Open mike 16/05/2012

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 16th, 2012 - 66 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

66 comments on “Open mike 16/05/2012 ”

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  1. Carol 1
    16 May 2012 at 7:02 am

    Oh, dear. Jonkey won’t be happy with that ‘tabloid” journal the NZ Herald this morning. Another blow to the tabloid PM. Dotcom will just not lie down:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10806194

    Kim Dotcom’s head of security told his boss that John Banks asked for a political donation and said he would be a “very good friend” once he was back in Parliament, according to an email.

    And this time it is not just about Banksies mayoral campaign, but about his asking Dotcom for funds for hisAct Epsom electorate campaign, allegedly in return for favours from him and the Shonkey one:

    Mr Tempero, who has acted as a bodyguard for David Beckham and Michael Jackson, wrote to Dotcom: “I just had a call from John Banks about asking you for a small donation for the Act Party which he is standing for government this year.”

    The email was sent immediately after Mr Tempero spoke with Mr Banks at about 8pm.

    Mr Tempero also wrote that Mr Banks said “he will be a very good friend for you when he is in Parliament”. He said Mr Banks had spoken of being “personally embarrassed” that Dotcom was unable to buy the north of Auckland mansion he was living in.
    [..]
    According to Mr Tempero’s email, Mr Banks said “once in government” he “would have the power to do something about it”.

    Mr Tempero said Mr Banks had suggested a personal meeting between the Prime Minister and the bodyguard. He said it would give the opportunity to explain Dotcom’s current and future efforts for New Zealand and “Banks thinks the PM will intervene”.

    In an emailed statement, Mr Banks confirmed asking for money.

    He said: “I do recall raising the issue of donating to the Act Party with Mr Dotcom’s staff … I was subsequently advised by one of his staff that Mr Dotcom said ‘to go get f****d as your Government has caused me too much trouble’ or something along those lines.”

    But team Dotcom is alleging that Banksie was asking for money in return for political favours once he was in government.

    • Kevin 1.1
      16 May 2012 at 2:59 pm

      I worked with Mr Tempero at Waimanu in 95′ and found him to be a loyal dedicated worker but would not describe him as possessing the skills to act on behalf of an international figure.
      Mr Tempero is a straight up and down regular guy with a great sense of humour and was a real pleasure to work with. He did however slip up on the Dotcom job and may find it difficult to beat the charges he is facing.

  2. tc 2
    16 May 2012 at 7:16 am

    Good to see dot com keeping the flame on banksy and shonkey being so foolish as to have a go at one of their biggest allies in keeping the sheeple dumbed down being granny herald.

    Shonkey wouldn’t know what hit him if we had a decent MSM let alone the shills that make up granny. There are worrying signs for the hollowmen, their frontman can’t keep to the smile and wave routine whilst the majority hangs by a thread.

    Wtf has happened over bashers privacy breach also ?

    • mickysavage 2.1
      16 May 2012 at 7:21 am

      Good also to see the steady drip, drip, drip of leaks from camp Dotcom.  I do not expect them to dry up for a while.  I wonder if there will be one about Key meeting Kim?  Key has been asked this question a few times.

  3. Tony P 3
    16 May 2012 at 7:24 am

    Any reason why The Standard feeds are no longer showing up in my Google Reader? Started happening yesterday.

  4. peter 4
    16 May 2012 at 7:33 am

    The Renegade Economist at http://www.renegadeeconomist.com/

    No doubt many out there are familiar with this site but it is new to me.

    The best I’ve seem in explaining relatively simply the banking rip-off and what is wrong with Keys obsolete austerity approach.

    • insider 4.1
      16 May 2012 at 2:49 pm

      Ross Ashcroft was interviewed on Kathryn Ryan (?) last week plugging his film. He came across to me as being really confused with a whole lot of concerns and not many answers apart from things are really bad and unfair, and bring back the gold standard but different.

  5. muzza 5
    16 May 2012 at 7:45 am

    $112 Billion of off balance sheet exposures

    Raised yesterday, but needs another round to sink in I would say!

    • muzza 5.1
      16 May 2012 at 11:13 am

      “Delegation to transact is subject to controls and managed by skilled professionals, Treasury said.

      These professionals act within transparent risk policies and parameters and are accountable for their efforts and must meet detailed reporting guidelines and frameworks.”

      — Who are these professionals, and what exactly is their level of accountability?

      For those of you with an apetite, find Dr Susan Newberry’s thesis

  6. Carol 6
    16 May 2012 at 7:51 am

    Sorry – double post – delete button not working.

  7. Carol 7
    16 May 2012 at 7:51 am

    There is an interesting article from about a week ago in the Guardian about how the Occupy movement hasn’t died, as the MSM would have you believe, but it has shed any links with liberalism in the US, a link that was part of a pact between the left and the more centrist liberals in the US:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/may/07/occupy-liberation-from-liberalism

    There is a traditional terms of alliance between liberals and radicals in American social movements: through civil disobedience and direct action, the radicals create a fire on the liberals’ left that makes them seem relevant as a moderate alternative; the liberals keep us out of jail. In this case, the liberals spectacularly failed.
    […]
    But when OWS re-emerged in the spring, the abandonment of the liberals, the drying-up of the money, have become an almost miraculous blessing. Activists have honed and polished their street tactics and democratic process. New alliances have been created, with community groups, immigrant rights organizations, and, increasingly, labor unions.

    One reason OWS agreed to forgo mass civil disobedience in New York on 1 May was to solidify those alliances. Instead, occupiers working within the coalition pushed – with the boisterous support of many rank and file, despite the initial hesitation of some union leadership – for a joint solidarity statement that called not just for the usual battle against austerity, but to the revolutionary transformation of society:
    […]
    The words might be diplomatically chosen, but there’s no mistaking what tradition is being invoked here. In endorsing a vision of universal equality, of the dissolution of national borders, and democratic self-governing communities, nurses, bus drivers, and construction workers at the heart of America’s greatest capitalist metropolis are signing on to the vision, if not the tactics, of revolutionary anarchism.

    I’m not expecting the NZ MSM to pick up on such a revolutionary movement any time soon.

  8. prism 8
    16 May 2012 at 10:11 am

    Class sizes. It appears that National have got hold of the nub of an idea about class sizes on which they can build a policy that suits them. I believe that Ministers are strongly influenced by their own success from a poor background, generalising from the particular, taking the view ‘the mass could achieve this too if they weren’t so lazy’ – Parata and Paula Bennett are two, and Key with his state house background too.

    The class sizes policy is based on comments and findings from a meta-analysis study by Professor Hattie the findings of which are debated by other leading academics. PPTA views

    The important point of social conditions conveniently ignored by National in all its policies is quoted below.

    “(This) is not a book about what cannot be influenced in schools – thus critical discussions about class, poverty, resource in families, health in families and nutrition are not included – but this is NOT because they are unimportant, indeed they may be more important than many of the issues discussed in this book. It is just that I have not included these topics in my orbit,” Hattie says.

    The Greens Catherine Delahunty introduced to parliament an academic paper from the University of London website titled Do low attaining and younger students benefit most from small classes?by Blatchford, Bassett, and Brown.

    • Dv 8.1
      16 May 2012 at 10:14 am

      It looks like they are taking out about 1000 teachers.

      • s y d 8.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 10:33 am

        well, Lady Gardiner does provide an inkling that it may be worse…
        “About 90 per cent of schools would either gain or have a net loss of less than one full time equivalent teachers as a result of the combined effect of the changes”
        Quick check shows there are 2558 state schools, lets be conservative and say only 75% will have job losses…only another 1900 odd off to a brighter future…I’m sure Australia will gladly take these gifts..

        oh wait I see, saving 43mil is about 1000 teacher salaries..righto

        • muzza 8.1.1.1
          16 May 2012 at 10:59 am

          So instead of following an education world leader like Finland, where teaching is a treasured, respected position in society and education is reverred, because their country requires human knowledge at its core (lack of resources etc as one reason), NZ is instructed to follow the failures of the UK/US styled systems!

          Nothing to see here…

    • prism 8.2
      16 May 2012 at 10:22 am

      In addition to the links above on this class size controversy scoop reported – class sizes

      • Draco T Bastard 8.2.1
        16 May 2012 at 10:55 am

        Considering that Treasury knows nothing about education then them giving incoherent advice about it is to be expected. This government listening to them is also to be expected as they follow the same ideology as Treasury.

        • prism 8.2.1.1
          16 May 2012 at 7:59 pm

          People who know more about economics than me say that Adam Smith is often misquoted by today’s economists which would include Treasury officials. Misinterpreting research of one professional and then that one publication as the basis for changing important welfare provisions must be normal.

      • ianmac 8.2.2
        16 May 2012 at 4:28 pm

        A class of 24 ten year-olds can draw in underachievers and teachers can give much better critical feedback to those who need help, thus reducing the much publicised tail of underachievers.

        Parata is quoted in the Herald as being in classes of 42 pupils in her Primary years. Yeah right! Wonder if that can be verified but even if she was in such classes, how would that inform her of the 10 or 15 who would have “failed” in her class? Going right off that woman.

    • millsy 8.3
      16 May 2012 at 10:26 am

      Overcrowded classrooms to keep the top tax rate down.

      That’s all it is really.

    • s y d 8.4
      16 May 2012 at 10:41 am

      prism. lady G clearly influenced by her ‘memory’ of how things were in the good (or bad?) old days
      Ms Parata said that when she was at primary school her class size was around one teacher to 42 students.
      Of course that’s total BS (check class sizes from similar years for her school, mostly around late 20’s early 30’s)

      http://www.oldfriends.co.nz/InstitutionPhotoView.aspx?id=26474

      • prism 8.4.1
        16 May 2012 at 10:44 am

        s y d Thanks for that. I remembered hearing that but couldn’t find it.

      • ianmac 8.4.2
        16 May 2012 at 4:34 pm

        syd should have read your piece first. Agree. Sounds very fishy. A small point but points to dodgy Minister. My point 8.2.2

    • freedom 8.5
      16 May 2012 at 11:25 am

      irritant update: The Stuff comments on this article are being blatantly ignored yet again but flick the pages and there is an article on cancelled US tv shows where the comments are alive and kicking. Or you can comment on the Avengers movie, US baby names or the latest masterchef mash up. Stuff is a pathetic bloody excuse for a news service. Perhaps they will follow the method used on the Wilkinson story and publish the comments tomorrow, after burying the story of course.

  9. prism 9
    16 May 2012 at 10:43 am

    To those who would be interested – when I was looking at a Scoop page for Feb 2012 there was an advert for the Wellington Palestinian Group planning to put on a presentation called the Palestinian Monologues at 6.30pm in Wellington I guess 19 Tory Street cost $10 or gold coin for unwaged. It’s to support – “Scoop correspondent Julie Webb-Pullman has been in Gaza for most of the past 12 months”

    Last info April 2012. Palestine correspondent

    • Vicky32 9.1
      16 May 2012 at 5:30 pm

      in Wellington I guess 19 Tory Street

      Once again, I wish I was in Welly! 🙂

  10. Bored 10
    16 May 2012 at 10:54 am

    Funniest thing coming out of Johnnygrad today is the appointment of a”business” consultant to deliver welfare reform. These failed ideologues could not deliver business effectively enough for us to avoid the need for to pay welfare (i.e decent wages and sufficient jobs). Now rather bizarrely these same failures are going to be entrusted to deliver welfare to ameliorate their failure.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1
      16 May 2012 at 10:58 am

      I/S has a write up about it: Basically, it seems that the Welfare Working Group has just got another job overseeing WINZ.

      • muzza 10.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 11:21 am

        However Ms Bennett rejected suggestions it was a “business group”.
        “It’s not business having a greater role, it’s people with a range of skills getting involved,” Ms Bennett told Radio New Zealand.

        “She brushed off claims the board lacked experience in the welfare sector.”

        –Just like her boss eh..these people are very dangerous!

        “What was needed was different thinkers and that is what we have put on the board.”

        • Dv 10.1.1.1
          16 May 2012 at 2:14 pm

          Rebstock was ceo? Of the commerce comission.

          Didnt she oversee the fianance companies. That was sucessful!

          • insider 10.1.1.1.1
            16 May 2012 at 3:22 pm

            No. Wrong foreign female regulator chief. Jane Diplock at Securities Commission did that role.

            • Dv 10.1.1.1.1.1
              16 May 2012 at 5:21 pm

              Thanks
              Diplock Did that role.
              That is agenerous interpretation of what did with the finance cos

          • tc 10.1.1.1.2
            16 May 2012 at 5:34 pm

            Rebshocker = eliminated competition in freight, supermarkets, TV (prime going to sky), building supply and other industry acquisitions rubber stamped by the wisconsin wonder and her commission of ineffectual troughers.

            Diplock was equally ineffective with a range of wet bus tickets being handed out to badly behaved corporates likes PPCS, Feltex etc

      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.2
        17 May 2012 at 12:40 am

        Going to have to admit that I didn’t think this in this particular way:

        There are so many outrageous aspects to the appointment of Paula Rebstock and a raft of like-minded business and insurance types to a brand new quango to oversee welfare reform, it’s hard to know quite where to start. Evidently, in these hard times we can still afford to spend $1.1 million to service a board of bureaucrats to oversee the upcoming welfare changes – which is a job we already pay Social Development Minister Paula Minister over $200,000 a year plus perks, to do. Plus her advisers, plus her department and its well paid chief executive. Isn’t this their job, to oversee the policy outcomes that they initiate? What are we paying them for? Evidently, when it has the right ideological flavour, duplication and waste are OK with this government.

        Evidently, Paula Bennett just outsourced her own job but didn’t to the moral thing and quit at the same time.

  11. Te Reo Putake 11
    16 May 2012 at 11:15 am

    And in football news, Fortuna Dusseldorf have won promotion to the Bundesliga. Not normally an item for the Standard, I know, but FD95 have a solidly left wing fan base and were once sponsored by punk band Die Toten Hosen and wore the bands logo for two seasons. As far as I know, they are the only professional football team ever to wear a skull on their shirts!

    • Chris 11.1
      16 May 2012 at 12:17 pm

      The Tampa Bay Buccanners have a skull and crossbones as their logo too. I would assume a few other teams with pirate related names would also do this

      • Te Reo Putake 11.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 12:29 pm

        Cheers, Chris, hadn’t thought of the Bucs, but you are dead right (well, leaving aside that they are two different sporting codes). It’s a shame the Pirate Bay is closing down, they would have been ideal sponsors!
         
        TB are owned by the Glazer family, fact fans, and they are also owners of the second best football team in Manchester, England.

        • Chris 11.1.1.1
          16 May 2012 at 5:20 pm

          True I didn’t notice you said Football or I wouldn’t have brought them up to be honest.

          Is the Pirate Bay closing down? I did not know that. Also didn’t know the Glazers owned TB as well – most I’ve learnt in one post ever

          • Te Reo Putake 11.1.1.1.1
            16 May 2012 at 6:16 pm

            Cheers, Chris!
             
            The Pirate Bay is under severe threat, with court orders in many European countries stopping ISP’s from allowing access to the site. The founder is fighting back, citing a breach of human rights. However, I think the days of the open fencing of stolen materials on the ‘net is coming to an end, though greed and human ingenuity will find ways to hide it.
             
            “Football is freedom!” – Bob Marley (seen here playing the beautiful game in an Auckland Park).

        • tc 11.1.1.2
          16 May 2012 at 5:39 pm

          Yes watching that space with interest as their internal draining of funds combined with the debt loaded onto the club is now kicking in to make manyoo nowhere near flush enough to compete with citeh, chelski etc.
          The one off ronaldo sale money has gone now along with the league title, hope freg sticks around to take a 20th title.

      • Vicky32 11.1.2
        16 May 2012 at 5:33 pm

        The Tampa Bay Buccanners

        I had never heard of them, but just want to say (off-topic) that the Pyramid team owned by Daniel Graystone in the awesome science fiction series Caprica, is called the Buccaneers… 🙂

    • Willie Maley 11.2
      16 May 2012 at 2:49 pm

      Also St. Pauli have a skull and crossbones logo, they are based in Hamburg and are the left wing/ punk alternative to the right wing F.C.Hamburg.

      • Te Reo Putake 11.2.1
        16 May 2012 at 3:11 pm

        Indeed they are a very cool club, Willie and I imagine matches between them and Fortuna would have been a party from start to finish. I’m pretty sure the Beatles used to go to games when they were playing in the redlight district down the road in the early sixties. However, unlike Fortuna, I’m pretty sure the team never officially wore the skull and crossbones, and that its just a fan thing. 
         
        Unlike most clubs whose main driver is extracting ever increasing amounts of dosh from long suffering supporters, St Pauli are fan based in every way and have the following democratic principles enshrined in their constitution:
         
        “In its totality, consisting of members, staff, fans and honorary officers, St. Pauli FC is a part of the society by which it is surrounded and so is affected both directly and indirectly by social changes in the political, cultural and social spheres.”
        – “St. Pauli FC is conscious of the social responsibility this implies, and represents the interests of its members, staff, fans and honorary officers in matters not just restricted to the sphere of sport.”
         
        – “St. Pauli FC is the club of a particular city district, and it is to this that it owes its identity. This gives it a social and political responsibility in relation to the district and the people who live there.”
         
        – “St. Pauli FC aims to put across a certain feeling for life and symbolises sporting authenticity. This makes it possible for people to identify with the club independently of any sporting successes it may achieve. Essential features of the club that encourage this sense of identification are to be honoured, promoted and preserved.”
        – “Tolerance and respect in mutual human relations are important pillars of the St. Pauli philosophy.“
         
        Pretty cool, huh?

         

  12. s y d 12
    16 May 2012 at 11:55 am

    just found this…I think someone at Suff must’ve got hold of the code and is running some kind of NZ version judging by the comments…
    http://ifyoulikeitsomuchwhydontyougolivethere.com/the-twat-o-tron/
     

    • Uturn 12.1
      16 May 2012 at 12:24 pm

      haha that made my so-far, day. Especially with the commenters with names like, Molesto the Ape.

      “TWO WORDS: SAMSH THE SYSTEM”

      • Tiger Mountain 12.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 4:36 pm

        More like three words! “SAMSH THE SYSTEM”

        Similar to “Dyslexics of the world Untie!”

  13. Dave Kennedy 13
    16 May 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Remember when we were told that tax cuts to the rich would be fiscally neutral? Well hekia Parata is claiming that increasing class sizes will be educationally neutral…
    http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/05/paratas-education-plans-worrying.html

  14. Jackal 14
    16 May 2012 at 1:27 pm

    Here’s a good article by Catherine Woulfe about the fallout from Colin Craig’s comments on promiscuity. Even if the unscientific Durex survey (PDF) is right, the days of thinking sex is inherently bad should be long gone.

    • Vicky32 14.1
      16 May 2012 at 5:36 pm

      the days of thinking sex is inherently bad should be long gone.

      I don’t think that anyone thinks that sex is inherently bad! They think that there’s (a) too much emphasis on sex in our present society and that (b) it’s rather mis-used.

      • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 6:44 pm

        a) As we’re social beings there’s always been an emphasis on sex throughout human history it’s just that the emphasis has changed from being positive to negative and now it’s going back to positive. You seem to dislike that positive shift.

        b) Define misused.

  15. Penny Bright 15
    16 May 2012 at 2:08 pm

    Tonight, Wednesday 16 May 2012, at Auckland University Library basement, during my presentation from 6 – 7pm, I will be giving fellow Public Watchdog Vince Siemer, an opportunity to explain why, for the FOURTH time, he is facing imprisonment although he has not broken any law.

    Vince Siemer breached an unlawful order of Judge Winkelmann, that not only denied the Urewera defendants the right to trial by jury, but suppressed the public’s right to know this.

    Under NZ law – there is no lawful basis for a Judge to suppress a judgment or the reasons for it.

    As a ‘whistle-blower’ exposing NZ judicial corruption, Vince Siemer has been persecuted in a way that defies belief – especially in a country ‘perceived’ to be the ‘least corrupt in the world’.

    http://www.kiwisfirst.co.nz – Vince Siemer’s website, is, in my opinion – the leading website exposing the lack of judicial transparency and accountability and judicial corruption based upon ‘conflicts of interest’.

    Come and hear for yourself this DISGRACEFUL story, which confirms why NZ URGENTLY needs an enforceable Code of Conduct for NZ Judges.

    A petition will be available for people to sign on this matter.

    http://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/from/decisions/judgments

    SIEMER V THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL COA CA607/2011 [11 May 2012]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF NEW ZEALAND
    CA607/2011
    [2012] NZCA 188
    BETWEEN VINCENT ROSS SIEMER
    Appellant
    AND THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL
    Respondent

    Hearing: 1 February 2012
    Court: O’Regan P, Harrison and Wild JJ
    Counsel: T Ellis and G K Edgeler for Appellant
    M F Laracy and G J Robins for Respondent
    Judgment: 11 May 2012 at 10 am

    JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

    A The appeal is dismissed.

    B The appellant is to present himself at Auckland Remand Prison at 9 am on 25 May 2012 to commence serving his term of six weeks
    imprisonment.

    C There will be no order as to costs.
    _________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’

    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

    • Te Reo Putake 15.1
      16 May 2012 at 2:40 pm

      ” … he is facing imprisonment although he has not broken any law.”
       
      Um, isn’t he going to prison because he broke the law? Specifically by breaching a suppression order? Just because he doesn’t think the suppression order is valid doesn’t put him above the law, Penny. It just makes him marginally less lucky that Cameron Slater, who managed to avoid jail for the same conceit.
       
      Good luck to him though. I appreciate he is fighting on the side of the angels, but to say he didn’t break the law when he clearly did seems rather blinkered to me. Perhaps it might be better stated as ‘broke a law that shouldn’t be a law’?

      • Penny Bright 15.1.1
        16 May 2012 at 2:48 pm

        Which LAW allows NZ Judges to suppress a judgment or the reasons for it?

        If a Judge makes an order which is not itself based upon the RULE OF LAW – then how is that order LAWFUL?

        Haven’t we historically been down that track before?

        Judges in Nazi Germany making court orders requiring Jewish people to wear stars of David – sort of thing?

        I for one, do NOT accept that Judges are ‘above the law’ and can just ‘make it up’, as happens in NZ with seemingly monotonous regularity when it come to Vince Siemer.

        http://www.kiwisfirst.co.nz

        How, without an ENFORCEABLE ‘CODE OF CONDUCT’ for NZ Judges are they ever going to be held accountable to the law which they are supposed to uphold and enforce?

        Penny Bright

        • insider 15.1.1.1
          16 May 2012 at 3:28 pm

          It happens all the time when people are facing multiple charges and trials. Think the police rape trials where two were already in prison after convictions and some recent drug importation and distribution trials.

          You really need to think a bit harder before launching another silly protest. Is your theme song ‘Hey Jude’?

    • David H 15.2
      16 May 2012 at 5:05 pm

      Well if the are consistent then the 6 weeks will be down to about 10 days to 2 weeks if he’s a good boy.

  16. joe90 16
    16 May 2012 at 2:10 pm

    I’ve always thought those who became born again devil dodgers later in life were slightly looned but apparently they’re not. They’re more likely to be suffering from brain atrophy.

    • Vicky32 16.1
      16 May 2012 at 5:40 pm

       
      Interesting Joe90, that you don’t mention this part! 😀
      ” or conversely, those who had no religious affiliation, had more hippocampal shrinkage (or “atrophy”)”

  17. joe90 17
    16 May 2012 at 2:18 pm

    The RWNJ’s poster child for the upcoming race war could be charged with a hate crime. Coniptions ahoy!.

  18. DH 18
    16 May 2012 at 3:40 pm

    Steven Joyce has come up with a stunner, will be interesting to see how many pick up on his disingenuous use of the abacus.

    “Cashing in on overseas students”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10806103

    As a businessman he’d know what a ledger is and that it has two sides yet he’s only showing one side of it. It costs the University money to educate these overseas students, income is only half the picture. With total annual budget of $950mil and 40,000 students the average cost per student at Auckland Uni would be around $24,000. Using the $68m and 4800 figures he quoted the average fee for overseas students at Auckland Uni is $14,000.

    Now while gross averages don’t paint the full picture it’s still pretty obvious his argument doesn’t stack up very well.

  19. Jim Nald 19
    16 May 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Anyone remember:

    http://thestandard.org.nz/tag/friday-puzzle/

    and still has not cracked it?

    Can someone tell us what they are puhleazzze.

  20. prism 20
    16 May 2012 at 7:35 pm

    Awful clip on You Tube – Why cops hate SHTF. Video from Stark County, Ohio of two shaven headed police and a blonde police officer who were supposed to be responding to a request for help by a woman who was attacked, yet they stripped all her clothes off her while she screamed protest and I think she was held in a cell naked. She was charged with resisting arrest yet they had no reason to arrest her. The video wasn’t shown in entirety in court. What a corrupt vicious gang pretending to be upholders of the law and protecting citizens.

    In another clip a police officer gave calm details about another outrage. A man who had been in a car crash, burned and bleeding didn’t want to lie on his stomach on police instructions, so the policeman tazered him.

    Another shining example of respectful treatment of citizens by their government bodies in the USA.

  21. captain hook 21
    17 May 2012 at 9:13 am

    so what about the forcd removal of tenants from the gordon wilson flats in wellington.
    want to bet the university owns the same building in less than a year?

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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