Open mike 16/03/2011
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6:00 am, March 16th, 2011 - 17 comments
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The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
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After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
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Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
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Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
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- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
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- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
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- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
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State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
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The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...4 days ago
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The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...5 days ago
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('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, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...2 hours ago
- Govt walks away from infrastructure alliance
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- Vanuatu quake: Warnings as bad weather threat looms for Port Vila
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On the (10 minute) drive to work this morning I saw that they’ve started up at least some work on the motorway in Christchurch again. It’s probably not yet back at the levels that it was, but it was a good 3 week break on activity.
Probably with the damage to the city this road is more important than ever, both for keeping people employed and for adding significant arterial throughput to the outer western suburbs where it looks like we’ll be seeing much more development in the coming decade.
captcha: inevitably
Events in Fukushima result in true disaster: Apple delays Japanese iPad launch
I can see The Onion running a story on this.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/15/us-apple-japan-idUSTRE72E64A20110315
“the main argument against direct democracy is that people do not have the time to make properly considered decisions regarding all votes in parliament (it really is a full time job) so many votes will be based on ‘gut feelings’ – this is often not the best way to make important decisions”
Don’t make me laugh. The level of incompetence, lack of thought and lack of general knowledge and real consideration of the issues evidenced in Parliaments decisions is breath taking. Do you really imagine the general public could possibly do worse.
As the Swiss example shows, after the initial idea of people power settles down, it is those who have a interest in the particular issue who vote on it. Politicians also have an interest in informing voters as they will not get policies through without general support.
At the moment our Government is representative of these people. http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-how-goldman-gambled-on-starvation-2016088.html
http://www.metafilter.com/88184/Leading-bankers-destroy-7-of-value-for-every-pound-they-generate
http://www.sott.net/articles/show/225183-Dear-Koch-Brothers-Tea-partiers-union-bashers-Anonymous-would-like-your-attention-please
They have proved they have no conscience as the take an income paid for by NZ taxpayers while robbing us and selling us out.
WHILE LABOUR SLEEP WALKS TO DEFEAT.
How could democracy possibly be worse.
“How could democracy possibly be worse.”
By delivering the same results but costing more money to do so?
Why would it?
Getting rid of Douglas was costly enough as the only way to remove him was put Richardson in.
For those in Chch wanting info: Today’s Labour Christchurch MP Bulletin.
I though I might get some feedback on my post supporting Brenda Pilott and her letter in saturdays dimpost about roger Kerr and selling state assets but I see all the wannabee policy analysts are stil splitting hairs over nebulosities instead of getting down to the real business of getting this government out.
Botany result in, after special votes counted. National’s majority down:
http://www.electionresults.org.nz/2011_botany_byelection/
The site doesn’t explicitly break it out (they really should), so I downloaded the excel sheet.
It looks to me that 220 special votes were cast for Labour, and 206 for National. So the majority dropped by a whopping 14 votes. Woohoo!
If you also add in the Hospital Votes and Ordinary Votes BEFORE polling day, then Labour didn’t gain any numerical advantage at all, although I think National’s % may have dropped a little.
I think Labour getting more specials than National, in a safe National seat, is quite significant. They should have been 2 to 1 in National’s favour.
Specials have played a part in previous elections, especially 1999 (put Greens over 5%, took Coromandel), and 2005 (National lost a seat).
Specials have always favoured the left. Advance voting has typically favoured the right.
Wow that is unusual. An indicator of a superior on the ground effort by Labour on election day?
Herald 3:09 McCulley not the PM says, “Christchurch has been stripped of its seven Rugby World Cup matches due to damage at AMI Stadium following last month’s earthquake.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10712838
Does anyone care? I assume those in Christchurch have got more to worry about… and I for one, as one of the rest of us, could not give a toss… About the RWC, I mean.
Deb
@Vicky32
The first 7 minutes of 3News at 6 was dedicated to the announcement re RWC. I am afraid that “the rest of us” don’t really count – we are just going to have to get used to it.
In the meantime, the Japanese tragedy continues to unfold. Given the wall-to-wall coverage we got of the Christchurch quake, for weeks subsequent, perhaps we could have maintained headline coverage of developments from Tokyo.
Not sure how One headlined tonight, but when it came to the Campbell/Close-up slot, there could not have been two more opposite items covering the same issue – Ken Ring.
Campbell found two scientists debunking Ring’s methodology while Close-Up fuelled the panic rather than reassured the Cantabrians by dedicating their coverage to a family that was prepared to give Ring credence and were fleeing the area. I guess in the ratings game, one of the networks is going to be able to say “nah,nah,nah,nah,nah…” Despite the criticism of 3 above, here’s hoping it is Campbell.
Heartening