Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike …
Looking at the accompanying photo, I’m again reminded how much I hate the aggressive body language of these politicians, who throw themselves at a person they’re meeting and forcefully grab their hand as if to impose dominance. With Abbott, it looks like he’s reliving his days as a boxer, of whom a sparring partner said “I never saw a punch that Tony Abbott couldn’t block. With his face.”
Am I wrong about this or is a corporation that makes profits in the billions simply ignoring their obligations under legislation because it is convenient to to so, or perhaps because they haven’t been challenged to do so?
You are wrong in one respect, ACC should never make a profit in the same sense as a company which can then pay a dividend to shareholders. It is more like a mutual society or cooperative – it should only be charging levies to provide what it needs to generate the money to pay claims, including reserves for future payments necessary to preserve generational equity. If National starts plundering the ACC for money to reduce its growing borrowing obligations, we should all vigorously protest!
ACC was never supposed to even run at a surplus or have investments as it was a pay-as-you-go scheme. As I point out over here such can be run at very close to cost and is thus far cheaper than any system that requires a profit.
It got changed because of the stupidity of the neo-liberals in Labour.
One speaker at the Wellington march today made the point that rape isn’t an accident and it’s actually a bit shit to make people who have been assaulted go through the same process as people who’ve fallen off a ladder putting up Christmas lights.
“As world leaders converged on Colombo for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this weekend, there is growing momentum for an international inquiry into alleged atrocities carried out in the final months of the 26-year conflict, which ended four years ago. The New Zealand government is yet to back calls for an inquiry.
McCully rejected a suggestion it is a deliberately soft stance to protect burgeoning dairy trade with the island nation.
“No, it’s not. And I don’t think that our stance is soft by comparison. We sit pretty much in the middle of the spectrum,” he insisted.”
What is the ‘middle ground’?
“Key is due to meet with President Rajapaksa tomorrow and has pledged to raise Sri Lanka’s human rights record. He will spend much of the weekend lobbying for a seat on the UN Security Council.”
Nothing public that would on love taking any moral stand. BS he will. He’ll laugh, say ‘sorry everyone is being mean to you’ and ask for support.
Apparently human rights in Sri Lanka is such an mild, non-controversial topic that Key and his mates will ‘mull over’ torture, illegal imprisonment and murder of non-combatants while having a few drinks.
. . . “There have been twelve pieces of legislation in recent years that have been identified as inconsistent with the rights and freedoms protected in the New Zealand Bill of Rights, and on a number of occasions urgency has been used in Parliament to limit or bypass select committee scrutiny,” he [New Zealand Law Society President Chris Moore] says.
“The Law Society is also concerned that there has been legislation prohibiting review of government decisions by the courts, and proposing restrictions on rights to legal representation in Family Court proceedings. Other significant concerns include giving the power to amend legislation by regulation without parliamentary scrutiny, and not vetting late amendments to draft bills for their consistency with the Bill of Rights” . . .
The Canadian and Indian leaders boycott CHOGM because of genocide.
The UK Prime minister visits the Northern city Jaffna and lectures the SRA Lankan government over these atrocities.
Our PM mulls it all over a drink.
David Tong commented how he was ashamed to be a New Zealander over the government’s reaction to the Philippines.
adoptanegotiator.org/2013/11/12/and-they-laughed/
This is just another example of how quickly we are becoming a laughing stock in the world thanks to our merchant banker P.M.
He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Good point “Over a drink” this guy likes his drink to much ,and it is showing.
His antics in parliament are those of a person who has had a bit to much.
The Canadian and Indian leaders boycott CHOGM because of genocide.
The UK Prime minister visits the Northern city Jaffna and lectures the SRA Lankan government over these atrocities.
Our PM mulls it all over a drink.
David Tong commented how he was ashamed to be a New Zealander over the government’s reaction to the Philippines.
adoptanegotiator.org/2013/11/12/and-they-laughed/
This is just another example of how quickly we are becoming a laughing stock and a pariah in the world thanks to our merchant banker P.M.
He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Our politicians and powerful poohbas ideas about history I view with sadness and resignation.
I hear McCully about the decision of the government to go to Sri Lanka and to look forward and not dwell on the past. Otherwise what a waste of opportunity for poster boy. McCully is well placed in this government bogged down in self serving attitudes. Forget history, ignoring it is more convenient for making personally and politically advantageous moves.
And the same thinking is what applies to Pike River’s people hurt and bruised from the coldness of government, the callousness after warm heartfelt words from Key. It takes energy to maintain will though, and NZ is short of energy, National finds it too expensive. They have done a cost benefit on the energy required to stand behind promises and avowed intentions and meet people’s expectations, and have matched it to the ratio of votes they might lose by not spending it and like the shareholder owners of Pike River now have decided that the putea is empty.
There is a piece on Radionz this morning on Pike River from Rebecca Macfie who is a gem seam of information. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
Audio will probably be up around 12 pm.
11:05 Rebecca Macfie
Rebecca Macfie is a senior writer with the New Zealand Listener. She has 25 years’ experience in journalism and many awards to her credit including magazine feature writer at the 2013 Canon Media Awards. Her new book is Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and Why 29 Men Died (Awa Press, ISBN: 978-1-877551-90-1).
And our attitudes to history. Do we forget about World War 1? No. It is personally and politically advantagous to ride a popular wave of gathering around on Anazc Day. There are votes in it. People go to a parade and then there are heads down while pious things are said and people take their boys along to see the uniforms and feel the drama.
I go along to a small civic memorial held by a memorial by the local high church. A few years back I asked for some input, some words from ordinary people, a poem from someone, some thoughts from the College youngsters. I think done once, but now I have to stir again just to get a mike so people can hear the set program read from year to year. I should memorise it.
How often does WW2 get remembered and officially mentioned at ceremonies? It took ages for Vietnam.
Don’t bother about history. Don’t learn from history. It makes it easier if you choose to not look at the near past, the medium past.. It is safe to go back to the classic past and quote from Roman, Greek, conflicts, the Bible. Then look forward and follow the trend to be punitive, to show them, to act in revenge, to do the pre-emptive strike, to see everything from your own perspective with no deflecting to admit there are other points of view to understand, with rituals that satisfy shallow sentiment and convention
. . . A few months later Jackson was convicted of shoplifting and sent to Angola prison in Louisiana. That was 16 years ago. Today he is still incarcerated in Angola, and will stay there for the rest of his natural life having been condemned to die in jail. All for the theft of a jacket, worth $159.
Jackson, 53, is one of 3,281 prisoners in America serving life sentences with no chance of parole for non-violent crimes. Some, like him, were given the most extreme punishment short of execution for shoplifting; one was condemned to die in prison for siphoning petrol from a truck; another for stealing tools from a tool shed; yet another for attempting to cash a stolen cheque . . .
Not really, I’ve noticed (and if I’ve noticed then others must have) that when hes speaking to the converted hes all fire and brimstone and he’ll do this and he’ll do that and then at the end he’ll quietly say something like “if the books allow” but when hes talking to business groups the message changes considerably
“If the books allow” seems a fiscally responsible stance to have. I know you righties would like him to make huge promises he may not be able to deliver due to the economic straightjacket Nact have fastened, but it’s DC who is being astute in not over promising.
DC deserves praise for wanting to minimise gambling harm, and Key deserves scorn for caring more about the owners of a gambling den he gives preferential treatment to.
“But the Labour leader seems to want to have it all ways. He told Parliament that Labour – if it won power – would not “dynamite” a half-built convention centre. Neither would it rip up the contract . Yet, Labour reserved the right to review the contract, particularly the number of gaming tables.
That would still amount to breaking the contract. But Cunliffe says Labour is not guaranteeing that it would pay compensation.”
Sky City certainly never got broad parliamentary agreement for this, so farken tough luck. If Sky City want to win a bid through avoiding process and Key personally leaving his mark on the landscape, well tough farken luck. If the process was open and rigorous and had achieved satisfaction from all major stakeholders, no problem. If we want to buy a few jobs by selling some sick gamblers to an arrogant Aussie corporate to feast on…well they weren’t going to vote National anyway right?
You vote for the Tories, Chris. They offer you your nirvana. Offer them advice.
Just don’t expect all parties to listen to Tories’ and their sage advice.
Something tells me that their advice has other motivations.
Maybe you should be posting your thoughts on right wing websites for your kind of people.
Astute would be a poor word to use for that attempt to paint Cunliffe as some kind of two headed beast. If Armstrong thinks DC is a liar he should be ‘man enough’ to say so. Maybe you mean he’s astute for trying to sow seeds of doubt about Labours ability to be fiscally responsible when he says:
“Labour already has its work cut out convincing voters it would be a responsible manager of the economy without being lumbered with the perception that it might ride roughshod over a contract without paying compensation, and could yet do so.”
The whole piece just screams “I’ve got friends a SkyCity too, and we all want to know exactly what financial hit (if any) we could be in for.”
Maybe Chris you could point out the bits you feel are so ‘astute’…
I think Armstrong did basically call out Cunliffe as a liar but Armstrong doesn’t have the same protection as MPs so I guess he has to be a bit more circumspect
John Armstrong does not get to write Labour policy on Sky City. Cunliffe is man enough to know that. I wish they would rip up the contract and refuse to pay compensation. Sky City should be paying us compensation instead.
phillip ure
Noelle? Are you serious? Father Christmas would do as well. He has vast international, cultural and manufacturing experience. A man of the people and loved by nearly all.
What do you think about Mark Sainsbury then? His name has come up.
Chris Laidlaw does have a brain even if sometimes it is a bit RW. I do want someone who can match him and who has ideals and some background of proving them and can think about the hard subjects including philosophy ethics what it means to be human. How we can keep on living etc.
I don’t want to listen to mainly stories that would find their way into middle class magazines, how to garden, dress, listen to music,but it might be interesting to hear about fabrics that indicate your mood on a science bit. But actual thought, research – many of the invited commenters have written books. They have to be read by a really interested, able, literate interviewer so they can do the interview for the best result. We need to have a top notch thinker and presenter not just someone who has been around and has shown promise. Brian Edwards I think liked Paul Henry. We need someone better than those two for a start. No excuses for the crass style adopted by someone playing to the idle-brain gallery. Now I always like a sense of humour, but who is the butt, and how often? What about political satire? You have to understand more than which side your bread is buttered to do good stuff there.
The sort of dross that gets delivered is what gets largely delivered by Jim Mora. His what you would take on a journey to Mars is just not the modern version of being cast on a desert island. Today there are poohbas and curious coves who really want to spend a lot of money, sometimes their own, setting up space expeditions of various kinds. It’s part of the creepy modern world that we constantly enjoy the thought of being in the grip of the fabulously rich and powerful manipulating us from above and all around really, which shows that many of us don’t have two parts of a brain to rub together.
..you will know that she is a very skilled broadcaster..
..one of her strengths is the amount of research/information she comes armed with..
..that combination of work-ethic and natural skills/intelligence/’oirish-charm’ is a potent/entertaining mix..
..and one of the marks of a good broadcaster is that ability to switch from the seemingly frivilous to the deeply serious..and to be good at both..and mccarthy can do that..
..’sainsbury’..?..now it is my turn to ask if you ‘are serious’..
..like laidlaw is now..sainsbury was flogged out in his final days..
..both just going thru the motions..
..none of the other suggestions..(save for mora taking sunday..and mccarthy taking his spot..)..comes within a bulls-roar of mccarthy…
(disclaimer:..i have never met/communicated with mccarthy..and have been critical of her in the past..)
phillip ure
So its not just the carefully accented oirish then. And she will switch from serious mainly to frivolous only occasionally? guarantee? it would be good to have a bloke though. i think one or two men of perception are around i just want someone as good as kim hill but bald?
No phillip gender does matter. Men need to have role models too. I don’t want all the top Radionz announcing positions to go to women. Let’s try for equality here. Let’s get et searching for some good men.
Would they be able to come from private radio, or does that bend a bloke’s mind to unattractive pavlovian responses. What about television, likewise?
Graeme Hill for mine. Maybe the best ever BFM breakfast host (guess the accent may have been the greatest radio quiz ever!). High hipster quotient too; played in a top indy band and loves Italian football.
And he looks like Brian Edward’s love child, so there’s that.
Like most people, I regard politicians as frauds and liars and the current political system as nothing more than a bureaucratic means for furthering the augmentation and advantages of economic elites.”
In their single-minded focus on serving the interests of the economic elite, says Brand, politicians are allowing the planet to go to rack and ruin, ignoring the people they are supposed to serve and fostering massive inequality which in turn has created a sullen, apathetic underclass.
Paul Thomas writes:
In America, the spiritual home of democracy, Republicans in the House of Representatives are now solely concerned with pandering to the zealots who dominate party membership in their gerrymandered districts.
This week New Jersey’s Republican Governor, Chris Christie – one of the few remaining recognisable human beings in his party – pointed out that Republican obstructionism in Washington had held up distribution of billions of dollars in federal aid to victims of Hurricane Sandy by six months.
Is that the “government of the people, by the people, for the people” that Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, evoked in the Gettysburg Address? Or does Brand have a point?
Changes in global (ocean and land) precipitation are among the most important and least well-understood consequences of climate change. Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations are thought to affect the zonal-mean distribution of precipitation through two basic mechanisms. First, increasing temperatures will lead to an intensification of the hydrological cycle (“thermodynamic” changes). Second, changes in atmospheric circulation patterns will lead to poleward displacement of the storm tracks and subtropical dry zones and to a widening of the tropical belt (“dynamic” changes). We demonstrate that both these changes are occurring simultaneously in global precipitation, that this behavior cannot be explained by internal variability alone, and that external influences are responsible for the observed precipitation changes. Whereas existing model experiments are not of sufficient length to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic forcing terms at the 95% confidence level, we present evidence that the observed trends result from human activities.
Oh PLEASE!!! NO!!!!
As a locum for Mora, just as Lynne Freeman is as one for Rinny – maybe.
I’d hoped that at least weekends and nights could keep Natrad something worth listening to. I guess Sunday Mornings will soon become off limits.
Just as well there are other options.
You do surprise me Phillip! Still, stranger things have happened at sea.
btw – you’ll probably get your wish though.
Bill Ralston (that bastion of wisdom and sage advice, foreskin of what he himself described as “State TV”)) says if it was up to him, it’d be between Noelle and a Walrus. (Stuff 12/11/2013 from memory)
(Next: just watch Kim Hill signal her intention to resign – uphill shit push).
If it were up to me Phil – I’d rather see her on 7#.
Delve a little deeper!
i actually think freeman is better than the current inhabitant of that slot..
..a major quality that freeman has..is that she gives interview subjects the space to say/finish what they have to say/to make their case..if they have one..
….she doesn’t view it as a gladiatorial-contest..from the get-go..
..she seems to attempt interview more as a conversation..
..whereas the current seat-warmer does too often go all gladatorial from the get-go..
..it is her major fault as a broadcaster..
..and the current warmer (admits she) watches far too much fox-tv..
..and i think a process of osmosis has taken place..
..she has become quite ‘foxy’..
..and you listen to that nat-rad nite-person..?..crump..?..
..really..?
..whoar..!
..i think you are the first person i have ever met who does..
..careful..demographers/profilers/’ists’ of all sorts –
…. ffffff whoar!!!1 (core – hot pants brutha – MOVE over!)
Do I listen to that nitetime stuff with Barry or Bryan or whatever his name is – Bryan – yes him
… not often, probably once in the last 6 months, but what did strike me when I did was the diversity of sources (as contributors) to his? programme
I’m picking though that my reply to your last is now so passe as to now be irrelevant
…. next
…. next (with an upper case, octave higher-even inflecSHUN?)
….. nexxxt ??
Why on earth would you “Ignore the Bomber reference”?
You aren’t treating it as being in some way derogatory are you?
After all the man himself positively wallows in its use. I personally think it is more appropriate for a person of 15 or so to adopt such a name than a middle-aged man but if he wants to use the nickname why shouldn’t everyone else?
Fantastic misunderstanding of my comment Alwyn – I was getting at Billy Boy’s pathetic assertion that National Radio is left wing, for Christ’s Sake. As it happens PU your comment pretty much reflects my appreciation of BB’s contribution (not) to political journalism.
OK. I see that this can be interpreted in two ways.
I read it as being two comments on the one opinion rather than the first part merely identifying the phrase you were talking about.
NZ First believes in environmental sustainability but far too many of the Green Party’s comments are about “stopping everything”.
“We have difficulty understanding a lot of their intentions and motives,” Mr Peters says, adding that the chance of being part of a coalition that would include the Greens is “extremely remote“.
– Never say never with winnie but interesting comments
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Back in 2020, the then-Labour government signed contracted for the construction and purchase of two new rail-enabled Cook Strait ferries, to be operational from 2026. But when National took power in 2023, they cancelled them in a desperate effort to make the books look good for a year. And now ...
The fragmentation of cyber regulation in the Indo-Pacific is not just inconvenient; it is a strategic vulnerability. In recent years, governments across the Indo-Pacific, including Australia, have moved to reform their regulatory frameworks for cyber ...
Welcome to the March 2025 Economic Bulletin. The feature article examines what public private partnerships (PPPs) are. PPPs have been a hot topic recently, with the coalition government signalling it wants to use them to deliver infrastructure. However, experience with PPPs, both here and overseas, indicates we should be wary. ...
Willis announces more plans of plans for supermarketsYesterday’s much touted supermarket competition announcement by Nicola Willis amounted to her telling us she was issuing a 6 week RFI1 that will solicit advice from supermarket players.In short, it was an announcement of a plan - but better than her Kiwirail Interislander ...
This was the post I was planning to write this morning to mark Orr’s final day. That said, if the underlying events – deliberate attempts to mislead Parliament – were Orr’s doing, the post is more about the apparent uselessness of Parliament (specifically the Finance and Expenditure Committee) in holding ...
Taiwanese chipmaking giant TSMC’s plan to build a plant in the United States looks like a move made at the behest of local officials to solidify US support for Taiwan. However, it may eventually lessen ...
This is a Guest Post by Transport Planner Bevan Woodward from the charitable trust Movement, which has lodged an application for a judicial review of the Governments Setting of Speed Limits Rule 2024 Auckland is at grave risk of having its safer speed limits on approx. 1,500 local streets ...
We're just talkin' 'bout the futureForget about the pastIt'll always be with usIt's never gonna die, never gonna dieSongwriters: Brian Johnson / Angus Young / Malcolm YoungMorena, all you lovely people, it’s good to be back, and I have news from the heartland. Now brace yourself for this: depending on ...
Today is the last day in office for the Governor of the Reserve Bank, Adrian Orr. Of course, he hasn’t been in the office since 5 March when, on the eve of his major international conference, his resignation was announced and he stormed off with no (effective) notice and no ...
Treasury and Cabinet have finally agreed to a Crown guarantee for a non-Government lending agency for Community Housing Providers (CHPs), which could unlock billions worth of loans and investments by pension funds and banks to build thousands of more affordable social homes. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories shortest:Chris Bishop ...
Australia has plenty of room to spend more on defence. History shows that 2.9 percent of GDP is no great burden in ordinary times, so pushing spending to 3.0 percent in dangerous times is very ...
In short this morning in our political economy:Winston Peters will announce later today whether two new ferries are rail ‘compatible’, requiring time-consuming container shuffling, or the more efficient and expensive rail ‘enabled,’ where wagons can roll straight on and off.Nicola Willisthreatened yesterday to break up the supermarket duopoly with ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 23, 2025 thru Sat, March 29, 2025. This week's roundup is again published by category and sorted by number of articles included in each. The formatting is a ...
For prospective writers out there, Inspired Quill, the publisher of my novel(s) is putting together a short story anthology (pieces up to 10,000 words). The open submission window is 29th March to 29th April. https://www.inspired-quill.com/anthology-submissions/ The theme?This anthology will bring together diverse voices exploring themes of hope, resistance, and human ...
Prime minister Kevin Rudd released the 2009 defence white paper in May of that year. It is today remembered mostly for what it said about the strategic implications of China’s rise; its plan to double ...
In short this morning in our political economy:Voters want the Government to retain the living wage for cleaners, a poll shows.The Government’s move to provide a Crown guarantee to banks and the private sector for social housing is described a watershed moment and welcomed by Community Housing Providers.Nicola Willis is ...
The recent attacks in the Congo by Rwandan backed militias has led to worldwide condemnation of the Rwandan regime of Paul Kagame. Following up on the recent Fabian Zoom with Mikela Wrong and Maria Amoudian, Dr Rudaswinga will give a complete picture of Kagame’s regime and discuss the potential ...
New Zealand’s economic development has always been a partnership between the public and private sectors.Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) have become fashionable again, partly because of the government’s ambitions to accelerate infrastructural development. There is, of course, an ideological element too, while some of the opposition to them is also ideological.PPPs come in ...
How Australia funds development and defence was front of mind before Tuesday’s federal budget. US President Donald Trump’s demands for a dramatic lift in allied military spending and brutal cuts to US foreign assistance meant ...
Questions 1. Where and what is this protest?a. Hamilton, angry crowd yelling What kind of food do you call this Seymour?b.Dunedin, angry crowd yelling Still waiting, Simeon, still waitingc. Wellington, angry crowd yelling You’re trashing everything you idiotsd. Istanbul, angry crowd yelling Give us our democracy back, give it ...
Two blueprints that could redefine the Northern Territory’s economic future were launched last week. The first was a government-led economic strategy and the other an industry-driven economic roadmap. Both highlight that supporting the Northern Territory ...
Abortion care at Whakatāne Hospital has been quietly shelved, with patients told they will likely have to travel more than an hour to Tauranga to get the treatment they need. ...
Thousands of New Zealanders’ submissions are missing from the official parliamentary record because the National-dominated Justice Select Committee has rushed work on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...
Today’s announcement of 10 percent tariffs for New Zealand goods entering the United States is disappointing for exporters and consumers alike, with the long-lasting impact on prices and inflation still unknown. ...
The National Government’s choices have contributed to a slow-down in the building sector, as thousands of people have lost their jobs in construction. ...
Willie Apiata’s decision to hand over his Victoria Cross to the Minister for Veterans is a powerful and selfless act, made on behalf of all those who have served our country. ...
The Privileges Committee has denied fundamental rights to Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, Rawiri Waititi and Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, breaching their own standing orders, breaching principles of natural justice, and highlighting systemic prejudice and discrimination within our parliamentary processes. The three MPs were summoned to the privileges committee following their performance of a haka ...
April 1 used to be a day when workers could count on a pay rise with stronger support for those doing it tough, but that’s not the case under this Government. ...
Winston Peters is shopping for smaller ferries after Nicola Willis torpedoed the original deal, which would have delivered new rail enabled ferries next year. ...
The Government should work with other countries to press the Myanmar military regime to stop its bombing campaign especially while the country recovers from the devastating earthquake. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to scrap proposed changes to Early Childhood Care, after attending a petition calling for the Government to ‘Put tamariki at the heart of decisions about ECE’. ...
New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill today that will remove the power of MPs conscience votes and ensure mandatory national referendums are held before any conscience issues are passed into law. “We are giving democracy and power back to the people”, says New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters. ...
Welcome to members of the diplomatic corp, fellow members of parliament, the fourth estate, foreign affairs experts, trade tragics, ladies and gentlemen. ...
In recent weeks, disturbing instances of state-sanctioned violence against Māori have shed light on the systemic racism permeating our institutions. An 11-year-old autistic Māori child was forcibly medicated at the Henry Bennett Centre, a 15-year-old had his jaw broken by police in Napier, kaumātua Dean Wickliffe went on a hunger ...
Confidence in the job market has continued to drop to its lowest level in five years as more New Zealanders feel uncertain about finding work, keeping their jobs, and getting decent pay, according to the latest Westpac-McDermott Miller Employment Confidence Index. ...
The Greens are calling on the Government to follow through on their vague promises of environmental protection in their Resource Management Act (RMA) reform. ...
“Make New Zealand First Again” Ladies and gentlemen, First of all, thank you for being here today. We know your lives are busy and you are working harder and longer than you ever have, and there are many calls on your time, so thank you for the chance to speak ...
Hundreds more Palestinians have died in recent days as Israel’s assault on Gaza continues and humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, is blocked. ...
National is looking to cut hundreds of jobs at New Zealand’s Defence Force, while at the same time it talks up plans to increase focus and spending in Defence. ...
It’s been revealed that the Government is secretly trying to bring back a ‘one-size fits all’ standardised test – a decision that has shocked school principals. ...
The Green Party is calling for the compassionate release of Dean Wickliffe, a 77-year-old kaumātua on hunger strike at the Spring Hill Corrections Facility, after visiting him at the prison. ...
The Green Party is calling on Government MPs to support Chlöe Swarbrick’s Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence and illegal actions in Palestine, following another day of appalling violence against civilians in Gaza. ...
The Green Party stands in support of volunteer firefighters petitioning the Government to step up and change legislation to provide volunteers the same ACC coverage and benefits as their paid counterparts. ...
At 2.30am local time, Israel launched a treacherous attack on Gaza killing more than 300 defenceless civilians while they slept. Many of them were children. This followed a more than 2 week-long blockade by Israel on the entry of all goods and aid into Gaza. Israel deliberately targeted densely populated ...
Living Strong, Aging Well There is much discussion around the health of our older New Zealanders and how we can age well. In reality, the delivery of health services accounts for only a relatively small percentage of health outcomes as we age. Significantly, dry warm housing, nutrition, exercise, social connection, ...
Shane Jones’ display on Q&A showed how out of touch he and this Government are with our communities and how in sync they are with companies with little concern for people and planet. ...
The Government’s new planning legislation to replace the Resource Management Act will make it easier to get things done while protecting the environment, say Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop and Under-Secretary Simon Court. “The RMA is broken and everyone knows it. It makes it too hard to build ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay has today launched a public consultation on New Zealand and India’s negotiations of a formal comprehensive Free Trade Agreement. “Negotiations are getting underway, and the Public’s views will better inform us in the early parts of this important negotiation,” Mr McClay says. We are ...
More than 900 thousand superannuitants and almost five thousand veterans are among the New Zealanders set to receive a significant financial boost from next week, an uplift Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says will help support them through cost-of-living challenges. “I am pleased to confirm that from 1 ...
Progressing a holistic strategy to unlock the potential of New Zealand’s geothermal resources, possibly in applications beyond energy generation, is at the centre of discussions with mana whenua at a hui in Rotorua today, Resources and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is in the early stages ...
New annual data has exposed the staggering cost of delays previously hidden in the building consent system, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I directed Building Consent Authorities to begin providing quarterly data last year to improve transparency, following repeated complaints from tradespeople waiting far longer than the statutory ...
Increases in water charges for Auckland consumers this year will be halved under the Watercare Charter which has now been passed into law, Local Government Minister Simon Watts and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say. The charter is part of the financial arrangement for Watercare developed last year by Auckland Council ...
There is wide public support for the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity protections, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “The Ministry for Primary Industries recently completed public consultation on proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and the submissions show that people understand the importance of having a strong biosecurity ...
A new independent review function will enable individuals and organisations to seek an expert independent review of specified civil aviation regulatory decisions made by, or on behalf of, the Director of Civil Aviation, Acting Transport Minister James Meager has announced today. “Today we are making it easier and more affordable ...
The Government will invest in an enhanced overnight urgent care service for the Napier community as part of our focus on ensuring access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has today confirmed. “I am delighted that a solution has been found to ensure Napier residents will continue to ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey attended a sod turning today to officially mark the start of construction on a new mental health facility at Hillmorton Campus. “This represents a significant step in modernising mental health services in Canterbury,” Mr Brown says. “Improving health infrastructure is ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has welcomed confirmation the economy has turned the corner. Stats NZ reported today that gross domestic product grew 0.7 per cent in the three months to December following falls in the June and September quarters. “We know many families and businesses are still suffering the after-effects ...
The sealing of a 12-kilometre stretch of State Highway 43 (SH43) through the Tangarakau Gorge – one of the last remaining sections of unsealed state highway in the country – has been completed this week as part of a wider programme of work aimed at improving the safety and resilience ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters says relations between New Zealand and the United States are on a strong footing, as he concludes a week-long visit to New York and Washington DC today. “We came to the United States to ask the new Administration what it wants from ...
Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has welcomed changes to international anti-money laundering standards which closely align with the Government’s reforms. “The Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) last month adopted revised standards for tackling money laundering and the financing of terrorism to allow for simplified regulatory measures for businesses, organisations and sectors ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour says he welcomes Medsafe’s decision to approve an electronic controlled drug register for use in New Zealand pharmacies, allowing pharmacies to replace their physical paper-based register. “The register, developed by Kiwi brand Toniq Limited, is the first of its kind to be approved in New ...
The Coalition Government’s drive for regional economic growth through the $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund is on track with more than $550 million in funding so far committed to key infrastructure projects, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. “To date, the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) has received more than 250 ...
[Comments following the bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio; United States State Department, Washington D.C.] * We’re very pleased with our meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio this afternoon. * We came here to listen to the new Administration and to be clear about what ...
The intersection of State Highway 2 (SH2) and Wainui Road in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will be made safer and more efficient for vehicles and freight with the construction of a new and long-awaited roundabout, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “The current intersection of SH2 and Wainui Road is ...
The Ocean Race will return to the City of Sails in 2027 following the Government’s decision to invest up to $4 million from the Major Events Fund into the international event, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says. “New Zealand is a proud sailing nation, and Auckland is well-known internationally as the ...
Improving access to mental health and addiction support took a significant step forward today with Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announcing that the University of Canterbury have been the first to be selected to develop the Government’s new associate psychologist training programme. “I am thrilled that the University of Canterbury ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened the new East Building expansion at Manukau Health Park. “This is a significant milestone and the first stage of the Grow Manukau programme, which will double the footprint of the Manukau Health Park to around 30,000m2 once complete,” Mr Brown says. “Home ...
The Government will boost anti-crime measures across central Auckland with $1.3 million of funding as a result of the Proceeds of Crime Fund, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “In recent years there has been increased antisocial and criminal behaviour in our CBD. The Government ...
The Government is moving to strengthen rules for feeding food waste to pigs to protect New Zealand from exotic animal diseases like foot and mouth disease (FMD), says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. ‘Feeding untreated meat waste, often known as "swill", to pigs could introduce serious animal diseases like FMD and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held productive talks in New Delhi today. Fresh off announcing that New Zealand and India would commence negotiations towards a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, the two Prime Ministers released a joint statement detailing plans for further cooperation between the two countries across ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the forestry sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Agriculture and Trade Minister Todd McClay signed a new Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) today during the Prime Minister’s Indian Trade Mission, reinforcing New Zealand’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with India in the horticulture sector. “Our relationship with India is a key priority for New Zealand, and this agreement reflects our ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new Family Court Judges. The new Judges will take up their roles in April and May and fill Family Court vacancies at the Auckland and Manukau courts. Annette Gray Ms Gray completed her law degree at Victoria University before joining Phillips ...
Health Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). “This unit will boost critical care services in the lower North Island, providing extra capacity and relieving pressure on the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and emergency department. “Wellington Regional Hospital has previously relied ...
Namaskar, Sat Sri Akal, kia ora and good afternoon everyone. What an honour it is to stand on this stage - to inaugurate this august Dialogue - with none other than the Honourable Narendra Modi. My good friend, thank you for so generously welcoming me to India and for our ...
Nearly 25 years after the "corngate" saga, the debate on genetic modification is back thanks to the Gene Technology Bill currently in select committee. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Brodie, Research Scientist in Marine Ecology, CSIRO jittawit21, Shutterstock Picture this: you’re lounging on a beautiful beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the soothing sound of the waves. You run your hands through the warm sand, only to ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Although New Zealand and Australia seem to have escaped the worst of Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, some Pacific Islands stand to be hit hard — including a few that aren’t even “countries”. The US will impose a base tariff of 10 percent on all ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton both agree Australia should react to US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff regime by continuing to seek a special deal. They just disagree about which of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joanne Orlando, Researcher, Digital Literacy and Digital Wellbeing, Western Sydney University UK Prime Minster Keir Starmer met with Adolescence writer Jack Thorne to discuss adolescent safety at Downing Street on Monday. Jack Taylor/ GettyImages Netflix’s Adolescence has ignited global debate. ...
By Anneke Smith,RNZ News political reporter A stoush between the Chief Human Rights Commissioner and a Jewish community leader has flared up following a showdown at Parliament. Appearing before a parliamentary select committee today, Dr Stephen Rainbow was asked about his recent apology for incorrect comments he made about ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rakesh Gupta, Associate Professor of Accounting & Finance, Charles Darwin University US President Donald Trump’s new trade war will not only send shockwaves through the global economy – it also upsets efforts to tackle the urgent issue of climate change. Trump has ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Toohey, Professor of Law, UNSW Sydney It had the hallmarks of a reality TV cliffhanger. Until recently, many people had never even heard of tariffs. Now, there’s been rolling live international coverage of so-called “Liberation Day”, as US President Donald Trump ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Fuller, Clinical Trials Director, Department of Endocrinology, RPA Hospital, University of Sydney mavo/Shutterstock In the ever-changing wellness industry, one diet obsession has captured and held TikTok’s attention: protein. Whether it’s sharing snaps of protein-packed meals or giving tutorials to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sebastian Maslow, Associate Professor, International Relations, University of Tokyo Two months into US President Donald Trump’s second term, the liberal international order is on life support. Alliances and multilateral institutions are now seen by the United States as burdens. Europe and ...
Starving public services of resources, gutting the workforce and then proposing private market solutions has been a key strategy of this government, says Vanessa Cole, spokesperson for Public Housing Futures. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Geyle, Ecologist, Charles Darwin University Sarah Maclagan/Author provided The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic yet at-risk animals — and the last surviving bilby species. Once found across 70% of Australia, its range has contracted by ...
The government’s own Regulatory Impact Statement acknowledges that organic producers will bear the financial burden of adapting to the risks posed by GMO expansion. ...
The committee has "rammed it through with outrageous haste", with a report now expected tomorrow, but excluding thousands of submissions, Duncan Webb says. ...
The US president’s sweeping programme of global tariffs will hit every country abroad, including New Zealand, and dramatically raise prices at home. This is an excerpt from The World Bulletin, our weekly global current affairs newsletter exclusively for Spinoff Members. Sign up here.In a dramatic, flag-draped address from the White ...
Alex Casey talks to Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi, the couple who launched a project to change 51 lives in honour of those lost in the Christchurch mosque attacks. When Bariz Shah and Saba Afrasyabi walked into Naeem’s house in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, they knew immediately that he needed their help. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Deane, Professor of Trade Law, Taxation and Climate Change, Queensland University of Technology US President Donald Trump has imposed a range of tariffs on all products entering the US market, with Australian exports set to face a 10% tariff, effective April ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hayley Geyle, Ecologist, Charles Darwin University Sarah Maclagan/Author provided The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is one of Australia’s most iconic yet at-risk animals — and the last surviving bilby species. Once found across 70% of Australia, its range has contracted by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Rudge, Law lecturer, University of Sydney Shutterstock Recent media coverage in the Nine newspapers highlights a surge in non-medical ultrasound providers offering “reassurance ultrasounds” to expectant parents. The service has resulted in serious harms, such as misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancies and ...
The three MPs whose rule-breaking haka caught the world’s attention didn’t attend their scheduled hearing yesterday. Constitutional law expert Andrew Geddis has the rundown of what happened, why, and what’s likely to come next. I see Te Pāti Māori and the privileges committee are in some sort of stand-off – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Turner, Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park, Iceland.Nido Huebl/Shutterstock Earth is the only known planet which has plate tectonics today. The constant movement of these giant slabs of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra US President Donald Trump singled out Australia’s beef trade for special mention in his announcement that the United States would impose a 10% global tariff as well as “reciprocal tariffs” on many countries. In ...
Meta has stolen millions of books to train its AI, including books by kaituhi Māori. What does that mean for mātauranga and its status as taonga? New Zealand authors are among the millions whose books have been pirated and scraped by Meta to train its AI. The New Zealand Society of ...
Some hoped the open of the New Zealand markets would open with a bounce as certain tariffs fell short of the worst-case scenario, but investors were met with a deflated thud.The New Zealand market fell immediately as stock market darling Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s shares were punished, with no update ...
Healthcare dominated the debate in an unusually sober and serious question time. “Hey David!” a group of high school students in the public gallery called out as Act leader David Seymour entered the debating chamber. Standing in the middle of the floor, before any other MPs had arrived, he happily ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matthew Heaslip, Senior Lecturer in Naval History, University of Portsmouth How the Shuqiao barges may be used to ferry troops ashore. X (formerly Twitter) China’s intentions when it comes to Taiwan have been at the centre of intense discussion for years. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kiera Vaclavik, Professor of Children’s Literature & Childhood Culture, Queen Mary University of London This spring, Babe is returning to cinemas to mark the 30th anniversary of its release in 1995. The much-loved family film tells the deceptively simple but emotionally powerful ...
Claire Trevett writing the usual fawning nonsense for her masters at the Herald.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/claire-trevett/news/headlines.cfm?a_id=74
Looking at the accompanying photo, I’m again reminded how much I hate the aggressive body language of these politicians, who throw themselves at a person they’re meeting and forcefully grab their hand as if to impose dominance. With Abbott, it looks like he’s reliving his days as a boxer, of whom a sparring partner said “I never saw a punch that Tony Abbott couldn’t block. With his face.”
On a day of action against rape culture I ask why ACC who are legislated to prevent accidents (ref: http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0049/latest/DLM103143.html ) have not acted to prevent sexual abuse from happening?
Am I wrong about this or is a corporation that makes profits in the billions simply ignoring their obligations under legislation because it is convenient to to so, or perhaps because they haven’t been challenged to do so?
In sharp contrast we have a very grateful RPE for the $11K raised through social media: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1311/S00196/social-media-raises-over-11k-for-rape-prevention-education.htm
Good point!
You are wrong in one respect, ACC should never make a profit in the same sense as a company which can then pay a dividend to shareholders. It is more like a mutual society or cooperative – it should only be charging levies to provide what it needs to generate the money to pay claims, including reserves for future payments necessary to preserve generational equity. If National starts plundering the ACC for money to reduce its growing borrowing obligations, we should all vigorously protest!
ACC was never supposed to even run at a surplus or have investments as it was a pay-as-you-go scheme. As I point out over here such can be run at very close to cost and is thus far cheaper than any system that requires a profit.
It got changed because of the stupidity of the neo-liberals in Labour.
One speaker at the Wellington march today made the point that rape isn’t an accident and it’s actually a bit shit to make people who have been assaulted go through the same process as people who’ve fallen off a ladder putting up Christmas lights.
+1
The visits to Sri Lanka epitomise everything wrong with our government.
http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9407222/McCully-sits-on-fence-on-Sri-Lanka-war-crimes
“As world leaders converged on Colombo for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this weekend, there is growing momentum for an international inquiry into alleged atrocities carried out in the final months of the 26-year conflict, which ended four years ago. The New Zealand government is yet to back calls for an inquiry.
McCully rejected a suggestion it is a deliberately soft stance to protect burgeoning dairy trade with the island nation.
“No, it’s not. And I don’t think that our stance is soft by comparison. We sit pretty much in the middle of the spectrum,” he insisted.”
What is the ‘middle ground’?
“Key is due to meet with President Rajapaksa tomorrow and has pledged to raise Sri Lanka’s human rights record. He will spend much of the weekend lobbying for a seat on the UN Security Council.”
Nothing public that would on love taking any moral stand. BS he will. He’ll laugh, say ‘sorry everyone is being mean to you’ and ask for support.
Key, fence sitter.
Apparently human rights in Sri Lanka is such an mild, non-controversial topic that Key and his mates will ‘mull over’ torture, illegal imprisonment and murder of non-combatants while having a few drinks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/9405539/hope-they-vomit-on-it
He really is the most embarrassing PM ever.
Chatting about the cricket is about as far as he could manage.
your comments are deep Paul,
Key needs to wave a flag, that would show them.
He already has; a white one.
‘
Huh? New Zealand is in no position to lecture Sri Lanka about humans rights. John Key is there to get handy hints for going forward.
While I agree that our govt is poor, it could be worse.
http://guardianlv.com/2013/11/sri-lanka-tortures-and-rape-become-uncovered/
The Canadian and Indian leaders boycott CHOGM because of genocide.
The UK Prime minister visits the Northern city Jaffna and lectures the SRA Lankan government over these atrocities.
Our PM mulls it all over a drink.
David Tong commented how he was ashamed to be a New Zealander over the government’s reaction to the Philippines.
adoptanegotiator.org/2013/11/12/and-they-laughed/
This is just another example of how quickly we are becoming a laughing stock in the world thanks to our merchant banker P.M.
He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
Good point “Over a drink” this guy likes his drink to much ,and it is showing.
His antics in parliament are those of a person who has had a bit to much.
So thats where he is on a Thursday arvo, No wonder he’s never seen.
The Canadian and Indian leaders boycott CHOGM because of genocide.
The UK Prime minister visits the Northern city Jaffna and lectures the SRA Lankan government over these atrocities.
Our PM mulls it all over a drink.
David Tong commented how he was ashamed to be a New Zealander over the government’s reaction to the Philippines.
adoptanegotiator.org/2013/11/12/and-they-laughed/
This is just another example of how quickly we are becoming a laughing stock and a pariah in the world thanks to our merchant banker P.M.
He knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.
+2
Our politicians and powerful poohbas ideas about history I view with sadness and resignation.
I hear McCully about the decision of the government to go to Sri Lanka and to look forward and not dwell on the past. Otherwise what a waste of opportunity for poster boy. McCully is well placed in this government bogged down in self serving attitudes. Forget history, ignoring it is more convenient for making personally and politically advantageous moves.
And the same thinking is what applies to Pike River’s people hurt and bruised from the coldness of government, the callousness after warm heartfelt words from Key. It takes energy to maintain will though, and NZ is short of energy, National finds it too expensive. They have done a cost benefit on the energy required to stand behind promises and avowed intentions and meet people’s expectations, and have matched it to the ratio of votes they might lose by not spending it and like the shareholder owners of Pike River now have decided that the putea is empty.
There is a piece on Radionz this morning on Pike River from Rebecca Macfie who is a gem seam of information. http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
Audio will probably be up around 12 pm.
11:05 Rebecca Macfie
Rebecca Macfie is a senior writer with the New Zealand Listener. She has 25 years’ experience in journalism and many awards to her credit including magazine feature writer at the 2013 Canon Media Awards. Her new book is Tragedy at Pike River Mine: How and Why 29 Men Died (Awa Press, ISBN: 978-1-877551-90-1).
And our attitudes to history. Do we forget about World War 1? No. It is personally and politically advantagous to ride a popular wave of gathering around on Anazc Day. There are votes in it. People go to a parade and then there are heads down while pious things are said and people take their boys along to see the uniforms and feel the drama.
I go along to a small civic memorial held by a memorial by the local high church. A few years back I asked for some input, some words from ordinary people, a poem from someone, some thoughts from the College youngsters. I think done once, but now I have to stir again just to get a mike so people can hear the set program read from year to year. I should memorise it.
How often does WW2 get remembered and officially mentioned at ceremonies? It took ages for Vietnam.
Don’t bother about history. Don’t learn from history. It makes it easier if you choose to not look at the near past, the medium past.. It is safe to go back to the classic past and quote from Roman, Greek, conflicts, the Bible. Then look forward and follow the trend to be punitive, to show them, to act in revenge, to do the pre-emptive strike, to see everything from your own perspective with no deflecting to admit there are other points of view to understand, with rituals that satisfy shallow sentiment and convention
“Key, fence sitter.”
You spelt “coward” wrong
‘
Home of the brave and land of the . . . ummm . . . what was it again?
Moar from the ACLU.
Meanwhile..
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/nov/11/sweden-closes-prisons-number-inmates-plummets
Scandinavians understand crime and punishment.
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/sep/04/bastoy-norwegian-prison-works
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11157962
– An astute piece of commentary with some sage advice for Cunliffe…but is he man enough to take it?
c73 what utter trash
Remove your blinkers and you might see what a large portion of the voting public sees…
I think you mean what Armstrong wants the voting pubic to see with the help from his blue tinted glasses.
Not really, I’ve noticed (and if I’ve noticed then others must have) that when hes speaking to the converted hes all fire and brimstone and he’ll do this and he’ll do that and then at the end he’ll quietly say something like “if the books allow” but when hes talking to business groups the message changes considerably
“If the books allow” seems a fiscally responsible stance to have. I know you righties would like him to make huge promises he may not be able to deliver due to the economic straightjacket Nact have fastened, but it’s DC who is being astute in not over promising.
DC deserves praise for wanting to minimise gambling harm, and Key deserves scorn for caring more about the owners of a gambling den he gives preferential treatment to.
Yep, chris73 is upset because Cunliffe isn’t making rash promises.
Sucks because chris73 already had all his lines worked out so now he has to lie about reality to make it fit his fantasy.
“But the Labour leader seems to want to have it all ways. He told Parliament that Labour – if it won power – would not “dynamite” a half-built convention centre. Neither would it rip up the contract . Yet, Labour reserved the right to review the contract, particularly the number of gaming tables.
That would still amount to breaking the contract. But Cunliffe says Labour is not guaranteeing that it would pay compensation.”
Sky City certainly never got broad parliamentary agreement for this, so farken tough luck. If Sky City want to win a bid through avoiding process and Key personally leaving his mark on the landscape, well tough farken luck. If the process was open and rigorous and had achieved satisfaction from all major stakeholders, no problem. If we want to buy a few jobs by selling some sick gamblers to an arrogant Aussie corporate to feast on…well they weren’t going to vote National anyway right?
A voting pubic? With a blue tint?
Sounds like a style fashion to follow the Brazilian
Ha…well spotted
Any Avatar stars on the electoral roll should have their vote counted too!
For fender :
“the history of religion is the history of the state ” and they struggle on…
The voting public are sheep , C73, just they way you are having to play trollop in this site.
Large portions of the voting public, don’t see, or understand, squat!
FIFY
Baa
Large portions of the voting public, don’t see, or understand, squat!
– I won’t disagree thats why the headline of the article is so important, most people will read the headline and skim over the rest
So the headline is the most important (astute) thing in a one-eyed propaganda piece?
You should have just said that in your initial comment/link.
You vote for the Tories, Chris. They offer you your nirvana. Offer them advice.
Just don’t expect all parties to listen to Tories’ and their sage advice.
Something tells me that their advice has other motivations.
Maybe you should be posting your thoughts on right wing websites for your kind of people.
Well I’d offer them advice except that they one the last two elections and look like they’re on traack to win the next so I don’t think they need any
Then relax.
Find something better to do.
He can’t relax because it’s not really looking like “they’re on track to win the next” election.
Hoorayyy (slow clap) the blue team won.
Never mind the effects of the national govt on the people, environment, and economy of NZ.
drooling infant soils himself and leaves a mess for others to clean up.. thanks chris73
Geez I thought you guys would have gotten used to National being power by now, no matter you’ll have another three years for it to sink in
But seriously the reason they’ll get in is because the voters know they’ve done a good job in trying times
hope you’re enjoying the sunshine while it fades.
Certainly did, bought some new boots, went gun city to look at ammo and took the dogs to the dog park…a full day in my book (bit warm though)
change from re-loading your own ammo at Cameron’s then.
Ha. Some people got to the cinema to look at a movie, or Kelly Tarlton’s to look at fish. Tories go to gun city to look at ammo. Did it look back?
Yes, chris73, banksters, corporations, and millionaire property developers are very pleased with their investment in Nactional™ Inc.©®. You can bask in the glow of John Keys beatific smile and trust in his benevolent nature.
Just Armstrong in his PR for National guise.
Astute would be a poor word to use for that attempt to paint Cunliffe as some kind of two headed beast. If Armstrong thinks DC is a liar he should be ‘man enough’ to say so. Maybe you mean he’s astute for trying to sow seeds of doubt about Labours ability to be fiscally responsible when he says:
“Labour already has its work cut out convincing voters it would be a responsible manager of the economy without being lumbered with the perception that it might ride roughshod over a contract without paying compensation, and could yet do so.”
The whole piece just screams “I’ve got friends a SkyCity too, and we all want to know exactly what financial hit (if any) we could be in for.”
Maybe Chris you could point out the bits you feel are so ‘astute’…
I think Armstrong did basically call out Cunliffe as a liar but Armstrong doesn’t have the same protection as MPs so I guess he has to be a bit more circumspect
So you think it’s astute because he called DC a liar without using the word, wow you are easily pleased.
Yes thats exactly what I think
It’s a shame you don’t do that thinking a little more deeply.
John Armstrong does not get to write Labour policy on Sky City. Cunliffe is man enough to know that. I wish they would rip up the contract and refuse to pay compensation. Sky City should be paying us compensation instead.
noelle mccarthy to replace chris laidlaw on nat-rad sun-morn..?
..yes please..!
..phillip ure..
phillip ure
Noelle? Are you serious? Father Christmas would do as well. He has vast international, cultural and manufacturing experience. A man of the people and loved by nearly all.
What do you think about Mark Sainsbury then? His name has come up.
Chris Laidlaw does have a brain even if sometimes it is a bit RW. I do want someone who can match him and who has ideals and some background of proving them and can think about the hard subjects including philosophy ethics what it means to be human. How we can keep on living etc.
I don’t want to listen to mainly stories that would find their way into middle class magazines, how to garden, dress, listen to music,but it might be interesting to hear about fabrics that indicate your mood on a science bit. But actual thought, research – many of the invited commenters have written books. They have to be read by a really interested, able, literate interviewer so they can do the interview for the best result. We need to have a top notch thinker and presenter not just someone who has been around and has shown promise. Brian Edwards I think liked Paul Henry. We need someone better than those two for a start. No excuses for the crass style adopted by someone playing to the idle-brain gallery. Now I always like a sense of humour, but who is the butt, and how often? What about political satire? You have to understand more than which side your bread is buttered to do good stuff there.
The sort of dross that gets delivered is what gets largely delivered by Jim Mora. His what you would take on a journey to Mars is just not the modern version of being cast on a desert island. Today there are poohbas and curious coves who really want to spend a lot of money, sometimes their own, setting up space expeditions of various kinds. It’s part of the creepy modern world that we constantly enjoy the thought of being in the grip of the fabulously rich and powerful manipulating us from above and all around really, which shows that many of us don’t have two parts of a brain to rub together.
@ greywarbler..yes i am serious..
..if you have heard mccarthy subbing for mora..
..you will know that she is a very skilled broadcaster..
..one of her strengths is the amount of research/information she comes armed with..
..that combination of work-ethic and natural skills/intelligence/’oirish-charm’ is a potent/entertaining mix..
..and one of the marks of a good broadcaster is that ability to switch from the seemingly frivilous to the deeply serious..and to be good at both..and mccarthy can do that..
..’sainsbury’..?..now it is my turn to ask if you ‘are serious’..
..like laidlaw is now..sainsbury was flogged out in his final days..
..both just going thru the motions..
..none of the other suggestions..(save for mora taking sunday..and mccarthy taking his spot..)..comes within a bulls-roar of mccarthy…
(disclaimer:..i have never met/communicated with mccarthy..and have been critical of her in the past..)
phillip ure..
phillip ure
So its not just the carefully accented oirish then. And she will switch from serious mainly to frivolous only occasionally? guarantee? it would be good to have a bloke though. i think one or two men of perception are around i just want someone as good as kim hill but bald?
“.. i think one or two men of perception are around..”
..um..!..don’t mean to man-bash here..
..but got any names..?
..i can’t think of any..
..hirsute or not..
..and surely gender doesn’t matter..?
..quality of product should be the sole-determinant..
..eh..?
..phillip ure..
No phillip gender does matter. Men need to have role models too. I don’t want all the top Radionz announcing positions to go to women. Let’s try for equality here. Let’s get et searching for some good men.
Would they be able to come from private radio, or does that bend a bloke’s mind to unattractive pavlovian responses. What about television, likewise?
…..Noelle is completely up herself…..
……her politics wishy-washy in the extreme…….
…..and she was also done for plagiarism a few years back…..
…..why have I adopted the ridiculous ure-style……?
have you tried shaving..?
(but seriously..!..)
..don’t/didn’t you find it liberating to be free of those illogical-lingual-conceits..?
(and for true homage..ease back on the dots a bit..
..and throw in the odd -..
..otherwise a good effort..a b+..
..(it failed a tad on coherence of content..eh..?..)
phillip ure..
….ha ha….
…excellent….
Laidlaw has long since degraded into a kind of bourgeoise neurotic sludge, and should have been shovelled out of the Aegean Stables long ago.
We need someone under 30, with a sense of humor, who can provoke us to laughter, anger, and to a great book, within one hour.
over 30 definitely, 40-50 okay.
Graeme Hill for mine. Maybe the best ever BFM breakfast host (guess the accent may have been the greatest radio quiz ever!). High hipster quotient too; played in a top indy band and loves Italian football.
And he looks like Brian Edward’s love child, so there’s that.
http://www.nzonscreen.com/title/hold-me-1990
+1
Looks don’t matter Te Reo Putake. And being a top musician, sports person , blah is not enough to get into the thinking-talking-heads in-group.
No, thank you!!
Russell Brand:
Paul Thomas writes:
It’s not Tea Party politics per se; it’s their character as people.
Any fool politician can destroy something.
It takes a leader to build something.
Something else to ignore.
/
Abstract
Changes in global (ocean and land) precipitation are among the most important and least well-understood consequences of climate change. Increasing greenhouse gas concentrations are thought to affect the zonal-mean distribution of precipitation through two basic mechanisms. First, increasing temperatures will lead to an intensification of the hydrological cycle (“thermodynamic” changes). Second, changes in atmospheric circulation patterns will lead to poleward displacement of the storm tracks and subtropical dry zones and to a widening of the tropical belt (“dynamic” changes). We demonstrate that both these changes are occurring simultaneously in global precipitation, that this behavior cannot be explained by internal variability alone, and that external influences are responsible for the observed precipitation changes. Whereas existing model experiments are not of sufficient length to differentiate between natural and anthropogenic forcing terms at the 95% confidence level, we present evidence that the observed trends result from human activities.
http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2013/11/05/1314382110
Chapters in a future history book of New Zealand??
NZ ‘God’s zone’ A dream of utopia on earth
1935 – 1984
NZ Corporate playground for the world’s elite
1984 – ??
Exactly, Paul
Recommended Reading
1. The Half Gallon Quarter Acre Pavlova Paradise by Austin Mitchell
2. Pavlova Paradise Revisited
3. ???
Wanaka, Queenstown, Pauanui and a few of the gated communities up north already have full global playground status.
The Koru lounge before Queenstown flights – particularly before public holidays – is quite a network.
(the small-questions..eh..?..)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/is-there-an-afterlife-the-science-of-biocentrism-can-prove-there-is-claims-professor-robert-lanza-8942558.html
phillip ure..
So Colin Craig is trying to grab any remaining religious bigots that still vote Labour / New Zealand First
Craig – No mandate for Govt to sell more state-owned assets
LOL
Translation: Yes, we’re against asset sales but we’ll support continued selling of them when we enter coalition with National.
So that would put him in play as a potential Labour coalition partner as well.
Oh PLEASE!!! NO!!!!
As a locum for Mora, just as Lynne Freeman is as one for Rinny – maybe.
I’d hoped that at least weekends and nights could keep Natrad something worth listening to. I guess Sunday Mornings will soon become off limits.
Just as well there are other options.
You do surprise me Phillip! Still, stranger things have happened at sea.
btw – you’ll probably get your wish though.
Bill Ralston (that bastion of wisdom and sage advice, foreskin of what he himself described as “State TV”)) says if it was up to him, it’d be between Noelle and a Walrus. (Stuff 12/11/2013 from memory)
(Next: just watch Kim Hill signal her intention to resign – uphill shit push).
If it were up to me Phil – I’d rather see her on 7#.
Delve a little deeper!
tim..
i actually think freeman is better than the current inhabitant of that slot..
..a major quality that freeman has..is that she gives interview subjects the space to say/finish what they have to say/to make their case..if they have one..
….she doesn’t view it as a gladiatorial-contest..from the get-go..
..she seems to attempt interview more as a conversation..
..whereas the current seat-warmer does too often go all gladatorial from the get-go..
..it is her major fault as a broadcaster..
..and the current warmer (admits she) watches far too much fox-tv..
..and i think a process of osmosis has taken place..
..she has become quite ‘foxy’..
..and you listen to that nat-rad nite-person..?..crump..?..
..really..?
..whoar..!
..i think you are the first person i have ever met who does..
..careful..demographers/profilers/’ists’ of all sorts –
– will descend upon you..!
.phillip ure..
…. ffffff whoar!!!1 (core – hot pants brutha – MOVE over!)
Do I listen to that nitetime stuff with Barry or Bryan or whatever his name is – Bryan – yes him
… not often, probably once in the last 6 months, but what did strike me when I did was the diversity of sources (as contributors) to his? programme
I’m picking though that my reply to your last is now so passe as to now be irrelevant
…. next
…. next (with an upper case, octave higher-even inflecSHUN?)
….. nexxxt ??
This from Billy Boy Ralston on Stuff re Chris Laidlaw’s replacement on Sunday Morning:
“Blogger Martyn “Bomber” Bradbury: He’s too Left even for National Radio.”
Ignore the Bomber reference. Check out “…….even for National Radio”.
For Christ’s Sake Billy Boy. Where did that shit come from ?
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/9408108/Top-talent-to-chase-Radio-NZ-spot
Why on earth would you “Ignore the Bomber reference”?
You aren’t treating it as being in some way derogatory are you?
After all the man himself positively wallows in its use. I personally think it is more appropriate for a person of 15 or so to adopt such a name than a middle-aged man but if he wants to use the nickname why shouldn’t everyone else?
sheesh..!..chill..!..alwyn..!
phillip ure..
don’t forget north..ralston was the coalface of the dismantling of any serious current-affairs/news-culture @ tvnz..
..he took it to its’ darkest place..
..as the unquestioning-tool of that current political-elite/elites-paradigm
..from which to this day it still struggles to return..
..ralston was the media-tool for the neo-lib-revolution..
..he spun/danced to that tune..
..in fact he led one of the bands..
..and he still sings those songs..
..that’s where that ‘shit comes from’..
..phillip ure..
the pieces of the case against ralston..
http://whoar.co.nz/?s=ralston
phillip ure..
Fantastic misunderstanding of my comment Alwyn – I was getting at Billy Boy’s pathetic assertion that National Radio is left wing, for Christ’s Sake. As it happens PU your comment pretty much reflects my appreciation of BB’s contribution (not) to political journalism.
OK. I see that this can be interpreted in two ways.
I read it as being two comments on the one opinion rather than the first part merely identifying the phrase you were talking about.
Sweet! .
Well well:
NZ First believes in environmental sustainability but far too many of the Green Party’s comments are about “stopping everything”.
“We have difficulty understanding a lot of their intentions and motives,” Mr Peters says, adding that the chance of being part of a coalition that would include the Greens is “extremely remote“.
– Never say never with winnie but interesting comments
edX Courses for Horses.
Jazz appreciation? I prefer country…