Are property investors and the real estate industry, (who look after their interests), frightened that the government might bring in a Vancouver style empty homes tax?
Indeed they are …..the Gov are being forced to slowly (ever so slowly) unpick the model that has benefited the few at the expense of the rest…..but they are being as circumspect as possible in order to prevent a rout.
The beneficiaries are fighting for their lives (or lifestyles)
Vancouver is doubling down on the success of its vacant home tax…well, tripling down, technically. The Vancouver Empty Homes Tax (EHT) will be tripled from its original rate for the 2021 assessment year. The tax, which places a penalty on underused homes, was put in place to help encourage more efficient use. VancouverEmptyHomesTax (EHT)….
Hundreds Of Vacant Homes Are Now Being Used
The City’s vacant home tax appears to be making a big impact, with the total number of units falling. In 2017, the first year the City had a vacancy tax, there were 2,538 homes found vacant without exception. By 2018, that number fell to 1,989, and finally down to 1,893 in 2019. When including the number of exempted homes that transitioned to tenanted use, this added over a year of housing supply…..
The tax revenue generated is also raising cash for the City, which is being used to fund affordable housing. In 2017, the City collected $33 million from vacancy taxes. As use improved, the revenue fell to $23.3 million in 2018. Last year, that number increased to $27.9 million, despite fewer vacancies. This would imply more expensive homes are being left vacant, potentially also helping with affordability…..
The empty homes tax has released "over a years supply of housing" on the market.
The empty homes tax has increased council revenue by "$33 million".
The empty homes tax is "helping with affordability".
Doing a little reading about the recently disbanded Youth Climate Change group this morning, trying to get this male, pale and stale head around it.
I came across this tweet which went 'viral' last month. I am fully inoculated from twitter and it passed me by. (Apologies if it was put up here on TS).
I recommend reading it, especially any other whiter shade of pale folk, who have seen their fair share of sunsets.
If only we heard more from Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i and her ilk and less from hospitality, seasonal employers, Jewish community and property investor mouthpieces.
You are a disgrace, willing to openly promote the exclusion on racial grounds for any community group to speak out, are there others you are wanting to be silenced ?
I am amazed that this site openly allows such comments to pass.
[lprent: Doesn’t fit our criteria. We tend to concentrate on behaviour rather than ideological position. Like advocating silence or exclusion of people from a robust debate on our site.
The problem is that I can’t see how gsays has advocated for exclusion. The comment you are complaining about reads more like a call for inclusion and for others to read a different point of view.
I’d point out that ironically you appear to be advocating for silencing a different viewpoint that you (presumably) disagree with. Worse still you didn’t bother to make any argument to support either your asserts about what they were purportedly doing, no statements about why it was a problem for the site, and as far as I can see you simply drawing your conclusions out of brain attached close to your lower large bowel.
As you’re probably aware, as moderators we have absolutely no problems dealing with hypocrites trying to spin crap without making an argument. I suggest you try to formulate and articulate a coherent argument before I start judging your piss-poor behaviour in attacking others without one.
In the meantime – don’t waste modderator time. I have a short fuse for dimwits doing that ]
Contained in the news a few days ago a very emotional woman speaking form her experiences at being a target for being a Muslim made the comment that anyone who sees any one being (my words) targeted having adverse comments passed should stand up and call them out and support those who are being the subject of such attacks.
and I am not making a comment about silencing the comment of promoting this amazing individual that the link refers to, just the needed extra regarding race.
But will leave it there after expressing my opinion
Thanks gsays, there's always more to these things than Bomber outrage. Let them get on with it, let's not stand in their way, let them make their own decisions.
gsays makes a good point on how the MSM news is dominated by these sectional interests…who crowd out all others. The NZ Initiative/business Round table would be included.
My pet hate is the 'hospitality industry'…really meaning cafes and bars. They dominate the lives of inner city urban elites but not the lives of the vast majority, but many economic issues are framed around their existence and their access to cheap labour.
This is cafe as part of a well known Cairns pub, with its famous 'Croc bar' and these are its prices in $A. Even with the higher wages and distance to suppliers its still cheaper than a NZ equivalent
Ifeellove – Don't be so quick to hassle people commenting here. The tone of discourse can degenerate quickly to fault-finding, nit-picking, purist outrage if no self-control is mustered. Try breathing in and counting to ten, and let something go that isn't a bad case of whatever you're bothered about.
Myself I am about to write a letter to a newspaper suggesting that too much fault-finding and too tight a criteria is being applied to people needing help. I hope it will improve the situation. I think that approach is a worthy one because it isn't just dissing someone.
If people come here with legitimate arguments or praise of Government policies then I would absolutely agree with you Grey, however the type of attacks we are seeing lately appear to be no more than dumb attacks with no legitimate substance and should be treated accordingly, so I Feel Love should be free to react to an unwarranted attack on the PMs Partner, without being criticized for it. Would we have encouraged an attack on what sort of car Bronagh drove?
I think we should let small things flow under the bridge instead of being po-faced about them. We have bigger things to worry and think about but get deflected often on some teeny matter. Need to grow up a bit – get wise. This is the 21st century and time is short and behaving as in the 20th century will leave us as behind the moving steamroller as we were in 2000.
ANY existing Ute passes your "legitimate use sniff test" (whatever that means in this context) Perhaps you are just fomenting mischief, How many existing Utes will be banned under these changes?
He won't of course – already owning it means he can hang onto it as long as he wants. If he's as sensible as Kiwis of more modest means, he'll have bought it with 60-90,000 km on the clock and will run it to 200,000km or a bit more over the course of about 10 years. Plenty of time for greener alternatives to pop up and have other people with more money than sense take the initial depreciation hit on them.
"This on Kiwiblog this morning"
Oh right – so a fact-free hit job. Though it must really annoy the devoted followers of Farrar's towering intellect that Clark isn't an effete leftie liberal, but he owns a ute and knows how to put a few snapper in the bin.
Gayford needs to hide somewhere and never appear or do anything in life. Anything he does will be used to attack his partner. Then the 10,000 stories will appear about where he is.
Maybe he is just living life appreciating there are f'wits who will do and say anything to appeal to the mindless it attacking Ms Ardern.
Standard arrangement when you know the participants, happens in any work place or low turnover occasion like funerals /weddings where its a number limit ( for tracing purposes)
Did you think UK was in a level 4 type lockdown where no one could go anywhere or meet others not in their own bubble.
Disappointing. There have been no reported cases of COVID community transmission in NZ for 110 days (its a shambles – an utter shambles I tell ya!) MIQ represents our best safeguard against, and greatest risk of another outbreak – more power to their ‘elbow’.
Had the flu jab on Monday; booked in for my first COVID jab on 30 June. Keeping calm.
Below the headline it reads, “The child has subsequently tested negative and members of their family, who are residents on the island, have also tested negative, a statement from the Ministry of Health says."
What does it mean medically/scientifically when a child tests as a weak positive and then both child and family return later negative tests?
There must be some residual concern as the health authorities have reacted with more staff, testing etc. Is this a PR reaction (we need to be seen to be doing something even thoughthe negative tests have removed any concern), or is there a chance that the weak positive test might still indicate further infection possibilities?
What does it mean medically/scientifically when a child tests as a weak positive and then both child and family return later negative tests?
Could be a legacy of previous infection (enough bug corpses remaining in the bloodstream to trip the test), or a false positive.
But a small community in an isolated place that you can flood with a disproportionate amount of medical staff (like, two or three) is about the best place to have a positive result, lol
The information I had at 1.11 pm has been added to in a revamped press release just before 3 pm. A trap for young players. I couldn't figure out why the same news release didn't have the information when I looked but later in the thread people were quoting what I was not sure of. The press release looks the same and begins the same way but has a later release time.
A Stewart Island resident, believed to be a child, has returned a weak-positive test for Covid-19.
They have subsequently tested negative and members of their family have also tested negative, a statement from the Ministry of Health says.
Officials have been unable to identify any possible source of infection "and given the relative isolation of the community, health authorities currently believe that it is most likely that the person is not a case”, the statement says.
I was certainly down with the sentiment if yr comment.
The biggest challenge will be overcoming our complacency, hand hygiene, scanning etc.
I got quite a surprise with a possible (and highly unlikely) positive on Stewart Island. The virus is supposed to make it's way South in a slow, orderly fashion.
Musicians typically take on debt when they first sign to a record label. They are given a lump sum, known as an advance, to pay for recording studios, video shoots, distribution and other expenses. The money is then paid back when they sell their music. However, many artists never earn enough to repay their advances, often because they get unfavourable royalty rates from their own record companies.
Heritage black artists have been particularly affected.
I hope musicians still around will get real benefit from this, even if it just takes a load off their minds.
Here is a excellent interview with a brave and as it turns out, one of the few remaining actual Left wing politicians in western politics today, Clare Daly…
We speak to Clare Daly MEP. She discusses the Julian Assange case and how it shows the hypocrisy of the West in calling out Russia on human rights abuses and Alexei Navalny’s arrest, the hawkish framing of the Vladimir Putin-Joe Biden summit by the Joe Biden administration, the West’s tensions with China and why the policy is pushing the EU closer to the United States, the myth of the Chinese threat, Ireland’s recent actions against Israel’s occupation of Palestine, the painting of Russia and China as imminent threats and much more! We contacted the European Parliament about the allegations in this show and they directed us to this article: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/e…
Can't say I'll bother with it unless I get really shitted-down at work.
Can't say I am surprised at your response there McFlock..being some sort of Centrist Liberal imperialist yourself, I guess her Left Wing politics wouldn't really float your boat.
At least I did what you should have done and actually described the content of the goddamned vid. When you use the words "excellent" and "brave", all that means is that you agree with what you think you heard them say. When you use the words "liberl", "centrist" or "imperialist", all that means is that you disagree with what you think you heard them say.
I was curious enough to at least scope out the description. One day you might link to something useful, with new information. From the description, this video does not seem to document any changes in any of the situations mentioned, or provide any deep analysis.
So what didn't float my boat was the idea that any new information would be introduced about nine or so complex issues in a video that would give an average of a minute and (almost) a half for each issue.
For a chronic whinger like yourself, all that constitutes is a bit of ego stroking at the idea that someone seems to be agreeing with your existing opinions.
I'm afraid, with a strong usa influence here, of our police officers picking up on the policing methods from over there, apparently in turn used by Israeli force. So good that we are getting judgment against the use of head violence here. The guy has disobeyed laws and instructions. Not an excuse for violence from the force entrusted to promote peaceful society.
Police discovered the car was stolen and the young person, (Mr Z) was driving while disqualified.
Officers tried to arrest him but he resisted, did not follow instructions and broke free of the handcuffs.
The car was stolen from his legal guardian, and he was carrying three passengers, one of whom filmed the incident.
Can anyone help me find the actual audio of Ardern talking about not exempting utes? Shub quote her here and seem to imply she said it on The AM Show, but I can't find replays of the AM show anywhere.
The theme of governments over last decades has been to give encouragement to business. But often that seems to be big business, in the main areas the government favours. But most businesses in NZ are micro to small businesses, and they need support because this is where the real NZs are.
They have put heft, heart and soul getting something going, and it is providing them with a living, plus the multiplier effect swirling the money sauce through the community. Just needed road works are holding up customers around Nelson and the businesses are suffering. When it is something of major importance to the region, there sure will be benefits to all, but please don't beggar us little guys (I haven't got one now, but have had). Government, is there an advocate for Micro Business,
Some stats –
Small enterprises are firms with fewer than 20 employees. They make up the majority of businesses in NZ and are the backbone of our economy. They employ 29% of our workforce and contribute over a quarter of our GDP. … When small businesses grow and succeed, they raise employment and incomes. New Zealand's Support for Small Business – Business.govt.nz
What about the micro businesses then:
UK entry – The main difference between a small business and a micro business is size. A micro business generally has 0 – 9 employees, whereas a small business can have between 10 – 49 employees. A small business also has a higher turnover than a micro business and more money on its balance sheet. Micro Business Statistics UK 2021 – SME Loans
In NZ? – Are you a micro business? – Business Headspace https://www.businessheadspace.co.nz › are-you-a-micro…
16/05/2018 — In NZ you don't generally speak of or hear of the term micro business. … according to Statistics NZ – 97% of NZ businesses are considered small. … When you look to dictionary.com, one of micro's definitions is “very small in …
10 Amazing Facts About Small Businesses in New Zealand …https://www.bizcover.co.nz › News & Insights
How New Zealand small business are made up of: 3. 70% of all NZ Enterprises are sole traders and therefore have no employees. That's over 353,000 Small …
(It looks as if this is a growth area for employment. It could be that each of these businesses might take on one trainee or apprentice a year, with some incentive, and make more money and help upskill the workforce. And I think that the saying should be reversed from 'Big business, too big to fail' so that Micro as well as Small Businesses are encouraged, and their entrepreneurship with it, with real money for pilot schemes that if successful, can be granted low-cost loans to develop even if the market is fleeting. And they should not be left dangling when there are big projects proceeding. Once the government chose to go free market and destroy the small-scale domestic market in favour of fixation on exports and imports, intelligent economic planners would have ensured there were incentives for people to self-employ after being given the heaveho from their previous jobs,)
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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 ...
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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. ...
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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 ...
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 ...
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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. ...
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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 ...
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‘
Whose afraid of no ghosts?
Real estate industry tries to explain away ghost houses
Are property investors and the real estate industry, (who look after their interests), frightened that the government might bring in a Vancouver style empty homes tax?
Whose afraid of no ghosts?
You are
Indeed they are …..the Gov are being forced to slowly (ever so slowly) unpick the model that has benefited the few at the expense of the rest…..but they are being as circumspect as possible in order to prevent a rout.
The beneficiaries are fighting for their lives (or lifestyles)
'Want to solve the housing crisis?
Let's do this
The empty homes tax has released "over a years supply of housing" on the market.
The empty homes tax has increased council revenue by "$33 million".
The empty homes tax is "helping with affordability".
What's not to like?
[link required]
Mod note for you.
My apologiees for this slip up.
Here it is.
Vancouver To Triple Empty Home Tax To 3% In 2021 | Better Dwelling
Ta
I don’t know why your comment ended up in Pre-Mod!?
All good
'
More on the Vancouver empty home tax going up…..
Doing a little reading about the recently disbanded Youth Climate Change group this morning, trying to get this male, pale and stale head around it.
I came across this tweet which went 'viral' last month. I am fully inoculated from twitter and it passed me by. (Apologies if it was put up here on TS).
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018766737/aigagalefili-fepulea-i-tapua-i-speaking-up-for-south-auckland-students
I recommend reading it, especially any other whiter shade of pale folk, who have seen their fair share of sunsets.
If only we heard more from Aigagalefili Fepulea'i-Tapua'i and her ilk and less from hospitality, seasonal employers, Jewish community and property investor mouthpieces.
You are a disgrace, willing to openly promote the exclusion on racial grounds for any community group to speak out, are there others you are wanting to be silenced ?
I am amazed that this site openly allows such comments to pass.
[lprent: Doesn’t fit our criteria. We tend to concentrate on behaviour rather than ideological position. Like advocating silence or exclusion of people from a robust debate on our site.
The problem is that I can’t see how gsays has advocated for exclusion. The comment you are complaining about reads more like a call for inclusion and for others to read a different point of view.
I’d point out that ironically you appear to be advocating for silencing a different viewpoint that you (presumably) disagree with. Worse still you didn’t bother to make any argument to support either your asserts about what they were purportedly doing, no statements about why it was a problem for the site, and as far as I can see you simply drawing your conclusions out of brain attached close to your lower large bowel.
As you’re probably aware, as moderators we have absolutely no problems dealing with hypocrites trying to spin crap without making an argument. I suggest you try to formulate and articulate a coherent argument before I start judging your piss-poor behaviour in attacking others without one.
In the meantime – don’t waste modderator time. I have a short fuse for dimwits doing that ]
See my mod note.
Contained in the news a few days ago a very emotional woman speaking form her experiences at being a target for being a Muslim made the comment that anyone who sees any one being (my words) targeted having adverse comments passed should stand up and call them out and support those who are being the subject of such attacks.
and I am not making a comment about silencing the comment of promoting this amazing individual that the link refers to, just the needed extra regarding race.
But will leave it there after expressing my opinion
I think we are talking about different things.
As close to a reference to Muslim I got was denigrating the tone deaf, ill timed comments of Juliet Moses.
Did the security services 'cancel out' Justine Sachs from this conference ?
Thanks gsays, there's always more to these things than Bomber outrage. Let them get on with it, let's not stand in their way, let them make their own decisions.
Yes. The have made their own decisions.
gsays makes a good point on how the MSM news is dominated by these sectional interests…who crowd out all others. The NZ Initiative/business Round table would be included.
My pet hate is the 'hospitality industry'…really meaning cafes and bars. They dominate the lives of inner city urban elites but not the lives of the vast majority, but many economic issues are framed around their existence and their access to cheap labour.
This is cafe as part of a well known Cairns pub, with its famous 'Croc bar' and these are its prices in $A. Even with the higher wages and distance to suppliers its still cheaper than a NZ equivalent
https://www.grandhotelcairns.com.au/menu/
I would have added the proxy mouthpieces of the Australian banking industry if the coffee had kicked in.
Clark will need to change vehicles. This on Kiwiblog this morning.
So mps spouses (private citizens) are open season? Shame on you.
Ifeellove – Don't be so quick to hassle people commenting here. The tone of discourse can degenerate quickly to fault-finding, nit-picking, purist outrage if no self-control is mustered. Try breathing in and counting to ten, and let something go that isn't a bad case of whatever you're bothered about.
Myself I am about to write a letter to a newspaper suggesting that too much fault-finding and too tight a criteria is being applied to people needing help. I hope it will improve the situation. I think that approach is a worthy one because it isn't just dissing someone.
Will we see photos snapped of who Farrar stays with when visiting Great Barrier Island ?
Maybe some audio from outside the Nick Smith office door too
If people come here with legitimate arguments or praise of Government policies then I would absolutely agree with you Grey, however the type of attacks we are seeing lately appear to be no more than dumb attacks with no legitimate substance and should be treated accordingly, so I Feel Love should be free to react to an unwarranted attack on the PMs Partner, without being criticized for it. Would we have encouraged an attack on what sort of car Bronagh drove?
I think we should let small things flow under the bridge instead of being po-faced about them. We have bigger things to worry and think about but get deflected often on some teeny matter. Need to grow up a bit – get wise. This is the 21st century and time is short and behaving as in the 20th century will leave us as behind the moving steamroller as we were in 2000.
Why will he need to change vehicles? Are utes being banned?
So that shows this Government making decisions not based on self interest, refreshing isn't it.
Labour Party electioneering in a Ute would appear to pass the legitimate use sniff test …
Hes towing a boat….and his day job is doing fishing TV shows, amoung others- Farrar always makes sure images like his stories a 'closely cropped'
ANY existing Ute passes your "legitimate use sniff test" (whatever that means in this context) Perhaps you are just fomenting mischief, How many existing Utes will be banned under these changes?
Link for above comment
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/car-tsar-national-act-pile-onto-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-over-legitimate-use-of-utes-comments.html
If Clarke is on location for his fishing programme then the chances are it is a vehicle owned by the company he works for which I think is Mediaworks.
If it's even got anything to do with him, and he wasn't just eating a pie in the wrong place.
Pays to confirm the assumptions when tories are throwing shit.
Good rule of thumb, although in this case if you open the image in a new tab you'll see it's from Gayford's FB and strongly implies it's his.
Completely irrelevant of course given no-one's being stopped from owning a ute, PDF is just shit stirring.
lol fair call, didn't remember sometimes pics in the comments are cropped by the column width
I can never remember the width code or I'd adjust it.
100% works
Yeah but what’s the code?
This is the current code
< img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3-p-DmVEAAx1LL?format=jpg&name=medium” />
< img width="100%" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E3-p-DmVEAAx1LL?format=jpg&name=medium” />
Thanks! I’ve been putting it at the end.
I don’t think it matters; I always put it at the end, as it is the logical place.
yeah, looks like I had the html wrong.
img width="100%" works
"Clark will need to change vehicles."
He won't of course – already owning it means he can hang onto it as long as he wants. If he's as sensible as Kiwis of more modest means, he'll have bought it with 60-90,000 km on the clock and will run it to 200,000km or a bit more over the course of about 10 years. Plenty of time for greener alternatives to pop up and have other people with more money than sense take the initial depreciation hit on them.
"This on Kiwiblog this morning"
Oh right – so a fact-free hit job. Though it must really annoy the devoted followers of Farrar's towering intellect that Clark isn't an effete leftie liberal, but he owns a ute and knows how to put a few snapper in the bin.
Agree.
Helen Clark lost 5% points just on the showerhead and lightbulb kerfuffle alone.
Gayford needs to get on message when Prime Minister Ardern is now in full burn of the political bank account.
Gayford needs to hide somewhere and never appear or do anything in life. Anything he does will be used to attack his partner. Then the 10,000 stories will appear about where he is.
Maybe he is just living life appreciating there are f'wits who will do and say anything to appeal to the mindless it attacking Ms Ardern.
He makes his living from TV, fishing and showing off. He understands media perception.
I'm sure he won't let it happen again.
They need to actually dish out some decent punishments / fines to ensure people like this do not flout the rules.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Two children with virus symptoms among 12 to breach MIQ rules – NZ Herald
Punishment for giving the single digit salute to Covid precautions?
Hell yes, but at the very least let's be consistent.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2021/06/joe-and-jill-biden-have-tea-with-queen-elizabeth-at-windsor-castle-after-g7-summit.html
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/dominic-raab-defends-g7-barbecue-world-leaders-social-distancing-b940326.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-57461693
Standard arrangement when you know the participants, happens in any work place or low turnover occasion like funerals /weddings where its a number limit ( for tracing purposes)
Did you think UK was in a level 4 type lockdown where no one could go anywhere or meet others not in their own bubble.
At least keep yourself informed
Disappointing. There have been no reported cases of COVID community transmission in NZ for 110 days (its a shambles – an utter shambles I tell ya!) MIQ represents our best safeguard against, and greatest risk of another outbreak – more power to their ‘elbow’.
Had the flu jab on Monday; booked in for my first COVID jab on 30 June. Keeping calm.
We all owe a big thanks to everybody working in MIQ, for their hard and careful work to keep us safe.
Too early to shout ?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/125473083/covid19-weak-positive-test-result-on-stewart-island
Not so fast there Drowsy.
https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/125473083/covid19-weak-positive-test-result-on-stewart-island
Fingers crossed it is a boo-boo or something else innocuous.
Below the headline it reads, “The child has subsequently tested negative and members of their family, who are residents on the island, have also tested negative, a statement from the Ministry of Health says."
What does it mean medically/scientifically when a child tests as a weak positive and then both child and family return later negative tests?
There must be some residual concern as the health authorities have reacted with more staff, testing etc. Is this a PR reaction (we need to be seen to be doing something even thoughthe negative tests have removed any concern), or is there a chance that the weak positive test might still indicate further infection possibilities?
Could be a legacy of previous infection (enough bug corpses remaining in the bloodstream to trip the test), or a false positive.
But a small community in an isolated place that you can flood with a disproportionate amount of medical staff (like, two or three) is about the best place to have a positive result, lol
The information I had at 1.11 pm has been added to in a revamped press release just before 3 pm. A trap for young players. I couldn't figure out why the same news release didn't have the information when I looked but later in the thread people were quoting what I was not sure of. The press release looks the same and begins the same way but has a later release time.
yeah, it's a dinnamik enironmin in the media these days lol
Was that like said like with some sort of vocal you know crack like um kind of?
"I stand by all the misstatements that I've made."
We all make mistakes – like those who would "snatch defeat from the jaws of victory"
I was certainly down with the sentiment if yr comment.
The biggest challenge will be overcoming our complacency, hand hygiene, scanning etc.
I got quite a surprise with a possible (and highly unlikely) positive on Stewart Island. The virus is supposed to make it's way South in a slow, orderly fashion.
The child was being tested as per pre departure protocols.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/444588/sony-music-writes-off-artists-decade-old-debts
…It means that many will now, for the first time, earn money when their songs are streamed on services like Spotify and Amazon Music….
Musicians typically take on debt when they first sign to a record label. They are given a lump sum, known as an advance, to pay for recording studios, video shoots, distribution and other expenses. The money is then paid back when they sell their music.
However, many artists never earn enough to repay their advances, often because they get unfavourable royalty rates from their own record companies.
Heritage black artists have been particularly affected.
I hope musicians still around will get real benefit from this, even if it just takes a load off their minds.
I think they realised that music artists know they can now bypass them and the record producers arent getting their calls returned
ghost So cynical! And probably totally right.
Here is a excellent interview with a brave and as it turns out, one of the few remaining actual Left wing politicians in western politics today, Clare Daly…
from the blurb for the 15minute vid:
Can't say I'll bother with it unless I get really shitted-down at work.
Can't say I am surprised at your response there McFlock..being some sort of Centrist Liberal imperialist yourself, I guess her Left Wing politics wouldn't really float your boat.
At least I did what you should have done and actually described the content of the goddamned vid. When you use the words "excellent" and "brave", all that means is that you agree with what you think you heard them say. When you use the words "liberl", "centrist" or "imperialist", all that means is that you disagree with what you think you heard them say.
I was curious enough to at least scope out the description. One day you might link to something useful, with new information. From the description, this video does not seem to document any changes in any of the situations mentioned, or provide any deep analysis.
So what didn't float my boat was the idea that any new information would be introduced about nine or so complex issues in a video that would give an average of a minute and (almost) a half for each issue.
For a chronic whinger like yourself, all that constitutes is a bit of ego stroking at the idea that someone seems to be agreeing with your existing opinions.
I'm afraid, with a strong usa influence here, of our police officers picking up on the policing methods from over there, apparently in turn used by Israeli force. So good that we are getting judgment against the use of head violence here. The guy has disobeyed laws and instructions. Not an excuse for violence from the force entrusted to promote peaceful society.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/444936/arresting-officer-unjustified-pinning-youth-with-knee-to-head-ipca
A car was seen by police trying to avoid an alcohol checkpoint as it drove through Upper Hutt in January 2020.
Police discovered the car was stolen and the young person, (Mr Z) was driving while disqualified.
Officers tried to arrest him but he resisted, did not follow instructions and broke free of the handcuffs.
The car was stolen from his legal guardian, and he was carrying three passengers, one of whom filmed the incident.
Can anyone help me find the actual audio of Ardern talking about not exempting utes? Shub quote her here and seem to imply she said it on The AM Show, but I can't find replays of the AM show anywhere.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-considered-exemption-for-utes-in-electric-car-incentive-scheme-but-ruled-it-out.html
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/06/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-considered-exemption-for-utes-in-electric-car-incentive-scheme-but-ruled-it-out.html
The statement is in the video link at the top of the page
ta, that didn't show as a vid for me before. Do you know if the AM Show is on demand as well?
some is as far as I can see but nothing with the PM of late
The theme of governments over last decades has been to give encouragement to business. But often that seems to be big business, in the main areas the government favours. But most businesses in NZ are micro to small businesses, and they need support because this is where the real NZs are.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/444941/central-auckland-business-owners-protest-crl-disruptions-as-debts-are-mounting
They have put heft, heart and soul getting something going, and it is providing them with a living, plus the multiplier effect swirling the money sauce through the community. Just needed road works are holding up customers around Nelson and the businesses are suffering. When it is something of major importance to the region, there sure will be benefits to all, but please don't beggar us little guys (I haven't got one now, but have had). Government, is there an advocate for Micro Business,
Some stats –
Small enterprises are firms with fewer than 20 employees. They make up the majority of businesses in NZ and are the backbone of our economy. They employ 29% of our workforce and contribute over a quarter of our GDP. … When small businesses grow and succeed, they raise employment and incomes. New Zealand's Support for Small Business – Business.govt.nz
What about the micro businesses then:
UK entry – The main difference between a small business and a micro business is size. A micro business generally has 0 – 9 employees, whereas a small business can have between 10 – 49 employees. A small business also has a higher turnover than a micro business and more money on its balance sheet. Micro Business Statistics UK 2021 – SME Loans
In NZ? – Are you a micro business? – Business Headspace https://www.businessheadspace.co.nz › are-you-a-micro…
16/05/2018 — In NZ you don't generally speak of or hear of the term micro business. … according to Statistics NZ – 97% of NZ businesses are considered small. … When you look to dictionary.com, one of micro's definitions is “very small in …
Ministry of Economic Development report of 2011 doesn't refer to 'Micro businesses' in index – that I notice?
SMEs in New Zealand: Structure and Dynamics 2011 https://www.interest.co.nz/sites/default/files/SMEs%20in%20NZ.pdf
10 Amazing Facts About Small Businesses in New Zealand …https://www.bizcover.co.nz › News & Insights
How New Zealand small business are made up of: 3. 70% of all NZ Enterprises are sole traders and therefore have no employees. That's over 353,000 Small …
(It looks as if this is a growth area for employment. It could be that each of these businesses might take on one trainee or apprentice a year, with some incentive, and make more money and help upskill the workforce. And I think that the saying should be reversed from 'Big business, too big to fail' so that Micro as well as Small Businesses are encouraged, and their entrepreneurship with it, with real money for pilot schemes that if successful, can be granted low-cost loans to develop even if the market is fleeting. And they should not be left dangling when there are big projects proceeding. Once the government chose to go free market and destroy the small-scale domestic market in favour of fixation on exports and imports, intelligent economic planners would have ensured there were incentives for people to self-employ after being given the heaveho from their previous jobs,)