Open mike 16/12/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 16th, 2015 - 63 comments
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63 comments on “Open mike 16/12/2015 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    16 December 2015 at 7:47 am

    Last night AC/DC were ‘Back in Black’.

    Today the government is back in the red.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/292185/i-see-red-government-forecasts-deficit

    Useless, corrupt, duplicitous.

  2. Ad 2
    16 December 2015 at 7:49 am

    For those of you eagerly awaiting the arrival of Star Wars, just a little hint of how seriously some people take it.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/star-wars-church-service-germany_567024f3e4b0fccee16fd316

    The Zion Church in Berlin is hosting a special service on Sunday to coincide with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There’ll be Return of the Jedi clips, an organist interpreting the score, and heaps and heaps of Christian-Star Wars metaphors … and probably lots of good Freudian stuff about God, the Father, the Son, and all the other gendered freight that Christianity has bestowed upon the entire franchise. (Apparently the entire amount of dialogue spoken in the film by any female character totals three minutes).

    Hopefully one of Auckland’s North Shore mega-churches will do the same and really screw with people’s minds.

    Not interested? I find your lack of faith disturbing. 😉

  4. Penny Bright 4
    16 December 2015 at 8:45 am

    FYI

    There was a Radio Live poll on Duncan Garner’s show for Auckland Mayor yesterday, and I polled a clear third with (at one point 17% – maybe now 16%).

    Phil Goff polled 1st with 40%.
    Victoria Crone 2nd with 33%.

    I now look forward, on mainstream media, to being given a fair and proper opportunity to put forward my VERY clear policies to obtain the ‘fiscal prudence / responsibility’ to which Phil Goff and Victoria Crone are making vague reference.

    Penny Bright

    Credible and serious 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • James 4.1
      16 December 2015 at 10:25 am

      If you have to sign off a post with “Credible and serious 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate”. – you probably arn’t.

    • Puckish Rogue 4.2
      16 December 2015 at 10:42 am

      Well I voted for you as a joke and I live in Christchurch so I wouldn’t be getting your hopes up any time soon

    • Visubversa 4.3
      16 December 2015 at 12:21 pm

      Apart from the 7 years full time anti corruption campaign with zero results, and previous experience as a redundant welding tutor and room renter – any qualifications for the Mayoralty Penny?

      • Penny Bright 4.3.1
        16 December 2015 at 8:14 pm

        Helped to stop the proposed Wellington ‘Supercity’.

        Have been campaigning for the last 5 years for NZ to ratify the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).

        NZ did (finally) ratify UNCAC – on 1 December 2015.

        Within 24 hours – as it happens – of an ‘Open Letter’ I emailed locally, nationally and internationally, exposing (amongst other things) – the FACT that New Zealand had STILL not yet ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption.

        In my view, the ratification of UNCAC is not just another meaningless piece of paper.

        Now that UNCAC has been ratified – the next step is ‘implementation’.

        There is a lot of, in my view, a lot which is potentially VERY helpful in the UNCAC in the fight against corruption in NZ.

        Have a google and have a read for yourselves, and see what YOU think 🙂

        Penny Bright

        2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • Chooky 4.4
      16 December 2015 at 11:25 pm

      GO PENNY BRIGHT!…may the FORCE be with you!…and you overtake both Victoria Crone and Phil Goff

      ….You would make a magnificent Mayor …and corruption fighter!

      You could take Auckland back to the 1960s or 1970s..before the rot set in

  5. Manuka AOR 5
    16 December 2015 at 8:51 am

    A very good article by Bryce Edwards in the Herald, on the Struggle for Political Integrity.

    “The integrity of governance of any society is dependent on numerous pillars that hold up democracy. Akin to an old roman temple, important institutions such as the Official Information Act, public servants and watchdogs act as the foundations of a corruption-free society.

    “But in 2015 it became apparent that some of the pillars of New Zealand’s governing arrangements have eroded, making democracy less stable. There have been apparent failings in the OIA regime, transparency of Government ministers and departments, murky deals struck and clampdowns on attempts to get accountability. ” http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561446

  6. Morrissey 6
    16 December 2015 at 9:46 am

    TV3 breakfast television has been watchable for a few days:
    That’s because Paul Henry is away, replaced by Alison Mau.
    PAUL HENRY, TV3, Wednesday 16 December 2015, 8:10 a.m.

    Imagine you’re back at school. You have a really substandard, nasty, teacher who terrorizes everyone with his sarcasm and his provocative, threatening language. In his classroom everyone feels oppressed, and resentful, but he’s a bully and no one has the heart or the spine to confront him. Imagine the relief when the nasty, substandard, hated teacher is away for a few days and he’s replaced by an intelligent, kindly, competent woman teacher….

    That’s pretty much what it has been like this week on TV3’s morning dog PAUL HENRY. The regular host, Paul AKA “Death to Ratings” Henry, has had to take time off for some reason, and has been replaced by Alison Mau. The difference in tone and intellectual level is striking.

    Take this morning’s “Panel” segment after the 8 o’clock news for example. The guests, Amanda Gillies and Simon Pound, were not badgered about insulting trivialities, and were treated as adults. Talking about the ridiculous decision to close the Los Angeles public schools after a hoax ISIL terror threat, Simon Pound reminded us that Los Angeles children are under far more danger from white home-grown Christian terrorists than they are from any Islamic terrorists.

    This level of insight is forbidden by Henry, who would not have tolerated such common sense. Here’s a reminder of what Henry has to offer on the subject…..

    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-27052015/#comment-1021090

  7. Paul 7
    16 December 2015 at 9:57 am

    Fanboy, flag lover and climate denier Leighton Smith interviews his idol John Key on talk hate station ZB.
    Warning. Listening to this may be bad for your health.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561791

  8. Ffloyd 8
    16 December 2015 at 10:06 am

    I don’t get this Jonah Lomu thing.

    Beneficiaries are apparently in their state of poverty due to their POOR CHOICES and desire Not to Work!!

    Jonah Loma made some POOR CHOICES and left his young family with no money to live on.

    This apparently is to be regarded with sadness and sorrow that such a *great athlete* was reduced to poverty.

    Therefore our esteemed!! PM thinks maybe there should be a Charity Match with all the Big Stars (think Richie) to raise money to support and educate Lomu’s boys.

    There apparently has already been paid out 90k for the Memorial. Whose money was that?

    So bene’s get slammed and shamed and Lomu is to be pitied and his family supported. Nothing against Lomu but this doesn’t seem right.

    • marty mars 8.1
      16 December 2015 at 10:17 am

      I have felt the same disquiet.

      Key – “On the other hand… I don’t know the underlying issues, but what I do know is there’s two young boys and what I do know is that there’s not just no money, there may be a couple of debts.”

      Lomu had done “an awful lot of fundraising work for charity”, and while he may have mismanaged his money, that did not mean his family did not deserve support.”

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/75153683/john-key-eden-park-benefit-game-for-jonah-lomu-a-possibility

      I think the key for key is he had money and lost it rather than he never had money in the first place.

    • Puckish Rogue 8.2
      16 December 2015 at 10:45 am

      I agree, as long as its only corporates paying in its all good but it won’t be

    • Anne 8.3
      16 December 2015 at 10:49 am

      I think the key for Key is he had money and lost it rather than he never had money in the first place.

      Well, that makes it okay then. As long as he had lots of money once then spent it on luxuries like fancy cars that’s alright. It’s the ones who never had any money in the first place who made the wrong choices and are undeserving.

    • veutoviper 8.4
      16 December 2015 at 10:57 am

      Nothing against Lomu but this doesn’t seem right.

      David Fisher at the Herald has been delving into the family finances and filed three stories yesterday.

      First this one, early yesterday – note the references to Nadene.
      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11561132

      And then this really revealing one late afternoon, followed by an interview with Trevor McKewen. Seems father-in-law may not have helped Jonu’s financial situation.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/video.cfm?c_id=1503077&gal_cid=1503077&gallery_id=156590

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11561435

    • gsays 8.5
      16 December 2015 at 12:28 pm

      hi ffloyd,
      speaking of poor choices, investers in scf made poor choices but they didnt bear the fruit of those decisions.
      by being an invester it implies they had some spare coin and therefore able to ride out the upset.

    • Hami Shearlie 8.6
      16 December 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Very sick puppy is Key IMHO – why don’t the Lomu clan trot down to WINZ like others have to? Why are those kids so special? And why did Auckland ratepayers have to fork out $90,000 for Lomu’s funeral?? No-one asked me if I would like to contribute to that! And why is John Key so very very concerned about those Lomu kids but totally devoid of concern for the hundreds of thousands of other kiwi kids living in poverty whose parents have NOT been profligate with money, unlike Lomu? Just when you think you couldn’t loathe Key more, something like this happens, and then the same day, he accuses beneficiary parents of taking drugs and claims that’s why they and their children are living in poverty? Could there be a more empty or revolting vessel than Key?

      • mary_a 8.6.1
        16 December 2015 at 3:07 pm

        @ Hami Shearlie – Agree with your sentiments.

        All this goes to demonstrate FJK is as shallow as most of us have known all along!

        He’s rotten to his filthy core!

        BTW, love your very cute dog pic 🙂

      • maui 8.6.2
        16 December 2015 at 5:36 pm

        +2, there is a dark chasm that people at the bottom of the ladder fall into. Self interested kiwis have locked them down there, keep on prodding them between the bars and taunt them with abuse. It’s sick.

      • Anne 8.6.3
        16 December 2015 at 6:06 pm

        … why don’t the Lomu clan trot down to WINZ like others have to?

        My thoughts too Hami Shearlie. Many of us have gone through bad times and we needed help to meet our living costs. The hat could have been quietly passed around to those who can afford it, but of course that way would mean JK would miss out on a good photo op. and a look at me everybody. Aren’t I a kind and generous person. It sickens me.

        Bear in mind, Jonah Lomu was a John Key fanboy who was only too happy to be politically used by the National Party during the election campaign.

    • mary_a 8.7
      16 December 2015 at 3:03 pm

      @ Ffloyd (8) – you got it right there. Been thinking the same, particularly as Jonah’s wife had the begging bowl out, in less than 24 hours after he had died!

      There’s a big smelly dirty rat involved somewhere, judging by the reports coming out now. And I don’t believe it’s all Jonah’s fault either.

      Wife Nadene was his manager. Now I wonder what it was she actually managed!

      • Hami Shearlie 8.7.1
        16 December 2015 at 4:00 pm

        Well, from what I have been able to ascertain , what his third wife “managed” was to leave her husband of ten months, inveigle Lomu into leaving his wife Fiona (who was the one who got him through his transplant op AND arranged all his business affairs so he would have advertising jobs etc to help him financially once he became ill.)
        And then, his third wife got him involved with her father’s dodgy business dealings, and finally, as soon as he had left this earth, set up a give a little page and let people believe the money they would be giving was going to fulfil Jonah’s dreams, implying it was going to charities he supported – only later to finally have to admit, that it was she who was going to pocket the lot! And the timing, with her husband not yet cold. A normal person who is in shock and grieving would hardly be cold, calm and collected enough to dream that little ploy up!
        Old Jonah’s finances sure took some very “quirky” turns once he got involved with Ms Nadene “Quirk”!
        It’s rather noteworthy that this charity being set up excludes Ms Quirk entirely. What do all those people know about her that we don’t??

  10. Puckish Rogue 10
    16 December 2015 at 10:57 am

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2015/12/omsa_rules_in_favour_of_blogger.html

    This seems fair and I’m sure everyone will feel the same

  12. veutoviper 12
    16 December 2015 at 11:44 am

    This a perfect picture for a caption contest!

    https://twitter.com/gtiso/status/676880421708140548

    Sorry, I cannot figure out how to copy just the photo itself.

    But two wonderful strands:

    What is Key doing to Collins’ hair? Is this a variation on ponytail pulling?

    What on earth is Woodhouse thinking as he watches?

    • Anne 12.1
      16 December 2015 at 12:34 pm

      He’s whispering into her dainty shell-like ear… you f***k about like you did last time and I’ll finish you for good.

      • ianmac 12.1.1
        16 December 2015 at 1:10 pm

        “Thank goodness Judith you were willing to play the distraction role to save us from explaining the Dirty Tricks. I will make it up to you for your most loyal act. The Party is so grateful.”

  13. gsays 13
    16 December 2015 at 12:20 pm

    driving to work thru the manawatu gorge, behind two trucks going 55 kph.
    coming towards us is a slow stream of traffic with 5 truck and trailer units (each bearing the yellow H card, meaning 50 tonne trucks), 25 cars and another 6 trucks.

    meanwhile over the river a train meanders thru with over 12 soft side wagons, several wagons loaded with building timber and lots of empty wagons.

    i thought about how powerful the trucking lobbyists must be to keep these dangerous, polluting beasts all over our roads, while being massively subsidized by the rest of us.

    then realized that the supermarket lobby would have a strong bearing on these behemoths staying on the roads.
    after all we must get these out of season, overseas fruit and veges to our stores.

    who else has a vested interest in the trucks dominating our highways.
    the big building chains?

    surely folk could do without overnight from auckland?

    are there that many votes lost in trimming trucking and investing in rail?

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1
      16 December 2015 at 4:52 pm

      i thought about how powerful the trucking lobbyists must be to keep these dangerous, polluting beasts all over our roads, while being massively subsidized by the rest of us.

      Yep. It’s a concern. Government decisions need to be made upon the facts that are publicly available and not from behind closed doors to whomever is giving the biggest donations.

      We most definitely need to get rid of the truck subsidies.

      are there that many votes lost in trimming trucking and investing in rail?

      Part of the problem is the truck drivers who see that they’ll be losing their jobs rather than that they’ll be shifting from one job to another which will be safer with a more secure pay packet.

  15. Once was Tim 15
    16 December 2015 at 1:31 pm

    John Key and ‘the Edge’.
    Ew!
    If this is the Brighter Fyoucha NuZull, it’s now my ambition, my esprayshun, my fucking heart’s desire to get the fuck out of the place as soon as possible.
    They can fucking soak in it!

  16. ianmac 16
    16 December 2015 at 3:22 pm

    “A troubled Northland charter school has failed to turn itself around leaving the Education Minister no choice but to close it in March.

    Millions of dollars has been invested in Te Pumanawa o te Wairua, whose future remained uncertain after a final performance notice and a warning from Hekia Parata that the doors could still close if it failed another audit in October.”
    Well. I wonder how much of those millions will escape and how many millions of taxpayers will be refunded. (Someone has to pay for the MPs salary rise.)
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/75177381/hekia-parata-to-close-failing-whangaruru-charter-school

    • ianmac 16.1
      16 December 2015 at 4:22 pm

      They bought a farm.What happens to that?

      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1
        16 December 2015 at 4:44 pm

        Taxpayers could lose $5m after decision to axe Northland charter school contract

        Ms Parata’s office confirms $4.8 million of government funding has gone into the Whangaruru school, including $1.6 million in establishment funding, which the Nga Parirau Matauranga Charitable Trust used to purchase farmland on which the school is based.

        There are now questions about whether the Government can claim back the land or any other assets.

        Seems that they may get to keep it because of National’s determination to give away our money and our wealth.

        • ianmac 16.1.1.1
          16 December 2015 at 8:17 pm

          Remember when the question of what happens to money if there is wind-up/fail. Parata avoided answering repeatedly. There is apparently nothing in the contract.

        • greywarshark 16.1.1.2
          16 December 2015 at 8:33 pm

          Well what about us all starting schools? What else is National giving away?

  17. johnm 17
    16 December 2015 at 3:53 pm

    The Australian fascist madness continues. They’re copying the crazy U$ lockdown on anything that does not strictly conform!

    • McFlock 17.1
      16 December 2015 at 4:10 pm

      must be a plot by the lizard people.

    • greywarshark 17.2
      16 December 2015 at 8:53 pm

      Icke has about 10 pages of personal intimate facts to fill out to get a visa to enter australia, similar to the last two times he has been there.He says that one question is to list all his education from birth until the present. State all his children, foster children, dead or alive, entire family etc.

      Perhaps they are planning to do a study of his biological characteristics seeing he talks a lot about being lizard people. But his actions cannot be more bizarre than many of the Australian governments anyway.

  18. Penny Bright 18
    16 December 2015 at 7:33 pm

    Ok folks – what’s your view on this one?

    I have never owned, operated or managed a business in my life, and am not familiar or experienced with matters pertaining to private sector business law or ‘culture’.

    I apply for the job of Managing Director of a major corporate.

    Would YOU consider me ‘fit for duty’?

    (If you’re reading this Matthew Hooton – Im VERY interested in your considered opinion?)

    Thanks!

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  19. Penny Bright 19
    16 December 2015 at 7:51 pm

    Just asking …. nicely 🙂

    Has Victoria Crone ever attended a single Auckland Council Governing Body or Auckland Council Committee meeting?

    How about any Auckland Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) meeting?

    How about any Auckland Local Board meeting?

    Has Victoria Crone had any experience as a ‘public servant’?

    Has Victoria Crone ever had any experience of local government law?

    If not – no disrespect – but how is she possibly ‘fit for duty’ as a potential Mayor of Auckland?

    Seriously?

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

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    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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