Traditionally Labour-supporting Indian community still up for grabs but – purportedly feeling a little neglected by Labour since the Clark/Goff years & targeted by National’s latest law & order policy – leaning slightly Nat.
So why they would reward the party that creates more crime and violence is beyond me. Unless people were helping them reinforce the “get tough” narrative as though it is anything other than a vicious lie, that is.
Very few people who’ve just been beaten and robbed think “I blame the government for creating the social conditions in which this kind of crime flourishes.”
And frankly, that’s another reason why National won’t bring immigration back to sustainable levels. This is going to sound racist to some, but I do have concerns about large numbers of immigrants from societies with no functioning social welfare systems and no culture of egalitarianism.
Set against the context of the rise of Ardern to and fall of Turei from leadership, the article focuses on inequalities between treatment of tax evasion and benefit fraud, but also of gender, race and class.
Turei’s fall from grace tells us something about social values. We, the general public, get more upset about what’s ripped off from the state than what’s withheld from it. … But as Kerre McIvor recently noted, when the Government ran a ‘dob in a beneficiary’ campaign in the late 1990s the anonymous tip-off line received over 11,000 calls, while an IRD campaign to identify tradespersons working under the table received but a few hundred calls.
…
We are good at praising and blaming people, but not so good at finding fault in social structures, or our economic and political arrangements. Indeed, by personalising pressing issues like poverty we let the system off the hook.
30 years of market fundamentalism has eroded our collective identity as an egalitarian nation.
Collateral damage in the form of the poor, the sick , homeless are portrayed as losers, individually unfit, bad choice makers etc.
How else could we still see ourselves as a decent country, if not by vilifying the casualties.
So for all those beneficiary bashers, there is too much taxation, wasted on useless eaters like beneficiaries, and the cashie tradies are seen as hardworking little battlers doing their best against a repressive government .
Until of course someone gets ill,or loses their job
We were seriously trained to think like this, the Listener led the charge back in the 90’s.
Its going to take quite a movement to shift
John Peel used to say that The Fall are “the band by which all others are judged”, Henry Rollins that we should “get down on your filthy knees and crawl to the altar that is Ween”.
Peel’s dead, but if you want to take it up with Rollins I won’t stand in your way 🙂
Their big election policy last time was a “Tax break next election (maybe)”
Since they got away with promising nothing as their big election policy last time, expect more of the same.
No let’s get this straight I am about 30 percent Maori 70 percent European.So in reality I’m a kiwi .I am proud of my Maori heritage and so should every other Maori out there raze one’s head and keep your back straight and be proud of who you are. I no my Maori Whapapa I have not learnt our language.In the 1800 Maori were one of the most advanced indigenous culture in the world Research
It Google away .and be proud of whom you are and help your fellow Kiwis .I was 17 and asked my mom do I have a father she said O Year told me his name and said I’ll ring him I was total blown off my feet !!!! My mom stuffed a stroke about 15 months a got she still has her Witts about what’s going on. My two sister are looking after her.I just give them my advice on how to deal with the system. Write to the health ombudsmen or commissioner let the problem you are have with winz and the health system be heard .One nite she rang and said mom has not got long to live as the doctor said at the retirement /what ever it is home said. She told me that 2 week ago that she inform the staff at the rest home mom had a infected foot and no antibiotic were given to mom and the nite the doctors were telling us just to let her go .My sister rang a Ambulance
The doctor reports said my mom oxergin level were low . And the staff at the rest home did not give her oxygen .when mom was on the ambulance they gave her oxygen a there reaction to the doctor and staff at the rest home was shocked as I was the doctor was telling my sisters not to take mom to the hospital WTF Not giving mum the antibiotic and Oxygen . I told my brothers an sisters don’t listen to that Fucken doctor and mum had a lot of years left she is at home with my sisters now
Sorry, still finding your comments too hard to read. Try putting a gap between paragraphs, break up the text more, and correcting the spell check where its obviously wrong.
I don’t think it’s deliberate, and while I don’t know what the reasons are exactly I have no problem with different levels of literacy here if that’s what is going on.
There is no deliberate miss spelling going on I have some form of dyslexia also I Finished school at 13 and went to work fishing my school education
stopped when my nan died I was 8 after that I went to school when I wanted which was not much so self taught after she died and the standard thing was coincidental some thing is going wrong with my compute taking a long time to load articles and can not access the edit ap
thanks Em, I thought it was probably something like that but didn’t want to assume. I’ll keep an eye out, people shouldn’t be giving you a hard time about this.
“Try and’ is allowable to replace ugly repetition – eg – I need to try to find time to listen to more music. ‘Try and’ is preferable in that sentence.
But ‘try and’ all the time sounds slangy.
I taught advanced English Grammar to German students about to embark upon the translation of Commercial Correspondence. I am repeating what the advanced English Grammar book said, but no longer remember the name of that book.
Anyway, English has no real authority to adjudicate on such matters..
(The ugly repetition was of the word ‘to’. I still agree with ‘try and’ in that particular sentence and ones like it.)
Ditto here … very similar story re rest home turning a blind eye not once but twice. Very different outcome.. my mum died. I would like to know is this becoming common place ?
I have suspicions… My mother died of heart failure quite possibly due to withdrawal of the series of pills she had to take. I have no axe to grind because she had lost her mind though dementia. While clearing her house after she had to go into care, I found documents signed by both her and my father many years before when she was still sound of mind. A big list of horrible terminal diseases, and the signed request that if either of them contracted such a disease, all medical treatment should be withdrawn. Quicker death preferred. Last on that list of diseases was Alzheimers.
So, if they accidentally or deliberately stopped administering her heart pills I do not know. But I do know what she wanted when of sound mind.
Greater Auckland, fresh from getting Labour to adopt their New Network with light rail going to everywhere in Auckland, now propose a rapid rail system from Auckland to Hamilton to Tauranga, and beyond:
Buried deep within the proposal is that the governance entity would be an Authority with land acquiring powers and rail project delivery powers.
That makes it as powerful as Auckland International Airport, which is basically a city-state.
While this kind of stuff has happened before, as in Lower Hutt after World War One, I think this amount of commercial power to deliver a public good with no accountability except to a Minister is pretty undemocratic.
I’m always up for transformative ideas, but I’ve seen too many large scale disasters done in the name of public good to readily accede to such concentrated power.
In the 1960s we had a rapid rail system to Rotorua via Hamilton. I was fresh out of Dental School and posted to Rotorua. Come 6pm Friday I hopped on the rail car and two and a bit hours later was back in Auckland. Come 6pm Sunday I hopped on a rail car and……. was back in Rotorua.
We’ve already done it. Don’t need to learn to walk first.
In the 1960s we had a rapid rail system to Rotorua via Hamilton.
Given our narrow-gauge tracks, the term “rapid” tends to mean “reaches 80kph on the straights,” which would be an unusually slow train service in most countries. Bit late to switch gauges, though…
It’s not really a “bit by bit” thing – you’d need to update all the rolling stock that will use the track, and if you’re doing the track incrementally you’d need to have either dual-guage tracks or dual-gauge stock. Not to mention ferries.
Without that you wouldn’t be able to plonk a container onto a car in Invercargill and rail it up to picton, shunt the bugger onto a ferry, shunt it around in wellington, and then rail it up to Tauranga for embarkation of the container onto a ship. You’d have to handle the container at each gauge change, including the docks and the freight yard in Invers.
Then there’s all the tunnels, cuts and suchlike that would need to be widened, and compulsory purchases of land to widen the strips that the trains run on.
Queensland Rail has Diesel and Electric High Speed Tilt Trains that run on 3ft 6in gauge, but i’m not sure what’s load gauge as NZ tends to operate at lower loading gauge.
NZ almost had a Broad gauge railway system back in the 1800’s, but the Cape gauge (3ft 6in) was adopted instead because of NZ topography. There is really nothing wrong with the 3ft 6in gauge its loading gauge (the weight of the Trains) needs to higher, but due to a lack of investment/ maintenance over the years has lead to a lower loading gauge.
FYI, the Vulcan and later the Fiat Railcars on the Canterbury Plains use to 100kph+, the odd Ka and Kb’s were clock at some very high speeds as well. So NZ could run high speed trains if it wasn’t for the lack of investment and maintenance.
We don’t manufacture rail stuff here.
We have extremely weak demand for passenger rail outside of Auckland and Wellington.
We have very few rail design experts.
We have a weak Kiwirail.
We have no Ministry of Works.
We have a much smaller and much less interventionist state.
In many places the tracks have been torn up and the land sold.
No regional council wants to pay for either rail OPEX or rail CAPEX in the the Waikato or Bay of Plenty. Plenty have asked.
I’d be surprised if such people even existed. You’d need geological engineers, mechanical engineers, probably some traffic engineers and some software engineers.
I probably missed some specialisations but the point is that rail engineer is probably far too broad to be a specialisation.
We have a weak Kiwirail.
We have no Ministry of Works.
We have a much smaller and much less interventionist state.
Labour, the Greens and NZFirst all seem to be keen on bringing those back.
They definitely are.
Their ambition will be constrained by capacity – both in the private construction sector, and in the public sector where public servants haven’t seen that kind of interventionist speed and scale that is required.
A really good learning is being provided by Fletcher Building. Just two projects – both government-backed – have killed most of their profit, killed off their Chief Executive and many tier 2-and-3 staff, and left many important questions about their strategy and even existence as a company unanswered.
This is our largest listed company, at risk after just two large scale projects.
The government would need to build the capacity rather than just assuming that it’s there.
A really good learning is being provided by Fletcher Building. Just two projects – both government-backed – have killed most of their profit,
So what did Fletchers do wrong?
The government’s easy to guess – they assumed that Fletchers had the capacity as they were the largest listed company in the country when, in fact, they didn’t.
The wee snippet that I have had revealed to me (by someone who should know) is that a bunch of managerial types simply plucked a whole heap of very big numbers out of their arseholes as to how much things were going to cost, and when those numbers started looking bad, dug ever deeper to drag out a few more large numbers as to the savings they could make.
Consequently it’s all gone bad.
So, what Fletchers did wrong, was to try and run a construction company with people who know nothing about construction, and very little about anything else, except how to garner some bonuses.
No, the bean counters would actually have known how much things were going to cost or, at least, have found out.
It’s really not the bean counters that are the problem but the people who either BS or have Friends in High places to get their top paying jobs that are far above their Level of Incompetence.
I’m surprised it’s taken this long, they’ve had that managerial style for 20 -30 years. And had plenty of disasters, they tried to set up a Gib Board plant in competition to and incumbent manufacturer in Chile, didn’t end well
Fletchers might have had the other tender prices leaked to them quietly of course, and then been able to undercut the others with their bloody dodgy everything.
I suspect Fletcher’s management, like most New Zealand management, have been spoilt.
Three decades of increasing shareholder profits by cutting wages and training, borrowing for share buybacks, cutting capital investment in plant and playing with money, rather than developing an efficient business and skilled staff.
Being a monopoly in New Zealand, and automatically getting Government contracts hasn’t helped.
Christchurch would have been better served by a bunch of Government project managers organising the small building firms to do the job.
Actually how Fletchers started. As one of the small firms building State houses.
Yep Draco
All parties except ACT, National/Untied Future want all rail restored in NZ, so we have the will and just need the change of Government.
The rail should now be completed through Bay of Plenty to Gisborne also as was planed in 1911 but two wars got in the way with an epidemic and a depression.
They called the eastern rail link the “East Coast Rail” and the records are in the Hansard report from that year with the annual “ways and means” report from Coates the Public Works Minister finally emerged agin in 1939, and the Second world war stopped it again!!
MAY BE A RECORD OF THE BUILDING OF THAT RAIL LINE HERE.
Subject: Historic records of NZ Public Works “Ways & Means costings accounts provided by Coates Minister of public works 1939.
Historic records of NZ Public Works “Ways & Means costings accounts provided by Coates Minister of public works 1939.
Note; the costing account mention of work done on the “Waihi to Taneatua” line section of the “East Coast line” then then to as well as the “Napier Gisborne line”?
I think you underestimate the number of Aucklanders being forced further south of the Bombay hills if they want houses. Pokeno is the latest. With rail people could genuinely live in hamilton and Tauranga, work on a train and commute to Auckland.
That part of the motorway around Drury and over the water is a nightmare. nats just announced another 1000 home sin drury that bottleneck will continue. Business says they are losing productivity cos of it.
Unlike Bootcamps this hark back to the olden days may have some merit
Yeah but why Tracey. Why live in Tauranga and then try and work in Auckland?
Personally I agree with Ad – this rail scheme is nostalgia at it’s worst. Tauranga and Rotorua and Hamilton all had a passenger rail system 20 years ago and it failed. Too slow, too inconvenient, initially exciting, but eventually frustrating.
Cars are cheap, covenient and too easy.
If maintenance had been maintain and new investment into new rolling stock by it new owners when National fogged it off, but it was instead of the asset strip by Fay &Co and NZ Railways might have in a far better state now than its atm.
Does anyone ever get the feeling that we’re all rather old here?
I’m in my 60,s and I often get the hint that a lot of others are in that bracket
I guess we remember the time that a welfare state was something to be proud of and emulated
I recall being grumpy back around 1990 that Gen X supposedly was people born from 1965 on, which made me (1962) a Boomer. Fortunately I just checked and the first item on Google says 1961 – 1981, so now feeling totally vindicated #notaboomer.
I remembered when it was – I was working at Unity Books in Wellington in 1992 and we were selling Coupland’s book, so it was a topic of conversation at the time.
@ francesca (6.1.1.1.4) … Yes you are right. There are a lot of us in that “older” bracket … post WWII baby boomers.
I’m 71 and remember the egalitarian social structure we had during the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and into the mid 1980s. Although the system might not have been perfect, it did however work very well, solid education, available public health, other public services etc, all provided well for Kiwis.
Also I point out, during those times, children and their well being were valued as being an essential part of a caring and progressive nation. Same with the elderly, while those in between, were respected and appreciated for the work effort they put in, to keep a fair and decent society ticking over to most NZers advantage. NZ’s social system led the world. We were an advanced country in that regard.
The return of the old Ministry of Works and other state service systems wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
And don’t forget the numerous small shopping centres. Butcher (fresh meat) baker (fresh bread) Greengrocers (fresh fruit and veges) and Four Square store plus extras like a Stationers etc. all within walking distance. Milk delivered daily to each house. Plenty of public transport where men and boys always gave up their seats for women. Crime was almost non existent so young people could safely go out on their own at night.
No, it wasn’t all beer and skittles but it sure was better than exists today.
Absolutely I remember it Anne. We used to go out and leave a window or two or three open, with no fear of being our homes being broken in to. A good decent caring and respectful society then.
You’d probably also remember all that tory shit about MoW workers leaning on shovels most of the time.
Yet today, none of the same nonsense if we see Fulton Hogan indulging in the same.
Whats better – state monopolies or private monopoly/duopolies – where ticket clippers reign supreme and profits go offshore rather then bek in2 the NuZull konumy?
You’d probably also remember all that tory shit about MoW workers leaning on shovels most of the time.
I realised how that myth came about a few years ago. It’s simple really.
In the mornings, when the nine-to-fivers are going to work they see one person working on the side of the road. Same happens when they’re on the way home.
What they fail to realise is that at the beginning of the day and at the end there’s actually only enough work to support one person as they open and close the job. All those people will be working during the day but the nine-to-fivers don’t see that because they’re all at work.
And they don’t seem to realise that those people at work in the morning got there before they left for work and often leave after they get home.
They’re seeing a part and assuming that’s all. A great attack paradigm for the RWNJs to start dismantling our society for their own greed.
And people on a day off drive past at lunch time or morning tea…
I recently moved to Christchurch and am stunned at how many drivers here ignore speed limits, especially in areas where work is being undertaken. Areas with 30 and workers and people zoom through over 50…. Do not get me started on the 60 limits.
Mainly people in trade vehicles but people with kids too. must be bloody scary being a roadside worker down here.
I’m 33 and very much a product of the rogernomic effect. At least I’m capable of research and firmly believe that far more interventionist government policies are required for such a small population.
1. Motonui gas-to-gasoline plant
2. Kaitaia Kauri gum processing plant
3. Almost all of the other Think Big projects
3. Tiwai Point aluminmium plant
4. Albany Town Centre
5. Westgate Town Centre
6. Hobsonville Superyacht cluster
7. Christchurch rebuild
8. Canterbury Plans Irrigation requiring authority
… the wreckage is huge and I haven’t started.
Doesn’t mean don’t try for scale and speed. There have been plenty of successes as well.
But take real care or it is a political graveyard.
Motunui is still going.
The refinery made more profit for the oil companies in three years, than they paid for it.
Kaimai road and rail project revitilised the whole BOP. Paid for itself many times over.
Private shareholders are making millions out of the public investment in power generation and transmission. As they are from Maui gas.
National must think Tiwai point is a success. The amount of money they are throwing at it. and the National grid.
Auckland rail services are more utilised every year.
Hydro dams are still producing cheap, low carbon energy.
Notice the failures, like the Auckland super city, were right wing ideological projects.Or sold off cheaply by privatisation nutters so that we, the original investors, lost the profits.
Or proof that “the party of business” cannot run a business. E.G. Solid Energy.
Point is, with such an unpredictable mix of government successes and failures, is this scale of intervention what we want our taxes to go towards, when there are plenty more pressing problems that citizens need urgent attention towards.
I’m thinking teachers, Police, nurses, and surgeons.
The fact is that we need Government investment in the future.
New Zealand suffers from lack of investment because the private sector, on the whole, only invests in “sure things”, like buying existing public utilities, corner shops, and land.
There is no incentive to make capital investments, in productivity, when you can make the same money by reducing wages and conditions.
The tax cut to the wealthy, which was supposed to result in more investment, has instead simply got them bidding to push up existing asset prices. A ponzi scheme which now relies on unlimited immigration, and constant rise in financial markets, to continue.
Obviously unsustainable.
Only Governments can afford the long term view.
Our dairy industry, is a prime example of success, pushed by years of Government investment, protection and research. One wonders how many other successful industries, we could have nurtured, with the same level of support.
The US computer industry grew on the back of public research and investment, as did the oil industry.
It should be regarded like venture capital. Like everything, there are successes and failures.
The dividends we lost with the fire sale privatisations would have paid for an awful lot of Doctors, Nurses and Teachers.
And it’s not a question of taxes but a question of resources. If we have the resources to do it then we can do it. Get all those well trained but poorly paid people at fast food eateries out doing what they actually trained to do instead.
Yes, the fast food eateries will probably go out of business. So fucken what?
It’s not a question of raising the minimum wage but hiring people away from the eateries in such numbers that they can’t find enough staff.
Of course, we still have plenty of unemployed/underemployed so the eateries may not go out of business and will probably get increased business. Still, wages would probably go up to some degree.
Trump the nazzi white supremist loving right wing thicko is slowly going down imo – not quick enough for some and too slow for others. All of the premonitions about trump have come true – he is sad, mad AND bad
The reason Trump is not willing to denounce the right-wing groups in the US is because of his father. His father was arrested on US Memorial Day in 1927 at a Ku Klux Klan march that had turned into a riot.
Couple of wee earthquakes SW of collingwood hmmm funny spot.
Funny how the battle of Trafalgar commemerated arund this region with names – Nelson, Wakefield, Richmond, stoke, Collingwood and so on – no commemeraton for Māori warriors and battles.
marty mars
Looking at geonet earthquakes list – quite a lot of 2’s in central coast on eastern side. Then Kaikoura area from day ago – 2.5, 3.0, 3.6 (17 hrs), to recent Collingwood 4.3 then 6 minute later 3.3 (1 hour ago) and both shallow 5-6 kms.
Bit of disquiet in my mind. Where does the fault go that might link Collingwood to the Kaikoura-Seddon one? Can’t find on geonet at moment.
Duck won’t you – don’t want any bad news about you!
Try this website, it’s got every fault known plus the plate boundary. I use this a lot to cross ref with my geo books in library in man cave along with some field notes from my hunting and NZ Army days
marty mars
The link that exkiwi sent showed that the force of the quake at your place was 49 tonnes which is higher than most. But I can’t see any fault line near it
which was what i was wondering about.
It could be a unknown fault line similar to what happen at the Christchurch area or a extension of the two fault lines south of Little Wanganui. If you expand google earth you could see a possible fault trace heading Nth towards this morning quake? The Alpine Fault wasn’t fully confirm until just before the WW2, thanks to the RNZAF and the then MoW through aerial photography.
With most of Kahurangi National park being remote and hard to access by foot there could be a new fault system yet be discovered. Its one of 5 parts of NZ I haven’t been too and I might get there one day and stumble on Hood and Moorcroft’s Ryan aircraft or the RNZAF Corsair that went missing in late 44 while I’m hunting/ fishing or doing a bit of rock kicking/ bird watching etc for shit and giggles if the hunting and fishing is poor.
Just for a point of interest there was a number of quakes around the Dovedale/ Thrope area a couple of days ago as well.
Arapeta Place in the Rototai subdivision is named after Dr Potaka, in the 30,s , doing a locum for Doc Bydder…fascinating story.
Arapeta was his mother’s name
Like Hawke’s Bay where all the names refer to the Indian Mutiny; Havelock, Hastings, Clive and Napier. Lucknow Road in Havelock and Hyderabad Road in Napier.
If this is a ‘normal’ week in our country two teenagers will kill themselves and twenty will be hospitalised for self harming. Of course that is the visible top of the dreadful iceberg. Many many more will be very close, will try and test, will be asking for help in every inconcievable way possible. Worth us considering – ‘hey they seem sadder. Wonder what is going on, this isn’t like them,’
Be as interested as you can be – after all this is partly why you are working your guts out isn’t it? To create a family life for the people you love.
Get your own shit as sorted as you can before you listen. Be in a good space, be emotionally regulated as much as possible. Listen and validate. ‘That must be tough feeling like that.’ Don’t agree disagree argue defend explain answer don’t do that. Validate that feeling what they are feeling is understandable (this is not agreeing with their content just their right to feel things) listen repeat back if you can ‘so I’m hearing you say that you’ve been feeling really bad – have I got that right? And you’ve been thinking things that are a bit scary and you are a bit scared now to tell me that stuff… wow i can realky getwhy you would be a bit scared, I’d feel the same… and thanks for trusting me enough to tell me…
Seven days ago (10th August) – …and the whole Green Party and Caucus is – more committed than ever to tackling climate change, restoring our rivers and ending poverty.
13th August – And we must redouble our efforts to end poverty until every single one of the 200,000 children living in poverty are given the opportunities they deserve.
Yesterday (16th August) …we can end child poverty and the devastation of homelessness, and we can be a world leader in the fight against climate change.
Spot the row-back? It begins with poverty and ends with poverty that affects children.
Reads to me like all us nutters and crips and childless what-nots – we’re on our own.
Disclaimer: I’m reading the emails from the Greens through a lens I picked up at their relaunch when I got the distinct impression Shaw was bottling it/piking.
The assault that was launched at Metiria was always going to lead a temporary dip in support before the narrative being pushed by msm and others started to be questioned. But Metiria (understandably) bailed when that assault was having maximum effect.
And now I suspect the party is making decisions off the back of that dip while missing the fact that negative bullshit has a shelf life – that it does come to be questioned and is typically followed by unstoppable push-back…But only if you stay the course.
And the Greens aren’t staying the course. I expect their polling to bumble along in the single digits now between now and the 23rd. They blew it.
The Greens have always focussed their poverty message on children and families. I assume part of that is Māori values within the kaupapa. I have some problems with it myself, but I don’t see your snips as being indicative of much. Their welfare policy that Turei launched in the same speech as her story about being a beneficiary is basically all about families and children. It’s inclusive of more than that, so it’s an improvement on what other parties are doing, but the relief for people without children is not enough. I said as much at the time. It’s a start, but we need more, and the willingness and prioritising of changing the culture (in WINZ and NZ) is significant.
Since Turei stepped aside as co-leader I’ve seen Shaw unequivocally state that ending poverty is still central to what the GP is about and to this election campaign. I’ve seen him do this multiple times. I’ve also seen other Green MPs do this. It’s still there as one of the 3 core platforms for the election. Whatever else is going on with the campaign design, Shaw isn’t bottling it. In fact I think he’s stepped up even more.
I personally found the relaunch not particularly inspiring but not a disaster either. They look like they’ve gone for something that the MSM will respond better to. Time will tell if that’s a mistake or not. What I also see is a huge push on the ground to stay connected with people who experience poverty, so in that sense I still trust them. It’s still very obvious in their social media campaign too.
Edit, as for blowing it or not, I think they have their own strategy and that it needs to be analysed within GP principles and ways of working. But again time will tell.
I think the Greens have remained staunch in their policies but would like to see the “in your face” attitude maintained. But that reflects my attitude and I wouldn’t be able to promise that it was a good election strategy.
I like the in your face thing too. I don’t know what’s best strategy. I tend to trust the Greens in doing what they need to. But I also see Shaw at his best when he’s pissed rather than running strategy lines. Mostly I think they need time to regroup. This poll will be another stressor they didn’t need, so I tend to supporting them currently rather than criticising.
I think their welfare policy is a good start, but I also think they need to be careful not to set us up for another round of the deserving poor. Turei has said it’s not about removing all responsibilities from beneficiaries but instead it’s an issue of reciprocity. I trust her, I don’t trust future governments including Labour until Labour apologise or make other amends for Shearer’s Painter on the Roof shit.
We are such a long way from what is good, I don’t think we have time to say start with kids and then see what happens. We need to make things right for all people to the best we can.
A shadowy multinational lobby group appears to have achieved a big win lobbying the Government behind closed doors over a proposed tax clampdown.
The United States-based Digital Economy Group said a proposal put forward in March to tighten the rules that determine whether multinationals are deemed to have a taxable presence in New Zealand were the “most extreme in the world”.
Lobbying is a way governments have legalised bribes. Most of the lobiest tend to be people who were in power and accepted those Bribes donations or relatives and good friends of theirs.
FYI interesting discussion (as opposed to converrrrsayshun) at Oz Press Club.
Wayne Swan and Ed Balls.
Both seem to now recognise the detrimental effects of the neo-liberal religion.
Why doesn’t NZ still have such a press club?
Oh, i know – because they’re so insular they piss in each others’ pockets directly
The Australians do political analysis in print and on tv so much better than we do. We have a little cabal of talking heads who “reckon” so much for us
Bennett is an example of a woman succeeding by adapting herself to an established male way of operating in politics. Woukd be nice to see more women in power bringing some of our own particular traits to gge fore
And later… the ‘right of centre’ Peter van O on the institution of marriage – about the only thing I’m in agreement with.
Nomenclature of marriage is with the state and doesn’t preclude Catholiks or Muslims abiding by their own definitions of it.
Gay marriage is/can therefore be completely legitimate
It’s sometimes worth watching Sky 85 for a few moments of blinding illumination. Swan and Balls was fascinating and the conservative’s agruement for agreeing to gay marriage (in short, it strengthens the institution of marriage) was very strong. Not that it will influence the religious right.
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 ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka KotahiThe fact that a ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st CenturyThe SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims StuffSteve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
David Farrar writes – We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how labour went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promiseThe result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
“I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
.“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
“It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet – is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
Bob Edlin writes – And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ HeraldThomas CoughlanSimeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
TL;DR:Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it: We want our country to be a ...
The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading → ...
Ele Ludemann writes – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
What was that judge thinking?Peter Williams writes – That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop:Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
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 Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
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As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
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The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
Why does this myth persist, and what’s the real reason our skin is suffering?It’s one of the biggest international grievances New Zealanders hold, up there with the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and 1981’s underarm incident. We’re quick to tell international travellers that the world’s pollution led to the ...
Bob’s relationship with certain members of Lincoln’s academic staff continued to deteriorate in the 1990s. Others supported him publicly, though articles such as Roland Clark’s 1993 piece in Growing Today cannot have pleased the university management. Clark wrote that Bob was selling onions from the Biological Husbandry Unit to a ...
SailGP’s races feature in-your-face action, with agile, hydro-foiling catamarans tacking and jibing for the title over several days. However, public comments ahead of the global series’ return to New Zealand have left this past year’s controversy in the shadows, as a key appointment attracts criticism from dolphin advocates. A year ...
Opinion: We are fast approaching a fundamental change in prisons. As the number of people on custodial remand looks set to overtake the number of sentenced prisoners, the main function of prisons in New Zealand may become incarcerating un-sentenced people who may not be guilty of offending. We have already ...
A huge seven months lies in store for the White Ferns, beginning this week with the visit of England and culminating with the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in September and October. Starting on Tuesday in Dunedin, the world ranked No. 2 visitors will play five T20s and three ODIs, ...
Opinion: In a move that has shocked road safety advocates across the country, the new Minister of Transport, Simeon Brown, is poised to abandon the previous government’s speed limit reduction policy, particularly around schools. Even more alarmingly, he wants school speed limits to be variable rather than full-time, arguing ...
Auckland Council is opposing a fast-track development backed by Sir John Kirwan and Spark NZ, because it doesn’t meet stringent new climate adaptation requirements The post Surf-data centre faces new 3.8C climate warming rules appeared first on Newsroom. ...
When the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act was introduced in 2009 it was firmly targeted at gangs and drugs. The legislation means police no longer need a conviction to seize assets that criminals can’t prove were paid for legitimately, as long as their alleged offences are punishable by more than a ...
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The letters, which were published last week, were addressed to Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, National Democrat Party (NasDem) Chairperson Surya Paloh, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairperson Muhaimin Iskandar, Justice and Prosperity Party (PKS) President Ahmad Syaikhu and United Development Party (PPP) Chairperson Muhammad Mardiono. In ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Evicting more people from state housing is ignorant to the consequences of poverty, the Greens say, but the Housing Minister says it's a privilege that can be taken away if abused. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Emerald L King, Lecturer in Humanities, University of Tasmania IMDB Between Netflix’s 2023 live-action version of One Piece, and its latest take on Avatar: The Last Airbender, fans are once again asking: why are live-action anime adaptations so tricky to ...
The government says it still intends to deliver tax cuts by July, but will not lock them in until they have got them past their coalition partners. ...
National assiduously pursuing the Chinese and Indian vote …
Chinese community said to be tilting heavily towards the Right (Poll of Chinese NZers before Last Election: Nat 65%, Lab “less than 20%”, NZF 5%).
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-08-2017/bill-english-has-been-to-my-office-twice-already-how-national-secure-the-chinese-vote/
Traditionally Labour-supporting Indian community still up for grabs but – purportedly feeling a little neglected by Labour since the Clark/Goff years & targeted by National’s latest law & order policy – leaning slightly Nat.
https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-08-2017/the-indian-community-is-leaning-towards-national-but-its-in-flux/
At least, that’s according to the Editors of the respective communities’ newspapers.
Backed up, though, by Dicky Harman at Politik: “National’s law and order policy announced yesterday is aimed very directly at the Indian vote.
And last night it was winning endorsement from Indian media and community leaders”
Something Labour might want to think about.
Also very carefully targeting the Philippino community.
The dairy owner attacks throughout Auckland have also been very important for the Indian subcontinent vote.
So why they would reward the party that creates more crime and violence is beyond me. Unless people were helping them reinforce the “get tough” narrative as though it is anything other than a vicious lie, that is.
Very few people who’ve just been beaten and robbed think “I blame the government for creating the social conditions in which this kind of crime flourishes.”
One group the Natz won’t have to pander to is the Sth. Africans.
Nor do they think maybe I should stop selling cigarettes. Short of a security guard outside all dairies…
Labour might want to think about.
They could point out the direct connections between National Party dogma and violent crime, for example.
Nah, the Greens have more solid ground to make that criticism from.
And frankly, that’s another reason why National won’t bring immigration back to sustainable levels. This is going to sound racist to some, but I do have concerns about large numbers of immigrants from societies with no functioning social welfare systems and no culture of egalitarianism.
That in NZ has always been the attraction for the 3rd world immigrants. If they can,t get into USA they look to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
AB
+1
Matthew Hooton – Twitter a couple of days ago @MatthewHootonNZ
Sounds a little ominous for our close and much-cherished friends in Blue.
Is Jacindamania entering its second phase and beginning to eat into soft-Nat support ? Colmar Brunton tonight.
And there must be a Roy Morgan soon too?
The hints are that it’s not so good for the Greens, or maybe NZF as well:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/todays-1-news-colmar-brunton-poll-fascinating-politcal-editor-corin-dann
Corn Dann is nearly as big a shit stirrer as Gower. It’s all manipulation.
Agree. So much time wasted on tvone discussing polls that arent even out yet
I reckon that’s most likely all about NZF leapfrogging the Greens to become the 3rd largest party?
NZF halved in last poll but got lost in the medias Green feeding frenzy
So Joyce lies to caucus as well as to the electorate. Classy.
Newsroom article by Auckland Uni sociologist Steve Matthewman: “Benefit fraud vs tax evasion: NZ’s hypocrisy”
Set against the context of the rise of Ardern to and fall of Turei from leadership, the article focuses on inequalities between treatment of tax evasion and benefit fraud, but also of gender, race and class.
30 years of market fundamentalism has eroded our collective identity as an egalitarian nation.
Collateral damage in the form of the poor, the sick , homeless are portrayed as losers, individually unfit, bad choice makers etc.
How else could we still see ourselves as a decent country, if not by vilifying the casualties.
So for all those beneficiary bashers, there is too much taxation, wasted on useless eaters like beneficiaries, and the cashie tradies are seen as hardworking little battlers doing their best against a repressive government .
Until of course someone gets ill,or loses their job
We were seriously trained to think like this, the Listener led the charge back in the 90’s.
Its going to take quite a movement to shift
francesca
+1 Good points to remember.
I’m presuming that Nationalhas yet to bring out its really big policies.
On the tax one, which I would expect to be huge, will people believe them enough to vote their way?
I dunno. You might, I suppose 😈
Springsteen says this kind of thing better than most:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piMODx-_KYk
Springsteen’s music makes my skin crawl.
I can see that is how you are measured.
John Peel used to say that The Fall are “the band by which all others are judged”, Henry Rollins that we should “get down on your filthy knees and crawl to the altar that is Ween”.
Peel’s dead, but if you want to take it up with Rollins I won’t stand in your way 🙂
Just read Margrave of the Marshes a couple of months ago
Their big election policy last time was a “Tax break next election (maybe)”
Since they got away with promising nothing as their big election policy last time, expect more of the same.
And the ‘170,000 jobs’ promised in 2008 and 2011.
Oh, and the UFB rollout promised in 2008, 2011 and 2014
Still waiting for both of those.
You mean the ones that have a header and TWO bullet points?
That’s not big policy (It amounts to Tax Cuts!!! YAY!!!) and it’s pretty much a part of National’s DNA – they always offer them.
No let’s get this straight I am about 30 percent Maori 70 percent European.So in reality I’m a kiwi .I am proud of my Maori heritage and so should every other Maori out there raze one’s head and keep your back straight and be proud of who you are. I no my Maori Whapapa I have not learnt our language.In the 1800 Maori were one of the most advanced indigenous culture in the world Research
It Google away .and be proud of whom you are and help your fellow Kiwis .I was 17 and asked my mom do I have a father she said O Year told me his name and said I’ll ring him I was total blown off my feet !!!! My mom stuffed a stroke about 15 months a got she still has her Witts about what’s going on. My two sister are looking after her.I just give them my advice on how to deal with the system. Write to the health ombudsmen or commissioner let the problem you are have with winz and the health system be heard .One nite she rang and said mom has not got long to live as the doctor said at the retirement /what ever it is home said. She told me that 2 week ago that she inform the staff at the rest home mom had a infected foot and no antibiotic were given to mom and the nite the doctors were telling us just to let her go .My sister rang a Ambulance
The doctor reports said my mom oxergin level were low . And the staff at the rest home did not give her oxygen .when mom was on the ambulance they gave her oxygen a there reaction to the doctor and staff at the rest home was shocked as I was the doctor was telling my sisters not to take mom to the hospital WTF Not giving mum the antibiotic and Oxygen . I told my brothers an sisters don’t listen to that Fucken doctor and mum had a lot of years left she is at home with my sisters now
Sorry, still finding your comments too hard to read. Try putting a gap between paragraphs, break up the text more, and correcting the spell check where its obviously wrong.
Are you commenting from a phone?
It’s deliberate, surely.
I don’t think it’s deliberate, and while I don’t know what the reasons are exactly I have no problem with different levels of literacy here if that’s what is going on.
There is no deliberate miss spelling going on I have some form of dyslexia also I Finished school at 13 and went to work fishing my school education
stopped when my nan died I was 8 after that I went to school when I wanted which was not much so self taught after she died and the standard thing was coincidental some thing is going wrong with my compute taking a long time to load articles and can not access the edit ap
thanks Em, I thought it was probably something like that but didn’t want to assume. I’ll keep an eye out, people shouldn’t be giving you a hard time about this.
Yes I will try and get my writing up to standard weka thanks
Here here, Muttonbird – a pet annoyance of mine too!
“Try and’ is allowable to replace ugly repetition – eg – I need to try to find time to listen to more music. ‘Try and’ is preferable in that sentence.
But ‘try and’ all the time sounds slangy.
Not so – I’m being pedantic, I know, but two verbs in close proximity only confuses – well, at least, to a grammar purist.
But common usage uses ‘try and’ so I should get used to it – but it grates!
I taught advanced English Grammar to German students about to embark upon the translation of Commercial Correspondence. I am repeating what the advanced English Grammar book said, but no longer remember the name of that book.
Anyway, English has no real authority to adjudicate on such matters..
(The ugly repetition was of the word ‘to’. I still agree with ‘try and’ in that particular sentence and ones like it.)
That would be “Hear, Hear”. A grammar purist should know that. 🙂
Quite right – blushes in embarrassment!
cheers Em.
Ditto here … very similar story re rest home turning a blind eye not once but twice. Very different outcome.. my mum died. I would like to know is this becoming common place ?
I have suspicions… My mother died of heart failure quite possibly due to withdrawal of the series of pills she had to take. I have no axe to grind because she had lost her mind though dementia. While clearing her house after she had to go into care, I found documents signed by both her and my father many years before when she was still sound of mind. A big list of horrible terminal diseases, and the signed request that if either of them contracted such a disease, all medical treatment should be withdrawn. Quicker death preferred. Last on that list of diseases was Alzheimers.
So, if they accidentally or deliberately stopped administering her heart pills I do not know. But I do know what she wanted when of sound mind.
Greater Auckland, fresh from getting Labour to adopt their New Network with light rail going to everywhere in Auckland, now propose a rapid rail system from Auckland to Hamilton to Tauranga, and beyond:
https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/
Buried deep within the proposal is that the governance entity would be an Authority with land acquiring powers and rail project delivery powers.
That makes it as powerful as Auckland International Airport, which is basically a city-state.
While this kind of stuff has happened before, as in Lower Hutt after World War One, I think this amount of commercial power to deliver a public good with no accountability except to a Minister is pretty undemocratic.
I’m always up for transformative ideas, but I’ve seen too many large scale disasters done in the name of public good to readily accede to such concentrated power.
a public good with no accountability except to a Minister is pretty undemocratic.
What’s your preferred model, a CCO?
The model for rail is: learn to walk before you propose to run.
In the 1960s we had a rapid rail system to Rotorua via Hamilton. I was fresh out of Dental School and posted to Rotorua. Come 6pm Friday I hopped on the rail car and two and a bit hours later was back in Auckland. Come 6pm Sunday I hopped on a rail car and……. was back in Rotorua.
We’ve already done it. Don’t need to learn to walk first.
+ 1 this is a very important point – we have already done it, we are going forward to the past.
And it’s pretty common elsewhere as well – not like we have to invent anything from scratch.
In the 1960s we had a rapid rail system to Rotorua via Hamilton.
Given our narrow-gauge tracks, the term “rapid” tends to mean “reaches 80kph on the straights,” which would be an unusually slow train service in most countries. Bit late to switch gauges, though…
Switch/swap gauges bit by bit. Do it gradually section by section.
It’s not really a “bit by bit” thing – you’d need to update all the rolling stock that will use the track, and if you’re doing the track incrementally you’d need to have either dual-guage tracks or dual-gauge stock. Not to mention ferries.
Without that you wouldn’t be able to plonk a container onto a car in Invercargill and rail it up to picton, shunt the bugger onto a ferry, shunt it around in wellington, and then rail it up to Tauranga for embarkation of the container onto a ship. You’d have to handle the container at each gauge change, including the docks and the freight yard in Invers.
Then there’s all the tunnels, cuts and suchlike that would need to be widened, and compulsory purchases of land to widen the strips that the trains run on.
Big project.
A very big project which probably explains why we’ve kept to the old 1067mm gauge.
I’m not sure which would be better. Peace-meal updating of the existing tracks to take the faster speeds or building an entirely new network.
Yeah, I think we can do slightly better than 80km/h
Queensland Rail has Diesel and Electric High Speed Tilt Trains that run on 3ft 6in gauge, but i’m not sure what’s load gauge as NZ tends to operate at lower loading gauge.
NZ almost had a Broad gauge railway system back in the 1800’s, but the Cape gauge (3ft 6in) was adopted instead because of NZ topography. There is really nothing wrong with the 3ft 6in gauge its loading gauge (the weight of the Trains) needs to higher, but due to a lack of investment/ maintenance over the years has lead to a lower loading gauge.
FYI, the Vulcan and later the Fiat Railcars on the Canterbury Plains use to 100kph+, the odd Ka and Kb’s were clock at some very high speeds as well. So NZ could run high speed trains if it wasn’t for the lack of investment and maintenance.
Ah if only.
We don’t manufacture rail stuff here.
We have extremely weak demand for passenger rail outside of Auckland and Wellington.
We have very few rail design experts.
We have a weak Kiwirail.
We have no Ministry of Works.
We have a much smaller and much less interventionist state.
In many places the tracks have been torn up and the land sold.
No regional council wants to pay for either rail OPEX or rail CAPEX in the the Waikato or Bay of Plenty. Plenty have asked.
Nostalgia just ain’t what it used to be.
I’d be surprised if such people even existed. You’d need geological engineers, mechanical engineers, probably some traffic engineers and some software engineers.
I probably missed some specialisations but the point is that rail engineer is probably far too broad to be a specialisation.
Labour, the Greens and NZFirst all seem to be keen on bringing those back.
They definitely are.
Their ambition will be constrained by capacity – both in the private construction sector, and in the public sector where public servants haven’t seen that kind of interventionist speed and scale that is required.
A really good learning is being provided by Fletcher Building. Just two projects – both government-backed – have killed most of their profit, killed off their Chief Executive and many tier 2-and-3 staff, and left many important questions about their strategy and even existence as a company unanswered.
This is our largest listed company, at risk after just two large scale projects.
The government would need to build the capacity rather than just assuming that it’s there.
So what did Fletchers do wrong?
The government’s easy to guess – they assumed that Fletchers had the capacity as they were the largest listed company in the country when, in fact, they didn’t.
“So what did Fletchers do wrong?”
The wee snippet that I have had revealed to me (by someone who should know) is that a bunch of managerial types simply plucked a whole heap of very big numbers out of their arseholes as to how much things were going to cost, and when those numbers started looking bad, dug ever deeper to drag out a few more large numbers as to the savings they could make.
Consequently it’s all gone bad.
So, what Fletchers did wrong, was to try and run a construction company with people who know nothing about construction, and very little about anything else, except how to garner some bonuses.
The problem with having bean counters in charge.
No, the bean counters would actually have known how much things were going to cost or, at least, have found out.
It’s really not the bean counters that are the problem but the people who either BS or have Friends in High places to get their top paying jobs that are far above their Level of Incompetence.
I’m surprised it’s taken this long, they’ve had that managerial style for 20 -30 years. And had plenty of disasters, they tried to set up a Gib Board plant in competition to and incumbent manufacturer in Chile, didn’t end well
Fletchers might have had the other tender prices leaked to them quietly of course, and then been able to undercut the others with their bloody dodgy everything.
At risk after a decade or two of under cutting the industry to gain monopoly like conditions it has backfired. the Bully is cowed.
I suspect Fletcher’s management, like most New Zealand management, have been spoilt.
Three decades of increasing shareholder profits by cutting wages and training, borrowing for share buybacks, cutting capital investment in plant and playing with money, rather than developing an efficient business and skilled staff.
Being a monopoly in New Zealand, and automatically getting Government contracts hasn’t helped.
Christchurch would have been better served by a bunch of Government project managers organising the small building firms to do the job.
Actually how Fletchers started. As one of the small firms building State houses.
Yep Draco
All parties except ACT, National/Untied Future want all rail restored in NZ, so we have the will and just need the change of Government.
The rail should now be completed through Bay of Plenty to Gisborne also as was planed in 1911 but two wars got in the way with an epidemic and a depression.
They called the eastern rail link the “East Coast Rail” and the records are in the Hansard report from that year with the annual “ways and means” report from Coates the Public Works Minister finally emerged agin in 1939, and the Second world war stopped it again!!
History;
PUBLIC WORKS ACT 1911 – 1924.
https://www.atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1924-I.2.2.4.1
https://www.atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1924-I.2.2.4.1
MAY BE A RECORD OF THE BUILDING OF THAT RAIL LINE HERE.
Subject: Historic records of NZ Public Works “Ways & Means costings accounts provided by Coates Minister of public works 1939.
Historic records of NZ Public Works “Ways & Means costings accounts provided by Coates Minister of public works 1939.
Note; the costing account mention of work done on the “Waihi to Taneatua” line section of the “East Coast line” then then to as well as the “Napier Gisborne line”?
https://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1911-I.2.3.2.1
I think you underestimate the number of Aucklanders being forced further south of the Bombay hills if they want houses. Pokeno is the latest. With rail people could genuinely live in hamilton and Tauranga, work on a train and commute to Auckland.
That part of the motorway around Drury and over the water is a nightmare. nats just announced another 1000 home sin drury that bottleneck will continue. Business says they are losing productivity cos of it.
Unlike Bootcamps this hark back to the olden days may have some merit
Yeah but why Tracey. Why live in Tauranga and then try and work in Auckland?
Personally I agree with Ad – this rail scheme is nostalgia at it’s worst. Tauranga and Rotorua and Hamilton all had a passenger rail system 20 years ago and it failed. Too slow, too inconvenient, initially exciting, but eventually frustrating.
Cars are cheap, covenient and too easy.
If maintenance had been maintain and new investment into new rolling stock by it new owners when National fogged it off, but it was instead of the asset strip by Fay &Co and NZ Railways might have in a far better state now than its atm.
there was a lot less people in those areas 20 years ago , population increase will make rail cars work again
No they’re not. They cost far more than public transport in money, resources and personal time.
And inter-city travel by train is far cheaper than air travel as well.
Does anyone ever get the feeling that we’re all rather old here?
I’m in my 60,s and I often get the hint that a lot of others are in that bracket
I guess we remember the time that a welfare state was something to be proud of and emulated
There’s a few of us young ‘uns here francesca.
I’m only 50, which makes me a Gen X’er.
I’d like to see some people in their twenties here.
I wasn’t aware that people born in the 60’s were Gen Xers???
I recall being grumpy back around 1990 that Gen X supposedly was people born from 1965 on, which made me (1962) a Boomer. Fortunately I just checked and the first item on Google says 1961 – 1981, so now feeling totally vindicated #notaboomer.
Also, nice to see comments from you again.
Thanks.
I don’t remember Gen X even being coined til the 90’s??? Maybe my memory is failing.
I remembered when it was – I was working at Unity Books in Wellington in 1992 and we were selling Coupland’s book, so it was a topic of conversation at the time.
I was born in 68 which makes me a GenX.
Thing is, it was my parents generation that gave birth to the Boomers. In fact, all of my eight siblings are Boomers.
You’re just a babe riffer. 😀
@ francesca (6.1.1.1.4) … Yes you are right. There are a lot of us in that “older” bracket … post WWII baby boomers.
I’m 71 and remember the egalitarian social structure we had during the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and into the mid 1980s. Although the system might not have been perfect, it did however work very well, solid education, available public health, other public services etc, all provided well for Kiwis.
Also I point out, during those times, children and their well being were valued as being an essential part of a caring and progressive nation. Same with the elderly, while those in between, were respected and appreciated for the work effort they put in, to keep a fair and decent society ticking over to most NZers advantage. NZ’s social system led the world. We were an advanced country in that regard.
The return of the old Ministry of Works and other state service systems wouldn’t be such a bad thing.
And don’t forget the numerous small shopping centres. Butcher (fresh meat) baker (fresh bread) Greengrocers (fresh fruit and veges) and Four Square store plus extras like a Stationers etc. all within walking distance. Milk delivered daily to each house. Plenty of public transport where men and boys always gave up their seats for women. Crime was almost non existent so young people could safely go out on their own at night.
No, it wasn’t all beer and skittles but it sure was better than exists today.
To bloody right Anne, it was fun growing up in the 70′ and to the mid 80’s with its egalitarian, a caring and progressive nation that was NZ.
Absolutely I remember it Anne. We used to go out and leave a window or two or three open, with no fear of being our homes being broken in to. A good decent caring and respectful society then.
The only time my parents locked their back door was when we went away on summer holidays.
You’d probably also remember all that tory shit about MoW workers leaning on shovels most of the time.
Yet today, none of the same nonsense if we see Fulton Hogan indulging in the same.
Whats better – state monopolies or private monopoly/duopolies – where ticket clippers reign supreme and profits go offshore rather then bek in2 the NuZull konumy?
I realised how that myth came about a few years ago. It’s simple really.
In the mornings, when the nine-to-fivers are going to work they see one person working on the side of the road. Same happens when they’re on the way home.
What they fail to realise is that at the beginning of the day and at the end there’s actually only enough work to support one person as they open and close the job. All those people will be working during the day but the nine-to-fivers don’t see that because they’re all at work.
And they don’t seem to realise that those people at work in the morning got there before they left for work and often leave after they get home.
They’re seeing a part and assuming that’s all. A great attack paradigm for the RWNJs to start dismantling our society for their own greed.
And people on a day off drive past at lunch time or morning tea…
I recently moved to Christchurch and am stunned at how many drivers here ignore speed limits, especially in areas where work is being undertaken. Areas with 30 and workers and people zoom through over 50…. Do not get me started on the 60 limits.
Mainly people in trade vehicles but people with kids too. must be bloody scary being a roadside worker down here.
Indeed
I’m 43 working class male and I agree with Mary_a comments 6.1.1.1.4.2
Does anyone ever get the feeling that we’re all rather old here?
My kids assure me that blogs are for old people, so you’re probably right.
We learned to walk with rail back in the 19th century. We built some 400 steam locomotives here in the country.
I’m pretty sure we can run.
And our experience with a similar roading authority should indicate that this approach works quite well – unless National legislate uneconomic roads.
I’m 33 and very much a product of the rogernomic effect. At least I’m capable of research and firmly believe that far more interventionist government policies are required for such a small population.
Leaving it to “the market” is madness.
List these ‘large scale disasters in the name of public good’, apparently too many to count.
Oh let me count them for you. – just a taster.
1. Motonui gas-to-gasoline plant
2. Kaitaia Kauri gum processing plant
3. Almost all of the other Think Big projects
3. Tiwai Point aluminmium plant
4. Albany Town Centre
5. Westgate Town Centre
6. Hobsonville Superyacht cluster
7. Christchurch rebuild
8. Canterbury Plans Irrigation requiring authority
… the wreckage is huge and I haven’t started.
Doesn’t mean don’t try for scale and speed. There have been plenty of successes as well.
But take real care or it is a political graveyard.
The Kauri gum processing plant has reopened.
Motunui is still going.
The refinery made more profit for the oil companies in three years, than they paid for it.
Kaimai road and rail project revitilised the whole BOP. Paid for itself many times over.
Private shareholders are making millions out of the public investment in power generation and transmission. As they are from Maui gas.
National must think Tiwai point is a success. The amount of money they are throwing at it. and the National grid.
Auckland rail services are more utilised every year.
Hydro dams are still producing cheap, low carbon energy.
Notice the failures, like the Auckland super city, were right wing ideological projects.Or sold off cheaply by privatisation nutters so that we, the original investors, lost the profits.
Or proof that “the party of business” cannot run a business. E.G. Solid Energy.
Agree with some of that.
Point is, with such an unpredictable mix of government successes and failures, is this scale of intervention what we want our taxes to go towards, when there are plenty more pressing problems that citizens need urgent attention towards.
I’m thinking teachers, Police, nurses, and surgeons.
The fact is that we need Government investment in the future.
New Zealand suffers from lack of investment because the private sector, on the whole, only invests in “sure things”, like buying existing public utilities, corner shops, and land.
There is no incentive to make capital investments, in productivity, when you can make the same money by reducing wages and conditions.
The tax cut to the wealthy, which was supposed to result in more investment, has instead simply got them bidding to push up existing asset prices. A ponzi scheme which now relies on unlimited immigration, and constant rise in financial markets, to continue.
Obviously unsustainable.
Only Governments can afford the long term view.
Our dairy industry, is a prime example of success, pushed by years of Government investment, protection and research. One wonders how many other successful industries, we could have nurtured, with the same level of support.
The US computer industry grew on the back of public research and investment, as did the oil industry.
It should be regarded like venture capital. Like everything, there are successes and failures.
The dividends we lost with the fire sale privatisations would have paid for an awful lot of Doctors, Nurses and Teachers.
It still does.
And still would have had FttH across the country by now without the government having to step in with more subsidies.
We should be doing both.
And it’s not a question of taxes but a question of resources. If we have the resources to do it then we can do it. Get all those well trained but poorly paid people at fast food eateries out doing what they actually trained to do instead.
Yes, the fast food eateries will probably go out of business. So fucken what?
Actually. When they raised the minimum wage, in Seattle, the eateries did better. More people could afford to eat out.
It’s not a question of raising the minimum wage but hiring people away from the eateries in such numbers that they can’t find enough staff.
Of course, we still have plenty of unemployed/underemployed so the eateries may not go out of business and will probably get increased business. Still, wages would probably go up to some degree.
Apparently 50% of our population lives in that triangle, with projections for the future of 70%
Trump the nazzi white supremist loving right wing thicko is slowly going down imo – not quick enough for some and too slow for others. All of the premonitions about trump have come true – he is sad, mad AND bad
Be careful what you wish for. pence is pretty extreme too
Yep and dealing with today’s problem today and tomorrow’s problem tomorrow is a good strategy too.
At least I know thatTrRump is dangerous and misogynist and racist, cos he tells me. Pence pretends he is a good guy
Pence is a very scary individual.
I have no problem calling him a devote of Christofascism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christofascism
The reason Trump is not willing to denounce the right-wing groups in the US is because of his father. His father was arrested on US Memorial Day in 1927 at a Ku Klux Klan march that had turned into a riot.
Couple of wee earthquakes SW of collingwood hmmm funny spot.
Funny how the battle of Trafalgar commemerated arund this region with names – Nelson, Wakefield, Richmond, stoke, Collingwood and so on – no commemeraton for Māori warriors and battles.
marty mars
Looking at geonet earthquakes list – quite a lot of 2’s in central coast on eastern side. Then Kaikoura area from day ago – 2.5, 3.0, 3.6 (17 hrs), to recent Collingwood 4.3 then 6 minute later 3.3 (1 hour ago) and both shallow 5-6 kms.
Bit of disquiet in my mind. Where does the fault go that might link Collingwood to the Kaikoura-Seddon one? Can’t find on geonet at moment.
Duck won’t you – don’t want any bad news about you!
Try this website, it’s got every fault known plus the plate boundary. I use this a lot to cross ref with my geo books in library in man cave along with some field notes from my hunting and NZ Army days
http://quakelive.co.nz/Browse/?reference=quake.2017p615815
marty mars
The link that exkiwi sent showed that the force of the quake at your place was 49 tonnes which is higher than most. But I can’t see any fault line near it
which was what i was wondering about.
It could be a unknown fault line similar to what happen at the Christchurch area or a extension of the two fault lines south of Little Wanganui. If you expand google earth you could see a possible fault trace heading Nth towards this morning quake? The Alpine Fault wasn’t fully confirm until just before the WW2, thanks to the RNZAF and the then MoW through aerial photography.
With most of Kahurangi National park being remote and hard to access by foot there could be a new fault system yet be discovered. Its one of 5 parts of NZ I haven’t been too and I might get there one day and stumble on Hood and Moorcroft’s Ryan aircraft or the RNZAF Corsair that went missing in late 44 while I’m hunting/ fishing or doing a bit of rock kicking/ bird watching etc for shit and giggles if the hunting and fishing is poor.
Just for a point of interest there was a number of quakes around the Dovedale/ Thrope area a couple of days ago as well.
ekiwiforces
I enquired, and GNS were kind to send me this link of active faults map.
http://data.gns.cri.nz/af/
Thank you for the link and I’ve added it to my favorvites
The name Kaiteretere says a lot.
Yeah there actually are a few around – I live near (Te) Rangihaeata – a great fighting man.
Arapeta Place in the Rototai subdivision is named after Dr Potaka, in the 30,s , doing a locum for Doc Bydder…fascinating story.
Arapeta was his mother’s name
Actually Arapeta was his father’s name (Albert)
Interesting – didn’t know that, thanks.
Like Hawke’s Bay where all the names refer to the Indian Mutiny; Havelock, Hastings, Clive and Napier. Lucknow Road in Havelock and Hyderabad Road in Napier.
Hey i didn’t know that. Thanks ScottGN
And the streets of Riverton: Lucknow, Delhi, Havelock, etc. (I’m surprised Mr. Guyton hasn’t pointed that out already).
If this is a ‘normal’ week in our country two teenagers will kill themselves and twenty will be hospitalised for self harming. Of course that is the visible top of the dreadful iceberg. Many many more will be very close, will try and test, will be asking for help in every inconcievable way possible. Worth us considering – ‘hey they seem sadder. Wonder what is going on, this isn’t like them,’
Be as interested as you can be – after all this is partly why you are working your guts out isn’t it? To create a family life for the people you love.
Get your own shit as sorted as you can before you listen. Be in a good space, be emotionally regulated as much as possible. Listen and validate. ‘That must be tough feeling like that.’ Don’t agree disagree argue defend explain answer don’t do that. Validate that feeling what they are feeling is understandable (this is not agreeing with their content just their right to feel things) listen repeat back if you can ‘so I’m hearing you say that you’ve been feeling really bad – have I got that right? And you’ve been thinking things that are a bit scary and you are a bit scared now to tell me that stuff… wow i can realky getwhy you would be a bit scared, I’d feel the same… and thanks for trusting me enough to tell me…
Anyway hope it helps.
A mid 40s male jumped off the overbridge in Porirua yesterday. Make that three suicides published reported so far this week.
I see Napier have come up with a new way to get beggars off the street. (The Hartless way!)
Napier beggar convicted of trespass
16 Aug, 2017 3:45pm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11905282
The Green Party.
Seven days ago (10th August) – …and the whole Green Party and Caucus is – more committed than ever to tackling climate change, restoring our rivers and ending poverty.
13th August – And we must redouble our efforts to end poverty until every single one of the 200,000 children living in poverty are given the opportunities they deserve.
Yesterday (16th August) …we can end child poverty and the devastation of homelessness, and we can be a world leader in the fight against climate change.
Spot the row-back? It begins with poverty and ends with poverty that affects children.
Reads to me like all us nutters and crips and childless what-nots – we’re on our own.
Disclaimer: I’m reading the emails from the Greens through a lens I picked up at their relaunch when I got the distinct impression Shaw was bottling it/piking.
The assault that was launched at Metiria was always going to lead a temporary dip in support before the narrative being pushed by msm and others started to be questioned. But Metiria (understandably) bailed when that assault was having maximum effect.
And now I suspect the party is making decisions off the back of that dip while missing the fact that negative bullshit has a shelf life – that it does come to be questioned and is typically followed by unstoppable push-back…But only if you stay the course.
And the Greens aren’t staying the course. I expect their polling to bumble along in the single digits now between now and the 23rd. They blew it.
The Greens have always focussed their poverty message on children and families. I assume part of that is Māori values within the kaupapa. I have some problems with it myself, but I don’t see your snips as being indicative of much. Their welfare policy that Turei launched in the same speech as her story about being a beneficiary is basically all about families and children. It’s inclusive of more than that, so it’s an improvement on what other parties are doing, but the relief for people without children is not enough. I said as much at the time. It’s a start, but we need more, and the willingness and prioritising of changing the culture (in WINZ and NZ) is significant.
Since Turei stepped aside as co-leader I’ve seen Shaw unequivocally state that ending poverty is still central to what the GP is about and to this election campaign. I’ve seen him do this multiple times. I’ve also seen other Green MPs do this. It’s still there as one of the 3 core platforms for the election. Whatever else is going on with the campaign design, Shaw isn’t bottling it. In fact I think he’s stepped up even more.
I personally found the relaunch not particularly inspiring but not a disaster either. They look like they’ve gone for something that the MSM will respond better to. Time will tell if that’s a mistake or not. What I also see is a huge push on the ground to stay connected with people who experience poverty, so in that sense I still trust them. It’s still very obvious in their social media campaign too.
Edit, as for blowing it or not, I think they have their own strategy and that it needs to be analysed within GP principles and ways of working. But again time will tell.
I think the Greens have remained staunch in their policies but would like to see the “in your face” attitude maintained. But that reflects my attitude and I wouldn’t be able to promise that it was a good election strategy.
I like the in your face thing too. I don’t know what’s best strategy. I tend to trust the Greens in doing what they need to. But I also see Shaw at his best when he’s pissed rather than running strategy lines. Mostly I think they need time to regroup. This poll will be another stressor they didn’t need, so I tend to supporting them currently rather than criticising.
It is focused on children, because even the rabid right have a bit of conscience about children. Have to start somewhere.
I’m afraid that few care about the old guy sleeping on the park bench.
Or the largely invisible, disabled.
Yes. It’s still not ok.
I think their welfare policy is a good start, but I also think they need to be careful not to set us up for another round of the deserving poor. Turei has said it’s not about removing all responsibilities from beneficiaries but instead it’s an issue of reciprocity. I trust her, I don’t trust future governments including Labour until Labour apologise or make other amends for Shearer’s Painter on the Roof shit.
We are such a long way from what is good, I don’t think we have time to say start with kids and then see what happens. We need to make things right for all people to the best we can.
WELL WELL WELL surprise surprise
Nice to know who this government governs us for – it obviously isn’t us.
I think lobbying needs to be banned but foreign lobbying most definitely needs to be banned.
Lobbying is a way governments have legalised bribes. Most of the lobiest tend to be people who were in power and accepted those
Bribesdonations or relatives and good friends of theirs.National. Agents for a Foreign power!
Time to remake The Producers: Springtime for Donald and Murica…
FYI interesting discussion (as opposed to converrrrsayshun) at Oz Press Club.
Wayne Swan and Ed Balls.
Both seem to now recognise the detrimental effects of the neo-liberal religion.
Why doesn’t NZ still have such a press club?
Oh, i know – because they’re so insular they piss in each others’ pockets directly
The Australians do political analysis in print and on tv so much better than we do. We have a little cabal of talking heads who “reckon” so much for us
You mean the usual boy’s in suits telling us what to think?
Seem to be some white gals in that group too now
Some, but they seem to follow their male overlords closely 😉
Bennett is an example of a woman succeeding by adapting herself to an established male way of operating in politics. Woukd be nice to see more women in power bringing some of our own particular traits to gge fore
Rivers slowing down flooding – have we used weirs in the past – now?
And later… the ‘right of centre’ Peter van O on the institution of marriage – about the only thing I’m in agreement with.
Nomenclature of marriage is with the state and doesn’t preclude Catholiks or Muslims abiding by their own definitions of it.
Gay marriage is/can therefore be completely legitimate
It’s sometimes worth watching Sky 85 for a few moments of blinding illumination. Swan and Balls was fascinating and the conservative’s agruement for agreeing to gay marriage (in short, it strengthens the institution of marriage) was very strong. Not that it will influence the religious right.
About bloody time !!!
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1708/S00367/cbb-welcomes-nz-first-broadcasting-and-ict-policy.htm
A welcome end to the 51st parliament and let’s hope the 52nd marks a change of government.
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1708/S00346/a-busy-and-productive-year-in-the-house.htm