Open mike 12/11/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, November 12th, 2011 - 70 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

70 comments on “Open mike 12/11/2011 ”

  1. Andrew Geddis suggests the NZ Bill of Rights overrides city bylaws and therefore Occupy Dunedin has the rightn to keep camping and protesting in ther Octagon.

    People are asking if this means anyone can camp anywhere as long as they protest. Right to protest a right to camp?

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.1

        And only Occupy has done it on this scale in every major NZ city for many a year, if ever.

      • KJT 1.1.2

        Yes. And we should have a right to camp on roadsides etc anyway.

        Typical Kiwi way. A few people abuse a right. Instead of dealing with the guilty, lawmakers remove the right for everyone.
        With a bit of an extra push, as usual, from those who will make more money out of removing that right.

        Motor camp owners in this case.

        Financial scheme touts for superannuation.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2

      Good question. I’m camping here because I’m protesting climate change, so I’ve set up a stall to sell badges and T shirts to raise people’s consciousness. All proceeds donated to protesters.

    • just saying 1.3

      Brilliant Pete.

      And you can beat the stampede of all those people who have been gagging to camp there. I expect you to get your tent and grab your iphone, and get camping. You can protest the protest! You’ve obviously got the hide of a rhino, so a bit of ‘roughing it’ on the hard ground shouldn’t be a problem.

      Think of the publicity man! The TV will come and visit you in your (non-virtual) campaign headquarters, as you campaign hard-out in the blogosphere. And what a photo op.

      Just keep your mind on the money. How much does a backbencher get? Nice little supplement to your benefit. And the glory. The power, and the perks, and the glory…

  2. Jenny 2

    Rocky and Minto win their case.

    Hooray for democracy!

    “Decision a victory for democracy” stuff.co.nz

    The courts have backed up the democratic right to protest even if it creates annoyance for those who might not agree with the protesters stand point or even their right to make it.

    (Take note Dunedin City Councillors)

    In the absence of, as in the US, a constitution which protects the right to peaceful assembly, this ruling has direct relevance to the OWS movement here in Aotearoa.

    Quite rightly the NZ police force have decided not to act on the DCC’s directive to close down the occupation. The Police’s legal advice is probably of the view, that such actions would involve the police in ultimately fruitless time wasting and expensive litigation and even the possibility of damages.

  3. A different campaign approach in Anne Tolley territory – speed dating in Gisborne.

  4. Tiger Mountain 4

    No wonder Paula Benefit has been looking rougher than usual lately, TV3 last night turned up the progress on the Fuller privacy case mediation that had been stalled for about a year. It seems a case against the Minister by the Human Rights Tribunal may proceed. Mr Hesketh from the tribunal did not want the matter reported apparently and Bennett is whinging about the matter being made public trying to portray it as electioneering.

    Hmmm. Not fun is it being outed in public guilty, or innocent. (A repost, Herald doesn’t seem to have covered this yet).

    • JAS 4.1

      It seems our govt think they can do what they like and say what they like, but they also seem to think they can shut down other peoples right to speak.

      The Antipodean Mariner has been shutdown, and I am trying to find anything that shows this post relates to

  5. LynW 5

    Good Morning

    Brian Gaynor’s column today outlines the rorting practised by the wealthy.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10765409

    Also Fran O’Sullivan exposing the lack of political integrity…but what’s new!

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10765423

  6. just saying 6

    I’ve (kind of) resigned myself to another three years of National. In the long term it might be best that people are reminded that the dog-eat-dog path leads to the worst of all possible worlds, as the depression becomes more apparent.

    But what I just can’t stomach is the thought of a triumphant Key on election night.

    This is the song going round in my head:
    What’s the time Mr wolf?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spf1bvMQAsU

    Infectious Pacific reggae. Enjoy.

    • ianmac 6.1

      Yes JS. The sight of that little man hugging himself, flanked by a team of heavies to protect Key from rampant National supporters, giggling hysterically onstage on Election night is sickening. No dignity there. “I cheated all these mugs and I won. I won!”
      Put that against the Banks-Key suck-up and I feel ill.
      So let’s be positive. Still time!

  7. chris73 7

    A couple of changes to MMP I’d like to see:

    You’re either an electorate or list, not both
    Threshold dropped to 4%
    Even if you win an electorate seat you still have to gain 4%
    No leaders allowance for single MP parties

    • Sookie 7.1

      Never thought I’d say it ever, but I agree with you 100%. I think those are reasonable reforms. MMP is great, but it does have a few annoying flaws.

      • chris73 7.1.1

        I just hate seeing MPs (on both sides) get the flick and then slide back in on the list

        the people spoke and removed the MP but the party ignores the will of the people…

        • The Voice of Reason 7.1.1.1

          Nah, that’s rubbish, Chris. I can think of a few seats where parties have excellent candidates who aren’t going to win the seat, but still deserve to be in Parliament. Every Green candidate, for example. Do you think we should be deprived of Nikki Kaye if she loses Ak Central by a couple of votes? Or Jacinda Adern if its the other way round? Andrew Little or David Young? Stuart Nash? Paula Bennett? David Parker?

          You’ve simply bought into a failed meme. While a few plonkers have made it via the list, to say that a local preference should overule a potentially positive national contribution makes no sense.

          • chris73 7.1.1.1.1

            If they’re considered able then they can get a high placing on the list

            As an example the polls arn’t looking good for Gosgrove so he might lose because the voters prefer wilkinson BUT hes high enough on the list to get in anyway so really hes got two chances of getting in while someone equally (or even more) able might be further down the list and not even contesting a seat

            and if Kaye loses well too bad its what the people in the electorate want

            • rosy 7.1.1.1.1.1

              So you’re saying that able politicians shouldn’t stand in safe opposition seats if they are on the list?

              Really good politicians should stand in opposition safe seats IMO to make the challenge more robust. Then when they inevitably lose they have had the experience of interacting with an electorate, which can only make them more able politicians. As a bonus they’ve made the incumbent work a little harder for those electorate ticks that they’re ensured of getting, even if they’ve done a lousy job as an MP in the previous 3 years.

              • chris73

                I disagree, either stand on the list or take your chances winning a seat. A seat is only safe because of the work of the electorate MP. I think an MP would probably work harder if they only had one chance of getting in.

                A guaranteed list placing makes some (many?) MPs a little…complacent, in my (always) humble opinion

                • rosy

                  “A seat is only safe because of the work of the electorate MP”
                  Maybe in your electorate. I don’t think that is true of Tamaki, Ohariu*, Ilam, most of the Dunedin seats, and most of the rural seats… just for starters.

                  Edit: That’s not a comment on how hard they work, or not – it’s because the party that holds them can take them pretty much for granted.
                  * changing this election, with any luck.

          • KJT 7.1.1.1.2

            Wouldn’t like to lose a couple of the younger MP’s on that list, but it would be cheaper, long term, and better for all of us to pay incompetents, like Bennett, to stay home and do nothing.

            Under FPP we had a whole train of incompetents in safe party seats, as a reward for party donations or sycophancy. Don’t see how we can avoid that in a representative system.

            I will vote for MMP as the best of a bad bunch. Don’t see why we need a threshold though. If 1% are stupid enough to vote for Brash/ Banks then they should be represented. 100 MP’s with seats allocated per percentage.

            What we should be able to vote for is Democracy. But that will only happen over politicians bodies.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.2

          the people spoke and removed the MP but the party ignores the will of the people…

          But, the people spoke through their party vote to elect them back in.

          • chris73 7.1.1.2.1

            No I don’t believe that the people gave their votes to the party to specifically get the people dumped from the electorates back in.

            The people don’t have much of a say over party lists so as an example if I want to give my party vote to National but don’t like the list placements theres not much I can do about it

            I’m also sure that there are some people out there that want to give their party vote to labour but are perplexed about the listings

            • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.2.1.1

              No I don’t believe that the people gave their votes to the party to specifically get the people dumped from the electorates back in.

              But you don’t actually know do you? And the lists were made public before the election. The only possible interpretation that can be assumed is that the people who voted for that party did, as a matter of fact, vote for that person.

              • chris73

                The interpretation is that they vote for the party first and the individuals second (of which they have no choice)

                • felix

                  So you think people vote for a party but not for the party list, chris?

                  How does that work? What do you think they’re actually voting for when they tick the box if not the people on the list of that party?

            • mikesh 7.1.1.2.1.2

              One could institute a rule that list allocations be in accordance with the support that each unsuccessful candidate receives in his/her individual electorate.

    • Dv 7.2

      Not convinced about either list ot electorate, but the other three are excellent.

      • chris73 7.2.1

        To me its like two bites of the cherry, voted out of your seat but can still get back in (if you kiss enough arse i guess)

    • Lanthanide 7.3

      “Even if you win an electorate seat you still have to gain 4%”

      Does that mean you have to gain 4% to get into parliament, or 4% to bring in others on your coat-tails?

      The first is nonsensical.

      As to the second, I agree this needs to change but I’m in favour of a more moderate change: you get your electorates and up to 1 additional MP. So if you win 0.6% of party vote + 1 electorate, you get 1 electorate, if you win 3.9% of the party vote + 1 electorate, you get 1 electorate + 1 list, and if you get 4% then you get your electorate + appropriate list top-ups (4-5 MPs I guess).

      This would allow smaller parties who can win an electorate but not be largely represented Nationally to still get a toe-hold in parliament.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1

        This would allow smaller parties who can win an electorate but not be largely represented Nationally to still get a toe-hold in parliament.

        No it doesn’t, it prevents those smaller parties from having the representation that their votes say that they should have. The only fair option is to drop the threshold 0.8%. If a party gets enough votes to get one seat then they should be represented in parliament.

        As for the argument we’ll end up with too many small parties…, well, that’s just a load of bollocks. The number of parties in parliament just make the initial negotiations to form government a little more complex but does nothing detrimental to the actual running of the country. Also, we seem to be getting a few one person parties anyway and we could always end up with independents in electorate seats (which actually require less of the vote under current electoral law and yet have the same say). If the people vote for them then they should be in parliamnet.

        • Lanthanide 7.3.1.1

          Here’s what Wikipedia says about Israel’s 2% threshold:

          “Knesset seats are allocated among the various parties using the D’Hondt method of party list proportional representation. Israel requires a party to meet an election threshold of 2% of the overall vote to be allocated a Knesset seat. Parties select their candidates using a closed list. Thus, voters select the party of their choice, not any specific candidate. Elections are conducted by secret ballot.

          In practice, the Knesset’s ability to legislate has often been limited due to the consequences of Israel’s low 2% threshold of eligibility for a party to obtain a seat (one of the world’s lowest; though it was previously at 1%, then 1.5%). As a result, no party has ever gained a majority on its own (the most being 56 seats), and thus the government is formed on the basis of a coalition. The inherent instability of the coalitions (the average life span of an Israeli government is 25 months) results in numerous successful no-confidence motions, which automatically dissolve the Knesset and necessitates an early election call.”

          • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1.1.1

            There are other solutions such as confidence and supply agreements, having the smaller party as part of government or, my favourite, have the policies voted on by the populace and then the MPs overseeing the implementation of those policies (parliament as administration rather than government).

            Just because the Israelis don’t know WTF they’re doing doesn’t mean we have to have the same problems.

      • chris73 7.3.2

        I typed that while dealing with an attention-seeking puppy so i didn’t get it all down

        I meant that even if you win an electorate seat you still have to reach 4%

        • Lanthanide 7.3.2.1

          Right, so if Jim Anderton wins Wigram, because his party didn’t get 4%, Jim Anderton doesn’t go into parliament, we end up with 119 MPs and the people of Wigram don’t get an electorate representative?

          That doesn’t make any sense.

          • chris73 7.3.2.1.1

            The person who wins the electorate seat goes in and if they want to bring anyone else in their party still has to make the 4% threshold

            • Lanthanide 7.3.2.1.1.1

              Right, that was my interpretation number 2. Your post at 7.3.2 indicates you meant interpretation number 1.

              • chris73

                I assumed (my fault there) that everyone on here knew what I meant when I mentioned electorate seats and getting to 4%

    • mikesh 7.4

      I think I would simply get rid of the threshold.

  8. KJT 8

    The meme. We cannot afford, super, benefits is continually repeated until even people who should know better repeat it.

    Notice that it is fund managers and other representatives of the financial sector. Those who get big commissions from private sector savings, including Kiwi saver, who continually repeat this as if it is true.

    They just want to repeat the killing of the taxpayer subsidised work schemes of the 70’s and 80’s where they took out more in fees, than most schemes earned. Looks like they succeeded. 42% in fees from Kiwi saver.

    The simple fact is, unless we invest in a sustainable future for New Zealand, (not in the financial sectors ponzi schemes), and in our youth, any super scheme savings will be inflated away with too much boomer savings chasing too little productivity.

    The obvious solution is to make those who have taken the most from our society, especially the over compensated financial sector, pay their fair share in tax to invest in the future of New Zealand. Not dodgy US derivatives,.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.1

      +1

      We have enough resources in NZ to ensure everybody a good living standard. The only reason why this doesn’t happen though is because of a few greedy bastards and a delusional financial system that rewards people for being psychopathic.

  9. aerobubble 9

    I like MMP and will be voting to keep it.

    I recommend voting for first past the post as the alternative, as
    it has already been proven firstly to work, second to have been
    overruled by the people, and thirdly isn’t one of the rigged
    proportional systems that will favor national and the two
    large parties (voter cards).

    why take the risk of change when you can pick a system
    first past the post that has proven to be challengable.

    • Janice 9.1

      Why vote for any alternative when you have ticked MMP? It will just give them something to hang their gerrymandering hat on.

      • Lanthanide 9.1.1

        If we choose not to answer the second question, is our answer to the first question still accepted as valid?

        Even then, it’s still better to vote in the 2nd one: if you vote in the first but not the second, then you’re shrinking the total pool of votes and allowing other people to choose for you.

        • ianmac 9.1.1.1

          Graeme Edgler says your vote is valid if you just vote for Keep MMP. You don’t have to vote for an alternative. In fact it would seem a bit silly to Vote for Keep, then vote for Alternative. Unless they just tally in % rather than total votes cast. Mmm

          • Tiger Mountain 9.1.1.1.1

            This is an important point actually ianmac, I’ll just be ticking retain MMP. The link has a sample of the actual voting paper. There is part A and part B and Elections NZ clearly state that you can tick an option in both A and B OR just one of A and B. The more people that just tick retain MMP will reduce credibility for STV etc.
            http://www.elections.org.nz/elections/2011-referendum-on-the-voting-system.html

            • Vicky32 9.1.1.1.1.1

              There is part A and part B and Elections NZ clearly state that you can tick an option in both A and B OR just one of A and B

              That is quite a relief! I don’t like any of the alternatives..

    • Kty 9.2

      If things dont change they remain the same.

  10. ianmac 10

    A fascinating talk with Kim Hill this morning with Raf Manji: money and the economy.
    He is a former London investment banker, like John Key, who moved to Christchurch and founded the independent policy development space, The Sustento Institute. (30′27″)
    I am a bit nervous about trying and sum up his ideas but he thinks that the European problems are going to grow and that we need a serious alternative to Monetary Policy. Capitalism is in trouble if not dead and NZ will not be exempt, though our Government debt is relatvely low (thanks to Michael Cullen). Create money $5billion for direct application for the Christchurch rebuild but not given to the Banks who make their profit from dealing with the interest.
    Hope some open-minded people with an economics understanding would comment.
    http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20111112-0810-raf_manji_money_and_the_economy-048.mp3

    • Treetop 10.1

      Yes this interview was as good as last weeks one with Ravi Batra.

      What Raf Manji had to say about technology causing unemployment and needing to be realistic about high unemployment was sensible.

  11. National’s Election Hoarding’s 12

    On the 4th of October, John Key said in Parliament:

    “[Standard and Poor’s] did go on to say, though, that if there was a change of Government, that downgrade would be much more likely.”

    However Standard and Poor’s sovereign rating analyst Kyran Curry, who attended the meeting in Auckland, said that did not happen:

    “In Auckland last month, I might have talked about the importance of the Government maintaining a strong fiscal position in the medium term but I would never have touched on individual parties.

    “It is something we just don’t do,” Mr Curry said. “We don’t rate political parties. We rate Governments.”

  12. Francisco Hernandez 13

    I don’t like the new format of the Standard 🙁

    Please change it back.

    [lprent: What new format? This has been the same since the March 2010. If you’re seeing a bug, then it’d pay to say what the problem is. ]

    • BillBrowne 13.1

      Started to ramdomly flick to mobile mode on pc

    • Draco T Bastard 13.2

      I’ve had the Comments/Opinions/Online section disappear randomly on me for the last couple of days. Since you mentioned turning off the cache in fact.

      And the edit function goes to its own page rather than being a pop-up. As this was what you said you were going to be looking I’d just assumed you were working on it and that the other was a side effect.

      Can’t say I’ve seen any other changes.

    • Carol 13.3

      I had some Standard posts & their comments come up in an unusual (for me) form (mobile form?) at work today when accessing the site on IE. Doesn’t happen with firefox at home.

  13. Carol 15

    Good on Goff for pointing out the Epsom “rort”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5955798/Goff-looking-to-stop-MP-smuggling

    Labour leader Phil Goff is calling for a law change to stop minor parties “smuggling” in MPs when they’re “not entitled”.

    After campaigning in the Otara market this morning, Goff responded to questions from the media about the “cup of tea” meeting between National leader John Key and Act’s Epsom candidate John Banks.
    […]
    Goff today said that was “a rort”.

    “This is a way to get a party back in to Parliament that New Zealanders don’t want there and John Key’s allowing that – in fact, he’s not just allowing it, he’s making it happen,” Goff said.

    “Frankly, I think the law needs to be changed to stop this kind of gerrymander. You either get in because you’ve got an electorate seat or you get in with list MPs if you get over five per cent.

    “But this idea that one party like National can gift you a seat so you can smuggle three or four members of parliament in when you’re not entitled to, that’s wrong. They know it and New Zealanders know it.”

    John Key made a “not me” kind of slippery response to the smuggling accusation, and blamed MMP for it being possible:

    After yesterday’s meeting at Newmarket’s Urban cafe, Key defended the tactic, insisting he was not telling anyone how to vote. However, he would “not be at all unhappy” if National supporters voted strategically and split their vote.

    “We’re saying this is MMP and in MMP, you want to work with a variety of parties,” he said.

    “Many people” in Epsom would still give both of their votes to National, but others too would vote strategically.

    “What I’d like to see is a National Government with partners in Government post November 26.”

    Key dismissed Goff’s call for a law changes, saying: “I don’t take a lot of what he says seriously.”

    “That would be a scrapping of MMP,” he said, while campaigning in Palmerston North today. “If he’s proposing to get rid of MMP, he’s welcome to vote it out in the referendum.

    He’s using Goff’s call for a law change as a way to suggest people vote out MMP if they don’t like what’s happening in Epsom. But Goff had said that the required law change didn’t mean scrapping MMP:

    If a majority support keeping the system, there will be a review.

    Goff said he would be voting to keep MMP but wanted changes as a result of the review.

    The changes should cut out the “rort” being attempted by Key and Banks, he said.

  14. randal 16

    kweewee has got a very poormouth lately.
    anythin he doesn’t like gets the out of the side of the gob treatment.
    I guess its just him revealing his true self.
    nasty brutish and short. (apologies to thomas hobbes)

  15. Jackal 17

    Key barks up wrong tree

    The problem for Key is that 3 News didn’t obtained the document from the Human Rights Commission… showing that he’s barking up the wrong tree.

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    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    19 hours ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    19 hours ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    19 hours ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    19 hours ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    19 hours ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    19 hours ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    21 hours ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    22 hours ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    22 hours ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    22 hours ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    22 hours ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    22 hours ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    23 hours ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, 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?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    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 - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    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 ...
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