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.
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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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