Open mike 17/04/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 17th, 2015 - 115 comments
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115 comments on “Open mike 17/04/2015 ”

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  1. Michael 1
    17 April 2015 at 6:29 am

    Elizabeth Warren named in Time Magazine top 100 most influential people.

    And Hillary Clinton wrote the piece praising her. http://time.com/3823064/elizabeth-warren-2015-time-100/

    “It was always going to take a special kind of leader to pick up Ted Kennedy’s mantle as senior Senator from Massachusetts—champion of working families and scourge of special interests. Elizabeth Warren never lets us forget that the work of taming Wall Street’s irresponsible risk taking and reforming our financial system is far from finished. And she never hesitates to hold powerful people’s feet to the fire: bankers, lobbyists, senior government officials and, yes, even presidential aspirants.

    Elizabeth Warren’s journey from janitor’s daughter to Harvard professor to public watchdog to U.S. Senator has been driven by an unflagging determination to level the playing field for hardworking American families like the one she grew up with in Oklahoma. She fights so hard for others to share in the American Dream because she lived it herself.”

    • Chooky 1.1
      17 April 2015 at 9:20 am

      Elisabeth Warren would make a far better US President than Hilary Clinton…who is a hawk…

      …and Hilary Clinton wants to up the USA propaganda information war…as if it had not got the world into enough wars, especially the Middle East

      …does this mean that Hilary Clinton wants to censor or restrict the internet?

      • Pasupial 1.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 1:36 pm

        +1 Chooky. But Clinton has the name recognition – we’re unlikely to see Warren throw her hat in the ring this time around.

        The problem this election is that Clinton looks such a sure thing for the Democratic nomination, who is likely to challenge her for the role? Probably Biden, and others of a similar calibre. Those who have future intentions are unlikely to want to soil their image by being an also-ran now. However, the party primary elections are a large part of the USA presidential contest. Without a credible opponent, Clinton is unlikely to get as much media coverage of her primary campaign, and so will be at a disadvantage against whatever man is chosen as the republican face.

    • freedom 1.2
      17 April 2015 at 9:42 am

      for some amusement, here’s one of Hillary’s recent campaign stunts falling over
      http://www.dcclothesline.com/2015/04/16/flash-hillarys-dinner-with-ordinary-iowans-was-a-fake/

    • Murray Rawshark 1.3
      17 April 2015 at 2:29 pm

      I’d have to consider that damning with faint praise (or maybe not so faint). As for the American Dream – yeah, you have to be asleep to believe it. Hilary represents the interests that Warren fights.

      • Jones 1.3.1
        17 April 2015 at 3:37 pm

        Whoever makes it to the White House will represent those interests… anyone else won’t get within cooee!

  2. Paul 2
    17 April 2015 at 6:45 am

    Malcolm Evans is drawing some brilliant cartoons on ANZAC Day at the moment

    Patriotism and Truth
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/17/malcolm-evans-anzac-day/

    For King and Club
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/16/malcolm-evans-for-king-and-club/

    Does anyone know if his cartoons are published in a newspaper or magazine?

    • Puddleglum 2.1
      17 April 2015 at 3:28 pm

      There used to be a cartoonist who signed ‘Evans’ who had regular cartoons on the editorial page of The Press (alternating with Al Nisbett, I think).

      I don’t get The Press now so don’t know if ‘Evans’ is still one of their cartoonists.

      From the style and signature, it certainly seems to be the same ‘Evans’.

    • vto 2.2
      17 April 2015 at 9:20 pm

      never ever forget that the defence forces answer to the crown not us. We are not the crown.

      the crown does not hesitate to turn its armies on the people. History is littered with it.

      don’t trust them

  3. Paul 3
    17 April 2015 at 7:00 am

    Amirite posted this at 7 p.m. yesterday evening.

    Have reposted at the top of Open Mike so as many people as possible hear of this.

    “Bad luck or no coincidence? Unite Union’s office has been broken into, equipment stolen and smashed. It’s not in the news, only on Joe Carolan’s Facebook page.

    https://www.facebook.com/solidarityjoe/posts/10152725245132601?fref=nf“

    • Pasupial 3.1
      17 April 2015 at 7:48 am

      That is despicable, but surely not unexpected. I hope Unite has better computer security than physical security. If the stolen laptops contain member/ donor info then this will be very bad for them.

      Maybe Campbell Live will have a segment on this tonight? It’d fit in well with the coverage they’ve been doing on the struggle against zero-hours.

    • halfcrown 3.2
      17 April 2015 at 9:29 am

      Thanks for drawing that to our attention Paul, I go here for current news, never read, listen, or watch the shit the media puts out as news.

      If this was politically motivated, lets hope it blows up in their face like Watergate. But there is one thing for sure, can’t see out media doing investigative journalism like Watergate.
      Whilst we are on the subject of political intimidation and break ins, does anyone know if Nickey Hager has had his gear returned that was confiscated by the police?

    • vto 3.3
      17 April 2015 at 9:16 pm

      That, on the face it, is out and out TERRORISM

      “the unofficial or unauthorized use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.”

      As just posted below – look in the complete opposite direction to find the truth… http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-17042015/#comment-1001391…. ignore Rebecca Kitteridge 180 degrees

      A terrorist attack has just occurred.

  4. saveNZ 4
    17 April 2015 at 8:44 am

    From Granddaddy Herald about Dotcom….

    Sony’s top copyright lawyer, Aimee Wolfson, said it was “not at all unimaginable” that the internet tycoon would avoid extradition or even successfully defend himself in the United States.

    Emails relating to the Dotcom case were revealed by WikiLeaks yesterday in a database of emails hacked from the global entertainment giant.

    Those relating to the Dotcom case show Sony to be less sure privately about the criminal and civil charges facing the internet entrepreneur than the bullish public attitude from the Hollywood studios.

    Crunch-time for Sony came mid-2014 when the Hollywood studios filed papers in New Zealand courts to restrain Dotcom’s assets.

    Ms Wolfson recommended Sony pull back from the joint action against Dotcom in New Zealand.

    The other five studios went ahead.

    p.s Viacom has already sued You Tube/Google and lost. A File sharing business is not copy write infringement!

    That’s why they are seizing his assets so that he can’t defend himself.

    Great to have the John Key and the armed defenders and GCSB on the NZ taxpayer
    dollar doing all that work for the five studio execs for their civil action.

    Even if you do not like Dotcom what is being done here is morally wrong.

    • Chooky 4.1
      17 April 2015 at 9:32 am

      +100 saveNZ….

    • Murray Rawshark 4.2
      17 April 2015 at 2:54 pm

      “Even if you do not like Dotcom what is being done here is morally wrong.”

      Exactly. I can’t even be bothered saying whether I like the guy or not. It’s irrelevant. I wonder if we’ll get another epic film made in Aotearoa as homage to FJK and to thank him for his efforts on behalf of Hollywood and Wall St? Maybe something about the plucky son of a Jewish refugee who single handedly took on Al Peter File bin Sabin, the head of an international terrorist ring threatening our children, and made Aotearoa safe for our national icons, such as the plastic buzzy bee?

      • Chooky 4.2.1
        17 April 2015 at 4:25 pm

        lol…sounds like you should be film director of heavy satire and farce…if I had the money i would definitely back you

  5. Paul 5
    17 April 2015 at 8:59 am

    ‘Threat of terrorist attack in NZ increases.’
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11434089

    Interesting timing for the release of such a story. Is it designed so that ‘consumers’ of the MSM get a little more scared and therefore are more likely to support Key’s deployment of troops to support the club?

    Hermann Goering’s quote seems opportune.

    “Why of course the people don’t want war. Why should some poor slob on
    a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of
    it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people
    don’t want war. The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders.
    That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked,
    and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the
    country to danger. It works the same in any country.”

    • ianmac 5.1
      17 April 2015 at 9:35 am

      So true in NZ today Paul. Not only works for Key re terrorist “threat” but also for criminal “threat” hence tougher sentencing. “Look out! They are just behind you! Run. But we tough Government will protect you, but only if you vote for us.”

    • vto 5.2
      17 April 2015 at 9:10 pm

      Claims of terrorists by government need to be treated the same as claims by whitebaiters about whitebait….. flip it 180 degrees and you will have it roughly right….. look in the completely opposite direction.

      but of course most never do – they believe what they are told….. and hence never catch whitebait

      it is so f&*^ing simple

  6. Ron 6
    17 April 2015 at 9:00 am

    I was upset that last night Radio New Zealand CEO announced that RNZ would be joining the I-Heart club and in future all three of their stations would be available on the I-Heart app. Just checked they are there now. Trouble is I see this as a win for NZME in that the RNZ icons will be surrounded by the likes of Newstalkzb and all their other stations. But from Radio NZ’s point I doubt that many commercial listeners will be tempted to cross the divide and sample non commercial radio. RNZ had a perfectly usable app of their own. I wonder just what convinced their board that it would be a good idea to join this commercial con job. Wait a minute just checked the latest board of governors for RNZ – self explanatory really

  7. Chooky 7
    17 April 2015 at 9:24 am

    Where does the New Zealand Labour Party stand on the TPPA?

    The Greens, NZF and Mana/Int are all opposed to the TPPA

    Why doesn’t Andrew Little and the Labour Party come clean?…and spell it out

    • Chooky 7.1
      17 April 2015 at 9:43 am

      Why the NZ Labour Party needs to take a stand and say “no” to the TPPA!…it is more than just a trade deal…it affects the sovereignty of New Zealand

      http://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/04/14/opinion/dont-keep-trade-talks-secret.html?_r=2

      Come on NZ Labour Party!

      • Chooky 7.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 10:13 am

        I know where Norm Kirk would stand on the TPPA

        Under Andrew Little is the NZ Labour Party now a party for the corporates?

        ..and the take over of sovereign countries and democracies?

        Is the New Zealand Labour Party a left wing party or a right wing party?

        • Murray Rawshark 7.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 2:59 pm

          “Under Andrew Little is the NZ Labour Party now a party for the corporates?”

          It has been since Lange.

          “..and the take over of sovereign countries and democracies?”

          It’s far less worried about this than it should be.

          “Is the New Zealand Labour Party a left wing party or a right wing party?”

          A right wing party. Any more questions I can answer?

          What we already know about the TPPA is more than enough to be firmly opposed to it. Labour’s position is a cop out.

          • Chooky 7.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 4:30 pm

            Thanks mr for those concise answers to my questions

            …i can now see i wont be voting Labour …even although i joined the Labour Party to support Cunliffe

            …I want to vote for a real Left Party that takes NZ sovereignty and Democracy seriously

      • Tautoko Mangō+Mata 7.1.2
        17 April 2015 at 10:50 am

        Agreed, Chooky!

        [r0b: odd name / handle – what browser are you using?]

    • te reo putake 7.2
      17 April 2015 at 10:17 am

      The NZLP position has been out for a couple of years, chooky. We want openness and transparency first and foremost. To put it simply, the LP wants to know what’s actually in the document before it supports or opposes it.

      http://campaign.labour.org.nz/our_position_on_the_tpp

      • Chooky 7.2.1
        17 April 2015 at 10:21 am

        Not good enough!

        The NZ Labour Party should come out openly and oppose the TPPA!…because quite clearly there is no openness….and no openness is intended in TPPA discussions and decisions

        The rest of the left has come out and opposed the TPPA!

        The Labour Party should be taking a stand to oppose the TPPA …and NOT stay sitting on the fence…and in so doing supporting Nactional and the corporates.

        New Zealanders and Labour supporters need the Labour Party to take an unequivocal stand opposing the TPPA! ( not least of all to show up Nactional )

        …Norm Kirk would have!…the TPPA negotiations are an attack on New Zealand sovereignty

        • Gosman 7.2.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 10:42 am

          The Labour Party is not really opposed to the way this is being negotiated because they themselves have been in office where international negotiations have been conducted in secrecy. They are smart enough to realise that this is the way these things are done.

          • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 11:56 am

            The rest of NZ don’t think that they should be negotiated in secret and that we should have a say in the outcome.

            It’s called democracy.

        • te reo putake 7.2.1.2
          17 April 2015 at 10:43 am

          Fascinating. No doubt you’ll have a whole raft of citations for saying Big Norm would have opposed the TPP. Or maybe not if you’re just plucking his name out of the ether. In actual fact Kirk started the process of negotiating trade deals in Asia and Oz to cover for the loss of exports to the UK after they joined the common market.

          I suspect Kirk would have agreed with the NZLP’s current position which is that no such deal should be done in secret.

          • Chooky 7.2.1.2.1
            17 April 2015 at 11:13 am

            I doubt that Norm kirk would have supported the process of the TPPA…and I suspect he would have joined the other New Zealand left parties in opposing the TPPA outright

            Conclusion: The NZ Labour Party is not a left party

            ..it does not support the stand of other New Zealand left parties

            ..the NZLP does not oppose the stand of the Nacts and the corporates in secret negotiations which undermine our NZ sovereignty…in so doing it is supporting the John key Nact government

          • dave brown 7.2.1.2.2
            17 April 2015 at 11:31 am

            TPR you are being disingenuous at best.

            The TPPA is not quite secret is it?

            We know why they want to keep it secret because any knowledge of its contents would make the deal very unpopular.

            But despite their best efforts to keep it secret Wikileaks has told us what is in key parts of the deal like the investment chapter.

            We know that the main purpose of the TPPA is to give giant corporates much more control over client states so as to protect their profits.

            Just look at how NAFTA has worked.

            Do you think that Norm Kirk would have approved of NAFTA?

            Nah.

            NAFTA turned Mexico and Canada into economic slaves of the US. The TPPA will turn the whole of the Pacific rim minus China into a slave camp for the USA.

            Is the rightwing of Labour so desperate to keep in the US good books that it is blind to the real content of the TPPA?

            Labour’s stand on ‘democracy’ when that ‘democracy’ is denied by another NACT term trading off NZ sovereignty is a pathetic pretext for its gutless fawning on the 1%.

          • Murray Rawshark 7.2.1.2.3
            17 April 2015 at 3:05 pm

            The obvious difference is that the TPPA is not a free trade deal. It’s a corporate control and loss of sovereignty deal. Please tell us what Kirk’s equivalent of the Investor Dispute Tribunals was, where we could have been sued for making law that impinged on corporate profits?

      • Bill 7.2.2
        17 April 2015 at 1:56 pm

        This ‘we’. What’s that about? I’m not having a dig here, but I’ve noticed you using the possessive form of ‘we’ when talking about the Labour Party on a few occasions. Assuming you aren’t an official spokesperson for NZ Labour… and knowing that your thoughts aren’t those of all Labour Party members…

        My point is that it’s enough of an arse for people around here to constantly reiterate they write in a personal capacity without some-one suddenly bandying the possessive ‘we’ around the show.

      • The Chairman 7.2.3
        17 April 2015 at 3:19 pm

        @ te reo putake

        To easy voter concern, Labour could announce support of NZF’s Fighting Foreign Corporate Control Bill, which aims to ensure there is no investor-state dispute settlement in international agreements.

        • Chooky 7.2.3.1
          18 April 2015 at 10:50 am

          +100…but they dont…they are a pale imitation of Nact…they are not really the Left at all

          …the sooner people realise this the better and vote for the Greens , Mana/Int or NZF the better….these parties need to form a Left coalition

          Labour has had a proud tradition but now is the time to face up to reality

  8. adam 8
    17 April 2015 at 9:29 am

    This is depressing – Very.

    Very good journalism, but a very depressing story all the same.

    How the world bank failed the poor.

    http://www.icij.org/project/world-bank/how-world-bank-broke-its-promise-protect-poor

    • Gosman 8.1
      17 April 2015 at 11:24 am

      The World Bank did not cause the disruptions to these poor people. It was the authorities in the nations involved. Most of these are democratic as far as I can tell. Why is the World Bank responsible when these people’s elected representatives are the ones failing them?

      • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 12:08 pm

        If the World Bank had kept to its policies those local authorities wouldn’t have got the money thus the World Bank is as culpable as the local authorities.

        • Colonial Rawshark 8.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 1:47 pm

          The IMF and the World Bank flood the unaccountable elites of a country with hundreds of millions, load up the nation with debt, and Gossie is surprised it doesn’t go well.

          • Draco T Bastard 8.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 3:03 pm

            Gossie probably thinks it’s all working well. After all, the deserving rich are getting richer while the lazy poor are getting what’s coming to them /sarc.

  9. Clemgeopin 9
    17 April 2015 at 10:50 am

    Can National fool all the people all the time?

    This information was posted last night on the Daily Review by Adrian:

    The SAME two National sycophants dressed in blue were in two completely different places within a minute !

    Observe the video at 1:00 and 1:53.

    The two Nat women simply went (or were asked to go) to another spot to repeat the charade. They changed the way they stood before to shake hands with Key: At 1:00 the older woman is on the left, but at 1:53, on the right!

    The stupid National propaganda crooks probably thought they could fool all the people all the time!

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/67521779/i-wont-pick-up-phone-key-dismisses-peters

    • Molly 9.1
      17 April 2015 at 10:55 am

      The less-than-heartening alternative is that these are two genuine Nat fans, who thought nothing of rushing around to another venue in order to meet up with FJK again…. (the “thought nothing” would be indicative of their usual mode then)

      • Murray Rawshark 9.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 3:09 pm

        And there are only two NAct fans in Dargaville – I find that endearing.

    • DoublePlusGood 9.2
      17 April 2015 at 11:38 am

      Also, Osbourne amusingly checks his empty wrist for the time. Super sharp, that bunch.

  10. te reo putake 10
    17 April 2015 at 10:54 am

    Just a reminder that tomorrow is record store day. Of course, every day is vinyl day in the Putake whare, but it would be great if Standardistas could pop into these fine emporiums and spin the black circle:

    http://www.recordstoreday.com/Venues?country=New%20Zealand

    For my sins, here is the first rekkid I bought:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCcaP5z4xbg

    Mmmm, groovy and philosophical at the same time. Nice.

    • lprent 10.1
      17 April 2015 at 11:21 am

      I live in an 51 square metre apartment in central Auckland. Space for a vinyl spinner doesn’t exist. Email, books, music, and video all exist in virtual machines on the same box that is the primary server for The Standard.

      8Tb in a RAID6 stores a *lot* of encrypted data.

        • lprent 10.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 1:04 pm

          Of course I then have to store the vinyl. 😈

          I have boxes of CDs and DVDs stored at relatives already after I ‘backed’ them up onto my drive (and the offsite archive). These days I just get the digital forms rather than adding to redundant plastics.

      • Draco T Bastard 10.1.2
        17 April 2015 at 1:13 pm

        8Tb in a RAID6 stores a *lot* of encrypted data.

        I have a difficulty in using up 1TB of data although that will probably change at some point in the nearish future (re-learning programming so I can get a few projects done).

        • lprent 10.1.2.1
          17 April 2015 at 3:44 pm

          I can use a terabyte with ease. That is what my laptops have these days.

          A very fast way to fill up hard drives is to start using virtual machines for developing software projects. You can get them configured exactly for requirements and not have them go sour on you as you add one more “essential” software package or game.

          Then have a pile of them around with different variants of operating systems for testing.

    • tinfoilhat 10.2
      17 April 2015 at 11:33 am

      @TRP.. you sad old git !

      Join the club. 😆

      • te reo putake 10.2.1
        17 April 2015 at 11:44 am

        I’ve been in the mood this morning; AK79, Cherry Red compilation Pillows and Prayers, London Calling and side four of Sandinista. And I’ve got some Sonny Okosun and Sunny Ade for the crucial post lunch energiser. Put the needle to the groove, party people!

  11. Bill 11
    17 April 2015 at 10:57 am

    Did Nicola Sturgeon just wipe the floor with Ed Miliband? This clip from last night’s UK debate suggests she did 🙂

    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/apr/16/miliband-sturgeon-final-tv-debate-anti-tory-coalition

    Appealing to false nonsense (Nicola only wants to break up the UK…SNP brought down Labour when Nicola was 9 years old because like, there were absolutely no other parties in Westminster voting against Labour in 1979…ruling out a coalition the SNP has already said it has no interest in etc).

    Not going to fly Ed. Not going to fly.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.1
      17 April 2015 at 12:15 pm

      Sounds remarkably like the Labour Party here over the last few years of them failing badly.

      • Bill 11.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 1:42 pm

        They’re exactly like the NZ Labour Party.

        Both are failing badly because both of them abandoned their roots. That the Labour Party in Scotland looks close to be being wiped out by a party that has grafted itself onto those abandoned roots should be a wee bit of a heads up for NZ Labour.

        But I’ll bet they just cover their ears and eyes and carry on failing, on the premise that they only have to fail less than the Nats to form a government…and people wonder why ‘no-one’ gives a fuck any more?

        • Colonial Rawshark 11.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 2:29 pm

          A common impression within NZLP ‘higher ups’ is that voters barely care about or even remember the 1980s Rogernomics years and Labour’s role in bringing the neoliberal trojan horse into the gates of the country.

          • Bill 11.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 3:03 pm

            Oh, I know they see no need to apologise as a process of making a very public break from the past.

            That as it may be, any refusal to learn very simple lesson from just a cursory glance at the state of Labour in Scotland is fucked up to the nth degree.

            Andrew Little could also do worse than view that latest BBC leaders debate and pay particular attention to the audience reaction on progressives offering support and Labour posturing, given that only 5% of the audience would have been people intending to vote SNP and maybe another few percent voting for either the Greens or Plaid Cymru.

          • Murray Rawshark 11.1.1.1.2
            17 April 2015 at 3:15 pm

            Is that why they won’t apologise for Rogernomics? Because they think no one remembers? I always thought it was because they were proud of having done it.

    • te reo putake 11.2
      17 April 2015 at 1:01 pm

      A good result for Labour, apparently:

      “His deadly opponent was Nicola Sturgeon. He could have been easy meat for her deft jibes, but with a powerful defence of the union, he more than survived; he might even have retrieved some Scottish votes.

      Miliband’s team will be rightly delighted. At every outing he grows in strength and confidence. Once he thought presentation didn’t matter – now he knows better.”

      http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/16/challengers-final-tv-debate-general-election-columnists-verdict

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.2.1
        17 April 2015 at 1:25 pm

        There’s only one result which counts. And it’s coming up soon.

      • Bill 11.2.2
        17 April 2015 at 1:25 pm

        Aye well, that’s according to Polly Toynbee on Ed. You read her pale pink banner waving columns? Of course she would talk up Miliband.

        And then there’s the next one down, Deborah Orr on Sturgeon

        Nicola Sturgeon certainly played a blinder.

        …she also made Miliband look like the lucky guy who could bask in her charisma if only he’d stop being such a boring ol’ PM in waiting.

        But regardless of what various pundits have to say, I’ve just watched the entire debate and noted that Nicola was the only one to get loud cheers from the audience and interestingly, when Ed played the ‘they want to break up this country’ card….nothing. In fact, overall, Ed got not a lot in the way of applause or affirmation from the audience.

    • Clemgeopin 11.3
      17 April 2015 at 1:22 pm

      At the close of the 90 minutes, Miliband turned his fire on his absent rival, saying:

      “David Cameron refused to come and debate tonight, but I have got a message for him. David, if you think this election is about leadership, then debate me one on one. I believe my ideas, my vision for the country are better for the working families of Britain. If you disagree, then prove it. Debate me and let the people decide.”

      How did the challengers fare in the final TV debate? Guardian columnists’ verdict

      In a Survation/Mirror poll, the only snap verdict on the contest,

      Miliband was declared the winner with 35%; Sturgeon, 31%; the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, 27%; the Green party leader, Natalie Bennett, 5%; and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood, 2%.

    • Colonial Rawshark 11.4
      17 April 2015 at 1:29 pm

      RT: Assange says Scottish independence seen as national security threat by UK spies

      Full range of covert activities and “dirty tricks” against the SNP and its MPs and leaders could be expected.

      http://rt.com/uk/250105-scotland-referendum-surveillance-assange/

    • adam 11.5
      17 April 2015 at 3:58 pm

      I do like how Nicola Sturgeon presents herself.

  12. Gosman 12
    17 April 2015 at 11:12 am

    Looks like Syriza is rapidly running out of options. It will have to break one of the their key election pledges.

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/apr/16/greece-moves-step-closer-to-grexit-after-imf-snub

    • Colonial Rawshark 12.1
      17 April 2015 at 1:22 pm

      Varoufakis speaks at the Institute for New Economic Thinking, April 9

    • Draco T Bastard 12.2
      17 April 2015 at 1:42 pm

      I’d say that was all to the good especially as it’s obviously the rest of Europe, especially Germany, that’s pushing Greece from The Euro.

  13. oldladymuso 13
    17 April 2015 at 11:34 am

    Does anyone have any answers to the Mike Sabin conundrum? I am wondering why he has been able to take up his new job when he is currently under investigation – or are the Internet rumours untrue about the nature of the offences against him? The Internet has been frustratingly quiet.

    #whatswithsabinsnewjob

    (Yes, I am fascinated with the Sabin story – mostly because I wondered how on earth Brook Sabin was able to continue to work at TV3 without a conflict of interest being declared during Election 2014.)

    • veutoviper 13.1
      17 April 2015 at 1:16 pm

      We are all pretty much in the dark about what is going on re Sabin and have to wait to see how things play out in the meantime.

      This is another interesting article yesterday on the NBR website where it seems the Northland resort where Sabin now works has refused to talk.

      http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/sabin-linked-luxury-resort-goes-ground-over-new-ceo-jb-171490

      • emergency mike 13.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 1:27 pm

        Hmm, dodgy ex-National MP now CEO of high-end luxury Chinese property development enterprise.

        Who’d have thunk it.

        • Paul 13.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 3:39 pm

          November 9th 2013…

          ‘Shanghai CRED Real Estate Co. has purchased a New Zealand resort hotel as well as an adjacent vineyard and golf course which it plans to develop and promote to wealthy Chinese tourists.
          The resort “can provide the sort of holiday experience that high-income Chinese and other international tourists are seeking,” Guo Gui, general manager of Shanghai CRED, said in the statement. His company has been involved with similar properties in China and will promote Carrington through its many tourism contacts, he said.
          Shanghai CRED bought the 1,100-hectare (2,700-acre) property from a U.S.- based owner, it said in the statement. The purchase price was treated as confidential when the Overseas Investment Office granted consent in July, and isn’t being disclosed, Cedric Allan, a New Zealand spokesman for the buyer, said in a telephone interview today.’

          http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-11-09/shanghai-cred-buys-new-zealand-resort-eyes-chinese-tourists

          http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/document/pdf/201345/Carrington.pdf

          “Shanghai CRED is one of Shanghai’s largest property development companies. Their purchase of the 1,100 hectare (2,718 acre) Peppers Carrington resort – which includes a seaside golf course and vineyard – is the first significant Chinese investment in New Zealand’s tourism sector. The New Zealand government is targeting a fivefold increase in the number of Chinese visitors to New Zealand by 2018.
          The Chapman Tripp team advised on the acquisition, Overseas Investment Office (OIO) consent, the structuring of Shanghai CRED’s New Zealand entities and employment contracts and is assisting with immigration requirements.
          Partner Bill Sandston led the team, which included senior associate Tessa Kennings and solicitor Ruonan Duan.
          Bill Sandston said: “Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approval and Chinese language skills were integral to the deal’s success and we are one of the few full-service law firms able to support our clients in this way.
          “Our work for Shanghai Cred, as well as our representation of Shanghai Pengxin in its Crafar Farms purchase and current takeover bid for Canterbury dairy farmer Synlait Farms, reinforces our reputation for acting on Chinese investors’ most complex OIO approvals.”

          http://www.chapmantripp.com/news/Pages/Chapman-Tripp-advises-on-China%27s-first-big-tourism-investment-in-New-Zealand.aspx

          • vto 13.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 8:56 pm

            Just on a tangent… that resort, purchased by foreigners, to cater to the foreigners exclusive wealthy elite when they need a break, will do jack-shit for NZ.

            A few cleaners and staff on minimum wage possible. That’s it.

            All profit, which derives in bulk from our whenua, will go back to those foreign lands. In fact I would guess that pretty much all payments made for staying at the resort will be made back in those foreign lands and never even cross our borders.

            Plus – that locality has had plans in the past for an international airport.

            The foreigners will fly in directly, fly out again, and no money or anything will land in NZ itself.

            How is that good for us? Does anyone know?

            wrong. so very very wrong.

      • Paul 13.1.2
        17 April 2015 at 3:34 pm

        In the comments below the NBR article, for what it is worth…

        “The word on the Northland vine is that there will by 600+ properties built as a possible gated community, with the resort flying in rich Chinese to play among the dunes.
        Guess we will not be welcome and it is a shame Winnie can not stop this debacle because, despite assurances, I can not see us us locals being invited unless it is as local help.
        OIO has a lot to answer for — they are screwing NZ and selling off its carcass.
        We thought that the north was safe from this kind of treachery. Seems not.”

    • Murray Rawshark 13.2
      17 April 2015 at 3:21 pm

      I heard a story that the chief witness in a case, a female police officer, has gone overseas. I do not know if this is true and I am not saying it has anything to do with Sabin. What I will say is that the NAct Party is filthier than I had thought possible.

      • veutoviper 13.2.1
        17 April 2015 at 4:00 pm

        Interesting, Murray. Pity you won’t be in a certain place on Monday, but if there is a ‘meeting’ it may turn out to be a short session with the legals only to extend certain remand provisions. I understand that this extension would have been outside the brief of the Auckland HC dealing with the appeal against disclosure,

        [Are you here or there? Hope all goes well – Princess Alex? – I have everything crossed for good news.]

    • Stephanie Rodgers 13.3
      17 April 2015 at 3:34 pm

      If everyone with a family or personal connection to an MP was forbidden from being a journalist we’d have a very small press gallery. Possibly non-existent.

  14. emergency mike 14
    17 April 2015 at 12:26 pm

    Light relief: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x11dao5_triumph-at-spin-alley-2004-10-20_fun

    Triumph the puppet takes on party PR hacks after a leaders debate in run up to the 2004 US election. I hadn’t seen this before, but I got more than one actual lol from this. Recommended.

  15. The Chairman 15
    17 April 2015 at 1:41 pm

    The Greens claim it was the lone political voice supporting a capital gains tax on property.

    Little is now wisely talking about LVR restrictions.

    Therefore, does that mean Labour have dropped the notion of a CGT?

    • Colonial Rawshark 15.1
      17 April 2015 at 1:53 pm

      Internally within Labour it has generally (although not universally) been finally recognised that a CGT is a dead rat which voters will not swallow.

      More importantly though, Labour have not put together a comprehensive and cohesive housing and accomodation programme for NZ yet. It’s still very bitsy and unfocussed.

      • The Chairman 15.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 2:12 pm

        That’s good to hear (re CGT). Although, they took their time coming around.

        It does sound as if Labour are still putting things together.

        LVR restrictions are the way to go,. Regional flexibility is also a plus, but they will also have to avert investors ability to leverage off equity, otherwise LVR restrictions will become toothless.

        Now we require to get the Greens in tune to put forward a united front.

        • weka 15.1.1.1
          17 April 2015 at 2:33 pm

          LVR?

          • The Chairman 15.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2015 at 2:53 pm

            Loan-to-value ratio restrictions. In short, requiring higher deposits from property investors.

            • millsy 15.1.1.1.1.1
              17 April 2015 at 11:14 pm

              There is nothing really wrong with that…only a mug would get a home loan with no deposit.

              • The Chairman …
                18 April 2015 at 11:03 am

                It’s really the way forward, Millsy.

                Not only will it reduce risk (for both the borrower and lender) it also slows speculation and in turn increases savings. Removing the need for a CGT and compulsory KiwiSaver – win-win.

                Additionally, as it removes the heat out of the property market, it gives the Reserve Bank scope to lower the OCR, thus taking pressure off the NZ dollar.

  16. te reo putake 16
    17 April 2015 at 2:16 pm

    Bill, for some reason I can’t reply directly to your ‘we’ question above. I use we as a possessive on an occasion because I’m a proud Labour party member. We members share ownership of the party, so it’s not grammatically inappropriate usage when talking about things like settled policy. However, if I’m talking about a LP MP’s press release or caucus activity in general, I wouldn’t use the possessive because I’m a step (or two) removed.

    • Bill 16.1
      17 April 2015 at 2:55 pm

      Yeah, I think I understand why you use it…in line with ‘we won’ when in actual fact the person saying it was sitting on their chuff watching the Black Caps or who-ever on the TV.

      My sole thought is that in relation to commenting on ‘ts’, it can be a less than helpful habit when used in relation to political parties given the bullshit that’s thrown this way by some who claim ‘ts’ is a mouthpiece of this or that political entity.

      As an aside, no policy is ever settled, is it? I mean, policy remits to conference and what have you… 😉

      • te reo putake 16.1.1
        17 April 2015 at 3:05 pm

        Good point about TS! Hadn’t thought of it from that perspective. Mind you, most of the most obsessive about the supposed TS/LP link are folk like WO, PG and Bomber who know it’s not true anyway.

        I’ve been trying to think of other situations where I’d use ‘we’ like that. Not many, really. The only comparable situation is that when talking about football; I will say things like ‘we all hope Big Sam gets sacked’ as if I have a Borg like connection to every other West Ham fan in the universe.

      • dave brown 16.1.2
        17 April 2015 at 3:23 pm

        We means we when its up to me.
        We means me when its up to thee.
        Is that not ABC says TRP.

  17. Pasupial 17
    17 April 2015 at 3:05 pm

    As a followup to the Compass takeover of the SDHB meals on wheels program, which I commented on yeterday:

    Dr Hearn, of Dunedin, said he would wait and see what happened before deciding whether to quit the service he has provided for the ”best part of 20 years”.

    ”I think many drivers will find themselves wishing to continue to assist the elderly and disabled, but unwilling to shore up the profits of a private corporation…

    Dr Hearn took exception to board chairman Joe Butterfield’s reported comments yesterday that volunteers who quit the service would be doing a ”disservice”.

    ”Meals on wheels drivers are hardly likely to be encouraged by an approach that really amounts to little more than a silly effort to bully drivers,” he said.

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/339379/volunteers-unhappy-meals-plan

    However, the SDHB has its own problems and may not end up having the final say (even if they are convinced by the outcry against the scheme):

    Labour health spokeswoman Annette King said a document she obtained revealed the board was in ”serious freefall” with a ballooning deficit…

    The Ministry of Health had advised Dr Coleman on ”governance options” for the board.

    Mrs King said the governance options were not specified, but she believed it meant a commissioner was being considered.

    ”When they talk about governance options, there aren’t that many options.” …

    A spokeswoman for Dr Coleman said he intended to appoint a new chairman, rather than install a commissioner…

    The paper comes as the board’s community-based health providers are reeling from a proposed 5% cut to their funding.

    http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/339385/sdhb-serious-freefall

    So assuming that the Nats do appoint an overseer (who Coleman denies will be called a; “commissioner”) to the SDHB to adminster the funding cuts, the paper savings of the Compass contract will be a high priority for their approval. Then there’s the question of; how much Compass may have donated to certain election campaigns, but I’m not a forensic accountant able to follow concealed money trails.

  18. Chooky 18
    17 April 2015 at 4:46 pm

    …so to put it into a nutshell the Nacts starve the Southland District Hospital Board of taxpayer money for health

    …so it goes into deficit

    ….and then has to jettison ‘meals on wheels’ to a private money making company… (one of Nact’s cronyist friends?)

    ….and its $23 million John key is putting in of New Zealand taxpayer money to change our New Zealand flag against our will ?! ( surveys show New Zealanders dont want their flag changed, especially the RSA and young NZers…they like our flag)

    …this $23 million could go into ‘meals on wheels’ and kids lunches in schools ( you know Hone and Metiria’s lunches in schools Bill that the Nacts voted down)

    ….where is the Labour Party on this?

  19. Chooky 19
    17 April 2015 at 8:40 pm

    This is pretty shocking…it couldnt be happening in NZ as well could it?…surely not….but how would we know?

    ….such a kerfuffle was made of Dotcom’s donations to the Int/Mana Party….but what were the Nacts up to?

    ‘Tories bankrolled by hedge funds in offshore tax havens, new analysis shows’

    http://rt.com/uk/250325-tories-bankrolled-hedgefunds-industry/

    “Conservative Party candidates are bankrolled by hedge fund donations siphoned to Westminster from lucrative tax havens including the Cayman Islands, new analysis suggests…”.

    – See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/04/16/the-daily-blog-open-mic-thursday-16th-april-2015/#comment-282742

  20. North 20
    17 April 2015 at 9:58 pm

    My Good God ! On Campbell Live tonight – in answer to the question “Should Teina Pora get compensation ?” – 12% of respondents say “No”. It beggars belief !

    Fetid, hardcore, classist, racist, whatever…….bastards. That can be the ONLY explanation. Makes you pray that they or theirs will personally fall victim to a grave miscarriage of justice on the scale suffered by Teina Pora. Wait…..I hear the primal scream. As I did from worshippers at the temple of TheGodKey in my own family. When my neice, her partner and 18 month old child fell innocent victims to TheGodKey’s 90 day law. Given 5 days to relocate their life from a backblocks farm where they’d ‘enjoyed’ 79 days of modest dwelling accommodation. Charity, but only when it’s you or yours !

    Meanwhile a certain ‘hard man’ former detective, for many years a legend in the police force, lives a well-pensioned, comfortable life in retirement. A man who shuts the door of his clinker-brick retirement dwelling in the face of whichever media team calls. With 20 years of Teina Pora’s life on his hands. To the facile and embarrassingly ignorant who will niggle……”Well he did confess……” (quite fine to prey on the weak is it ?) – even as the investigation proceeded there were other detectives who were decidedly uncomfortable with what to them was obviously a fit-up.

    Sadly the certain retired detective was of such seniority and such a legend, as in any gang, he could command submission by his subordinates. The now retired detective “had his man”. Who could challenge that ?

    Recall seeing him at Papakura District Court at least a couple of decades ago. With gruff majesty, aloofly dispensing ‘acknowledgment’ to young cop after young cop. All lined up nervously semi-genuflecting in his presence.

    “Like another cigarette Teina ?”

    “Would it help if I pointed out a house Teina ?”

    20 years of an innocent man’s life……Det. Steve Rutherford…….who “always gets his man”……..callously adding to the ‘Det. Steve Rutherford Legend’ ? Fukn hell ! Angry Angry !

  21. greywarshark 21
    17 April 2015 at 10:19 pm

    For those worried about our dependence on housing and dairy as the main economic drivers in NZ, this is a great radio piece about Banks Peninsula sheep farmers who are co-operating into a sort of wool appellation district, and melding with their European customers. It could be an example that is a model for others.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/countrylife#audio-20175185

    Chris Chamberlain (above left) is chairman of the Banks Peninsula Farms Wool Growers company. He also runs a sheep and beef property with his wife Jacqui near Port Levy on Banks Peninsula. “It was originally started from the farm discussion group we had running on the Peninsula. We were just disillusioned with the price of wool and we decided to be proactive and ask the question, why?”…

    Richard Barnett (above right) is one of 40 or so shareholders in Banks Peninsula Farms Wool Growers Limited. He farms with his wife Clare across the bay from the Chamberlains. “One of the problems wool growers in general have had is that we’ve been kept very well divided and not badly served, but it’s been in a lot of other people’s interests to keep us rather ignorant of the wool growing, processing and marketing process”

    It’s a detailed interesting doco style interview. They are doing better though it’s hard yards apparently, but they know the problems it seems and forewarned etc. Good on them and I hope they continue on their upward trend.

  22. greywarshark 22
    18 April 2015 at 11:08 am

    Thanx Chooky. I am regularly looking at TS and your comments are also interesting, and knowledgable and insightful. If we can keep informing ourselves and others we’ll all get a clearer picture to back any submissions, ideas we take forward, and inform the choices at our next election. There is just so much I haven’t known, or understood fully.

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    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
    21 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

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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