Yep, awesome a nice thumping, and best off all WA’s power network stays in public hands.Queensland, South Australia,Victoria, ACT, and the Northern Territory are all red now, with just Tas and NSW to come
Australia is finally waking up to the shambles it created at the last general election by allowing the insidious politics of one nation back in. They block or bog most legislation with their xenophobic climate denial agenda.
So the liberals are incapable of passing water in the house let alone any effective legislation, a situation Turnbull’s arrogance in calling a double dissolution created.
The affects are now being played out in state elections.
Just read the article about Colin Meads. Great bloke but I found this bit a bit disturbing”
“But a phone call from a Taranaki farmer would transform Meads’ quality of life.
Vernon Coxhead, an organic dairy farmer, says: “I knew I could help him. It broke my heart to see him like that. He is such a great Kiwi.”
Coxhead advocates natural remedies and his company Purecure produces Te Kiri Gold, a special water he believes could be a “game changer” for cancer.
“I’ve changed the molecular structure of the immune system so the water can penetrate through bone, and I believe that it can penetrate into the cancer cells.”
This will be remembered long after he sold his public image to con naïve investors into putting their money in failed Capital + Merchant Finance debentures.
That was an interesting link Red Hand, on Capital-Merchant finaglingfinance.
And I copied the comments from angry investors which tell the story that echoes that of the whole country.
From NBR 7/2/17:
#1 by Chin Dynasty 1 month ago
“Theft on a grand scale”?
In May 2015, former Capital + Merchant Finance directors were granted parole less than three years into their more than eight-year sentence.
More like “Encouraging theft on a grand scale” to the victims who were swindled out of tens of millions of dollars.
Reply
#2 by Ivan 1 month ago
There’s one thing that I have learned as an investor in Cap and merch, apart from losing over 95 pc of my investment, is that if I’m ever involved in another business collapse in this country, I will know what to expect. Firstly, I will have no rights. Secondly, treated with contempt by whoever is managing the receivership. Thirdly, whoever is the current govt watchdog at the time, don’t want to know, and fourthly, and most annoyingly of the lot all the experts in hindsight that know everything now, that you never heard a word from before the companies went under.
Plus a little mention of the business reporters at the time that just loved to add petrol to the flames every single night on the news. Yeah thanks for that.
Reply
by NZXXX 1 month ago in reply to Ivan
And don’t forget the Colin Meads, Richard Longs, Sir Tipene O’Regan and Sir Doug Graham who willingly lent their names to entice the ever trusting Mums and Dads to ‘invest’ with the finance companies.
For ‘thirty pieces of silver’, they sold their names. Another 10 pieces, they would have sold their souls?
Reply
#3 by My Fat Fees 1 month ago
Terrible for the investors: bleached by C+M then rinsed by Kordies
Reply
#4 by Ivan 1 month ago
Something that also disappointed me a few years after these events occurred, was hearing the words “Oh that was in the past, and we’ve moved on since then” from John Key, in response to a question from a reporter about whether or not investors in collapsed finance companies could expect any help from the govt with action against the bosses of those companies in regards to getting their money back.
Yeah thanks for that John. I know it wasn’t personally your of the previous govt’s fault. But there was a govt department set-up to keep an eye out on companies like this, and everyone knows that they did nothing while $3 billion dollars of peoples savings were lost.
But as John says, we’re just moved on. Swept it under the rug so to speak.
Hi grey, at the risk of upsetting folk, I find it hard to have sympathy for folk who get burnt when financial companies go under.
They want something for nothing, which equals greedy.
Plus they choose to do this with richer greedier folk, who always appear to emerge unscathed.
The other part that sticks in the craw, there always seems to be enough money to pay for the ‘recievers’ and yet wages or suppliers are left high and dry.
gsays
I thought it was interesting to see how people who follow the meme that it is good to invest and helps the country to do good business under capitalism, feel when they get what c-ism chooses to dish out, and find its yesterday’s sweepings. No doubt they think it’s a one-off, or a bad patch and don’t take time to actually consider what c-ism is about, and look at the way that so many creditors have actually been defrauded, legally.
it is often through extreme adversity that one’s attitude can change.
now, i realise that a well heeled ‘mum and dad’ invester losing 10s of thousands in an investment gone wrong, ain’t extreme adversity, but it will seem like it to them.
maybe, just maybe, this is the fertile environment for empathy to grow.
If we want a sustainable long term solution to Super it should involve engagement with the public and a cross party conscience approach in Parliament.
Suggestion – s soon as practical after this year’s election (next year) we should have a survey type referendum (non-binding)that asks us the public what we want. It should ask questions on:
– age of eligibility
– set age or flexible
– means testing
– rate of payment – indexed or otherwise
– Super fund contributions locked in or not
– targeted assistance for those who have to retire younger for health reasons
anything else?
Then all parties MPs in Parliament, using the help of an expert group, should work together to come up with a legislative package based on public preferences plus fiscal prudence and social responsibility. Any votes should be on a conscience basis.
The resulting package should then go to the public for a binding referendum vote.
Parliament should abide be this and pass the legislation if required.
Included in the legislation there should be a higher vote threshold required to overturn any parts of the Super legislation to minimise the chances of Super becoming a political football again. Suggested somewhere in the range of 60-75% required to overturn.
Then we would have future certainty based on public preference and Parliamentary consensus.
I think this would be a good model for effective public participation in important issues.
While referendums have typically only had simple response questions the only way of getting detailed public feedback is by using a more detailed type of survey. People shouldn’t be treated as simpletons who should only nod or shake their heads.
This ‘expert group’ will probably consist of people from the financial sector. They know that a generous National Super scheme is their biggest competitor.
This type of survey usually consists of loaded questions to get the outcome desired by the promoter.
Anyway the Nacts could have promoted a cross party accord but did they ? No they tore up the old one.
The agenda of the financial services industry regarding National Superannuation (and what the government secretly wants):
1) Cumplosory Kiwisaver that is the main source of retirement income
2) National Super reduced to a means tested payment which is the same level as the Supported Living Allowance (the old Invalid’s Benefit), linked the prices rather than wages. You pretty much have to be living under a bridge to get it.
3) Age of eligibiliy for #2 increased to 70.
This is what we have been softened up for over the past few years, make no mistake.
Holy shit were Andrew and Jacinda terrific on Q and A or whaaat? They are the best team to lead the party since clark / Cullen, because of their differences they compliment each other well and between them are exactly what a modern labour party needs to be. Andrew was relaxed and looked a leader, Jacinda was a great voice for young people.
English was a flaming shambles and will flail and come apart during tough scrutiny.
This is going to be a fierce team on top of the fact we have an mou with our mates the greens and will be working with each other this election. I’m hopeful…. may have to change my name….
English is a clown and noone likes him
Noone likes Paula either. Team Andrew / Jacinda a mix of everything that makes me like labour.
Yes – I watched it a bit latter – having recorded it. The two of them were very good – but the part I found really interesting was how Corin Dann really pushed at Blingish, and he did the same to Andrew Little – and I thought AL came out top !.
This was a much better show than the Lisa Owens push/interrupt-all-the-time type of interview on The Nation. Much more substantial.
GPs and medical specialists who chose to prescribe drugs according to their sense of right and wrong rather than scientific evidence maybe, if the pharmacists were cooperative and it was legal and even ACT is unlikely to support that.
on te netflix there is a series called ‘Islands of the Future’
for anyone interested/involved in green energy it’s a must.
the orkney island one (3rd ep) pointed out how much work could be created ‘
Footrot Flats creator Murray Ball has died. He was aged 78.
Longtime friend and collaborator Tom Scott said he received a call around 1pm on Sunday to say Ball had passed away.
It’s understood Ball had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and had been nursed at his Gisborne home for some time. He is survived by his wife Pam, and children.
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More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Jeremiah Manele has been elected Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, polling 31 votes to 18 over rival candidate and former opposition leader Mathew Wale with one abstention. The final result of the election by secret ballot was announced by the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Priestley Habru, PhD candidate, public diplomacy, University of Adelaide Former foreign minister Jeremiah Manele has been elected the next prime minister of Solomon Islands, defeating the opposition leader, Matthew Wale, in a vote in parliament. The result is a mixed bag for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shaun Eaves, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Jamey Stutz, CC BY-SA How often do mountains collapse, volcanoes erupt or ice sheets melt? For Earth scientists, these are important questions as we try ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Flood, Professor of Sociology, Queensland University of Technology Shutterstock Most young adult men in Australia reject traditional ideas of masculinity that endorse aggression, stoicism and homophobia. Nonetheless, the ongoing influence of those ideas continues to harm men and the people ...
The NZQA proposal released to staff today would involve a net loss of 35 roles. There are 66 roles being disestablished with 13 of those currently vacant, and 31 new roles proposed, said Fleur Fitzsimons Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga ...
Alex Casey talks to Loren Taylor, the writer, director and star of new film The Moon is Upside Down, about assembling her dream ensemble cast, toilet paper pads and turning literal dreams into reality. There’s a moment in The Moon is Upside Down where frazzled anaesthetist Briar (Loren Taylor) gets ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cassy Dittman, Senior Lecturer/Head of Course (Undergraduate Psychology), Research Fellow, Manna Institute, CQUniversity Australia With winter sports swinging into action, adults around the country have volunteered or been volunteered by others (humorously known as being “volun-told”) to coach junior sports teams. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karleen Gribble, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University richardernestyap/Shutterstock Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or to ...
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...
As the government tries to get the country back on track with a school phone ban, Tara Ward has an idea for where they should turn their attention to next.New Zealand students returned to school on Monday morning, but their cellphones did not. The government’s new phone ban began ...
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...
The Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...
The PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...
He’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzHey Hera,I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstockAhmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...
Labour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...
The campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...
The paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...
The Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...
Two decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back.‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,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 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Why has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...
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On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
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Terence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...
Rongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...
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Responding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...
Analysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...
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Lawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...
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Labor in Western Australia has trounced the Liberals and the vote for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party collapsed.
Good times …
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/it-was-a-mistake-pauline-hanson-admits-preference-error-after-one-nation-votes-collapses-20170311-guw5cv.html
Yep, awesome a nice thumping, and best off all WA’s power network stays in public hands.Queensland, South Australia,Victoria, ACT, and the Northern Territory are all red now, with just Tas and NSW to come
Very Happy, this guy will be the first Aboriginal treasurer in Australia. Only took just over 200 years.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Wyatt
Labor in WA won so well after they abandoned climate change and identity politics.
Too bad Labour NZ is too dominated by soggy old Cultural Marxists to learn from Labor WA’s success.
Awesome.
Excellent signal particularly since polling had showed her rising there.
Not often Labor gets WA.
Really good signal.
Australia is finally waking up to the shambles it created at the last general election by allowing the insidious politics of one nation back in. They block or bog most legislation with their xenophobic climate denial agenda.
So the liberals are incapable of passing water in the house let alone any effective legislation, a situation Turnbull’s arrogance in calling a double dissolution created.
The affects are now being played out in state elections.
“xenophobic climate denial agenda”
McGowan walked away from climate change and identity politics. It doesn’t fly in a state where the resource industry underpins their living standards.
I know your trying hard rebbater, but this is what your mob looks like mate.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/state-election-2017/is-this-3am-phone-call-from-peter-katsambanis-and-rob-johnson-the-weirdest-moment-of-the-election-ng-b88412852z
The outgoing PM is currently being interviewed on Q+A live stream here
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/content/tvnz/onenews/story/2015/07/20/live-stream–q-a.html
Just read the article about Colin Meads. Great bloke but I found this bit a bit disturbing”
“But a phone call from a Taranaki farmer would transform Meads’ quality of life.
Vernon Coxhead, an organic dairy farmer, says: “I knew I could help him. It broke my heart to see him like that. He is such a great Kiwi.”
Coxhead advocates natural remedies and his company Purecure produces Te Kiri Gold, a special water he believes could be a “game changer” for cancer.
“I’ve changed the molecular structure of the immune system so the water can penetrate through bone, and I believe that it can penetrate into the cancer cells.”
I suppose everyone is entitled to hope but such a “cure” sounds like quackery to me and is likely to send many other sufferers on wild goose chases.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11816620
I hope it works for him and that he can finally claim to have “beaten the bastard”.
He crippled Ken Catchpole in 1968 without censure and was not above kicking an opposing player as he lay on the ground.
https://www.balls.ie/rugby/new-zealand-red-card-352276-352276
This will be remembered long after he sold his public image to con naïve investors into putting their money in failed Capital + Merchant Finance debentures.
https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/capital-merchant-debenture-holders-get-second-payment-march-b-199180
That was an interesting link Red Hand, on Capital-Merchant finaglingfinance.
And I copied the comments from angry investors which tell the story that echoes that of the whole country.
From NBR 7/2/17:
#1 by Chin Dynasty 1 month ago
“Theft on a grand scale”?
In May 2015, former Capital + Merchant Finance directors were granted parole less than three years into their more than eight-year sentence.
More like “Encouraging theft on a grand scale” to the victims who were swindled out of tens of millions of dollars.
Reply
#2 by Ivan 1 month ago
There’s one thing that I have learned as an investor in Cap and merch, apart from losing over 95 pc of my investment, is that if I’m ever involved in another business collapse in this country, I will know what to expect. Firstly, I will have no rights. Secondly, treated with contempt by whoever is managing the receivership. Thirdly, whoever is the current govt watchdog at the time, don’t want to know, and fourthly, and most annoyingly of the lot all the experts in hindsight that know everything now, that you never heard a word from before the companies went under.
Plus a little mention of the business reporters at the time that just loved to add petrol to the flames every single night on the news. Yeah thanks for that.
Reply
by NZXXX 1 month ago in reply to Ivan
And don’t forget the Colin Meads, Richard Longs, Sir Tipene O’Regan and Sir Doug Graham who willingly lent their names to entice the ever trusting Mums and Dads to ‘invest’ with the finance companies.
For ‘thirty pieces of silver’, they sold their names. Another 10 pieces, they would have sold their souls?
Reply
#3 by My Fat Fees 1 month ago
Terrible for the investors: bleached by C+M then rinsed by Kordies
Reply
#4 by Ivan 1 month ago
Something that also disappointed me a few years after these events occurred, was hearing the words “Oh that was in the past, and we’ve moved on since then” from John Key, in response to a question from a reporter about whether or not investors in collapsed finance companies could expect any help from the govt with action against the bosses of those companies in regards to getting their money back.
Yeah thanks for that John. I know it wasn’t personally your of the previous govt’s fault. But there was a govt department set-up to keep an eye out on companies like this, and everyone knows that they did nothing while $3 billion dollars of peoples savings were lost.
But as John says, we’re just moved on. Swept it under the rug so to speak.
Hi grey, at the risk of upsetting folk, I find it hard to have sympathy for folk who get burnt when financial companies go under.
They want something for nothing, which equals greedy.
Plus they choose to do this with richer greedier folk, who always appear to emerge unscathed.
The other part that sticks in the craw, there always seems to be enough money to pay for the ‘recievers’ and yet wages or suppliers are left high and dry.
gsays
I thought it was interesting to see how people who follow the meme that it is good to invest and helps the country to do good business under capitalism, feel when they get what c-ism chooses to dish out, and find its yesterday’s sweepings. No doubt they think it’s a one-off, or a bad patch and don’t take time to actually consider what c-ism is about, and look at the way that so many creditors have actually been defrauded, legally.
it is often through extreme adversity that one’s attitude can change.
now, i realise that a well heeled ‘mum and dad’ invester losing 10s of thousands in an investment gone wrong, ain’t extreme adversity, but it will seem like it to them.
maybe, just maybe, this is the fertile environment for empathy to grow.
If we want a sustainable long term solution to Super it should involve engagement with the public and a cross party conscience approach in Parliament.
Suggestion – s soon as practical after this year’s election (next year) we should have a survey type referendum (non-binding)that asks us the public what we want. It should ask questions on:
– age of eligibility
– set age or flexible
– means testing
– rate of payment – indexed or otherwise
– Super fund contributions locked in or not
– targeted assistance for those who have to retire younger for health reasons
anything else?
Then all parties MPs in Parliament, using the help of an expert group, should work together to come up with a legislative package based on public preferences plus fiscal prudence and social responsibility. Any votes should be on a conscience basis.
The resulting package should then go to the public for a binding referendum vote.
Parliament should abide be this and pass the legislation if required.
Included in the legislation there should be a higher vote threshold required to overturn any parts of the Super legislation to minimise the chances of Super becoming a political football again. Suggested somewhere in the range of 60-75% required to overturn.
Then we would have future certainty based on public preference and Parliamentary consensus.
I think this would be a good model for effective public participation in important issues.
While referendums have typically only had simple response questions the only way of getting detailed public feedback is by using a more detailed type of survey. People shouldn’t be treated as simpletons who should only nod or shake their heads.
This ‘expert group’ will probably consist of people from the financial sector. They know that a generous National Super scheme is their biggest competitor.
This type of survey usually consists of loaded questions to get the outcome desired by the promoter.
Anyway the Nacts could have promoted a cross party accord but did they ? No they tore up the old one.
The outgoing government aren’t into cross party groups, due to their lack of communication skills among other things.
The agenda of the financial services industry regarding National Superannuation (and what the government secretly wants):
1) Cumplosory Kiwisaver that is the main source of retirement income
2) National Super reduced to a means tested payment which is the same level as the Supported Living Allowance (the old Invalid’s Benefit), linked the prices rather than wages. You pretty much have to be living under a bridge to get it.
3) Age of eligibiliy for #2 increased to 70.
This is what we have been softened up for over the past few years, make no mistake.
Holy shit were Andrew and Jacinda terrific on Q and A or whaaat? They are the best team to lead the party since clark / Cullen, because of their differences they compliment each other well and between them are exactly what a modern labour party needs to be. Andrew was relaxed and looked a leader, Jacinda was a great voice for young people.
English was a flaming shambles and will flail and come apart during tough scrutiny.
This is going to be a fierce team on top of the fact we have an mou with our mates the greens and will be working with each other this election. I’m hopeful…. may have to change my name….
English is a clown and noone likes him
Noone likes Paula either. Team Andrew / Jacinda a mix of everything that makes me like labour.
Maybe there still is hope for team red yet.
IKR, they were da bomb, was like dang, you fellas have really got it going on, stellar interview.
Watched it with a critical friend well versed in politics, he was way impressed with their team work and how they came across together.
Here’s the link for the interview in case any missed it.
The panel had many good things to say about team “A+J”
Yes – I watched it a bit latter – having recorded it. The two of them were very good – but the part I found really interesting was how Corin Dann really pushed at Blingish, and he did the same to Andrew Little – and I thought AL came out top !.
This was a much better show than the Lisa Owens push/interrupt-all-the-time type of interview on The Nation. Much more substantial.
No one likes him ? Yet he’s still far out in front as preferred on and national are polling miles in front of labour.
Next poll little could be 4th in the preferred pm stakes.
Your constant attempts to belittle Little are so boring, James!
Boring
Boring
Boring.
You may find them boring – but the are probably accurate.
What doctors would be like if ACT was in charge….
http://www.newyorker.com/cartoons/a15625
Not the surgeons who do more than minor procedures. They need to be trained, even if Robot assisted. http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/robotic-surgery/basics/definition/prc-20013988
GPs and medical specialists who chose to prescribe drugs according to their sense of right and wrong rather than scientific evidence maybe, if the pharmacists were cooperative and it was legal and even ACT is unlikely to support that.
That leaves the alternative medicine providers, and the remedies they use are already unregulated in NZ.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/legislation/news/article.cfm?c_id=247&objectid=10449883
Not the surgeons who do more than minor procedures. They need to be trained,
Not according to the fanatical mind of an ACT supporter.
on te netflix there is a series called ‘Islands of the Future’
for anyone interested/involved in green energy it’s a must.
the orkney island one (3rd ep) pointed out how much work could be created ‘
Another great New Zealander passes on..
Footrot Flats creator Murray Ball has died. He was aged 78.
Longtime friend and collaborator Tom Scott said he received a call around 1pm on Sunday to say Ball had passed away.
It’s understood Ball had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and had been nursed at his Gisborne home for some time. He is survived by his wife Pam, and children.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/90340548/footrot-flats-creator-murray-ball-has-died
Will be missed
I grew up on Footrot Flats and have recently been introducing my kid to it. He loves it
That is so sad. It has not been a good week for cartoonists with Aussie Bill Leak dying a few days ago.
Thanks for posting that Glenn, one of Feilding’s finest.
Cooch windgrass, horse, rangi, cheeky hobson… Great characters.
Ha sounds like another friendly filly contributo. Good to see im not the only one. My grandparents woolshed featured in some of Murrays cartoons.
How to oppose a Mafia State.
While Michele Obama socializes with the rich and vacuous….
http://normanfinkelstein.com/2017/03/11/while-michele-obama-in-her-designer-dresses-sings-the-praises-of-the-greatest-country-on-earth-heres-what-nina-turner-is-going/
Latest Labour-commissioned UMR poll shows that the voting public’s understanding of housing policy factors is better than I thought: http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/90244287/the-nz-homeowners-who-hate-high-house-prices-are-revealed-in-labour-polling