Its become a religion for these believers in the market solving everything, and just like the second coming it may happen but its unlikely to happen in ones lifetime.
If we all take it as a given that Auckland will be allowed to grow to 2M people, then this is what we are going to end up with, even as provincial towns all around the regions continue to slowly die off.
Wanganui/Manawatu median house price $233,000 what the hell are people all doing in fucking $810,000 median Auckland?
Is the minimum wage 4x higher in Auckland or something?
There’s few well paid jobs in the provinces. Whanganui, for example, is a lovely town, but has little in the way of future focussed work. There’s a freezing works, a pet food factory, a place that makes helmets, a shipyard and not much else. Most of the work at those places is paid in the minimum to living wage level. So, houses may be priced reasonably, but the income levels still make them difficult to afford for a lot of residents.
If I was in Auckland, and thinking of getting out, the pressing question is ‘what do I do when I get there?’.
For many women the issue is around being the primary caregiver esp for kids. Jobs have to fit around school hours and be flexible enough for kids being sick.
Sabine is on the money. The options for women in provincial towns are mostly limited to the service industry, so, again, low pay.
As an aside, while there are many women in the meat industry, there are very few holding down the higher paying jobs. Boning and slaughterboard work are extremely physical jobs which are paid on a tally basis (the more you do, the more you get paid) and there aren’t many women represented there. Packing jobs, which are predominantly done by women, are the often the lowest paid positions in a freezing works.
If you’re a woman management professional, or you are a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant, there are plenty of opportunities outside of the big city.
You’re not going to be on big firm money or prestige though. If that’s what you want then by all means go fire up your career in the big city.
But if you have real ambition in a professional field you need to get out of small time Auckland anyway.
And most women in NZ live outside of Auckland Wellington and Christchurch. I doubt they think that the big city types have better lives than they do.
I think you are overestimating both the percentage of women in the workforce who are tertiary educated and the number of jobs available for them in the provinces. In addition, the financial rewards are less outside the bigger cities. The going rate for similar jobs in Auckland and Timaru is always going to be higher in Auckland.
By the way, was your second to last sentence a typo? I’ll think you’ll find that most women (and men) in NZ do live in Ak, Wellington or Christchurch.
It’s not all jobs and income. For me one of the major attractions of Auckland, is the access to the medical care I need at a good price. And a public health system, whilst slow, still works.
Also it gives me a chance to engage in a multicultural city. The weather is half decent as well, as is access to beaches, good food, family, and things like community gardens.
It also a city were by you can have engagement with a good ideas and great things, it also were we see the worst of the worst.
Auckland, will be a battle ground of ideas for years to come, with Maori and Pacific taking the led more and more.
Well said Adam. It troubles me that people still seem, and without question, to lock themselves into a mindset that says having a job is the principle thing in life…and that from that, all else should flow.
And that could be the basis of a huge tech R&D facility – if the government got off it’s arse and started actually trying to develop the nations economy.
That transition out of Auckland is something I have been putting a lot of thought into, because I’m getting ready to in the next few years.
If you sell out of Auckland, you never go back.
If you simply rent your Auckland place out, you can cover the mortgage, but you need quite a bit of the equity to set up properly elsewhere, in my case Wanaka. And you’re a very distant landlord.
We will both largely be jumping off the cliff of salaried life, and starting up a boutique hotel. We will still consult back to Auckland, but just a day or so a week until we really have the business bedded in.
These are not small transitions to make, because they are pretty much irreversible. Better to plan them rather than have them forced on us later in life.
Walking away from the Auckland property also means walking away from family and friends and many networks. But it has to be done if we’re going to get the life we want.
“Wanganui/Manawatu median house price $233,000 what the hell are people all doing in fucking $810,000 median Auckland?
Is the minimum wage 4x higher in Auckland or something?”
Perhaps they are scared of moving to a new city and making new friends.
Maybe they are not organised enough to get a job in a new city before they move there, i have moved to get a higher paying job a shitload of times. The people who rent and are on longterm welfare who won’t move to a more affordable area amaze me the most. Some people are just lazy or they don’t mind living in a shithole.
No, we’re a nation of immigrants. When the grass definitely is greener elsewhere it’s time to move. You can only fit so many generations into a given space. Don’t be so placeist.
“Placeist”? Get a life. It’s called “having friends and family and community”.
Besides, you don’t know that the grass is “most definitely” greener. And what if the parents don’t want to be uprooted at their time of life – you expect the kids to say “screw you, mum, you’re on your own”?
Wriggle and dance all you want, the only thing you’re demonstrating is that you have nobody you genuinely care about.
NZ ENVOY TO HATCH: DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY: New Zealand Ambassador Tim Groser said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch’s position on biologics in the TPP was “principled” but that the Utah Republican should not be worried about the level of protection the deal will provide for the new class of drugs.
Not enough attention has been paid to TPP language saying that all countries must provide “effective market protection” for biological drugs, Groser told reporters Friday at a lunch hosted by the National Foreign Trade Council.
“[New Zealand] will meet our TPP obligations, which require us to give effective market control through a variety of different mechanisms,” said Groser, who recently served as his country’s trade minister. “The shortest period of time between the marketing of the original [biological drug] and the entry of [a biosimilar] through our regulatory process … the shortest period is over 20 years. So this is not just pure theory I’m spouting.”
The Republican Senator Orrin Hatch who is chair of the Senate Finance Committee is concerned that TPP negotiators failed to secure 12 years of protection for next-generation biological drugs.
Not enough attention has been paid to TPP language saying that all countries must provide “effective market protection” for biological drugs, Groser told reporters Friday at a lunch hosted by the National Foreign Trade Council.
So, what they’re promising is protection from the market effectively guaranteeing profits.
AS PREDICTED: US seeks more in TPP on medicine monopolies at APEC meeting
“The US government is making a desperate attempt to placate domestic US corporate and Republican opposition to the TPP implementing legislation by demanding stronger monopolies for pharmaceutical companies and other concessions at a meeting of TPP ministers to be held this week on the sidelines of the APEC Trade Ministers meeting in Peru,” Dr Patricia Ranald, Convener of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network said today.
Jane Kelsey: Heavy hand of US domestic politics evident in TPP
The US has covertly sent officials around the other countries’ capitals to check on their implementation. New Zealand’s proposed new intellectual property laws have already been attacked publicly by US officials and the pharmaceutical industry.
We can only imagine the pressure behind closed doors, because the Government won’t tell us what’s happening.
Why would they “stand fast” against the entirety of something that meets many of their international trade objectives, even if some of it is contrary to their sovereignty issues?
I don’t think that it even made any of their trade objectives and that they had to use the BS that National released to justify saying that it did. You know, the figures that have since been shown to be complete bollocks.
On all counts the TPPA will be bad for NZ and we should not be signing it. Labour still has time to come out fully against it but I’m sure that they won’t as they continue to follow the same failed ideology that brought about the Great Depression and the GFC.
Leaked diplomatic letters sent from Colombia’s Embassy in Washington describe how a staffer with the Senate Finance Committee, which is led by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, warned of repercussions if Colombia moves forward on approving the cheaper, generic form of a cancer drug.
[…]
In the second letter, after a meeting with Senate Finance Committee International Trade Counsel Everett Eissenstat, Flórez wrote that Eissenstat said that authorizing the generic version would “violate the intellectual property rights” of Novartis. Eissenstat also said that if “the Ministry of Health did not correct this situation, the pharmaceutical industry in the United States and related interest groups could become very vocal and interfere with other interests that Colombia could have in the United States,” according to the letter.
In particular, Flórez expressed a worry that “this case could jeopardize the approval of the financing of the new initiative ‘Peace Colombia.’”
The Obama administration has pledged $450 million for Peace Colombia, which seeks to bring together rebels and the government to end decades of fighting that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and a shattered civil society. These funds will be used for, among other things, removing land mines. The country has the second-highest number of land-mine fatalities in the world, behind only Afghanistan.
Ukraine was allowed to stand.
It was a country brought down by a coup d’état against an elected government.
Venezuela is on the brink after 2 years + of economic sabotage.
“The US has been a rogue state ever since the 19th century.”
It goes back to the 1630’s when the prime export of these colonies was a highly addictive narcotic, nicotine (i.e., tobacco). The colonists realized it would easy to grow tobacco in a lot of other places so they made it a capital offense to export tobacco plants, seeds, or cuttings. “Capital offense” as in, we hang you by the neck until dead!
This was the birth of America’s concept of “monopolistic free trade,” a noble tradition they continue to honor in the TPPA.
Ukraine was always a poor country ineptly run by corrupt politicians and officials. Now it is a destroyed country ineptly run by corrupt politicians and officials.
And the US has successfully convinced Ukraine to cut all its economic ties with Russia. Including all the high tech aerospace and defence components they used to make for Russia.
In exchange the Ukraine now gets to export more fruit to the EU. And IMF overlords insisting that the Ukraine “liberalise” its state assets.
He was Roussefs running mate, selected by her. The process stinks but he is a long time leader of Brazils largest party and as Rousseff was in a coalition with other parties compromises are made
How else could it this way, except in Brazil which the politicians are notoriously corrupt, the President is removed for just a government budget measure.
Having screwed the Middle east, the US gaze turns to South America and uses its underhand methods to upset the democratic apple cart when it favours leftist leaders.
Having screwed the Middle east, the US gaze turns to South America and uses its underhand methods to upset the democratic apple cart when it favours leftist leaders.
Amidst predictions of Rousseff’s demise, the mainstream media has consistently downplayed, and occasionally outright ignored, one fact: the social backgrounds of protesters. It is not “the Brazilian people” who are in the streets, but rather a very specific segment of the population whose economic interests are historically opposed to those of the majority. They are largely middle and upper class and, consequently, mainly white. In the 2014 elections they sensed that their time had come to get rid of the PT, only to see their favored candidate, former Minas Gerais PSDB governor Aécio Neves, lose in Brazil’s closest-ever presidential contest. Despite the very real and serious flaws of the current government, this discontent with the PT finds its true source in centuries of elite fear of popular mobilization and a deep resentment of the gains working class people have made since Lula took office in 2003.
The operation known as ‘Car Wash’ (Lava Jato) – which was designed to force Lula to testify – was leaked to the Globo television network in advance so that their helicopter could hover over the former president’s house before the federal police arrived. During the night, Epoca magazine’s editor-in-chief (which belongs to the Globo media network) tweeted about the actions that would take place the following morning. This demonstrated the media’s power to manipulate public opinion with a noticeable coup-driven agenda.
“Having screwed the Middle east, the US gaze turns to South America”
America’s Monroe Doctrine (1823) essentially said, “The Western Hemisphere belongs to us.” From an American foreign policy point of view, the US is simply managing weaker countries that have always belonged to the USA.
(OK, I admit this is a Latin American perspective. The US State Dept. would disagree.)
Love the Natz myth (sarc) about ‘freeing up more land” – yep that old chestnut been saying it for years now, (change the record) but the problem is that there is too many people coming into NZ, not enough building and plenty of land but that does not mean houses!!
Even when they do build the houses are not aimed at Kiwis but at overseas money.
It is the building of the houses that is the problem not the land or resource consents!
Why are they selling off the state houses if they need more affordable housing?
The insane lazy immigration strategy from the Natz so that overseas money can flood into Auckland and hide the major problems in the Natz economic strategy and give them more votes to boot.
P.s If you live in a car can you register to vote? Probably a lot more difficult, win win for the Natz.
It’s not too many people, it’s too much cheap money being sold as debt by our foreign banks. That’s what inflates the bubble. Building more dwellings will not fix it.
A friend of mine says the Chinese can land ready to erect house kits in NZ for $12,000 each. I can’t support this but I do know that mass produced housing units can be built quickly and economically.
We can’t do that. It would cut out the real estate developers who finance National’s elections.
Don’t try and solve the wrong problem. You won’t get anywhere.
The real problem is: not enough $20/hr jobs in the regions.
You are never going to get affordable (less than 4x household income) housing in Auckland. I don’t care if you get a Labour/Greens government in Auckland, they will be able to do nothing to drop median Auckland house prices under $800K. It will keep climbing.
No Government can build the five thousand houses a year in Auckland which is what you will need to even start to make a dent against the city’s projected population growth. And even then all the Government will be doing is taking land which would be used by private developers, hence no net gain in numbers of houses.
how about that?
Why does the majority of migrants need to move to Auckland? Why not incentives them to move to the regions and create their ‘investment businesses’ there?
Why force people that have lived in Auckland for many generations, that have paid rates, that have paid taxes here out?
Oh cause you don’t care about the people that already live here?
Is that your problem?
Stop people from moving to AKL for the next 5 – 10 years, unless they have a. a job and b. housing lined up.
And everyone who still then wants to ‘migrate’ to NZ to buy up properties and keep them empty can do that elsewhere.
The unit next to my house has been empty now for 3 years. And there are many thousands of properties in AKL that are kept empty. We would not need to build several thousands of houses desperatly if we could get those that are kept empty for captial gains back on the market as a house for people that actually want to live in it.
Why force people that have lived in Auckland for many generations, that have paid rates, that have paid taxes here out?
Oh cause you don’t care about the people that already live here?
People can pick and choose for themselves whether or not they want to stay in Auckland, once you give them a way out.
But let’s stop pretending that Auckland is ever going to make an affordable city to live in if it keeps growing.
It’s great for those on the top 5% of incomes though.
i have advocated for the government – any fucking government – to invest in the region now for the longest time. Here, and elsewhere.
What i have not done, is to call for gutsy people elsewhere to just up their families, leave everything behind that they know and move god knows where to start a new life. You however have asked for that yesterday. Are there any gutsy aucklanders that would move to the Waikato. To do what? What jobs? And not only jobs for the blokes, but jobs for the wifes – cause we like to earn a living too and would love to not be completly depended on a man – jobs for the kids, cause well, eventually they grow into adutls. That alone should see you blush with shame, but i guess that is something you don’t have. How many dairy frm workers just do you think live in Auckland?
I have never pretended that Auckland is going to out build its issues. AS for affordable, you and I have vastly different ideas as to what is affordable then you. I actually don’t have an issue with the house prices in AKL, as they are the same world wide for a city that size.
What i have an issue with, is that the government is not investing in decent humanly build appartment blocks that are not leaking, rotting, fire hazards. What i have an issue with is that a tenancy for six month is legal. Anyone who looks for a place to live will most likely not want to move again in six month. Everyone who wants to rent for less then six month could go rent a motel unit for that long.
I have an issue with people leaving previously tenanted or lived in houses empty cause the Carpet, like that fuckwit Gareth Morgan and others of his ilk.
I have an issue with people buying rental properties and then hear them complain that they actually can’t keep up the maintenance of said rental cause they have no money.
i have an issue with the same house being sold several times over and everytime it does the last family that moved in 4 month ago is again on the streets, and the next tenant will pay an extra 100$ per week on the same house, cause we don’t have no fucking regulations for rentals and no protection for tenants.
So frankly, keep your lets move Aucklanders out away for a moment, and lets have a look at the issues that are, and that more often then no are not caused by the o es living in despair.
Namely no job creation what so ever for decades now in the regions other then cows and wine it seems.
Namely, no houses being build to be in the affordable brackets for tenants that live and work for a certain time in AKL, but might not want to actually buy in Akl.
but that would not be quite as easy as saying, if yer can’t afford it just move out.
People every day in the regions are having to up their lives and move to Auckland to try and get work.
It ain’t exactly a new phenomenon.
Regardless of the value of the ideas you propose to improve rental situations in Auckland, they can never keep up with the pressure that 30,000 to 40,000 population growth per year, for the next 20 years, in the city will create.
Which is where my point comes in. People need avenues to move out of Auckland and people need to be discouraged from moving into Auckland.
At that point, your suggestions about rental controls and government apartment blocks, might have a chance to make an impact.
Even then however, average income earners on $60K pa in Auckland will never own their own home. They will be renters for life, enriching some landlord for life.
Let alone the situation for the majority of Auckland workers who make way less than $60K pa.
But the difference between you and me is that i don’t call for them to do that.
Equally, there are many Aucklanders that have moved or say retired, to Tauranga and other nice places in NZ fucking up house prices there.
Then you have the Aucklanders that have moved overseas. Quite a few actually.
Then you will have those that will sell within the next few month and also move somewhere nice.
Not everyone needs to buy a house. Full stop there. Have a good look at europe and other places and understand than many do not own the house/apartment they live in, but they rent it. At a decent affordable rent, long term – sometimes several decades even. But then the ‘landlords’ overseas don’t participate in a Volkssport called’ Flip a house, fuck over a tenant’ to get rich.
As for affordable, soon working stiffs won’t be able to buy in Wellington, Tauranga, Wellington, CHCH, well i guess they all can just move to a region and start milking cows for a living.
I’ll ignore your smart big city folk diss of the regions.
If people want to spend an hour in traffic day every day instead of with their families, good on em.
I’m betting that people given the choice won’t.
And my point stands – Auckland is going to cross 2M population by 2035, if not before.
Your schemes with government apartment blocks etc cannot keep pace with that, not even close.
As for young Kiwis giving up their dream of owning their own home. If they stay in Auckland, most of them will have to. Unless they luckily have parents ready to put down a $150K deposit for them.
Young people might value a well-paid, engaging career and diverse lifestyle options over the historic allure of owning a quarter-acre. They already know where they will find those choices.
Stopping people moving to our only world-scale city is not going to help NZ’s future prospects. Investing in regional development however is also important. It’s not a zero-sum thing. We can walk and chew gum.
Any government could boldly fix this housing crisis if they thought voters would support it. Unfortunately those who benefit from our current arrangements vote more than than those who don’t. We need leaders competently presenting a better alternative to change that. Where are they?
If New Zealanders won’t, there’s plenty of UK, Hong Kong, Netherlands, US, and South African couples who will sell up at home and move to specific provinces: North Shore, Queenstown, Wanaka, Wairarapa, Bay of Islands.
But then there’s those pesky OIO rules, anti-foreigner policies, immigration hoops.
Therein the regional policy/immigration/land ownership quandary.
And there are many thousands of properties in AKL that are kept empty.
And everywhere else. Compulsory purchase of all properties that are vacant for a given amount of time on the basis that they are mere instruments of speculation.
Squatter’s rights! Then there’s no need for wrangling in any court over whether a property was deliberately left empty 😉
There is no rational reason not to have legislation along those lines. But we’re talking ideology; an ideology that is never named or examined by even investigative journalistic pieces.
edit: And life long leases that have provisions for running intergenerationally.
The US has a few dairy woes.
“Billions of pounds of cheese are about to go to waste. Clearly America needs your help”
Americans eat an average of 34 pounds of cheese a year however the cheese surplus is mounting partly due to imported cheese from Europe because of the low Euro.
Warehouses are full of curds that may have to be dumped.
This is what happens when an economy is driven by profit. You get huge amounts of ‘waste’ that could be used to help people but it’ll be dumped instead because putting it to use will lower profits.
The UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016-18 (NAP) sets out 13 commitments on transparency, anti corruption and open government. It also sets out how government is making information clearer, easier to interpret and easier to use.
The commitments include:
● The UK becoming the first G7 country to commit to the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) for contracts administered by a central purchasing authority, the Crown Commercial Service.
This means that the whole process of awarding public sector contracts – from the bidding right through to the building – will be visible to the public for the first time by October 2016.
This will be piloted by High Speed Rail 2.
_________________________
Still hiding them under the BS of ‘commercial sensitivity’. Our politicians don’t seem to have woken up to the fact that a contract between a private firm and the government is with us, the people and that we need to know the details of those contracts.
Women should be given every assistance to break the ceiling barriers – as it were – but in the final analysis appoint on ability and merit and not gender.
Looking forward to receiving my invitation to this Mayoral debate.
I’m sure my pro-transparency Mayoral policies will receive support from, in my opinion, many decent business people – particularly those who have been unsuccessful in obtaining contracts for services and regulatory functions with Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs)?
“Business to Put Tough Questions to Auckland Mayoral Candidates
With the countdown now on to local body elections, and the mayoralty of New Zealand’s largest city being hotly contested, three leading business associations want to put the tough questions to Auckland mayoral contenders around how they will deliver more prosperity to the city.
The powerhouse combination of EMA, Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Heart of the City have partnered up to host two Mayoral Debates.
The first in this series is being held on Friday, June 17 and a second debate is planned for Thursday, September 8. Candidates will include Phil Goff, Victoria Crone and Mark Thomas.
The three business focussed organisations want to ensure the needs of Auckland’s businesses are front and centre in the minds of the candidates.
The objective of the debates is to create an opportunity for Auckland businesses to send strong signals about the outcomes they want to see the successful candidate deliver.
All three organisations agree, that the potential of Auckland has to be unlocked and that business wants to see action, not words, from the city’s future leader.”
________________________________________
(And I’m sure my participation will sharpen, and make far more lively, this Mayoral debate, particularly my view that Auckland is already being run ‘like a business, by business FOR business’ and what need is an Auckland region that is ‘people’ – not ‘business’ friendly 🙂
Will these business associations be brave enough to invite me?
(If the Institute of Directors can invite me to a Mayoral debate at the Northern Club – why not? 😉
Life in the provinces isn’t all bad. I left Auckland twenty years ago, everyone said we would be back after a couple of years but we’re still here. You can buy a very nice house in Whangarei for under $300,000 – close to town and probably with sea views. The wages aren’t as good up here, but they aren’t that bad and there seems to be plenty of work out there for those who want it. The beaches are awesome, the fishing is pretty good and the only time you get a traffic jam is on a friday before a long weekend. If for some strange reason you want to go to Auckland it’s less than 2 hours away.
Two problems, one is that some of us in the provinces don’t want a big influx from Auckland 😉
The other is that Aucklanders migrating out to cheaper places can have the same effect there on house and land prices that wealthy immigrants are having in Auckland. I agree with the general premise that part of Auckland’s problem is too many people want or need to live there. But let’s look at the complexities, not just exporting the problem somewhere else.
…so after Alex Salmond has been informed by the ICC that won’t prosecute Blair for a ‘crime of aggression’ – it isn’t within their jurisdiction – up jumps Jim Sillars with a suggestion that the Scottish Parliament pass retrospective legislation so that he can be hauled before the Scottish courts.
Holyrood is a devolved parliament and certainly doesnt have powers to create a war crime law for outside Scotland
These are its restricted areas of legislation
agriculture, forestry and fisheries
education and training
environment
health and social services
housing
law and order( locally)
local government
sport and the arts
tourism and economic development
many aspects of transport.
Scottish Law is separate to the Law in England and Wales – always has been. Tony Blair was the PM of the UK, not just England and Wales. Scotland is a part of the UK and I’d pick that a person governing the UK has to abide by the law as it stands in England and Wales just as much as by the law as it stands in Scotland – when, where and if they are considering something that impacts both north and south of the English-Scottish border.
There won’t be a retrospective law passed, but it would be interesting if there was.
Well, I’m picking that Jim Sillars wouldn’t have made the suggestion, and the newspaper wouldn’t have reported the suggestion, and the SNP spokesperson wouldn’t merely have responded that they had no plans to table such a piece of legislation, if that facet of Scottish Law (criminal) was ‘reserved’ (ie -came under the purview of Westminster).
For the world of me I can’t imagine why criminal law would be reserved, but hey…
Since none of the actions of the Iraqi war occurred in Scotland or were planned in Scotland, that would make it a very big ask to make it a domestic law and order issue they can legislate on.
There is also the idea of murder its elf, as Blair never directly participated in the war operations ( unlike US , PM isnt commander in chief) he would have to be prosecuted under the political aspect of war crimes. The Hague hasnt even done anything in that regard as far as I’m aware.
AS for why an SNP MP has raised the issue, the idea that MPs are all knowing, is ludicrous. A grandiose idea in their mind of what they do know and can legislate for is more common. Sillars is exactly such a person.
One other aspect that wouldnt be a problem, is retrospective, as the UKs own War Crimes Act of 1991, which only covered crimes in Europe under german occupation, is clearly retrospective .
Interestingly, that law was one of only a few last century that was passed in spite of the House of Lords rejecting it. ( and probably doomed the hereditary lords who did so.)
As I understand it, only applied to individuals who were now resident in UK, and were participants in particular war crimes during the war.
There have been a few things this I really had a great belly laugh over this year. Larry Wilmore speech at Obama’s last correspondents dinner, was one time. I thought it was up their with Stephen Colbert, and in some ways better for it’s frankness. Now this, sheesh he hit, and he hit hard it seems.
Hadn’t seen or heard his speech. So I searched it out (link below). The first 15 minutes were kind of taking no prisoners and I found I didn’t necessarily have to know who he was referring to to ‘get it’ – one very uncomfortable audience, but then it kind of washed out about the point of the Zodiac Killer stuff. (btw – I got the impression that him and Lemon are mates – that wasn’t really a go so much as a jibe you might hear between two mates. Lemon just seems to be laughing “You bastard”. That’s how I took it anyway.
“Saw you (Obama) hanging out with NBA players like Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. That was cool. That was cool, yeah. You know it kinda makes sense, too, because both of you like raining down bombs on people from long distances, right? What? Am I wrong?”
“Saw you (Obama) hanging out with NBA players like Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. That was cool. That was cool, yeah. You know it kinda makes sense, too, because both of you like raining down bombs on people from long distances, right? What? Am I wrong?”
I don’t play a huge amount of games but I tend to play a select few games a lot, (Saints Row series, Skyrim and Fallout are my go to games) and I’m so hanging out for the release of Far Harbour on the 19th
But yeah it makes you wonder what else is stashed in museums around that area and if other items are out in the open and no ones noticed them
Theres a crap load hidden away in Museums, there’s something like only 10% of the collection on display at any one time so I heard from a curator once, & thats just the documented stuff.
Yeah ploughing my way through Fall Out 4, I def recommend Uncharted 4, will have a look at Far Harbour, I am relatively new at these things but totally hooked!
I would like to get other games but if I did it would sit on around for ages before I started playing it, I tend to focus on one game until I get sick of it then switch to another
Filing systems take a lot less space than display cabinents. But accredited folk who can be trusted (relatively speaking) to not drop the exhibits or cover them in toffee can usually get access for research purposes.
And most museums and galleries create different public display collections over time, both to get people through the door and to illuminate different aspects and events for the regular patrons.
But also these days there’s a trend towards turning museums into theme parks mostly aimed at kids.
Otago Museum has this huge sword collection that hasn’t been displayed in years, its bloody impressive.
Re: games, yeah pr I am the same, I can only play a handful of games, the Star Wars is a good dumb online free-for-all shoot ’em up, Fall Out 4 is freakin’ hard & a total mindf*ck that takes up all my concentration, I am still at the top of the map so it’s slow going (though my settlement is healthy & safe), but Uncharted 4 is a great treasure hunt adventure like Indiana Jones & it grooves along at a cracking pace & the online version is just mean! I am really wanting some kinda WW2 game but so far not found any for the PS4. Better than movies!
Otago museum’s sword display (not collection, haven’t seen the full thing) really pissed me off the last few times I swung by (haven’t been in a few years, though). There was a little note basically saying that violence is bad but part of history, sorry we have to show this stuff, and a couple of dozen swords were hung up with no arrangement and little information.
Thing is, there was one piece from most eras and most regions across the globe, and if you knew where/when they were from you could actually trace the drift of design elements e.g. from Greece to Persia to India to China, and back the other way. It just seemed such a waste – I really like shit like that, where it really brings the world together and provdes context through the pieces themselves.
re: WW2 games, I read today that the latest Battlefield iteration is set in WW1. Might be interesting, although apparently one clip from the advertising showed a guy in a suit of armour hip-firing an MG that weight 20kilos in real life. Possible big-boss bs.
Oh my goodness Mcflock that new Battlefield looks incredible, cheers for that, will keep an eye out for it! & going to check out Skyrim too, heard a lot about but will have a look.
Guardian is for all the international justice warriors por la Revolucion. Of course, they love stories like this. The paper thrives upon their readers’ bleeding hearts.
[BLiP: Attack the messenger diversion. Moved to Open Mike. First and last warning.]
Not harsh at all. You want people to abandon weekly visitation with their kids (because the ex doesn’t want to move) and try to relocate their parents simply on the offchance of getting better paying work elsewhere in the country.
Economic migration is the product of economic desperation multiplied by the inverse of social integration. “Social integration” is the concept that seems alien to you, but most humans experience it to greater or lesser degrees.
Are you funking serious? You advocate ghettoising and call it social integration. Keep all the lumps in one place eh. Your bogus garbled ‘equation’ is meaningless. What exactly do a homeless family owe to a social ‘network’ that has failed them?
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
We have become a cruel, ugly and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dA7KJZ2t1U
Its a very ineffective government that can’t get some houses built,
The village chief is not looking after the villagers
Fail 101
Ever the question, ideology or incompetency.
Both.
The ideology is incompetent as well.
Its become a religion for these believers in the market solving everything, and just like the second coming it may happen but its unlikely to happen in ones lifetime.
Some are true believers and others ( the majority) cynically use this amoral philosophy to fit her their own interests.
If we all take it as a given that Auckland will be allowed to grow to 2M people, then this is what we are going to end up with, even as provincial towns all around the regions continue to slowly die off.
Wanganui/Manawatu median house price $233,000 what the hell are people all doing in fucking $810,000 median Auckland?
Is the minimum wage 4x higher in Auckland or something?
There’s few well paid jobs in the provinces. Whanganui, for example, is a lovely town, but has little in the way of future focussed work. There’s a freezing works, a pet food factory, a place that makes helmets, a shipyard and not much else. Most of the work at those places is paid in the minimum to living wage level. So, houses may be priced reasonably, but the income levels still make them difficult to afford for a lot of residents.
If I was in Auckland, and thinking of getting out, the pressing question is ‘what do I do when I get there?’.
Basically there needs to be more jobs in the provinces.
Having said that, 3 mates on the minimum wage can put together and buy a $233,000 Wanganui/Manawatu house. They can never do that in Auckland.
the more pressing question is, what will your wife or partner do.
All the jobs you listed for the largest part are jobs for men.
You want there to be different womens jobs now?
IMO women do just as fine as the men in the freezing works and in factory process worker jobs, thanks.
For many women the issue is around being the primary caregiver esp for kids. Jobs have to fit around school hours and be flexible enough for kids being sick.
Sabine is on the money. The options for women in provincial towns are mostly limited to the service industry, so, again, low pay.
As an aside, while there are many women in the meat industry, there are very few holding down the higher paying jobs. Boning and slaughterboard work are extremely physical jobs which are paid on a tally basis (the more you do, the more you get paid) and there aren’t many women represented there. Packing jobs, which are predominantly done by women, are the often the lowest paid positions in a freezing works.
At least in the provinces, if you aint got no money, you can go hunt and gather. And in pleasant surrounds no less.
The emptier the place the better if you got no money or job, really…
If you’re a woman management professional, or you are a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant, there are plenty of opportunities outside of the big city.
You’re not going to be on big firm money or prestige though. If that’s what you want then by all means go fire up your career in the big city.
But if you have real ambition in a professional field you need to get out of small time Auckland anyway.
And most women in NZ live outside of Auckland Wellington and Christchurch. I doubt they think that the big city types have better lives than they do.
I think you are overestimating both the percentage of women in the workforce who are tertiary educated and the number of jobs available for them in the provinces. In addition, the financial rewards are less outside the bigger cities. The going rate for similar jobs in Auckland and Timaru is always going to be higher in Auckland.
By the way, was your second to last sentence a typo? I’ll think you’ll find that most women (and men) in NZ do live in Ak, Wellington or Christchurch.
It’s not all jobs and income. For me one of the major attractions of Auckland, is the access to the medical care I need at a good price. And a public health system, whilst slow, still works.
Also it gives me a chance to engage in a multicultural city. The weather is half decent as well, as is access to beaches, good food, family, and things like community gardens.
It also a city were by you can have engagement with a good ideas and great things, it also were we see the worst of the worst.
Auckland, will be a battle ground of ideas for years to come, with Maori and Pacific taking the led more and more.
Well said Adam. It troubles me that people still seem, and without question, to lock themselves into a mindset that says having a job is the principle thing in life…and that from that, all else should flow.
Yes, I would really miss the potential of living in the biggest Polynesian city in the world. So much to learn.
If you’re doing nothing at present, doesn’t really matter does it?
And that could be the basis of a huge tech R&D facility – if the government got off it’s arse and started actually trying to develop the nations economy.
That transition out of Auckland is something I have been putting a lot of thought into, because I’m getting ready to in the next few years.
If you sell out of Auckland, you never go back.
If you simply rent your Auckland place out, you can cover the mortgage, but you need quite a bit of the equity to set up properly elsewhere, in my case Wanaka. And you’re a very distant landlord.
We will both largely be jumping off the cliff of salaried life, and starting up a boutique hotel. We will still consult back to Auckland, but just a day or so a week until we really have the business bedded in.
These are not small transitions to make, because they are pretty much irreversible. Better to plan them rather than have them forced on us later in life.
Walking away from the Auckland property also means walking away from family and friends and many networks. But it has to be done if we’re going to get the life we want.
Those are huge steps to be making, but exciting ones, Ad. Best of luck!
Cheers.
Design process and business plan and structure coming up.
“Wanganui/Manawatu median house price $233,000 what the hell are people all doing in fucking $810,000 median Auckland?
Is the minimum wage 4x higher in Auckland or something?”
Perhaps they are scared of moving to a new city and making new friends.
Maybe they are not organised enough to get a job in a new city before they move there, i have moved to get a higher paying job a shitload of times. The people who rent and are on longterm welfare who won’t move to a more affordable area amaze me the most. Some people are just lazy or they don’t mind living in a shithole.
Some people have more ties in their lives than you do.
Some people have phones.
Yes. Because phoning is just as good when elderly parents need work done around the house, or when your kids live the ex. /sarc
That’s their fault for getting old, personal responsibility and all that.
You mean they wouldn’t take in their elderly parents? Some people are so rude.
No. “rude” is expecting people to uproot themselves and now their parents just in the hope that the grass is greener elsewhere.
You seem unfamiliar with the idea of social and familial ties to a place. That’s your loss.
No, we’re a nation of immigrants. When the grass definitely is greener elsewhere it’s time to move. You can only fit so many generations into a given space. Don’t be so placeist.
“Placeist”? Get a life. It’s called “having friends and family and community”.
Besides, you don’t know that the grass is “most definitely” greener. And what if the parents don’t want to be uprooted at their time of life – you expect the kids to say “screw you, mum, you’re on your own”?
Wriggle and dance all you want, the only thing you’re demonstrating is that you have nobody you genuinely care about.
It’s very effectively shifting our wealth into the hands of the rich.
This man is representing our country?!!!
Read more: http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/morning-trade#ixzz48qlDIWcs
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The Republican Senator Orrin Hatch who is chair of the Senate Finance Committee is concerned that TPP negotiators failed to secure 12 years of protection for next-generation biological drugs.
+100 TMM
jonkey Nacts representative Tim Groser is a disgrace!…have these people no shame?!
Lets hope Trump or Sanders becomes President and kills the TPP dead in the water!
…Hillary Clinton who works for the USA corporates certainly won’t!
https://www.rt.com/usa/334754-sanders-attacks-clinton-debates/
(oops doesnt Andrew Little support Hillary Clinton for President?)
Yep if they don’t put Bernie through I think just as democrats will vote Trump rather than Clinton or not vote.
So, what they’re promising is protection from the market effectively guaranteeing profits.
AS PREDICTED:
US seeks more in TPP on medicine monopolies at APEC meeting
“The US government is making a desperate attempt to placate domestic US corporate and Republican opposition to the TPP implementing legislation by demanding stronger monopolies for pharmaceutical companies and other concessions at a meeting of TPP ministers to be held this week on the sidelines of the APEC Trade Ministers meeting in Peru,” Dr Patricia Ranald, Convener of the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network said today.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1605/S00210/us-seeks-more-in-tpp-on-medicine-monopolies-at-apec-meeting.htm
Jane Kelsey: Heavy hand of US domestic politics evident in TPP
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11639804
And our government will cave. That was a given right from the word go.
Labour and Little lost a golden opportunity to stand fast against the TPP.
🙁
Why would they “stand fast” against the entirety of something that meets many of their international trade objectives, even if some of it is contrary to their sovereignty issues?
“Baby” and “bathwater” come to mind.
I don’t think that it even made any of their trade objectives and that they had to use the BS that National released to justify saying that it did. You know, the figures that have since been shown to be complete bollocks.
On all counts the TPPA will be bad for NZ and we should not be signing it. Labour still has time to come out fully against it but I’m sure that they won’t as they continue to follow the same failed ideology that brought about the Great Depression and the GFC.
If Labour shared your assessment of it, they probably would.
But they don’t so they won’t.
But then Labour think NZ needs international trade to get stuff we want and stuff we need. And we’ve had that discussion before.
Stand over tactics, buy our shit – or land mines.
Leaked diplomatic letters sent from Colombia’s Embassy in Washington describe how a staffer with the Senate Finance Committee, which is led by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, warned of repercussions if Colombia moves forward on approving the cheaper, generic form of a cancer drug.
[…]
In the second letter, after a meeting with Senate Finance Committee International Trade Counsel Everett Eissenstat, Flórez wrote that Eissenstat said that authorizing the generic version would “violate the intellectual property rights” of Novartis. Eissenstat also said that if “the Ministry of Health did not correct this situation, the pharmaceutical industry in the United States and related interest groups could become very vocal and interfere with other interests that Colombia could have in the United States,” according to the letter.
In particular, Flórez expressed a worry that “this case could jeopardize the approval of the financing of the new initiative ‘Peace Colombia.’”
The Obama administration has pledged $450 million for Peace Colombia, which seeks to bring together rebels and the government to end decades of fighting that has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and a shattered civil society. These funds will be used for, among other things, removing land mines. The country has the second-highest number of land-mine fatalities in the world, behind only Afghanistan.
https://theintercept.com/2016/05/14/leaks-show-senate-aide-threatened-colombia-over-cheap-cancer-drug/
http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2016/05/april_public_polls-2.html
I’m not sure that the exact numbers are correct but the margin of differences seem about right to me (based on nothing more than a feeling)
How far we’ve fallen, now we appear to be demanding and/or accepting bribes…..
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/80062197/land-sale-approved-after-funding-of-school-ipads-and-laptops
Yeah, that should have had the buyers not pass the good character test as well.
This is how democracy now works (not) in Brazil
https://theintercept.com/2016/05/11/brazils-democracy-to-suffer-grievous-blow-today-as-unelectable-corrupt-neoliberal-is-installed/
illegal overthrow of an elected government again
outright coup d’état
it cannot be allowed to stand
And wikileaks has released doc which show that the new interim president is a US government informant.
Ukraine was allowed to stand.
It was a country brought down by a coup d’état against an elected government.
Venezuela is on the brink after 2 years + of economic sabotage.
America is a rogue state.
The US has been a rogue state ever since the 19th century. It’s never followed international law or anything to with ethics or morals.
@ Draco
“The US has been a rogue state ever since the 19th century.”
It goes back to the 1630’s when the prime export of these colonies was a highly addictive narcotic, nicotine (i.e., tobacco). The colonists realized it would easy to grow tobacco in a lot of other places so they made it a capital offense to export tobacco plants, seeds, or cuttings. “Capital offense” as in, we hang you by the neck until dead!
This was the birth of America’s concept of “monopolistic free trade,” a noble tradition they continue to honor in the TPPA.
Ukraine was always a poor country ineptly run by corrupt politicians and officials. Now it is a destroyed country ineptly run by corrupt politicians and officials.
And the US has successfully convinced Ukraine to cut all its economic ties with Russia. Including all the high tech aerospace and defence components they used to make for Russia.
In exchange the Ukraine now gets to export more fruit to the EU. And IMF overlords insisting that the Ukraine “liberalise” its state assets.
Un-electable ?
He was Roussefs running mate, selected by her. The process stinks but he is a long time leader of Brazils largest party and as Rousseff was in a coalition with other parties compromises are made
Major advance for the US in destabilising the BRICS rival block.
Yes it seems to be the case.
How else could it this way, except in Brazil which the politicians are notoriously corrupt, the President is removed for just a government budget measure.
Having screwed the Middle east, the US gaze turns to South America and uses its underhand methods to upset the democratic apple cart when it favours leftist leaders.
Well, them and their allies.
Amidst predictions of Rousseff’s demise, the mainstream media has consistently downplayed, and occasionally outright ignored, one fact: the social backgrounds of protesters. It is not “the Brazilian people” who are in the streets, but rather a very specific segment of the population whose economic interests are historically opposed to those of the majority. They are largely middle and upper class and, consequently, mainly white. In the 2014 elections they sensed that their time had come to get rid of the PT, only to see their favored candidate, former Minas Gerais PSDB governor Aécio Neves, lose in Brazil’s closest-ever presidential contest. Despite the very real and serious flaws of the current government, this discontent with the PT finds its true source in centuries of elite fear of popular mobilization and a deep resentment of the gains working class people have made since Lula took office in 2003.
https://nacla.org/news/2015/04/09/who%E2%80%99s-protesting-brazil-and-why
The operation known as ‘Car Wash’ (Lava Jato) – which was designed to force Lula to testify – was leaked to the Globo television network in advance so that their helicopter could hover over the former president’s house before the federal police arrived. During the night, Epoca magazine’s editor-in-chief (which belongs to the Globo media network) tweeted about the actions that would take place the following morning. This demonstrated the media’s power to manipulate public opinion with a noticeable coup-driven agenda.
http://newint.org/blog/2016/04/14/brazil-and-its-democracy/
@ dukeofurl
“Having screwed the Middle east, the US gaze turns to South America”
America’s Monroe Doctrine (1823) essentially said, “The Western Hemisphere belongs to us.” From an American foreign policy point of view, the US is simply managing weaker countries that have always belonged to the USA.
(OK, I admit this is a Latin American perspective. The US State Dept. would disagree.)
Love the Natz myth (sarc) about ‘freeing up more land” – yep that old chestnut been saying it for years now, (change the record) but the problem is that there is too many people coming into NZ, not enough building and plenty of land but that does not mean houses!!
Even when they do build the houses are not aimed at Kiwis but at overseas money.
It is the building of the houses that is the problem not the land or resource consents!
Why are they selling off the state houses if they need more affordable housing?
The insane lazy immigration strategy from the Natz so that overseas money can flood into Auckland and hide the major problems in the Natz economic strategy and give them more votes to boot.
P.s If you live in a car can you register to vote? Probably a lot more difficult, win win for the Natz.
It’s not too many people, it’s too much cheap money being sold as debt by our foreign banks. That’s what inflates the bubble. Building more dwellings will not fix it.
A friend of mine says the Chinese can land ready to erect house kits in NZ for $12,000 each. I can’t support this but I do know that mass produced housing units can be built quickly and economically.
We can’t do that. It would cut out the real estate developers who finance National’s elections.
Don’t try and solve the wrong problem. You won’t get anywhere.
The real problem is: not enough $20/hr jobs in the regions.
You are never going to get affordable (less than 4x household income) housing in Auckland. I don’t care if you get a Labour/Greens government in Auckland, they will be able to do nothing to drop median Auckland house prices under $800K. It will keep climbing.
No Government can build the five thousand houses a year in Auckland which is what you will need to even start to make a dent against the city’s projected population growth. And even then all the Government will be doing is taking land which would be used by private developers, hence no net gain in numbers of houses.
Get people out of Auckland. It is the only way.
or lets stop people from moving into auckland?
how about that?
Why does the majority of migrants need to move to Auckland? Why not incentives them to move to the regions and create their ‘investment businesses’ there?
Why force people that have lived in Auckland for many generations, that have paid rates, that have paid taxes here out?
Oh cause you don’t care about the people that already live here?
Is that your problem?
Stop people from moving to AKL for the next 5 – 10 years, unless they have a. a job and b. housing lined up.
And everyone who still then wants to ‘migrate’ to NZ to buy up properties and keep them empty can do that elsewhere.
The unit next to my house has been empty now for 3 years. And there are many thousands of properties in AKL that are kept empty. We would not need to build several thousands of houses desperatly if we could get those that are kept empty for captial gains back on the market as a house for people that actually want to live in it.
Let’s go ahead and do both.
Give people ways to move out of Auckland.
Disincentivise people from moving into Auckland.
People can pick and choose for themselves whether or not they want to stay in Auckland, once you give them a way out.
But let’s stop pretending that Auckland is ever going to make an affordable city to live in if it keeps growing.
It’s great for those on the top 5% of incomes though.
i have advocated for the government – any fucking government – to invest in the region now for the longest time. Here, and elsewhere.
What i have not done, is to call for gutsy people elsewhere to just up their families, leave everything behind that they know and move god knows where to start a new life. You however have asked for that yesterday. Are there any gutsy aucklanders that would move to the Waikato. To do what? What jobs? And not only jobs for the blokes, but jobs for the wifes – cause we like to earn a living too and would love to not be completly depended on a man – jobs for the kids, cause well, eventually they grow into adutls. That alone should see you blush with shame, but i guess that is something you don’t have. How many dairy frm workers just do you think live in Auckland?
I have never pretended that Auckland is going to out build its issues. AS for affordable, you and I have vastly different ideas as to what is affordable then you. I actually don’t have an issue with the house prices in AKL, as they are the same world wide for a city that size.
What i have an issue with, is that the government is not investing in decent humanly build appartment blocks that are not leaking, rotting, fire hazards. What i have an issue with is that a tenancy for six month is legal. Anyone who looks for a place to live will most likely not want to move again in six month. Everyone who wants to rent for less then six month could go rent a motel unit for that long.
I have an issue with people leaving previously tenanted or lived in houses empty cause the Carpet, like that fuckwit Gareth Morgan and others of his ilk.
I have an issue with people buying rental properties and then hear them complain that they actually can’t keep up the maintenance of said rental cause they have no money.
i have an issue with the same house being sold several times over and everytime it does the last family that moved in 4 month ago is again on the streets, and the next tenant will pay an extra 100$ per week on the same house, cause we don’t have no fucking regulations for rentals and no protection for tenants.
So frankly, keep your lets move Aucklanders out away for a moment, and lets have a look at the issues that are, and that more often then no are not caused by the o es living in despair.
Namely no job creation what so ever for decades now in the regions other then cows and wine it seems.
Namely, no houses being build to be in the affordable brackets for tenants that live and work for a certain time in AKL, but might not want to actually buy in Akl.
but that would not be quite as easy as saying, if yer can’t afford it just move out.
People every day in the regions are having to up their lives and move to Auckland to try and get work.
It ain’t exactly a new phenomenon.
Regardless of the value of the ideas you propose to improve rental situations in Auckland, they can never keep up with the pressure that 30,000 to 40,000 population growth per year, for the next 20 years, in the city will create.
Which is where my point comes in. People need avenues to move out of Auckland and people need to be discouraged from moving into Auckland.
At that point, your suggestions about rental controls and government apartment blocks, might have a chance to make an impact.
Even then however, average income earners on $60K pa in Auckland will never own their own home. They will be renters for life, enriching some landlord for life.
Let alone the situation for the majority of Auckland workers who make way less than $60K pa.
But the difference between you and me is that i don’t call for them to do that.
Equally, there are many Aucklanders that have moved or say retired, to Tauranga and other nice places in NZ fucking up house prices there.
Then you have the Aucklanders that have moved overseas. Quite a few actually.
Then you will have those that will sell within the next few month and also move somewhere nice.
Not everyone needs to buy a house. Full stop there. Have a good look at europe and other places and understand than many do not own the house/apartment they live in, but they rent it. At a decent affordable rent, long term – sometimes several decades even. But then the ‘landlords’ overseas don’t participate in a Volkssport called’ Flip a house, fuck over a tenant’ to get rich.
As for affordable, soon working stiffs won’t be able to buy in Wellington, Tauranga, Wellington, CHCH, well i guess they all can just move to a region and start milking cows for a living.
I’ll ignore your smart big city folk diss of the regions.
If people want to spend an hour in traffic day every day instead of with their families, good on em.
I’m betting that people given the choice won’t.
And my point stands – Auckland is going to cross 2M population by 2035, if not before.
Your schemes with government apartment blocks etc cannot keep pace with that, not even close.
As for young Kiwis giving up their dream of owning their own home. If they stay in Auckland, most of them will have to. Unless they luckily have parents ready to put down a $150K deposit for them.
Young people might value a well-paid, engaging career and diverse lifestyle options over the historic allure of owning a quarter-acre. They already know where they will find those choices.
Stopping people moving to our only world-scale city is not going to help NZ’s future prospects. Investing in regional development however is also important. It’s not a zero-sum thing. We can walk and chew gum.
Any government could boldly fix this housing crisis if they thought voters would support it. Unfortunately those who benefit from our current arrangements vote more than than those who don’t. We need leaders competently presenting a better alternative to change that. Where are they?
If New Zealanders won’t, there’s plenty of UK, Hong Kong, Netherlands, US, and South African couples who will sell up at home and move to specific provinces: North Shore, Queenstown, Wanaka, Wairarapa, Bay of Islands.
But then there’s those pesky OIO rules, anti-foreigner policies, immigration hoops.
Therein the regional policy/immigration/land ownership quandary.
And everywhere else. Compulsory purchase of all properties that are vacant for a given amount of time on the basis that they are mere instruments of speculation.
Squatter’s rights! Then there’s no need for wrangling in any court over whether a property was deliberately left empty 😉
There is no rational reason not to have legislation along those lines. But we’re talking ideology; an ideology that is never named or examined by even investigative journalistic pieces.
edit: And life long leases that have provisions for running intergenerationally.
FTFY
CV
“No Government can build the five thousand houses a year in Auckland”
You definitely can. It’s been done elsewhere time and time again. But there was always a powerful sense of urgency, such as a war or natural disaster.
The US has a few dairy woes.
“Billions of pounds of cheese are about to go to waste. Clearly America needs your help”
Americans eat an average of 34 pounds of cheese a year however the cheese surplus is mounting partly due to imported cheese from Europe because of the low Euro.
Warehouses are full of curds that may have to be dumped.
http://www.upworthy.com/billions-of-pounds-of-cheese-are-about-to-go-to-waste-clearly-america-needs-your-help?c=upw1
The free market strikes again.
This is what happens when an economy is driven by profit. You get huge amounts of ‘waste’ that could be used to help people but it’ll be dumped instead because putting it to use will lower profits.
More transparency regarding contracting with the private sector one of the outcomes of the recent UK Anti-Corruption Summit?
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-contracts-to-be-open-to-public-for-the-first-time
The UK Open Government National Action Plan 2016-18 (NAP) sets out 13 commitments on transparency, anti corruption and open government. It also sets out how government is making information clearer, easier to interpret and easier to use.
The commitments include:
● The UK becoming the first G7 country to commit to the Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) for contracts administered by a central purchasing authority, the Crown Commercial Service.
This means that the whole process of awarding public sector contracts – from the bidding right through to the building – will be visible to the public for the first time by October 2016.
This will be piloted by High Speed Rail 2.
_________________________
Good.
What’s New Zealand doing?
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Still hiding them under the BS of ‘commercial sensitivity’. Our politicians don’t seem to have woken up to the fact that a contract between a private firm and the government is with us, the people and that we need to know the details of those contracts.
+ 100
Helen Clark wants the top UN job only if she is considered to be the best person for the job. And that’s the way it should be.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/world/304049/clark-don't-give-me-un-job-on-gender
Women should be given every assistance to break the ceiling barriers – as it were – but in the final analysis appoint on ability and merit and not gender.
So we are happy that an all male selection panel is ok to determine the merit of female applicant?
The UN P5 isnt all male at the present time.
The US representative is Samatha Power
I find it interesting that Helen wants the top job, but not because she’s a woman, while Hilary wants the top job because she is a woman!
Well, I think Hilary is using her gender. Helen wants it based on her skills.
I know which one I respect the more…
Edit: to be fair they are playing to totally different audiences.
Looking forward to receiving my invitation to this Mayoral debate.
I’m sure my pro-transparency Mayoral policies will receive support from, in my opinion, many decent business people – particularly those who have been unsuccessful in obtaining contracts for services and regulatory functions with Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs)?
“Business to Put Tough Questions to Auckland Mayoral Candidates
With the countdown now on to local body elections, and the mayoralty of New Zealand’s largest city being hotly contested, three leading business associations want to put the tough questions to Auckland mayoral contenders around how they will deliver more prosperity to the city.
The powerhouse combination of EMA, Auckland Chamber of Commerce and Heart of the City have partnered up to host two Mayoral Debates.
The first in this series is being held on Friday, June 17 and a second debate is planned for Thursday, September 8. Candidates will include Phil Goff, Victoria Crone and Mark Thomas.
The three business focussed organisations want to ensure the needs of Auckland’s businesses are front and centre in the minds of the candidates.
The objective of the debates is to create an opportunity for Auckland businesses to send strong signals about the outcomes they want to see the successful candidate deliver.
All three organisations agree, that the potential of Auckland has to be unlocked and that business wants to see action, not words, from the city’s future leader.”
________________________________________
(And I’m sure my participation will sharpen, and make far more lively, this Mayoral debate, particularly my view that Auckland is already being run ‘like a business, by business FOR business’ and what need is an Auckland region that is ‘people’ – not ‘business’ friendly 🙂
Will these business associations be brave enough to invite me?
(If the Institute of Directors can invite me to a Mayoral debate at the Northern Club – why not? 😉
Penny Bright
2016 Mayoral candidate.
Perhaps invitations are only to rate payers?
Penny’s remora sucker fish Indiana swimming close by.!
Life in the provinces isn’t all bad. I left Auckland twenty years ago, everyone said we would be back after a couple of years but we’re still here. You can buy a very nice house in Whangarei for under $300,000 – close to town and probably with sea views. The wages aren’t as good up here, but they aren’t that bad and there seems to be plenty of work out there for those who want it. The beaches are awesome, the fishing is pretty good and the only time you get a traffic jam is on a friday before a long weekend. If for some strange reason you want to go to Auckland it’s less than 2 hours away.
Sounds about right. I lived in Auckland for five years. Never again.
Two problems, one is that some of us in the provinces don’t want a big influx from Auckland 😉
The other is that Aucklanders migrating out to cheaper places can have the same effect there on house and land prices that wealthy immigrants are having in Auckland. I agree with the general premise that part of Auckland’s problem is too many people want or need to live there. But let’s look at the complexities, not just exporting the problem somewhere else.
i have no problem with your approach lol
This brought a smile to my face…
…so after Alex Salmond has been informed by the ICC that won’t prosecute Blair for a ‘crime of aggression’ – it isn’t within their jurisdiction – up jumps Jim Sillars with a suggestion that the Scottish Parliament pass retrospective legislation so that he can be hauled before the Scottish courts.
http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14496662.Jim_Sillars__Holyrood_should_pass_a_war_crimes_law_allowing_Tony_Blair_to_be_tried_for_the_Iraq_war/
Now, it won’t happen. But I’m enjoying all the nipping at the heels and the apparent determination to ‘get the bastard’ 🙂
That was such a good read, thanks Bill
Holyrood is a devolved parliament and certainly doesnt have powers to create a war crime law for outside Scotland
These are its restricted areas of legislation
agriculture, forestry and fisheries
education and training
environment
health and social services
housing
law and order( locally)
local government
sport and the arts
tourism and economic development
many aspects of transport.
Scottish Law is separate to the Law in England and Wales – always has been. Tony Blair was the PM of the UK, not just England and Wales. Scotland is a part of the UK and I’d pick that a person governing the UK has to abide by the law as it stands in England and Wales just as much as by the law as it stands in Scotland – when, where and if they are considering something that impacts both north and south of the English-Scottish border.
There won’t be a retrospective law passed, but it would be interesting if there was.
Scottish law may be separate, but Holyrood has limited powers to indroduce new laws,
I would have though the SNP would have bigger problems of its own.
“The English rose leaving SNP marriages in tatters: Two high-profile MPs leave their wives after they BOTH have affair with blonde writer ..”
Scandal and incompetence stalk the SNP
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/11/scandal-and-incompetence-stalk-snp
The voters think they have replaced one party of careerists, philanders and incompetents with another.
Well, I’m picking that Jim Sillars wouldn’t have made the suggestion, and the newspaper wouldn’t have reported the suggestion, and the SNP spokesperson wouldn’t merely have responded that they had no plans to table such a piece of legislation, if that facet of Scottish Law (criminal) was ‘reserved’ (ie -came under the purview of Westminster).
For the world of me I can’t imagine why criminal law would be reserved, but hey…
Since none of the actions of the Iraqi war occurred in Scotland or were planned in Scotland, that would make it a very big ask to make it a domestic law and order issue they can legislate on.
There is also the idea of murder its elf, as Blair never directly participated in the war operations ( unlike US , PM isnt commander in chief) he would have to be prosecuted under the political aspect of war crimes. The Hague hasnt even done anything in that regard as far as I’m aware.
AS for why an SNP MP has raised the issue, the idea that MPs are all knowing, is ludicrous. A grandiose idea in their mind of what they do know and can legislate for is more common. Sillars is exactly such a person.
One other aspect that wouldnt be a problem, is retrospective, as the UKs own War Crimes Act of 1991, which only covered crimes in Europe under german occupation, is clearly retrospective .
Interestingly, that law was one of only a few last century that was passed in spite of the House of Lords rejecting it. ( and probably doomed the hereditary lords who did so.)
As I understand it, only applied to individuals who were now resident in UK, and were participants in particular war crimes during the war.
There have been a few things this I really had a great belly laugh over this year. Larry Wilmore speech at Obama’s last correspondents dinner, was one time. I thought it was up their with Stephen Colbert, and in some ways better for it’s frankness. Now this, sheesh he hit, and he hit hard it seems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_P1rxrD818
Hadn’t seen or heard his speech. So I searched it out (link below). The first 15 minutes were kind of taking no prisoners and I found I didn’t necessarily have to know who he was referring to to ‘get it’ – one very uncomfortable audience, but then it kind of washed out about the point of the Zodiac Killer stuff. (btw – I got the impression that him and Lemon are mates – that wasn’t really a go so much as a jibe you might hear between two mates. Lemon just seems to be laughing “You bastard”. That’s how I took it anyway.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2016/05/01/the-complete-transcript-of-larry-wilmores-2016-white-house-correspondents-dinner-speech/
“Saw you (Obama) hanging out with NBA players like Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. That was cool. That was cool, yeah. You know it kinda makes sense, too, because both of you like raining down bombs on people from long distances, right? What? Am I wrong?”
I thought Lemon took it well.
I think it was Wolf Blitzer that was offended.
Yeah love that line.
“Saw you (Obama) hanging out with NBA players like Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. That was cool. That was cool, yeah. You know it kinda makes sense, too, because both of you like raining down bombs on people from long distances, right? What? Am I wrong?”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/79972497/national-treasure-discovered-under-cromwell-museum-stairwell
Not a political story at all, just one I thought was quite interesting
Hi puckish rogue, is it you who’s the gamer? I was just thinking Uncharted 4 when I saw that story earlier, very nice.
I don’t play a huge amount of games but I tend to play a select few games a lot, (Saints Row series, Skyrim and Fallout are my go to games) and I’m so hanging out for the release of Far Harbour on the 19th
But yeah it makes you wonder what else is stashed in museums around that area and if other items are out in the open and no ones noticed them
Theres a crap load hidden away in Museums, there’s something like only 10% of the collection on display at any one time so I heard from a curator once, & thats just the documented stuff.
Yeah ploughing my way through Fall Out 4, I def recommend Uncharted 4, will have a look at Far Harbour, I am relatively new at these things but totally hooked!
I would like to get other games but if I did it would sit on around for ages before I started playing it, I tend to focus on one game until I get sick of it then switch to another
10% is optimistic.
Filing systems take a lot less space than display cabinents. But accredited folk who can be trusted (relatively speaking) to not drop the exhibits or cover them in toffee can usually get access for research purposes.
And most museums and galleries create different public display collections over time, both to get people through the door and to illuminate different aspects and events for the regular patrons.
But also these days there’s a trend towards turning museums into theme parks mostly aimed at kids.
But also these days there’s a trend towards turning museums into theme parks mostly aimed at kids
– That’s true, its hard to find the balancing line between making something interesting and dumbing it down.
I haven’t been to Te Papa for a while but last time I was there it seemed to be more infomercial, hands on rather than informative
I think the Otago Early Settlers Museum has go the balance right though
Otago Museum has this huge sword collection that hasn’t been displayed in years, its bloody impressive.
Re: games, yeah pr I am the same, I can only play a handful of games, the Star Wars is a good dumb online free-for-all shoot ’em up, Fall Out 4 is freakin’ hard & a total mindf*ck that takes up all my concentration, I am still at the top of the map so it’s slow going (though my settlement is healthy & safe), but Uncharted 4 is a great treasure hunt adventure like Indiana Jones & it grooves along at a cracking pace & the online version is just mean! I am really wanting some kinda WW2 game but so far not found any for the PS4. Better than movies!
A game like Skyrim (the closest I’ve come to D & D in tone) can make me spend all day on my bed just playing the game, it really does take me away
Saves me money as well!
Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion with the Star Trek Armada 3 total mod…for all you avid Trekkies out there 😉
Far Cry Primal gets good press – I’m into Mount & Blade atm.
Cool, will have to check them out too, ta.
Otago museum’s sword display (not collection, haven’t seen the full thing) really pissed me off the last few times I swung by (haven’t been in a few years, though). There was a little note basically saying that violence is bad but part of history, sorry we have to show this stuff, and a couple of dozen swords were hung up with no arrangement and little information.
Thing is, there was one piece from most eras and most regions across the globe, and if you knew where/when they were from you could actually trace the drift of design elements e.g. from Greece to Persia to India to China, and back the other way. It just seemed such a waste – I really like shit like that, where it really brings the world together and provdes context through the pieces themselves.
re: WW2 games, I read today that the latest Battlefield iteration is set in WW1. Might be interesting, although apparently one clip from the advertising showed a guy in a suit of armour hip-firing an MG that weight 20kilos in real life. Possible big-boss bs.
Well hopefully it’ll be reasonably historically accurate at least (machine gun carrying aside)
Oh my goodness Mcflock that new Battlefield looks incredible, cheers for that, will keep an eye out for it! & going to check out Skyrim too, heard a lot about but will have a look.
Guardian is for all the international justice warriors por la Revolucion. Of course, they love stories like this. The paper thrives upon their readers’ bleeding hearts.
[BLiP: Attack the messenger diversion. Moved to Open Mike. First and last warning.]
Wow. Just wow.
well – im glad your here to solve things
You’re welcome, товарищ Фраму.
Ah, that explains it. You’ve been cowering in your backyard shelter for thirty years.
homeless needs to park there cars on john keys street nice wide verges for the tents there also nice park area at the end of his road
Pretty harsh McFlock, clinging like a limpet to a rock under a sledgehammer might not be Survival Plan A.
Not harsh at all. You want people to abandon weekly visitation with their kids (because the ex doesn’t want to move) and try to relocate their parents simply on the offchance of getting better paying work elsewhere in the country.
Economic migration is the product of economic desperation multiplied by the inverse of social integration. “Social integration” is the concept that seems alien to you, but most humans experience it to greater or lesser degrees.
Are you funking serious? You advocate ghettoising and call it social integration. Keep all the lumps in one place eh. Your bogus garbled ‘equation’ is meaningless. What exactly do a homeless family owe to a social ‘network’ that has failed them?
How does “not moving town” equal “ghettoising”?
And social connections aren’t always about what material benefits you can get out of them. By now I’m well aware that this confuses you.