Still having tons of problems with commenting from my tablet usually cant get focus in comments pane, sometimes can make new comment but not reply, often there is no replies sidebar …. then exit reload and get a working unit
GUEST BLOG: Bryan Bruce – What is the purpose of an economy?
Last week RNZ reported on two stories that should give us all pause to think about who we are , what we stand for and the ACTUAL rather than the pretend economic policy by which our country is run .
The first was on the queues of people lining up at the Manurewa MSD office on Thursday to get emergency assistance .Some had been there, in the cold and rain since 2 am.
The Minister Carmel Sepuloni put the blame on the Auckland Action Against Poverty group because that’s the day they have their advocates there to advise people about their rights and they won’t spread out their advocacy over the week, through pre appointments and at other offices
Bullet points from Bryan Bruce's article. Really to the heart of it. And no bullets in sight, may we get there and without any shooting.
…the fact that so many people are so desperate for assistance the government itself has had to increase the amount it has allocated for hardship grants to $128.5 million, tells you there is something very wrong with the way we are running our economy…
Again the problem lies in the way we run our economy . The government, for all it’s recent PR about wellbeing is still running to the neoliberal agenda which promotes selfishness and competition over cooperation and the common good…
neoliberal economics has turned us into a low wage economy – a Gig economy – where many people have to work 2 and 3 jobs just to make ends meet.
It [the Government] is still running an austerity budget with $3.5 Billion surplus when food parcel distribution at the Auckland City Mission is up 50% on last year…
What do we want? We want our economy (I think) –
…to deliver the greatest good for the largest number of our citizens over the longest time? (Progressive economics)
I’m for the progress ‘greatest good’ approach to running our economy.
I'm not a landlord. If I had my way there would be at least a CGT of 60% on this social parasitism which is a blight on all societies. So bad our young couples cannot afford to buy starter houses. I believe in social housing and keeping house prices as low as possible including restricting immigration. NZ had it right until Roger the pig farmer came along! 🙁 It's a disgrace the capital Gain these types get away with. This Government refuses to address the problem.
There’s the crux of it Johnm what you believe and reality There is a capital tax on housing and CGT is not the prime reason for supply and demand issues in housing, nor as history show us is communism or rent : price controls the answer. The government can’t build houses cheaper than the market as kiwibuild has shown , start their and work backwards
Newsroom has a very interesting story about farmers being "shafted" by ANZ over "interest rates swaps." Even quoting for Sir John's head:
Newsroom’s Nikki Mandow tells the extraordinary story of the Taranaki dairy farmers who unwittingly got caught in the world of high finance, got shafted by the ANZ Bank following the global financial crisis, refused to take a Commerce Commission-brokered settlement because it was worth only a tiny fraction of what they had lost, took the country’s biggest bank to court – and against the odds, won.
How 2030 is the new 2100: Global Food Yields Already Dropping from Abrupt Climate Change
2030 is the new 2100. Climate change is ALREADY reducing global food yields TODAY, with an average 1% annual reduction in the worlds top ten global crops, providing 83% of food calories to humanity: top ten food crops: barley, cassava, maize (corn), oil palm, rapeseed (canola), rice, sorghum, soybean, sugarcane, wheat. Most reduced: oil palm (-13.4%); increased: soybeans (+3.5%). Negatively affected regions are Europe, South Africa, and Australia; +ve is Latin America; mixed is Asia, North and Central America. Growing season temperatures over all harvested areas is up 0.5 to 1.2 C since the early 1970s.
They will happily spend 30,000,000 on one bomb yet will not spend a penny on healthcare and the environment. This world is going down the pan very very fast and whoever is at the top you know the one that holds all the cards and has all the money. well they too will also diminish you could ask the question are they even human, because in my experience humanity is a collective and at the moment is falling apart. is anyone going to do anything? I doubt it
Here is a very good piece from the ever reliable FAIR on NYTimes peddling more bullshit and disinformation…seems one of the most important things do do during the coming US election cycle will be sorting through the mountains of misdirection, disinformation and straight out lies that the so called liberal MSM will spew forth in their vain attempt to derail the progressive wave building in the USA…keep your eyes peeled and your bullshit detectors set on high!
In the future (and today's research), conventional plastics will be biodegradeable.
Scientists have already discovered an enzyme that breaks down PET, and within a wireworms microbiome lies the secrets to breaking down polystyrene. The search is on for more promising enzymes, and how we might harness them upon discovery.
Leading the charge is consumer demand for sustainable products. Those without the tech will lose more and more public support, and as alternative options become available, consumer led protest over polluters will see government support withdrawn and even government opposition to recalcitrant industry.
While we see enormous resources today dedicated to PR and legal fees to hide/justify industrial activities, the far easier and cheaper way will be to work with ethical and environmental consideration.
Leading vehicle manufacturers are switching to EV production. Oil companies to carbon capture techniques and investment in renewable research and development.
In the interim, we need to plant 1.2 trillion trees.
If the boomers could understand the difference between hemp and marijuana, what a difference that would make.
2 crop cycles of hemp remove the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere as 30 years of pine trees.
Hemp is also a far more sustainable, low impact crop. It also regenerates the soil and isn't required to have rotation planting like so many other crops do.
Hemp is wonderful. There are so many functional uses for hemp, and way more sustainable than trying to develop enzymes.
So true – hemp is a wonderful plant – you can pretty well use all of it – I can't understand why farmers aren't getting serious about creating diversity by laying some hectares in hemp – get out of the way regulation – and for the numbnuts – your dope people don't like being near the hemp too much – too much pollen floating around.
Flax too – we used to have a whole industry for this and we can get it back again – get ready to create more wetland, plant more flax, clean more rivers for transport, fix up the old docks and so on and before you know it we will have travelled back in time to the future.
The Virtual Whurl is amusing ain't it? Open to mis-interpretation and contests between virtual egos.
Funny as a fart at times.
Have to say how pleasantly surprised I was the last time I returned from regions where hemp grows wild and where it serves as an inherent part of a natural cycle.
Customs' Doggy Doos took a liking to me because I'd been living for a few months amongst it all. Thankfully, simply declaring all that was sufficient to prevent an anal search.
It was either that, or arrival was close to midnight and everyone just wanted to get home, or maybe that the Customs Ossifer was quite obviously a total stoner
I have been waiting for the current incarnation of the Wool Board to maximise wool's properties against the horrid polypropylene clothing that is popular at the moment.
Very sobering thinking that fish have a gut full of fossil fuel based plastic fibres because…. vanity? cheaper?
I was talking to a local farmer who has had a few trial crops of hemp. He seemed to think he could use some tired old gear to process it. He spent more time fixing equipment.
I was thinking too about time that wool started being promoted strongly again. They used to have fashion shows and original garments featured. This wedding dress is an example of the way that wool was promoted and the effects that could be gained working with it.
They should use Jones fund and build a hemp plant in the Canterbury plains . Gaurentee a purchase price for any cockies that want to grow 5 % of their farm area in hemp for 10 years . Get the ball rolling.
Who has the ear of Jonesy? That idea should be rounged out, and fed to him, along with his favourite beverage, plus a goody bag filled with hemp products which seem to be varied and extensive.
He looks like he'd be partial to some of the hemp steam pudding.
Not tonight though, rhubarb crumble it is. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the tart/sweet combo. Luscious. A favorite.
I do think he'd go for something so progressive if someone made a sound business case. A group of farmers/landholders might do very well to pursue such a thing.
We don't have a hemp seed de-huller in the country either, so we'll be wanting an industrial one of those too.
This is a clear case for another viable industry, perhaps we could slow down the dairy and diary for targets for hemp – a five year plan. Let's have some Chinese central planning, it seems to have done them good as far as economic progress is concerned.
Introduction: For half a century, a high level of total cholesterol (TC) or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) has been considered to be the major cause of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD), and statin treatment has been widely promoted for cardiovascular prevention.
However, there is an increasing understanding that the mechanisms are more complicated and that statin treatment, in particular when used as primary prevention, is of doubtful benefit.
I found this the other day – it sorta shows (in a funny way) why bernie won't get there – this is the truth of it – no big conspiracy. He is consistent, he is on message, he is who he is. lol
There's been a lot of talk lately about the Titirangi Village chicken infestation, but there's something important missing from the discussion. About a year ago I had a chat with the woman who feeds the chickens. (The one referred to by Andre as the "crazy duck lady".) She told me that she regularly arranges for chickens to be rehomed on a farm, but that the Titirangi population is maintained by regular dumping of chickens/roosters in the village by members of the public. Thus, a one-off removal of the entire chicken population will not solve the problem.
…I had a chat with the woman who feeds the chickens.
What?! You actually went and engaged with this person? You held a conversation with her? You found out from her information not as yet in the media? Oh, the horror!/sarc
I was having a chuckle yesterday thinking how much easier it is going to be to round up these chooks if they are being regularly fed. Even better if this lady is catching and re homing them. "Crazy" indeed.
If one has no problem with chooks becoming food, then there are no doubt lots of folk more than happy to take unwanted chooks of the hands of the dumpers. Or have we all become too precious to even think about folks killing their own chickens to eat?
Onya phantom snowflake, and thanks for sharing that information.
That's more like it. Some truth to the matter rather than sneering contempt.
The same occurs at Western Springs (Pet dumping). I view turtles in the lake, chooks all over the place, and if you go there on a moonlit night, rabbits and guinea pigs mowing the lawns.
With a Zoo next door housing many carnivores, I can think of a sustainable solution…
But the public would rather dump pets and have exterminators do the job, rather than think Fluffy has been eaten by a lion. As for the chook populations, some culling of the roosters (wherever dumped animals form flocks) would be an efficient way to keep numbers down. That and infrequent round-ups.
Rosemary & WtB: Similarly clichéd mental health-related slurs about the woman concerned are thrown about in the Titirangi community as are on this site, sadly. In person, what is most striking is her huge love and compassion towards chickens in particular, and I can't see why that's something to sneer at. In my view, when it comes to the chicken issue she is definitely a stakeholder, and I hope that the Waitakere Ranges local board will engage with and involve her as they seek a solution.
Apparently there will soon be an egg shortage, so the 'chicken lady' could have the last laugh as she may get the opportunity to charge top dollar for her rescued chickens eggs 🙂
Very true Cinny. Mr Jilly Bee and I recently became the owners of a couple of scrawny looking Red Shaver hens – we went on an hour and a half drive to pick them up, and back again. After a comfortable night in their new home, there were a couple of eggs in the nest and they have continued to each lay regularly (the more scrawny one, who is just coming out of her moult, manages one every second day. We're getting about a dozen a week at present. All good, and they're weeding the gardens for us as well – including getting rid of the accursed violets, which had pretty much taken over everywhere. Looking to plant some goodies for them to feast on. I believe they like comfrey – we've fenced off the rhubarb as they had started to eat the leaves, which can are toxic.
Locals have engaged with this woman for many, many years. Her views are well known. Her behaviour is antisocial and if she were living in earlier times the village would have ousted her by now. She has earned any contempt people here are divining.
First up, why I call her "crazy duck lady": she goes out of her way to create traffic hazards in front of her home. One time I was going down the hill in front of her home in my old-skool Landrover with a moderately loaded trailer on behind, and she marches out into the road from behind a flaxbush to shake a roadkill duck at me. She did it when I was way too close to have stopped even if I hadn't had the trailer on, so I had to swerve around her into the other lane.
Her habit of feeding ducks at home means there's often ducks crossing the road where the road narrows, there's vegetation close to the road reducing visibility and the ducks have zero road sense so they will walk out directly in front of you so it can be difficult to avoid them, even if you're going unreasonably slow. The duck carnage on the road directly in front of her is all on her, not the drivers, yet by her behaviour she seems to have no comprehension of that.
Then there's the health hazard and other nuisance she's creating for her neighbours by encouraging the massive concentration of ducks. There have been times I've gone past and the concrete of her driveway was literally completely covered in duck shit and ducks.
When it comes to her and the chickens, I've seen her feeding the chickens numerous times. I have never seen her in any activity that even vaguely looked like trying to capture them for rehoming. Over the past few months, there have been many of the chickens in various stages of juvenile development (possibly a majority of the chickens). They are breeding prolifically, not just being dumped. And her regular feeding encourages that successful breeding.
While some of her activity might need to be curtailed, so does the lack of understanding.
It is the Mast season allowing prolific rat breeding, a nationwide phenomenon in which Titirangi is no special case except they've found a scapegoat who has pissed a few people off by the sounds of things. The dumping of unwanted roosters and mast year is causing the prolific breeding of chooks. Clutch numbers rise as food availability rises, hence this is not such an issue in non-mast years, years this lady is still feeding the flocks.
It would be good to seat this lady at the table with others and work through these issues. Creating a traffic hazard is not on, dismissing her as a kook is also not on.
How we see things is not necessarily how others do. Context required, understanding required. For all stakeholders.
The rats in the village have been knocked back to normal levels by a combination of poisoning and trapping. A few months ago I too had the worst rat and mouse problem I've ever had in my 19 years there (possibly not having any cats anymore contributed), but a solid campaign of poisoning and trapping has knocked them back around my place, too.
Crazy duck lady's habits of feeding pest animals and creating traffic hazards are simply anti-social. Why should her foibles be accorded any more respect than those who have obnoxiously loud parties into the wee hours, or enjoy doing burnouts on public streets? As just a couple of examples of obnoxious anti-social behaviour that society curtails.
The South Titirangi Environmental Network has got specials on the gas-fired rat traps. Mostly our cats get them, but on occasion it gets a mouse or two.
My Timms trap dealt to the rats quite satisfactorally. But lately the local possums seem to be treating it as the signpost to their bonking tree directly above it. Bastards.
Hell's teeth Andre. You're so overflowing with compassion and understanding for others in your community that I wonder what on Earth you are doing hanging around on a left wingish blog site.
All of us with vision clear enough to see have people who are 'different' living in our communities.
The real lefty trick is to not only to tolerate difference but to endeavor to understand the factors that make these individuals, well, different.
The bigger lefty challenge is knowing when to support the community when shared interests are threatened by individuals. The quirky underdog is not always in the right.
The intolerance is as palpable as it is unsurprising.
Smears and insults indicate the levels of intolerance on display.
Edit: Titirangi many decades ago, used to be a bush surrounded vibrant hub of all wonderful flavours and types of folks…some of them possibly still remain in the area…
…But as the housing markets have gone up, the areas will have been overrun by the intolerant types who moved into those once eclectic bush suburbs in the Waitakere Rangers …
Same as can be seen in other areas in that part of West Auckland….areas which families had generations of heritage…very few likely remain…
I mean who are these types…what actual benefit would those who use insults, bigoted smears against others inside their own community bring to that community with such intolerant traits…communities which they have only recently moved into no less…
The language being used to describe the circumstances is symptomatic of the very real problems which all communities are facing…that being the hypocritical do-gooders …who are anything but….
Why should her foibles be accorded any more respect than those who have obnoxiously loud parties into the wee hours, or enjoy doing burnouts on public streets? As just a couple of examples of obnoxious anti-social behaviour that society curtails.
and
Her views are well known. Her behaviour is antisocial and if she were living in earlier times the village would have ousted her by now. She has earned any contempt people here are divining.
She sounds like a hard case. That's the shitty thing with poultry, the sloppy poo.
Go to any park/Queens gardens in NZ with a pond and it's sloppy poo city, just like the ladies drive way. Part of the parcel and all that.
Maybe you could make her a ducks crossing sign. Actually you might be able to pick one up at a garden centre or Farmlands etc. We've one up at the commune in a certain location on the driveway. Lolz there are places I do not walk in bare feet up there even in the summer due to poultry poo, it's always runny lmao. Peacocks are the worst, that's super sized runny shit that stuff.
Re the breeding…. too many roosters huh? Roosters can be eaten, the trick is once you've caught them, to lock them up in the coup for about a week, then they aren't using their muscles as much tearing around the place, helps to tenderise the meat as such, then off with their heads and let the plucking begin.
Are people just giving up on keeping chooks and dumping them at Titirangi? Must be super annoying for the locals. WTB is correct in suggesting to seat the lady at the table with others to form a plan.
Why respond sourly to an informative thought-through comment from Cinny? I see you taking potshots quite often Sacha. Doesn't add anything to the discussion.
There used to be at least one homeless guy apparently living in one of the bush patches currently over-infested with chickens. But I haven't seen any of them since what used to be a carpark right next to the bush patch became a construction zone. Maybe he/they had something to do with controlling the chicken population…
Wouldn't that be ironic 🙂 There's a rest stop up the valley that seems to be a popular place for rooster dumping. Friends have been gathering up the roosters when they see them.
Maybe it's as innocent as a child wanting a chicken and to hatch it from an egg and then hello it's a rooster. I know in the suburban areas of our district that people aren't allowed to keep roosters. So maybe the most sympathetic way they think to get rid of them is to drop them off at a lush looking rural area, like Titirangi. And then it literally all turns to shite.
Oh, and as far as a duck crossing sign, there's proper official duck signs at the correct distance going both ways. They got put in a few years ago.
I'll speculate it was the result of a deal the council made with her to stop her lining up and displaying roadkill on the side of the road encroaching into where buses need to use the full width. Or even occasionally hanging roadkill ducks (guts hanging out and all) from trees on the side of the road.
Got a couple of neighbors I'll trade for the duck lady. Specifically the gang members who like to intimidate other neighbors. While they don't mess with me I've had to call them off their treatment of others a couple of times. That's anti-social. Eccentricity is different.
In a perfect world that lady would be working at an aviary, or a free range farm.
Well, Peter "Pedro" Cleven was just a couple of driveways down from my place for years, and he was less of a worry than someone attracting pest animals to that house and feeding them would have been.
She may have always been eccentric, or she may have dementia. There are more people with dementia than ever before living amongst us.
They cannot be reasoned with, their remaining strength of mind is focussed on their own drives. Soon every second person will have a slightly mad old person living near them. Get used to it.
We oldies are living longer, and those of us with a desire to be living all the time they are alive, would also like to be able to decide when we realise it is time to arrange our affairs and pass away otherwise it will only be medical intervention that keeps us going at cost to the state, and great emotional cost to our families or carers.
I've got a mildly demented old being just behind me. We disagreed about something, and he got an axe and chopped it down. My friend has one who constantly stares out of the windows opposite to my friend's house, sometimes apparently kneeling on the floor to peek. The woman has accused her and neighbours of stealing things from her garden. It is unpleasant and annoying and the delusions from the mentally incapacitated take many forms. This woman's one is feeding the dear birds, without consideration for the dear people affected. Watch out you people working for the environment, for signs that you or fellow advocates, don't become as narrowly focussed and then have bad faith to ordinary humans, ignoring the needs of people suffering and without help and consideration. I'm already hearing people comment scornfully, almost with hate, about people having children – they are 'breeding' and are to be despised as (bloody) irresponsible.
I wrote a comment the othr day on the spread of retirement villages and who might own them.
There was a recent news item about some owners finding that they are required to pay an extra $100 a week they hadn't realised they were liable for. Apparently the small print is extensive. Perhaps it is as bad as that coming with your cellphone.
Federal Aged Care and Senior Australians Minister Senator Richard Colbeck thanked Queensland Health, local emergency services and the staff members who took care of residents.
"It appears that this incident arose from a contractual dispute between the approved aged care provider and a sub-contractor who was providing administrative, nursing, catering and other support services," he said.
"It appears that the sub-contractor, without notice, withdrew all services and proceeded to remove equipment from site, leaving the facility unsuitable for residents to occupy.
Government response:
"I will be using the full suite of resources available to investigate the circumstances of this matter and I have issued instructions to that effect to my department last night.
That's if they don't contract out of doing anything responsible for their citizens. I wonder how Oz people will feel as they become aware that their government cares as little for them, as the citizens do for the refugees held on island penitentiary hellholes, shades of French penal colony Devil's Island and Papillon.
A petty criminal, Papillon is wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in a French penal colony in 'Guiane' (French Guiana, South America).
"I'm pretty sure our text machine is going to get very BUSY with this choice." Yadana Saw nervously transgresses the fatwa against Michael Jackson.Music 101, RNZ National, Saturday 29 June 2019, 4:10 p.m.
Over many years, RNZ National has played host to some of the most heinous people imaginable. Kim Hill has provided an open platform for liars and propagandists such as the odious hatchet-man Alex Gibney [1] and the discredited Grauniad hacks Luke Harding and Jonathan Freedman. [2] Jesse Mulligan last year gave the war criminal Alistair Campbell half an hour—uninterrupted by any troubling questions like "Why did you expose Dr. Kelly?" or "How do you sleep at night?"—to talk about his incessantly self-advertised "battle with depression." Jim Mora and his producer sat schtum one day as that malevolent old sod Michael Bassett croaked, ludicrously, that Nicky Hager was "a holocaust-denier." Noelle McCarthy conducted a fawning interview with a former U.S. Navy SEAL, nodding along vacantly as he enthused: "Everybody wanted a piece of Grenada!" [3]
As I type this out, Kim Hill is interviewing the "Australian academic and media artist" Mitch Goodwin about "the history and cultural significance" of David Bowie's pop song "Space Oddity."
KIM HILL: Bowie, I mean he KNEW what he was talking about didn't he.
MITCH GOODWIN: He did, he was one of the cultural commentators of our time…. zeitgeist…. The space race and the Cold War, I mean Bowie saw both of those. et cetera.
Kim Hill knows as well as anyone that Bowie was notorious for preying on young, under-age girls. I wonder if she'd be so unabashed in her admiration for him if he was a black American instead of a white Englishman with a Home Counties accent; four years ago, she and the chatty "theatre-maker" Stella Duffy were in carnival mode as they enthusiastically expressed their support for the Key government's refusal to let black U.S. rapper Chris Brown into New Zealand. [4]
This peculiar and highly selective corporate "morality" at RNZ National reached its nadir two weeks ago, when the grimly chirpy Music 101 host Yadana Saw became very nervous about playing a song by that monster Michael Jackson….
The Mixtape: Ardijah. As Ardijah celebrates 40 years of making music, lead singer Betty-Anne Monga reflects on her life of waiata and whānau for the RNZ Mixtape.
YADANA SAW:[brightly and chirpily] Kia ora koutou, this is the RNZ Music Mixtape, with me-e-e-e, Yadana SAW, and joining us as the selector for THIS episode of the Mixtape is Ardijah's Betty-Anne Monga. Kia ora ehoa!
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Kia ora, Yadana.
YADANA SAW: Aaaaaahhh, it's SO LOVELY to have you as our Mixtape selector this, um, this afternoon, ahhhh…..
….. and so on. Betty-Anne Monga had many interesting things to say about living in Otara, singing in a band while still at school, and the music business. The talk was interspersed with musical selections, including Ardijah's cover of the Phoebe Snow hit "Every Night" and Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." Then she told Yadana Saw that she left school to join the band—"I ran away from home," she laughed.
YADANA SAW:[carefully, delicately] All right, well let's get to your—speaking of CONTROVERSY, this one sounds quite controversial for a, y' know, a YOUNG WOMAN to be doing that in those times, in South Auckland, um, I hope you don't mind me saying that your NEXT song is a LITTLE bit of a controversial CHOICE, a-a-a-a-and….
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Hmmmmm.
YADANA SAW: I'm really interested why you were brave enough to be choosing a MICHAEL JACKSON track—
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Oh, okay.
YADANA SAW: — at this time.
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Well, you know, for me, once I joined the band and I was able to buy music, you know, that I quite loved, Michael Jackson, yeah he was the—I think I only purchased that album. That was about it, but everything else has been— hmmm, it's the era. That song there and that album is quite influential for me, anyway.
YADANA SAW: Betty-Anne, the—w-w-what will happen is that, I'm pretty sure our text machine is going to get very BUSY with this choice.
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Hmmmm.
YADANA SAW:[very delicately, nervously] What would you SAY to-o-o-o listeners, and to our audience, who may say "We CAN'T listen to this music any more"?
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Yeah. Well you know I think that's everybody's prerogative, you know, and I respect that, and I think it is about people making that choice for themselves. You know what, and honestly, Yadana, I didn't even think. I was looking at the music, the journey, you know, that I've walked, and that I know that other people have as well. But bringing it, discussing it, and talking about it now, um, yeah, I can't really, gosh, you know, but people have their—it's freedom of speech. And share it, you know, so we can see where others are coming from, and how they feel about it. It's okay to talk about it.
YADANA SAW: Uh, thank you, Betty-Anne! Umm, fro-o-o-om the album Off the Wall, this is Michael Jackson's "Rock With You."
…. Cue three minutes of music from the Devil Incarnate, according to Yadana Saw and no doubt the chatty "theatre-maker" and scourge of Chris Brown, Stella Duffy. *
YADANA SAW: That's "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson, from the album Off the Wall, the choice of Betty-Anne Monga from Ardijah, who's our Mixtape selector today-y-y-y.
Bloody hell Morrissey. I can't stand saints. Or are you a whited sepulchure that is going to find fault with all those we know and appreciate and be the one to triumphantly show them up? I think this is a terrible burden for you and will warp your life. Certainly you are beginning to warp mine.
I don't claim to be a saint, Mr Shark. The people closest to claiming such status are the likes of Stella Duffy and Yadana Saw, with their highly selective emphasis on the crimes of black singers —-of course the crimes are totally unproven in the case of Michael Jackson, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Ms. Saw from expressing her disdain and disapproval.
Quite the contrast with the treatment of David Bowie.
No, I'm not. And neither is Kim Hill. But they and others in the media lack the courage to speak out against or refuse to accept these informal and unwritten kinds of groupthink. It's interesting, and disturbing, to see how readily people will join in with an ostracism or a denunciation as long as it has the imprimatur of a few opinion gauges such as —God help us— Grauniad or BBC “journalists.” We've seen—or heard— how ostensibly decent people can be led into laughing at the suffering of a prisoner, and expressing contempt for him in the manner of Red Guards in 1960s China.
That fear of standing up to the prevailing political climate is what leads to such otherwise inexplicable phenomena as Kim Hill's willingly providing an uncritical audience to the most ridiculous and obscene conspiracy theories as peddled by the likes of Alex Gibney and Luke Harding.
That fear of falling out of favour with the mob is the reason that Yadana Saw was so nervous when she brought up the subject of Michael Jackson and made that ludicrous comment about "our audience, who may say 'We CAN'T listen to this music any more'."
I am pleased that you don’t consider either Kim or Yadana racists, because your first comment was a bit ambiguous.
Moving on to what you have said in your reply about Yadana Saw, I laughed.
While you are obviously entitled to your opinion, your claim that “fear of falling out of favour with the mob” is so off the mark in relation to Yadana; and I therefore assume that you possibly know very little about her (other than as a RNZ Music 101 host), her ethnicity, her background as an activist, and that of her older whanau.
Although part pakeha,Yadana is in fact one of a very small community of Burmese here in Wellington. As well as being known for her activism and leadership in saving a well loved Crossways Community Creche a couple of years ago, she is now on the Board of Trustees of my own first primary school Newtown School, well known for its multiculturalism and leadership in the local community – and is apparently doing a very good job in that role.(Note – she is young enough to be a daughter or probably a granddaughter of mine!)
More than that, however, she is also known for being active in standing up for human/civil rights in Myammar. While 12 years ago now, Yadana was organizer and MC of a Vigil for Burma back in 2007 which saw a very big turnout in Wellington from a wide range of the community and political leaders.
This activism is very much in her blood, as she is the granddaughter of one of Wellington’s most loved restauranteurs, “Aunty Mabel” who ran Wellington’s only Burmese restaurant the “Monsoon” for many years after arriving in NZ in 1976. Aunty Mabel was well known for her outspokenness and support of refugees and others of all ethnicities.
Even better known however, was Mabel’s older brother, Bill Maung. Bill (Yadana’s great uncle, a former judge and high level political figure in Burma) arrived in NZ as a political exile in 1967; and went on to become a political force in his own right – known for standing up to Muldoon, becoming a good friend of James K Baxter, and going on to be a friend and very active supporter and mentor to Rei Harris and Black Power.
For many years, Bill was a well known figure and friend to many in the Southern suburbs of Wellington, including me. He was also a good friend of Bruce Stewart (founder), and active supporter and member of my local marae, Tapu Te Ranga Marae (which sadly burnt down a couple of weeks ago). The work Bill Maung did over many years through the marae and Black Power in relation to Maori men and gangs is immeasurable, despite the difference in ethnicities, religious beliefs etc. .
So, with that family background, Yadana afraid “of falling out of favour of the mob” or “lacking the courage to speak out”– No way!!!!!!! LOL.
—————————————————————————–
Here is an interview in 2014 with Yadana where she goes into more detail (mainly in the second half).
Thanks for that very interesting info, Viper. I had guessed she was Burmese, going by her surname, but I had no idea she was related to the legendary Bill Maung.
I don't agree with you, however, that her ethnicity or her activism means that she is not susceptible to the very real pressure of hivemind syndrome. She had no good reason to make those ridiculous comments about Betty-Anne Monga being "brave" in choosing that song by Michael Jackson, and her fanciful, entirely unjustified suggestion about the thinking of "our audience, who may say 'We CAN'T listen to this music any more'."
I'm sure that Yadana Saw has devoted practically no time at all to following the fantastical and spectacularly unsuccessful attempted takedown of Jackson by James Safechuck and Wade Robson; what she does know, however, is that many of the chattering set in Wellington have made their minds up that he must have been guilty, and she's decided not to swim against the tide.
Why are we so fixated on everything USA. As if we don't have much to talk about at home and in Oz. Up the USA, they have more citizens than we have and more furores in the news therefore. But I am concerned about NZ and what is going on with us. You sound Irish Morrissey, have you always lived in NZ, or did you come from another country and remained pulled between the two, lost at sea virtually.
Looks like democratic eating their own Pelosi now is also a racist ( ouch) which is simply what you are if you don’t agree with anybody to your left, no matter how left you maybe
Tuhoe have been investigating – and have developed – a natural non-toxic road sealer.
That video comes with the article.
Meanwhile, the locals are having conniptions with regards to not getting their road sealed. Some have business that would benefit, and are not prepared to wait, or are afraid funding will vanish.
So there's concern on both sides. One trying to do it right, the others wanting to just get on with it. Both understandable.
We've tried business models of just get on with it to the detriment of the environment forever. It's made the whole planet untenable run the way it is. This new road seal could open an entire new (global) industry for the region. The same region Tuhoe detractors say is only good for tourism, and that they're 'wrecking it'.
I thought kiwis didn't want their parks overrun by tourists and freedom campers? Here we have Tuhoe leading the way, limiting numbers. Thank god someone is doing it, and building green roads to boot, amazing! Or are you happier with green washing BS like charging a tourist levy…
Sux to be the white minority who can’t blindly reap profits from Te Urewera I guess. lol
Brexit could well see the end of Corbyn as well as many other British politicians. However, the main point here is that the infernal machinations of old Yenta Hodge, Tom Watson, and the rest of the Blairite rump have had virtually no effect on the voters. The Blairites think that the British people are stupid; they're not, and they can recognize crude political smearing when they see it. Clearly no one with an I.Q. above room temperature believes a word that comes from the mouth of Yenta Hodge and her cronies.
Degrees of separation creepiness. It seems one of Epstein's first jobs was teaching at a private school in New York, headmastered by a Donald Barr, whose son is the ultimate overseer of Epstein's prosecution, William Barr …
Just as well the attack was on Christianity and Jewish faiths otherwise some would be asking for a lot more than as mild a response as you can possibly make.
“That was not my intention and I unreservedly apologise. " so what is Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman apologising for. So we can make offensive statements but not have that intention and it is OK ??
The Quran was written about 600 years later so has zero eye witnesses to the 'prophet not God or son of God' [according to the Quran] portrayed as Jesus.
"although some scholars had in the past supported the Slavonic Josephus, to my knowledge no one today believes that they contain anything of value for Jesus research"
Chilton, Bruce; Evans, C.A. (1998). Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research.
Iterations of iterations. Chinese whispers by believers over centuries.
Ok then what are your thoughts of an MP mis representing religion and history to further her own agenda ?
And when it was pointed out her errors that her comments were offensive, gives what some could consider the bird ? and what contrite has been displayed ?
Please God don't let them fight over whether you exist from their puny position on earth. If someone tried to believe in someone good and lasting over centuries, and in general that person also tries to be good inspired by the belief, then please don't start trying to unpick the belief either of you.
Well GG and I both agree that Jesus existed, WTB goes off tangent (and takes me with them) diverting from the issue. Making a statement and then making the IMO the worst form of apology and The Green's leadership also seem to fail that what was commented on is wrong and Both The Greens Leadership and GG should have appreciated that for some how offensive such a comment is.
apology lacks accountability when you focus on how the other person feels instead of what you did.
Edit:
Why do you have to fight about your religion. It is important to you but Christianity is about bringing peace surely.
It seems that the Jewish spokesperson has a set approach which gets wheeled out. She said that the woman said that Jesus was not Jewish. Actually she made the point that Mary and Joseph were refugees (in their own land). They were escaping Herod weren’t they!
What about arguing for others being treated badly in NZ – about getting things better for people. Argue for people rather than dogma.
I've just been reading this. It is possible you already advocate for people having a rough time. If so please do more – there is such a need.
…I'm now 37, and I've been on and off the benefit since I was 18. I've done odd jobs, but they mostly haven't lasted long either because the role was temporary or I didn't fit in with the other workers….
When my parents died suddenly in 2010, I got no empathy from Work and Income. In fact, they told me to let it go and move on just two weeks after it happened, and kept threatening to cut my benefit.
They did end up cutting it for two weeks, which left me eating beans and rice or nothing. That was traumatising and hurtful.
Cut to 2019, I recently asked if they would be able to help me pay for a course I wanted to do, because it didn't fit in with Studylink funding and didn't qualify for the training allowance. They refused to help me. This course could have got me an internship and a paid job in a position I would love, and be happy to do every day. They wouldn't even loan me the money.
Even for the muddled and discredited NZJC, that was a moronic press release. The NZJC does not speak for Jewish people of New Zealand; it is an extreme right, racist organization that promulgates hatred and supports apartheid. The fact you quote that discredited organization is not at all helpful to your reputation, my befuddled friend.
18.) The so-called “friends of Israel”, who support Israel automatically and blindly: this has nothing to do with friendship. They are enemies of Israel—they corrupt us. The Jewish establishment in Australia kept saying to me: “Israel right or wrong.” Well, Israel is wrong and they need to stop supporting it. Continuous support by Western governments and by the Jewish establishment is anything BUT friendship.
That GG was placed in the naughty corner by her leaders, gave an apology and directed to work closer with the Jewish community doesn’t say much about how others have viewed her actions. Perhaps some within the greens are attempting to hold to their principles.
Funny how those who espouse tolerance are sometimes found lacking 😉
Grey, ponder this. If you walked down town and asked people who their local council CEO is, most wouldn't even know, let alone know what they are paid. More could probably name the contestants on the Block. And that is most likely a big part of the problem.
Most are looking the other way and it becomes like taking candy off a baby.
Most people have no idea how big their council's annual budget, asset base, or staff numbers are. Nor how that compares with other organisations in their region or their pay rates.
Is The Chair agitating for cheaper local government?
In this instance, I'm questioning profuse CEO salaries.
The new CEO is from the United Kingdom and her new pay is $100,000 more than the £210,000 ($NZ397,000) she earns in her current role as chief executive of Birmingham City Council – despite the British city being more than twice the size of Christchurch (see link above).
Local government organisations aim to provide public services and facilities at or below cost – they're not in the business of making a profit.
"Chief executives at New Zealand's biggest companies got a 2.2 per cent pay rise last year, taking their average earnings to $1,755,352 in the 2017 financial year."
"While CEO earnings increases were modest compared to some previous years, 38 of the 50 chief executives in the survey still received more than $1 million in remuneration, and their average was 55 times the median annual income Kiwis received in that year, recorded at $31,928, according to Statistics NZ."
Some of those 'private' companies have been bailed out by the NZ taxpayer, and some receive generous corporate welfare so that they may continue to return a dividend to their shareholders.
But by all means take a pot shot at local government – it’s your “lefty” choice.
It's not only local Government where CEO salaries are profuse, but unlike the private sector, the public have far more say. But they don't seem to be using their power to slow down these outrageous salaries. A sustained media campaign is required.
Do you support the new CEO salary? If not, why have a go at me?
If you consider that new CEO's salary to be "outrageous", then you must have been ‘positively’ apoplectic about Speiring's $8,000,000+ renumeration package, for all the good he did!
Could you use Givealittle to fund your "sustained media campaign"?
"Since 1989 New Zealand has witnessed a gradual reduction in the number of locally elected positions." [see table & figure on page 7]
"The Taxpayers’ Union, in collaboration with Fairfax Media, this morning launched "Ratepayers’ Report" hosted by Stuff.co.nz."
"For the first time, New Zealanders now have an interactive online tool to compare their local council to those of the rest of the country. Go to http://www.ratepayersreport.nz/ to compare your local council including average rates, debt per ratepayer and even CEO salaries."
Good point about the media holding power to account – been making that point long, have you?
I absolutely agree that the lot of most NZers would improve gradually if Labour turned (more) left, but given MMP (which I support), keeping National (aren't they just stinkers) out requires continued broad public support. Bridges is doing a fine job in that regard.
If, in changing tack, Labour fails to take enough voters with them, then it's back to asset sales, setting up public services for failure and privatisation, tax cuts for the wealthy (actually that'll be first, just like last time), GST increases, inequality increases, flags, tax havens, etc. etc.
This report on Matata, Bay of Plenty and its residents, many elderly, being shunted around by an inept local Council displays that small Councils are out of their depth in trying to get their heads around climate change and its effects. It is full and factual by Nikki Macdonald on Stuff and is another example of Stuff doing a great job of informing us about our country's challenges and triumphs.
It shows graphically how remiss our Local Government central body is. They should have seen this coming because they have seen for decades central government withdrawing from responsibility and local govt is still noting that there is more being pushed on them, more expectations. Years ago Local Government should have had square-table meetings laying the problems on the table and the consequent costs and difficulties.
Without that careful thinking their Council has misled Matata people after one weather event to invest their insurance money back into their homes and land, only to tell them to shift and offer them inadequate money for their homes which will be abandoned.
It's time for government to consult with Councils and people affected, set up a system that enables a coastal retreat, and erects shelters for emergencies and a fund must be set up to provide for alternative housing.
Forethought of some sort by voters, not to keep electing a Party whose leader was willing to play the clown to amuse the hoi polloi would have given us three years extra to start facing such problems, part of our dire future. But no, why shift yourself when you aren't forced to. Others can go and jump. And many Councils seem to have caught the same Rip-van-Winkle sleeping sickness.
Listen to MP Eugenie Sage saying little Westland will have to pick up all its own rubbish, yet it is known that it needs to be done quickly now before the historic spring rain. Of course that might not happen, because of disruptive climate change, but as the saying goes about being flummoxed, 'Expect the unexpected, but remember you can't count on it'.
Can some wealthy triad put their money in and buy them out? The wealthy have had a go at banner businesses that traditionally have been bought by the kingpins of finance, eg Bill Gates bought into a Canadian railway. But Stuff is there and presumably still for sale. It's not a big building that you can put your name on, but Murdoch made his name with newspapers and anyone who had a desire to own a newspaper that runs well and supports the country and both sides of Parliament, would be a god to many of us. All our wealthy can't be warped lightweights morally?
Would have thought that the democratic processes of the collected representatives of the directly elected E.U. govt. nations, would take precedent over that of the E.U. elecs
&
that the results of the E.U. elecs. would take precedent over those in national parliaments in the arrangements of rewarded working majorities to those proportions.
Would seem like the basic win win default convenant of all pro E.U. vote reps. to their support bases, that would carry the best guarantee of getting a good shake of the stick at some point.
I’ve been thinking about the left and their plight.
For me, being left is pretty simple, it’s people vs money and things.
We all like money and things, lefties place people at the top.
A standard contributor recently posted the observation that 2 of us have as much wealth as 1.5 million of us.
It’s an imbalance that can’t be conducive to the betterment of New Zealand. Rich and poor alike can only predict calamity ahead.
I think the inevitable rise of the left will not come from stomping our feet and demanding houses, food grants and dollars. It will come from stomping our feet and demanding humanity. "Hello my friend"
Can someone tell me if you can make two submissions on a bill. I have made one myself but would also like to sign Forest and Bird's for the Zero Carbon Bill. It's not like a vote is it. I have put in a different submission than Forst and Bird with different points in each.
Thanks to national for the Tsunami of homeless people. Eco Maori just about end up in a motel but I didn't want to put up with all the actors the sandfly's throw at me .
A black out in New York wow that must have been fun .
It's cool to see all the people enjoying All the beautiful sight that Aotearoa has to offer like hump ridge track I have a awesome view were I'm going to build.
There you go Whanau these puppets are using the Orange tamariki problems like they used the forshaw and sea bed issue to try and discredit our government that treats Maori and the poor common tangata better than the last lot wake up you puppets .
I don't think that Google te reo will be that accurate in translating te reo as the dialects are different for each Iwi.
Bullshit any person with a brain know don't go to war unless you are going to win. taniana last war you lost the forshaw and seabed and gave national the power to stuff up Maori and the poor people for NINE YEARS FOOL you will cause more harm to tangata whenua that good if there actions let national back in power .Ngati Porou own our sea bed right.
Awesome to see Maori getting into online video gaming that is the industry to chase it ten times the revenue of Hollywood. Ka kite ano
It was a exciting day for Papatuanuku Cricket Lloyd.
Our Blackcaps Stars did Aotearoa fine even with the final results.
Banks is just a national puppet . national are desperate for a win in any political seen.
trump is just showing his true colors.
It is cool that China is going to help save the Godwit bird . China is going to preserve some mud flats in the yellow sea were the Goodwit stop halfway on there yearly migration ka Pai.
It's cool our government is going to change some system in Whanau Ora to consult with the Whanau more .
Those people and culture that are in Oranga tamariki are the same ones that the national party you back so you need to stand up and take responsibility for YOUR Actions Tainana .
It cool to see plastic being recycled to in Aotearoa and seeing it being turned in New products.
Eco Maori is a birdwatcher they are such beautiful creature.
It's awesome that our government is going to put money into normalising Te reo in Aotearoa society you should see heads turn when I say ki Ora in A shop .
Awesome to see a Wahine elected as European union commission President. Congratulations Ursula
Ursula von der Leyen has been confirmed as the European commission’s first female president and the first German in the job for more than 50 years.
In a secret ballot, MEPs voted narrowly to support the German defence minister as a replacement for Jean-Claude Juncker when he steps down on 31 October She won the support of 383 MEPs, nine votes more than required to secure an absolute majority but below the 400 threshold that would have given her a stable majority to get her policies through parliament over the next five years
Eco Maori tau toko supports Equality for Wahine equality for all. KIA KAHA stay strong all Wahine championing this cause
This is a huge problem with charity's all the money doesn't make it to the cause. Its burned up by administration and other things .
Only 1% of gender equality funding is going to women’s organisations – why?
There’s been a $1bn boost in support in the last two years, but only tiny pots of money are trickling down to feminist groups
In the past two years alone, governments and international institutions have announced more than $1bn (£0.8bn) in new commitments to support gender equality globally.
Yesterday I received come lovely feedback following my Star Wars themed newsletter. A few people mentioned they’d enjoyed reading the personal part at the beginning.I often begin newsletters with some memories, or general thoughts, before commencing the main topic. This hopefully sets the mood and provides some context in which ...
April 30 was going to be the day we’d be calling Mum from London to wish her a happy birthday. Then it became the day we would be going to St. Paul's at Evensong to remember her. The aim of the cathedral builders was to find a way to make their ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Can’t remember the last book by a Kiwi author you read? Think the NZ government should spend less on the arts in favor of helping the homeless? If so, as far as Newsroom is concerned, you probably deserve to be called a cultural ignoramus ...
Eric Crampton writes – Grudges are bad. Better to move on. But it can be fun to keep a couple of really trivial ones, so you’re not tempted to have other ones. For example, because of the rootkit fiasco of 2005, no Sony products in our household. ...
A new report warns an estimated third of the adult population have unmet need for health care.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāHere’s the six key things I learned about Aotaroa’s political economy this week around housing, climate and poverty:Politics - Three opinion polls confirmed support for PM Christopher Luxon ...
Today is May the fourth. Which was just a regular day when my mother took me to see the newly released Star Wars at the Odeon in Rotorua. The queue was right around the corner. Some years later this day became known as Star Wars Day, the date being a ...
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
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. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
RNZ News A group of academic staff at New Zealand’s largest university have expressed concern at the administration’s move to block a protest encampment that was planned to take place on campus calling for support for the rights of Palestinians. This week, the University of Auckland warned that while it ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Still having tons of problems with commenting from my tablet usually cant get focus in comments pane, sometimes can make new comment but not reply, often there is no replies sidebar …. then exit reload and get a working unit
Hi Xanthe, I have the same problem in Chrome but followed someone here and their advice and use Brave.
No probs with commenting.
ahh will give it a go thanks
chrome is nasty anyway
GUEST BLOG: Bryan Bruce – What is the purpose of an economy?
Last week RNZ reported on two stories that should give us all pause to think about who we are , what we stand for and the ACTUAL rather than the pretend economic policy by which our country is run .
The first was on the queues of people lining up at the Manurewa MSD office on Thursday to get emergency assistance .Some had been there, in the cold and rain since 2 am.
The Minister Carmel Sepuloni put the blame on the Auckland Action Against Poverty group because that’s the day they have their advocates there to advise people about their rights and they won’t spread out their advocacy over the week, through pre appointments and at other offices
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/07/08/guest-blog-bryan-bruce-what-is-the-purpose-of-an-economy/
A good opinion piece Johnm but I wonder how the wealth of the two richest could be undone.
Bullet points from Bryan Bruce's article. Really to the heart of it. And no bullets in sight, may we get there and without any shooting.
…the fact that so many people are so desperate for assistance the government itself has had to increase the amount it has allocated for hardship grants to $128.5 million, tells you there is something very wrong with the way we are running our economy…
Again the problem lies in the way we run our economy . The government, for all it’s recent PR about wellbeing is still running to the neoliberal agenda which promotes selfishness and competition over cooperation and the common good…
neoliberal economics has turned us into a low wage economy – a Gig economy – where many people have to work 2 and 3 jobs just to make ends meet.
It [the Government] is still running an austerity budget with $3.5 Billion surplus when food parcel distribution at the Auckland City Mission is up 50% on last year…
What do we want? We want our economy (I think) –
…to deliver the greatest good for the largest number of our citizens over the longest time? (Progressive economics)
I’m for the progress ‘greatest good’ approach to running our economy.
Johnm
Why did you Tell Lies about Work An Income ?
You are so untrustworthy –
Your friends the Landlords place excessive Rents on people in New Zealand. You should have a chat to your Wealthy mates.
I'm not a landlord. If I had my way there would be at least a CGT of 60% on this social parasitism which is a blight on all societies. So bad our young couples cannot afford to buy starter houses. I believe in social housing and keeping house prices as low as possible including restricting immigration. NZ had it right until Roger the pig farmer came along! 🙁 It's a disgrace the capital Gain these types get away with. This Government refuses to address the problem.
There’s the crux of it Johnm what you believe and reality There is a capital tax on housing and CGT is not the prime reason for supply and demand issues in housing, nor as history show us is communism or rent : price controls the answer. The government can’t build houses cheaper than the market as kiwibuild has shown , start their and work backwards
Observer why do you attack JohnM for stating truths. And make up stories about him. You seem unreliable.
Please state exactly what JohnM said that was lies. And how do you come to say that his friends are landlords?
Newsroom has a very interesting story about farmers being "shafted" by ANZ over "interest rates swaps." Even quoting for Sir John's head:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/07/12/678226/the-taranaki-farmers-who-took-on-a-2bn-bank-and-won
Still, all the three MPs in the Taranaki area are National Party. Seems they are pretty happy with being shafted overall.
How 2030 is the new 2100: Global Food Yields Already Dropping from Abrupt Climate Change
2030 is the new 2100. Climate change is ALREADY reducing global food yields TODAY, with an average 1% annual reduction in the worlds top ten global crops, providing 83% of food calories to humanity: top ten food crops: barley, cassava, maize (corn), oil palm, rapeseed (canola), rice, sorghum, soybean, sugarcane, wheat. Most reduced: oil palm (-13.4%); increased: soybeans (+3.5%). Negatively affected regions are Europe, South Africa, and Australia; +ve is Latin America; mixed is Asia, North and Central America. Growing season temperatures over all harvested areas is up 0.5 to 1.2 C since the early 1970s.
Hey John
Have you seen any bandwidth in the NZ MSM regards this dissonance ?
https://www.rt.com/news/464051-finnish-study-no-evidence-warming/
I'm not ascribing any credence to the claim – just an aghast reaction to the Nihilism exhibited by NZHERALD / STUFF.
Oh John
But there's still more to assimilate;
https://arxiv.org/pdf/1907.00165.pdf
David Attenborough speaks in parliament about climate change
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rv3DPaMaS2g
Dr. Respect 2 days ago
They will happily spend 30,000,000 on one bomb yet will not spend a penny on healthcare and the environment. This world is going down the pan very very fast and whoever is at the top you know the one that holds all the cards and has all the money. well they too will also diminish you could ask the question are they even human, because in my experience humanity is a collective and at the moment is falling apart. is anyone going to do anything? I doubt it
Here is a very good piece from the ever reliable FAIR on NYTimes peddling more bullshit and disinformation…seems one of the most important things do do during the coming US election cycle will be sorting through the mountains of misdirection, disinformation and straight out lies that the so called liberal MSM will spew forth in their vain attempt to derail the progressive wave building in the USA…keep your eyes peeled and your bullshit detectors set on high!
For NYT, Inconvenient Facts Equal ‘Russian-Style Disinformation’
https://fair.org/home/for-nyt-inconvenient-facts-equal-russian-style-disinformation/?awt_l=CnT3e&awt_m=gcztzYGTwIR._TQ
In the future (and today's research), conventional plastics will be biodegradeable.
Scientists have already discovered an enzyme that breaks down PET, and within a wireworms microbiome lies the secrets to breaking down polystyrene. The search is on for more promising enzymes, and how we might harness them upon discovery.
Leading the charge is consumer demand for sustainable products. Those without the tech will lose more and more public support, and as alternative options become available, consumer led protest over polluters will see government support withdrawn and even government opposition to recalcitrant industry.
While we see enormous resources today dedicated to PR and legal fees to hide/justify industrial activities, the far easier and cheaper way will be to work with ethical and environmental consideration.
Nature to aid tech:
https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/plastic-bottle-waste-eating-enzyme-mutant/
Leading vehicle manufacturers are switching to EV production. Oil companies to carbon capture techniques and investment in renewable research and development.
In the interim, we need to plant 1.2 trillion trees.
Tech to aid nature:
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/treeplanting-drones-could-help-restore-world-s-forests-a4116376.html
If the boomers could understand the difference between hemp and marijuana, what a difference that would make.
2 crop cycles of hemp remove the same amount of CO2 from the atmosphere as 30 years of pine trees.
Hemp is also a far more sustainable, low impact crop. It also regenerates the soil and isn't required to have rotation planting like so many other crops do.
Hemp is wonderful. There are so many functional uses for hemp, and way more sustainable than trying to develop enzymes.
Excellent thoughts/facts. It was the cotton growers started the whole reefer madness/hemp ban to my (limited) knowledge.
Using hempcrete, hemp fibre… we could sequester the carbon FAST using hemp crops for building. And the seeds make top notch oils.
The enzymes are required to remove the enormous volume of plastic pollution we have.
So true – hemp is a wonderful plant – you can pretty well use all of it – I can't understand why farmers aren't getting serious about creating diversity by laying some hectares in hemp – get out of the way regulation – and for the numbnuts – your dope people don't like being near the hemp too much – too much pollen floating around.
Flax too – we used to have a whole industry for this and we can get it back again – get ready to create more wetland, plant more flax, clean more rivers for transport, fix up the old docks and so on and before you know it we will have travelled back in time to the future.
Here's a relatively comprehensive talk on industrial hemp for some history, historical application and potential for applications.
We have some farms trialing hemp now, and I believe legislation has allowed its use for human food now? Is going to?
I can make a hemp (seed meal) & honey steam pudding that's pure goodness!
ta – I'm up to speed on hemp.
It's not all about you marty. We've got a few readers who are farmers here, others who are businessmen.
lol not about me? ffs…
Yeah I shoulda worded that better. The post was for other reader's interest, I know you know your stuff in this area.
all good 🙂
The Virtual Whurl is amusing ain't it? Open to mis-interpretation and contests between virtual egos.
Funny as a fart at times.
Have to say how pleasantly surprised I was the last time I returned from regions where hemp grows wild and where it serves as an inherent part of a natural cycle.
Customs' Doggy Doos took a liking to me because I'd been living for a few months amongst it all. Thankfully, simply declaring all that was sufficient to prevent an anal search.
It was either that, or arrival was close to midnight and everyone just wanted to get home, or maybe that the Customs Ossifer was quite obviously a total stoner
I have been waiting for the current incarnation of the Wool Board to maximise wool's properties against the horrid polypropylene clothing that is popular at the moment.
Very sobering thinking that fish have a gut full of fossil fuel based plastic fibres because…. vanity? cheaper?
I was talking to a local farmer who has had a few trial crops of hemp. He seemed to think he could use some tired old gear to process it. He spent more time fixing equipment.
That is the beauty of the stuff, very strong.
gsays
I was thinking too about time that wool started being promoted strongly again. They used to have fashion shows and original garments featured. This wedding dress is an example of the way that wool was promoted and the effects that could be gained working with it.
https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/712450
http://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/tina-grenville/
http://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/gaye-bartlett/
http://www.nzfashionmuseum.org.nz/michael-mattar
https://collections.tepapa.govt.nz/object/713938
https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2011/06/10/its-wool-week-celebrating-wool-in-fashion/
These are all womens clothes but there would have been men's gear designed as well.
It is border line criminal that the value of wool has slumped to where it is now.
Merino opossum blends are wonderful, in construction as an insulation….
They should use Jones fund and build a hemp plant in the Canterbury plains . Gaurentee a purchase price for any cockies that want to grow 5 % of their farm area in hemp for 10 years . Get the ball rolling.
+ 1 yep agreed
YES !!!! A thousand times yes 🙂
Perfect for the area. Get rid of (at least some of) the dairy and put trees back on the land to shelter the crops.
Who has the ear of Jonesy? That idea should be rounged out, and fed to him, along with his favourite beverage, plus a goody bag filled with hemp products which seem to be varied and extensive.
He looks like he'd be partial to some of the hemp steam pudding.
Not tonight though, rhubarb crumble it is. Serve with vanilla ice cream for the tart/sweet combo. Luscious. A favorite.
I do think he'd go for something so progressive if someone made a sound business case. A group of farmers/landholders might do very well to pursue such a thing.
We don't have a hemp seed de-huller in the country either, so we'll be wanting an industrial one of those too.
This is a clear case for another viable industry, perhaps we could slow down the dairy and diary for targets for hemp – a five year plan. Let's have some Chinese central planning, it seems to have done them good as far as economic progress is concerned.
LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease
Yay for me being stubborn and refusing the statins. Trying to contain my pie addiction and sweet tooth while awaiting further research…
Seems they've been flogging 'sugar pills' again. Wonder how much was made after the dodgy studies.
Possibly inflammation raising platelet counts… I'll stop already. Not a doctor…
bernie gold
I found this the other day – it sorta shows (in a funny way) why bernie won't get there – this is the truth of it – no big conspiracy. He is consistent, he is on message, he is who he is. lol
There's been a lot of talk lately about the Titirangi Village chicken infestation, but there's something important missing from the discussion. About a year ago I had a chat with the woman who feeds the chickens. (The one referred to by Andre as the "crazy duck lady".) She told me that she regularly arranges for chickens to be rehomed on a farm, but that the Titirangi population is maintained by regular dumping of chickens/roosters in the village by members of the public. Thus, a one-off removal of the entire chicken population will not solve the problem.
…I had a chat with the woman who feeds the chickens.
What?! You actually went and engaged with this person? You held a conversation with her? You found out from her information not as yet in the media? Oh, the horror!/sarc
I was having a chuckle yesterday thinking how much easier it is going to be to round up these chooks if they are being regularly fed. Even better if this lady is catching and re homing them. "Crazy" indeed.
If one has no problem with chooks becoming food, then there are no doubt lots of folk more than happy to take unwanted chooks of the hands of the dumpers. Or have we all become too precious to even think about folks killing their own chickens to eat?
Onya phantom snowflake, and thanks for sharing that information.
That's more like it. Some truth to the matter rather than sneering contempt.
The same occurs at Western Springs (Pet dumping). I view turtles in the lake, chooks all over the place, and if you go there on a moonlit night, rabbits and guinea pigs mowing the lawns.
With a Zoo next door housing many carnivores, I can think of a sustainable solution…
But the public would rather dump pets and have exterminators do the job, rather than think Fluffy has been eaten by a lion. As for the chook populations, some culling of the roosters (wherever dumped animals form flocks) would be an efficient way to keep numbers down. That and infrequent round-ups.
The homeless cull some of them
Rosemary & WtB: Similarly clichéd mental health-related slurs about the woman concerned are thrown about in the Titirangi community as are on this site, sadly. In person, what is most striking is her huge love and compassion towards chickens in particular, and I can't see why that's something to sneer at. In my view, when it comes to the chicken issue she is definitely a stakeholder, and I hope that the Waitakere Ranges local board will engage with and involve her as they seek a solution.
Apparently there will soon be an egg shortage, so the 'chicken lady' could have the last laugh as she may get the opportunity to charge top dollar for her rescued chickens eggs 🙂
Now that would be a cool ending.
Very true Cinny. Mr Jilly Bee and I recently became the owners of a couple of scrawny looking Red Shaver hens – we went on an hour and a half drive to pick them up, and back again. After a comfortable night in their new home, there were a couple of eggs in the nest and they have continued to each lay regularly (the more scrawny one, who is just coming out of her moult, manages one every second day. We're getting about a dozen a week at present. All good, and they're weeding the gardens for us as well – including getting rid of the accursed violets, which had pretty much taken over everywhere. Looking to plant some goodies for them to feast on. I believe they like comfrey – we've fenced off the rhubarb as they had started to eat the leaves, which can are toxic.
Locals have engaged with this woman for many, many years. Her views are well known. Her behaviour is antisocial and if she were living in earlier times the village would have ousted her by now. She has earned any contempt people here are divining.
That's really unfortunate Sacha.
It really is.
First up, why I call her "crazy duck lady": she goes out of her way to create traffic hazards in front of her home. One time I was going down the hill in front of her home in my old-skool Landrover with a moderately loaded trailer on behind, and she marches out into the road from behind a flaxbush to shake a roadkill duck at me. She did it when I was way too close to have stopped even if I hadn't had the trailer on, so I had to swerve around her into the other lane.
Her habit of feeding ducks at home means there's often ducks crossing the road where the road narrows, there's vegetation close to the road reducing visibility and the ducks have zero road sense so they will walk out directly in front of you so it can be difficult to avoid them, even if you're going unreasonably slow. The duck carnage on the road directly in front of her is all on her, not the drivers, yet by her behaviour she seems to have no comprehension of that.
Then there's the health hazard and other nuisance she's creating for her neighbours by encouraging the massive concentration of ducks. There have been times I've gone past and the concrete of her driveway was literally completely covered in duck shit and ducks.
When it comes to her and the chickens, I've seen her feeding the chickens numerous times. I have never seen her in any activity that even vaguely looked like trying to capture them for rehoming. Over the past few months, there have been many of the chickens in various stages of juvenile development (possibly a majority of the chickens). They are breeding prolifically, not just being dumped. And her regular feeding encourages that successful breeding.
While some of her activity might need to be curtailed, so does the lack of understanding.
It is the Mast season allowing prolific rat breeding, a nationwide phenomenon in which Titirangi is no special case except they've found a scapegoat who has pissed a few people off by the sounds of things. The dumping of unwanted roosters and mast year is causing the prolific breeding of chooks. Clutch numbers rise as food availability rises, hence this is not such an issue in non-mast years, years this lady is still feeding the flocks.
It would be good to seat this lady at the table with others and work through these issues. Creating a traffic hazard is not on, dismissing her as a kook is also not on.
How we see things is not necessarily how others do. Context required, understanding required. For all stakeholders.
The rats in the village have been knocked back to normal levels by a combination of poisoning and trapping. A few months ago I too had the worst rat and mouse problem I've ever had in my 19 years there (possibly not having any cats anymore contributed), but a solid campaign of poisoning and trapping has knocked them back around my place, too.
Crazy duck lady's habits of feeding pest animals and creating traffic hazards are simply anti-social. Why should her foibles be accorded any more respect than those who have obnoxiously loud parties into the wee hours, or enjoy doing burnouts on public streets? As just a couple of examples of obnoxious anti-social behaviour that society curtails.
The South Titirangi Environmental Network has got specials on the gas-fired rat traps. Mostly our cats get them, but on occasion it gets a mouse or two.
My Timms trap dealt to the rats quite satisfactorally. But lately the local possums seem to be treating it as the signpost to their bonking tree directly above it. Bastards.
Hell's teeth Andre. You're so overflowing with compassion and understanding for others in your community that I wonder what on Earth you are doing hanging around on a left wingish blog site.
All of us with vision clear enough to see have people who are 'different' living in our communities.
The real lefty trick is to not only to tolerate difference but to endeavor to understand the factors that make these individuals, well, different.
The bigger lefty challenge is knowing when to support the community when shared interests are threatened by individuals. The quirky underdog is not always in the right.
Threatened. Shared Interests.
Not much of a community then, is it.
Communities reconcile individual and shared interests.
The intolerance is as palpable as it is unsurprising.
Smears and insults indicate the levels of intolerance on display.
Edit: Titirangi many decades ago, used to be a bush surrounded vibrant hub of all wonderful flavours and types of folks…some of them possibly still remain in the area…
…But as the housing markets have gone up, the areas will have been overrun by the intolerant types who moved into those once eclectic bush suburbs in the Waitakere Rangers …
Same as can be seen in other areas in that part of West Auckland….areas which families had generations of heritage…very few likely remain…
Don't you worry One Two, next time there's outrage at yet another 'clean up' of the indigent Out West, I'll be reminding 'em.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11466807
Perhaps if this lady is living with health issues the Waipareira Trust could reach out?
I mean who are these types…what actual benefit would those who use insults, bigoted smears against others inside their own community bring to that community with such intolerant traits…communities which they have only recently moved into no less…
The language being used to describe the circumstances is symptomatic of the very real problems which all communities are facing…that being the hypocritical do-gooders …who are anything but….
and
What in the absolute f***
"who are these types"
Now there's a line of discussion that can only end well.
They out themselves, Sacha…
And it is ugly.
There are only two types: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I do not envy moderators your role.
I reckon it’s Karma.
lol very good
That’s a colourful picture you’re painting there, in B & W or is it shades of pink?
One Two back in your favourite role of acting as Lord High Announcer of Correctness and Rightness and negativity.
She sounds like a hard case. That's the shitty thing with poultry, the sloppy poo.
Go to any park/Queens gardens in NZ with a pond and it's sloppy poo city, just like the ladies drive way. Part of the parcel and all that.
Maybe you could make her a ducks crossing sign. Actually you might be able to pick one up at a garden centre or Farmlands etc. We've one up at the commune in a certain location on the driveway. Lolz there are places I do not walk in bare feet up there even in the summer due to poultry poo, it's always runny lmao. Peacocks are the worst, that's super sized runny shit that stuff.
Re the breeding…. too many roosters huh? Roosters can be eaten, the trick is once you've caught them, to lock them up in the coup for about a week, then they aren't using their muscles as much tearing around the place, helps to tenderise the meat as such, then off with their heads and let the plucking begin.
Are people just giving up on keeping chooks and dumping them at Titirangi? Must be super annoying for the locals. WTB is correct in suggesting to seat the lady at the table with others to form a plan.
What do you think Greg and the other local leaders have been doing for years?
Why respond sourly to an informative thought-through comment from Cinny? I see you taking potshots quite often Sacha. Doesn't add anything to the discussion.
Read the discussion above.
There used to be at least one homeless guy apparently living in one of the bush patches currently over-infested with chickens. But I haven't seen any of them since what used to be a carpark right next to the bush patch became a construction zone. Maybe he/they had something to do with controlling the chicken population…
Wouldn't that be ironic 🙂 There's a rest stop up the valley that seems to be a popular place for rooster dumping. Friends have been gathering up the roosters when they see them.
Maybe it's as innocent as a child wanting a chicken and to hatch it from an egg and then hello it's a rooster. I know in the suburban areas of our district that people aren't allowed to keep roosters. So maybe the most sympathetic way they think to get rid of them is to drop them off at a lush looking rural area, like Titirangi. And then it literally all turns to shite.
And then it literally all turns to shite.
An intelligent and resourceful person might see that shite as the most awesomest fertiliser for one's crops.
Pause on the way past and leap out with one's shovel and load up that trailer. Kill two birds with one stone. So to speak.
Good thinking Batman 🙂 There's the silver lining, love that type of thinking Rosemary
Oh, and as far as a duck crossing sign, there's proper official duck signs at the correct distance going both ways. They got put in a few years ago.
I'll speculate it was the result of a deal the council made with her to stop her lining up and displaying roadkill on the side of the road encroaching into where buses need to use the full width. Or even occasionally hanging roadkill ducks (guts hanging out and all) from trees on the side of the road.
Dang… ok now I can feel the frustration.
Got a couple of neighbors I'll trade for the duck lady. Specifically the gang members who like to intimidate other neighbors. While they don't mess with me I've had to call them off their treatment of others a couple of times. That's anti-social. Eccentricity is different.
In a perfect world that lady would be working at an aviary, or a free range farm.
Well, Peter "Pedro" Cleven was just a couple of driveways down from my place for years, and he was less of a worry than someone attracting pest animals to that house and feeding them would have been.
She may have always been eccentric, or she may have dementia. There are more people with dementia than ever before living amongst us.
They cannot be reasoned with, their remaining strength of mind is focussed on their own drives. Soon every second person will have a slightly mad old person living near them. Get used to it.
We oldies are living longer, and those of us with a desire to be living all the time they are alive, would also like to be able to decide when we realise it is time to arrange our affairs and pass away otherwise it will only be medical intervention that keeps us going at cost to the state, and great emotional cost to our families or carers.
I've got a mildly demented old being just behind me. We disagreed about something, and he got an axe and chopped it down. My friend has one who constantly stares out of the windows opposite to my friend's house, sometimes apparently kneeling on the floor to peek. The woman has accused her and neighbours of stealing things from her garden. It is unpleasant and annoying and the delusions from the mentally incapacitated take many forms. This woman's one is feeding the dear birds, without consideration for the dear people affected. Watch out you people working for the environment, for signs that you or fellow advocates, don't become as narrowly focussed and then have bad faith to ordinary humans, ignoring the needs of people suffering and without help and consideration. I'm already hearing people comment scornfully, almost with hate, about people having children – they are 'breeding' and are to be despised as (bloody) irresponsible.
I wrote a comment the othr day on the spread of retirement villages and who might own them.
There was a recent news item about some owners finding that they are required to pay an extra $100 a week they hadn't realised they were liable for. Apparently the small print is extensive. Perhaps it is as bad as that coming with your cellphone.
https://www.cffc.org.nz/news-and-media/news/cffc-demands-greater-clarity-from-retirement-village-operators/
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/394199/retirees-paying-up-to-100-a-day-in-surprise-care-fees-report
http://www.sharechat.co.nz/article/aec06adf/retirement-village-watchdog-calls-for-clarity-on-rules-costs.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/69112545/
Now there is a piece from the latest Nelson Mail about Australian experience headed Care residents abandoned.
This source info from the Brisbane Times that I found quickly online.
https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/queensland/retirement-home-ransacked-by-disgruntled-contractors-residents-abandoned-20190712-p526lq.html
Federal Aged Care and Senior Australians Minister Senator Richard Colbeck thanked Queensland Health, local emergency services and the staff members who took care of residents.
"It appears that this incident arose from a contractual dispute between the approved aged care provider and a sub-contractor who was providing administrative, nursing, catering and other support services," he said.
"It appears that the sub-contractor, without notice, withdrew all services and proceeded to remove equipment from site, leaving the facility unsuitable for residents to occupy.
Government response:
"I will be using the full suite of resources available to investigate the circumstances of this matter and I have issued instructions to that effect to my department last night.
That's if they don't contract out of doing anything responsible for their citizens. I wonder how Oz people will feel as they become aware that their government cares as little for them, as the citizens do for the refugees held on island penitentiary hellholes, shades of French penal colony Devil's Island and Papillon.
A petty criminal, Papillon is wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to life in a French penal colony in 'Guiane' (French Guiana, South America).
Papillon (1973) – Plot Summary – IMDb
"I'm pretty sure our text machine is going to get very BUSY with this choice." Yadana Saw nervously transgresses the fatwa against Michael Jackson. Music 101, RNZ National, Saturday 29 June 2019, 4:10 p.m.
Over many years, RNZ National has played host to some of the most heinous people imaginable. Kim Hill has provided an open platform for liars and propagandists such as the odious hatchet-man Alex Gibney [1] and the discredited Grauniad hacks Luke Harding and Jonathan Freedman. [2] Jesse Mulligan last year gave the war criminal Alistair Campbell half an hour—uninterrupted by any troubling questions like "Why did you expose Dr. Kelly?" or "How do you sleep at night?"—to talk about his incessantly self-advertised "battle with depression." Jim Mora and his producer sat schtum one day as that malevolent old sod Michael Bassett croaked, ludicrously, that Nicky Hager was "a holocaust-denier." Noelle McCarthy conducted a fawning interview with a former U.S. Navy SEAL, nodding along vacantly as he enthused: "Everybody wanted a piece of Grenada!" [3]
As I type this out, Kim Hill is interviewing the "Australian academic and media artist" Mitch Goodwin about "the history and cultural significance" of David Bowie's pop song "Space Oddity."
Kim Hill knows as well as anyone that Bowie was notorious for preying on young, under-age girls. I wonder if she'd be so unabashed in her admiration for him if he was a black American instead of a white Englishman with a Home Counties accent; four years ago, she and the chatty "theatre-maker" Stella Duffy were in carnival mode as they enthusiastically expressed their support for the Key government's refusal to let black U.S. rapper Chris Brown into New Zealand. [4]
This peculiar and highly selective corporate "morality" at RNZ National reached its nadir two weeks ago, when the grimly chirpy Music 101 host Yadana Saw became very nervous about playing a song by that monster Michael Jackson….
The Mixtape: Ardijah. As Ardijah celebrates 40 years of making music, lead singer Betty-Anne Monga reflects on her life of waiata and whānau for the RNZ Mixtape.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018701828
YADANA SAW: [brightly and chirpily] Kia ora koutou, this is the RNZ Music Mixtape, with me-e-e-e, Yadana SAW, and joining us as the selector for THIS episode of the Mixtape is Ardijah's Betty-Anne Monga. Kia ora ehoa!
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Kia ora, Yadana.
YADANA SAW: Aaaaaahhh, it's SO LOVELY to have you as our Mixtape selector this, um, this afternoon, ahhhh…..
….. and so on. Betty-Anne Monga had many interesting things to say about living in Otara, singing in a band while still at school, and the music business. The talk was interspersed with musical selections, including Ardijah's cover of the Phoebe Snow hit "Every Night" and Freddy Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls." Then she told Yadana Saw that she left school to join the band—"I ran away from home," she laughed.
YADANA SAW: [carefully, delicately] All right, well let's get to your—speaking of CONTROVERSY, this one sounds quite controversial for a, y' know, a YOUNG WOMAN to be doing that in those times, in South Auckland, um, I hope you don't mind me saying that your NEXT song is a LITTLE bit of a controversial CHOICE, a-a-a-a-and….
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Hmmmmm.
YADANA SAW: I'm really interested why you were brave enough to be choosing a MICHAEL JACKSON track—
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Oh, okay.
YADANA SAW: — at this time.
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Well, you know, for me, once I joined the band and I was able to buy music, you know, that I quite loved, Michael Jackson, yeah he was the—I think I only purchased that album. That was about it, but everything else has been— hmmm, it's the era. That song there and that album is quite influential for me, anyway.
YADANA SAW: Betty-Anne, the—w-w-what will happen is that, I'm pretty sure our text machine is going to get very BUSY with this choice.
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Hmmmm.
YADANA SAW: [very delicately, nervously] What would you SAY to-o-o-o listeners, and to our audience, who may say "We CAN'T listen to this music any more"?
BETTY-ANNE MONGA: Yeah. Well you know I think that's everybody's prerogative, you know, and I respect that, and I think it is about people making that choice for themselves. You know what, and honestly, Yadana, I didn't even think. I was looking at the music, the journey, you know, that I've walked, and that I know that other people have as well. But bringing it, discussing it, and talking about it now, um, yeah, I can't really, gosh, you know, but people have their—it's freedom of speech. And share it, you know, so we can see where others are coming from, and how they feel about it. It's okay to talk about it.
YADANA SAW: Uh, thank you, Betty-Anne! Umm, fro-o-o-om the album Off the Wall, this is Michael Jackson's "Rock With You."
…. Cue three minutes of music from the Devil Incarnate, according to Yadana Saw and no doubt the chatty "theatre-maker" and scourge of Chris Brown, Stella Duffy. *
YADANA SAW: That's "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson, from the album Off the Wall, the choice of Betty-Anne Monga from Ardijah, who's our Mixtape selector today-y-y-y.
et cetera….
[1] https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2017/12/the-hatchet-man-speaks-alex-gibney.html
[2] https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2019/04/freedland-uncritically-interviewed-by.html
[3] https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/noelle-mccarthy-interviews-ex-navy-seal.html
[4] https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/who-is-more-violent-and-despicable.html
Bloody hell Morrissey. I can't stand saints. Or are you a whited sepulchure that is going to find fault with all those we know and appreciate and be the one to triumphantly show them up? I think this is a terrible burden for you and will warp your life. Certainly you are beginning to warp mine.
I don't claim to be a saint, Mr Shark. The people closest to claiming such status are the likes of Stella Duffy and Yadana Saw, with their highly selective emphasis on the crimes of black singers —-of course the crimes are totally unproven in the case of Michael Jackson, but that hasn’t stopped the likes of Ms. Saw from expressing her disdain and disapproval.
Quite the contrast with the treatment of David Bowie.
Are you suggesting that Yadana is being (gulp) racist?
No, I'm not. And neither is Kim Hill. But they and others in the media lack the courage to speak out against or refuse to accept these informal and unwritten kinds of groupthink. It's interesting, and disturbing, to see how readily people will join in with an ostracism or a denunciation as long as it has the imprimatur of a few opinion gauges such as —God help us— Grauniad or BBC “journalists.” We've seen—or heard— how ostensibly decent people can be led into laughing at the suffering of a prisoner, and expressing contempt for him in the manner of Red Guards in 1960s China.
https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/an-unusually-inane-and-depraved-edition.html
That fear of standing up to the prevailing political climate is what leads to such otherwise inexplicable phenomena as Kim Hill's willingly providing an uncritical audience to the most ridiculous and obscene conspiracy theories as peddled by the likes of Alex Gibney and Luke Harding.
That fear of falling out of favour with the mob is the reason that Yadana Saw was so nervous when she brought up the subject of Michael Jackson and made that ludicrous comment about "our audience, who may say 'We CAN'T listen to this music any more'."
I am pleased that you don’t consider either Kim or Yadana racists, because your first comment was a bit ambiguous.
Moving on to what you have said in your reply about Yadana Saw, I laughed.
While you are obviously entitled to your opinion, your claim that “fear of falling out of favour with the mob” is so off the mark in relation to Yadana; and I therefore assume that you possibly know very little about her (other than as a RNZ Music 101 host), her ethnicity, her background as an activist, and that of her older whanau.
Although part pakeha,Yadana is in fact one of a very small community of Burmese here in Wellington. As well as being known for her activism and leadership in saving a well loved Crossways Community Creche a couple of years ago, she is now on the Board of Trustees of my own first primary school Newtown School, well known for its multiculturalism and leadership in the local community – and is apparently doing a very good job in that role.(Note – she is young enough to be a daughter or probably a granddaughter of mine!)
More than that, however, she is also known for being active in standing up for human/civil rights in Myammar. While 12 years ago now, Yadana was organizer and MC of a Vigil for Burma back in 2007 which saw a very big turnout in Wellington from a wide range of the community and political leaders.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0710/S00082.htm
This activism is very much in her blood, as she is the granddaughter of one of Wellington’s most loved restauranteurs, “Aunty Mabel” who ran Wellington’s only Burmese restaurant the “Monsoon” for many years after arriving in NZ in 1976. Aunty Mabel was well known for her outspokenness and support of refugees and others of all ethnicities.
Even better known however, was Mabel’s older brother, Bill Maung. Bill (Yadana’s great uncle, a former judge and high level political figure in Burma) arrived in NZ as a political exile in 1967; and went on to become a political force in his own right – known for standing up to Muldoon, becoming a good friend of James K Baxter, and going on to be a friend and very active supporter and mentor to Rei Harris and Black Power.
For many years, Bill was a well known figure and friend to many in the Southern suburbs of Wellington, including me. He was also a good friend of Bruce Stewart (founder), and active supporter and member of my local marae, Tapu Te Ranga Marae (which sadly burnt down a couple of weeks ago). The work Bill Maung did over many years through the marae and Black Power in relation to Maori men and gangs is immeasurable, despite the difference in ethnicities, religious beliefs etc. .
So, with that family background, Yadana afraid “of falling out of favour of the mob” or “lacking the courage to speak out”– No way!!!!!!! LOL.
—————————————————————————–
Here is an interview in 2014 with Yadana where she goes into more detail (mainly in the second half).
https://bsidestories.org/2014/05/09/yadana-saw-holding-onto-independent-childcare-and-being-a-burmese-kiwi/
Bill Maung:
https://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-dominion-post/20110611/282153582892373
https://www.nzedge.com/magazine/kia-pakeke-ahau/
Thank you. What an interesting background.
Thanks for that very interesting info, Viper. I had guessed she was Burmese, going by her surname, but I had no idea she was related to the legendary Bill Maung.
I don't agree with you, however, that her ethnicity or her activism means that she is not susceptible to the very real pressure of hivemind syndrome. She had no good reason to make those ridiculous comments about Betty-Anne Monga being "brave" in choosing that song by Michael Jackson, and her fanciful, entirely unjustified suggestion about the thinking of "our audience, who may say 'We CAN'T listen to this music any more'."
I'm sure that Yadana Saw has devoted practically no time at all to following the fantastical and spectacularly unsuccessful attempted takedown of Jackson by James Safechuck and Wade Robson; what she does know, however, is that many of the chattering set in Wellington have made their minds up that he must have been guilty, and she's decided not to swim against the tide.
Why are we so fixated on everything USA. As if we don't have much to talk about at home and in Oz. Up the USA, they have more citizens than we have and more furores in the news therefore. But I am concerned about NZ and what is going on with us. You sound Irish Morrissey, have you always lived in NZ, or did you come from another country and remained pulled between the two, lost at sea virtually.
Looks like democratic eating their own Pelosi now is also a racist ( ouch) which is simply what you are if you don’t agree with anybody to your left, no matter how left you maybe
For those who think that handing over national parks to iwi is such a f**ing wonderful idea.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/114077524/tuai-community-affected-detrimentally-by-thoe-holdup-at-lake-waikaremoanahttps://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/114077524/tuai-community-affected-detrimentally-by-thoe-holdup-at-lake-waikaremoana
Quite the dishonest post there.
Tuhoe have been investigating – and have developed – a natural non-toxic road sealer.
That video comes with the article.
Meanwhile, the locals are having conniptions with regards to not getting their road sealed. Some have business that would benefit, and are not prepared to wait, or are afraid funding will vanish.
So there's concern on both sides. One trying to do it right, the others wanting to just get on with it. Both understandable.
We've tried business models of just get on with it to the detriment of the environment forever. It's made the whole planet untenable run the way it is. This new road seal could open an entire new (global) industry for the region. The same region Tuhoe detractors say is only good for tourism, and that they're 'wrecking it'.
I thought kiwis didn't want their parks overrun by tourists and freedom campers? Here we have Tuhoe leading the way, limiting numbers. Thank god someone is doing it, and building green roads to boot, amazing! Or are you happier with green washing BS like charging a tourist levy…
Sux to be the white minority who can’t blindly reap profits from Te Urewera I guess. lol
Their constant smears and attacks on Corbyn don't seem to be working
Britain Elects
@britainelects
· 5h
Westminster voting intention:
LAB: 29% (+3)
CON: 23% (-1)
BREX: 20% (-)
LDEM: 19% (-)
GRN: 3% (-2)
via @Survation, 10 – 11 Jul
Chgs. w/ 20 Jun
Corbyn did a massive policy shift on Brexit and managed to pull precisely 0% off the Libdems.
Do yourself a favour and buy a dictionary and look up "plurality".
Brexit could well see the end of Corbyn as well as many other British politicians. However, the main point here is that the infernal machinations of old Yenta Hodge, Tom Watson, and the rest of the Blairite rump have had virtually no effect on the voters. The Blairites think that the British people are stupid; they're not, and they can recognize crude political smearing when they see it. Clearly no one with an I.Q. above room temperature believes a word that comes from the mouth of Yenta Hodge and her cronies.
Wellington needs more roads! – Nat party local election offshoot reckon they're onto a winner: https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/114209468/rightwing-wellington-party-to-contest-council-elections
Nice deconstruction of conspiracy theories – worth your 7 and a half minutes.
Degrees of separation creepiness. It seems one of Epstein's first jobs was teaching at a private school in New York, headmastered by a Donald Barr, whose son is the ultimate overseer of Epstein's prosecution, William Barr …
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jeffrey-epstein-math-science-students-memories_n_5d28cf17e4b0060b11ebf987
But wait – there's more!
One of James Comey's daughters, Maurene, is apparently also on the prosecution team.
Plenty of links with more information if you google "James Comey daughter" but here is the first one I grabbed (am rushing out the door) –
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/comeys-daughter-named-to-epstein-prosecution-team
Just as well the attack was on Christianity and Jewish faiths otherwise some would be asking for a lot more than as mild a response as you can possibly make.
“That was not my intention and I unreservedly apologise. " so what is Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman apologising for. So we can make offensive statements but not have that intention and it is OK ??
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114200033/new-zealand-jewish-council-accuses-green-party-mp-of-antisemitism
I will wait for the lack of response and most peoples credibility will also go into the void of principle.
Faux outrage!
Cry me a river.
Buy a plant so that you will be doing some good to the plant, and you can tell the world, because just occupying a space does nothing for anyone.
They're arguing about the pedigree of a fictional character.
Definitely we should be outraged. They fight wars over these lies.
Make yourself useful: a case with evidence Jesus actually even existed.
Take a read of the Gospels. Matthew and Luke plagiarise Mark. Mark and John contradict each other…
And the bible is pretty much it for 'evidence'.
Yet now, even questioning the origin of this persona is an insult. Where's the evidence for any of it? Palestinian or Jewish. Where is it?
But as you know SOOOOO much I shouldn't have to direct you.
The Antiquities, Josephus for one, even the Koran has references.
Yes questioning is because that then goes against the link between the old and new testaments.
I am yet to see anything from you that is proactive, Just all negative. I hope it makes you feel worth something and gives you some self worth.
The Quran was written about 600 years later so has zero eye witnesses to the 'prophet not God or son of God' [according to the Quran] portrayed as Jesus.
"although some scholars had in the past supported the Slavonic Josephus, to my knowledge no one today believes that they contain anything of value for Jesus research"
Chilton, Bruce; Evans, C.A. (1998). Studying the Historical Jesus: Evaluations of the State of Current Research.
Iterations of iterations. Chinese whispers by believers over centuries.
Ok then what are your thoughts of an MP mis representing religion and history to further her own agenda ?
And when it was pointed out her errors that her comments were offensive, gives what some could consider the bird ? and what contrite has been displayed ?
Please God don't let them fight over whether you exist from their puny position on earth. If someone tried to believe in someone good and lasting over centuries, and in general that person also tries to be good inspired by the belief, then please don't start trying to unpick the belief either of you.
Well GG and I both agree that Jesus existed, WTB goes off tangent (and takes me with them) diverting from the issue. Making a statement and then making the IMO the worst form of apology and The Green's leadership also seem to fail that what was commented on is wrong and Both The Greens Leadership and GG should have appreciated that for some how offensive such a comment is.
apology lacks accountability when you focus on how the other person feels instead of what you did.
It really is a silly discussion, everybody knows that Jesus was Anglo-Celtic.
Edit:
Why do you have to fight about your religion. It is important to you but Christianity is about bringing peace surely.
It seems that the Jewish spokesperson has a set approach which gets wheeled out. She said that the woman said that Jesus was not Jewish. Actually she made the point that Mary and Joseph were refugees (in their own land). They were escaping Herod weren’t they!
What about arguing for others being treated badly in NZ – about getting things better for people. Argue for people rather than dogma.
I've just been reading this. It is possible you already advocate for people having a rough time. If so please do more – there is such a need.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114190512/im-doing-my-best-but-work-and-incomes-support-is-practically-nonexistent
…I'm now 37, and I've been on and off the benefit since I was 18. I've done odd jobs, but they mostly haven't lasted long either because the role was temporary or I didn't fit in with the other workers….
When my parents died suddenly in 2010, I got no empathy from Work and Income. In fact, they told me to let it go and move on just two weeks after it happened, and kept threatening to cut my benefit.
READ MORE:
* No new clothes, no haircuts, no fresh veg – the harsh reality of being a working poor mum
* My illnesses make it hard to live – WINZ makes it impossible
* Treated like a criminal for being on a benefit
They did end up cutting it for two weeks, which left me eating beans and rice or nothing. That was traumatising and hurtful.
Cut to 2019, I recently asked if they would be able to help me pay for a course I wanted to do, because it didn't fit in with Studylink funding and didn't qualify for the training allowance. They refused to help me. This course could have got me an internship and a paid job in a position I would love, and be happy to do every day. They wouldn't even loan me the money.
Some people think Jesus was an Alien. Is that anti-semitic too?
The only agenda here is you pushing the Gharaman-bad bandwagon.
Really, look at the issue; there is no issue – except people stirring it up.
Those poor victims.
Jesus was an Albanian punk rocker.
Even for the muddled and discredited NZJC, that was a moronic press release. The NZJC does not speak for Jewish people of New Zealand; it is an extreme right, racist organization that promulgates hatred and supports apartheid. The fact you quote that discredited organization is not at all helpful to your reputation, my befuddled friend.
"The fact you quote that discredited organization is not at all helpful to your reputation, my befuddled friend."
Great line.
That GG was placed in the naughty corner by her leaders, gave an apology and directed to work closer with the Jewish community doesn’t say much about how others have viewed her actions. Perhaps some within the greens are attempting to hold to their principles.
Funny how those who espouse tolerance are sometimes found lacking 😉
The new Christchurch City Council chief executive's $495,000 pay packet trumps that of Prime Minister.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/114189193/christchurch-city-council-chief-executives-salary-just-higher-than-pms
As most ratepayers oppose these profuse salaries, how do councils continually get away with paying out so much?
Good question The Chairman. What are your reckons?
Grey, ponder this. If you walked down town and asked people who their local council CEO is, most wouldn't even know, let alone know what they are paid. More could probably name the contestants on the Block. And that is most likely a big part of the problem.
Most are looking the other way and it becomes like taking candy off a baby.
Most people have no idea how big their council's annual budget, asset base, or staff numbers are. Nor how that compares with other organisations in their region or their pay rates.
Penny Bright did but she was rather unique.
She had little idea of the comparators.
Yes, that’s probably true.
Is The Chair agitating for cheaper local government? Anyone?
Bit like the Ratepayers Association. Or the Taxpayers' 'Union'
https://www.lgnz.co.nz/news-and-media/2019-media-releases/prod-comm-report-supports-lgnzs-calls-for-funding-and-financing-revamp/
https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114014666/more-loose-panels-found-on-auckland-apartment-building-where-one-fell-causing-traffic-chaos
In this instance, I'm questioning profuse CEO salaries.
The new CEO is from the United Kingdom and her new pay is $100,000 more than the £210,000 ($NZ397,000) she earns in her current role as chief executive of Birmingham City Council – despite the British city being more than twice the size of Christchurch (see link above).
Local government organisations aim to provide public services and facilities at or below cost – they're not in the business of making a profit.
Some of those 'private' companies have been bailed out by the NZ taxpayer, and some receive generous corporate welfare so that they may continue to return a dividend to their shareholders.
But by all means take a pot shot at local government – it’s your “lefty” choice.
It's not only local Government where CEO salaries are profuse, but unlike the private sector, the public have far more say. But they don't seem to be using their power to slow down these outrageous salaries. A sustained media campaign is required.
Do you support the new CEO salary? If not, why have a go at me?
If you consider that new CEO's salary to be "outrageous", then you must have been ‘positively’ apoplectic about Speiring's $8,000,000+ renumeration package, for all the good he did!
Could you use Givealittle to fund your "sustained media campaign"?
"The Taxpayers’ Union, in collaboration with Fairfax Media, this morning launched "Ratepayers’ Report" hosted by Stuff.co.nz."
"For the first time, New Zealanders now have an interactive online tool to compare their local council to those of the rest of the country. Go to http://www.ratepayersreport.nz/ to compare your local council including average rates, debt per ratepayer and even CEO salaries."
Alternatively, the fourth estate could just do their job and hold power to account.
Good point about the media holding power to account – been making that point long, have you?
I absolutely agree that the lot of most NZers would improve gradually if Labour turned (more) left, but given MMP (which I support), keeping National (aren't they just stinkers) out requires continued broad public support. Bridges is doing a fine job in that regard.
If, in changing tack, Labour fails to take enough voters with them, then it's back to asset sales, setting up public services for failure and privatisation, tax cuts for the wealthy (actually that'll be first, just like last time), GST increases, inequality increases, flags, tax havens, etc. etc.
This report on Matata, Bay of Plenty and its residents, many elderly, being shunted around by an inept local Council displays that small Councils are out of their depth in trying to get their heads around climate change and its effects. It is full and factual by Nikki Macdonald on Stuff and is another example of Stuff doing a great job of informing us about our country's challenges and triumphs.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/114151717/mismanaged-retreat-the-lifelimiting-limbo-of-matats-red-zone
It shows graphically how remiss our Local Government central body is. They should have seen this coming because they have seen for decades central government withdrawing from responsibility and local govt is still noting that there is more being pushed on them, more expectations. Years ago Local Government should have had square-table meetings laying the problems on the table and the consequent costs and difficulties.
Without that careful thinking their Council has misled Matata people after one weather event to invest their insurance money back into their homes and land, only to tell them to shift and offer them inadequate money for their homes which will be abandoned.
It's time for government to consult with Councils and people affected, set up a system that enables a coastal retreat, and erects shelters for emergencies and a fund must be set up to provide for alternative housing.
Forethought of some sort by voters, not to keep electing a Party whose leader was willing to play the clown to amuse the hoi polloi would have given us three years extra to start facing such problems, part of our dire future. But no, why shift yourself when you aren't forced to. Others can go and jump. And many Councils seem to have caught the same Rip-van-Winkle sleeping sickness.
Listen to MP Eugenie Sage saying little Westland will have to pick up all its own rubbish, yet it is known that it needs to be done quickly now before the historic spring rain. Of course that might not happen, because of disruptive climate change, but as the saying goes about being flummoxed, 'Expect the unexpected, but remember you can't count on it'.
Can some wealthy triad put their money in and buy them out? The wealthy have had a go at banner businesses that traditionally have been bought by the kingpins of finance, eg Bill Gates bought into a Canadian railway. But Stuff is there and presumably still for sale. It's not a big building that you can put your name on, but Murdoch made his name with newspapers and anyone who had a desire to own a newspaper that runs well and supports the country and both sides of Parliament, would be a god to many of us. All our wealthy can't be warped lightweights morally?
Faithful stenographer Stacy Kirk returns with a briefing from the Nats election campaign prep in Australia: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/114171219/still-fatigued-from-the-last-election-gird-your-loins-for-2020–parties-deep-in-planning
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-jobs-vonderleyen-explainer/explainer-von-der-leyens-rocky-path-to-confirmation-as-eu-commission-chief-idUSKCN1U71M3
Would have thought that the democratic processes of the collected representatives of the directly elected E.U. govt. nations, would take precedent over that of the E.U. elecs
&
that the results of the E.U. elecs. would take precedent over those in national parliaments in the arrangements of rewarded working majorities to those proportions.
Would seem like the basic win win default convenant of all pro E.U. vote reps. to their support bases, that would carry the best guarantee of getting a good shake of the stick at some point.
I’ve been thinking about the left and their plight.
For me, being left is pretty simple, it’s people vs money and things.
We all like money and things, lefties place people at the top.
A standard contributor recently posted the observation that 2 of us have as much wealth as 1.5 million of us.
It’s an imbalance that can’t be conducive to the betterment of New Zealand. Rich and poor alike can only predict calamity ahead.
I think the inevitable rise of the left will not come from stomping our feet and demanding houses, food grants and dollars. It will come from stomping our feet and demanding humanity. "Hello my friend"
He Tangata He Tangata He Tangata
Can someone tell me if you can make two submissions on a bill. I have made one myself but would also like to sign Forest and Bird's for the Zero Carbon Bill. It's not like a vote is it. I have put in a different submission than Forst and Bird with different points in each.
Kia ora Newshub.
Thanks to national for the Tsunami of homeless people. Eco Maori just about end up in a motel but I didn't want to put up with all the actors the sandfly's throw at me .
A black out in New York wow that must have been fun .
It's cool to see all the people enjoying All the beautiful sight that Aotearoa has to offer like hump ridge track I have a awesome view were I'm going to build.
There you go Whanau these puppets are using the Orange tamariki problems like they used the forshaw and sea bed issue to try and discredit our government that treats Maori and the poor common tangata better than the last lot wake up you puppets .
Ka kite ano
Kia ora Te Ao Maori news.
I don't think that Google te reo will be that accurate in translating te reo as the dialects are different for each Iwi.
Bullshit any person with a brain know don't go to war unless you are going to win. taniana last war you lost the forshaw and seabed and gave national the power to stuff up Maori and the poor people for NINE YEARS FOOL you will cause more harm to tangata whenua that good if there actions let national back in power .Ngati Porou own our sea bed right.
Awesome to see Maori getting into online video gaming that is the industry to chase it ten times the revenue of Hollywood. Ka kite ano
Its was quite windy on the ranges
A "perfect storm" of earthquakes and high winds triggered Mt Ruapehu's eruption alarms on Sunday.
The mountain's Eruption Detection System (EDS) was activated after a cluster of earthquakes near Turangi, north of Mt Ruapehu, and strong wind gusts.
GeoNet reported 20 small earthquakes near Turangi on Sunday morning, ranging from magnitude 4 to 2.2.
"Nature is testing the Ski Area eruption alarms on Mt Ruapehu this morning," a post on the ski area's Facebook page explained
Ka kite ano link below.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/114233236/mt-ruapehu-eruption-alarms-triggered-by-earthquakes-and-wind-gusts
Kia ora Newshub.
It was a exciting day for Papatuanuku Cricket Lloyd.
Our Blackcaps Stars did Aotearoa fine even with the final results.
Banks is just a national puppet . national are desperate for a win in any political seen.
trump is just showing his true colors.
It is cool that China is going to help save the Godwit bird . China is going to preserve some mud flats in the yellow sea were the Goodwit stop halfway on there yearly migration ka Pai.
Ka kite ano
Kia ora Te Ao Maori News.
It's cool our government is going to change some system in Whanau Ora to consult with the Whanau more .
Those people and culture that are in Oranga tamariki are the same ones that the national party you back so you need to stand up and take responsibility for YOUR Actions Tainana .
It cool to see plastic being recycled to in Aotearoa and seeing it being turned in New products.
Eco Maori is a birdwatcher they are such beautiful creature.
It's awesome that our government is going to put money into normalising Te reo in Aotearoa society you should see heads turn when I say ki Ora in A shop .
Ka kite ano
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
https://youtu.be/hlfQVvsNLFk
These Hawksbay sandflys must have a bee in their bonnet I see heaps of marked cop cars in my travels around the place
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
https://youtu.be/h4DFXUndvbw
Some Eco Maori music for the minute.
https://youtu.be/mOFvJVroAJE
Eco Maori story keeps getting Reka it will be worth heaps thanks
Awesome to see a Wahine elected as European union commission President. Congratulations Ursula
Ursula von der Leyen has been confirmed as the European commission’s first female president and the first German in the job for more than 50 years.
In a secret ballot, MEPs voted narrowly to support the German defence minister as a replacement for Jean-Claude Juncker when he steps down on 31 October She won the support of 383 MEPs, nine votes more than required to secure an absolute majority but below the 400 threshold that would have given her a stable majority to get her policies through parliament over the next five years
Ka kite ano link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/16/ursula-von-der-leyen-elected-first-female-european-commission-president
Eco Maori tau toko supports Equality for Wahine equality for all. KIA KAHA stay strong all Wahine championing this cause
This is a huge problem with charity's all the money doesn't make it to the cause. Its burned up by administration and other things .
Only 1% of gender equality funding is going to women’s organisations – why?
There’s been a $1bn boost in support in the last two years, but only tiny pots of money are trickling down to feminist groups
In the past two years alone, governments and international institutions have announced more than $1bn (£0.8bn) in new commitments to support gender equality globally.
These include: €500m (£440m) for the European Union and UN’s joint Spotlight Initiative, €120m by France for its feminist foreign policy and $114m by Norway to end sexual and gender-based violence in conflicts. Canada has announced CAD$490m (£290m) towards three programmes: women’s leadership($150m), the LGBTQ2 Fund ($40m), and the Equality Fund ($300m). This fund was among the nearly $600m committed to women and girls in June at the Women Deliver conference.
Ka kite ano link below.
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/jul/02/gender-equality-support-1bn-boost-how-to-spend-it