Heard our whining PM this morning say after a month he thought the KD issue would have died down….you listening out there MSM lackeys, dadddy’s not happy and wants the noise from the rumpus room to quiet down.
I heard many comments the last few weeks, from various mouthpieces, on how the Public are over the Kim DotCom story.
Thats’s funny as whenever it was even partially referenced in a conversation every person present leaped into passionate discussion on a whole range of topics. I have never seen greater political interest shown from what were in general not politically interested people.
This is endemic of the reason for the bleatings trying to dissuade the MSM from continuing the story.
We had a ram lamb who thought he was a dog, which confused the local sheep dogs mightily. So perhaps the MSM sheeps might learn a thing or two from our Rambo. Maybe.
I’m not over the Kim Dotcom story because I think that Key has abused his access to secret information in order to conceal his knowledge of Dotcom prior to 19 January 2012. If Key had info to prove that Shearer’s allegations (Key in GCSB cafeteria mentioning Dotcom) did not occur Key would get GCSB to release this.
Why?
Because it would then get Shearer off Key’s back.
A person has the right to defend their self, but when they are in a position to do this secretly and manipulatively this is not defending yourself, as someone else knows about the corruption and I think it is their duty to EXPOSE it.
Who does the GCSB go to when they are having a problem with the PM?
I don’t think the story will die, because kiwis don’t like having it shoved in our faces that we are not a sovereign nation. With a bit of luck, people will link it to the TPPA surrender negotiations and the rewriting of industrial relations law by Warner Bros as well. I suspect Key, as a man with much property but no country, has no instinctual understanding of this.
At the conclusion of the TV One weekly spin session there was a wide return shot where you saw [the PM’s hand ?] reach in and pick up the papers the presenter had been reading questions off. sloppy spinmeisters
Probably hadn’t even bothered to rehearse his answers he’s become so distanced he’s not even putting in a credible shift for the MSM on the smile and wave agenda.
Shonkey’s people are like junkyard dogs with any media situations, even the womens mag’s have to run the gauntlet of spin doctors and pages of ‘no go’ areas when Bronagh and Sideshow do the’ look what a great family guy the PM is’ routine just in case the facade comes off.
I enjoy reading your work freedom
yet,
we all have our own cross to bear;
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, people, that our forebearers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink;
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
“Everything is permissible”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive.
When the policy changes-
Whenever the policy changes
You would see People covered by sweat
A 15-year-old girl offering herself in a deserted alley
Prisons mushroom all over the place
Aged mothers bent carrying hawking goods
Children talking back to father
Wife swearing back to husband
Dishonesties, and lies filling the Party newspaper
Whenever the policy changes
Nobody cares to teach POETRY MUSIC ART
But busy to teach people how to kill
To teach people how to make fox holes and trenches
A country full of hatred, impoverished by war
Surrounded by cheating and dishonesty
Whenever the policy changes
Land, rice paddy pushed into co-ops
Harvest time so quiet without the folk songs
peasants with faces as green as the rice plant
Burdened down with a hundred kinds of taxes
Personal tax, market tax etc, etc…
Damn city cluttered up with litter
Houses so noisy with laughter, crying and arguments
And smiles lingering with sorrow
Whenever the policy changes
You could see quite a lot of people spying on you
Quite a lot of guns pushing down the pens
Lets write about the future
Don’t bother about the time being
No matter what kind of life we are living now
-Doan Van Minh
(guess it Is a fallacy that givin enough time a Monkey could tap out a couplet,even, of Shakespeare)
Of three or four in a room
there is always one who stands besides the window
He must see the evil among thorns
and the fires on the hill.
And how people who went out of their houses whole
are given back in the evening like small change.
Of three or four in a room
there is always one who stands besides the window,
his dark hair above his thoughts.
behind him, words.
And in front of him, voices wandering without a knapsack,
hearts without provisions, prophecies without water,
large stones that have been returned
and stay sealed, like letters that have no
address and no one to receive them
Today, 15 October 2012, is the first ‘anniversary’ of the occupation of Aotea Square, by Occupy Auckland.
A protest has been organised outside Aotea Square, from 12 noon till 5.30pm to help expose how Auckland Council is serving the interests of the corporate 1%.
An ‘Open Letter’ calling for the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the allegedly corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, who is also a member of the extremely powerful private lobby group – the Committee For Auckland, will be available for concerned citizens to sign.
Although rates keep going up – citizens and ratepayers in the Auckland region do NOT know exactly where public monies are being spent. A Local Government Official Information Act reply from Auckland Council dated 21 November 2011, from Darryl Griffin, confirms the lack of transparency in the spending of public monies by Auckland Council, in refusing to make available for public scrutiny the âdevilish detailâ ie: the names, the scope, term and value of 5000 contracts related to 12,500 suppliers contracted to Auckland Council, on the basis that âTo collate and publish these would be a major exercise logistically and cost-wiseâ.
How many Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) contracts are going to member companies of the Committee For Auckland?
The CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, has a statutory duty to ensure that there are systems in place to enable accurate reporting of ‘financial performance’.
(1)A local authority must, in accordance with clauses 33 and 34 of Schedule 7, appoint a chief executive.
(2)A chief executive appointed under subsection (1) is responsible to his or her local authority forâ
(c)ensuring that all responsibilities, duties, and powers delegated to him or her or to any person employed by the local authority, or imposed or conferred by an Act, regulation, or bylaw, are properly performed or exercised; and
(d)ensuring the effective and efficient management of the activities of the local authority; and
(e)maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the local authority; and
This protest has been called by James Heremaia, Jax Taylor and Penny Bright, who were all active in the Occupy Auckland movement, and are continuing the fight for genuinely ‘open, transparent and accountable’ New Zealand local and central government and judiciary.
Support for the principle of a draft ACTION PLAN against ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ was endorsed at the Occupy Auckland General Assembly held on 1 February 2012.
OCCUPY AUCKLAND (General Assembly 1/2/2012) SUPPORTS THE PRINCIPLE OF A DRAFT ACTION PLAN TO PREVENT CORRUPTION – âWHITE COLLARâ CRIME & âCORPORATE WELFAREâ IN NEW ZEALAND [DRAFT DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ONLY]
1. Get our anti-corruption domestic legislative framework in place so NZ can ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption.
2. Set up an NZ independent anti-corruption body tasked with educating the public and PREVENTING corruption.
3. Change NZ laws to ensure genuine transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and political parties at central government level.
4. Legislate for an enforceable âCode of Conductâ for NZ Members of Parliament (who make the rules for everyone else).
5. Make it an offence under the Local Government Act 2002 for NZ Local Government elected representatives to breach their âCode of Conductâ.
6. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Local Government elected representatives.
7. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Central Government staff responsible for property and procurement, (including the Ministry of Health), in order to help prevent âconflicts of interestâ.
8. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Local Government staff, and Directors and staff employed by âCouncil-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) responsible for property and procurement.
9. Make it a lawful requirement for details of âcontracts issuedâ â including the name of the contractor; scope, term and value of the contract to be published in NZ Central Government Public Sector, and Local Government (Council), and âCouncil-Controlled Organisation (CCO) Annual Reports so that they are available for public scrutiny.
10. Make it a lawful requirement that a âcost-benefit analysisâ of NZ Central Government, and Local Government public finances be undertaken to prove that private procurement of public services previously provided âin-houseâ is cost-effective for the public majority. If not â then return public service provision to staff directly employed âin-houseâ and cut out these private contractors who are effectively dependent on âcorporate welfareâ.
11. Legislate for a legally-enforcable âCode of Conductâ for members of the NZ Judiciary, to ensure they are not âabove the lawâ.
12. Ensure that ALL NZ Court proceedings are recorded, and audio records made available to parties who request them.
13. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ Judicial âRegister of Interestsâ, to help prevent âconflicts of interestâ.
14. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ âRegister of Lobbyistsâ at Central Government Ministerial level.
15. Make it a lawful requirement at NZ Central and Local Government level for a âpost-separation employment quarantineâ period from the time officials leave the public service to take up a similar role in the private sector. (Help stop the ârevolving doorâ).
16. Make it a lawful requirement that it is only a binding vote of the public majority that can determine whether public assets held at NZ Central or Local Government level are sold; or long-term leased via Public-Private âPartnerships (PPPs).
17. Make it unlawful for politicians to knowingly misrepresent their policies prior to election at central or local government level.
18. Make laws to protect individuals, NGOs and community-based organisations who are âwhistleblowingâ against âconflicts of interestâ and corrupt practices at central and local government level and within the judiciary.
19. Legislate to help stop âState Captureâ, a form of âgrand corruptionâ arguably endemic in NZ â where vested interests get their way at the âpolicy levelâ before legislation is passed which serves their interests.
[Feedback to Occupy Auckland can be sent c/- Penny Bright waterpressure@gmail.com to assist further debate/discussion/workshopping ]
Once the bed is set in motion, it vibrates down and from side to side…the HARROW is the actual instrument for the execution of the sentence…you’ll get the picture very shortly…
alternating current / direct current, aside http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBOSt4C_xqg
many of us lie in the gutter, many reach for the stars
(yes, of course I am a sinner, been one of the greatest, everyone knows that)
Signatures for the following letter will be collected outside Aotea Square, Auckland City TODAY – 15 October 2012:
“OPEN LETTER TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL
Under s.18 of the Public Audit Act 2001, we the undersigned request that you please conduct an urgent investigation into the following matters:
1) The allegedly corrupt âconflict of interestâ of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, who is also a member of the extremely powerful private lobby group â the Committee for Auckland.
2) Please investigate how many contracts have been awarded by Auckland Council and/or any of the following Auckland Council Controlled Organisations to member companies of the Committee for Auckland:
a) Watercare Services Ltd
b) Auckland Transport
c) ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd)
d) ACIL (Auckland Council Investment Ltd)
e) AWDA (Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Ltd)
f) RFA (Regional Facilities Auckland)
g) APL (Auckland Property Ltd)
3) Please investigate the following potential âconflicts of interestâ:
a) The CEO of Watercare Services Ltd, is Committee for Auckland member â Mark Ford.
b) The Chair of the Board of ATEED â David McConnell, and Deputy Chair Norm Thompson are both members of the Committee For Auckland.
c) Directors on the Board of ACIL, Pauline Winter and Brian Corban are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
d) Director Evan Davies and CEO John Dalzell of AWDA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
e) Deputy Chair Dame Jenny Gibbs, and CEO Robert Domm of RFA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
4) Please also investigate the failure of Auckland Council to ensure that CEO Doug McKay carry out his statutory duties under s.42 (2) (e) of the Local Government Act 2002:
(2)A chief executive appointed under subsection (1) is responsible to his or her local authority forâ
(c)ensuring that all responsibilities, duties, and powers delegated to him or her or to any person employed by the local authority, or imposed or conferred by an Act, regulation, or bylaw, are properly performed or exercised; and
(d)ensuring the effective and efficient management of the activities of the local authority; and
(e)maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the local authority;
A Local Government Official Information Act reply from Auckland Council dated 21 November 2011, from Darryl Griffin, (Auckland Council Manager for Democracy Services), confirms the lack of transparency in the spending of public monies by Auckland Council, in refusing to make available for public scrutiny the âdevilish detailâ ie: the names, the scope, term and value of 5000 contracts related to 12,500 suppliers contracted to Auckland Council, on the basis that:
âTo collate and publish these would be a major exercise logistically and cost-wiseâ.
Further evidence to support this request for an urgent inquiry is:
A) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 10 February 2012 â re: Committee for Auckland â CE membership.
B) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 14 March 2012 â re: Register of Interests and contracts.
Council eyes $122m ASB tower for new HQ
By Anne Gibson
5:30 AM Thursday Jun 28, 2012
t
The ASB Bank Centre in Albert St provides 33,443sq m. Photo / Natalie Slade
The Auckland Council plans to buy new upmarket headquarters so it can quit a civic high-rise block tentatively earmarked for demolition.
The council has entered private negotiations to buy the ASB Bank Centre, valued by an Australian institutional fund at $112 million, substantially upgrading it for its staff and housing many of them under one roof.
“ASB Bank Centre, 135 Albert St.
Valued at $112 million, owned by Brookfield Multiplex
31 levels with extensive carparking.”
_______________________________________________________________
“Peter George Wall
BCA – Bachelor of Commerce and Administration
ACA – Associate Chartered Accountant
Peter has enjoyed over 30 years in the Property industry participating in development, investment management and the acquisition and disposal of some $1.2 billion of Property assets. He has held CEO roles in public property companies, operated in UK, France and Canada and for 3 years
was Managing Director, Property for Brookfield Multiplex in NZ and he continues to provide consulting services to this company.
Peter is a past National President of the Property Council in NZ, President and Trustee of the North Harbour Charitable Trust, Trustee of the Graeme Dingle Foundation trust and Chair of the Harbour Access Trust which has as its responsibilities the development of the National Ocean Water Sports Centre at Takapuna and ferry services to Takapuna and Browns Bay.”
BROOKFIELD MULTIPLEX CONSTRUCTIONS (NZ) LIMITED (886938)
To maintain this company log on here
View previous names
Last updated on 14 Dec 2011
Certificate of Incorporation Company ExtractAll Company Details Print
Company SummaryAddressesDirectors (2)Shareholdings (1)Documents (81)PPSR Search
Company number:886938
Incorporation Date:17 Dec 1997
Company Status:Registered
Entity type:NZ Limited Company
Constitution filed:Yes
AR filing month:August , last filed on 01 Aug 2011
FRA Reporting Month:December
Company Addresses:Registered Office
Level 8, 66 Wyndham St, Auckland , New Zealand
Address for service
Level 8, 66 Wyndham St, Auckland , New Zealand
View all addresses
DirectorsShowing 2 of 2 directors
George KOSTAS
36 Johnston St,, Annandale, Nsw 2038, Australia ,
Peter George WALL
233 Beach Road, Campbells Bay, North Shore City, 0630 , New Zealand
Someone sent me a report prepared for the 2012 Rio conference about sustainable developement in the 21st century. Not sure if anyone has discussed this but the report concludes with three basic senarios.
1. Business as usual economic growth model
2. Green Growth
3. A radical departure from the mainstream and the idea of business as usual.
The report suggests we had no choice but option three. Some of the things they recommended were a more equitable share of income, resources and work, reform of the financial system to better reflect real assets and liabilities, better measures of progress, tax reform to tax “bads” rather than goods, promoting technological solutions that support well-being rather than growth, establishing strong democracies and creating cultures of well-being rather than consumption.
Strangly this doesn’t sound like a Utopian fantasy to me, nor does it seem all that radical. It struck me as some pretty sound thinking developed with well presented ideas and information.
I’m sure it will have some knashing their teeth in anger and dismay at the foolishness of such ideals. All in all their analysis sound a fuck of a lot better than the vision of Planet Key.
Anyway if you haven’t read it yet you can judge for yourself. Heres the link.
I have consulted someone on the inside and need to say that the report, to which you have linked, is one of the reports that fed into the final main report.
I have been advised that the final report itself was significantly watered down and does not carry through the findings made by Costanza, Alperovitz et al.
The report by Costanza and colleagues is commendable (also, the authors are highly regarded by progressive people) and will require greater advocacy, championing and publicity.
Interesting. Thanks. I wonder why it was watered down in the final report? Any idea why? Maybe it is just too bigger leap in contempory economic thinking.
To change the subject, as important as it is, may I suggest people take care to read the Tapu Misa column on poverty, just about the one decent thing you will find in today’s Herald. I hope the matter of poverty and its effects will not be lost sight of when there are these other important issues which we must not allow to distract us.
Perhaps it would be better if we elected a Minister of Social Development with less of a “a strong sense of love and responsibility” for vulnerable children. That way they might be more motivated to create less of them.
The christchurch press today has a story headlined ‘parata rejects claims’
Chris Hipkins has uncovered more spin and bs,the govt promised
to invest $1b in christchurch schools over the next 10yrs,what she failed to say
is half that money would be spent anyway.
Half the $1 billion would come from exsisting baseline funding or insurance
recoveries.
Parata led the people of christchurch to believe the $1 billion was new
money and an investment.
Cann anyone explain how this ghastly government can still be toping the TV3 poll Garner was looking very smug .This is one of the worst governmnnts I have ever been under in fact it could very welL be the worst ever yet the polls say they are the cats whiskers how can this be?
Polls are easily consciously or subconsciously skewed in their formulation and methodology. The 3 news one is also difficult to get a trend off because of its irregular sampling. It’s also 7% off the roy morgan poll released recently.
   Â
Even if you take a midpoint between the two polls, nat are on 44-45%. They’d be a bit concerned at that. They have no friends, and they won’t campaign so well next election (whether lab campaign worse is another issue).
  Â
At best for nats, they are dropping support slightly. At worse, they are being steadily eroded.Â
I have been waiting for the matter of the TV 3 poll to be raised! How accurate this survey has been in the past, I do not know. But I find it disturbing. Talk about “bad behaviour being rewarded” following all the dread record of National since the last election! If this result is accurate, then surely it means that virtually half the country’s voters are lacking in powers of discernment (eg backing Bennett’s victimising victims), lacking intelligence, lacking ethical standards (eg tolerating the many lies), lacking compassion (= self-interest; “I’m alright Jack” stance), lacking acquaintance with current affairs whilst settling for apathy and futile “hopes”, looking for distractions from thinking about political policies and decisions (especially those which are “humanitarian”)
That will do for starters. But what a judgement this is on so many (48.8% National). The one mildly good sign is the gradual fall in popularity for Key himself, though still high at 41%. Shearer comes in at a frightful 8.5%, and that speaks for itself. Incredibly, the Greens, who have proven themselves a strong and able Opposition, are allowed to slide.
The supporters of NACT clearly have the same amnesia as their dear leaders, Banks and Key. This seems to be “copy-cat” behaviour. They still look (despairingly?) for that nonsensical “brighter future”. These people, worst of all, surely care little, if at all, about what will be left to their descendants. They need pray to be spared from future condemnation.
Thus we see Stuff happily declaring “a sigh of relief”(for the PM) as there is “no major damage”. It must wait a while, but history will have a sad story to relate.
Nah, I wouldn’t get too worked up about it.Â
Firstly, the poll overestimated nat electoral support by something like 3% (at 50.x%), and underestimated labour by 1 or 2% just prior to the election. It’s not good for tracking changes, because you can’t really ID a trend due to the irregular period.
  Â
Basically, it’s one of the more tory-leaning polls, and it is what it is. What I look for is the spread of polls and their trends, and the gist of those is that nat support is slowly wearing down. And remember, who have they got to be friends with come coalition-forming time after the election? A few percent from Maori, and a couple of rotten boroughs. They barely managed to get their main policies of asset sales through, and that’s with a 2011 “victory” that had some in the media creaming their pants.Â
 Â
Roy Morgan has them heading below 42% on the trend, and if reid research is 2% too high nat are fucked.Â
There’s a steady but slow decline in National’s support, across all polls.
That would be OK, if the government was only facing “normal” problems. But in fact, it has been a constant run of bad news and self-inflicted wounds, the worst year I can recall for any government under MMP. The opposition have been given so many gifts, and keep failing to capitalise.
If anybody wants to know why the voters aren’t switching to Labour in droves, just watch Shearer on 3 News tonight. A rabbit in the headlights. Roadkill.
Dr Terry’s first paragraph should not be directed at the voters, but the Labour caucus.
lol
  Â
methinks hoots doth protest too much.
   Â
I have been in a couple of workplaces where the politics became dysfunctional. Half the crowd kept saying at the slightest excuse “ooooh, this is massive, X will have to quit now or find another job”. But most of the time most people didn’t really give a shit.
   Â
I reckon a lot of that is going on here – while the GCSB think and the WINZ things are abysmal, and would have already brought down any government with an ounce of shame… but most people are just trying to make ends meet.Â
To McFlock,just in case it goes somewhere else.
I too was dismayed at the tv3 poll so i went and had a look at roy morgan
yesterday and this is what i found, (i did post it on open mike).I thought
surely not,the people of nz can’t be that brainless,could they ?
Poll taken 24/9 – 7/10
NZ wide and 827 electors.
Nats 41.5% down 2%
Labour 33.5% up 0.05%
Greens 13.5% up 2%
NZ First 6.5% up 1.5%
These figures are probably more reflective of the feeling out there
than some jacked up poll and may i say it, ‘fiddled with’
And the big thing is the trends – a rogue sample can spike 5% one way or the other, and then back again. Looking at the trends from a few different polls does give a leftie heart at the moment đ
What annoys me most about these polls is that I am never asked, cos I am apparently never on the Street (cos I work and live in the suburbs). So does that mean that only upwardly mobile people working in major cities and going out on the streets at lunchtime are ever polled? So the polls are meaningless and don’t worry me.
The Government this afternoon confirmed it will not proceed with the Waitangi Tribunal’s “shares plus” concept to address Maori claims over water when it partially privatises Mighty River Power next year.
There is probably an urgent search of all “dead frogs” they have that can be released in the next couple of days while Bennett’s blunder obliterates all other news.
In the comment editors? That runs completely client side for both. Hasn’t had any changes in the wsiwyg in 4 months which is the only one we ship code for. Restart your browser would be the best bet
Campbell Live continues to do proper journalism.
Recommend the segment it produced on Pike River this evening.
It also shows the benefit of having the actual video ….before you say you have it. JK’s pre-election promise to the Pike River families was pretty damning.
Talk about Infantilisation; see Close-Up.Now we have the “sitting down too long” N#z*s! And props to create a “garden shed” at work (can’t sit too long though) As the tags say “you could not make this stuff up” (well maybe Don Delillo could)
When I was at High School, dreaming about an occupation, before the Calvinists forced me to work, I used to gaze at office buildings, and think, that is the Last place I want to spend day, after day, after day. Now, see what it does to peoples brains.
Unfreakinbelievable, if you did not see it for your self.
Well, I suppose in an earthquake, they could brace themselves under the false Joists and Dwangs, if they have finished their wi session that is.
He shook his head and wept.
Haven’t watched Close Up for ages.
BTW do you notice Key is always available for Marcus Lush on Radio Live and Rawden Christie on Breakfast TV.
I wish Radio NZ would be like Campbell Live when he announces that Key won’t front for an interview..
I understand Draco; I wear a T-Shirt that graphically portrays the evolution of “man” to “man sitting at computer terminal” I do not understand the “will” to spend all day in a building; I understand evolutionary biology (yes that is complementary to Monotheism, Abraham was a nomadic shepherd after all, How any body, “thinks” they really know anything makes me smile)
And on that subject, of people changing their minds (only machines don’t); people like you have been my intellectual parents, as odd as that appears, however, it is not an easy road being gifted, just ask all the employers,friends and women I burnt testing “reality”
I do not care about the consequences of being open; If bigots like Laws et al; can get away with their Hate-Mongering and still walk the streets, it is beyond me; Why the angels did not place a contract, I am not sure, but I guess things are better Left to cool.
Anyway, the reason I am drawn to The Standard, Lyn, is that I am 100% in agreement that this modern project of Capitalism is exploitative and wasteful, and the sooner it dies it’s inevitable death (when the 1% start fighting between themselves) the better (and God willing, I will see it in my lifetime, if not armageddon.) I am not political in the classical sense, I am a futurist (gardening does not develop DVT) and therefore, anything that Hone and Mana can achieve radically, or, normatively for Maori is fine by me.
Labour used to have the Maori vote largely captured, well, Rogernomics and their bastardization of the “third way” stuffed that, and I agree with the commentators; either Shearers strength will be the coalescence of a coalition or his leadership will drag Labour along.
I read people (it is a blessing, and a curse, obviously a curse for me) and I am not certain about Russell Norman. (but I have a middle-aged crush on J-A and Helen K; have never met them, but y’ know đ )
anyway,
here are a couple of interesting men; (I do not know why it is men’s thought that I identify with, you will have to ask QoT; sometimes, it is, what it is) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Said
and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustapha_Tlili
(I use wikiped links as those who want to look further will, those who will not, well, they yawn; whogaf
-John (now the mazerati are posting stuff on my news feed; Interesting, hence the importance of discernment for wisdom)
God Bless The Left (the only direction out of this mess; No, I am not a Zionist, the nations are merely instruments)
đ
and this is not just a “blog”; I have systematically registered and recorded empirical (sense data) that blogging affects the greater polity)
I do not care about the consequences of being open; If bigots like Laws et al; can get away with their Hate-Mongering and still walk the streets, it is beyond me; Why the angels did not place a contract, I am not sure, but I guess things are better Left to cool.
What do we learn if someone else comes along and fixes our fuckups?
Nothing!( I was a Field Mechanic; In my work, at least, I prepared, and Repaired My Fuck-Ups, 95% of the time, not-withstanding my health challenges)
next thought?
just to close, you may be atheistic Draco, you may not,( I read a generosity of spirit) , however people like Lyn, you, and others who shepherd on here piss all over the right-wing idiot journalists and bloggers who attempt to represent this country. All they do is crap in the sewer that this country is becoming; there was no “season of the golden weather”, but it may be different if the sheep open their minds before they get the bolt in the head;
I work at not judging, however, the emotions of sadness, anger, and disgust are real human
phenomena, and all one can do is attempt to master them, as humans have done before;
It is interesting reading of the exemplars and their thoughts, the Baal-Shem-Tov, for example, yet this country has such a shallow history of thought, even our literature and popular culture has been nothing striking, All angst and Self, via the “team” if required, all this Man Alone Bullshit.
The proof is in the pudding; now, in the 21st Century, what can we celebrate, other than the gift of our geology and geography?
Te tangata, te tangata, te tangata
Surveillance works both ways – first they monitored Dotcom, now Kiwis are showing they are filming John key.
Â
Key will be looking everywhere for hidden cameras from now on.
Â
Â
Completely unrelated Karol, but Robert at ‘Idle Thoughts of an Idle fellow’ wrote a post yesterday, responding to your report on the manufacturing crisis meeting at the weekend. I think he was also an attendee, and he was very mildly critical of your piece.
Just in case you were unaware…
it is exactly the type of circumstance where his current response would be, ‘i don’t remember’ ‘ i don’t recall’ ‘i got no memory of anything at all’ yet there he is this time saying the very words we all know he said and no smile no wave no spin no craft can alter that
(apologies to mr gabriel)
Poor people …. one wonders how long it’ll drag on ….
Could offer to wear an ankle bracelet,
Disgusting I know but could ease the Bail conditions somewhat.
David Shearer…. the Manchurian Candidate?
Just when the government is on the back foot on Dotcom, along comes Shearer and makes a convenient error…which gets the government off the hook..not the first time this has happened.
From memory, isn’t it a fact that the night before he put forward his candicacy for the Labour Party, he attended a party/bbq attended by several National Party MPs and prominent right wing bloggers?
IMHO, the one thing preventing the government bleeding votes significantly over its policies and/or mismanagement of ACC, Kim Dotcom, Christchurch schools, Asset Sales…. is the rather opportune mishandinling of each topic by the leader of the opposition.
Just wondering…
I think that whatever common ground he shares, or is suspected of sharing, with the people at that barbecue is more harmful than his miscalculated actions. The people who want a National Party have one, the people crying out for a Labour Party that reflects social democratic values at a time when they are being mercilessly screwed have…..David Shearer. I would be disappointed if Labour was polling well at the moment, because the last thing I want to see is a Labour Party that has turned into National, so that National can turn into ACT, so that the ticket clippers can relax and pour themselves another G & T. I was heartened by the EPMU/Manufacturers’ Assn meeting last Friday, but I remain mistrustful of David Shearer’s leadership so long as he thinks that left and right are not meaningful terms, and that the LP needs a new but unspecified vision.
Thanks Olwyn. I think this is an important conversation to be had.
I voted Green last election and want to see a genuine Labour Party with a clear (as you put it succinctly) social democratic vision, in alliance as the next government.
Paul @21
I think the problem lies as much with Shearer’s staff as it does Shearer himself. In fact Mike Williams put it succinctly on Radio NZ’s political slot this morning. He described them as hard working, genuine and talented people (words to that effect anyway) but very green. That is my observation too – particularly after the latest blunder. It defies belief they didn’t gather an affidavit or two (or something similar) before going public with the GCSB story. It showed a distinct lack of political nous.
With all due respect to those above, would it be possible to say “inexperienced”, “naive” or “gullible” (or “hopeless”) when that meaning is intended please.
I should declare that this request is made even though I am not a member of the Green Party nor (sorry about this, folks, but please respect my choice to vote) will I be voting for the Green Party. At this stage.
That is interesting about the bbq shearer was at before he put his name forward for
election as leader of labour,labour should be questioning his job and looking for a
replacement forthwith.
The same thing i feel happened with roger douglas infiltrating the labour party
years ago and look at how that turned out,douglas was always to the right of
politics, his wrecking of our economy at the time reflected that. A nats pass time.
Shearer’s malaise frustrates me,i feel like grabbing him and shaking him
to wake him up,i hold my breath when he speaks on tv,the stammers are
annoying also embarrasing,labour voters deserve better.
In fact labour needs to rid itself of the old guard and bring in the new
faces,there is some talent there,i am impressed with Clark,he is from dunedin,he
speaks well in the house and speaks sense,Cunliffe should have been the leader
instead of what we have now,if so, the picture would be totaly different.
Once again, I must interject and disgracefully offer a comment while wretchedly and defiantly promote the message from my esteemed Ill Padrino, Don Matthew Hooton,* that the Labour membership must really front up and face up to the fact that Shearer is slowly improving, well, very slowly, at best. Just give him a couple more terms please.
Shearer is great for the polls, at least for Natz. And there is no alternative leadership from within Labour.
*btw I don’t get any commission from him, nor do I have any conflict of interest … or if that can be proven false, then I can’t recall, I don’t know, or I didn’t read the email he sent me.
** Oh, I could not recall another really inspired ‘John Key moment’ and that would be to sheet the blame on to other people (ie in this case, the blame can be put hard on Shearer’s staff).
But muzza @ 21.1.1.1.2 (16 October 2012 at 9:17 am) is discouraging this line being taken.
Why can’t I find a internet home package that does not come with a landline, do kiwis need to talk whenever there is a internet connection, has NZ every heard of mobile phones??? What happens if I want a second internet connection into a home from another supplier (just in case).
The Polls are always wrong, those complaining about the tv3 poll should have nothing to worry about, national anit that high, then again either are the Greens.
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Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the governmentâs official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:Â we live in a troubled ...
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David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a âfirst strikeâ (that is, a âstage-1 convictionâ under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a âsecond strikeâ. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in politics. Thatâs refreshing and will be extremely ...
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Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Governmentâs focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
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Rob MacCullough writes –Â Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
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Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the governmentâs readiness to make urgent changes to âthe resource management systemâ through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes donât go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
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Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a âmedia summitâ to discuss âthe state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalismâ. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes –Â This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
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Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen â 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 â a deeply ...
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Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where heâll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Governmentâs work to restore law and order. âAttending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealandâs human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the worldâs largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. âThe reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealandâs wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
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The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. âOur Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealandâs overseas missions.  âOur diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealandâs interests around the world,â Mr Peters says.  âI am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. Â âOver 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. âIt is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. âOur coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
âChina remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,â Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. âRecently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachersâ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.  âThe Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. âScience, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During todayâs meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. âThe Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in TaupĆ as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the TaupĆ International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. âAnticipation for the ITM TaupĆ Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. âThe coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. âThis project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sectorâs productivity,â Mr Jones says. âThe project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Governmentâs plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. âBenefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Governmentâs commitment to doubling New Zealandâs renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealandâs latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. âOur Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. âNew Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Governmentâs intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. âThe introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Todayâs announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Governmentâs plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. âInflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sectorâs role in the export-led recovery of the economy. âI am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the countryâs major TV network of broadcasting âpropagandaâ backing Israelâs genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to menâs ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock âChildhoodâ and âdementiaâ are two words we wish we didnât have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The governmentâs Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9â17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University Thereâs been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russiaâs war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peaceâs new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a womanâs hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Booksâ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingwayâs Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time â ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australiaâs fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The âWicked Gameâ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didnât stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from âWicked Gameâ, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called đ, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao MÄori and remove many specialist MÄori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, weâve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedinâs India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoaâs drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says itâs hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoffâs morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. Itâs been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you donât believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Iâm going to do it, right now. Iâm going to say ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Itâs not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Muskâs vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandelaâs grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesnât normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australiaâs inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and itâs now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
PĆneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealandâs complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the RĂĄkĂłczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).SĂĄndor HegedƱs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesnât really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didnât really want to, because of a war they didnât ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the publicâs democratic right to have âa fair sayâ and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard â in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
Iâm on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Heraâs help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener youâre likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
âNever again - No AUKUSâ was the message of the wreath laid at this morningâs national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now sheâs very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice â both in ...
Heard our whining PM this morning say after a month he thought the KD issue would have died down….you listening out there MSM lackeys, dadddy’s not happy and wants the noise from the rumpus room to quiet down.
I heard many comments the last few weeks, from various mouthpieces, on how the Public are over the Kim DotCom story.
Thats’s funny as whenever it was even partially referenced in a conversation every person present leaped into passionate discussion on a whole range of topics. I have never seen greater political interest shown from what were in general not politically interested people.
This is endemic of the reason for the bleatings trying to dissuade the MSM from continuing the story.
Sheeple arw awakening and we all know there is nothing more dangerous than a clever sheep
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkw2DdoskPY
We had a ram lamb who thought he was a dog, which confused the local sheep dogs mightily. So perhaps the MSM sheeps might learn a thing or two from our Rambo. Maybe.
I’m not over the Kim Dotcom story because I think that Key has abused his access to secret information in order to conceal his knowledge of Dotcom prior to 19 January 2012. If Key had info to prove that Shearer’s allegations (Key in GCSB cafeteria mentioning Dotcom) did not occur Key would get GCSB to release this.
Why?
Because it would then get Shearer off Key’s back.
A person has the right to defend their self, but when they are in a position to do this secretly and manipulatively this is not defending yourself, as someone else knows about the corruption and I think it is their duty to EXPOSE it.
Who does the GCSB go to when they are having a problem with the PM?
Over a story regarding national security and sovereignty that has yet to be explained?
I don’t think the story will die, because kiwis don’t like having it shoved in our faces that we are not a sovereign nation. With a bit of luck, people will link it to the TPPA surrender negotiations and the rewriting of industrial relations law by Warner Bros as well. I suspect Key, as a man with much property but no country, has no instinctual understanding of this.
Well said đ
At the conclusion of the TV One weekly spin session there was a wide return shot where you saw [the PM’s hand ?] reach in and pick up the papers the presenter had been reading questions off. sloppy spinmeisters
Probably hadn’t even bothered to rehearse his answers he’s become so distanced he’s not even putting in a credible shift for the MSM on the smile and wave agenda.
Shonkey’s people are like junkyard dogs with any media situations, even the womens mag’s have to run the gauntlet of spin doctors and pages of ‘no go’ areas when Bronagh and Sideshow do the’ look what a great family guy the PM is’ routine just in case the facade comes off.
Wow, really? Just wow…
I enjoy reading your work freedom
yet,
we all have our own cross to bear;
For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, people, that our forebearers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink;
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert.
“Everything is permissible”- but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible-but not everything is constructive.
-To the Corinthian Pillars
guessing you didn’t like my reference to the PM’s manipulation of the message?
I realise it is a bit trite in the wider scheme of things
or is it a glass houses and geology thing?
If this was 1 April, I’d be laughing.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10840408
but it seems not.
The Tree Nazis, the Green Gestapo.. is there a minister in charge of all this? Have the GCSB been coaching the MPI? Or does NAT now equal LOL?
Should be an entertaining week.
My reaction and questions also, Red Rosa.
Popped a link to it on yesterday’s Open Mike at 8 and there are a couple of responses there.
Really want to hear more, but suspect that it will be overlooked with today’s MSD privacy issues.
RR. Every week starts out as “entertaining”, but that is, regrettably, about as far as anything goes.
Jeeze, when did the Ministry of Primary Industries come into being?
When the policy changes-
Whenever the policy changes
You would see People covered by sweat
A 15-year-old girl offering herself in a deserted alley
Prisons mushroom all over the place
Aged mothers bent carrying hawking goods
Children talking back to father
Wife swearing back to husband
Dishonesties, and lies filling the Party newspaper
Whenever the policy changes
Nobody cares to teach POETRY MUSIC ART
But busy to teach people how to kill
To teach people how to make fox holes and trenches
A country full of hatred, impoverished by war
Surrounded by cheating and dishonesty
Whenever the policy changes
Land, rice paddy pushed into co-ops
Harvest time so quiet without the folk songs
peasants with faces as green as the rice plant
Burdened down with a hundred kinds of taxes
Personal tax, market tax etc, etc…
Damn city cluttered up with litter
Houses so noisy with laughter, crying and arguments
And smiles lingering with sorrow
Whenever the policy changes
You could see quite a lot of people spying on you
Quite a lot of guns pushing down the pens
Lets write about the future
Don’t bother about the time being
No matter what kind of life we are living now
-Doan Van Minh
(guess it Is a fallacy that givin enough time a Monkey could tap out a couplet,even, of Shakespeare)
Of three or four in a room
there is always one who stands besides the window
He must see the evil among thorns
and the fires on the hill.
And how people who went out of their houses whole
are given back in the evening like small change.
Of three or four in a room
there is always one who stands besides the window,
his dark hair above his thoughts.
behind him, words.
And in front of him, voices wandering without a knapsack,
hearts without provisions, prophecies without water,
large stones that have been returned
and stay sealed, like letters that have no
address and no one to receive them
-Yehuda Amichai
give me freedom…
(i’m not lookin’ for a New England..)
when the mode of the music changes,
then the walls of the city will fall.
the Fugs.
Today, 15 October 2012, is the first ‘anniversary’ of the occupation of Aotea Square, by Occupy Auckland.
A protest has been organised outside Aotea Square, from 12 noon till 5.30pm to help expose how Auckland Council is serving the interests of the corporate 1%.
An ‘Open Letter’ calling for the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the allegedly corrupt ‘conflict of interest’ of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, who is also a member of the extremely powerful private lobby group – the Committee For Auckland, will be available for concerned citizens to sign.
http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations
Auckland Council ‘books’ are NOT ‘open’.
Although rates keep going up – citizens and ratepayers in the Auckland region do NOT know exactly where public monies are being spent. A Local Government Official Information Act reply from Auckland Council dated 21 November 2011, from Darryl Griffin, confirms the lack of transparency in the spending of public monies by Auckland Council, in refusing to make available for public scrutiny the âdevilish detailâ ie: the names, the scope, term and value of 5000 contracts related to 12,500 suppliers contracted to Auckland Council, on the basis that âTo collate and publish these would be a major exercise logistically and cost-wiseâ.
How many Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) contracts are going to member companies of the Committee For Auckland?
The CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, has a statutory duty to ensure that there are systems in place to enable accurate reporting of ‘financial performance’.
How is Doug McKay ‘fit for duty’?
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM171859.html
42Chief executive
(1)A local authority must, in accordance with clauses 33 and 34 of Schedule 7, appoint a chief executive.
(2)A chief executive appointed under subsection (1) is responsible to his or her local authority forâ
(c)ensuring that all responsibilities, duties, and powers delegated to him or her or to any person employed by the local authority, or imposed or conferred by an Act, regulation, or bylaw, are properly performed or exercised; and
(d)ensuring the effective and efficient management of the activities of the local authority; and
(e)maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the local authority; and
This protest has been called by James Heremaia, Jax Taylor and Penny Bright, who were all active in the Occupy Auckland movement, and are continuing the fight for genuinely ‘open, transparent and accountable’ New Zealand local and central government and judiciary.
Support for the principle of a draft ACTION PLAN against ‘white collar’ crime, corruption and ‘corporate welfare’ was endorsed at the Occupy Auckland General Assembly held on 1 February 2012.
OCCUPY AUCKLAND (General Assembly 1/2/2012) SUPPORTS THE PRINCIPLE OF A DRAFT ACTION PLAN TO PREVENT CORRUPTION – âWHITE COLLARâ CRIME & âCORPORATE WELFAREâ IN NEW ZEALAND [DRAFT DISCUSSION DOCUMENT ONLY]
1. Get our anti-corruption domestic legislative framework in place so NZ can ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption.
2. Set up an NZ independent anti-corruption body tasked with educating the public and PREVENTING corruption.
3. Change NZ laws to ensure genuine transparency in the funding of candidates for elected public office and political parties at central government level.
4. Legislate for an enforceable âCode of Conductâ for NZ Members of Parliament (who make the rules for everyone else).
5. Make it an offence under the Local Government Act 2002 for NZ Local Government elected representatives to breach their âCode of Conductâ.
6. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Local Government elected representatives.
7. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Central Government staff responsible for property and procurement, (including the Ministry of Health), in order to help prevent âconflicts of interestâ.
8. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available âRegister of Interestsâ for NZ Local Government staff, and Directors and staff employed by âCouncil-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) responsible for property and procurement.
9. Make it a lawful requirement for details of âcontracts issuedâ â including the name of the contractor; scope, term and value of the contract to be published in NZ Central Government Public Sector, and Local Government (Council), and âCouncil-Controlled Organisation (CCO) Annual Reports so that they are available for public scrutiny.
10. Make it a lawful requirement that a âcost-benefit analysisâ of NZ Central Government, and Local Government public finances be undertaken to prove that private procurement of public services previously provided âin-houseâ is cost-effective for the public majority. If not â then return public service provision to staff directly employed âin-houseâ and cut out these private contractors who are effectively dependent on âcorporate welfareâ.
11. Legislate for a legally-enforcable âCode of Conductâ for members of the NZ Judiciary, to ensure they are not âabove the lawâ.
12. Ensure that ALL NZ Court proceedings are recorded, and audio records made available to parties who request them.
13. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ Judicial âRegister of Interestsâ, to help prevent âconflicts of interestâ.
14. Make it a lawful requirement for a publicly-available NZ âRegister of Lobbyistsâ at Central Government Ministerial level.
15. Make it a lawful requirement at NZ Central and Local Government level for a âpost-separation employment quarantineâ period from the time officials leave the public service to take up a similar role in the private sector. (Help stop the ârevolving doorâ).
16. Make it a lawful requirement that it is only a binding vote of the public majority that can determine whether public assets held at NZ Central or Local Government level are sold; or long-term leased via Public-Private âPartnerships (PPPs).
17. Make it unlawful for politicians to knowingly misrepresent their policies prior to election at central or local government level.
18. Make laws to protect individuals, NGOs and community-based organisations who are âwhistleblowingâ against âconflicts of interestâ and corrupt practices at central and local government level and within the judiciary.
19. Legislate to help stop âState Captureâ, a form of âgrand corruptionâ arguably endemic in NZ â where vested interests get their way at the âpolicy levelâ before legislation is passed which serves their interests.
[Feedback to Occupy Auckland can be sent c/- Penny Bright waterpressure@gmail.com to assist further debate/discussion/workshopping ]
Once the bed is set in motion, it vibrates down and from side to side…the HARROW is the actual instrument for the execution of the sentence…you’ll get the picture very shortly…
alternating current / direct current, aside
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBOSt4C_xqg
many of us lie in the gutter, many reach for the stars
(yes, of course I am a sinner, been one of the greatest, everyone knows that)
Signatures for the following letter will be collected outside Aotea Square, Auckland City TODAY – 15 October 2012:
“OPEN LETTER TO THE OFFICE OF THE AUDITOR-GENERAL
Under s.18 of the Public Audit Act 2001, we the undersigned request that you please conduct an urgent investigation into the following matters:
1) The allegedly corrupt âconflict of interestâ of the CEO of Auckland Council, Doug McKay, who is also a member of the extremely powerful private lobby group â the Committee for Auckland.
http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/member-organisations
2) Please investigate how many contracts have been awarded by Auckland Council and/or any of the following Auckland Council Controlled Organisations to member companies of the Committee for Auckland:
a) Watercare Services Ltd
b) Auckland Transport
c) ATEED (Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development Ltd)
d) ACIL (Auckland Council Investment Ltd)
e) AWDA (Auckland Waterfront Development Agency Ltd)
f) RFA (Regional Facilities Auckland)
g) APL (Auckland Property Ltd)
3) Please investigate the following potential âconflicts of interestâ:
a) The CEO of Watercare Services Ltd, is Committee for Auckland member â Mark Ford.
b) The Chair of the Board of ATEED â David McConnell, and Deputy Chair Norm Thompson are both members of the Committee For Auckland.
c) Directors on the Board of ACIL, Pauline Winter and Brian Corban are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
d) Director Evan Davies and CEO John Dalzell of AWDA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
e) Deputy Chair Dame Jenny Gibbs, and CEO Robert Domm of RFA, are both members of the Committee for Auckland.
4) Please also investigate the failure of Auckland Council to ensure that CEO Doug McKay carry out his statutory duties under s.42 (2) (e) of the Local Government Act 2002:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM171859.html
42Chief executive
(2)A chief executive appointed under subsection (1) is responsible to his or her local authority forâ
(c)ensuring that all responsibilities, duties, and powers delegated to him or her or to any person employed by the local authority, or imposed or conferred by an Act, regulation, or bylaw, are properly performed or exercised; and
(d)ensuring the effective and efficient management of the activities of the local authority; and
(e)maintaining systems to enable effective planning and accurate reporting of the financial and service performance of the local authority;
A Local Government Official Information Act reply from Auckland Council dated 21 November 2011, from Darryl Griffin, (Auckland Council Manager for Democracy Services), confirms the lack of transparency in the spending of public monies by Auckland Council, in refusing to make available for public scrutiny the âdevilish detailâ ie: the names, the scope, term and value of 5000 contracts related to 12,500 suppliers contracted to Auckland Council, on the basis that:
âTo collate and publish these would be a major exercise logistically and cost-wiseâ.
Further evidence to support this request for an urgent inquiry is:
A) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 10 February 2012 â re: Committee for Auckland â CE membership.
B) The LGOIMA reply from Wendy Brandon, General Counsel for Auckland Council, dated 14 March 2012 â re: Register of Interests and contracts.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
Appellant – Occupy Auckland vs Auckland Council Appeal (CIV- 2011 – 404 – 8284)
Hi Penny, some weeks back you posted about a conflict of interest with the purchase of ASB building – Do you still have those details?
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10816011
Council eyes $122m ASB tower for new HQ
By Anne Gibson
5:30 AM Thursday Jun 28, 2012
t
The ASB Bank Centre in Albert St provides 33,443sq m. Photo / Natalie Slade
The Auckland Council plans to buy new upmarket headquarters so it can quit a civic high-rise block tentatively earmarked for demolition.
The council has entered private negotiations to buy the ASB Bank Centre, valued by an Australian institutional fund at $112 million, substantially upgrading it for its staff and housing many of them under one roof.
“ASB Bank Centre, 135 Albert St.
Valued at $112 million, owned by Brookfield Multiplex
31 levels with extensive carparking.”
_______________________________________________________________
EXECUTIVE TEAM OF AUCKLAND COUNCIL PROPERTY LTD
http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/ABOUTCOUNCIL/REPRESENTATIVESBODIES/CCO/Pages/council_property.aspx
“Peter George Wall
BCA – Bachelor of Commerce and Administration
ACA – Associate Chartered Accountant
Peter has enjoyed over 30 years in the Property industry participating in development, investment management and the acquisition and disposal of some $1.2 billion of Property assets. He has held CEO roles in public property companies, operated in UK, France and Canada and for 3 years
was Managing Director, Property for Brookfield Multiplex in NZ and he continues to provide consulting services to this company.
Peter is a past National President of the Property Council in NZ, President and Trustee of the North Harbour Charitable Trust, Trustee of the Graeme Dingle Foundation trust and Chair of the Harbour Access Trust which has as its responsibilities the development of the National Ocean Water Sports Centre at Takapuna and ferry services to Takapuna and Browns Bay.”
http://www.business.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/886938
_____________________________________________________________________
Cheers!
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com
BROOKFIELD MULTIPLEX CONSTRUCTIONS (NZ) LIMITED (886938)
To maintain this company log on here
View previous names
Last updated on 14 Dec 2011
Certificate of Incorporation Company ExtractAll Company Details Print
Company SummaryAddressesDirectors (2)Shareholdings (1)Documents (81)PPSR Search
Company number:886938
Incorporation Date:17 Dec 1997
Company Status:Registered
Entity type:NZ Limited Company
Constitution filed:Yes
AR filing month:August , last filed on 01 Aug 2011
FRA Reporting Month:December
Company Addresses:Registered Office
Level 8, 66 Wyndham St, Auckland , New Zealand
Address for service
Level 8, 66 Wyndham St, Auckland , New Zealand
View all addresses
DirectorsShowing 2 of 2 directors
George KOSTAS
36 Johnston St,, Annandale, Nsw 2038, Australia ,
Peter George WALL
233 Beach Road, Campbells Bay, North Shore City, 0630 , New Zealand
interesting cup o’ Joe
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10840517
We need a change in priorities: http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/our-vulnerable-less-safe-under-national.html
Someone sent me a report prepared for the 2012 Rio conference about sustainable developement in the 21st century. Not sure if anyone has discussed this but the report concludes with three basic senarios.
1. Business as usual economic growth model
2. Green Growth
3. A radical departure from the mainstream and the idea of business as usual.
The report suggests we had no choice but option three. Some of the things they recommended were a more equitable share of income, resources and work, reform of the financial system to better reflect real assets and liabilities, better measures of progress, tax reform to tax “bads” rather than goods, promoting technological solutions that support well-being rather than growth, establishing strong democracies and creating cultures of well-being rather than consumption.
Strangly this doesn’t sound like a Utopian fantasy to me, nor does it seem all that radical. It struck me as some pretty sound thinking developed with well presented ideas and information.
I’m sure it will have some knashing their teeth in anger and dismay at the foolishness of such ideals. All in all their analysis sound a fuck of a lot better than the vision of Planet Key.
Anyway if you haven’t read it yet you can judge for yourself. Heres the link.
http://www.un.org/esa/dsd/dsd_sd21st/21_pdf/Building_a_Sustainable_and_Desirable_Economy-in-Society-in-Nature.pdf
Dear kousei and others who may be reading this
(Ok, I am serious here. Very serious.)
I have consulted someone on the inside and need to say that the report, to which you have linked, is one of the reports that fed into the final main report.
I have been advised that the final report itself was significantly watered down and does not carry through the findings made by Costanza, Alperovitz et al.
The report by Costanza and colleagues is commendable (also, the authors are highly regarded by progressive people) and will require greater advocacy, championing and publicity.
All the best.
Interesting. Thanks. I wonder why it was watered down in the final report? Any idea why? Maybe it is just too bigger leap in contempory economic thinking.
Recognition Politics, now there is a Ring to that.
A.D.Anarcho-syndicalism? Gardening! (it’s organic)
just been weeding the beans, now to divide the seed potatoes and plant them at the helpful depth.
To change the subject, as important as it is, may I suggest people take care to read the Tapu Misa column on poverty, just about the one decent thing you will find in today’s Herald. I hope the matter of poverty and its effects will not be lost sight of when there are these other important issues which we must not allow to distract us.
POVERTY IS THE PRIMARY ISSUE FACING THE FUTURE OF AOTEAROA
just what the Doc diagnosed (I wonder if you have met the temporary vicars we been enjoying; they are timely and topical too)
đ
Jokerman – I was once a permanent Vicar. Hope you would have enjoyed that!
the irony Doc, and I began so anti-priest; yet, I was so much older then, I am younger than that now.May God continue to bless you Dr.
Here
Perhaps it would be better if we elected a Minister of Social Development with less of a “a strong sense of love and responsibility” for vulnerable children. That way they might be more motivated to create less of them.
Laughing me f*^#in arse off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
đ
The christchurch press today has a story headlined ‘parata rejects claims’
Chris Hipkins has uncovered more spin and bs,the govt promised
to invest $1b in christchurch schools over the next 10yrs,what she failed to say
is half that money would be spent anyway.
Half the $1 billion would come from exsisting baseline funding or insurance
recoveries.
Parata led the people of christchurch to believe the $1 billion was new
money and an investment.
Yes starlight and no doubt the balance will be more than recouped with the sale of ex-school land. Even make a profit I suppose. Smoke and mirrors?
Cann anyone explain how this ghastly government can still be toping the TV3 poll Garner was looking very smug .This is one of the worst governmnnts I have ever been under in fact it could very welL be the worst ever yet the polls say they are the cats whiskers how can this be?
Polls are easily consciously or subconsciously skewed in their formulation and methodology. The 3 news one is also difficult to get a trend off because of its irregular sampling. It’s also 7% off the roy morgan poll released recently.
   Â
Even if you take a midpoint between the two polls, nat are on 44-45%. They’d be a bit concerned at that. They have no friends, and they won’t campaign so well next election (whether lab campaign worse is another issue).
  Â
At best for nats, they are dropping support slightly. At worse, they are being steadily eroded.Â
I have been waiting for the matter of the TV 3 poll to be raised! How accurate this survey has been in the past, I do not know. But I find it disturbing. Talk about “bad behaviour being rewarded” following all the dread record of National since the last election! If this result is accurate, then surely it means that virtually half the country’s voters are lacking in powers of discernment (eg backing Bennett’s victimising victims), lacking intelligence, lacking ethical standards (eg tolerating the many lies), lacking compassion (= self-interest; “I’m alright Jack” stance), lacking acquaintance with current affairs whilst settling for apathy and futile “hopes”, looking for distractions from thinking about political policies and decisions (especially those which are “humanitarian”)
That will do for starters. But what a judgement this is on so many (48.8% National). The one mildly good sign is the gradual fall in popularity for Key himself, though still high at 41%. Shearer comes in at a frightful 8.5%, and that speaks for itself. Incredibly, the Greens, who have proven themselves a strong and able Opposition, are allowed to slide.
The supporters of NACT clearly have the same amnesia as their dear leaders, Banks and Key. This seems to be “copy-cat” behaviour. They still look (despairingly?) for that nonsensical “brighter future”. These people, worst of all, surely care little, if at all, about what will be left to their descendants. They need pray to be spared from future condemnation.
Thus we see Stuff happily declaring “a sigh of relief”(for the PM) as there is “no major damage”. It must wait a while, but history will have a sad story to relate.
Nah, I wouldn’t get too worked up about it.Â
Firstly, the poll overestimated nat electoral support by something like 3% (at 50.x%), and underestimated labour by 1 or 2% just prior to the election. It’s not good for tracking changes, because you can’t really ID a trend due to the irregular period.
  Â
Basically, it’s one of the more tory-leaning polls, and it is what it is. What I look for is the spread of polls and their trends, and the gist of those is that nat support is slowly wearing down. And remember, who have they got to be friends with come coalition-forming time after the election? A few percent from Maori, and a couple of rotten boroughs. They barely managed to get their main policies of asset sales through, and that’s with a 2011 “victory” that had some in the media creaming their pants.Â
 Â
Roy Morgan has them heading below 42% on the trend, and if reid research is 2% too high nat are fucked.Â
There’s a steady but slow decline in National’s support, across all polls.
That would be OK, if the government was only facing “normal” problems. But in fact, it has been a constant run of bad news and self-inflicted wounds, the worst year I can recall for any government under MMP. The opposition have been given so many gifts, and keep failing to capitalise.
If anybody wants to know why the voters aren’t switching to Labour in droves, just watch Shearer on 3 News tonight. A rabbit in the headlights. Roadkill.
Dr Terry’s first paragraph should not be directed at the voters, but the Labour caucus.
I must gracefully volunteer and provide a comment, shamelessly unsolicited by Monsieur Matthew Hooton at this point:
Shearer is the present government’s best friend.
Labour would do very well to invest more time, support and patience to give him two more terms to improve as Opposition Leader.
lol
  Â
methinks hoots doth protest too much.
   Â
I have been in a couple of workplaces where the politics became dysfunctional. Half the crowd kept saying at the slightest excuse “ooooh, this is massive, X will have to quit now or find another job”. But most of the time most people didn’t really give a shit.
   Â
I reckon a lot of that is going on here – while the GCSB think and the WINZ things are abysmal, and would have already brought down any government with an ounce of shame… but most people are just trying to make ends meet.Â
Â
To McFlock,just in case it goes somewhere else.
I too was dismayed at the tv3 poll so i went and had a look at roy morgan
yesterday and this is what i found, (i did post it on open mike).I thought
surely not,the people of nz can’t be that brainless,could they ?
Poll taken 24/9 – 7/10
NZ wide and 827 electors.
Nats 41.5% down 2%
Labour 33.5% up 0.05%
Greens 13.5% up 2%
NZ First 6.5% up 1.5%
These figures are probably more reflective of the feeling out there
than some jacked up poll and may i say it, ‘fiddled with’
And the big thing is the trends – a rogue sample can spike 5% one way or the other, and then back again. Looking at the trends from a few different polls does give a leftie heart at the moment đ
What annoys me most about these polls is that I am never asked, cos I am apparently never on the Street (cos I work and live in the suburbs). So does that mean that only upwardly mobile people working in major cities and going out on the streets at lunchtime are ever polled? So the polls are meaningless and don’t worry me.
And the SoE are to go ahead as expected.
There is probably an urgent search of all “dead frogs” they have that can be released in the next couple of days while Bennett’s blunder obliterates all other news.
Might be good to have a webpage such as “Dead Frogs Watch”, similar to the series of “Poverty Watch”.
Mesage for LPRent
The edit cursor movement is slow as bud, double handling?
(Failed external call maybe ?)
In the comment editors? That runs completely client side for both. Hasn’t had any changes in the wsiwyg in 4 months which is the only one we ship code for. Restart your browser would be the best bet
I think u called it TinyMCE or something? restart the browser alot, the html comment ones fine.
Campbell Live continues to do proper journalism.
Recommend the segment it produced on Pike River this evening.
It also shows the benefit of having the actual video ….before you say you have it. JK’s pre-election promise to the Pike River families was pretty damning.
Talk about Infantilisation; see Close-Up.Now we have the “sitting down too long” N#z*s! And props to create a “garden shed” at work (can’t sit too long though) As the tags say “you could not make this stuff up” (well maybe Don Delillo could)
When I was at High School, dreaming about an occupation, before the Calvinists forced me to work, I used to gaze at office buildings, and think, that is the Last place I want to spend day, after day, after day. Now, see what it does to peoples brains.
Unfreakinbelievable, if you did not see it for your self.
Well, I suppose in an earthquake, they could brace themselves under the false Joists and Dwangs, if they have finished their wi session that is.
He shook his head and wept.
Haven’t watched Close Up for ages.
BTW do you notice Key is always available for Marcus Lush on Radio Live and Rawden Christie on Breakfast TV.
I wish Radio NZ would be like Campbell Live when he announces that Key won’t front for an interview..
Rnz I’ve noticed have been making a point of saying when pollies and execs won’t front in recent weeks, and that ‘the invitation remains open’
You’d prefer to die of Deep Vein Thrombosis?
I understand Draco; I wear a T-Shirt that graphically portrays the evolution of “man” to “man sitting at computer terminal” I do not understand the “will” to spend all day in a building; I understand evolutionary biology (yes that is complementary to Monotheism, Abraham was a nomadic shepherd after all, How any body, “thinks” they really know anything makes me smile)
And on that subject, of people changing their minds (only machines don’t); people like you have been my intellectual parents, as odd as that appears, however, it is not an easy road being gifted, just ask all the employers,friends and women I burnt testing “reality”
I do not care about the consequences of being open; If bigots like Laws et al; can get away with their Hate-Mongering and still walk the streets, it is beyond me; Why the angels did not place a contract, I am not sure, but I guess things are better Left to cool.
Anyway, the reason I am drawn to The Standard, Lyn, is that I am 100% in agreement that this modern project of Capitalism is exploitative and wasteful, and the sooner it dies it’s inevitable death (when the 1% start fighting between themselves) the better (and God willing, I will see it in my lifetime, if not armageddon.) I am not political in the classical sense, I am a futurist (gardening does not develop DVT) and therefore, anything that Hone and Mana can achieve radically, or, normatively for Maori is fine by me.
Labour used to have the Maori vote largely captured, well, Rogernomics and their bastardization of the “third way” stuffed that, and I agree with the commentators; either Shearers strength will be the coalescence of a coalition or his leadership will drag Labour along.
I read people (it is a blessing, and a curse, obviously a curse for me) and I am not certain about Russell Norman. (but I have a middle-aged crush on J-A and Helen K; have never met them, but y’ know đ )
anyway,
here are a couple of interesting men; (I do not know why it is men’s thought that I identify with, you will have to ask QoT; sometimes, it is, what it is)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Said
and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustapha_Tlili
(I use wikiped links as those who want to look further will, those who will not, well, they yawn; whogaf
-John (now the mazerati are posting stuff on my news feed; Interesting, hence the importance of discernment for wisdom)
God Bless The Left (the only direction out of this mess; No, I am not a Zionist, the nations are merely instruments)
đ
and this is not just a “blog”; I have systematically registered and recorded empirical (sense data) that blogging affects the greater polity)
What do we learn if someone else comes along and fixes our fuckups?
Nothing!( I was a Field Mechanic; In my work, at least, I prepared, and Repaired My Fuck-Ups, 95% of the time, not-withstanding my health challenges)
next thought?
just to close, you may be atheistic Draco, you may not,( I read a generosity of spirit) , however people like Lyn, you, and others who shepherd on here piss all over the right-wing idiot journalists and bloggers who attempt to represent this country. All they do is crap in the sewer that this country is becoming; there was no “season of the golden weather”, but it may be different if the sheep open their minds before they get the bolt in the head;
I work at not judging, however, the emotions of sadness, anger, and disgust are real human
phenomena, and all one can do is attempt to master them, as humans have done before;
It is interesting reading of the exemplars and their thoughts, the Baal-Shem-Tov, for example, yet this country has such a shallow history of thought, even our literature and popular culture has been nothing striking, All angst and Self, via the “team” if required, all this Man Alone Bullshit.
The proof is in the pudding; now, in the 21st Century, what can we celebrate, other than the gift of our geology and geography?
Te tangata, te tangata, te tangata
Thank God for Maori
night
đ
Surveillance works both ways – first they monitored Dotcom, now Kiwis are showing they are filming John key.
Â
Key will be looking everywhere for hidden cameras from now on.
Â
Â
Completely unrelated Karol, but Robert at ‘Idle Thoughts of an Idle fellow’ wrote a post yesterday, responding to your report on the manufacturing crisis meeting at the weekend. I think he was also an attendee, and he was very mildly critical of your piece.
Just in case you were unaware…
Thanks, js. don’t follow very many blogs, so no, haven’t seen it. But I’m glad people are critically discussing such an important issue.
that is an interesting bit of film, isn’t it
it is exactly the type of circumstance where his current response would be, ‘i don’t remember’ ‘ i don’t recall’ ‘i got no memory of anything at all’ yet there he is this time saying the very words we all know he said and no smile no wave no spin no craft can alter that
(apologies to mr gabriel)
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/485679_486844351349016_1773731393_n.jpg
night freedom
“Privacy assured“…. but we are watching you on camera!
Poor people …. one wonders how long it’ll drag on ….
Could offer to wear an ankle bracelet,
Disgusting I know but could ease the Bail conditions somewhat.
David Shearer…. the Manchurian Candidate?
Just when the government is on the back foot on Dotcom, along comes Shearer and makes a convenient error…which gets the government off the hook..not the first time this has happened.
From memory, isn’t it a fact that the night before he put forward his candicacy for the Labour Party, he attended a party/bbq attended by several National Party MPs and prominent right wing bloggers?
IMHO, the one thing preventing the government bleeding votes significantly over its policies and/or mismanagement of ACC, Kim Dotcom, Christchurch schools, Asset Sales…. is the rather opportune mishandinling of each topic by the leader of the opposition.
Just wondering…
I think that whatever common ground he shares, or is suspected of sharing, with the people at that barbecue is more harmful than his miscalculated actions. The people who want a National Party have one, the people crying out for a Labour Party that reflects social democratic values at a time when they are being mercilessly screwed have…..David Shearer. I would be disappointed if Labour was polling well at the moment, because the last thing I want to see is a Labour Party that has turned into National, so that National can turn into ACT, so that the ticket clippers can relax and pour themselves another G & T. I was heartened by the EPMU/Manufacturers’ Assn meeting last Friday, but I remain mistrustful of David Shearer’s leadership so long as he thinks that left and right are not meaningful terms, and that the LP needs a new but unspecified vision.
Thanks Olwyn. I think this is an important conversation to be had.
I voted Green last election and want to see a genuine Labour Party with a clear (as you put it succinctly) social democratic vision, in alliance as the next government.
Paul @21
I think the problem lies as much with Shearer’s staff as it does Shearer himself. In fact Mike Williams put it succinctly on Radio NZ’s political slot this morning. He described them as hard working, genuine and talented people (words to that effect anyway) but very green. That is my observation too – particularly after the latest blunder. It defies belief they didn’t gather an affidavit or two (or something similar) before going public with the GCSB story. It showed a distinct lack of political nous.
Let’s hope they’ve learned a big lesson.
A very green staff serving a very green leader. Great.
And where is the Deputy?
With all due respect to those above, would it be possible to say “inexperienced”, “naive” or “gullible” (or “hopeless”) when that meaning is intended please.
I should declare that this request is made even though I am not a member of the Green Party nor (sorry about this, folks, but please respect my choice to vote) will I be voting for the Green Party. At this stage.
Thought about that Jim Nald, but the wording used was replicating Mike Williams’ actual phraseology.
.
Um, no, the problem lies with Shearer now, those who backed him, and those that back them.
His staff are simply the symptom of the deeper cause, as is Shearer!
I’m with Paul – The comment about the footage, was a clear deliberate act by Shearer
That is interesting about the bbq shearer was at before he put his name forward for
election as leader of labour,labour should be questioning his job and looking for a
replacement forthwith.
The same thing i feel happened with roger douglas infiltrating the labour party
years ago and look at how that turned out,douglas was always to the right of
politics, his wrecking of our economy at the time reflected that. A nats pass time.
Shearer’s malaise frustrates me,i feel like grabbing him and shaking him
to wake him up,i hold my breath when he speaks on tv,the stammers are
annoying also embarrasing,labour voters deserve better.
In fact labour needs to rid itself of the old guard and bring in the new
faces,there is some talent there,i am impressed with Clark,he is from dunedin,he
speaks well in the house and speaks sense,Cunliffe should have been the leader
instead of what we have now,if so, the picture would be totaly different.
Once again, I must interject and disgracefully offer a comment while wretchedly and defiantly promote the message from my esteemed Ill Padrino, Don Matthew Hooton,* that the Labour membership must really front up and face up to the fact that Shearer is slowly improving, well, very slowly, at best. Just give him a couple more terms please.
Shearer is great for the polls, at least for Natz. And there is no alternative leadership from within Labour.
*btw I don’t get any commission from him, nor do I have any conflict of interest … or if that can be proven false, then I can’t recall, I don’t know, or I didn’t read the email he sent me.
** Oh, I could not recall another really inspired ‘John Key moment’ and that would be to sheet the blame on to other people (ie in this case, the blame can be put hard on Shearer’s staff).
But muzza @ 21.1.1.1.2 (16 October 2012 at 9:17 am) is discouraging this line being taken.
News Flash: did the government raise veterans’ pensions after Keith Ng threatened to leak how little they got? /lol
Why can’t I find a internet home package that does not come with a landline, do kiwis need to talk whenever there is a internet connection, has NZ every heard of mobile phones??? What happens if I want a second internet connection into a home from another supplier (just in case).
Thoughts and wishes to Martin Crowe and his family.
Hers hoping for a full recovery.
The Polls are always wrong, those complaining about the tv3 poll should have nothing to worry about, national anit that high, then again either are the Greens.