Following on from Advantages post yesterday, here is a video of Ukrainian soldiers singing their national anthem on the eve of their successful Kharkiv offensive.
What to make of this? Who would have thought that in 2022 we would see such things. We've been taught patriotism, dying for your country, fighting for freedom is all so much blather. The shadow of Passchendaele has sat over us all as a dark warning for over a century. The ideals encapsulated by this image are almost an anathema to 21st century liberal sensibilities.
I've seen other images like this, grainy black and white photos from the Great War, or world war 2. You know that many of those in the grainy phtographs, like many of these men, will soon be dead. What a waste. You want to weep, at the loss of life and in fury and anger that one man – Putin – could cause so many men to sternly take up arms and willingly die in service of abstract and unfashionable ideals like patriotism and freedom.
Yet every man watching this would have to have a heart of stone if a lump didn't form in their throat watching men on the eve of battle display their belief in and determination and willingness to die for their cause. These are men on their St. Crispen's day.
Anyway, if you need to know why war is so awful and yet why it is so necessary sometimes to fight just look at these men. And remember all they want from us is to be the arsenal of freedom.
He actually means the Business OWNERS. Who want BAU. Cheap Immigrant workers….who they can then resume bullying….and paying the absolute minimum they can get away with.
Southland MP Joseph Mooney is keen to hear hospitality workers' experiences.
"Cruel" ? fucks sake! Cry me a river of crocodile tears you jerk.
Cmon Mooney…talk to the actual low paid WORKERS ! You of course wont want to hear.
And imagine ..trying to actually live in Qtown/wanaka ….on the “pay” !
Mmmmm. Not dissing your interpretation of what Mooney is concerned over.
But many of the front-line workers I know (both personally, and through dining out, shopping, etc.) are under a huge amount of pressure.
When there are not enough staff to cover, when new staff are thrown into the job with no training, when people leave (because of a better offer), when customers are ratty, rude or even violent (Covid, lower grade service, general stress themselves), it's the existing staff – not (in general) the business owner – who have to step up and be stretched thinner to cover.
We've seen this in the nursing workforce (friends who are nurses, as well as media reports).
And, if you think that pay is the only stressor for workers, then we'll just have to disagree.
Working in a business which is short of staff (for whatever reason) is stressful for the staff.
Labour has continuously raised the minimum wage through this term in government. Are you saying that it's not enough? And, actually, most of the businesses locally (Auckland, as it happens) are paying over minimum wage rates right now.
Yanno, if you perceive that every issue I comment on is "concerntrolling" – then you can't really have a debate. I suggest that's got more to do with your bias, than mine.
lol..as usual..you see what you want. WHERE did I say that Hospo staff are NOT Stressed? Pressured? Abused? I'm sure that your "hospo friends" (and 'Nurse friends" : ) will tell you what you want to hear. To suit your Bias….view….
But many of the front-line workers I know (both personally, and through dining out, shopping, etc.) are under a huge amount of pressure.
You..will say its because something something Labour. Pays are up!! BS. They wont pay any ACTUAL Living Wage . Hospo has always been underpaid and overworked..and bullied. As I said, Businesses want BAU….cheap Immigrants…to pay min wage they can GET AWAY with. Noted that you sidled past that. I wont respond to you again.
Their user name says it all really. Anything National does / suggests is bad. Anything Labour does / suggests is great. The facts and results are ignored.
It'll get worse towards election time, Belladonna. That goes for political diehards of all persuasions. I'm guessing the upcoming election will be the dirtiest in New Zealand's political history. Labour will do anything to keep the lifestyle they have become accustomed to. National will do anything to get out of the lifestyle they aren't accustomed to.
Belladonna is a "respectful centrist". Once upon a time their politics may have been more compatible with The Standard's 'flavour' – beware 'the drift'!
lol…"respectful centrist" that is actually pretty good. I'll just add… No spring chicken am I…but can relate to the New. I like Labour…but would really like More Green : ) Still, one thing that aint gonna change : me PsyclingLeft.Always : )
Tony and DMK…Solid as . We gotta keep on . I REALLY dont want those nact jerks back screwing NZ again.
And even the ODT Political reckons Jacinda…
spending a day with the prime minister is a salient reminder that she by far and away remains the Labour Party’s strongest asset and the best — and the way things are going at the moment possibly the only — hope of it winning next year’s election.
The wages are so low that no locals want to work ungodly hours for less than the cost of living . Accommodation is a nightmare cost and availability then heating costs in the likes of Queenstown means working is slavery in the hospitality sector. freedom campers were able to work but that sector has dried up and won't ever provide the numbers required again. This has exposed the National parties economic strategy of fixing labour shortages by importing cheap labour and allowing them to be enslaved.Time after Time we see many of these workers tied into bonded labour ripped off and put into slavery with employers charging exorbitant accommodation fees, not paying wages ,wage theft abuse etc migrant workers not able to change jobs. National defunded labour dept (MOBIE) inspectors and rarely prosecuted offenders. Grant Robertson needs to front foot this Tory propaganda.
And Aye ..Tricledrown. Qtown in particular…a rich rats nest of that kind of Worker exploitation. And indeed. ..Labour does need to Pushback hard on Mp Mooney..and the other nat disingenuous BS.
Support our Workers…Business owners are never going to vote..other than nact. Its in their DNA
Actually, I just remembered: In Shakespeare's day (or at least in the language of his characters) they referred to a Commonweal. That's much more accurate.
Costs a hell of a lot to keep electing/appointing a new head of government. Not to mention the divisiveness of the campaigns (try looking at the US or France for examples).
And, for what benefit? A figurehead which some may perceive as 'ours'….
When NZ becomes a republic I suspect we will not change our whole system so the process need not be costly. Our first president will likely be head of state while the PM will remain head of government.
As the link says – which I've just backed up from an Irish newspaper – the office of the president of Ireland costs an equivalent of just under $8million, including $2.9million for centenarian "bounties".
The president of Ireland (with about the same population as ours) serves for seven years. So we'd have got three terms of presidents or 21 years for one Shonkey flag referendum.
Unless our GG is being wildly extravagant (which doesn't seem to be the case from the attached expenditure) – it's difficult to see how having an elected head of state would cost less. Costs of travel, salary and government building maintenance aren't going to decrease – because someone is elected rather than appointed.
I note, that there is no amount in the blog for the cost of running an election (with election expenses of 200,000 euros per candidate being able to be claimed back). It's not clear whether this presidential election is held at the same time as other elections. If not, the cost of simply holding the election would be substantial.
But, setting aside money. The element that I don't want to see is the divisive nature of the elections. As seen in the US and France (for example) – or even in the 2018 Irish election campaign.
Unless our GG is being wildly extravagant (which doesn't seem to be the case from the attached expenditure) – it's difficult to see how having an elected head of state would cost less.
Ah.. No. As I said based on official figures having a G-G costs NZ more than the Irish presidency costs Ireland.
The element that I don't want to see is the divisive nature of the elections.
So you won't be a fan of general elections either then. They're pretty divisive.
I can't see any parallel to France or the US anyway. They have totally different systems of government than we do and still would, I'd be confident, once we finally cut ties with the British monarchy and become a republic which I believe we inevitably will.
There are 56 countries in the Commonwealth and we’re part of a small minority who cling on the British monarch as their head of state.
Now Elizabeth II is gone, hopefully the pace towards a republic will gain more momentum.
The element which appears to be included with the budget for the NZ GG, but not with the Irish President is the capital and depreciation costs associated with Government House.
A different view today from Kehinde Andrews, professor of Black studies at Birmingham City University and author of "New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World."
"As the world waited for confirmation of the queen's death on Thursday, and as family members sped to hear royal vacation residence in Scotland, social media posts began going viral demanding that no one speak ill of the queen, out of respect for her loyal subjects. But the queen had many subjects, and they do not all mourn equally." …
"Millions of people are mourning Queen Elizabeth II this weekend, as is their right. But millions more are hoping her death marks the end of the monarchy — and you need only to open a history book to understand why."
There is a well informed and well considered debate going on around the world at this time. One of the English Queens’s roles at the time of here accession was to continue the benefits and influence they had as a colonial power. The Commonwealth Org is part of that. It is still a colonial tool. If Kiwis can’t have a debate about the past they will miss opportunities to build a better future.
Apparently NZ is unique, the UK and Australia have no economic problems at all.
Personally I'm not that bothered, but it really does expose the grief-performing for the fraud that it is. Looking forward to the furious "how dare they!" editorials … but of course they are only for the disloyal lefties. Is Hosking sobbing at Business NZ?
Newshub has a Mickey Mouse non-poll, and it's noticeable that they don't offer a "no holiday" option. Of course I voted for the whole week off, you might as well troll this kind of nonsense.
Every now and again the CANZUK idea (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANZUK_International) re-emerges on social media, usually as a form of white privilege where the people proposing it haven't thought through the explicit racism of the remnant white parts of the Empire pulling up the drawbridge and forming their own cosy club – without the inconvenience of having to include Nigerians and Indians and Pakistanis in their little schemes for free movement.
As an idea it is pretty racist, but it is a reminder that the white Commonwealth retains a great degree of usefulness to it's members. Until that changes, we will all keep the monarchy in some form or another.
'That seems to be what is so very, very different about the worldview shared by the likes of Liz Truss, Christopher Luxon and David Seymour. Wealth tends to be seen by them as personal property, and thus devoid of any sense of social obligation, or of even a basic recognition that this wealth may have been gained – partly at least – through the advantages of privilege and patronage. Today’s wealthy elites have little compunction about engaging in conspicuous consumption, since they believe their own spin that this wealth has been the byproduct of individual effort, innate ability and divine provenance. Generally speaking, it has been no such thing.(my bold)
I view our displays of wealth as more akin to the Danish; subtle and few and far between. Our networked intermarriages, family trusts, and extreme narrowness of wealth leave very little room for ostentation. The truly rich keep it tight and out of sight mostly.
If you want to observe them like birdwatchers, you are most likely to find such elites at Moore Wilson's at 11am on a Saturday morning, deep in wintry alpine retreats around Queenstown, or simply lolling far from shore in substantial pleasure craft in the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Islands, way out of sight or scrutiny.
Don't know about that…NZ's richest man has a huge 'toy' .He has more wealth than the next 3 or 4 combined.
'M/Y Ulysses. Ulysses is a 116-meter expedition yacht, delivered by Kleven to New Zealand-based billionaire Graeme Richard Hart.She is the largest expedition yacht in the world, taking over the position from Luna.'
Luxon trumpets his 'success'.
Bob Jones is not known for modesty.
The NBR List top 10
1. Graeme Hart – $11b
2. Todd family – $4.3b
3. Goodman family – $3.1b
4. Mowbray family – $2.5b
5. Michael Friedlander – $2b
6. Rod Drury – $1.95b
7. Talley family – $1.2b
8. Bob Jones – $1.1b
9. Bruce Plested – $1.02b
10. Jim and Rosemari Delegat – $1.01b
It is very difficult to ever see Graeme Hart in public. The yacht keeps him well out of sight.
The Talley's main houses are very hard to find deep outside of Nelson. You have to work hard to find them.
Jones after the 2018 petition is pretty quiet these days, generally enjoying his 80s.
A good few of our 1-per-centers popped out of the woodwork for the Webbs BNZ collection auction preview last Saturday, and the auction next Sunday in Auckland will be a moment for them to emerge out beyond their drawbridges and rattle their jewellery in unison.
Yes, I agree Ad. Any rich lister flaunting wealth in NZ has a death wish. Most know the prevailing attitude towards wealth many NZers hold, so they arrange their life to be under the radar as much as possible. I think that’s the beauty of wealth – you can configure your life to the way you want it, and not have someone else telling you ‘ how it’s going to be.’
Great discussion on CC in relation to airline CC offsets just heard on RNZ-see link below. University of Otago Professor James Higham rips apart the current offset schemes.
(Only 7% of customers of AirNZ opted into the ineffective “FlyNeutral” scheme anyway)
At one point he says that in order to offset the number of tourists annually COMING to NZ (this excludes Kiwi's leaving) prior to Covid, NZ would have to plant an area the size of Stewart Island EVERY YEAR.
He says we have to fly less often and stay at the destination flown to much longer and he is keen on Simon Upston's CC tax to be paid by people both coming into NZ and leaving NZ. (I don't know what the level of tax he is proposing but I'm guessing it would be $200-300 per person) The money raised would be ringfenced for CC initiatives.
There has been so much self-serving rubbish talked about offsetting airline CC effects in the media that to hear someone who knew what he was talking about telling it as it is was refreshing and informative.
I flew from Queenstown to Wellington to watch Midnight Oil this week. I simply will not do this type of trip any more.
The rich here are different, you can unknowingly be speaking to one of them anywhere and not be aware of the wealth they hold. I once had an unpretentious restaurant’s door held open for the two of us who had been perusing the menu, it was Michael Fay and wife who asked if we were going in as they didn’t want to jump the queue. Impressed by Colin Giltraps reaction while waiting in a lunch bar who replied to the young woman at the counter when he indicated that I was next to be served.. probably because I stunk in my fiberglassiing work gear, but maybe not. When as delivery driver delivering a large chair to Lady Todd, was offered a cup of tea and a tour of the house, all built around the view of the Kelburn cricket club. The first one I saw was when I was about 5 or 6 and I must have said something to dad about an old gentleman in a old suit with the trousers held up with binder twine and Dad told me he was the richest man in the South Island. Pretentious.. yeah, nah. I’m sure there are a few others I didn’t recognise along the way. This is the NZ way and we should be thankful we have it. There are of course exceptions but as Thomasin McKenzie said on Colbert’s Tonight show when he asked about the tall poppies in NZ and she said “ We are just not that keen on arseholes “.
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Welcome to the December 2024 Economic Bulletin. We have two monthly features in this edition. In the first, we discuss what the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update from Treasury and the Budget Policy Statement from the Minister of Finance tell us about the fiscal position and what to ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi have submitted against the controversial Treaty Principles Bill, slamming the Bill as a breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and an attack on tino rangatiratanga and the collective rights of Tangata Whenua. “This Bill seeks to legislate for Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles that are ...
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National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The time it takes to process building determinations has improved significantly over the last year which means fewer delays in homes being built, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “New Zealand has a persistent shortage of houses. Making it easier and quicker for new homes to be built will ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is pleased to announce the annual list of New Zealand’s most popular baby names for 2024. “For the second consecutive year, Noah has claimed the top spot for boys with 250 babies sharing the name, while Isla has returned to the most popular ...
Work is set to get underway on a new bus station at Westgate this week. A contract has been awarded to HEB Construction to start a package of enabling works to get the site ready in advance of main construction beginning in mid-2025, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“A new Westgate ...
Minister for Children and for Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour is encouraging people to use the resources available to them to get help, and to report instances of family and sexual violence amongst their friends, families, and loved ones who are in need. “The death of a ...
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Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says people with diabetes and other painful conditions will benefit from a significant new qualification to boost training in foot care. “It sounds simple, but quality and regular foot and nail care is vital in preventing potentially serious complications from diabetes, like blisters or sores, which can take a long time to heal ...
Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour is pleased to see Pharmac continue to increase availability of medicines for Kiwis with the government’s largest ever investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the government,” says Mr Seymour. “When this government assumed ...
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Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden is wishing all New Zealanders a great holiday season as Kiwis prepare for gatherings with friends and families to see in the New Year. It is a great time of year to remind everyone to stay fire safe over the summer. “I know ...
From 1 January 2025, first-time tertiary learners will have access to a new Fees Free entitlement of up to $12,000 for their final year of provider-based study or final two years of work-based learning, Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Targeting funding to the final year of study ...
“As we head into one of the busiest times of the year for Police, and family violence and sexual violence response services, it’s a good time to remind everyone what to do if they experience violence or are worried about others,” Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
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Haere Mai ki te whanau o te wiki o te Maori.
Here's a task Lynn: Te Reo macrons in text
Like this?
Māori
Hold your key down, and a choice of macrons and the like for that letter pops up.
Chur nūi, KJT
Does that work on Windows computers as well? Know it does on Apples.
No, only on Macs.
I did it on a windows PC.
Never been an Apple fashion victim!
Here you go
https://kupu.maori.nz/about/macrons-keyboard-setup
Following on from Advantages post yesterday, here is a video of Ukrainian soldiers singing their national anthem on the eve of their successful Kharkiv offensive.
What to make of this? Who would have thought that in 2022 we would see such things. We've been taught patriotism, dying for your country, fighting for freedom is all so much blather. The shadow of Passchendaele has sat over us all as a dark warning for over a century. The ideals encapsulated by this image are almost an anathema to 21st century liberal sensibilities.
I've seen other images like this, grainy black and white photos from the Great War, or world war 2. You know that many of those in the grainy phtographs, like many of these men, will soon be dead. What a waste. You want to weep, at the loss of life and in fury and anger that one man – Putin – could cause so many men to sternly take up arms and willingly die in service of abstract and unfashionable ideals like patriotism and freedom.
Yet every man watching this would have to have a heart of stone if a lump didn't form in their throat watching men on the eve of battle display their belief in and determination and willingness to die for their cause. These are men on their St. Crispen's day.
Anyway, if you need to know why war is so awful and yet why it is so necessary sometimes to fight just look at these men. And remember all they want from us is to be the arsenal of freedom.
https://twitter.com/uasupport999/status/1568343354563231744
nat MP Joseph Mooney. And his "concern" about Hospitality Workers. Yeah right….
He actually means the Business OWNERS. Who want BAU. Cheap Immigrant workers….who they can then resume bullying….and paying the absolute minimum they can get away with.
"Cruel" ? fucks sake! Cry me a river of crocodile tears you jerk.
Cmon Mooney…talk to the actual low paid WORKERS ! You of course wont want to hear.
And imagine ..trying to actually live in Qtown/wanaka ….on the “pay” !
Alliteration for the day.
NZ media – The trotting out of Tory twats tearfully traumatised over trivia.
Awesome. I'd put some Mooney on that…..: )
Mmmmm. Not dissing your interpretation of what Mooney is concerned over.
But many of the front-line workers I know (both personally, and through dining out, shopping, etc.) are under a huge amount of pressure.
When there are not enough staff to cover, when new staff are thrown into the job with no training, when people leave (because of a better offer), when customers are ratty, rude or even violent (Covid, lower grade service, general stress themselves), it's the existing staff – not (in general) the business owner – who have to step up and be stretched thinner to cover.
We've seen this in the nursing workforce (friends who are nurses, as well as media reports).
Yea had you here..before. Concerntrolling. Howsabout respond…to what I actually stated.
And..Wellington..or Auckland !
And see you sidle Nurse workforce into it. Ha. Read you like a book.
Housing is unaffordable everywhere.
And, if you think that pay is the only stressor for workers, then we'll just have to disagree.
Working in a business which is short of staff (for whatever reason) is stressful for the staff.
Labour has continuously raised the minimum wage through this term in government. Are you saying that it's not enough? And, actually, most of the businesses locally (Auckland, as it happens) are paying over minimum wage rates right now.
Yanno, if you perceive that every issue I comment on is "concerntrolling" – then you can't really have a debate. I suggest that's got more to do with your bias, than mine.
lol..as usual..you see what you want. WHERE did I say that Hospo staff are NOT Stressed? Pressured? Abused? I'm sure that your "hospo friends" (and 'Nurse friends" : ) will tell you what you want to hear. To suit your Bias….view….
You..will say its because something something Labour. Pays are up!! BS. They wont pay any ACTUAL Living Wage . Hospo has always been underpaid and overworked..and bullied. As I said, Businesses want BAU….cheap Immigrants…to pay min wage they can GET AWAY with. Noted that you sidled past that. I wont respond to you again.
Pot. Kettle.
It must be fun being in your echo chamber – only people who agree with you unconditionally get through.
Their user name says it all really. Anything National does / suggests is bad. Anything Labour does / suggests is great. The facts and results are ignored.
Yeah…"Jimmy". Not sure what your user name says. : )
It'll get worse towards election time, Belladonna. That goes for political diehards of all persuasions. I'm guessing the upcoming election will be the dirtiest in New Zealand's political history. Labour will do anything to keep the lifestyle they have become accustomed to. National will do anything to get out of the lifestyle they aren't accustomed to.
Belladonna is a "respectful centrist". Once upon a time their politics may have been more compatible with The Standard's 'flavour' – beware 'the drift'!
Just a bit of speculative fun Jiminy, on the other hand… no hope for him.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/03/do-we-become-more-conservative-with-age-young-old-politics
lol…"respectful centrist" that is actually pretty good. I'll just add… No spring chicken am I…but can relate to the New. I like Labour…but would really like More Green : ) Still, one thing that aint gonna change : me PsyclingLeft.Always : )
Proud to be of The Left.
….. …..
Tony and DMK…Solid as . We gotta keep on . I REALLY dont want those nact jerks back screwing NZ again.
And even the ODT Political reckons Jacinda…
Just get some more Green 💚 in there..and I'll be Happy .
The wages are so low that no locals want to work ungodly hours for less than the cost of living . Accommodation is a nightmare cost and availability then heating costs in the likes of Queenstown means working is slavery in the hospitality sector. freedom campers were able to work but that sector has dried up and won't ever provide the numbers required again. This has exposed the National parties economic strategy of fixing labour shortages by importing cheap labour and allowing them to be enslaved.Time after Time we see many of these workers tied into bonded labour ripped off and put into slavery with employers charging exorbitant accommodation fees, not paying wages ,wage theft abuse etc migrant workers not able to change jobs. National defunded labour dept (MOBIE) inspectors and rarely prosecuted offenders. Grant Robertson needs to front foot this Tory propaganda.
And Aye ..Tricledrown. Qtown in particular…a rich rats nest of that kind of Worker exploitation. And indeed. ..Labour does need to Pushback hard on Mp Mooney..and the other nat disingenuous BS.
Support our Workers…Business owners are never going to vote..other than nact. Its in their DNA
As Peter Frazer said: "they walked to the polls in 1935 to vote us in, and drove to the polls in 1949 to vote us out."
He was referring to farmers, but the same applies to business-people.
The Commonwealth. A term used a lot in the coverage of the monarchy change.
Up to now I viewed it as a silly pretendy thing.
I now see it as a pernicious tool to whitewash colonial history and to frame racism as benign behaviour. Aotearoa must now exit the Commonwealth.
The name is deceptive. The wealth is taken from the commoners.
Actually, I just remembered: In Shakespeare's day (or at least in the language of his characters) they referred to a Commonweal. That's much more accurate.
whip scars
So why haven't countries such as South Africa and India left the Commonwealth?
https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries
Devil-you-know maybe? Ditch the monarch as head of state, stay in the CW?
The Commonwealth org has a budget smaller than that of Invercargill council! What to we do through that org that we can’t do better directly?
Costs a hell of a lot to keep electing/appointing a new head of government. Not to mention the divisiveness of the campaigns (try looking at the US or France for examples).
And, for what benefit? A figurehead which some may perceive as 'ours'….
South Africa and India have been republics for a long time.
Yes, sorry. That was intended to be a response to another poster – about the costs of becoming a republic.
False equivalence. It will likely be less than the Governor-General costs.
http://www.republic.org.nz/latestblog/2022/5/20/budget-2022-cost-of-the-governor-general
When NZ becomes a republic I suspect we will not change our whole system so the process need not be costly. Our first president will likely be head of state while the PM will remain head of government.
As the link says – which I've just backed up from an Irish newspaper – the office of the president of Ireland costs an equivalent of just under $8million, including $2.9million for centenarian "bounties".
The president of Ireland (with about the same population as ours) serves for seven years. So we'd have got three terms of presidents or 21 years for one Shonkey flag referendum.
Would have been good value I reckon.
Unless our GG is being wildly extravagant (which doesn't seem to be the case from the attached expenditure) – it's difficult to see how having an elected head of state would cost less. Costs of travel, salary and government building maintenance aren't going to decrease – because someone is elected rather than appointed.
I note, that there is no amount in the blog for the cost of running an election (with election expenses of 200,000 euros per candidate being able to be claimed back). It's not clear whether this presidential election is held at the same time as other elections. If not, the cost of simply holding the election would be substantial.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_presidential_election
But, setting aside money. The element that I don't want to see is the divisive nature of the elections. As seen in the US and France (for example) – or even in the 2018 Irish election campaign.
Unless our GG is being wildly extravagant (which doesn't seem to be the case from the attached expenditure) – it's difficult to see how having an elected head of state would cost less.
Ah.. No. As I said based on official figures having a G-G costs NZ more than the Irish presidency costs Ireland.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/cost-running-office-president-increase-25307025
The element that I don't want to see is the divisive nature of the elections.
So you won't be a fan of general elections either then. They're pretty divisive.
I can't see any parallel to France or the US anyway. They have totally different systems of government than we do and still would, I'd be confident, once we finally cut ties with the British monarchy and become a republic which I believe we inevitably will.
There are 56 countries in the Commonwealth and we’re part of a small minority who cling on the British monarch as their head of state.
Now Elizabeth II is gone, hopefully the pace towards a republic will gain more momentum.
Time to
"Ah.. No. As I said based on official figures having a G-G costs NZ more than the Irish presidency costs Ireland."
So looking at the actual expenditure figures from the NZ GG – what do you think would be cut, if this were an elected rather than appointed position?
Because, looking at this list of expenditure, I don't see any obvious areas which would no longer be needed.
http://www.republic.org.nz/latestblog/2022/5/20/budget-2022-cost-of-the-governor-general
The element which appears to be included with the budget for the NZ GG, but not with the Irish President is the capital and depreciation costs associated with Government House.
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/cost-running-office-president-increase-25307025
I’m assuming that the official residence of the Irish president is paid for out of a different budget – by the Office of Works
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81ras_an_Uachtar%C3%A1in
The successful HoS model that is most often suggested for New Zealand is that of Ireland.
Look it up on wiki.
In fact countries have actually joined the Commonwealth, even those with minimal links to the UK (Mozambique, Cameroon).
It has no effect at all on their own governance. They get to do a bit more sport though.
A different view today from Kehinde Andrews, professor of Black studies at Birmingham City University and author of "New Age of Empire: How Racism and Colonialism Still Rule the World."
"As the world waited for confirmation of the queen's death on Thursday, and as family members sped to hear royal vacation residence in Scotland, social media posts began going viral demanding that no one speak ill of the queen, out of respect for her loyal subjects. But the queen had many subjects, and they do not all mourn equally." …
"Millions of people are mourning Queen Elizabeth II this weekend, as is their right. But millions more are hoping her death marks the end of the monarchy — and you need only to open a history book to understand why."
https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/queen-elizabeth-dead-charles-king-fox-news-wrong-rcna47060
Thank you for that posting, Peter.
There is a well informed and well considered debate going on around the world at this time. One of the English Queens’s roles at the time of here accession was to continue the benefits and influence they had as a colonial power. The Commonwealth Org is part of that. It is still a colonial tool. If Kiwis can’t have a debate about the past they will miss opportunities to build a better future.
I thought I was joking yesterday. But it turns out …
Business opposes public holiday even when Head of State dies after 70 years
Apparently NZ is unique, the UK and Australia have no economic problems at all.
Personally I'm not that bothered, but it really does expose the grief-performing for the fraud that it is. Looking forward to the furious "how dare they!" editorials … but of course they are only for the disloyal lefties. Is Hosking sobbing at Business NZ?
Newshub has a Mickey Mouse non-poll, and it's noticeable that they don't offer a "no holiday" option. Of course I voted for the whole week off, you might as well troll this kind of nonsense.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/have-your-say-when-should-new-zealand-have-a-public-holiday-to-mark-queen-s-death.html
Best chance this government has of getting back to power is throwing more free stuff out the back of the truck, and this is another of them.
Again: Australia, UK, probably Canada shortly.
I know people love pretending NZ is so unique that everything on earth is about our petty parish politics, but it isn't.
Every now and again the CANZUK idea (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CANZUK_International) re-emerges on social media, usually as a form of white privilege where the people proposing it haven't thought through the explicit racism of the remnant white parts of the Empire pulling up the drawbridge and forming their own cosy club – without the inconvenience of having to include Nigerians and Indians and Pakistanis in their little schemes for free movement.
As an idea it is pretty racist, but it is a reminder that the white Commonwealth retains a great degree of usefulness to it's members. Until that changes, we will all keep the monarchy in some form or another.
I guess Business NZ must be uniquely incompetent.
'That seems to be what is so very, very different about the worldview shared by the likes of Liz Truss, Christopher Luxon and David Seymour. Wealth tends to be seen by them as personal property, and thus devoid of any sense of social obligation, or of even a basic recognition that this wealth may have been gained – partly at least – through the advantages of privilege and patronage. Today’s wealthy elites have little compunction about engaging in conspicuous consumption, since they believe their own spin that this wealth has been the byproduct of individual effort, innate ability and divine provenance. Generally speaking, it has been no such thing.(my bold)
Gorden Campbell in fine form.
On What The Rise Of Liz Truss Signals For Us | Scoop News
I don't share his interpretation.
I view our displays of wealth as more akin to the Danish; subtle and few and far between. Our networked intermarriages, family trusts, and extreme narrowness of wealth leave very little room for ostentation. The truly rich keep it tight and out of sight mostly.
If you want to observe them like birdwatchers, you are most likely to find such elites at Moore Wilson's at 11am on a Saturday morning, deep in wintry alpine retreats around Queenstown, or simply lolling far from shore in substantial pleasure craft in the Hauraki Gulf and Bay of Islands, way out of sight or scrutiny.
It's only sensible.
Don't know about that…NZ's richest man has a huge 'toy' .He has more wealth than the next 3 or 4 combined.
'M/Y Ulysses. Ulysses is a 116-meter expedition yacht, delivered by Kleven to New Zealand-based billionaire Graeme Richard Hart.She is the largest expedition yacht in the world, taking over the position from Luna.'
Luxon trumpets his 'success'.
Bob Jones is not known for modesty.
The NBR List top 10
1. Graeme Hart – $11b
2. Todd family – $4.3b
3. Goodman family – $3.1b
4. Mowbray family – $2.5b
5. Michael Friedlander – $2b
6. Rod Drury – $1.95b
7. Talley family – $1.2b
8. Bob Jones – $1.1b
9. Bruce Plested – $1.02b
10. Jim and Rosemari Delegat – $1.01b
2,3,5,10-keep a low profile.
It is very difficult to ever see Graeme Hart in public. The yacht keeps him well out of sight.
The Talley's main houses are very hard to find deep outside of Nelson. You have to work hard to find them.
Jones after the 2018 petition is pretty quiet these days, generally enjoying his 80s.
A good few of our 1-per-centers popped out of the woodwork for the Webbs BNZ collection auction preview last Saturday, and the auction next Sunday in Auckland will be a moment for them to emerge out beyond their drawbridges and rattle their jewellery in unison.
Graeme Hart keeps a pretty low profile too. He is occasionally seen out in public.
He's done pretty well for someone who left school at 16.
Yes, I agree Ad. Any rich lister flaunting wealth in NZ has a death wish. Most know the prevailing attitude towards wealth many NZers hold, so they arrange their life to be under the radar as much as possible. I think that’s the beauty of wealth – you can configure your life to the way you want it, and not have someone else telling you ‘ how it’s going to be.’
Great discussion on CC in relation to airline CC offsets just heard on RNZ-see link below. University of Otago Professor James Higham rips apart the current offset schemes.
(Only 7% of customers of AirNZ opted into the ineffective “FlyNeutral” scheme anyway)
At one point he says that in order to offset the number of tourists annually COMING to NZ (this excludes Kiwi's leaving) prior to Covid, NZ would have to plant an area the size of Stewart Island EVERY YEAR.
He says we have to fly less often and stay at the destination flown to much longer and he is keen on Simon Upston's CC tax to be paid by people both coming into NZ and leaving NZ. (I don't know what the level of tax he is proposing but I'm guessing it would be $200-300 per person) The money raised would be ringfenced for CC initiatives.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018858378/are-airline-offsetting-schemes-all-they-re-cracked-up-to-be
I found that discussion depressing.
get used to it aj-I found it realistic.
There has been so much self-serving rubbish talked about offsetting airline CC effects in the media that to hear someone who knew what he was talking about telling it as it is was refreshing and informative.
I flew from Queenstown to Wellington to watch Midnight Oil this week. I simply will not do this type of trip any more.
I'm not disagreeing with you. The truth can be depressing.
Swedish right take lead in elections,with a focus on gang crime,immigration and energy constraints,
Similar with Italy's right leading in polls in runup to election.
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedes-head-polls-close-run-election-marked-by-crime-energy-crisis-2022-09-10/
It is touch and go and too close to call at this stage.
With 5.63% still to count the seats are:
To the Right groups: 176 seats
To the Left groups : 173 seats
If, as in NZ, the late/overseas votes favour the Left it is possible that two seats will change hands and the Left will scrape back in.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_Swedish_general_election
The rich here are different, you can unknowingly be speaking to one of them anywhere and not be aware of the wealth they hold. I once had an unpretentious restaurant’s door held open for the two of us who had been perusing the menu, it was Michael Fay and wife who asked if we were going in as they didn’t want to jump the queue. Impressed by Colin Giltraps reaction while waiting in a lunch bar who replied to the young woman at the counter when he indicated that I was next to be served.. probably because I stunk in my fiberglassiing work gear, but maybe not. When as delivery driver delivering a large chair to Lady Todd, was offered a cup of tea and a tour of the house, all built around the view of the Kelburn cricket club. The first one I saw was when I was about 5 or 6 and I must have said something to dad about an old gentleman in a old suit with the trousers held up with binder twine and Dad told me he was the richest man in the South Island. Pretentious.. yeah, nah. I’m sure there are a few others I didn’t recognise along the way. This is the NZ way and we should be thankful we have it. There are of course exceptions but as Thomasin McKenzie said on Colbert’s Tonight show when he asked about the tall poppies in NZ and she said “ We are just not that keen on arseholes “.