The bush fire season starts early in Australia. Spring time temperatures of 30 degrees C, mixed with high winds are fanning a large number of fires in New South Wales.
Briefing parliament on Tuesday, NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell said 59 bush and grassfires were burning across the state with more than 500 firefighters and 200 appliances on the ground.
You can only wonder if it will be politically feasible for Tony Abbot to be able to deliver on his promise to the fossil fuel industry to scrap the carbon tax, when the cost of fighting these fires and dealing with the aftermath continues to grow. Axing the carbon tax will remove $billions from the government’s accounts, can it be politically tenable for the industry responsible to pay nothing?
The population of Australia may have reason to regret electing a climate change denier as Premier.
It’s probably worse than that. While fighting fires around the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor it was – anecdotally – discovered that one of the firefighters was nicking out the back and lighting a few. Something to do with the drama and glory ..
I personally saw the 2011 ‘Black Christmas’ fires – the longest continuous bushfire emergency in NSW history. It so systematically moved S, SW, W, NW, N around the outskirts of Sydney that there was strong suspicion of arson ..
Tony Abbot is the dumbest and most insensitive world leader since Ronald Reagan, who suffering advanced age, the onset of Alzheimers and with a background as a hollywood cowboy could at least deliver his lines when called to.
The population of Australia may have reason to regret electing a climate change denier as Premier.
We think the heads of many of our voters need to be ‘seen to”, but we’re Einsteins compared to that lot on the other side of the ditch. I haven’t an ounce of sympathy for them. Let them sink in a mire of their own making.
As a volunteer firefighter, Abbott sees fires as a photo opportunity. The real firefighters just hope and pray that he won’t turn up with his media circus to help them.
As was pointed out during the piece, some of the biggest players in the industry, ie Sanfords, fund the National Party, and it is they who are benefiting the most from the stupid quota system.
As per usual, John Key and National only act on behalf of wealthy vested interests, actual ordinary people can go hang.
Unfortunately the dynamics of the fish quota system resulted in smaller fishing interests selling their portion to the bigger ones. It should have been a lease system that had to be re-allocated fairly every now and then. The whole thing needs to be reorganised. I get the feeling that business has captured the agencies.
Indeed something need be ‘done’ about the quota management system, something along the lines of carrot and stick perhaps, where commercial fishers who dump fish immediately lose everything and get to sit in a cold jail cell for a period so as to have time to consider their crimes,
On the other hand the system must be arranged so as to allow the whole catch to be landed without overt penalty and this may possibly allow for the by-catch to be written off of the other quota that a fishing entity holds,
The problem there i would envisage would be fishers deliberately targeting the more lucrative fish to write off against their quota,
The system needs to be far more flexible where if in a year too much of the total catch is centered on the more lucrative fish then overall quota for those fishing commercially would have to be lowered as a deterrent…
And for those of you who still think that we have a democracy and that Cunliffe is going to make a flying fuck of difference if he ever makes it to Prime Minister here is a hint of why he is not.
9/11 changed the world for good. It was the day the global coup took place and yes that includes the government of NZ. Watch this 5 hour new film from film director Massimo Mazzuccoto learn more on what took place on the day and why it should matter to you today.
The wetiko virus is like a parasite that literally feeds off, takes over and aberrates the curren(t)cy of the infected system. The wetiko pathogen originally manifests as a disturbance in the field of the collective unconscious of humanity itself, creating the psychic ley lines upon which world events are erected and energized.
So how do I know you are not part of the wetiko yourself? When you say Cunliffe having more power won’t make any difference, I find both your motives and your awareness of reality suspect.
😆 If you want to believe Cunliffe can make a difference be my guest.
We are all infected with the Wetiko virus but like a with a cold sore how able is our immune system to resist!
I personally think that unless we all become aware of our own personal Wetiko infection and cast the damn virus out no individual (high powered politician or not) can make a damn bit of a difference.
But I find it thoroughly uplifting to find the name and the concept back on this blog. Especially since I was the first one to introduce it here! It gives me hope! Let’s name the Wetiko. It’s part of the disinfection process. Let there be light on this evil and let’s eradicate it!
Note to David Cunliffe, when using ‘attack’ lines on Slippery the Prime Minister don’t use the ‘yelly voice’, it comes across as ‘strident’,
Cunliffe should use His more gutteral speech, it ‘connects’ and comes across far better, think ‘deep voice’ Mr Cunliffe let the microphone do the amplification…
Thursday 12 September from 9am, Cunliffe, Jones and Robertson will be on Radio Live with Plunket for three hours. Not sure if an hour each or all on together.
Does raising the minimum wage lead to higher unemployment, another in my little series of those who say emphatically NO,
Of interest is the fact that very little weight is given by economists to the spending power produced by raising the minimum wage where those suffering in the low waged economy have little choice but to spend their gains from having the minimum wage raised into their local economy,
Of course once the money trail is followed it simply leads back to the very people doing the paying recouping the raised amount of money in the economy as profit from the extra being spent, i am starting to form the impression as i dig out these various links, that opposition to raising the minimum wage has as much to do with politics as it does with economics,
One of those posting comments in this blog does allude to the extra spending/extra profits in the economy from raising the minimum wage using Mcdonalds as an example…
“i am starting to form the impression as i dig out these various links, that opposition to raising the minimum wage has as much to do with politics as it does with economics”,
That would make sense bad12. The argument that an increased minimum wage leads to higher unemployment seem counter to the ideals of business in the sense that successful profitable trade relies upon customers with money to make that goal happen.
So, why the resistance? Is is the thought of people becoming more financially comfortable and actually making ends meet at the end of the pay week that freaks out those that support low wages? Does that make them somehow a little bit closer to being more equal to the business classes? Does that little bit more financial empowerment in the working masses somehow threaten the power dynamic and could that be at the core of the resistance rather than any logical economic argument?
Geez, imagine the freeing up of household cash if GST were removed, and replaced with the Robin Hood tax. Shops would open up instead of close down, money would flow instead of being constipated. Everyone would be happy would they not?
PS, in addition to that, and its probably already been said before, but who profits from a low income society? The Banks do. Our debt supports them and contributes to their record profits at a time when so many can’t cope financially.
Correct. The corporate sector, instead of paying out monies to workers in adequate wages, instead LEND that some money to workers to cover for their inadequate pay, and CHARGE interest on the sums.
Yes, then to lock in their wealth cropper machine they introduce a flat tax that insures everyone who should be paying more than 40% of tax (its call progressive taxation not cutoff for the richest progressive taxation), and the super wealthy are laughing.
Posting this TED talk on the Standard may be the blog equivalent of teaching your grandmother to suck eggs (BTW ?!?), but as bad12 is still trying to educate those who say NO – here is an “idea worth spreading”…Nick Hanaeuer: Why Rich People Don’t Create Jobs
i had to LOLZ at the fact that He put the organization which He was speaking to’s nose so far out of joint that they initially wouldn’t allow the Vid to go on-line and were then forced to relent because of public pressure,
He is of course right, the obvious point is that if you want an economy to fully function you have to throw monies into the bottom of that economy which then ‘lo and behold’ immediately tracks upward in that economy,
There’s another point that He probably knows but did not address, and that is that people like Nick Hanauer will always make money no matter what economic conditions they operate in, of course the harder it is for the Nick Hanauer’s of the world to gather together the wealth they seem hard-wired to seek, the harder they will work in their efforts to gain that wealth,
Raising taxes on such wealth simply leads the wealthy to work harder and by that i mean employ more people to produce the goods and services which create for them that wealth,
Once i have finished with my little series on the minimum wage i will do some more digging and address the very question of taxation that Nick Hanauer so ably addresses in that link….
David Cunliffe just said on RNZ that ” ….John Key is funnier than I am….”
Sorry David but that is one statement I can NOT agree with. Key is a total f***wit who has never made me laugh, though there have been many occasions where I have laughed AT him for some ridiculous dribble more commonly heard around closing time at the pub by some intoxicated fool.
Hi fender. I didn’t hear the statement but I’m wondering was Cunliffe meaning exactly what you say, that you can laugh AT Key, at his expense, rather than the fact that he’s a humourous guy? (Which he clearly isn’t)
Saw a book of Keyisms in a book store the other day.While it wasn’t as funny as my copy of “Bad President”, a book of Bushisms, it was poking fun at Key’s gaffe’s over the years, and is worthy of a good guffaw.
I’ll keep an eye out for that book, it can’t be too hard to find, it must be the size of and have as many pages as the Auck. phone book considering all the mangled words constantly flowing from the lips of our worst ever PM.
lol fender. Well, you’d think it would be the size of the Akld phone book given the ample material the PM has provided over the years but it is in fact more like a booklet. Sorry, I didn’t take notice of the name or author of the book. I saw it at Paper Plus.
Headlines on TheStandard today Cunliffe shows leadership steeland Reviewing the media coverage of the leadership campaign…..put into perspective by a walk yesterday along Lambton Quay.
As I strolled to a meeting, well fed, well clothed, money card in pocket I passed 6 individuals each holding a cardboard card. The cards all told tales of woe, and asked for a donation to help alleviate the suffering. I had no cash on me, and feel as guilty as sin that I offered nothing: note to self, have a few dollars cash when heading that way.
This is the face of NZ after the Clark and Key years, welfare nets and employment so denuded that we see the face directly on the streets. If you look into the eyes of these people there is something missing that is deeply disturbing: hope. Hope in something better.
So to the media: why would we expect them to cover a leadership race properly when they are incapable of even highlighting the state of the nation? When have they ever reported it as it is? They must be wandering blind along Lambton Quay or any other city in NZ.
To Cunliffe and steel: if you win David you will need it. It will take a lot of steel to force “comfortable” NZ into trading some discomfort so that the people with no hope in their eyes actually begin to see hope. It will take more steel to deliver a future that encompasses all those currently passed by. And that is what is at stake in this race.
Good luck: to the rest of us when walking keep some change free. “Buddy can you spare me a dime”?
I have the same issue at three lamps, the only shopping area I walk through on a daily basis when I’m hunting lunch if I forget to take it. Also the charities. But alas cash and myself have long departed each other. The floor and under the bed usually owns it.
Well that rules out Labour. The great wealth from the arrival of cheap high density arabian oil caused a radical shift in the politics of western nations who throttled the money into leveraging while promising to only allow a trickle of it to get to the masses. Now that the GFC has washed over us for the last 6-7 years, we can see what’s happening, the profits must be kept up no matter what, who ends up begging, what services are cut. They built the bridge to gather up the huge energy burst of the last thirty and now they don’t want to demolish it. Labour aren’t about to do anything serious.
Just as thirty years ago we should have gone to Mars, built sustainability, demanded ever increasing demands on produces for recyclable and/or longer lasting products… sorry. recyclable is the wrong word since it implicitly means valueless and in fact any true close system would intrinsically not have any waste. Food scraps used to be fed to the chickens and pigs, now they are waste. Metal would be picked up by a rag and bone man. Everything got used and had a value. Nowadays the idea that waste shouldn’t be ut in the ground, is only matched by the absurdity of very low paid people shifting through it for the odd recyclable.
We live in the 21st and have a parasitical view of the planet.
and of course there is one thing you can guarantee..
..that is that when the govt changes..these ‘journalists’ who have spent the last five years grovelling at keys’ feet..
..that they will..(under the instructions from their editors/corporate-owners..)..they will suddenly find that they are able ‘to speak ‘truth’ to power’…
..as this corporate media goes to war with this new progressive government..
..as these journalists..bending the knee to the behest of their masters/mistresses..
..try to ensure this new progressive govt..is just a one term govt..
..so what is very very clear..is that up to and after that progressive-change..
..that the online progressive-media work more together..
..that they celebrate the efforts of others marching in the same direction..
..and not snipe/diss/ignore/compete with each other..
..and this if only for just the reason that they will be all that will stand against what will be a concerted corporate media-blitz against that govt..and all they do/propose..
Thanks Phil, yes most jornos are culturally, historically and politically illiterate: the ones I know have as much knowledge as a common guppy…sweet fa.
Having said that if you are being told what to say, and paid to do so……
Ennui, I hadn’t spent time in the CBD for a while until I had a 2 month work contract based at the eastern end of town. I was shocked to see so many people begging. I’d never seen so many before. These people are the legacy of policy that fails them and fails society. That thought made me feel angry as well as sad. What is worse is that our council further maginalised these people by their stupid authoritarian “alternate giving campaign” which turns out to be a complete failure as well:
I heard that Auckland is also trying to ban begging. It seems that our civic authorities are uncomfortable with the true face of poverty and despair and it would be nicer if it were brushed under the carpet, away from the small handful of retailers who complained about them.
IF Cunliffe wins and IF we have a change of government and IF they do undertake the tasks they are saying they will, those newly in charge will need to take a long deep breath before beginning to tackle the mountain of problems they have inherited
Rosie, our councillors in Wellington are in general pillocks. A few exceptions true, but those setting policy including the mayor are so out of touch its unreal. Worse, they have allowed debt to spiral…enough!
On Cunliffe, we should observe the success of future Labour governments by counting the number of beggars and observing youth unemployment stats.
a friend of mine, who was chair of a charity made the following observation to me when the recession began
“the high earners close their wallets faster than a trap on a mouse… the low earners continue to give their 10 a week or whatever, whether they can really afford it or not.”
Heh! The Labour Party leader-hopefuls think they can talk sensibly about the environment. Gimme a break. Here, boys, have a look at what’s actually needed, starting with a carbon tax, and stop with the banal cliches, puhleeeze.
What’s actually needed is way beyond any Social Democratic party that (almost by definition?) operates within a capitalist/market context. Doesn’t prevent some, inadequate as they may be, steps being made in the right direction though, eh?
I’m not buying the “its impossible” excuse. The inadequate steps are actually worse than inadequate because they mask reality and provide false assurance that something is being done while all the time momentum builds up. Having said that, I have come to accept that it is most likely going to take a catastrophic event before politicians garner the courage required to speak truth to those they claim to represent and put in place what little and constantly diminishing mitigation steps that can be taken.
It’s not impossible. But it’s an impossible task for social democracy. Or maybe you can explain to me how a social democratic form of governance can take sufficient action on AGW when they all exist to keep the market functioning and it’s the demands of the market that have brought us to this pass?
By the time you’ve figured out that your tank is empty 30m under the water, you’re fucked. Like starting running only when you see the tsunami. Fucked.
Having said that, I have come to accept that it is most likely going to take a catastrophic event before politicians garner the courage required to speak truth to those they claim to represent and put in place what little and constantly diminishing mitigation steps that can be taken.
Right. And who would you want in govt when that catastrophic event happens? A govt like we currently have that is intent on stripmining democracy and will most like impose martial law if the shit hits the fan hard, or one that is slowly shifting left again and which has a coalition partner that has been preparing for years?
And in the meantime, given that many people are doing crucial work preparing for the catastrophic event and its aftermath, do you think their job will be easier under NACT or Labour/GP?
Getting a bit ahead of yourself there, I see. The 2014 election is going to be close. I’ll wait until Aotearoa has spoken before answering your question. When it comes to preparing for the climate catastrophe the Greens might well have more clout outside of a coalition with Labour. At this stage, Labour’s quest for the Beemers could all come down to keeping Winston onside, or, God forbid, Dunne . . . like the last time, remember?
Yes I do remember, which is why I don’t think it’s realistic, useful or wise for Labour to make major changes to its CC policy before the next election.
“I’ll wait until Aotearoa has spoken before answering your question”
Do you mean that having NACT as govt is one of the preferred options when the shit hits the fan? Really?
weka – getting onto some social issues again, here are some links to a new website that covers stuff that was already presented, but maybe not quite so well on ACC Forum some time ago.
I see this as a potentially “evolving” site, it is not quite a “blog” at this stage, but has started to offer some interesting information, that should be more easily readable than perhaps on other sites.
Your sharing is welcome, and we will see, what happens with that.
Surely you’re not suggesting Labour adopt National Ltd™ tactics and hide its real intentions so as to lure the swingers into voting for it? Anyhow, such FPP concerns your question implies are irrelevant in an MMP parliament. Also, going on Labour’s past performance, there’s not really that much difference between it and National Ltd™ when it comes to things like social justice, civil liberties, the environment, and economics. While missing out on the baubles of office, it may well suit the Greens, and Aotearoa, if the Greens avoid a formal coalition with either major party. Power and government are not necessarily the same thing.
It’s nothing to do with FPP. You are expecting Labour to make a serious policy shift 12 mths out from an election it hopes to win (a win which is desparately needed in this country). You either think that Labour can keep its voters and pick up enough of the missing 800,000 to win, or you don’t care if they win or not.
If you think there is no appreciable difference between NACT and Labour, you really haven’t been paying attention in the past 5 years.
If you think there is no appreciable difference between NACT and Labour, you really haven’t been paying attention in the past 5 years.
Correct. While it wasn’t until National Ltd™ tried to split my hapu with its Iwi/Kiwi acid that I actually bothered to engage, I’ve been paying attention for the last 30 years, never mind the last five. While I support, in part, Labour’s actual environmental policy, the platitudinal pap pumped out by the leadership-hopefuls yesterday could easily have come from the office of Amy Adams.
Tariana and Le Coif unite to save the RMA !!! WOW! Thank you ! Think I need a brandy I’m so shocked ….
“We say the changes to remove emphasis on the ‘maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment’ fundamentally rewrite the Act and put a spanner in the works of the legal system, that will take years of litigation to fix up,” they said in a joint statement this morning.
Mr Dunne said that in the 20 years since the RMA was created, the environment was in a worse state by nearly every measure, and government’s proposals to facilitate development would make matters worse.
“I do not accept that commercial interests should override the environmental principles of the Resource Management Act.”
A ray of hope yeshe but then like the GCSB gesture it might trickle away into nothing but another gesture. Hope they carry through with their concerns.
Mediocrity Watch: Professor Robert Patman The Panel, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 11 September 2013
Noelle McCarthy, Tino Pereira, Simon Pound
Anybody who listens regularly to Radio New Zealand will know that it has a small list of commentators it uses to “discuss” questions about “the middle east”. Almost without exception these commentators are right wing, reflexively pro-Israel and uncritically pro-American. These substandard pundits are a grimly uninspired lot, including Liat Collins, Irris Makler, Simon Marks, and the gruesome Professor Steve Hoadley. Unbelievably, though, they are not even the worst: just last week the race-baiting fanatic Daniel Pipes was given a respectful, uninterrupted hearing on Nights.
Today, long-suffering listeners to The Panel were inflicted with another of these go-to “experts”—Robert Patman, the Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics at the University of Otago. Unfortunately for Prof. Patman, this grand-sounding job-title fails to cover up the poverty and partiality of his “analysis”. In a comically inept attempt to sum up Russian and U.S. policy towards Syria, Patman told a silent and unquestioning Noelle McCarthy that Hezbollah is “totally a creature of the Iranian regime.” McCarthy failed to challenge that piece of nonsense, and neither did Simon Pound nor Tino Pereira. A minute later, Patman frothed about “the Assad regime, this GANGSTER regime” and sneered that Putin was “a master of bluff.”
Of course, Professor Patman did not use such prejudicial and incendiary language to describe the regime that has used chemical weapons in Southeast Asia, and which also stood firmly beside its protégé Saddam Hussein after he used chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians in 1988. But of course, if he did have the nerve to speak plainly and honestly, he would never have become the Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics at the University of Otago.
I don’t think Patman is actually saying anything that controversial about Hizballah though. He may be overstating it slightly but Hizballah’s own original Manifesto (An Open Letter: Hizballah’s Programme) openly acknowledges its links to Iran. The English translation of the first paragraphs:
“We are often asked: Who are we, the Hizballah, and what is our identity? We are the sons of the umma (Muslim community) – the party of God (Hizb Allah) the vanguard of which was made victorious by God in Iran. There the vanguard succeeded to lay down the bases of a Muslim state which plays a central role in the world. We obey the orders of one leader, wise and just, that of our tutor and faqih (jurist) who fulfills all the necessary conditions: Ruhollah Musawi Khomeini. God save him!”
The translation of Faqih as “Jurist” is a bit clumsy as there is no real equivalence in English – the Islamic concept is kind of combined expert scholar/warrior(in the Jihadist sense)/religious leader. Faqih also has a special significance in Twelver Shia’ism.
Fair comment, Greg, in that Hezbollah is a Shi’ite party, and there are of course affinities with Iran and the Iranian revolution. However, Hezbollah was and remains a Lebanese organization, formed for the purpose of fighting the Israeli army. When Patman uttered his astonishing claim that it is “totally a creature of the Iranian regime” he was distorting and exaggerating for a purpose: to amplify and reiterate standard U.S. and Israeli propaganda. Patman is either a dutiful liar or unfeasibly ignorant; either way he is not a serious or credible commentator.
It was formed from the Lebanese Shia community (roughly 40 per cent of the population) in 1982. It’s a Lebanese organization, which Patman no doubt knew perfectly well when he uttered his ridiculous statement.
Certainly fighting Israel was one of its purposes but it’s other purpose was described by Nasrallah as having:
“two main axis: firstly, a belief in the rule by the just jurisconsult and adherence to Khomeini’s leadership; and secondly, the continued need to struggle against the Israeli enemy.”
You can’t ignore the religious dimension of Hizballah’s raison d’être however – and its desire for an Islamic Revolution that institutes Velayat-e faqih (Islamic Government with Guardianship by the Faqih or the “Jurist”). Certainly although one of its original goals was the creation of a Lebanese Islamic Republic it always had in mind the wider goals of the Iranian Revolution to create a wider Islamic Shia State. (Although recently it has modified its political stance for a more nuanced approach to be inclusive within the Lebanese Political system). It’s close links to Iran and the Iranian religious leadership are fairly clear though – “creature” perhaps not – very, very close ally – definitely.
“Just about all of the many calls I’ve had in support of Grant have talked mostly about David. ”
This is a very telling line from Mike Williams writing about how he came around to voting for Cunliffe.
Grant, you and your crew just can’t help yourselves.
Next week go away from your normal Wellington milieu for a few days. Do some thinking about why Jones, of all people, gets more public support. That is not a true reflection of your relative decency and prospects.
You have sold yourself short. You are better than this.
“The Vote” TV3 now………Jesus I broke my rule…….here I am watching this shit. On housing affordability and your mesmeric “young couples” first home-buyers.
Notice the teams – Sam the Sham, Le Bouffant, and (Woody Allen) Botox Banks. Fuck what a team !
On the other side Winnie, Metiria and Twyford.
Been trying to get hold of a close mate of mine who’s reasonably close aiga of Sam’s. No answer. Man, that guy (my mate) is just dying to get a hold of his nephew’s ear.
And isn’t that Garner a Gooner ? Phil Twyford anticipating what Labour will do and the plump, rugby boy, cheapie Gooner triumphantly fires at him – “Will you stake your political career on that ?” Will you, will you……? Studied looks of horror all around by Gooner.
Faarrk ! What a man in a suit under the lights !!!
Would loved to have been Twyford and fired back – “Will you stake your career on me being wrong Mr Gooner ?”
Yeah i am not one to watch ‘the vote’ either but seeing as it was about housing i tuned in for what was quite entertaining and enlightening on a number of levels besides housing affordability for the children of the middle class where incidentally National are in big big trouble if that audience was a relative cross section of middle class Auckland,
Small wonder Nick Smith the Minister chose not to show up for what would have shown Him to be as empty a suitcase as Sam the Patsy from National’s back bench they threw to the wolves to be eviscerated, turned out to be,
It’s interesting to watch a program like that and see Winston working in conjunction with both Labour’s Phil Twyford and the Green’s Metiria Turei and i have to wonder(foolishly perhaps)whether a Government could quite conceivably be formed out of all 3 Party’s,
Banks, the political corpse of ACT that refuses to go quietly to it’s grave looks every part an expensive piece of Botox awaiting a District Court conviction to put Him out of His misery,
Wasn’t the ‘Hairdo’ in fine spitting form tho, outright nastiness emanated from Dunne which i suppose is where you have to go when ‘sensible’ just don’t cut the mustard anymore, Wee Petey showed all the venom and lack of grace and judgement of a man who’s very life-blood as a politician is being slowly undermined by a serious underground campaign in the Ohariu electorate to unseat Him…
“Ms Turei’s now being attacked by all sides of the political spectrum after telling more than 1 million Kiwi homeowners she wants to reduce the value of their biggest asset.”
Is this at all an accurate description of Turei’s performance?
[It’s there now – the result appears to be; 72 opposition to 28 government, though it doesn’t mention sample size, or representativeness to voting population. I guess I should endure the swill to see for myself.]
Nah that was a large Strawman constructed by Garner where Garner claims that the Labour/Green housing plan will cause the prices in the Auckland market to collapse,
Garner is an economic illiterate, building a swag of affordable housing in Auckland is unlikely to effect the market in any way in the short term, in the medium to long term tho if enough houses are built then obviously people wanting to sell what they have bought at the height of the price bubble are going to have trouble selling at those prices,
My view is that there will be a ‘high end’ market that will maintain it’s current price structure around the current level no matter what and it will be only the short term ‘speculators’ who are likely to be seriously burned as the Government build takes away the ‘demand’,
My view is that Labour and the Green’s need a set of rules around their housing proposals where those put into the houses government build have to hold the house for 10 years or sell it back to the Government at fair value based upon the price the Government sold it for,
Doing this would put a stop to these houses being used for speculation and stop the sale of them from acting to collapse the current house prices…
Thanks bad12. I only got as far as the; meet the teams snippet, and then the “voting” instructions before being distracted by various papers I had been meaning to get onto for weeks. The prospect of an hour show with; Banks, Dunne, Gower & Espiner; making up half the voices just drains me of the will to live. Still – enough procrastination; sooner started, sooner finished!
Welcome, the point that i don’t quite get across in the comment above is that Labour/Green plans target specifically ‘first home buyers’,
The rest of the market is still going to be there with people in it constantly wanting to do the ‘upwardly mobile’ thing and buy a bigger/better/flasher place so prices will hardly collapse and if like i suggest the Kiwibuild is restricted from going into the market that’s already there then such can have little bearing on current prices…
I Seem to have trouble leaving comments on Red-Alert blog. Ordinary comments just seem to disappear. I realise it is moderated but is it now being censored as well?
And honestly it was not critical of a certain MP from Dunedin South
Tooooo true. Mallard is in San Fran so Claire and some of Robertson’s Victoria groupies have their hands on the tiller, the same prats whose rudeness at meetings drove votes to Cunliffe.
I’ve voted online and now I’m just waiting for Sunday. Sadly (but gladly in a way) there will be no Warriors competing for my attention. There is significant history to be witnessed here. Pity for Ms Curran she don’t have a clue about that.
For one of my age it’s quite comforting that I’m pretty sure I voted like Helen has/will.
@ North….Matthew possum on nine to noon……also believes Cunliffe will win ….and i think he said, at least on one occasion that he is the best for the job …. however later he undercut this….and gave the reasons why he wasn’t…..( smirk)
Former president and also torture victim Bachelet de Chile visits torture camp, where she was 40 years ago, like thousands others in Chile’s dictatorship under Pinochet. Those that know little or none about this, google, search and learn, about Allende, Pinochet, and what came out of it!
I am unsure what of the following links will deliver, as we have this all the time, some internet links leading to results or not so. Anyway, I am disillusioned and furious about bias and crap going on in NZ media, where the Labour leading candidate competition has already been rubbished.
We have as social, internationalist, and caring people a lot more to worry about. There are developments overseas that should remind us of what history tells us, and what we can expect, or rather have to face and answer to. The “left” in NZ has been far too damned kind, liberal and tolerant. We must take a more solid and firm stand, to stand up for what we believe in. We are sadly, by a shit media, they even dare to claim they represent public opinions, who shit on us, who betray anything that is independent, informed and different. We must stand up against a commercialised agenda, a gang, that is commercially controlled, that is owned by corporates, and that do all to corrupt reporting and discredit anything that progressive people say and write. The time has come to take the media, and that is the mainstream media, to account, right now, do not let them continue to corrupt reporting on events in NZ!
For history lessons see what happened elsewhere, and what they learned from it. I just add a few musical entertainments for reflection here, more can be retrieved by way of true documentaries:
There is little hope in any people, who grow up with total commercial media inundation 24/7, who have not even any awareness of being brainwashed, who swallow all, think it is “normal” to be exposed to “choices” between endlessly drummed in “services” and “products”, but who do not even know basics about laws being passed, let alone anything about basic living issues.
The modern media, the modern machinery of dumbing down inundation ensures that all fall for the lemming like easy going mainstream “cause”, so they all adhere to consistency and ask NONE.
That is the perfect recipe for future disaster. There is not even any collective spirit, or whatever you call it. The “left” should be extremely alarmed about the state of affairs, but too many seem to now trust in Labour and Cunliffe again. Sorry but you will be very disappointed again, I fear.
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
The bush fire season starts early in Australia. Spring time temperatures of 30 degrees C, mixed with high winds are fanning a large number of fires in New South Wales.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/9147915/Fire-engulfs-NSW-homes-threatens-others
You can only wonder if it will be politically feasible for Tony Abbot to be able to deliver on his promise to the fossil fuel industry to scrap the carbon tax, when the cost of fighting these fires and dealing with the aftermath continues to grow. Axing the carbon tax will remove $billions from the government’s accounts, can it be politically tenable for the industry responsible to pay nothing?
The population of Australia may have reason to regret electing a climate change denier as Premier.
The population of Australia may have reason to regret electing a climate change denier as Premier.
Only “may” Jenny? It’s a f*$%ing disaster…
Only as big a disaster as the ALP and it’s carbon tax revoking, boat people incarcerating leadership.
It’s probably worse than that. While fighting fires around the Lucas Heights nuclear reactor it was – anecdotally – discovered that one of the firefighters was nicking out the back and lighting a few. Something to do with the drama and glory ..
I personally saw the 2011 ‘Black Christmas’ fires – the longest continuous bushfire emergency in NSW history. It so systematically moved S, SW, W, NW, N around the outskirts of Sydney that there was strong suspicion of arson ..
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Christmas_(bushfires)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_global_warming_on_Australia
http://www.bushfirecrc.com/centre
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FFDI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Saturday_bushfires
Tony Abbot is the dumbest and most insensitive world leader since Ronald Reagan, who suffering advanced age, the onset of Alzheimers and with a background as a hollywood cowboy could at least deliver his lines when called to.
Abbottalypse Now
That Rhodes Scholar with bachelor’s degrees in Law and Economics and the double MA in Politics and Philosophy from Oxford, he sure sounds dumb.
We think the heads of many of our voters need to be ‘seen to”, but we’re Einsteins compared to that lot on the other side of the ditch. I haven’t an ounce of sympathy for them. Let them sink in a mire of their own making.
That mire will hurt many Kiwis as well (on both sides of the ditch). Let’s hope it doesn’t get too bad.
It will. But it’s nice to have a little hope.
As a volunteer firefighter, Abbott sees fires as a photo opportunity. The real firefighters just hope and pray that he won’t turn up with his media circus to help them.
This seems to be very appropriate today ..
http://www.middleeastmonitor.com/articles/guest-writers/7138-powerful-symbols-and-the-british-zionist-alliance-approaching-the-centenary-of-the-belfour-declaration
http://www.dailycensored.com/cooking-intelligence-war-syria/
Campbell Live did a really good piece on the fish dumping last night.
http://www.3news.co.nz/An-investigation-into-fish-dumping/tabid/817/articleID/312670/Default.aspx
As was pointed out during the piece, some of the biggest players in the industry, ie Sanfords, fund the National Party, and it is they who are benefiting the most from the stupid quota system.
As per usual, John Key and National only act on behalf of wealthy vested interests, actual ordinary people can go hang.
Unfortunately the dynamics of the fish quota system resulted in smaller fishing interests selling their portion to the bigger ones. It should have been a lease system that had to be re-allocated fairly every now and then. The whole thing needs to be reorganised. I get the feeling that business has captured the agencies.
Indeed something need be ‘done’ about the quota management system, something along the lines of carrot and stick perhaps, where commercial fishers who dump fish immediately lose everything and get to sit in a cold jail cell for a period so as to have time to consider their crimes,
On the other hand the system must be arranged so as to allow the whole catch to be landed without overt penalty and this may possibly allow for the by-catch to be written off of the other quota that a fishing entity holds,
The problem there i would envisage would be fishers deliberately targeting the more lucrative fish to write off against their quota,
The system needs to be far more flexible where if in a year too much of the total catch is centered on the more lucrative fish then overall quota for those fishing commercially would have to be lowered as a deterrent…
Isn’t Jones in the pocket of one of the fishing companies?
and I think it would be naive to assume that was his only corporate conflict of interest.
And for those of you who still think that we have a democracy and that Cunliffe is going to make a flying fuck of difference if he ever makes it to Prime Minister here is a hint of why he is not.
9/11 changed the world for good. It was the day the global coup took place and yes that includes the government of NZ. Watch this 5 hour new film from film director Massimo Mazzuccoto learn more on what took place on the day and why it should matter to you today.
clicked thru to bookmark it for a later five hours viewing, but could find no film link on the website ? thx travellerev
My bad! Here is the correct link
If not there, I linked to the three parts on my site too:
The wetiko virus is like a parasite that literally feeds off, takes over and aberrates the curren(t)cy of the infected system. The wetiko pathogen originally manifests as a disturbance in the field of the collective unconscious of humanity itself, creating the psychic ley lines upon which world events are erected and energized.
So how do I know you are not part of the wetiko yourself? When you say Cunliffe having more power won’t make any difference, I find both your motives and your awareness of reality suspect.
😆 If you want to believe Cunliffe can make a difference be my guest.
We are all infected with the Wetiko virus but like a with a cold sore how able is our immune system to resist!
I personally think that unless we all become aware of our own personal Wetiko infection and cast the damn virus out no individual (high powered politician or not) can make a damn bit of a difference.
But I find it thoroughly uplifting to find the name and the concept back on this blog. Especially since I was the first one to introduce it here! It gives me hope! Let’s name the Wetiko. It’s part of the disinfection process. Let there be light on this evil and let’s eradicate it!
Oops did something wrong with the link to the wetiko article: http://www.realitysandwich.com/lets_spread_word_wetiko
First up on Nine-to-Noon, RNZ after 10am news, 3 Labour leadership candidates.
Note to David Cunliffe, when using ‘attack’ lines on Slippery the Prime Minister don’t use the ‘yelly voice’, it comes across as ‘strident’,
Cunliffe should use His more gutteral speech, it ‘connects’ and comes across far better, think ‘deep voice’ Mr Cunliffe let the microphone do the amplification…
Thursday 12 September from 9am, Cunliffe, Jones and Robertson will be on Radio Live with Plunket for three hours. Not sure if an hour each or all on together.
Hour each I think.
Does raising the minimum wage lead to higher unemployment, another in my little series of those who say emphatically NO,
Of interest is the fact that very little weight is given by economists to the spending power produced by raising the minimum wage where those suffering in the low waged economy have little choice but to spend their gains from having the minimum wage raised into their local economy,
Of course once the money trail is followed it simply leads back to the very people doing the paying recouping the raised amount of money in the economy as profit from the extra being spent, i am starting to form the impression as i dig out these various links, that opposition to raising the minimum wage has as much to do with politics as it does with economics,
http://www.simontaylorblog.com/…/why-raising-the-minimum-wage-will-...
One of those posting comments in this blog does allude to the extra spending/extra profits in the economy from raising the minimum wage using Mcdonalds as an example…
“i am starting to form the impression as i dig out these various links, that opposition to raising the minimum wage has as much to do with politics as it does with economics”,
That would make sense bad12. The argument that an increased minimum wage leads to higher unemployment seem counter to the ideals of business in the sense that successful profitable trade relies upon customers with money to make that goal happen.
So, why the resistance? Is is the thought of people becoming more financially comfortable and actually making ends meet at the end of the pay week that freaks out those that support low wages? Does that make them somehow a little bit closer to being more equal to the business classes? Does that little bit more financial empowerment in the working masses somehow threaten the power dynamic and could that be at the core of the resistance rather than any logical economic argument?
Geez, imagine the freeing up of household cash if GST were removed, and replaced with the Robin Hood tax. Shops would open up instead of close down, money would flow instead of being constipated. Everyone would be happy would they not?
PS, in addition to that, and its probably already been said before, but who profits from a low income society? The Banks do. Our debt supports them and contributes to their record profits at a time when so many can’t cope financially.
Correct. The corporate sector, instead of paying out monies to workers in adequate wages, instead LEND that some money to workers to cover for their inadequate pay, and CHARGE interest on the sums.
It’s brilliant, really.
Yes, then to lock in their wealth cropper machine they introduce a flat tax that insures everyone who should be paying more than 40% of tax (its call progressive taxation not cutoff for the richest progressive taxation), and the super wealthy are laughing.
Posting this TED talk on the Standard may be the blog equivalent of teaching your grandmother to suck eggs (BTW ?!?), but as bad12 is still trying to educate those who say NO – here is an “idea worth spreading”…Nick Hanaeuer: Why Rich People Don’t Create Jobs
Molly, good link, and intelligent intuitive comments from a seriously rich and seriously intelligent Nick Hanauer,
http://www.en.wikipedia.org/nick_hanauer
i had to LOLZ at the fact that He put the organization which He was speaking to’s nose so far out of joint that they initially wouldn’t allow the Vid to go on-line and were then forced to relent because of public pressure,
He is of course right, the obvious point is that if you want an economy to fully function you have to throw monies into the bottom of that economy which then ‘lo and behold’ immediately tracks upward in that economy,
There’s another point that He probably knows but did not address, and that is that people like Nick Hanauer will always make money no matter what economic conditions they operate in, of course the harder it is for the Nick Hanauer’s of the world to gather together the wealth they seem hard-wired to seek, the harder they will work in their efforts to gain that wealth,
Raising taxes on such wealth simply leads the wealthy to work harder and by that i mean employ more people to produce the goods and services which create for them that wealth,
Once i have finished with my little series on the minimum wage i will do some more digging and address the very question of taxation that Nick Hanauer so ably addresses in that link….
opponents see their laziest method of divrting more wealth to themselves slipping away so they squeal.
David Cunliffe just said on RNZ that ” ….John Key is funnier than I am….”
Sorry David but that is one statement I can NOT agree with. Key is a total f***wit who has never made me laugh, though there have been many occasions where I have laughed AT him for some ridiculous dribble more commonly heard around closing time at the pub by some intoxicated fool.
Slippery the Prime Minister is intoxicated, on His own ego, prick said ego and He comes across as a simpering child…
Who can forget his Rugby World Cup performance, for instance. Actually, there were was that other hilarious Rugby World Cup performance to savour.
Hi fender. I didn’t hear the statement but I’m wondering was Cunliffe meaning exactly what you say, that you can laugh AT Key, at his expense, rather than the fact that he’s a humourous guy? (Which he clearly isn’t)
Saw a book of Keyisms in a book store the other day.While it wasn’t as funny as my copy of “Bad President”, a book of Bushisms, it was poking fun at Key’s gaffe’s over the years, and is worthy of a good guffaw.
Hi Rosie, yes I think you are correct.
I’ll keep an eye out for that book, it can’t be too hard to find, it must be the size of and have as many pages as the Auck. phone book considering all the mangled words constantly flowing from the lips of our worst ever PM.
lol fender. Well, you’d think it would be the size of the Akld phone book given the ample material the PM has provided over the years but it is in fact more like a booklet. Sorry, I didn’t take notice of the name or author of the book. I saw it at Paper Plus.
I believe that is Paul Little’s latest book, ’50 Shades of Key’.
http://www.paullittlebooks.co.nz.hostbaby.com/books/
Thanks CJ. That is the one:-)
“Sorry David but that is one statement I can NOT agree with. “
Me neither, but apparently plenty of other people find him amusing. Which makes humour one of his strengths, which is why Cunliffe is minimising it.
Headlines on TheStandard today Cunliffe shows leadership steeland Reviewing the media coverage of the leadership campaign…..put into perspective by a walk yesterday along Lambton Quay.
As I strolled to a meeting, well fed, well clothed, money card in pocket I passed 6 individuals each holding a cardboard card. The cards all told tales of woe, and asked for a donation to help alleviate the suffering. I had no cash on me, and feel as guilty as sin that I offered nothing: note to self, have a few dollars cash when heading that way.
This is the face of NZ after the Clark and Key years, welfare nets and employment so denuded that we see the face directly on the streets. If you look into the eyes of these people there is something missing that is deeply disturbing: hope. Hope in something better.
So to the media: why would we expect them to cover a leadership race properly when they are incapable of even highlighting the state of the nation? When have they ever reported it as it is? They must be wandering blind along Lambton Quay or any other city in NZ.
To Cunliffe and steel: if you win David you will need it. It will take a lot of steel to force “comfortable” NZ into trading some discomfort so that the people with no hope in their eyes actually begin to see hope. It will take more steel to deliver a future that encompasses all those currently passed by. And that is what is at stake in this race.
Good luck: to the rest of us when walking keep some change free. “Buddy can you spare me a dime”?
I have the same issue at three lamps, the only shopping area I walk through on a daily basis when I’m hunting lunch if I forget to take it. Also the charities. But alas cash and myself have long departed each other. The floor and under the bed usually owns it.
I recommend to everyone to keep a few $1 and $2 coins on them for just this purpose.
I recommend that everybody vote for a party that will change the purpose of the economy from profit to providing for everybody.
Well that rules out Labour. The great wealth from the arrival of cheap high density arabian oil caused a radical shift in the politics of western nations who throttled the money into leveraging while promising to only allow a trickle of it to get to the masses. Now that the GFC has washed over us for the last 6-7 years, we can see what’s happening, the profits must be kept up no matter what, who ends up begging, what services are cut. They built the bridge to gather up the huge energy burst of the last thirty and now they don’t want to demolish it. Labour aren’t about to do anything serious.
Just as thirty years ago we should have gone to Mars, built sustainability, demanded ever increasing demands on produces for recyclable and/or longer lasting products… sorry. recyclable is the wrong word since it implicitly means valueless and in fact any true close system would intrinsically not have any waste. Food scraps used to be fed to the chickens and pigs, now they are waste. Metal would be picked up by a rag and bone man. Everything got used and had a value. Nowadays the idea that waste shouldn’t be ut in the ground, is only matched by the absurdity of very low paid people shifting through it for the odd recyclable.
We live in the 21st and have a parasitical view of the planet.
@ ennui..+ 1..
..the ignoring of the plights of the poorest..(by most of our fourth estate..)
..is clear evidence of an epic-fail on their part..
..i think that for them..(and as for most ‘doing ok’..’the winners’ from this toxic/poor-bashing/ayn-rand-based-ideology..)
..i think that they..and those they associate with..they just don’t give a fuck..eh..?
..they are doing ok..so fuck everyone else..
..and of course..the poor aren’t ‘cool’..eh..?
..and could someone explain why/how our journalism-schools turn out these ‘journalists’..
..’journalists’ who seem to view any semblance of ‘crusading’/speaking-truth-to-power..(what they should be fucken doing..)
..as a no-go area..
…most of them are just chimps..chattering along/finger-pointing/nose-picking/arse-scratching..on the sidelines of the circus..
..and aren’t worth a journalists’ arse-hole..
phillip ure..
and of course there is one thing you can guarantee..
..that is that when the govt changes..these ‘journalists’ who have spent the last five years grovelling at keys’ feet..
..that they will..(under the instructions from their editors/corporate-owners..)..they will suddenly find that they are able ‘to speak ‘truth’ to power’…
..as this corporate media goes to war with this new progressive government..
..as these journalists..bending the knee to the behest of their masters/mistresses..
..try to ensure this new progressive govt..is just a one term govt..
..so what is very very clear..is that up to and after that progressive-change..
..that the online progressive-media work more together..
..that they celebrate the efforts of others marching in the same direction..
..and not snipe/diss/ignore/compete with each other..
..and this if only for just the reason that they will be all that will stand against what will be a concerted corporate media-blitz against that govt..and all they do/propose..
..and this from day one..
..can anyone not see this..?
..phillip ure..
Thanks Phil, yes most jornos are culturally, historically and politically illiterate: the ones I know have as much knowledge as a common guppy…sweet fa.
Having said that if you are being told what to say, and paid to do so……
Well said.
Steel indeed.
Ennui, I hadn’t spent time in the CBD for a while until I had a 2 month work contract based at the eastern end of town. I was shocked to see so many people begging. I’d never seen so many before. These people are the legacy of policy that fails them and fails society. That thought made me feel angry as well as sad. What is worse is that our council further maginalised these people by their stupid authoritarian “alternate giving campaign” which turns out to be a complete failure as well:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/9056882/Beggars-miss-out-in-costly-campaign
I heard that Auckland is also trying to ban begging. It seems that our civic authorities are uncomfortable with the true face of poverty and despair and it would be nicer if it were brushed under the carpet, away from the small handful of retailers who complained about them.
IF Cunliffe wins and IF we have a change of government and IF they do undertake the tasks they are saying they will, those newly in charge will need to take a long deep breath before beginning to tackle the mountain of problems they have inherited
Rosie, our councillors in Wellington are in general pillocks. A few exceptions true, but those setting policy including the mayor are so out of touch its unreal. Worse, they have allowed debt to spiral…enough!
On Cunliffe, we should observe the success of future Labour governments by counting the number of beggars and observing youth unemployment stats.
a friend of mine, who was chair of a charity made the following observation to me when the recession began
“the high earners close their wallets faster than a trap on a mouse… the low earners continue to give their 10 a week or whatever, whether they can really afford it or not.”
‘
Heh! The Labour Party leader-hopefuls think they can talk sensibly about the environment. Gimme a break. Here, boys, have a look at what’s actually needed, starting with a carbon tax, and stop with the banal cliches, puhleeeze.
What’s actually needed is way beyond any Social Democratic party that (almost by definition?) operates within a capitalist/market context. Doesn’t prevent some, inadequate as they may be, steps being made in the right direction though, eh?
‘
I’m not buying the “its impossible” excuse. The inadequate steps are actually worse than inadequate because they mask reality and provide false assurance that something is being done while all the time momentum builds up. Having said that, I have come to accept that it is most likely going to take a catastrophic event before politicians garner the courage required to speak truth to those they claim to represent and put in place what little and constantly diminishing mitigation steps that can be taken.
It’s not impossible. But it’s an impossible task for social democracy. Or maybe you can explain to me how a social democratic form of governance can take sufficient action on AGW when they all exist to keep the market functioning and it’s the demands of the market that have brought us to this pass?
‘
Lets see what happens when petrol gets to $5 a litre and the climate emits a few more early warnings. Won’t be long.
By the time you’ve figured out that your tank is empty 30m under the water, you’re fucked. Like starting running only when you see the tsunami. Fucked.
Having said that, I have come to accept that it is most likely going to take a catastrophic event before politicians garner the courage required to speak truth to those they claim to represent and put in place what little and constantly diminishing mitigation steps that can be taken.
Right. And who would you want in govt when that catastrophic event happens? A govt like we currently have that is intent on stripmining democracy and will most like impose martial law if the shit hits the fan hard, or one that is slowly shifting left again and which has a coalition partner that has been preparing for years?
And in the meantime, given that many people are doing crucial work preparing for the catastrophic event and its aftermath, do you think their job will be easier under NACT or Labour/GP?
‘
Getting a bit ahead of yourself there, I see. The 2014 election is going to be close. I’ll wait until Aotearoa has spoken before answering your question. When it comes to preparing for the climate catastrophe the Greens might well have more clout outside of a coalition with Labour. At this stage, Labour’s quest for the Beemers could all come down to keeping Winston onside, or, God forbid, Dunne . . . like the last time, remember?
Yes I do remember, which is why I don’t think it’s realistic, useful or wise for Labour to make major changes to its CC policy before the next election.
“I’ll wait until Aotearoa has spoken before answering your question”
Do you mean that having NACT as govt is one of the preferred options when the shit hits the fan? Really?
weka – getting onto some social issues again, here are some links to a new website that covers stuff that was already presented, but maybe not quite so well on ACC Forum some time ago.
http://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/the-health-and-disability-panel-and-its-hand-picked-members/
http://nzsocialjusticeblog2013.wordpress.com/2013/09/02/medical-and-work-capability-assessments-based-on-the-controversial-bio-psycho-social-model/
I see this as a potentially “evolving” site, it is not quite a “blog” at this stage, but has started to offer some interesting information, that should be more easily readable than perhaps on other sites.
Your sharing is welcome, and we will see, what happens with that.
Good night, X
“Here, boys, have a look at what’s actually needed, starting with a carbon tax, and stop with the banal cliches, puhleeeze.”
A question BLiP: if Labour announced a carbon tax policy before the next election, what do you think their chances are of forming a govt with the GP?
‘
Surely you’re not suggesting Labour adopt National Ltd™ tactics and hide its real intentions so as to lure the swingers into voting for it? Anyhow, such FPP concerns your question implies are irrelevant in an MMP parliament. Also, going on Labour’s past performance, there’s not really that much difference between it and National Ltd™ when it comes to things like social justice, civil liberties, the environment, and economics. While missing out on the baubles of office, it may well suit the Greens, and Aotearoa, if the Greens avoid a formal coalition with either major party. Power and government are not necessarily the same thing.
Nice avoidance of answering my question.
It’s nothing to do with FPP. You are expecting Labour to make a serious policy shift 12 mths out from an election it hopes to win (a win which is desparately needed in this country). You either think that Labour can keep its voters and pick up enough of the missing 800,000 to win, or you don’t care if they win or not.
If you think there is no appreciable difference between NACT and Labour, you really haven’t been paying attention in the past 5 years.
Correct. While it wasn’t until National Ltd™ tried to split my hapu with its Iwi/Kiwi acid that I actually bothered to engage, I’ve been paying attention for the last 30 years, never mind the last five. While I support, in part, Labour’s actual environmental policy, the platitudinal pap pumped out by the leadership-hopefuls yesterday could easily have come from the office of Amy Adams.
” the platitudinal pap pumped out by the leadership-hopefuls yesterday could easily have come from the office of Amy Adams.”
QFTT
HRW report on the Ghouta attack.(careful, disturbing images)
http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/syria_cw0913_web.pdf
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11123005
Tariana and Le Coif unite to save the RMA !!! WOW! Thank you ! Think I need a brandy I’m so shocked ….
“We say the changes to remove emphasis on the ‘maintenance and enhancement of the quality of the environment’ fundamentally rewrite the Act and put a spanner in the works of the legal system, that will take years of litigation to fix up,” they said in a joint statement this morning.
Mr Dunne said that in the 20 years since the RMA was created, the environment was in a worse state by nearly every measure, and government’s proposals to facilitate development would make matters worse.
“I do not accept that commercial interests should override the environmental principles of the Resource Management Act.”
A ray of hope yeshe but then like the GCSB gesture it might trickle away into nothing but another gesture. Hope they carry through with their concerns.
maybe join me in a brandy, ianmac ??
please excuse my black-hearted cynicism..
..but for ‘the coiffed one’..this is just another lever to screw some more out of key/this govt..
..this is exactly the same game-plan he used over the spooking bill..remember..?
..will we really all just ‘get fooled again?’…
..the self-interest of this man/charlatan knows no bounds..
..phillip ure..
So Nats, how’s that sale of the century going? Not very well it seems. It’s not like they haven’t been warned:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9151324/Govt-expected-to-revise-asset-sale-target
Mediocrity Watch: Professor Robert Patman
The Panel, Radio NZ National, Wednesday 11 September 2013
Noelle McCarthy, Tino Pereira, Simon Pound
Anybody who listens regularly to Radio New Zealand will know that it has a small list of commentators it uses to “discuss” questions about “the middle east”. Almost without exception these commentators are right wing, reflexively pro-Israel and uncritically pro-American. These substandard pundits are a grimly uninspired lot, including Liat Collins, Irris Makler, Simon Marks, and the gruesome Professor Steve Hoadley. Unbelievably, though, they are not even the worst: just last week the race-baiting fanatic Daniel Pipes was given a respectful, uninterrupted hearing on Nights.
Today, long-suffering listeners to The Panel were inflicted with another of these go-to “experts”—Robert Patman, the Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics at the University of Otago. Unfortunately for Prof. Patman, this grand-sounding job-title fails to cover up the poverty and partiality of his “analysis”. In a comically inept attempt to sum up Russian and U.S. policy towards Syria, Patman told a silent and unquestioning Noelle McCarthy that Hezbollah is “totally a creature of the Iranian regime.” McCarthy failed to challenge that piece of nonsense, and neither did Simon Pound nor Tino Pereira. A minute later, Patman frothed about “the Assad regime, this GANGSTER regime” and sneered that Putin was “a master of bluff.”
Of course, Professor Patman did not use such prejudicial and incendiary language to describe the regime that has used chemical weapons in Southeast Asia, and which also stood firmly beside its protégé Saddam Hussein after he used chemical weapons against Kurdish civilians in 1988. But of course, if he did have the nerve to speak plainly and honestly, he would never have become the Professor of International Relations at the Department of Politics at the University of Otago.
I don’t think Patman is actually saying anything that controversial about Hizballah though. He may be overstating it slightly but Hizballah’s own original Manifesto (An Open Letter: Hizballah’s Programme) openly acknowledges its links to Iran. The English translation of the first paragraphs:
“We are often asked: Who are we, the Hizballah, and what is our identity? We are the sons of the umma (Muslim community) – the party of God (Hizb Allah) the vanguard of which was made victorious by God in Iran. There the vanguard succeeded to lay down the bases of a Muslim state which plays a central role in the world. We obey the orders of one leader, wise and just, that of our tutor and faqih (jurist) who fulfills all the necessary conditions: Ruhollah Musawi Khomeini. God save him!”
The translation of Faqih as “Jurist” is a bit clumsy as there is no real equivalence in English – the Islamic concept is kind of combined expert scholar/warrior(in the Jihadist sense)/religious leader. Faqih also has a special significance in Twelver Shia’ism.
Fair comment, Greg, in that Hezbollah is a Shi’ite party, and there are of course affinities with Iran and the Iranian revolution. However, Hezbollah was and remains a Lebanese organization, formed for the purpose of fighting the Israeli army. When Patman uttered his astonishing claim that it is “totally a creature of the Iranian regime” he was distorting and exaggerating for a purpose: to amplify and reiterate standard U.S. and Israeli propaganda. Patman is either a dutiful liar or unfeasibly ignorant; either way he is not a serious or credible commentator.
Formed by whom, Moz?
It was formed from the Lebanese Shia community (roughly 40 per cent of the population) in 1982. It’s a Lebanese organization, which Patman no doubt knew perfectly well when he uttered his ridiculous statement.
Certainly fighting Israel was one of its purposes but it’s other purpose was described by Nasrallah as having:
“two main axis: firstly, a belief in the rule by the just jurisconsult and adherence to Khomeini’s leadership; and secondly, the continued need to struggle against the Israeli enemy.”
You can’t ignore the religious dimension of Hizballah’s raison d’être however – and its desire for an Islamic Revolution that institutes Velayat-e faqih (Islamic Government with Guardianship by the Faqih or the “Jurist”). Certainly although one of its original goals was the creation of a Lebanese Islamic Republic it always had in mind the wider goals of the Iranian Revolution to create a wider Islamic Shia State. (Although recently it has modified its political stance for a more nuanced approach to be inclusive within the Lebanese Political system). It’s close links to Iran and the Iranian religious leadership are fairly clear though – “creature” perhaps not – very, very close ally – definitely.
Your points are well made, Greg. Your analysis is more thorough and more honest than anything I have heard on the BBC, ABC or Radio NZ.
“Just about all of the many calls I’ve had in support of Grant have talked mostly about David. ”
This is a very telling line from Mike Williams writing about how he came around to voting for Cunliffe.
Grant, you and your crew just can’t help yourselves.
Next week go away from your normal Wellington milieu for a few days. Do some thinking about why Jones, of all people, gets more public support. That is not a true reflection of your relative decency and prospects.
You have sold yourself short. You are better than this.
+1
“The Vote” TV3 now………Jesus I broke my rule…….here I am watching this shit. On housing affordability and your mesmeric “young couples” first home-buyers.
Notice the teams – Sam the Sham, Le Bouffant, and (Woody Allen) Botox Banks. Fuck what a team !
On the other side Winnie, Metiria and Twyford.
Been trying to get hold of a close mate of mine who’s reasonably close aiga of Sam’s. No answer. Man, that guy (my mate) is just dying to get a hold of his nephew’s ear.
And isn’t that Garner a Gooner ? Phil Twyford anticipating what Labour will do and the plump, rugby boy, cheapie Gooner triumphantly fires at him – “Will you stake your political career on that ?” Will you, will you……? Studied looks of horror all around by Gooner.
Faarrk ! What a man in a suit under the lights !!!
Would loved to have been Twyford and fired back – “Will you stake your career on me being wrong Mr Gooner ?”
Yeah i am not one to watch ‘the vote’ either but seeing as it was about housing i tuned in for what was quite entertaining and enlightening on a number of levels besides housing affordability for the children of the middle class where incidentally National are in big big trouble if that audience was a relative cross section of middle class Auckland,
Small wonder Nick Smith the Minister chose not to show up for what would have shown Him to be as empty a suitcase as Sam the Patsy from National’s back bench they threw to the wolves to be eviscerated, turned out to be,
It’s interesting to watch a program like that and see Winston working in conjunction with both Labour’s Phil Twyford and the Green’s Metiria Turei and i have to wonder(foolishly perhaps)whether a Government could quite conceivably be formed out of all 3 Party’s,
Banks, the political corpse of ACT that refuses to go quietly to it’s grave looks every part an expensive piece of Botox awaiting a District Court conviction to put Him out of His misery,
Wasn’t the ‘Hairdo’ in fine spitting form tho, outright nastiness emanated from Dunne which i suppose is where you have to go when ‘sensible’ just don’t cut the mustard anymore, Wee Petey showed all the venom and lack of grace and judgement of a man who’s very life-blood as a politician is being slowly undermined by a serious underground campaign in the Ohariu electorate to unseat Him…
I couldn’t find the show up yet on the TV3 “The Vote” page. Masupial had seen this ad masquerading as journalism on the 6PM news:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Metiria-Turei-caught-in-housing-U-turn/tabid/421/articleID/312837/Default.aspx
“Ms Turei’s now being attacked by all sides of the political spectrum after telling more than 1 million Kiwi homeowners she wants to reduce the value of their biggest asset.”
Is this at all an accurate description of Turei’s performance?
[It’s there now – the result appears to be; 72 opposition to 28 government, though it doesn’t mention sample size, or representativeness to voting population. I guess I should endure the swill to see for myself.]
Nah that was a large Strawman constructed by Garner where Garner claims that the Labour/Green housing plan will cause the prices in the Auckland market to collapse,
Garner is an economic illiterate, building a swag of affordable housing in Auckland is unlikely to effect the market in any way in the short term, in the medium to long term tho if enough houses are built then obviously people wanting to sell what they have bought at the height of the price bubble are going to have trouble selling at those prices,
My view is that there will be a ‘high end’ market that will maintain it’s current price structure around the current level no matter what and it will be only the short term ‘speculators’ who are likely to be seriously burned as the Government build takes away the ‘demand’,
My view is that Labour and the Green’s need a set of rules around their housing proposals where those put into the houses government build have to hold the house for 10 years or sell it back to the Government at fair value based upon the price the Government sold it for,
Doing this would put a stop to these houses being used for speculation and stop the sale of them from acting to collapse the current house prices…
Thanks bad12. I only got as far as the; meet the teams snippet, and then the “voting” instructions before being distracted by various papers I had been meaning to get onto for weeks. The prospect of an hour show with; Banks, Dunne, Gower & Espiner; making up half the voices just drains me of the will to live. Still – enough procrastination; sooner started, sooner finished!
Welcome, the point that i don’t quite get across in the comment above is that Labour/Green plans target specifically ‘first home buyers’,
The rest of the market is still going to be there with people in it constantly wanting to do the ‘upwardly mobile’ thing and buy a bigger/better/flasher place so prices will hardly collapse and if like i suggest the Kiwibuild is restricted from going into the market that’s already there then such can have little bearing on current prices…
I Seem to have trouble leaving comments on Red-Alert blog. Ordinary comments just seem to disappear. I realise it is moderated but is it now being censored as well?
And honestly it was not critical of a certain MP from Dunedin South
you take your life into your own hands going on to that blog.
Tooooo true. Mallard is in San Fran so Claire and some of Robertson’s Victoria groupies have their hands on the tiller, the same prats whose rudeness at meetings drove votes to Cunliffe.
New grad career aspirations paid for by Parliamentary Services.
I’ve voted online and now I’m just waiting for Sunday. Sadly (but gladly in a way) there will be no Warriors competing for my attention. There is significant history to be witnessed here. Pity for Ms Curran she don’t have a clue about that.
For one of my age it’s quite comforting that I’m pretty sure I voted like Helen has/will.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9153223/Cunliffe-gets-leadership-boost
Oh Thanks Mike…….that’s a promising independence from – “I agree with Mathew……”
@ North….Matthew possum on nine to noon……also believes Cunliffe will win ….and i think he said, at least on one occasion that he is the best for the job …. however later he undercut this….and gave the reasons why he wasn’t…..( smirk)
I know that but sometimes I get so annoyed plus I have innumerable email accounts for occasions like that.
I am disappointed that the NZ Labour movement pays little or NO attention and respect to what happened in Chile 40 years ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMt7gHOtYX8
Perhaps learn, inform and pay some respect for the over 2000 that were murdered and killed under Pinochet?!
Former president and also torture victim Bachelet de Chile visits torture camp, where she was 40 years ago, like thousands others in Chile’s dictatorship under Pinochet. Those that know little or none about this, google, search and learn, about Allende, Pinochet, and what came out of it!
http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2013/09/10/1563715/chile-bachelet-visita-campo-de.html
http://ver.bo/index.php/movile-mundo/item/7289-chile-michelle-bachelet-visita-donde-estuvo-detenida-en-el-golpe
I am unsure what of the following links will deliver, as we have this all the time, some internet links leading to results or not so. Anyway, I am disillusioned and furious about bias and crap going on in NZ media, where the Labour leading candidate competition has already been rubbished.
We have as social, internationalist, and caring people a lot more to worry about. There are developments overseas that should remind us of what history tells us, and what we can expect, or rather have to face and answer to. The “left” in NZ has been far too damned kind, liberal and tolerant. We must take a more solid and firm stand, to stand up for what we believe in. We are sadly, by a shit media, they even dare to claim they represent public opinions, who shit on us, who betray anything that is independent, informed and different. We must stand up against a commercialised agenda, a gang, that is commercially controlled, that is owned by corporates, and that do all to corrupt reporting and discredit anything that progressive people say and write. The time has come to take the media, and that is the mainstream media, to account, right now, do not let them continue to corrupt reporting on events in NZ!
For history lessons see what happened elsewhere, and what they learned from it. I just add a few musical entertainments for reflection here, more can be retrieved by way of true documentaries:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8ZFi0MvGf0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXRTfOy4EVY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avHfbdo7gKM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpf4zCPbpvY
There is little hope in any people, who grow up with total commercial media inundation 24/7, who have not even any awareness of being brainwashed, who swallow all, think it is “normal” to be exposed to “choices” between endlessly drummed in “services” and “products”, but who do not even know basics about laws being passed, let alone anything about basic living issues.
The modern media, the modern machinery of dumbing down inundation ensures that all fall for the lemming like easy going mainstream “cause”, so they all adhere to consistency and ask NONE.
That is the perfect recipe for future disaster. There is not even any collective spirit, or whatever you call it. The “left” should be extremely alarmed about the state of affairs, but too many seem to now trust in Labour and Cunliffe again. Sorry but you will be very disappointed again, I fear.
So true….
Young ones, learn from Camilla, please:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V3p2MPB2UE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBih0c689cI
I am damned sure some young Kiwi women can live up to this also!!!
I am waiting!
Solidaridad de Latin America, questo es Presidente the Pinera?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBoXruBUzfU
Crusty old US actor thinks Obama is a good person so it must be true. Yeah right…..
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/entertainment/18789300/robert-de-niro-on-barack-obama-hes-a-good-person-period/
Oh God, how depressing. Poor old Clint Eastwood is not the only Hollywood A-lister to have lost his marbles.