I think the NZ government should declare a 5 year State of Emergency!
It must be obvious to anyone with half a brain that BAU concerning the climate catastrophe will not be adequate. We face an existential threat and in the very near future, perhaps in only 3 or 4 years.
A Government of National Emergency should be formed, a cross party coalition of all parties in the house. God knows, there must be some members of the Natz who are good at something. Even a use could be found for Seymour. Give this government ‘war-time’ powers.
The borders must be closed; given a reasonable lead in time, say 6 months, all NZers who want to come home, should be encouraged to do so. After that – take your chances. Overseas travel must be suspended/terminated.
Huge efforts should be made to make NZ as self-reliant as possible, and the people marshalled to that end. The tourism industry is dead; channel all the people in that industry into future-proofing this country as far as possible.
Excess wealth should be confiscated and a UBI instituted to give everyone an equal stake in the success of a survival policy.
The emphasis must be placed on producing here what has been imported, and cutting out the consumer crap. Vacant land within cities (and there are many such where I live in ChCh) should be turned into community gardens, so we eat well, even if we don’t have plastic napkins to eat it off.
Omicron is only one of many ‘products’ from overseas we can do without. Sealing the border will stifle the spread of covid-19, and stop our landfills from overflowing.
By declaring a state of emergency now the government will be pro-actively taking steps ‘in time’ to avert the catastrophe looming, not reacting too late in 3 or 4 years from now. It will also give the government the necessary powers to act quickly in response to any of the many climate emergencies in the next few years.
One way/time or another, a state of emergency is coming.
P.S. Of course I know there’s not a hope of any of the above happening, but it all, or most of it should.
Ah, Pucky, take your head out of the sand and look around you. 1.5C is a temperature rise we cannot exceed and still live on this planet., and we're already on track for 2C.
Climate change/catastrophe will impact the world in increasing ways in the next few years, and we, us poor humans, will be only reactive, too little, too late.
Much better (though politically impossible) to front-foot any tragedy by being as prepared as we can, don't you think?
I think we,ll get to the stage where we are ready to try almost anything. [As long as its not practical. The powers that be are not those sort of people].
Unlike capitalism, communism and socialism have a history of lifting people out of poverty under the most dire of circumstances. Pity they are such an easy target for the capitalists who mercilessly unleash their dubiously acquired capital and resources to undermine countries. Of course, you will be too enamored with wealth for wealth's sake to realize that once upon a time, NZ was recognized as a socialist state. That was back when people were housed, clothed, fed and educated by utilizing the various resources of the country. That was before greed became a religion
"Unlike capitalism, communism and socialism have a history of lifting people out of poverty" that's funnier than anything Guy Williams has ever said. You should do stand up comedy.
Without State infrastructure, the rule of law, especially contract law, the protection of possessions, health and housing, and all the other "Socialist things" Capitalism wouldn't be workable.
Currently Capitalism is failing because capitalists have removed way more than their fair share of "other peoples, wealth production". Work!
Countries are allowed to trade with whoever they want, plenty of Communist and Socialist countries for Cuba to trade with
Just because Castro gave the corrupt, pro US, dictator, Batista, and his government the boot, that is no reason for vindictiveness on the part of the US.
I think the NZ government should declare a 5 year State of Emergency!….
…..I know there’s not a hope of any of the above happening, but it all, or most of it should.
If New Zealand took up all or even some of your suggestions it would be a wake-up and a call to arms for the whole world.
We could stop climate change if we chose to, but we don't choose to.
''Excess wealth should be confiscated and a UBI instituted to give everyone an equal stake in the success of a survival policy.''
Not often you hear those sentiments stated so plainly. Nowadays the Left use weasel words and phrases to express such unpalatable truths.
Thanks, Tony, for reminding me why I'm a Tory. Consistently stating the company line can make one forget why they are objecting to something in the first place.
Nothing to do with the fact that increasing unearned wealth and power, accumulating in few hands, and inequality of opportunity, destroy societies, as we can observe since the Romans, and probably before that.
That's very narrow and does not address the reality of peoples lives.
Unless you think private business making profits is all there is that is worthwhile.
Your link describes socialism as-
'a set of political and economic theories based on the belief that everyone has an equal right to a share of a country's wealth and that the government should own and control the main industries'(my bold)
The Federal Reserve released the names of the banks that had received $4.5 trillion” – that is trillion with a T – “in cumulative loans in the last quarter of 2019 under its emergency repo loan operations for a liquidity crisis that has yet to be credibly explained.”
Norton notes that among the large borrowers under the Fed’s repo loan facility in 2019 were JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup (it was their trading affiliates) and these were “three of the Wall Street banks that were at the center of the subprime and derivatives crisis in 2008 that brought down the U.S. economy.”
Norton then asks Hudson “why was the Fed giving trillions of dollars to these large Wall Street banks. And why was there a liquidity crisis? That’s unexplained. Why did the Fed refuse to release the names of these banks? And was there a financial crisis before COVID that the U.S. government later was able to blame on COVID, but it was actually a financial crisis in the making?”Wall St on Parade'
It's called a rigged game.
@$40 a second,it would take 792 years to spend a…$.trillion.
Capitalism:An economic system in which a country's businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government.
China's businesses and industries are largely "run for profit" by private owners these days. But as a certain Baron Rothschild once said, "If I can control the money system I care not who runs the government." The Chinese government controls China's money system, so I guess that's all it takes to be considered socialist.
Why can our government not nationalize our banks, then we too could be socialists.
On the whole, the Chinese economy seems to have been fairly successful in recent years.
You can thank the Democrats for their lockdown policies for that, although its interesting Elon Musk is probably going to get people to Mars before Nasa does
Wrong, Pucky. I am decidedly middle class, mortgage free and owe not a penny to anyone. What have I got to be jealous or envious about?
Let's talk about equity though. Let's talk about levelling the playing field so everyone has a chance to lead a good and fulfilling life in the possibly few years left to homo sapiens.
You can say what you like but you look at the wealthy and you think to yourself "if I'd chosen a different field of study that could have been me", "if I'd applied myself differently that could have been me", "I could have done that if I'd wanted to", "they don't do anything to earn that money", "they don't earn that money", "who wants to live like that anyway"
Yes, you're right, I occasionally had those aberrations of thought when I was young, but I'm not young anymore, and I can look at the glaring, obscene inequality in the world and be genuinely appalled!
In fairness, that saying is really about economists. It should really read,
"If socialists believed the arrant nonsense and Chicago school drivel that has never worked anywhere, our job, lying to the punters, would be so much easier."
mikeshRemember the other saying "If socialists understood economics, they wouldn't be socialists". …
Remember the other saying "If socialists understood economics, they wouldn't be socialists".
If capitalists understood economics they would no doubt be better capitalists, and then maybe capitalism would become a worthwhile system. But in the meantime it's better we (ahem) "put up with" socialism.
A bit optimistic there, PR. Mars is only the nearest planet. It has already been wrecked from what we can tell, and there is no chance of 'unlocking the stars' based only on our precariously making it to Mars.
Please don't let your wild imagination run away with you again. We saw enough of that with Judith C…
I'm proposing possible solutions to a crisis of existence, and, well, what are you proposing?
Let's hear how the right will solve the looming climate catastrophe, apart from denying it exists.
If you think that one or more 'states of emergency,' either local or ultimately national, aren't in our 'near' future, well, you haven't been paying attention.
The richest people in the world doubled their wealth during the covid years – is that a solution to climate change?
Capitalism is good at exploiting other peoples labour and aquiring public assets on the cheap.
Capitalism relies on the proposition that the owners of capital should rule the economy. A pretty dubious proposition really. If workers ruled the economy they would no doubt put in place a socialist system. Under such a system suppliers of capital would be appropriately rewarded, but that reward would not be unlimited.
I've racked my brains but I can't think of one country where 'communism' in its pure form is practised (and don't tell me Venezuela, American sanctions have stuffed that country) or socialism for that matter.
But I can think of many many countries where capitalism has fucked economies and impoverished the vast majority of people.
Rockstar economy at what long term costs ?? I have read many examples of factory conditions that manufacture branded footware/clothing etc that would not be acceptable in 1st world countries, the increase in climate gases expelled, the plundering of our oceans to name a few. Sometimes we need to allow Father Time a little time to see the consequences. 😉
'However, this success in bringing people out of abject poverty is not simply down to the government, he says.'
"Chinese people, by working extremely hard, lifted themselves out of poverty – in part because some of the stupidest economic policies ever created, by Chairman Mao, were abandoned in favour of versions of capitalism."
'however, by any measure China has made huge strides to lift millions out of the toughest standards of living over the last few decades.'
Regardless you will never get an objective assessment from Anglo-American media.
The biggest fear of Capitalism is people embracing successful socialism and if outright aggression fails,then sanctions are applied and targeted assassinations occur.
Capitalism relies on a select few creating Capital out of thin air and developing military capability to…enforce it.
40 million on foodstamps in the U.S.A…as for homelessness!
"Chinese people, by working extremely hard, lifted themselves out of poverty – in part because some of the stupidest economic policies ever created, by Chairman Mao, were abandoned in favour of versions of capitalism."
I think that what you suggest is nothing short of a panicky. Even with all the effort NZ would try to stem global warming, 5 million people against the population of India and China …….? Sorry but that just makes me question what sort of idea is that? Not that we should not do anything but going into seclusion like a sect is just plain madness. If you really want to change things, start with giving effort and impetus against those who exploit people, modern slavery, mining of the African continent, deforestation of the South American Rainforest, cleaning up the sea from rubbish and debris that form whole islands. All of which influences climate. But to incarcerate 5 million people and expect from those who have worked and earned what they own to agree that their possessions are to be confiscated is truly authoritarian, in fact I would say an introduction to a police state mixed with sectarianism all rolled into one. Orwell's 1984:
‘ “One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.”’
‘ “The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”’
I would like to find out how many people these companies calling for imported staff have trained up locals for themselves, or is that not cost effective when you can get someone overseas to do the messy bits. I remember the old ARC (ARA?) had their own bus drivers school and trained their own drivers, many of which then went on to drive trucks for private companies
.
Mostly a shortage of workers who are willing and able to work for the minimum wage. So actually a wages shortage, not a worker shortage.
In my opinion, all imported workers should be paid a minimum of $35 / hour, so only if you can't find locals at this rate, are they allowed. Would prevent imported labour being used primarily to supress wages, which is the main function in NZ today.
This is s very good idea actually. It would mean an argument for foreign labor needs to be proven in fact. If this is about skills, than obviously NZ has a problem with training their own and if the skill needs to to be passed on than for any "import" of killed labor the employer has to get an apprentice on his/her side.
Wierd scenes so theres a campaign on in the uk to punish the bbc for having a left wing bias amongst other things , eh ??wtf ? i was under the impression the bbc was actively engaged in defeating jeremy corban and bringing borris to power how on earth is that left wing ?
So I can spend millions taking the Government to court to prohibit all vaccinations to people. To protect them.
I could opt myself out and my family out of having vaccinations, but hell, I want to opt everyone else out to protect them too. Call it a socialist tinge if you like.
In between times I could go to my Freedom and Voice rallies and complain about the Government.
One thing though, when I take the steps to do that I want my name to be out there, not suppressed like those in the current case before the courts. I want to be acknowledged for my genius knowing the accolades will flow. It's not that anyone would think that I'm a fuckwit with a used bottletop for a brain.
Why I want to be rich: (but aren't likely to as I'm just too lazy to put the work in)
So I can live in Central Otago (Bannockburn would be good, Lake Hawea on the water would suffice but Cromwell or Alexandra will have to do, Roxburgh at a pinch)
So I don't have to go to work (ref: lazy)
So I can drive around and see all the places I want to see
I like the location of Cromwell, its distance from other towns but I'd need to be on the water otherwise the attractiveness of Alex (on one of the hills looking down on people of course) is nudging it ahead for me
Or Roxburgh if my financial plans don't work out quite as I expect…
Among other things it supports delaying opening the border to non-MIQ travel and it supports urgently restricting the number of arrivals from countries suffering high Omicron outbreaks.
Not me, guvna, honest. I just went for a quiet country walk to figure out how to better serve my master, didn't know there was a revolt on, SPQR all the way, me…
They have apparently asked – though Finland has a longstanding finangle whereby Russia leaves them alone if they don't join Nato – most of the reason countries want to join Nato in the first place is to not get invaded by Russia.
The core driver of this issue lies in two parts; the strategic desire of the Russian state to expand it's borders to a configuration that they are capable of defending. From their perspective there is a great deal of military merit in this.
The second core driver is the desire of these 'buffer' state such as Belarus and Ukraine to determine their own political and defense alliances. In my book this latter consideration plays the trump card. Like Taiwan the people, who probably understand the choices better than we do, have chosen to turn away from authoritarian dictatorships. A choice between Russia and the EU is not a hard decision.
Long term the solution has to be to persuade the Russians that history does not have to repeat itself endlessly, and that they have far more to gain by becoming truly part of Europe as they always should have been. There is a great deal to like about the Russian people and culture, and their pariah status for over a century has been nothing but a tragedy for both sides.
Well the Russians were highly motivated to get in and out of Kazahkstan as fast as possible – there is no way they could sustain active military engagement on three fronts simultaneously. (The third being the slow burner in Georgia)
I remember very well that before and during the Russian Missiles in Cuba Crisis we here were NEVER informed that it was the USA which had provoked it all by planting nuclear warhead missiles in Turkey, right next to Russia, and it was admitted only some years later that the USA had got Russia to withdraw its missiles from Cuba by agreeing to withdraw its own missiles from Turkey.
Gorbachev was given verbal guarantees that NATO would not expand Eastwards.
Anything here that experts like RedLogix might be quietly not mentioning?
Long term the solution has to be to persuade the Russians that history does not have to repeat itself endlessly, and that they have far more to gain by becoming truly part of Europe as they always should have been.
Putin, I think, would agree with that. I don't think he wants to conquer other states, (except the Ukraine, which seems eager to join NATO). Russia's stance has always seemed defensive.
At the moment their borders lie on open plains they lack the manpower to defend. Last I looked the Ukrainian border is not all that far from Moscow so you can understand the Russian anxieties being provoked here. The Kremlin wants to expand it's military borders up to defendable geographic features like the Carpathian Mountains. So yes this does involve some conquering.
Put simply the Ukrainian people don't want to be under Putin's thumb, and the only way they can ensure their own security is to become part of NATO – as do the Finns and Swedes.
There really are only two sides to root for here – the authoritarian state or the democratic one. Neither are any kind of moral utopia but you get to pick one.
TV news last night, when covering child vaccinations, said there had only been a few hickups.
Talkback told a different story – from people with appointments told to get in line and wait their turn…to chemist shops knowing nothing about childhood vaccinations.
My, the difference between filtered news and raw news from the man in the street. Thanks talkback.
When the hell is Mikey and Heather getting back? We need some decent commentary.
74 deaths so far today in 3 Australian states. Daily case numbers, despite the imprecise accounting method, do seem to have peaked or flattened off, but hospitalisation pressure, ICU rates and deaths still increasing. Glad to know that the current outbreak here is so mild (sarc).
1126*/365 = 3/day, so today's Covid deaths represented 25 times that figure. What would Australia's car crash rate (or anywhere for that matter) be like without mandatory speed limits, seat belts, roadworthiness/WOF checks etc. etc.?
*https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/performance/road-deaths-road-user
The car deaths rate is always going to be inflated if you count road fatalities as anyone who has died and received a positive test for driving their car in the previous 48 hours.
but then if someone did the analysis on them and figured out that, say, 95% of people who died within 48hours of driving a car did in fact die as the result of a vehicle crash, the numbers would barely be inflated at all.
No, it's the PHE document comparing that methodology against a labour-intensive audit of individual death certificates, and finding that the sensitivity and specificity of the more efficient methodology is still in excess of 95% when that timeframe is at or under 28 days. Thus meaning that the "with not from" discussion was complete bollocks, and anyone who used it was out of their depth in the subject area.
A study using mathematical modelling estimated that there are more than 3000 deaths and more than 13,500 hospitalisations due to influenza per year among Australians aged >50 years.
I do realise COVID should not be ignored. Here in Brisbane it's all around us, and it's almost inevitable we're going to be exposed.
Perhaps most concerning of all is that with the 'only the vaccines can save us' messaging taking precedence over everything – it seems a lot of basic early treatment and case management principles have not been properly conveyed to the public. Here's the experience of a health journalist who seems to have copped a nasty dose, although given the dates involved it was probably the Delta variant.
74 deaths in a single day is equivalent to 27,000 deaths from Covid-19 a year (365 x 74). That's 9 times the influenza rate you just quoted. There is no way of knowing what the current fatality rate would have been without vaccination at all, but probably a lot higher.
But as you point out in your own comment, NSW Omicron case numbers have already peaked and the serious illness and deaths will likely do much the same in a week or two. It's extremely unlikely that NSW will continue to have 70+ deaths per day for the rest of this year.
Indeed it's not unreasonable to think Omicron will wind up an endemic illness that is comparable to seasonal influenza.
On that basis will the vaccine passports and travel restrictions make any sense?
observer
In my view these anti-vax protesters are the true "Deplorables". Far worse than the Gangs and lower down the picking order than a drunk pissing in a doorway at lunchtime. Far worse.
Scarring mum and the kids? Just absolute cowards and oxygen thieves.
We've had these scum in New Plymouth as well, a few months back. I wish I was there
at the time so I could make them pay for deplorable behaviour. Scumbags.
No Ad that is bullshit. These idiots are intimidating people, scaring kids and refusing to leave vaccination vans (NP) and getting aggressive. That's assault and should be dealt with by Police and or public involvement as necessary.
I wish I was there at the time so I could make them pay for deplorable behaviour.
Right there – the madness of mobs. Out in the open and condoned by a large fraction of the population.
Two years ago we were 'all in this together'. Now you want to actively make some of your fellow citizens who have done you no harm whatsoever, to 'pay' in order to satisfy your sadistic urges.
Time to snap out of the trance Greenbus – before you do something you will be eternally shamed for.
Democracy is about voting to hold our political institutions to account. Mob violence is something quite different. I would post an example pic of each if I thought it would help people spot the difference.
Worse than gangs? Really? Why not move next door to gang members, it must be a lot less dangerous than moving next to an unvaccinated person.
Please note:
Vaccinated people are NOT immunised in a similar fashion like being inoculated with the MMR vaccine but if infected with COVID-19 the sickness is very much controllable without hospitalization. A vaccinated person can however pass on the virus.
Unvaccinated people on the other hand can get infected by anyone, their sickness displays in the form of anything from asymptomatic to intensive care unit need.
So, the unvaccinated person is therefore the one in real danger not the vaccinated one.
The Pfizer vaccine has not yet been fully approved by the FDA or any other organization. In fact studies are under way for some time now and include the vaccinated.
This is not to say that the vaccine is not effective, only that we have to look at all facts. We certainly need to avoid to get in a state of irrational panic and just do away with human rights and the democratic right to decide ones own fate. It is not unlawful to forgo being vaccinated.
There were a number of kids that fainted at the said venue yesterday – this is hardly surprising.
Stinking hot weather, plus injection, plus young kids, plus queues is a recipe for fainting regardless of the vaccination – I'm surprised there wasn't more.
I hope this war of words will soon stop. Statements like these that gangs are far less dangerous then old ladies with placard are just plain wrong. Its like the witch hunt of the 16th century, an enemy has been created and now we hunt it down! No mercy. Is NZ really so unsophisticated that different views and expressions cannot be accepted? Gangs who peddling drugs, someone is shot we hear at least once a week and children are still murdered in record numbers. Priorities?
True, that old lady should not approach the car but honestly, if that would have been a gang member the danger would have been infinitely greater.
A plausible-sounding line, until we check the news for 2020 … and then it collapses.
Before the vaccine was even available, and before any mandate existed, guess who was attacking the government for destroying our rights? Brian Tamaki and fellow travellers, of course. "Voices for Freedom" is just a rebrand.
Google News NZ for 2020 if you doubt this. Dozens of stories. Jacinda was already Hitler, because … masks, or lockdowns, or anything at all. She existed. That was enough. That was the protesters' complaint. Still is.
I think if you read some of these contributions you get the gist of it. It is prevalent not just in NZ but world wide. So disturbing that humanity has mentally not moved and learned over the decades. How often do we have to repeat this cycle.
17 January was Martin Luther King Jr Day. It's a timely reminder to some about the radical words of MLK:
We have deluded ourselves into believing the myth that capitalism grew and prospered out of the Protestant ethic of hard work and sacrifice. The fact is that capitalism was built on the exploitation and suffering of black slaves and continues to thrive on the exploitation of the poor – both black and white, both here and abroad.
And the deeply reductionist Critical Race Theory was a very conscious repudiation of King's liberal-democratic / universalist / colour-blind philosophy.
The notion that King didn't want special treatment for Black people or that he didn't want the history of systemic racism taught in the US is absurd.
The white liberal must affirm that absolute justice for the Negro simply means, in the Aristotelian sense, that the Negro must have “his due.” There is nothing abstract about this. It is as concrete as having a good job, a good education, a decent house and a share of power. It is, however, important to understand that giving a man his due may often mean giving him special treatment. I am aware of the fact that this has been a troublesome concept for many liberals, since it conflicts with their traditional ideal of equal opportunity and equal treatment of people according to their individual merits. But this is a day which demands new thinking and the reevaluation of old concepts. A society that has done something special against the Negro for hundreds of years must now do something special for him, in order to equip him to compete on a just and equal basis.
On the contrary, MLK was no liberal, he was a socialist, with strong words for the liberal establishment then and today.
First, I must confess that over the last few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I can't agree with your methods of direct action;" who paternalistically feels he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by the myth of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait until a "more convenient season."
12 hours shifts mean we have a lot more time off plus management are always on your case about having too much annual leave so they want you to take leave
With a little planning 24hours used can get you nine days off in a row (48 can give you 13 days) but usually 24hours should get you something like 6-7 days off
I'm back to work on Monday and I'll bet I'll have another email about taking some more time off plus I've got two stat days that're over a year old so they'll have to be used
But one former colleague did take a three month holiday from work and jiggled it around the rosters, time off in leiu, and stat hols so that they only used a few weeks actual leave, lol
'The Department of Corrections said two units at Rolleston Prison and one each at Tongariro and Christchurch Women's Prison, have been signed off as ready for service.'
'The department said they plan to start using them over the next few months.'
Bullshit , Rolleston units are still empty and they were supposed to be open over three years ago
So you'd think a journalist would investigate how much money has been wasted on this project
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Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
“You talking about me?”The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
Roger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title 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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
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. ...
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
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 ...
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
I’m on the wrong side of 40, I never pursued creative work and now my job is killing my soul. Help! Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nzDear Hera,May I start with the least original conversation opener you’re likely to hear around the motu at the moment, particularly in Wellington: ...
“Never again - No AUKUS” was the message of the wreath laid at this morning’s national ANZAC Day commemorative service at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park this morning by the Stop AUKUS group. ...
Until this month, Auckland swimmer Hazel Ouwehand had never met a qualifying time in an Olympic event for a New Zealand team, even as a junior. Now she’s very likely off to the Paris Olympics after swimming well under the qualifying standard in the 100m butterfly twice – both in ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
Australian and New Zealand volunteers fought together in the Waikato War, yet still its place in the Anzac tradition is unacknowledged by our defence forces or Returned Services Association.First published in 2018.When I was a boy cub I attended Anzac Day services in the South Auckland suburb of ...
A poem by Wellington writer Tayi Tibble.Hoki Mai She kisses him goodbye with her eyes still wet and alight from their last swim in the Awatere river. At the train station celebration, she leads the Kapa Haka but her voice keeps breaking under and over itself like waves. ...
A poem from Bill Manhire’s 2017 book of verse Some Things to Place in a Coffin.My World War I Poem Inside each trench, the sound of prayer. Inside each prayer, the sound of digging. Image courtesy of Auckland War Memorial Museum. ...
There are three books I have wolfed down in one sitting over the last two years. Colleen Maria Lenihan’s gorgeous and sad debut Kōhine, Noelle McCarthy’s memoir Grand about becoming her mother and then unbecoming her, and now Hine Toa, a staunch yet gentle self-portrait by living legend Ngāhuia te ...
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I think the NZ government should declare a 5 year State of Emergency!
It must be obvious to anyone with half a brain that BAU concerning the climate catastrophe will not be adequate. We face an existential threat and in the very near future, perhaps in only 3 or 4 years.
A Government of National Emergency should be formed, a cross party coalition of all parties in the house. God knows, there must be some members of the Natz who are good at something. Even a use could be found for Seymour. Give this government ‘war-time’ powers.
The borders must be closed; given a reasonable lead in time, say 6 months, all NZers who want to come home, should be encouraged to do so. After that – take your chances. Overseas travel must be suspended/terminated.
Huge efforts should be made to make NZ as self-reliant as possible, and the people marshalled to that end. The tourism industry is dead; channel all the people in that industry into future-proofing this country as far as possible.
Excess wealth should be confiscated and a UBI instituted to give everyone an equal stake in the success of a survival policy.
The emphasis must be placed on producing here what has been imported, and cutting out the consumer crap. Vacant land within cities (and there are many such where I live in ChCh) should be turned into community gardens, so we eat well, even if we don’t have plastic napkins to eat it off.
Omicron is only one of many ‘products’ from overseas we can do without. Sealing the border will stifle the spread of covid-19, and stop our landfills from overflowing.
By declaring a state of emergency now the government will be pro-actively taking steps ‘in time’ to avert the catastrophe looming, not reacting too late in 3 or 4 years from now. It will also give the government the necessary powers to act quickly in response to any of the many climate emergencies in the next few years.
One way/time or another, a state of emergency is coming.
P.S. Of course I know there’s not a hope of any of the above happening, but it all, or most of it should.
Give this a name and it might catch on.
Tony Veitchs Glorious 5 Year Plan sounds good I reckon
Ah, Pucky, take your head out of the sand and look around you. 1.5C is a temperature rise we cannot exceed and still live on this planet., and we're already on track for 2C.
Climate change/catastrophe will impact the world in increasing ways in the next few years, and we, us poor humans, will be only reactive, too little, too late.
Much better (though politically impossible) to front-foot any tragedy by being as prepared as we can, don't you think?
And buying EVs will simply not be enough!
So, what then?
Not a combination of communism and authoritarianism
So, what then?
Open up everything, keep the vaccines going (for what it's worth) and accept covid is here to stay
Had a look at the countries that are currently trying that?
Supply chains blocked, because all the truckies and supermarket workers are off sick at once, for example.
That is the Tory way, however. "If it doesn't work, do more of it".
Well no that isn't the issue:
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/whats-causing-americas-massive-supply-chain-disruptions/story?id=80587129
I hate to be the one to point this out to you, Pucky, but covid is but one, and not the most important, of the problems we face.
Ok lets say you're right. Lets say that the doomsayers are, finally, right.
If we have an overpopulated planet then the best thing we can do is depopulate the planet.
The earth is merely correcting itself so why would you want to interfere with that.
I think we,ll get to the stage where we are ready to try almost anything. [As long as its not practical. The powers that be are not those sort of people].
Communism never works, Socialism never works.
And Capitalism does, when BAU will lead us to climate catastrophe?
Head . . . sand.
Capitalism certainly works better than Communism and Socialism, with Capitalism as your base you can then afford socialist policies
Best of both worlds
Unlike capitalism, communism and socialism have a history of lifting people out of poverty under the most dire of circumstances. Pity they are such an easy target for the capitalists who mercilessly unleash their dubiously acquired capital and resources to undermine countries. Of course, you will be too enamored with wealth for wealth's sake to realize that once upon a time, NZ was recognized as a socialist state. That was back when people were housed, clothed, fed and educated by utilizing the various resources of the country. That was before greed became a religion
This is fantastic stuff, keep going.
"Unlike capitalism, communism and socialism have a history of lifting people out of poverty" that's funnier than anything Guy Williams has ever said. You should do stand up comedy.
Says someone who is either illiterate or wilfully believes in fairy dust eh Jimmy.
Nonsense – socialism are your streets and public libraries – a society can stand quite a bit of that stuff. Education and health systems too.
Capitalism pays for Socialism
Wrong way around.
Without State infrastructure, the rule of law, especially contract law, the protection of possessions, health and housing, and all the other "Socialist things" Capitalism wouldn't be workable.
Currently Capitalism is failing because capitalists have removed way more than their fair share of "other peoples, wealth production". Work!
Capitalism pays for Socialism
Only until it corrupts the government – then it welshes on all its responsibilities.
Never say "never".
Well when it finally does let me know
Cuba seems pretty viable, and would be even more so, were it not for US and other Western nations’ hostility.
You want to live there be my guest.
Countries are allowed to trade with whoever they want, plenty of Communist and Socialist countries for Cuba to trade with.
Countries are allowed to trade with whoever they want, plenty of Communist and Socialist countries for Cuba to trade with
Just because Castro gave the corrupt, pro US, dictator, Batista, and his government the boot, that is no reason for vindictiveness on the part of the US.
Meantime, just like in the movie 'Don't Look Up' where they decided to mine the asteroid instead of deflecting it.
New Zealand government invests $1.5 billion in financial support made available to Air New Zealand in mining the sky.
Yes Jenny, BAU.
If New Zealand took up all or even some of your suggestions it would be a wake-up and a call to arms for the whole world.
We could stop climate change if we chose to, but we don't choose to.
Yes it is.
The question is; Will this coming state of emergency be declared too late?
Will we fight now, when it can make a difference, or will we fight later when it is too late?
Unfortunately Jenny, you and I both know the answer to your last question.
''Excess wealth should be confiscated and a UBI instituted to give everyone an equal stake in the success of a survival policy.''
Not often you hear those sentiments stated so plainly. Nowadays the Left use weasel words and phrases to express such unpalatable truths.
Thanks, Tony, for reminding me why I'm a Tory. Consistently stating the company line can make one forget why they are objecting to something in the first place.
Yes it is refreshing to hear someone clearly state their jealousy and envy
Nothing to do with the fact that increasing unearned wealth and power, accumulating in few hands, and inequality of opportunity, destroy societies, as we can observe since the Romans, and probably before that.
"Envy".
Don't right wingers have any original memes?
You've been using that one for over a century.
Cliches are cliches because they are true.
No they are the default of those too lazy to be objective.
Not lazy.
Efficient. I don’t need to reinvent the wheel.
You think Capitalism is efficient.
Do you know what it is….how it works and where we can find it?
Here you go:
https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/capitalism
capitalism
noun
An economic system in which a country's businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government
That's very narrow and does not address the reality of peoples lives.
Unless you think private business making profits is all there is that is worthwhile.
Your link describes socialism as-
'a set of political and economic theories based on the belief that everyone has an equal right to a share of a country's wealth and that the government should own and control the main industries'(my bold)
And?
and….try the …magic show!
The Federal Reserve released the names of the banks that had received $4.5 trillion” – that is trillion with a T – “in cumulative loans in the last quarter of 2019 under its emergency repo loan operations for a liquidity crisis that has yet to be credibly explained.”
Norton notes that among the large borrowers under the Fed’s repo loan facility in 2019 were JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs and Citigroup (it was their trading affiliates) and these were “three of the Wall Street banks that were at the center of the subprime and derivatives crisis in 2008 that brought down the U.S. economy.”
Norton then asks Hudson “why was the Fed giving trillions of dollars to these large Wall Street banks. And why was there a liquidity crisis? That’s unexplained. Why did the Fed refuse to release the names of these banks? And was there a financial crisis before COVID that the U.S. government later was able to blame on COVID, but it was actually a financial crisis in the making?”Wall St on Parade'
It's called a rigged game.
@$40 a second,it would take 792 years to spend a…$.trillion.
Thats the left wing, Democratic party for you
I see you have no idea of who was in power in the U.S in 2019.
Democrat or Republican is actually irrelevant when crony capitalism is the main act.
Shades of George Orwell: 'four legs good, two legs bad.'
Sorry Phucky, you can't keep blaming the left (especially the American 'left'), for all the ills of the world.
'Sorry Phucky, you can't keep blaming the left (especially the American 'left'), for all the ills of the world'
Considering that in the USA Hollywood, big tech, social media, msm, Wall Street are all left leaning then yes, yes I can and yes I will
Sorry about the 'Phucky,' that was unworthy of me.
Don't worry about it, I'm a big boy.
I've been called worse things.
Thanks. But, I imagine, you'd be the first to admit you can be an annoying little shit!
Capitalism:An economic system in which a country's businesses and industry are controlled and run for profit by private owners rather than by the government.
China's businesses and industries are largely "run for profit" by private owners these days. But as a certain Baron Rothschild once said, "If I can control the money system I care not who runs the government." The Chinese government controls China's money system, so I guess that's all it takes to be considered socialist.
Why can our government not nationalize our banks, then we too could be socialists.
On the whole, the Chinese economy seems to have been fairly successful in recent years.
To Tony
I don't know what you're talking about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQM8bUHOEuE
Lol. Number 8 fits you to a T, Pucky.
Though, on reflection, No. 3 fits as well.
Pretty sure 8 and 3 apply to a lot of people on here
Keep telling yourself that.
Mystery why those who haven't done well monetarily, still shill for the idle rich, however.
That other cliche. "Turkey's voting for Christmas" springs to mind.
You could add landlords legislating against their best interests too.
How about ''Rich Pricks''?
When Bezos and Musk have more wealth than 40% of americans ….there is something rotten in the kingdom…of neo liberal…greed.
You can thank the Democrats for their lockdown policies for that, although its interesting Elon Musk is probably going to get people to Mars before Nasa does
Wrong, Pucky. I am decidedly middle class, mortgage free and owe not a penny to anyone. What have I got to be jealous or envious about?
Let's talk about equity though. Let's talk about levelling the playing field so everyone has a chance to lead a good and fulfilling life in the possibly few years left to homo sapiens.
Hence a UBI.
You can say what you like but you look at the wealthy and you think to yourself "if I'd chosen a different field of study that could have been me", "if I'd applied myself differently that could have been me", "I could have done that if I'd wanted to", "they don't do anything to earn that money", "they don't earn that money", "who wants to live like that anyway"
Yes, you're right, I occasionally had those aberrations of thought when I was young, but I'm not young anymore, and I can look at the glaring, obscene inequality in the world and be genuinely appalled!
Trust me on this.
Let go of your envy and jealousy, it won't do you any good and it'll only make you appreciate less what you already have.
The pie isn't finite, just because someone else is wealthy doesn't mean you, me or the person down the street can't be wealthy.
If thats even a goal.
Oh the aspirational con!
You can't have rich people without a whole lot of poor people.
Most wealth stems from control of capital creation, privatisation of public assets,inheritance , insider information and some luck.
I hope that one day, for your sake, you can overcome your defeatist attitude.
I hope for your sake, one day you can see through the indoctrinated drivel you champion and recognise…reality.
Remember the other saying "If socialists understood economics, they wouldn't be socialists".
Theres always a money tree at the bottom of the garden
What garden?
The garden where the money comes from
Another stupid saying.
'economics exists so that economists can have..a job.'-paraphrase J.Galbraith.
In fairness, that saying is really about economists. It should really read,
"If socialists believed the arrant nonsense and Chicago school drivel that has never worked anywhere, our job, lying to the punters, would be so much easier."
Remember the other saying "If socialists understood economics, they wouldn't be socialists".
If capitalists understood economics they would no doubt be better capitalists, and then maybe capitalism would become a worthwhile system. But in the meantime it's better we (ahem) "put up with" socialism.
please fix TS username on your device.
Unfortunately, the pie is finite. You can't have infinite growth on a finite planet.
Thats why we need more people like Elon Musk (visionaries) and less like the nay sayers
The guy who plans to escape to Mars.
Leaving his mess behind.
and creating a new mess wherever he goes.
Its human nature to travel, if he can unlock the stars then good on him
Unlock the stars??
A bit optimistic there, PR. Mars is only the nearest planet. It has already been wrecked from what we can tell, and there is no chance of 'unlocking the stars' based only on our precariously making it to Mars.
Please don't let your wild imagination run away with you again. We saw enough of that with Judith C…
You are why we need people like Elon Musk
'The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step'
This journey will scarcely make the first step, and will get nowhere.
Fool.
"What have I got to be jealous or envious about?".
I don't know. Why are you?
The Right always make that pathetic "you are jealous" smear.
We cannot expect them to do better – greed and ignorance can only take them so far.
Because its generally true, look at your average left wing spouting politician
"Jealosy and "envy" are merely states of mind. Practical necessities are different. These latter are what we are discussing here.
Where the mind goes the body follows
Or, as President Theodore Roosevelt put it "If you've got them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow".
Rubbish.
I'm proposing possible solutions to a crisis of existence, and, well, what are you proposing?
Let's hear how the right will solve the looming climate catastrophe, apart from denying it exists.
If you think that one or more 'states of emergency,' either local or ultimately national, aren't in our 'near' future, well, you haven't been paying attention.
The richest people in the world doubled their wealth during the covid years – is that a solution to climate change?
'I'm proposing possible solutions to a crisis of existence, and, well, what are you proposing?'
– I'm proposing we don't make the situation much, much worse
'The richest people in the world doubled their wealth during the covid years – is that a solution to climate change?'
– Ask the Democrats, they're the ones that implemented the policies.
Probably a coincidence:
https://www.npr.org/2021/09/21/1039313011/tiktokers-are-trading-stocks-by-watching-what-members-of-congress-do
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/5-nancy-pelosi-stocks-you-may-want-to-watch-in-2022
Ah, I see, BAU
Yes.
Making something worse under the guise of 'at least doing something' isn't noble.
Making something worse under the guise of 'at least doing something' isn't noble.
Worse for whom? You're saying that we should ensure that the 1% survive even if the rest of us don't.
And nobility isn't really the point. Mostly you seem to be engaging in empty rhetoric.
Reply
Communism and Socialism is worse for everybody (except the 1% it favours)
Capitalism is good at exploiting other peoples labour and aquiring public assets on the cheap.
Communism is really good at good at exploiting other peoples labour and aquiring public assets on the cheap and killing their own people.
Capitalism is good at exploiting other peoples labour and aquiring public assets on the cheap.
Capitalism relies on the proposition that the owners of capital should rule the economy. A pretty dubious proposition really. If workers ruled the economy they would no doubt put in place a socialist system. Under such a system suppliers of capital would be appropriately rewarded, but that reward would not be unlimited.
Capitalism relies on trade.
You have something (money) I want, I'm willing to trade my time (work) for money.
I have something you want (goods and services), I'm willing to trade my goods and services for your money.
Do I believe in unfettered capitalism, nope, needs to be rules like anything else to make a level playing field.
Capitalism relies on trade.
So does socialism.
Please stop punching yourself in the….face.
Einstein's (I think) definition of insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different result.
BAU isn't going to cut it anymore, Pucky. We need a more radical approach.
'Einstein's (I think) definition of insanity is doing the same thing time and time again and expecting a different result.'
So like Communism and Socialism then?
BAU, BAU, BAU, BAU!
I've racked my brains but I can't think of one country where 'communism' in its pure form is practised (and don't tell me Venezuela, American sanctions have stuffed that country) or socialism for that matter.
But I can think of many many countries where capitalism has fucked economies and impoverished the vast majority of people.
Though ‘impoverishment’ is a relative term.
So why then have lifespans increased and peoples standard of living increased ??
and you comment on no examples of pure communism or socialism yet only comment on restricted capitalism/socialism ??
'I've racked my brains but I can't think of one country where 'communism' in its pure form is practised '
Communism will finally work this time when we finally implement it properly, BAU, BAU, BAU, BAU!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztVMib1T4T4
@Herodotus…neither pure Communism or pure Capitalism exist.
Communist China is the pin up nation for standard of living improvement and increased lifespan,not to mention a real 'rockstar economy'.
Rockstar economy at what long term costs ?? I have read many examples of factory conditions that manufacture branded footware/clothing etc that would not be acceptable in 1st world countries, the increase in climate gases expelled, the plundering of our oceans to name a few. Sometimes we need to allow Father Time a little time to see the consequences. 😉
It's in pretty pure form in Russia, UK, US, and Kazakhstan. You can trace it one pipeline at a time.
Hi Blazer
https://www.bbc.com/news/56213271
'However, this success in bringing people out of abject poverty is not simply down to the government, he says.'
"Chinese people, by working extremely hard, lifted themselves out of poverty – in part because some of the stupidest economic policies ever created, by Chairman Mao, were abandoned in favour of versions of capitalism."
Your BBC link-
'however, by any measure China has made huge strides to lift millions out of the toughest standards of living over the last few decades.'
Regardless you will never get an objective assessment from Anglo-American media.
The biggest fear of Capitalism is people embracing successful socialism and if outright aggression fails,then sanctions are applied and targeted assassinations occur.
Capitalism relies on a select few creating Capital out of thin air and developing military capability to…enforce it.
40 million on foodstamps in the U.S.A…as for homelessness!
Yes Blazer because:
"Chinese people, by working extremely hard, lifted themselves out of poverty – in part because some of the stupidest economic policies ever created, by Chairman Mao, were abandoned in favour of versions of capitalism."
I agree Mao's policies were pretty stupid, but perhaps we can learn from some of China's more recent policies, particularly with respect to banking.
I think that what you suggest is nothing short of a panicky. Even with all the effort NZ would try to stem global warming, 5 million people against the population of India and China …….? Sorry but that just makes me question what sort of idea is that? Not that we should not do anything but going into seclusion like a sect is just plain madness. If you really want to change things, start with giving effort and impetus against those who exploit people, modern slavery, mining of the African continent, deforestation of the South American Rainforest, cleaning up the sea from rubbish and debris that form whole islands. All of which influences climate. But to incarcerate 5 million people and expect from those who have worked and earned what they own to agree that their possessions are to be confiscated is truly authoritarian, in fact I would say an introduction to a police state mixed with sectarianism all rolled into one. Orwell's 1984:
‘ “One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship.”’
‘ “The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”’
Bravo.
All EVs are imported … with the boarders closed => no EVs anyway!
How on earth do you close 'boarders?'
Write your name on the milk in the fridge before they stealth it.
'Stealth it'? Our borders used to steal it instead.
How do you (en)close a boarder?
By stopping them from 'stretching' their legs!
Just a product of the NZ education system?
Are you referring to your own error, Maurice? (‘boarders' indeed..)
Business with covid can't be so…bad…the service sector screaming to import workers in hospo and unskilled work.
Employers ‘desperate’ as shortfall of 10,000 workers hits productivity and profits | Stuff.co.nz
I would like to find out how many people these companies calling for imported staff have trained up locals for themselves, or is that not cost effective when you can get someone overseas to do the messy bits. I remember the old ARC (ARA?) had their own bus drivers school and trained their own drivers, many of which then went on to drive trucks for private companies
.
Mostly a shortage of workers who are willing and able to work for the minimum wage. So actually a wages shortage, not a worker shortage.
In my opinion, all imported workers should be paid a minimum of $35 / hour, so only if you can't find locals at this rate, are they allowed. Would prevent imported labour being used primarily to supress wages, which is the main function in NZ today.
This is s very good idea actually. It would mean an argument for foreign labor needs to be proven in fact. If this is about skills, than obviously NZ has a problem with training their own and if the skill needs to to be passed on than for any "import" of killed labor the employer has to get an apprentice on his/her side.
Wierd scenes so theres a campaign on in the uk to punish the bbc for having a left wing bias amongst other things , eh ??wtf ? i was under the impression the bbc was actively engaged in defeating jeremy corban and bringing borris to power how on earth is that left wing ?
Those on the right have a extremely laughable tendency to claim everything is left wing; our own PR demonstrated above:
Part of it is Truth-by-Repetition, and it’s has seemed to be pretty effective on some people.
Why I want to be rich: Reason #237:
So I can spend millions taking the Government to court to prohibit all vaccinations to people. To protect them.
I could opt myself out and my family out of having vaccinations, but hell, I want to opt everyone else out to protect them too. Call it a socialist tinge if you like.
In between times I could go to my Freedom and Voice rallies and complain about the Government.
One thing though, when I take the steps to do that I want my name to be out there, not suppressed like those in the current case before the courts. I want to be acknowledged for my genius knowing the accolades will flow. It's not that anyone would think that I'm a fuckwit with a used bottletop for a brain.
It's not that anyone would think that I'm a fuckwit with a used bottletop for a brain.
Are you clairvoyant? How do you know what others might think? Nice metaphor though. Very appropriate.
Why I want to be rich: (but aren't likely to as I'm just too lazy to put the work in)
So I can live in Central Otago (Bannockburn would be good, Lake Hawea on the water would suffice but Cromwell or Alexandra will have to do, Roxburgh at a pinch)
So I don't have to go to work (ref: lazy)
So I can drive around and see all the places I want to see
So my home is modern, warm and comfortable
Thats about it really…
About to take my boat for a sail on lake Wanaka Pukish….but I'm still a Corbynista through and through
Nobodies perfect
That is why John Eales, Australian Rugby player and oft-times captain from 1991 to 2001 was given the nickname of "Nobody".
He certainly came as close as anyone has to deserving it.
I'll wave from the frobt deck.
"the frobt deck"
That'll be after the obligatory three hours of drinkies I suppose? We've all heard about the residents of Wanaka.
Hawea is a hole other than January. Avoid.
Bannockburn got make sure you've got an irrigation stream or other water right.
Cromwell is surprisingly civil.
I like the location of Cromwell, its distance from other towns but I'd need to be on the water otherwise the attractiveness of Alex (on one of the hills looking down on people of course) is nudging it ahead for me
Or Roxburgh if my financial plans don't work out quite as I expect…
"if my financial plans don't work out"
Or Paremoremo if they work out like those of the Warden Norton in The Shawshank Redemption?
No, perish the thought.
Rata unit would ok if I'm in my 70s and single…
hmmmm…. some use their riches to get more and government is using the taxpayer money to facilitate….
https://youtu.be/nYIJxoh7gqw
Following on from TS discussion on Omicron yesterday this blog really is excellent in describing the best response to Omicron in NZ.
https://blogs.otago.ac.nz/pubhealthexpert/preparing-for-omicron-a-proactive-government-response-is-urgently-needed-to-minimise-harms/
Among other things it supports delaying opening the border to non-MIQ travel and it supports urgently restricting the number of arrivals from countries suffering high Omicron outbreaks.
This is very useful too.
https://theconversation.com/ive-tested-positive-to-covid-what-should-i-do-now-174458
goodo. why waste yr leave time here, when you can waste yr employers time eh?
[RL: Banned until 29/1. A particularly stupid example of self-martyrdom.]
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
Mod note.
Irony alert: moderator opposes "creeping authoritarianism", then imposes ban for a weak joke. Oh dear.
So it turns out that you don't like 'creeping authoritarianism' when it suits your personal taste in humour?
Well it's a starting point I guess.
Not about "taste in humour". As you know.
If every stupid comment gets a 10 day ban, half the comments on the blog would be in the firing line.
I am Spartacus!
He's Spartacus!
We're all Spartacus!
Even Crusher "my style of fun is slightly more gladiatorial" Collins!
"I stab from the front."
'A love so sharp it cut
Like a switchblade to my heart'
Not me, guvna, honest. I just went for a quiet country walk to figure out how to better serve my master, didn't know there was a revolt on, SPQR all the way, me…
On a separate note, watch Arcane.
I don't know how they made a cartoon series based on a game so good but they did.
Now I'm a grammar nazi troll: shouldn't that be Spartacii??? /s
Grammar Nazi trolls are the worst trolls
Probably need Bernard Woolley for this one.
If we are all Spartacus, then Spartacus is plural? and does plural mean Spartacus is masculine, or neuter? Genitive case, maybe?
So, going by "romanus", the singular masculine nominative "Spartacus" would go to the plural genitive "Spartacorum", maybe?
I am Spartacus!
I don't think so. Sparticus was Kirk Douglas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2sq409UGtY
From my perspective it's more to do with having a go at authors. We protect authors here for a reason (because we want them to stay and write).
Why are commenters insisting on comparing Russia's invasion of Ukraine to China's threats against Taiwan?
The Ukraise tension would disperse if:
– Ukraine legislated that they will never be a member of NATO or the Russian defence treaty
– Nordstrom II was accelerated to completion
– Ukraine agreed to remove all nuclear missiles
– Russia removed itself from Donbass
Second part of the deal is:
– NATO Withdraws it's new divisions from the Baltic states
– Russia packs up and goes home.
Result:
Big wide neutral buffer state that keeps the gas flowing.
No comparison to China at all.
And now Russia are moving divisions for joint exercises with Belarus on the Ukraine border.
Bet Finland and Sweden beg to join NATO formally.
Biden and Blunken better figure out a solid deal, better than the current offer.
They have apparently asked – though Finland has a longstanding finangle whereby Russia leaves them alone if they don't join Nato – most of the reason countries want to join Nato in the first place is to not get invaded by Russia.
All good points.
The core driver of this issue lies in two parts; the strategic desire of the Russian state to expand it's borders to a configuration that they are capable of defending. From their perspective there is a great deal of military merit in this.
The second core driver is the desire of these 'buffer' state such as Belarus and Ukraine to determine their own political and defense alliances. In my book this latter consideration plays the trump card. Like Taiwan the people, who probably understand the choices better than we do, have chosen to turn away from authoritarian dictatorships. A choice between Russia and the EU is not a hard decision.
Long term the solution has to be to persuade the Russians that history does not have to repeat itself endlessly, and that they have far more to gain by becoming truly part of Europe as they always should have been. There is a great deal to like about the Russian people and culture, and their pariah status for over a century has been nothing but a tragedy for both sides.
I'd certainly prefer well-priced petro diplomacy to this militarized bullshit.
The key fund managers, petro-diplomats and ready-response Russian crew certainly managed the Kazakhstan intergenerational handover very neatly indeed.
Well the Russians were highly motivated to get in and out of Kazahkstan as fast as possible – there is no way they could sustain active military engagement on three fronts simultaneously. (The third being the slow burner in Georgia)
Can't see any reason why they can't handle that and more.
These areas of concern are on their own border.
As for the U.S and its 800+ bases globally,they ferment tension in multiple spheres.
I remember very well that before and during the Russian Missiles in Cuba Crisis we here were NEVER informed that it was the USA which had provoked it all by planting nuclear warhead missiles in Turkey, right next to Russia, and it was admitted only some years later that the USA had got Russia to withdraw its missiles from Cuba by agreeing to withdraw its own missiles from Turkey.
Gorbachev was given verbal guarantees that NATO would not expand Eastwards.
Anything here that experts like RedLogix might be quietly not mentioning?
Long term the solution has to be to persuade the Russians that history does not have to repeat itself endlessly, and that they have far more to gain by becoming truly part of Europe as they always should have been.
Putin, I think, would agree with that. I don't think he wants to conquer other states, (except the Ukraine, which seems eager to join NATO). Russia's stance has always seemed defensive.
I don't think he wants to conquer other states,
At the moment their borders lie on open plains they lack the manpower to defend. Last I looked the Ukrainian border is not all that far from Moscow so you can understand the Russian anxieties being provoked here. The Kremlin wants to expand it's military borders up to defendable geographic features like the Carpathian Mountains. So yes this does involve some conquering.
Put simply the Ukrainian people don't want to be under Putin's thumb, and the only way they can ensure their own security is to become part of NATO – as do the Finns and Swedes.
There really are only two sides to root for here – the authoritarian state or the democratic one. Neither are any kind of moral utopia but you get to pick one.
I don't think he wants to conquer other states,
Georgia and Chechnya might beg to differ.
They did, in 1994, for assurances that Russia would refrain from threatening or using force against Ukraine’s territorial independence.
https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-trilateral-process-the-united-states-ukraine-russia-and-nuclear-weapons/
TV news last night, when covering child vaccinations, said there had only been a few hickups.
Talkback told a different story – from people with appointments told to get in line and wait their turn…to chemist shops knowing nothing about childhood vaccinations.
My, the difference between filtered news and raw news from the man in the street. Thanks talkback.
When the hell is Mikey and Heather getting back? We need some decent commentary.
'
When the hell is Mikey and Heather getting back? We need some decent commentary.'
that's really …blunt….blade.
Mikey is off to Oz soon…and Heather Depressing-Allen is having a pregnant…pause.
Whaaat? Are you angry because I used ''getting back'' instead of ''coming back?''
You have had a hard day. Time to knock off and recharge your batteries.
This will stir the cockles of you dark socialist heart. I have to admit it nearly had me standing to attention. Riveting stuff.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTarc1si2fQ
Blunt Blade – I think that the inference you should have made is that you have no idea of what 'decent commentary' is.
A good call, to my mind.
Do you know why Righties have so much fun( outside of the National Party that is ?). They have a sense of humour.
Please excuse my dry Tory wit, In Vino.
Wit? Humour? Misnomers.
Yes, well, of course. You have no frame of reference.
No reason, just because:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyB2PnDWYGg
If anyone is still in any doubt who the real fearmongers are …
They spread lies on social media, and it's not for "freedom".
Making up stories to scare the kids. No tactic is too low for the anti-vax mob.
74 deaths so far today in 3 Australian states. Daily case numbers, despite the imprecise accounting method, do seem to have peaked or flattened off, but hospitalisation pressure, ICU rates and deaths still increasing. Glad to know that the current outbreak here is so mild (sarc).
How many fatal car crashes on the same day?
From https://www.bitre.gov.au/publications/ongoing/road_deaths_australia_monthly_bulletins (nifty Power BI dashboard here) it states that there have been 1127 road crash deaths in the last 12 months in Australia.
So around 3/day.
Edit: innumeracy corrected.
1126*/365 = 3/day, so today's Covid deaths represented 25 times that figure. What would Australia's car crash rate (or anywhere for that matter) be like without mandatory speed limits, seat belts, roadworthiness/WOF checks etc. etc.?
*https://www.roadsafety.gov.au/performance/road-deaths-road-user
Comparative risk by age,suggests covid IFR are worse across all age groups then accidents or vehicle fatalities.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10654-020-00698-1/tables/3
Good spotting – corrected.
Probably much worse, I would imagine. From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_motor_vehicle_deaths_in_Australia_by_year we can see road fatalities peaked in 1970 with 3798, a rate of 30.4 fatalities/100,000 people and 80/100,000 cars. The fatality rate had dropped to 4.6/100,000 people by 2018.
The car deaths rate is always going to be inflated if you count road fatalities as anyone who has died and received a positive test for driving their car in the previous 48 hours.
but then if someone did the analysis on them and figured out that, say, 95% of people who died within 48hours of driving a car did in fact die as the result of a vehicle crash, the numbers would barely be inflated at all.
Lucky PHE did that work on covid 18 months ago. So no, covid death public health counts are not significantly inflated.
Isn't that PHE document saying that a covid death is counted when the person had a positive covid test within a certain time frame?
No, it's the PHE document comparing that methodology against a labour-intensive audit of individual death certificates, and finding that the sensitivity and specificity of the more efficient methodology is still in excess of 95% when that timeframe is at or under 28 days. Thus meaning that the "with not from" discussion was complete bollocks, and anyone who used it was out of their depth in the subject area.
Happy to be of assistance.
Appreciated.
I'm operating off a mobile.
They're a long way from BAU.
It's got a way to go to catch up to seasonal influenza then.
Again mild compared to what?
I do realise COVID should not be ignored. Here in Brisbane it's all around us, and it's almost inevitable we're going to be exposed.
Perhaps most concerning of all is that with the 'only the vaccines can save us' messaging taking precedence over everything – it seems a lot of basic early treatment and case management principles have not been properly conveyed to the public. Here's the experience of a health journalist who seems to have copped a nasty dose, although given the dates involved it was probably the Delta variant.
74 deaths in a single day is equivalent to 27,000 deaths from Covid-19 a year (365 x 74). That's 9 times the influenza rate you just quoted. There is no way of knowing what the current fatality rate would have been without vaccination at all, but probably a lot higher.
All this influenza and car crash fear porn has to stop.
But as you point out in your own comment, NSW Omicron case numbers have already peaked and the serious illness and deaths will likely do much the same in a week or two. It's extremely unlikely that NSW will continue to have 70+ deaths per day for the rest of this year.
Indeed it's not unreasonable to think Omicron will wind up an endemic illness that is comparable to seasonal influenza.
On that basis will the vaccine passports and travel restrictions make any sense?
observer
In my view these anti-vax protesters are the true "Deplorables". Far worse than the Gangs and lower down the picking order than a drunk pissing in a doorway at lunchtime. Far worse.
Scarring mum and the kids? Just absolute cowards and oxygen thieves.
We've had these scum in New Plymouth as well, a few months back. I wish I was there
at the time so I could make them pay for deplorable behaviour. Scumbags.
Also NZ citizens who have broken no law.
You replicate the same bile as any beneficiary basher.
No Ad that is bullshit. These idiots are intimidating people, scaring kids and refusing to leave vaccination vans (NP) and getting aggressive. That's assault and should be dealt with by Police and or public involvement as necessary.
I wish I was there at the time so I could make them pay for deplorable behaviour.
Right there – the madness of mobs. Out in the open and condoned by a large fraction of the population.
Two years ago we were 'all in this together'. Now you want to actively make some of your fellow citizens who have done you no harm whatsoever, to 'pay' in order to satisfy your sadistic urges.
Time to snap out of the trance Greenbus – before you do something you will be eternally shamed for.
The madness of mobs?…. its what humans do, sometimes it detrimental others its beneficial.
I guess it depends on whether you are within or without.
Oddly enough your comment made me reflect on democracy….that other madness of mobs.
Democracy is about voting to hold our political institutions to account. Mob violence is something quite different. I would post an example pic of each if I thought it would help people spot the difference.
Violence?….we have a group protesting, some individuals behaving badly and a majority complying….sounds like another day at the office.
But I guess you could portray it as something else if it didnt support your view of how the world should be.
Within, without.
Worse than gangs? Really? Why not move next door to gang members, it must be a lot less dangerous than moving next to an unvaccinated person.
Please note:
Vaccinated people are NOT immunised in a similar fashion like being inoculated with the MMR vaccine but if infected with COVID-19 the sickness is very much controllable without hospitalization. A vaccinated person can however pass on the virus.
Unvaccinated people on the other hand can get infected by anyone, their sickness displays in the form of anything from asymptomatic to intensive care unit need.
So, the unvaccinated person is therefore the one in real danger not the vaccinated one.
The Pfizer vaccine has not yet been fully approved by the FDA or any other organization. In fact studies are under way for some time now and include the vaccinated.
https://covid.immune.org.nz/news-insights/provisional-approval-pfizer-vaccine-extended
https://www.malaghan.org.nz/news-and-reports/news/new-study-into-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine-to-provide-unique-nz-data/
This is not to say that the vaccine is not effective, only that we have to look at all facts. We certainly need to avoid to get in a state of irrational panic and just do away with human rights and the democratic right to decide ones own fate. It is not unlawful to forgo being vaccinated.
Unvaccinated is not a synonym for anti-vax protesters, whose behaviour is the subject here.
See the link in #11 above.
There are many more examples, alas.
e.g.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-parents-shocked-by-anti-vaccine-protesters/WFFZVRVKS22UEFB4YSDYMYIQEQ/
How low can you go:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2022/01/covid-19-ministry-of-health-denies-viral-claim-children-collapsed-at-north-shore-vaccination-centre.html
Spreading rumours of children collapsing at a North Shore vaccination venue. And the ex RNZ presenter, Liz Gunn is one of them.
One of "them"
There were a number of kids that fainted at the said venue yesterday – this is hardly surprising.
Stinking hot weather, plus injection, plus young kids, plus queues is a recipe for fainting regardless of the vaccination – I'm surprised there wasn't more.
I hope this war of words will soon stop. Statements like these that gangs are far less dangerous then old ladies with placard are just plain wrong. Its like the witch hunt of the 16th century, an enemy has been created and now we hunt it down! No mercy. Is NZ really so unsophisticated that different views and expressions cannot be accepted? Gangs who peddling drugs, someone is shot we hear at least once a week and children are still murdered in record numbers. Priorities?
True, that old lady should not approach the car but honestly, if that would have been a gang member the danger would have been infinitely greater.
You're not wrong
an enemy has been created and now we hunt it down
And yet you cannot give any examples of "hunting down" because nobody is going out looking for those witches.
Whereas the anti-vaxers know exactly where to "hunt down" their witches. The vaccination centres.
Leave people alone. Why can't the protesters do that? Who is stopping them from behaving like reasonable human beings?
Who is stopping them from behaving like reasonable human beings?
Maybe if the govt had not unreasonably imposed coercive vaccine mandates?
A plausible-sounding line, until we check the news for 2020 … and then it collapses.
Before the vaccine was even available, and before any mandate existed, guess who was attacking the government for destroying our rights? Brian Tamaki and fellow travellers, of course. "Voices for Freedom" is just a rebrand.
Google News NZ for 2020 if you doubt this. Dozens of stories. Jacinda was already Hitler, because … masks, or lockdowns, or anything at all. She existed. That was enough. That was the protesters' complaint. Still is.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-hundreds-turn-out-for-anti-lockdown-protests/AHE2NJJY3VMTTXLAUHLWIJOODY/
So because some people protested lockdowns this somehow means no-one might have reason to protest vaccine coercion?
"And yet you cannot give any examples of "hunting down" because nobody is going out looking for those witches."
But in this very thread, a couple of comments above yours:
"I wish I was there at the time so I could make them pay for deplorable behaviour."
I think if you read some of these contributions you get the gist of it. It is prevalent not just in NZ but world wide. So disturbing that humanity has mentally not moved and learned over the decades. How often do we have to repeat this cycle.
'Far worse than the Gangs and lower down the picking order than a drunk pissing in a doorway at lunchtime. Far worse.'
If you think they're worse then you've had a pretty good life
17 January was Martin Luther King Jr Day. It's a timely reminder to some about the radical words of MLK:
The Three Evils of Society, 1967
Further reading in this Intercept article from 2016.
.
And the deeply reductionist Critical Race Theory was a very conscious repudiation of King's liberal-democratic / universalist / colour-blind philosophy.
MLK championed poorer Whites … bloated, upper-middle Wokedom viciously scapegoats them.
MLK Jr would be cancelled if he were around today
By J Edgar Hoover?
Read a history book, please.
The notion that King didn't want special treatment for Black people or that he didn't want the history of systemic racism taught in the US is absurd.
The white liberal must affirm that absolute justice for the Negro simply means, in the Aristotelian sense, that the Negro must have “his due.” There is nothing abstract about this. It is as concrete as having a good job, a good education, a decent house and a share of power. It is, however, important to understand that giving a man his due may often mean giving him special treatment. I am aware of the fact that this has been a troublesome concept for many liberals, since it conflicts with their traditional ideal of equal opportunity and equal treatment of people according to their individual merits. But this is a day which demands new thinking and the reevaluation of old concepts. A society that has done something special against the Negro for hundreds of years must now do something special for him, in order to equip him to compete on a just and equal basis.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?
On the contrary, MLK was no liberal, he was a socialist, with strong words for the liberal establishment then and today.
Letter from Birmingham Jail, 1963
The ideas of the man have been so sanitised that the FBI called him 'the most dangerous man in America' and today:
https://twitter.com/FBI/status/1483076938403139588
I want a job like Pucky, he spends much of the day every at day The Standard, He must have a great right wing boss to let him get away with it.
I'm a government worker and I never, and I mean never, post on here at work.
Its always from home or on my phone (which I dislike using for posting so I limit that as much as I can)
Having checked the data from the vaccine tracker, I can confirm that PR's comment is mostly true.
Hmmm…what to think
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urglg3WimHA
Very funny, rofl 🤣
That's a true find – thanks
So Pucky don't you go to work every day?
12 hours shifts mean we have a lot more time off plus management are always on your case about having too much annual leave so they want you to take leave
With a little planning 24hours used can get you nine days off in a row (48 can give you 13 days) but usually 24hours should get you something like 6-7 days off
I'm back to work on Monday and I'll bet I'll have another email about taking some more time off plus I've got two stat days that're over a year old so they'll have to be used
Good times
fucking hated long shifts back in the day.
But one former colleague did take a three month holiday from work and jiggled it around the rosters, time off in leiu, and stat hols so that they only used a few weeks actual leave, lol
When you work for the government you've got to make it work for you.
The good thing for your friend is when they came back to work they would have had approximately a weeks worth of holiday pay banked up
Good times
The latest pay offer from the government was…3%…over two years.
We rejected the offer, I'll be pushing for strike action (probably won't happen)
Also:
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2021/08/half-of-government-s-rapid-build-prison-cells-completed-ready-for-inmates-corrections.html
'The Department of Corrections said two units at Rolleston Prison and one each at Tongariro and Christchurch Women's Prison, have been signed off as ready for service.'
'The department said they plan to start using them over the next few months.'
Bullshit , Rolleston units are still empty and they were supposed to be open over three years ago
So you'd think a journalist would investigate how much money has been wasted on this project
Also
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO2112/S00184/corrections-head-office-staff-numbers-and-salaries-balloon.htm
Theres a massive disconnect between head office (especially those that've never spent time on the floor) and those working in the prisons
Good to see a commentator who understands what's happening in Aotearoa. Along with Michael Bassett, these lefties are on the ball.
https://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2022/01/the-choice.html