Open mike 14/10/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 14th, 2024 - 33 comments
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33 comments on “Open mike 14/10/2024 ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    14 October 2024 at 7:22 am

    And the world stands by while Israel attacks UNIFIL peace keepers…

    https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/13/unifil-says-israeli-military-forced-entry-at-base-in-southern-lebanon

    Yes, the mid East is a complicated mix of Sunni/Shia, oil states versus poorer states, authoritarian leaders versus the masses, US client state Israel being supported in the billions as the gutless EU does not act. Germany supplies major arms shipments too. One phone call could pause the IDF butchers, but it will not be coming in a hurry–Genocide Joe and the usual suspects are counting the clock down it seems until the last Palestinian is slaughtered. No Palestinians–no problem. A final solution.

    To back up my opening sentence, a local example, Stuff refused to publish a full page ad (as posted here by Jenny) from John Minto on behalf of https://www.psna.nz

    The PSNA ad was not a polemic, it was mainly a list of vile statements from the lunatics in the Knesset in their own words, calling essentially for the extermination of Palestinians.

    • David 1.2
      14 October 2024 at 10:19 am

      Tiger Mountain. Stuff is a privately owned company and they have the right to decide on what advertising they accept. Other media/Bill Post businesses have been pressured in the past to not accept advertising from various organisations. Likewise owners/operators of venues have declined hiring their venues due to pressure or threats from other organisations. So I fail to see the issue here, this sort of thing goes both ways.

    • tc 1.3
      14 October 2024 at 10:35 am

      Penny for john mintos thoughts here.

      Did he expect to still be standing against apartheid this far into the 21st century ?

      How systemic and ruthless its been in the occupied lands. Dystopia, youre standing in it.

  2. Morrissey 2
    14 October 2024 at 7:28 am

    New Zealand's Worst

    TVNZ1 Breakfast, Monday 14 October 2024, 7:15 a.m.

    Just watched that silly old fellow Winston Peters flame out of a confrontation with Chris Chang. After making some wandery, inaccurate comments about the staggering economic performance of… (wait for it)…Ireland*, Peters got very upset when the ability and integrity of his hopeless protegée Casey "Puff Puff" Costello was questioned.

    Well worth a look, if you enjoy the spectacle of a wretched old man in a muddle…

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/breakfast

    * crying no surprise

    • Bearded Git 2.1
      14 October 2024 at 9:42 am

      Thanks Morrissey-Winston starting to lose it by the looks of that performance.

    • Mike the Lefty 2.2
      14 October 2024 at 10:25 am

      I also noted how Peters ranted over suggestions that Phillip Merhten's captors were bribed to release him.

      How disgraceful!

      I was waiting for the interviewer to point out that bribery is a normal part of NZ First in action so why shouldn't someone else use it to their advantage?

      I guess he didn't dare.

      • tc 2.2.1
        14 October 2024 at 10:44 am

        He would do as Seymour does and throw his toys, they are consistent with that tactic. Play the victim wtf do NOT answer the question.

        About time the turkeys at TVNZ get a few in before the wrecking crew come for xmas.

    • SPC 2.3
      14 October 2024 at 10:27 am

      Ireland's success was based on having lower taxation for companies (who then chose to base there) than the rest of the EU, while a member of the EU. Something we cannot replicate.

      Singapore's success is based on state led investment in development of a productive economy, and not private profit from investment in property (land ownership) – by those who are sorted. Even our farmers derive most of their return by selling the farm when they retire.

      We have always had foreign investment extracting profit (British and now Chinese in farming for example).

      Neither Ireland nor Singapore are examples of success via foreign investment. Dublin has people who live and work there (for foreign companies paying less company tax than they would elsewhere in the EU) and pay income tax.

      The Singapore model applied here was via the Labour super plan of 1975. We do now have the Cullen Fund (but this is tax or debt funded and focused on mitigating the cost of tax paid super via investment in offshore growth stocks) and Kiwi Saver but this is much smaller scale – only designed to supplement tax paid super.

      I have no idea what the purpose of a Foreign Investment Fund would be.

      It appears to be a sales gimmick, linking the concept to the PGF and government funded regional "Infrastructure Fund" – why, because the economic nationalist is in lockstep with coalition partners who want foreign investment.

      ACT wants private ownership of school and hospital buildings (leased back).

      They and National want foreign investment in large scale rental supply – and using offshore building and products – but Kiwi Saver companies – such as Simplicity and the NZSF (post its the wealth growth offshore period) could do that and without the outflow of rent/profits offshore (as occurs with banking).

      They and National expect that councils will be overwhelmed by the funding costs of water infrastructure and sell ownership to offshore utility giants. Thus locals pay their water bills to them and they take their profit offshore (as occurs with banking).

      He seems to want the Foreign Investment Fund to have some sort of tax incentive, one reserved for those who fund it, rather than local investors?

      We do need more investment in the productive economy and higher wages so workers can own their homes, so we are all sorted.

      But if this is to balance the financial outflows from the economy, the invisibles, how much of it can be foreign financed?

      We need more local savings well invested (rather than just equity in more and more expensive housing).

      What happened to the Productivity Commission – to return Phoenix like?

    • ianmac 2.4
      14 October 2024 at 3:07 pm

      But Peter's plan to divert from tobacco fiasco worked didn't it.

  3. gsays 3
    14 October 2024 at 10:02 am

    Just in case yr missing supreme privilege.

    I'm surprised she didn't evict a tenant but maybe she sees herself as a good landlord just like nice cancer.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/350446819/nadine-higgins-today-im-homeless

    • Shanreagh 3.1
      14 October 2024 at 12:14 pm

      Well I for one found that interesting, including that fewer people are leaving their homes for extended holidays (overseas or in NZ) etc which what house sitting is based on. So perhaps even the monied are finding it tough? I'll probably re-read it to see what other nuggets I can find.

      House-sitting overseas has benefited my extended family over the years. My gt niece and her family of 5, are staying as friends with the (now) elderly couple she house sat for in the UK over 20 years ago. I had a flatmate who came and went from my home when the house sitting gigs dried up. I've swopped houses with people to see a new part of NZ, I've house sat during holidays when I had annual leave and could not afford to do anything.

      And also there are people who do have enough money to renovate, we have them in our small community of Edwardian houses. I don't begrudge them one bit. It was what we did when we set out on our home life 50 years ago. Neighbours have used our shower when their's was out of commission.

      The response sounds mean and not unlike the response some of us get from our community based on the fact that we're elderly, alive, 'boomers' used as an insult du jour like Chloe, home owners and users of buses as public transport, and refusing to to fall in line to be clobbered.

      I am a bit surprised gsays. smiley

      • gsays 3.1.1
        14 October 2024 at 12:30 pm

        TBF, lanlording is a red flag to a bull for me.

        Every 'investment property' is one less opportunity for a family to get ahead, have a roof over their heads, a turangawaewae, for community to be strengthened, for a family to be multi generational.

        The author being surprised at the scarcity and price of casual rentals. Needs to look a little closer in her mirror.

        For sure house sitting is an attractive proposition but at the heart of it this article shows us a lot of where we are going wrong in Aotearoa.

        Maybe the cancer thing was a little OTT but landlording is a pervasive scourge in our society.

        • Jimmy 3.1.1.1
          14 October 2024 at 1:04 pm

          Ìn your view I would think landlording is a necessary evil, as without private landlords, there would be a lot more homeless of people who cannot afford to buy but can rent.

          • gsays 3.1.1.1.1
            14 October 2024 at 1:31 pm

            I call bullshit on that myth.

            Because of 'market forces' (landlords greed) the government pays an accommodation supplement to the tune of $1.4B. This keeps the houses unaffordable.

            Many a landlord I've spoken to comes up with the brain fart, the tenant can't afford a mortgage. All the while the tenant is paying the landlord's mortgage.

  4. Bearded Git 4
    14 October 2024 at 10:10 am

    40% think the country is in worse shape and 30% think it is in better shape since the election. The wheels are coming off the Coalition of Cuts.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/new-1news-verian-poll-shows-40-think-country-in-worse-shape-than-election-day/BKNQYPZFBFDVREE2OFR52GBCFU/

    “Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and the National Party will be watching tonight’s full results with some trepidation after a Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll out last week showed a drop in support for the party.”

    Could be an interesting poll tonight.

    • Tiger Mountain 4.1
      14 October 2024 at 10:20 am

      NZ people without multiple properties like the PM (which is most of us) are in materially worse shape. The CoC targets some new group each week with its war on the poor.

      Last week it was Food Banks–lots of them had funding withdrawn with 3 DAYS Notice! It was not just well known Butterbean that got slammed. They have downgraded lunches for school kids–though Mr Seymour would rather end them altogether, attacked disabled, Respite Care and NGOs that offer a wide range of services across the country, introduced official union busting and denied contractors their day in Court to prove they are employees. I don’t need to write the whole list here.

      When I went to our regular slot at Kaitaia Market this morning at 6am, the Awanui carpark was full of older vans next to the Reserve ablution block–guess what…these dozen vehicles are home for their occupants. They move on during the day, some even work, but that is the night time spot safe enough under lights near the main road.

      The CoC is hammering working class New Zealanders and we have to take them on, not just wait till 2026.

  5. Bruce 5
    14 October 2024 at 11:36 am

    A Plea to Aucklanders:

    On RNZ this morning I heard two stories the first scared us with the prospects of raising power prices as use continues to rise ( use of the new heat pumps to cool) and possible dry weather affecting hydro.

    The second was about the tiny turnout expected for the Entrust election. I feel this is an opportunity for a real chance to effect our future. One side is the keep our dividend and remain the same. The other says keep our dividend and go big on solar and generate .cheap power locally and bring down the price. I think small scale wind also offers huge potential.

    The dinosaur brigade have shown who they are with their deceptive 'save the dividend' advertising, this must be a chance to vote and make it count, then hopefully demonstrate to the nation that voting matters and we can get progressive policies enacted and make some positive change.

    So my plea is to vote and encourage as many others to do so too.

    • Jimmy 5.1
      14 October 2024 at 11:42 am

      I heard on the radio that only 9% of people able to vote actually voted.

    • Shanreagh 5.2
      14 October 2024 at 12:23 pm

      Many of those who use their heat pumps in this way also live in (mainly new) houses that are poorly specced for natural ventilation eg cross flow windows, good sized eaves, have endless amounts of concrete, lack of vegetation to get outside in shady spots etc etc. I think all of these things are interconnected.

      Poor house design at reasonable prices has much to answer for. I wonder if the Kainga Ora 'shock horror' homes are like, hopefully they don't rely on home owners having to use expensive energy to make the house work. wink

      • SPC 5.2.1
        14 October 2024 at 12:40 pm

        What are Kainga Ora "shock horror" homes? And they neither design, nor build for home owners.

        Kiwi Build was not "poor house design at reasonable prices" either.

    • Tiger Mountain 5.3
      14 October 2024 at 12:28 pm

      “The Dividend” around the country is just a token payment from gouging power operators that should be returned to full public ownership anyway. Most that get elected to the power trusts are coots in suits of the most conservative kind. Another chance to participate in public affairs that many are only dimly aware of beyond the miserable annual ‘divvy’ and ignore, lower voting rates than Local Govt. Elections.

      Electricity indeed needs to involve more solar, wind and smaller hydro and geothermal projects. In the Far North there is geo at Ngawha springs that produces enough to power the region, but because of lagging infrastructure it just gets fed into the grid–and did not come back when the pylon keeled over!

    • SPC 5.4
      14 October 2024 at 12:42 pm

      Does Entrust have any association with local companies providing solar power to homeowners?

    • Karolyn_IS 5.5
      14 October 2024 at 2:06 pm

      Thanks for the reminder. I was meaning to read and fill out the vote form. Done now. No votes for C&R. The Coom et al ticket seemed to be the best option.

  6. SPC 6
    14 October 2024 at 1:05 pm

    The lie travels 8 times faster than the truth …

    The truth being boring, the lie and love of the lie – and lying for advantage (well funded advocates of neo-liberalism, paid to do so and so begins a political career), being more "exciting".

  8. Shanreagh 8
    14 October 2024 at 2:53 pm

    The 'shock, horror' /sarc KO homes are the ones that apparently cost megabucks more per M3 than an 'ordinary' home…..though this was called out by that commentator but unknown building researcher, Farrar. So I couldn't possibly comment.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/12m-per-apartment-new-kainga-ora-apartments-part-of-billion-dollar-scandal-developer-says/A5AL7FM7CJC3ZIYNW4VCWOPCXM/

    My concern is not at the price but at the design. We seem to build in lots of concrete (implicated in Auckland's floods) and hopefully are not designing homes where it is inevitable that the inhabitants will have to use expensive energy to heat or cool their homes. Some of the new private builds that I have seen recently are not so flash as far at being energy efficient.

    We've moved forward or should be so that a company should not claim that double glazing means a multi starred energy efficient house. Double glazing is standard. Natural house cooling is in architecture/design.

    State houses when built, were an effort to build warm, dry homes and had all sorts of innovation around them (inside toilets and laundries, windows that could be opened and easily fixed, as opposed to the sash windows that had to be nailed shut, or propped open with a stick as many could not afford to get the weights/sash cords redone

    We should expect that from any home being buiilt by the state. Not flash but warm, dry and well ventilated homes that don't cost the earth to heat or cool.

    • tWig 8.1
      15 October 2024 at 11:29 am

      Bit of a KO attack piece planted in the Herald you’re quoting from, Shanreagh. From the reddit/newzealand post covering this the other day:

      1. The interview is based on the opinion of a luxury property developer.
      2. The cost for that build includes the Auckland land value.
      3. The actual build value for KO houses, according to reddit posters who have been involved in KO builds, is ~$3.5K pm2, which is within the range of 3-4K of builds made by private developers.
      4. KO builds are designed to have an extended life, ie last for more than 40 years. They have good energy standards, can have disability accessible features, and more robust construction in some parts, e.g. hard-core doors, as opposed to thin-shelled doors.
  9. Drowsy M. Kram 9
    14 October 2024 at 4:05 pm

    Where will our CoC govt take you? There's always Aussie, but mind – it's got snakes too.


    https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/16-08-2022/the-side-eyes-two-new-zealands-the-table

    Nicky Hager: Beware the smooth talker with a forked tongue
    The Act Party stood first in the 1996 election. That year it spent more on the election than any other party, compliments of the wealthy beneficiaries of deregulation and privatisation who underwrote the party. But right from that first 1996 election, guess what its yellow election billboards focused on? The same snide attacks on Māori that continue today.

    Then, as now, it seems they’ve used attacks on Māori in part to disguise their real agendas. The billboards say “End Division by Race”, but it is actually more like “ Defend Division by Wealth ”. Act is the make-the-rich-richer party and, at the same time, the attack-the-poor party. Both harm the country.

  10. thinker 10
    14 October 2024 at 4:57 pm

    Poll: 40% say the country in 'worse' shape than before election
    https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/14/poll-40-say-the-country-in-worse-shape-than-before-election/

    Apparently, more from the poll is being released at the 6pm news broadcast.

    Chairman Luxon is talking about "Green Shoots" starting to appear, but only about 30% are fooled by that kind of talk.

  11. Bearded Git 11
    14 October 2024 at 6:07 pm

    Nat 37 Lab 29

    ACT 8 Greens 12

    NZF 5 TPM 4

    Total 50 Total 45

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/10/14/poll-coalition-remain-in-front-but-labour-gain-seats/

    Not quite as close as Talbot Mills but close enough, especially if NZF is actually on 4.9%.

    Hipkins is down 3 to 15% preferred PM.

    • SPC 11.1
      14 October 2024 at 6:30 pm

      National 38.1 to 37 Labour 26.9 to 29

      ACT 8.6 to 8 Green 11.6 to 12

      NZF 6 to 5 TPM 3 to 4

      52.7 to 50 – 41.5 to 45

      GOAT have it sorted.