Why would you charge new teachers a fee for being teachers
I guess for the same reason new nurses, social workers, electrical workers, building practitioners, etc, etc, pay registration and annual practicing fees.
Good points. Public Private Partnerships like Trans Gully etc. are taxpayer money pits too. They can encourage low bids to get the job, bargain basement materials and little commitment to future upkeep.
Its an issue of specification, that and how funding /budgets operate same applies at a Local body and govt level.
In short building to a proper spec leads to politically unpalatable headline costs to get these massive infrastructure projects off the ground. So specs get lowered, items are omitted so the figure is kept to a politically platable level. Then you end up with a bunch of variations along the way and more perversely surfacing work is done in full knowledge it will fail due to the spec. This happens when it becomes unpalatable to request more money for the project, (ie it looks bad for the ladder climbers who only care about delivery financials.) The fix up costs come of of the maintenance budgets which also perversely means that actual maintenance is neglected as the 10 year maintenance budget gets spent in the first couple of years fixing it.
Interesting. Was talking to a family friend whose daughter is a roading engineer, and worked on a project at Rockhampton in Aust. (and NZ PPPs) She issued her own specs from her research and knowledge for one piece of road which lives on, the two stretches on either side that adhered to management specifications have had wash outs.
It is most likely that someone has messed up the bitumen manufacturing process, human error. They have left out an ingredient or similar. Thousands of tonnes of bitumen is made every day, this particular batch is missing something.
Lots of rumors about the imported bitumen been variable and generally inferior to what used to come out of Marsden. Hearing it called shitumen in some quarters.
It's always a battle between specification and cost / profit for the contractor. Add to that a lot of in-house quality control and the quality standards can end up a bit below spec
Big companies, of course, have ways of avoiding liability.
The old story. Substitute local body engaging roading contractors for bank.
If you owe a thousand dollars, it is your problem, if you owe ten million, it is the banks problem.
On these big contracts it can be the problem that if the contractor decides they are not making enough, even it is their own fault, they can walk away. Leaving those employing them with the greater cost if completing the project with another contractor.
Or like Transmission Gully, those running the tenders are in a fantasy world.
The skills to assess and specify contracts are often lacking in public services these days.
An example on a smaller scale is house building. I was under cut many times by contractors quoting prices that couldn't possibly cover the costs of doing the job properly with decent materials, let alone honouring a warrantee if things went wrong. Of course the average homeowner building for the first time, has know way of knowing that
Not necessarily, depends on the contributing factors. Can be an issue with specifications or even a contract direction from the principal. Not unusual for costs to be shared.
Climate change is a factor. eg increased number of days of rain means less days to get the road done in optimal conditions, which means either deteriorating roads or roads fixed at non-optimal times and fingers crossed it holds.
Where the risk sits with weather will depend on the contract can be differences about how delays to to weather are treated.
If the risk sits with the contractor they'll do all they can to avoid running into late completion and liquidated damages as a result.
Our current arrangements are pretty poor if a high quality result is desired. Thats all the way from design phase through to completion. Basically as it currently stands a fair amount is sacrificed from the quality of the work before it even physically starts.
Who knew Pacific workers were subject to poor housing, bullying, intimidation, union busting, unlawful wage deductions and denial of cultural contact in their leisure time? Well the Amalgamated Workers Union and First Union did and have raised this as best they can in the face of workers being told if they join a union they “will not be back”.
Be good to see a new case taken that really sticks it to these modern day plantation owners.
Employers who wish to use RSE workers must be inspected and licensed. These current exploiters should be named and shamed. When these workers come into the country they should be interviewed and informed of the regulations, and their rights, in their own language at the point of entry. They should also be given a contact number/person in the event of concerns.
And employers who breach the requirements seriously – should know up front that they will lose the right to use RSE workers for the next 5 years ; AND have to apply again from the beginning of the process again after that period in order to regain registration.
"Named and shamed" is insufficient. First offence should be a fine. Second offence, the enterprise is confiscated and ownership handed to the workers to do what they want with, e.g. sell and pocket the cash. Effectively, this would be a removal of the social licence to operate.
Not sure that's going to work. Owning a bankrupt business which has significant employment penalty debts imposed by the courts, after the prior owner has finally cooperated enough to hand over the business (rather than hiding the assets), will likely not benefit these workers (in fact it could easily be a burden).
Effectively they are inspected and licensed by MBIE, it's just that the employer requirements are far too weak, and MBIE primarily focus on whether the treatment is legal rather than right or wrong.
“One of the boys … was standing beside a table. The boss grabbed [him] by his ear and pulled him by his ear so that his head was pulled down on top of the table. The boss was swearing at him as he did so,” he said.
“After that he called one of the other boys over to him, a boy named BB. He made BB lie down on the floor and [boss] then put his foot on top of BB back. He was swearing at him as he did this. He called BB a ‘f…… c….’. “
Only reason any of this exists is to allow businesses to pay far less (with worse conditions) than what locals would accept. Always hear that "NZers don't want the work" – what they don't want is work that requires you to live out of food banks and get paid f*ck all.
I drove through Marlborough the other day – amazing to see all the new winery buildings and associated restaurants etc – multi-million dollar brand new buildings, while the slaves in orange work the fields for a pittance.
The costs of bringing them to NZ should be put on the employer for a start. The employer should pay their air fares for instance and not be able to deduct these costs off their wages.
Fining is a better course of action as those that lose their RSE will just "share" the workers with someone who hasn't. The combined value of deductions made by employers from workers salaries should be made public so the program if fully understood by the public. How much of the wages is garnered back by employers and how much does this vary between employers? Much more transparency is needed as a matter of course not a matter of investigation.
I note with the slavery case over in Hawkes Bay the employers paying cash to him were never named. The public should know.
Another take on the oil price cap to try and limit Putin’s war effort.
”We need thought-through policy not knee-jerk reactions based on the emotional need to be seen to be doing “something.” We need to be clear in our analysis of how much Putin will feel energy sanctions at all. Realistically, hydrocarbon exports account for only around 20 percent of Russia’s GDP and even less when measured in terms of Purchasing Power Parity. But when we look at Russia’s federal budget, from which the money for the war is being drawn, the number is more like 50 percent. “
That is, out of every dollar paid for oil, gas or coal, 50 cents is turned into the bombs and bullets killing tens of thousands of Ukrainians, destroying Ukrainian cities, and giving rise to Europe’s latest refugee crisis.
How dare the Russian not capitulate to Nato and the US. Never mind that really the issue is mainly the dumb arse sanctions on Russia that harmed everyone but the russians.
Are you really declaring total war on Russia? You might want to think that over again.
As it is, like many other war zones this too will last a long time, make many people rich beyond their believe, will kill untold young ones of all sides and the volunteers from overseas and only when those that have the power to stop these things have decided that enough blood has drenched the soil will it be stopped.
Chances are it will take many many years. Some grifts are just too good to stop.
Seems to me the best answer, if Ukraine is not “allowed” to attack Russian sites, is to arm them to the teeth to drive Russia back to pre 2014 borders.
To total war young men will be marched because old men have got nothing else to do, and maybe they have some money to make. I mean if i were a US weapons manufacture right now i be creaming every pair or panties -lace of whities depending on self ID – that i were to own. I mean, every arm chair keyboard warrior screams rooo rahh, round up the young penis haver, the ex penis haver and send them into the grinder. And while we are at it, lets poison with depleted uranium a huge area of land on which grains used to be grown. Cause clearly humans are dumb.
And yeah, like Iraq, Russia did not threaten anyone. But they are defending their own interests. But then, we shall not mention the fact that the Ukrainians killed their own people for years on end. We don't care about that. How dare people whom the west not support have their own ideas of self fulfilment. What a ludicrous idea, really.
Ruski bad. Yankee and Yankee bitch good. lol . Have some popcorn and some coolaid with that plate of liquid shite dinner.
Its all quite far gone, but then i don't expect people to remember yesterday or the day before as it might conflict with what ever bullshit they are told to believe today.
And just as a reminder, the only nation to have used nuclear weapons on civilian population centres is the US. USA USA USA!!!!!! chant little servant chant, all the way to the grave. ditto for several hundreds of military bases that loiter the world over that the US has installed in order to protects "its" interests in other countries.
so go, send yourself to war, you support it, send your penis having sons your vagina having sons, send them in the meatgrinder of a war you are all so happy to support from the comfort of your home.
First thing i would do is call for discussion on how to end this. Now. Because in the end, there will be no winner. There will only be death and destruction.
So let me ask you in good german, because its always better in good german.
Wollt ihr den totalen krieg? And if you do, then sign up for the war effort. I hear they take anyone who shows up. The meatgrinder needs its fill.
Everyone back into their corner, neutrality for Ukraine, Donbas region to be 'independent' and russia back into international agreements re nuclear de-escaltion together with the US. – and fwiw, the US will not be helpful at all and thus it will not happen.
the US want that proxy war with Russia, they need it, it makes them oodles of money, keeps their own population occupied, fucks over Europe to no end and for a very long time, blablablabla….who would have thought that Biden is such a fuckwit.
But worst to me are those that really pretend that the years leading up to the Russian invasion did not happen, and that one day Putin woke up, decided he was bored and hey lets invade Ukraine. But i guess its easier to follow blindly and without thinking then to actually ask oneself what is the larger purpose of these happenings.
Its like the watched Iraq and have learned absolutly nothing.
On stuff it reports that the Chief Ombudsman has found that government officials did not adequately take into account the “very real impact” the MIQ allocation system would have on people’s lives.
Apparently, government officials should have taken into account people's reasons for traveling. Does he have any idea how much time that would have taken to read, check and verify all the documentation? And then imagine having to rank different people's reasons? Does visiting Jane for her first birthday beat out visiting Jack for his 90th?
That system would have rewarded the best liars and the people with the most social capital.
They could have improved it by letting people who applied before without success go in the draw according to the number of times they had applied but other than that random allocation for non-emergency situations was by far the fairest way.
I think there could have been a better effort made to identify legitimately urgent travel which would have improved the margins a bit. However, you're absolutely right that any attempt at an application ranking system would have struggled with large application numbers no matter how granular it attempted to be, and would have had anomalous outcomes anyway because of edge cases not fitting neatly.
Well, they could certainly have excluded people who left NZ after the borders were closed.
You can leave, but won’t be eligible for an MIQ space, until all the backlist have been accommodated (i.e. never), or until the borders open back up again.
My understanding is that many people found the 'lottery' aspect of it very difficult – having to repeatedly enter the 'lobby' in the hope of being lucky this time.
A simple system of registering, and having your name/s (for families) added to the end of the list – and then waiting until your turn came, would have been much easier to apply and to deal with.
And matching up list places with air-tickets (so many people managed to get a 'lottery' MIQ space, but were unable to match with an airline ticket which would get them there on the right day.
e.g. Air NZ flight 123 departing from London on 21st May, has 92 seats. The first 92 people on the list with the 'departure point' of London – get preference. If any dip out, then you continue down the list.
And, doing all this at least a month in advance, so people could get their intermediate travel ducks in a row (e.g. you have to get from Amsterdam to London to depart on the May 21st flight – and need to sort that travel)
Controlling the Air NZ fares (given that Govt had already stepped in to keep the airline running) – would have been a good move. As would requiring MIQ payment in advance along with the airfare (the retrospective system of payment appears to have been a disaster)
Yes the Chief Ombudsman has the luxury of being critical yet not having to present an alternative framework that would have outcomes that didn't disadvantage anyone in that same situation. Meaningless.
Yes, we are the dumbest species. Every other species has a sense of self preservation, humans? Nah, they really believe that we have 'human rights' and that something somewhere someone will come and safe their asses.
The problems with many humans however is that they had a lot of education, oodles of educational debt, and now they think they are learned. Idiots.
It is always the fools with thoughts of grandeur and need for a legacy that start the big shit. And suddenly out of know here there is death and it is eating our young.
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It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/education/300760166/graduate-teachers-hit-by-460-fee-before-starting-work-its-a-strain
Hit your head on the table stupid?
Why would you charge new teachers a fee for being teachers?
Not to mention the costly "refresh" courses to resume Teaching after a break.
Not the only proffesion with those costs though.
Certificate re validation for my main qualification, if you haven't done two years in the last five, is over ten grand.
I guess for the same reason new nurses, social workers, electrical workers, building practitioners, etc, etc, pay registration and annual practicing fees.
That reason being???
Stupidoty,?
The government should pick the table up if it's necessary, surely
The nurse I know pays it then gets reimbursed. The Govt. pays indirectly.
Yes, even us humble Planners join NZPI for our registration and insurance.
Peru's Castillo is a fool for trying a coup and Kirschner of Argentina is sentenced for heavy corruption.
South America needs smarter politicians if the left is to last there.
How come we have forgotten how to make roads?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/300762361/waka-kotahi-closes-sh1-nightly-for-repairs-after-road-surface-came-unstuck
Since it was all moved off to profit making private enterprise instead of the Ministry of Works.
One has to ask wtf is going on across our roading network when this happens.
Resurfacing is alot more frequent than it used to be because they don't last.
Driving off the normal driving line as it's a broken surface chewing up tyres I see alot of.
The motorists with damaged cars should sue for recompense from the roaders.
That might introduce a financial incentive to get it right.
They can and they will.
Covered by companies public liability insurance I expect
Nothing to do with many more, and heavier trucks, as well as National freezing road maintenance funding, of course!
Good points. Public Private Partnerships like Trans Gully etc. are taxpayer money pits too. They can encourage low bids to get the job, bargain basement materials and little commitment to future upkeep.
Its an issue of specification, that and how funding /budgets operate same applies at a Local body and govt level.
In short building to a proper spec leads to politically unpalatable headline costs to get these massive infrastructure projects off the ground. So specs get lowered, items are omitted so the figure is kept to a politically platable level. Then you end up with a bunch of variations along the way and more perversely surfacing work is done in full knowledge it will fail due to the spec. This happens when it becomes unpalatable to request more money for the project, (ie it looks bad for the ladder climbers who only care about delivery financials.) The fix up costs come of of the maintenance budgets which also perversely means that actual maintenance is neglected as the 10 year maintenance budget gets spent in the first couple of years fixing it.
Interesting. Was talking to a family friend whose daughter is a roading engineer, and worked on a project at Rockhampton in Aust. (and NZ PPPs) She issued her own specs from her research and knowledge for one piece of road which lives on, the two stretches on either side that adhered to management specifications have had wash outs.
National by upping the tonnage and refusing to give the extra funding their RONS created did to roading what they did to health.
Froze the funding yet population increased and hospitals magically expected to make it all work.
Haters and wreckers strike again.
More trucks, bigger vehicles etc… sounds like the imported bitumen can be a bit iffy as well. Do wonder if that's played a part in the latest episode.
It is most likely that someone has messed up the bitumen manufacturing process, human error. They have left out an ingredient or similar. Thousands of tonnes of bitumen is made every day, this particular batch is missing something.
Lots of rumors about the imported bitumen been variable and generally inferior to what used to come out of Marsden. Hearing it called shitumen in some quarters.
It's always a battle between specification and cost / profit for the contractor. Add to that a lot of in-house quality control and the quality standards can end up a bit below spec
are contractors obliged to fix such problems within the original price?
If you are a small contractor, yes.
In fact, for house builders up to ten years.
https://www.building.govt.nz/getting-started/your-rights-and-obligations/builder-and-designer-rights-and-obligations/
Big companies, of course, have ways of avoiding liability.
The old story. Substitute local body engaging roading contractors for bank.
If you owe a thousand dollars, it is your problem, if you owe ten million, it is the banks problem.
so companies like Fulton Hogan get paid to fix the mistake?
If they're supplied with shitty materials, yes.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/465114/nzta-taking-control-of-nz-s-supply-of-bitumen-for-roading
historically, whose responsibility has it been to ensure the supply materials were up to standard?
The construction observer/clerk of works.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerk_of_works
who could be employed by either the council or the contractor?
Whoever is paying.
On these big contracts it can be the problem that if the contractor decides they are not making enough, even it is their own fault, they can walk away. Leaving those employing them with the greater cost if completing the project with another contractor.
Or like Transmission Gully, those running the tenders are in a fantasy world.
The skills to assess and specify contracts are often lacking in public services these days.
An example on a smaller scale is house building. I was under cut many times by contractors quoting prices that couldn't possibly cover the costs of doing the job properly with decent materials, let alone honouring a warrantee if things went wrong. Of course the average homeowner building for the first time, has know way of knowing that
Not necessarily, depends on the contributing factors. Can be an issue with specifications or even a contract direction from the principal. Not unusual for costs to be shared.
Climate change is a factor. eg increased number of days of rain means less days to get the road done in optimal conditions, which means either deteriorating roads or roads fixed at non-optimal times and fingers crossed it holds.
Where the risk sits with weather will depend on the contract can be differences about how delays to to weather are treated.
If the risk sits with the contractor they'll do all they can to avoid running into late completion and liquidated damages as a result.
Our current arrangements are pretty poor if a high quality result is desired. Thats all the way from design phase through to completion. Basically as it currently stands a fair amount is sacrificed from the quality of the work before it even physically starts.
that explains a lot of things.
“Yass Massa” dept.
RSE (Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme) abuses and systemic flaws exposed. Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner, Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo wants an urgent review before the 2023 season.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018870831/rse-report-finds-major-gaps-in-system
Who knew Pacific workers were subject to poor housing, bullying, intimidation, union busting, unlawful wage deductions and denial of cultural contact in their leisure time? Well the Amalgamated Workers Union and First Union did and have raised this as best they can in the face of workers being told if they join a union they “will not be back”.
Be good to see a new case taken that really sticks it to these modern day plantation owners.
Employers who wish to use RSE workers must be inspected and licensed. These current exploiters should be named and shamed. When these workers come into the country they should be interviewed and informed of the regulations, and their rights, in their own language at the point of entry. They should also be given a contact number/person in the event of concerns.
And employers who breach the requirements seriously – should know up front that they will lose the right to use RSE workers for the next 5 years ; AND have to apply again from the beginning of the process again after that period in order to regain registration.
"Named and shamed" is insufficient. First offence should be a fine. Second offence, the enterprise is confiscated and ownership handed to the workers to do what they want with, e.g. sell and pocket the cash. Effectively, this would be a removal of the social licence to operate.
Not sure that's going to work. Owning a bankrupt business which has significant employment penalty debts imposed by the courts, after the prior owner has finally cooperated enough to hand over the business (rather than hiding the assets), will likely not benefit these workers (in fact it could easily be a burden).
Effectively they are inspected and licensed by MBIE, it's just that the employer requirements are far too weak, and MBIE primarily focus on whether the treatment is legal rather than right or wrong.
“One of the boys … was standing beside a table. The boss grabbed [him] by his ear and pulled him by his ear so that his head was pulled down on top of the table. The boss was swearing at him as he did so,” he said.
“After that he called one of the other boys over to him, a boy named BB. He made BB lie down on the floor and [boss] then put his foot on top of BB back. He was swearing at him as he did this. He called BB a ‘f…… c….’. “
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/300659862/stood-on-and-sworn-at-police-investigate-alleged-assault-on-migrant-workers
Re Yas Massa : The boss..and the boys……….
And….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/129496019/blatant-exploitation-migrant-workers-packed-in-freezing-damp-rooms-for-150-a-week?rm=a.
Only reason any of this exists is to allow businesses to pay far less (with worse conditions) than what locals would accept. Always hear that "NZers don't want the work" – what they don't want is work that requires you to live out of food banks and get paid f*ck all.
I drove through Marlborough the other day – amazing to see all the new winery buildings and associated restaurants etc – multi-million dollar brand new buildings, while the slaves in orange work the fields for a pittance.
This one describes the 'major gaps' a bit more accurately – "RSE worker treatment like 'slavery'"
Given this crap – any government that had the slightest interest in workers, people and communities – would just shut the whole scheme down.
Good suggestions from RosieLee, Belladonna & AB.
The costs of bringing them to NZ should be put on the employer for a start. The employer should pay their air fares for instance and not be able to deduct these costs off their wages.
Fining is a better course of action as those that lose their RSE will just "share" the workers with someone who hasn't. The combined value of deductions made by employers from workers salaries should be made public so the program if fully understood by the public. How much of the wages is garnered back by employers and how much does this vary between employers? Much more transparency is needed as a matter of course not a matter of investigation.
I note with the slavery case over in Hawkes Bay the employers paying cash to him were never named. The public should know.
What's in a word like labour?
https://twitter.com/jeremycorbyn/status/1601884215162933249
who is striking?
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-62134314
I'm guessing that's more than normal?
Another take on the oil price cap to try and limit Putin’s war effort.
”We need thought-through policy not knee-jerk reactions based on the emotional need to be seen to be doing “something.” We need to be clear in our analysis of how much Putin will feel energy sanctions at all. Realistically, hydrocarbon exports account for only around 20 percent of Russia’s GDP and even less when measured in terms of Purchasing Power Parity. But when we look at Russia’s federal budget, from which the money for the war is being drawn, the number is more like 50 percent. “
That is, out of every dollar paid for oil, gas or coal, 50 cents is turned into the bombs and bullets killing tens of thousands of Ukrainians, destroying Ukrainian cities, and giving rise to Europe’s latest refugee crisis.
https://www.politico.eu/article/mikhail-khodorkovsky-target-vladimir-putin-oil-gas-price-cap-weapon-ukraine-russia-war/
He makes a good case for imposing duties, rather than price caps.
How dare the Russian not capitulate to Nato and the US. Never mind that really the issue is mainly the dumb arse sanctions on Russia that harmed everyone but the russians.
The sanctions do seem a bit underwhelming. Western countries should have gone with full military support for Ukraine from the start.
Are you really declaring total war on Russia? You might want to think that over again.
As it is, like many other war zones this too will last a long time, make many people rich beyond their believe, will kill untold young ones of all sides and the volunteers from overseas and only when those that have the power to stop these things have decided that enough blood has drenched the soil will it be stopped.
Chances are it will take many many years. Some grifts are just too good to stop.
So what’s your alternative, Sabine? Capitulation?
Seems to me the best answer, if Ukraine is not “allowed” to attack Russian sites, is to arm them to the teeth to drive Russia back to pre 2014 borders.
Non of that matters anymore.
To total war young men will be marched because old men have got nothing else to do, and maybe they have some money to make. I mean if i were a US weapons manufacture right now i be creaming every pair or panties -lace of whities depending on self ID – that i were to own. I mean, every arm chair keyboard warrior screams rooo rahh, round up the young penis haver, the ex penis haver and send them into the grinder. And while we are at it, lets poison with depleted uranium a huge area of land on which grains used to be grown. Cause clearly humans are dumb.
And yeah, like Iraq, Russia did not threaten anyone. But they are defending their own interests. But then, we shall not mention the fact that the Ukrainians killed their own people for years on end. We don't care about that. How dare people whom the west not support have their own ideas of self fulfilment. What a ludicrous idea, really.
Ruski bad. Yankee and Yankee bitch good. lol . Have some popcorn and some coolaid with that plate of liquid shite dinner.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Donbas_(2014%E2%80%932022)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_agreements
Its all quite far gone, but then i don't expect people to remember yesterday or the day before as it might conflict with what ever bullshit they are told to believe today.
And just as a reminder, the only nation to have used nuclear weapons on civilian population centres is the US. USA USA USA!!!!!! chant little servant chant, all the way to the grave. ditto for several hundreds of military bases that loiter the world over that the US has installed in order to protects "its" interests in other countries.
so go, send yourself to war, you support it, send your penis having sons your vagina having sons, send them in the meatgrinder of a war you are all so happy to support from the comfort of your home.
First thing i would do is call for discussion on how to end this. Now. Because in the end, there will be no winner. There will only be death and destruction.
So let me ask you in good german, because its always better in good german.
Wollt ihr den totalen krieg? And if you do, then sign up for the war effort. I hear they take anyone who shows up. The meatgrinder needs its fill.
Yes – every sane person wants this war to end without annihilation. That means a negotiated settlement.
What terms do you have in mind for this settlement?
at this stage?
Everyone back into their corner, neutrality for Ukraine, Donbas region to be 'independent' and russia back into international agreements re nuclear de-escaltion together with the US. – and fwiw, the US will not be helpful at all and thus it will not happen.
the US want that proxy war with Russia, they need it, it makes them oodles of money, keeps their own population occupied, fucks over Europe to no end and for a very long time, blablablabla….who would have thought that Biden is such a fuckwit.
But worst to me are those that really pretend that the years leading up to the Russian invasion did not happen, and that one day Putin woke up, decided he was bored and hey lets invade Ukraine. But i guess its easier to follow blindly and without thinking then to actually ask oneself what is the larger purpose of these happenings.
Its like the watched Iraq and have learned absolutly nothing.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/480561/auckland-beach-warnings-gradually-being-lifted-safeswim
All is well with the water well.
Does anyone know their obligation to notify on this matter?
Waikato DC didn't appear to have anything on their actual site when their FB page was warning raglan locals to stay out of the harbour.
Since when did social media become public notification.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/480552/watercare-looking-to-take-more-from-waikato-river-change-drought-levels-due-to-pfas
The other eye is probably on the Mayor.
Question…how will 3 Waters address micro plastics in rainfall any differently than the council would be required to do?
Answer: it will do shape sorting.
LMAO…yes thats probably about the extent of thought devoted to the problem.
And at greater expense.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-government/130734430/auckland-mayor-wants-city-port-gone-by-2039
Down town is about to change says Mr Brown.
I smell a stadium, (not a bad idea imho)
Because a huge concrete edifice, spending most of it's time >99% empty, is a great thing to plonk on the waterfront.
A one stop sporting/ concert spot right next to the rail hub you mean
Yeah!
While we are at it, let's close all the roads and sell them for development and stadiums, as well!
Lots of talk, that Wayne
https://twitter.com/SachaDylan/status/1602085871737393152
Just not on camera because he’s a little camera shy since he got elected and prefers to communicate with his underlings via rambling open letters.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/12/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-shuts-down-questions-on-budget-proposals-and-possible-asset-sales.html
His handlers prefer him to communicate in their writing.
Wayne could give it his personal touch with his own handwriting. BTW, I can’t remember seeing those handlers on the ballot.
On stuff it reports that the Chief Ombudsman has found that government officials did not adequately take into account the “very real impact” the MIQ allocation system would have on people’s lives.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/130733059/government-officials-acted-unreasonably-over-miq-advice–ombudsman
Apparently, government officials should have taken into account people's reasons for traveling. Does he have any idea how much time that would have taken to read, check and verify all the documentation? And then imagine having to rank different people's reasons? Does visiting Jane for her first birthday beat out visiting Jack for his 90th?
That system would have rewarded the best liars and the people with the most social capital.
They could have improved it by letting people who applied before without success go in the draw according to the number of times they had applied but other than that random allocation for non-emergency situations was by far the fairest way.
I think there could have been a better effort made to identify legitimately urgent travel which would have improved the margins a bit. However, you're absolutely right that any attempt at an application ranking system would have struggled with large application numbers no matter how granular it attempted to be, and would have had anomalous outcomes anyway because of edge cases not fitting neatly.
My God it's so obvious the government should have used hindsight in advance of their pandemic response so they could please everybody.
Well, they could certainly have excluded people who left NZ after the borders were closed.
You can leave, but won’t be eligible for an MIQ space, until all the backlist have been accommodated (i.e. never), or until the borders open back up again.
My understanding is that many people found the 'lottery' aspect of it very difficult – having to repeatedly enter the 'lobby' in the hope of being lucky this time.
A simple system of registering, and having your name/s (for families) added to the end of the list – and then waiting until your turn came, would have been much easier to apply and to deal with.
And matching up list places with air-tickets (so many people managed to get a 'lottery' MIQ space, but were unable to match with an airline ticket which would get them there on the right day.
e.g. Air NZ flight 123 departing from London on 21st May, has 92 seats. The first 92 people on the list with the 'departure point' of London – get preference. If any dip out, then you continue down the list.
And, doing all this at least a month in advance, so people could get their intermediate travel ducks in a row (e.g. you have to get from Amsterdam to London to depart on the May 21st flight – and need to sort that travel)
Controlling the Air NZ fares (given that Govt had already stepped in to keep the airline running) – would have been a good move. As would requiring MIQ payment in advance along with the airfare (the retrospective system of payment appears to have been a disaster)
Yes the Chief Ombudsman has the luxury of being critical yet not having to present an alternative framework that would have outcomes that didn't disadvantage anyone in that same situation. Meaningless.
Food is going to be very very expensive this winter as currently nothing grows but rather drowns.
Well i guess we can import it from somewhere else, after all no one needs farmers, food comes from supermarkets. Right?
did you mean to comment in OM 12/12/22? Some people aren't seeing the more recent OMs on the FP, would be useful to know if you are one of them.
I thought Lprent had fixed it!?
just checking
yes, can you move the comments?
we can't.
I pulled out two raised beds in the garden because growing in Auckland is too difficult for a full time worker.
However, I still have two cherry tomatoes in pots which are looking very good. Pots like more rain I am sure.
Honestly, at this stage are we letting this happen on purpose or are we just deviantly refusing to do the things that need doint?
https://twitter.com/CDCgov_parody/status/1602470966713585666
https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1603152703391420416
Yes, we are the dumbest species. Every other species has a sense of self preservation, humans? Nah, they really believe that we have 'human rights' and that something somewhere someone will come and safe their asses.
The problems with many humans however is that they had a lot of education, oodles of educational debt, and now they think they are learned. Idiots.
Humans are "idiots"?
Idiocy is the catalyst for innovation.
All praise the Fool!
There are no foolish condors, hummingbirds, turtles or ants.
The first of the Tarot might in fact be the last 🙂
It is always the fools with thoughts of grandeur and need for a legacy that start the big shit. And suddenly out of know here there is death and it is eating our young.
Mers, also called the camelflue, something of an anticipated 'issue' that might rise its ugly wee face. Good grief.
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ny-camel-flu-world-cup-qatar-20221212-hma35irkm5anhe2afct4wzsktm-story.html
https://twitter.com/Rpshahmemorial1/status/1602291094510661632