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!
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Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...
Alwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...
Our trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...
This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”.As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
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 ...
Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
Holding On To The Present:The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
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. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
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. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
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. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
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. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
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 ...
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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
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!