Defying expectations, China posted its first trade deficit in March since February 2012 on surging imports, completely out of whack with market forecasts.
It suits National just fine. Property owners in Auckland gleefully await their annual property valuation, and year upon year up the price goes. many increases are stratospheric. In return Auckland is as blue as the ocean, so what do you think would happen if the incumbent National led Government took measures like limiting foreign ownership, or introducing a capital gain tax, or even a death duty tax.
What would happen is they would lose the Auckland vote and be booted out of office.
Yes that right. But it shows the lack of thinking that goes on today……
If all house prices dropped then our mortgages would be lower, the amount we had to pay for a home be lower, and we would actually have significantly more money.
Which is a direct reflection of our poor political system. Major issues such as the Auckland Housing problem should be subjected to a cross party consensus to resolve the issue. Party lines is the huge hinder and so yesteryear.
first, the bright shiny allure of seeing a supposedly real pot of gold at the end of a rainbow in the form of a housing valuation. (anyone ever caught up with that rainbow gold?)
second, the political thing. The short term nature of decision-making that our system fosters. Something like this which would reduce prices would take some time to bed in.
………………………………………….
test:
If every house in NZ went up by 50% tomorrow what would be achieved?
@Skinny Sorry but this IS a political/philosophical issue. National are cynically happy with the exorbitant valuations of Akl houses as it benefits their voters. Labour, on the other hand, sees supply of sufficient housing, especially affordable housing, as fundamental plank in a fair society.
It is developers who are dragging their feet with developments (land banking) or who are developing the wrong type of houses (4/5 bedrooms on large lots spreading ever outwards) that are causing the problems in Akl.
It is nothing at all to do with the RMA. So really this is an issue the Super City should be able to sort out itself, with central government weighing in with major state house construction. We need a change of government for his to happen.
Well No it would not. If house value falls then all those with recent mortgages would find that they owned houses with less than the security put up to purchase the house. The banks would then ask you to cough up with more security or payback your mortgage immediately. How would you go if you had a house valued at 800,000 with a 700,000 mortgage. The house value drops to 500,000 and you no longer have sufficient cover so the bank would want more money from you to reduce the mortgage to below 500,000.
This is the main reason that no political party will ever seriously try and solve the escalating house costs.
If all house prices dropped then our mortgages would be lower, the amount we had to pay for a home be lower, and we would actually have significantly more money.
Of course. I didn’t mention the instant-term / short-term pain in adjusting as figured it was self-explanatory. There would be some short term pain for those in such a situation but that short term pain must be put aside in the interests of the mid and long term benefit for all New Zealanders.
The point raised doesn’t make the grade as a reason not to aim for lowering house prices.
Lower house prices are an exceptionally good thing for the country.
Short term pain. Obviously you either dont have a recent mortgage or maybe no mortgage. It would not be a short term pain it would be devastating. People affected would possibly lose their homes and their deposits. Yes their next home might be cheaper if they ever manage to get around to purchasing one again. They would have entered the market in good faith and then suddenly their house is devalued and they can be out on the street. Not going to happen. There are better ways to cope with the housing problem.
But not as painful as the situation we have now (which those with high mortgages refuse to consider).
edit: perhaps a solution is to require banks, who are equally responsible for the situation and have long profited from the situation, to share in the pain. After all, mortgages are just ledger entries and not real money so there is neglible effect on them.
Or maybe encourage people to look further afield I was out Pukekohe recently and there are a number of houses in the 400-500 thousand range three bedroom good section etc but Aucklanders will not commute.
For those of us that used to work in Wellington and had to purchase out in Akatarawa which meant a 30 minute bus trip to Railhead and then an hour on train into city every day but there was little choice.
vto – a lot of people would agree with you: lower house prices are better – and stopping people treating housing like a speculative asset would also be damn good.
The mechanisms HOW are important though. Ron raises some good points: but they are all manageable by the government.
Eg.
1) The government institutes a moratorium on mortgagee sales, repossessions and ‘margin calls’ by the bank: this will apply to all mortgages for which payments are no more than 30 days over due.
2) If a retail bank wants out of the mortgage that is ‘underwater’, fine. Government will facilitate that: the government will pay out the face value of the mortgage and the mortgage asset and administration will be taken over by Kiwibank.
3) The government will limit the loss of value anyone suffers on their primary home to a maximum of 5% of the original purchase value.
My bet is that with these, and other steps, an orderly reduction in house values of a few percentage points per year is very possible. And by also ensuring income inflation of a couple of percent a year, housing affordibility will rocket upwards over a 5 to 10 year period.
Sure the ‘how’ needs to be done as easily as possible, but the schemes suggested there, and dracos below, are so complex as to be unachievable imo. In Chch post-earthquakes we have seen the myriad variances and circumstances that have inadvertently arisen in the wake of the red-zone government offers, and that is a simple scheme.
There is also the issue of affordability. Government could not afford it. Government is struggling to afford Christchurch.
All stakeholders in property would need to share the burden. Banks are certainly stakeholders and share responsibility for the problem. They also unendingly profit from being a property stakeholder. Perhaps, put simply, the LVR on each property is maintained pre and post-value adjustment. Done.
….. but still the distortions would fly
Sure the ‘how’ needs to be done as easily as possible, but the schemes suggested there, and dracos below, are so complex as to be unachievable imo.
WTF is complex about it?
In Chch post-earthquakes we have seen the myriad variances and circumstances that have inadvertently arisen in the wake of the red-zone government offers, and that is a simple scheme.
No, that was an overly complex system designed, as far as I can make out, to save both the government and the insurance industry money. What the government should have done is declared the Red Zones, paid everyone in them the full market value and then turned round to the insurance companies and told them to pay up.
There is also the issue of affordability. Government could not afford it.
This is incorrect. The government can, quite literally, afford everything in NZ.
There’s an answer to that to. When the government passes legislation that drops the process of houses you have it so that they also offer to buy the house at previous market rates. The current owners get a lease at normal social housing rents.
Limit the ability for banks to raise bank debt.
If there are greater controls over bank debt: equity ratios then there would be less money available for the banks to loan out.
A property that was $1m last year in Auckland is now $1.13m ( based on the increase of the medium house price in Auckland ) Wages are static so what has changed ? The availability of plenty of cheap money, and banks openness to lend.
Also why is it that a family who are the owner:occupiers paying the same interest rate as someone who has multi properties ? What other business will the banks accept debt of 50%, 60 or even 80 % and still charge the same mortgage rate as for the sole family home ? Shouldn’t the family’s rate be lower and the commercial enterprise pay more. Isn’t it under the current scenario a family subsidising the commercial multi property owner by both paying the same rate ? https://www.reinz.co.nz/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=6E818C4E-73F0-48C6-A4A4-43F2D0D229B3&siteName=reinz
There are many policies that need to be enacted that will drop the price of houses in NZ. That would certainly be one of the policies that needs to be enacted.
What I was getting at there was a response from government that could alleviate peoples fear of losing.
Isn’t it under the current scenario a family subsidising the commercial multi property owner by both paying the same rate ?
There’s a huge amount of such subsidies happening. You especially see it in telecommunications and power where the retail sector is massively subsidising the business sector. In both of those you see the retail sector paying massively more than the business sector which amounts to a massive subsidy.
At one point (when I was with one of the larger telcos) the management had a meeting to show us how well we were doing and in that meeting they showed us that the company was losing money on their VIP customers while still making a profit. The entire profit was coming from the residential sector after paying for the loss of the business sector. There’s no other word for that sort of transference of wealth but subsidy.
I must admit I have found dual use of names confusing. Could you please explain how one registers. I can see a log in option but not an option to register in first place.?
Register and login to the site. Then when you post a comment it will appear in blue as mine is and nobody else will be able to use the name.
Hi Arandar. What comments are you referring to? I’ve searched the comment stream and all comments under my search are coming up with your email and avatar.
Arander I noticed yesterday when I was reading the Standard that your name and email address were already in the boxes below the comments. I did wonder why but as they were gone by the next time I looked I didn’t give it a thought. I have never commented here before – just read it all daily – so have no idea how such a thing would happen. I was on an ipad at the time.
Listening to Kim Hill interviewing the Minister about Zero Hour Contracts.
First time I have heard National say anything about them. Thank goodness Labour, Unions and the very decent John Campbell have been actively exposing these utterly dreadful practices.
I got the impression National may not have gotten around to looking at these issues at all, and without Campbell Live to let the rest of us know, Zero Hour Contracts would have become the norm, as they have in other countries.
Luckily, fear of sales dropping after exposure has empowered the slaves to a small degree.
Meanwhile in the virtual reality world of Fearfax, no such momentous events exist.
Instead consumers of their ‘news’ can read this as the main headlines.
Scrutiny on doctors
Selfie-sticks a public scourge
Trolley bus cost shock
$14,000 bike stolen
Surprising visitors came for CWC.
And the Herald pumps out the following vital information as the leaders.
Trio on the run after ram-raid burglary
Colin Slade’s $700k move to French club
Two Farro stores cop alcohol sale bans
‘I shot him’: deputy kills black suspect
Disabled man in car, carer goes fishing
As George Carlin said.
“But I’ll tell you what they don’t want. They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That’s against their interests. “
Hi, Arandar, I’m sure a mod with the technical abilities will have a look ASAP. But, in the meantime, have a go at logging in, as DtB suggests. The log in box is at the top right of the page.
Hmmm, that might also be related to the misuse of your identity, but I’m sure it can be sorted pretty quickly. Just as an aside, it might be worth checking your fb and email accounts just in case the hack is wider than just here at TS.
* Long enough to be hard to guess
* Not a famous quotation from literature, holy books, et cetera [or lyrics]
* Hard to guess by intuition—even by someone who knows the user well
* Easy to remember and type accurately
* For better security, any easily memorable encoding at the user’s own level can be applied.
* Not reused between sites, applications and other different sources.
A couple of times over the many years, when not logged in to TS, I have found the comment / reply fields populated with someone else’s data, apparently at random. The most recent case was within the last couple of months.
Suspect it is a cache / cookie confusion issue perhaps when two people are connected via the same ISP / subnet – but I’m just waving my hands in the air there.
I’ve searched the back end comment stream (email, avatar and comments all line up)and then yesterday’s individual pages through firefox search option. Can’t find anything unusual. Again. Can somebody point me to the comments in question?
Didn’t happen to use a public computer and leave stuff sitting?
Hi Bill,
No I use only my own laptop and my own iPad and iPhone. I comment very rarely though I read daily and haven’t commented probably for a couple of months now…
The two comments yesterday were on the Get rid of the leftwing Bastard thread and the Miranda Devine thread. Neither were from me.
I got my husband to help me check back through the previous couple of days posts and comments for anything else that might have been posted by someone using my name and picture. When he went onto The Standard website, on his iPad, there was someone else’s name and email in the Leave a Comment area. He’s never gone to The Standard before – usually gets me to read to him all the interesting stuff – lazy beggar!
I thought that was odd and I’d guess that’s what’s happened; my name and email ended up on someone else’s tablet. How that also involves my picture I don’t know but then I don’t know much anyway and SFA about any of this stuff.
Problem, my changing my passwords won’t stop this happening, will it? Since this isn’t passworded in the first place?
Okay. I’m stumped. I’m no tech head. All I can do for the time being is note on those comments that they weren’t made by you. Hopefully Lynn will be able to get to the bottom of it. Seems like an apple thing though.
You won’t see anything at all unusual, just what appears to be a regular comment from that individual. In this case only Arandar can say which comments they didn’t write. Ahh – reading back – it is the (only) two comments made by that username yesterday. Nothing obvious springs to mind looking at the IP address involved.
Was browsing from my iPad yesterday and noticed the Leave a Comment had someone elses name and email address there. Was concerned as it was a sort of “Spooks” name. Anyway, I just deleted it and carried on browsing.
Must check today when I get back to the iPad.
rOb – it happened to me yesterday while I was browsing on my iPad. The “Leave a Comment” section had Name and Mail boxes with strange names in it. I just deleted them and carried on browsing. Will check my iPad again when I can get to it.
Farmers support the free market. They sell to the highest possible buyer in the world. Farmers also support the National Party in droves, with their free market philosophy etc.
Yet here are Federated Farmers complaining about the free market not filling their free market business requirements with low-paid employees. The farmers are not willing to pay what the market requires for people to work in their businesses so they import cheaper labour from o.s.
Then to top that nerve in making such a brazen hypocritical claim, they add another with this …. “Macpherson said this ruled out most migrant workers, and the approach was short-sighted. “Even if they’re just milking the cows,” he said, “they’re still working at the starting point of New Zealand’s wealth.” ”
When will they learn that this is not the starting point of NZ’s wealth. The starting point is the mothers who gave birth, the school teachers who taught them how to read dairy shed instructions, the port workers and truck drivers without whom the goods would get nowhere, the builders who first provide them with a home to live in.
So many farmers have thinking like this which bears no relation to reality.
Thats weird I talk to farmers all the time, never hear this view expressed.
Seems you are stereotyping a little VTO.
This http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/67679361/analysts-predict-dairy-disaster-ahead
This is the main reason farmers are having trouble retaining and employing staff.
Also I wouldn’t worry too much about dairy farmers being National voters, their are only about 12000 of them in the country, only as many votes as a largish Auckland suburb.
I know of a lot of farm employees who will be out of work next season, as dairy farmers come to grips with the probability of several years of low payout.
Also lots of farms are automating to varying degrees as well.
Me too jimmy re talking to farmers. Note also that this view was expressed by Fed Farmers who represent farmers. So no generalisations – just picking up on Fed Farmers commentary. They said it.
Regarding having trouble employing and retaining staff – farmers simply need to meet the market. They need to pay more to meet the supply and demand curve. And they need to treat their workers better.
It is simple free market economics, which the farmers support and vote for. Why don’t they comply with it? Why do they stick their hands out when the going gets a little tough for them? They come across as a little soft
When Nick Smith claims there are excessive rules under the RMA and piles up all the District Plan rulebooks from around the country to show how many rules people have to comply with, is that misleading and deceptive?
Penny Bright / Lisa Prager ‘Open Letter’ to NZ Solicitor-General Michael Heron – “Please do NOT drop the John Banks retrial!”
14 April 2015
Michael Heron
NZ Solicitor-General
Dear Solicitor-General,
As two of the three original complainants to the Police about John Banks for alleged electoral fraud arising from his 2010 Auckland Mayoral campaign, we urge you, in the public interest, NOT to drop his retrial.
In our considered opinion, in order for ‘justice to be done and be seen to be done’, the issues are these:
If John Banks knew the identity of any of his substantive electoral donors, they should not have been declared as ‘anonymous’ in his candidate’s electoral returns.
As John Banks’ campaign Treasurer was not present at all times / meetings where electoral donations were discussed or solicited, in our view, he was not in a position to know whether the list he had compiled of donations which were listed as ‘anonymous’ was accurate or not.
In our view, John Banks should not have relied upon his Treasurer’s work, in compiling this list of ‘anonymous donations’, without first carefully double-checking it himself, before signing it as the 2010 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
To us, there seems to have been a significant amount of legal ‘pin head dancing’ as it were – but if the New Zealand public is to have faith in you, as ‘the highest acting lawyer in the land’; our New Zealand ‘Justice’ and electoral systems, then the retrial of John Banks needs to go ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Bright
………………………………
‘Anti-Corruption / Anti-Privatisation campaigner / Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2014 G20 Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Auckland Mayoral Candidate (polled 4th with 11,723 votes)
I notice that today’s High Court daily list for Auckland HC includes an’ In Chambers’ telephone conference on the Crown v John Banks case at 9.00am – Justice Fogarty. Presumably this is about the retrial …..
As we are heading back into Iraq, you would think we might have heard about this report being released.
-I wonder if we’ll see any journalists asking the PM for his comments?
+100 freedom and r-y …and here is an admission, but of course Obama did not support the first Iraq war:
“In an interview with VICE founder Shane Smith, Obama said the rise of the Islamic State was a direct result of the disastrous invasion.
“ISIL is a direct outgrowth of al Qaeda in Iraq that grew out of our invasion,” Obama said. “Which is an example of unintended consequences. Which is why we should generally aim before we shoot.”
1. when the next rateable valuation on the house is out.
2. who is next on XFactor
3. what Mike Hosking thinks about the Americas cup
4. the name of the next royal baby
5. ….
For proof of this fact see the front pages of all daily newspapers and tv news shows.
when the next rateable valuation on the house is out
so ratepayers are psychologically really happy paying more and more to Council as the paper value of their houses get pumped higher and higher, thanks to greater numbers of working New Zealanders getting themselves more indebted to banks which are mostly overseas
Prime Minister John Key says Campbell Live’s primary role was to entertain rather than hold the Government to account.
Looks like the RWNJS have got their C/T lines out now that National’s apparent attempt to kill off investigative journalism is blowing up in their face.
Thought provoking maybe but in some ways I see Cullen and Clark as the cause of the problems that Labour had at last election. Not too sure we should be paying too much heed to Cullen at all.
Of course for Dr Lance O’Sullivan to have any credibility he will also need to call for financial penalties for those who are not on a benefit. For example, tax penalty if you don’t immunise your children.
+1 Or better yet, no subsidised health care (including A and E) or education. Hitting the more well off where it hurts in a proportionally similar way to beneficiaries will make the point better.
Not really. That some doctors in NZ are protofascist isn’t new. Seymour is quoted in that article, I bet you could even find some of his voters that are doctors.
Where he displays his inability to decern between a safe situation and a dangerous accident; and while the commenters give a rousing applause and hurrah; and no doubt while the “Nappy Media” Herald protects him from more exacting commenters.
Bob’s angry that he was saved from safety, and brutally stopped from expressing the courage of his convictions. Other’s in dangerous situations should be left to drown, he implies with characteristic aloof ignorance, because once apon a time something else unrelated happened. Furthermore, other people expressing personal traits opposite to his should be restricted from the inalienable human freedoms he champions.
Also, if he could use the readership of the Herald instead of creating his own readership, that’d be good too, because no nappies for him, no way.
Don’t you feel better about the world knowing nothing has changed? Everyone is still calling for self-extinction, but still too cowardly to do it themselves.
Unfortunately I read it too.
If he really believed half of what he writes he’d have refused the offers of Nanny help from the boat & would have proudly drowned much to the relief of the rest of the country.
Key’s shocking comments today about Campbell Live.
John Key is dismissing the Campbell Live current affairs programme, claiming it’s a show geared up purely for the purpose of entertainment.
John Key told NewstalkZB the show plays no role in holding the government to account.
“Well, it’s role in life is not to hold the government to account. It’s to entertain its viewers and basically follow news stories, but a great many of those don’t involve the government. Some do.”
“Look I don’t know anything about the show other than what I read in the paper, but if you look at what you read in the paper, it’s rating badly and it’s been rating poorly over the last while.”
Asked whether the programme’s work in Christchurch was worthwhile, Key said “I don’t know, I don’t see enough of it to be honest.”
“Whether it stays or goes is a matter for Mediaworks.”
Media commentator Gavin Ellis believes broadcasters have a moral obligation to hold those in power to account, through current affairs programming.
“If they won’t voluntarily meet civic responsibility then maybe we need to look at some form of regulation to require them to provide good, competent, professional news and current affairs.”
Ellis understands demand for entertainment content is on the rise in this fast-moving internet age.
“There is an equal appetite, I would say, for serious current affairs straight after the news. I really do lament the possibility of us losing that.”
Ellis describes the current set-up of two main commercial networks, with no current affairs obligations, as ‘laissez-faire’ and questions the ability of broadcasters to produce quality current affairs without any form of regulation.
The musician Sharon Van Etten, who was a surprise guest on Campbell Live and appeared to make the host cry with delight, has tweeted in support of saving the show.
According to the television ratings website Throng, Campbell Live has experienced a ratings boost since its fate was mooted by Mediaworks.
For yesterday, April 13, 2015 over 333,000 viewers tuned in for 7pm slot.
Clem’ at 20.1.1…….those comments by The-Once-Was-God-Key underline the pathology in the man. Which is to say (if the illiterate, gauche dork could manage the third word without Crosby Textor coaching)……”It is temeritous (KeySpeak – ‘temareteris’) to fancy holding ‘us’ to account……”. The hidebound arrogance is truly stunning ! It is however his undoing. Such spectacular third-termitis. Excellent ! The robber baron traitor is on his way out !
So, why does farm size matter? As the total number of farms goes down, the number of big* farms is going up — and this shift hurts rural America. According to an analysis by Food and Water Watch: “Communities with more medium- and smaller-sized farms have more shared prosperity, including higher incomes, lower unemployment, and lower income inequality, than communities with larger farms tied to often-distant agribusinesses.”
Isn’t the same thing happening in NZ as well? The Crafar’s had certainly tried to engorge their farm.
The thing with the land being accumulated buy fewer people out in sheep/beef country is that they are struggling to get staff due to less schools for kids and opportunities for spouses to have a life beyond horses and drinking.
People on here have quoted television viewer ratings down to the nearest 100 it appears.
How are these figures arrived at?
If it’s by phone polling, then we have never been asked in the 30 years of owning a landline, and as we no longer use one of those I guess we will never be asked.
So on the off chance that the pollsters are interested …
Do we watch Campbell in this household? Well yes if we bother to have the television on at 7 pm – and have a heads-up that his guest is going to have their position on something investigated.
Do we watch Hoskings – never, cannot stand him having seen him on programmes previously.
Used to watch TV1 post Holmes for a while but couldn’t put up with Sainsbury’s lack of understanding that he had a lapel mike and that we could hear him perfectly well without the shouting, rasping voice.
… and one more thing. We used to watch the news between both channels. That was when it was 45 – 50 minutes of news and 5 minutes of weather forecasts.
Now that it is progressing towards weather interrupted by an item or two of news, we are looking for and finding other sources of news on-line.
One thing I have to give Hosking is his capacity to wander, lyrically, superficially attractively, through the words……a constant purring, know-it-all patter into which one can be easily drawn……until the gratuitous sneer and the “I’m so cool…..so cool…..so cool……” gets its head. At which point……”Fuck up, Egg !”
I wonder…….the writing on the wall for TheGodKey, can Hosking get to show a little love for Little ? Wouldn’t be surprised. The narcissistic punk is all into ‘celebrity’. The staff of his life. The $3 mill’ heist father-in-law like son-in-law. “Haw haw haw haw haw……a wonderful vintage !”
And talking of beards I well remember the Old Days in Wellington with the very same on your own jutting jaw so as to affect the ‘style’ of some Italian rake…….exiting your Jensen Interceptor to enter some piss-up in solidarity with Robert Muldoon. An ostentatiously large cigar clamped in your teeth, fingers back-to-front in the air, mock-Churchillian, to give insult.
At the rate these pricks are going with the minimum wage and zero hours contracts, there’ll be noone left in the “elder care” industry by the time they’re in nappies. And in Bob’s case that day can’t be too far off.
So when you see old Bob sitting in his nappyful of untended waste, be sure to offer him a two fingered salute. 😉
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
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 ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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 ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 24 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
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 ...
China’s March exports shrink 15 percent year-on-year in shock fall
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/04/13/us-china-economy-trade-idUSKBN0N405D20150413
The world economy is on the brink of a worse crash than 2008.
I’d take that with a bucket of salt if I were you.
March 2013.
Make that two buckets.
Auckland’s property prices.
Who do you believe ?
The Dear Leader who says there is no crisis.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/20174463/prime-minister-responds-to-calls-for-action-on-house-prices
Or a reputable economist, who says that ‘Auckland’s housing market has officially disembarked from the rest of the country.’
http://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/74904/bernard-hickey-argues-aucklands-housing-market-has-officially-disembarked-rest-country.
Dear Leader’s rich mates in the banking sector are making a killing in the housing debt market and so he sees no crisis there.
It suits National just fine. Property owners in Auckland gleefully await their annual property valuation, and year upon year up the price goes. many increases are stratospheric. In return Auckland is as blue as the ocean, so what do you think would happen if the incumbent National led Government took measures like limiting foreign ownership, or introducing a capital gain tax, or even a death duty tax.
What would happen is they would lose the Auckland vote and be booted out of office.
Yes that right. But it shows the lack of thinking that goes on today……
If all house prices dropped then our mortgages would be lower, the amount we had to pay for a home be lower, and we would actually have significantly more money.
Yet so many people do not see this.
Anyone know why?
Which is a direct reflection of our poor political system. Major issues such as the Auckland Housing problem should be subjected to a cross party consensus to resolve the issue. Party lines is the huge hinder and so yesteryear.
I think its a two-fold thing….
first, the bright shiny allure of seeing a supposedly real pot of gold at the end of a rainbow in the form of a housing valuation. (anyone ever caught up with that rainbow gold?)
second, the political thing. The short term nature of decision-making that our system fosters. Something like this which would reduce prices would take some time to bed in.
………………………………………….
test:
If every house in NZ went up by 50% tomorrow what would be achieved?
@Skinny Sorry but this IS a political/philosophical issue. National are cynically happy with the exorbitant valuations of Akl houses as it benefits their voters. Labour, on the other hand, sees supply of sufficient housing, especially affordable housing, as fundamental plank in a fair society.
It is developers who are dragging their feet with developments (land banking) or who are developing the wrong type of houses (4/5 bedrooms on large lots spreading ever outwards) that are causing the problems in Akl.
It is nothing at all to do with the RMA. So really this is an issue the Super City should be able to sort out itself, with central government weighing in with major state house construction. We need a change of government for his to happen.
Well No it would not. If house value falls then all those with recent mortgages would find that they owned houses with less than the security put up to purchase the house. The banks would then ask you to cough up with more security or payback your mortgage immediately. How would you go if you had a house valued at 800,000 with a 700,000 mortgage. The house value drops to 500,000 and you no longer have sufficient cover so the bank would want more money from you to reduce the mortgage to below 500,000.
This is the main reason that no political party will ever seriously try and solve the escalating house costs.
Of course. I didn’t mention the instant-term / short-term pain in adjusting as figured it was self-explanatory. There would be some short term pain for those in such a situation but that short term pain must be put aside in the interests of the mid and long term benefit for all New Zealanders.
The point raised doesn’t make the grade as a reason not to aim for lowering house prices.
Lower house prices are an exceptionally good thing for the country.
Short term pain. Obviously you either dont have a recent mortgage or maybe no mortgage. It would not be a short term pain it would be devastating. People affected would possibly lose their homes and their deposits. Yes their next home might be cheaper if they ever manage to get around to purchasing one again. They would have entered the market in good faith and then suddenly their house is devalued and they can be out on the street. Not going to happen. There are better ways to cope with the housing problem.
Yes it is painful.
But not as painful as the situation we have now (which those with high mortgages refuse to consider).
edit: perhaps a solution is to require banks, who are equally responsible for the situation and have long profited from the situation, to share in the pain. After all, mortgages are just ledger entries and not real money so there is neglible effect on them.
Or maybe encourage people to look further afield I was out Pukekohe recently and there are a number of houses in the 400-500 thousand range three bedroom good section etc but Aucklanders will not commute.
For those of us that used to work in Wellington and had to purchase out in Akatarawa which meant a 30 minute bus trip to Railhead and then an hour on train into city every day but there was little choice.
Have you got any idea as to how much commuting costs?
Not as much as driving that’s for sure, Buy a monhly pass and it’s not too bad
The word commuting isn’t specifically about using public transport and thus also involves cars and driving.
You’re missing the point ron.
Lower house prices right across the board are good for every single part of the population, not just those at the bottom.
vto – a lot of people would agree with you: lower house prices are better – and stopping people treating housing like a speculative asset would also be damn good.
The mechanisms HOW are important though. Ron raises some good points: but they are all manageable by the government.
Eg.
1) The government institutes a moratorium on mortgagee sales, repossessions and ‘margin calls’ by the bank: this will apply to all mortgages for which payments are no more than 30 days over due.
2) If a retail bank wants out of the mortgage that is ‘underwater’, fine. Government will facilitate that: the government will pay out the face value of the mortgage and the mortgage asset and administration will be taken over by Kiwibank.
3) The government will limit the loss of value anyone suffers on their primary home to a maximum of 5% of the original purchase value.
My bet is that with these, and other steps, an orderly reduction in house values of a few percentage points per year is very possible. And by also ensuring income inflation of a couple of percent a year, housing affordibility will rocket upwards over a 5 to 10 year period.
Sure the ‘how’ needs to be done as easily as possible, but the schemes suggested there, and dracos below, are so complex as to be unachievable imo. In Chch post-earthquakes we have seen the myriad variances and circumstances that have inadvertently arisen in the wake of the red-zone government offers, and that is a simple scheme.
There is also the issue of affordability. Government could not afford it. Government is struggling to afford Christchurch.
All stakeholders in property would need to share the burden. Banks are certainly stakeholders and share responsibility for the problem. They also unendingly profit from being a property stakeholder. Perhaps, put simply, the LVR on each property is maintained pre and post-value adjustment. Done.
….. but still the distortions would fly
WTF is complex about it?
No, that was an overly complex system designed, as far as I can make out, to save both the government and the insurance industry money. What the government should have done is declared the Red Zones, paid everyone in them the full market value and then turned round to the insurance companies and told them to pay up.
This is incorrect. The government can, quite literally, afford everything in NZ.
There’s an answer to that to. When the government passes legislation that drops the process of houses you have it so that they also offer to buy the house at previous market rates. The current owners get a lease at normal social housing rents.
Limit the ability for banks to raise bank debt.
If there are greater controls over bank debt: equity ratios then there would be less money available for the banks to loan out.
A property that was $1m last year in Auckland is now $1.13m ( based on the increase of the medium house price in Auckland ) Wages are static so what has changed ? The availability of plenty of cheap money, and banks openness to lend.
Also why is it that a family who are the owner:occupiers paying the same interest rate as someone who has multi properties ? What other business will the banks accept debt of 50%, 60 or even 80 % and still charge the same mortgage rate as for the sole family home ? Shouldn’t the family’s rate be lower and the commercial enterprise pay more. Isn’t it under the current scenario a family subsidising the commercial multi property owner by both paying the same rate ?
https://www.reinz.co.nz/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=6E818C4E-73F0-48C6-A4A4-43F2D0D229B3&siteName=reinz
There are many policies that need to be enacted that will drop the price of houses in NZ. That would certainly be one of the policies that needs to be enacted.
What I was getting at there was a response from government that could alleviate peoples fear of losing.
There’s a huge amount of such subsidies happening. You especially see it in telecommunications and power where the retail sector is massively subsidising the business sector. In both of those you see the retail sector paying massively more than the business sector which amounts to a massive subsidy.
At one point (when I was with one of the larger telcos) the management had a meeting to show us how well we were doing and in that meeting they showed us that the company was losing money on their VIP customers while still making a profit. The entire profit was coming from the residential sector after paying for the loss of the business sector. There’s no other word for that sort of transference of wealth but subsidy.
Worrying about how someone posted twice yesterday in my name.
It was not me.
How does that happen?
And what do I do about it?
Without a login anyone can use the name. The moderators discourage it but they can’t actually stop it.
Register and login to the site. Then when you post a comment it will appear in blue as mine is and nobody else will be able to use the name.
I must admit I have found dual use of names confusing. Could you please explain how one registers. I can see a log in option but not an option to register in first place.?
I think you need a wordpress account to register. Or a gravatar account. Or both?
Was it just your name, Arandar?
Or did your picture appear as well?
Hi Arandar. What comments are you referring to? I’ve searched the comment stream and all comments under my search are coming up with your email and avatar.
Arander I noticed yesterday when I was reading the Standard that your name and email address were already in the boxes below the comments. I did wonder why but as they were gone by the next time I looked I didn’t give it a thought. I have never commented here before – just read it all daily – so have no idea how such a thing would happen. I was on an ipad at the time.
Thanks Prickles, I have seen exactly this anomaly too.
that makes sense, there’s been some odd things happening lately. Lynn’s still working on the mobile version right?
Yup, I believe so.
Listening to Kim Hill interviewing the Minister about Zero Hour Contracts.
First time I have heard National say anything about them. Thank goodness Labour, Unions and the very decent John Campbell have been actively exposing these utterly dreadful practices.
I got the impression National may not have gotten around to looking at these issues at all, and without Campbell Live to let the rest of us know, Zero Hour Contracts would have become the norm, as they have in other countries.
Luckily, fear of sales dropping after exposure has empowered the slaves to a small degree.
maybe we could start a campaign to get Kim back on Morning Report. Suzi could get a job in a ministers office surely?
Meanwhile in the virtual reality world of Fearfax, no such momentous events exist.
Instead consumers of their ‘news’ can read this as the main headlines.
Scrutiny on doctors
Selfie-sticks a public scourge
Trolley bus cost shock
$14,000 bike stolen
Surprising visitors came for CWC.
And the Herald pumps out the following vital information as the leaders.
Trio on the run after ram-raid burglary
Colin Slade’s $700k move to French club
Two Farro stores cop alcohol sale bans
‘I shot him’: deputy kills black suspect
Disabled man in car, carer goes fishing
As George Carlin said.
“But I’ll tell you what they don’t want. They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well-informed, well-educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. That’s against their interests. “
Draco. Thank you. I’ve tried to follow your advice and cannot work out how to register and log in. I’m a techno fool I know.
Felix. Yes, picture as well.
The picture is tied to your email address, so it’s a bit concerning if someone else can use that.
Perhaps if we yell HITLER NAZI TROLL HELENGRAD we can attract a mod to have a look.
😆
Felix. That’s what I thought. I sent a couple of emails to thestandardnz last night when I found the two comments.
Ps. Am on an iPad and don’t have the reply facility. Sorry about that too – spreading my woe all over this thread.
Hi, Arandar, I’m sure a mod with the technical abilities will have a look ASAP. But, in the meantime, have a go at logging in, as DtB suggests. The log in box is at the top right of the page.
TRP, thanks for that.
I’ve moved to laptop so can reply now.
I’ve tried logging in several times but it says I’m locked out.
Hmmm, that might also be related to the misuse of your identity, but I’m sure it can be sorted pretty quickly. Just as an aside, it might be worth checking your fb and email accounts just in case the hack is wider than just here at TS.
and change all passwords.
and shift one’s thinking from password to passphrase …… advice from Snowden himself:
http://rt.com/usa/248401-snowden-oliver-password-protection-advice/
and more tips such as:
* Long enough to be hard to guess
* Not a famous quotation from literature, holy books, et cetera [or lyrics]
* Hard to guess by intuition—even by someone who knows the user well
* Easy to remember and type accurately
* For better security, any easily memorable encoding at the user’s own level can be applied.
* Not reused between sites, applications and other different sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passphrase
I notice they don’t give any useful examples 😉 (that list is pretty hard to achieve).
Snowden’s suggestion was “MargaretThatcheris110%sexy” – perhaps something similarly unlikely could be worked up for our current PM.
eeeww (but good example from Snowden thanks).
How about “JohnKeyi$110%truthful”?
One up on Snowden’s suggestion, with an additional symbol.
Yes Arander I picked up on those two comments and didn’t think they sounded as having come from you.
Lynn disabled log-ins for the average user literally years ago. Only the few people who had signed up before then can still log-in. And authors.
I wasn’t aware of that, Lanth, thanks. I only got a log in organised when I became an author, never really thought about it prior to that.
Hadn’t realised that.
A couple of times over the many years, when not logged in to TS, I have found the comment / reply fields populated with someone else’s data, apparently at random. The most recent case was within the last couple of months.
Suspect it is a cache / cookie confusion issue perhaps when two people are connected via the same ISP / subnet – but I’m just waving my hands in the air there.
I’ve searched the back end comment stream (email, avatar and comments all line up)and then yesterday’s individual pages through firefox search option. Can’t find anything unusual. Again. Can somebody point me to the comments in question?
Didn’t happen to use a public computer and leave stuff sitting?
Hi Bill,
No I use only my own laptop and my own iPad and iPhone. I comment very rarely though I read daily and haven’t commented probably for a couple of months now…
The two comments yesterday were on the Get rid of the leftwing Bastard thread and the Miranda Devine thread. Neither were from me.
I got my husband to help me check back through the previous couple of days posts and comments for anything else that might have been posted by someone using my name and picture. When he went onto The Standard website, on his iPad, there was someone else’s name and email in the Leave a Comment area. He’s never gone to The Standard before – usually gets me to read to him all the interesting stuff – lazy beggar!
I thought that was odd and I’d guess that’s what’s happened; my name and email ended up on someone else’s tablet. How that also involves my picture I don’t know but then I don’t know much anyway and SFA about any of this stuff.
Problem, my changing my passwords won’t stop this happening, will it? Since this isn’t passworded in the first place?
Okay. I’m stumped. I’m no tech head. All I can do for the time being is note on those comments that they weren’t made by you. Hopefully Lynn will be able to get to the bottom of it. Seems like an apple thing though.
You won’t see anything at all unusual, just what appears to be a regular comment from that individual. In this case only Arandar can say which comments they didn’t write. Ahh – reading back – it is the (only) two comments made by that username yesterday. Nothing obvious springs to mind looking at the IP address involved.
Was browsing from my iPad yesterday and noticed the Leave a Comment had someone elses name and email address there. Was concerned as it was a sort of “Spooks” name. Anyway, I just deleted it and carried on browsing.
Must check today when I get back to the iPad.
rOb – it happened to me yesterday while I was browsing on my iPad. The “Leave a Comment” section had Name and Mail boxes with strange names in it. I just deleted them and carried on browsing. Will check my iPad again when I can get to it.
Have never seen that. I know that one other person from my work has posted a comment on TS, although only once and several years ago now.
Farmers support the free market. They sell to the highest possible buyer in the world. Farmers also support the National Party in droves, with their free market philosophy etc.
Yet here are Federated Farmers complaining about the free market not filling their free market business requirements with low-paid employees. The farmers are not willing to pay what the market requires for people to work in their businesses so they import cheaper labour from o.s.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/67648025/criteria-too-tough-on-migrant-workers–federated-farmers
Complete hypocrisy and lack of credibility.
Then to top that nerve in making such a brazen hypocritical claim, they add another with this …. “Macpherson said this ruled out most migrant workers, and the approach was short-sighted. “Even if they’re just milking the cows,” he said, “they’re still working at the starting point of New Zealand’s wealth.” ”
When will they learn that this is not the starting point of NZ’s wealth. The starting point is the mothers who gave birth, the school teachers who taught them how to read dairy shed instructions, the port workers and truck drivers without whom the goods would get nowhere, the builders who first provide them with a home to live in.
So many farmers have thinking like this which bears no relation to reality.
Thats weird I talk to farmers all the time, never hear this view expressed.
Seems you are stereotyping a little VTO.
This http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/67679361/analysts-predict-dairy-disaster-ahead
This is the main reason farmers are having trouble retaining and employing staff.
Also I wouldn’t worry too much about dairy farmers being National voters, their are only about 12000 of them in the country, only as many votes as a largish Auckland suburb.
I know of a lot of farm employees who will be out of work next season, as dairy farmers come to grips with the probability of several years of low payout.
Also lots of farms are automating to varying degrees as well.
Me too jimmy re talking to farmers. Note also that this view was expressed by Fed Farmers who represent farmers. So no generalisations – just picking up on Fed Farmers commentary. They said it.
Regarding having trouble employing and retaining staff – farmers simply need to meet the market. They need to pay more to meet the supply and demand curve. And they need to treat their workers better.
It is simple free market economics, which the farmers support and vote for. Why don’t they comply with it? Why do they stick their hands out when the going gets a little tough for them? They come across as a little soft
I see Tony Abbott has today announced tax penalties for those citizens who don’t vaccinate their children.
………
tories, National Party supporters and conservatives ……..
they
just
don’t
think
Any reason why TS is not showing the most recent posts in my Feedly? Hasn’t for a few days now.
When Nick Smith claims there are excessive rules under the RMA and piles up all the District Plan rulebooks from around the country to show how many rules people have to comply with, is that misleading and deceptive?
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/overhauling-resource-management-act
Because of course, those 80,000 pages are to cover all of the country’s councils. It is not 80,000 pages for every Council. Yet Smith claims it is.
Nick Smith lies and deceives.
yep. Any joking references calling him on it from the msm political commentariat? lol no need to answer that one 🙂
Penny Bright / Lisa Prager ‘Open Letter’ to NZ Solicitor-General Michael Heron – “Please do NOT drop the John Banks retrial!”
14 April 2015
Michael Heron
NZ Solicitor-General
Dear Solicitor-General,
As two of the three original complainants to the Police about John Banks for alleged electoral fraud arising from his 2010 Auckland Mayoral campaign, we urge you, in the public interest, NOT to drop his retrial.
In our considered opinion, in order for ‘justice to be done and be seen to be done’, the issues are these:
If John Banks knew the identity of any of his substantive electoral donors, they should not have been declared as ‘anonymous’ in his candidate’s electoral returns.
As John Banks’ campaign Treasurer was not present at all times / meetings where electoral donations were discussed or solicited, in our view, he was not in a position to know whether the list he had compiled of donations which were listed as ‘anonymous’ was accurate or not.
In our view, John Banks should not have relied upon his Treasurer’s work, in compiling this list of ‘anonymous donations’, without first carefully double-checking it himself, before signing it as the 2010 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
To us, there seems to have been a significant amount of legal ‘pin head dancing’ as it were – but if the New Zealand public is to have faith in you, as ‘the highest acting lawyer in the land’; our New Zealand ‘Justice’ and electoral systems, then the retrial of John Banks needs to go ahead.
Yours sincerely,
Penny Bright
………………………………
‘Anti-Corruption / Anti-Privatisation campaigner / Public Watchdog’
Attendee: 2009 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2010 Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2013 Australian Public Service Anti-Corruption Conference
Attendee: 2014 G20 Anti-Corruption Conference
2013 Auckland Mayoral Candidate (polled 4th with 11,723 votes)
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate
Lisa Prager
…………………….
Community activist / advocate Public Watchdog
Good on you, Penny.
I notice that today’s High Court daily list for Auckland HC includes an’ In Chambers’ telephone conference on the Crown v John Banks case at 9.00am – Justice Fogarty. Presumably this is about the retrial …..
https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/business/calendar/daily-lists/2-National%20Court%20List%20-%20Tuesday%20-%2014.04.2015.pdf
As we are heading back into Iraq, you would think we might have heard about this report being released.
-I wonder if we’ll see any journalists asking the PM for his comments?
http://yournewswire.com/declassified-cia-document-reveals-iraq-war-had-zero-justification/
kudos due to one Helen Clark on our behalf … great link, thx freedom.
Those three in the picture should be up on war crimes charges with the greedy and vile Blair who still wishes to rule the whole world.
+100 freedom and r-y …and here is an admission, but of course Obama did not support the first Iraq war:
“In an interview with VICE founder Shane Smith, Obama said the rise of the Islamic State was a direct result of the disastrous invasion.
“ISIL is a direct outgrowth of al Qaeda in Iraq that grew out of our invasion,” Obama said. “Which is an example of unintended consequences. Which is why we should generally aim before we shoot.”
– See more at: http://yournewswire.com/declassified-cia-document-reveals-iraq-war-had-zero-justification/#sthash.iT4qCCAv.dpuf
A thought provoking speech about the Labour party by Michael Cullen.
http://polity.co.nz/content/sir-michael-cullen-labour
Also;
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/12/live-event-table-talk-making-sense-of-the-campbell-live-affair/
Might be worth tuning into…
cool, that’s tonight.
Discussion of the lack of a true media in NZ?
Why do we need one of those?
All we need to know is;
1. when the next rateable valuation on the house is out.
2. who is next on XFactor
3. what Mike Hosking thinks about the Americas cup
4. the name of the next royal baby
5. ….
For proof of this fact see the front pages of all daily newspapers and tv news shows.
when the next rateable valuation on the house is out
so ratepayers are psychologically really happy paying more and more to Council as the paper value of their houses get pumped higher and higher, thanks to greater numbers of working New Zealanders getting themselves more indebted to banks which are mostly overseas
John Key dismisses Campbell Live as entertainment
Looks like the RWNJS have got their C/T lines out now that National’s apparent attempt to kill off investigative journalism is blowing up in their face.
+100…John Key is getting very worried about the public backlash to the axing of Campbell Live…. and his part in it…as well as that of his friends
Here is the sort of investigative journalism from Campbell that John Key is really worried about…and why he wants to axe Campbell’s programme
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/campbelllive/keys-meeting-with-gcsb-boss-revealed-2014052019
Thought provoking maybe but in some ways I see Cullen and Clark as the cause of the problems that Labour had at last election. Not too sure we should be paying too much heed to Cullen at all.
Occasional trip- ups on hurried keyboards are no problem but a minor spelling point from a self confessed pedant.
Don’t confuse ‘their’, and ‘there’. …
‘Their’ is a possessive pronoun: I like their new car.
‘There’ is an adverb meaning ‘at that place’: park the car over there.
There, that feels better.
How to comfort a grammar nazi?
They’re, there, their.
No its not Deutsch grammar- just English spelling..and by the way …
a |ā, ə|( an before a vowel sound) [ called the indefinite article ]
ref. Open mike 01/04/2015
“Used to be an (sic) girl group many years ago. ……! ”
Bye!
And from another pedant: I do wish people would learn to distinguish between bought and brought.
Bought is the past tense for buy.
Brought is the past tense for bring.
I bought a loaf of bread from the dairy.
I brought the washing in off the line.
“I bought a loaf of bread from the dairy.
I brought the washing in off the line”
I brought a loaf of bread from the dairy.
I bought the washing machine on line.
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/doctor-mp-back-no-jab-no-pay-scheme-2015041408#axzz3XEsnbz35
– Well that makes things more interesting
Of course for Dr Lance O’Sullivan to have any credibility he will also need to call for financial penalties for those who are not on a benefit. For example, tax penalty if you don’t immunise your children.
Easy. Done.
+1 Or better yet, no subsidised health care (including A and E) or education. Hitting the more well off where it hurts in a proportionally similar way to beneficiaries will make the point better.
“– Well that makes things more interesting”
Not really. That some doctors in NZ are protofascist isn’t new. Seymour is quoted in that article, I bet you could even find some of his voters that are doctors.
Looks like Venezuela is headed for an unholy mess later on this year.
https://www.stratfor.com/image/low-oil-prices-are-crashing-venezuelas-economy
No doubt a right wing facist dictator will eventually take over and normality will return.
Or the people will get sick of the lies and failures of the Bolivarian Revolution and vote in an economically literate government.
Is Bob Jones going nuts in his old age, or was he never really present? Just finished reading his latest offering here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11432112
Where he displays his inability to decern between a safe situation and a dangerous accident; and while the commenters give a rousing applause and hurrah; and no doubt while the “Nappy Media” Herald protects him from more exacting commenters.
Bob’s angry that he was saved from safety, and brutally stopped from expressing the courage of his convictions. Other’s in dangerous situations should be left to drown, he implies with characteristic aloof ignorance, because once apon a time something else unrelated happened. Furthermore, other people expressing personal traits opposite to his should be restricted from the inalienable human freedoms he champions.
Also, if he could use the readership of the Herald instead of creating his own readership, that’d be good too, because no nappies for him, no way.
Don’t you feel better about the world knowing nothing has changed? Everyone is still calling for self-extinction, but still too cowardly to do it themselves.
Unfortunately I read it too.
If he really believed half of what he writes he’d have refused the offers of Nanny help from the boat & would have proudly drowned much to the relief of the rest of the country.
Here we go again
What’s the bet that this government will give away a few more tens of millions of our money to a massively profitable foreign company?
Key’s shocking comments today about Campbell Live.
John Key is dismissing the Campbell Live current affairs programme, claiming it’s a show geared up purely for the purpose of entertainment.
John Key told NewstalkZB the show plays no role in holding the government to account.
“Well, it’s role in life is not to hold the government to account. It’s to entertain its viewers and basically follow news stories, but a great many of those don’t involve the government. Some do.”
“Look I don’t know anything about the show other than what I read in the paper, but if you look at what you read in the paper, it’s rating badly and it’s been rating poorly over the last while.”
Asked whether the programme’s work in Christchurch was worthwhile, Key said “I don’t know, I don’t see enough of it to be honest.”
“Whether it stays or goes is a matter for Mediaworks.”
Media commentator Gavin Ellis believes broadcasters have a moral obligation to hold those in power to account, through current affairs programming.
“If they won’t voluntarily meet civic responsibility then maybe we need to look at some form of regulation to require them to provide good, competent, professional news and current affairs.”
Ellis understands demand for entertainment content is on the rise in this fast-moving internet age.
“There is an equal appetite, I would say, for serious current affairs straight after the news. I really do lament the possibility of us losing that.”
Ellis describes the current set-up of two main commercial networks, with no current affairs obligations, as ‘laissez-faire’ and questions the ability of broadcasters to produce quality current affairs without any form of regulation.
The musician Sharon Van Etten, who was a surprise guest on Campbell Live and appeared to make the host cry with delight, has tweeted in support of saving the show.
According to the television ratings website Throng, Campbell Live has experienced a ratings boost since its fate was mooted by Mediaworks.
For yesterday, April 13, 2015 over 333,000 viewers tuned in for 7pm slot.
Here is the link for full information:
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/entertainment/john-key-dismisses-campbell-live/?fb_action_ids=10152825825013297&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_ref=.VSxFC5vSCnZ.like
Well look at who Newstalk ZB employ to impart their version of the news.
Mike Hosking!
Here is another report followed by good comments below:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/67740334/prime-minister-john-key-labels-campbell-live-entertainment
Key is a disgrace!
Clem’ at 20.1.1…….those comments by The-Once-Was-God-Key underline the pathology in the man. Which is to say (if the illiterate, gauche dork could manage the third word without Crosby Textor coaching)……”It is temeritous (KeySpeak – ‘temareteris’) to fancy holding ‘us’ to account……”. The hidebound arrogance is truly stunning ! It is however his undoing. Such spectacular third-termitis. Excellent ! The robber baron traitor is on his way out !
snap!!!
+100…why it is a political decision to axe Campbell live by John Key and his henchmen and women
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/14/why-the-axing-of-campbell-live-is-being-driven-by-dirty-politics/
The rock star economy……..
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11432381
America has fewer and larger farms. Here’s why that matters
Isn’t the same thing happening in NZ as well? The Crafar’s had certainly tried to engorge their farm.
Isn’t this phenomenon just what you describe often dtb? Namely, this is where capitalism always ends up, with all the wealth in the hands of a few?
Yep and it always fails.
The thing with the land being accumulated buy fewer people out in sheep/beef country is that they are struggling to get staff due to less schools for kids and opportunities for spouses to have a life beyond horses and drinking.
People on here have quoted television viewer ratings down to the nearest 100 it appears.
How are these figures arrived at?
If it’s by phone polling, then we have never been asked in the 30 years of owning a landline, and as we no longer use one of those I guess we will never be asked.
So on the off chance that the pollsters are interested …
Do we watch Campbell in this household? Well yes if we bother to have the television on at 7 pm – and have a heads-up that his guest is going to have their position on something investigated.
Do we watch Hoskings – never, cannot stand him having seen him on programmes previously.
Used to watch TV1 post Holmes for a while but couldn’t put up with Sainsbury’s lack of understanding that he had a lapel mike and that we could hear him perfectly well without the shouting, rasping voice.
… and one more thing. We used to watch the news between both channels. That was when it was 45 – 50 minutes of news and 5 minutes of weather forecasts.
Now that it is progressing towards weather interrupted by an item or two of news, we are looking for and finding other sources of news on-line.
One thing I have to give Hosking is his capacity to wander, lyrically, superficially attractively, through the words……a constant purring, know-it-all patter into which one can be easily drawn……until the gratuitous sneer and the “I’m so cool…..so cool…..so cool……” gets its head. At which point……”Fuck up, Egg !”
I wonder…….the writing on the wall for TheGodKey, can Hosking get to show a little love for Little ? Wouldn’t be surprised. The narcissistic punk is all into ‘celebrity’. The staff of his life. The $3 mill’ heist father-in-law like son-in-law. “Haw haw haw haw haw……a wonderful vintage !”
For now……Marie Antoinette without the bouff’.
You’ll find the answers about ratings here: http://www.agbnielsen.co.nz/
‘I have been controversial’: Guenter Grass, Germany’s Nobel-winning author, dies at 87′
http://rt.com/news/249317-gunter-grass-dies-87/
Watch Campbell Live today to prevent that programme from getting the axe.
7pm.
Let us show the stupid RW head honchos of Media Works how bloody minded and wring they are.
Also read below Campbell thanking us all.
https://twitter.com/CampbellLiveNZ/status/587770033289334784/photo/1
Ummh…….I suspect your primary garment IS a nappy…….Sir Bob. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11432112
And talking of beards I well remember the Old Days in Wellington with the very same on your own jutting jaw so as to affect the ‘style’ of some Italian rake…….exiting your Jensen Interceptor to enter some piss-up in solidarity with Robert Muldoon. An ostentatiously large cigar clamped in your teeth, fingers back-to-front in the air, mock-Churchillian, to give insult.
The nappy is new…….the ‘prick’ is not !
At the rate these pricks are going with the minimum wage and zero hours contracts, there’ll be noone left in the “elder care” industry by the time they’re in nappies. And in Bob’s case that day can’t be too far off.
So when you see old Bob sitting in his nappyful of untended waste, be sure to offer him a two fingered salute. 😉