Open Mike 12/03/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 12th, 2018 - 83 comments
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83 comments on “Open Mike 12/03/2018 ”

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  1. eco maori 1
    12 March 2018 at 6:36 am

    ECO MAORIs Kiwi Bank ac 389019048573100 Please help me to sort the nz police out
    I decided against trying to use PayPal to receive donations .I decided to copy
    Thestandards safe way of appealing and receiving donations I set up a Kiwi Bank AC
    So he tangata the people of Aoteraoroa New Zealand who support ECO MAORI can use internet banking to make donations and know that there bank accounts are safe after they have made a donation . ECO MAORI will use the donations to SUE the nz police for all the breaches to mine and my Whano Privacy Rights & Human Rights a lot of people can see this has been happening to ECO MAORI when I win my case I will set up a
    Charitable Trust and I will pay the money that I used and any extra donations into this Trust account and appeal to anyone else in Aoteraoroa who need help with finance to SUE the nz police for there in justices I will copy bank statements on this site to let he tangata the people know that ECO MAORI has Honest Honorable and transparent intentions to use your hard earned Putea Money. .
    Kia Kaha Ka kite ano

  2. Ed 2
    12 March 2018 at 7:00 am

    When are we going to place the environment and our health above farmers’ profits?
    Clean.
    Green.
    100.
    %.
    Pure.

    What a load of cow manure.
    And nitrogen.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/queenstown/swimming-limits-again

    • Graeme 2.1
      12 March 2018 at 10:42 am

      The Lake Hayes problem has little to nothing to do with stock effluent, the catchment is effectively destocked, or stocked at such low levels the land can easily handle it. The lake has very low through flow and is quite deep so has an inherent dissolved oxygen issue. Most of the nitrogen and phosphorus comes from fertilisers, of which there’s not much going on now, apart from MIllbrook and Hills golf courses. But the algae seems to have changed this year, it used to be brown, and in the deeper parts of the lake, this year it’s orange or fluro green and in the shallow parts. And looks toxic. As usual the ORCs put up some signs and that’s about it, don’t want to upset the money machine.

      The Manuherikia is totally dairy related. Lots of new dairy farms in the catchment combined with free draining soils. Pretty much instant shit in the river. Strange coincidence that a lot of said dairy farms are on the market.

  3. eco maori 3
    12 March 2018 at 7:41 am

    Good morning the AM Show on TV3 I say all the mokos should be taught about finance all about loans an how credit works at school they would save heaps over there life time teach them if you save a dollar its like earning 2 dollars .
    I support a wealth tax I did not mined paying more tax not that I’M wealth yet .
    The wealthy get to enjoy all the pleasures the sea mountains the fine food I say they should a bit more tax so we have a happy healthy society for all the creatures of Aoteraroa .I know my flutes sound travels far and wide around Papatuanuku the World
    I will use my gift to benefit all the beautiful human cultures around Papatuanuku the Worlds wealth and poor everyone needs a good environment social and mother earths environment and I will use this gift to benefit all the beautiful creatures on Mother Earth.
    I detest bullies when I was about 7 years old I was at a school of mostly Maori pupils
    one girl had a problem with one of her leggs it was skinny an she had a hard time walking. Some of the other kids started bulling her you know young kids they don’t think about the big picture they stopped bulling her when I finished with them .
    A Indian girl from India turned up to school and the kids started bulling her I stopped that to . As it turned out her parents invited Mama and I to her birthday and her father became mine and Mama doctors actually he became the whanos Doctor .
    I have not seen these people since I left Gisborne at 9 years old and moved to the Waiapu valley . I say the Black Caps did a good job against the Giants of world cricket red is a lucky colour . ka kite ano P.S You see if it was not for Ropata Wahawaha and Ngata us maori cultured would have a harder life than we have at the minute

  4. eco maori 4
    12 March 2018 at 8:03 am

    Many thanks to the AM show for interviewing Uncle Jack Charlies a Native Australian.
    It shows that Maori have Mana and that we have it a lot better than other Native minority cultures around Papatuanuku the World . But we still are getting the short end of the stick in NZ . So don’t back down from advocating for Maori and the common Kiwis Equal rights. Kia kaha ka kite ano

  5. eco maori 5
    12 March 2018 at 8:41 am

    New Hub ECO MAORI is colorblind I say that color should be banned from political party’s some people will vote for a party just because of the color . it creates division among people rivalries ect all political partys should be aloud to use gray colors only .It would good for Aotearoa NZ if both OUR main political Partys worked together to improve everyones lives in
    New Zealand instead of a _____fight that happens at the minute .Ka kaha Ka kite ano P.S I know you know that I had a direct connection with the Mow man your good M8 Duncan I just would not take the bait last time

    • JohnSelway 5.1
      12 March 2018 at 1:29 pm

      Instead of colour just have a symbol and a words? People with still identify with a party name regardless of colour. I don’t think it is the colours that attract i.e. I don’t think anyone votes ACT because they like yellow.

      Also as long as people have different points of view there’ll always be divisions in politics.

    • eco maori 5.2
      12 March 2018 at 5:36 pm

      Te Kaea on Maori TV I have been studying our history and have a better view on the treaty of waitangi and the importance it has and the way it has shaped OUR society for the better here is some words from the Rev H J Fletcher .
      When considering what material wealth in loyalty in strategical advantage when we reflect the cost to have conquered the country by force of arms then it is then we can see in the wisdom of Lord Normabys policy and wise Maori Chiefs. the strength of there statesmanship and we are all the winners with diplomacy instead of war.
      That is what The Treaty of Waitangi represents good intelligent diplomacy instead of war

      ka pai ka kite ano.

      • eco maori 5.2.1
        12 March 2018 at 5:56 pm

        Prime news that was a good story on how the common people in California USA have to live in tents an cars rents $1800 a month that is were we are heading if we sign that ttp11 is signed .
        And you had a interview of Elon Mus excellent his views on AI artificial intelligent is the same as Eco Maori ka pai kate ano P.S I will see how we go Prime News ???

        • eco maori 5.2.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 6:17 pm

          Good evening 3 News Hub how is one to think about a organization that never admits that they are wrong how is one to defend his Mana when that organization that is never wrong has the power of the whole state working against him a common Maori cultured Kiwi . Would you bring up your Mokos like that teach them they are never wrong well not ECO MAORI I teach my children and mokos when they are wrong so they will have a better life .?????????? Kia kaha Ka kite ano

          • eco maori 5.2.1.1.1
            12 March 2018 at 6:43 pm

            News Hub trump a giving a Chris a top job everyone has a different view on reality Chris is obviously business first .
            Eco Maoris view is te tangata and creatures first business second a company cannot feel pain and suffering so people and creatures first companys last anyway look after the people and the business will flourish its comonsence .
            Many thanks to the NZ Rugby Union for starting to make the ladys rugby team professional Ka pai Ka kite ano

            • eco maori 5.2.1.1.1.1
              12 March 2018 at 7:18 pm

              The project TV3 a man cannot learn about te matariki and study his history??? us Maori cultured people have a lot of story’s and history associated with the stars .
              At least in OUR beautiful country Aotearoa New Zealand we can see the stars on most nights my challenges continue ECO MAORI will never give up I will go through over under around move it what ever I will win in the END.
              Ka kite ano

              • eco maori …
                12 March 2018 at 7:32 pm

                Thats the way The Project support OUR farmers they deserve the good publicity they work hard and make our country healthy and wealthy .
                Its the Government that has to take the lead on environmentally friendly farming practices KNOW ka kite ano

  6. adam 6
    12 March 2018 at 9:04 am

    For laughs, shits and giggles. SNL take on it all….

  7. adam 7
    12 March 2018 at 9:17 am

    Not for the faint of heart. Another in a series about women’s lives in west london. This one has a huge section about disability and the failures of the British health system.

    https://libcom.org/blog/series-interviews-working-class-women-west-london-part-2-11032018

    • Carolyn_Nth 7.1
      12 March 2018 at 9:53 am

      Ramona’s story is recommended reading (very much). It is a first person witness to the deteriorating situation of low paid work and welfare in the UK (kind of like here).

      I also charts changing demographics, racism, the triple burden many women on low incomes live with, and the poor support for those with disabilities and the elderly. She says the state provides better care for people in prison than they do for the elderly.

      The article begins with a bit of theoretical framing. I disagree with the way it implicitly sets up middle class campaigning against sexual abuse and violence in opposition to the struggles of and campaigns for working class women. Both are campaigns where some women are abused in a system where others have more power – with the most powerful elites largely being men with patriarchal values.

      We can focus on both. However, working class women do not have as much visibility or power within the mainstream media. So it is essential to enable working class women to speak for themselves.

      Out of this evidence, by and for working class women, comes this conclusion in the framing part of the article:

      In the current aftermath of the financial crisis in 2008 working class women have been squeezed between welfare cuts and the increased pressure to work more on one side, and the conservative backlash that promotes traditional family values on the other. This has a practical purpose: valorising the family sets it up as a safe haven or ideal antidote to these times of austerity and hardship – as well as the masculine uncertainties it invokes. But it is increasingly impossible to both bring in an extra-income and create a family haven. Instead, these conflicting pressures of modern life make the home into a place of tension, that can easily boil over into violence.

      We need to address the main contradiction of women’s continued triple burden (of waged work, emotional labour and male violence) in an age of supposed equality. The role of a feminist movement and analysis is vital if we are to properly understand and respond to the worsening situation of the labour market in terms of real wages, precarisation, legal rights and the slashing of the social wage.

      It is very important to follow adam’s link and read Romana’s account of her own experiences.

  8. alwyn 8
    12 March 2018 at 10:04 am

    It is pleasing to see that our Climate Change Minister James Shaw is doing his very best to reduce our green house gas emissions.
    In the October-December quarter he spent $26,712 on International travel!
    I can see that the Foreign Affairs Minister, Peters, and the Trade Minister, Parker, need to do a lot of travel but Shaw?
    Couldn’t he try video conferencing if he really wanted to reduce carbon emissions. Just give his speech, or whatever he did, while still sitting in New Zealand and having time to try and get the Census run properly.
    On the other hand I can understand his passion to go to Paris, particularly if the Taxpayer will fund the jaunt. Paris is wonderful.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12009856

    • AsleepWhileWalking 8.1
      12 March 2018 at 10:14 am

      Climate change is being deliberately induced by geoengineering, not politicians overseas trips.

      Paris hasn’t been wonderful for some time now. Its streets are overrun with with a small army of heavily armed police/military.

      • alwyn 8.1.1
        12 March 2018 at 11:33 am

        “Climate change is being deliberately induced by geoengineering, not politicians overseas trips.”
        Really? You mean that the fuel being burnt in aircraft engines doesn’t produce any green house gases. They have been lying to us when they publish articles like this?
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_impact_of_aviation
        Or like this?
        https://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/air-travel-climate-change/
        Perhaps I am misreading you though. Do you mean that we ordinary people cause the production of Green House gases but not our rulers, the great Cabinet Ministers, and particularly those with a Green tinge?

        “Paris hasn’t been wonderful for some time now”
        I suggest that you revisit Paris. I go there every year and although you do see occasional groups of soldiers around life goes on as normal.
        I have only once been anywhere near a terrorist threat. Some fool tried to blow up a car on the Champs Elysees. It didn’t explode but merely caught fire and the driver was killed. It was hard to feel any sympathy. The only effect on us was that we were in the Grand Palais and weren’t allowed out for about half an hour.
        http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40332532

        I feel much more threatened and in danger in Courtney Place after dark than I ever do in Paris.
        The greatest city on earth.
        You would be much more likely to be killed on the Auckland roads than by Terrorist activity in Paris. There have been a total of 250 deaths in France from terrorist activity in the whole of this century. That is about 15/year and they weren’t all in Paris.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_terrorist_incidents_in_France#21st_century

    • Stunned Mullet 8.2
      12 March 2018 at 11:30 am

      Parliamentarians gorging at the trough, hardly surprising.

      • alwyn 8.2.1
        12 March 2018 at 11:47 am

        Wouldn’t you?
        After all they are “entitled”.
        Remember when lefties complained that Bronagh Key went to some things overseas, like the Commonwealth HOG meetings. The seemed quite put out when Key revealed that he paid for her travel himself.

        Look at the lather Bryce Edwards got himself into a few years ago about politicians perks, and in particular travel.
        http://liberation.typepad.com/liberation/2010/11/10-pertinent-questions-and-answers-about-axing-the-mp-international-travel-perk.html
        Now it is different. Why does Mr Gayford travel at our expense and the same people don’t complain about that?

        • red-blooded 8.2.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 2:26 pm

          There have been plenty of snide comments about Gayford travelling with Ardern recently. Open your ears, ears (and mind), alwyn.

          • alwyn 8.2.1.1.1
            12 March 2018 at 2:32 pm

            To be honest I don’t care about him travelling when it is expected. Some things require the attendance of a spouse. It was only what I perceived to be a sudden silence that struck me as interesting. I presume it is now the other side of politics who are complaining.
            The one thing that would make me unhappy is if New Zealand On Air were to start putting money into his TV program.

    • DoublePlusGood 8.3
      12 March 2018 at 12:06 pm

      You would have it that our Climate Change Minister not attend the international conference for Climate Change? Thereby weakening the position of those who want action to happen at those conferences?
      I am certain that being Green, James Shaw offsets all of the air travel that he needs to do.
      The census was fucked by the previous minister, with not enough time available to Shaw to unfuck it.

    • AB 8.4
      12 March 2018 at 1:59 pm

      Alwyn suggests the climate change minister shouldn’t travel. (one person on an aeroplane)
      Alwyn does not suggest that we should be starting to shut down our tourist industry because millions of people travel here on aeroplanes.
      Q.)Why is Alwyn so selective about who should and shouldn’t travel due to climate change?
      A.) Because Alwyn doesn’t actually care about climate change (or is maybe a denier, who knows) but is only interested in levelling bogus, childish accusations of hypocrisy at leftish politicians.
      Q.) Why is Alwyn interested only in doing something so intellectually shabby?
      A.) Because he is intellectually shabby.
      It would be interesting to take this root cause analysis a bit further….

      • alwyn 8.4.1
        12 March 2018 at 2:11 pm

        Get help, you clearly need it if these are typical of your fantasies.
        My viewpoint is very simple. If climate change and carbon emissions are really such a problem as Shaw seems to believe he should really make an attempt to do something about it.
        Flying around the world to attend a talkfest with thousands of other people merely shows that you don’t care to let anything interfere with your enjoyment of life.

        • AB 8.4.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 2:17 pm

          My line of work is to give help Alwyn, not receive it. And I will not charge you.

          • alwyn 8.4.1.1.1
            12 March 2018 at 5:06 pm

            I am only too willing to pay you what you are worth.
            Having read your foolish babblings I must say that the amount is less than zero. I want to be paid for the time I wasted perusing the dribble you were spouting.

  9. greywarshark 9
    12 March 2018 at 10:25 am

    Our education – an overseas look at how things were where he comes from which seems to be similar here, though about to change we hope.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday/audio/2018634594/sir-ken-robinson-creative-thought-leader-in-education

    “The trouble at the moment is, we tend to judge everybody by a single standard.“Then you compound this with forms of simplistic testing which reduce even the most complex ideas to a series of bullet points … because it’s politically convenient and immensely profitable for the companies that sell these tests.” …

    “A lot of governments tend to think that the answer to improving education lies in specifying the curriculum and then investing in standardised systems of testing. “But anybody who knows anything about education knows the real key to improving education is teaching.”

    Contrast his experience with that of Paul McCartney, whose music with the Beatles was avidly followed by the young Sir Ken in Liverpool. “I can remember ‘Love Me Do’ exploding into the airwaves of Radio Luxembourg which is what we used to listen to at the time in Britain. I couldn’t believe how great this record was. I’d never heard anything like it.”

    Decades later, interviewed for a book, McCartney told him he hadn’t enjoyed music at school and his music teacher didn’t think he had any talent. Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison was in the same music programme a couple of years later and the teacher didn’t think he had any talent either, McCartney said.

    “I said, well look would it be reasonable to say this, that there was this one music teacher in Liverpool in the 1950s who had half the Beatles in his class and he missed it? And he said ‘yes’.”

  10. chris73 10
    12 March 2018 at 10:48 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12008838

    ‘Student numbers have jumped at three regional polytechnics – but the Government’s fees-free policy appears to have had no impact on universities, wānanga or apprenticeships.’

    ‘Education Minister Chris Hipkins put the cost of free fees and $50-a-week increases in student loans and allowances at up to $380 million in the financial year to this July. Labour has said its policy of three years’ free tertiary study will cost $1.2 billion a year by 2024.’

    Maybe it’ll pick up later but at the moment its looking like, another, bust from Labour

    🙂

    • DoublePlusGood 10.1
      12 March 2018 at 12:10 pm

      The Unis are full – polytechnics are where you’d expect to see the increase.

      Also, you’re saying this is a bust, but at the moment there’s been an extra $380 million spent on getting people into tertiary education prior to July, and it’s expected to increase in subsequent years. Uptake is already a third of what it is eventually intended to be. So the policy is doing exactly what it is intended to do, but you think it is a bust? Dense.

      • chris73 10.1.1
        12 March 2018 at 12:24 pm

        It always was a bust because with interest free loans that you don’t have to pay back until you hit the threshold there was no barrier to learning

        • mikes 10.1.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 12:52 pm

          There should never be any “barrier to learning..”

        • weka 10.1.1.2
          12 March 2018 at 1:09 pm

          “It always was a bust because with interest free loans that you don’t have to pay back until you hit the threshold there was no barrier to learning”

          I’m fairly sure that you understand that people still have to pay the loans back, so either you are pig ignorant about what debt means to many people, or you’re being disingenuous, or you’re one of those righties who thinks anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Or a combination of all three.

          • Ed1 10.1.1.2.1
            12 March 2018 at 2:12 pm

            Pig ignorant covers it I think. The result of the high fees has been additional stress on many students, leading to less effective study; some becoming “student loan exiles” – if jobs don’t pan out (possibly due to stress, but we have been living in turbulant times) they cannot return to New Zealand without being trapped until they repay a loan. Some of our brightest and best left New Zealand, giving priority to high earnings to get rid of the debt – and have stayed overseas. Then there are the distortions in some professions. If you have visited a dentist in the last few years you will appreciate that fees have risen to ensure that high student loans can be repaid, with the result that for many low earners and beneficiaries, dentistry is a luxury that cannot often be afforded. Its been a windfall for dentists who went through with no or only a low loan, but delivering profits at the expense of the poor was never a problem for the previous government. (Another effect is that there has been a rise in dentistry companies – new dentists cannot afford to buy capital equipment – they already have a high personal loan – so they become employees for those with real capital that they can use to get a good return at the expense of those new professionals . . .

            If the extra money has not had any beneficial effect then I guess chris73 will be consistent and accept that an increase in taxes for high income earners of a similar amount would also have no effect . . .

        • red-blooded 10.1.1.3
          12 March 2018 at 2:28 pm

          We’ve been told for years that the real need in NZ is for trained tradespeople, Chris. So more people are going to polytech? Great! Exactly what was needed!

    • Psycho Milt 10.2
      12 March 2018 at 12:36 pm

      Maybe it’ll pick up later but at the moment its looking like, another, bust from Labour

      Meh – if there’d been a significant increase in university enrolments, you’d be running lines about Labour having enticed hordes of wasters to take a year off at the taxpayers’ expense.

    • Brigid 10.3
      12 March 2018 at 12:59 pm

      ‘bust from Labour’? What are you talking about?

      Are you assuming that because there are no fees student numbers will rise?
      If so why?

    • Craig H 10.4
      12 March 2018 at 9:21 pm

      Certainly disarms all the complaining about how young people will take useless university courses…

    • Incognito 10.5
      12 March 2018 at 9:45 pm

      I think it’s early days and many young people would have already made plans and even enrolled/registered when Government made the decision. In any case, there will be much less stress for those who could least afford it, which is a good thing IMO.

      I also think it is a good move to weaken the (direct) link between (tertiary) education and money/cost for the students. Education has become a commodity, with a degree or diploma as the ‘proof of purchase’. Students are treated as fee-paying customers and, in turn, they have the expectations of fee-paying customers; they expect and customised service, with warranty and a complaint service, and a detailed ‘manual & user-guide’. In addition, tertiary education has become a highly competitive market in which the education providers have to spend much time & effort to attract ‘business’. This is the model that’s adored and pushed by National & ACT and luckily this Government realises how ineffective and counter-productive it is.

  11. adam 11
    12 March 2018 at 11:44 am

    https://www.facebook.com/burgervilleworkersunion

    These guys just had a three day strike last month. I know it did not get any news. It was against anti-union practices. After the event, the union leader of the strike was suspended (still in dispute) on trumped up theft charges.

    Show some solidarity – send them some words of encouragement.

  12. Corey Humm 12
    12 March 2018 at 1:03 pm

    Heeey in between being a cynical lefty posting cynical comments on here i do stand up comedy and have won a few awards, have my first solo show Armchair Revolutionary at the wellington fringe festival this week would love if any of you could make it or give it a share. Much love comrades https://m.facebook.com/events/561832590860369?tsid=0.054152682020651266&source=result

  13. Ffloyd 13
    12 March 2018 at 1:11 pm

    Did anyone hear Guyon on the Simon Bridges show this morning. What a joke. What a pompous little little prat Si is. He was certainly given a lot of air time. Something he’s not short of. Hot air that is. He also seems to be channelling the trump boys with his oily slick back. Not to mention P Bennett’s new copy cat hairstyle. Two slick tricks…..! And how the hell did Coleman get kept on? What’s going on there? Hasn’t he done enough damage? So needs to shuffle the deck again. All the jokers on front bench.

    • patricia bremner 13.1
      12 March 2018 at 2:03 pm

      So true.

    • tc 13.2
      12 March 2018 at 4:43 pm

      Did Gluon pin him or just provide a soapbox as per usual RNZ MO for national polititians ?

      Bridges is used to not being challenged so how about it MSM ? Bet he goes straight to the nasty file.

      • Ed 13.2.1
        12 March 2018 at 5:42 pm

        Guyon is a corporate puppet.
        Under no circumstance can he be described as a journalist.

  14. mac1 14
    12 March 2018 at 2:20 pm

    Oh dear.

    Smarty Simon has just lost some leadership credibility. He certainly won’t be able to tease Hipkins anymore…… A span too far for Mr Bridges.

    And guess who did the backtracking after Leader Simon got off-side with #3 and # 4?

    Was it the brave leader? When will he realise that, as Key and English and Joyce, you just can’t make it up on the fly, when the media are now spotting and writing about such gaffes.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/03/bridges-at-odds-with-party-on-infrastructure-tax.html

  15. joe90 15
    12 March 2018 at 3:06 pm

    Apoplectic brexiters ahoy.

    The leader of the Liberal Democrats claimed the older generation were responsible for Britain’s decision to leave the European Union.

    Sir Vince then said the decision was “driven by nostalgia” as Brexit voters wanted a Britain where “faces were white”.

    He said: “I confess that my own initial reaction to the referendum was to think there was little choice but to pursue Brexit. I thought ‘the public have voted to be poorer. That is their right.’

    “What changed my mind was the evidence that Brexit had overwhelmingly been the choice of the older generation. 75 percent of under 25s voted to Remain. But 70 percent of over 65s voted for Brexit.

    “Too many were driven by a nostalgia for a world where passports were blue, faces were white, and the map was coloured imperial pink.”

    https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/930185/Brexit-news-UK-EU-voters-European-Union-Sir-Vince-Cable-Liberal-Democrat-conference

    • greywarshark 15.1
      12 March 2018 at 3:47 pm

      The quotes and points he uses are punchy. It’s pretty much true isn’t it? Maybe if the EU develops cracks the disaffected in the USA might want to follow suit.

      Why would the northern East Coast want to be up tight and cosy with Alabama? The west coast has its own economy. The bible belt live about a foot off the ground in their own heavenly, yet hellish bubble.

  16. Ed1 16
    12 March 2018 at 3:19 pm

    I’ve just read:
    http://werewolf.co.nz/2017/11/is-it-time-to-take-acc-back-to-first-principles/

    It covers well the deception and lies from Nick Smith a long way back now, but misses the other reason why National wanted them to segment results to identify where there may be opportunities for the private sector to “compete”. [a probably apocryphal story is that Smith deliberately had the rate for middle-aged bikers put up due to a photo of Phil Goff (?) with a large motor-bike]. Since many of the most expensive benefits are “income related” there is some merit in the levies being able to be collected by the IRD – with considerable administrative savings.

  17. rhinocrates 17
    12 March 2018 at 3:54 pm

    On the Uberisation of work and its roots in ‘Human Capital’ theory:

    https://aeon.co/essays/how-the-cold-war-led-the-cia-to-promote-human-capital-theory

    In this new vision of the economy, workers can’t be seen as a specific class with shared interests. They didn’t even belong to a company … too communal. For sure, perhaps they weren’t even workers! Homo economicus qua human capital was instead somehow external to the firm, pursuing his interests alone and investing in his abilities to leverage the best deal. […] Peter Drucker even felt comfortable announcing the arrival of the ‘post-capitalist society’, labelling the US the most socialist country around because all workers owned some capital after all.

    What isn’t a joking matter, however, is the brave new world of work that has followed in the wake of neoclassical ideas such as human capital theory. Only when the employee is framed in such an ultra-individualist manner could the regressive trend of on-demand (or ‘zero-hours’) employment contracts ever gain a foothold in the economy. What some have called the Uberisation of the workforce functions by reclassifying workers as independent business owners, thereby shifting all employment costs to the employee: training, uniforms, vehicles and almost everything else.

    • Ed 17.1
      12 March 2018 at 5:39 pm

      The solution for any self respecting country is to boot these tax dodging organisations out.
      Just requires will and courage.

      • Incognito 17.1.1
        12 March 2018 at 9:26 pm

        Any self-respecting country would most definitely not sign an agreement that cedes power & control to borderless and faceless corporations and most definitely not encourage these large business conglomerates to erode & corrode away the last cohesive that keeps together its society as well as the last strands of fabric that stands between civilisation as we know it and complete and utter atomisation of society into a mass of nameless consumers & obedient workers, which is arguable a critical step towards totalitarianism. Apologies for the long sentence but this is not an essay for NCEA.

        • Ed 17.1.1.1
          13 March 2018 at 7:03 am

          Totally agree.
          The main 2 parties in NZ are both neoliberal and globalist, which means the citizens of this country are screwed.

  18. Carolyn_Nth 18
    12 March 2018 at 5:04 pm

    RNZ reported in the 5pm news there’s allegations of sexual harassment at the Young Labour camp last week month.

    Is this malicious or for real?

    Ah. It’s coming from Mark Jennings on Newsroom

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/03/12/96033/labour-summer-school-claims

    Newsroom has learnt that one of the camp’s organisers has been in touch with the victims and informed them the incident had been reported to Labour’s Head Office.

    She is understood to have apologised on behalf of Young Labour and offered to support them in any way she could.

    Sources have told Newsroom that Young Labour has pledged it can do more to ensure the safety of young people at its camps and is reviewing its event management.

    Newsroom has heard that some of those attending the event are upset the response and offers of support have not come quickly enough.

    Labour’s General Secretary, Andrew Kirton said he was aware of the incident and was currently, “working through it”.

    • mauī 18.1
      12 March 2018 at 5:31 pm

      Looks like it’s going viral across the mediaz. Be interesting to see if the story changes at all.

    • james 18.2
      12 March 2018 at 5:44 pm

      I wonder why something as serious as this didnt make it to Jacinda?

      “Newsroom has been told the man was intoxicated and put his hand down the pants of at least three of the four young people.”

      If so – do people on here think that should have resulted in a call to the police not just the Labour office?

      • Ed 18.2.1
        12 March 2018 at 5:48 pm

        Trying to make political capital out of a story like this is low, even for you.

        Let us all hope, whatever political persuasion we have, that is investigated thoroughly.

        • james 18.2.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 5:58 pm

          They are reasonable questions

          Im guessing that ‘somebody’ has tried to keep it quiet and thats how it has made it to the media – prob pissed off parents.

          But yes – I agree – lets hope it gets investigated thoroughly – although I do not think that this should be handled ‘in house’ – if 4 young kids have been sexually assaulted at a Labour camp – this should be a matter for the police not labour to investigate.

    • JohnSelway 18.3
      12 March 2018 at 5:46 pm

      Well, hope it is investigated thoroughly

    • BM 18.4
      12 March 2018 at 6:23 pm

      The question that needs to be asked is why it wasn’t a police matter when it happened, these are serious allegations.

      It would be concerning if pressure was applied to these young victims to not contact the police.

      • Carolyn_Nth 18.4.1
        12 March 2018 at 6:26 pm

        Kirton was asked that by John Campbell on Checkpoint. He said they were following a victim led process, and they wouldn’t notify the police until the victim/s were happy with that.

        • BM 18.4.1.1
          12 March 2018 at 6:34 pm

          Really? that sounds like damage control and trying to sweep it all under the carpet and hope it all disappears to me.

          This sexual assault happened over a month ago

        • rightly or wrongly 18.4.1.2
          12 March 2018 at 6:54 pm

          A bit late now. Its in the media and the Police no doubt will come door knocking to find out what the deal is.

          Should have been done the week after the camp finished – not a month later.

          • Ian 18.4.1.2.1
            12 March 2018 at 9:22 pm

            I hope Jacinda doesn’t do an Annette king

            • Pat 18.4.1.2.1.1
              12 March 2018 at 9:56 pm

              whats ‘doing an Annette King’ involve?

              • Ian …
                12 March 2018 at 10:18 pm

                Getting the offender an air ticket away from questions from Ally Mau and her # me too team.

              • McFlock …
                12 March 2018 at 10:23 pm

                Oh, explicit allegations aren’t how tories smear.

                You’re supposed to join the dots* yourself, because if Ian said what he meant, I suspect he’d get an immediate ban.

                *by “dots” I mean “random sick fantasies parroted from WO or KB”

                • Pat …
                  12 March 2018 at 10:37 pm

                  well its news to me but Id suggest that if Ian’ knows all about it’ then Alison Mau will be able to easily track down any alleged transgressor….I will be surprised if that happens.

                • Ian …
                  12 March 2018 at 10:46 pm

                  The message ,I suppose is that # me too can bite you on the arse. Not a good look for Jacinda being the life and times of the party. Lets do this can mean lots of strokes for different folks.

                  • McFlock …
                    12 March 2018 at 11:18 pm

                    Make an explicit allegation, you slime-merchant.

                    Jacinda “life and times of the party”, and whatever you’re gobbing on about with King. You’re a goddamn coward.

  19. Ed 19
    12 March 2018 at 5:32 pm

    Excellent article about the problems facing Fonterra.

    ‘Rod Oram delves behind the scenes of Fonterra’s Beingmate debacle in this week’s column. He finds the board will have to make a momentous decision that has parallels with Fletcher Building’s eventual removal of its CEO and Chairman.’

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/03/10/95465/rod-oram-fonterras-big-big-beingmate-problems

  20. adam 20
    12 March 2018 at 5:35 pm

    Took the bastards at New Zealand Rugby this long to actually get women on the payroll. And if your not a marquee player, then the wages are more than a bit shit.

    Whilst I’m glad the women’s team is finally getting paid for all their hard work. A organisation which makes Millions of dollars off rugby, offering such crap wages should be called out!

    It’s a bloody insult. It’s bloody disgusting, and once again it’s bloody typical of this country.

    http://www.noted.co.nz/life/sport/black-ferns-go-on-the-nzr-payroll/

    My guess is were all supposed to celebrate how underwhelming this all is.

    No doubt people will celebrate – just remember – it’s years late and the pay is shit.

    • Ed 20.1
      12 March 2018 at 5:37 pm

      The sheeple accept the premises and framing that the corporate media gives them.
      Thank you for presenting the true picture.

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 20.2
      12 March 2018 at 8:46 pm

      Women’s rugby.

      “New Zealand Rugby has announced it will contract its top 30 women’s players with the contracts ranging from $12,500 to $20,000 a year.

      Players will also get a $2000 a week assembly fee with leading players able to earn a maximum of $45,000 a year.”

      Men’s rugby.

      New Zealand’s five Super Rugby franchises are allowed to contract 32 players each year. The maximum retainer is $195,000 and minimum $75,000.

      Beyond that are what used to be known as wider contract players. Now called Draft New Zealand Contract Players, teams are permitted to sign six on retainers of $50,000.

      Women’s rugby 50 days per year (7 weeks) lowest pay $26500 = $3785 per week

      Super 15 19 weeks lowest pay $75,000 = $3947 per week.

      Add in some pre season training for the super 15 players and the lowest rate would seem to be similar.

      At the top end seems to be more of a problem which should be improved

      Women $6428 per week
      Men $10263 per week

      Plus I’d give women some extra pay for representing their country and not just their franchise.

      Probably the minimum all should get should be the $50,000-00 per annum retainer.

      • chris73 20.2.1
        12 March 2018 at 11:24 pm

        “Probably the minimum all should get should be the $50,000-00 per annum retainer.”

        Well no, the women don’t bring in even close to what the men do so no they shouldn’t be paid equally

        Not saying they shouldn’t be paid and not saying they can’t be paid more in the future but the men are bringing in the money and its the money they generate that pays the wages

        • DoublePlusGood 20.2.1.1
          13 March 2018 at 11:35 am

          That is always spouted when women’s sports going professional, and it always turns out that every other country goes fully professional first, and New Zealand slips back in the world rankings.
          If you want professional athletes with professional results these days, you’ve got to pay them a full time salary.

  21. greywarshark 21
    12 March 2018 at 8:19 pm

    When someone has an accident and a person is killed is the surviving driver a criminal?
    Or just misunderstood.

    Shirley Way said Mr Stretch’s behaviour spiralled out of control after the crash that killed a young woman in 2001, for which he was jailed on a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol, causing death.
    “His life was never, ever the same after that.”
    “Because he was so young himself, it wasn’t something I think that was managed or dealt with very well,” Ms Way said.

    Mr Stretch did not stop drinking or doing drugs, she said.
    “If anything, it escalated out of control.”
    It was no excuse for what had happened yesterday which was an awful tragedy, Ms Way said.
    Other friends of Mr Tairakena and Mr Stretch expressed their sorrow and grief on social media.

    Some were also angry, saying the men had been portrayed as criminals without considering how that might affect their families.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/352328/triple-fatality-crash-his-life-was-never-ever-the-same