The government continues to shift their portion of the blame for Auckland’s RWC public transport fail, but there had been a 2009 report warning that Auckland’s infrastructure wasn’t up to it.
Yesterday Labour slammed what it called an “embarrassing shambles” that left thousands stranded on Auckland trains ahead of the world cup opening ceremony, but Prime Minister John Key refused to accept responsibility.
“I am more than happy to apologise to those individuals involved, but at the end of the day, the responsibility rests with the delivery agent that is in Auckland,” Mr Key said.
Transport Minister Steven Joyce will meet officials and Auckland Mayor Len Brown today as train operator Veolia Transport scrambles to produce a report on the failure, expected tomorrow.
Joyce puts all the blame on operational failures beyond his control. He claims that the recommendations of the 2009 report had been acted on. But those of us who use Auckland’s trains regularly, that it is a system in need of a lot of infrastructure improvement.
But Labour says the Government must accept at least some of the blame, because it had received a report from the Auckland Regional Transport Authority on Rugby World Cup transport planning in July 2009.
The report, obtained by Stuff, said at that time there was “an attitude of `this is a small increase in business as usual’.”
“The impression is that the level of public transport required for RWC2011 is a little above normal. The levels of patron movement and operational standard [needed for the RWC] are in reality significantly above what is currently delivered.”
The Queens Wharf fan zone would “create a number of transport challenges given its close proximity to the Ferry Terminal, Queen Street and Britomart”, the report said.
Sure, NAct have been stopping PT development in Auckland and elsewhere so that they can build their useless Roads of Nationals Significance but Labour aren’t blameless – they needed to put huge amounts of funding into PT from the time that the secured having the RWC here and they didn’t.
Labour was starting to promote more development of Auckland’s PT. But yes, The Greens were the ones really on to the need for intensive development of the PT system, and Labour were lagging behind. Nevertheless, the report referred to above was a 2009 one, and should have been a wake-up call for the current government… and they are continuing to refuse to take ANY blame.
…and they are continuing to refuse to take ANY blame.
That’s part of the normal psyche of the RWA. When they screw up really badly they’ll automatically blame someone else while patting themselves on the back and giving themselves a bonus cheque.
Not quite true Draco. Part of the problem was the scuttling of the regional fuel tax by the ants in 2009. This held up and delayed various projects.
In 2000 there were about a million train trips a year in Auckland. The past year there have been over 10 million.
The increase has been extraordinary but we are not there yet. National needs to keep funding PT the way that Labour did and in about 10 years the system may be reasonable. It has gone from appallingly bad to bad.
The fan zone was the item that really stuffed the system up, not the game itself. Who’s bright idea was Party Central?
IIRC, it was in about 2k7/8 while Labour were still in power that it was mentioned that Labour’s funding for roads in Auckland was three or four times higher than funding for PT and that was when they started on it a good 2 years after getting the RWC. They needed to start earlier and put in more funding. The venue was going to be central (Waterfront or Eden Park) so boosting the PT to outlying areas would have been a good first step and it really needed to be done anyway.
Part of the problem was the scuttling of the regional fuel tax by the ants in 2009.
Yep, as I pointed out NAct have been stopping PT development in Auckland.
Party Central was a stupid idea and is indicative of NActs overall grasp of reality. There should have been several venues in the scattered CBDs that make up Auckland.
What Labour is overlooking is the fact that the infrastructure was all there on Friday night. There were plenty of trains, plenty of carriages, plenty of buses, taxis galore, the roads were working well … the railway lines are already all double tracked – what do you want? four tracks? eight tracks? A separate carriage for each passenger?
What was missing was the organisation – both from Veolia and from the Auckland Transport Committee. Both
Closely followed by contingency plans. Question 1 for any transport planner has to be “how many?” Question 2 is “what if?”
Graham Sibery and Mike Lee have been very quiet over this…
I heard that earlier in the night someone did a head count of the people in and
around the party zone, and there were many more than expected. That
was then no communicated to alert managers that there would be a gult
of people using public transport to get to the game. Worse, with such
large numbers of people, many from abroad who typically don’t have cars
and are likely to have relied on public transport, would not have known
where to go and so would have needed people at the stations managing the
crowd flows. They were not there. So that wasn’t management on the
night, it was ‘pre-management’ and proper costing. Now add to that
the Auckland super city is a new council, you have a lot of new
people, you have a new site for a party, you have a cost tight government
and it was surprising it went so WELL! Who the genius was who thought
up to have the opening in the center city and then have a large
crowd movement to Eden park! shakes head, and why not use the Domain,
atleast there was history to how the crowds move about.
People got drunk and pulled the emergency cords, it was the first time
local kiwis had ever been on a train, they were young kiwis who
are taught not to mind their manners and ‘innovate’ without limits
of authority telling them what to do, what light bulb to buy, and hey
its public transport nobody likes public transport.
So yeah, government dropped the ball, but then it never brought into
the idea of public transport. National historical hates government.
Loathes contingency planning, and time after time wants the market
to provide the solutions but never acknowledges that the free market
isn’t perfect, in fact ideologically they believe free markets are perfect.
Good points but as any regular train user would know the system can’t even cope with a concert at Mt Smart so what was being asked of it was akin to biffing 10ton of load on your trailer and wonder why the car can’t pull it.
No surprise a labour scapegoats (Brown) been found whilst all the ministers, organising officials and actual transport chiefs are blameless.
looking forward to another 3 years of feckless leadership from the nats via a dysfunctional supershity structure…..yeah right.
Whole thing is snafu. McCully announced a takeover under the RWC Act thingy, had a press conference saying so and giving quotes. So all sorts of media are running that story.
Next minute, McCully goes on Nat Radio and says it’s not a takeover, they are just using some of the powers under the Act to get some resource consents through a bit quicker, and it’s all being done by some ‘officials’ working together with the Council.
If you were wondering when all those nasty anti terror and anti freedom of speech laws would come into play, here is your answer. Whether you find the activist in this case Vinny Eastwood a 911 truther in Auckland and and American Freedom radio host irritating or not the news is chilling. No pamphleteering and no sharing of political information on public roads.
The issue is not Vinny but the fact that neither he nor you nor anybody can spread info we deem to be of importance out on the streets any more. You might not like his opinions on some matters but I for one will fight for him to have the right to have these opinions. That is the hallmark of an open and free well functioning Democracy.
I agree with that, so why is it commercial radio stations can park up seemingly wherever they like and plant big ass public address speakers atop their vehicles and blast commercial radio into public spaces for hours at a time as they hand out Energy Drinks and self promoting T.shirts?
Although frankly everyone involved in the youtube link were nutbars except the cops. And if the council wants to limit litter and noise pollution, fair enough. But the guy who wuss-pushed him was a bigger dick than the noise-polluter.
I am reminded of the Daddies Rights loon who used to drive around Pt Chev, screeching his hatred of mothers into his sound system, up and down and through Pt Chev shops… thankfully he seems to have retired!
What will all the free community newspapers do? then there are the foreign languagenewspapers, the real estate handouts the religous firestarter materials, or are they all going to get the ‘look the other way’ treatment as the only real focus of a law like this is supression of freedom !
Anyone in Auckland looking into how this affects Party Electioneering material ? Or does that have some self serving bylaw protecting it? If so on what basis is it built and where is the law allowing the removal or special allocation of rights to communicate with the Public? Wouldn’t it be funny if they have they overlooked the Electioneering needs of Central and Local bodies and the right wing wish to silence dissent has silenced their own voice.
Take the megaphone restrictions. I understand that you cannot have people willynilly screaming amplified bs across the city centre. I agree with that, so why is it commercial radio stations can park up seemingly wherever they like and plant big ass public address speakers atop their vehicles and blast commercial radio into public spaces for hours at a time as they hand out Energy Drinks and self promoting T.shirts?
My suggestions ignore the law, let it inspire us to turn up with more pamhplet’s than ever. Laws which destroy pirogue to free speech should be ignored, broken and challenged.
Find irregularities in the law, first to expose loopholes, then to exploit the loopholes.
It’s what the experts do everyday and we know it works. Sooner or later the law will be changed or those making the laws will be changed. Exposing yourself unnecessarily to fines and or legal hassle is counterproductive and expensive 🙂
Or; we could take a leaf out of The Yes Men’s book. They created their own version of The New York Times and handed it out to morning commuters. Perhaps we could create a better more honest issue of The Herald, and pass that out instead of pamphlets.
Gerry Brownlee’s present location of Monaco was unfortunate for giving the impression that he is hard at work massaging the reinsurance corporates on behalf of Christchurch. The reinsurers have cushy surroundings!
Isn’t that fellow… what’s his name now… ah that’s right… Owen Glenn based in Monaco? Got a lot of spare cash going to the highest bidders I believe. That is, if he gets his name on a few plaques and a knighthood or two and oh… a diplomatic passport, and a say in who runs NZ even though he hasn’t lived here for yonks and doesn’t have the first clue about the place.
Peter ‘lap dog’ Dunne gives us another reason to banish him and the brains of the outfit – his sentient hairpiece – back into the oblivion of irrelevance from whence they came…
After years of propping up big tobacco he has found another way to maximize harm, rejecting the three strikes cannibis recommendation from the law commission report.
I just hear ion National Radio’s news that Stephen Joyce is coming to Auckland to show us how to get our PT right. This should be interesting as this Clown is part of the problem.
This was followed with Kathryn Ryan conducting an apology for an interview with Michael Barnett, CEO of Auckland Chamber of Commerce, who “didn’t want to point any fingers at who to blame” and then proceeded to repeatedly point the blame at only Auckland Council.
Of course Veolia, the privately owned international transport operator who run Auckland trains, were blameless.
Auckland Transport, the CCO set up by Hide under the amalgamation to manage Auckland’s public transport, were blameless.
Murray McCully and John Key, who spent 18 months encouraging one and all to come to “Party Central”- a venue with a capacity of mere 12,000, were blameless.
Steven Joyce, who refuses to recognise that Auckland is in dire need of a workable PT system, was blameless.
The RWC organisers, who decided to hold the opening ceremony and opening game on the same weekday night, were blameless.
So what did we learn from Michael Barnett? Well we learnt that he doesn’t like Len Brown and the current Auckland Council – but then we knew that already.
Well done National Radio!- I guess at least your boss will be pleased.
Wasn’t Michael Barnett the co-ordinator of RWC events? Was he paid? If so then surely he’s accountable. But then he’s CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and people like him don’t do accountability well.
On the 9th the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Pike River Mine heard from a trainer for mines rescue, Glen Stiles, who said that the equipment in the fresh air base contained nothing of use for somebody trying to escape.
Today we learn that the Police believe men could have survived the initial blast, and were waiting to be rescued around that air pocket.
But if all that wasn’t bad enough, the New Zealand Herald reported today that Pike River Coal’s receivers will get a big payout…
There’s nothing in that Herald report about the receivers getting a payout, jackal, though I presume they are getting paid for their efforts. They’ve done excellent work here freeing up money for the creditors, who are, for the most part, local contractors and the former workers at the mine. I’m told most of the locals are well chuffed at the early payout, and when the mine is sold in a month or two, there is a good prospect of the rest of what is owed being paid out too.
I’m just not sure what you see as the problem here, as it appears to be a terrific boost to the people owed money by PRC and it will probably save a few local businesses from folding.
“The explosions mostly take place in poor countries because international oil and gas companies often fail to bury or protect their pipelines as they would have to do by law in rich countries. The easily accessible pipes, which often run through slums and informal settlements in burgeoning cities, are tempting to desperately poor communities, who often have no electricity and must rely on oil lamps for lighting and power.”
North Sea oil bosses have told the Government that uncertainty over who will pay the £30bn bill for dismantling old platforms is even more harmful to investment than the Chancellor’s unpopular tax grab on energy companies.
joe90 The oil ring demolishment cost discussion illustrates clearly one of the problems with technologies that can be harmful if not controlled closely from start to finish. Once the finish comes and the money is rung out of it, then what to do with the messy leftover bits. Same for nuclear power when the time arrives to relinquish the old infrastructure. Who pays the piper then?
Another smaller technology disposal problem is being dealt with in a practical way, though I don’t know if NZ has caught up with it. We tend to languish with egg on our face behind the others in the egg and spoon race. I like the idea of more being paid up front for computers and so on to cover the cost of its disposal. Of course the money has to go into a separate holding and safe account held by reliable authorities. Can’t leave it with the business or you can get the same situation of those suffering from disappearing pension funds.
Same old top end welfare Prism, years of dividend gains are private but because royalties have been paid any wind up costs become solely the taxpayers responsibility. And if you don’t pay we’ll take our bat and go play somewhere else.
The Pike river debacle will be our own version. Had the scheme been a winner those behind it would have quite happily taken profits while complaining bitterly about compliance and royalty costs.
Now they’ll hide behind limited liability and put their hand out for top end welfare while bleating about how we, the heroic investors, took a punt and did our dough and now we’re broke the costs of the disaster and site clean are beyond us.
Now some of us may remember the Aral Sea as being used in a Soviet experiment to become self-sufficient in cotton and rice.
Their trick was to redirect the two rivers feeding the Aral into their cotton/rice lands.
Result – no water into the Aral sea [in the 1960’s]. Now empty.
Also – no joy on growing cotton or rice.
Yep – the UN Secretary General says this is evidence of catastrophic Climate Change
A few days ago I wrote about the trouble I was having over at Wikipedia, in a post entitled Will Wikipedia Kill The Jackal?
Well it turns out to be a bit more than just other editors fucking with my articles by not following the rules. Since I started editing Wikipedia entries, an increase in cyber-warfare has seen the death of one of my email accounts and attack bots trying to harvest info from my blogger account…
Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie answered the critics of their ideas to transform NZ’s tax and welfare system in a great read on the New Zealand Herald website today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. They answer the three main criticism to their proposals, and the main one to stand out for me was their answer for CRITICISM 2: Many people will choose not to work at all if they get the UBI…
Minor point, it was Murray McCully not the PM. But yeah, its an awesome because the stuff that Len had no control over, will know be the stuff that McCully has no control over.
The Arctic sea ice hit a record low of 4.24 million square kilometres on Sept. 8, breaking a previous record set on Sept. 16, 2007 by 27,000 square kilometres, the Physical Analysis and Remote Sensing Images unit at the University of Bremen’s Institute of Physical Analysis reported in a news release.
Federal budget cuts are threatening to leave the U.S. without some critical satellites, the officials say, and that could mean less accurate warnings about events like tornadoes and blizzards. In particular, officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are concerned about satellites that orbit over the earth’s poles rather than remaining over a fixed spot along the equator
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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 ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
The government continues to shift their portion of the blame for Auckland’s RWC public transport fail, but there had been a 2009 report warning that Auckland’s infrastructure wasn’t up to it.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/fan-central/5611823/Auckland-World-Cup-warning-two-years-ago
Joyce puts all the blame on operational failures beyond his control. He claims that the recommendations of the 2009 report had been acted on. But those of us who use Auckland’s trains regularly, that it is a system in need of a lot of infrastructure improvement.
Sure, NAct have been stopping PT development in Auckland and elsewhere so that they can build their useless Roads of Nationals Significance but Labour aren’t blameless – they needed to put huge amounts of funding into PT from the time that the secured having the RWC here and they didn’t.
Labour was starting to promote more development of Auckland’s PT. But yes, The Greens were the ones really on to the need for intensive development of the PT system, and Labour were lagging behind. Nevertheless, the report referred to above was a 2009 one, and should have been a wake-up call for the current government… and they are continuing to refuse to take ANY blame.
That’s part of the normal psyche of the RWA. When they screw up really badly they’ll automatically blame someone else while patting themselves on the back and giving themselves a bonus cheque.
Imperator Fish has the scoop on it.
Not quite true Draco. Part of the problem was the scuttling of the regional fuel tax by the ants in 2009. This held up and delayed various projects.
In 2000 there were about a million train trips a year in Auckland. The past year there have been over 10 million.
The increase has been extraordinary but we are not there yet. National needs to keep funding PT the way that Labour did and in about 10 years the system may be reasonable. It has gone from appallingly bad to bad.
The fan zone was the item that really stuffed the system up, not the game itself. Who’s bright idea was Party Central?
IIRC, it was in about 2k7/8 while Labour were still in power that it was mentioned that Labour’s funding for roads in Auckland was three or four times higher than funding for PT and that was when they started on it a good 2 years after getting the RWC. They needed to start earlier and put in more funding. The venue was going to be central (Waterfront or Eden Park) so boosting the PT to outlying areas would have been a good first step and it really needed to be done anyway.
Yep, as I pointed out NAct have been stopping PT development in Auckland.
Party Central was a stupid idea and is indicative of NActs overall grasp of reality. There should have been several venues in the scattered CBDs that make up Auckland.
What Labour is overlooking is the fact that the infrastructure was all there on Friday night. There were plenty of trains, plenty of carriages, plenty of buses, taxis galore, the roads were working well … the railway lines are already all double tracked – what do you want? four tracks? eight tracks? A separate carriage for each passenger?
What was missing was the organisation – both from Veolia and from the Auckland Transport Committee. Both
Closely followed by contingency plans. Question 1 for any transport planner has to be “how many?” Question 2 is “what if?”
Graham Sibery and Mike Lee have been very quiet over this…
I heard that earlier in the night someone did a head count of the people in and
around the party zone, and there were many more than expected. That
was then no communicated to alert managers that there would be a gult
of people using public transport to get to the game. Worse, with such
large numbers of people, many from abroad who typically don’t have cars
and are likely to have relied on public transport, would not have known
where to go and so would have needed people at the stations managing the
crowd flows. They were not there. So that wasn’t management on the
night, it was ‘pre-management’ and proper costing. Now add to that
the Auckland super city is a new council, you have a lot of new
people, you have a new site for a party, you have a cost tight government
and it was surprising it went so WELL! Who the genius was who thought
up to have the opening in the center city and then have a large
crowd movement to Eden park! shakes head, and why not use the Domain,
atleast there was history to how the crowds move about.
People got drunk and pulled the emergency cords, it was the first time
local kiwis had ever been on a train, they were young kiwis who
are taught not to mind their manners and ‘innovate’ without limits
of authority telling them what to do, what light bulb to buy, and hey
its public transport nobody likes public transport.
So yeah, government dropped the ball, but then it never brought into
the idea of public transport. National historical hates government.
Loathes contingency planning, and time after time wants the market
to provide the solutions but never acknowledges that the free market
isn’t perfect, in fact ideologically they believe free markets are perfect.
Good points but as any regular train user would know the system can’t even cope with a concert at Mt Smart so what was being asked of it was akin to biffing 10ton of load on your trailer and wonder why the car can’t pull it.
No surprise a labour scapegoats (Brown) been found whilst all the ministers, organising officials and actual transport chiefs are blameless.
looking forward to another 3 years of feckless leadership from the nats via a dysfunctional supershity structure…..yeah right.
five hours and not a single comment? Remember the Happy feet articles that got zillions within a few hours or the PM fluff pieces that appear almost preloaded?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/politics/5611615/World-Cup-warning-two-years-ago
The latest is, that according to 3 News “the government is using emergency powers to take control of the waterfront for the duration”. What?
Whole thing is snafu. McCully announced a takeover under the RWC Act thingy, had a press conference saying so and giving quotes. So all sorts of media are running that story.
Next minute, McCully goes on Nat Radio and says it’s not a takeover, they are just using some of the powers under the Act to get some resource consents through a bit quicker, and it’s all being done by some ‘officials’ working together with the Council.
It’s an absolute farce.
If you were wondering when all those nasty anti terror and anti freedom of speech laws would come into play, here is your answer. Whether you find the activist in this case Vinny Eastwood a 911 truther in Auckland and and American Freedom radio host irritating or not the news is chilling. No pamphleteering and no sharing of political information on public roads.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PoClkCKQKw&feature=youtu.be
Yep, what happened to free speech eh, it’s just a pity Vinny undoes himself with his climate change conspiracy theory…
http://thinkprogress.org/romm/issue/
The issue is not Vinny but the fact that neither he nor you nor anybody can spread info we deem to be of importance out on the streets any more. You might not like his opinions on some matters but I for one will fight for him to have the right to have these opinions. That is the hallmark of an open and free well functioning Democracy.
I support his right to stand on a soapbox and talk, but not the use of a megaphone.
I agree with that, so why is it commercial radio stations can park up seemingly wherever they like and plant big ass public address speakers atop their vehicles and blast commercial radio into public spaces for hours at a time as they hand out Energy Drinks and self promoting T.shirts?
+1, especially when I’m hungover on a weekend.
Although frankly everyone involved in the youtube link were nutbars except the cops. And if the council wants to limit litter and noise pollution, fair enough. But the guy who wuss-pushed him was a bigger dick than the noise-polluter.
I am reminded of the Daddies Rights loon who used to drive around Pt Chev, screeching his hatred of mothers into his sound system, up and down and through Pt Chev shops… thankfully he seems to have retired!
Agreed, wholeheartedly!
What will all the free community newspapers do? then there are the foreign languagenewspapers, the real estate handouts the religous firestarter materials, or are they all going to get the ‘look the other way’ treatment as the only real focus of a law like this is supression of freedom !
Anyone in Auckland looking into how this affects Party Electioneering material ? Or does that have some self serving bylaw protecting it? If so on what basis is it built and where is the law allowing the removal or special allocation of rights to communicate with the Public? Wouldn’t it be funny if they have they overlooked the Electioneering needs of Central and Local bodies and the right wing wish to silence dissent has silenced their own voice.
Take the megaphone restrictions. I understand that you cannot have people willynilly screaming amplified bs across the city centre. I agree with that, so why is it commercial radio stations can park up seemingly wherever they like and plant big ass public address speakers atop their vehicles and blast commercial radio into public spaces for hours at a time as they hand out Energy Drinks and self promoting T.shirts?
My suggestions ignore the law, let it inspire us to turn up with more pamhplet’s than ever. Laws which destroy pirogue to free speech should be ignored, broken and challenged.
Find irregularities in the law, first to expose loopholes, then to exploit the loopholes.
It’s what the experts do everyday and we know it works. Sooner or later the law will be changed or those making the laws will be changed. Exposing yourself unnecessarily to fines and or legal hassle is counterproductive and expensive 🙂
Or; we could take a leaf out of The Yes Men’s book. They created their own version of The New York Times and handed it out to morning commuters. Perhaps we could create a better more honest issue of The Herald, and pass that out instead of pamphlets.
Who knows somebody with a printing press?
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/minister-bad-manners-stuns-aussies-4398169
Who was it? Any takers?
Hidney?
local MP on North Shore, minister, history of bad behaviour in corporate boxes…..
Serious question about the trains in Auckland?
Could the doors NOT be opened?
What would have happened if there had been a fire?
I’m no expert but the doors are probably on an emergency open mechanism. There is an override.
In case of fire, put it out… don’t panic. Then call your mama to let her know you are all A OK Dv.
Gerry Brownlee’s present location of Monaco was unfortunate for giving the impression that he is hard at work massaging the reinsurance corporates on behalf of Christchurch. The reinsurers have cushy surroundings!
Isn’t that fellow… what’s his name now… ah that’s right… Owen Glenn based in Monaco? Got a lot of spare cash going to the highest bidders I believe. That is, if he gets his name on a few plaques and a knighthood or two and oh… a diplomatic passport, and a say in who runs NZ even though he hasn’t lived here for yonks and doesn’t have the first clue about the place.
Sounds like he’s a good spec. for the Key govt.
Peter ‘lap dog’ Dunne gives us another reason to banish him and the brains of the outfit – his sentient hairpiece – back into the oblivion of irrelevance from whence they came…
After years of propping up big tobacco he has found another way to maximize harm, rejecting the three strikes cannibis recommendation from the law commission report.
I just hear ion National Radio’s news that Stephen Joyce is coming to Auckland to show us how to get our PT right. This should be interesting as this Clown is part of the problem.
This was followed with Kathryn Ryan conducting an apology for an interview with Michael Barnett, CEO of Auckland Chamber of Commerce, who “didn’t want to point any fingers at who to blame” and then proceeded to repeatedly point the blame at only Auckland Council.
Of course Veolia, the privately owned international transport operator who run Auckland trains, were blameless.
Auckland Transport, the CCO set up by Hide under the amalgamation to manage Auckland’s public transport, were blameless.
Murray McCully and John Key, who spent 18 months encouraging one and all to come to “Party Central”- a venue with a capacity of mere 12,000, were blameless.
Steven Joyce, who refuses to recognise that Auckland is in dire need of a workable PT system, was blameless.
The RWC organisers, who decided to hold the opening ceremony and opening game on the same weekday night, were blameless.
So what did we learn from Michael Barnett? Well we learnt that he doesn’t like Len Brown and the current Auckland Council – but then we knew that already.
Well done National Radio!- I guess at least your boss will be pleased.
Wasn’t Michael Barnett the co-ordinator of RWC events? Was he paid? If so then surely he’s accountable. But then he’s CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and people like him don’t do accountability well.
Ah, patents, don’t you just love them?
Pike River Payout
On the 9th the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Pike River Mine heard from a trainer for mines rescue, Glen Stiles, who said that the equipment in the fresh air base contained nothing of use for somebody trying to escape.
Today we learn that the Police believe men could have survived the initial blast, and were waiting to be rescued around that air pocket.
But if all that wasn’t bad enough, the New Zealand Herald reported today that Pike River Coal’s receivers will get a big payout…
There’s nothing in that Herald report about the receivers getting a payout, jackal, though I presume they are getting paid for their efforts. They’ve done excellent work here freeing up money for the creditors, who are, for the most part, local contractors and the former workers at the mine. I’m told most of the locals are well chuffed at the early payout, and when the mine is sold in a month or two, there is a good prospect of the rest of what is owed being paid out too.
I’m just not sure what you see as the problem here, as it appears to be a terrific boost to the people owed money by PRC and it will probably save a few local businesses from folding.
The oil engorged tentacles of the vampire squid:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/12/pipeline-fire-nairobi-slum
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/sep/12/kenya-pipeline-explosion-deaths-analysis
“The explosions mostly take place in poor countries because international oil and gas companies often fail to bury or protect their pipelines as they would have to do by law in rich countries. The easily accessible pipes, which often run through slums and informal settlements in burgeoning cities, are tempting to desperately poor communities, who often have no electricity and must rely on oil lamps for lighting and power.”
And the threats by oil companies over dismantling old infrastructure.
North Sea oil bosses have told the Government that uncertainty over who will pay the £30bn bill for dismantling old platforms is even more harmful to investment than the Chancellor’s unpopular tax grab on energy companies.
joe90 The oil ring demolishment cost discussion illustrates clearly one of the problems with technologies that can be harmful if not controlled closely from start to finish. Once the finish comes and the money is rung out of it, then what to do with the messy leftover bits. Same for nuclear power when the time arrives to relinquish the old infrastructure. Who pays the piper then?
Another smaller technology disposal problem is being dealt with in a practical way, though I don’t know if NZ has caught up with it. We tend to languish with egg on our face behind the others in the egg and spoon race. I like the idea of more being paid up front for computers and so on to cover the cost of its disposal. Of course the money has to go into a separate holding and safe account held by reliable authorities. Can’t leave it with the business or you can get the same situation of those suffering from disappearing pension funds.
Same old top end welfare Prism, years of dividend gains are private but because royalties have been paid any wind up costs become solely the taxpayers responsibility. And if you don’t pay we’ll take our bat and go play somewhere else.
The Pike river debacle will be our own version. Had the scheme been a winner those behind it would have quite happily taken profits while complaining bitterly about compliance and royalty costs.
Now they’ll hide behind limited liability and put their hand out for top end welfare while bleating about how we, the heroic investors, took a punt and did our dough and now we’re broke the costs of the disaster and site clean are beyond us.
Ban ki-Moon says evidence of Global Warming can be found in…..
the state of the inland Aral Sea.
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/un-boss-urges-climate-sceptics-to-wake-up-20110909-1k11a.html
Now some of us may remember the Aral Sea as being used in a Soviet experiment to become self-sufficient in cotton and rice.
Their trick was to redirect the two rivers feeding the Aral into their cotton/rice lands.
Result – no water into the Aral sea [in the 1960’s]. Now empty.
Also – no joy on growing cotton or rice.
Yep – the UN Secretary General says this is evidence of catastrophic Climate Change
Would you want this man to lead the world?
Wanna buy some lignite?
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.com/2011/09/lignite-salesman.html
Some useful lignite links:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leave-the-Lignite-Save-the-Soil/129179047159254
http://www.facebook.com/groups/218300434877031/
Front page of the Waikato Times… Happy Feet has been eaten by a whale!
For real? Awesome! (Oh come on, it’s an animal, get a sense of proportion.) 😀
This’ll make ya smirk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmANxHJ6s9M
Wikipedia vs The Jackal
A few days ago I wrote about the trouble I was having over at Wikipedia, in a post entitled Will Wikipedia Kill The Jackal?
Well it turns out to be a bit more than just other editors fucking with my articles by not following the rules. Since I started editing Wikipedia entries, an increase in cyber-warfare has seen the death of one of my email accounts and attack bots trying to harvest info from my blogger account…
thejackal editing Wikipedia, well ain’t that something????
Time for a Tax Revamp
Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie answered the critics of their ideas to transform NZ’s tax and welfare system in a great read on the New Zealand Herald website today. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no fan but I believe in giving credit where credit is due. They answer the three main criticism to their proposals, and the main one to stand out for me was their answer for CRITICISM 2: Many people will choose not to work at all if they get the UBI…
What the …
Wellington is seizing control of AUckland’s waterfront using the RWC powers.
Pillocks. There are no further planned concerts and no likelihood of a repeat of Friday’s events.
They are trying to shift blame. This is deeply, deeply cynical.
If they didnt do it, people would complain, its a good move.
According to Brett Dale more dictatorship is good.
Draco T Bastard:
No i dont want aunty helen back.
No, you want actual dictators from the RWA NAct rather than someone capable of doing to job of PM who isn’t a dictator.
The role of govt is whatever govt say it is….. that’s the kind of thing a true dictator would say eh Draco.
Great move by the PM, Brown is an incompetent idiot and needs to be put in his place.
Minor point, it was Murray McCully not the PM. But yeah, its an awesome because the stuff that Len had no control over, will know be the stuff that McCully has no control over.
It’s amazing just how open the RWNJs are becoming about their desire for a dictatorship.
Arctic sea ice hits record low
The Arctic sea ice hit a record low of 4.24 million square kilometres on Sept. 8, breaking a previous record set on Sept. 16, 2007 by 27,000 square kilometres, the Physical Analysis and Remote Sensing Images unit at the University of Bremen’s Institute of Physical Analysis reported in a news release.
Yeah, the melt hasn’t finished yet.
The solution to all that bad news about sea ice melting, kill the satellite funding.
Federal budget cuts are threatening to leave the U.S. without some critical satellites, the officials say, and that could mean less accurate warnings about events like tornadoes and blizzards. In particular, officials at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are concerned about satellites that orbit over the earth’s poles rather than remaining over a fixed spot along the equator
Just been announced on SkyNews Australia that Obama is to visit Oz in late November. Sadly, there won’t be time to catch up with BFF John Key. Obama is said to be gutted, repeatedly asking ‘who?’.