Is Binky a dead cat?
Is Kweewee still “loving it”?
looks like the nact coalition is on the run.
they have adopted the position that theY are not responsible to anyone but themselves and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
They think government is like working in an ad agency but if they knew their history then they should know that the BIG LIE will ALWAYS OUT.
I’m not a business person, and don’t know how much NZ’s tax system allows for this sort of thing, but I’d be interested to know.
The Independent has an article about Starbucks paying little/no tax to the UL for it’s UK-based businesses:
Starbucks has exploited accounting tricks to pay almost no UK tax on the millions of coffees, sandwiches and cakes bought by the British public over the past decade, it was
revealed yesterday.
An investigation showed that the coffee company has paid only £8m in corporation tax to HMRC in the 14 years since it arrived on British high streets, despite generating sales of £3 billion.
…
In common with other large companies, Starbucks appears to be exploiting differing tax regimes around the world. The coffee company’s UK unit, for instance, is required to pay a royalty rate of 6 per cent of sales to Starbucks for using its intellectual property. It is not clear where this money goes.
However, there is concern in the US that some American firms are using tax havens such as Switzerland – where tax on royalties can be 2 per cent – to collect charges for intellectual property.
Starbucks UK also repays loans to Starbucks at an interest rate set at Libor (London InterBank Offered Rate) plus 4 percentage points, more expensive than similar arrangements at KFC, where the rate is Libor plus 2 percentage points, and McDonald’s, where the rate is at or below Libor.
So how do multi and transnational companies benefit from doing business in NZ, and how much money is being siphoned out of the country as a result?
Karol. I am sure that overseas companies operating in NZ would do much the same as Starbucks in the UK. In fact I reckon there would be a number of NZ companies and NZ individuals doing the same.
Google in NZ has been fingered for similar deals where they use licences rather than sales and pay those fees back to another country (probably Singapore).
IRD is well aware of this and issues like manipulating transfer pricing to increase costs in one country so reducing taxable profits. It’s hard to do in commodities where there are well established benchmarks that pricing can be measured against, but in services it’s probably a bit harder – what is the market value of a google licence? I believe IRD have pretty strong powers to make declarations on the value of such things so could stamp on it if they thought a rort was happening.
On ‘the guardian’ website there’s a graphic showing turnover, pre-tax profits and tax paid as a %age of turnover. I’m guessing the %age would be much the same in NZ as in the UK.
facebook 18.1%
google 0.9%
apple 7.2%
starbucks 0%
McD. 3.4%
Yes, but with a slight sting in the tail at the end:
Many other professions offered public funding for new proposals would jump at the chance.
But if teachers do not take it, others will. It will be up to the minister to ensure the legislation is a charter for ventures that are educationally respectable and worth a try.
So it’s all up to Parata?
And would other professions… doctors, for instance, jump at a chance to set up dodgy practices, with many of the staff unqualified, and no need to comply with professional standards required elsewhere?
And in contrast, it’s worth looking at Green MP Catherine Delahunty’s list of dubious things included in the same Bill. These are just some in her list:
Protection for these ‘sponsors’ from public accountability as they will not be included in the Official Information Act or audited by the Ombudsman,
Students being required to attend school at the hours set by the ‘sponsor’ which could include any day of the week,
A requirement that school boards ensure every student attains the highest standard of educational achievement – which is code for making them meet National Standards or face closure,
Additional powers around surrendering and retention of student’s property including electronic devices and the information on them,
Third parties will be allowed to use Crown land to build ECE centres, presumably for profit.
Education for profit. There is a wealthy American living in NZ who owns a string of Charter Schools in the USA what’s the bet he’ll be setting up the same business here as well. Disgusting!
My feeling is that Charter Schools have nothing to do with education, they are all and only about money and profit. Mitt Romney is a classic example of a religious person who has no morals when it comes to making BIG money for himself and bugger everybody else.
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
-adapted from the Upanishads.
(apparently Thomas reached India, had a family and so forth)
I love the smell of growing black seeping emulsifying suppurating weeping un-lanced enfungurated black creeping skin-bubbling gangrenous deoxygenated fibrous spreading rot from a National government. Makes for a fine Labour weekend.
Any word out there on the asset petition finalisation?
Great string of adjectives Ad. Yes I was wondering about the referendum petition too. When I saw the rorting double dipping Bill English mouthing his ‘we’re pushing ahead with asset sales’ on the late news the other night the phrase ‘nasty little turd’ came into my tired head.
At the Job Crisis Summit last Friday, Russel Norman said … [goes to dig out my notes – yes, it’s as I remembered it]…. Russel said that the petition for a referendum on asset sales should be finished by the end of this month.
It plays ok. On a related note: a mate of my friend’s second cousin’s mechanic apprentice’s girlfriend’s hairdresser told me it appears the new player on the NZH site (and numerous others) means that vids are now immune to the video download helper that Mozilla uses, so for anyone trying to mantain a record of events, life just got that little bit harder.
not that anyone would ever consider breaking copyright by downloading a video from the web 🙂
So. Unprecedented government meltdown and the leaders of the NUFACT-Liar Coalition loudly and clearly called LIARS outside the house by senior MPs and myriad others, but on Garner-the-tories’-blessing it’s all about Shearer. Looking “rattled”, of course.
Most sickeningly blatant right-wing propaganda since granny’s red front page.
Tell you who is not rattled, and based on his quick visit to the morning report he has even more fuel for the fire. Looks like it’s gonna be a fun day in the House for Winnie. If the Speaker deigns to follow the rules that is.
Shearer walked right into that one, and it’s no-one’s fault but his own. If a leftie politician gives the right-wing press an opportunity to attack them instead of one of their own, they will take it and roll in it like pigs in mud.
All the right-wing journos were squealing with joy that they could use their column inches and speaking slots to attack Shearer rather than write/speak about Key’s stuff ups again.
Just when the Dotcom scandal was really biting Key, now half the headlines are about Shearer’s screwup. Great work by the Labour strategy team, as always.
Shearer made a fuckup, but the MSD digital debacle will cover that. Actually getting something wrong but winning the overall fight actually makes me like him more, oddly…
Fran Mold was the problem. Sold out her lover, her lover’s mate, and undercut her boss, all for a story that backfired on her. No one wins over it except the political undertakers who installed her in the Leaders’ office in the first place.
Don’t get rid of Shearer. He ain’t everything but he’s it. But Fran Mold should fall on her sword and quit. Today.
“Free markets usually operate for a reason, they operate that way because it’s the best answer for shareholders,” he told Computer World magazine this month.
It just fails to be the best option for the society that the shareholders live in and hiring an offshore firm for government work isn’t the best option for NZ.
However, Norman said MSD could have used a New Zealand company rather than cut costs by developing software internally.
It wasn’t software that was developed in NZ – it was standard Windows settings that they fucked up.
“Free markets usually operate for a reason, they operate that way because it’s the best answer for shareholders,” he told Computer World magazine this month.
It just fails to be the best option for the society that the shareholders live in and hiring an offshore firm for government work isn’t the best option for NZ.
I saw that and WTF is he doing talking about shareholders and free markets anyway…Who are NZ’s shareholders, might be the question to ask
However, Norman said MSD could have used a New Zealand company rather than cut costs by developing software internally.
It wasn’t software that was developed in NZ – it was standard Windows settings that they fucked up
I think RN was referring to IRD not the MSD SNAFU – IRD will be developing and testing software/releases etc, just now much of it will happen offshore, which is lost jobs without a doubt.
BAD for NZ inc, but very good for the people who own the companies, which own the companies, this outsourced work will be provided by !
The fracas at the beginning of Question Time yesterday was because Peters was trying to bring a complaint about Key’s deceit before the Privileges Committee. (Sweet irony there if that happened!)
They had to get a point of order in first. Key neglected to call for a point of order first before his Correction. Therefore all the others were trying to call Points of order to be first as P of O have precedence. Lockwood refused to accept their P of O hence the fuss. Peters on Morning Report said that the matter is not closed and there is more to come. Watch this space today at Question Time. http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20121017-0821-winston_peters_reacts_to_being_kicked_of_session-048.mp3
The speaker can recognise whoever he wants. First in not necessarily first served. He covered himself by saying he deemed it a PoO, which are heard in silence (although often not). Peters got turfed for challenging the chair. Again. Nothing will come of this, despite Peter’s threats. Again
On one level, the day you don’t wake up is the day it ends. But I think it pays to put some perspective in – my neice diagnosed with a golfball sized brain tumor had most of it successfully removed last week, now onto chemo but for a while there that 6 year old was riding the line. My mother had her 4th stroke last week and she was looking like she could not look after herself – but very determined is she and the assessment yesterday showed that through that determination she had healed enough to still be able to look after herself – for a while there it was looking really dicey indeed. Those examples are wakeup calls for us all. Love. Embrace your loved ones. Hug them with everything you have because too soon they, and we, give up this mortal coil.
Leading up to the election we are going to have the rightwing and even Labour try to put the Greens in their place. They will say that they should stick to their knitting and only speak out about the environment, but this is only revealing their ignorance about how dependent the economy and our general wellbeing is on the environment. http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/the-greens-and-knitting.html
Question 2 today: Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: Specifically, have there been staff issues associated with the Government Communications Security Bureau and Dotcom affair brought to his attention by the Government Communications Security Bureau or members of the New Zealand Police, in which such staff members no longer work in their previous capacity for the Government Communications Security Bureau or any government agency; if so, what were the circumstances?
That looks interesting. Trying to guess where that is heading.
Also, question 5 from Parker relates to simple and elaborate manufactured exports. At the EPMU job crisis summit on Friday, it was claimed that it is these sectors that will result in a better economy for NZ, not growth in post-primary production.
Answer: As the minister I do not get involved in staffing issues at Minstries/ will not discuss the operations of GCSB for reasons of security (Clark’s usual line)
it;s the supplementaries that wil be interesting when names start being bandied aroudn
I’m surprised that IS should express such surprise!.
After all, we’ve had semi-competant imbeciles on high salaries ‘overseeing’ gubbamint departments and minstries since corporatisation of the public service came into fashion a quarter century ago or more!
Most departments and Minstries work IN SPITE of their senior ‘management’ rather than BECAUSE of them. The GCSB example here is just another one as a case in point.
Now we hear there’s an ACC CEO on a salary bordering on a million. We’ve had a decade of a TPK incompetent – who (at least when he started) couldn’t speak Te Reo, apponted in an era of political correctness; who hardly ever knew who half his staff were; had a complete ignorance of who amongst his TPK whanau were bullshitting him and who were genuine; who took credit for any successes,but who blamed every-one else for failures………
STANDARD FARE really!
Should I go through other departments? (TPK has always been an easy target) but … Health? Education? MED? Immigration? …. name me a gubbamint entity in the ‘corporatised’ public service that HASN’T been a complete fuckup and where Joe Average Public Servant doesn;t try t do his/her best in an environment where they work IN SPITE of their CEO and Snr Mgmnt, rather than because, or thru’ them.
Those of you who are old enough will remember all the catch phrases that abounded about how our new PS would be DE-POLITICISED, MORE ACCOUNTABLE, MORE FISHINT and FEKTIV.
I see Danyl at the Dimpost is predicting that Shearer’s leadership will last just weeks.
If that is the case, sadly, I believe Robertson will be wheeled out as the third interchangeable puppet of the right of the party , within which I include the various advisory and strategising staff members.
However my fear, and being a pessimist when it comes to politics, my prediction, is that Shearer will still be limping along in the front when Key calls a snap election, the campaign is even more embarrassing than the Goff led one, a left coalition will scrape in for one miserable term in which nothing but window-dressing is changed, and the elite collectively sigh with relief over their cocktails.
fran mold always thought she was better than she was.
David Shearer must be ruthless.
I dont know where he got his team from but he needs to review them and fire the dross.
just because they did this or that has nothing to do with it.
if he is inpolitics then he must be able to sum them up immediately and give the wannabees the boot on the spot.
thats what it means to be the boss.
and…
Time New Zealand gave Winnie a vote of thanks for his comments this morning on RNZ that New Zealand is one of the oldest parliamentary democracy’s in existence and not some shonky bank doing business with buy and sell orders and yellow stickers.
Our democracy is being eroded by the tory gang and it is being aided and abetted by stupid nitwits with tight underpants and socks pulled up so high that the blood supply is being cut off from their heads.
too much soap and not enough sweat.
Mold and the rest of the PRECIOUS gang who have been hanging out at parliament for so long they think they are the the people must go.
They have outlived their usefullness.
A good post at Auckland Transport about stalled rail patronage. It seems that when more rail services are put on more people use them and that, if services are increased as planned, then capacity will be reached sometime around 2020 if the CRL (and I really do wish that that had never been called a loop as it isn’t) isn’t built.
And a good post up on Positive Money explaining in simple terms Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis and it’s effects. The effects that we’re seeing with the collapse of the global financial system.
Last month the minister of tertiary education Steven Joyce announced that only six polytechnics out of eighteen and only one wananga would receive funding to tender funding to teach level 1-2 course next year, but 17 for profit private providers would get funding that had previously gone to publicly owned polytechnics.
Today, when the commission released more information about the successful tenders, it is clear that one of the deciding factors was the ability of an institution to teach its course more cheaply than its competitors.
When you take into account this polytechnic tendering
-the rationalization of arts courses at uni
-the ever increasing dumbing down of state broadcasting
-the trend to less informative Sky
-the sensationalist, trite, national rags
-the promoting of television celebrities to current affairs and political commentators
-the proliferation of women’s magazines
-in fact, there is a magazine for just about every niche
-speaking of niche’s, have you seen what people do, and allow others to do to them in internet porn content? (curiouser and curiouser)
-the permissibility of narrow range Charter school curriculums
-the abundance of consumption cooking and home renovation shows
-the Ridges, a cliff too far
-AIG to sponsor the All Blacks (to continue to grow the game Tew argues)
-the absolute rubbish that most of the “religious” television programming is
-the absolute infotainment that passes for national televised news
-young people walking the world with their eyes and ears glued to mobile social networking devices
-the marketing and promotion of sugar-dense foods and beverages
-and a lifestyle product for just about every conceivable distraction
you have to wonder….
No arche, no telos, no eschatological drive, Nichomachean Ethics on the morning and Judo lessons before supper, I mean back in the day it was scriptural hermeneutics for Africa, Listen With Mother, Scrabble in the evenings, scones with butter … None of this fiddle-faddle…
Fortunately for Shearer, given his short political life, he does not yet have a history of being economical with the truth, whereas Key (with an only slightly longer political life) has developed a tidy profile of publicly shady interviews.
Seems Key is uncomfortable about his replies until he can get a watertight rehearsed
speech prepared for him.
Could be said that Key has done more to damage the services through his failing memory and unassured responses and vagueness about events than any voices at large.
while I’m here;
Talk about Radical; Outlaws joining the po po (Mob and Mangu Kaha have had access for decades;it is a whanau thing; spend some time in the cells and you get the drift)
teleologically speaking; guys that were discriminated against by our school pedants are now Prez locally)
(interestingly, I suggested months ago that the outlaws will outpace the mainstream)
Amnesty http://www.amnesty.org.nz/ they’ve got a template that can assess what on your face book would get you “sanctioned” overseas.
Spy vs Spy on “gardening leave” ; absolutely wonderful
Key’s position on alcohol purchasing age must be the most Honest thing he has uttered for months.
ol’ Tug Henare aye?
and what is this with the MSM labelling the imprisoned “criminals”? ( a bit rich)
Here is a question that should be put to Joky Hen, at least once a week till 2014.
“If NZF hold the balance of power at the next election, will you consider inviting Winston Peters to form a coalition with you? Yes or No ?”
Ask him each week so he can be assured that he can remember what his reply was…
Well on the other hand Winston does present differing opinions not the unchanging set text from RWNJs which can be refreshing from the usual stale diatribe. Winston keeps both the government and us on our toes. And I have to listen to him to find out the latest, I can’t take his views for granted.
ACC top pay gone up from $680,000 p.a. to $750,000 p.a. Police have a wage rise of 2% over three years – as I remember it. And no more pocket money even to allow them to keep up with inflation. WTF.
How come we are in this position of a group of big-noters getting into positions of power and decision for our government and gouging us all? I remember Bob Jones making snide remarks about civil servants being inefficient, slow and lacklustre in their home-made cardigans. Now we have sharp suits and an air of confidence and smooth PR and niche inflation in this particular area. Is this what he had in mind? And they may not even be NZs in the position, executive tourism going from one country to another seems the thing. Longstone (originally British), Rebstock (Canadian) and men as well.
Did anyone notice the flip remark that Chris Finlayson made while being questioned on Radionz today? Asked if a 5% allocation of shares for all Maori choosing that settlement option he said well it’s better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. Sounds very matey and relaxed. Do Maori negotiators feel like this?
In Parliament a few minutes ago –
John Banks: “The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for Labour
The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for the Greens
The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for New Zealand First”
Why didn’t somebody stand up and say “The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for National”?
(P.S. they voted for ACT, if you didn’t know)
…Yeah, or he could have mentioned that some good people who would have normally voted for Labour/left swallowed what must have been a very bitter pill and voted for the local… cough …National…splutter…candidate, to try and ensure that nasty piece of knitting, (commonly referred to as Mr Banks), didn’t get in.
I doubt it – they were sucked in by Rodney, and again by Banks – The people of the Epsom electorate relate to Banks/Hide et al, because they see themselves in the same light, and they belong to the same clubs, and go to the same functions
They get sucked in, they repeat the cycle voting for the next waste of space…Regardless, its a blue seat, so National win by default next time around even if they have actually had enough of Banks
Like the people of North Shore who will vote for anything wearing blue, Maggy Barry, the situation is a bloody joke, just like the sad political system we have had in NZ for decades!
EDIT: Vote Labour , NOT a chance under current circumstances!
Still, they “voted” for Banksie, We don’t want to tell them who not to vote for now do we?
Brazen I know but he y… “VOTE LABOUR M8!”
(*need-spy-in-jacket-with-placard-emoticon*)
“But food does not bring us closer to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do”
-Cor.
“I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat then you are no longer acting in Love”
-To The Romans
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” (expel the wicked man from among you)
-back to the Corinthians
-Lectio Divina (something helpful to come from Rome )
(now, to that Porterhouse Steak and some Brocoli; forgive me Father, it has been a week since my last Pork strips)
Nikos Kazantzakis’ proposed that real fasting in the desert generated trippy hallucinations for holy ones. The book is far better.
Whereas those Pauline letters had authors with overactive hygiene/anal drives.
The great political intersection for Jesus was being flown with the Devil to the top of the temple, and be offered the city, which is named by Jacques Ellul ‘The supreme work of man.’
Guilt received in the mouth is the most savoured pleasure, for there one both abases and transforms the raw into the cooked, transsubstantial-like.
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Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
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Is Binky a dead cat?
Is Kweewee still “loving it”?
looks like the nact coalition is on the run.
they have adopted the position that theY are not responsible to anyone but themselves and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
They think government is like working in an ad agency but if they knew their history then they should know that the BIG LIE will ALWAYS OUT.
I’m not a business person, and don’t know how much NZ’s tax system allows for this sort of thing, but I’d be interested to know.
The Independent has an article about Starbucks paying little/no tax to the UL for it’s UK-based businesses:
So how do multi and transnational companies benefit from doing business in NZ, and how much money is being siphoned out of the country as a result?
Karol. I am sure that overseas companies operating in NZ would do much the same as Starbucks in the UK. In fact I reckon there would be a number of NZ companies and NZ individuals doing the same.
The multinational companies that indulge in this sort of thing tend not to have NZ offices at all, or don’t do any sales from the NZ offices.
Google in NZ has been fingered for similar deals where they use licences rather than sales and pay those fees back to another country (probably Singapore).
IRD is well aware of this and issues like manipulating transfer pricing to increase costs in one country so reducing taxable profits. It’s hard to do in commodities where there are well established benchmarks that pricing can be measured against, but in services it’s probably a bit harder – what is the market value of a google licence? I believe IRD have pretty strong powers to make declarations on the value of such things so could stamp on it if they thought a rort was happening.
Countries enter a “dutch auction” to attract businesses to their location, many even will allow subsidies or pay them to attract them. In reality all that the country gains you could say are some employment (both direct of flow on), the attraction of high end staff, PAYE tax and good PR based on all the potential tax. Unfortunately transfer pricing allows for the profits (and accrue tax ) to be shipped offshore for the most favored tax manipulation. insider transfer pricing may be managed by the IRD but not IP fees and there are plenty of other means to take untaxed money out of a country, & the IRD cannot even be bothered about chasing those who trade in property for tax why would they expel energy in this more challenging issue.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-21/google-2-4-rate-shows-how-60-billion-u-s-revenue-lost-to-tax-loopholes.html
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/google-paid-only-56m-tax-despite-10bn-turnover-2900130.html
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_44/b4201043146825.htm
Fleeced
On ‘the guardian’ website there’s a graphic showing turnover, pre-tax profits and tax paid as a %age of turnover. I’m guessing the %age would be much the same in NZ as in the UK.
facebook 18.1%
google 0.9%
apple 7.2%
starbucks 0%
McD. 3.4%
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2012/oct/16/tax-biggest-us-companies-uk#zoomed-picture
Meanwhile, the lowest paid worker in NZ, if they have a debt from education and are in kiwi saver pay what? Around 30%?
Ways to avoid extradition to the States, part 94:
Hide in an embassy
Lie to your friends and cost them thousands
Er,
That’s it
No, wait … you could always put your case and win your freedom.
Most blatant pimping for charter schools yet
dear ol granny at it again
Yes, but with a slight sting in the tail at the end:
So it’s all up to Parata?
And would other professions… doctors, for instance, jump at a chance to set up dodgy practices, with many of the staff unqualified, and no need to comply with professional standards required elsewhere?
which is a totally dishonest way for the herald to put it.
Its not “public funding for new proposals” – its public funding to open the doors to crack pots, profit seekers and unqualified teachers
And in contrast, it’s worth looking at Green MP Catherine Delahunty’s list of dubious things included in the same Bill. These are just some in her list:
Education for profit. There is a wealthy American living in NZ who owns a string of Charter Schools in the USA what’s the bet he’ll be setting up the same business here as well. Disgusting!
The ‘Parata Schools’ – another shambles.
Bear in mind that her associate minister is none other than that well-known intellectual John Banks, creationist.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7596566/Banks-Old-Testament-beliefs-create-conflict-in-role
We’ll soon see the US and UK fundies in here, big time. They just love that gummint money.
My feeling is that Charter Schools have nothing to do with education, they are all and only about money and profit. Mitt Romney is a classic example of a religious person who has no morals when it comes to making BIG money for himself and bugger everybody else.
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Banks is a true believer.
Thus must we toil in other men’s extremes
-Kyd
Fundamentalists
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_fundamentalism
Christian Wrongs
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_right
Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth.
Lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust.
Lead me from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart, our world, our universe.
-adapted from the Upanishads.
(apparently Thomas reached India, had a family and so forth)
I love the smell of growing black seeping emulsifying suppurating weeping un-lanced enfungurated black creeping skin-bubbling gangrenous deoxygenated fibrous spreading rot from a National government. Makes for a fine Labour weekend.
Any word out there on the asset petition finalisation?
Great string of adjectives Ad. Yes I was wondering about the referendum petition too. When I saw the rorting double dipping Bill English mouthing his ‘we’re pushing ahead with asset sales’ on the late news the other night the phrase ‘nasty little turd’ came into my tired head.
At the Job Crisis Summit last Friday, Russel Norman said … [goes to dig out my notes – yes, it’s as I remembered it]…. Russel said that the petition for a referendum on asset sales should be finished by the end of this month.
Truly looking forward to that day. Will be a great rallying moment for everything progressive and pro-sovereignty.
Any one else having a problem getting the linked NZH video to play from this post:
http://thestandard.org.nz/one-video-exposes-key-gcsbs-banks-dotcom-lies/
Works for me.
sweet
It plays ok. On a related note: a mate of my friend’s second cousin’s mechanic apprentice’s girlfriend’s hairdresser told me it appears the new player on the NZH site (and numerous others) means that vids are now immune to the video download helper that Mozilla uses, so for anyone trying to mantain a record of events, life just got that little bit harder.
not that anyone would ever consider breaking copyright by downloading a video from the web 🙂
I use FlashGot 1.8 with FF 16, and I just umm tested it out, and it still works. Its deleted now. Honest.
thanks, flashgot works sweet according to my friend’s second cousin’s mechanic apprentice’s girlfriend’s hairdresser
Its OK. Interesting in the light of circumstances now.
So. Unprecedented government meltdown and the leaders of the NUFACT-Liar Coalition loudly and clearly called LIARS outside the house by senior MPs and myriad others, but on Garner-the-tories’-blessing it’s all about Shearer. Looking “rattled”, of course.
Most sickeningly blatant right-wing propaganda since granny’s red front page.
Tell you who is not rattled, and based on his quick visit to the morning report he has even more fuel for the fire. Looks like it’s gonna be a fun day in the House for Winnie. If the Speaker deigns to follow the rules that is.
Shearer walked right into that one, and it’s no-one’s fault but his own. If a leftie politician gives the right-wing press an opportunity to attack them instead of one of their own, they will take it and roll in it like pigs in mud.
All the right-wing journos were squealing with joy that they could use their column inches and speaking slots to attack Shearer rather than write/speak about Key’s stuff ups again.
Just when the Dotcom scandal was really biting Key, now half the headlines are about Shearer’s screwup. Great work by the Labour strategy team, as always.
Shearer made a fuckup, but the MSD digital debacle will cover that. Actually getting something wrong but winning the overall fight actually makes me like him more, oddly…
Fran Mold was the problem. Sold out her lover, her lover’s mate, and undercut her boss, all for a story that backfired on her. No one wins over it except the political undertakers who installed her in the Leaders’ office in the first place.
Don’t get rid of Shearer. He ain’t everything but he’s it. But Fran Mold should fall on her sword and quit. Today.
Inland Revenue IT outsourcing questioned
Oh look – More corporate welfare, and more people joining the dole queue.
Amazing how this story comes the day after the efforts to make the MSD IT Department look like a bunch of incompetants.
Its as if this stuff is scripted eh!
It just fails to be the best option for the society that the shareholders live in and hiring an offshore firm for government work isn’t the best option for NZ.
It wasn’t software that was developed in NZ – it was standard Windows settings that they fucked up.
I saw that and WTF is he doing talking about shareholders and free markets anyway…Who are NZ’s shareholders, might be the question to ask
I think RN was referring to IRD not the MSD SNAFU – IRD will be developing and testing software/releases etc, just now much of it will happen offshore, which is lost jobs without a doubt.
BAD for NZ inc, but very good for the people who own the companies, which own the companies, this outsourced work will be provided by !
To McFlock
No offense intended (my assumption; high probability screening not for saving lives)
🙂
none taken – ’tis only the interwebz 🙂
The fracas at the beginning of Question Time yesterday was because Peters was trying to bring a complaint about Key’s deceit before the Privileges Committee. (Sweet irony there if that happened!)
They had to get a point of order in first. Key neglected to call for a point of order first before his Correction. Therefore all the others were trying to call Points of order to be first as P of O have precedence. Lockwood refused to accept their P of O hence the fuss. Peters on Morning Report said that the matter is not closed and there is more to come. Watch this space today at Question Time.
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/mnr/mnr-20121017-0821-winston_peters_reacts_to_being_kicked_of_session-048.mp3
Indeed, ianmac. Will be watching.
The speaker can recognise whoever he wants. First in not necessarily first served. He covered himself by saying he deemed it a PoO, which are heard in silence (although often not). Peters got turfed for challenging the chair. Again. Nothing will come of this, despite Peter’s threats. Again
Sheesh, I dunno. Everyday I wake up there is more stuff to complain about. Where is it all going to end?
+100. So droll!
On one level, the day you don’t wake up is the day it ends. But I think it pays to put some perspective in – my neice diagnosed with a golfball sized brain tumor had most of it successfully removed last week, now onto chemo but for a while there that 6 year old was riding the line. My mother had her 4th stroke last week and she was looking like she could not look after herself – but very determined is she and the assessment yesterday showed that through that determination she had healed enough to still be able to look after herself – for a while there it was looking really dicey indeed. Those examples are wakeup calls for us all. Love. Embrace your loved ones. Hug them with everything you have because too soon they, and we, give up this mortal coil.
Only took my Dad hospitalised with an angina attack yesterday to remind me politics is just feathers in the wind.
So true @ marty and @ Ad, but the price of democracy is eternal vigilance- and all that. Your relatives need your help on their behalf.
some fine perspective there mr marty.
Leading up to the election we are going to have the rightwing and even Labour try to put the Greens in their place. They will say that they should stick to their knitting and only speak out about the environment, but this is only revealing their ignorance about how dependent the economy and our general wellbeing is on the environment.
http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/the-greens-and-knitting.html
Question 2 today: Rt Hon WINSTON PETERS to the Minister responsible for the GCSB: Specifically, have there been staff issues associated with the Government Communications Security Bureau and Dotcom affair brought to his attention by the Government Communications Security Bureau or members of the New Zealand Police, in which such staff members no longer work in their previous capacity for the Government Communications Security Bureau or any government agency; if so, what were the circumstances?
That looks interesting. Trying to guess where that is heading.
Yes, it’ll be interesting.
Also, question 5 from Parker relates to simple and elaborate manufactured exports. At the EPMU job crisis summit on Friday, it was claimed that it is these sectors that will result in a better economy for NZ, not growth in post-primary production.
Answer: As the minister I do not get involved in staffing issues at Minstries/ will not discuss the operations of GCSB for reasons of security (Clark’s usual line)
it;s the supplementaries that wil be interesting when names start being bandied aroudn
Can I just draw your collective attentions to this:
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2012/10/not-just-any-illiterate-moron.html
I’m surprised that IS should express such surprise!.
After all, we’ve had semi-competant imbeciles on high salaries ‘overseeing’ gubbamint departments and minstries since corporatisation of the public service came into fashion a quarter century ago or more!
Most departments and Minstries work IN SPITE of their senior ‘management’ rather than BECAUSE of them. The GCSB example here is just another one as a case in point.
Now we hear there’s an ACC CEO on a salary bordering on a million. We’ve had a decade of a TPK incompetent – who (at least when he started) couldn’t speak Te Reo, apponted in an era of political correctness; who hardly ever knew who half his staff were; had a complete ignorance of who amongst his TPK whanau were bullshitting him and who were genuine; who took credit for any successes,but who blamed every-one else for failures………
STANDARD FARE really!
Should I go through other departments? (TPK has always been an easy target) but … Health? Education? MED? Immigration? …. name me a gubbamint entity in the ‘corporatised’ public service that HASN’T been a complete fuckup and where Joe Average Public Servant doesn;t try t do his/her best in an environment where they work IN SPITE of their CEO and Snr Mgmnt, rather than because, or thru’ them.
Those of you who are old enough will remember all the catch phrases that abounded about how our new PS would be DE-POLITICISED, MORE ACCOUNTABLE, MORE FISHINT and FEKTIV.
How has all that worked out then?
WTF !!!
i have no idea about Denmark but something sure as hell stinks over here
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7827706/Huge-ACC-salaries-revealed
Um, no, ACC in not an insurer no matter how much you want it to be.
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer
-Sun Tzu
AA.hhhhh Thanatos
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos
We had a saying; It is a weak engineer who blames his tools (just give me a Rock)
🙂
“What is true” asked Pilate (Banks would sell out The Lord for a campaign donation and a cup of tea)
I see Danyl at the Dimpost is predicting that Shearer’s leadership will last just weeks.
If that is the case, sadly, I believe Robertson will be wheeled out as the third interchangeable puppet of the right of the party , within which I include the various advisory and strategising staff members.
However my fear, and being a pessimist when it comes to politics, my prediction, is that Shearer will still be limping along in the front when Key calls a snap election, the campaign is even more embarrassing than the Goff led one, a left coalition will scrape in for one miserable term in which nothing but window-dressing is changed, and the elite collectively sigh with relief over their cocktails.
fran mold always thought she was better than she was.
David Shearer must be ruthless.
I dont know where he got his team from but he needs to review them and fire the dross.
just because they did this or that has nothing to do with it.
if he is inpolitics then he must be able to sum them up immediately and give the wannabees the boot on the spot.
thats what it means to be the boss.
He inherited Mold from Goff.
If that is the case then he should tell her to pick up her time.
Wahoo, President Obama is kicking Romney’s butt!!!
and…
Time New Zealand gave Winnie a vote of thanks for his comments this morning on RNZ that New Zealand is one of the oldest parliamentary democracy’s in existence and not some shonky bank doing business with buy and sell orders and yellow stickers.
Our democracy is being eroded by the tory gang and it is being aided and abetted by stupid nitwits with tight underpants and socks pulled up so high that the blood supply is being cut off from their heads.
too much soap and not enough sweat.
Mold and the rest of the PRECIOUS gang who have been hanging out at parliament for so long they think they are the the people must go.
They have outlived their usefullness.
A good post at Auckland Transport about stalled rail patronage. It seems that when more rail services are put on more people use them and that, if services are increased as planned, then capacity will be reached sometime around 2020 if the CRL (and I really do wish that that had never been called a loop as it isn’t) isn’t built.
And a good post up on Positive Money explaining in simple terms Hyman Minsky’s Financial Instability Hypothesis and it’s effects. The effects that we’re seeing with the collapse of the global financial system.
NAct approach to rail- “Train in Vain”
From Scoop
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1210/S00101/cheapest-is-not-necessarily-best.htm
Last month the minister of tertiary education Steven Joyce announced that only six polytechnics out of eighteen and only one wananga would receive funding to tender funding to teach level 1-2 course next year, but 17 for profit private providers would get funding that had previously gone to publicly owned polytechnics.
Today, when the commission released more information about the successful tenders, it is clear that one of the deciding factors was the ability of an institution to teach its course more cheaply than its competitors.
My bold
NACT is all about using government money to prop-up private profits.
When you take into account this polytechnic tendering
-the rationalization of arts courses at uni
-the ever increasing dumbing down of state broadcasting
-the trend to less informative Sky
-the sensationalist, trite, national rags
-the promoting of television celebrities to current affairs and political commentators
-the proliferation of women’s magazines
-in fact, there is a magazine for just about every niche
-speaking of niche’s, have you seen what people do, and allow others to do to them in internet porn content? (curiouser and curiouser)
-the permissibility of narrow range Charter school curriculums
-the abundance of consumption cooking and home renovation shows
-the Ridges, a cliff too far
-AIG to sponsor the All Blacks (to continue to grow the game Tew argues)
-the absolute rubbish that most of the “religious” television programming is
-the absolute infotainment that passes for national televised news
-young people walking the world with their eyes and ears glued to mobile social networking devices
-the marketing and promotion of sugar-dense foods and beverages
-and a lifestyle product for just about every conceivable distraction
you have to wonder….
I mean the world today, it’s just gone to pack.
No arche, no telos, no eschatological drive, Nichomachean Ethics on the morning and Judo lessons before supper, I mean back in the day it was scriptural hermeneutics for Africa, Listen With Mother, Scrabble in the evenings, scones with butter … None of this fiddle-faddle…
… ahhhh those were the days.
now that’s funny
🙂
(yoga stretch is helpful)
back to the future we leap
Escapism promoted as “Lifestyle”
Who do we believe?
Apparently Shearer is besmirching the security guy, or is Key just conveniently hiding behind them.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10841014
Fortunately for Shearer, given his short political life, he does not yet have a history of being economical with the truth, whereas Key (with an only slightly longer political life) has developed a tidy profile of publicly shady interviews.
For example, watch him struggle here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrPgK3bf9_4
and here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GwcCNdTYyQ
and here…
http://www.3news.co.nz/Secret-GCSB-recording-catches-Key-out—Labour/tabid/370/articleID/272405/Default.aspx
Seems Key is uncomfortable about his replies until he can get a watertight rehearsed
speech prepared for him.
Could be said that Key has done more to damage the services through his failing memory and unassured responses and vagueness about events than any voices at large.
while I’m here;
Talk about Radical; Outlaws joining the po po (Mob and Mangu Kaha have had access for decades;it is a whanau thing; spend some time in the cells and you get the drift)
teleologically speaking; guys that were discriminated against by our school pedants are now Prez locally)
(interestingly, I suggested months ago that the outlaws will outpace the mainstream)
Amnesty http://www.amnesty.org.nz/ they’ve got a template that can assess what on your face book would get you “sanctioned” overseas.
Spy vs Spy on “gardening leave” ; absolutely wonderful
Key’s position on alcohol purchasing age must be the most Honest thing he has uttered for months.
ol’ Tug Henare aye?
and what is this with the MSM labelling the imprisoned “criminals”? ( a bit rich)
Smith and Smith http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormonism
Veto Bill-before due parliamentary process; Now that’s Democracy in The Brave New World, Sue.
Are these increasingly strong equinoxial winds AGW?
Marmageddon-these Reformed Dutch free-marketers are so hypocritical; bring on
Mao-tse TungMite
🙂
(and sausage rolls too; the Africans are Loving the Gospel)
Here is a question that should be put to Joky Hen, at least once a week till 2014.
“If NZF hold the balance of power at the next election, will you consider inviting Winston Peters to form a coalition with you? Yes or No ?”
Ask him each week so he can be assured that he can remember what his reply was…
Well on the other hand Winston does present differing opinions not the unchanging set text from RWNJs which can be refreshing from the usual stale diatribe. Winston keeps both the government and us on our toes. And I have to listen to him to find out the latest, I can’t take his views for granted.
Only Winston could ask that question M8! 🙂
ACC top pay gone up from $680,000 p.a. to $750,000 p.a. Police have a wage rise of 2% over three years – as I remember it. And no more pocket money even to allow them to keep up with inflation. WTF.
How come we are in this position of a group of big-noters getting into positions of power and decision for our government and gouging us all? I remember Bob Jones making snide remarks about civil servants being inefficient, slow and lacklustre in their home-made cardigans. Now we have sharp suits and an air of confidence and smooth PR and niche inflation in this particular area. Is this what he had in mind? And they may not even be NZs in the position, executive tourism going from one country to another seems the thing. Longstone (originally British), Rebstock (Canadian) and men as well.
Did anyone notice the flip remark that Chris Finlayson made while being questioned on Radionz today? Asked if a 5% allocation of shares for all Maori choosing that settlement option he said well it’s better than a poke in the eye with a burnt stick. Sounds very matey and relaxed. Do Maori negotiators feel like this?
In Parliament a few minutes ago –
John Banks: “The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for Labour
The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for the Greens
The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for New Zealand First”
Why didn’t somebody stand up and say “The good people of Epsom didn’t vote for National”?
(P.S. they voted for ACT, if you didn’t know)
…Yeah, or he could have mentioned that some good people who would have normally voted for Labour/left swallowed what must have been a very bitter pill and voted for the local… cough …National…splutter…candidate, to try and ensure that nasty piece of knitting, (commonly referred to as Mr Banks), didn’t get in.
I bet they regret voting for that nasty little piece of work now.
NO chance, they love it…look at the history of those the Epsom mob have elected over the years!
Now be carefull M8! , they should be considering their civilised options surely?
All for one M8!, vote Labour!.
I doubt it – they were sucked in by Rodney, and again by Banks – The people of the Epsom electorate relate to Banks/Hide et al, because they see themselves in the same light, and they belong to the same clubs, and go to the same functions
They get sucked in, they repeat the cycle voting for the next waste of space…Regardless, its a blue seat, so National win by default next time around even if they have actually had enough of Banks
Like the people of North Shore who will vote for anything wearing blue, Maggy Barry, the situation is a bloody joke, just like the sad political system we have had in NZ for decades!
EDIT: Vote Labour , NOT a chance under current circumstances!
Still, they “voted” for Banksie, We don’t want to tell them who not to vote for now do we?
Brazen I know but he y… “VOTE LABOUR M8!”
(*need-spy-in-jacket-with-placard-emoticon*)
People can vote for who they want – thats the illusion of democracy eh!
And the country will go further down the toilet on the back of decisions made by selfish vain uninformed people, thats how democracy works!
Choice
Bless YA M8! 😀
“But food does not bring us closer to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do”
-Cor.
“I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean. If your brother is distressed because of what you eat then you are no longer acting in Love”
-To The Romans
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.” (expel the wicked man from among you)
-back to the Corinthians
-Lectio Divina (something helpful to come from Rome )
(now, to that Porterhouse Steak and some Brocoli; forgive me Father, it has been a week since my last Pork strips)
Nikos Kazantzakis’ proposed that real fasting in the desert generated trippy hallucinations for holy ones. The book is far better.
Whereas those Pauline letters had authors with overactive hygiene/anal drives.
The great political intersection for Jesus was being flown with the Devil to the top of the temple, and be offered the city, which is named by Jacques Ellul ‘The supreme work of man.’
Guilt received in the mouth is the most savoured pleasure, for there one both abases and transforms the raw into the cooked, transsubstantial-like.
Stop writing with your mouth full.
oops,
Beware the extended omentum; significant multi-layered health implications
Beware the SSRI’s and atypical anti-psychotics (small sample, I know); A; withdrawels B; Anger.
(St John’s Wort is helpful, sans, contra-indications)
night John-Boy, Night Elizabeth