Well I'm not excited. Lots of downside for NZ businesses who have surely been put through enough, and let's keep in mind the horrendous track record Amazon have with shitty employee treatment.
Why the fuck are we subsidising Amazon of all creatures? Outraged we can afford this, but not proper maternity care.
Essentially some years back (2014) Kranzler alleged that Amazon had been using an accounting trick similar to what Enron used hide massive losses. Yes, according to what I've read from Kranzler in the past Amazon made a loss with every sale – the mind boggles at how that could possibly happen. I am aware of how this sounds especially given the size of Amazon, but note that Amazon has yet to lob a C&D order at Kranzler, suggesting there is substance behind his comments.
While I'm certain most readers will find the statements made by Kranzler laughable since he predicted a crash of AMZN stock, and he also trashes Tesla (fair enough…dog with fleas) , in the end I think a desperate US government or an equally desperate State will find reason to heavily audit the Amazon beast, and the game will finally end.
What would be really impressive is if NZ conducted it’s own investigation of Amazon before plunging ahead with a dump of taxpayer money into this company.
Ive always been told never to trust anyone that needs to tell you they're being honest. And I lost count how many times I was told this by the minister.
Is the mass tourism he forecasts truly sustainable.
The company’s film arm is already in the country, filming a TV series based on The Lord of the Rings.
But, following an agreement with the government to secure the higher-than-usual subsidies attached to the film, Amazon agreed to send a team of senior staff to New Zealand to look for “opportunities”.
Now this should be a wake up call if there ever was one. Labor will not be my choice, full stop. Predatory companies like Amazon should not be allowed to operate here. We have already enough poverty, we certainly do not need more. Any to pay taxpayer money for this is the highest of insult. How about repairing the pipes that carry the sh…, or build affordable houses, maybe more funding for maternity care? I think I am in a parallel universe.
sadly no. This is our reality, where a so called progressive party can't wait to wine and dine some super rich company that causes very little other then hardship to anyone working there (government subsidies for the workers to make ends meet cause pay is to little) and the businesses that it kills.
Never mind we don't need houses, we don't need upgraded maternity wards, we don't need ICU beds in Startship hospital either.
We crowd fund for Starship hospital ICU beds. ….Cause poverty for all and riches for a few is NZ. It so is.
My take homes were: because maybe earthquake, because some people don't like the idea of foreign landlords… we can spend $200 million in two years time.
Nevermind children actually living with black mould, or in motels or garages.
As I have said before, it aint a lack of money it is a lack of will
“I was filming in a supermarket which has so far lost $30,000 in produce from throwing that out and I was meeting to film them,…
“What they are worried about is if they keep breeding, by the time you come to spring, which is when you really see them start multiplying their numbers, we’re worried about next year when we’re going to have an even bigger base to start from in terms of mouse population.”
In the preceding drought many predators such as owls and birds of prey died, she says, and people are now taking matters into their own hands out of desperation. “People are at their wits end spending thousands of dollars on baits, poisons and traps whatever they can do to try and kill these mice, like I mentioned people are catching 1000 every single night.” But it’s having no impact and the mice are getting bigger and stronger, she says. “Mice are eating chicken feet, mice are eating each other we’ve now got rats coming as well.”
There is no support for people in regional Australia being hit hard by this plague, Thackery says. “This is costing people so much money, they are coming back from the drought, they had grain in silos and hay stored and people are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of hay and in a lot of cases grain as well.”
BG – Well, I know a couple of people actually considering this. There was a business article about this very issue a week or so ago. We should be concerned if skilled people leave NZ. I don't think the country can afford to loose staff in those professions where we have a dire need.
Your reaction is actually exactly that close mindedness that is very unhelpfull and political correctness prevents issues to be voiced.
BTW. I will vote next time for David Seymour, as shocking as it is as I have always been red/green. This uncoordinated waffling on that is happening right now is at best amateur and no matter where you look only self serving blah blah can be heard.
You might not like this, but though. I am not the only one saying this. Behind closed doors of cause because one is not allowed to say anything, it could offend someone, anyone. 🙄
I would take a close look at the ACT manifesto before voting for Seymour if I were you. For instance their pro-gun stance, among many other things.
Under ACT we would have had 6000 deaths from Covid, because all that matters is business and development.
I attended a meeting where Seymour spoke at the last election where he basically advocated no controls on development at all, thus throwing out District Plan rules agreed to by the community and experts over many years.
When I asked him a question, saying that the effect of his policy would be to allow carte blanch development all over the precious Queenstown Lakes District landscapes with commensurate adverse effects, he called me a busybody and rudely dismissed the question, showing his blinkered attitude and non-tv face.
As far as I can tell this is not Amazon setting up low paying, union busting distribution lines in NZ.
This is about the New Zealand screen industry which is respected around the world. We have significant competitive advantages:
Unique and spectacular locations
Those locations are concentrated and easy to access from main centres
Experienced, hard-working crews
Low levels of worker representation (Hobbit law, no syndication, and weak guild)
English is the main language
Favourable exchange rate
Reasonably competitive subsidies (Producers want more, of course)
But we are also up against it:
Limited studio infrastructure (although this is increasing)
Poor time zone for most international producers
We're a long way from anywhere
Australia is also a premier film destination
Significant crew and accommodation constraints
Only reasonably competitive subsidies
The argument for international productions and screen partnerships is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. The economic benefits far outweigh the costs which are set globally, not locally. As the PM says, "you either have a screen industry, or you don't".
If Amazon Prime want to come here following our Covid response and because of our safe place reputation, and look to add to screen infrastructure and formalise screen partnerships then this can only be a good thing for New Zealand.
It all adds to our premier destination status. Also, and significantly, film production is a very environmentally friendly export industry. Locally anyway.
The wider issue which most of us here are concerned about is Amazon's retail business model which is rightly viewed as exploitative of workers. I hate it too but the right thing to do is keep the pressure on where it is required.
Who knows, they might learn something once they get here…
Nice to read some apparent facts Muttonbird instead of hot diatribe. I have yet to read them but your comment looks more promising than those earlier ones who seem to have eaten hot chilis.
Putting aside Labours free-market neo liberal agenda for the moment…its probably time we start looking into lobbyists in NZ a heck of alot more..
The article below makes an interesting read…though I note alot of the factual information is via Australian public records…..
"Neither Raeburn or Jones will say who they work for. Everyone's entitled to a bit of privacy. But neither would object to a law requiring disclosure in New Zealand — their firms operate just fine in Australia where there is a mandatory register of lobbyists and their clients.
(During the previous government's second term, the Green Party attempted to establish a register. The bill didn't make it past the Select Committee which recommended it not be passed, and the submissions show the government relations industry was nearly uniformly opposed.)"
Interesting that neither lobbyists "neither would object to a law requiring disclosure in New Zealand"..yet it never made it past the select committee…hilarious…you have to wonder who exactly is protecting whos interests…
So what are the consequences of banning live cattle exports? Free mince for all? Paddocks of neglected cows being shot live on the 6pm news by bitter cockies blaming Jacinda whilst pumping round after round into a horrific mass of bellowing Friesans?
It's two years away. Plenty of time to downsize herd numbers over 2 breeding seasons. Maybe there'll be a corresponding decrease in the devastation mass dairying is wreaking on our land use. Oh – and maybe we can stop importing the evil palm kernel shit right away.
Free mince would never happen, but the cow shooting has potential as a game show. It just needs to be thought through – call it "Pretty Communist" and have Mike Hosking as compere – there's money to be made somewhere in there.
Ah yes – those gun-toting dentists on the steps of that elegant but somewhat faded 19th century mansion in the Central West End of St Louis, MO. Not far it looked like, from the bust of TS Eliot on the corner of Euclid and McPherson Avenues – an incongruity so total, it can be put down only to "the distress of nations and perplexity."
Violence is everywhere now. To many people not housed properly, not eating properly, not having anything to do, kids growing up in this shit and nary a social worker, police man/women/other in sight and hey, its all good. We just don't have the money to care for people, we only have money for nice to have projects taht serve no one really, Americas cup, Spas for the Rotorua Lakefront for the future tourism wave, subsidies for the richest company on the planet (or else they won't hire min wage slaves) and so on and so forth.
On Newtalk ZB this morning Hosking was actually praising Mallard (no that's not a typo!) for allowing Bishop 4 extra questions. He was however bagging Dr Liz Craig for the way she ran the meeting.
Liz Craig said what she was hoping to achieve. To provide information from health officials about our Covid-9 response measure to a wide range of MPs and therefore who they represent.
It is typical that the National Party and their slavish followers believe select committees are all about them.
Perhaps if the National Party, and its spokesperson for storms-in-a-teacup, Chris Bishop, wanted more time for questions they and he should have done better at the last election.
You need to take off your red tinted glasses and your "I love Labour no matter what they fuck up" T-shirt and cap every now and then, and see what is really happening. Yes, Chris Bishop is like a small annoying yappy dog that barks at everything, but I think even many left leaning people on this site would think that the time wasting by Liz Craig in that meeting was over the top and deserves to be called out. Obviously Mallard thought so.
Well, I'm going to buck the trend – film is a good industry for NZ – producing value from our environment and local talent without the downsides of dairy.
Amazon is indeed something to be cautious of, however, and local film interests like PJ present threats not only their labour force, but also to the reputation and long term health of the industry.
Much truth in that Stuart…and there is talk of a massive studio complex being set up near Wanaka which this Amazon Prime outcome can only help….only quibble is "Nash's outcome". As he said on RNZ today, this deal was negotiated before he became the minister.
This is a company of dirtbag tax dodgers of the first order. They'll fuck over NZ businesses in their thousands and the general public will have to pay. The rich get richer dontchaknow, and all your fantasy PR will not make them humane.
But film, cos celebrities are so, you know, wholesome.
'Premier destination status' – for suckups? For smokescreen greens? For a bolthole for pedo rich pricks?
Real artists turn in their graves watching this fucking circus of monkeys pumping out tedious mediocre content to a public who, more and more, know no better.
An interesting read. Add welfare and ACC to his list. Ardern's refusal to do little to nothing in these areas – in the face of compelling evidence of the dire need to – is staggering:
Job done?. America the Great (grate) says they've, won their war of payback for the twin towers demolition and are pulling out of Afghanistan telling Pakistan, Turkey, China and Russia it's their problem now to contain the Taliban.
Leaving Afghanistan a ruined land, a land that once produced Academics in every field, both men and woman when it was a socialist state (PDPA), that was undermined by the CIA's covert actions with suitcases of money for Bin Laden and the Mujahideen to destroy the Government, of course after the Soviets pulled out, the Yanks done the dirty on Bin Laden and paid the price blaming him for the demolition of the Twin Towers and other buildings.
So, what will the Grate America do now with all their weapons of shit and personal? Yes that's right set up new and existing bases in our part of the world to counter their paranoia of China. They've fucked up most parts of the world, so now it's our turn to reap their shit.
For all you right-wing- lefties out there screaming for links, go research yourself, though your bias wont allow you to do a proper job. Cheers.
The borders Russia currently shares with NATO member states are marked in yellow. But do carry on with your useful idiot schtick parroting Russia's NATO encirclement fantasy.
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New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
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With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
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A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
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There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Amazon in NZ
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300278243/amazon-may-be-on-the-way-to-new-zealand-as-government-signs-subsidy-deal
Well I'm not excited. Lots of downside for NZ businesses who have surely been put through enough, and let's keep in mind the horrendous track record Amazon have with shitty employee treatment.
Why the fuck are we subsidising Amazon of all creatures? Outraged we can afford this, but not proper maternity care.
And THEN we have this rarely discussed nugget, hard to find on Google which is probably Amazon's doing https://investmentresearchdynamics.com/?s=amazon
Essentially some years back (2014) Kranzler alleged that Amazon had been using an accounting trick similar to what Enron used hide massive losses. Yes, according to what I've read from Kranzler in the past Amazon made a loss with every sale – the mind boggles at how that could possibly happen. I am aware of how this sounds especially given the size of Amazon, but note that Amazon has yet to lob a C&D order at Kranzler, suggesting there is substance behind his comments.
While I'm certain most readers will find the statements made by Kranzler laughable since he predicted a crash of AMZN stock, and he also trashes Tesla (fair enough…dog with fleas) , in the end I think a desperate US government or an equally desperate State will find reason to heavily audit the Amazon beast, and the game will finally end.
What would be really impressive is if NZ conducted it’s own investigation of Amazon before plunging ahead with a dump of taxpayer money into this company.
Absolutely 100%. What are they thinking? If indeed they are thinking at all.
Makes the money they throw at the Americas cup pocket change…
Disappointed but not surprised. Labour in name only given all amazon's transgressions.
But Stuart says that Jeff is always welcome.
Well Jeff is rich enough to buy NZ……welcome Jeff.
And for the future drivers of the amazon trucks, don't forget your empty plastic bottle to piss in cause we don't do public loos anywhere.
Surely our Unions and Mr. Little will be on the ball to make sure that the subsidies will be spend wisely, right?
A train wreck of an interview.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018791810/nash-didn-t-see-treasury-advice-on-amazon-deal
Well we now know when Government is there to help. Call yourself Jeff Bezos and Stuart boy is getting it all on.
Amazon, cause in these trying times what NZ needs is a behemoth that will kill every last little business in town. What next, Walmart.
laugh, cause if you don't you start crying.
Nash looking to his future?
they all do.
that is the only excuse that i can find for this government.
All?….surely theres at least some altruism in those corridors?
nope. i don't think so.
I commented about Nash once before, to be told "you are negative"
Well yes I am, because he runs with the hares and hunts with the hounds.
Ive always been told never to trust anyone that needs to tell you they're being honest. And I lost count how many times I was told this by the minister.
Is the mass tourism he forecasts truly sustainable.
I have observed a similar phenomena that covers the gamut…those that draw attention to some aspect are frequently doing the exact opposite.
Im sure theres a term for it but I dont know what it is.
At this stage, it is an MOU.
I hope the spoon is exceedingly long….though why they accepted the invitation to dine is beyond belief given known history.
they liked the pictures they got send from Bezos?
One ring to rule them all.
That ring needs to be placed where the sun dont shine
hahahahahahahah…….
Now this should be a wake up call if there ever was one. Labor will not be my choice, full stop. Predatory companies like Amazon should not be allowed to operate here. We have already enough poverty, we certainly do not need more. Any to pay taxpayer money for this is the highest of insult. How about repairing the pipes that carry the sh…, or build affordable houses, maybe more funding for maternity care? I think I am in a parallel universe.
sadly no. This is our reality, where a so called progressive party can't wait to wine and dine some super rich company that causes very little other then hardship to anyone working there (government subsidies for the workers to make ends meet cause pay is to little) and the businesses that it kills.
Never mind we don't need houses, we don't need upgraded maternity wards, we don't need ICU beds in Startship hospital either.
We crowd fund for Starship hospital ICU beds. ….Cause poverty for all and riches for a few is NZ. It so is.
I wonder how many will move to Australia once the border opens.
nurses and builders….more work, better pay and cheaper houses.
I hope yr sitting down…
I heard this a couple of days ago and as far as I am aware it hasn't garnered any response round these parts.
rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018791406/three-new-buildings-in-multimillion-dollar-parliament-upgrade
My take homes were: because maybe earthquake, because some people don't like the idea of foreign landlords… we can spend $200 million in two years time.
Nevermind children actually living with black mould, or in motels or garages.
As I have said before, it aint a lack of money it is a lack of will
…or even “Labour” FWaka….off you go to Oz if that is what you want….who wouldn’t want a PM like Scomo? (sarc).
Or this from Australia. Horrific.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/nights/audio/2018791413/mouse-plague-in-nsw
…“A few years ago I had that experience where they are through your bedroom, through your bed and that is just so awful, and I’ve got this awful job now of following the story.
“I was filming in a supermarket which has so far lost $30,000 in produce from throwing that out and I was meeting to film them,…
“What they are worried about is if they keep breeding, by the time you come to spring, which is when you really see them start multiplying their numbers, we’re worried about next year when we’re going to have an even bigger base to start from in terms of mouse population.”
In the preceding drought many predators such as owls and birds of prey died, she says, and people are now taking matters into their own hands out of desperation.
“People are at their wits end spending thousands of dollars on baits, poisons and traps whatever they can do to try and kill these mice, like I mentioned people are catching 1000 every single night.”
But it’s having no impact and the mice are getting bigger and stronger, she says.
“Mice are eating chicken feet, mice are eating each other we’ve now got rats coming as well.”
There is no support for people in regional Australia being hit hard by this plague, Thackery says.
“This is costing people so much money, they are coming back from the drought, they had grain in silos and hay stored and people are losing hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of hay and in a lot of cases grain as well.”
BG – Well, I know a couple of people actually considering this. There was a business article about this very issue a week or so ago. We should be concerned if skilled people leave NZ. I don't think the country can afford to loose staff in those professions where we have a dire need.
Your reaction is actually exactly that close mindedness that is very unhelpfull and political correctness prevents issues to be voiced.
BTW. I will vote next time for David Seymour, as shocking as it is as I have always been red/green. This uncoordinated waffling on that is happening right now is at best amateur and no matter where you look only self serving blah blah can be heard.
You might not like this, but though. I am not the only one saying this. Behind closed doors of cause because one is not allowed to say anything, it could offend someone, anyone. 🙄
I would take a close look at the ACT manifesto before voting for Seymour if I were you. For instance their pro-gun stance, among many other things.
Under ACT we would have had 6000 deaths from Covid, because all that matters is business and development.
I attended a meeting where Seymour spoke at the last election where he basically advocated no controls on development at all, thus throwing out District Plan rules agreed to by the community and experts over many years.
When I asked him a question, saying that the effect of his policy would be to allow carte blanch development all over the precious Queenstown Lakes District landscapes with commensurate adverse effects, he called me a busybody and rudely dismissed the question, showing his blinkered attitude and non-tv face.
As far as I can tell this is not Amazon setting up low paying, union busting distribution lines in NZ.
This is about the New Zealand screen industry which is respected around the world. We have significant competitive advantages:
But we are also up against it:
The argument for international productions and screen partnerships is a no brainer as far as I'm concerned. The economic benefits far outweigh the costs which are set globally, not locally. As the PM says, "you either have a screen industry, or you don't".
If Amazon Prime want to come here following our Covid response and because of our safe place reputation, and look to add to screen infrastructure and formalise screen partnerships then this can only be a good thing for New Zealand.
It all adds to our premier destination status. Also, and significantly, film production is a very environmentally friendly export industry. Locally anyway.
The wider issue which most of us here are concerned about is Amazon's retail business model which is rightly viewed as exploitative of workers. I hate it too but the right thing to do is keep the pressure on where it is required.
Who knows, they might learn something once they get here…
Nice to read some apparent facts Muttonbird instead of hot diatribe. I have yet to read them but your comment looks more promising than those earlier ones who seem to have eaten hot chilis.
Putting aside Labours free-market neo liberal agenda for the moment…its probably time we start looking into lobbyists in NZ a heck of alot more..
The article below makes an interesting read…though I note alot of the factual information is via Australian public records…..
Interesting that neither lobbyists "neither would object to a law requiring disclosure in New Zealand"..yet it never made it past the select committee…hilarious…you have to wonder who exactly is protecting whos interests…
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/selling-influence-meet-the-lobbyists-shaping-new-zealand-politics-for-a-fee/PSIA6Q2OKYTQ5ZCTPCDQVBCA2U/
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2021/04/nz-government-giving-amazon-over-100m-boost-for-lord-of-the-rings-filming.html
So what are the consequences of banning live cattle exports? Free mince for all? Paddocks of neglected cows being shot live on the 6pm news by bitter cockies blaming Jacinda whilst pumping round after round into a horrific mass of bellowing Friesans?
It's two years away. Plenty of time to downsize herd numbers over 2 breeding seasons. Maybe there'll be a corresponding decrease in the devastation mass dairying is wreaking on our land use. Oh – and maybe we can stop importing the evil palm kernel shit right away.
Free mince would never happen, but the cow shooting has potential as a game show. It just needs to be thought through – call it "Pretty Communist" and have Mike Hosking as compere – there's money to be made somewhere in there.
Trigger happy American dentists like the cut of your jib.
Ah yes – those gun-toting dentists on the steps of that elegant but somewhat faded 19th century mansion in the Central West End of St Louis, MO. Not far it looked like, from the bust of TS Eliot on the corner of Euclid and McPherson Avenues – an incongruity so total, it can be put down only to "the distress of nations and perplexity."
Not good about this gang violence escalating.
'Shooter!': Witness recalls terror after gunshots fired at Auckland Sofitel hotel – NZ Herald
Violence is everywhere now. To many people not housed properly, not eating properly, not having anything to do, kids growing up in this shit and nary a social worker, police man/women/other in sight and hey, its all good. We just don't have the money to care for people, we only have money for nice to have projects taht serve no one really, Americas cup, Spas for the Rotorua Lakefront for the future tourism wave, subsidies for the richest company on the planet (or else they won't hire min wage slaves) and so on and so forth.
Get used to it.
Sad but true.
Is Bishop still gunning for Mallard?
On Newtalk ZB this morning Hosking was actually praising Mallard (no that's not a typo!) for allowing Bishop 4 extra questions. He was however bagging Dr Liz Craig for the way she ran the meeting.
Good on Mike Hosking; it was shambolic!
Perhaps Mr Hosking will be praising Peter Hughes soon too on another shambles.
It was an absolute disgrace. I have no idea what Liz Craig was hoping to achieve with the way she ran that committee.
Well done to Mallard
Liz Craig said what she was hoping to achieve. To provide information from health officials about our Covid-9 response measure to a wide range of MPs and therefore who they represent.
It is typical that the National Party and their slavish followers believe select committees are all about them.
Perhaps if the National Party, and its spokesperson for storms-in-a-teacup, Chris Bishop, wanted more time for questions they and he should have done better at the last election.
Just saying.
You need to take off your red tinted glasses and your "I love Labour no matter what they fuck up" T-shirt and cap every now and then, and see what is really happening. Yes, Chris Bishop is like a small annoying yappy dog that barks at everything, but I think even many left leaning people on this site would think that the time wasting by Liz Craig in that meeting was over the top and deserves to be called out. Obviously Mallard thought so.
does it matter ?
Well, I'm going to buck the trend – film is a good industry for NZ – producing value from our environment and local talent without the downsides of dairy.
Amazon is indeed something to be cautious of, however, and local film interests like PJ present threats not only their labour force, but also to the reputation and long term health of the industry.
Nash's outcome won't be immediately measurable, and the crude GDP that will be all that Treasury looks at won't even get close to the real story. Let's just hope we don't see a repeat of the Hobbit debacle – explored at length here: The Hobbit: A Long-Expected Autopsy (Part 1/2) – YouTube at 39 minutes only if you're interested, and the sequels The Hobbit: Battle of Five Studios (Part 2/2) – YouTube and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Warners (Part 3/2) – YouTube each of similar length.
Much truth in that Stuart…and there is talk of a massive studio complex being set up near Wanaka which this Amazon Prime outcome can only help….only quibble is "Nash's outcome". As he said on RNZ today, this deal was negotiated before he became the minister.
I really hope they get this right – NZ would really benefit from a strong creative sector.
But the culture of Weta 'World's most beautiful toxic waste dump' – Weta Digital employees claim sexism, bullying and harassment | 1 NEWS | TVNZ And PJs last few outings – the Hobbit & Mortal Engines – are not encouraging.
Loads of good material in the stories though – Glaurung makes Smaug look like a warm puppy.
This is a company of dirtbag tax dodgers of the first order. They'll fuck over NZ businesses in their thousands and the general public will have to pay. The rich get richer dontchaknow, and all your fantasy PR will not make them humane.
But film, cos celebrities are so, you know, wholesome.
'Premier destination status' – for suckups? For smokescreen greens? For a bolthole for pedo rich pricks?
Real artists turn in their graves watching this fucking circus of monkeys pumping out tedious mediocre content to a public who, more and more, know no better.
Have to respect that rant.
Bit like modern Rugby, really, especially the final paragraph……
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/121827591/all-blacks-aim-to-raise-300-million-in-jersey-rights-deal-with-private-investor
righteous and well said!
An interesting read. Add welfare and ACC to his list. Ardern's refusal to do little to nothing in these areas – in the face of compelling evidence of the dire need to – is staggering:
http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2021/04/why-havent-they-how-to-explain-this.html
i would change his last phrase to
because they realised they don't have too.
Job done?. America the Great (grate) says they've, won their war of payback for the twin towers demolition and are pulling out of Afghanistan telling Pakistan, Turkey, China and Russia it's their problem now to contain the Taliban.
Leaving Afghanistan a ruined land, a land that once produced Academics in every field, both men and woman when it was a socialist state (PDPA), that was undermined by the CIA's covert actions with suitcases of money for Bin Laden and the Mujahideen to destroy the Government, of course after the Soviets pulled out, the Yanks done the dirty on Bin Laden and paid the price blaming him for the demolition of the Twin Towers and other buildings.
So, what will the Grate America do now with all their weapons of shit and personal? Yes that's right set up new and existing bases in our part of the world to counter their paranoia of China. They've fucked up most parts of the world, so now it's our turn to reap their shit.
For all you right-wing- lefties out there screaming for links, go research yourself, though your bias wont allow you to do a proper job. Cheers.
If the US commit anywhere in the near future, the Ukraine is a good bet.
Opinion: Putin is massing troops at the Ukraine border and testing Biden's mettle – CNN
But not nearly as many as NATO
How many troops are NATO massing in the Ukraine?
More than Russian troops massing in Yankeeland
Russian troops mass excersize on own border
Ukraine isn't "russkieland", so even if NATO did have troops massed there, by your rationale that would be cool.
But they don't. Russia does. And yes, in the Ukraine, ever since 2014.
Read the 'Minsk Agreement
Are you suggesting that Minsk 1 or Minsk 2 involves the Ukraine agreeing that Donbass is not part of Ukrainian territory?
The borders Russia currently shares with NATO member states are marked in yellow. But do carry on with your useful idiot schtick parroting Russia's NATO encirclement fantasy.
/
Seems your head is well burried in that yellow sand
"your bias wont allow you to do a proper job"
And first up is CNN
Hilarious
It is reported right across the reputable media.
There is a chart here that plots their relative reliability.
This is CNN calling out both Australia and New Zealand for squandering their Covid advantage with really weak vaccine rollouts.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/04/15/asia/new-zealand-australia-covid-vaccine-intl-dst-hnk/index.html
Not even Ardern and Hipkins will be able to rotate their way out of this kind of coverage.
Even Fauci recognises it's the rest of the world which has to catch up to NZ and AUS, not the other way around.
Still are.
I notice they quote the opposition spokesperson for blind panic, Chris Bishop.
meh.
We only need the vaccine if we let folk in from the plague-lands.
The folks who want us to do that as soon as possible likely largely overlap with the folks who wanted us to do that when vaccines didn't exist.
We are letting in people from plague lands and then we hope to the gods that it don't creep out from the plague hotels into the larger community.
no, not plague lands, really. Just one plague-ish land, and if it doesn't work out then the bubble will shrink again.