MEDITATION: USEFUL TOOL OR FREAKY COP-OUT?
Severe conversations continue in our nation as we look for solutions to depression, suicide, obesity and the spiralling number of “sick days” reported by companies.
Whilst government solutions revolve around more counselling, more therapy, sugar tax and the like it is overlooked that by the time help is sought much damage has already been done. Has the adage “prevention is better than cure” ever been more apt?
For those who feel stressed it may be asked “is it possible to reset, – to default if you wish – a calm centre within one’s deepest self, a place where the myriad external stimuli of contemporary living lose their impact? A quiet spot all ones own that you can ‘visit’ regularly for restoration and refreshment? A centre of integration from where you step back into the world with poise and confidence?”
To address this issue Johns Hopkins University researchers reviewed 47 recently published clinical trials and found moderate evidence that meditation alleviates pain, anxiety and depression—the latter two to a similar degree as antidepressant drug therapy. A rudimentary web search reveals meditation has been trialled in schools in the UK and USA for decades as a tool to calm hyped kids and in some cases as a daily discipline.
Forget the ridiculous images of blissed out meditators on the edge of cliffs, cross legged (and probably cross-eyed) on beaches, or in the woods where branches stick you in the backside and the hum of sandflies muddle your mantra. Authentic meditation is the epitome of inwardness, undertaken for 20 minutes per day silently at home, allowing the re-discovery of a quiet and steady place, – the domain of memory fragments acting as touchstones to a long-forgotten sense of simplicity and childhood.
True our brains thrive on the stimulation provided by experience, diversity, and complexity but a little appreciated dimension of enrichment goes in the other direction, – towards abstraction, inwardness and degrees of subtlety. This aspect when reanimated brings fresh appreciation of the simplest experiences of day to day living, calming to a degree the inner dragon of material longing an outer conflict.
And now with LOVE getting a fresh airing in schools as principals grapple with student depression and suicide we are reminded that there are some simple qualities which neglected leave us poorer regardless of external stimuli.
Meditation may connect us with that which is deepest in ourselves and therefore with one another in trusting and supportive ways.
Meditation, great believer in it, fascinating subject, especially now we have the technology to scan the brain while a person is meditating. Science backs up meditation.
The brain is an incredible piece of our bio technology
They not only can scan the brain during meditation, they can measure the actual effects on the brain of practicing meditation over a (short) period of time.
A sensitive fair piece. The Media Report at 9 this morning on RNZ goes through the Meteria story. Well worth the listen.
I wonder if Materia will tell how the media and other agents, intruded on her family? My guess is that it was not the tough public interviews but what was happening off camera. http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=201854557
Here’s a question for you all.
When was MT going to pay the money back.?
After all she has had 15+ years of earning well over 100k. By definition she is part of the 1%. I think that is what pisses everyone off, not the amount or the fraud but the big f you up until this point.
nah, that is only something for rich people who can afford accountants do.
righ, like our Mr. Top guy, Gareth Morgan.
and housing fraud is only something for sitting PM’s who collect an Accomodation benefit on a million dollar house they own, err……their wifes owns, …..err that is in a trust……
right?
right?
for the record, considering that the min. rent in NZ now is something like 400$ for a dwelling of i would want the first 25.000 earned tax free. Cause that is a minimum that one needs to survive.
Progressive tax rates are for business people also.
In my experience, IRD are much more accommodating than WINZ, if illness makes you incapable of paying your bills.
Even in the current regime, if your business is not making money you do not pay tax. Unfortunately WINZ requires you to stop working at your business to get a benefit. Which seems to contradict Nationals stated aim of getting people into work.
Of course the system is designed so people have to take exploitative underpaid jobs.
Not to allow them to compete with Nationals mates, in business.
But a UBI would make entrepreneurship, something we want to encourage, less of a risk.
Not acceptable BM but I know that many who avoid full tax payments. I know some who remove cash from the till so that it is undeclared income. Unacceptable.
Why isn’t it acceptable? his/her family has to eat.
We’re not talking tax evasion because you don’t want to pay tax but because if you do you won’t have any money left to keep your family clothed and fed.
I think you have some gotcha facts to drop – please do so. Tough situation for business owner – could they sell their holiday home or a car or something to help if they have them. Not a long term solution but may help them short term while they sort out he day forward.
Well I’d imagine other options will have to be thought about because going to jail for tax evasion will not be pretty. Are you thinking of dobbing them in? – please don’t. Lots of us are stuggling mate.
My accountant has a simple analogy / story to solve this moral dilemma, and explain how IRD works.. It’s called the walk down the drive test. A hypothetical, or maybe real, IRD auditor walks down your drive and does a count up of the toys parked thereon. Does this match declared income?
But the more serious side to this is that petty (and not so petty) lying is an endemic, and accepted, part of our society. From a bennie maximising their benefit to tradies doing cashies to politicians having memory fades. It is accepted by a lot of our society and in a strange way kind of allows a sector of society to survive by avoiding conflict. The people who do it are seen to get ahead, so it becomes what you have to do to not be left behind.
And because everyone is doing it, when an individual calls it out they are going to get rat fucked. Hard
Pretty sure that tradies doing cashies is a far lesser sin than beneficiaries not being totally honest with WINZ. So in addition to what you describe there are all sorts of hierarchies of fairness.
Easiest solution all round is to run the economy so that people have both enough to live on and opportunity for a meaningful life. Then start rolling back the government’s push to make people selfish. If after that there are still some people who want to tell porkies, I probably don’t actually care except where it’s blatant.
My partner , a teacher administers NCEA for their school, there are two groups who get subsidised NCEA fees, some benificaries and members of the local Dairy farming community. One group is able to structure their incomes to the level of the other and its not the benificaries.
You can look at the tit pullers another way too. A lot of them actually aren’t making any money, not even close to break even without drawings. The only ones making any money are the banks (maybe) and the equipment suppliers (they get paid early before the operation starts showing a loss)
This is a looming disaster for the country where a good proportion of the dairy industry goes tits up. Group think where the answer was to go bigger and more intensive. Then they can’t meet consent conditions and it all gets really hard.
A friend tells a story about someone he went through Telford with, 5 yeas ago he had 300 cows and was getting new vehicles and an overseas holiday for the family every year, then he went big and is still driving the old vehicles and hasn’t had a day off since. But he’s got 1000 cows. They’re keeping a really close eye on him.
I gather for the same same reason that most of them did, it looked like a no brainer at the time. It’s only later they realise that the consultants, suppliers and bankers (who’ve all been paid, strange that) might not have been quite right. There may have been a bit of group think going on too, and definitely a few success stories getting it all going. Now we’re seeing stories about operations down sizing and getting more profit.
But that’s how the business process works, we’ve taken on debt to grow our business with very mixed success.
Another part to it is the way our tax system works, you’re incentivised to reinvest in your business to reduce tax liabilities, hence the new cars etc. Scale it up to the move from 300 to 1000 cows and it can get out of hand.
I have difficulty getting my head around how we want a more prosperous society, but incentivise people through our tax system to not make any money.
Ok, I was thinking more about motivations like greed, or wanting a bigger project, or wanting the challenge etc. But if I’m understanding you right it’s more that this is just what everyone does because everyone does it. Plus the advisor thing.
“But that’s how the business process works, we’ve taken on debt to grow our business with very mixed success.”
Yeah, I’ve never really understood this. I once phoned a medium business in another city and asked about accessing their product. They told me that they liked the size they were and had no intentions of growing, so sorry, they would be selling to existing local customers first and that meant they could sell to me or where I was living. And of course that left space for other producers to start up, who would do things a bit differently and so everybody wins. I gather that’s not the norm 😉
We deal with businesses that have that level of confidence and security as well, who have no intention of pursuing a growth path. The ones that are on the aggressive growth thing we tend to avoid if it’s about more, but embrace if it’s about better or higher value. And we’ve also got a couple who are so glum and insecure we wonder if we’ll ever see them again.
I think the motivation to do better and improve our lot is a human thing, we as a species have been like it from the day we thought about walking upright, for better or worse. It’s when it’s looked on as a zero sum game that it all gets messy, and really isn’t getting better. I suppose it’s whether you see the world from a we or me perspective.
I know some do. Including one i had to laugh at. He complained bitterly, about his kids losing their student allowance, the year he stated his real income, for a mortgage.
He still goes on about bludging bennies. Go figure.
I know many, like i used to, let the customer think it is a cashy, though it all went through the books.
Several reasons.
You get paid cash every Friday.
No waiting for direct credits or dud checks.
You don’t get guarantee claims for the job.
Customers think they are getting it cheaper.
Unfortunately, competing on price with tax dodgers and cowboys, is hard.
We’re not talking tax evasion because you don’t want to pay tax but because if you do you won’t have any money left to keep your family clothed and fed.
Yes, and we can figure out if we’re honest with ourselves that a lot of people struggling to keep a business viable and have enough to live on find ways to evade tax. If one of them later in life becomes a politician and promotes a policy on tax reform by revealing that they had to do this themselves a couple of decades ago, would you like to see every detail of their private life turned over by oppo research teams and media gossip-mongers in an attempt to hound them from office and prevent tax reform? Or would you find that distasteful?
Business owners have a choice. They willingly go into business. They have funds sufficient to go into business. And don’t try the beneficiaries have chosen a “lifestyle” line. If life on a benefit was so cushy and attractive, everyone, including the small business owner, would be trying to get a benefit.
They willingly go into business. They have funds sufficient to go into business
Actually, you’ll find most new businesses are grossly underfunded.
Even if they have plenty of startup capital, what if the business hasn’t been that successful and the business owner has chewed through all his/her reserves, should they just starve?
The transition from small business / self employed to either a benefit or corporate employment is almost impossible.
Winz will want you to answer unanswerable questions about income and assets, and won’t be able to understand the difference between turnover and gross and net profit (that’s three very different things). If your average bennie feels like smacking the winz agent, spare a thought for the ex small business owner.
Applying for a job is equally fraught. After 20 odd years of self employment you will never pass the psychometric tests to get into a major employer. You’re not a submissive “team player” any more. No matter how much you bend over.
Yep for many once you go down the small business path that’s it for life.
Like you say, it’s next to impossible to get any decent employment if you wanted or needed to, you don’t tick any of the correct boxes so never make it past the HR filter.
The transition from small business / self employed to either a benefit or corporate employment is almost impossible.
They don’t make it easy to transition from anything to anything. That’s part of the point that Metiria was making – instead of helping they make it hard or even impossible.
I think BM is starting to realise that. About the little lies we all have to tell to make ends meet.
I am disappointed that Metiria and the Green Party hadn’t thought this through a lot better. The ensuing rat fucking was to be expected, unfortunately that’s the world we live in now, and responses should have been there before anything was said. It’s also disappointing that three careers have been destroyed in Green politics by this. That experience, compassion and knowledge isn’t easily replaced.
You’re exactly right about the attitude towards personal change, it’s made hard at all levels, employers, winz, and really all of our society. I’d like to hear from some of our personal responsibility types here how this squares with their freedom of choice beliefs.
BM – this is the difference between choosing to be an “entrepreneur” or being a worker having to do as told. I belief it is the latter that is actually the driving force rather than sound management skills that get many into starting a business.
The risk is to loose investment and the consequence can be severe if the commercial homework is neglected.
But the risk is taken by the individual whereas the severe consequences of starving because there is no job is by design of social and trade politics.
If a former self employed person needs to go to WINZ would the last tax statement of accounts and a letter of your accountants assessment not clarify the financial situation?
I belief the difficult part is the emotional and psychological consequence as such failure is seen as loss of dignity whereas it is just a means of measuring ones skill at this point in time. 2 choices: employment or acquiring skills to get another start. Perhaps both to get the funds.
I’m having a chuckle seeing you and draco defending how generous and compliant winz are to the ex self employed. I can assure you it’s actually the most Kafkaesque experience you can ever endure. Second only to earnings related compensation from ACC for the self employed.
Of my winz experience, I got referred to them by a business assistance programme at the start of GFC when we had a huge upheaval, one appointment was enough. I gave up on the business assistance programme as well.
As for ACC, the earnings related side is hardly worth applying for if you are self employed, and especially if you are partners in business and life. You get nothing, but still have to pay full earner premium.
I’m having a chuckle seeing you and draco defending how generous and compliant winz are to the ex self employed.
Many of my relatives are self-employed contractors and have, occasionally, found themselves reliant upon the mercy of WINZ. They complained about how bad WINZ was as well and I’m pretty sure that I’ll find at least some of them complaining that MT lied to WINZ.
I gave up on the business assistance programme as well.
Yep, so did I last time I looked. Figured I’d be better off trying to start a business fully under the table while on the EB than actually getting that.
As for ACC, the earnings related side is hardly worth applying for if you are self employed, and especially if you are partners in business and life.
Yeah, I also know that people who’ve been in business that complained that they didn’t get the full 80% of their income – but had been boasting not too long before that they weren’t paying tax or ACC because of awesome accountant.
Graeme, you are missing the point.
If a person chooses to go into self employment they also know that they are getting into. If you get a job, then you can get sacked after 90 days with essentially no explanation really.
And don’t be mistaken, I have been in partnership in a business subcontracting and retail. This was an eye opener.
There are real insidious people out there, sanctioned by the tax regime of this country, who use the goods and services delivered by small business and deny payment for long periods of time thus making cash flow the number one issue of concern. It is almost criminal how this works as it basically keeps contractors in bond, like modern slavery.
If there needs something charged, than it is the law that if subcontractors deliver the goods and services than they have a right to be paid – and only then can the tax department ask for their charge and not sooner.
If any of those flexing their muscle for the SM business community start were it counts.
Hey, I’m trying to agree with you that dealing with these government agencies is a de-humanising process that is totally counter productive for our society. And it encourages / forces people to lie. This destroys good people.
Foreign Waka, for most small business people it’s not at all a choice at all, in my partner’s case it’s all she knows and in mine there were no employment options at the time and then I discovered it was a one way street. I had a good career in construction, NZCE, but came out the wrong side of a couple of recessions. Then ran up against the HR dept. No going back there.
It’s certainly got it’s good points, but dealing with lairs who can’t / won’t pay you is a pain. And they think they are so shit hot for doing it. You soon learn to keep out of their way.
Well, that’s the difference between the two, isn’t it.
For your business owner, going to winz is the last resort in acknowledging failure, and they would prefer to commit tax fraud.
If you are already at the last resort, and it still doesn’t pay the most basic bills, committing benefit fraud is really the only option if you want to eat.
Personally, I doubt that Metiria Turei is part of the top 1% by PAYE or by wealth but no doubt you have a ‘definition’ that supports your claim. Would you be so kind to provide a link for my edification?
I think you’ll find that she isn’t. IIRC, back in 2004, 100k put people into the top 3%. Considering inflation since and the way that the top salary packages have gone up that 100k has probably dropped down the scale some.
I think that is what pisses everyone off
You’re not everyone and I’m pretty sure that you’re only projecting your feelings onto everyone else thus I figure you’re talking out your arse.
While looking at the position of Germans in the USA pre WW2 I came across this bio of a German couple who immigrated mid 1800’s and became leaders of integrity with progressive and enlightened results that benefitted the USA greatly.
This is an example of the good side of immigration.
Let’s look at immigration from the point of what useful results to the social and skillsets of the country – large number of immigrants here have turned us into a wonderful, advanced country.
But now a large number of immigrants are more likely to be chosen for their money, or their willingness to tie themselves into debt for an unscrupulous, promised education and better future, not their useful additions of insight and beneficial ideas and proven positive skills at professional level, or proven outcomes.
Schurz and his wife arrived in the United States in 1852, eventually settling in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1855. They were quite well off financially. Margarethe’s dowry (the money a woman brings into a marriage) alone was enough to set Schurz up in business. His fame as a daring fighter for freedom in Germany, his solid education, his gifts as a writer and speaker, and his political ambition combined to make him a well-known figure almost immediately. Although he rarely stood for election himself, his persuasiveness with German American voters made him a force to be reckoned.
His wife, too, was active in bringing new ideas in education to the United States. In 1856 Margarethe Schurz founded what many consider the first kindergarten in the United States in Watertown. Like many German schools in the United States, the kindergarten was conducted in the German language until World War I (1914–18).
Schurz was antislavery and became an avid supporter of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) in the presidential campaign of 1860. He is said to have traveled more than twenty-one thousand miles campaigning for Lincoln, speaking in both English and German. He was credited with swinging much of the German American vote.
After the American Civil War (1861–65), in which he served as a general, Schurz settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and became a U.S. senator. In Washington, D.C., he turned to issues of corruption. Because of his criticisms of U.S. politicians, some alleged that he was not a patriotic American.
He responded with a phrase that has become famous:”My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”
In 1876, Margarethe Schurz died, but by that time she had passed on her knowledge to others who established more kindergartens and set a standard for preschools in the nation. Schurz was made Secretary of the Interior that year. He attempted to initiate environmental controls, particularly over forestlands, and to follow a humanitarian (promoting human welfare) policy with respect to the Indians, but stronger powers within the nation overpowered his liberal idealism.
Schurz left government office for good in 1881 and began a second successful career as a journalist, author, and lecturer. He made New York his home, where he became editor-in-chief of the Evening Post and eventually Harper’s Weekly.
Schurz saw himself as a mediator between German and American culture. He continued to be equally fluent in German and English, writing his widely read memoirs in both languages. He traveled back and forth many times between the United States and Germany, filled with pride for both. When accused of mixed loyalties, he responded that he loved equally his “old mother” and his “new bride.”
“It has also killed off the notion of leader Winston Peters being in power sharing arrangement with Labour – as he could credibly have done if Andrew Little had delivered enough numbers for a coalition but with an embarrassingly suppressed voted.
(His best chance now would perhaps be in such circumstance that, were a Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of a mind to, she decided she wanted a few month’s parental leave).”
Who supported Trump and why? There has been lots of discussion and insight on that. They seem to like his full-on approach, his apparent anti-government,
anti-authoritarian stance, someone who stands big and criticises others who should be doing something else without much idea of what should or could be done. When there is enough rot the fine fabric of democracy starts to tear!
I remembered the great following of Hitler from some people in the USA pre WW2.
Seems similar – follow the loudmouth, the apparently strong man who inspires confidence. Some were right on to the Nazi message in the USA though it was felt that it was a connection of the settlers to their German heritage, but they still gave the raised arm salute, the same mass gatherings, marches etc. “Hitler is the friend of Germans everywhere,” noted a girl who attended Camp Hindenburg in Wisconsin. “And just as Christ wanted little children to come to him, Hitler wants German children to revere him.”
KJT
They certainly got something out of it, a parade, hats, camaraderie. Someone should have played 76 Trombones. Are they allowed to hand out free doughnuts in the USA or is that treating? Homer would have been there, dooh!
More poverty bashing from the National Party. How does sending kids to the Army and fining their struggling parents for not being better ‘prison officers’ tie in with his so called ‘social investment’ policy?
That sounds bad. Freedom of movement?
14yo Children on the street can be arrested and taken to court? Crikey!
Suppose the justification is where they as mobs creating mayhem but all those under 14 get arrested where their companions over 14 will not be and that probably includes the group leader.
This is all about the individualist entitled Generation X or Y saying why do I have to do this? Why aren’t there laws just for other people? There needs to be a helmet law because we want to save the brains of those who don’t really have much up there anyway.
It is likely to be blokes who are leaders in this anti-law stir as men want to be FREE. And not have to worry about accidents, after all they can ride on the pavement now and use the safety component of that, shifting the risk of collision and injury to the pedestrian. And there is the state ACC to look after you if you survive. Put the effort into getting more safe cycling lanes. Offer Councils plans that show how to have separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. That’s worthy of effort.
There needs to be a helmet law but one that isn’t so tough that people who have to travel somewhere and haven’t a helmet aren’t going to be spot fined a month’s rent or something. Just enough to nag you into putting one on your must-have list.
well, so far I’ve gotten through ten minutes of correlation=causation, “a study”, “widely acknowledged”, assumptions that the legislation was generated in a vacuum rather than wide campaigning, “trivial difference” (trivial head injuries?) and so on.
Nobody has ever said the only thing to effect cycling safety is wearing a helmet. A “trivial effect” is still an effect.
Here’s what they never said: why do helmet requirements lower cycling rates? It can’t be because they’re afraid of looking like a dick.
Holy fuck, it gets worse as it goes on lol. Some numpty got arrested for not paying her fines because she refused to wear a fucking helmet? 13min: Oh no, old white guy treated like criminal for breaking the law!
Oh no, they resent wearing helmets!
Nice propaganda. Shame it doesn’t back it up with the facts you promised. It’s a load of shit.
Having smacked my head on the road due to legislation that allows cars to be driven by cunts, I don’t give a shit what “research” tells us. If you smack your head into something, it helps if you’ve got a helmet on it.
The video makes the point that helmets should be mandatory in high risk areas but not so in low risk areas. I.e, if you’re commuting to work on the road then wear a helmet. If you’re out for a Sunday ride down the park/beach then maybe not.
You can still wear one if you want though.
I’ve never hit my head falling off a bicycle – even when I got run over by a car. Broken my ribs a time or two though.
11. Obligation to alleviate pain or distress of ill or injured animals
(1)The owner of an animal that is ill or injured, and every person in charge of such an animal, must ensure that the animal receives treatment that alleviates any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the animal.
(2)This section does not—
(a) limit section 10; or
(b)require a person to keep an animal alive when it is in such a condition that it is suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Section 11(1): amended, on 10 May 2015, by section 12 of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act (No 2) 2015 (2015 No 49).
_____________________________
Penny Bright
2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.
Exposing the $1.6 BILLION Tamaki ‘Regeneration’ – GENTRIFICATION $CAM.
Genau. Actually, I cannot help but admire Hitler as he eyeballs down 40,000+ people at the Nuremburg rally … Yet he was a barbarian. Times are turbulent as usual, and Trump is an anathema, but here in NZ we act like none of this happened before.
Timing is supposed to be everything in politics – but the drama of the past few days has scuppered that old nostrum.
As did the baby of Labour’s Rangitikei candidate Heather Warren.
Her baby was scheduled for September 29, comfortably after the September 23 election day – but instead arrived a fortnight ago, at 31 weeks.
WTF If you are having a baby that should be the first priority for the next year.
It is an expectation that modern women will still be interested in looking after their offspring and trying to breast feed the child. That is in all the information available as being of top importance for health in the distant as well as near future.
Talk about trying to double dip. You can’t be thinking about political matters and giving your child all the attention and care it needs while a baby and toddler, and withdrawing for long periods to keep up with your constituency and party concerns. I think many women are trying to have everything, and not being fair to their children. In this case the political life should have waited till the next election, staying on the list would have been a reasonable start.
btw. women have birthed all of humanity since ages ago, actually since ever, and have always worked.
they might not have been payed, they might have been handmaids, they might have been slaves, they might have been single mothers or unfortunates, they might have been widows, they might have been young or old, they might have lived in peace time or in war time, but they have always worked.
So yeah, women can have it all.
and just for the record, let me fix this for you
Talk about trying to double dip. You can’t be thinking about political matters and giving your child all the attention and care it needs while a baby and toddler, and withdrawing for long periods to keep up with your constituency and party concerns. I think many man are trying to have everything, and not being fair to their children and are fully depending on their wifes to handle childcare, household care on their own, while they go about gallivanting in politics. In this case the political life should have waited till the next election, staying on the list would have been a reasonable start for any man whose wife has just given birth to a child.
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Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. ...
Chris Trotter writes – MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’. The data is from February this ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications:Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
Chris Trotter writes – The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara Solomon Islands’ incumbent prime minister Manasseh Sogavare has been re-elected in the East Choiseul constituency. It is the opening move in the political chess match to form the country’s next government. Returning officer Christopher Makoni made the declaration late last night after ...
Headline: The moment of friction. – 36th Parallel Assessments In strategic studies “friction” is a term that it is used to describe the moment when military action encounters adversary resistance. “Friction” is one of four (along with an unofficial fifth) “F’s” in military strategy, which includes force (kinetic mass), ...
The Fast-track Bill, if passed, would allow three Ministers, unchallenged and unchecked, to approve the immediate extraction and exhaustion of one-off resources. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Duckett, Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne iamharin/Shutterstock For many people, the term “bulk billed” refers to a GP visit they don’t have to pay ...
Emmas Hislop, Sidnam and Wehipeihana discuss what’s in a name. Emma Sidnam: Hello Emmas! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this with me. My first question for you is related to what’s been on my mind for a while. It’s very important. You see we’ve recently had some ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Sievers, Research Fellow, Global Wetlands Project, Australia Rivers Institute, Griffith University Chris Brown Humans love the coast. But we love it to death, so much so we’ve destroyed valuable coastal habitat – in the case of some types of habitat, ...
Josh Thomson on the 80s milk ad jingle he can’t stop singing, the beauty of The Simpsons, why Jersey Shore is as good as Shakespeare and more. For someone who spends a lot of time on our screens, popping up in everything from 7 Days to Taskmaster, Educators to Good ...
In apparent defiance of the Biden administration, the Netanyahu government has now initiated missile strikes against Iran. Last Saturday night (Sunday morning in New Zealand) Iran launched more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles against Israeli military targets. With the assistance of US, UK and possibly French forces, ...
Māori representation brings a perspective that encompasses not only the interests of Māori communities but also a broader, holistic approach to environmental stewardship and community well-being, principles deeply embedded in Te Ao Māori (the Māori ...
This week in Auckland, a group of young people took over the microphone at a ministerial press conference, to explain why they oppose the Fast-Track Approvals Bill. One young woman said, ‘We’re here because we love Aotearoa New Zealand. We want to raise our children in an environment that’s thriving, ...
The summer was wonderful. Evie was wonderful, too; finally a teenager, finally worthy of long, hot days. She shaved her legs for the first time and bought cut-off shorts from the op-shop that made them look long. She got a Warehouse singlet so tight on her new shape that her ...
When Thomas James was on his solo camp as part of Outward Bound, the keen outdoorsman didn’t find it too challenging, as others often do. In what might just be the perfect illustration of his character, he saw it as a great opportunity to solve a few problems. “I thought, ...
From the unstable and drippy to the hi-tech and pretty, here’s our ranking of all the tunnels you can drive through in this country. The first tunnel seems to have been built in 2200BC in Babylonia, kicking off a global phenomenon for digging holes in order to get places more ...
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Audrey Young in the Herald is reporting that a TVNZ poll for Q & A will show that Peter Dunne is trailing Greg O’Connor in Ohariu. One more nail in National’s coffin…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11902970
MEDITATION: USEFUL TOOL OR FREAKY COP-OUT?
Severe conversations continue in our nation as we look for solutions to depression, suicide, obesity and the spiralling number of “sick days” reported by companies.
Whilst government solutions revolve around more counselling, more therapy, sugar tax and the like it is overlooked that by the time help is sought much damage has already been done. Has the adage “prevention is better than cure” ever been more apt?
For those who feel stressed it may be asked “is it possible to reset, – to default if you wish – a calm centre within one’s deepest self, a place where the myriad external stimuli of contemporary living lose their impact? A quiet spot all ones own that you can ‘visit’ regularly for restoration and refreshment? A centre of integration from where you step back into the world with poise and confidence?”
To address this issue Johns Hopkins University researchers reviewed 47 recently published clinical trials and found moderate evidence that meditation alleviates pain, anxiety and depression—the latter two to a similar degree as antidepressant drug therapy. A rudimentary web search reveals meditation has been trialled in schools in the UK and USA for decades as a tool to calm hyped kids and in some cases as a daily discipline.
Forget the ridiculous images of blissed out meditators on the edge of cliffs, cross legged (and probably cross-eyed) on beaches, or in the woods where branches stick you in the backside and the hum of sandflies muddle your mantra. Authentic meditation is the epitome of inwardness, undertaken for 20 minutes per day silently at home, allowing the re-discovery of a quiet and steady place, – the domain of memory fragments acting as touchstones to a long-forgotten sense of simplicity and childhood.
True our brains thrive on the stimulation provided by experience, diversity, and complexity but a little appreciated dimension of enrichment goes in the other direction, – towards abstraction, inwardness and degrees of subtlety. This aspect when reanimated brings fresh appreciation of the simplest experiences of day to day living, calming to a degree the inner dragon of material longing an outer conflict.
And now with LOVE getting a fresh airing in schools as principals grapple with student depression and suicide we are reminded that there are some simple qualities which neglected leave us poorer regardless of external stimuli.
Meditation may connect us with that which is deepest in ourselves and therefore with one another in trusting and supportive ways.
Meditation, great believer in it, fascinating subject, especially now we have the technology to scan the brain while a person is meditating. Science backs up meditation.
The brain is an incredible piece of our bio technology
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw71zanwMnY
They not only can scan the brain during meditation, they can measure the actual effects on the brain of practicing meditation over a (short) period of time.
http://www.matthieuricard.org/en/articles/differential-pattern-of-functional-brain-plasticity-after-compassion-and-empathy-training
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/07/dalai-lama-neuroscience-compassion/397706/
BTW, meditation does not have to be Buddhist practice.
Well said ant.
Regular meditation has had the most profound effect on me as an adult.
At it’s essence is the lack of thought, from which we gain our idea of ourselves, which is almost always wrong.
Oscar Kightley has said it so right re Meteria. An excellent piece.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95719299/oscar-kightley-brave-tureis-main-mistake-was-to-be-so-honest
Yep. Well said that man.
A sensitive fair piece. The Media Report at 9 this morning on RNZ goes through the Meteria story. Well worth the listen.
I wonder if Materia will tell how the media and other agents, intruded on her family? My guess is that it was not the tough public interviews but what was happening off camera.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=201854557
Here’s a question for you all.
When was MT going to pay the money back.?
After all she has had 15+ years of earning well over 100k. By definition she is part of the 1%. I think that is what pisses everyone off, not the amount or the fraud but the big f you up until this point.
Feeling personally affronted is the choice you Righties make, P4l. Enjoy!
Robert, do you think it’s acceptable for a struggling business owner to not pay tax so he/she can pay the family bills?
Is this a personal question, BM? Are you doing it hard? Is the IRD taking more from you than it should? If so, tautoko!
No.
Is the IRD taking more from you than it should
How does that work, Robert? if you’re only making enough to survive you shouldn’t have to pay any tax?
nah, that is only something for rich people who can afford accountants do.
righ, like our Mr. Top guy, Gareth Morgan.
and housing fraud is only something for sitting PM’s who collect an Accomodation benefit on a million dollar house they own, err……their wifes owns, …..err that is in a trust……
right?
right?
for the record, considering that the min. rent in NZ now is something like 400$ for a dwelling of i would want the first 25.000 earned tax free. Cause that is a minimum that one needs to survive.
Progressive tax rates are for business people also.
In my experience, IRD are much more accommodating than WINZ, if illness makes you incapable of paying your bills.
Even in the current regime, if your business is not making money you do not pay tax. Unfortunately WINZ requires you to stop working at your business to get a benefit. Which seems to contradict Nationals stated aim of getting people into work.
Of course the system is designed so people have to take exploitative underpaid jobs.
Not to allow them to compete with Nationals mates, in business.
But a UBI would make entrepreneurship, something we want to encourage, less of a risk.
Yep and I’m pretty sure that National realise that and can see profits dropping if people could easily compete with entrenched businesses.
Removes the risk of other things as well such as a career change that requires retraining at tertiary level.
Not acceptable BM but I know that many who avoid full tax payments. I know some who remove cash from the till so that it is undeclared income. Unacceptable.
Why isn’t it acceptable? his/her family has to eat.
We’re not talking tax evasion because you don’t want to pay tax but because if you do you won’t have any money left to keep your family clothed and fed.
I think you have some gotcha facts to drop – please do so. Tough situation for business owner – could they sell their holiday home or a car or something to help if they have them. Not a long term solution but may help them short term while they sort out he day forward.
No gotchas, no holiday homes and they need the car for the family.
Well I’d imagine other options will have to be thought about because going to jail for tax evasion will not be pretty. Are you thinking of dobbing them in? – please don’t. Lots of us are stuggling mate.
[Citation Needed]
Well maybe they have to have somewhere to sleep?
My accountant has a simple analogy / story to solve this moral dilemma, and explain how IRD works.. It’s called the walk down the drive test. A hypothetical, or maybe real, IRD auditor walks down your drive and does a count up of the toys parked thereon. Does this match declared income?
But the more serious side to this is that petty (and not so petty) lying is an endemic, and accepted, part of our society. From a bennie maximising their benefit to tradies doing cashies to politicians having memory fades. It is accepted by a lot of our society and in a strange way kind of allows a sector of society to survive by avoiding conflict. The people who do it are seen to get ahead, so it becomes what you have to do to not be left behind.
And because everyone is doing it, when an individual calls it out they are going to get rat fucked. Hard
Pretty sure that tradies doing cashies is a far lesser sin than beneficiaries not being totally honest with WINZ. So in addition to what you describe there are all sorts of hierarchies of fairness.
Easiest solution all round is to run the economy so that people have both enough to live on and opportunity for a meaningful life. Then start rolling back the government’s push to make people selfish. If after that there are still some people who want to tell porkies, I probably don’t actually care except where it’s blatant.
My partner , a teacher administers NCEA for their school, there are two groups who get subsidised NCEA fees, some benificaries and members of the local Dairy farming community. One group is able to structure their incomes to the level of the other and its not the benificaries.
You can look at the tit pullers another way too. A lot of them actually aren’t making any money, not even close to break even without drawings. The only ones making any money are the banks (maybe) and the equipment suppliers (they get paid early before the operation starts showing a loss)
This is a looming disaster for the country where a good proportion of the dairy industry goes tits up. Group think where the answer was to go bigger and more intensive. Then they can’t meet consent conditions and it all gets really hard.
A friend tells a story about someone he went through Telford with, 5 yeas ago he had 300 cows and was getting new vehicles and an overseas holiday for the family every year, then he went big and is still driving the old vehicles and hasn’t had a day off since. But he’s got 1000 cows. They’re keeping a really close eye on him.
and are quietly managing the price down and drip feeding the sales into the market…..as usual the banks are unlikely to end up footing the bill.
A great many are farming capital gains, not cows!
why did he go big?
I gather for the same same reason that most of them did, it looked like a no brainer at the time. It’s only later they realise that the consultants, suppliers and bankers (who’ve all been paid, strange that) might not have been quite right. There may have been a bit of group think going on too, and definitely a few success stories getting it all going. Now we’re seeing stories about operations down sizing and getting more profit.
But that’s how the business process works, we’ve taken on debt to grow our business with very mixed success.
Another part to it is the way our tax system works, you’re incentivised to reinvest in your business to reduce tax liabilities, hence the new cars etc. Scale it up to the move from 300 to 1000 cows and it can get out of hand.
I have difficulty getting my head around how we want a more prosperous society, but incentivise people through our tax system to not make any money.
Ok, I was thinking more about motivations like greed, or wanting a bigger project, or wanting the challenge etc. But if I’m understanding you right it’s more that this is just what everyone does because everyone does it. Plus the advisor thing.
“But that’s how the business process works, we’ve taken on debt to grow our business with very mixed success.”
Yeah, I’ve never really understood this. I once phoned a medium business in another city and asked about accessing their product. They told me that they liked the size they were and had no intentions of growing, so sorry, they would be selling to existing local customers first and that meant they could sell to me or where I was living. And of course that left space for other producers to start up, who would do things a bit differently and so everybody wins. I gather that’s not the norm 😉
We deal with businesses that have that level of confidence and security as well, who have no intention of pursuing a growth path. The ones that are on the aggressive growth thing we tend to avoid if it’s about more, but embrace if it’s about better or higher value. And we’ve also got a couple who are so glum and insecure we wonder if we’ll ever see them again.
I think the motivation to do better and improve our lot is a human thing, we as a species have been like it from the day we thought about walking upright, for better or worse. It’s when it’s looked on as a zero sum game that it all gets messy, and really isn’t getting better. I suppose it’s whether you see the world from a we or me perspective.
How many tradies are actually doing cashies?
I know some do. Including one i had to laugh at. He complained bitterly, about his kids losing their student allowance, the year he stated his real income, for a mortgage.
He still goes on about bludging bennies. Go figure.
I know many, like i used to, let the customer think it is a cashy, though it all went through the books.
Several reasons.
You get paid cash every Friday.
No waiting for direct credits or dud checks.
You don’t get guarantee claims for the job.
Customers think they are getting it cheaper.
Unfortunately, competing on price with tax dodgers and cowboys, is hard.
We’re not talking tax evasion because you don’t want to pay tax but because if you do you won’t have any money left to keep your family clothed and fed.
Yes, and we can figure out if we’re honest with ourselves that a lot of people struggling to keep a business viable and have enough to live on find ways to evade tax. If one of them later in life becomes a politician and promotes a policy on tax reform by revealing that they had to do this themselves a couple of decades ago, would you like to see every detail of their private life turned over by oppo research teams and media gossip-mongers in an attempt to hound them from office and prevent tax reform? Or would you find that distasteful?
Business owners have a choice. They willingly go into business. They have funds sufficient to go into business. And don’t try the beneficiaries have chosen a “lifestyle” line. If life on a benefit was so cushy and attractive, everyone, including the small business owner, would be trying to get a benefit.
They willingly go into business. They have funds sufficient to go into business
Actually, you’ll find most new businesses are grossly underfunded.
Even if they have plenty of startup capital, what if the business hasn’t been that successful and the business owner has chewed through all his/her reserves, should they just starve?
Stupid question. They can apply for a benefit like everyone else if they have insufficient income to avoid starving.
Maybe they don’t want to get hassled by the draconian winz.
Once you turn up and apply for a benefit you’ve got to then start looking for a job, I don’t think running your own business counts.
That’s the end of your business and all that money and hardwork down the drain.
The transition from small business / self employed to either a benefit or corporate employment is almost impossible.
Winz will want you to answer unanswerable questions about income and assets, and won’t be able to understand the difference between turnover and gross and net profit (that’s three very different things). If your average bennie feels like smacking the winz agent, spare a thought for the ex small business owner.
Applying for a job is equally fraught. After 20 odd years of self employment you will never pass the psychometric tests to get into a major employer. You’re not a submissive “team player” any more. No matter how much you bend over.
Yep for many once you go down the small business path that’s it for life.
Like you say, it’s next to impossible to get any decent employment if you wanted or needed to, you don’t tick any of the correct boxes so never make it past the HR filter.
They don’t make it easy to transition from anything to anything. That’s part of the point that Metiria was making – instead of helping they make it hard or even impossible.
I think BM is starting to realise that. About the little lies we all have to tell to make ends meet.
I am disappointed that Metiria and the Green Party hadn’t thought this through a lot better. The ensuing rat fucking was to be expected, unfortunately that’s the world we live in now, and responses should have been there before anything was said. It’s also disappointing that three careers have been destroyed in Green politics by this. That experience, compassion and knowledge isn’t easily replaced.
You’re exactly right about the attitude towards personal change, it’s made hard at all levels, employers, winz, and really all of our society. I’d like to hear from some of our personal responsibility types here how this squares with their freedom of choice beliefs.
BM – this is the difference between choosing to be an “entrepreneur” or being a worker having to do as told. I belief it is the latter that is actually the driving force rather than sound management skills that get many into starting a business.
The risk is to loose investment and the consequence can be severe if the commercial homework is neglected.
But the risk is taken by the individual whereas the severe consequences of starving because there is no job is by design of social and trade politics.
If a former self employed person needs to go to WINZ would the last tax statement of accounts and a letter of your accountants assessment not clarify the financial situation?
I belief the difficult part is the emotional and psychological consequence as such failure is seen as loss of dignity whereas it is just a means of measuring ones skill at this point in time. 2 choices: employment or acquiring skills to get another start. Perhaps both to get the funds.
I’m having a chuckle seeing you and draco defending how generous and compliant winz are to the ex self employed. I can assure you it’s actually the most Kafkaesque experience you can ever endure. Second only to earnings related compensation from ACC for the self employed.
Of my winz experience, I got referred to them by a business assistance programme at the start of GFC when we had a huge upheaval, one appointment was enough. I gave up on the business assistance programme as well.
As for ACC, the earnings related side is hardly worth applying for if you are self employed, and especially if you are partners in business and life. You get nothing, but still have to pay full earner premium.
Many of my relatives are self-employed contractors and have, occasionally, found themselves reliant upon the mercy of WINZ. They complained about how bad WINZ was as well and I’m pretty sure that I’ll find at least some of them complaining that MT lied to WINZ.
Yep, so did I last time I looked. Figured I’d be better off trying to start a business fully under the table while on the EB than actually getting that.
Yeah, I also know that people who’ve been in business that complained that they didn’t get the full 80% of their income – but had been boasting not too long before that they weren’t paying tax or ACC because of awesome accountant.
80% of zero is zero.
Graeme, you are missing the point.
If a person chooses to go into self employment they also know that they are getting into. If you get a job, then you can get sacked after 90 days with essentially no explanation really.
And don’t be mistaken, I have been in partnership in a business subcontracting and retail. This was an eye opener.
There are real insidious people out there, sanctioned by the tax regime of this country, who use the goods and services delivered by small business and deny payment for long periods of time thus making cash flow the number one issue of concern. It is almost criminal how this works as it basically keeps contractors in bond, like modern slavery.
If there needs something charged, than it is the law that if subcontractors deliver the goods and services than they have a right to be paid – and only then can the tax department ask for their charge and not sooner.
If any of those flexing their muscle for the SM business community start were it counts.
Hey, I’m trying to agree with you that dealing with these government agencies is a de-humanising process that is totally counter productive for our society. And it encourages / forces people to lie. This destroys good people.
There’s got to be a better way to do it.
Foreign Waka, for most small business people it’s not at all a choice at all, in my partner’s case it’s all she knows and in mine there were no employment options at the time and then I discovered it was a one way street. I had a good career in construction, NZCE, but came out the wrong side of a couple of recessions. Then ran up against the HR dept. No going back there.
It’s certainly got it’s good points, but dealing with lairs who can’t / won’t pay you is a pain. And they think they are so shit hot for doing it. You soon learn to keep out of their way.
Apparently, according to you, they don’t have a choice.
Wrong. In fact, WINZ actually has business startup assistance.
Isn’t that the risk that all the capitalists insists is the reason they’re worth so much?
They require you to cease all work on the business.
Which is counterproductive to the stated aims of getting you back into work.
Contrast with, say, breaking a leg while on ACC.
Well, that’s the difference between the two, isn’t it.
For your business owner, going to winz is the last resort in acknowledging failure, and they would prefer to commit tax fraud.
If you are already at the last resort, and it still doesn’t pay the most basic bills, committing benefit fraud is really the only option if you want to eat.
Actually, just drop your completely flawed argument.
Nah, stiff their unsecured creditors and hide behind their limited liability skirt.
/
That’s the wealthy business owners Joe.
The rest of us have to sign personal guarantees, to get supplier credit.
While the wealthy business owner we subcontracted to has it all in a family trust.
Hi BM
Do you think this is justified and makes sense?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/88924330/Benefit-fraud-v-tax-avoidance-why-is-one-dealt-with-more-harshly-by-courts
Personally, yes, and back when I worked for IRD, saw a lot of tax debt written off in those circumstances.
No but that business owner can go down to social welfare and get the same help that others can get to help pay their bills.
Personally, I doubt that Metiria Turei is part of the top 1% by PAYE or by wealth but no doubt you have a ‘definition’ that supports your claim. Would you be so kind to provide a link for my edification?
I think you’ll find that she isn’t. IIRC, back in 2004, 100k put people into the top 3%. Considering inflation since and the way that the top salary packages have gone up that 100k has probably dropped down the scale some.
You’re not everyone and I’m pretty sure that you’re only projecting your feelings onto everyone else thus I figure you’re talking out your arse.
Is this about corporate welfare?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11902858
They can’t organise their lives as best they would have wanted so we give them money as a handout as an investment for all of our futures.
Can individuals do the same thing?
“Peter Dunne is trailing Greg O’Connor in Ohariu.”
Brings to mind one of those pull-toys: the wobbling ducks or the Dachshund.
Is Michelle B off her head on Q&A?
Sure was entertaining.
Yep ,gone mad. Panic attack big time.
Michelle Boag is off her head full stop.What a harpie.
Morticia comes out of the crypt on occasion and frightens the life out of people. Brush her off like an irritating fly.
Classic. Made my afternoon.
I see the National Party have adopted a “me too” strategy.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/337045/national-s-donations-surge-after-ardern-s-promotion
They don’t like it up em do they.
Edit: They don’t like it up em. 😀
the faithful will be pooing that it’s all going to end and they’ll be chucked off the gravy train. Easy marks for the party machine
Yeah, hopefully the begging e-mails I have been getting from Joyce, Collins and Bennett will stop now they have such a big inflow. lol.
What happened with the Cabinet Club? Did Key take the customer database with him?
https://thestandard.org.nz/cabinet-club/
Billbomb about to go off?
Do you mean the Barclay Bomb Graeme?
Well we had billburger yesterday
Tried to access Q&A on Demand but they say no longer available. Damn.
Q and A screens again later tonight I think. It should be available on demand for a few days after that too.
Just tried again on Demand and it works. Michelle was predictable up until the water question when she became unhinged. Also chicken dressing?
While looking at the position of Germans in the USA pre WW2 I came across this bio of a German couple who immigrated mid 1800’s and became leaders of integrity with progressive and enlightened results that benefitted the USA greatly.
This is an example of the good side of immigration.
Let’s look at immigration from the point of what useful results to the social and skillsets of the country – large number of immigrants here have turned us into a wonderful, advanced country.
But now a large number of immigrants are more likely to be chosen for their money, or their willingness to tie themselves into debt for an unscrupulous, promised education and better future, not their useful additions of insight and beneficial ideas and proven positive skills at professional level, or proven outcomes.
Schurz and his wife arrived in the United States in 1852, eventually settling in Watertown, Wisconsin, in 1855. They were quite well off financially. Margarethe’s dowry (the money a woman brings into a marriage) alone was enough to set Schurz up in business. His fame as a daring fighter for freedom in Germany, his solid education, his gifts as a writer and speaker, and his political ambition combined to make him a well-known figure almost immediately. Although he rarely stood for election himself, his persuasiveness with German American voters made him a force to be reckoned.
His wife, too, was active in bringing new ideas in education to the United States. In 1856 Margarethe Schurz founded what many consider the first kindergarten in the United States in Watertown. Like many German schools in the United States, the kindergarten was conducted in the German language until World War I (1914–18).
Schurz was antislavery and became an avid supporter of Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865) in the presidential campaign of 1860. He is said to have traveled more than twenty-one thousand miles campaigning for Lincoln, speaking in both English and German. He was credited with swinging much of the German American vote.
After the American Civil War (1861–65), in which he served as a general, Schurz settled in St. Louis, Missouri, and became a U.S. senator. In Washington, D.C., he turned to issues of corruption. Because of his criticisms of U.S. politicians, some alleged that he was not a patriotic American.
He responded with a phrase that has become famous:”My country right or wrong: if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right.”
In 1876, Margarethe Schurz died, but by that time she had passed on her knowledge to others who established more kindergartens and set a standard for preschools in the nation. Schurz was made Secretary of the Interior that year. He attempted to initiate environmental controls, particularly over forestlands, and to follow a humanitarian (promoting human welfare) policy with respect to the Indians, but stronger powers within the nation overpowered his liberal idealism.
Schurz left government office for good in 1881 and began a second successful career as a journalist, author, and lecturer. He made New York his home, where he became editor-in-chief of the Evening Post and eventually Harper’s Weekly.
Schurz saw himself as a mediator between German and American culture. He continued to be equally fluent in German and English, writing his widely read memoirs in both languages. He traveled back and forth many times between the United States and Germany, filled with pride for both. When accused of mixed loyalties, he responded that he loved equally his “old mother” and his “new bride.”
Audrey Young plumbs new baby depths here:
“It has also killed off the notion of leader Winston Peters being in power sharing arrangement with Labour – as he could credibly have done if Andrew Little had delivered enough numbers for a coalition but with an embarrassingly suppressed voted.
(His best chance now would perhaps be in such circumstance that, were a Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern of a mind to, she decided she wanted a few month’s parental leave).”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11902498
Audrey the Spiteful National Hack?
You gottit!
Nasty little woman with a forked tongue ?
Thats why she works for The Herald.
Who supported Trump and why? There has been lots of discussion and insight on that. They seem to like his full-on approach, his apparent anti-government,
anti-authoritarian stance, someone who stands big and criticises others who should be doing something else without much idea of what should or could be done. When there is enough rot the fine fabric of democracy starts to tear!
I remembered the great following of Hitler from some people in the USA pre WW2.
Seems similar – follow the loudmouth, the apparently strong man who inspires confidence. Some were right on to the Nazi message in the USA though it was felt that it was a connection of the settlers to their German heritage, but they still gave the raised arm salute, the same mass gatherings, marches etc.
“Hitler is the friend of Germans everywhere,” noted a girl who attended Camp Hindenburg in Wisconsin. “And just as Christ wanted little children to come to him, Hitler wants German children to revere him.”
https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/11/how-american-nazis-used-summer-camps-to-indoctrinate-their-own-children/
http://www.thehistoryreader.com/modern-history/6-things-may-known-nazis-america/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_American_Bund
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/06/world-war-ii-before-the-war/100089/
In 1931, the U.S. authorised flying hero and known Nazi sympathiser Charles Lindbergh to be sent as a spy to Hudson Bay to look into using sea-planes for warfare and seek out points of low resistance as potential bridgeheads
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2039453/How-America-planned-destroy-BRITAIN-1930-bombing-raids-chemical-weapons.html#ixzz4paZWJXBm
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
I think a lot of the Trump vote was from those whose circumstances were so bad, that almost any change gives some hope.
KJT
They certainly got something out of it, a parade, hats, camaraderie. Someone should have played 76 Trombones. Are they allowed to hand out free doughnuts in the USA or is that treating? Homer would have been there, dooh!
This is what they voted for with Trump, visualising something better and brighter!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdd6q0pW4DM
More poverty bashing from the National Party. How does sending kids to the Army and fining their struggling parents for not being better ‘prison officers’ tie in with his so called ‘social investment’ policy?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/95727988/special-bootcamp-for-youth-offenders-at-waiouru-army-camp-under-national
That sounds bad. Freedom of movement?
14yo Children on the street can be arrested and taken to court? Crikey!
Suppose the justification is where they as mobs creating mayhem but all those under 14 get arrested where their companions over 14 will not be and that probably includes the group leader.
The party of “individual responsibility” and personal freedom is sure keen on search, surveillance and restrictions on people meeting.
The party of “individual responsibility” and “personal freedom” is sure keen on search, surveillance and restricting people.
Bicycle helmet laws – not really worth the effort
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGsM-XIuGwo&feature=share
This is all about the individualist entitled Generation X or Y saying why do I have to do this? Why aren’t there laws just for other people? There needs to be a helmet law because we want to save the brains of those who don’t really have much up there anyway.
It is likely to be blokes who are leaders in this anti-law stir as men want to be FREE. And not have to worry about accidents, after all they can ride on the pavement now and use the safety component of that, shifting the risk of collision and injury to the pedestrian. And there is the state ACC to look after you if you survive. Put the effort into getting more safe cycling lanes. Offer Councils plans that show how to have separate lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. That’s worthy of effort.
There needs to be a helmet law but one that isn’t so tough that people who have to travel somewhere and haven’t a helmet aren’t going to be spot fined a month’s rent or something. Just enough to nag you into putting one on your must-have list.
I suggest you actually watch it.
Sorry I haven’t got 22 minutes for whining. Can you tell m whereabouts the meat of the item is?
There’s no whining – just facts backed by research.
The only whining so far is from you.
well, so far I’ve gotten through ten minutes of correlation=causation, “a study”, “widely acknowledged”, assumptions that the legislation was generated in a vacuum rather than wide campaigning, “trivial difference” (trivial head injuries?) and so on.
Nobody has ever said the only thing to effect cycling safety is wearing a helmet. A “trivial effect” is still an effect.
Here’s what they never said: why do helmet requirements lower cycling rates? It can’t be because they’re afraid of looking like a dick.
Holy fuck, it gets worse as it goes on lol. Some numpty got arrested for not paying her fines because she refused to wear a fucking helmet? 13min: Oh no, old white guy treated like criminal for breaking the law!
Oh no, they resent wearing helmets!
Nice propaganda. Shame it doesn’t back it up with the facts you promised. It’s a load of shit.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/recreational-cycling/11979540/Bike-helmet-laws-do-not-prevent-head-injuries.html
Having smacked my head on the road due to legislation that allows cars to be driven by cunts, I don’t give a shit what “research” tells us. If you smack your head into something, it helps if you’ve got a helmet on it.
The video makes the point that helmets should be mandatory in high risk areas but not so in low risk areas. I.e, if you’re commuting to work on the road then wear a helmet. If you’re out for a Sunday ride down the park/beach then maybe not.
You can still wear one if you want though.
I’ve never hit my head falling off a bicycle – even when I got run over by a car. Broken my ribs a time or two though.
Yeah, the old “in general it might be a good idea, but I’m safe and don’t need it”.
Or, more precisely, “bike helmet laws do not prevent people being admitted overnight with some manner of head injury on their list of diagnoses”.
Nothing about severity or even primary cause of admission in that study.
Murdoch on doing anything for kids
Probably needs to be embedded or something.
ARE SOME NZ HUMAN BEINGS TREATED WORSE THAN ANIMALS?
http://nzh.tw/11902374
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1999/0142/latest/DLM50299.html
11. Obligation to alleviate pain or distress of ill or injured animals
(1)The owner of an animal that is ill or injured, and every person in charge of such an animal, must ensure that the animal receives treatment that alleviates any unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress being suffered by the animal.
(2)This section does not—
(a) limit section 10; or
(b)require a person to keep an animal alive when it is in such a condition that it is suffering unreasonable or unnecessary pain or distress.
Section 11(1): amended, on 10 May 2015, by section 12 of the Animal Welfare Amendment Act (No 2) 2015 (2015 No 49).
_____________________________
Penny Bright
2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.
Exposing the $1.6 BILLION Tamaki ‘Regeneration’ – GENTRIFICATION $CAM.
You can be prosecuted for not feeding and housing an animal properly.
Apparently keeping 300 thousand children in poverty, is legal!
And. Highlighting the fact, is grounds for dismissal.
No, it is grounds for Trial by Media with the ‘Honourable Justice’ Patrick Gower presiding.
Staggering.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgXVGT9Qvw8&ab_channel=TheYoungTurks
Yup, emboldened KKK, Neo-Nazis, and anti-Semitic White Nationalists.
Hate as a family thing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/it-wasnt-just-white-men-who-participated-in-the-unite-the-right-rally_us_598f55b4e4b09071f69a0381?ncid=APPLENEWS00001
even more staggering
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/2017-chicago-murders
this weekend to be added.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-1-wounded-in-south-side-shooting-20170812-story.html
Must be a new Roy Morgan poll out soon. Anyone got any ideas?
Can anyone tell me the contact email address for The Standard?
This one: thestandardnz@gmail.com gets returned to sender.
Aha. On the contribute page the email address has a dot after .com so the message is now sent!
still relevant today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8HdOHrc3OQ
The sadness runs deep.
it does. 77 years and nothing really has changed.
Genau. Actually, I cannot help but admire Hitler as he eyeballs down 40,000+ people at the Nuremburg rally … Yet he was a barbarian. Times are turbulent as usual, and Trump is an anathema, but here in NZ we act like none of this happened before.
why oh why is David Parker not Labours finance spokesman (any more)?….
Parker chose not to be but Grant is doing a pretty good job. Easily edged ahead of Nationals SS Joyce, the BS merchant, on Q & A this morning.
Agree. Dildo came second.
pleased to hear that….but with Parker its effortless.
The media have been slated for asking Jacinda about baby possibilities.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/95700222/a-baby-and-a-campaign-at-the-same-time
But this Labour candidate was expecting her baby to come a week after the election and is disappointed that it didn’t stick to its timetable.
Timing is supposed to be everything in politics – but the drama of the past few days has scuppered that old nostrum.
As did the baby of Labour’s Rangitikei candidate Heather Warren.
Her baby was scheduled for September 29, comfortably after the September 23 election day – but instead arrived a fortnight ago, at 31 weeks.
WTF If you are having a baby that should be the first priority for the next year.
It is an expectation that modern women will still be interested in looking after their offspring and trying to breast feed the child. That is in all the information available as being of top importance for health in the distant as well as near future.
Talk about trying to double dip. You can’t be thinking about political matters and giving your child all the attention and care it needs while a baby and toddler, and withdrawing for long periods to keep up with your constituency and party concerns. I think many women are trying to have everything, and not being fair to their children. In this case the political life should have waited till the next election, staying on the list would have been a reasonable start.
yes. dear.
btw. women have birthed all of humanity since ages ago, actually since ever, and have always worked.
they might not have been payed, they might have been handmaids, they might have been slaves, they might have been single mothers or unfortunates, they might have been widows, they might have been young or old, they might have lived in peace time or in war time, but they have always worked.
So yeah, women can have it all.
and just for the record, let me fix this for you
Talk about trying to double dip. You can’t be thinking about political matters and giving your child all the attention and care it needs while a baby and toddler, and withdrawing for long periods to keep up with your constituency and party concerns. I think many man are trying to have everything, and not being fair to their children and are fully depending on their wifes to handle childcare, household care on their own, while they go about gallivanting in politics. In this case the political life should have waited till the next election, staying on the list would have been a reasonable start for any man whose wife has just given birth to a child.
Yay Sabine!