Assuming that is a genuine question, I am shocked you even have to ask it. Have you looked at the list of contributors? They only represent some of the very best brains in the country.
Would you buy a car or a house from an unknown seller without enquiring first about their reputation and track record? Would you simply rely on online reviews from sources that you don’t know anything about? Or would you do a bit of research aka fact-checking and apply sound judgment to make well-informed decisions?
The expected standard on The Standard is that commenters contribute to robust informed debate by making sound arguments founded on reality and presenting their reliable trustworthy information sources with links. This helps build a culture and community of trust and respect.
SUVs no longer unaffordable for those desperately troubled Groundswell gentlemen?
I may have misunderstood a recent advertising campaign but it would appear that the Triton (Mitsubishi) is being offered with the surcharge being paid for them by MMC. Now they might be able to buy another GPS-controlled-air conditioned-cab-tractor for exclusive use on demonstrations.
Mitisbushi have had to be very proactive to sell the Triton in Aotearoa. Reality is they're not that good compared to a Hilux or Ranger, very much built down to a price.
In my circle they are referred to as an Itsbitsy Tighton.
Nearly double the Clean Car rebates ($203.3 million) have been paid for EVs and low emission vehicles compared with about $105.1m in fees collected for importing polluting vehicles.
….The Motor Industry Association (MIA) reported the surge in electrified vehicle sales for last year and December 2022, saying such registrations increased 77%.
The rebate scheme is affirming what people want in the market and looks like the market is responding.
I'm also hearing people say they are putting of buying a new ute until hybrids or BEVs come out later this year or early next. Unfortunately the decision is being driven by running cost and business image, rather than pure environmental thinking, but result is same.
In fact both sides are just increasing anxiety and hate in voters. Cars are a tool for freedom for many people. People live in their cars/vans/rvs for heavens sake.
But then in the end neither side actually has anything meaningful to offer to those that need cars.
I mean here in NZ we are giving money to quite rich people to buy cars they can afford on their own, but we are not subsidizing a single EV bike, or better even an EV – Cargo bike. Nah, you environmental considerate person, go buy your own toys you lazy bludgers.
Its all just a constant ramping up of crappy feelings that both sides guilty of.
Neither one of them is courageous to admit that private transport will be phased out, will be a privilege for a very few, generally connected people with the correct credentials, whilst the rest can take a hike. No pun intended.
Neither one of the whole lot irrespective their house colors is courageous to admit that their tinkering on the edges has done nothing but frayed the edges, caused rips in the fabric and sadly we never created enough public transport to remove the need for private transport already years ago. And here we go, let us bamboozle you with meaningless drivel so that you can hype up the comrades.
Never mind, that the banning/phasing out of private transport is what is being implemented but as always it is sadly to late.
A box on both of their houses. May their buses be late, their trains broken down and their flights cancelled.
That sounds good. I used to bus daily and it was hit and miss in 2010 – 2015 but if a bus were late it usually was several due to road mayhem elsewhere.
Ditto upper Queenstreet. Love the Onehunga Depot though. That was well done.
Getting more free dental care is like pulling teeth. It seems a no-brainer but one with a huge price tag, allegedly. Let’s see if National and/or ACT will sink their teeth into this. My guess is that apart from the usual hollow meaningless National SM flutters they won’t.
Thats a frankly absurd way to discuss dental care. The cost is completely irrelevant to the question.
Probably there are some serious questions, such as would dentists want to work for a nationalised service, how would treatment costs be allocated and would it be worth the restructuring process in results. That would be worth discussing.
I also expect changing from price rationing to need rationing would immediately demonstrate shortages of dentists.
No need to waste much time & energy on this as it is not top-priority. Government is clearing the desk for the policies that they will want to push through this year and an extension of free dental care ain’t one of those. If any other Party wants to campaign for/on it they’ll need to do the work and the onus is on them to sell it to the people aka voters. It is sensible politics in an election year, IMO.
The problem is lack of dentists and providing free service to those privileged enough to afford care now (and being in areas where they are available) is clearly not a priority.
There are not enough for free care to those under 18's (and problems getting services to isolated areas – mobile vehicles being one lack atm)***.
These are already in play
free toothbrushes and toothpaste in schools***
fluoride in water (for mine to 0.5)***
heath education/healthy food in schools
There has been the increase in subsidy for private dentist treatment (via Work and Income) from $300 to $1000 (improves chances to get a job/be work able).
I would add that examination for tooth removal at hospitals is free for those with CSC, and they also do the removal. Those not eligible such as those in work have been pulling their own teeth out.
There should be an extension of the free tooth removal to those on low incomes or otherwise a subsidy for such private dentist work.
The next need is a subsidy for an annual check for those with CSC and low income parents.
It is a known fact that poor dental care impacts on health – infections can lead to heart problems and thus cost to the health system.
Free dental 'care' means different things to different people. To someone on a benefit or minimum wage it means getting a tooth ache fixed so they can do more than just exist. To a retiree it's getting properly fitting dentures or implants so they can eat and converse to have a life. To someone entering the workforce at a mid to upper level it's getting your teeth straightened so you look acceptable and can get a good job. to an up and coming manager or sales professional it getting the perfect smile to really look the part. The industry is geared about leading customers to the expensive options.
The cost of those services goes from a couple of hundred up into high tens of thousands + so setting the stage for some really intense boundary issues.
I'm not sure how well the free treatment for under 18 works for people who haven't a hope of ever affording more cosmetic dental work. The places are set up to be comfortable to people who can afford extensive treatments and are quite intimidating if you can't. I think we lost a lot when the School Dental Service was shut down, that should have been broadened to be a multi disciplinary school health service in all schools. But I'm biased, Mum worked at the murder house.
There used to be dental services through some of the DHBs at hospital level, but that was really for people who were in a very bad way and beyond a local anaesthetic.
Probably the best option would be to make the dentist a primary healthcare provider and fund them like GPs, with similar treatment pathways to public or private services at different levels and funding sources.
Right now though we're seeing people who are stuffed because they can't get, or afford dental care. Something's not working.
What is Newsroom doing? Is it becoming the media-friendly face for Government announcements? Where is the critical analysis?
Anywho:
The policy work has been coming thick and fast, the Emissions Reduction Plan, Reshaping Streets, the clean car discount and the transport choices package to name a few.
Major projects to get people out of their cars are also expected to make progress in 2023, including Auckland light rail and the long-awaited Let’s Get Wellington Moving plan.
“We want to get on with early works for Auckland light rail next year, get a decision made on the preferred option for the alternative crossing, …
On dental care I have been under the impression for at least 50 years that the handbrake, in fact the full emergency stop, has been down to dentists. In the late 40s or early50s I think it was when theGovt of the day dragged doctors kicking and screaming into subsidised care the dentists held out. That’s why dental care is so bloody expensive, the dentists did not want the government determining the fee structure.
No business confidence is down because the people that shop, that need doctors/dentists/carfixed/houses bought/sold etc are telling everyone that they don't earn enough, their costs are through the roof, they are wondering if they can afford to still rent/pay the mortgage in a month times.
Business confidence is down because despite the 'low unemployment' it seems everyone needs either an emergency grant or a food parcel or ends up in emergency housing for lack of affordable rentals.
Business confidence is down because you can't get ingredients, tools, materials etc and what ever you can get is getting more expensive by the day, costs that will be rolled over into the end price of said product that people eventually can't afford anymore and thus will go without it.
Business confidence is down because you have two main parties that are seemingly out of touch with the reality that businesses are dealing with and well that does not bode well for the future.
Business confidence is down because you have a major war in Europe which most likely will spill over and escalate, and a whole lot of other quibbles that could seriously disrupt the world wide trading and dealings.
And 21.20 per week on a 30+ hour is not a lot before tax when your median rent is 580 NZD per week, your gorceries have gone up 10+%, never mind electricity and all the other jazz. And that too is something that businesses know, and they also know that you can not have enough increases in min wage to make up the lack of regulations in the rental market, food market, energy market. So even if you put the min wage to 50 per hour you would still not make enough for hte median wage of 1250 per week.
For men, the unemployment rate was 2.9 percent, compared with 3.1 percent last quarter.
For women, the unemployment rate was 3.8 percent, compared with 3.6 percent last quarter.
and then of course what is employed vs unemployed
So, if you tell Stats NZ you are unemployed, are you counted in the statistics?
No, it’s not quite that straightforward.
To be counted as unemployed in the survey, people must not have a part-time job, even if it is only for one hour a week.
They must also be available for work in the week in question and have actively sought work during the four weeks preceding the interview, or else be just about to start work.
Someone on a Jobseeker allowance who hadn’t been looking for work because they were undertaking training might not be counted, for example.
underemployement:
In the September quarter, there were 98,000 people Stats NZ described as ‘unemployed’, 97,000 defined as underemployed, and 84,000 who were classed as potential jobseekers, so they are all pretty large groups worth worrying about.
Together, they put the underutilisation rate at 9.2 per cent.
So no, we don't have a booming economy. We might have a few sectors that are 'booming' if you count banks making record profits on increasing interest rates as booming for example, but does that actually help the overall economy? And does it make for a good economic outlook? No, no it does not.
This year will be tough as there are many people due to come to the end of their mortgage fixed interest period and will likely face interest increases from around 3% to +6%. So people will have less money to spend in the economy. Also, rental interest deductibility on private rentals is reducing from 75% to only 50% being able to be claimed as a tax deduction (from 1April 2023). I will be increasing the rent on my property to cover this. Tenant has been there for more than 15 years and is totally understanding about it.
As long as you could deduct the interest paid on a loan to buy the property from your taxable income you got as rent it would make very good sense to have a mortgage. Indeed you would be best off by never paying it off.
You might get a little worried if you were unable to rent the property out and you were as highly geared as that implies of course.
I have had my mortgage for 41 years, For about 30 of them, it had a zero balance. I did not discharge it so it just sat there until I wanted to borrow some more $$$$ about 5 years ago.
Bit of a downside of using monetary policy, rather than fiscal policy, to moderate demand. Even after deciding the OCR needs to go back it will be up to ~5 years before the prior decisions stop having impact. This generates a real risk of the RBNZ having ongoing, unwanted impacts and unnecessary overtightening.
The Government's tax haul has topped $100b, powered by a lift in corporate profits, wage growth and low unemployment.
Tax revenue of $107.9b was up from $97.4 billion in 2021 and is one of the reasons the yearly deficit was far below what was projected in May.
The … Financial Statements of the Government .. a breakdown of the country's financial books – how much revenue the Government received, how much was spent and if that means a deficit or surplus.
No one expected a surplus as the Government's had to channel a significant amount of money into COVID-19 spending. But the final result still ended up much better than expected. In May, at the Budget, a $19b deficit was forecast, but Wednesday's figure was a $9.7b deficit – nearly $10b better than expected.
Treasury said $3.3b of this increase was down to wage increase and growth in employment. There's currently near-record unemployment at 3.3 percent, while StatsNZ said in August that wage inflation jumped 3.4 percent in the June quarter. Though that's below annual inflation of 7.3 percent.
There's also been a whopping 26.2 percent increase in corporate tax revenue. The $4.1b jump was "mainly owning to growth in taxable profits".
"What I would say though is anybody thinking about significant changes to the tax system needs to be able to make it add up. There is still a job of work to do here to make sure we bring debt down to more sustainable levels and continue to invest."
There is another way to understand these budget forecast errors.
The deficit (surplus) in the budget is associated with an acceptable inflation forecast. When the deficit is over-estimated (as happens frequently) that says the forecast error amount in public spending was left on the table within budgeted inflation forecasts.
Yeah but I've talked to self employed guys in various building related businesses, not builders, that have nothing large coming there way from mid year sounds like that's when it's going hit
There's the other side to that with clients stepping back from the market until things settle down a bit. Heck, six months work ahead of you in construction is normally good times.
Actually a 'normal' state for most builders in normal trading conditions.
Once the forward work gets out to 12 months prices start going silly and clients start dropping out of the market.
The last three years have been exceptional for the building industry, probably the best ever for the work that's out there. It's good to see it moving back to some sanity.
Judges need to actually impose a sentence that keeps people like this who constantly re-offend off the street to keep the public safe. Three months community detention……what a joke. He's probably already driving again!
Lets hope they actually get around to installing the alcohol interlock although that doesn't stop him jumping into another vehicle.
The current deterrents are obviously not working. And from the article:
"although he was attending counselling, Judge Krebs described his cavalier attitude of having a beer before his sessions as “counterproductive”."
I would hate to be driving (or riding my bike) on the same road. The judge did say it warranted a prison sentence.
Perhaps while in jail (I would suggest three to four months in jail) attending compulsory alcohol counselling where hopefully he cannot drink beforehand may make a difference. The interlocking device although not foolproof should be compulsory after jail IMO.
Three months’ community detention, with a 7pm to 7am curfew, and 18 months’ intensive supervision plus a zero alcohol licence for the next three years after 12 months of having the interlock in his car: tick
Being in a positive relationship and a pro-social family environment for the first time: tick
Jail time: no tick
A very considered and bold sentence by Judge Jonathan, IMO. Judge Jimmy still has a lot to learn.
"Three months’ community detention, with a 7pm to 7am curfew, and 18 months’ intensive supervision plus a zero alcohol licence for the next three years after 12 months of having the interlock in his car: tick"
This wouldn't get the tick from judge Jimmy as we all know the intensive supervision would not be possible we do not have the resources, and he will coming and going as he pleases with an occasional check to see if he is sticking to the rules (of which he hasn't previously). Even the terrorist bloke who stabbed people in Countdown Lynn Mall had constant supervision.
Be interesting to see if he gets caught again driving in several months time and we have the same debate.
The PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel said in 2020 that crypto was one of two poles of technological conflict, the other being artificial intelligence. AI could “theoretically make it possible to centrally control an entire economy” while crypto “holds out the prospect of a decentralised and individualised world”. He concluded that AI is communist and crypto is libertarian; it was unnecessary to add which of those he thought was better.
[…]
I think Thiel is right: crypto is the ultimate technology of libertarianism, the final frontier of discovery. He just missed the second footfall, which is that, through crypto, we will discover that libertarianism is bullshit.
Well…you'd need a LOT of something, to hide the shit taste …
But yea a creepy scumbag for sure. Back in time he might have been a Count..(Count, I say : ) in a castle on the lurk for "wirgen blood"…
But apparently..Now…he is NOT a vampire
Speaking at the New York Times Dealbook conference Mr Thiel said: "I want to publicly tell you that I'm not a vampire. On the record, I am not a vampire."
What’s the dirty politics going on in the National Party in Tukituki?
”Allegations of “dirty politics” have emerged from a National Party candidate selection, with one would-be MP claiming “concocted fabrications” and “half-truths” surround his bid for Parliament.”
Tenants starting to see some justice after 2000 years. In this case a win for wrongful eviction. That's nice but what is better is the Tenancy Tribunal is finally slamming slumlords with (slightly) better fines and reparations. Said landlord had to pay the tenant $2000 for two years of illegal dealings. But that's just $20/week fine over the length of tenancy. Still a long way to go before amateur landlordism is crushed for good.
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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 ...
Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
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. ...
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
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 ...
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
Asia Pacific Report Students and activist staff at Australia’s University of Sydney (USyd) have set up a Gaza solidarity encampment in support of Palestinians and similar student-led protests in the United States. The camp was pitched as mass graves, crippled hospitals, thousands of civilian deaths and the near-total destruction of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James B. Dorey, Lecturer in Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong Australian teddy bear bees are cute and fluffy, but get a look at that massive (unbarbed) stinger! James Dorey Photography Most of us have been stung by a bee and we ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jen Roberts, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities and Social Inquiry, University of Wollongong Aussie~mobs/FlickrVictor Farr, a private in the 1st Infantry Battalion, was among the first to land at Anzac Cove just before dawn on April 25 1915. Victor Farr ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Gregory Moore I had the good fortune to care for the sugar gum at The University of Melbourne’s Burnley Gardens in Victoria where I worked for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rachel Ong ViforJ, ARC Future Fellow & Professor of Economics, Curtin University Just when we think the price of rentals could not get any worse, this week’s Rental Affordability Snapshot by Anglicare has revealed low-income Australians are facing a housing crisis like ...
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 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tracey Holmes, Professorial Fellow in Sport, University of Canberra When the news broke last weekend that 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive to a banned drug in early 2021 and were allowed to compete at the Tokyo Olympic Games six months later ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cally Jetta, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead; College for First Nations, University of Southern Queensland Australian War MemorialAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people, as well as sensitive historical information ...
RNZ News Melissa Lee has been ousted from New Zealand’s coalition cabinet and stripped of the Media portfolio, and Penny Simmonds has lost the Disability Issues portfolio in a reshuffle. Climate Change and Revenue Minister Simon Watts will take Lee’s spot in cabinet. Simmonds was a minister outside of cabinet. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Lindenmayer, Professor, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University laurello/Shutterstock Some reports and popular books, such as Bill Gammage’s Biggest Estate on Earth, have argued that extensive areas of Australia’s forests were kept open through frequent burning by ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon framing the demotion of two ministers as the portfolios getting "too complex" is a charitable way of saying they weren't up to the job. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With Jim Chalmers’s third budget on May 14, Australians will be looking for some more cost-of-living relief – beyond the tax cuts – although they have been warned extra measures will be modest. As ...
Analysis: Melissa Lee has lost the media portfolio and her spot in Cabinet after multiple failed attempts to find solutions for a media industry in crisis. On Wednesday, the Prime Minister announced Lee would be losing her spot in Cabinet along with her media and communications ministerial portfolio. The job ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Simon Wilmot, Senior Lecturer, Film, Deakin University Among the many Australian who served during the second world war, there is a small group of people whose stories remain largely untold. These are the Muslim men and women who, while small in number, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kelly Saunders, PhD Candidate, University of Canberra There has been much analysis and praise of Justice Michael Lee’s recent judgement in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case against Channel Ten. Many people were openly relieved to read Lee’s “forensic” and “nuanced” application of law ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathy Gibbs, Program Director for the Bachelor of Education, Griffith University zEdward_Indy/Shutterstock Around one in 20 people has attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It’s one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in childhood and often continues into adulthood. ADHD is diagnosed ...
The Fairer Future coalition of anti-poverty groups say Whaikaha must be properly funded going forward, and that to argue that poor financial management of the new Ministry is a red herring by the Prime Minister. ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is today congratulating Hon. Paul Goldsmith on his appointment as Minister for Media and Communications and urges him to rule out state intervention in the private media sector. ...
Asia Pacific Report The West Papuan resistance OPM leader has condemned Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Joe Biden, accusing their countries of “six decades of treachery” over Papuan independence. The open letter was released today by OPM chairman Jeffrey P Bomanak on the eve of ANZAC Day ...
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits and quirks of New Zealanders at large. This week: writer and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people of 2024, Lauren Groff.The book I wish I’d writtenIf I wish I’d written a ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Fechner, Research Fellow, Social Marketing, Griffith University mavo/Shutterstock Imagine having dinner at a restaurant. The menu offers plant-based meat alternatives made mostly from vegetables, mushrooms, legumes and wheat that mimic meat in taste, texture and smell. Despite being given that ...
“Three Strikes is a dead-end policy proposed by a dead-end government. The Three Strikes law ignores the causes of crime, instead just brutalising people already crushed by the cost of living.” ...
By Don Wiseman, RNZ Pacific senior journalist An Australian-born judge in Kiribati could well face deportation later this week after a tribunal ruling that he should be removed from his post. The tribunal’s report has just been tabled in the Kiribati Parliament and is due to be debated by MPs ...
With its clear mandate for police use, political nuances, and nuanced public trust, Denmark's insights provide valuable considerations for Australia and New Zealand. ...
Books editor Claire Mabey reviews poet Louise Wallace’s debut novel. A famous poet once said to me that he’s always suspicious when a poet publishes a novel. I never really understood why but maybe it’s something to do with cheating on your first form. Louise Wallace is a poet. She’s ...
For a few months at the turn of the millennium, TrueBliss burned bright as the biggest pop stars in the country. Alex Casey chats to two superfans who still hold the flame. During a humble backyard wedding in Nelson, 1999, one of the cordially invited guests had to excuse themselves ...
How will the recent wave of job cuts impact ethnic diversity in the media? In November last year, I was working a very busy day in the newsroom of a large online news site, interviewing whānau about their concerns over the imminent closure of one of the few puna reo ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ruth Knight, Researcher, Queensland University of Technology Have you ever felt sick at work? Perhaps you had food poisoning or the flu. Your belly hurt, or you felt tired, making it hard to concentrate and be productive. How likely would you be ...
Despite heavy criticism and an ongoing select committee process, the Police Minister says the Government will forge ahead with a ban on gang patches. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sam Whiting, Lecturer – Creative Industries, University of South Australia Shutterstock Everyone has a favourite band, or a favourite composer, or a favourite song. There is some music which speaks to you, deeply; and other music which might be the current ...
A new survey says ‘outlook not great’ for those charged with building infrastructure, while RMA changes delight farmers and depress environmentalists, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. First RMA changes announced ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images When New Zealanders commemorate Anzac Day on April 25, it’s not only to honour the soldiers who lost their lives in World War I and subsequent conflicts, but also ...
A leaked document shows the Canterbury/Waitaha arm of health agency Te Whatu Ora is scurrying to save $13.3 million by July. The “financial sustainability target”, which was “allocated” to Waitaha, is consistent with what’s happening in other districts, says Sarah Dalton, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists. ...
A look at the state of the previous government’s affordable housing scheme, and what could come next.Remind me: What’s KiwiBuild again?First announced in 2012, KiwiBuild was a flagship policy of the Labour Party heading into both its 2014 and 2017 election campaigns. With Jacinda Ardern as prime minister, ...
Labour in opposition will be shocked to learn which party had six years in power but squandered any chance to make real change. Grant Robertson’s valedictory speech was a predictably entertaining trip down memory lane. The acid-tongued incoming Otago University chancellor administered a sick burn to the coalition government. He ...
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is seen some as its ‘silicon shield’ against invasion – but how will overseas expansion affect that protection? The post The state of Taiwan’s silicon shield appeared first on Newsroom. ...
There’s relief for building owners bending under the weight of earthquake strengthening rules – and costs – that came into force seven years ago. Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk has announced a scheduled 2027 review of the earthquake-prone building regulations will now start this year. Owners will also get ...
Opinion: It has been announced that nine percent of roles at Oranga Tamariki will be disestablished, presumably to help fund the tax cuts promised by the coalition Government. I am reminded of the graphics used to illustrate pandemic events, where five thousand people are standing in a field and then ...
After more than two sleepless days, running through savage terrain, Greig Hamilton didn’t know if he was going to finish one of the most gruelling psychological assaults in sport. He was metres away from the finish line, a yellow gate made famous in a Netflix documentary; a race he’d dreamed ...
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The following interview with former Green Party MP Sue Kedgley came about because she features in the new memoir Hine Toa by activist Ngāhuia te Awekōtuku; the two knew each other at the University of Auckland in the early 70s, when they were both took on leadership roles in the ...
COMMENTARY:By Murray Horton New Zealand needs to get tough with Israel. It’s not as if we haven’t done so before. When NZ authorities busted a Mossad operation in Auckland 20 years ago, the government didn’t say: “Oh well, Israel has the right to defend itself.” No, it arrested, prosecuted, ...
NEWSMAKERS:By Vijay Narayan, news director of FijiVillage Blessed to be part of the University of Fiji (UniFiji) faculty to continue to teach and mentor those who want to join our noble profession, and to stand for truth and justice for the people of the country. I was privileged to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Three weeks from now, some of us will be presented with a mountain of budget papers, and just about all of us will get to hear about them on radio, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Lowry, Ice Sheet & Climate Modeller, GNS Science Hugh Chittock/Antarctica New Zealand, CC BY-SA As the climate warms and Antarctica’s glaciers and ice sheets melt, the resulting rise in sea level has the potential to displace hundreds of millions of ...
The government's plan to reintroduce a three strikes regime is being strongly opposed by lawyers, who argue there is no evidence it reduces crime or helps people rehabilitate. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dan Jerker B. Svantesson, Professor specialising in Internet law, Bond University Do Australian courts have the right to decide what foreign citizens, located overseas, view online on a foreign-owned platform? Anyone inclined to answer “yes” to this question should perhaps also ask ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giovanni E Ferreira, NHMRC Emerging Leader Research Fellow, Institute of Musculoskeletal Health, University of Sydney Last week in a post on X, owner of the platform Elon Musk recommended people look into disc replacement if they’re experiencing severe neck or back pain. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By David Hayward, Emeritus Professor of Public Policy, RMIT University anek.soowannaphoom/Shutterstock NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey caught the headlines yesterday, courtesy of a blistering speech condemning the latest GST carve-up. New South Wales, he claimed, would be A$11.9 billion worse off over the ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
While police are "broadly in favour", the government's proposed anti-gang laws are facing pushback from lawyers, rights groups and former gang members. ...
By Miriam Zarriga in Port Moresby Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived at Kokoda Station, Northern province, at the start of his state visit to Papua New Guinea. Both Albanese and Prime Minister James Marape will meet with the locals and the Northern Provincial government before they begin their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Wallace, Professor, School of Politics Economics & Society, Faculty of Business Government & Law, University of Canberra Shutterstock An important principle was invoked by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese last week in defence of the government’s Future Made in Australia industry ...
What is climate denial?
Much of the stuff out there is discussion on how best to deal with climate change – it seems to me.
We most certainly cannot have a Static Climate for it is certain changes have been continuously occurring over millions of years.
Surely a policy of least present damage for least future damage has some attraction?
I am trying not to ask questions that are too difficult to answer and hope that open communication can get to the best answer – for us all.
[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.]
You've put your finger on it – the current rate of change is 'unnatural'.
For the purposes of commenting under my posts, here is what I consider climate denial,
I also take a dim view of arguments along the lines of 'there's nothing we can do' or 'it's too late.
Is this a good place to get information from?
https://theconversation.com/nz/topics/climate-explained-74664
Assuming that is a genuine question, I am shocked you even have to ask it. Have you looked at the list of contributors? They only represent some of the very best brains in the country.
Or are you one of those science deniers.
why are you asking me that?
FOMO (Fear Of Moderator Ostracism)
Consulting the Oracle
The one source of truth?
ROFL Incognito!
thanks for clarifying where you stand, this makes things easier.
Would you buy a car or a house from an unknown seller without enquiring first about their reputation and track record? Would you simply rely on online reviews from sources that you don’t know anything about? Or would you do a bit of research aka fact-checking and apply sound judgment to make well-informed decisions?
The expected standard on The Standard is that commenters contribute to robust informed debate by making sound arguments founded on reality and presenting their reliable trustworthy information sources with links. This helps build a culture and community of trust and respect.
very nicely put.
SUVs no longer unaffordable for those desperately troubled Groundswell gentlemen?
I may have misunderstood a recent advertising campaign but it would appear that the Triton (Mitsubishi) is being offered with the surcharge being paid for them by MMC. Now they might be able to buy another GPS-controlled-air conditioned-cab-tractor for exclusive use on demonstrations.
Mitisbushi have had to be very proactive to sell the Triton in Aotearoa. Reality is they're not that good compared to a Hilux or Ranger, very much built down to a price.
In my circle they are referred to as an Itsbitsy Tighton.
But reality is that demand is shifting very quickly from diesel double cabs to EVs
The rebate scheme is affirming what people want in the market and looks like the market is responding.
I'm also hearing people say they are putting of buying a new ute until hybrids or BEVs come out later this year or early next. Unfortunately the decision is being driven by running cost and business image, rather than pure environmental thinking, but result is same.
Meanwhile, in Wyoming
Wyoming bill calls for ban on EV sales by 2035 (motorauthority.com)
They tried to ban motorcars in Queenstown NZ back in the day too, ended up with a flag man in front of the car on some roads for a while.
Good grief, really? Sounds like an invitation to angry petrol heads to revolt!
yes, and the other side wants to ban sell of the other cars. https://www.npr.org/2022/08/25/1119456396/california-is-set-to-ban-sales-of-new-gasoline-powered-cars-by-2035#:~:text=Press-,California%20bans%20the%20sale%20of%20gas%2Dpowered%20cars%20by%202035,global%20warming%20and%20health%20issues.
china too https://apnews.com/article/technology-china-electric-vehicles-south-sea-42eb8e86a31d24506c8e463a5af3a718
https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-york-state-to-ban-sale-of-gasoline-powered-vehicles-by-2035-11664487387
it is literally just all a fucking useless tit for tat.
In fact both sides are just increasing anxiety and hate in voters. Cars are a tool for freedom for many people. People live in their cars/vans/rvs for heavens sake.
But then in the end neither side actually has anything meaningful to offer to those that need cars.
I mean here in NZ we are giving money to quite rich people to buy cars they can afford on their own, but we are not subsidizing a single EV bike, or better even an EV – Cargo bike. Nah, you environmental considerate person, go buy your own toys you lazy bludgers.
Its all just a constant ramping up of crappy feelings that both sides guilty of.
Neither one of them is courageous to admit that private transport will be phased out, will be a privilege for a very few, generally connected people with the correct credentials, whilst the rest can take a hike. No pun intended.
Neither one of the whole lot irrespective their house colors is courageous to admit that their tinkering on the edges has done nothing but frayed the edges, caused rips in the fabric and sadly we never created enough public transport to remove the need for private transport already years ago. And here we go, let us bamboozle you with meaningless drivel so that you can hype up the comrades.
Never mind, that the banning/phasing out of private transport is what is being implemented but as always it is sadly to late.
A box on both of their houses. May their buses be late, their trains broken down and their flights cancelled.
"May their buses be late, their trains broken down"
In Auckland, you've already got your wish
Symond Street. No buses for hours, suddenly all the buses at once.
T’was always so.
Symonds St. 100 bus movements an hour pre-pandemic. Basically a bus sewer. An even now – we have never waited more than 10 minutes for a bus.
That sounds good. I used to bus daily and it was hit and miss in 2010 – 2015 but if a bus were late it usually was several due to road mayhem elsewhere.
Ditto upper Queenstreet. Love the Onehunga Depot though. That was well done.
"black ute's matter" was their rather clever slogan
Getting more free dental care is like pulling teeth. It seems a no-brainer but one with a huge price tag, allegedly. Let’s see if National and/or ACT will sink their teeth into this. My guess is that apart from the usual hollow meaningless National SM flutters they won’t.
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/free-dental-care-a-political-win-but-a-financial-nightmare
Thats a frankly absurd way to discuss dental care. The cost is completely irrelevant to the question.
Probably there are some serious questions, such as would dentists want to work for a nationalised service, how would treatment costs be allocated and would it be worth the restructuring process in results. That would be worth discussing.
I also expect changing from price rationing to need rationing would immediately demonstrate shortages of dentists.
No need to waste much time & energy on this as it is not top-priority. Government is clearing the desk for the policies that they will want to push through this year and an extension of free dental care ain’t one of those. If any other Party wants to campaign for/on it they’ll need to do the work and the onus is on them to sell it to the people aka voters. It is sensible politics in an election year, IMO.
The article covers the knowns.
The problem is lack of dentists and providing free service to those privileged enough to afford care now (and being in areas where they are available) is clearly not a priority.
There are not enough for free care to those under 18's (and problems getting services to isolated areas – mobile vehicles being one lack atm)***.
These are already in play
There has been the increase in subsidy for private dentist treatment (via Work and Income) from $300 to $1000 (improves chances to get a job/be work able).
I would add that examination for tooth removal at hospitals is free for those with CSC, and they also do the removal. Those not eligible such as those in work have been pulling their own teeth out.
There should be an extension of the free tooth removal to those on low incomes or otherwise a subsidy for such private dentist work.
The next need is a subsidy for an annual check for those with CSC and low income parents.
It is a known fact that poor dental care impacts on health – infections can lead to heart problems and thus cost to the health system.
https://locustfamilydentistry.com/5-reasons-why-oral-hygiene-is-important/
Free dental 'care' means different things to different people. To someone on a benefit or minimum wage it means getting a tooth ache fixed so they can do more than just exist. To a retiree it's getting properly fitting dentures or implants so they can eat and converse to have a life. To someone entering the workforce at a mid to upper level it's getting your teeth straightened so you look acceptable and can get a good job. to an up and coming manager or sales professional it getting the perfect smile to really look the part. The industry is geared about leading customers to the expensive options.
The cost of those services goes from a couple of hundred up into high tens of thousands + so setting the stage for some really intense boundary issues.
I'm not sure how well the free treatment for under 18 works for people who haven't a hope of ever affording more cosmetic dental work. The places are set up to be comfortable to people who can afford extensive treatments and are quite intimidating if you can't. I think we lost a lot when the School Dental Service was shut down, that should have been broadened to be a multi disciplinary school health service in all schools. But I'm biased, Mum worked at the murder house.
There used to be dental services through some of the DHBs at hospital level, but that was really for people who were in a very bad way and beyond a local anaesthetic.
Probably the best option would be to make the dentist a primary healthcare provider and fund them like GPs, with similar treatment pathways to public or private services at different levels and funding sources.
Right now though we're seeing people who are stuffed because they can't get, or afford dental care. Something's not working.
What is Newsroom doing? Is it becoming the media-friendly face for Government announcements? Where is the critical analysis?
Anywho:
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/pro/2023-when-rubber-hits-the-road-for-lgwm
National MPs seem to be stuck in potholes and ACT is racing to get the speed limits dropped but hardly anything else as far as I can tell.
Someone says something positive about Labour's policies/achievements and they must be biased Incog?
You have been reading the Herald too much.
On dental care I have been under the impression for at least 50 years that the handbrake, in fact the full emergency stop, has been down to dentists. In the late 40s or early50s I think it was when theGovt of the day dragged doctors kicking and screaming into subsidised care the dentists held out. That’s why dental care is so bloody expensive, the dentists did not want the government determining the fee structure.
https://twitter.com/nz_voter/status/1615420935317905408
Yep. Had the same conversation with a mechanic last week. Walked him round that circle and maybe moderated his pretty rabid anti Government attitude.
No business confidence is down because the people that shop, that need doctors/dentists/carfixed/houses bought/sold etc are telling everyone that they don't earn enough, their costs are through the roof, they are wondering if they can afford to still rent/pay the mortgage in a month times.
Business confidence is down because despite the 'low unemployment' it seems everyone needs either an emergency grant or a food parcel or ends up in emergency housing for lack of affordable rentals.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/govt-has-spent-1b-on-emergency-housing-grants-including-motel-accommodation/ZISPLXHMVIOIYV34HCE5KSJIVM/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20there%20are%20roughly%204000,New%20Zealand%20%E2%80%93%20many%20in%20motels.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/129337880/emergency-food-parcels-numbers-skyrocket-since-pandemic
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rotorua-daily-post/news/i-have-never-seen-it-as-busy-huge-increase-in-struggling-families-needing-support/X5UIJ7RN3BDBNILCSXP73M7TJA/
Business confidence is down because you can't get ingredients, tools, materials etc and what ever you can get is getting more expensive by the day, costs that will be rolled over into the end price of said product that people eventually can't afford anymore and thus will go without it.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/476633/construction-costs-for-new-homes-rise-by-record-9-point-6-percent-over-12-months
Business confidence is down because you have two main parties that are seemingly out of touch with the reality that businesses are dealing with and well that does not bode well for the future.
Business confidence is down because you have a major war in Europe which most likely will spill over and escalate, and a whole lot of other quibbles that could seriously disrupt the world wide trading and dealings.
And 21.20 per week on a 30+ hour is not a lot before tax when your median rent is 580 NZD per week, your gorceries have gone up 10+%, never mind electricity and all the other jazz. And that too is something that businesses know, and they also know that you can not have enough increases in min wage to make up the lack of regulations in the rental market, food market, energy market. So even if you put the min wage to 50 per hour you would still not make enough for hte median wage of 1250 per week.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/property/130801129/by-the-numbers-the-rental-market-at-years-end
https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/annual-food-price-increase-remains-at-a-13-year-high-of-8-3-percent/#:~:text=of%208.3%20percent-,Annual%20food%20price%20increase%20remains%20at%20a,year%20high%20of%208.3%20percent&text=Food%20prices%20were%208.3%20percent,the%20highest%20since%20July%202009.
You can have high income, high inflation, 'low unemployment' and be poorer then you were ever before.
Underemployment at 9% https://www.stats.govt.nz/indicators/underutilisation-rate/
Youth Unemployment 9% https://tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/unemployed-persons#:~:text=In%20New%20Zealand%2C%20unemployed%20persons,and%20actively%20seeking%20to%20work.
Unemployment by 'sex'
and then of course what is employed vs unemployed
underemployement:
So no, we don't have a booming economy. We might have a few sectors that are 'booming' if you count banks making record profits on increasing interest rates as booming for example, but does that actually help the overall economy? And does it make for a good economic outlook? No, no it does not.
This year will be tough as there are many people due to come to the end of their mortgage fixed interest period and will likely face interest increases from around 3% to +6%. So people will have less money to spend in the economy. Also, rental interest deductibility on private rentals is reducing from 75% to only 50% being able to be claimed as a tax deduction (from 1April 2023). I will be increasing the rent on my property to cover this. Tenant has been there for more than 15 years and is totally understanding about it.
Interesting that you still have a mortgage after 15 years
As long as you could deduct the interest paid on a loan to buy the property from your taxable income you got as rent it would make very good sense to have a mortgage. Indeed you would be best off by never paying it off.
You might get a little worried if you were unable to rent the property out and you were as highly geared as that implies of course.
Was originally a 25 year mortgage so is now less than 1/2 original amount
Fair enough.
I have had my mortgage for 41 years, For about 30 of them, it had a zero balance. I did not discharge it so it just sat there until I wanted to borrow some more $$$$ about 5 years ago.
Bit of a downside of using monetary policy, rather than fiscal policy, to moderate demand. Even after deciding the OCR needs to go back it will be up to ~5 years before the prior decisions stop having impact. This generates a real risk of the RBNZ having ongoing, unwanted impacts and unnecessary overtightening.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/10/government-s-108b-tax-take-what-s-behind-the-haul-and-are-tax-cuts-on-the-table.html
The following shows
New Zealand Tax Revenue was reported at 78.791 USD bn in Dec 2022 up from 76.972 USD bn for Dec 2021. Note this is in US dollars.
https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/new-zealand/tax-revenue
It’s over NZ $120B.
There is another way to understand these budget forecast errors.
The deficit (surplus) in the budget is associated with an acceptable inflation forecast. When the deficit is over-estimated (as happens frequently) that says the forecast error amount in public spending was left on the table within budgeted inflation forecasts.
There's the other side to that with clients stepping back from the market until things settle down a bit. Heck, six months work ahead of you in construction is normally good times.
Six months work in todays market is half a house….in other words no forward orders.
Actually a 'normal' state for most builders in normal trading conditions.
Once the forward work gets out to 12 months prices start going silly and clients start dropping out of the market.
The last three years have been exceptional for the building industry, probably the best ever for the work that's out there. It's good to see it moving back to some sanity.
The cure for high prices is high prices….whats the cure for debt defaults?
"Concerns about failures in the building industry are beginning to be backed up by statistics.
Nearly a quarter of all liquidations last month were businesses from the building and construction sector.
Simplicity Living's Shane Brealey said within six months the construction of new homes will halve and the industry will basically "fall off a cliff".
He believes the industry could lose up to 45,000 jobs"
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2022/12/building-industry-downturn-could-cost-45-000-jobs-as-construction-halves-expert.html
Judges need to actually impose a sentence that keeps people like this who constantly re-offend off the street to keep the public safe. Three months community detention……what a joke. He's probably already driving again!
Lets hope they actually get around to installing the alcohol interlock although that doesn't stop him jumping into another vehicle.
Drink-driver gives up attempt to flee police, sculls beer, throws away keys before arrest – NZ Herald
You would have thrown him jail, no doubt, for how long? And then what?
Only Judge Jimmy can judge Right.
The current deterrents are obviously not working. And from the article:
"although he was attending counselling, Judge Krebs described his cavalier attitude of having a beer before his sessions as “counterproductive”."
I would hate to be driving (or riding my bike) on the same road. The judge did say it warranted a prison sentence.
Perhaps while in jail (I would suggest three to four months in jail) attending compulsory alcohol counselling where hopefully he cannot drink beforehand may make a difference. The interlocking device although not foolproof should be compulsory after jail IMO.
A very considered and bold sentence by Judge Jonathan, IMO. Judge Jimmy still has a lot to learn.
This wouldn't get the tick from judge Jimmy as we all know the intensive supervision would not be possible we do not have the resources, and he will coming and going as he pleases with an occasional check to see if he is sticking to the rules (of which he hasn't previously). Even the terrorist bloke who stabbed people in Countdown Lynn Mall had constant supervision.
Be interesting to see if he gets caught again driving in several months time and we have the same debate.
Being taxed into penury would be too good for this fucker. Let's eat him.
https://twitter.com/yasmin_poole/status/1615133384036040709
No surly he isn't a complete arshole, I mean national gave him citizenship didn't they?
Not a complete arshole.
The PayPal cofounder Peter Thiel said in 2020 that crypto was one of two poles of technological conflict, the other being artificial intelligence. AI could “theoretically make it possible to centrally control an entire economy” while crypto “holds out the prospect of a decentralised and individualised world”. He concluded that AI is communist and crypto is libertarian; it was unnecessary to add which of those he thought was better.
[…]
I think Thiel is right: crypto is the ultimate technology of libertarianism, the final frontier of discovery. He just missed the second footfall, which is that, through crypto, we will discover that libertarianism is bullshit.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/17/whats-the-true-value-of-crypto-it-lays-bare-the-lies-of-libertarians-ftx
Well…you'd need a LOT of something, to hide the shit taste …
But yea a creepy scumbag for sure. Back in time he might have been a Count..(Count, I say : ) in a castle on the lurk for "wirgen blood"…
But apparently..Now…he is NOT a vampire
Still..he is some kind of blood sucker.
These people are disgusting.
https://twitter.com/RawiriTaonui/status/1615024623489544194
1990 National cut benefits because of budget concern and yet also ended the estate tax.
2008 Key increased GST to afford promised income tax cuts.
2023 ACT want to reduce the incomes of the poor and cut tax for the rich.
What’s the dirty politics going on in the National Party in Tukituki?
”Allegations of “dirty politics” have emerged from a National Party candidate selection, with one would-be MP claiming “concocted fabrications” and “half-truths” surround his bid for Parliament.”
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/election-2023-allegations-of-dirty-politics-in-national-candidate-selection-as-parties-set-to-kick-off-political-year.html
Tenants starting to see some justice after 2000 years. In this case a win for wrongful eviction. That's nice but what is better is the Tenancy Tribunal is finally slamming slumlords with (slightly) better fines and reparations. Said landlord had to pay the tenant $2000 for two years of illegal dealings. But that's just $20/week fine over the length of tenancy. Still a long way to go before amateur landlordism is crushed for good.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/tenant-given-notice-after-sparking-council-investigation-over-missing-rubbish-bin/2R6XYLIOWVCRBAEEYZDKJORTA4/
Eugenie Sage is leaving parliament this year, and I just heard on twitter that Jan Logie is too. Those are two experienced MPs the Greens are losing.
https://twitter.com/Adam_Currie_NZ/status/1615571431768850432