Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
It was 6 degrees in Auckland last night.
It was 6 degrees in Dunedin last night.
It was 1 degrees in Christchurch last night.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a car.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a container.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a garage.
Not very warm to be sleeping on the street.
The media may think Game of Thrones, the McCanns, Julian Savea , Cricket’s DRS system and a drunk being punched three times at Eden Park, but they are not.
The majority of the media is doing everything they can to support Paula Bannett and move homelessness off the headlines.
“Try walking in my shoes, it’s not actually that easy.”
This was the challenge TA set to Prime Minister John Key. But really it’s a challenge for us all.
Homelessness also seems to have bumped the following from view;
Tax havens
mcCullys dodgy dealings, pick one.
Asset sale proceeds, a full analysis of ins and outs stacked up against the BS about what they were going to do with it.
Tanking dairy sector.
That prominent NZer, why all the fuss Johnny.
TPPA
Where’s the promised surplus again Bill ? Where that tax cut John ?
State housing sales, a broken election promise in a housing crises.
More WINZ stuff ups
Charter schools plundering the taxpayer and not performing
Slaters diversion, another WTF moment courtesy of nationals police.
Sacked DHB’s, a creaking at the seams health system
ChCh still not rebuilt
Etc
Wasn’t Paula Bennett one of their ‘celebrities’ talking about cyber bullying.
Isn’t releasing the information about Hurimoana Dennis bullying?
Isn’t revealing information about beneficiaries cyber bullying?
She is not just a cyber bully, she is a real life one also.
The National Party ministers are all bullies when it comes to the poor or those that show them up for what they truly are.
John Key for instance, had a field day bulling that poor waitress and then had his pet MSM bully her even more for bringing the matter to the attention of the public.
The overall index is at its best level of the year but prices remain well below the break-even range for farmers, who need about $3000 a tonne.
Fonterra and market commentators expected only a gradual improvement in prices this year because of an oversupply on world markets.
I bought a kilo of whole milk powder not that long ago and it cost me $12. One tonne at that price would have cost $12,000. Perhaps Fonterra, and farmers in general, need to be looking at adding more value to their product and selling it retail rather than selling it wholesale and letting others grab all the profit.
It wasnt meant for us, it was for the National MPs, and future job prospects on Chinese company boards, or others, and getting very wealthy from corrupt deals like giving our water away for nothing.
While the government is spending billions of dollars to free up traffic, the managing director of Mainfreight, Don Braid, said more could be done to move people and freight using rail.
Even the trucking companies are starting to realise that rail is the better option.
They tried that before. The company (Toll) wasn’t paying the bill to use the rail and the government seemed powerless to force them to. It’s one of the reasons why the 5th Labour led government renationalised it.
It’s very difficult to get competition on rails when you only have one track. Not that I think competition is the answer that we need as it increases costs for no added benefit.
A tweet just on RNZ…”what a razor-edged heartless sounding woman Amy Adams is”.
Well said indeed. Why on earth did the Gnats not inflation adjust the payment to Pora as advised? They had a chance here to do the right thing and win some political points, but their nasty penny-pinching won the day as usual.
Nothing this government does seems to make sense any more. An out-of-touch third term government well past its sell-by date.
anybody who would like to see some semblance of a fair deal for a demonstrably innocent person.
OK, I can understand someone coming up with sophisticated arguments as to why the government shouldn’t spend another sum of cash that’s trivial compared to the government accounts. It’s dickish, but valid if one takes minimisation of expenditure as a categorical imperative.
But are you seriously claiming that you don’t understand why this largely symbolic gesture could be seen as a fair go by people across the political spectrum? Just in a general sense? As a generally positive and principled act?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your moral compass is broken.
The issue here is money, you think 2.5 million is not enough, I think it’ll mean he never has to work for the rest of his life and that’ll be easily double the time he spent locked up, for some its about right and for others its too much
You yourself said no amount of money will make up for what happened so should he get 2.5 million, 10 million, 100 million, a billion or because no amount makes up for it, nothing?
No matter what the government did it wouldn’t be enough for some and too much for others, I think they got it about right
See, here’s the thing, it’s not what they choose to offer him that’s the problem.
It’s that they chose to skimp on it by using an unadjusted thirty year old benchmark.
They took a late 70s benchmark and actively decided to not adjust for CPI. That’s the difference between “We’re very sorry, what’s a reasonable level of compensation established historically in NZ?” and “We’re very sorry, what’s the minimum we can pay to make you go away after a nice photo-op?”
And then shrugging and saying take it or leave it just fucks all over your previous “we’re very sorry”.
Oh Raybon. Your column will be axed and your typing fingers will be mashed for daring to challenge the words and action of such a nice girl who is our Paula. You are a naughty boy Raybon, (and North for highlighting it.)
. The Trio Performers
. Otherwise known as NZ’s Grand Duchesses Of INCOMPETENCY
I give you the Minister of Injustice Amy Adams. Her system has allowed the Police to frame a bewildered young man for evil crimes and incarcerate him unjustly for over 21 yrs. She paid the poor fellow out at currency rates deliberately based on 1998 earning capacity.
VERDICT: The Minister of Justice is a well fed, well paid Incompetent BASTARD.
I give you the Minister of Housing, Paula Bennett. Her bullying methods of revealing highly confidential material to humiliate and deem lifelong smut on her chosen victims, makes her a well fed, well paid incompentent BASTARD,
She claims she has more Bastardry up her sleazy sleeves. But a more incoherent Minister dragging her Folio (Housing) through failure after failure, through muckups and secrecy – is callous, and dishonest and unspeakable.
VERDICT: The Minster of Housing is a well fed, well paid incompentent BASTARD.
I give you The Minister of Police, Judith Collins. Her tricky little tentacles are sad. She seems to get out of control on a regular basis. She is not Competent. (telling the police to NOT enforce the Road Code recently being a total stupidity) but she is fun.
VERDICT: A well fed, well paid person fit for Pantomine Duties. But not for Ministries. A funny BASTARD.
Hekia makes the fourth person – but she is a special case to be dealt with later.
What I want to know, is how the diggins with so many fine honest and just women in this country, can the Tories choose nitwit bastard women for the important Ministries? Does anybody know?
I feel like the wheels are finally falling off this government.
They’ve made a series of mis-steps in the last few weeks that the public are finally starting to respond to:
1. On-going shambles with housing and homelessness; John Key appearing to be very out of touch / lying
2. Increasing the refugee quota by only 250 from 2018 onwards
3. Underpaying Teina Pora for 21 years in jail
There’s also the backdrop of cuts (in real terms) to health and education budgets that are being widely felt through the public.
Me too. And things like Bennett leaking personal information, when she did that to beneficiaries a few years ago it felt like she won. This time she seriously misjudged the situation and people will be looking at her for what she really is, and it’s normal to call for her resignation.
I’m a little more ambivalent on the leaking thing.
It seems her excuse has largely been repeated by the media, rather than challenged in any way. But also it’s just a “so what” moment.
The incident over which the marae head was put under investigation for doesn’t seem all that scandalous, and isn’t really related to the housing situation at all.
It’s not really the same as beneficiaries who were asking for more money, and their private details showing that they had already received a pretty good level of support from the government.
Rather than coming off as some sort of clever calculated attack on the marae, it sort of just comes off as “a really weird thing that happened”.
Why would Bennett do that or does the staffer have a grudge against Bennett…like maybe Bennett told her to leak to a journalist and the staffer deliberately chose her…
Maybe they just leaked to the first journo who came along? Who knows?
I still can’t work out if the staffer was present when the information was given to the Minister or if Bennett subsequently relayed the info to her staff?
As far as I can ascertain the staffer (press secretary) was present at the meeting with Hurimoana Dennis last Friday. Bear in mind this press secretary, Lucy Bennett (not related to Paula Bennett) only took up the position earlier this year so she probably didn’t know of the past bad blood between Paula Bennett and Rebecca Wright.
Anyone with any clues knows how ‘dirty politics’ works. Staff are aware what is expected of them, but they proceed to act without providing the minister with any of the details. It’s called “plausible deniability”. So, when the shit hits the fan the minister can act all innocent-like and deny it had anything to do with them.
It’s never been said that the staffer was present at the meeting between Bennett and Dennis, only that it was a private meeting. As I recall Bennett said that after the meeting she briefed her staff. As reported in the Herald today by Trev’ – “John Gillespie, TVNZ’s Head of News and Current Affairs, said TVNZ had already confirmed a One News journalist was approached with information.”
“……..was approached…….”. Meaning presumably that it wasn’t just chit chat in a chance meeting in Lambton Quay. The journalist was “approached”
Why possibly would a senior staffer play such a dangerous game without the express approval of her principal ? It’d be job-losing serious misconduct if it turned bad. Which it has. Nah, Bully Bennett’s in it up to her ample jowls. If only by nudge nudge wink wink hooped eyebrows. She’s a rum thing that one, with form.
Hi North. There was a staffer present at the ‘private’ meeting with Hurimoana Dennis last Friday. It was one of the first questions asked of Bennett (Mon. or Tues.) and she volunteered the information. She wouldn’t reveal who it was but the consensus of opinion seemed to be it was press secretary, Lucy Bennett. The meeting with other staff members was an office debriefing which occurred later.
What I find so disgusting about this whole affair is the fact Dennis is not being investigated by his police peers for any criminal wrong doing. The question seems to be whether he handled the case involving a 16 year old boy, and (the boy’s) relationship with a 15 yr old girl, correctly or not. No wonder Madam refused to talk about it because she and her staff enabler were effectively inferring he was being investigated for suspected criminal behaviour.
I disagree, to a certain degree, the housing issue is something the government is very weak on but as for increasing the quota by only 250 and “underpaying” Teina Pora, that won’t hurt the government at all in fact it might even see a wee bump
I think that if you can get a new house, a new car and have over 52 grand a year to play with for the rest of your life (and that’s being conservative) then that’s not a bad pay out at all and I’d suggest there’ll be more then a few people that agree with me
Its the housing that will hurt National, its not looking good and Bennett is fast becoming a liability
Yes, the housing is undeniably the bedrock of the whole thing.
It’s just the refugees and Teina Pora have come at a bad time, and appear to be “more of the same”.
If the refugees and Teina Pora stuff had come up 4 months ago, then I think they’d just be a minor blip. But coming up when they have, it’s more fuel for the fire.
How many people think that a new house, a new car and over 52 grand a year (conservatively) for the rest of your life is fair recompense
Hes 38 so could easily live another 40 years without ever having to work again, nothing can give his years back but now he can do anything he likes without having to worry about housing or work
That doesn’t mean that any random amount should be paid.
“Priceless” does not mean “without value”.
Basically, the money is a token amount based on previous cases. Only the government has penny-pinched on the token amount so the actualy “token” is as much a token of small-mindedness as it is indicative of an apology and desire to lessen as much as possible the impact of what was done to him.
McFlock: yep. As I mentioned the NATs lost a cheap and easy chance to take the moral high ground on a news story this week. Silly, bad political management from them.
$2.5 is a shit load of money , and as someone pointed out he originally ended up their because he confessed .
And CV the nats core voter will think its to much so it won’t harm them.
Page 9 of the report by the judge states that “consideration should be given to adjusting compensation payable to Mr Pora for loss of liberty to reflect the decline in the value of money”.
It also states “The rate at which claimants in Mr Port’s position will be compensated, will decline the longer they remain in prison. That appears to be anomalous an unjust”.
So for anyone upset by the payment, the government could simply say “we took up the recommendations of the judge in this case, in that it would be unjust to not adjust for inflation”.
Why would “a large group of their voters” think 2.5 million is a decent payout?
What might their reasoning be? What measure might they apply in order to come to their conclusion, do you think, Puck?
Saw our Minor Key being interviewed a morning or so ago, I forget by who/whom to do with the super large drug haul found in the North. Found by a local, who in the process of trying to help drug smugglers with their boat ,unaware of what they were, became concerned enough to get himself out of there and report them to local police. All purely accidental. BUT Mr key said that this large drug haul, tripped over by a local, shows that National’s injection of increased resources and improved policies to the police force are working. This whole scenario had nothing at all to do with policing from what I could see. If it hadn’t been for that local man this haul would never have been found.
“Working people everywhere have had enough,” Morello said in a statement. “The TPP is nothing short of a corporate takeover of our democracy. That’s why people are rising up to stop it. Corporate lobbyists want to sneak the TPP through Congress quietly; that means it’s time for us to get loud.”
“This fight against the TPP is not about right and left, it’s about right and wrong,” Lilly said. “Whatever you’re passionate about, whether it’s human rights, internet freedom, climate change or food safety, the TPP is a bad deal for humanity, and a threat to the future of democracy. The more people learn about the TPP, the less they like it. It’s our responsibility to sound the alarm, before it’s too late.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3dvbM6Pias
I find it weird that, in a story about smears, a journalist appears to be smearing a fellow journalist by seemingly implying that what she did was simply for payback. Why do you find it weird?
Why would Bennett leak to a journalist she doesn’t get on with? Wouldn’t it make more sense to leak to someone you know and trust (at least as much as you can)
So basically TVNZ would not confirm who the journalist was, RNZ refuse to give up their source, presumably the journalist didn’t out herself, so that leaves Bennetts office as Trevetts source? Maybe Bennett just shot herself in the foot.
No, the ‘non gallery journalist’ is the person Trevett & Kiwiblog have named (because TVNZ & RNZ didn’t name her), some are saying the name was out already but I can’t find it other than in Trevetts piece & someone just pointed me to Kiwiblog too. So I was wondering how her name was released if not by RNZ/TVNZ.
“In addition to the powerful structural forces that are reducing global inflation, our economy has been hit by several important supply-side shocks. These include falling oil and dairy prices, strong net migration flows and rising labour force participation. Some, such as the changes in oil prices, net migration and participation, are positive for growth, but all of the supply shocks are exerting downward pressure on inflation in New Zealand.”
From Brian Easton, economist, March 2016:
The effect of low interest rates should encourage investment in productive activities. … That is not happening. It is possible that there is insufficient demand. But over recent years many measures have been taken to increase investment-inducing demand and they have had little effect. Six years is a long time – longer than from the beginning to the bottom of the Great Depression; you have to go back to the 1880s for a longer period of international stagnation.
From Kerry McDonald, June 2016:
“Auckland and the Regions
The regions are critical in the economy, and for our living standards. They produce a high proportion of exports and are the main tourist destinations. But, they are struggling because the NZD is too strong, they are less valued politically and their competitiveness and quality of life is being undermined, mainly by poor policy which doesn’t recognise their paramount role in the economy.
Auckland is increasingly a millstone around New Zealand’s neck: “its economy is inwardly focussed, driven by consumption, real estate and domestic services”; “measured internationally it’s performance is poor – ranked 69 of 85 OECD metros”; and “ it must shift from import to export-led, but is not a centre of export excellence or innovation” (source: The Auckland Council Plan).
The tax free wealth gains on Auckland property is a major opportunity lost in terms of national benefit. In a rational world the gains would be taxed to fund important national programs, such as: a rejuvenated regional development program; or a major blitz on the adverse environment consequences of agriculture; or a major program to reduce the vulnerability and decline of the conservation estate; or a major program to develop future jobs and a more effective transition to a more innovative economy. The tax would also partly compensate the Regions for their export based subsidy to Auckland!
From Bill Rosenberg, CTU, June 2016
“Sustainable increases in our incomes depends on more being produced for every person in New Zealand and from every hour worked, but increases are weak according to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics out today,” says Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist.
“Per person, production (GDP) increases were only 0.1 percent in the three months to March and 0.5 percent over the year. Per hour worked, production went backwards – over the three months to March it fell 0.2 percent, and rose only 0.5 percent over the same period last year. These are a poor basis for wage improvements,” says Rosenberg.
“We are also seeing weak exports, production from manufacturing shrinking in three of the last four sectors and increasing only weakly over the year (1.4 percent), and overall increases dependent on construction and care for our aging population. Household spending is increasing more slowly than the rest of the economy.
“We need a more balanced economy if we want sustainable and increased incomes,” Rosenberg says.
From Minister of Finance Bill English, May 2016, Budget Speech:
“Mr Speaker, New Zealand’s economic outlook is positive. Treasury is forecasting real GDP growth of around 2.9 per cent over the coming year, and 2.8 per cent on average over the five years to June 2020. Over 200,000 more people are in work now than three years ago, and another 170,000 new jobs are expected by 2020.
Over that period, the unemployment rate is expected to drop to 4.6 per cent and the average wage is forecast to rise to $63,000 a year.”
Wow, Blinglish has confirmed his veto of Sue Moroney’s 26 weeks for babies bill. She had the numbers for the bill to pass at the next reading but Uncle Scrooge says NO. This is unbelievably mean spirited and tells parents that their baby’s well being doesn’t matter. We simply don’t care about the health and future of your family. We don’t care about our society is shaped.
Sue Moroney’s bill would have given parents another 8 weeks paid leave at home with bubba, on top of the current 18. If I were a parent or planning being on one I’d be gutted.
Technically, yes of course the govt can proceed with a financial veto but are you really ok with your govt blocking a majority vote for ideologically driven purposes, dressed up with the handy excuse of “we haven’t budgeted for it”?
If we had a law which allowed us to vote in an Emperor, does that mean that the decrees issued by that Emperor going forwards can be considered to be both democratic and democratically enabled?
“Dear Andrew,
I have just read that the Paid Parental Leave Bill has been cancelled by VETO enacted by the National Government.
I understand that there is probably little that can be done to reverse this veto but could I ask that you seriously consider taking steps to ensure that this draconian piece of law is removed from the statutes of New Zealand as soon as is possible. Not modified , removed for ever.
Thank you
John Shears.
Well, this is an argument that goes back in part to the English Civil War.
But the thing is there’s not much point planning a budget if parliament decides to fuck it a month later, and then you end up with the appropriations debacle that the US has.
But my suspicion is that in this instance the financial veto is more a cloak for ideological opposition. Like the Cabinet Manual, leaving shit up to this government’s discretion just gives them carte blanche to abuse it in fringe cases the original legislators probably never thought any government would be corrupt enough to exploit.
My preference would be to enable the option of a veto if the projected cost was a specific percentage of the immediately preceding budget’s total expenditure, say 1%. Or kick back the veto to a single conscience vote in the House.
The Ministers’ spin was that agriculture is still up because the rest of agriculture is going fine.
But look at that weighting of dairy on New Zealand’s exports. We can all see Fonterra’s reliance on low value-add whole milk powder has been our economy’s biggest-ever exporting trap. And it’s continuing to go south. With the weighting towards dairy so big and forecast to be even greater, our regional towns and cities are going to get hit harder and harder by its sustained downturn.
The agricultural sector broadly is doing its best to diversify, and doing us all good. But the dairy industry’s pursuit of high production is making us more and more vulnerable, and we are paying for that hard.
There used to be money in doing more and bigger dairy conversions. So that’s where the market went. And neither National nor Labour felt liked intervention was required.
I’m not knocking dairy entirely, or even it’s dominance really – only it’s reliance on low-value commodities and their impact on us all. We’re well overdue for a review of Fonterra and it’s legislation.
I support the Greens’ call for a suspension of dairy conversions – it’s what responsible regional councils would have done years ago. Only a few of them get it.
The point would be to review the governing legislation to require value-added production on one side, and limit mass production via RMA and water price changes on the other.
Geeezus. Replace the Fonterra board, and force the sell up of the bottom 30% of uneconomic dairy farms in the country to Landcorp. Done in 12 months.
Your way will take 10 years before any effect is visible anywhere. Pressuring corporate boards to adopt different business strategies by statute is uselessly unenforceable.
Nationalising won’t do anything except rise the entire industry up against you unnecessarily.
My way aims for the higher value side of the business without needlessly wrecking it. We have never had enough capital locally to do that – it’s going to take time and both local and foreign capital to do. Allies, not enemies.
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The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
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 ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
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Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
It was 6 degrees in Auckland last night.
It was 6 degrees in Dunedin last night.
It was 1 degrees in Christchurch last night.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a car.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a container.
Not very warm to be sleeping in a garage.
Not very warm to be sleeping on the street.
The media may think Game of Thrones, the McCanns, Julian Savea , Cricket’s DRS system and a drunk being punched three times at Eden Park, but they are not.
The majority of the media is doing everything they can to support Paula Bannett and move homelessness off the headlines.
“Try walking in my shoes, it’s not actually that easy.”
This was the challenge TA set to Prime Minister John Key. But really it’s a challenge for us all.
Homelessness also seems to have bumped the following from view;
Tax havens
mcCullys dodgy dealings, pick one.
Asset sale proceeds, a full analysis of ins and outs stacked up against the BS about what they were going to do with it.
Tanking dairy sector.
That prominent NZer, why all the fuss Johnny.
TPPA
Where’s the promised surplus again Bill ? Where that tax cut John ?
State housing sales, a broken election promise in a housing crises.
More WINZ stuff ups
Charter schools plundering the taxpayer and not performing
Slaters diversion, another WTF moment courtesy of nationals police.
Sacked DHB’s, a creaking at the seams health system
ChCh still not rebuilt
Etc
But there’s far more important issues to report…….
Man films mystery objects in night sky
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/81042630/man-films-mystery-objects-in-night-sky
Of course and positioning their cyber bullying meme for more distraction value.
Wasn’t Paula Bennett one of their ‘celebrities’ talking about cyber bullying.
Isn’t releasing the information about Hurimoana Dennis bullying?
Isn’t revealing information about beneficiaries cyber bullying?
She is not just a cyber bully, she is a real life one also.
The National Party ministers are all bullies when it comes to the poor or those that show them up for what they truly are.
John Key for instance, had a field day bulling that poor waitress and then had his pet MSM bully her even more for bringing the matter to the attention of the public.
@ Paul (1.1.1) … thanks again for your thought provoking posts. Always a good read, even though disturbing.
And in NZH today, a news item is about number one son’s release of his new song! Can you believe it?
And so on it goes yet again … more sickening subterfuge and diversion by msm, to protect the corrupt high and mighty!
Give me strength!
I’m sure the luxury guests are snug and warm in Nuie as they structure their tax affairs to avoid tax with our 7.5 million development grant.
Maybe Paula can offer a $5000 ticket to Nuie for our homeless?
Unconvincing lies.
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2016/06/unconvincing-lies.html?m=1
‘Rock star economy.’
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/rural/306494/dairy-prices-flat,-but-whole-milk-powder-falls
I bought a kilo of whole milk powder not that long ago and it cost me $12. One tonne at that price would have cost $12,000. Perhaps Fonterra, and farmers in general, need to be looking at adding more value to their product and selling it retail rather than selling it wholesale and letting others grab all the profit.
One tonne of whole milk powder on Fonterra’s wholesale trading site is just under NZ$3000/MT i.e. 3 bucks a kg
‘Building a brighter future.’
Given the housing crisis, does anyone find this slogan just a little ironic?
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/304608/big-govt-house-build-'needed'-for-auckland
It wasnt meant for us, it was for the National MPs, and future job prospects on Chinese company boards, or others, and getting very wealthy from corrupt deals like giving our water away for nothing.
Even the trucking companies are starting to realise that rail is the better option.
Let the likes mainfreigt own the rolling stock and the government looks after the rail infrastructure. Its a no brainer,
They tried that before. The company (Toll) wasn’t paying the bill to use the rail and the government seemed powerless to force them to. It’s one of the reasons why the 5th Labour led government renationalised it.
Yes that was one company with no competition, run by mongrels governed by idiots.
It’s very difficult to get competition on rails when you only have one track. Not that I think competition is the answer that we need as it increases costs for no added benefit.
The government’s skills haven’t yet deserted them; launching the Pora compensation yesterday has given Bennett breathing space and recovery.
Still, it’s one media cycle. And it’s a long winter.
A tweet just on RNZ…”what a razor-edged heartless sounding woman Amy Adams is”.
Well said indeed. Why on earth did the Gnats not inflation adjust the payment to Pora as advised? They had a chance here to do the right thing and win some political points, but their nasty penny-pinching won the day as usual.
Nothing this government does seems to make sense any more. An out-of-touch third term government well past its sell-by date.
Yep, Adams reasons for not inflation adjusting were pathetic,…
… though wrapped in that cold blooded crisp firm voice to try sounding correct
…..
I might adjust my tax payment back to inflation-reversed 1979 too
…..
fuck the Crown (the british crown that is, dont forget). They fuck over everyone they deal with – that is the british crowns history
Political points with whom exactly?
anybody who would like to see some semblance of a fair deal for a demonstrably innocent person.
OK, I can understand someone coming up with sophisticated arguments as to why the government shouldn’t spend another sum of cash that’s trivial compared to the government accounts. It’s dickish, but valid if one takes minimisation of expenditure as a categorical imperative.
But are you seriously claiming that you don’t understand why this largely symbolic gesture could be seen as a fair go by people across the political spectrum? Just in a general sense? As a generally positive and principled act?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: your moral compass is broken.
The issue here is money, you think 2.5 million is not enough, I think it’ll mean he never has to work for the rest of his life and that’ll be easily double the time he spent locked up, for some its about right and for others its too much
You yourself said no amount of money will make up for what happened so should he get 2.5 million, 10 million, 100 million, a billion or because no amount makes up for it, nothing?
No matter what the government did it wouldn’t be enough for some and too much for others, I think they got it about right
Busy today, Puck!
Of course you think the Government got it about right, you’re a supporter.
See, here’s the thing, it’s not what they choose to offer him that’s the problem.
It’s that they chose to skimp on it by using an unadjusted thirty year old benchmark.
They took a late 70s benchmark and actively decided to not adjust for CPI. That’s the difference between “We’re very sorry, what’s a reasonable level of compensation established historically in NZ?” and “We’re very sorry, what’s the minimum we can pay to make you go away after a nice photo-op?”
And then shrugging and saying take it or leave it just fucks all over your previous “we’re very sorry”.
Echo chamber.
Raybon’s gonna get Kan-ned if he’s not careful. You’re just not allowed to explain Bully Bennett’s totality by reference to junk food.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11657226
Raybon… Brilliant and accurate
North – “Raybon’s gonna get Kan-ned if he’s not careful. ”
I prefer ‘Campbellized”.
Oh Raybon. Your column will be axed and your typing fingers will be mashed for daring to challenge the words and action of such a nice girl who is our Paula. You are a naughty boy Raybon, (and North for highlighting it.)
So good that article – thanks
. The Trio Performers
. Otherwise known as NZ’s Grand Duchesses Of INCOMPETENCY
I give you the Minister of Injustice Amy Adams. Her system has allowed the Police to frame a bewildered young man for evil crimes and incarcerate him unjustly for over 21 yrs. She paid the poor fellow out at currency rates deliberately based on 1998 earning capacity.
VERDICT: The Minister of Justice is a well fed, well paid Incompetent BASTARD.
I give you the Minister of Housing, Paula Bennett. Her bullying methods of revealing highly confidential material to humiliate and deem lifelong smut on her chosen victims, makes her a well fed, well paid incompentent BASTARD,
She claims she has more Bastardry up her sleazy sleeves. But a more incoherent Minister dragging her Folio (Housing) through failure after failure, through muckups and secrecy – is callous, and dishonest and unspeakable.
VERDICT: The Minster of Housing is a well fed, well paid incompentent BASTARD.
I give you The Minister of Police, Judith Collins. Her tricky little tentacles are sad. She seems to get out of control on a regular basis. She is not Competent. (telling the police to NOT enforce the Road Code recently being a total stupidity) but she is fun.
VERDICT: A well fed, well paid person fit for Pantomine Duties. But not for Ministries. A funny BASTARD.
Hekia makes the fourth person – but she is a special case to be dealt with later.
What I want to know, is how the diggins with so many fine honest and just women in this country, can the Tories choose nitwit bastard women for the important Ministries? Does anybody know?
In case you missed “The New New Zealand” by Tourettes. Sums it ALLLL up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EDeNFoEqRs
Where is Palestine these days? :
‘Tens of thousands of Palestinians left without water as Israeli firm cuts supplies – report’
https://www.rt.com/news/346811-israel-water-west-bank/
‘Non-Jews should not be allowed to live in Israel – Israel’s Chief Rabbi’
https://www.rt.com/news/337676-israel-for-jews-rabbi/
Israel should not be recreating a Warsaw Ghetto for Palestinians in its own neighbourhood.
I feel like the wheels are finally falling off this government.
They’ve made a series of mis-steps in the last few weeks that the public are finally starting to respond to:
1. On-going shambles with housing and homelessness; John Key appearing to be very out of touch / lying
2. Increasing the refugee quota by only 250 from 2018 onwards
3. Underpaying Teina Pora for 21 years in jail
There’s also the backdrop of cuts (in real terms) to health and education budgets that are being widely felt through the public.
Me too. And things like Bennett leaking personal information, when she did that to beneficiaries a few years ago it felt like she won. This time she seriously misjudged the situation and people will be looking at her for what she really is, and it’s normal to call for her resignation.
I’m a little more ambivalent on the leaking thing.
It seems her excuse has largely been repeated by the media, rather than challenged in any way. But also it’s just a “so what” moment.
The incident over which the marae head was put under investigation for doesn’t seem all that scandalous, and isn’t really related to the housing situation at all.
It’s not really the same as beneficiaries who were asking for more money, and their private details showing that they had already received a pretty good level of support from the government.
Rather than coming off as some sort of clever calculated attack on the marae, it sort of just comes off as “a really weird thing that happened”.
And it’s got weirder today with the news that the staffer leaked to Rebecca Wright a journalist who’s been at odds with Paula Bennett before.
Why would Bennett do that or does the staffer have a grudge against Bennett…like maybe Bennett told her to leak to a journalist and the staffer deliberately chose her…
Maybe they just leaked to the first journo who came along? Who knows?
I still can’t work out if the staffer was present when the information was given to the Minister or if Bennett subsequently relayed the info to her staff?
As far as I can ascertain the staffer (press secretary) was present at the meeting with Hurimoana Dennis last Friday. Bear in mind this press secretary, Lucy Bennett (not related to Paula Bennett) only took up the position earlier this year so she probably didn’t know of the past bad blood between Paula Bennett and Rebecca Wright.
Anyone with any clues knows how ‘dirty politics’ works. Staff are aware what is expected of them, but they proceed to act without providing the minister with any of the details. It’s called “plausible deniability”. So, when the shit hits the fan the minister can act all innocent-like and deny it had anything to do with them.
It’s never been said that the staffer was present at the meeting between Bennett and Dennis, only that it was a private meeting. As I recall Bennett said that after the meeting she briefed her staff. As reported in the Herald today by Trev’ – “John Gillespie, TVNZ’s Head of News and Current Affairs, said TVNZ had already confirmed a One News journalist was approached with information.”
“……..was approached…….”. Meaning presumably that it wasn’t just chit chat in a chance meeting in Lambton Quay. The journalist was “approached”
Why possibly would a senior staffer play such a dangerous game without the express approval of her principal ? It’d be job-losing serious misconduct if it turned bad. Which it has. Nah, Bully Bennett’s in it up to her ample jowls. If only by nudge nudge wink wink hooped eyebrows. She’s a rum thing that one, with form.
Hi North. There was a staffer present at the ‘private’ meeting with Hurimoana Dennis last Friday. It was one of the first questions asked of Bennett (Mon. or Tues.) and she volunteered the information. She wouldn’t reveal who it was but the consensus of opinion seemed to be it was press secretary, Lucy Bennett. The meeting with other staff members was an office debriefing which occurred later.
What I find so disgusting about this whole affair is the fact Dennis is not being investigated by his police peers for any criminal wrong doing. The question seems to be whether he handled the case involving a 16 year old boy, and (the boy’s) relationship with a 15 yr old girl, correctly or not. No wonder Madam refused to talk about it because she and her staff enabler were effectively inferring he was being investigated for suspected criminal behaviour.
Let’s hope so, but how many times have people said this will be the end of this government…
If damage is being done, I think the housing crisis is doing most of it. National supporters are possibly too self absorbed to think about refugees.
I disagree, to a certain degree, the housing issue is something the government is very weak on but as for increasing the quota by only 250 and “underpaying” Teina Pora, that won’t hurt the government at all in fact it might even see a wee bump
Feedback on Morning Report this morning was almost entirely against the government’s position on Teina Pora.
You might say that RNZ is lefty radio, but very seldom has feedback been one-sided to that extent.
I think that if you can get a new house, a new car and have over 52 grand a year to play with for the rest of your life (and that’s being conservative) then that’s not a bad pay out at all and I’d suggest there’ll be more then a few people that agree with me
Its the housing that will hurt National, its not looking good and Bennett is fast becoming a liability
Yes, the housing is undeniably the bedrock of the whole thing.
It’s just the refugees and Teina Pora have come at a bad time, and appear to be “more of the same”.
If the refugees and Teina Pora stuff had come up 4 months ago, then I think they’d just be a minor blip. But coming up when they have, it’s more fuel for the fire.
Well yes that’s a good point as well
National missed out on a silly and cheap way to own the moral high ground in the media with the Teina Pora payout.
Or they set a precedent for future cases as well as getting off side with a large group of their voters who think 2.5 million is a decent payout
How many of those voters would agree to give up 21 years of their life for $2.5M
How many people think that a new house, a new car and over 52 grand a year (conservatively) for the rest of your life is fair recompense
Hes 38 so could easily live another 40 years without ever having to work again, nothing can give his years back but now he can do anything he likes without having to worry about housing or work
That’s not bad
How many of those people would give up 21 years of their life for $2.5M, given its such a ‘good deal’?
I know what you are saying, but I am saying that none of those people would swap places, what the government did to this guy was so shite.
How many superannuitants would accept their NZ super not being inflation adjusted for 21 years?
“You’re getting it for free, don’t complain or we will take it away from you.”
To CV
Agreed, he got screwed over but would half a million, a million or whatever amount make it right?
Does there need to be a set formula, laid down by law, that should be used in cases of compensation?
Beats me
No amount will make it right.
That doesn’t mean that any random amount should be paid.
“Priceless” does not mean “without value”.
Basically, the money is a token amount based on previous cases. Only the government has penny-pinched on the token amount so the actualy “token” is as much a token of small-mindedness as it is indicative of an apology and desire to lessen as much as possible the impact of what was done to him.
McFlock: yep. As I mentioned the NATs lost a cheap and easy chance to take the moral high ground on a news story this week. Silly, bad political management from them.
$2.5 is a shit load of money , and as someone pointed out he originally ended up their because he confessed .
And CV the nats core voter will think its to much so it won’t harm them.
Page 9 of the report by the judge states that “consideration should be given to adjusting compensation payable to Mr Pora for loss of liberty to reflect the decline in the value of money”.
It also states “The rate at which claimants in Mr Port’s position will be compensated, will decline the longer they remain in prison. That appears to be anomalous an unjust”.
So for anyone upset by the payment, the government could simply say “we took up the recommendations of the judge in this case, in that it would be unjust to not adjust for inflation”.
“we took up the recommendations of the judge in this case” – which Amy Adams has said she has done. But of course she’s just telling a half truth.
Why would “a large group of their voters” think 2.5 million is a decent payout?
What might their reasoning be? What measure might they apply in order to come to their conclusion, do you think, Puck?
” a silly and cheap way to own the moral high ground in the media with the Teina Pora payout”
What does that mean?
In general it’s difficult to ‘buy’ good news coverage.
Here is one case where the government could have, by choosing to pay Pora more.
thanks
Saw our Minor Key being interviewed a morning or so ago, I forget by who/whom to do with the super large drug haul found in the North. Found by a local, who in the process of trying to help drug smugglers with their boat ,unaware of what they were, became concerned enough to get himself out of there and report them to local police. All purely accidental. BUT Mr key said that this large drug haul, tripped over by a local, shows that National’s injection of increased resources and improved policies to the police force are working. This whole scenario had nothing at all to do with policing from what I could see. If it hadn’t been for that local man this haul would never have been found.
.
> I am not sure how you can be ambivalent about confidential information relating to Police charges.
Could you explain it for me?
Releasing information can cause a lot of hassle and even mistrial.
Thanks Lanthanide
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/tom-morello-to-headline-tour-protesting-trans-pacific-partnership-20160615
“Working people everywhere have had enough,” Morello said in a statement. “The TPP is nothing short of a corporate takeover of our democracy. That’s why people are rising up to stop it. Corporate lobbyists want to sneak the TPP through Congress quietly; that means it’s time for us to get loud.”
“This fight against the TPP is not about right and left, it’s about right and wrong,” Lilly said. “Whatever you’re passionate about, whether it’s human rights, internet freedom, climate change or food safety, the TPP is a bad deal for humanity, and a threat to the future of democracy. The more people learn about the TPP, the less they like it. It’s our responsibility to sound the alarm, before it’s too late.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3dvbM6Pias
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11657606
Ok so that’s a bit weird
I find it weird that, in a story about smears, a journalist appears to be smearing a fellow journalist by seemingly implying that what she did was simply for payback. Why do you find it weird?
Very weird, dirty politics journalism style, swipe at RNZ too, how about Claire Trevett reveal HER sources.
CT and her keyboard
Why would Bennett leak to a journalist she doesn’t get on with? Wouldn’t it make more sense to leak to someone you know and trust (at least as much as you can)
Incompetence?
So basically TVNZ would not confirm who the journalist was, RNZ refuse to give up their source, presumably the journalist didn’t out herself, so that leaves Bennetts office as Trevetts source? Maybe Bennett just shot herself in the foot.
The journalist is described as a ‘non gallery’ Wellington journalist. So thats not Trevett
No, the ‘non gallery journalist’ is the person Trevett & Kiwiblog have named (because TVNZ & RNZ didn’t name her), some are saying the name was out already but I can’t find it other than in Trevetts piece & someone just pointed me to Kiwiblog too. So I was wondering how her name was released if not by RNZ/TVNZ.
Ooooh, burn!
Nice political info from an insider going back to Johnson/Kennedy era.
Remembers the Clintons fondly 😀
http://financialsurvivalnetwork.com/2016/06/exclusive-interview-with-roger-stone-telling-it-like-it-is-elite-deviance/
That’s nice of you to spread the wingnut’s delusions.
/
Roger Stone
@RogerJStoneJr
@KennettDems @RTED2016 Soviet Agent Bernie Saunders, Should be arrested for treason and shot.
https://twitter.com/RogerJStoneJr/status/457025868917776384
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/trumps-dirty-trickster-staggeringly-shady-dealings-political-operative-roger-stone
You sign a petition to get rid of Mike Hosking from TVNZ here – https://www.change.org/p/tvnz-get-rid-of-hosking-1347aa6d-8044-4a33-ba59-7fe0a5dba42b?recruiter=14044606&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=autopublish&utm_term=des-lg-no_src-no_msg&fb_ref=Default
What Happens to a Small Country Without Direction
From the Reserve Bank, February 2016:
“In addition to the powerful structural forces that are reducing global inflation, our economy has been hit by several important supply-side shocks. These include falling oil and dairy prices, strong net migration flows and rising labour force participation. Some, such as the changes in oil prices, net migration and participation, are positive for growth, but all of the supply shocks are exerting downward pressure on inflation in New Zealand.”
From Brian Easton, economist, March 2016:
The effect of low interest rates should encourage investment in productive activities. … That is not happening. It is possible that there is insufficient demand. But over recent years many measures have been taken to increase investment-inducing demand and they have had little effect. Six years is a long time – longer than from the beginning to the bottom of the Great Depression; you have to go back to the 1880s for a longer period of international stagnation.
From Kerry McDonald, June 2016:
“Auckland and the Regions
The regions are critical in the economy, and for our living standards. They produce a high proportion of exports and are the main tourist destinations. But, they are struggling because the NZD is too strong, they are less valued politically and their competitiveness and quality of life is being undermined, mainly by poor policy which doesn’t recognise their paramount role in the economy.
Auckland is increasingly a millstone around New Zealand’s neck: “its economy is inwardly focussed, driven by consumption, real estate and domestic services”; “measured internationally it’s performance is poor – ranked 69 of 85 OECD metros”; and “ it must shift from import to export-led, but is not a centre of export excellence or innovation” (source: The Auckland Council Plan).
The tax free wealth gains on Auckland property is a major opportunity lost in terms of national benefit. In a rational world the gains would be taxed to fund important national programs, such as: a rejuvenated regional development program; or a major blitz on the adverse environment consequences of agriculture; or a major program to reduce the vulnerability and decline of the conservation estate; or a major program to develop future jobs and a more effective transition to a more innovative economy. The tax would also partly compensate the Regions for their export based subsidy to Auckland!
From Bill Rosenberg, CTU, June 2016
“Sustainable increases in our incomes depends on more being produced for every person in New Zealand and from every hour worked, but increases are weak according to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) statistics out today,” says Bill Rosenberg, CTU Economist.
“Per person, production (GDP) increases were only 0.1 percent in the three months to March and 0.5 percent over the year. Per hour worked, production went backwards – over the three months to March it fell 0.2 percent, and rose only 0.5 percent over the same period last year. These are a poor basis for wage improvements,” says Rosenberg.
“We are also seeing weak exports, production from manufacturing shrinking in three of the last four sectors and increasing only weakly over the year (1.4 percent), and overall increases dependent on construction and care for our aging population. Household spending is increasing more slowly than the rest of the economy.
“We need a more balanced economy if we want sustainable and increased incomes,” Rosenberg says.
From Minister of Finance Bill English, May 2016, Budget Speech:
“Mr Speaker, New Zealand’s economic outlook is positive. Treasury is forecasting real GDP growth of around 2.9 per cent over the coming year, and 2.8 per cent on average over the five years to June 2020. Over 200,000 more people are in work now than three years ago, and another 170,000 new jobs are expected by 2020.
Over that period, the unemployment rate is expected to drop to 4.6 per cent and the average wage is forecast to rise to $63,000 a year.”
spot the odd man out
Wow, Blinglish has confirmed his veto of Sue Moroney’s 26 weeks for babies bill. She had the numbers for the bill to pass at the next reading but Uncle Scrooge says NO. This is unbelievably mean spirited and tells parents that their baby’s well being doesn’t matter. We simply don’t care about the health and future of your family. We don’t care about our society is shaped.
Sue Moroney’s bill would have given parents another 8 weeks paid leave at home with bubba, on top of the current 18. If I were a parent or planning being on one I’d be gutted.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/306549/govt-vetoes-paid-parental-leave-bill
Thanks for not saying it was undemocratic.
But it was undemocratic. New post…
Technically, yes of course the govt can proceed with a financial veto but are you really ok with your govt blocking a majority vote for ideologically driven purposes, dressed up with the handy excuse of “we haven’t budgeted for it”?
It’s smells shittier than nappy contents.
No, I’m not really ok with it.
But it’s their right to do it, hence why I am not calling it undemocratic.
If we had a law which allowed us to vote in an Emperor, does that mean that the decrees issued by that Emperor going forwards can be considered to be both democratic and democratically enabled?
I say no, but you may say yes.
Depends on the constitutional arrangements for this emperor, and what other bodies of power existed in this alternative universe.
I have just sent the following to Andrew Little.
“Dear Andrew,
I have just read that the Paid Parental Leave Bill has been cancelled by VETO enacted by the National Government.
I understand that there is probably little that can be done to reverse this veto but could I ask that you seriously consider taking steps to ensure that this draconian piece of law is removed from the statutes of New Zealand as soon as is possible. Not modified , removed for ever.
Thank you
John Shears.
Good thinking. However Labour won’t do that because Labour will want the power of VETO when it is in government itself.
CV can you actually support your statement about what Labour will want as far as the VETO is concerned or is just your opinion?
it’s the only logical choice for Labour. Decentralising control is not their thing. My opinion.
Well, this is an argument that goes back in part to the English Civil War.
But the thing is there’s not much point planning a budget if parliament decides to fuck it a month later, and then you end up with the appropriations debacle that the US has.
But my suspicion is that in this instance the financial veto is more a cloak for ideological opposition. Like the Cabinet Manual, leaving shit up to this government’s discretion just gives them carte blanche to abuse it in fringe cases the original legislators probably never thought any government would be corrupt enough to exploit.
My preference would be to enable the option of a veto if the projected cost was a specific percentage of the immediately preceding budget’s total expenditure, say 1%. Or kick back the veto to a single conscience vote in the House.
1% limit seems like a good measure.
This is the report our Minister of Agriculture trumpeted at the National Field Days today:
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/media-releases/strong-growth-across-most-primary-sectors
But watch this:
2013 2020 Forecast
Dairy $13.1b $17.7b
Meat and Wool $ 7.8b $ 8.8b
Forestry $ 4.5b $ 6.3b
Horticulture $ 3.5b $ 5.7b
Other $ 1.6b $ 2.9b
(eg honey)
Seafood $ 1.5b $ 2.1b
TOTAL $32.4 $43.8
The Ministers’ spin was that agriculture is still up because the rest of agriculture is going fine.
But look at that weighting of dairy on New Zealand’s exports. We can all see Fonterra’s reliance on low value-add whole milk powder has been our economy’s biggest-ever exporting trap. And it’s continuing to go south. With the weighting towards dairy so big and forecast to be even greater, our regional towns and cities are going to get hit harder and harder by its sustained downturn.
The agricultural sector broadly is doing its best to diversify, and doing us all good. But the dairy industry’s pursuit of high production is making us more and more vulnerable, and we are paying for that hard.
There used to be money in doing more and bigger dairy conversions. So that’s where the market went. And neither National nor Labour felt liked intervention was required.
I’m not knocking dairy entirely, or even it’s dominance really – only it’s reliance on low-value commodities and their impact on us all. We’re well overdue for a review of Fonterra and it’s legislation.
I support the Greens’ call for a suspension of dairy conversions – it’s what responsible regional councils would have done years ago. Only a few of them get it.
So Labour and Greens are going to get in and re: dairy they are going to spend their first 12 months conducting a review? What’s the point?
The point would be to review the governing legislation to require value-added production on one side, and limit mass production via RMA and water price changes on the other.
Geeezus. Replace the Fonterra board, and force the sell up of the bottom 30% of uneconomic dairy farms in the country to Landcorp. Done in 12 months.
Your way will take 10 years before any effect is visible anywhere. Pressuring corporate boards to adopt different business strategies by statute is uselessly unenforceable.
Nationalising won’t do anything except rise the entire industry up against you unnecessarily.
My way aims for the higher value side of the business without needlessly wrecking it. We have never had enough capital locally to do that – it’s going to take time and both local and foreign capital to do. Allies, not enemies.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/81162282/british-lawmaker-jo-cox-shot-in-attack-at-advice-surgery–reports
The attacker shouts ‘Britain First’ yet not reported as terrorism.