This post by Clemgeopin at 11.03 p.m last night was so good I thought it should be put at the top of this thread as it deserves more attention.
“But yet, in that same interview Key says this :
“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.”
I think Key is bull shitting again!
Today, Campbell Live topics included, Zero Hour Contracts and Auckland housing problems. Michael Woodhouse and John Key were invited.
BOTH of them declined to attend!
Yet Key is supposed to have graced Paul Henry’s show twice in one week already!”
Noted from Twitter-
Maurice Williamson sacked for cabinet rule breach.
Simon Bridges? John Key seems a bit unsure of what the rules are all of a sudden.
Goldenboy must be protected?
I really hope Bridges becomes their next leader. Or a future leader, anyway.
His smiley veneer will easily crack under the pressure.
He also talks very very slowly, I can’t tell if it’s because he’s thick and slow-witted, or deliberately talking slowly so as to chew up interview time and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.
He was also raised by pirates, which is why he has such an affinity for using ships to get buried treasure, and gets all shouty at the slightest excuse.
Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.
If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!
It’s also a trait of criminal lawyers when they speak publicly, especially older ones. Had to speak slowly to enable stenographers and juries to clearly follow. There were still stenographers in the 90’s so he may have cut his litigation teeth on that system too.
We are reminded all the time around ANZAC Day of the deaths of soldiers at Gallipoli with the words. ‘Lest we forget.’
I read in the paper today.
“First New Zealand troops set to deploy to Iraq”
Clearly we have forgotten.
Sending our soldiers to foreign countries to deal with other people’s arguments is a recipe for death, division and destruction.
In the UK, a supermarket there was also shown to be totally cynical in their using people’s memory of WW1 to sell their products and increase their profits.
On the weekend, in New World, I saw a box of ANZAC 100 year anniversary chocolates, made in the shape of WW1 tin hats. Now you too can celebrate the glorious deaths of your ancestors by eating their hats. I hope they didn’t sell any, I don’t need anymore evidence that the people around me are insane.
What will we accept next? Chocolate in the shape of cancerous tumours to remember the loss of your loved ones?
Remember when you see Key and Abbott showboating at Gallipoli in 10 days’ time that they have both sent young men and women to the Middle East to fight and potentially die in a war that does not have anything to do with NZ.
I will not argue your opinion, since we share what seems to be the same desired outcome. Unfortunately (from my point of view) it does have something to do with NZ, as much as WW1 had anything to do with NZ. The question I prefer to ask is why we need to send people away to kill or be killed to sustain unsustainable thought processes that could be fixed without sending anyone anywhere, or having anyone kill anyone else.
I saw those ANZAC WW1 tin hat shaped chocolates in New World too. Couldn’t believe I was seeing such a tasteless and inappropriate grocery item.
I couldn’t get to the display stand for a closer look to see who manufactured them as there was a bunch of people milling around in that vicinity.
I had wondered if it was a RSA fundraiser idea gone terribly wrong.
Chocolate I associate with celebration, indulgence and festivity, not commemorating the war dead, and all the misery and suffering that goes with that.
Yes, thats the story that Paul linked to above. God knows what the ad agency was thinking when they came up with that one. It’s disgusting that they could be so brazenly exploitative, once again, of misery, suffering, loss and death.
The boundaries of sensitivity were well and truly breached with that campaign.
This WW1 100 year commemoration, already gratuitously hyped is spilling over into the strange and bizarre.
I wonder what social psychologists would offer in the way of an explanation. A collective need to mourn?
As humans maybe there is a tendency to commemorate out losses as well as wins or gains.
I’m thinking about the great defeat for the Scots at Culloden in 1746. They have a centre dedicated to education and the commemoration of the battle.
We were still so beholden to the Mother country, and staying in her shadows. Being a dominion of Britain, maybe we had little sense of self identity as a population of NZ and clung to our over bearing parent for a sense of false security.
What sense of identity we did develop post dominion seems to have dissolved as we shift from the Little Britain of the past into Little America.
I don’t think Key met the Black Caps at the airport when they came home? He even took time out of his schedule to meet the rugby world cup at the airport (that’s right the cup).
Thanks weka. That’s interesting. I’m familiar with the importer, William Aitken Ltd. I used to deal with them in a former job role, as one of our suppliers.
So it seems they are close with the Belgian supplier of the chocolate and have the blessing of the RSA, and that 50 cents from each $7 sale will go the RSA………
It seems WA Ltd are enthusiastic about the part they play in distributing the chocolates and have thought about the history, and considered the role of their ancestor in WW1. Interesting to look at it from their view.
BUT! I find it creepy, crass and plain odd. Imagine sitting around with people passing around a box of chocolate WW1 helmets, and munching away on them. It would be like eating a representation of the uniforms of the dead.
What next? Little chocolate headstones, war monuments, crosses, the saddles of the poor traumatised war horses?
Poppies used to be made out of Killmarnoch Enterprises in Christchurch. What we used to call Sheltered Workshops. Now they are done in conjunction with RSA and an expensive machine. That’s kind of sad.
Yes, I remember. It was sad that the work got taken away from the people that enjoyed making the poppies. They got something out of doing that work.
Made in China now aren’t they?
Can someone look at the RSS feed please as it does not seem to be working. This message comes up when clicking on the RSS button.
“The requested resource/feed/ is no longer available on this server and there is no forwarding address. Please remove all references to this resource.”
I knew I forgot something last night. Just had to put some exceptions in for the post feeds so they didn’t get caught in the exclusions for the comments feed that some bot net was harassing the site for in the weekend.
It did however get rid of the annoying bots that have been chewing up bandwidth for the last few weeks.
Good News – been quietly watching, and hoping this would happen for some time — it was announced yesterday. Good to see cross region co-operation and I wish them the best of luck.
… this is the word of the Market.
Praised be the Market.
For even when measures of audience viewership be imperfect, or CEOs have clear conflict of interest issues when making programming decisions, the market is infallible.
Indeed. The market mechanism is perfect and can never be doubted in any way. After all, there’s a clear association between, for example, CEO performance and CEO remuneration – oh, wait…
and yet firstline’s numbers have been way below CL for years…. instead of dumping the show they changed the host to a very expensive one. Week one stats still put it behind CL’s older quoted figures.
C’mon Tracey as a lawyer (is that right?) I’m sure you’re aware that the pay packet of the host is small change in comparison to the advertising earned
So the pay packet is a red herring however I’d say good on the producers for trying something to raise the ratings
so my question is how long has Firstline been going on in comparison to Campbel live or don’t firstline deserves a chance?
Next thing is Campbell Live probably is profitable but since its in prime time its not profitable enough to justify being in that slot
For example one of parents rentals was only returning 6% on their investment and they saw a propert they believed they could get 7.5% from so being the conservative type they should their house making 5% and bought the house making 7.5% (they got it upto 8% by the by)
It’s just a wee bit more complicated than that, pr.
Still, I guess you are attracted by the simplicity of the neoliberal Randist theology.
Beats realising the world is complex.
Occans razor here, if he had the viewers (remember hes been losing viewers for years now) we wouldn’t be having this conversation as it wouldn’t have been brought up
‘Occam’s razor (also written as Ockham’s razor and in Latin lex parsimoniae, which means ‘law of parsimony’) is a problem-solving principle devised by William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347), who was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher and theologian. The principle states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove to provide better predictions, but—in the absence of differences in predictive ability—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.’
You’re supposed to minimise the threat to the show until after the decision has been made, in which case it”s a done deal that would be far too difficult to reverse.
Of course, the fact that he questions some of the challenges facing NZ under the God Key has nothing to do with it, pr.
Life is much simpler when we look at life as just black and white, as opposed to many different shades of grey.
You have some evidence for this claim Tracey?
It isn’t just s a debating trick I hope?
The TV show is only part of his program isn’t it? Doesn’t it also get broadcast on some radio station? In that case it would be the combined audience that matters. If the radio part was high enough then the cost of adding TV to it would be effectively zero.
Interesting how Puckish Rogue – took the conversation away from the detrimental comments made by Key – I think he and the rest of the cupidity worshipping squad are worried about Key’s comments.
They see this is a PM who is out of order and are using every trick in the book to deflect and change the conversation.
Put propaganda holds only so much Puckish Fool – and your beloved PM is on the decline.
Now for freedoms sake – I hope Key’s fall is a replay of the last disaster laden change of leadership we expect from national – when they feel they are tarnished with the public. This is happening as nationals lies are exposed, and the amorality of national party is being laid bare.
Please offer your support to the McDonald workers by signing the petition on the Unite website. See link below.
——-
McDonald’s staff around the country will strike on Wednesday afternoon in a bid to get rid of controversial “zero-hour contracts”.
The industrial action, organised by Unite Union, follows a failed mediation with the fast food franchise earlier in the week.
Strike action kicks off in selected Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North restaurants at noon, with more than 200 people indicating they will attend the Auckland event.
Dunedin workers will strike at 5pm, followed by Christchurch workers at 6pm.
‘McDonald’s workers prepare to strike over zero hours’
If you know people who eat the ‘food’ McDonalds sell, encourage them to buy instead from an establishment that has promised not to use zero hours contracts.
‘Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr, has escaped the union’s ire, agreeing last week to end zero-hour contracts by July.
Burger King has also avoided strike action, as Treen said it had come back with an offer that would ensure regular shifts for workers within the next six months.’
Don’t eat that food, there’s a better option.
Support your local bakery or the like, Your body will thank you later.
Ironically I can’t eat modern wheat but you get the message..
The first and most obvious reason that not voting is such a feeble form of protest is that the result is totally indistinguishable from total apathy. If the opponent of the political status quo does exactly the same form of non-action as the hopelessly apathetic fool who doesn’t care a jot about who rules over their lives or how the political system is structured, then how is it even possible to tell how many of those non-votes are ill-conceived protests and how many are manifestations of sheer apathy?The “just stop voting” advocate will often try to claim that if enough of us stopped voting then the election results would become illegitimate through lack of participation. Without explaining the mechanism by which the Westminster establishment parties would be removed from power after a mass non-vote, and without explaining what the system would be replaced with in the short-term, the “just stop voting” advocate is promoting a sheer fantasy. If they want us to believe that not voting is a sensible form of protest, the onus is on them to explain the mechanism by which the government is replaced with something better as a result of simply not voting.
I, too, am really sick of the people who tell us not to vote. You don’t get change by not voting as it is seen as supporting the status quo rather than being against it.
You also don’t get significant change by voting, except when you accidentally vote ACT into power, as in 1984. As far as I’m concerned, what is important is what people do besides voting (or not voting). Apart from the sequential ACT governments since 1984, important changes have come from mass pressure outside parliament, when elected representatives have bowed to pressure. The neoliberal changes were brought about by minority pressure outside parliament, but in either case the parliamentarians didn’t come up with the changes themselves. Looking at the calibre of most, this is not at all surprising.
As an example, I have no idea whether Penny Bright votes or not, but I would say she participates more than most in the democratic process. I vote myself, but I see it as a pretty passive method of participation.
Or anyone else, really.
It’s less responsive than under FPP than under MMP, but if the local votes start going towards a particular policy direction, the incumbent has a vested interest in going in that direction, too. And the UK council elections are also more party-aligned, so those are also a good way to give the local MP a fright.
Certainly not reliable, but more reliable than not voting at all. It’s the hand the electors are dealt.
If you live in England, you can’t vote for SNP.
I agree though. Not voting is giving away one of the few powers we have.
If I lived in England, I’d vote Green as they are anti-austerity.
If I lived in Scotland, I’d vote SNP.
However, my friends in England in some constituencies are considering tactical voting to keep the Cons or even Lib-Dems out, and not even voting Green because of that.
He knows what is best for them… Nah joking he knows what is best for him. On the one hand going on and on about Gallipoli, on the other hand ignoring the RSA… I am MOST surprised that he keeps mentioning Gallipoli, cos we lost.
“”losing feels like failure and I don’t kinda like failure”.” John Key 2014
Because there’s nothing else for him to push. And legacy syndrome, before he bails. It’s something suitably shallow for him to look at as an achievement, and it’s not like he can be proud of anything else.
I think it is his coup d’etat as PM. He is lining up a major sponsor for NZ, their emblem will be on our flag, and we will reduce debt and have a surplus.
Hmmm.
Remember how sweden gave it’s twitter account to a different citizen every day?
Maybe we could market logo rights to a different company each day, in the space where the Union Jack currently is. 🙂
Yes.
Wow, it’s still going.
I thought it might have been discontinued after one or two of them got a little too like paul henry mixed with michael lhaws.
On the dues front, Mr Peters’ win was helped by Labour voters. He denied that meant he now owed Labour a favour. Instead, he said Labour’s support was simply payback for his endorsement of Labour’s Te Tai Tokerau candidate, Kelvin Davis, in last year’s election. Mr Davis managed to win the seat from incumbent Hone Harawira. Mr Peters had endorsed Mr Davis because “Hone made a disastrous decision by going with Kim Dotcom”.
“I didn’t have to do it. It’s the only time I’ve ever done it. We don’t owe anybody a favour at all.”
Pretty much par for the course for Winnie. His ego is so huge he is unable to even think of giving credit to anyone else. I actually doubt if his preference for Davis made much difference in Te Tai Tokerau anyway. What worries me most is that his statements have a heap of emphasis on making NAct do things differently. This strengthens the idea that he might actually want some part in the NAct regime.
Ah well, we knew not to trust him, but he was really the only show in town.
Yep – for winnie, he and labour are back to square, no favours owed either way now that the labour support for him in Northland repaid the davis favour in TTT.
ACT’s been wagging National from time to time and no one seems to squeal… Shit we have a super City and charter schools and 3 strikes cos of ACT wagging the dog
I think you fundamentally misunderstand how the Greens operate PR. Truly, am not taking the piss. I think you overestimate what National would concede, compared to the 1-2 member ACT “coalitions”. ACT is easy, cos they see it as just the other end of the National Party. It’s the ultimate electoral scam, how to get two parties out of one to maximise house numbers 😉
Seriously, I know. My ACT/National voting brother is one. BUT as long as you all expect Greens to compromise, not National, you are breaking a Greens commitment, to the environment and people first. Greens have proven they can share policies. Compare to National and Labour this week refusing an accord on Housing affordability cos they think it is more important to govern than do what is best for NZers. Sure people mock Green MPs BUT how many have had to resign, or been asked to resign due to bad behaviour and ethics?
Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.
If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!
The NZ Initiative is NZ Initiative is researching feminist campaigns around the world. If you go to their About Us, they overlook letting people know that they are the love child of the Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute, those doyens of equity practices.
“The New Zealand Initiative is a market-oriented thinktank that operates from Wellington, New Zealand. It was formed from the merger in 2012 of the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR) and the New Zealand Institute.[1]
Following the merger, Oliver Marc Hartwich was appointed executive director of the new organisation, bringing with him a number of fellow researchers from the Australian-based Centre for Independent Studies.” (CIS)
”
Centre for Independent Studies
Motto Ideas for a better Australia
Founder(s) Greg Lindsay
Established 1976
Focus A “free enterprise economy and a free society under limited government where individuals can prosper and fully develop their talents”.
Executive Director Greg Lindsay
Location (33.8246°S 151.1987°ECoordinates: 33.8246°S 151.1987°E)
Address 38 Oxley St., St Leonards
New South Wales, Australia
Website http://www.cis.org.au/
The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian think tank. It was founded in 1976 by Greg Lindsay.[1] The CIS focuses on libertarian issues such as free market economics and reducing the size and scope of government. The CIS is endowed by donations, membership subscriptions, and book and event sales. According to the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania), CIS is number 101 (of 150) in the “Top Think Tanks Worldwide” and number 11 (of 60) in the “Top Think Tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.”[2]”
Yes, I look forward to their balanced view of modern feminism. You can hear a bit of her here. For my part she seems to not completely understand Feminism based on her comments about wanting to get a job because you are the best not just because you are a woman. I also tihnks she misunderstands what Clinton is saying.
Time to put a little pressure some of the members to quit. There are the likes of Kiwibank in there and some other businesses that take in large $ from women.
Subscriptions to this should not be tax deductable
Frankly at a quick glance some of the proposals are directly against member interests – be careful what you fund
“Former Northland MP Mike Sabin has been appointed the new general manager of Northland’s luxurious Peppers Carrington Resort.
A Carrington Resort spokesperson confirmed Mr Sabin was appointed to the role two days ago.
The resort was recently bought by Chinese company Shanghai CRED for close to $29 million dollars and the new owners are planning to turn the resort into the biggest five star resort in the country, bringing in tens of thousands of Chinese tourists to the Karikari Peninsular each year.
Mr Sabin’s appointment follows his resignation from Parliament amid what he said was “personal matters that are best resolved outside Parliament”. It came amid claims Sabin was under investigation by police.
At the moment the resort only has 51 rooms but the new owners want to spend $360 million building 751 rooms.
A shopping and entertainment centre’s also planned at the resort making it a “one stop” holiday destination.
“This is going to be the biggest tourist centre in New Zealand by twice,” says Far North Mayor John Carter.
Despite some opposition, it’s expected to bring jobs and dollars into an area that desperately needs it.
“If it really works out it could become the Port Douglas of New Zealand,” says economist Oliver Hartwich.”
Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director, The New Zealand Initiative
This amalgam of Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute
“We are committed to developing policies that work for all New Zealanders, and we believe that promoting such policies will benefit all of our members as a matter of fact. But we are certainly an Initiative that usually prefers Adam Smith’s invisible hand to government’s visible fist.
Most of all, though, we believe that our goals and values are similar – if not identical – to what most New Zealanders want to see achieved:”
Wouldn’t “most New Zealanders” want to see someone under police investigation appointed to a plumb high paying job? I guess his “personal problems” are resolved now?
“…
A good education system.
Affordable housing.
An open economy.
A free and democratic society.
The protection of our natural resources and heritage.
Sound public finances.
A stable currency.
These goals are not business goals. They are not left-wing or right-wing goals. These are public policy objectives that most, if not all, New Zealanders would agree with.“
i strongly suspect the new Chinese owners wouldn’t have a clue about it …. boy, are they in for a few surprises. Keep your investors close and your children closer.
Interestingly the economist didnt seem to think it important, financially for the brand that the new GM might have a very serious cloud hanging over his head. That’s Libertarians for ya 😉
I sent this:
Dear sir/madam
It was a courageous decision indeed to appoint [redacted] as [redacted]. Hopefully exactly how courageous will become obvious next Monday, the date of his [redacted]. If there is still any justice in Aotearoa, he will lose his [redacted].
By the way, his [redacted] may have been almost twelve years old. The maximum [redacted] just means they were under 12. They may have even been 11 and a half, which you mustn’t think is really bad. John Key seems to agree with you.
Yours
Muzza
and troll, Nazi, troll to make sure this goes into moderation in case more needs to be redacted.
“Traveller rating
Excellent 34
Very good 24
Average 13
Poor 1
Terrible 2 ”
I suppose you could put it up to 3 terrible ones though.
When did you stay there? I’m sure you aren’t one of those people who put up false reviews. Or are you?
Gee, a false review would be far worse than what FJK did with the Lawn Order Committee and the Northland candidate for the last election. I hope no one does one.
Oh for goodness sake, best not to get started again with the odious focus on the ‘children’ in respect of this case.
If nothing else this surprising development should suggest much of the speculation about the case has been pointless.
Not to say there aren’t legitimate questions about National’s handling of it but that doesn’t justify potential defamation and unpleasant insinuation.
maybe go to court and have a listen for yourself Ergo … but of course, you will not be able to to tell any details, exactly the same as the rest of us.
You have to love how the Tories can organise the smooth, quiet and trouble free exit of MPs whom they want to get rid of. Labour can organise no such positions for its unwanted MPs to move on to. So they don’t.
Possibly even offered a quid pro quo as opposed to demanding one. Co-operate with us, support our by-election campaign, don’t say anything embarrassing or angry at having to go, and you’ll get this nice $200K pa position a few months down the track which doesn’t even look like a quid pro quo.
Well, I’ve only mentioned the carrot side of the equation. The way these things work to motivate people like Sabin is that there is a big stick used as well. Fuck with us, and this [whatever embarrassing communication, email or factoid] gets out into the news, and your family won’t like that one bit will they. And that’ll be the end of any future career. Now just do the smart thing, keep your trap shut, and wait for your nice new corporate job.
remember the major rumour about the National MPs paid $300k each to move on prior to the last election … I guess that kind of available ‘largesse’ can arrange almost anything at all, especially when nobody is looking very closely, as in MSM for example.
something stinks doesn’t it ? Sounds awfully pre-determined somehow and how corrupt is this suggestion ?
I bet Winston s watching very, very closely and is still trying to get his bill introduced for sexual abuse victims to annul suppression rights for their abuser.
If he really wanted to get such a bill introduced he would at least sit down and write one and then put it into the Private Member’s Bill ballot.
” trying to get his bill introduced ” my foot.
Come on then. If you think there is such a bill please tell us where we can find a copy of it. Then we can all be informed of what he is proposing.
Just a reference to where we can find the bill will be enough.
But I have been doing my homework old chap/chappess.
Nothing at all that I have been able to find.
Given that you appear to be so sure that there is such a bill I’m sure you will be able to tell me where I can find a copy.
You wouldn’t be talking about “trying to get his bill introduced” if you didn’t know what it said would you?
Reference please if you are going to claim such a bill exists.
To express that more accurately you mean that your talk about Winston reintroducing his bill is just rubbish as there is no bill in existence.
I guess Abraham Lincoln best described you when he said.
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
You are in the 5% or so of the people who Winston manages to fool all of the time. Luckily the rest of the population are not so silly.
The way he went after months of police investigations and the wording of his resignation statement struck me at the time as ‘convenient’.
First, he is not the type to make such a statement except under duress. Indeed, it is highly likely the statement was prepared for him and he was instructed when to release it. Second, the fact he was appointed chairperson of the Law and Order select committee two to three months AFTER the police investigation began is hugely suspicious. (Forget the lying crap which came out of Key’s mouth. He knew all about the allegations and the on-going investigations.) So, why did they promote him? Was it a way of keeping Sabin quiet because Sabin knew something and they feared that if they didn’t stand by him he would spill some beans? If so, what did he know?
This is why Key and co. will never set up an inquiry into the affair – the same reason why they will never set up an inquiry into Dirty Politics. He, along with other National Party so-called luminaries, have a lot of dirty muck on their hands.
there will be no jobs created in Norhtland if this resort is for chinese by chinese.
There will be a few jobs created to fulfill a quota, the rest will be chinese students on a workvisa working for a chinese company serving chinese customer. I am sure the company will also find many a loophole so as to avoid paying taxes altogehter.
however Northland will have to put up with the environmental costs of this resort. WasteWater (toilets need flushing) is just to name one.
and Mr. Sabin is going to be General Manager. Oh goodie…what could go wrong.
but with Kaitaia airport closed they will have to bus the tourists in pay an overseas owner for accomodation, spend money in the overseas owned gift shop (can’t see them be let out to shop), eat imported food and be tended to by people on work permits. Can’t see much for the locals there really and somehow I think it qwill need more sun to be Port Douglas.
Today I read about a NZ prize winner. It made my heart sing. The people his work will help, the lives it will save, the benefits to the world and NZers is immeasurable. Not only that, I have long wondered “when will someone study the applicability of Multivariate wavelet de-noising applications to intra-day currency trading of the New Zealand dollar.” And now they have.
The Research required an in-depth knowledge and application of quantitative finance, time series analysis and programming as well as proprietary trading system design, and was documented over 120 page research document. And, a Kiwi won! I know!
Wavelet analysis is actually a fairly obvious method to apply to currency trading, as it will show the frequency of trades at certain times of the day. I’d guess that these guys want to use it to predict movements and scam us a bit more. This is always possible when not much is changing in terms of macroeconomics. When a drastic change happens, however, it can be almost useless.
As an interesting aside, one of the most useless physicists I have ever known claimed to be an expert on wavelet transforms.
may I also suggest ‘wavelet transforms’ sounds like something Peter Dunne might be an expert on as well, and he’s one of the most useless politicians we have ever known ! (sorry, it’s been a long day!)
Don’t forget to watch Campbell Live today at 7 pm to help save this worthwhile show.
Today’s topics include: (from what I gathered approximately from an ad)
* How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.
* How 3 D is changing the life of a kid
* Zero hour contract interviews with people on the street.
@clemgeopin
“How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.”
Why does anyone bother to buy bottled water?
I can understand it in a third world country with dodgy tap water but the water supply in 99% of New Zealand is excellent. Why does anyone except a prat bother to waste their money on the bottled stuff?
read ‘no logo’ about branding, surely you know about this stuff? why bottle it unless theres profit in it? bottle it, package it, brand it, sell it, ka-ching!
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 ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
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. ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
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 ...
This post by Clemgeopin at 11.03 p.m last night was so good I thought it should be put at the top of this thread as it deserves more attention.
“But yet, in that same interview Key says this :
“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.”
I think Key is bull shitting again!
Today, Campbell Live topics included, Zero Hour Contracts and Auckland housing problems. Michael Woodhouse and John Key were invited.
BOTH of them declined to attend!
Yet Key is supposed to have graced Paul Henry’s show twice in one week already!”
Noted from Twitter-
Maurice Williamson sacked for cabinet rule breach.
Simon Bridges? John Key seems a bit unsure of what the rules are all of a sudden.
Goldenboy must be protected?
if Bridges is the ‘Goldenboy’, heaven help us from the nats’ tin men ! what a joke.
I really hope Bridges becomes their next leader. Or a future leader, anyway.
His smiley veneer will easily crack under the pressure.
He also talks very very slowly, I can’t tell if it’s because he’s thick and slow-witted, or deliberately talking slowly so as to chew up interview time and reduce the signal-to-noise ratio.
He had a stutter as a child. Much like Matt McCartan. So I imagine speech therapy has been the answer to people like you mocking his speech.
Ok, didn’t know that. I shall decline from mocking him further on that basis.
He was also raised by pirates, which is why he has such an affinity for using ships to get buried treasure, and gets all shouty at the slightest excuse.
No shortage of ways to mock Simon Bridges.
Its not a speech defect that’s the problem. Its his hideous accent – like a deep toned version of a cat’s meow repeated over and over again.
Talking of clarity, I am so enjoying listening to Kim Hill’s voice on Morning Report.
I respect her intelligence as well.
As for Bridges….
Same here!
I think the “fake” south island accent is put on to endear him to his beloved leader!
Paid for on the public teat?
He was a child, so it probably was. Are you the type that would deny a child healthcare?
“Are you the type that would deny a child healthcare?”
My guess would be no, but Bridges, Bennett, and Key certainly are.
Hateatea 15
15 April 2015 at 1:42 pm
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/a-failure-to-deliver.html
Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.
If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!
It’s also a trait of criminal lawyers when they speak publicly, especially older ones. Had to speak slowly to enable stenographers and juries to clearly follow. There were still stenographers in the 90’s so he may have cut his litigation teeth on that system too.
All of that aside can you explain why he lies?
Thats quite interesting
thanks 😉
He talks slowly because he thinks WE’RE thick!
Yes all a bit telling isn’t it ?
We are reminded all the time around ANZAC Day of the deaths of soldiers at Gallipoli with the words. ‘Lest we forget.’
I read in the paper today.
“First New Zealand troops set to deploy to Iraq”
Clearly we have forgotten.
Sending our soldiers to foreign countries to deal with other people’s arguments is a recipe for death, division and destruction.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/67756596/first-new-zealand-troops-set-to-deploy-to-iraq
And large corporates exploit the deaths of ANZACS 100 years ago.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/world/67755660/woolworths-anzac-campaign-hijacked-by-internet-memes
In the UK, a supermarket there was also shown to be totally cynical in their using people’s memory of WW1 to sell their products and increase their profits.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/nov/13/sainsburys-christmas-ad-first-world-war
On the weekend, in New World, I saw a box of ANZAC 100 year anniversary chocolates, made in the shape of WW1 tin hats. Now you too can celebrate the glorious deaths of your ancestors by eating their hats. I hope they didn’t sell any, I don’t need anymore evidence that the people around me are insane.
What will we accept next? Chocolate in the shape of cancerous tumours to remember the loss of your loved ones?
Remember when you see Key and Abbott showboating at Gallipoli in 10 days’ time that they have both sent young men and women to the Middle East to fight and potentially die in a war that does not have anything to do with NZ.
I will not argue your opinion, since we share what seems to be the same desired outcome. Unfortunately (from my point of view) it does have something to do with NZ, as much as WW1 had anything to do with NZ. The question I prefer to ask is why we need to send people away to kill or be killed to sustain unsustainable thought processes that could be fixed without sending anyone anywhere, or having anyone kill anyone else.
I saw those ANZAC WW1 tin hat shaped chocolates in New World too. Couldn’t believe I was seeing such a tasteless and inappropriate grocery item.
I couldn’t get to the display stand for a closer look to see who manufactured them as there was a bunch of people milling around in that vicinity.
I had wondered if it was a RSA fundraiser idea gone terribly wrong.
Chocolate I associate with celebration, indulgence and festivity, not commemorating the war dead, and all the misery and suffering that goes with that.
Just plain weird.
On another topic related to Anzac, Woolworths across the Tasman has been in a bit of a pickle but let off.
http://www.theguardian.com/news/2015/apr/15/woolworths-pulls-anzac-ad-campaign-after-failing-to-ask-for-official-approval
An interesting question that should be asked is how much has Woolworths been donating to Tony Abbott’s party in recent years.
Yes, thats the story that Paul linked to above. God knows what the ad agency was thinking when they came up with that one. It’s disgusting that they could be so brazenly exploitative, once again, of misery, suffering, loss and death.
The boundaries of sensitivity were well and truly breached with that campaign.
This WW1 100 year commemoration, already gratuitously hyped is spilling over into the strange and bizarre.
Most bizarre is our fixation with a lost battle… Men don’t usually like to re-live losses…
I wonder what social psychologists would offer in the way of an explanation. A collective need to mourn?
As humans maybe there is a tendency to commemorate out losses as well as wins or gains.
I’m thinking about the great defeat for the Scots at Culloden in 1746. They have a centre dedicated to education and the commemoration of the battle.
http://www.nts.org.uk/Culloden/PPF/VisitorCentre/
I could understand if we were marking it as the first of a step toward realising the UK was using us and we didn’t need them…
We were still so beholden to the Mother country, and staying in her shadows. Being a dominion of Britain, maybe we had little sense of self identity as a population of NZ and clung to our over bearing parent for a sense of false security.
What sense of identity we did develop post dominion seems to have dissolved as we shift from the Little Britain of the past into Little America.
I don’t think Key met the Black Caps at the airport when they came home? He even took time out of his schedule to meet the rugby world cup at the airport (that’s right the cup).
http://business.scoop.co.nz/2015/03/22
Chicago are an RSA fundraiser, kind of.
Thanks weka. That’s interesting. I’m familiar with the importer, William Aitken Ltd. I used to deal with them in a former job role, as one of our suppliers.
So it seems they are close with the Belgian supplier of the chocolate and have the blessing of the RSA, and that 50 cents from each $7 sale will go the RSA………
It seems WA Ltd are enthusiastic about the part they play in distributing the chocolates and have thought about the history, and considered the role of their ancestor in WW1. Interesting to look at it from their view.
BUT! I find it creepy, crass and plain odd. Imagine sitting around with people passing around a box of chocolate WW1 helmets, and munching away on them. It would be like eating a representation of the uniforms of the dead.
What next? Little chocolate headstones, war monuments, crosses, the saddles of the poor traumatised war horses?
Poppies used to be made out of Killmarnoch Enterprises in Christchurch. What we used to call Sheltered Workshops. Now they are done in conjunction with RSA and an expensive machine. That’s kind of sad.
Yes, I remember. It was sad that the work got taken away from the people that enjoyed making the poppies. They got something out of doing that work.
Made in China now aren’t they?
Can someone look at the RSS feed please as it does not seem to be working. This message comes up when clicking on the RSS button.
“The requested resource/feed/ is no longer available on this server and there is no forwarding address. Please remove all references to this resource.”
Thanks.
Yes Tony P I’ve had this problem for a week or so now. My existing link to RSS Feeds no longer responsive.
Try now.
I knew I forgot something last night. Just had to put some exceptions in for the post feeds so they didn’t get caught in the exclusions for the comments feed that some bot net was harassing the site for in the weekend.
It did however get rid of the annoying bots that have been chewing up bandwidth for the last few weeks.
Anyway off to work.
Good News – been quietly watching, and hoping this would happen for some time — it was announced yesterday. Good to see cross region co-operation and I wish them the best of luck.
http://libcom.org/news/anarchist-federation-central-america-carribean-13042015
How would employers like it if the shoe were on the other foot – regarding ‘Zero Hour’ contracts?
Where employers would have to give paid work to employees who turned up whenever they felt like it, for as many hours as they liked?
How could any business possibly operate on that basis?
Just saying ….
Penny Bright
http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz
Saw this link on the daily blog – disturbing comments from Key incorporated. Around the role of the media and his opinions.
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/entertainment/john-key-dismisses-campbell-live/#.VSxF99AxtZN.twitter
Orwellian double speak…Key is really afraid of investigative journalism….look what happened to Hager
Key knows John Campbell is one of the few television journalists to look in depth at what Key is doing to this country and how he operates
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/campbelllive/keys-meeting-with-gcsb-boss-revealed-2014052019
http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/john-key-hits-back-at-nick-hager-over-gcsb-claims-2015032405#axzz3XKAtacjT
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/14/why-the-axing-of-campbell-live-is-being-driven-by-dirty-politics/
If Campbel is that popular, if the people want what Campbel is selling (and yes hes selling advertsiing) then someone will offer him a slot
If no one offers him a slot then it means the people of NZ have voted (boy you lefties hate it when voting goes against you) with their remote
Maybe you hand wringers could start set up a kick starter to keep Campbel on the air…naah much better that someone else foots the bill as always
… this is the word of the Market.
Praised be the Market.
For even when measures of audience viewership be imperfect, or CEOs have clear conflict of interest issues when making programming decisions, the market is infallible.
TV3 has to answer to its owners and its owners have to answer to its shareholders
If its such a big deal and it has the viewers then start a petition to have Campbel run on TV1 instead, sounds like it’d be a better fit there
Indeed. The market mechanism is perfect and can never be doubted in any way. After all, there’s a clear association between, for example, CEO performance and CEO remuneration – oh, wait…
and yet firstline’s numbers have been way below CL for years…. instead of dumping the show they changed the host to a very expensive one. Week one stats still put it behind CL’s older quoted figures.
Campbell Live have stated they make a profit…
Some would say that’s a pretty good answer for the shareholders
But can something else in its place make more of a profit? If the owners think they can then its their decision not anyone elses
Spoken like a true moral and intellectual vacuum.
Spoken like someone that has no financial stake in the decision
Spoken like someone with no stake in their society.
Hmmm a decision to dump a profitable show, hire the most expensive tv host in NZ history, on the punt they can make money from a low rating show.
Occams razor PR?
Campbells ratings have been dropping for the last couple of years, something has to change
so have Firstline’s but they get the most expensive braodcaster in NZ, not the chop. What does Occums Razor say to that PR?
Did you deliberately avoid addressing (with Occums Razor) the fact that CL is currently profitable, despite the falling ratings?
C’mon Tracey as a lawyer (is that right?) I’m sure you’re aware that the pay packet of the host is small change in comparison to the advertising earned
So the pay packet is a red herring however I’d say good on the producers for trying something to raise the ratings
so my question is how long has Firstline been going on in comparison to Campbel live or don’t firstline deserves a chance?
Next thing is Campbell Live probably is profitable but since its in prime time its not profitable enough to justify being in that slot
For example one of parents rentals was only returning 6% on their investment and they saw a propert they believed they could get 7.5% from so being the conservative type they should their house making 5% and bought the house making 7.5% (they got it upto 8% by the by)
Should they have sold the first house?
You really have no idea.
It’s just a wee bit more complicated than that, pr.
Still, I guess you are attracted by the simplicity of the neoliberal Randist theology.
Beats realising the world is complex.
Occans razor here, if he had the viewers (remember hes been losing viewers for years now) we wouldn’t be having this conversation as it wouldn’t have been brought up
Occam.
‘Occam’s razor (also written as Ockham’s razor and in Latin lex parsimoniae, which means ‘law of parsimony’) is a problem-solving principle devised by William of Ockham (c. 1287–1347), who was an English Franciscan friar and scholastic philosopher and theologian. The principle states that among competing hypotheses that predict equally well, the one with the fewest assumptions should be selected. Other, more complicated solutions may ultimately prove to provide better predictions, but—in the absence of differences in predictive ability—the fewer assumptions that are made, the better.’
Exactly, lower ratings in a prime time slot = cancellation
and the reverse holds true higher ratings = not even having this conversation because it wouldn’t be happening
Get with the spin: “review”, not “cancellation”.
You’re supposed to minimise the threat to the show until after the decision has been made, in which case it”s a done deal that would be far too difficult to reverse.
pr ain’t clever enough to recognise the game plan.
Just helping you lefties get used to the reality now rather then later
Any similarity your comments have with reality is purely coincidental
🙂
Of course, the fact that he questions some of the challenges facing NZ under the God Key has nothing to do with it, pr.
Life is much simpler when we look at life as just black and white, as opposed to many different shades of grey.
Sure you can think like that of course however Keys been in power since 2008 and its only now Campbell Live might be finishing
Of course its got nothing to do with a couple of years of falling ratings
Then why was firstline kept with far lower numbers than CL? You know, Occams…
C’mon Tracey you’re smarter then that. Firstline was a breakfast timeslot show not primetime so you can’t really compare the two.
hmmmm. have you seen TV1’s ratings for their breakfast comedy show with Crawlin Christie?
double-hmmmm so it has a smaller audience but the most expensive host in NZ… interesting decision, economically I mean 😉
and stop trying to distract me with your flatterin chatter!
Its not flattery when its true 😉
HAHAHAHA!
“but the most expensive host in NZ…”
You have some evidence for this claim Tracey?
It isn’t just s a debating trick I hope?
The TV show is only part of his program isn’t it? Doesn’t it also get broadcast on some radio station? In that case it would be the combined audience that matters. If the radio part was high enough then the cost of adding TV to it would be effectively zero.
Wasting your time discussing the issue with a blinkered ideologue, Tracy.
You may believe the spin about ratings your God Key has told you.
I choose to think.
Let me see If I got the numbering right 🙂
Interesting how Puckish Rogue – took the conversation away from the detrimental comments made by Key – I think he and the rest of the cupidity worshipping squad are worried about Key’s comments.
They see this is a PM who is out of order and are using every trick in the book to deflect and change the conversation.
Put propaganda holds only so much Puckish Fool – and your beloved PM is on the decline.
Now for freedoms sake – I hope Key’s fall is a replay of the last disaster laden change of leadership we expect from national – when they feel they are tarnished with the public. This is happening as nationals lies are exposed, and the amorality of national party is being laid bare.
Mentioned a book called Locavesting a couple of weeks ago, regarding direct investment into local businesses.
Just received an email that the website for this book has gone live. Haven’t had a good look yet, but others may be interested.
Thanks Molly
Please offer your support to the McDonald workers by signing the petition on the Unite website. See link below.
——-
McDonald’s staff around the country will strike on Wednesday afternoon in a bid to get rid of controversial “zero-hour contracts”.
The industrial action, organised by Unite Union, follows a failed mediation with the fast food franchise earlier in the week.
Strike action kicks off in selected Auckland, Wellington and Palmerston North restaurants at noon, with more than 200 people indicating they will attend the Auckland event.
Dunedin workers will strike at 5pm, followed by Christchurch workers at 6pm.
All outlets will remain open during the strikes.
————
Sign here :
http://www.unite.org.nz/
News report is here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/67756727/mcdonalds-workers-prepare-to-strike-over-zero-hours
Done. A little pressure applied
Thank you.
Done.
Thanks!
‘McDonald’s workers prepare to strike over zero hours’
If you know people who eat the ‘food’ McDonalds sell, encourage them to buy instead from an establishment that has promised not to use zero hours contracts.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/67756727/mcdonalds-workers-prepare-to-strike-over-zero-hours
‘Restaurant Brands, which owns KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hut and Carl’s Jr, has escaped the union’s ire, agreeing last week to end zero-hour contracts by July.
Burger King has also avoided strike action, as Treen said it had come back with an offer that would ensure regular shifts for workers within the next six months.’
Don’t eat that food, there’s a better option.
Support your local bakery or the like, Your body will thank you later.
Ironically I can’t eat modern wheat but you get the message..
Why not voting is such a pitifully ineffective form of protest
I, too, am really sick of the people who tell us not to vote. You don’t get change by not voting as it is seen as supporting the status quo rather than being against it.
You also don’t get significant change by voting, except when you accidentally vote ACT into power, as in 1984. As far as I’m concerned, what is important is what people do besides voting (or not voting). Apart from the sequential ACT governments since 1984, important changes have come from mass pressure outside parliament, when elected representatives have bowed to pressure. The neoliberal changes were brought about by minority pressure outside parliament, but in either case the parliamentarians didn’t come up with the changes themselves. Looking at the calibre of most, this is not at all surprising.
Just read that. Not sure whether to laugh hysterically or cry really hard.
From what Felix had said in another context, do I have to choose?
There is certainly more to electoral participation than only voting but voting is still an essential part of the process.
As an example, I have no idea whether Penny Bright votes or not, but I would say she participates more than most in the democratic process. I vote myself, but I see it as a pretty passive method of participation.
What do you do if you live under FPP in either the US or the UK and the two main parties are called Tweedledee and Tweedledum?
Vote for a change in the voting system which, I see, the Brits didn’t actually do.
I agree.
Can’t believe the Lib Dems didn’t force it last time.
The Con-dems effectively killed real moves to change the voting system, as well as truly reforming the House of Lords.
SNP.
Or anyone else, really.
It’s less responsive than under FPP than under MMP, but if the local votes start going towards a particular policy direction, the incumbent has a vested interest in going in that direction, too. And the UK council elections are also more party-aligned, so those are also a good way to give the local MP a fright.
Certainly not reliable, but more reliable than not voting at all. It’s the hand the electors are dealt.
If you live in England, you can’t vote for SNP.
I agree though. Not voting is giving away one of the few powers we have.
If I lived in England, I’d vote Green as they are anti-austerity.
If I lived in Scotland, I’d vote SNP.
Those are fine in terms of the general spirit.
However, my friends in England in some constituencies are considering tactical voting to keep the Cons or even Lib-Dems out, and not even voting Green because of that.
The vain Key, the fixated PM, continues to push the flag change referendum. A national disgrace.
Despite the RSA being against it?
He knows what is best for them… Nah joking he knows what is best for him. On the one hand going on and on about Gallipoli, on the other hand ignoring the RSA… I am MOST surprised that he keeps mentioning Gallipoli, cos we lost.
“”losing feels like failure and I don’t kinda like failure”.” John Key 2014
Such an arrogant egotist pushing the flag nobody seems bothered about changing as it actually means something having history and identity.
Granny has been running with a pointless and costly football world cup bid distraction also.
He’s committed now.
Maybe a brown turd with dollar signs coming off it in wavy lines (like smells), all on a blue background?
I actually like the idea of a new flag (and anthem) but i don’t get why hes pushing it so hard
Because there’s nothing else for him to push. And legacy syndrome, before he bails. It’s something suitably shallow for him to look at as an achievement, and it’s not like he can be proud of anything else.
I think it is his coup d’etat as PM. He is lining up a major sponsor for NZ, their emblem will be on our flag, and we will reduce debt and have a surplus.
New Zealand Flag
Hmmm.
Remember how sweden gave it’s twitter account to a different citizen every day?
Maybe we could market logo rights to a different company each day, in the space where the Union Jack currently is. 🙂
I had forgotten that twtitter thing in Sweden, it was sweden?
Yes.
Wow, it’s still going.
I thought it might have been discontinued after one or two of them got a little too like paul henry mixed with michael lhaws.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11425003
simply payback means repaying the debt doesn’t it
at least this might stop the bullshit kelvin did it all himself spin – hold your heads up labour you are just like the gnats – sad bastards
Pretty much par for the course for Winnie. His ego is so huge he is unable to even think of giving credit to anyone else. I actually doubt if his preference for Davis made much difference in Te Tai Tokerau anyway. What worries me most is that his statements have a heap of emphasis on making NAct do things differently. This strengthens the idea that he might actually want some part in the NAct regime.
Ah well, we knew not to trust him, but he was really the only show in town.
Winnie understands reciprocation though and so does labour
True. I certainly don’t think his statement is a positive development.
Yep – for winnie, he and labour are back to square, no favours owed either way now that the labour support for him in Northland repaid the davis favour in TTT.
If Winston gets a few more percentage you can bet he’ll be calling the tune and either National or Labour will be dancing to it
ACT’s been wagging National from time to time and no one seems to squeal… Shit we have a super City and charter schools and 3 strikes cos of ACT wagging the dog
Imagine what the Greens could leverage if they went in with National
I think you fundamentally misunderstand how the Greens operate PR. Truly, am not taking the piss. I think you overestimate what National would concede, compared to the 1-2 member ACT “coalitions”. ACT is easy, cos they see it as just the other end of the National Party. It’s the ultimate electoral scam, how to get two parties out of one to maximise house numbers 😉
Seriously you would be surprised how many potential blue green votes are out there
Look how many hunters there are in NZ, some of us wouldn’t mind seeing a greater representation by the Greens in parliament
But at the moment the Greens are tied for better or worse with Labour…or with what Winston decides
Seriously, I know. My ACT/National voting brother is one. BUT as long as you all expect Greens to compromise, not National, you are breaking a Greens commitment, to the environment and people first. Greens have proven they can share policies. Compare to National and Labour this week refusing an accord on Housing affordability cos they think it is more important to govern than do what is best for NZers. Sure people mock Green MPs BUT how many have had to resign, or been asked to resign due to bad behaviour and ethics?
““I didn’t have to do it. It’s the only time I’ve ever done it.”
Plenty of “i”s in team NZF
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2015/04/a-failure-to-deliver.html
Anyone who has attempted to obtain funding / support for a child with cognitive delay and / or behavioural issues that impact on their education will attest to the frustrating buck passing that goes on between DHB, GSE and MoE and now we discover that they are not delivering on a specifically funded programme that could be helping children right now.
If it wouldn’t hurt my elderly brain I would be hitting my head on my desk!
Great talk about why privacy matters by Alessandro Acquisti
about 15 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_pqhMO3ZSY
God save us all…
The NZ Initiative is NZ Initiative is researching feminist campaigns around the world. If you go to their About Us, they overlook letting people know that they are the love child of the Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute, those doyens of equity practices.
“The New Zealand Initiative is a market-oriented thinktank that operates from Wellington, New Zealand. It was formed from the merger in 2012 of the New Zealand Business Roundtable (NZBR) and the New Zealand Institute.[1]
Following the merger, Oliver Marc Hartwich was appointed executive director of the new organisation, bringing with him a number of fellow researchers from the Australian-based Centre for Independent Studies.” (CIS)
”
Centre for Independent Studies
Motto Ideas for a better Australia
Founder(s) Greg Lindsay
Established 1976
Focus A “free enterprise economy and a free society under limited government where individuals can prosper and fully develop their talents”.
Executive Director Greg Lindsay
Location (33.8246°S 151.1987°ECoordinates: 33.8246°S 151.1987°E)
Address 38 Oxley St., St Leonards
New South Wales, Australia
Website http://www.cis.org.au/
The Centre for Independent Studies (CIS) is an Australian libertarian think tank. It was founded in 1976 by Greg Lindsay.[1] The CIS focuses on libertarian issues such as free market economics and reducing the size and scope of government. The CIS is endowed by donations, membership subscriptions, and book and event sales. According to the 2014 Global Go To Think Tank Index Report (Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program, University of Pennsylvania), CIS is number 101 (of 150) in the “Top Think Tanks Worldwide” and number 11 (of 60) in the “Top Think Tanks in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.”[2]”
No women on their Board
http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Board.html
Their may be Maori on the Board but none identifies as such in their profile
Staff is more even
http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Staff.html
No one declares as Maori
Here’s the membership
http://nzinitiative.org.nz/About+Us/Membership.html
Yes, I look forward to their balanced view of modern feminism. You can hear a bit of her here. For my part she seems to not completely understand Feminism based on her comments about wanting to get a job because you are the best not just because you are a woman. I also tihnks she misunderstands what Clinton is saying.
http://www.3news.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/interviews/clinton-should-run-on-her-merits-not-gender#ixzz3XL6VOCgF
Extreme right wing think tanks.
Paid for by the 0.001%
but paid to dupe the 99.9
Time to put a little pressure some of the members to quit. There are the likes of Kiwibank in there and some other businesses that take in large $ from women.
Subscriptions to this should not be tax deductable
Frankly at a quick glance some of the proposals are directly against member interests – be careful what you fund
I see TV3 ran a poll…
Would you
Watch Paul Henry
Listen to Paul Henry
Both
One answer was glaringly absent from choices.
Well TV3 ran it.
They have a clear vested interest.
Here is a time when it is not worth voting….
watch them spin those figures… and if you didnt know the questions… it will seem like a very positive story
That’s the propaganda machine Stephen Joyce paid $43 million for.
colour me speechless.
“Former Northland MP Mike Sabin has been appointed the new general manager of Northland’s luxurious Peppers Carrington Resort.
A Carrington Resort spokesperson confirmed Mr Sabin was appointed to the role two days ago.
The resort was recently bought by Chinese company Shanghai CRED for close to $29 million dollars and the new owners are planning to turn the resort into the biggest five star resort in the country, bringing in tens of thousands of Chinese tourists to the Karikari Peninsular each year.
Mr Sabin’s appointment follows his resignation from Parliament amid what he said was “personal matters that are best resolved outside Parliament”. It came amid claims Sabin was under investigation by police.
At the moment the resort only has 51 rooms but the new owners want to spend $360 million building 751 rooms.
A shopping and entertainment centre’s also planned at the resort making it a “one stop” holiday destination.
“This is going to be the biggest tourist centre in New Zealand by twice,” says Far North Mayor John Carter.
Despite some opposition, it’s expected to bring jobs and dollars into an area that desperately needs it.
“If it really works out it could become the Port Douglas of New Zealand,” says economist Oliver Hartwich.”
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/embattled-former-mp-mike-sabin-heads-luxurious-golf-resort-6288575
“economist Oliver Hartwich”
Now, now, let’s be accurate here
Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director, The New Zealand Initiative
This amalgam of Business Round Table and New Zealand Institute
“We are committed to developing policies that work for all New Zealanders, and we believe that promoting such policies will benefit all of our members as a matter of fact. But we are certainly an Initiative that usually prefers Adam Smith’s invisible hand to government’s visible fist.
Most of all, though, we believe that our goals and values are similar – if not identical – to what most New Zealanders want to see achieved:”
Wouldn’t “most New Zealanders” want to see someone under police investigation appointed to a plumb high paying job? I guess his “personal problems” are resolved now?
“…
A good education system.
Affordable housing.
An open economy.
A free and democratic society.
The protection of our natural resources and heritage.
Sound public finances.
A stable currency.
These goals are not business goals. They are not left-wing or right-wing goals. These are public policy objectives that most, if not all, New Zealanders would agree with.“
i strongly suspect the new Chinese owners wouldn’t have a clue about it …. boy, are they in for a few surprises. Keep your investors close and your children closer.
Someone from Australia could always send them an email. Stranger things have happened.
Interestingly the economist didnt seem to think it important, financially for the brand that the new GM might have a very serious cloud hanging over his head. That’s Libertarians for ya 😉
An email address: carrington@peppers.co.nz
I sent this:
Dear sir/madam
It was a courageous decision indeed to appoint [redacted] as [redacted]. Hopefully exactly how courageous will become obvious next Monday, the date of his [redacted]. If there is still any justice in Aotearoa, he will lose his [redacted].
By the way, his [redacted] may have been almost twelve years old. The maximum [redacted] just means they were under 12. They may have even been 11 and a half, which you mustn’t think is really bad. John Key seems to agree with you.
Yours
Muzza
and troll, Nazi, troll to make sure this goes into moderation in case more needs to be redacted.
@muzza — thank u !
and another email address, this time for CRED Shanghai who owns it.
http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=182474703
bloomberg report a lot about them.
almost tempted to do a TripAdvisor(y) on the place ….
Trip Advisor currently has the following reviews
“Traveller rating
Excellent 34
Very good 24
Average 13
Poor 1
Terrible 2 ”
I suppose you could put it up to 3 terrible ones though.
When did you stay there? I’m sure you aren’t one of those people who put up false reviews. Or are you?
you decide for yourself Alwyn .. that way you can be happy for once.
Gee, a false review would be far worse than what FJK did with the Lawn Order Committee and the Northland candidate for the last election. I hope no one does one.
Oh for goodness sake, best not to get started again with the odious focus on the ‘children’ in respect of this case.
If nothing else this surprising development should suggest much of the speculation about the case has been pointless.
Not to say there aren’t legitimate questions about National’s handling of it but that doesn’t justify potential defamation and unpleasant insinuation.
maybe go to court and have a listen for yourself Ergo … but of course, you will not be able to to tell any details, exactly the same as the rest of us.
Have you done that?
No, but a friend, local to the specific court, has done exactly that.
http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-15042015/#comment-1000463 for more on Mr Hartwichs employer
You have to love how the Tories can organise the smooth, quiet and trouble free exit of MPs whom they want to get rid of. Labour can organise no such positions for its unwanted MPs to move on to. So they don’t.
So does this mean Sabin might not even have had the decency to resign, but was demanding a quid pro quo.
Possibly even offered a quid pro quo as opposed to demanding one. Co-operate with us, support our by-election campaign, don’t say anything embarrassing or angry at having to go, and you’ll get this nice $200K pa position a few months down the track which doesn’t even look like a quid pro quo.
which still would suggest, if true, that he was not wanting to go, or to go quietly…
Well, I’ve only mentioned the carrot side of the equation. The way these things work to motivate people like Sabin is that there is a big stick used as well. Fuck with us, and this [whatever embarrassing communication, email or factoid] gets out into the news, and your family won’t like that one bit will they. And that’ll be the end of any future career. Now just do the smart thing, keep your trap shut, and wait for your nice new corporate job.
remember the major rumour about the National MPs paid $300k each to move on prior to the last election … I guess that kind of available ‘largesse’ can arrange almost anything at all, especially when nobody is looking very closely, as in MSM for example.
we have become a banana state, haven’t we ? omg.
How does that happen ? Who/what has let him off the leash ?
So, he is not expecting to do any prison time is he?
something stinks doesn’t it ? Sounds awfully pre-determined somehow and how corrupt is this suggestion ?
I bet Winston s watching very, very closely and is still trying to get his bill introduced for sexual abuse victims to annul suppression rights for their abuser.
If he really wanted to get such a bill introduced he would at least sit down and write one and then put it into the Private Member’s Bill ballot.
” trying to get his bill introduced ” my foot.
Come on then. If you think there is such a bill please tell us where we can find a copy of it. Then we can all be informed of what he is proposing.
Just a reference to where we can find the bill will be enough.
Best you do your own homework on inthehouse Alwyn. Not sure you and I are even on the same planet, so I’ll leave it to you, if you don’t mind. 🙂
But I have been doing my homework old chap/chappess.
Nothing at all that I have been able to find.
Given that you appear to be so sure that there is such a bill I’m sure you will be able to tell me where I can find a copy.
You wouldn’t be talking about “trying to get his bill introduced” if you didn’t know what it said would you?
Reference please if you are going to claim such a bill exists.
pse refer to 19.4.1.1.1.1
life is just too short.
To express that more accurately you mean that your talk about Winston reintroducing his bill is just rubbish as there is no bill in existence.
I guess Abraham Lincoln best described you when he said.
“You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.”
You are in the 5% or so of the people who Winston manages to fool all of the time. Luckily the rest of the population are not so silly.
The way he went after months of police investigations and the wording of his resignation statement struck me at the time as ‘convenient’.
First, he is not the type to make such a statement except under duress. Indeed, it is highly likely the statement was prepared for him and he was instructed when to release it. Second, the fact he was appointed chairperson of the Law and Order select committee two to three months AFTER the police investigation began is hugely suspicious. (Forget the lying crap which came out of Key’s mouth. He knew all about the allegations and the on-going investigations.) So, why did they promote him? Was it a way of keeping Sabin quiet because Sabin knew something and they feared that if they didn’t stand by him he would spill some beans? If so, what did he know?
This is why Key and co. will never set up an inquiry into the affair – the same reason why they will never set up an inquiry into Dirty Politics. He, along with other National Party so-called luminaries, have a lot of dirty muck on their hands.
Ooops, just seen Colonial Rawshark @ 19.3, 19.3.1.1 and….
He puts it more succintly. 🙂
reckon what cards sabins holding in chest againest BBF flend john carter & sum other higher national peoples. all dirty crims.
there will be no jobs created in Norhtland if this resort is for chinese by chinese.
There will be a few jobs created to fulfill a quota, the rest will be chinese students on a workvisa working for a chinese company serving chinese customer. I am sure the company will also find many a loophole so as to avoid paying taxes altogehter.
however Northland will have to put up with the environmental costs of this resort. WasteWater (toilets need flushing) is just to name one.
and Mr. Sabin is going to be General Manager. Oh goodie…what could go wrong.
Oh dear – this could get really interesting –
but with Kaitaia airport closed they will have to bus the tourists in pay an overseas owner for accomodation, spend money in the overseas owned gift shop (can’t see them be let out to shop), eat imported food and be tended to by people on work permits. Can’t see much for the locals there really and somehow I think it qwill need more sun to be Port Douglas.
Today I read about a NZ prize winner. It made my heart sing. The people his work will help, the lives it will save, the benefits to the world and NZers is immeasurable. Not only that, I have long wondered “when will someone study the applicability of Multivariate wavelet de-noising applications to intra-day currency trading of the New Zealand dollar.” And now they have.
The Research required an in-depth knowledge and application of quantitative finance, time series analysis and programming as well as proprietary trading system design, and was documented over 120 page research document. And, a Kiwi won! I know!
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1504/S00388/first-new-zealander-to-be-awarded-brooks-memorial-award.htm
funny that,Tracey … long have I pondered the same issue … truly, I feel safer already.
Wavelet analysis is actually a fairly obvious method to apply to currency trading, as it will show the frequency of trades at certain times of the day. I’d guess that these guys want to use it to predict movements and scam us a bit more. This is always possible when not much is changing in terms of macroeconomics. When a drastic change happens, however, it can be almost useless.
As an interesting aside, one of the most useless physicists I have ever known claimed to be an expert on wavelet transforms.
Thanks Murray
may I also suggest ‘wavelet transforms’ sounds like something Peter Dunne might be an expert on as well, and he’s one of the most useless politicians we have ever known ! (sorry, it’s been a long day!)
Video has been posted of last night’s Table Talk on the Campbell Live situation
http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/15/table-talk-the-ramifications-of-threats-to-campbell-live/
a very dynamic and worthwhile discussion
Don’t forget to watch Campbell Live today at 7 pm to help save this worthwhile show.
Today’s topics include: (from what I gathered approximately from an ad)
* How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.
* How 3 D is changing the life of a kid
* Zero hour contract interviews with people on the street.
A fantastic appeal. Very pleasant one too!
Al-Jazeera presenter supports “old colleague” John Campbell
Watch video here:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/67765389/aljazeera-presenter-supports-old-colleague-john-campbell
The water one was compelling and concise. Well done John.
Yes, it was. That water exploitation is a serious worry.
Goes to show what a stupid and dangerous government we have with no serious laws to protect New Zealand being exploited by foreign corporates!
It has to stop now!
@clemgeopin
“How corporates are making big money from selling OUR water.”
Why does anyone bother to buy bottled water?
I can understand it in a third world country with dodgy tap water but the water supply in 99% of New Zealand is excellent. Why does anyone except a prat bother to waste their money on the bottled stuff?
I am reminded of one of Alistair Cooke’s “Letters from America” about 20 years ago.
The purest water in the whole of the United States was from the reservoir supplying most of New York’s taps. All bottled water was worse.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5rg7bNq7Zwjm09kT7nRTSS4/bottled-water-15-august-1997
A wonderful commentator was our Alistair.
read ‘no logo’ about branding, surely you know about this stuff? why bottle it unless theres profit in it? bottle it, package it, brand it, sell it, ka-ching!
I hope the opposition parties and the people will oppose and stop this kind of disgraceful crap.
I am more worried about the lax laws!