Interesting to watch the akl transport blame game. Akl council had no say in the tournament, the number of games etc and has to pay toward refurbishing (with temporary structures!) a ground in a suburb when Mallard was right in the needs for a waterfront stadium close to every transport element, bus, rail, motorways.
RWC, tourism, transport ministers and tournament CEO all akl residents whom are paid to manage and lead so this should be very entertaining as a poorly constructed supercity, yet another NACT piece of crap, is probably left holding the baby.
Can someone explain who will be paying for those people who didn’t get to game? Because as a ratepayer I figure two things (a) the company that owns the failed transport pays or (b) in any other situation if I missed an event due to a transport failure no way in hell would anyone think of paying me back. Certainly I ain’t shelling out for people who missed out.
The government signed a contract to supply the Rugby World Cup, and said
people would not be shortchanged, now they have been, its necessary for
the standing of NZ to pay them compensation least we get slated as a
nation of welchers. The blame should lie with the government and all
government MPs should put their hands in their pocket personally, they
admit openly to hate public service, hate public transport, hate governing
effectively as its ‘too complex’.
So Simon Power is proposing to leave the decision on whether to do away with the centuries old right to silence to a panel of Judges.
He is obviously having problems getting the numbers to get through Parliament proposed changes to the Criminal Law and is having to go to the likes of Hillary Calvert to get the numbers. She must be relishing the prospect of being relevant. Rodney Hide to his credit is sticking to his guns and showing his libertarian nature by condemning the proposed changes as an affront to long held constitutional rights.
Power’s proposal, that Parliament leaves it up to the Rules Committee to make the final decision, will politicise Judiciary in a way that no previous Government has done. As a citizen surely it will be my right to lobby the decision makers, the Judges, to persuade them to do what is right and veto the proposed changes.
It also blurs the roles. Parliament is meant to determine the law and Judges are meant only to interpret it.
Surely Power should acknowledge defeat and withdraw the pernicious provisions. As Charles Chauvel noted does he really want to be the Justice Minister to be remembered as the one who did away with the right to silence?
America has a closed court, grand jury system where silence is not a option but anything
said cannot be used in further courts (unless they lie) I believe and could be wrong.
It plugs a hole before trials where the merit of the case itself is discussed.
Such serious court processes cannot be suddenly revamped by one ideologically
driven party and one silly justice ‘power’ seeking minisiter.
Our parliament is corrupt, it does not fear its decisions will ever come back to harm
them.
Apparently supporters of most rugby teams broke into spontaneous national anthem singing, in stations, in the bars and wherever there was a group of them, possibly because they had a tuneful anthem that they were comfortable in singing.
It would be nice to have one like that for New Zealand.
At Otago Stadium on Saturday night it was the first time I’ve experienced God Save The Queen and thought it felt appropriate. It always seemed odd when we had to stand to it at movies.
Listening to Prince Charles’ hypocritical cant a few hours ago during the 9/11 memorial service only underlines the necessity of getting rid of these useless bloodsuckers.
I loved the English cricket supporters singing “God save YOUR gracious Queen/ Long live YOUR noble Queen etc.” during last year’s Ashes in Australia. Change one word and it becomes a clever Geo-political put down.
So Key and relevant ministers were silent about Auckland’s RWC opening rail fail, while their proxies were busy putting the blame on Brown and Auckland Council. Yet behind the scenes they were working to ensure it doesn’t happen again – surely this shows the buck stops with Key, Joyce, McCully et al….
Prime Minister John Key says Cabinet ministers have been working with the Auckland Council over the weekend to avoid a repeat of Friday night when transport failures resulted in some ticket-holders missing the opening game of the Rugby World Cup.
[…]
The Council had said it was working to resolve the problems and there would be more back-up by buses for future games, he said.
Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully and Transport Minister Steven Joyce had been in talks with the Council over the weekend.
Yet Key is still trying to blame the council: Key told Newstalk ZB there had been an “operational failure” and the council had not considered every potential problem.
“They had the back up for the back ups but obviously they hadn’t thought through every single contingency or hadn’t acted
Meanwhile, there are criticisms from a Labour MP Key et als premiere endeavour known as Party Central:
Labour’s tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis said Party Central could be best described as “Party Shambles”.
“It was an embarrassment. This was our big opportunity to promote New Zealand to overseas visitors.
Labour’s tourism spokesman Kelvin Davis said Party Central could be best described as “Party Shambles”. “It was an embarrassment.
It was always going to be – didn’t matter who was in government. And the reason why it was going to be a shambles is because NZ always tries to do things on the cheap, we never seem to be willing to put in the necessary effort to get things right. We wanted lower taxes, lower prices and then, when things turn to custard, we complain about it but we don’t change how we do things still demanding lower taxes and prices. At some point lower pricing costs more and NZ is well into that area of the price spectrum.
Looks like the German’s are going to throw in the towel and let Greece default.
After almost two years of fighting to contain the region’s debt crisis and providing the biggest share of three European bailouts, Chancellor Angela Merkel is laying the ground for what markets say is almost a sure thing: a Greek default.
“It feels like Germany is preparing itself for a debt default,” Jacques Cailloux, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc in London, said in an interview. “Fatigue is setting in. Germany could be a first mover or other countries could be preparing too.”
Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate. He even managed to shut him down a few times and without adopting Hooton’s favourite trick – shouting his opponent down. Well done.
Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate.
Hooton did not need to say anything. Pagani’s positions on everything were more extreme than Hooton’s. I don’t think even Hooton would be crass enough to say, as Pagani did, that the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values”.
He even managed to shut him down a few times
When? He certainly did not have the spine to challenge Hooton when Hooton lied about the intent of the Electoral Finance Act.
I think you need to listen to it again. Pagani’s performance (or failure to perform) was a disgrace.
Indeed, Anne. Makes a nice change from Williams and Bradford who both – in spite of their considerable abilities – let Hooton get away with framing every issue however he likes and proceed to argue the issues on his terms.
Further evidence of the decline of National Radio
From the Left and From the Right
Matthew Hooton (“Right”), John Pagani (“Left”) and Kathryn Ryan
National Radio, Monday 12 September 2011
Some dyspeptic, wandery and ill-informed extreme right-wing comments on the show this morning: “We needed to stand with the Americans in Afghanistan”, the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values” and “we were right to go in to Afghanistan because they shot some of our boys.”
No, it was not Matthew Hooton speaking. It was John Pagani, who must have had a brain fade and thought he was on NewstalkZB, trying to impress Paul Holmes by talking tough on his Saturday morning slot.
To compound Pagani’s shallow ranting, he sat impotently while Hooton claimed that the Electoral Finance Bill was “to stop criticism of the Clark government”.
When someone strong and intelligent enough to counter Hooton’s nonsense (Sue Bradford, Lila Harre, Mike Williams) is on, this programme is excellent and entertaining. But with someone like Pagani representing “the Left”, it’s about as balanced, and as interesting, as the egregious “Huddle” on Larry Williams Drive on NewstalkZB.
I presume the show will now be called “From the Right and from the Bewildered”. At least when John Pagani is on.
But with someone like Pagani representing “the Left”, it’s about as balanced, and as interesting, as the egregious “Huddle” on Larry Williams Drive on NewstalkZB.
I presume the show will now be called “From the Right and from the Bewildered”. At least when John Pagani is on.
Agreed! I haven’t been able to listen for some weeks until yesterday, and then when I did, I was shocked! It’s already two against one, as Ryan appears to be solidly pro-NACT…
Morrissey, I didn’t hear Pagani talk specifically about the US and UK… standing for decency and human values. Actually, the majority of the British and American citizenry do stand for such values. That aspects of their respective governments let them down from time to time is hardly evidence of over-all amoral and evil behaviour. I didn’t say I agreed with what Pagani said, I simply pointed out that he didn’t let Hooton dominate the show – something Sue Bradford in particular allows him to do.
Honestly sometimes this guy strikes me as a spoilt 12 year old kid who’s arrogant parents (NATS) drill a sense of entitlement from birth. I’d even question whether he knows the definition of inequality after reading this post ….
Yes, everybody should be “able” to have a comfortable life.
Just as long as they are happy to work for it.
That is the difference, you lot want to give everybody a comfortable life by stealing my money from me that I earn by working hard and giving it to parasites and DPB slappers who do not want to work.
Clearly you should spend less time ‘working hard’ for money and a lot more time ‘working hard’ on your Emotional Quotient – that money is never gonna love you back buddy, and you will never have enough of it to fill that knawing hole in your chest where your heart should be.
Some of those slappers and parasites will have given birth to children who will care for you when you are old and grey. Nobody survives without the influence of others.
Karma BB, it will come back and bite you on the arse, and when it does, when you have a disabled family member, or your house falls down like ChCh, or any other type of thing that you are unprepared for, you’ll be the first in the queue demanding the state sorts it out – because you mate are simply precious, greedy and self serving, like the other tory trolls on here (except several of them actually can see the other side of the coin and provide rigorous debate).
How can a bunch of benefit stealing bludgers care for me in my old age?
I take it that this grand plan of yours does not include making sure that people work for a living?
Or are you really just wanting to use my money to buy votes from the so called poor to enable your corrupt party to regain power?
What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives.
The more the “state” interferes with our day to day affairs the more we go backward, get the ‘state’ out of our lives and things will improve.
.What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives
Actually, what isn’t working is the economic system that, in 2008, created all those people now relying on social welfare to survive. That was your free market system, Bruv.
And you’re right: neo-liberalism isn’t working Any system that can double unemployment from 3.8% to 7% in just under two years is an economic bomb that Al Qaida would dearly love to get their hands on.
BB theirs 24,000 more on the dpb since Key National got elected and his mother was one of those parasites that lived in a state house.The Dpb is so partners can get away from ignorant abusers like you.So have you got any ideas on the creation of around 400,000 full time jobs or can you only keep repeating your Act mantra of abuse!
Oh, cry us a river, Bruv. So ytou want a free ride and not pay your taxes? If you want a Libertarian Nirvana, Somalia is that-a-way.
Here in NZ, pay your taxes and be grateful that you have a road to drive on; a hospital to care for you when you bump your brain cell; and a welfare system that keeps the hungry and desperate from your door.
What about the outrageous assertion from mathew hooton that because the rail system failed once then Aucklanders will never use it again. What a load of garbage. And john pagani got it right about the board of Auckland Transport. Hand picked by National to cock everything up. When the Aussie had the Olympics in 2000 the Sydney trains were free for a week before hand. Why didnt the numbskulls try that here instead of trying to create a riot. why is new zealand in the grip of pinheads and ignoramusses at the moment. oh I forgot. national is inpower and their voters like their mp’s to be like them. dull and stupid and mercenary.
@randal – What was that towards the end about guns, I think after they had discussed the Tuhoe thing? Matthew Hooton seemed about to say that everybody should be able to carry a gun, for a minute sounding like some redneck USA person, then Kathryn Ryan moved right along as time was running out.
Prism – no, I wasn’t making a pro-gun statement, I was making a free-speech one. John was saying you shouldn’t be able to be using a gun and talk about politics. I think that if people are hunting or shooting targets or something else that is legal, they should be able to do that thing while talking about politics. It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year, that most people here at The Standard don’t understand.
I thought at the time you misunderstood what Pagani said, nice to have it confirmed! He was saying that political arguments should not be settled with guns, not that duck hunting and politics were mutually incompatible. D’oh!
Actually I’m pretty sure John did say people shouldn’t be playing with guns while talking politics.
The little toad Holmes said much the same thing several times this weekend on q+a. I hate agreeing with Matthew but I don’t care much for this new rule either.
It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year.
That’s a load of crap Hooton and you know it! Helen Clark and her govt. were responding to the Exclusive Brethren revelations and related Nat Party Trust skulduggery. Ok, the legislation had holes in it because it was hastily thrown together. That was the result of electoral cycle time constraints and you know that too. Stop telling lies Hooton and some of us might start treating you with more respect!
He’s more prevalent around Holloween time Logie 97. he always looking for new ideas as he has none of his own.At duck shooting time we should aim high and shoot low and you’ll get that slippery little hollow eel hooton with a little shooten
Thanks Matthew that clears that up for me. But I do think the argument sounds a bit fuzzy and general. Looking at an example – for instance taking a gun to a political meeting. That would not be an encouragement of freedom or free-speech because the playing field isn’t equal then – angry words are often wounding but don’t break flesh usually!
I think that having a loaded gun and at the same time talking politics could backfire. These are two ‘loaded’ activities, it would be better to do them separately I think.
“Just what would be expected of a proper clone of USA Tea Party.
It’s telling fibs, if it’s Tea Party there must be religion there somewhere, but it hasn’t mentioned it….
right to life, anti-abortion, sanctity of life with George Carlin – hysterically funny take on hugely controversial subjects.
Do not watch if you hate rude language or can’t face the fact that there is little consistency amongst right to lifers, anti-abortionists or the sanctity of life followers.
Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.
Do not watch if you hate rude language or can’t face the fact that there is little consistency amongst right to lifers, anti-abortionists or the sanctity of life followers.
I can’t watch vids (can’t afford broadband) but I have to comment – first, well, people like that just can’t help themselves with the effing and blinding, can they? Some juvenile people think swearing is “grown up” and oh-so-clever!
Also, what consistency do you want? If you want pro-life people to oppose war and capital punishment, well, surprise, we do! (The non-Protestants among us, anyway.)
Hi, Vicky32. I don’t want to pry, but if you’ve got dial up, I presume you are paying $50-60 per month to get that service. I’ve seen some broadband packages which include the landline starting at around $70. That might still be out of reach, but keep an eye out for specials at Telecom or the other providers. They often do deals that might just be affordable. It will definitely change your life if you get broadband and not just in terms of blogging. It’s like switching from black and white to colour TV. A whole new way of seeing the world.
but if you’ve got dial up, I presume you are paying $50-60 per month to get that service.
Thanks for the advice, but I am lucky – I am paying only $9.95 a month! It’s rubbish service, but it will do for the time being… 🙂 My son sent me a pre-loaded Vodafone stick, but I am eking that out (don’t tell him!) and use it only for vital things, although you’re right, it is like getting colour TV….
Good on ya, I look forward to the political party that puts broadband for all up as an election promise. I think one of the Nordic countries is already talking about enshrining it in human rights legislation along with water supply, education and the other basics of life.
That’s been talked about over on Red Alert here and there. Not sure about what the Greens say about it but it’s certainly at the point where broadband is becoming an essential part of society (ie, should be supplied free through taxation).
@Jum Thanks for that – very funny. You are veryfunny and pithy too “Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.” Pity to lose Carlin, he’s outstanding.
It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that a major power cut shut down a couple of San Onofre nuclear reactors in San Diego last week. But what is really interesting is that a spike in radiation levels was registered on a background radiation monitor I happen to keep an eye on, at exactly the same time…
Joky Hen on Auckland – We are not too interested in finger pointing….
Radio interviews with two women, one caught up in the crush at Quay Street and the other in the unbearable heat and crowds on her train, was a scary story. They were real cool survivors and helpers.
Both said it was noticeable that there was no crowd control, no security at either place. On the train they were stopped for about an hour and there was no report from the captain etc. Aren’t ground travelling people on trains entitled to any information through speakers installed in the carriages? Are the trains being run by remote control as all the time they were stationary (unintended pun) they didn’t see a rail worker?
At the Quay there weren’t obvious signs giving directions to the various venues and not a policeman in sight except some telling some people not to sit on a roof ignoring the crowds milling below.
Hooton is ful of “strange” ideas that dont stand up to any logical scrutiny whatsoever. i.e. technically they are not valid. he just makes it up. He is just a small person who wants to get even with the world and thinks money counts for everything. In short he is a neanderthal tory party drongo flack who does what he is told by the “BIG BOYS”.
So dishing jobs out to your unqualified brother is OK according to your ethical code BB?
Why not comment on that instead of being your usual tolling self?
I know this will be hard for you to understand given that all of you left wing types slavishly support anybody (regardless of how corrupt they are) on your team but if this means that Bill English is sacked or forced to resign then nobody will be happier than me.
English is an idiot, a sopping wet liberal idiot with a strong socialist streak.
As for appointing an unqualified person to a government appointed job….well does the name Diane Yates not ring any bells with you?
I am not saying it is right, what I am saying is that in typical fashion the left make a song and dance about something that they have done themselves many, many times, the display of faux outrage is hilarious.
little pesk Pails into insignificance Media works dirty2007-8 campaign was rewarded with $43 million hand up from key dipton and joyce.Every DJ at media works set out to bring down clark!
When a publicly owned monopoly is privatised (management replaced by a profit motivated group) who monitors their performance?
Take, for example, Auckland airport.
When the amenities become foul and stinking, as they did after this weekends influx of tourists, who checks that those running the place are meeting acceptable standards.
The turists they never come back.John banks sold Auckland airport shares for $350 million they are now worth 1.5 billion that saved the Auckland rate payer millions in debt. Why don’t epsom voters reward him for being such a hopeless politician they will cut of their noses to spite their faces a Big Bruv or is that big girls blouse.Or more likely in a new game we should play here is who’s the tory blogger my guess is tau.
The morale of the story lies with the current bright idea of selling other assets before their price peaks, regardless of the fact they are returning a profit and are of strategic importance.
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Today is a special member's morning, scheduled to make up for the government's theft of member's days throughout the year. First up was the first reading of Greg Fleming's Crimes (Increased Penalties for Slavery Offences) Amendment Bill, which was passed unanimously. Currently the House is debating the third reading of ...
We're going backwardsIgnoring the realitiesGoing backwardsAre you counting all the casualties?We are not there yetWhere we need to beWe are still in debtTo our insanitiesSongwriter: Martin Gore Read more ...
Willis blamed Treasury for changing its productivity assumptions and Labour’s spending increases since Covid for the worsening Budget outlook. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, December 18 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast above ...
Today the Auckland Transport board meet for the last time this year. For those interested (and with time to spare), you can follow along via this MS Teams link from 10am. I’ve taken a quick look through the agenda items to see what I think the most interesting aspects are. ...
Hi,If you’re a New Zealander — you know who Mike King is. He is the face of New Zealand’s battle against mental health problems. He can be loud and brash. He raises, and is entrusted with, a lot of cash. Last year his “I Am Hope” charity reported a revenue ...
Probably about the only consolation available from yesterday’s unveiling of the Half-Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) is that it could have been worse. Though Finance Minister Nicola Willis has tightened the screws on future government spending, she has resisted the calls from hard-line academics, fiscal purists and fiscal hawks ...
The right have a stupid saying that is only occasionally true:When is democracy not democracy? When it hasn’t been voted on.While not true in regards to branches of government such as the judiciary, it’s a philosophy that probably should apply to recently-elected local government councillors. Nevertheless, this concept seemed to ...
Long story short: the Government’s austerity policy has driven the economy into a deeper and longer recession that means it will have to borrow $20 billion more over the next four years than it expected just six months ago. Treasury’s latest forecasts show the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s fiscal strategy of ...
Come and join myself and CTU Chief Economist for a pop-up ‘Hoon’ webinar on the Government’s Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU) with paying subscribers to The Kākā for 30 minutes at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream to watch our chat. Don’t worry if ...
In 1998, in the wake of the Paremoremo Prison riot, the Department of Corrections established the "Behaviour Management Regime". Prisoners were locked in their cells for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no fresh air, no exercise, no social contact, no entertainment, and in some cases no clothes and ...
New data released by the Treasury shows that the economic policies of this Government have made things worse in the year since they took office, said NZCTU Economist Craig Renney. “Our fiscal indicators are all heading in the wrong direction – with higher levels of debt, a higher deficit, and ...
At the 2023 election, National basically ran on a platform of being better economic managers. So how'd that turn out for us? In just one year, they've fucked us for two full political terms: The government's books are set to remain deeply in the red for the near term ...
AUSTERITYText within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedMy spreadsheet insists This pain leads straight to glory (File not found) Read more ...
The NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi are saying that the Government should do the right thing and deliver minimum wage increases that don’t see workers fall further behind, in response to today’s announcement that the minimum wage will only be increased by 1.5%, well short of forecast inflation. “With inflation forecast ...
Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Kiwis planning a swim or heading out on a boat this summer should remember to stop and think about water safety, Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop and ACC and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “New Zealand’s beaches, lakes and rivers are some of the most beautiful in the ...
The Government is urging Kiwis to drive safely this summer and reminding motorists that Police will be out in force to enforce the road rules, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“This time of year can be stressful and result in poor decision-making on our roads. Whether you are travelling to see ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
“We urge the Health Select Committee to extend the date for submissions,” concluded Rev Bush. “There is too much at stake to leave the outcome of this review only in the hands of politicians or those with vested interests.” ...
A separate passport, citizenship and membership of the United Nations are only available to fully independent nations, Winston Peters' office says. ...
By Emma Andrews, Henare te Ua Māori Journalism Intern at RNZ News The New Zealand fuel company Z Energy is swapping out street names for “correct” kupu on service stops around the country, with the help of local hapū. When Z took over 226 fuel sites from Shell in 2010, ...
Summer reissue: Was it a false measurement, a full-blown conspiracy or just some mild incompetence? Mad Chapman uncovers the truth of Maddi Wesche’s final throw. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julie Old, Associate Professor, Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Western Sydney University Dmitry Chulov, Shutterstock At this time of year, images of reindeer are everywhere. I’ve had a soft spot for reindeer ever since I was a little girl. Doesn’t everyone? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Grozdana Manalo, Career Services Manager (Education), University of Sydney hedgehog94/Shutterstock Getting casual work over summer, or a part-time job that you might continue once your tertiary course starts, can be a great way to get workplace experience and earn some extra ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ty Ferguson, Research associate in exercise, nutrition and activity, University of South Australia Peera_Stockfoto/Shutterstock It’s never been easier to stay connected to work. Even when we’re on leave, our phones and laptops keep us tethered. Many of us promise ourselves we ...
The NZ Media Council upheld the complaint under principle four: comment and fact On 5 September 2024, The Spinoff published a brief article titled Made in Palestine, found in 1970s Hastings, which highlighted an upcoming art exhibition featuring photographs of vintage cosmetic products labelled “Made in Palestine.” The piece, described ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
An unrelenting faith in “swift transition” has driven Tauranga Whai to their first Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa championship. At a boisterous Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre, the visiting Tokomanawa Queens were blown away 90-71 in the final.Whai led by 20 points at halftime as their urgent movement and unflinching faith in three-point shooting from anywhere ...
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The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
Interesting to watch the akl transport blame game. Akl council had no say in the tournament, the number of games etc and has to pay toward refurbishing (with temporary structures!) a ground in a suburb when Mallard was right in the needs for a waterfront stadium close to every transport element, bus, rail, motorways.
RWC, tourism, transport ministers and tournament CEO all akl residents whom are paid to manage and lead so this should be very entertaining as a poorly constructed supercity, yet another NACT piece of crap, is probably left holding the baby.
Important research on this very topic here: http://bit.ly/pL1hsu
Can someone explain who will be paying for those people who didn’t get to game? Because as a ratepayer I figure two things (a) the company that owns the failed transport pays or (b) in any other situation if I missed an event due to a transport failure no way in hell would anyone think of paying me back. Certainly I ain’t shelling out for people who missed out.
The government signed a contract to supply the Rugby World Cup, and said
people would not be shortchanged, now they have been, its necessary for
the standing of NZ to pay them compensation least we get slated as a
nation of welchers. The blame should lie with the government and all
government MPs should put their hands in their pocket personally, they
admit openly to hate public service, hate public transport, hate governing
effectively as its ‘too complex’.
So Simon Power is proposing to leave the decision on whether to do away with the centuries old right to silence to a panel of Judges.
He is obviously having problems getting the numbers to get through Parliament proposed changes to the Criminal Law and is having to go to the likes of Hillary Calvert to get the numbers. She must be relishing the prospect of being relevant. Rodney Hide to his credit is sticking to his guns and showing his libertarian nature by condemning the proposed changes as an affront to long held constitutional rights.
Power’s proposal, that Parliament leaves it up to the Rules Committee to make the final decision, will politicise Judiciary in a way that no previous Government has done. As a citizen surely it will be my right to lobby the decision makers, the Judges, to persuade them to do what is right and veto the proposed changes.
It also blurs the roles. Parliament is meant to determine the law and Judges are meant only to interpret it.
Surely Power should acknowledge defeat and withdraw the pernicious provisions. As Charles Chauvel noted does he really want to be the Justice Minister to be remembered as the one who did away with the right to silence?
America has a closed court, grand jury system where silence is not a option but anything
said cannot be used in further courts (unless they lie) I believe and could be wrong.
It plugs a hole before trials where the merit of the case itself is discussed.
Such serious court processes cannot be suddenly revamped by one ideologically
driven party and one silly justice ‘power’ seeking minisiter.
Our parliament is corrupt, it does not fear its decisions will ever come back to harm
them.
Apparently supporters of most rugby teams broke into spontaneous national anthem singing, in stations, in the bars and wherever there was a group of them, possibly because they had a tuneful anthem that they were comfortable in singing.
It would be nice to have one like that for New Zealand.
At Otago Stadium on Saturday night it was the first time I’ve experienced God Save The Queen and thought it felt appropriate. It always seemed odd when we had to stand to it at movies.
This is the only appropriate version of the English national anthem….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtUH2YSFlVU
Listening to Prince Charles’ hypocritical cant a few hours ago during the 9/11 memorial service only underlines the necessity of getting rid of these useless bloodsuckers.
I can’t think of any time when I though God Save the Queen was appropriate. In fact, I go out of my way to avoid the cringing POS.
I dunno, I thought Morrissey’s example above was pretty appropriate.
I loved the English cricket supporters singing “God save YOUR gracious Queen/ Long live YOUR noble Queen etc.” during last year’s Ashes in Australia. Change one word and it becomes a clever Geo-political put down.
last chance to share the Toronto Hearings Q&A
final session in 5 minutes
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/thetorontohearings
Great piece by Roger Brooking over at Pundit on our culture of imprisionment and irrational climate of fear
http://pundit.co.nz/content/new-zealands-strange-relationship-with-prisons
So Key and relevant ministers were silent about Auckland’s RWC opening rail fail, while their proxies were busy putting the blame on Brown and Auckland Council. Yet behind the scenes they were working to ensure it doesn’t happen again – surely this shows the buck stops with Key, Joyce, McCully et al….
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5606408/Govt-Auckland-council-work-to-avoid-new-cup-rail-fail
Yet Key is still trying to blame the council:
Key told Newstalk ZB there had been an “operational failure” and the council had not considered every potential problem.
“They had the back up for the back ups but obviously they hadn’t thought through every single contingency or hadn’t acted
Meanwhile, there are criticisms from a Labour MP Key et als premiere endeavour known as Party Central:
It was always going to be – didn’t matter who was in government. And the reason why it was going to be a shambles is because NZ always tries to do things on the cheap, we never seem to be willing to put in the necessary effort to get things right. We wanted lower taxes, lower prices and then, when things turn to custard, we complain about it but we don’t change how we do things still demanding lower taxes and prices. At some point lower pricing costs more and NZ is well into that area of the price spectrum.
Looks like the German’s are going to throw in the towel and let Greece default.
After almost two years of fighting to contain the region’s debt crisis and providing the biggest share of three European bailouts, Chancellor Angela Merkel is laying the ground for what markets say is almost a sure thing: a Greek default.
“It feels like Germany is preparing itself for a debt default,” Jacques Cailloux, chief European economist at Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc in London, said in an interview. “Fatigue is setting in. Germany could be a first mover or other countries could be preparing too.”
Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate. He even managed to shut him down a few times and without adopting Hooton’s favourite trick – shouting his opponent down. Well done.
Good to hear John Pagani on Radio NZ’s political spot (just finished) refusing to let Matthew Hooton dominate the debate.
Hooton did not need to say anything. Pagani’s positions on everything were more extreme than Hooton’s. I don’t think even Hooton would be crass enough to say, as Pagani did, that the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values”.
He even managed to shut him down a few times
When? He certainly did not have the spine to challenge Hooton when Hooton lied about the intent of the Electoral Finance Act.
I think you need to listen to it again. Pagani’s performance (or failure to perform) was a disgrace.
Pagani is not up to it he is a damp squib. Hooton is a slippery piece of work you need an abrasive type to hold him to account.
Indeed, Anne. Makes a nice change from Williams and Bradford who both – in spite of their considerable abilities – let Hooton get away with framing every issue however he likes and proceed to argue the issues on his terms.
Further evidence of the decline of National Radio
From the Left and From the Right
Matthew Hooton (“Right”), John Pagani (“Left”) and Kathryn Ryan
National Radio, Monday 12 September 2011
Some dyspeptic, wandery and ill-informed extreme right-wing comments on the show this morning: “We needed to stand with the Americans in Afghanistan”, the U.S. and U.K. are countries that “stand for decency and human values” and “we were right to go in to Afghanistan because they shot some of our boys.”
No, it was not Matthew Hooton speaking. It was John Pagani, who must have had a brain fade and thought he was on NewstalkZB, trying to impress Paul Holmes by talking tough on his Saturday morning slot.
To compound Pagani’s shallow ranting, he sat impotently while Hooton claimed that the Electoral Finance Bill was “to stop criticism of the Clark government”.
When someone strong and intelligent enough to counter Hooton’s nonsense (Sue Bradford, Lila Harre, Mike Williams) is on, this programme is excellent and entertaining. But with someone like Pagani representing “the Left”, it’s about as balanced, and as interesting, as the egregious “Huddle” on Larry Williams Drive on NewstalkZB.
I presume the show will now be called “From the Right and from the Bewildered”. At least when John Pagani is on.
Isn’t John Pagani the advisor that told Labour to be more like National?
Guess he really did mean it too. Nice to see someone take their own bullshit to heart. Now if he would just fuck off…
That might be because that was exactly what Clark had in mind when she created the EFA.
It remains a shocking piece of legislation and the biggest attack on free speech this nation has ever seen.
Agreed! I haven’t been able to listen for some weeks until yesterday, and then when I did, I was shocked! It’s already two against one, as Ryan appears to be solidly pro-NACT…
Morrissey, I didn’t hear Pagani talk specifically about the US and UK… standing for decency and human values. Actually, the majority of the British and American citizenry do stand for such values. That aspects of their respective governments let them down from time to time is hardly evidence of over-all amoral and evil behaviour. I didn’t say I agreed with what Pagani said, I simply pointed out that he didn’t let Hooton dominate the show – something Sue Bradford in particular allows him to do.
Has anyone seen Farrar’s latest spin attempt at justifying inequality?
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2011/09/an_essay_in_favour_of_income_inequality.html
Honestly sometimes this guy strikes me as a spoilt 12 year old kid who’s arrogant parents (NATS) drill a sense of entitlement from birth. I’d even question whether he knows the definition of inequality after reading this post ….
Rijab,
My question would be: Why does anyone have to be POOR? There will always be inequality but everyone should be able to have a comfortable life.
Follow the link and you’ll find many answers in the comments … unfortunately not many are well thought out.
Jum
Yes, everybody should be “able” to have a comfortable life.
Just as long as they are happy to work for it.
That is the difference, you lot want to give everybody a comfortable life by stealing my money from me that I earn by working hard and giving it to parasites and DPB slappers who do not want to work.
Clearly you should spend less time ‘working hard’ for money and a lot more time ‘working hard’ on your Emotional Quotient – that money is never gonna love you back buddy, and you will never have enough of it to fill that knawing hole in your chest where your heart should be.
Some of those slappers and parasites will have given birth to children who will care for you when you are old and grey. Nobody survives without the influence of others.
Karma BB, it will come back and bite you on the arse, and when it does, when you have a disabled family member, or your house falls down like ChCh, or any other type of thing that you are unprepared for, you’ll be the first in the queue demanding the state sorts it out – because you mate are simply precious, greedy and self serving, like the other tory trolls on here (except several of them actually can see the other side of the coin and provide rigorous debate).
Ian
How can a bunch of benefit stealing bludgers care for me in my old age?
I take it that this grand plan of yours does not include making sure that people work for a living?
Or are you really just wanting to use my money to buy votes from the so called poor to enable your corrupt party to regain power?
What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives.
The more the “state” interferes with our day to day affairs the more we go backward, get the ‘state’ out of our lives and things will improve.
.What you fail to admit is that you know your way (social welfare) has not worked, throwing money at people to do nothing is destroying this country yet you steadfastly refuse to look at alternatives
Actually, what isn’t working is the economic system that, in 2008, created all those people now relying on social welfare to survive. That was your free market system, Bruv.
And you’re right: neo-liberalism isn’t working Any system that can double unemployment from 3.8% to 7% in just under two years is an economic bomb that Al Qaida would dearly love to get their hands on.
Hmmmm… whose side did you say you were on?
BB theirs 24,000 more on the dpb since Key National got elected and his mother was one of those parasites that lived in a state house.The Dpb is so partners can get away from ignorant abusers like you.So have you got any ideas on the creation of around 400,000 full time jobs or can you only keep repeating your Act mantra of abuse!
Oh, cry us a river, Bruv. So ytou want a free ride and not pay your taxes? If you want a Libertarian Nirvana, Somalia is that-a-way.
Here in NZ, pay your taxes and be grateful that you have a road to drive on; a hospital to care for you when you bump your brain cell; and a welfare system that keeps the hungry and desperate from your door.
Jeez, you National/ACT lot can whinge…
What about the outrageous assertion from mathew hooton that because the rail system failed once then Aucklanders will never use it again. What a load of garbage. And john pagani got it right about the board of Auckland Transport. Hand picked by National to cock everything up. When the Aussie had the Olympics in 2000 the Sydney trains were free for a week before hand. Why didnt the numbskulls try that here instead of trying to create a riot. why is new zealand in the grip of pinheads and ignoramusses at the moment. oh I forgot. national is inpower and their voters like their mp’s to be like them. dull and stupid and mercenary.
ITS the brain drain
@randal – What was that towards the end about guns, I think after they had discussed the Tuhoe thing? Matthew Hooton seemed about to say that everybody should be able to carry a gun, for a minute sounding like some redneck USA person, then Kathryn Ryan moved right along as time was running out.
Prism – no, I wasn’t making a pro-gun statement, I was making a free-speech one. John was saying you shouldn’t be able to be using a gun and talk about politics. I think that if people are hunting or shooting targets or something else that is legal, they should be able to do that thing while talking about politics. It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year, that most people here at The Standard don’t understand.
I thought at the time you misunderstood what Pagani said, nice to have it confirmed! He was saying that political arguments should not be settled with guns, not that duck hunting and politics were mutually incompatible. D’oh!
Actually I’m pretty sure John did say people shouldn’t be playing with guns while talking politics.
The little toad Holmes said much the same thing several times this weekend on q+a. I hate agreeing with Matthew but I don’t care much for this new rule either.
I had another listen and it still makes sense to me, felix.
“If we want to live in a free society, free from political violence, we cannot have people running around with guns when they are talking politics.”
I took that as a reference to Norway, not knocking off Bambi.
I don’t see any reference to either of those things.
It’s just one of those strange free-speech ideas I hold, like that Helen Clark shouldn’t have tried to make it illegal to criticise her government in election year.
That’s a load of crap Hooton and you know it! Helen Clark and her govt. were responding to the Exclusive Brethren revelations and related Nat Party Trust skulduggery. Ok, the legislation had holes in it because it was hastily thrown together. That was the result of electoral cycle time constraints and you know that too. Stop telling lies Hooton and some of us might start treating you with more respect!
So Hooten does sniff around this site. Thought he just liked to be the first entry on Open mike from time to time.
He’s more prevalent around Holloween time Logie 97. he always looking for new ideas as he has none of his own.At duck shooting time we should aim high and shoot low and you’ll get that slippery little hollow eel hooton with a little shooten
Thanks Matthew that clears that up for me. But I do think the argument sounds a bit fuzzy and general. Looking at an example – for instance taking a gun to a political meeting. That would not be an encouragement of freedom or free-speech because the playing field isn’t equal then – angry words are often wounding but don’t break flesh usually!
I think that having a loaded gun and at the same time talking politics could backfire. These are two ‘loaded’ activities, it would be better to do them separately I think.
http://nzteaparty.co.nz/
joined yet?
@ kriswgtn – Quite good web site page. Promises, no fibs, new, blah blah blah though. Just what would be expected of a proper clone of USA Tea Party.
“Just what would be expected of a proper clone of USA Tea Party.
It’s telling fibs, if it’s Tea Party there must be religion there somewhere, but it hasn’t mentioned it….
btw the design is terrible.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvF1Q3UidWM&feature=related
right to life, anti-abortion, sanctity of life with George Carlin – hysterically funny take on hugely controversial subjects.
Do not watch if you hate rude language or can’t face the fact that there is little consistency amongst right to lifers, anti-abortionists or the sanctity of life followers.
Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.
I can’t watch vids (can’t afford broadband) but I have to comment – first, well, people like that just can’t help themselves with the effing and blinding, can they? Some juvenile people think swearing is “grown up” and oh-so-clever!
Also, what consistency do you want? If you want pro-life people to oppose war and capital punishment, well, surprise, we do! (The non-Protestants among us, anyway.)
Hi, Vicky32. I don’t want to pry, but if you’ve got dial up, I presume you are paying $50-60 per month to get that service. I’ve seen some broadband packages which include the landline starting at around $70. That might still be out of reach, but keep an eye out for specials at Telecom or the other providers. They often do deals that might just be affordable. It will definitely change your life if you get broadband and not just in terms of blogging. It’s like switching from black and white to colour TV. A whole new way of seeing the world.
Thanks for the advice, but I am lucky – I am paying only $9.95 a month! It’s rubbish service, but it will do for the time being… 🙂 My son sent me a pre-loaded Vodafone stick, but I am eking that out (don’t tell him!) and use it only for vital things, although you’re right, it is like getting colour TV….
Good on ya, I look forward to the political party that puts broadband for all up as an election promise. I think one of the Nordic countries is already talking about enshrining it in human rights legislation along with water supply, education and the other basics of life.
Edit: it’s Finland.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10374831-2.html
That’s been talked about over on Red Alert here and there. Not sure about what the Greens say about it but it’s certainly at the point where broadband is becoming an essential part of society (ie, should be supplied free through taxation).
@Jum Thanks for that – very funny. You are veryfunny and pithy too “Carlin speaks many truths. Also, he’s dead and he’s not an abortion doctor so nobody can shoot him.” Pity to lose Carlin, he’s outstanding.
Radiation Spike in San Diego
It was reported by the Los Angeles Times that a major power cut shut down a couple of San Onofre nuclear reactors in San Diego last week. But what is really interesting is that a spike in radiation levels was registered on a background radiation monitor I happen to keep an eye on, at exactly the same time…
Good to see David Parker up the frOnt having a dance at the Drab Doo Riffs gig on Friday night.
As it was good to see Jacinda front and centre watching Shane Carter a while back.
Can’t imagine a single Nat MP lowering themselves to the level of rubbing shoulders with the primes like that.
They are using the feelers music in their campaign follow on from rwc if the abs loose they might have to change bands mid election.
A band that comes to mind is the ‘Headless Chickens.’
That name, not the band, perfectly describes the current bunch.
Shame not to see a single headless chicken front up to answer questions about the RWC fail today, at least Len Brown has the courage to front up.
Joky Hen on Auckland – We are not too interested in finger pointing….
Radio interviews with two women, one caught up in the crush at Quay Street and the other in the unbearable heat and crowds on her train, was a scary story. They were real cool survivors and helpers.
Both said it was noticeable that there was no crowd control, no security at either place. On the train they were stopped for about an hour and there was no report from the captain etc. Aren’t ground travelling people on trains entitled to any information through speakers installed in the carriages? Are the trains being run by remote control as all the time they were stationary (unintended pun) they didn’t see a rail worker?
At the Quay there weren’t obvious signs giving directions to the various venues and not a policeman in sight except some telling some people not to sit on a roof ignoring the crowds milling below.
Too busy dishing out speeding tickets somewhere…..
Ha ha, another day and another Labour staffer has been caught stealing.
At least I will no longer have to pay this thief’s wages, I wonder if Sonny will make it in the real world?
What? ” Like Bill English was caught rorting the taxpayer, to the tune of $1000 a week? http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10588023&ref=rss
Cheeky buggers, you Nats…
Hooton is ful of “strange” ideas that dont stand up to any logical scrutiny whatsoever. i.e. technically they are not valid. he just makes it up. He is just a small person who wants to get even with the world and thinks money counts for everything. In short he is a neanderthal tory party drongo flack who does what he is told by the “BIG BOYS”.
BTW Helen Clark only trtied to make it harder to buy elections. But National went ahead and bought it anyway.
Lol…you forget the 850k she stole from the tax payer to win the 05 election.
So dishing jobs out to your unqualified brother is OK according to your ethical code BB?
Why not comment on that instead of being your usual tolling self?
Ianupnorth
I know this will be hard for you to understand given that all of you left wing types slavishly support anybody (regardless of how corrupt they are) on your team but if this means that Bill English is sacked or forced to resign then nobody will be happier than me.
English is an idiot, a sopping wet liberal idiot with a strong socialist streak.
As for appointing an unqualified person to a government appointed job….well does the name Diane Yates not ring any bells with you?
I am not saying it is right, what I am saying is that in typical fashion the left make a song and dance about something that they have done themselves many, many times, the display of faux outrage is hilarious.
little pesk Pails into insignificance Media works dirty2007-8 campaign was rewarded with $43 million hand up from key dipton and joyce.Every DJ at media works set out to bring down clark!
It is quite alarming how many times they have him on phone ins on all manner of stations!
Nah, the people voted for her cos she was better than Bill from Dipstick…
Crack up!
Now that really is dysfunctional behaviour. Eeew.
He was a political animal in 1981 and had some pretty strong opinions – his mother leaves us in no doubt about that … gotcha Joky Hen
When a publicly owned monopoly is privatised (management replaced by a profit motivated group) who monitors their performance?
Take, for example, Auckland airport.
When the amenities become foul and stinking, as they did after this weekends influx of tourists, who checks that those running the place are meeting acceptable standards.
The turists they never come back.John banks sold Auckland airport shares for $350 million they are now worth 1.5 billion that saved the Auckland rate payer millions in debt. Why don’t epsom voters reward him for being such a hopeless politician they will cut of their noses to spite their faces a Big Bruv or is that big girls blouse.Or more likely in a new game we should play here is who’s the tory blogger my guess is tau.
The morale of the story lies with the current bright idea of selling other assets before their price peaks, regardless of the fact they are returning a profit and are of strategic importance.
… would be interesting to know who the “Mums and Dads” investors are who have shares in the airport company acshully – how would one find out?
I bet the mums and dads are not the chosen 12,000 who had no trouble at Queens Wharf on Friday night.