The 1 million who voted for National in 2014 don’t care about people in poverty.
All they worry about is their increased house prices and who won My Kitchen Rules.
That’s why the National party can and will just ignore stories like this.
Our crowded houses: Barely enough to cover the rent
‘An alarming number of Auckland families are being forced to live together in one house so they can afford rent and living expenses, a leading budgeting adviser says.
Mangere Budgeting Services chief executive Darryl Evans said many families in Auckland were forced to live together to afford basic means of living.
“Families simply can’t afford to pay between 60 to 65 per cent of their weekly income to the landlord, which the vast majority of them are having to pay, and unfortunately there is little left over after you have paid rent to pay the power, buy food and live,” Mr Evans said.
“So some families are losing their homes to rental arrears. There has been a lot of people made redundant this year which has also added to it and there is not enough social houses available,” Mr Evans said.
“What happens is, existing families living in a state house will naturally want to support their family that have lost their home and they get them to move in, but the difficulty of getting them to move in is … overcrowding,” he said.
While overcrowding has become a solution for many desperate families, Mr Evans said it was dangerous because those families became far more prone to serious illness.’
Child Poverty is everyone’s problem – Children’s Commissioner
‘Nearly one-third of all New Zealand children are living in poverty and more than half of those kids will never escape it.
The latest Child Poverty Monitor report, released by Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills today, laid out a grim reality for more than 300,000 children. ‘
‘Child poverty – it’s not choice.” That’s the message that outgoing Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills wants to spread through social media in a challenge to Government policy.
His latest annual Child Poverty Monitor, out today, says children living in households earning below 60 per cent of the median household income after housing costs, have almost doubled from 15 per cent of all children in 1984 to 29 per cent last year. Children hospitalised with poverty-related illnesses more than doubled in the 1990s and have increased further in the recent recession.
“Everything points to things being far tougher than they were 30 years ago. That’s not right in a country like ours and it’s not fair,” said Dr Wills, whose five-year term as Children’s Commissioner ends in June. “Today I’m asking New Zealanders to show they share our concern by spreading the message #itsnotchoice.
Have a listen to Gabriel Makhlouf if you can stomach it (trigger warning – more children are going to die as a direct result of this man’s idle fantasies). Bags ideology then spouts a load of ideology.
Marvel, as he pretends that the poor condition of state houses is an inevitable consequence of state ownership. Vomit, as he explains what “would” happen on Planet Treasury.
They haven’t learned one damn thing in thirty years, and they’re still intoning the litany.
Well said Paul. I just want to add a couple of points. Firstly, child poverty should not be separated from adult poverty – the former results from the latter, and the latter is brought about intentionally within the current system. Why else would you undermine the unions’ ability to bargain, continuously raise the bar for getting a benefit, allow rampant, across-the-board housing inflation alongside low wages, etc, etc? Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel sure I heard that deported guy living in Invercargill say on RNZ that his situation in NZ is in some ways worse than on Christmas Island, which if I heard right, should give us pause.
Meanwhile, the government has plans to reward “social housing providers” whose “tenants” meet certain desirable conditions: in other words, in exchange for a modest and tenuous level of security, people will need to lay their lives open to the broad scrutiny and judgement of their landlords. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11560981
What is needed is real push-back against a system to which the impoverishment and virtual enslavement of those at the bottom is intrinsic. A conception of human rights that excludes the right to adequate secure housing and the right to earn a living is a deficient one.
hi paul, after listening to morning report this morning, i see your error.
according to guyon espiner, this child poverty measure is actually measuring inequality.
so if i have $100,000 and you have $300,000 that is inequality but neither of us is in poverty.
no problem, you need to look at this in a different way.
this from our ‘prestige’ broadcaster!
how such a serious, endemic, growing problem can be dealt with in such a glib fashion beggars belief.
Hi g. I think we need to relook at the who the middle classes are. We need a sociologist to redefine for us what the middle class looks like in NZ in 2015.
Many in NZ society have been on a backwards slide, including the former middle class while others in that group have successfully popped out of their comfortable existence into one that is is positively wealthy.
I’m not sure if we should feel such cynicism towards this “middle class” when we don’t know their true circumstances. I think your over extracted flat white customer might be more towards the upper, privileged middle class bracket. Your average middle class might still be on the instant.
As for coffee, I only get to drink coffee out about twice a month our financial circumstances are that dire, so it has to be absolutely perfect when we do go out. For us that is a real treat so the pleasure stakes are high.
“We need a sociologist to redefine for us what the middle class looks like in NZ in 2015”
There are sociologists looking at it (at least as of 2008/2010 that I know of). Unfortunately my dotage and memory function means I cannot immediately recall their names – it’ll probably come to me tomorrow).
That ‘middle class’ really doesn’t exist as we once knew it. One thing’s for sure though, we can likely say that many members of that ‘middle class’ club are one step away from the precariat if and when their job(s) “go away”. Laden with debt at the bottom end (often a necessity to survive); and smug, uncompassionate, holier-than-thou whilst employed at the ‘top end’.
If only that muddle class would consider where they might be if they had to cash-up tomorrow. I suggest many of them will be squealing like stuffed pigs and considering their voting patterns.
I agree Rosie – there really needs to be a review.
I mean to say – that muddle class on the three tier structure we once knew could include the fair and balanced incisive current affairs journalist with a balanced portfolio and work-life balance – to the ‘tradie’ doing ‘cashie’ jobs ‘under the radar going forward’ – sometimes FOR that incisive journalist.
I can honestly say I won’t be surprised or heartbroken (that’s if it holds out long enough for me to witness) if and when the crash comes – it might very well be the only way someone will hit the RESET button and start holding those who’ve amassed wealth by devious means to account.
My how history repeats eh?
HI OWT. I thought there may be some kind of research going on but am out of reach of that kind of knowledge these days.
I dunno if those who fall will change their voting patterns – I wonder if we are so far removed the concept of party policy and values, that they just wouldn’t get that their fortunes in part are influenced by political ideology. We do seem, a bit, you know, slow to acknowledge that.
Furthermore, there must, there must, there must be those who have fallen with a fairly hard bump in recent years (I’m back in the same precarious state of existence, comparatively, I was when I was 20, and I wasn’t necessarily comfortable before but had enough to get by and buy a meal out more than once a year) BUT there has been no change of government, and we’re 7 years in already…………..
If there are those that downsizing the house, the car, going without holidays (wow, imagine going on a holiday!) not going to the cinema anymore etc then they are being very very very quiet about it.
My definition of middle class would go something like this combination:
– Has a house with a mortgage
– Has at least two cars
– Goes on overseas holidays of at least two weeks’ duration
– Wants to own a bach or a rental
– Has a career (as distinct from a job), or a small business
– Has support network so when they have a major life event, they are helped up
Yes, that sort of picture was in my mind. Insightful with the “wants” to own a bach, rental, as well as has support network.
Also, I think this person doesn’t have trouble paying unexpected bills like urgent dental work, major car repairs or emergency house maintenance – there will be enough to cover those costs.
hi rosie, ad and co,
the other attitude with this middle class i sneer about is the self centred approach to life.
almost anti-community.
i would include less affluent members of our community in this ‘middle class’.
btw i am very fortunate to have a near perfect cup of joe most mornings.
a schlong.
@ Paul (nice name btw). I wasn’t thinking of Espiner at the time I mentioned the journalist. There is another who mostly does good stuff – but she really should get over herself at times (and I don’t mean Kim Hill either!)
Hi Paul. The stuffed article is well written. I don’t know whether it was intentionally written in a way that was so crystal clear, with the intention of educating their readership. I was expecting the usual stupid and mean people who comment on stuff would back off when provided with facts, graphs you can’t argue with and statements from various child poverty campaign groups about the “Kiwi compassion drought”……….
But straight up and straight into it they were off with their ill informed, biased, opinionated and hateful remarks that they have used on every story on poverty. They never learn. To be honest, I only got 6 comments in before having to close it.
I really am wondering whether the internetz have given rise to a new type of vicious or whether people are becoming more cruel and less community minded, or a combination of both.
Have a read of JDarroch’s post on shooting the messenger and you will see a whole new level of publicly directed viciousness – the “anti SAFE” group, like rednecks on steroids.
I often feel sad about the increasing selfishness and stupidity in our society.
Sadly 30 years of neo-liberalism has seen a lot of people who grew up in the 80s and 90s who were indoctrinated into neo-Darwinist thinking and never knew what a functioning society can look like. The housing bubble has made them think that it was their success that made them rich.
Only a collapse ( and their own downfall) will make them the realise the benefits of a society that cares for everyone, including the vulnerable.
Those older know better and their views simply reflect their greedy selfish outlook on the world. Douglas, Prebble, Shipley, Richardson, Key and Bennett are examples of these bludgers. Benefited from that bigger society, then took it away from those below.
I hold some hope for those born in the 90s and later and they grew up at the time of the crash of 2008 and can see for themselves that shallow selfish greed cannot work.
“I hold some hope for those born in the 90s and later and they grew up at the time of the crash of 2008 and can see for themselves that shallow selfish greed cannot work.”
There are some amazing talented young people in the youth wings of Labour and Green. They have everything stacked against them in regard to their future but it will be their future leadership that will lift everyone. They need our support and encouragement.
I really am wondering whether the internetz have given rise to a new type of vicious or whether people are becoming more cruel and less community minded, or a combination of both.
There’s always been that underbelly of people who are cruel, vicious and not community minded. The internet has just made them more visible. This should allow the rest of us to do something about them.
And you’re very skilful at dealing with them Draco. Unfortunately for me they exist IRL and I have to deal with them in that zone. Not sure which is worse. Probably IRL.
With the holiday period just about upon us, it’s a timely reminder to highlight our unforgiving roads.
A number of Kiwis and tourist die or are injured on our roads every year.
Therefore, isn’t it time we do more to improve the safety of our roads?
As upfront costs are a factor, I suggest, along with improving national black-spots, their should be a concentrated effort to safe proof state highway 1.
Lighting, median-barriers, sidebars and breakdown lanes from Kaitaia to the Bluff.
This will save many lives going forward (thus accident related costs) while also improving the safety of tourists using our roads.
but seriously, numpty tourist drivers are the biggest other-driver risk down south. Install alarms on rental cars that go nuts if you cross the white line. Also simple
Driving at 90 gives you more time to react to emergencies and reduces impact force, it also improves fuel efficiency. Plus there’s no chance of being snapped by speed cameras, if you need a purely self-interested reason. The only downside is that you may irritate those other drivers who put speed before safety.
Though better to say; drive to the conditions at a maximum of 90km, in rain or at night on a gravel road even that is way too fast. Also, remember to rest for 10 minutes for every hour of driving. These are things that you can do now within the present infrastructure, to improve road safety for others as well as yourself. The Chairman’s suggestion may have merit, but won’t be happening anytime soon and won’t help if you’re off SH1. Plus no matter how the roading may improve in the future you’re still going to be safer if you are; cautious, rested, sober and undistracted.
VTO’s point about the perils of encountering someone on the wrong side of the road (most notoriously tourists, but also drunks, sleepers, and hoons) is a good one. I can see how the white lines could be laser-detected and hooked up to an alarm on rental cars (something that is evidently beyond BM’s medieval understanding of the world), however the implementation of such a scheme would be anything but simple. Deal with the world as it is, not how you would like it to be.
and watch others trying to overtake on a straight line, cause they are bored witless.
and watch people fall asleep
rather make good roads faster, and hard roads slower. There is no need for some of the little windy roads to be a hundred.
Making everything ninety, just to watch people go over it, and the blue berry muffing brigade get hard while writing tickets is not the answer.
And last but least, finally make compulsory for new wanna be drivers to actually have driving lessons before they get to drive. It makes no sense that bad drivers (parents) get to train their children to be bad drivers, as clearly the only time they have to be good drivers is to pass the test.
Two points, windy roads wake drivers up, a bit of adrenaline a it more awareness. 90 kms on our main highways puts drivers to sleep.
About ten years ago the Police instigated a ” 100 kph not a km” over rule for Christmas to Easter, At the end of it about 75 more people were dead than other years. To paraphrase ” We can’t work it out, there were a lot of older people, single car, straight road accidents and they weren’t speeding ! ”
No you dipsticks, they fell asleep.
I did a lot of driving that summer and the roads were full of older drivers who were doing around 90 or less because they were scared of getting a ticket, but crucially they were driving slower than their stimulation speed, for want of a better term.
Driving a modern car at a slowish speed is like watching a road unwind on TV in front of you while sitting in an armchair while listening to classical or MOR music.
Try, see how long you last.
Why? So there is no need for light vehicles to pass us heavy vehicles who have to (well supposed to) travel at 90. All vehicles with the same maximum speed.
There is some devil that possesses many kiwi drivers that seemingly forces them to pass the vehicle in front of them.
Impatience is the problem…and lack of the ability to consider how much later you’re going to get there if you have a prang.
We have “Patience” written in large and friendly letters fore and aft on our housebus…seems to inflame some drivers.
Agree our roads are not the best. However, as a sales rep driving the lower north Island for two years and previously driving in Auckland I consistently witnessed poor driving skills and lack of road code knowledge. Personally I think we’re just shit drivers in NZ. In my driving days I was constantly sending community roadwatch forms into the Police to report dangerous driving.
Driving around now, just locally and in a limited way I still continue to witness appalling driving. Last Friday I was involved in 3 near misses just because of drivers that should not be in charge of a vehicle being on the road.
The last edition of the AA magazine published their report into tourist driver fatalities and accidents. They actually make up a very small number of our annual number of crashes. While tourist crashes had a higher representation in tourists hot spots in the South Island they were still low compared to the national average. There has been a hugely disproportionate media focus on tourist drivers.
I’m sorry I don’t have the actual figures, the magazine is long gone, out with the recycling.
Maybe it makes a good news story during the slow summer months or maybe it just stirs up a bit of that ‘fear of the other” vibe.
Remember in the summer holidays you’ve got people on the road who are not familiar with driving long distance and you’ve got fatigued people driving. It makes the roads that more dangerous in summer.
Yes, make improvements to our roads but theres little you can do about bad drivers.
I agree. Poor and bad driving plays a role. But improved roading can help with that. Allowing room for evasive action to be taken. With centre-line barriers preventing a bad driver from crossing the road. Along with lighting helping guide those on unfamiliar roads and sidebars keeping them on the road, opposed to going down a bank or into a river or ocean.
A couple of other measures could be applied to help combat bad driving.
Private motor vehicles could be designed so they can’t breach the open road limit.
Defensive driving courses could be made compulsory.
“Defensive driving courses could be made compulsory.”
Agreed.
btw, one of the most nuts dangerous bit of roads I’ve driven that would benefit from your suggestions is a the Rimutaka Hill road between Wellington and the Wairarapa. I am constantly amazed with the flow of traffic on that road that there isn’t more crashes, deaths and drivers going over the cliff.
Drove the Tauranga and back yesterday. Used crusie control (except when passing )
I saw two instances where trucks overtook each other in a passing lane which meant no one else could pass. The front truck (which had passed) then travelled at about 85k. You could sense the frustration of the drivers ahead of me. I had Blondie playing so was happy enough 😉
Others travel at front of long lines of ttraffic oblivious to the lines behind them. Many timeas at 15k or more below the speed limit.
The good news was I saw NO dangerous overtaking.
Leaving Auckland (Penrose) at at 720am, I continue to be amazed at how many Aucklanders, including commercial truckss plop themselves into the fast lane and do about 85 kph.
I was up the far north a couple of weeks ago. The roads were wet, warning signs galore: roads greasy when wet – slow down.
It was if the warning signs were a challenge for drivers to drive faster and follow closer. With unforgiving roads and driver attitudes like just described, it’s no wonder there are so many accidents up that way.
The obvious solution is to make all state highways four lanes, this would stop people getting frustrated with slow drivers, stop people doing dangerous over taking manoeuvres and would create a burst of economic activity especially to the regions
Yeah it would, the slow, hesitant drivers can stick to the left lane and the confident, normal drivers can keep to the right
That can already be done on the present roads and it’s not working so assuming doing more of it just brings up this saying: Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Plus I thought you’d be all over the government stepping and creating a make-work scheme
Why would you think that considering that I’ve said, on multiple occasions, that we need to destroy jobs and the need for work?
That presupposes people keep left unless passing and stop driving like it was some sort of competition whereby they need to get ahead of others (just for the sake of it).
It doesn’t solve things like indiscriminate lane changing; failing to indicate intentions; observing the 1 second rule when it actually is a 2 second rule; etc.
There’d be a burst of economic activity if we resurrected the railways too. (you know – those two parallel lines of iron designed to carry the masses (and the most fishint n fectiv way of carrying freight) that we must not speak of.
Can anyone tell me the location and date of the Labour Party dinner Stuart Nash is hosting for Roger Douglas, Michael Bassett, Ken Shirley and Labour “A” Listers?
To be fair it was Nash who invited them. Did they all sit around and giggle that Mickey Savage was a mug for not becoming independently wealthy by virtue of his position.
Many here find RT a useful read and source of reference and opinion on world affairs…not least because RT is not afraid to explore opinions from all sides and resources some of the best USA journalists, international experts from academia, think tanks and intelligence analysts
“Ten years ago this week RT started to carve out its mark in international broadcasting – and what a ride it has been! Never far from controversy, this network has prided itself on being different and saying what many dare not utter in public. In this edition of CrossTalk, we ask how RT has changed the media environment.
CrossTalking with Rob Taub, John Laughland, and Dmitry Babich.”
Halfway through term 3 and Labour can still get zero traction against the Key government. And Cunliffe had Labour just as high in the polls as it is now.
You’d think that someone would realise that Labour is no longer fit for purpose.
Yet many say Cunliffe was so unpopular with the public? Little has similar ratings for preferred PM, yet he is proclaimed as doing a great job! The whole thing stinks to high heaven! David Cunliffe had mere months in that top job that included an election, and forces from within and without against him throughout his entire time as leader. Little has had none of that stress. His screen persona is still wooden and without charisma.
Cunliffe had the support of membership in the leadership battle, after the change of rules at the Ellerslie Conference.
Robertson, Wellington apparatchik and Shearer’s real campaign manager, had collected more Caucus votes.
Robertson & Co were never never ever ever going to accept that outcome. With his inside track on all the staff who had been hired into Labour Parliamentary roles he managed to make the whole environment around Cunliffe.
Cunliffe’s mistake was to try to accomodate Robertson: Robertson considered Cunliffe’s leadership to be illegitimate. Robertson never accepted that the Membership could select a leader that the majority of the Caucus didn’t select. That is why Little has given into Robertson’s condition: that Cunliffe be humiliated.
I have thought about this, and it seems that a lot of people think that Labour merely wants to do a ‘system restore’ back to 2008 (or 1984) settings, where as National want to upgrade – it might not be to an OS we are liking, but it is a new one nonetheless.
little gave robertson the future of work assignment. Labour’s had some great policy platforms these past seven years. i hate what cullen did but he had his goals and met them. so in that respect he was competent, unlike english. labour is easy to paint as retarded but it’s been able to set goals and meet them while in government, just oftentimes the wrong ones. it’s anything but a hidebound party. it’s just too easy to push lazy propagandaonto such a crcredulous population. plus you have to face the fact that many people – including virtually the entire landlord class – are vicious, awful people who live off extracting the life blood from their countrymen. they are your voting centre who swung from Helen and into key’s pocket. monkeys chasing peanuts.
The failure of the MSM to report the Gnats tragic economic performance is major. A lot of folk think they’re doing basically the right thing, rather than a slow motion train wreck.
For the record, it doesn’t appear Wayne was involved in this one or the National Security report which came out yesterdaya nd which I have posted. I am sure he will correct me if he was involved.
I’ve been wondering that too, James.
There’s a little bit of movement lately upwards for Labour ….. but this past year for Labour has been about sorting itself internally – doesn’t make for constant headlines, and it appears its only when a politician is in the headlines that they get traction. And as you might have noted, ShonKey is constantly in the headlines – even over silly little things – even being given fossil awards for being irresponsible re climate change – and the popularity continues.
Wow oh wow… Kiwipolitico (it’s in the feed column 3 times but will also link here) is a must read. I will go further and say various aspects are worthy of posts in themselves if any TS author is interested.
As it turns out, the Police did more than ask various service providers to give them access to Mr. Hager’s private information, and they did so just before and then very quickly after a complaint was laid about the source of the material from which Dirty Politics was constructed (the infamous or heroic hacker known as Rawshark, depending on how you view things).
That tells me the police were already investigating BEFORE Slater laid his complaint. They had already been instructed by the PM’S OFFICE to “find out Rawshark’s identity? Yep.
I agree that Pablo’s post at Kiwipolitico is a MUST READ.
It is yet another piece of the jigsaw puzzle of revelations coming from the OIA request by Scoop for the court submissions etc relating to the Judicial Review into the police raid of Nicky Hager’s house in 2014.
There have been a number of other excellent posts on a range of blogs over the last month or so also analysing the Review submissions. Some of these are now well off the front pages of these blogs, so I thought I would start making a consolidated list of these for anyone who is interested and may have missed some.
Keith Ng also had a post a few weeks ago in his On Point section of Public Address focusing on a piece of paper found and seized by the police during the search in their efforts to identify Rawshark. Ng’s post analyses the implications of this piece of paper, and their suspicions that Rangi Kemara might be Rawshark through the communications between WO and Ben Rachinger.
I wish karol was still around. She was superb when it came to analysing this sort of material. However, we have authors and others here who could do a very good job too.
Ditto re karol. I hope she is OK, as she has not commented on her Twitter account or blog since March (?) this year; but when I raised this some time ago here, someone commented that she had indicated that she was moving in other directions.
I used to be very good at such analysis (research and analysis was a big part of my work skills/experience) but retirement/health/ home downsizing etc requires I focus on other priorities at present. But my memory is still good (!) as are my abilities to locate information, articles etc despite my other limited computer skills. But there seems to be a lot of analysis etc going on quietly behind the scenes on this particular event and its consequences etc. Once the results of the Judicial review are released, I anticipate a lot of interest, opinion etc in the more public media.
it’s in the feed column 3 times but will also link here
I finally figured out what the problem was with that on the weekend. Figuring out a fix is going to be a bit harder. I may just hack a ‘signature’ fix.
One clarification. I have amended the section of the post quoted to reflect the fact that a Police investigation plan was put into effect before the formal complaint was made (after an email from Mr. Slater to Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess), and that the investigation was ramped up rapidly once the complaint was lodged. This is documented in David Fisher’s article in the NZ Herald (page A3) on November 14, 2015, which draws on the Police files obtained under Discovery and released by the High Court. These have been complied by Scoop and are cited with links in my post.
As it turns out, the Police did more than ask various service providers to give them access to Mr. Hager’s private information, and they got things rolling just before and then accelerated the investigation very quickly after a complaint was laid…
It doesn’t change the basis of my suspicion the police were… made aware they were to leave no stone un-turned in their endeavour to identify Rawshark, and the instruction probably originated from the PM’s Office. It will be impossible to prove of course, and the motivation behind the instruction had nothing to do with “upholding the laws of the land” but rather to avenge Rawshark for exposing their dirty little game.
It is interesting that Slater was able to get in touch directly with Assistant Commissioner Burgess, who rather than ignore him immediately turned around and ordered elements of organised and cyber crime units in the NCIG to get going on planning the case for catching Rawshark–6 days before Slater formally made his complaint. Again, the Fisher article in the Herald has more detail on this.
Were it that those of us who have been burgled or otherwise been victims of crime had such a rapid high level response to our plights!
Were it that those of us who have been burgled or otherwise been victims of crime had such a rapid high level response to our plights.
Correct. As the victim of unlawful actions covertly carried out – and with a political aspect to some of them – I had the ignominious experience of being ignored by the NZ police. It was as if they concluded I deserved the conduct meted out to me. It happened 20 odd years ago and my respect for, and trust in them is now virtually non-existent.
Fascinating info in Pablo’s post. Will be interesting to see if anyone in the MSM actually picks up on these details and runs something in the silly season …… or whether it will just all slide into oblivion in 2016.
And it will be really useful to have Veutoviper’s list as it develops. I missed Keith Ng’s one – must go back and read it.
Well, its up to Labour, the Greens and NZ First to ensure it doesn’t slide into oblivion . Once they start to see the actual evidence of the dirty, deceitful and unlawful antics of Key/Slater and co., voter-land may not be so gormless and sleepy about it all.
Interesting that the CE of Xero had a stoush with Slater, then they made up and 24 hours later an employee of Xero announced she is standing for mayor. Coincidence I am sure.
Heard V Crone on Morning Report this morning. Her answers to questions were superficial – way out of her depth I’d say. Goff came across as a vastly superior candidate. Mind you, that doesn’t mean a lot given the gullible propensities of today’s voting public.
IF, as I suspect, Collins knew about this, then Ms Crone will have Mr Slater’s awful machinery at her disposal… not that she will ever directly use it, but others will do it, even without her consent I bet.
Note how quickly Xero CEO made up with slater… I have my tinfoilhat on but nonetheless…the timing of it all
Fascinating info in Pablo’s post. Will be interesting to see if anyone in the MSM actually picks up on these details and runs something in the silly season …… or whether it will just all slide into oblivion in 2016.
Far from respectable, this latest behaviour exposes the truth about the National party stooges who’ve been running this filthy right-wing organisation for a long time now. Rather than standing up for the rights of people with disabilities their MO is riding high up the government’s arse. Despicable pigs.
Regarding business woman Victoria Crone confirming her standing in the 2016 Auckland Mayoralty.
The voting public are truly spoiled for choice for ‘centre-right’ (pro-corporate / pro-Auckland ‘Supercity’) Auckland Mayoral candidates!
Stephen Berry
Mark Thomas
Phil Goff
Victoria Crone
(Isn’t it basic ‘Electoral Politics 101’ NOT to ‘split the vote’?)
Gosh – I hope John Banks, John Palino, Judith Collins and Maurice Williamson all throw their hats into the ring as well!
The more the merrier?
(Seems Auckland business interests are arguably not presenting a ‘united front’ on their preferred choice of 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate?)
Seems that the only confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate with a proven track record of defending the public and the public (as opposed to corporate) interests, is me?
Here’s the thing.
The difference between the ‘1%’ and the ‘99%’ ( the corporate minority, and supporters) and the public majority, is that the latter represent FAR more of the voting public, because there are HEAPS more of the public ’99’%?
Also – lest we forget – in 2013 the voter turnout in Auckland was only 36%.
How are the four, (in my view) ‘pro-corporate’ 2016 Mayoral candidates, going to inspire the 64% non-voting masses to get off their bottoms and vote for one of them?
Where/ what is their proven track record in defending the public and public interest?
‘How are the four, (in my view)’pro-corporate’ 2016 Mayoral candidates, going to inspire the 64% non-voting masses to get off their bottoms and vote for them’
Why would the 4 candidates want to do that? They are not interested in those 64% non-voters.
Don’t worry, the National Party phone and text lines will be in overdrive. Expect the gap to rapidly shrink as the Tories vote for their Nat. Party bill board logo
Take out JK…replace with fern… add a bit of black and make Sth Cross a bit bigger and Bob’s your uncle.
The redoubtable environmental champion Gary Taylor puts the case for a major increase in Department of Conservation funding in today’s http://www.dompost.co.nz
He includes:
– extra $12m for wilding pine removal
– extra $17.2m on predator control
– extra $10m on community partnerships
– extra $11.8m on core competencies
He concludes:
“Let’s recognize that investing in nature is a perfectly valid way of growing the economy”
Good time to get the voice in to Wellington as Departmental budget drafts are proposed up for Ministers to consider over the break.
I am sure they never said they would stay in surplus just that they would get back to surplus. Nothing to see here. Look John Key draped in his favourite flag.
They are fine with going into deficit in the next few months.
The thing to watch is they are putting together a package of lolly scramble for GE2017 because of their determination to win that.
So what has the Little-Robertson-King team been working on as policy and strategic responses?
I’ve been meaning to keep you all up to date on this.
A person I know was arrested in this raid, but broke themselves out of prison and are on the run, the latest I’ve heard is they are out of China. So happy about that.
However, some of those arrested are missing and this is fast turning into a nightmare. Missing in China generally means bad, bad things.
My request for Speaking Rights has been granted at the upcoming CEO Review Committee of Auckland Council, to be held:
WHEN: Wednesday 16 December 2015
TIME: 11.30am
WHERE: Level 26, Room 1
135 Albert St
Auckland Central
The following is my intended subject matter for this meeting:
1) A reminder to the CEO Review Committee meeting of the statutory duties of the CEO, as outlined in s.42 of the underpinning Local Government Act 2002:
(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 for—
(a) implementing the decisions of the local authority; and
(b) providing advice to members of the local authority and to its community boards, if any; and
(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
(f) providing leadership for the staff of the local authority; and
_________________________________________________________
2) Developments on lawful compliance with the Public Records Act 2005.
3) Progress on making information about Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisation spending available on Auckland Council Rates Assessment Notices.
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
The abject failure of national to maintain the goal it has used to marginalise the vulnerable is getting scant critique from the political commentators.
I guess when you dont think the vulnerable will vote for you making their lives worse can be juztified. You know if you are a self serving compassionless leech.
Yesterday Steven Joyce was asked again about why R&D tax credits were removed by National almost immediately they got back into power in 2008. He repeated the old rubbish about businesses using it solely to minimise tax.
This is despite the fact that the mere 300 R&D tax credits ever issued were audited by IRD, for any amounts approaching $100k or more, as far as I am aware. In contrast, just a few big companies have been granted up to $5mill each by the National govt, with taxpayer money freed up by such actions. The results have been indifferent. In many cases the companies are either: listed on the sharemarket, didn’t need the money for business as usual, are overseas owned, or are outright losers that cannot stand on their own feet.
When I see land owners being audited for historic purchases of Harley Davidson bikes or glasshouses and the like, which can be coded as farm working assets or expenses, I’ll perhaps take a less dim view on Steven Joyce’s anti-SME attitude.
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 government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. 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 doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
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Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
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Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
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Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
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Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
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Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
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Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
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The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
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Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
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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. ...
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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. ...
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The sector says it’s 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 Spinoff’s 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. It’s 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 don’t 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.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
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. ...
It’s 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 ...
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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 ...
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 Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
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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 ...
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Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
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The 1 million who voted for National in 2014 don’t care about people in poverty.
All they worry about is their increased house prices and who won My Kitchen Rules.
That’s why the National party can and will just ignore stories like this.
Our crowded houses: Barely enough to cover the rent
‘An alarming number of Auckland families are being forced to live together in one house so they can afford rent and living expenses, a leading budgeting adviser says.
Mangere Budgeting Services chief executive Darryl Evans said many families in Auckland were forced to live together to afford basic means of living.
“Families simply can’t afford to pay between 60 to 65 per cent of their weekly income to the landlord, which the vast majority of them are having to pay, and unfortunately there is little left over after you have paid rent to pay the power, buy food and live,” Mr Evans said.
“So some families are losing their homes to rental arrears. There has been a lot of people made redundant this year which has also added to it and there is not enough social houses available,” Mr Evans said.
“What happens is, existing families living in a state house will naturally want to support their family that have lost their home and they get them to move in, but the difficulty of getting them to move in is … overcrowding,” he said.
While overcrowding has become a solution for many desperate families, Mr Evans said it was dangerous because those families became far more prone to serious illness.’
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561036
Child Poverty is everyone’s problem – Children’s Commissioner
‘Nearly one-third of all New Zealand children are living in poverty and more than half of those kids will never escape it.
The latest Child Poverty Monitor report, released by Children’s Commissioner Russell Wills today, laid out a grim reality for more than 300,000 children. ‘
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/75066521/child-poverty-is-everyones-problem–childrens-commissioner
‘Child poverty – it’s not choice.” That’s the message that outgoing Children’s Commissioner Dr Russell Wills wants to spread through social media in a challenge to Government policy.
His latest annual Child Poverty Monitor, out today, says children living in households earning below 60 per cent of the median household income after housing costs, have almost doubled from 15 per cent of all children in 1984 to 29 per cent last year. Children hospitalised with poverty-related illnesses more than doubled in the 1990s and have increased further in the recent recession.
“Everything points to things being far tougher than they were 30 years ago. That’s not right in a country like ours and it’s not fair,” said Dr Wills, whose five-year term as Children’s Commissioner ends in June. “Today I’m asking New Zealanders to show they share our concern by spreading the message #itsnotchoice.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561022
Poverty group sick of endless reports, but no solutions.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201782830/poverty-group-sick-of-endless-reports,-but-no-solutions
Treasury says state house sale policy not driven by ideology
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201782831/treasury-says-state-house-sale-policy-not-driven-by-ideology
Have a listen to Gabriel Makhlouf if you can stomach it (trigger warning – more children are going to die as a direct result of this man’s idle fantasies). Bags ideology then spouts a load of ideology.
Marvel, as he pretends that the poor condition of state houses is an inevitable consequence of state ownership. Vomit, as he explains what “would” happen on Planet Treasury.
They haven’t learned one damn thing in thirty years, and they’re still intoning the litany.
Edit: oh hah I see you beat me to it.
Well said Paul. I just want to add a couple of points. Firstly, child poverty should not be separated from adult poverty – the former results from the latter, and the latter is brought about intentionally within the current system. Why else would you undermine the unions’ ability to bargain, continuously raise the bar for getting a benefit, allow rampant, across-the-board housing inflation alongside low wages, etc, etc? Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but I feel sure I heard that deported guy living in Invercargill say on RNZ that his situation in NZ is in some ways worse than on Christmas Island, which if I heard right, should give us pause.
Meanwhile, the government has plans to reward “social housing providers” whose “tenants” meet certain desirable conditions: in other words, in exchange for a modest and tenuous level of security, people will need to lay their lives open to the broad scrutiny and judgement of their landlords. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11560981
What is needed is real push-back against a system to which the impoverishment and virtual enslavement of those at the bottom is intrinsic. A conception of human rights that excludes the right to adequate secure housing and the right to earn a living is a deficient one.
Good points Olwyn, and thanks for links Paul.
hi paul, after listening to morning report this morning, i see your error.
according to guyon espiner, this child poverty measure is actually measuring inequality.
so if i have $100,000 and you have $300,000 that is inequality but neither of us is in poverty.
no problem, you need to look at this in a different way.
this from our ‘prestige’ broadcaster!
how such a serious, endemic, growing problem can be dealt with in such a glib fashion beggars belief.
How much does Guyon Espiner earn?
Therein lies the answer to his appalling approach.
He seems a lot more upset about Nurofen than child poverty.
Link to Espiner’s ghastly interview
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201782848/child-poverty-doubles-in-30-years
perhaps depravation to the middle class is an overextracted flat white in the morning.
Hi g. I think we need to relook at the who the middle classes are. We need a sociologist to redefine for us what the middle class looks like in NZ in 2015.
Many in NZ society have been on a backwards slide, including the former middle class while others in that group have successfully popped out of their comfortable existence into one that is is positively wealthy.
I’m not sure if we should feel such cynicism towards this “middle class” when we don’t know their true circumstances. I think your over extracted flat white customer might be more towards the upper, privileged middle class bracket. Your average middle class might still be on the instant.
As for coffee, I only get to drink coffee out about twice a month our financial circumstances are that dire, so it has to be absolutely perfect when we do go out. For us that is a real treat so the pleasure stakes are high.
“We need a sociologist to redefine for us what the middle class looks like in NZ in 2015”
There are sociologists looking at it (at least as of 2008/2010 that I know of). Unfortunately my dotage and memory function means I cannot immediately recall their names – it’ll probably come to me tomorrow).
That ‘middle class’ really doesn’t exist as we once knew it. One thing’s for sure though, we can likely say that many members of that ‘middle class’ club are one step away from the precariat if and when their job(s) “go away”. Laden with debt at the bottom end (often a necessity to survive); and smug, uncompassionate, holier-than-thou whilst employed at the ‘top end’.
If only that muddle class would consider where they might be if they had to cash-up tomorrow. I suggest many of them will be squealing like stuffed pigs and considering their voting patterns.
I agree Rosie – there really needs to be a review.
I mean to say – that muddle class on the three tier structure we once knew could include the fair and balanced incisive current affairs journalist with a balanced portfolio and work-life balance – to the ‘tradie’ doing ‘cashie’ jobs ‘under the radar going forward’ – sometimes FOR that incisive journalist.
I can honestly say I won’t be surprised or heartbroken (that’s if it holds out long enough for me to witness) if and when the crash comes – it might very well be the only way someone will hit the RESET button and start holding those who’ve amassed wealth by devious means to account.
My how history repeats eh?
HI OWT. I thought there may be some kind of research going on but am out of reach of that kind of knowledge these days.
I dunno if those who fall will change their voting patterns – I wonder if we are so far removed the concept of party policy and values, that they just wouldn’t get that their fortunes in part are influenced by political ideology. We do seem, a bit, you know, slow to acknowledge that.
Furthermore, there must, there must, there must be those who have fallen with a fairly hard bump in recent years (I’m back in the same precarious state of existence, comparatively, I was when I was 20, and I wasn’t necessarily comfortable before but had enough to get by and buy a meal out more than once a year) BUT there has been no change of government, and we’re 7 years in already…………..
If there are those that downsizing the house, the car, going without holidays (wow, imagine going on a holiday!) not going to the cinema anymore etc then they are being very very very quiet about it.
My definition of middle class would go something like this combination:
– Has a house with a mortgage
– Has at least two cars
– Goes on overseas holidays of at least two weeks’ duration
– Wants to own a bach or a rental
– Has a career (as distinct from a job), or a small business
– Has support network so when they have a major life event, they are helped up
Yes, that sort of picture was in my mind. Insightful with the “wants” to own a bach, rental, as well as has support network.
Also, I think this person doesn’t have trouble paying unexpected bills like urgent dental work, major car repairs or emergency house maintenance – there will be enough to cover those costs.
I was tempted to include that, but felt if they can cope with “major life event”, then they can cope.
Home ownership is a pretty good rule of thumb for middle class – it insulates you from income insecurities and real estate inflation.
hi rosie, ad and co,
the other attitude with this middle class i sneer about is the self centred approach to life.
almost anti-community.
i would include less affluent members of our community in this ‘middle class’.
btw i am very fortunate to have a near perfect cup of joe most mornings.
a schlong.
Espiner is not middle class.
I would imagine his salary is comfortably in the top 2%
@ Paul (nice name btw). I wasn’t thinking of Espiner at the time I mentioned the journalist. There is another who mostly does good stuff – but she really should get over herself at times (and I don’t mean Kim Hill either!)
No, it’s the disposable income, not the gross.
You joke, and a chalk mark on the tyre, when they return to their vehicle.
Guyon, a spinner.
Hi Paul. The stuffed article is well written. I don’t know whether it was intentionally written in a way that was so crystal clear, with the intention of educating their readership. I was expecting the usual stupid and mean people who comment on stuff would back off when provided with facts, graphs you can’t argue with and statements from various child poverty campaign groups about the “Kiwi compassion drought”……….
But straight up and straight into it they were off with their ill informed, biased, opinionated and hateful remarks that they have used on every story on poverty. They never learn. To be honest, I only got 6 comments in before having to close it.
I really am wondering whether the internetz have given rise to a new type of vicious or whether people are becoming more cruel and less community minded, or a combination of both.
Have a read of JDarroch’s post on shooting the messenger and you will see a whole new level of publicly directed viciousness – the “anti SAFE” group, like rednecks on steroids.
I often feel sad about the increasing selfishness and stupidity in our society.
Sadly 30 years of neo-liberalism has seen a lot of people who grew up in the 80s and 90s who were indoctrinated into neo-Darwinist thinking and never knew what a functioning society can look like. The housing bubble has made them think that it was their success that made them rich.
Only a collapse ( and their own downfall) will make them the realise the benefits of a society that cares for everyone, including the vulnerable.
Those older know better and their views simply reflect their greedy selfish outlook on the world. Douglas, Prebble, Shipley, Richardson, Key and Bennett are examples of these bludgers. Benefited from that bigger society, then took it away from those below.
I hold some hope for those born in the 90s and later and they grew up at the time of the crash of 2008 and can see for themselves that shallow selfish greed cannot work.
“I hold some hope for those born in the 90s and later and they grew up at the time of the crash of 2008 and can see for themselves that shallow selfish greed cannot work.”
There are some amazing talented young people in the youth wings of Labour and Green. They have everything stacked against them in regard to their future but it will be their future leadership that will lift everyone. They need our support and encouragement.
There’s always been that underbelly of people who are cruel, vicious and not community minded. The internet has just made them more visible. This should allow the rest of us to do something about them.
And you’re very skilful at dealing with them Draco. Unfortunately for me they exist IRL and I have to deal with them in that zone. Not sure which is worse. Probably IRL.
I was thinking more along the lines of rules and regulations that stop these arseholes actually having an effect upon other people.
yep I read some of the comments under that article and felt crook after – this is why we have key and his cronies.
+100 Paul…good points….New Zealand is becoming a grim place for those at the bottom of the heap…and especially New Zealand children…our future
…affordable housing for New Zealand families is crucial
“The 1 million who voted for National in 2014 don’t care about people in poverty.”
What about the 1 million people who didn’t vote against National, who didn’t vote at all. Most of them are people in poverty, or close to it.
+100 CV….good point…the current Labour Party does not inspire them
With the holiday period just about upon us, it’s a timely reminder to highlight our unforgiving roads.
A number of Kiwis and tourist die or are injured on our roads every year.
Therefore, isn’t it time we do more to improve the safety of our roads?
As upfront costs are a factor, I suggest, along with improving national black-spots, their should be a concentrated effort to safe proof state highway 1.
Lighting, median-barriers, sidebars and breakdown lanes from Kaitaia to the Bluff.
This will save many lives going forward (thus accident related costs) while also improving the safety of tourists using our roads.
Thoughts?
drive at 90
simple
but seriously, numpty tourist drivers are the biggest other-driver risk down south. Install alarms on rental cars that go nuts if you cross the white line. Also simple
Explain to me how the car will know it’s crossed the white line?
Combination of GPS and video.
I.e: https://www.rt.com/usa/320673-autonomous-drone-obstacles-mit/
Driving at 90 doesn’t prevent another car crossing the centre-line and colliding head-on with me. Nor does it give me scope to take evasive action.
Therefore, stating driving at 90 is a simplistic statement that overlooks the impact (on accidents) unforgiving roads play.
Driving at 90 gives you more time to react to emergencies and reduces impact force, it also improves fuel efficiency. Plus there’s no chance of being snapped by speed cameras, if you need a purely self-interested reason. The only downside is that you may irritate those other drivers who put speed before safety.
Though better to say; drive to the conditions at a maximum of 90km, in rain or at night on a gravel road even that is way too fast. Also, remember to rest for 10 minutes for every hour of driving. These are things that you can do now within the present infrastructure, to improve road safety for others as well as yourself. The Chairman’s suggestion may have merit, but won’t be happening anytime soon and won’t help if you’re off SH1. Plus no matter how the roading may improve in the future you’re still going to be safer if you are; cautious, rested, sober and undistracted.
VTO’s point about the perils of encountering someone on the wrong side of the road (most notoriously tourists, but also drunks, sleepers, and hoons) is a good one. I can see how the white lines could be laser-detected and hooked up to an alarm on rental cars (something that is evidently beyond BM’s medieval understanding of the world), however the implementation of such a scheme would be anything but simple. Deal with the world as it is, not how you would like it to be.
Keep safe everyone!
and watch others trying to overtake on a straight line, cause they are bored witless.
and watch people fall asleep
rather make good roads faster, and hard roads slower. There is no need for some of the little windy roads to be a hundred.
Making everything ninety, just to watch people go over it, and the blue berry muffing brigade get hard while writing tickets is not the answer.
And last but least, finally make compulsory for new wanna be drivers to actually have driving lessons before they get to drive. It makes no sense that bad drivers (parents) get to train their children to be bad drivers, as clearly the only time they have to be good drivers is to pass the test.
Two points, windy roads wake drivers up, a bit of adrenaline a it more awareness. 90 kms on our main highways puts drivers to sleep.
About ten years ago the Police instigated a ” 100 kph not a km” over rule for Christmas to Easter, At the end of it about 75 more people were dead than other years. To paraphrase ” We can’t work it out, there were a lot of older people, single car, straight road accidents and they weren’t speeding ! ”
No you dipsticks, they fell asleep.
I did a lot of driving that summer and the roads were full of older drivers who were doing around 90 or less because they were scared of getting a ticket, but crucially they were driving slower than their stimulation speed, for want of a better term.
Driving a modern car at a slowish speed is like watching a road unwind on TV in front of you while sitting in an armchair while listening to classical or MOR music.
Try, see how long you last.
What a load of shit you talk.
Tiredness, time of day/night, gender, whether you have chilren and other factors determines whether you fall asleep, not speed.
In fact research has shown that people are more like to fall asleep on FAST sections of road.
http://drowsydriving.org/about/facts-and-stats/
There is plenty of research out there on this. I suggest you read it before spouting off another load of rubbish.
or….everyone drive at 95km/hr.
Why? So there is no need for light vehicles to pass us heavy vehicles who have to (well supposed to) travel at 90. All vehicles with the same maximum speed.
There is some devil that possesses many kiwi drivers that seemingly forces them to pass the vehicle in front of them.
Impatience is the problem…and lack of the ability to consider how much later you’re going to get there if you have a prang.
We have “Patience” written in large and friendly letters fore and aft on our housebus…seems to inflame some drivers.
Be mindful out there folks….
Hi Chairman.
Agree our roads are not the best. However, as a sales rep driving the lower north Island for two years and previously driving in Auckland I consistently witnessed poor driving skills and lack of road code knowledge. Personally I think we’re just shit drivers in NZ. In my driving days I was constantly sending community roadwatch forms into the Police to report dangerous driving.
Driving around now, just locally and in a limited way I still continue to witness appalling driving. Last Friday I was involved in 3 near misses just because of drivers that should not be in charge of a vehicle being on the road.
The last edition of the AA magazine published their report into tourist driver fatalities and accidents. They actually make up a very small number of our annual number of crashes. While tourist crashes had a higher representation in tourists hot spots in the South Island they were still low compared to the national average. There has been a hugely disproportionate media focus on tourist drivers.
I’m sorry I don’t have the actual figures, the magazine is long gone, out with the recycling.
Maybe it makes a good news story during the slow summer months or maybe it just stirs up a bit of that ‘fear of the other” vibe.
Remember in the summer holidays you’ve got people on the road who are not familiar with driving long distance and you’ve got fatigued people driving. It makes the roads that more dangerous in summer.
Yes, make improvements to our roads but theres little you can do about bad drivers.
I agree. Poor and bad driving plays a role. But improved roading can help with that. Allowing room for evasive action to be taken. With centre-line barriers preventing a bad driver from crossing the road. Along with lighting helping guide those on unfamiliar roads and sidebars keeping them on the road, opposed to going down a bank or into a river or ocean.
A couple of other measures could be applied to help combat bad driving.
Private motor vehicles could be designed so they can’t breach the open road limit.
Defensive driving courses could be made compulsory.
“Defensive driving courses could be made compulsory.”
Agreed.
btw, one of the most nuts dangerous bit of roads I’ve driven that would benefit from your suggestions is a the Rimutaka Hill road between Wellington and the Wairarapa. I am constantly amazed with the flow of traffic on that road that there isn’t more crashes, deaths and drivers going over the cliff.
Drove the Tauranga and back yesterday. Used crusie control (except when passing )
I saw two instances where trucks overtook each other in a passing lane which meant no one else could pass. The front truck (which had passed) then travelled at about 85k. You could sense the frustration of the drivers ahead of me. I had Blondie playing so was happy enough 😉
Others travel at front of long lines of ttraffic oblivious to the lines behind them. Many timeas at 15k or more below the speed limit.
The good news was I saw NO dangerous overtaking.
Leaving Auckland (Penrose) at at 720am, I continue to be amazed at how many Aucklanders, including commercial truckss plop themselves into the fast lane and do about 85 kph.
I was up the far north a couple of weeks ago. The roads were wet, warning signs galore: roads greasy when wet – slow down.
It was if the warning signs were a challenge for drivers to drive faster and follow closer. With unforgiving roads and driver attitudes like just described, it’s no wonder there are so many accidents up that way.
The obvious solution is to get people off the roads and into trains. This will help with climate change and prevent deaths.
The obvious solution is to make all state highways four lanes, this would stop people getting frustrated with slow drivers, stop people doing dangerous over taking manoeuvres and would create a burst of economic activity especially to the regions
That would cost more and not really achieve anything.
But I’m not really surprised that a RWNJ would reach for the most expensive solution that doesn’t work.
Yeah it would, the slow, hesitant drivers can stick to the left lane and the confident, normal drivers can keep to the right
Plus I thought you’d be all over the government stepping and creating a make-work scheme
That can already be done on the present roads and it’s not working so assuming doing more of it just brings up this saying:
Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
Why would you think that considering that I’ve said, on multiple occasions, that we need to destroy jobs and the need for work?
That presupposes people keep left unless passing and stop driving like it was some sort of competition whereby they need to get ahead of others (just for the sake of it).
It doesn’t solve things like indiscriminate lane changing; failing to indicate intentions; observing the 1 second rule when it actually is a 2 second rule; etc.
There’d be a burst of economic activity if we resurrected the railways too. (you know – those two parallel lines of iron designed to carry the masses (and the most fishint n fectiv way of carrying freight) that we must not speak of.
Not in Auckland. The idiots would simply move their shit to the fourth lane.
Getting trucks OUT of the fast lane on Motorways would also help.
Building more and more roads has yet to be a panacea to our nation’s most vulnerable, so it is no solution in the future.
http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11552297
Can anyone tell me the location and date of the Labour Party dinner Stuart Nash is hosting for Roger Douglas, Michael Bassett, Ken Shirley and Labour “A” Listers?
I’d like to protest at the event.
I googled it. Looks like the 1st Labour govt. took office on 6 December 1935 so on that basis it’s been and gone. 🙁
WHAT. A. JOKE.
Labour always invites its right wing along and always sidelines its left wing.
To be fair it was Nash who invited them. Did they all sit around and giggle that Mickey Savage was a mug for not becoming independently wealthy by virtue of his position.
and did they giggle that Andrew Little promoted Nash and shat on Cunliffe?
Touche madam/sir
Many here find RT a useful read and source of reference and opinion on world affairs…not least because RT is not afraid to explore opinions from all sides and resources some of the best USA journalists, international experts from academia, think tanks and intelligence analysts
…but what /who is RT and its history?
‘RT`s world’
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/325580-rt-broadcasting-media-public/
“Ten years ago this week RT started to carve out its mark in international broadcasting – and what a ride it has been! Never far from controversy, this network has prided itself on being different and saying what many dare not utter in public. In this edition of CrossTalk, we ask how RT has changed the media environment.
CrossTalking with Rob Taub, John Laughland, and Dmitry Babich.”
( also for light summer viewing)
https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/325829-syria-isis-us-allies/
https://www.rt.com/shows/sophieco/325569-strategy-isis-terrorism-attacks/
https://www.rt.com/shows/crosstalk/325830-syria-washington-civil-war/
Yep RT held some good events to celebrate its 10 years on air.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11561025
Nats on 51.3%
John Key sitting on 65.2% as preferred prime minister.
Good news for Labour however with them out of the 20%’s.
On the latest polls in December – National can either govern alone, or close to it.
Still reading the standard – people are still thinking Little is doing an outstanding job.
Whithout blaming the voters for being stupid just because they disagree with you – why do you think Labour is so far behind National?
The Leader, Policies, The MP’s? Or are they just not relevant anymore?
Child poverty
Sexual Violence changes in our Justic System
Pissing contest with James????
Thinking, thinking, thinking
No no you don’t understand, Mr Little just needs more time so the voters of NZ can get to know him 😉
Halfway through term 3 and Labour can still get zero traction against the Key government. And Cunliffe had Labour just as high in the polls as it is now.
You’d think that someone would realise that Labour is no longer fit for purpose.
For what its worth I feel for you, you obviously care deeply and you can see whats wrong but no one will listen to you
cheers PR
Yet many say Cunliffe was so unpopular with the public? Little has similar ratings for preferred PM, yet he is proclaimed as doing a great job! The whole thing stinks to high heaven! David Cunliffe had mere months in that top job that included an election, and forces from within and without against him throughout his entire time as leader. Little has had none of that stress. His screen persona is still wooden and without charisma.
again obvious to those other than those who are being deliberately obtuse.
+100 CV and Hami Shearlie…Labour should have stuck by David Cunliffe…the rank and file membership wanted him
…so imo time for a new Labour Party with Mana
Cunliffe had the support of membership in the leadership battle, after the change of rules at the Ellerslie Conference.
Robertson, Wellington apparatchik and Shearer’s real campaign manager, had collected more Caucus votes.
Robertson & Co were never never ever ever going to accept that outcome. With his inside track on all the staff who had been hired into Labour Parliamentary roles he managed to make the whole environment around Cunliffe.
Cunliffe’s mistake was to try to accomodate Robertson: Robertson considered Cunliffe’s leadership to be illegitimate. Robertson never accepted that the Membership could select a leader that the majority of the Caucus didn’t select. That is why Little has given into Robertson’s condition: that Cunliffe be humiliated.
I have thought about this, and it seems that a lot of people think that Labour merely wants to do a ‘system restore’ back to 2008 (or 1984) settings, where as National want to upgrade – it might not be to an OS we are liking, but it is a new one nonetheless.
Time the left upgraded.
We need to look forward, not back.
You are exactly correct.
However, Labour is incapable of operating on anything other than COBOL.
little gave robertson the future of work assignment. Labour’s had some great policy platforms these past seven years. i hate what cullen did but he had his goals and met them. so in that respect he was competent, unlike english. labour is easy to paint as retarded but it’s been able to set goals and meet them while in government, just oftentimes the wrong ones. it’s anything but a hidebound party. it’s just too easy to push lazy propagandaonto such a crcredulous population. plus you have to face the fact that many people – including virtually the entire landlord class – are vicious, awful people who live off extracting the life blood from their countrymen. they are your voting centre who swung from Helen and into key’s pocket. monkeys chasing peanuts.
See my comment at 1.3.1.
The failure of the MSM to report the Gnats tragic economic performance is major. A lot of folk think they’re doing basically the right thing, rather than a slow motion train wreck.
Just a heads up from Wayne Mapp that the Law Commission’s report on Allternative Models for Sexual violence cases has been released.
Do not know if I will get to a post on it, but would love to see someone do a post.
Cursory reading looks good.
http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/projectAvailableFormats/NZLC-R136-The-Justice-Response-to-Victims-of-Sexual-Violence.pdf
For the record, it doesn’t appear Wayne was involved in this one or the National Security report which came out yesterdaya nd which I have posted. I am sure he will correct me if he was involved.
I’ve been wondering that too, James.
There’s a little bit of movement lately upwards for Labour ….. but this past year for Labour has been about sorting itself internally – doesn’t make for constant headlines, and it appears its only when a politician is in the headlines that they get traction. And as you might have noted, ShonKey is constantly in the headlines – even over silly little things – even being given fossil awards for being irresponsible re climate change – and the popularity continues.
Wow oh wow… Kiwipolitico (it’s in the feed column 3 times but will also link here) is a must read. I will go further and say various aspects are worthy of posts in themselves if any TS author is interested.
http://www.kiwipolitico.com/2015/12/the-impunity-files-police-edition-trolling-for-rawshark/
A small taster:
That tells me the police were already investigating BEFORE Slater laid his complaint. They had already been instructed by the PM’S OFFICE to “find out Rawshark’s identity? Yep.
Correction to last sentence: They were already under instruction from John Key/PM’s Office to “find out who Rawshark is”.
I agree that Pablo’s post at Kiwipolitico is a MUST READ.
It is yet another piece of the jigsaw puzzle of revelations coming from the OIA request by Scoop for the court submissions etc relating to the Judicial Review into the police raid of Nicky Hager’s house in 2014.
There have been a number of other excellent posts on a range of blogs over the last month or so also analysing the Review submissions. Some of these are now well off the front pages of these blogs, so I thought I would start making a consolidated list of these for anyone who is interested and may have missed some.
Firstly, here are the full Scoop papers (both links contain other links).
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1510/S00049/inside-the-hunt-for-rawshark-the-hager-raid-court-file.htm
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1511/S00046/inside-the-hunt-for-rawshark-hager-raid-court-file-part-2.htm
Keith Ng also had a post a few weeks ago in his On Point section of Public Address focusing on a piece of paper found and seized by the police during the search in their efforts to identify Rawshark. Ng’s post analyses the implications of this piece of paper, and their suspicions that Rangi Kemara might be Rawshark through the communications between WO and Ben Rachinger.
http://publicaddress.net/onpoint/the-whaledump-saga-scooby-doo-edition/
There are others, but I have run out of time for now. Will update my list in spare moments over the forthcoming ‘silly season’.
EDIT – Another one that came to mind immediately I hit send.
Giovanni Tiso wrote this post on 30 November on his blog. He attended the Judicial Review court hearings and reported on these at the time.
http://bat-bean-beam.blogspot.co.nz/2015/11/the-raid.html
I wish karol was still around. She was superb when it came to analysing this sort of material. However, we have authors and others here who could do a very good job too.
Ditto re karol. I hope she is OK, as she has not commented on her Twitter account or blog since March (?) this year; but when I raised this some time ago here, someone commented that she had indicated that she was moving in other directions.
I used to be very good at such analysis (research and analysis was a big part of my work skills/experience) but retirement/health/ home downsizing etc requires I focus on other priorities at present. But my memory is still good (!) as are my abilities to locate information, articles etc despite my other limited computer skills. But there seems to be a lot of analysis etc going on quietly behind the scenes on this particular event and its consequences etc. Once the results of the Judicial review are released, I anticipate a lot of interest, opinion etc in the more public media.
You do a great job here v.v. It’s very much appreciated by all.
Doule ditto.
And I miss felix’s ability to sum stuff up both intelligently and pithily. Sadly TRP’s ego at the time spoilt that.
I finally figured out what the problem was with that on the weekend. Figuring out a fix is going to be a bit harder. I may just hack a ‘signature’ fix.
Thanks Anne.
One clarification. I have amended the section of the post quoted to reflect the fact that a Police investigation plan was put into effect before the formal complaint was made (after an email from Mr. Slater to Assistant Commissioner Malcolm Burgess), and that the investigation was ramped up rapidly once the complaint was lodged. This is documented in David Fisher’s article in the NZ Herald (page A3) on November 14, 2015, which draws on the Police files obtained under Discovery and released by the High Court. These have been complied by Scoop and are cited with links in my post.
Thanks for the clarification Pablo.
The clarification:
It doesn’t change the basis of my suspicion the police were… made aware they were to leave no stone un-turned in their endeavour to identify Rawshark, and the instruction probably originated from the PM’s Office. It will be impossible to prove of course, and the motivation behind the instruction had nothing to do with “upholding the laws of the land” but rather to avenge Rawshark for exposing their dirty little game.
It is interesting that Slater was able to get in touch directly with Assistant Commissioner Burgess, who rather than ignore him immediately turned around and ordered elements of organised and cyber crime units in the NCIG to get going on planning the case for catching Rawshark–6 days before Slater formally made his complaint. Again, the Fisher article in the Herald has more detail on this.
Were it that those of us who have been burgled or otherwise been victims of crime had such a rapid high level response to our plights!
Correct. As the victim of unlawful actions covertly carried out – and with a political aspect to some of them – I had the ignominious experience of being ignored by the NZ police. It was as if they concluded I deserved the conduct meted out to me. It happened 20 odd years ago and my respect for, and trust in them is now virtually non-existent.
That access, and speed of access is what the media ignore at our peril.
Fascinating info in Pablo’s post. Will be interesting to see if anyone in the MSM actually picks up on these details and runs something in the silly season …… or whether it will just all slide into oblivion in 2016.
And it will be really useful to have Veutoviper’s list as it develops. I missed Keith Ng’s one – must go back and read it.
Well, its up to Labour, the Greens and NZ First to ensure it doesn’t slide into oblivion . Once they start to see the actual evidence of the dirty, deceitful and unlawful antics of Key/Slater and co., voter-land may not be so gormless and sleepy about it all.
Interesting that the CE of Xero had a stoush with Slater, then they made up and 24 hours later an employee of Xero announced she is standing for mayor. Coincidence I am sure.
Heard V Crone on Morning Report this morning. Her answers to questions were superficial – way out of her depth I’d say. Goff came across as a vastly superior candidate. Mind you, that doesn’t mean a lot given the gullible propensities of today’s voting public.
And the machinary behind her and all that means.
IF, as I suspect, Collins knew about this, then Ms Crone will have Mr Slater’s awful machinery at her disposal… not that she will ever directly use it, but others will do it, even without her consent I bet.
Note how quickly Xero CEO made up with slater… I have my tinfoilhat on but nonetheless…the timing of it all
Fascinating info in Pablo’s post. Will be interesting to see if anyone in the MSM actually picks up on these details and runs something in the silly season …… or whether it will just all slide into oblivion in 2016.
Good to see that punches aren’t being pulled just because IHC is seen as one of the respectable charities.
https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/national/ihcs-potential-state-housing-deal-sparks-protest
Far from respectable, this latest behaviour exposes the truth about the National party stooges who’ve been running this filthy right-wing organisation for a long time now. Rather than standing up for the rights of people with disabilities their MO is riding high up the government’s arse. Despicable pigs.
Regarding business woman Victoria Crone confirming her standing in the 2016 Auckland Mayoralty.
The voting public are truly spoiled for choice for ‘centre-right’ (pro-corporate / pro-Auckland ‘Supercity’) Auckland Mayoral candidates!
Stephen Berry
Mark Thomas
Phil Goff
Victoria Crone
(Isn’t it basic ‘Electoral Politics 101’ NOT to ‘split the vote’?)
Gosh – I hope John Banks, John Palino, Judith Collins and Maurice Williamson all throw their hats into the ring as well!
The more the merrier?
(Seems Auckland business interests are arguably not presenting a ‘united front’ on their preferred choice of 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate?)
Seems that the only confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate with a proven track record of defending the public and the public (as opposed to corporate) interests, is me?
Here’s the thing.
The difference between the ‘1%’ and the ‘99%’ ( the corporate minority, and supporters) and the public majority, is that the latter represent FAR more of the voting public, because there are HEAPS more of the public ’99’%?
Also – lest we forget – in 2013 the voter turnout in Auckland was only 36%.
How are the four, (in my view) ‘pro-corporate’ 2016 Mayoral candidates, going to inspire the 64% non-voting masses to get off their bottoms and vote for one of them?
Where/ what is their proven track record in defending the public and public interest?
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Are you centre-right or centre-left politically?
Why?
‘How are the four, (in my view)’pro-corporate’ 2016 Mayoral candidates, going to inspire the 64% non-voting masses to get off their bottoms and vote for them’
Why would the 4 candidates want to do that? They are not interested in those 64% non-voters.
Polling still showing that the effort put into changing the flag by this government is a waste.
Link to the poll is: Which flag will you vote for?
Don’t worry, the National Party phone and text lines will be in overdrive. Expect the gap to rapidly shrink as the Tories vote for their Nat. Party bill board logo
Take out JK…replace with fern… add a bit of black and make Sth Cross a bit bigger and Bob’s your uncle.
Very inspiring video from Russel Norman/Greenpeace – if only the political parties could show some sort of inspiration and united force like this…..
http://www.greenpeace.org.nz/thank-you-2015/
The redoubtable environmental champion Gary Taylor puts the case for a major increase in Department of Conservation funding in today’s http://www.dompost.co.nz
He includes:
– extra $12m for wilding pine removal
– extra $17.2m on predator control
– extra $10m on community partnerships
– extra $11.8m on core competencies
He concludes:
“Let’s recognize that investing in nature is a perfectly valid way of growing the economy”
Good time to get the voice in to Wellington as Departmental budget drafts are proposed up for Ministers to consider over the break.
They should leave the pines alone
A the planet needs trees no tussock.
B they’ll never win .especially if financial times get real hard.
Breaking news:
Government’s books go back into deficit as Bill English realises he can only kick the can so far down the road by fiddling with EQC payments: http://www.interest.co.nz/news/79160/budget-forecast-dip-back-defict-201516-govt-increases-capital-spending-nz1-bln-english
I am sure they never said they would stay in surplus just that they would get back to surplus. Nothing to see here. Look John Key draped in his favourite flag.
They are fine with going into deficit in the next few months.
The thing to watch is they are putting together a package of lolly scramble for GE2017 because of their determination to win that.
So what has the Little-Robertson-King team been working on as policy and strategic responses?
I’ve been meaning to keep you all up to date on this.
A person I know was arrested in this raid, but broke themselves out of prison and are on the run, the latest I’ve heard is they are out of China. So happy about that.
However, some of those arrested are missing and this is fast turning into a nightmare. Missing in China generally means bad, bad things.
https://libcom.org/news/updates-guangdong-five-december-9-through-13-14122015
Yikes
ACTIVISTS GET THINGS DONE! 🙂
My request for Speaking Rights has been granted at the upcoming CEO Review Committee of Auckland Council, to be held:
WHEN: Wednesday 16 December 2015
TIME: 11.30am
WHERE: Level 26, Room 1
135 Albert St
Auckland Central
The following is my intended subject matter for this meeting:
1) A reminder to the CEO Review Committee meeting of the statutory duties of the CEO, as outlined in s.42 of the underpinning Local Government Act 2002:
http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2002/0084/latest/DLM171859.html
42 Chief 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 for—
(a) implementing the decisions of the local authority; and
(b) providing advice to members of the local authority and to its community boards, if any; and
(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
(f) providing leadership for the staff of the local authority; and
_________________________________________________________
2) Developments on lawful compliance with the Public Records Act 2005.
3) Progress on making information about Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisation spending available on Auckland Council Rates Assessment Notices.
Penny Bright
‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’
Hackers trace ISIS Twitter accounts back to internet addresses owned by Department of Work and Pensions UK
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/technology-science/technology/hackers-trace-isis-twitter-accounts-7010417
Here you go folks!
Here’s your chance to have YOUR say on whom you support for 2016 Auckland Mayor:
http://www.radiolive.co.nz/DUNCAN-GARNER-POLL-Aucklanders-who-do-you-want-to-be-mayor/tabid/131/articleID/110107/Default.aspx
Cheers!
Penny Bright
I voted for you Penny.
Which rather points out how stupid this poll is, as I don’t live in Auckland, therefore can’t vote.
Great use of your time
Herald Online: The Gauche and The Crass – real estate agent selling big tea towels juxtaposed with media feast over Jonah’s finances.
WTF has become of “us” ?
The abject failure of national to maintain the goal it has used to marginalise the vulnerable is getting scant critique from the political commentators.
I guess when you dont think the vulnerable will vote for you making their lives worse can be juztified. You know if you are a self serving compassionless leech.
Yesterday Steven Joyce was asked again about why R&D tax credits were removed by National almost immediately they got back into power in 2008. He repeated the old rubbish about businesses using it solely to minimise tax.
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/australias-innovation-policy-catch-new-zealands-joyce-says-b-182956?utm_source=ST&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ShareTrader+AM+Update+for+Tuesday+15+December+2015
This is despite the fact that the mere 300 R&D tax credits ever issued were audited by IRD, for any amounts approaching $100k or more, as far as I am aware. In contrast, just a few big companies have been granted up to $5mill each by the National govt, with taxpayer money freed up by such actions. The results have been indifferent. In many cases the companies are either: listed on the sharemarket, didn’t need the money for business as usual, are overseas owned, or are outright losers that cannot stand on their own feet.
When I see land owners being audited for historic purchases of Harley Davidson bikes or glasshouses and the like, which can be coded as farm working assets or expenses, I’ll perhaps take a less dim view on Steven Joyce’s anti-SME attitude.