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.
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
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!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubub3p8E4FQ&feature=player_embedded
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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAI0Xp3C36o&feature=related
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.