Open mike 12/01/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, January 12th, 2020 - 43 comments
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43 comments on “Open mike 12/01/2020 ”

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    • OnceWasTim 1.1
      12 January 2020 at 10:13 am

      Let's now hope that the Australian electorate is waking up to the reality.

      AND the Koiwoi electorate is also waking up to the reality (that we've never been treated as "little brothers" should be since the 70s, and certainly not since we all drank the neo-liberal coolaid.

      – I notice the Australians are now referring to us as brothers rather than cuzzies (in the nature of all that "ANZAC" spirit and recent history – the Tampa et al)

      – You won't hear too much of Australian "queue jumpers" or "economic refugees" in the months to come. (Apparently they're 'special')

      -ScoMo will be downplaying his pentecostilism and exceptionalism (check out The Conversation piece)

      If it wasn't fact that Australian electorate has been subjected to a complete load of kaka from its political class; its first people who are casualities once again; and its wildlife – again, casualties I'd be inclined to just leave them all to it. They could serve as an example to the rest of the Whurl – along with Mr Bolsenaro

      Thank whatever Your Lord is I gave up an Okker passport years ago. Apparently I'm supposed to feel sympathy for what's going on. I'll try – but there'll be a pecking order to it. I can't honestly say ScoMo, or Dutton, or most of the bullshit artists on SkoiNewsStraya and their enterage of hangers-on – Richo et al included – are gunna figure high on the list

    • A 1.2
      12 January 2020 at 2:26 pm

      Does that mean they don't get the same level of ACC? (Im assuming the level of pay is lower due to fighter fighting and time off work, so that's 80% of an already reduced wage)

      I know they are still covered.

    • Ad 2.1
      12 January 2020 at 12:30 pm

      This coalition government ruled out taxing water mining from the start.

      • Sabine 2.1.1
        12 January 2020 at 1:17 pm

        can you elaborate?

        • Ad 2.1.1.1
          12 January 2020 at 1:25 pm

          Labour had proposed putting a tax on water mining in their 2017 manifesto; on October 25 2017 Ardern was clear that NZFirst had not wanted that to be in the coalition agreement, so it was ruled out.

          • Sabine 2.1.1.1.1
            12 January 2020 at 1:52 pm

            hm, so its ok for the chinese/or any other ocmpany to bottle the water – creating huge waste in plastic, so as long as we tax them?

            I agree with Winston then. We can't drink money and we should not give a way permits for very little money to overseas companies to bottle it – in plastic to boot – to export it.

            That would be missing the point totally, but it kind of would whitewash the fact that we are loosing a resource that we need to live, for a little tax gain.

            What was Winstons reason for refusing to along with this little scheme?

            • A 2.1.1.1.1.1
              12 January 2020 at 2:31 pm

              Oh please let it be because NZF thinks NO water should be exported. Overseas govts should ensure their own supply is properly managed/distributed instead of assuming they can.purchase from NZ.

              Nothing riles me more than the water issue.

              • Sabine …
                12 January 2020 at 3:22 pm

                what was Winston Peters reasoning? seriously? you could have stated it, after all you had no reason stating that he opposed taxing.

                And frankly he is rigth on that – irrespective of anyting. We should never have given the right to the water away in the first place. Certainly not for a hardboiled egg on white toast in the second place. And taxing a cent or two on a liter is not gonna make anything better, but it appears as doing something i get it.

                So i have no idea what his reasoning is/was you never linked to a comment of his that would allow us to know why. But yeah, me too, i am in the bucket of don't sell the water rights then you dont' have to tax water mining. Keep it in the Ground is what i say.

                • Graeme …
                  13 January 2020 at 8:28 am

                  From my recollection NZF opposed, not sure if that's the right word, a tax on bottled water exports because it would have pre-empted any solution to Treaty issues around water custodianship and would have created a precedent to usage charges or taxes on other water usage.

                  A huge writhing can of worms that's going to be a thorn in our side for a long time, on many, many levels.

                  In situations like this consent authorities should be required to effectively require a new consent application with a change of ownership or use. Sort of happens with most authorities now but can be easily staged to 'get it through'. Consents are granted to specific entities (persons or companies) for specific purposes, so there's conditions to be met on transfer or change, but if the effect is minor, and in most cases it would be nil, then there's little scrutiny.

                  • Sabine …
                    13 January 2020 at 8:37 am

                    that is what i assumed.

                    that by taxing the mining output they would condone the selling of rights to others while we sill have not yet fleshed out the rights under the treaty.

  3. Incognito 3
    12 January 2020 at 10:40 am

    Ross, stop testing and respond to your moderation, thanks.

  4. Sacha 4
    12 January 2020 at 11:17 am

    Confused letter-writer to the Harold whose grandparents owned a few houses in the central suburbs says we should not talk about class thank you very much: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12299658

    In last weekend's Herald on Sunday, in the article written by Catherine Masters, OneRoof editor Owen Vaughan states: "Ponsonby and Grey Lynn had gone from down-at-heel working class and bohemian suburbs to … ".

    I really do take offence at that statement, as I was brought up in Norfolk St, Ponsonby, in a house exactly like those shown in the article's photograph. Our house, owned by my grandparents, was a well-kept and tidy property with a lovely garden and mown lawns. Both my parents were teachers with my mother being the infant mistress at an Auckland school. The neighbours all had nice properties and far from being "down-at-heel", all had jobs of various kinds. My Auntie Jean, who was a registered nurse, lived in the next street in a house also owned by my grandparents.

    Class distinction has never had any place in Aotearoa, and I really wish that all media personnel would remove the words "working class", "middle class", etc, from their vocabulary.
    James Cameron, Howick

  5. adam 5
    12 January 2020 at 12:18 pm

    When is the line crossed? When they eat babies live on air seems to be the new standard. I don't need someone from the 'defence' industry to tell me killing and trump are cool.

    https://theintercept.com/2020/01/06/iran-suleimani-tv-pundits-weapons-industry/

    • aom 5.1
      12 January 2020 at 1:43 pm

      Thank you for the link adam. One interesting quote was that of the former head honcho (or is it headcase) of Homeland Security who said “General Suleimani was a lawful military objective and the president, under his constitutional authority as commander in chief, had ample domestic legal authority to take him out without an additional congressional authorization.” In saying that, how would he regard the concept of the murder of the Commander-in-Chief of the US military being a 'lawful military objective' for assassination while in an foreign country on a peace mission.

      • Sabine 5.1.1
        12 January 2020 at 1:54 pm

        ahhh, when the Constitution is being called unconstitutional by the right cause its inconvenient that they lost the Congress to the Democrats and according to that unconstitutional Constitution the power to declare war lays with Congress.

        Darn those founding fathers, did they not know that the orange menace is a locust send from God.

  6. aom 6
    12 January 2020 at 12:43 pm

    It's a bit steep to be involved in political activities then expect there to be no consequences: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/407134/uk-ambassador-to-iran-arrested-in-tehran-protest. Johnson should make take a moral stance and recall the ambassador immediately!

  7. Ad 7
    12 January 2020 at 1:40 pm

    Slack's column is precisely about Australia and telling them what to do.

    He starts with an illustration from Australian media for Australian viewers about Australia.

    He then complains about Australian bush fires affecting our air colour.

    He then complains about Australian media ownership.

    He then has a general rant with the same accuracy as Rolf Harris with a roller trying to re-do the Sistene Chapel.

    His article cites no policy or activist response to climate change in New Zealand.

    He's just having an abstract rant, with no quality in it and will change no one's minds at all.

    Your post builds on top of that, and has added no facts, no policy framework, no examples, and complains that things should go faster.

    Well top work on that Weka for advancing nothing.

    Anyone would think we hadn't spent the last year as a government generating one of the most comprehensive responses to climate change in the world. Do something useful and engage on that. It's fresh legislation and framework, and in fact there's still secondary bits undergoing Parliamentary scrutiny right now.

    As for whining about the business owning class being the only people who think about money as an organizing principle in their lives, that's just weak thinking.

    [as far as I can tell you’re the one doing the whining mate. If you can’t engage constructively with my writing, or make an attempt to understand what I am saying (rather than reacting to your perception), or if you just want to shit on things, then stay out of commenting under this post – weka]

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

    • Anne 7.1
      12 January 2020 at 6:55 pm

      You, Ad obviously have no comprehension of David Slack's particularly clever style of writing. He's brilliant the way he can meld humour, truth and an ability to sheath home reality without being too bombastic about it.

      Your interpretation of his words only highlights your lack of ability to appreciate the work of others. What's your problem? Are you jealous?

  8. joe90 8
    12 January 2020 at 2:33 pm

    Sobering documentary The Black Man’s Land Trilogy from the early 1970s.

    Mau Mau,

    Kenyatta

  9. Jenny How to get there 9
    12 January 2020 at 4:47 pm

    [Deleted]

    [I let this one comment through so that I can respond to your comments that ended in Trash in order to get closure on this sorry saga.

    I asked you to respond to the Moderation note, not to simply say that you had seen it. The point is that you show you understand and accept the instructional note. You have not done this, so far, and this is keeping you in Moderation. You cannot litigate your way out of Moderation and spamming the Trash folder is a sure way of staying in Moderation.

    You are a prolific commenter and reply under many posts to many comments. Obviously, because you were in Moderation, they all ended in Trash.

    I have been trying several times to get your attention yet somehow (????), you seem to have missed all or simply ignored them. If you had read them, you would have seen my reasoning and explanation, to and for you, and what you need to do to regain your commenting privilege on this site.

    As to your comments in general, I view you as a rigid commenter who thinks she’s always right and refuses to listen, be it to other commenters or Moderators. You don’t seem to pay much attention to replies and you don’t even realise that your comments don’t get through – otherwise, why do it? In short, you often seem disconnected and disengaged from the wider TS community.

    I couldn’t care less whether you comment here or not but in all fairness, it is not up to me to ‘curate’ the commentary here, and I want to give you a fair chance to be able to continue commenting here. Whether you appreciate that is a moot point for me; I don’t expect any thanks – being a Moderator is a thankless task most of the times 🙁

    So, here is your chance to sort things out in your favour or blow it.

    Your move – Incognito]

    • Incognito 9.1
      12 January 2020 at 5:24 pm

      See my Moderation note @ 4:47 PM.

    • Jenny How to get there 9.2
      12 January 2020 at 5:25 pm

      [Deleted]

      [WTF!?

      This is another example of one of your replies, this one to yourself again, that has absolutely no bearing to the comment you are replying to, not to the original content that I deleted (I’ve kept a copy) nor to the Moderation with which I replaced it.

      What on Earth do you think you are doing??

      The only thing you need to do right now is to respond to your Moderation – Incognito]

  10. adam 10
    12 January 2020 at 6:14 pm

    "They later called for more backup as the house was larger than your average state-house drug lab. I got the impression that they'd never had to raid a middle-class suburban house like mine before."

    What is wrong with herald – oh that right it's a mouthpiece for idiots.

    Big ups to the NZ police targeting people who actually have a track record of mass shooting.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12299600

  11. Barfly 11
    12 January 2020 at 9:48 pm

    Advice asked for

    A middle aged man and a teenage woman begging for money outside Countdown Mount Eden "our van and all our possessions have been stolen" heartrending ..except that 6 months ago it was the same people with the same sign that i gave money to..now i survive on a benefit but i was "touched" by their "plight" now i find myself so fucking angry with them because they are scammers…I am not snow white..but because these people happily take money from those who struggle…i am fukkin ropeable….how do i let this go…they will be there again lying to and conning all and sundry…I don't know what to do…please help.

    • I feel love 11.1
      12 January 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Sorry you feel like that Barfly, that's quite understandable. All I can suggest is just ignore them, live and let live etc.

    • mac1 11.2
      12 January 2020 at 10:13 pm

      I understand your anger. In Venice I saw a twisted man sitting on a little cushion soliciting donations. He was heartbreakingly malformed. Earlier I saw a young woman with a baby outside the Domo. Both looked very sad with their condition.

      Later I saw the young woman walking through the crowd to resume her station, The baby was a doll. When she sat down she resumed her sadness.

      The twisted man I saw later again in a calle walking normally down the way counting the notes of the cash he had been given by the gullible. On his back was the little cushion which had been made into a seat that could be worn as a backpack.

      In Paris later again I saw a man dragging his body along the West bank of the Seine. I immediately assumed he was another scammer ……… until I saw a stall owner go across to him and throw him some offering. Then I presumed the stall owner was wise enough in Parisian street life to know who the scammers were.

      I was happy to donate to that beggar.

      On reflection Christ said that we should give to all who solicit.

      I have looked it up on Google and found the following. Thanks, Barfly, for your challenge.

      "Christ tells us simply: “Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42)

      He tells us to lend and to expect nothing in return. He does not say “give to everyone who you judge to be worthy” or “give to everyone who really needs it and will spend the money well” but simply “give to everyone who begs from you”. If we only lend to get the good feeling of knowing that we’ve helped somebody, are we not being like the hypocrites who give alms to get the praises of men. Even if we only do it to get praise from our own conscience, that’s a form of hypocrisy. Give to all who beg from you, because our Lord says so.

      At the same time, talk to these people, show them kindness, often that’s what’s needed more than money. As some posters have already said, some people can make a lot of money by begging, but throwing money at them does not in itself validate them as people, human contact is often much more important.

      Having worked with the homeless, the reason many of them can’t get out of the cycle is that they don’t know what to do. Many of them have been raised in institutions and spent a long time in prison or juvenile hall. When they get out, they spend their time in soup kitchens and hostels, so when they do get an apartment to themselves, they don’t know what to do with it. That’s why many of them go back to the streets, it’s what they know and it’s where their friends are. The help we can give by talking, sharing the gospel, maybe getting to know where the labour exchanges and hostels and charity shelters are in our town so we can direct them to someone who can help, is worth far more than a few coins thrown into a hat."

      https://forums.catholic.com/t/beggars-on-the-street/76490/5

      For what it's worth…………

  12. Jenny How to get there 12
    12 January 2020 at 10:57 pm

    ‘

    It would be the mark of a real leader if Scott Morrison called a press conference to officially distance himself and his government from the dangerous misinformation that is being spread on the net about the cause of these fires.

    Only he can kill these false accusations and lies targeting environmentalists as the cause of these fires.

    Disinformation and lies are spreading faster than Australia's bushfires

    Christopher Knaus, The Guardian, Sat 11 Jan 2020

    ….Two pieces of disinformation stand out from the rest: that an “arson emergency”, rather than climate change, is behind the bushfires, and that “greenies” are preventing firefighters from reducing fuel loads in the Australian bush.

    Disinformation has spread across social media, finding its way into major news outlets, the mouths of government MPs, and across the globe to Donald Trump Jr and prominent right-wing conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones….

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/12/disinformation-and-lies-are-spreading-faster-than-australias-bushfires

    It is way past time that the Prime Minister of Australia went on the air to put the record straight.

  13. Eco maori 13
    13 January 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    That's is cool Moreki yellow eyed penguins being taken into a sanctuary to raise them safely.

    More storms raging in America it show how strong Tawhirimate is with warmer temperatures.

    Ka kite Ano

  14. Eco maori 14
    13 January 2020 at 6:50 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's was lucky Te pepi didn't get hurt in the bus crash in Tamiki Makaru.

    Waka ama 2020 look Awsome at lake Karapiro heaps of tangata and tamariki to Ka pai.

    Ka kite Ano.

  15. Eco 15
    13 January 2020 at 10:19 pm

    Here is our world's reality the 00.1 % are cheating the 99.9 % and making out they are honest.

    https://youtu.be/np_ylvc8Zj8

  16. Eco maori 16
    15 January 2020 at 6:26 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    That's awesome Pharmac funding more breast cancer drugs.

    Wow a fire in a diesel bus in Wellington all Aotearoa buses need to be changed to electric buses ASAP.

    People usually have a middlife crisis when there nest emptied.???.

    Ka kite Ano

  17. Eco maori 17
    15 January 2020 at 6:56 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Ka pai to the Peace Wahine.

    That is cool disabled tamariki funfess the tamariki would have had a great time in Tamiki Makaru.

    Ka kite Ano

  18. Eco maori 18
    16 January 2020 at 3:03 pm

    This is a good thing a CEO of a trillion dollar investment fund is smelling the reality of the investor climate change global warming is all OUR Reality. I could literally smell our climate burning last week.

    Climate change to drive 'massive' investment shift

    Concerns about climate change will drive a "fundamental reshaping of finance", one of the world's biggest money managers has said.

    Larry Fink, who runs BlackRock, said the shift will happen "sooner than most anticipate".

    His company has announced "sustainable" versions of its traditional investment options to meet demand from clients.

    It has also said it would push firms to disclose more about a range of issues, including climate commitments.

    While markets have been slow to reflect the worries about climate change, Mr Fink said the corporate world is now catching up.

    "Awareness is rapidly changing, and I believe we are on the edge of a fundamental reshaping of finance," he wrote in an annual letter to chief executives.

    "In the near future – and sooner than most anticipate – there will be a significant reallocation of capital."

    In a letter to clients, BlackRock – which manages nearly $7tn in assets – said it was taking a number of steps to respond to the investment risks linked to climate change.

    In addition to the sustainable funds, it said its investors would be able to screen their portfolios for certain sectors.

    Mr Fink's letter puts a spotlight on a growing trend among investors who worry about the industries they are funding.

    Investments in some "sustainable" funds jumped to $20bn in 2019, nearly four times the previous year's record, according to data from Morningstar.

    In the US, assets managed with sustainable investing strategies now represent more than a quarter of all investment assets under professional management

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/business-51111727

  19. Eco maori 19
    16 January 2020 at 6:30 pm

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Discrimination means that question is yes Andrew.

    That's sad a Albatross crook most likely plastic poised . Recycling is not the main way to solve our plastic waste problem making huge effort to eliminate the use of plastic packaging is needed.

    New treatment of type 2 diabetes is great its a big problem for Māori and Pacific tangata.

    Cool medical manuka honey used to treat animals caught in the Bush fires.

    Ka kite Ano

  20. Eco maori 20
    16 January 2020 at 6:55 pm

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's is cool Rangitane Iwi wildlife reserve we need more reserves around Aotearoa.

    That's farming working with the environment not against her.

    Wakarma is going great.

    Ka kite Ano

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    Peter Dunne writes –  I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • More harm than good
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos   Chris Trotter writes –  TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour
    And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction?   Gary Judd writes –  Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Protest.
    Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on miserly school lunches, and the banning of TikTok’s Gaza coverage
    Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 10-May-2024
    Brrr, the first cold snap of the year. Hope you’re rugged up nice and warm. Here are some stories that caught our eye this week… This Week on Greater Auckland On Monday, we had a post from a new contributor, Connor Sharp, who dug into the public feedback ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to May 10
    Almost all of the Wellington City Council’s recommended zoning changes to allow many more apartments and townhouses in its inner-suburbs have been approved.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guest on geopolitics, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #19 2024
    Open access notables A Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future: Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VIII
    Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Pretending to talk other people’s languages
    Fakes can come in many forms.A Rolex, for instance.A tan can be fake. Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What’s new? A social agency with an emphasis on “investment” instead of “wellbeing” – b...
    Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Following the political money
    Bryce Edwards writes –    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Hipkins would rather no one remember that he was Minister of Education
    Alwyn Poole writes –  After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Fashionable follies
    Eric Crampton writes –  A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Justice for Bainimarama!
    In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • March for Nature in June
    Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
    Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The non-woke $3 Lunch.
    I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour’s chickens come home to roost
    The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
    Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • The wrong direction
    Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • National hates democracy
    Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • No Tikanga Please, We're Lawyers.
    Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Member’s Day
    Today is a Member's Day, and it seems we've entered the slowdown as things emerge from select committee. First up is the committee stage of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the second readings of Stuart ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Hurrah for coal – Shane Jones welcomes Genesis Energy’s import plans as natural gas production s...
    Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Following the political money
    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • A Left-Right ranking of universities in NZ: a practical guide for students and parents
    Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim. Extreme Left   Auckland University of Technology Evidence The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  •  Inflation and GST thresholds
    Eric Crampton writes –  I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes –  Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • A law school to be avoided – Auckland University of Technology
    Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons
    Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Hamas Ceasefire Offer, and Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
    With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Wednesday May 8
    Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • A few PT announcements
    There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Tree ring proxies and the divergence problem
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Nothing to sneer at
    Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Still on their bullshit
    When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Drawn
    A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • A nod and a wink that will unnecessarily cost Aucklanders tens of millions per year
    Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Correcting the Corrections announcement – a fiscal farce that should bother the OECD
     Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  •  Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into ‘Pillar 2’ – or they are going to China
    Chris Trotter writes –  Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • A balanced and an unbalanced article
    David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Deeply unserious country
    Every bit of this seems insane. And people wonder why productivity is falling through the floor. Energy News reports that the Environment Court finally threw out Allan Crafar’s appeal against a solar farm. From the story: Consent was granted in 2022. Crafar appealed November 2022. On what grounds? That ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students
    The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…  Gary Judd KC writes –  I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/?p=77196
    The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, May 7
    TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • HM Prison Aotearoa.
    A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Get Your Webworm Merch!
    Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    7 days ago

  • Top OECD economist puts Willis between a rock and a hard place
    The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
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