Went out last night to karaoke, they now forced to close at 1am, instead of 2am – the authoritarian old farts on the council and the police I bet – love telling us peasants what to do.
So I was outside talking to security guy and police stated going past about midnight, to intimidate staff and patrons – to make sure everything was shut down by 1am.
Everybody that goes to the karaoke is pisd off about the further restriction of hours. Staff take the brunt of it, they the ones who will be fined. People just want to hang out together, play some pool, listen to music, have a few drinks etc. And in comes the Carterton Council and Community Leaders to stomp on our cultural freedoms to socialise at a pub. Is this what happens when the baby boomers are too powerful, or is it just that elites like to intimidate and control us poorer peasants.
Yes sometimes there are fights, and they are handled expertly by staff and security. I never feel unsafe there – Wairarapa is shutting down everything it can for the poorest people in the community – why is that?
Authoritiarian is not a good word, governments restricting people’s freedom to socialise is not good either.
I happen to agree with you. The police seem to be peddling some snake oil about how it is better to close early. Tried it in Newcastle Australia and all it did was increase young road deaths as they drove elsewhere for fun.
If you are young why can’t you dance till dawn – one day you can’t. Maybe start watering the drinks after 1.00pm but people drift off gradually and the cold light of 5.00a.m is kinda sobering IIRC.
One of the downsides of a Labour/Green victory if we get one this month would be that this kind of clampdown on people having fun would only increase. Both parties are even more full of people who know what’s best for you than National is.
Oh dear, I was afraid you’d say ACT. How’s ACT gonna increase my fun? I love Red Dwarf but I don’t find Seymour remotely funny. In fact, when thinking about ACT it spoils my fun …
Horrifying, isn’t it? Still, just be glad it’s Seymour and not John Banks, Don Brash and David Garrett – Seymour looks positively jovial in comparison.
I might have to see somebody for this but I often associate ACT with Destiny Church and Exclusive Brethren … These are real party-starters, aren’t they?
On the other hand, if your idea of fun is sitting around in a blue haze blurting “cosmic” and “groovy” in response to banal observations and giggling a lot, then Greens/Labour are more likely to move on allowing that indulgence without risking a visit from Plod.
I’m not opposed to most pubs shutting at 1am, but a nightclub license should be available for them who wants to go until dawn. It’s normally a tiny proportion who will move bars to continue.
The real problems come from bars competing to pump as much piss into as many people as possible, then dumping them on the street when they’re well over the limit. Preloading is also an issue.
Granny Herald is still in over-drive with its it cheer-leading for the most despicable and dishonest campaign by National since ……. oh yeah – the last election. First there was John Armstrong who seems to be racing into senility and memory loss at a faster rate than the average 80 year. Amongst other alternative facts, he appears to be claiming that Labour had a whole range of new taxes to implement in its manifesto. Really? Then there was the indefatigable serial mis-representer Fran O’Sullivan who, among other things, seems to think Labour ‘invited’ the Joyce/English lie machine to rev up to full noise to mislead the voters. Thankfully, Lizzie Marvelly put in a few drops of sanity with, “All aboard the election porky train.” to relieve the tedium.
Given that National already has a capital gains tax in force, it seems that extending the time frame from 2 to 5 years and keeping the level of taxation in line with house price inflation over the past nine years doesn’t constitute a new tax – ” Let’s do it!”. Other stuff can probably wait until later BUT another option would be to play the National line – we had to do it because it was the policy of our coalition partner. ACT, with only one pathetic excuse for a politician wagged the dog and that was fine!
“Let me be perfectly clear… like a jellyfish … translucent even… radiant from within … like a candle in the wind, never knowing where to cling to … and there goes our tax policy…”
If anyone is still determined to vote for TOP, this may give you some pause:
He wants 10 to 15 per cent of the party vote. Only then would he feel the ethical mandate to go into politics full time… But if the Opportunities Party polls lower than that – even if they get a seat – it won’t be Gareth Morgan pushing through the policies.
Given that Morgan is the face of the party (I can only name two other candidates and that is only because they used to be with the GP and ALCP respectively), you have to question who would still vote for them knowing that he’ll be on his bike as soon as the counting is done. I take polls with much caution, but TOP has never cracked 3% and has more often been below 2%; 5% is unlikely but not inconcievable10-15% is simply delusional.
Given this, I have to ask; if Morgan was always determined to stay out of parliament unless TOP got at least 10%, why is he at list position #1, rather than #11?
It doesn´t matter whether more than 5% or less, or even whether he takes up his seat, assuming wins one (assuming he does´t win a constituency seat his party will have either six seats or none – the system doesn´t allow for anything in between).
It has been my practice ever since I started voting to vote for the party with the most enlightened policies, and I will be doing so this election.
mikesh
If I had my choice, I’d be voting for MANA again, as they have been a consistant voice for the underclass in Aotearoa (Māori and Pākehā). Their policy releases have been ongoing throughout the election campaign, but not got a lot of cut through, water was the most recent:
Wai (water) is essential for the life, health and wellbeing of all living things. Water is also an important resource for the people, plant life, farming, industry, recreation, cultural ceremonies and power generation in Aotearoa. The mauri, (the vitality of the life force) and sustainability of water is constantly being threatened and eroded by pollution and over consumption.
However, unless you happen to vote in Te Tai Tokerau (which I don’t), a vote for MANA is likely to be wasted. Thus I have chosen pragmatism over principle this election.
Our electoral system is currently constructed (eg; coat-tailing, and 5% thresholds) to actively dissuade people from voting for the parties whose policies seem most enlightened to them. Until this changes, I feel it is necessary to vote strategically.
“It has obviously been happening for quite a while but sometimes these subterranean societal shifts are hard to detect, especially by people like me who are being left behind.
As we approach the closely fought election in which the race is between somebody about my age and someone exactly 22 years younger than me, it’s become clearer that New Zealand is indeed ready to cross over into something new.
That’s why I think Jacinda Ardern is going to win the election or at least get more of the party vote than National.
And even if I am wrong about that, the ground has still shifted and what she represents is in the ascendant. If not this time, it will be the next.”
Martin van Beynen: A changing of the guard is on the way
They will be covering the proposed Waimea Dam, prisons/corrections (Kelvin Davis and louise upston) and Paddy talks to Willie J, Marama D and flavell re the maori seats.
One thing that has bitterly disappointed me about national is their lack of wanting to engage in cross-party groups to tackle some of NZ’s major problems.
Have noticed nat’s wheeling out a lame as attack line to opposition parties of late… “you’ve had nine years to do something”… (it’s like excuse me, who has been running the country for the last nine years?)
EDIT… STREAM CEASED AS ALARM WENT OFF AND THEY HAVE TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING
Not watching The Nation anymore, the program needs a new title: The National Nation would be more like it. It is nothing less than a propaganda fest. Biased and is shows, shrill and at times almost hysterical to defend. Who in their right mind would want to watch this?
i watch/listen to as many different political shows as possible no matter which way their leanings, am not in my right mind, however, instead am ambidextrous.
Anyways, they are re-recording some segments with flavell, and screening it again in the morrow.
It’s hard to critique when one isn’t even prepared to listen.
Which would explain your attempt to disregard it by pointing at the National Front (who have nothing to do with it) and the site that hosted the interview.
A state seeking to suppress political activity of a citizenry isn’t the same thing as states competing or jockeying for power amongst themselves.
Best to keep the two things separate.
The US, NZ, China and every other fucking state deserves to be kicked in the head for the former (suppression of a citizenry’s political will).
As for condemning China’s bid for global power, that can’t be done without rank hypocrisy and probably buying into some degree of racist/xenophobic bullshit unless all state power by whatever state is also condemned.
And Marty Mars and McFlock doing the ad hom mambo? Yup. Fucking tedious.
You honestly can’t understand how accusing someone of being in a habit of submitting spam and insinuating they’re a liar to boot isn’t just bullshit ad hom loaded commenting?
sure bill yeah I can see why someone could possibly feel that calling someone else a spammer and non-leftie can be considered an ad hom. I thought I was just describing the facts but there you go.
When a state seeking to suppress political activity of its citizenry is also a state competing or jockeying for global power, the two can become entwined.
I take it you are referring to the second link I posted. If you look at the top of the page, you’ll see that it was part one of three. Hit the downward arrow for the following two parts.
But while we’re on it, what did you make of the Campus Patriots section and the Communist Party’s influence on Australian university campuses through the Chinese Students and Scholars Associations? Should voters and NZ Labour be concerned?
As for hypocrisy, I agree, my sentiment holds for any state seeking global power. It just happens to be we have a Chinese in parliament that has been accused of being a spy and bringing in big donations.
You put it up, Joe put something up, I agree with Joe as it fitted what I had observed.
I said it was sad that you were putting up stuff the national front got boners over and I said I still preferred that to the spam imo that you post attacking labour.
Though he did try to diminish it by pointing to the National Front (which have nothing to do with it) and the site that hosted it. Alluding to other crap the site also presents, which also has nothing to do with what I posted.
You came in, slapped his back and decided to have a little personal dig at me. When we all know I’m not the topic of the discussion. Of which, you added nothing too.
But they’re not pointless. In my opinion, TC actively contributes to the information overload that bogs down political discourse these days. Posting a fifty minute video with fuckall context and then getting pissy when someone points out it’s on a National Front hot picks list (which is definitely valid context for judging its likely merit) is just the latest example. The majority of TC’s ouvre revolves around wallowing in bland nonsensicalities that TC paints as profound political observations, like Pete George- only TC’s better at toeing the line.
And the thing is, engaging TC in debate is only playing their game of “twenty to the power of infinity questions”. Ignoring TC leaves the bog spider waiting to tie other people in knots. So that’s why I think there’s a point in calling TC what they are.
That fifty minute video was a wide ranging discussion that a number of political junkies would find interesting.
I purposely posted it on the weekend to allow those who are interested the time to view it.
It’s no longer than watching an episode of the Nation or Q&A.
If you are merely looking for quick soundbites and don’t have time for the larger issues, then best you move on. No one is forcing you to partake.
The title was self explanatory, thus “fuckall” context was given.
And I wasn’t getting “pissy” it’s on the National Front hot picks list as it’s not a valid way of judging its merit. The book has nothing to do with them.
sounded to me like the bold was coming and that was a moderator inspired comment or at least the close imminent potential for one – I took it that way.
I try to obey moderators – no point making life tough especially in a no win situation.
@bill
yeah, but I’ve learned to play it safe before things get too boldy mcboldtype 🙂
@TC – if the national front like something, it’s not because of its impartial intellectualism on either part. You could have saved yourself 50 minutes.
You haven’t refuted Joe or my points – you dragged something out that is well liked by the National Front – that is a fact. Not only that but the site he linked to runs numerous outrageous and disgusting pieces as he highlighted and that is a fact.
Here’s a hint – a REAL left orientated person would take the criticism and listen to it and maybe say, “Hey thanks Joe and Marty, I didn’t realise that what I put up had such horrible friends and now I do I will really try to do more checking before I add something to the forum.”
What do you do – argue like a rightie about your ego – sorry bubb that is a fail. sad.
I presented an interview with the author of the book. And the fact that the National Front like it is neither here nor there. They have nothing to do with it.
Moreover, the outrageous and disgusting pieces on the site he (Joe) linked to also had nothing to do with the interview I presented.
The only association the site has with the author was the hosting of the interview.
Hence, Joe was using it as a way to diminish and ridicule the interview I posted.
Therefore, I don’t owe anyone an apology.
I don’t have a problem with criticism, as long as it has merit. And as you can see from the points above, this has nothing to do with my ego.
For what it’s worth (probably nothing) I too think The Chairman is a spamming pretend leftie who posts in the Pete George mold.
It’s spam because The Chairman’s style is to write one line, place a link, then ask for thoughts (see the very comment with clip which started this). It’s pretty lazy really.
He’s a pretend leftie because 95% of his posts are criticisms of NZ Labour and when challenged on why he never critiques the actual enemy of the left, the National Party, claims lamely that not ever holding the Nats to account shouldn’t preclude him from undermining Labour at every single opportunity.
And he’s Pete George lite in the way he floods a discussion with beige distractions and how he, when pulled up, tries to make the argument itself more important than the original point.
Bill may have missed all this but I and obviously some others have The Chairman’s number.
Yeah, they’re both like that black stuff you find around the windows of a typical cold damp NZ house. An insidious and constant reminder to average Kiwis they have no hope.
I presented an interview with wide ranging implications and all you can do is write your thoughts on me?
There really is little hope for this nation if you lot think I’m your concern.
I’ve stated my political position. And any genuine lefty would be criticizing this Labour lot cause they are far from left.
They won’t even increase core benefit rates, which would provide some instant relief for a good many that are struggling.
Lowering the bar isn’t going to encourage them to up their game. If we want more from Labour we have to hold their feet to the fire. You lot should be with me on this, not against me. Which makes me question how left are you?
I didn’t claim that not ever holding the Nats to account shouldn’t preclude me from undermining Labour, which makes you a liar.
Nor was it my answer when challenged on why I seldom critique National.
The real enemy of the left are the right within, that’s what’s largely causing Labour to fall short. Robbing us of the opportunity to better repair this mess 30 odd years of neo-liberalism (led by both Labour and National) has created.
So the basic complaint is that China may be kind of buying global dominance and that’s just not on because “the West” is the rightful seat of global power. That about right?
The same shit and fear was peddled by the British when the US was on the rise – fear and loathing. All bullshit.
I’ll say this for China. At least its rise to global prominence isn’t coming off the back of militarism and imposed states of penury as “the West’s” was.
“So the basic complaint is that China may be kind of buying global dominance”
Depending on ones perspective, some may see it more as an economic takeover.
And it’s not on (as you put it) for a number of reasons, but not the one you put forward.
It’s an attack on a nations sovereignty, its democracy, and rule of law.
While there are no explosions on the ground, planes in the air, or tanks on the streets, the wealth stripping is creating harm. Seen our current account? Homelessness? Poverty? Inequality? Suicides? Assets and resources sold to foreign hands? It’s all part of the globalized, neo-liberal way.
Until recently, it’s largely been western elite cleaning us out. And that isn’t on either.
China invaded Tibet and why do think they are building up their military, Navy, etc…? Could it be to intimidate and in preparation of resistance of their financial offerings?
Have a listen to the interview, I think you’ll find it interesting.
I already dropped into it and skipped though randomly to get ‘a taste’ of where the guy was coming from. He’s a “Yellow Peril” arse-wipe from what I can tell.
And your comment’s just a pile of kinda breathless assertions with no argument or rationale attached.
I don’t really care too much for a nation state’s sovereignty given it’s an illegitimate construct by my political reasoning. But you want to get all hot under the collar over various competing and equally illegitimate “pretenders” then hey.
And if/when that slips into xenophobic and/or racist bullshit I might pipe up. But until then….meh.
The Chairman
Oh so it’s China that’s at the base of everything going wrong in NZ. And all the time I thought it was our dollar-eyeballed pollies going for broke. I noted that actually we were broke and they were just going for everything they could get and sell. Isn’t it our pollies and their fellow travellers, the dairy farmers and irrigators and so on who are welcoming Chinese to come and spend their new money here. I think we should be more concerned about the bods going to Harvard and learning the Right Way of doing laissez faire in the 21st century.
In our little country the ones who have made money have a lot of sway.
They are the little men who could, and a fewer little women who don’t have the altruistic notions portrayed in the USA book Little Women. We are being picked over by our own. The Chinese just watch bemused and come along for the ride, along with people from the Indian Continent etc/
Yes I agree, I have been watching China for some years and back in 2015 Brain Gould was writing articles re China’s rapidly expanding “property manifesto” in NZ.
But it is happening all over the world not just in NZ.
If Ron Asher’s book , In The Jaws of the Dragon, is a reds under the beds variation then explain this which I copied and filed several years ago.
“Like the China agreement the free trade with India comes with conditions. Conditions that our leader isn’t always fond of explaining. For one; we have to agree to allow a set number of Chinese immigrants into NZ per year.”
Why would there be such a stipulation in a Free Trade agreement ? Is this actually happening ?
Apart from the liberalisation of the movement of natural persons, there is no mention of immigration in the China/NZ FTA. And there is no set figure that I’m aware of.
As for China’s rapidly expanding property manifesto in NZ, the documentary (Who owns NZ now) touched upon this. We aren’t keeping sufficient records of offshore investors in our property market. And It has been suggested that China’s influence and our unwillingness to rock the boat is behind it.
Our investor visa scheme (which is separate from FTAs but is largely utilized by the Chinese) has fast tracked immigration for wealthy offshore investors.
Yes there is … It says – Phil Goff – free trade agreement with China agreed to allow 1800 extra chinese immigrants into NZ..
It is well through – about 3/4 through – the recording .
So is that enacted here or not ?
It was in reference to the liberalisation of the movement of natural persons, temporary immigrants. That is, temporary for the individual or group, but it’s an ongoing policy within the deal.
The Chinese and other great powers don’t make us agree to investments coming into NZ, it’s been done by the ambitious export oriented pollies and business leaders. The Chinese have given us an agreement to trade and we have reciprocated with lots. So we small, them big, they are happy to go along with using the opportunities they have facilitated and we have offered. That is closer to the truth than some of the wilder things that have been said here.
“He’s a “Yellow Peril” arse-wipe from what I can tell”
Really? What drove you to that conclusion?
To me, he came across as someone who doesn’t agree with how the Chinese Government operate.
My argument is China (who is no small player with a large military force) is also playing the neo-liberal game. And just because they are greasing palms instead of dropping bombs it doesn’t make them any less of a threat. And we’ve opened the door for them.
We have one in National that’s looking dodgy. Labour has a new one, raising some questions. And the Maori party have one that has just recently been accused of political bribery (allegedly offering online cash credits to potential supporters on Chinese social media message app WeChat).
I’m interested in knowing more on why you don’t value our sovereignty and think its an illegitimate construct?
We’ve opened the door to them. ‘We’ have one in… and Labour has a new one. The MP have one .
You any idea how utterly fucked in the head that shit you’re spouting is?
Nek minute you’ll be telling ‘one and all’ that you’ve nothing against Asians or Chinese in particular and that one of your mates is…Chinese…could be Korean…or might be Vietnamese or …well, you’re not sure, but ‘whatever’ they’re all Asian and some of them are okay and you’re not talking about the okay ones, just the bad ones and the bad ones are legion and they’re out to swamp ‘our’ pavlova paradise with weird monogluta addictive mind bending whatevers…
Tell me.
Where you think the original geographical location of Pacifica peoples is? And if them supposedly ‘swamping’ and ‘taking over’ is such a big deal then….well, assuming you’ll trace back to Europe heritage wise…..
And I didn’t say sovereignty was an illegitimate construct (idea). I said that the state is an illegitimate construct.
You may think it’s fucked in the head but it’s the reality.
Therefore, are you implying I’m incorrect?
We have a free trade deal with China, yes? Thus, we’ve opened the door to a new big player.
Jian Yang now looks dodgy, yes?
Wetex Kang was accused of bribery, yes?
Labour’s Naisi Chen was the former President of the New Zealand Chinese Students’ Association, yes?
I don’t know why you are attempting to make this about race? One was accused of bribery, the other two have questions surrounding their connection to the Communist Party.
“It seems to be between Labour and National. If you had asked me before my win I would have erred on the socialist side but now I am more likely to side with National … it is about wanting to protect the future for your whanau. I wouldn’t say I had it hard as some people before my win, but I wouldn’t want the mokopuna to struggle through life.
One that should have been added was National party lack of use of rail and building more roads instead!!!!!!
Rain-water washes road pollution off our roads into our streams, rivers, lakes, and aquifers, and drinking water.
National have dismissed removing half the road pollution from stock, fertilizer, fuel, & rubbish trucks off our roads & use rail as a mitigation against “road runoff pollution” from their effluent and other emissions (tyre dust) that 34 wheeler trucks deposit on our roads.
Where is Paula? Is she in hiding? Because she hasn’t been seen in her electorate and has been very quiet of late. Bit of concern about some hard questioning coming up in relation to a previous life perhaps?
What is happening in the Barclay dirty business (apart from little Toadie doing a runner off to London)? Those 450 texts? Is the police investigation still ongoing? Or has it all been buried?
What about the Jian Yang issue? Is the SIS still investigating? Or will that one fade away never to see the light of day again?
We desperately need some investigative journalism in this country to expose the murky activities of this grubby corrupt government!
Instead we get an apparent rant (no I haven’t read it and I don’t intend to) from John Armstrong on the evil machinations of Jacinda Ardern – a 2017 version of the crack-pot rant against David Cunliffe in 2014. You know, the one where he accused Cunliffe of every evil sin under the sun, and then later withdrew and apologised after the election was over.
Jacindas out door speech to the masses (and there were quite a lot of us on this raw blustery New Plymouth day) was received well by a wide range of ages.
Half way through I heard singing and chanting getting louder and I feared the worst..a bunch of Taranaki cow cockies on the rampage. Then they came into view, a party of pirates. I counted about 80, mainly in good quality fancy dress, not jeans and scarf on the head type of things, marching past having a good time.
They sent 2 envoys carrying their flag to talk to Jacinda evidently moaning about the government being mean and unfair to pirates etc. She laughed, said she would talk to them later and they commandeered the pub across the road.
Good to see such a lot of folk having a great time. Daughter said it was the annual Pirate Day pub crawl…not being on Facebook I miss out on news of these things.
Awesome especially considering the weather, it’s like where ever Jacinda goes loads of people turn out to see her, it’s amazing to see the response, what a good buzz.
The pirates would have been an absolute treat, so much goodness
Perhaps becoming the next government will not start off well in being able to fulfill the need to build houses in Auckland.
To those following the picture of the building industry there are some uneasy ndicators out there, same with houses selling being 20% down from last year.
Martin Dunn, of estate agency City Sales, said Australian banks had “pulled the plug” on the New Zealand apartment market and were refusing to give would-be buyers the remaining 90 per cent for their mortgage http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11922859
In the past year alone 35 apartment projects in Auckland were reportedly axed, including the Flo Apartments project in Avondale, which would have had 91 apartments, each priced from $370,000. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/315433/wary-banks-blamed-for-dropped-housing-projects
Okay. That’s kinda scary shit. Just to pick out one of a number of points raised in the politico piece…
They (Ziska and his colleagues from the the U.S. Department of Agriculture) found that the protein content of goldenrod pollen has declined by a third since the industrial revolution—and the change closely tracks with the rise in CO2. Scientists have been trying to figure out why bee populations around the world have been in decline, which threatens many crops that rely on bees for pollination. Ziska’s paper suggested that a decline in protein prior to winter could be an additional factor making it hard for bees to survive other stressors.
Calling Sci Fi writers – this could be a good opportunity from JMG’s new blog http://www.ecosophia.net/
So we’re going to do it. You can find the details at http://www.solarsystemheritage.com/anthology-project-2017.html, but the short form is that we’re looking for short stories (2500-7500 words), novelettes (7500-12,500 words) and maybe a novella (12,500 words on up) set in the Old Solar System. What kind of stories? You name it. Two-(or more-)fisted tales of adventure like C.L. Moore, solar system noir like Leigh Brackett, interplanetary travel with a religious dimension like C.S. Lewis, Old Solar System horror like Clark Ashton Smith – you name it, so long as it takes place in the imaginary solar system of the classic science fiction era. You can—indeed, you should—put your own twist on ancient and desolate Mars, lush Venus, or whatever other world or worlds you choose for a setting—and yes, Earth is also an option!—but it should fit more or less cleanly into the grand collective work of art that was the Old Solar System.
“Inspired by the People’s Climate March and its hundreds of thousands of participants, Rebecca Foon and Jesse Paris Smith founded Pathway to Paris in 2015. Created as a way to keep the momentum alive, the organization is a collaboration between musicians, artists, cities and activists to help turn the Paris Agreement into real action. ”
Among a river of poetic points offered by the senior (Patti) Smith, she stressed the importance of not giving into the gloom; of how to use a positive attitude as a tool of resistance.
“When I worked with Ralph Nader, one of the things that he taught us was that nothing productive comes from negativity or pessimism,” she said. “So it’s important not to be drawn into a state of pessimism or paralysis, one has to take a breath and rise above it. I’m not saying that as rhetoric, I’m saying it as an action, as what I have to do myself. I feel the same way that you feel, that everyone else feels, but I refuse to be trampled by it, I refuse to be demoralized; I just keep on doing my work, our work.”
“And even something such as this concert, it makes me feel that each thing that we do, whether we did a concert yesterday, or we’re doing this November 5, we’re partnering with each other, we’re connecting the dots,” she added. “So we have to sometimes not turn a blind eye, but keep our eyes on what we’re trying to do, not on what is being done to dismantle our efforts.”
I love what Patti Smith is saying there – pessimism and paralysis help no one. They are the weapons of the oppressors – rise above it, breathe and keep working to make the world a better place.
“I love what Patti Smith is saying there – pessimism and paralysis help no one. They are the weapons of the oppressors – rise above it, breathe and keep working to make the world a better place.”
If you watch the video on that page with Brian Eno, from about the 3:00 min mark he also talks about the involvement of creative artists in developing a new narrative around the environment.
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It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
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 ...
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. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
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 ...
Asia Pacific Report From France to Australia, university pro-Palestine protests in the United States have now spread to several countries with students pitching on-campus camps. And students at Columbia and other US universities remain defiant as campuses have witnessed the biggest protests since the anti-Vietnam war and anti-apartheid eras in ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)New Zealand Government’s Fast Track legislation. Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government ...
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Went out last night to karaoke, they now forced to close at 1am, instead of 2am – the authoritarian old farts on the council and the police I bet – love telling us peasants what to do.
So I was outside talking to security guy and police stated going past about midnight, to intimidate staff and patrons – to make sure everything was shut down by 1am.
Everybody that goes to the karaoke is pisd off about the further restriction of hours. Staff take the brunt of it, they the ones who will be fined. People just want to hang out together, play some pool, listen to music, have a few drinks etc. And in comes the Carterton Council and Community Leaders to stomp on our cultural freedoms to socialise at a pub. Is this what happens when the baby boomers are too powerful, or is it just that elites like to intimidate and control us poorer peasants.
Yes sometimes there are fights, and they are handled expertly by staff and security. I never feel unsafe there – Wairarapa is shutting down everything it can for the poorest people in the community – why is that?
Authoritiarian is not a good word, governments restricting people’s freedom to socialise is not good either.
I happen to agree with you. The police seem to be peddling some snake oil about how it is better to close early. Tried it in Newcastle Australia and all it did was increase young road deaths as they drove elsewhere for fun.
If you are young why can’t you dance till dawn – one day you can’t. Maybe start watering the drinks after 1.00pm but people drift off gradually and the cold light of 5.00a.m is kinda sobering IIRC.
One of the downsides of a Labour/Green victory if we get one this month would be that this kind of clampdown on people having fun would only increase. Both parties are even more full of people who know what’s best for you than National is.
Are you saying that they are party poopers and will take all the fun out of our lives?
Are you saying that fun=bad & no fun=good?
I just wanna have fun, lots of it! Whom should I vote for?
Bloody hell, don’t base your vote on that! The party that would interfere the least with whatever fun you like having is probably ACT…
Oh dear, I was afraid you’d say ACT. How’s ACT gonna increase my fun? I love Red Dwarf but I don’t find Seymour remotely funny. In fact, when thinking about ACT it spoils my fun …
Horrifying, isn’t it? Still, just be glad it’s Seymour and not John Banks, Don Brash and David Garrett – Seymour looks positively jovial in comparison.
Jamie Whyte must have been an absolute riot at family gatherings.
Actually, I found him moderately interesting on occasion but his philosophical musings had no place in political discourse.
I might have to see somebody for this but I often associate ACT with Destiny Church and Exclusive Brethren … These are real party-starters, aren’t they?
On the other hand, if your idea of fun is sitting around in a blue haze blurting “cosmic” and “groovy” in response to banal observations and giggling a lot, then Greens/Labour are more likely to move on allowing that indulgence without risking a visit from Plod.
I gave up smoking – no good news to be had for me on that front.
I’m not opposed to most pubs shutting at 1am, but a nightclub license should be available for them who wants to go until dawn. It’s normally a tiny proportion who will move bars to continue.
The real problems come from bars competing to pump as much piss into as many people as possible, then dumping them on the street when they’re well over the limit. Preloading is also an issue.
Granny Herald is still in over-drive with its it cheer-leading for the most despicable and dishonest campaign by National since ……. oh yeah – the last election. First there was John Armstrong who seems to be racing into senility and memory loss at a faster rate than the average 80 year. Amongst other alternative facts, he appears to be claiming that Labour had a whole range of new taxes to implement in its manifesto. Really? Then there was the indefatigable serial mis-representer Fran O’Sullivan who, among other things, seems to think Labour ‘invited’ the Joyce/English lie machine to rev up to full noise to mislead the voters. Thankfully, Lizzie Marvelly put in a few drops of sanity with, “All aboard the election porky train.” to relieve the tedium.
Given that National already has a capital gains tax in force, it seems that extending the time frame from 2 to 5 years and keeping the level of taxation in line with house price inflation over the past nine years doesn’t constitute a new tax – ” Let’s do it!”. Other stuff can probably wait until later BUT another option would be to play the National line – we had to do it because it was the policy of our coalition partner. ACT, with only one pathetic excuse for a politician wagged the dog and that was fine!
The deplorables are revolting.
It seems they’re a wee bit miffed that Donny Littlehands is daring to talk to Dems about immigration.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/burn-my-maga-hat_us_59bb4dc9e4b0edff971ac966?ncid=inblnkushpmg00000009
‘I deny that I spy with my little eye on a country beginning with NZ”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11922676
lmao….the funniest line I’ve read since the last one.
On Ardern:
“Let me be perfectly clear… like a jellyfish … translucent even… radiant from within … like a candle in the wind, never knowing where to cling to … and there goes our tax policy…”
Top work Mr Braunias.
If anyone is still determined to vote for TOP, this may give you some pause:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/90512535/gareth-morgan-rules-out-parliament-unless-opportunities-party-gets-10-per-cent-of-vote
Given that Morgan is the face of the party (I can only name two other candidates and that is only because they used to be with the GP and ALCP respectively), you have to question who would still vote for them knowing that he’ll be on his bike as soon as the counting is done. I take polls with much caution, but TOP has never cracked 3% and has more often been below 2%; 5% is unlikely but not inconcievable10-15% is simply delusional.
Given this, I have to ask; if Morgan was always determined to stay out of parliament unless TOP got at least 10%, why is he at list position #1, rather than #11?
It doesn´t matter whether more than 5% or less, or even whether he takes up his seat, assuming wins one (assuming he does´t win a constituency seat his party will have either six seats or none – the system doesn´t allow for anything in between).
It has been my practice ever since I started voting to vote for the party with the most enlightened policies, and I will be doing so this election.
mikesh
If I had my choice, I’d be voting for MANA again, as they have been a consistant voice for the underclass in Aotearoa (Māori and Pākehā). Their policy releases have been ongoing throughout the election campaign, but not got a lot of cut through, water was the most recent:
http://mana.org.nz/
However, unless you happen to vote in Te Tai Tokerau (which I don’t), a vote for MANA is likely to be wasted. Thus I have chosen pragmatism over principle this election.
Our electoral system is currently constructed (eg; coat-tailing, and 5% thresholds) to actively dissuade people from voting for the parties whose policies seem most enlightened to them. Until this changes, I feel it is necessary to vote strategically.
“It has obviously been happening for quite a while but sometimes these subterranean societal shifts are hard to detect, especially by people like me who are being left behind.
As we approach the closely fought election in which the race is between somebody about my age and someone exactly 22 years younger than me, it’s become clearer that New Zealand is indeed ready to cross over into something new.
That’s why I think Jacinda Ardern is going to win the election or at least get more of the party vote than National.
And even if I am wrong about that, the ground has still shifted and what she represents is in the ascendant. If not this time, it will be the next.”
Martin van Beynen: A changing of the guard is on the way
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/96824698/martin-van-beynen-a-changing-of-the-guard-is-on-the-way
Well worth while reading!
Heres the live link for the Nation, it’s on now.
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/shows.html
They will be covering the proposed Waimea Dam, prisons/corrections (Kelvin Davis and louise upston) and Paddy talks to Willie J, Marama D and flavell re the maori seats.
Corrections interview/debate is on now.
I’d watch but, Patrick Gower – I think I’ll just watch the responses.
LMFAO re Paddy
One thing that has bitterly disappointed me about national is their lack of wanting to engage in cross-party groups to tackle some of NZ’s major problems.
Have noticed nat’s wheeling out a lame as attack line to opposition parties of late… “you’ve had nine years to do something”… (it’s like excuse me, who has been running the country for the last nine years?)
EDIT… STREAM CEASED AS ALARM WENT OFF AND THEY HAVE TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING
Ha!
And is that why they are evacuating – according to my twitter – wasup?
Flavell is a no show?
OOps A fire alarm. All out. Louise Upston is a shouty woman too! Her belief is if you shout over the others you will believe her.
I could hear the sirens from my place:
Tim Watkin tweet.
With photo showing Lisa Owen outside with fire engine.
Thanks Carolyn 😀 hard case picture.
Yays it’s back on the stream 😀
Not watching The Nation anymore, the program needs a new title: The National Nation would be more like it. It is nothing less than a propaganda fest. Biased and is shows, shrill and at times almost hysterical to defend. Who in their right mind would want to watch this?
i watch/listen to as many different political shows as possible no matter which way their leanings, am not in my right mind, however, instead am ambidextrous.
Anyways, they are re-recording some segments with flavell, and screening it again in the morrow.
Does anyone know who is hosting the final debate please? The few times I’ve seen 7sharp advertised this week i’ve seen Jack filling in for hosking
With the recent Jian Yang revelation, this is worth a listen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Mqe9CwyB4&t=13s
To be fair Ron Asher’s book is a hit over at the national front, but I think I’ll pass.
Palgrem’s red ice conspiracy theories, pseudohistory, and alt-right white genocide woo are fucking hilarious, too.
It’s hard to critique when one isn’t even prepared to listen.
Which would explain your attempt to disregard it by pointing at the National Front (who have nothing to do with it) and the site that hosted the interview.
Do you think we are immune from this?
http://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2017/chinas-operation-australia/soft-power.html
A state seeking to suppress political activity of a citizenry isn’t the same thing as states competing or jockeying for power amongst themselves.
Best to keep the two things separate.
The US, NZ, China and every other fucking state deserves to be kicked in the head for the former (suppression of a citizenry’s political will).
As for condemning China’s bid for global power, that can’t be done without rank hypocrisy and probably buying into some degree of racist/xenophobic bullshit unless all state power by whatever state is also condemned.
And Marty Mars and McFlock doing the ad hom mambo? Yup. Fucking tedious.
link to one ad hom from me please on this sub thread – or don’t bother cos there are none 🙄
You wanna start with your comment at 9.1.2?
You honestly can’t understand how accusing someone of being in a habit of submitting spam and insinuating they’re a liar to boot isn’t just bullshit ad hom loaded commenting?
sure bill yeah I can see why someone could possibly feel that calling someone else a spammer and non-leftie can be considered an ad hom. I thought I was just describing the facts but there you go.
“Facts”, you say. I’m calling it. Prove it.
what
When a state seeking to suppress political activity of its citizenry is also a state competing or jockeying for global power, the two can become entwined.
I take it you are referring to the second link I posted. If you look at the top of the page, you’ll see that it was part one of three. Hit the downward arrow for the following two parts.
But while we’re on it, what did you make of the Campus Patriots section and the Communist Party’s influence on Australian university campuses through the Chinese Students and Scholars Associations? Should voters and NZ Labour be concerned?
http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2017/06/labour-reveals-young-auckland-candidate-naisi-chen.html
Who is suitable to hold office in this country?
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-its-nothing-personal-but-national-mp-dr-jian-yang-should-resign
As for hypocrisy, I agree, my sentiment holds for any state seeking global power. It just happens to be we have a Chinese in parliament that has been accused of being a spy and bringing in big donations.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10391818/Secret-donors-Buck-stops-here
Onto it joe as usual. Thanks for the links. Sad the chair is going this way although better than his usual spam and declarations that he’s a leftie.
That’s right, Marty, have another go at me. Show everyone how you play the man and not the ball.
You put it up, Joe put something up, I agree with Joe as it fitted what I had observed.
I said it was sad that you were putting up stuff the national front got boners over and I said I still preferred that to the spam imo that you post attacking labour.
Wow big personal attacks in all that – not.
Joe didn’t address the interview I presented.
Though he did try to diminish it by pointing to the National Front (which have nothing to do with it) and the site that hosted it. Alluding to other crap the site also presents, which also has nothing to do with what I posted.
You came in, slapped his back and decided to have a little personal dig at me. When we all know I’m not the topic of the discussion. Of which, you added nothing too.
Care to try again?
I’m impressed that Joe got that far.
I figured it was probably bunk simply because you were posting it.
Have a listen, then tell me what you think is bunk and why you believe it to be so.
Why should I bother?
You’re just a time leech.
Cut it the fuck out McFlock, will you?
You don’t like the guys comments, then pass them by and stop filling space up with pointless snipes.
You’re a moderator, so I guess I’ll have to.
But they’re not pointless. In my opinion, TC actively contributes to the information overload that bogs down political discourse these days. Posting a fifty minute video with fuckall context and then getting pissy when someone points out it’s on a National Front hot picks list (which is definitely valid context for judging its likely merit) is just the latest example. The majority of TC’s ouvre revolves around wallowing in bland nonsensicalities that TC paints as profound political observations, like Pete George- only TC’s better at toeing the line.
And the thing is, engaging TC in debate is only playing their game of “twenty to the power of infinity questions”. Ignoring TC leaves the bog spider waiting to tie other people in knots. So that’s why I think there’s a point in calling TC what they are.
That fifty minute video was a wide ranging discussion that a number of political junkies would find interesting.
I purposely posted it on the weekend to allow those who are interested the time to view it.
It’s no longer than watching an episode of the Nation or Q&A.
If you are merely looking for quick soundbites and don’t have time for the larger issues, then best you move on. No one is forcing you to partake.
The title was self explanatory, thus “fuckall” context was given.
And I wasn’t getting “pissy” it’s on the National Front hot picks list as it’s not a valid way of judging its merit. The book has nothing to do with them.
It’s ‘Open Mike’ McFlock. That makes a difference. And if I was moderating, I’d have been bold typing inside your comment. Just saying.
“Cut it the fuck out McFlock, will you?”
sounded to me like the bold was coming and that was a moderator inspired comment or at least the close imminent potential for one – I took it that way.
I try to obey moderators – no point making life tough especially in a no win situation.
@bill
yeah, but I’ve learned to play it safe before things get too boldy mcboldtype 🙂
@TC – if the national front like something, it’s not because of its impartial intellectualism on either part. You could have saved yourself 50 minutes.
You haven’t refuted Joe or my points – you dragged something out that is well liked by the National Front – that is a fact. Not only that but the site he linked to runs numerous outrageous and disgusting pieces as he highlighted and that is a fact.
Here’s a hint – a REAL left orientated person would take the criticism and listen to it and maybe say, “Hey thanks Joe and Marty, I didn’t realise that what I put up had such horrible friends and now I do I will really try to do more checking before I add something to the forum.”
What do you do – argue like a rightie about your ego – sorry bubb that is a fail. sad.
+1 Marty.
“argue like a rightie” – he always does as far as I can see.
What so-called points are you on about, Marty?
I presented an interview with the author of the book. And the fact that the National Front like it is neither here nor there. They have nothing to do with it.
Moreover, the outrageous and disgusting pieces on the site he (Joe) linked to also had nothing to do with the interview I presented.
The only association the site has with the author was the hosting of the interview.
Hence, Joe was using it as a way to diminish and ridicule the interview I posted.
Therefore, I don’t owe anyone an apology.
I don’t have a problem with criticism, as long as it has merit. And as you can see from the points above, this has nothing to do with my ego.
For what it’s worth (probably nothing) I too think The Chairman is a spamming pretend leftie who posts in the Pete George mold.
It’s spam because The Chairman’s style is to write one line, place a link, then ask for thoughts (see the very comment with clip which started this). It’s pretty lazy really.
He’s a pretend leftie because 95% of his posts are criticisms of NZ Labour and when challenged on why he never critiques the actual enemy of the left, the National Party, claims lamely that not ever holding the Nats to account shouldn’t preclude him from undermining Labour at every single opportunity.
And he’s Pete George lite in the way he floods a discussion with beige distractions and how he, when pulled up, tries to make the argument itself more important than the original point.
Bill may have missed all this but I and obviously some others have The Chairman’s number.
Mould, or in PG’s case, mold is probably appropriate.
Yeah, they’re both like that black stuff you find around the windows of a typical cold damp NZ house. An insidious and constant reminder to average Kiwis they have no hope.
I presented an interview with wide ranging implications and all you can do is write your thoughts on me?
There really is little hope for this nation if you lot think I’m your concern.
I’ve stated my political position. And any genuine lefty would be criticizing this Labour lot cause they are far from left.
They won’t even increase core benefit rates, which would provide some instant relief for a good many that are struggling.
Lowering the bar isn’t going to encourage them to up their game. If we want more from Labour we have to hold their feet to the fire. You lot should be with me on this, not against me. Which makes me question how left are you?
I didn’t claim that not ever holding the Nats to account shouldn’t preclude me from undermining Labour, which makes you a liar.
Nor was it my answer when challenged on why I seldom critique National.
The real enemy of the left are the right within, that’s what’s largely causing Labour to fall short. Robbing us of the opportunity to better repair this mess 30 odd years of neo-liberalism (led by both Labour and National) has created.
So the basic complaint is that China may be kind of buying global dominance and that’s just not on because “the West” is the rightful seat of global power. That about right?
The same shit and fear was peddled by the British when the US was on the rise – fear and loathing. All bullshit.
I’ll say this for China. At least its rise to global prominence isn’t coming off the back of militarism and imposed states of penury as “the West’s” was.
“So the basic complaint is that China may be kind of buying global dominance”
Depending on ones perspective, some may see it more as an economic takeover.
And it’s not on (as you put it) for a number of reasons, but not the one you put forward.
It’s an attack on a nations sovereignty, its democracy, and rule of law.
While there are no explosions on the ground, planes in the air, or tanks on the streets, the wealth stripping is creating harm. Seen our current account? Homelessness? Poverty? Inequality? Suicides? Assets and resources sold to foreign hands? It’s all part of the globalized, neo-liberal way.
Until recently, it’s largely been western elite cleaning us out. And that isn’t on either.
China invaded Tibet and why do think they are building up their military, Navy, etc…? Could it be to intimidate and in preparation of resistance of their financial offerings?
Have a listen to the interview, I think you’ll find it interesting.
I already dropped into it and skipped though randomly to get ‘a taste’ of where the guy was coming from. He’s a “Yellow Peril” arse-wipe from what I can tell.
And your comment’s just a pile of kinda breathless assertions with no argument or rationale attached.
I don’t really care too much for a nation state’s sovereignty given it’s an illegitimate construct by my political reasoning. But you want to get all hot under the collar over various competing and equally illegitimate “pretenders” then hey.
And if/when that slips into xenophobic and/or racist bullshit I might pipe up. But until then….meh.
The Chairman
Oh so it’s China that’s at the base of everything going wrong in NZ. And all the time I thought it was our dollar-eyeballed pollies going for broke. I noted that actually we were broke and they were just going for everything they could get and sell. Isn’t it our pollies and their fellow travellers, the dairy farmers and irrigators and so on who are welcoming Chinese to come and spend their new money here. I think we should be more concerned about the bods going to Harvard and learning the Right Way of doing laissez faire in the 21st century.
In our little country the ones who have made money have a lot of sway.
They are the little men who could, and a fewer little women who don’t have the altruistic notions portrayed in the USA book Little Women. We are being picked over by our own. The Chinese just watch bemused and come along for the ride, along with people from the Indian Continent etc/
“Oh so it’s China that’s at the base of everything going wrong in NZ.”
Not at all. But they are now playing a growing part. By and large, it’s neo-liberalism.
And that includes all those that are advancing it.
The Chinese are doing more than just watching and coming along for the ride.
Yes I agree, I have been watching China for some years and back in 2015 Brain Gould was writing articles re China’s rapidly expanding “property manifesto” in NZ.
But it is happening all over the world not just in NZ.
If Ron Asher’s book , In The Jaws of the Dragon, is a reds under the beds variation then explain this which I copied and filed several years ago.
“Like the China agreement the free trade with India comes with conditions. Conditions that our leader isn’t always fond of explaining. For one; we have to agree to allow a set number of Chinese immigrants into NZ per year.”
Why would there be such a stipulation in a Free Trade agreement ? Is this actually happening ?
Apart from the liberalisation of the movement of natural persons, there is no mention of immigration in the China/NZ FTA. And there is no set figure that I’m aware of.
As for China’s rapidly expanding property manifesto in NZ, the documentary (Who owns NZ now) touched upon this. We aren’t keeping sufficient records of offshore investors in our property market. And It has been suggested that China’s influence and our unwillingness to rock the boat is behind it.
Our investor visa scheme (which is separate from FTAs but is largely utilized by the Chinese) has fast tracked immigration for wealthy offshore investors.
Yes there is … It says – Phil Goff – free trade agreement with China agreed to allow 1800 extra chinese immigrants into NZ..
It is well through – about 3/4 through – the recording .
So is that enacted here or not ?
It was in reference to the liberalisation of the movement of natural persons, temporary immigrants. That is, temporary for the individual or group, but it’s an ongoing policy within the deal.
“The Chinese just watch bemused ….”
Anyone who believes that has to be naive in the extreme.
Naive to think that a Trade Agreement allowed a set number of Chinese immigrants to come into NZ per year ?
The Chinese and other great powers don’t make us agree to investments coming into NZ, it’s been done by the ambitious export oriented pollies and business leaders. The Chinese have given us an agreement to trade and we have reciprocated with lots. So we small, them big, they are happy to go along with using the opportunities they have facilitated and we have offered. That is closer to the truth than some of the wilder things that have been said here.
“He’s a “Yellow Peril” arse-wipe from what I can tell”
Really? What drove you to that conclusion?
To me, he came across as someone who doesn’t agree with how the Chinese Government operate.
My argument is China (who is no small player with a large military force) is also playing the neo-liberal game. And just because they are greasing palms instead of dropping bombs it doesn’t make them any less of a threat. And we’ve opened the door for them.
We have one in National that’s looking dodgy. Labour has a new one, raising some questions. And the Maori party have one that has just recently been accused of political bribery (allegedly offering online cash credits to potential supporters on Chinese social media message app WeChat).
I’m interested in knowing more on why you don’t value our sovereignty and think its an illegitimate construct?
We’ve opened the door to them. ‘We’ have one in… and Labour has a new one. The MP have one .
You any idea how utterly fucked in the head that shit you’re spouting is?
Nek minute you’ll be telling ‘one and all’ that you’ve nothing against Asians or Chinese in particular and that one of your mates is…Chinese…could be Korean…or might be Vietnamese or …well, you’re not sure, but ‘whatever’ they’re all Asian and some of them are okay and you’re not talking about the okay ones, just the bad ones and the bad ones are legion and they’re out to swamp ‘our’ pavlova paradise with weird monogluta addictive mind bending whatevers…
Tell me.
Where you think the original geographical location of Pacifica peoples is? And if them supposedly ‘swamping’ and ‘taking over’ is such a big deal then….well, assuming you’ll trace back to Europe heritage wise…..
And I didn’t say sovereignty was an illegitimate construct (idea). I said that the state is an illegitimate construct.
You may think it’s fucked in the head but it’s the reality.
Therefore, are you implying I’m incorrect?
We have a free trade deal with China, yes? Thus, we’ve opened the door to a new big player.
Jian Yang now looks dodgy, yes?
Wetex Kang was accused of bribery, yes?
Labour’s Naisi Chen was the former President of the New Zealand Chinese Students’ Association, yes?
I don’t know why you are attempting to make this about race? One was accused of bribery, the other two have questions surrounding their connection to the Communist Party.
“I don’t really care too much for a nation state’s sovereignty given it’s an illegitimate construct by my political reasoning.”
“I didn’t say sovereignty was an illegitimate construct (idea). I said that the state is an illegitimate construct.”
Sorry, I mistook the first quote.
So why do you believe the state is an illegitimate construct?
“It seems to be between Labour and National. If you had asked me before my win I would have erred on the socialist side but now I am more likely to side with National … it is about wanting to protect the future for your whanau. I wouldn’t say I had it hard as some people before my win, but I wouldn’t want the mokopuna to struggle through life.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11922851
Classic, just goes to show even the socialists will roll over when it comes to $
[lprent: Diversion comment on post that this does not relate to at all. Banned for 3 months. You seem to be an obnoxious moron with limited . ]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Here’s another reason not to vote for national Lurgee,
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2017/09/16/16-political-decisions-that-show-national-dont-care-about-the-environment/
One that should have been added was National party lack of use of rail and building more roads instead!!!!!!
Rain-water washes road pollution off our roads into our streams, rivers, lakes, and aquifers, and drinking water.
National have dismissed removing half the road pollution from stock, fertilizer, fuel, & rubbish trucks off our roads & use rail as a mitigation against “road runoff pollution” from their effluent and other emissions (tyre dust) that 34 wheeler trucks deposit on our roads.
http://oecdinsights.org/2016/09/08/air-pollution-tyres-and-brakes/
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
I never have, and never will vote National. You seem to be under some curious delusion about me.
Thanks peshmerga, but your rights to self-determination are a distraction from our one-Iraq policy disaster.
//
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-kurds/iraqs-kurdish-parliament-backs-sept-25-independence-referendum-idUSKCN1BQ2AV
Thanks J 90. Always appreciate your input!
And perspectives… !
kia ora
IMO’ Mr Fixit’ Steven Joyce is USELESS.
In Tamaki only 213 new houses built – 237 gone.
https://www.facebook.com/penny.bright.104/posts/1796625243683493
https://www.companiesoffice.govt.nz/companies/app/ui/pages/companies/5840214/shareholdings
Penny Bright
2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki
Some questions ….
Where is Paula? Is she in hiding? Because she hasn’t been seen in her electorate and has been very quiet of late. Bit of concern about some hard questioning coming up in relation to a previous life perhaps?
What is happening in the Barclay dirty business (apart from little Toadie doing a runner off to London)? Those 450 texts? Is the police investigation still ongoing? Or has it all been buried?
What about the Jian Yang issue? Is the SIS still investigating? Or will that one fade away never to see the light of day again?
We desperately need some investigative journalism in this country to expose the murky activities of this grubby corrupt government!
+1
Me too.
Instead we get an apparent rant (no I haven’t read it and I don’t intend to) from John Armstrong on the evil machinations of Jacinda Ardern – a 2017 version of the crack-pot rant against David Cunliffe in 2014. You know, the one where he accused Cunliffe of every evil sin under the sun, and then later withdrew and apologised after the election was over.
The Guardian UK on Ardern today
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/15/jacinda-ardern-new-zealand-election-campaign
oh wows, thanks Peter for posting that link, wows 😀
I thought I was having a shitty week
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11923067
A dog man, Mr. English? Is that like a Minotaur? That would certainly explain a lot.
Crosby textor told him to grab a pussy to win the election.
Jacindas out door speech to the masses (and there were quite a lot of us on this raw blustery New Plymouth day) was received well by a wide range of ages.
Half way through I heard singing and chanting getting louder and I feared the worst..a bunch of Taranaki cow cockies on the rampage. Then they came into view, a party of pirates. I counted about 80, mainly in good quality fancy dress, not jeans and scarf on the head type of things, marching past having a good time.
They sent 2 envoys carrying their flag to talk to Jacinda evidently moaning about the government being mean and unfair to pirates etc. She laughed, said she would talk to them later and they commandeered the pub across the road.
Good to see such a lot of folk having a great time. Daughter said it was the annual Pirate Day pub crawl…not being on Facebook I miss out on news of these things.
Awesome especially considering the weather, it’s like where ever Jacinda goes loads of people turn out to see her, it’s amazing to see the response, what a good buzz.
The pirates would have been an absolute treat, so much goodness
Perhaps becoming the next government will not start off well in being able to fulfill the need to build houses in Auckland.
To those following the picture of the building industry there are some uneasy ndicators out there, same with houses selling being 20% down from last year.
Martin Dunn, of estate agency City Sales, said Australian banks had “pulled the plug” on the New Zealand apartment market and were refusing to give would-be buyers the remaining 90 per cent for their mortgage
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11922859
In the past year alone 35 apartment projects in Auckland were reportedly axed, including the Flo Apartments project in Avondale, which would have had 91 apartments, each priced from $370,000.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/315433/wary-banks-blamed-for-dropped-housing-projects
Rising Co2 makes many crops less nutritious. And nobody’s talking about it.
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2017/09/13/food-nutrients-carbon-dioxide-000511
http://bigthink.com/Mind-Matters/how-global-warming-leaches-nutrients-out-of-food
Okay. That’s kinda scary shit. Just to pick out one of a number of points raised in the politico piece…
Calling Sci Fi writers – this could be a good opportunity from JMG’s new blog http://www.ecosophia.net/
http://www.ecosophia.net/the-worlds-that-never-were/
Nice initiative
“Inspired by the People’s Climate March and its hundreds of thousands of participants, Rebecca Foon and Jesse Paris Smith founded Pathway to Paris in 2015. Created as a way to keep the momentum alive, the organization is a collaboration between musicians, artists, cities and activists to help turn the Paris Agreement into real action. ”
https://www.treehugger.com/climate-change/patti-smith-rising-above-and-fighting-climate-change-art.html
I love what Patti Smith is saying there – pessimism and paralysis help no one. They are the weapons of the oppressors – rise above it, breathe and keep working to make the world a better place.
“I love what Patti Smith is saying there – pessimism and paralysis help no one. They are the weapons of the oppressors – rise above it, breathe and keep working to make the world a better place.”
That is very good.
I hadn’t heard of James Thornton or ClientEarth before but was impressed by what this article said – https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/10/my-job-is-to-clean-up-the-environment-china-really-wants-to-do-that
If you watch the video on that page with Brian Eno, from about the 3:00 min mark he also talks about the involvement of creative artists in developing a new narrative around the environment.
That is what Jacinda understands. Working from positive energy creates an energy feedback loop.