Was just going to post this – what an absolute dystopian nightmare.
"The agency's trials using Machine Zone's data-processing platform, Satori, were labelled a "revolution" by the transport minister at the time, Simon Bridges."
Instead of Ministers, NZ transport should be run by an app.
Pretty much all goes to a wider issue @ Roy – that of what has become within the senior ranks of our public service – and even some of the over-ambitious, career-trumps-all in the middle ranks.
Strangely enough, and probably no coincidence, that the worst of the agencies are the ones that thought it OK to use the services of T&C. And whilst I much much prefer the coalition government we've got over the previous junta, they probably should have let Chippie get on with widespread reform from day 1 (that is of course if they truly wanted to be transformational and kind).
I think that people should know more about the interview so I have put the short RNZ summary below. This approach to running our country where the agencies that government has devolved power to, go further and devolve more power to techno-government and bloody alghorithms (that's not a technical term!), is extremely worrying. I
If we don't attempt to hold and control government in our own likeness, (those of us who aren't blinkered by a love of the technical aspect of things and smart machines), we will be ruled not by human dictators but with machines smarter at manipulating us than cats! And they will probably have a humour program so they can make us laugh while we flog ourselves, or somebody else.
A government partnership with an American videogame maker has burnt the New Zealand taxpayer.
The Transport Agency has sunk public money into a partnership with a Silicon Valley company called Machine Zone that talked up its vision of software to run everything from buses to the health system and even the police. Phil Pennington reports.
Just to make you laugh, or cringe: My marvellous toy
Many a non-technically-minded 'official' or CEO has been led up the garden path by an IT salesman (often not all that brilliant themselves) plying them with promises and a technological nirvana.
Doesn't matter whether is a charismatic CEO heading banking IT like a 'Boss Hogg' wined and dined at Plimmer House or those that followed after his demise, OR other Masters of the Universe both in the gummint and private sector.
I'll make a bet. Whatever it was that lprent has been doing in Singapore will be a success versus the very many cockup projects in the public service we've seen since the demise of GCS where the technicians have become chattels in the pursuit of some Master of the Universe's career advancement.
Technology just for the sake of technology with the promises of lotsa treats and trinkets never usually works and more often than not, costs a bundle and ends up with a 'solution' that assumes a one size fits all.
Btw @ lprent …… care to tackle a gun register for NuZull? Apparently it'd be such a hard ask there'll be about $5million in it for ya tested and delivered. (And I mean a gun register, as opposed to a Gun Owner register)
I watched Vernon Tava talking to Duncan Garner this morning, and was impressed by his confidence and assuredness. He was extremely forthcoming and natural on all topics. Garner was framing Sustainable NZ as a potential coalition partner for National, of course. Writers here have consistently read Vernon wrong in the past, but I can't really blame them since he did join National and compete for selection as a candidate.
The news angle is that almost 500 members have joined, and Vernon expressed confidence that his appearance on the AM show would get sufficient extra on board by the end of today to reach the threshold for registration of the party with the Electoral Commission.
You won't get any explanation of the difference from anyone in the GP leadership group. Their failure on this front has been consistent since the start of MMP. Equally, they are also in their third decade of failure in respect of not advocating the steady-state economy – even though it was adopted as part of GP economic policy in the '90s.
It would be good to see the Green movement using the new option to marginalise the pretenders on the political left & right, but I doubt enough kiwis are capable of being resolute enough to do the right thing. Muddle through the middle will continue until things get so bad that desperation becomes contagious…
So ends the Vernon Tava party political broadcast. Was it a paid for spot as well with Garner? Its not like hes news anymore or any other reason to have him.
While he has legal training, this is what he really does
"He has worked in sales management as the state-wide business development manager (Victoria, Australia) for a major international food manufacturer and general management for a boutique coffee company in Melbourne, Australia, overseeing the operation of its retail, manufacturing and wholesale distribution channels before returning to New Zealand."
A corporate sales dude and now hes a broker flogging off companies for commission.
The Blue Green thing is just another opportunity. And like all egg heads like that financier on a motorbike who started a party, no real grasp of what the americans call 'retail politics' or what engages real world voters.
So neither you nor the Duke got the point? I didn't expect him to get traction. It now looks like the design is actually pulling in sufficient members. So the old `neither left nor right, but beyond' framing still appeals to kiwis reluctant to be suckered by the even older left/right bullshit.
That said, reserve judgment till the thing shows up in the polls. TOP seems to have decided to commit suicide, so there's 2% available for the taking immediately. I haven't joined Vernon due to ongoing loyalty to the GP. Plenty of water to flow under the bridge yet though…
You will be lucky to get 1% as you dont have the $millions TOP had.
What the hell have I got to do with it?? We're talking about Vernon Tava, who I've already told you I haven't joined.
So you are assuming wealthy bluegreens will refuse to fund him due to pique that he is genuinely centrist? You could be right, we'll see. If so, just another sign of rightist cluelessness…
Plenty of voters want a centrist option that isn't as antique as Winston. Remember there's a third of the electorate that now reject the option of self-identifying as left or right. He just has to motivate them to vote on the basis of their identity politics.
Not what the polls say. Anyway the main parties aim for a broad support which is why they poll around 40% plus.
Greens and NZ First mop up another 10-12%.
The 'bee gees party' will drowned soon after birth when national finds its bleeding ITS support.
Remember the Maori party already existed in parliament when the nats got their votes in the House , and conviniently the Nats withdrew from standing candidates in the Maori seats
I'm not sure what your point is. Are you saying that the Greens should step up on a steady state economy? Of course, but they need more votes to do that. Past decades aren’t so much a failure of the Greens and of NZ.
Tava won't be doing supporting a steady state economy.
I'd be interested in a synopsis of the difference between social justice and social responsibility.
My problem with Tava is that around the time he was trying to get more power in the GP, he was dishonest about just how right wing he is. He can think for sure but I don't trust him as a politician.
I similarly was unimpressed with the way he courted rightists. He ought to have gone in tough: demanding they conduct a culture change in National. Identified the status quo as a combination of toxic, lame, and braindead. A long overdue critique!
My personal problem with Vernon is his style of centrism. Too mainstream. He would respond that it makes him more electable, which I agree with.
If he does not advocate the steady-state economy in politics – to be consistent with his support of the notion in his website essays – I would view him as just as hypocritical as the GP parliamentarians.
As regards your initial question: of course! It was obvious as a necessity in 1972, as soon as the Club of Rome published Limits to Growth!! Still the only viable solution to the global problem.
hard to see him having a steady state platform if he wants to form govt with the right. This is why the GP rule out National, the policy gulf is massive. Good on him if he speaks up on this though, that would help (so long as he's does it well, which is not a given).
Fortunately the GP still have steady state embedded in their charter, so any time lefties choose to start voting en masse for the only party that is treating climate change seriously, I remain confident the GP will step up on that.
"The UK will be 'first in line' for a trade deal with the US, Donald Trump's security adviser told British Officials today – as he urges them to 'get Brexit done' during a visit to London. …
speaking following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson he said the US could pursue a 'sector-by-sector' deal with Britain and focus on areas like manufacturing and car-making where the two countries may agree, and work out more complicated areas later.
He said US trade negotiators think this is acceptable under World Trade Organisation rules. Mr Bolton also said issues like security in Iran, and fears over Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network could wait until after Brexit to be resolved."
Thats just a cover story for meeting with Johnson. Now that Trump has removed the dissenting voices in his intell services , the talks in Britain are ALL about the moves in a war with Iran.
National Security Advisor talking about specific trade moves ?- a bad cover story at that.
The JAG letter is nothing but a political storm in a tea-cup.   All she appears to have done is use paper with the wrong letterhead. LOCK HER UP I tells yer.
Would be a storm in a tie cup if JAG hadn’t first denied the existence of the letter, then tried to fob it off as being on the wrong letter head then tried to explain away why it was signed off as Associate Transport Minister while still claiming it was in her capacity as a Green MP. Yeah right. Open, honest and transparent government. Sure.
Associate Ministers all have specific delegations of their duties Her's centres on Road safety and the minor agencies in the transport archipelago. Road network stuff isnt in her job description.
All governments do it this way . She is also an associate health minister, with specific delegations, new hospitals are not amoung them
Then there are the claims JAG leaned in Wellington Council to pull development of a second Victoria tunnel. She needs to come clean on this. What’s there to hide? Until she is honest, open and transparent with the public, who would know.
So far the statements of those who were at the Council meeting.
And of course maybe the letter that didn’t exist, but now does that is currently with the Ombudsman awaiting a decision on openness and transparency. Oh the irony.
Are any of these statements in writing? I’m asking because there is an awful lot of noise but how much is wild speculation about the actual nature and contents of the letter, which apparently does exist? Have the Council members seen the letter? If yes, why don’t they ‘leak’ it to the media or give it to National to do so?
You’re right. So is that helpful. No. She should clean up speculation. collectively the coalition is sitting on the letter. You have to ask why. If the letter does contain a stop work for any proposed additional tunnel I would have thought the public should know what side of the discussion JAG is. People like me assume she would prefer the increasing numbers trying to get to the airport take the scenic trip around the bays and enjoy the scenery. I live in CHB but was born in Wellington.
Yes, I completely agree with you that the claimants need to provide enough evidence to force JAG to release the letter to the public. So far, it has been unsubstantiated allegations about the contents and speculation. I assume nothing. The Ombudsman will judge whether the level of public interest outweighs any objections by the people directly involved, i.e. the sender and the recipient.
I'd say that's exactly what the Nats are doing – trying to provoke a defensive statement that will look bad when the letter is then miraculously made available to media. The governing parties will be resisting setting any precedent.
Internal communications between parties do not form part of required openness – in fact a degree of secrecy is desirable so that other parties cannot choose to attack possibilities rather than actual policy, which is what you are trying to do here.
I don't recall seeing a lot of Gnat/Maori party internal correspondence, nor would I expect to. The optimism of the Gnats in chasing this red herring would be encouraging if it did not demonstrate they have nfi what they’re doing beyond opposing the coalition.
is this fact or just your opinion? The whole crux of the current involvement of the Ombudsman is whether in this fact the letter is discoverable under the OIA. Until we have a verdict in this point we wait and see.
BTW, this is not intra party correspondence. That would be Green Party member to Green Party member.
I don't know what your complaint is, it was your lot that introduced mass redacting in a futile attempt to conceal some of their myriad failings.
The OIA doesn't cover intra party documents – you may recall the unsuccessful attempts to obtain the coalition agreement? It wasn't covered by the act, nor is this.
a storm in a tea cup over a piffling note to a colleagure which every parliamentary does and is entitled to do – all in the name of petty political point scoring.
I don't recall her pretending the note didn't exist. Why do right wing nut jobs lie all the time?
Is there a difference between a “Serious” Green Party voter and just a plain old boring one like me? How do I get into the “serious” category… I’d love to know.
Bullying behavior often begins as demands for things to which the asker is not entitled. Because intra party documents are none of the Opposition's business, it would be encouraging bad behavior to concede to the demand.
That teacup is a mug. JAGenter should have held out her little finger in the approved manner, and done everything right. Protocol is everything.
Goss about protocol: Did you know that Harry and Meghan are not being asked to dinner parties because they aren’t following protocol in wanting to sit together at the table, the forte of social hostesses choice. And they keep holding hands which isn’t appropriate according to protocol which can be rather precious.
(Saw it on the grapevine.)
Mayor of Wellington City Justin Lester has called out a "racist" local after he received an email spouting abuse against immigrants and Muslims.
Yesterday Lester took to Twitter raising his disappointment over the email which was sent on Sunday.
In the angry email titled "Racial abuse cuts both ways", the person takes aim at a family speaking Hindi, points the finger at the mayor for not listening to locals over immigration fears and blames them as the reason why 51 Muslims died in the Christchurch terror attack.
"I received the below from a local resident I know well, which makes it even more disappointing," Lester wrote on Twitter.
"Strangely the individual themselves is an immigrant. They came from an Anglo-Saxon country to live here in NZ, which is great.
"Their rant isn't about immigration. This is racism."
It looks like Lester is typically attention grabbing again – must be election year. The real heroes were the railway worker who removed a racist ranter from a train and the passengers who reinforced the action with their support, even though their trip was delayed while the miscreant was removed. What will predictably happen as a result of Lester's publicity seeking is that the gates will now open for people to express 'support and understanding' of the correspondents racist views.
Here is Jonathan Pie on Brexit – he is having the rant for you, if you are inclined to blow up about it. Saves your blood pressure. Then Michael Gove comes on apparently distressed that the EU is being definite about things, just like the UK under Boorish is definite; 'Right men (and women) we are going forward with the Charge of the Light-in-the-Head Brigade'.
My barber who was from Norwich told me the other day that theres no way he's going back for a family christmas. He said the situation is that volatile that there will be a good chance of a family punch up etc. He reckons theres a good chance violence will happen come halloween.
James Shaw was in charge of the Census at the time it was actually carried out. He had plenty of time to determine if it was going to be a mess and plenty of time to make a case that it should be delayed until the issues impacting it could be fixed. The fact he didn't do this is an indictment on him not the previous administration (who still shoulder some of the blame).
And why hasn't taken his share of the blame for his Department's stuff up and resigned also? He apparently showed no interest at all in the Census, probably because he was having far to much fun touring the World at the tax-payer's expense.
Take the responsibility James. It's time to go. If he doesn't quit the PM should sack him.
Absurd. The Govt Statistician is like the Police Commissioner , totally excluded from ministerial direction over the operational side of the job. Its written into the Act.
The funding and plans were made 18 months -2 years before the census was carried out. Who provided the funding in a time of budget freezes for a lot of government departments ?
Umm… sorry but if there was a slow motion train wreck about to occur I would expect the Minister responsible to call it out and take steps to avert it (or at least limit the damage). Shaw did nothing until AFTER the Census as far as I am aware.
The detailed report shows census didnt know what the problems were but they were cutting back on one thing….
The aggressive reduction in the field workforce also meant Statistics NZ had a reduced capacity to respond when the response rate began to fall below acceptable tolerance levels.
You seem to keep ignoring the fact of Shaw couldnt even interfere even if he knew ( he didnt). The way Stats works would be the Minsiter would be told about 'progress' ahead of census but there would be no possibility for 'decisions for minister' on the items mentioned.
How would he even have known this review recommendation
Ensure sufficient paper forms (including bilingual forms) are produced and deployed in the field to fully enable list-leave operations, non-response follow-up, and where appropriate full enumeration. Provide sufficient buffer for a planned level of contingency.
Looking further into the report . cost saving was number 2 objective in the early planning...page 30
“For the first time, Statistics NZ contracted out the recruitment and remuneration of field
staff. ….. as the tools and systems to support this critical activity were decommissioned after the 2013 Census” pg 42
"How would he even have known this review recommendation".
At the time just after the Census date I remember seeing a report that Shaw hadn't even had meetings with the people running the Census to keep up with what was going on.
Given that it is difficult to see how he could have known anything about the whole affair. Is that considered acceptable behavior by a Minister? Can they use the excuse that "I kept my eyes closed and my ears covered so I can't possibly be at fault for anything". It might be true of the Honorable Mr Shaw but it certainly doesn't seem acceptable to me. Ministers aren't like Sergeant Schultz when they claim "I know nothing".
He has of course then spent the last 18 months telling us that everything is fine and that all the problems will vanish. He still doesn't seem to feel that he is in any way responsible both for the shambles it turned out to be and for the fact that he has never admitted that things weren't going to turn out happily ever after.
Sorry, but despite all the attempts to pretend that he couldn't do anything and that he wasn't capable of asking questions he has totally failed at the job and he really has to go. John Key or Bill English, or even Helen Clark would certainly have replaced anyone who stuffed up so spectacularly. Of course those PMs generally had New Zealand's interests at heart and thought we should have competence as a requirement of being a Minister of the Crown.
Such is clearly not the case in the people chosen by Winston and Ms Ardern who are pretending to be a Government worth of the name.
The then (National led) Government provided $121 million for the 2018 Census.
The 2013 version cost about $72 million. You can hardly argue that the National-led Government skimped on the budget can you? Just what are you complaining about?
Would it be that you think Muttonbird is a fool for claiming that somehow the problem was caused by the National Government?
Why was the replacement of the flag Labour Party Policy in the 2014 election?
I should think any Labour Party acolyte would have been very grateful for National looking to implement the Labour Party's policy. Then I remember that it was Angry Andy who was leading them at the time.
National really didn't get the concepts of public consultation and surfacing, so they ended up with the bacon wrapper. Had they run it, Labour might not have done better, but they'd've tried to.
Also why didn't James Shaw stop the census if it was going to be such a mess? Are you implying he didn't have a handle on the portfolio when the decision was taken to proceed?
Come on, James, show us you are consistent; Alwyn called somebody “a fool” (of course, he’s going to protest and deny it because I know Alwyn all too well).
I probably have called someone a fool on this blog. Why would I deny it? I am not an MP in the ranks of our current Government you know. Clearly you don't know me nearly as well as you claim.
However do you really think that calling someone a "fool" is in the same category as calling someone a "retard"? I would certainly consider them to be on completely different levels and I would never use the term "retard" about anyone. You seem to have a different opinion on the matter and to regard them as equivalent descriptions.
Another assumptive comment! Can you ask a simple question without assuming anything? I assume not. As others have pointed out today, you have a fixed mind on certain topics and you won’t budge no matter what facts are presented to you. Either you can’t handle the truth or you act in bad faith (or both).
it is a term that should not be used imo – sad and painful to see such poor choices being made and defended
As for your tears james – unconvincing imo – you are just looking for something to attack the coalition with – you'd use anything too which is a real sign of a rwnj.
Fool is a silly person. Retard is a historic term for people with intellectual disabilities, and has been used against them and now in general as a slur. It's not fair on them to use the word to people we disagree with.
yes would be good if people could use their brains and pick words that aren't loaded, (not like there aren't a few to choose from) for the vulnerable in our society
I see, you use your judgement for when to complain. You do have a penchant for repeating anything that offends you, which shows quite poor judgment IMHO.
On the second point – a mechanic calling for his profession to be given lots more work to do is hardly surprising. Whens the evidence that more accidents are occurring or the ones that do occur are more damaging as a result of the change made?
The evidence is the numbers of fails when the warrants are done, up considerably.
When did evidence matter to you anyway. One of the things they want is the cutoff year when 1 yr warrants change to 6 months to be a rolling one instead of a fixed year.
Most accidents arent studied like that. The police might look into 1% , thats only where death or very serious injury occur.
Galloping Gosman again…. for f$#% sake , under national checking of bad WOF garages had dissapeared , just as it did for heavy vehicle trailer certifiers.
The real cause of those issues is Bill Englishs demand for an every year 2% efficiency savings from department budgets. Compliance is an easy cut to meet those numbers
Most accidents ARE studied like that. That is why we know if speed or alcohol or driver error was the main factor in an accident. If mechanical failure is the main cause we should be seeing an increase.
Bald tyres or very low tread, bad brakes is a big factor in failed WOF.
The 'study' for most accidents is limited to asking the driver or witnesses to see if any charges can be laid. Rest is generic data, location, time of day , wet or dry, speed limits any excessive speed etc.
Only other mechanical factors are mentioned if obvious , like 'wheel fell off'
Only for serious accidents do they take the car back to be inspected in deatail.
Ummm… did you bother reading that before you posted it here?
(My emphasis below)
"They record the details of EXACTLY where, when, how and why the crash happened."
"Human error, deliberate or accidental, is almost always just one factor in a serious crash. While it may be the cause, the severity of the crash is always related to the speed, and is often a result of other issues on the road or roadside, OR WITH THE VEHICLES involved."
There is even a section in the crash report on vehicle factors.
If there was more crashes being caused by vehicle issues they will show up on the statistics. Do you have evidence they are?
The Trump administration has reauthorized government officials to use controversial poison devices – dubbed “cyanide bombs” by critics – to kill coyotes, foxes and other animals across the US.
The spring-loaded traps, called M-44s, are filled with sodium cyanide and are most frequently deployed by Wildlife Services, a federal agency in the US Department of Agriculture that kills vast numbers of wild animals each year, primarily for the benefit of private farmers and ranchers.
In 2018, Wildlife Services reported that its agents had dispatched more than 1.5 million native animals, from beavers to black bears, wolves, ducks and owls. Roughly 6,500 of them were killed by M-44s.
The Trump administration announced on Monday a major overhaul to the Endangered Species Act that it said would reduce regulations. Environmentalists said the changes would push more animals and plants to extinction because of threats from climate change and human activities.
The changes end blanket protections for animals newly deemed threatened and allow federal authorities for the first time to take into account the economic cost of protecting a particular species.
[…]
“These changes crash a bulldozer through the Endangered Species Act’s lifesaving protections for America’s most vulnerable wildlife,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “For animals like wolverines and monarch butterflies, this could be the beginning of the end
Came across this link by Kabul to arguments against Global Warming really heavy reading and I only got a small way though it BUT if you are interested 🙂
I blame the Rothschilds, the Freemasons, the Skull and Bones Society, the Bush family, the Clintons, Trump, Obama, the CIA, the Russians, the Nazis, the Jews, the Bilderberg Group, the Lizard Aliens, the Hippies, Queen (Elizabeth not Freddie) and the Pope.
For mental health professionals who specialise in the polar region, the latest survey findings from Greenland will present another red flag for the Arctic’s vulnerable Inuit communities. According to Courtney Howard, the board president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, who lives and works in the Arctic, the intersection between the climate emergency and mental and physical health will become one of the world’s major issues.
Howard said: “Temperature change is magnified in circumpolar regions. There is no question Arctic people are now showing symptoms of anxiety, ‘ecological grief’ and even post-traumatic stress related to the effects of climate change.
“We are challenging the medical profession to acknowledge the world we are inheriting. Schools and universities aren’t considering how climate change will affect people, from a medical or a psychological perspective, so we are not training a new generation of medical professionals to help people in a fast-changing planet and this is intolerable. We are moving too slowly on this.”
I had to stop and consider my own mental wellbeing this week after watching a Extinction Rebellion video. It's full on and it's still a relatively taboo subject. I agree this is going to be a massive issue.
Had that since I was a boy, realising I couldn't find geckoes clambering through the manuka, they way they pre-historically had. I still look, every time I see manuka; it's an odd habit, but I'm not giving up. I'm determined to do/keep doing something about it.
This Autumn we had beautiful little geckoes, sometimes three , come out at dark , and climb up an Iochroma against the veranda.It was a nightly treat, just to watch them .
The Iochroma was flowering, not sure whether they were after insects or nectar or both .These were silvery type ones, beautifully patterned, but we have the grey/green ones and occasionally see the very special emerald greens.
When my boys re insulated the roof , they found geckoes
Keep up with the rat control
Now the glow worms are all lit up, like a little civilisation in our clay bank out the back.
Magical! You are very fortunate. Geckos pollinate flowers when the sup from their nectar. I once kept a lime-green "Wellington" gecko; watched it's every move for hours on end.
I too regret the loss of frogs. I only knew the Australians, but have seen live, two of our natives. Frog croaking, cricket-chirping and katydid tzicking; I miss those languages.
Probably due to one of my cats. Before she got too old or uninterested to hunt, she used to return with your handful at least once a month as unwanted offerings for me.
Or perhaps St Lukes Shopping Centre. It was a gecko heaven in the basalt rock field before they dropped the shopping centre into its space.
I miss frogs, of all things .They used to be boringly common.We have heaps of whistling tree frogs that chirrup at night like birds , but not the ordinary croaker
Wekas have come back, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a go at the geckoes, they certainly predate the powelliphanta snails
They have loose standards these USA evangelicals. For a leader to be using that sort of language, and demeaning God's children who haven't yet found the Light and joined their church, is a big strike against them. By their words ye shall know them! And his heart is in his speech, and you can see it for the poisoned thing it is.
I did a comment with link about his boyhood the other day. He was known for saying anything without filtering it, and sticking to whatever he said. He is suggestible; after watching the modern opera West Side Story he and his mates caught the train to town and bought some knives ready to emulate the action of the gangs in the film. He was about 12 then. One of his teachers, a woman, said he would sometimes cross his arms and scowl at her refusing to do class work. He pleases himself as a regular behaviour, and was and is a bully.
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It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
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. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
The protest outside the White House correspondents’ dinner hotel. Image: Anatolu video screenshot APR More than two dozen Palestinian journalists had called for a boycott of the dinner, writing an open letter urging their American colleagues not to attend. “You have a unique responsibility to speak truth to power and ...
“Our exporters should, therefore, be deeply concerned that the Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House,” says Gary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Environmental ...
NZCTU President Richard Wagstaff is calling on all political parties to support the new Member’s Bill from Labour’s workplace relations and safety spokesperson Camilla Belich MP that would ensure negligent companies are held accountable when their employees ...
A historian with an uncanny track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go very wrong for him. ...
A historian with a track record of predicting US election winners tells RNZ's Sunday Morning that President Biden looks to be on track for another term, but things could still go wrong for him. ...
Ngaio Marsh House is one of Christchurch’s best kept secrets – and contains more than a few mysteries of its own.Trust Ngaio Marsh to leave more than a few mysteries scattered through her house long after her departure. For a start, there’s the curious concrete portal in the garden, ...
Appointment viewing has been lost to the mists of time, but memories of Montana Sunday Theatre can still be conjured by hitting play on a particular piece of classical music. “You’re not going to be able to sell it.” Over 30 years on, Karen Bieleski still recalls how the task ...
Performance Review King Luxon sat behind His massive polished oak desk. It is Performance Review time. There is a knock on the door. “Enter!” says the King. In steps Minister of Disabilities and Carer Pedicures, Penny Simmonds. “I can explain everything …” she begins. “Fine,” says King Luxon, pressing the ...
The pair opened their first fully collaborative exhibition, Nina for Flowers, last Saturday. Gabi Lardies visited their studio to find out who Nina is and what working together was like.‘It didn’t start out like, ‘This is a show about Nina,’” says Josephine Jelicich, gripping a thermos of peppermint tea. ...
Thank you, Dr Maximilian Oskar Bircher-Benner, for your brilliant invention. I’m another mid-20s Kiwi who had an OE last year. I hopped on my bicycle where France meets the Atlantic and cycled east. I pedalled through the Loire Valley, down rivers lined with willows and ancient wisteria-draped chateaus. I relished ...
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Another fine mess 'officials' have gotten us into Ollie:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018708427/taxpayers-hit-from-govt-partnership-with-us-videogame-maker
Was just going to post this – what an absolute dystopian nightmare.
"The agency's trials using Machine Zone's data-processing platform, Satori, were labelled a "revolution" by the transport minister at the time, Simon Bridges."
Instead of Ministers, NZ transport should be run by an app.
And this guy wants to be PM; God help us.
Pretty much all goes to a wider issue @ Roy – that of what has become within the senior ranks of our public service – and even some of the over-ambitious, career-trumps-all in the middle ranks.
Strangely enough, and probably no coincidence, that the worst of the agencies are the ones that thought it OK to use the services of T&C. And whilst I much much prefer the coalition government we've got over the previous junta, they probably should have let Chippie get on with widespread reform from day 1 (that is of course if they truly wanted to be transformational and kind).
I think that people should know more about the interview so I have put the short RNZ summary below. This approach to running our country where the agencies that government has devolved power to, go further and devolve more power to techno-government and bloody alghorithms (that's not a technical term!), is extremely worrying. I
If we don't attempt to hold and control government in our own likeness, (those of us who aren't blinkered by a love of the technical aspect of things and smart machines), we will be ruled not by human dictators but with machines smarter at manipulating us than cats! And they will probably have a humour program so they can make us laugh while we flog ourselves, or somebody else.
A government partnership with an American videogame maker has burnt the New Zealand taxpayer.
The Transport Agency has sunk public money into a partnership with a Silicon Valley company called Machine Zone that talked up its vision of software to run everything from buses to the health system and even the police. Phil Pennington reports.
Just to make you laugh, or cringe: My marvellous toy
Many a non-technically-minded 'official' or CEO has been led up the garden path by an IT salesman (often not all that brilliant themselves) plying them with promises and a technological nirvana.
Doesn't matter whether is a charismatic CEO heading banking IT like a 'Boss Hogg' wined and dined at Plimmer House or those that followed after his demise, OR other Masters of the Universe both in the gummint and private sector.
I'll make a bet. Whatever it was that lprent has been doing in Singapore will be a success versus the very many cockup projects in the public service we've seen since the demise of GCS where the technicians have become chattels in the pursuit of some Master of the Universe's career advancement.
Technology just for the sake of technology with the promises of lotsa treats and trinkets never usually works and more often than not, costs a bundle and ends up with a 'solution' that assumes a one size fits all.
Btw @ lprent …… care to tackle a gun register for NuZull? Apparently it'd be such a hard ask there'll be about $5million in it for ya tested and delivered. (And I mean a gun register, as opposed to a Gun Owner register)
I watched Vernon Tava talking to Duncan Garner this morning, and was impressed by his confidence and assuredness. He was extremely forthcoming and natural on all topics. Garner was framing Sustainable NZ as a potential coalition partner for National, of course. Writers here have consistently read Vernon wrong in the past, but I can't really blame them since he did join National and compete for selection as a candidate.
The news angle is that almost 500 members have joined, and Vernon expressed confidence that his appearance on the AM show would get sufficient extra on board by the end of today to reach the threshold for registration of the party with the Electoral Commission.
As lawyers go, Vernon has demonstrated that he transcends the limits imposed by his training (orthodoxy, tunnel-vision). Few kiwis have an operational intellect, and Vernon has been demonstrating that he's an exception to that rule on his website for years. Check this out, for instance: https://vernontava.com/2014/10/03/the-difference-between-social-responsibility-and-social-justice/
You won't get any explanation of the difference from anyone in the GP leadership group. Their failure on this front has been consistent since the start of MMP. Equally, they are also in their third decade of failure in respect of not advocating the steady-state economy – even though it was adopted as part of GP economic policy in the '90s.
It would be good to see the Green movement using the new option to marginalise the pretenders on the political left & right, but I doubt enough kiwis are capable of being resolute enough to do the right thing. Muddle through the middle will continue until things get so bad that desperation becomes contagious…
So ends the Vernon Tava party political broadcast. Was it a paid for spot as well with Garner? Its not like hes news anymore or any other reason to have him.
I thought Denis's post was satirical and kept looking for the punchline. Silly me Duke.
While he has legal training, this is what he really does
"He has worked in sales management as the state-wide business development manager (Victoria, Australia) for a major international food manufacturer and general management for a boutique coffee company in Melbourne, Australia, overseeing the operation of its retail, manufacturing and wholesale distribution channels before returning to New Zealand."
A corporate sales dude and now hes a broker flogging off companies for commission.
https://www.divest.co.nz/property/businesses-available-3183
The Blue Green thing is just another opportunity. And like all egg heads like that financier on a motorbike who started a party, no real grasp of what the americans call 'retail politics' or what engages real world voters.
So neither you nor the Duke got the point? I didn't expect him to get traction. It now looks like the design is actually pulling in sufficient members. So the old `neither left nor right, but beyond' framing still appeals to kiwis reluctant to be suckered by the even older left/right bullshit.
That said, reserve judgment till the thing shows up in the polls. TOP seems to have decided to commit suicide, so there's 2% available for the taking immediately. I haven't joined Vernon due to ongoing loyalty to the GP. Plenty of water to flow under the bridge yet though…
Tell Tava to get Gilbert Myles on board…great..ticket.
" It now looks like the design is actually pulling in sufficient members. "
pleeese. Signing up existing national party members and hangers on.
Astro turfing.
"TOP seems to have decided to commit suicide, so there's 2% available for the taking immediately. "
Taking ? You will be lucky to get 1% as you dont have the $millions TOP had.
You will be lucky to get 1% as you dont have the $millions TOP had.
What the hell have I got to do with it?? We're talking about Vernon Tava, who I've already told you I haven't joined.
So you are assuming wealthy bluegreens will refuse to fund him due to pique that he is genuinely centrist? You could be right, we'll see. If so, just another sign of rightist cluelessness…
The guy talks like a younger more centrist Chris Trotter …yeah right that bring the voters in.
The real reason for the 'bee gees' party , is to syphon off numbers from the greens so they fail the 5% barrier.
Impossible to get over 5% with old people like you and 'old acting' Tava . Good luck with well off Gold card Greens
Plenty of voters want a centrist option that isn't as antique as Winston. Remember there's a third of the electorate that now reject the option of self-identifying as left or right. He just has to motivate them to vote on the basis of their identity politics.
Not what the polls say. Anyway the main parties aim for a broad support which is why they poll around 40% plus.
Greens and NZ First mop up another 10-12%.
The 'bee gees party' will drowned soon after birth when national finds its bleeding ITS support.
Remember the Maori party already existed in parliament when the nats got their votes in the House , and conviniently the Nats withdrew from standing candidates in the Maori seats
I'm not sure what your point is. Are you saying that the Greens should step up on a steady state economy? Of course, but they need more votes to do that. Past decades aren’t so much a failure of the Greens and of NZ.
Tava won't be doing supporting a steady state economy.
I'd be interested in a synopsis of the difference between social justice and social responsibility.
My problem with Tava is that around the time he was trying to get more power in the GP, he was dishonest about just how right wing he is. He can think for sure but I don't trust him as a politician.
I similarly was unimpressed with the way he courted rightists. He ought to have gone in tough: demanding they conduct a culture change in National. Identified the status quo as a combination of toxic, lame, and braindead. A long overdue critique!
My personal problem with Vernon is his style of centrism. Too mainstream. He would respond that it makes him more electable, which I agree with.
If he does not advocate the steady-state economy in politics – to be consistent with his support of the notion in his website essays – I would view him as just as hypocritical as the GP parliamentarians.
As regards your initial question: of course! It was obvious as a necessity in 1972, as soon as the Club of Rome published Limits to Growth!! Still the only viable solution to the global problem.
hard to see him having a steady state platform if he wants to form govt with the right. This is why the GP rule out National, the policy gulf is massive. Good on him if he speaks up on this though, that would help (so long as he's does it well, which is not a given).
Fortunately the GP still have steady state embedded in their charter, so any time lefties choose to start voting en masse for the only party that is treating climate change seriously, I remain confident the GP will step up on that.
Very nice of Druncan to get Verny's face into the face of the voters wasn't it franko.
Would you buy a car from this man?
"The UK will be 'first in line' for a trade deal with the US, Donald Trump's security adviser told British Officials today – as he urges them to 'get Brexit done' during a visit to London. …
speaking following a meeting with Prime Minister Boris Johnson he said the US could pursue a 'sector-by-sector' deal with Britain and focus on areas like manufacturing and car-making where the two countries may agree, and work out more complicated areas later.
He said US trade negotiators think this is acceptable under World Trade Organisation rules. Mr Bolton also said issues like security in Iran, and fears over Huawei's involvement in the UK's 5G network could wait until after Brexit to be resolved."
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7348587/U-S-adviser-Bolton-courts-Brexit-Britain-trade-deal-talk.html
Thats just a cover story for meeting with Johnson. Now that Trump has removed the dissenting voices in his intell services , the talks in Britain are ALL about the moves in a war with Iran.
National Security Advisor talking about specific trade moves ?- a bad cover story at that.
Just as many here including me thought:
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12258006
The JAG letter is nothing but a political storm in a tea-cup.   All she appears to have done is use paper with the wrong letterhead. LOCK HER UP I tells yer.
Wellington has one of the closest airports to the City centre , for a capital city.
And yet they want to get there even faster, even thats a false belief, capacity constraints either side will see to that.
Is there even room for car parking at the airport – unlike Auckland where there seems to be acres of it.
Wellington should look to Rotoruas new airport link back in 2011, Bridges cancelled it after the election as it wouldnt fix any problem.
Would be a storm in a tie cup if JAG hadn’t first denied the existence of the letter, then tried to fob it off as being on the wrong letter head then tried to explain away why it was signed off as Associate Transport Minister while still claiming it was in her capacity as a Green MP. Yeah right. Open, honest and transparent government. Sure.
Associate Ministers all have specific delegations of their duties Her's centres on Road safety and the minor agencies in the transport archipelago. Road network stuff isnt in her job description.
All governments do it this way . She is also an associate health minister, with specific delegations, new hospitals are not amoung them
Then there are the claims JAG leaned in Wellington Council to pull development of a second Victoria tunnel. She needs to come clean on this. What’s there to hide? Until she is honest, open and transparent with the public, who would know.
What or where is the evidence to substantiate those claims?
So far the statements of those who were at the Council meeting.
And of course maybe the letter that didn’t exist, but now does that is currently with the Ombudsman awaiting a decision on openness and transparency. Oh the irony.
Are any of these statements in writing? I’m asking because there is an awful lot of noise but how much is wild speculation about the actual nature and contents of the letter, which apparently does exist? Have the Council members seen the letter? If yes, why don’t they ‘leak’ it to the media or give it to National to do so?
You’re right. So is that helpful. No. She should clean up speculation. collectively the coalition is sitting on the letter. You have to ask why. If the letter does contain a stop work for any proposed additional tunnel I would have thought the public should know what side of the discussion JAG is. People like me assume she would prefer the increasing numbers trying to get to the airport take the scenic trip around the bays and enjoy the scenery. I live in CHB but was born in Wellington.
Yes, I completely agree with you that the claimants need to provide enough evidence to force JAG to release the letter to the public. So far, it has been unsubstantiated allegations about the contents and speculation. I assume nothing. The Ombudsman will judge whether the level of public interest outweighs any objections by the people directly involved, i.e. the sender and the recipient.
I'd say that's exactly what the Nats are doing – trying to provoke a defensive statement that will look bad when the letter is then miraculously made available to media. The governing parties will be resisting setting any precedent.
Wrong .
The road is part of SH 1 up till the airport gates, so not a council funded highway.
Wrong that the letter doesn’t exist? But JAG has admitted it does?
Wrong that the Governments not being open and transparent as promised? Pull the other one.
Rubbish.
Internal communications between parties do not form part of required openness – in fact a degree of secrecy is desirable so that other parties cannot choose to attack possibilities rather than actual policy, which is what you are trying to do here.
I don't recall seeing a lot of Gnat/Maori party internal correspondence, nor would I expect to. The optimism of the Gnats in chasing this red herring would be encouraging if it did not demonstrate they have nfi what they’re doing beyond opposing the coalition.
So the OIA is there to be ignored if it’s inconvenient to the openness and transparency of parliament then?
The Ombudsman has previously ruled these sort of intra party letters/discussions are exempt from the act.
is this fact or just your opinion? The whole crux of the current involvement of the Ombudsman is whether in this fact the letter is discoverable under the OIA. Until we have a verdict in this point we wait and see.
BTW, this is not intra party correspondence. That would be Green Party member to Green Party member.
I don't know what your complaint is, it was your lot that introduced mass redacting in a futile attempt to conceal some of their myriad failings.
The OIA doesn't cover intra party documents – you may recall the unsuccessful attempts to obtain the coalition agreement? It wasn't covered by the act, nor is this.
Where do we read that promise?
Look back to the open mike sessions last week. Multiple quotes and links on this point were provided then.
I asked several times. Never seen anything other than the one quote by the hugely influential Clare Curran.
David Looking for a peg to hang a snide remark on? DukeofUrl explained what he considered wrong which was whether a road was was national or local.
Thanks for highlighting my point:
a storm in a tea cup over a piffling note to a colleagure which every parliamentary does and is entitled to do – all in the name of petty political point scoring.
I don't recall her pretending the note didn't exist. Why do right wing nut jobs lie all the time?
If by ‘nut’ you are referring to me, I’m a (now ex) Green Party voter. Maybe you are right, maybe I was as nut to expect openness and transparency.
LOL
Shades of the Chair here.
Oh Diddums.. Serious Green Voter deeply hurt? Pull the other one.
Is there a difference between a “Serious” Green Party voter and just a plain old boring one like me? How do I get into the “serious” category… I’d love to know.
Was this JAG letter issue that caused you to renounce the Greens?
Therefore, since it is so trivial, why doesn't she just release it? And why deny its existence originally?
Bullying behavior often begins as demands for things to which the asker is not entitled. Because intra party documents are none of the Opposition's business, it would be encouraging bad behavior to concede to the demand.
Jimmy – since you admit it is so trivial, why are you bothering?
That teacup is a mug. JAGenter should have held out her little finger in the approved manner, and done everything right. Protocol is everything.
Goss about protocol: Did you know that Harry and Meghan are not being asked to dinner parties because they aren’t following protocol in wanting to sit together at the table, the forte of social hostesses choice. And they keep holding hands which isn’t appropriate according to protocol which can be rather precious.
(Saw it on the grapevine.)
Disgusting racist attitudes
Good work that mayor
The person's upset that the (alleged) murderer is an immigrant? No?
no
a couple of guffaws in this one for me
https://youtu.be/U5mdkdcCM2o
https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/aug/12/john-oliver-trump-pathological-lack-of-empathy
It looks like Lester is typically attention grabbing again – must be election year. The real heroes were the railway worker who removed a racist ranter from a train and the passengers who reinforced the action with their support, even though their trip was delayed while the miscreant was removed. What will predictably happen as a result of Lester's publicity seeking is that the gates will now open for people to express 'support and understanding' of the correspondents racist views.
Here is Jonathan Pie on Brexit – he is having the rant for you, if you are inclined to blow up about it. Saves your blood pressure. Then Michael Gove comes on apparently distressed that the EU is being definite about things, just like the UK under Boorish is definite; 'Right men (and women) we are going forward with the Charge of the Light-in-the-Head Brigade'.
My barber who was from Norwich told me the other day that theres no way he's going back for a family christmas. He said the situation is that volatile that there will be a good chance of a family punch up etc. He reckons theres a good chance violence will happen come halloween.
Oh pleeeese.
They are Brits , any shortages and they will queue like they always do.
This is a bigger beatup than Y2K was , where nothing happened.
Another two things the John Key government fucked up.
Stats: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396557/head-of-stats-nz-liz-macpherson-resigns-over-botched-census
And WOFs: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/08/call-for-wof-checks-to-be-every-six-months.html
Morons.
James Shaw was in charge of the Census at the time it was actually carried out. He had plenty of time to determine if it was going to be a mess and plenty of time to make a case that it should be delayed until the issues impacting it could be fixed. The fact he didn't do this is an indictment on him not the previous administration (who still shoulder some of the blame).
And why hasn't taken his share of the blame for his Department's stuff up and resigned also? He apparently showed no interest at all in the Census, probably because he was having far to much fun touring the World at the tax-payer's expense.
Take the responsibility James. It's time to go. If he doesn't quit the PM should sack him.
Absurd. The Govt Statistician is like the Police Commissioner , totally excluded from ministerial direction over the operational side of the job. Its written into the Act.
The funding and plans were made 18 months -2 years before the census was carried out. Who provided the funding in a time of budget freezes for a lot of government departments ?
Umm… sorry but if there was a slow motion train wreck about to occur I would expect the Minister responsible to call it out and take steps to avert it (or at least limit the damage). Shaw did nothing until AFTER the Census as far as I am aware.
The detailed report shows census didnt know what the problems were but they were cutting back on one thing….
The aggressive reduction in the field workforce also meant Statistics NZ had a reduced capacity to respond when the response rate began to fall below acceptable tolerance levels.
https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/report-of-the-independent-review-of-new-zealands-2018-census
You seem to keep ignoring the fact of Shaw couldnt even interfere even if he knew ( he didnt). The way Stats works would be the Minsiter would be told about 'progress' ahead of census but there would be no possibility for 'decisions for minister' on the items mentioned.
How would he even have known this review recommendation
Ensure sufficient paper forms (including bilingual forms) are produced and deployed in the field to fully enable list-leave operations, non-response follow-up, and where appropriate full enumeration. Provide sufficient buffer for a planned level of contingency.
Looking further into the report .
cost saving was number 2 objective in the early planning...page 30
“For the first time, Statistics NZ contracted out the recruitment and remuneration of field
staff. ….. as the tools and systems to support this critical activity were decommissioned after the 2013 Census” pg 42
contractors …what could go wrong
Thanks for that report; the budget as such did not appear to be highlighted as a causative or contributing factor.
I found this (much shorter) piece quite interesting, especially the timings and timelines: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/12/17/69331/concerns-raised-over-census-it-system#
"How would he even have known this review recommendation".
At the time just after the Census date I remember seeing a report that Shaw hadn't even had meetings with the people running the Census to keep up with what was going on.
Given that it is difficult to see how he could have known anything about the whole affair. Is that considered acceptable behavior by a Minister? Can they use the excuse that "I kept my eyes closed and my ears covered so I can't possibly be at fault for anything". It might be true of the Honorable Mr Shaw but it certainly doesn't seem acceptable to me. Ministers aren't like Sergeant Schultz when they claim "I know nothing".
He has of course then spent the last 18 months telling us that everything is fine and that all the problems will vanish. He still doesn't seem to feel that he is in any way responsible both for the shambles it turned out to be and for the fact that he has never admitted that things weren't going to turn out happily ever after.
Sorry, but despite all the attempts to pretend that he couldn't do anything and that he wasn't capable of asking questions he has totally failed at the job and he really has to go. John Key or Bill English, or even Helen Clark would certainly have replaced anyone who stuffed up so spectacularly. Of course those PMs generally had New Zealand's interests at heart and thought we should have competence as a requirement of being a Minister of the Crown.
Such is clearly not the case in the people chosen by Winston and Ms Ardern who are pretending to be a Government worth of the name.
The then (National led) Government provided $121 million for the 2018 Census.
The 2013 version cost about $72 million. You can hardly argue that the National-led Government skimped on the budget can you? Just what are you complaining about?
Would it be that you think Muttonbird is a fool for claiming that somehow the problem was caused by the National Government?
Typical eh wally, nuttyanal spends more achieves less, apart from awesome management salaries and consultant fees.
… and another $26 Million on the f%&king stupid flag referendum ?
Tell me again.
Why was the replacement of the flag Labour Party Policy in the 2014 election?
I should think any Labour Party acolyte would have been very grateful for National looking to implement the Labour Party's policy. Then I remember that it was Angry Andy who was leading them at the time.
National really didn't get the concepts of public consultation and surfacing, so they ended up with the bacon wrapper. Had they run it, Labour might not have done better, but they'd've tried to.
FFS don't insult my intelligence on this issue you retard.
Calling people “retard” – classy.
The ill-conceived census process was 47-26 behaviour from National.
Eh???
Also why didn't James Shaw stop the census if it was going to be such a mess? Are you implying he didn't have a handle on the portfolio when the decision was taken to proceed?
He was busy directing policy for other metrics.
https://wellbeingindicators.stats.govt.nz/en/spiritual-health/
"Are you implying"
There's that ol' give-away!
Someone's trying to speak through your mouth!
Come on, James, show us you are consistent; Alwyn called somebody “a fool” (of course, he’s going to protest and deny it because I know Alwyn all too well).
I am curious.
I probably have called someone a fool on this blog. Why would I deny it? I am not an MP in the ranks of our current Government you know. Clearly you don't know me nearly as well as you claim.
However do you really think that calling someone a "fool" is in the same category as calling someone a "retard"? I would certainly consider them to be on completely different levels and I would never use the term "retard" about anyone. You seem to have a different opinion on the matter and to regard them as equivalent descriptions.
You are most obliging, as always, Alwyn.
BTW, your assumption is wrong too.
I suppose I should ignore this but I remain curious. Just what is the assumption you are talking about?
You made an assumption, which I corrected because I am the only one who could.
And precisely what was this "assumption" you are complaining about. Come on old chap. If you really think there was one what was it?
Another assumptive comment! Can you ask a simple question without assuming anything? I assume not. As others have pointed out today, you have a fixed mind on certain topics and you won’t budge no matter what facts are presented to you. Either you can’t handle the truth or you act in bad faith (or both).
“Come on old chap.”
Oops, there's another one…
personally I find calling someone a retard significantly worse than calling them a fool.
But if it’s accepted as an insult on here and and ok term to use so be it. I doubt I will use it regardless.
it is a term that should not be used imo – sad and painful to see such poor choices being made and defended
As for your tears james – unconvincing imo – you are just looking for something to attack the coalition with – you'd use anything too which is a real sign of a rwnj.
James is definitely a RWNJ always has been always will be, I remember him from way back, he is a waste of space IMHO.
Fool is a silly person. Retard is a historic term for people with intellectual disabilities, and has been used against them and now in general as a slur. It's not fair on them to use the word to people we disagree with.
Oh, stop all the put-downs, you eggs
yes would be good if people could use their brains and pick words that aren't loaded, (not like there aren't a few to choose from) for the vulnerable in our society
Eggs is good.
Hat-tip to Taika – movie ‘Boy’
you egg lol
I see, you use your judgement for when to complain. You do have a penchant for repeating anything that offends you, which shows quite poor judgment IMHO.
BTW, your assumption is wrong.
But gozzer, his officials assured him ennatheday it would be fine, no drama, guessing gus.
Then he should be calling for mass resignations from his management team. Has he called for these?
yes he asked them to bend the knee and they said they had dragons – you sullied idiot
On the second point – a mechanic calling for his profession to be given lots more work to do is hardly surprising. Whens the evidence that more accidents are occurring or the ones that do occur are more damaging as a result of the change made?
The evidence is the numbers of fails when the warrants are done, up considerably.
When did evidence matter to you anyway. One of the things they want is the cutoff year when 1 yr warrants change to 6 months to be a rolling one instead of a fixed year.
I want to see the actual negative impact. Is the number of accidents as a result of mechanical failures up?
Most accidents arent studied like that. The police might look into 1% , thats only where death or very serious injury occur.
Galloping Gosman again…. for f$#% sake , under national checking of bad WOF garages had dissapeared , just as it did for heavy vehicle trailer certifiers.
The real cause of those issues is Bill Englishs demand for an every year 2% efficiency savings from department budgets. Compliance is an easy cut to meet those numbers
Most accidents ARE studied like that. That is why we know if speed or alcohol or driver error was the main factor in an accident. If mechanical failure is the main cause we should be seeing an increase.
Bald tyres or very low tread, bad brakes is a big factor in failed WOF.
The 'study' for most accidents is limited to asking the driver or witnesses to see if any charges can be laid. Rest is generic data, location, time of day , wet or dry, speed limits any excessive speed etc.
Only other mechanical factors are mentioned if obvious , like 'wheel fell off'
Only for serious accidents do they take the car back to be inspected in deatail.
https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/resources/traffic-crash-reports/docs/traffic-crash-reports.pdf
Show us where in the sample report where the vehicle mechanical or related factors are 'analysed ?
The sample only allows mention of obvious things like – Trailer overloaded or WOF overdue.
Ummm… did you bother reading that before you posted it here?
(My emphasis below)
"They record the details of EXACTLY where, when, how and why the crash happened."
"Human error, deliberate or accidental, is almost always just one factor in a serious crash. While it may be the cause, the severity of the crash is always related to the speed, and is often a result of other issues on the road or roadside, OR WITH THE VEHICLES involved."
There is even a section in the crash report on vehicle factors.
If there was more crashes being caused by vehicle issues they will show up on the statistics. Do you have evidence they are?
You are arguing that vehicle safety standards have no bearing on accidents.
Then why have vehicle safety standards at all?
G needs his head examined a lot of fuzzy logic happening up there IMHO ?
The cruelty never stops.
The Trump administration has reauthorized government officials to use controversial poison devices – dubbed “cyanide bombs” by critics – to kill coyotes, foxes and other animals across the US.
The spring-loaded traps, called M-44s, are filled with sodium cyanide and are most frequently deployed by Wildlife Services, a federal agency in the US Department of Agriculture that kills vast numbers of wild animals each year, primarily for the benefit of private farmers and ranchers.
In 2018, Wildlife Services reported that its agents had dispatched more than 1.5 million native animals, from beavers to black bears, wolves, ducks and owls. Roughly 6,500 of them were killed by M-44s.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/08/trump-authorizes-cyanide-bombs-wildlife-services
The Trump administration announced on Monday a major overhaul to the Endangered Species Act that it said would reduce regulations. Environmentalists said the changes would push more animals and plants to extinction because of threats from climate change and human activities.
The changes end blanket protections for animals newly deemed threatened and allow federal authorities for the first time to take into account the economic cost of protecting a particular species.
[…]
“These changes crash a bulldozer through the Endangered Species Act’s lifesaving protections for America’s most vulnerable wildlife,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “For animals like wolverines and monarch butterflies, this could be the beginning of the end
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/08/12/donald-trump-administration-weaken-endangered-species-act/1985543001/
the cruelty is the point.
Came across this link by Kabul to arguments against Global Warming really heavy reading and I only got a small way though it BUT if you are interested 🙂
https://stovouno.org/2019/02/23/globalism-of-climate-how-faux-environmental-concern-hides-desire-to-rule-the-world/
headline lost me before bothering to start.
Did you get to the bit where they managed to get 97% of climate scientists in on the fraud?
Everybody wants to rule the world.
Nothing ever lasts forever
Tourist gifts seem to.There is nothing new under the sun.
I went to Rome and all I got you was this cheap pen’
https://twitter.com/MOLArchaeology/status/1155381225919565824
I blame the Rothschilds, the Freemasons, the Skull and Bones Society, the Bush family, the Clintons, Trump, Obama, the CIA, the Russians, the Nazis, the Jews, the Bilderberg Group, the Lizard Aliens, the Hippies, Queen (Elizabeth not Freddie) and the Pope.
Aha! You must be one of the Illuminati, trying to deflect scrutiny elsewhere!
You've blown my cover! I'll never be promoted to Grand Poobah now.
Wot abaht us Atheists? Why do we never get a mention?
A chap I knew who didn't have a sense of humour disliked this grafitti.
What about:
Bloody typical ..
Graffiti?
https://twitter.com/skeuomorphology/status/1159520562072489985
Another deeper angle of concern
Moving too slowly on everything.
I had to stop and consider my own mental wellbeing this week after watching a Extinction Rebellion video. It's full on and it's still a relatively taboo subject. I agree this is going to be a massive issue.
"Ecological grief"
Had that since I was a boy, realising I couldn't find geckoes clambering through the manuka, they way they pre-historically had. I still look, every time I see manuka; it's an odd habit, but I'm not giving up. I'm determined to do/keep doing something about it.
This Autumn we had beautiful little geckoes, sometimes three , come out at dark , and climb up an Iochroma against the veranda.It was a nightly treat, just to watch them .
The Iochroma was flowering, not sure whether they were after insects or nectar or both .These were silvery type ones, beautifully patterned, but we have the grey/green ones and occasionally see the very special emerald greens.
When my boys re insulated the roof , they found geckoes
Keep up with the rat control
Now the glow worms are all lit up, like a little civilisation in our clay bank out the back.
Magical! You are very fortunate. Geckos pollinate flowers when the sup from their nectar. I once kept a lime-green "Wellington" gecko; watched it's every move for hours on end.
I too regret the loss of frogs. I only knew the Australians, but have seen live, two of our natives. Frog croaking, cricket-chirping and katydid tzicking; I miss those languages.
I think I can probably count the number of times I have seen a gecko on the fingers of one hand.
Probably due to one of my cats. Before she got too old or uninterested to hunt, she used to return with your handful at least once a month as unwanted offerings for me.
Or perhaps St Lukes Shopping Centre. It was a gecko heaven in the basalt rock field before they dropped the shopping centre into its space.
What was at St Lukes before the mall?
I miss frogs, of all things .They used to be boringly common.We have heaps of whistling tree frogs that chirrup at night like birds , but not the ordinary croaker
Wekas have come back, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a go at the geckoes, they certainly predate the powelliphanta snails
The United States of America the psychopathic bullies of the world, totally out of control…
Why dont we use this against the opposition forces against climate change?
https://survivallife.com/sound-frequency-weapon/
Grab 'em by the pussy? – boys will be boys
He's got the hots for his daughter? – good wholesome family games
Paying no taxes and stiffing contractors? – hey, that's good bizness
Rooting porn stars while your your third wife is out of action delivering your kid? – who wouldn't?
Taking the Lord's name in vain – Whoooaa there buddy, you just crossed a big red line.
https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/12/trump-evangelicals-blasphemy-profanity-1456178
They have loose standards these USA evangelicals. For a leader to be using that sort of language, and demeaning God's children who haven't yet found the Light and joined their church, is a big strike against them. By their words ye shall know them! And his heart is in his speech, and you can see it for the poisoned thing it is.
I did a comment with link about his boyhood the other day. He was known for saying anything without filtering it, and sticking to whatever he said. He is suggestible; after watching the modern opera West Side Story he and his mates caught the train to town and bought some knives ready to emulate the action of the gangs in the film. He was about 12 then. One of his teachers, a woman, said he would sometimes cross his arms and scowl at her refusing to do class work. He pleases himself as a regular behaviour, and was and is a bully.