for his admitted use of hacked data as our police can’t be bothered enforcing the law.
I hadnt seen that – got a link?
How about prosecution of Hagar for the same crime?
Slight difference: Hager used the data in the public interest and thus doing so wasn’t a crime. Apparently Slater used it to defame someone for personal gain thus it was a crime.
Funny that people struggle with the legal definition of public interest… as opposed to
“I’m really interested in anything Slater says and therefore it is in the public interest”
“I’m rarely interested in anything Slater says and therefore it is not in the public interest”
Fixed your typos.
Oracle Hosking……essentially……TINOW……than the JohnKey, the Richie, the Mikey. Whoopee !
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11510463
Some oracles are so far up themselves they’re Wannabe gurus.
that has got to be the most sycophantic rant that I’ve ever read and he’s wrong on all counts.
wow some great comments under that article hoskings gets it socked to him big time !
FYI.
If you live in Auckland, have any friends / relations / contacts in the Hawkes Bay region – you might care to pass on this suggestion?
‘Open Letter’ to the people of the Hawkes Bay region –
“Ask Aucklanders about our ‘Supercity’ (for the 1%!)”
“For those folk in the Hawkes Bay region, who have yet to cast their vote on the proposed Hawkes Bay amalgamation (‘Supercity’) – may I respectfully suggest that you consider the following?” asks Penny Bright, confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
“Try contacting ordinary Auckland citizens and ratepayers that you know – who are NOT big business private contractors / consultants, NOT overseas investors, NOT property developers, NOT speculators, NOT representatives of overseas-owned financial institutions – and ask how the (forced) Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation has worked for them, their neighbours, workmates and local communities?”
(Votes need to be posted TODAY – to make the September 15th 2015 deadline!)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11510151
Penny Bright
…………..
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
2009 Attendee Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
2010 Attendee Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Attendee Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference
2014 Attendee G20 Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate (polled 4th with 11,723 votes)
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
US reputation suffers when it stands against human rights & rule of law – Snowden
Which, of course, is true. As long as the US stands as an oppressor it looses the any reputation it ever had for standing for freedom. Of course, it never really stood for freedom but for capitalism – the freedom of the rich to oppress and exploit the poor.
ISIS told the world they would infiltrate the West through a refugee crisis. Now we have one and Andrew Little is catering to the people who want to invite refugees to come to New Zealand and is calling for an increase in refugee numbers.
What he should be calling for is the arrest of the Western war criminals terrorizing these poor people into fleeing their countries when we bomb them back to the stone age of course.
So what will happen when the first false flag bombs go off in Europe or God forbid in New Zealand somewhere? Will that be the end of whatever we have left of an opposition as National can claim the refugees were here because of Labour and them softie left wing nampiepampies in the first place?
Could you identify the “Western war criminals” you imagine are terrorising the people of Syria? (Hint: the Syrian government, Da’esh and the Russian Federation are not “Western.”)
well syrias a tricky one, since the west aren’t seen openly to doin much, but I think you will find that most of the so-called ‘freedom fighters’ are heavillty financed, armed and trained by “the west” ie amerika. Funny to think that many of the groups are being fed with one hand in Syria yet are fought in other territories.
also if we broaden our gaze a little from Syria to other areas of conflict that are contributing to the refugee crisis we can see the heavy hand of the west at work. think Yemen, Libya, etc
The execs of every single armaments corporation would be an excellent start.
Traveller, we’ll need to be more even-handed about determining who might be a terror threat.
Key will have to send Immigration and other border security profile agencies (the intelligence ones) to determine who would be a risk to the country. I don’t mind if the Cabinet gets manipulated by the public through tv images. If only they reacted with heart more often.
Ordinarily, New Zealanders who so much as visit Syria (or Somalia, or Yemen) get files made on them. No problem about welcoming them in, but we need to do so with our eyes open.
Bali was supposed to be safe.
“ISIS told the world they would infiltrate the West through a refugee crisis.”
“So what will happen when the first false flag bombs go off in Europe or God forbid in New Zealand somewhere?”
How will they be false flags if ISIS have infiltrated the west through refugees? I don’t get it.
Refugees is a defined term with associated criteria. Anyone saying “I’m from Syria, let me in” and with nothing else to back a claim for refugee status won’t qualify.
“I’ve been waiting most of my life for the Left to make its glorious return. This is not what I’ve been waiting for. I’ve not changed my principles, and have only changed my views to fit the facts. I’m the one who feels abandoned – everything has moved around me. I lay down in a big tent, and I woke up in the rain.”
A fascinating and depressing read on Corbyn and the state of the left in Britian
http://thequietus.com/articles/18714-jeremy-corbyn-labour-election-rally-policies
So be careful people, this is a long article.
But it is one of the best on the state of the Left in Britain and what lies before them if they choose Corbyn in the next couple of weeks.
I urge you all to read it. A lot of it made me feel that he understood where I am at.
Does it make a difference to you that Little doesn’t seem to have the kind of “baggage” that Corbyn has? Interm sof how you feel about the NZ LP I mean, as a comparisson to Labour UK?
I feel the same kind of tension that you express and is expressed in this article. And mostly I come to the same place;;;
vote for a blairish type and see the rot slowed but harm continuing, or vote for someone I can hope will gain support and will roll back the rot (as it were).
My biggest problem is that voting for the Blair-type means watching while some of the same old means are perpetuated but by the “good guys”.
And I feel sad when I consider that when the Right did (in 2007/2008) what Corbyn is criticised for below, it works, but it fails if the Left do it.
“All he’s done is offer up the very basic outline of a social democratic programme, and then waved his hands in place of explanations as to where he’d get the money – never mind what the holy hell he’d do about capital flight or uncontrolled inflation – but by God, these are filthy and desperate times, and if the things he said tonight were all he had to say, he’d have my vote tomorrow morning”
My personal experience, Ad, is that I closely-read the colourful first half then found myself resorting to skimming the article. Not because I’m lazy/time-poor (OK, I am both) but because the criticisms suddenly began feeling awfully re-heated, and some of the shots at the activists were hackneyed and cheap (albeit colourful).
Criticisms of Corbyn based around anti-semitism simply because he represents a departure from the British Oxbridge status quo on Israel and the Middle East are lazy. It will be delightful to see what is pulled from the “top drawer” to skewer him on this issue once leader, but I think it safe to say that they had credible material to portray him as a Jew-hater, they would have made a much better job of it thusfar.
Then again, with the formidable powers of Mossad et al. at their side, they might at least manage something as incontrovertibly damning as a Donghua Liu letter. /sarc
Corbyn or Sanders or Trump: they will be evaluated on what they actually said, all the way back, and be held to account for it.
There are no excuses, none whatsoever , if you are auditioning for the top job.
Well, I’m glad it gave you warm, fuzzy feelings, Ad.
Personally, I thought it was disingenuous beyond belief.
No surprise to me that the Phil Quin’s and Nick Cohens of this world are enthusiastically linking to it. And, of course, dear old affluent hand-wringing, Liberal Centrist, Russell Brown.
Essentially a mix of those who believe that Israel’s brutal 48-year Occupation and regular carpet-bombing and massacre of Palestinian and Lebanese civilians is all down to the evil, bearded, bogeyman, Hamas and Hezbollah (you know, the 2 groups that emerged as a response to that brutal Occupation – Hamas initially financed and nurtured by Israel as a means to dissipating Palestinian national sentiment) …….and those smugly comfortable centrists like Brown who, deep down, believe the western, American, Neo-Liberal establishment really is a force for great good.
Personally, I thought it was disingenuous beyond belief.
I agree. And no amount of mealy mouthed “reasonableness” can alter the fact that when a big chunk of the constituency you take for granted starts looking for a saviour, your lot have failed. Moreover, you are lucky when those people end up placing their hope in someone like Corbyn – desperate people can turn to far more alarming leaders than he appears to be.
Congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II for being the Uks longest ever benefits claimant!!
Going 63 years and 7 months without being sanctioned, falling foul of her Claimant Commitment, missing her Jobcentre Plus appointments,
not attending a Customer Service training course, missing any compulsory job interviews, or quitting any previous jobs because of her behaviour is a real achievement !
ouch Anno.
I think her destiny/jobs a bit shit really. Her Majesty seems to have made a good fist of it. I mean ..really? Her Majesty? you gotta laff 🙂
you know what the worst thing is
they keep on spitting out babies they cant afford !
Bludgers….
@Anno LOL
The royals are spreading like boils, it does your head in
We have no choice, we’re invoiced for the weddings
It’s like a soap, a Dallas or a Dynasty
We live in hope so put them out their misery
Fire the freaky family, we’re tired of the cheek
As you holiday your life away our futures look bleak
As your castle’s burning down you want the people to pay for it
Ask us to defend you, we’ve got nothing to say for it
Kicking at the gates like we think we’re on the guest list
We’re told to wait, too late, we’re getting restless
The crowd is swelling as they’re smelling the thrill
There’s dancing in the rubble and there’s trouble at the mill
There’s warning of the storming, news of the resistance
The peasants are revolting, advancing from the distance
There’s panic and there’s anarchy and breaking the rules
They’re making fake money and they’ve taken the jewels
All without a fuss, the coup has been victorious
The banners wave, proclaiming annus glorious !
What will it be?
FUNKY
It’ll be funky, it’ll be funky
Yeah it’ll be funky…
+1 pasupial 🙂
1701 also largest beneficiery claiment
UK taxpayers fork out about a billion $ a year so she can maintain her platinum plated diamond encrusted lifestyle .
Her estimated wealth $20 billion+ its alright for some.
The Queen has given something a permanent dignified presence as leader to Britain as a reliable interested principled head of state unlike the motley collection of politicians. She had to put up with Margaret Thatcher queening about though and dominating the stage for some time. Eclipsed the Queen some thought. The Queen has outlasted her though.
you should really look a little further into the history of the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha/windsors before you call them dignified or principled.
The original Familus horribilis……
Anno1701
In 1701 the Royal Family may have been this, In 1901 they may have been that. This Royal Family today, this Queen, has done very well. Don’t lay every royal wrongdoing on her shoulders.
Here are some interesting stories on royalty’s actual history. First, I noted the other day that the vicious Belgian monarch of the Congo sadistic regime was Queen Victorias uncle. Then also Germans have a big input into the British family..
The abdication of Edward VIII to marry Wallis was a fortunate avenue for the British in stepping down from the throne when he had unreliable attitudes to Germany, feeling that they should be left to fight communism. Fascism was acceptable.
It was apparently unwise to have had the susceptible British future king Edward VIII roaming around unmarried. After affairs with other women he met and became fascinated by Wallis who was a bit of a femme fatale and a very attractive, intelligent woman. Wikipedia –
In 1935, the head of the Metropolitan Police Special Branch told the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that Wallis was also having an affair with Guy Marcus Trundle, who was “said to be employed by the Ford Motor Company”.[50] Claims of an affair were doubted, however, by Captain Val Bailey, who knew Trundle well and whose mother had an affair with Trundle for nearly two decades,[51] and by historian Susan Williams.[52]
Like Princess Diana, Wallis before they married had to flee the British press, eager for a good royal story. Wikipedia –
” In November [1936] the King consulted with the British Prime Minister, Stanley Baldwin, on a way to marry Wallis and keep the throne. The King suggested a morganatic marriage, where he would remain king but Wallis would not be queen, but this was rejected by Baldwin and the Prime Ministers of Australia and South Africa.[59] If the King were to marry Wallis against Baldwin’s advice, the Government would be required to resign, causing a constitutional crisis.[63]
Wallis’s relationship with the King had become public knowledge in the United Kingdom by early December. She decided to flee the country as the scandal broke, and was driven to the south of France in a dramatic race to outrun the press.”
“Here are some interesting stories on royalty’s actual history. First, I noted the other day that the vicious Belgian monarch of the Congo sadistic regime was Queen Victorias uncle. Then also Germans have a big input into the British family.. ”
If you dig a little deeper you will find the majority of European Monarchs are related to each other somehow, these ties even cross the Atlantic with blood ties to various American “royal family’s” as well
https://www.royal.gov.uk/pdf/European_monarchs_family_tree.pdf
As for Queen Elizardbreth 2nd, I personally cant stand the old “Hun”…
gods, please tell me this is misreporting and they wouldn’t be as stupid as to remove the civil defence air sirens?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/69792808/Few-Southlanders-sign-up-for-disaster-alert-system
The bits down the bottom about centralising nationally doesn’t seem too bright either.
Wow. That text thing seems to be a system that was obsolete before it started.
I suspect the nationwide system will send broadcast messages to cellphones that handshake with towers in the affected areas.
What morons. People might not use the important texting system until they learn about it after an emergency. So Civil Defence are adopting the tried-and-true old NZ way of blaming people for lax behaviour instead of ensuring that safe reliable systems are in place. They are taking out the sirens that would have ensured the message did reach all. Technoaddicts at Civil Defence. I can feel a really uncivil response coming on. NZs are such a lot of preachy smarties, always ready to blame others for any holes the systems have in them. It’s always the hapless one’s fault, the ritual phrase is “They should have”.
I thought that part of it astounding. Also, how about explaining properly what is going on? I’m still assuming that if there is a civil emergency I’ll hear a siren. Has that been turned off, where? etc
High probability that the sirens don’t actually everyone. In fact, I’d be surprised if they reached 10% of the population. On the other hand, better than 75% of people have cell-phones and they’re usually in range of a cell site thus making them the most reliable system.
Personally, I’d pass a law requiring that a cellphone responds to emergency messaging rather than asking people to sign up for a notification.
If it was my cellphone it probably would have been left at home or elsewhere or not have a recharged battery. Why couldn’t they leave the sirens and for those who haven’t a cellphone the 10% who hear the siren would account for a warning for that group. All this relying on having technology about you all the time is denying the possibility and the right to not have a cellphone, yet still be regarded as a citizen and a person of worth.
Chances are there will be someone within the group that will have a cell phone and be able to tell you what the problem is. Hell of a lot better than just hearing a siren that you probably don’t recognise and don’t know what the problem is.
You do understand that sirens are technology don’t you?
Society has moved on and it’s now pretty much essential to have a cellphone to operate effectively in it. That’s just the way things are.
what are broadcast messages?
Isn’t it whereby civil defence can send a message through all radios, or cellphones regardless of what station you are tuned to?
Rather than sending messages to phones individually (e.g. “tower to 021 12345, there’s a flood”, “tower to 021 12346, there’s a flood”, “tower to 021 12347, there’s a flood”), it is a separate type of message sent to everyone who can hear (“tower to everyone, there’s a flood”).
Individual sms messages involve lots of back and forth of confirming whether the phone got the message. That uses up traffic if you’re sending the same message to 5000 phones. So the tower just screams at the top of its lungs, and everyone in the area can hear it.
Just caught up with the right biased media report on NZF and its position on the refugee situation
The point Tracey Martin made completely subverted by these Key fascists putting a spin on it that was nothing like she intended
This is the crap like the stupid flag debate that gets people all fucked up and Key slips another one under the radar
Be very aware of the propaganda machine its finding new fuel
NZ First MP: NZ has ‘unconscious bias’ to male refugees
Seems like it may have been Winston misrepresenting the policy although the MSM would then have taken it for a ride.
How to invest in housing in australia and possibly here.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/71895339/This-man-owns-170-properties-and-hes-only-30
At 30, the property entrepreneur from western Sydney has a staggering portfolio of more than 170 properties, earning rental income of $500,000 a year after expenses.
Birch caught the property investment bug at a tender age when he watched his older brothers buy houses…
Hailing from a blue collar background, Birch bought his first property at 18 for $248,000 in western Sydney. He pushed himself to buy 10 properties.
“By the time I was 24, I was able to exit the workforce. I had a passive income stream coming in at around $30,000 a year at that point.”..
Birch says he has made property investment his life’s work, sacrificing his youth, relationships, holidays and partying.
“One of the benefits of this business is you can start with a single property investment,” says Kelman, who trained to be a veterinary surgeon.
Some of the money you make on your deals can be put into your next property ventures, he says…
“I think if negative gearing was scrapped, rents will rise anyway, so investors will push up rents,” he says. “I think there will be a benefit to me if it got scrapped. I highly doubt that will happen because then the government would have to support public housing more.”
If only we could get people like him to go on with his vet training and not buy houses for his main job. The market would open up for those who wanted a house as a place to make their life in, not as a place to make your living out of.
Out of interest I couldn’t see how he financed his first property at 18 years of age? I wonder why they left that out, cos it’s quite important.
Yes – it made a point of saying he was from a “blue collar background” but I did notice they seem to have very carefully left out the “how” of his first property “investment”.
From the radionz article on the OCR changes I found this nugget:
“Investors accounted for 33 percent of transactions in Auckland two years ago but that had risen to 41 percent, Mr Wheeler said.
So anyone know where this information came from, and why opposition parties have not used this to beat the government over the head for their lack of action?
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/283849/'no-evidence'-of-illegal-swamp-kauri-exports
“Conservation groups had asked for a formal inquiry, alleging MPI was allowing exporters to send raw timber and unfinished objects out of the country – contrary to the Forests Act.
Ms Provost released the findings of her investigation today, saying she had seen no evidence the ministry allowed the export of illegal timber products.
“But she said interpreting the law – in terms of what was and was not a finished product – was a matter for the courts.
Ms Provost said she had suggested the ministry and local councils carry out an estimate of the total amount of swamp kauri, and work more closely to make sure the kauri is not coming from indigenous wetlands.
Oh, okay then. Where are the non-indigenous wetlands?
ah, so the devil is in the legal interpretation… even if the intention of the law is clear. i see she has basically told forest and bird to sue if they want to get clarity. So, as long as you have money, you can test the behaviour
from the report
“We have suggested to the Ministry some changes that are intended to:
promote better oversight of swamp kauri;
increase transparency and public access to information; and
increase the Ministry’s understanding of the cultural, heritage, and scientific value of swamp kauri.
SUGGESTION ONE: The Ministry should, in co-operation with relevant councils, consider compiling, and making publicly available, information about estimates of the quantity/scarcity of the total swamp kauri resource. This could include the extent of current and potential mining areas.
SUGGESTION TWO: While we acknowledge the Ministry’s July 2015 release of new regulatory measures, the Ministry should work more closely with councils to ensure that extraction takes place from an “approved source” before issuing milling statements.
SUGGESTION THREE: The Ministry should, in co-operation with relevant councils, raise public awareness of improved site inspection and the consequences for milling of illegally sourced and illegally extracted swamp kauri to encourage future industry-wide compliance. Appropriate statistics on the results of those inspections and information on monitoring could be made publicly available by either the council or the Ministry.
SUGGESTION FOUR: In consultation with the Ministry of Culture and Heritage and other relevant parties, and well before the resource is exhausted, the Ministry for Primary Industries should use information it has on the industry to initiate and inform discussions with relevant parties about the cultural, heritage, and scientific value some of the swamp kauri might have. This process should provide ways for that value to be retained for future New Zealanders. This information should be publicly released.”
How about just properly implementing and enforcing the Public Records Act 2005?
Oh – and establishing a genuinely Independent Commission Against Corruption?
Penny Bright
Where do other 2016 Auckland (yet to confirm) Mayoral candidates stand on the current (forced) Auckland ‘Supercity’ amalgamation, and the proposed Hawke’s Bay ‘Supercity’ amalgamation?
I for one, have opposed the Auckland ‘Supercity’ (forced) amalgamation, since the day of the ‘failed Mayoral coup’ – 5 September 2006, and actively opposed the proposed Wellington and Northland ‘Supercity’ amalgamations.
Where is the ‘cost-benefit’ analysis of the Auckland ‘Supercity’ for the majority of citizens and ratepayers, particularly the CCO model, which has been the mechanism by which the Auckland region is now run – ‘like a business – by business – FOR business’?
Hawke’s Bay folks – if you’re still undecided about which way to vote on this amalgamation proposal – remember that in Auckland, 7 democratically elected Councils (warts and all) were replaced, through railroaded legislation, with 7 undemocratically selected Council (Corporate) Controlled Organisations (CCOs), with unelected Boards, and ‘governed’ through a ‘Statement of Intent’ in which the public have no say.
Check it out for yourselves – talk to ordinary Auckland citizens and ratepayers that YOU know, and ask how ‘super’ – this Auckland ‘Supercity’ has been for them?
At least you Hawke’s Bay folks are getting a vote .
Aucklanders didn’t.
In my considered opinion, if YOU don’t want a ‘super-sized’ DISASTER – regarding rates increases / ‘ cost-effectiveness’ / democracy / transparency and accountability – vote NO to the Hawke’s Bay amalgamation.
Penny Bright
2016 confirmed Auckland Mayoral candidate.
sigh
maui dolphins in trouble
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1509/S00191/minister-allows-proposal-for-drilling-in-dolphin-sanctuary.htm
From your link. Kevin Hague –
And that’s the thing. Government ministers are of the opinion that NZ Dolphins are beyond saving. I guess it’s a bit like that colonial tear that was shed over the imminent and unavoidable ‘fading’ of ‘the lesser races’.
By the way. If you eat elephant fish (common in fish and chips) , you might want to consider asking for something else. The dolphins are attracted to the nets that are used to catch them – I mean, it being one of their staples and all….
OCR has dropped, great for those in debt, they are now “less” poor, or can increase their indebtedness by paying even more for the 1/4 acre paradise in jafaland!! unfortunately many retirees are also now under greater financial stress. 6 years ago they were receiving over 8% interest less RWT now they are receiving 3% less RWT. And not a mention of this group and the impact the OCR has on this group in the news 😢
Agree with you mate 200%
Can somebody please tell me why we aren’t putting climate change deniers in prison? We put holocaust deniers in prison and climate change deniers are more of a threat cos climate change deniers threaten our planet! All holocaust deniers threaten is the fascist state of Israel!!