Open Mike 18/06/2018
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6:00 am, June 18th, 2018 - 111 comments
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- Here’s hoping they aren’t counting on a 100 per cent acceptance…
The New Zealand Herald reports – Stats NZ has offered a voluntary redundancy scheme to all of its workers as a way to give staff some control over their “future” amidst widespread job losses in the public sector. In an update to staff this morning, seen by the Herald, Statistics New Zealand ...35 mins ago - TVNZ and poll results
1 hour ago - Mana or MoneyMuriel Newman writes – When Meridian Energy was seeking resource consents for a West Coast hydro dam proposal in 2010, local Maori “strenuously” objected, claiming their mana was inextricably linked to ‘their’ river and could be damaged. After receiving a financial payment from the company, however, the Ngai Tahu ...2 hours ago
- Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Thursday, May 2
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 11:10 am on Thursday, May 2:Scoop: Government sits on official advice on fast-track consent. The Ombudsman is investigating after official briefings on the contentious regime were held back despite requests from Forest ...2 hours ago - The Art of taking no ResponsibilityAlwyn Poole writes – “An SEP,’ he said, ‘is something that we can’t see, or don’t see, or our brain doesn’t let us see, because we think that it’s somebody else’s problem. That’s what SEP means. Somebody Else’s Problem. The brain just edits it out, it’s like a ...2 hours ago
- The shabby “Parliamentary urgency” ploy – shaky foundations and why our democracy needs trustOur trust in our political institutions is fast eroding, according to a Maxim Institute discussion paper, Shaky Foundations: Why our democracy needs trust. The paper – released today – raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand’s political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency ...3 hours ago
- Jones has made plain he isn’t fond of frogs (not the dim-witted ones, at least) – and now we lea...This article was prepared for publication yesterday. More ministerial announcements have been posted on the government’s official website since it was written. We will report on these later today …. Buzz from the Beehive There we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...3 hours ago
- Infrastructure & home building slumping on Govt funding freeze
5 hours ago - Brainwashed People Think Everyone Else is Brainwashed
Hi,I am just going to state something very obvious: American police are fucking crazy.That was a photo gracing the New York Times this morning, showing New York City police “entering Columbia University last night after receiving a request from the school.”Apparently in America, protesting the deaths of tens of thousands ...8 hours ago - Peters’ real foreign policy threat is Helen Clark
Winston Peters’ much anticipated foreign policy speech last night was a work of two halves. Much of it was a standard “boilerplate” Foreign Ministry overview of the state of the world. There was some hardening up of rhetoric with talk of “benign” becoming “malign” and old truths giving way to ...9 hours ago - NZ’s trans lobby is fighting a rearguard action
Graham Adams assesses the fallout of the Cass Review — The press release last Thursday from the UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls didn’t make the mainstream news in New Zealand but it really should have. The startling title of Reem Alsalem’s statement — “Implementation of ‘Cass ...16 hours ago - Your mandate is imaginary
This open-for-business, under-new-management cliché-pockmarked government of Christopher Luxon is not the thing of beauty he imagines it to be. It is not the powerful expression of the will of the people that he asserts it to be. It is not a soaring eagle, it is a malodorous vulture. This newest poll should make ...21 hours ago - 14,000 unemployed under National
The latest labour market statistics, showing a rise in unemployment. There are now 134,000 unemployed - 14,000 more than when the National government took office. Which is I guess what happens when the Reserve Bank causes a recession in an effort to Keep Wages Low. The previous government saw a ...24 hours ago - Bryce Edwards: Discontent and gloom dominate NZ’s political mood
Three opinion polls have been released in the last two days, all showing that the new government is failing to hold their popular support. The usual honeymoon experienced during the first year of a first term government is entirely absent. The political mood is still gloomy and discontented, mainly due ...1 day ago - Taking Tea with 42 & 38.
National's Finance Minister once met a poor person.A scornful interview with National's finance guru who knows next to nothing about economics or people.There might have been something a bit familiar if that was the headline I’d gone with today. It would of course have been in tribute to the article ...1 day ago - Beware political propaganda: statistics are pointing to Grant Robertson never protecting “Lives an...Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”. As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...1 day ago
- Winding back the hands of history’s clockChris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...1 day ago
- Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...1 day ago - Business confidence sliding into winter of discontentTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...1 day ago
- Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll resultsOver the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...1 day ago
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Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...2 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidenceThe list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...2 days ago
- NZDF is still hostile to oversightNewsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...2 days ago
- Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...2 days ago - Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.2 days ago
- A clear warningThe unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...2 days ago
- Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...Buzz from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example. This shows National down ...2 days ago
- Listening To The Traffic.2 days ago
- Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...2 days ago
- Ending The Quest.Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...2 days ago
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- Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history2 days ago
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- Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...2 days ago - Webworm LA Pop-Up
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- 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...3 days ago - Bread, and how it gets buttered
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...3 days ago - Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the countryPolling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...3 days ago
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- FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track BillBryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...3 days ago
- Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...3 days ago - Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Retispan class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...3 days ago
- Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years oldYesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...3 days ago
- Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession3 days ago
- Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
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Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...4 days ago - 25
She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8. The universe was ...4 days ago - Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...5 days ago
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Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...5 days ago - Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this yearThis video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...5 days ago
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It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...6 days ago - Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...6 days ago
- This is how I roll over
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...6 days ago - The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”……it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...6 days ago
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- Three Strikes saw lower reoffendingDavid Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry eraBryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...6 days ago
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- Release: Labour honours memory of Sir Robert Martin
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...4 hours ago - Release: 130,000 cattle saved from live exportLabour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...23 hours ago
- Central Bank makes clear Government is pouring fuel on housing crisis fire
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...1 day ago - New unemployment figures paint bleak pictureThe Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...1 day ago
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- Release: Labour welcomes EU free trade agreementThe New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...2 days ago
- Surprise: Landlord tax cuts don’t trickle downThe Green Party is renewing its call for rent controls following reports of rental prices hitting an all-time high. ...2 days ago
- Release: $1.7b for no increase in access to medicineThe National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...2 days ago
- Release: National should heed Tribunal warning and scrap coalition commitment with ACTThis afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...3 days ago
- Release: More accountability for preventable workplace deaths this Workers’ Memorial DayLabour is calling for more accountability for preventable workplace deaths because everybody who goes to work deserves to come home safely. ...3 days ago
- Gaza: Aotearoa Must Support Independent Investigation into Mass GravesTe Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...6 days ago
- Release: Working together on consistent support for veterans this Anzac DayOur 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Penny drops – but what about Seymour and Peters?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. ...1 week ago
- Another ‘Stolen Generation’ enabled by court ruling on Waitangi Tribunal summonsTonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...1 week ago
- Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery fundingIt 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. ...1 week ago
- Further environmental mismanagement on the cardsThe Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...1 week ago
- Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environmentThe 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management systemLabour 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise PalestineThe 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. ...1 week ago
- Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kindThe Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...1 week ago
- Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...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. ...1 week ago
- Three strikes has failed before and will fail againResurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...1 week ago
- Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’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. ...1 week ago
- Ferris – Three Strikes targets those ‘too brown to be white’The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freezeCuts 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Fast-track submissions period must be extendedThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Progress on climate will be undone by GovtNew 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect themNews that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunchesMore 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Oranga Tamariki cuts commit tamariki to state abuseTe Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals billThe 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fireThe Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project insteadCancelling 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priorityA 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Te Pāti Māori to visit Queensland to strengthen ties with Māori in AustraliaTe Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...3 weeks ago
- Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful lawThe 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. ...3 weeks ago
- NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...2 hours ago - Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable childrenThe rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...3 hours ago
- Streamlining Building Consent ChangesThe Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...9 hours ago
- Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...20 hours ago
- Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...20 hours ago
- Accelerating airport security linesFrom today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...22 hours ago
- Community hui to talk about kina barrensPeople with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...1 day ago
- Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into forceKiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...1 day ago
- Mining resurgence a welcome signThere are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...1 day ago
- Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first readingThe return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...2 days ago
- Government to boost public EV charging networkEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...2 days ago
- Residential Property Managers Bill to not progressThe coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...2 days ago
- Independent review into disability support servicesThe Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...2 days ago
- Justice Minister updates UN on law & order planJustice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...2 days ago
- Ending emergency housing motels in RotoruaThe Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...2 days ago
- Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and DubaiTrade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...3 days ago
- Education priorities focused on lifting achievementEducation Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...3 days ago
- NZTA App first step towards digital driver licenceThe new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...3 days ago
- Supporting whānau out of emergency housingWhānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...3 days ago
- Tribute to Dave O'SullivanRacing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...3 days ago
- Speech – Eid al-FitrAssalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...3 days ago
- Government saves access to medicinesAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...3 days ago
- Pharmac Chair appointedHon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...4 days ago
- Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum DisorderHundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...5 days ago
- New sports complex opens in KaikoheRegional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...5 days ago
- Diplomacy needed more than everForeign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...5 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery BelgiumAmbassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...6 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk BairDistinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...7 days ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, TürkiyeMai 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 ...7 days ago
- PM announces changes to portfoliosPaul 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 ...1 week ago
- New catch limits for unique fishery areasRecreational 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 ...1 week ago
- Minister welcomes hydrogen milestoneEnergy 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 ...1 week ago
- Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment BillThe 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 ...1 week ago
- Overseas decommissioning models consideredOverseas 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 ...1 week ago
- Release of North Island Severe Weather Event InquiryEmergency 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 ...1 week ago
- Justice Minister to attend Human Rights CouncilJustice 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 ...1 week ago
- Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facilityAssociate 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 ...1 week ago
- Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024Hon 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 ...1 week ago
- Government to introduce revised Three Strikes lawThe 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 ...1 week ago
- New diplomatic appointmentsForeign 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 ...1 week ago
- Do we really need to burp babies? Here’s what the research says
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karleen Gribble, Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University richardernestyap/Shutterstock Parents are often advised to burp their babies after feeding them. Some people think burping after feeding is important to reduce or prevent discomfort crying, or to ...38 mins ago - ASB Workers To Strike As Bank Proposes An Effective Pay Cut
Workers at a major ASB contact centre in Auckland have voted to take strike action and withdraw their labour following disappointing pay negotiations with the employer and an "offer" to workers that would leave them worse off than the previous year. ...1 hour ago - Winston Peters accused of 'entirely defamatory' remarks about ex-Australian minister
The Labour Party is demanding Peters be stood down, saying "he's embarrassed the country" with a "totally unacceptable" attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. ...2 hours ago - Watch: Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to mediaThe opposition leader speaks to media during a visit with community advocate Dave Letele . ...2 hours ago
- Watch live: Labour leader Chris Hipkins speaks to mediaThe opposition leader speaks to media during a visit with community advocate Dave Letele . ...3 hours ago
- Public sector job cuts: All Stats NZ staff offered voluntary redundanciesThe PSA is concerned the cuts will hit the department's ability to deliver on its core functions. ...3 hours ago
- IPAC wants to see acknowledgement of all cyber breaches against public figuresThe Inter-Parliamentary Alliance, whose members were victims of a China-backed cyber attack, is discussing forming a standing committee to deal with foreign influence. ...3 hours ago
- Government’s Cuts Put Work Of Stats NZ At RiskThe PSA is concerned that the voluntary redundancies being offered to staff by Stats NZ will impact on the agency’s ability to deliver on its core functions. ...3 hours ago
- Is cooking with dog food instead of meat actually fine? I gave it a go
Results ranged from surprisingly yum to soul-destroying. I love cooking. The kitchen is a hearth of culinary creation, of sensory delights, of gastronomic poetry. I also can’t afford anything nice. Why does a pack of instant noodles and some milk cost ten bucks? I love you, Aotearoa, but I miss ...3 hours ago - Zero tolerance – Solomon Islands police on high alert ahead of PM electionBy Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor Police in Solomon Islands are on high alert ahead of the election of the prime minister today. The two candidates for the top job are former foreign affairs minister Jeremiah Manele at the head of the Coalition for National Unity and Transformation, which is ...3 hours ago
- Fast-track Submitters Must Not Be Silenced Through Poor Select Committee Process“We’re concerned that if the Select Committee process is poorly run members of the public will be silenced on this deeply troubling Bill.” ...4 hours ago
- Number of businesses seeking help to downsize doubles as unemployment growsAn advocate says businesses are hurting and are reluctantly having to lay off workers. ...4 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: My friend’s boyfriend Steve is always, always, always aroundHe’s fine but it feels like I’m losing a friend and it’s making me bitter. How do I say ‘enough is enough’? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Hey Hera, I’ve recently moved in with a girlfriend, her partner Steve, and his friend. We all live in a lovely little house. ...5 hours ago
- What junior doctors’ unpaid overtime tells us about the toxic side of medicineSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Claire Hooker, Senior Lecturer and Coordinator, Health and Medical Humanities, University of Sydney PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock What’s been described as the largest underpayment class action in Australian legal history has just been settled. Who was allegedly underpaid? Thousands of junior ...5 hours ago
- We think we control our health – but corporations selling forever chemicals, fossil fuels and ult...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nick Chartres, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Medicine & Health, University of Sydney shutterstock Ahmet Misirligul/Shutterstock You go to the gym, eat healthy and walk as much as possible. You wash your hands and get vaccinated. You control your health. This is ...5 hours ago
- Here’s how you can talk to your kids about gendered violence, and 7 ways to model good behaviourSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacqueline Hendriks, Research Fellow and Lecturer, Curtin University Children and young people may be seeing news headlines about men murdering women or footage of people rallying to call for action. Perhaps they or their friends have even gone to the protests. ...5 hours ago
- Why are adults without kids hooked on Bluey? And should we still be calling it a ‘kids’ show’?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Balanzategui, Senior Lecturer in Media, RMIT University ABC “Bluey mania” shows no sign of abating. Bluey’s season finale, The Sign, was the most viewed ABC program of all time on iView. A “hidden” follow-up episode, aptly named The Surprise, created ...5 hours ago
- Over $300K spent on slushy syrup and maintaining machines for prison staffCorrections has spent over $305,000 on slushy syrup and maintaining frozen ice machines in the past six years. ...6 hours ago
- Winston Peters still trying to find out what Aukus Pillar 2 is aboutThe Foreign Minister says he is continuing work started by the previous Labour government. ...6 hours ago
- Unemployment up, business confidence downLabour market figures came in softer than the Reserve Bank had forecast, but they won’t be enough to move the needle on interest rates, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Unemployment ...6 hours ago
- Luxon’s leadership test: what would it take to win back unimpressed NZ voters?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Suze Wilson, Senior Lecturer, School of Management, Massey University Christopher Luxon’s sacking of two struggling cabinet ministers last week was praised by pundits as a sign of decisive – even “brutal” and “ruthless” – leadership. But this week’s 1News-Verian poll suggests the ...7 hours ago
- Government to tweak Building Act to make building a home easierBuilding and Construction Minister Chris Penk says it takes nearly 600 days to build a house in NZ - and that is simply too long. ...7 hours ago
- Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982 Bill Steering Committee Launches Community Engagement CampaignThe campaign will engage the community and encourage submissions on the bill to the New Zealand government by the closing submission deadline of Friday 31st of May 2024 4pm. ...8 hours ago
- Shaky Foundations: Why Our Democracy Needs Trust | Limit Urgency To Rebuild Trust: New ResearchThe paper raises concerns about declining trust in New Zealand's political institutions and democratic processes, and the role that the overuse of Parliamentary urgency plays in that. ...8 hours ago
- My co-housing project failed, but I still think it’s a great ideaThe Urban Habitat Collective was an attempt to built an innovative new form of apartment building in Wellington. Here’s why it failed, and why the idea could still work, writes co-founder Bronwen Newton. When we started the Urban Habitat Collective in November 2018, we thought we were starting a revolution, ...9 hours ago
- A new generation of activism: Marking 20 years since the foreshore and seabed hīkoiTwo decades ago this week, a controversial law that attempted to define ownership of the foreshore and seabed prompted a formidable display of outrage and kōtahitanga as 15,000 marched to parliament. Jamie Tahana looks back. ‘Hīkoi, hīkoi,” they chanted by the thousands as the biggest Māori march in a generation ...9 hours ago
- New push for corporate killing laws
A Labour Party Member’s Bill aims to plug a culpability gap between manslaughter and health and safety breaches The post New push for corporate killing laws appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago - Book of the Week: The naked civil servantTerence O’Brien had the rare and no doubt undesired distinction of rising to one of the most exalted positions in New Zealand diplomacy, then being unceremoniously recalled to Wellington without explanation just when his career was at its zenith. What is perhaps more surprising is that he appears to have ...9 hours ago
- Concerning proliferation of working groups, jobs for matesGovernments are increasingly opting for working groups – led by their mates – over the core public service The post Concerning proliferation of working groups, jobs for mates appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Concerns of spending spree if disability funding changes were consulted onWhaikaha had no intention of giving anyone – even other agencies – advance warning of its plan to limit what disabled people and their carers could buy The post Concerns of spending spree if disability funding changes were consulted on appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 2 MayLoading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A,DIV,A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Daily crossword, Thursday 2 MayThe post Daily crossword, Thursday 2 May appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- Palestinian activist ‘perplexed’ by minister’s special visa argumentAs Palestinians escape the war zone in Gaza, activists say emergency visas, like those issued to Ukrainians, are needed The post Palestinian activist ‘perplexed’ by minister’s special visa argument appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
- When dying well is out of reachWhy has New Zealand slipped from third to 12th on Quality of Death Indexes over the past decade or so? Hospice New Zealand Chief Executive Wayne Naylor has a list of reasons. “We don’t have a current national strategy – the Government hasn’t renewed our 2001 strategy, so we don’t ...9 hours ago
- New SASS Talk podcast sparks convo in sportWhile women’s sport is exploding in Aotearoa and around the world, you still don’t hear a lot of talk about athletes and their periods, RED-S, breastfeeding and visible panty-lines. SASS (Suze and Sez Sports) Talk isn’t afraid to have that kōrero. LockerRoom founder Suzanne McFadden and Olympian broadcaster Sarah ...9 hours ago
- Season two of The Boy in the WaterOn an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...9 hours ago
- Green MP Julie Anne Genter apologises for 'intimidating' actions in ParliamentRongotai MP Julie Anne Genter has apologised in Parliament after National accused her of intimidating and attacking one of its ministers in the House. ...15 hours ago
- Politics with Michelle Grattan: Anne Summers says we need much more information on male perpetrators...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Prime Minister and state and territory leaders met on Wednesday as the national cabinet to discuss a crisis gripping Australia – the horrific number of women murdered this year. The killings have shocked ...16 hours ago
- Live cattle exports help farmers diversify income – Associate Agriculture MinisterThe government is hoping live animal exports will resume next year, but with a strict gold standard in place. ...17 hours ago
- Who were the real courtesans at the heart of Netflix’s Heeramandi?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Radhika Raghav, Teaching Fellow, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Otago Netflix Indian director Sanjay Leela Bhansali is known for his big-budget Bollywood production, featuring grand sets, star casts, meticulously choreographed dance sequences and lavish costumes, jewellery and furnishings. ...18 hours ago
- Police Minister Mark Mitchell heads to Australia to discuss crime trends, youth offendersMark Mitchell will be chewing the fat with police chiefs as officers in this country talk openly about the appeal of crossing the Tasman. ...19 hours ago
- Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission Pays Tribute To Sir Robert Martin MNZMSir Robert devoted his life to disability rights after living in institutions in his younger years, says Kaihautū Tika Hauātanga | Disability Rights Commissioner Prudence Walker. ...19 hours ago
- Passing Of Sir Robert Martin KNZMPeople First New Zealand Ngā Tāngata Tuatahi is deeply saddened by the passing of Life Member Sir Robert Martin KNZM. ...19 hours ago
- James Shaw's valedictory – and his new roleShaw has bowed out of Parliament, and has already revealed details of what he is doing next. ...19 hours ago
- James Shaw's valedictory – and his new rolesShaw has bowed out of Parliament, and has already revealed details of what he is doing next. ...19 hours ago
- AUKUS: Winston Peters says NZ 'long way' from deciding on Pillar 2Peters spoke about the military pact in an annual 'scene setter' speech at Parliament on Wednesday evening. ...20 hours ago
- National Cabinet has committed to a range of strategies to stop violence against women, but has it d...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University Violence against women is not a women’s problem to solve, it is a whole of society problem to solve; and men in particular have to take responsibility. Those were the ...20 hours ago
- Is bioenergy ever truly green? It depends on 5 key questionsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Allen, Senior Lecturer in Chemical and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Newcastle Snapshot freddy/Shutterstock Plans to revive an old coal-fired power station using bioenergy are being considered in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Similar plans for the station ...20 hours ago
- Free school lunches scheme to get temporary funding until review is completeFunding for the scheme is set to continue for the "immediate few years" while officials work out what the alternative programme will look like. ...20 hours ago
- Taxpayers’ Union Slams Secret List Of Judges’ PerksResponding to the long-awaited release of judges’ special allowances, including free air travel and hotels for spouses, generous sabbaticals, and access to limousines, Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Alex Murphy said: “In what world does your employer ...20 hours ago
- Winston Peters expected to give update on AUKUS talks in speechAnalysis - The United States has unveiled plans to boost the weapons trade with Australia and the UK, on the same day that Winston Peters is expected to sketch NZ's position on AUKUS. ...21 hours ago
- Why did the Voice referendum fail? We crunched the data and found 6 reasonsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrea Carson, Professor of Political Communication, Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University Since Australia’s First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum in October 2023, diverse commentaries have sought to explain why it failed. But what does an analysis of media ...21 hours ago
- Court hears appeal of Waitangi Tribunal summons decisionLawyers representing two iwi as well as the Māori Women’s Welfare League on Wednesday asked the Court of Appeal to overturn last week’s High Court decision on the Waitangi Tribunal’s decision to summons Children’s Minister Karen Chhour. The Tribunal is currently investigating the Government’s decision to repeal section 7AA of ...21 hours ago
- Former MPs Louisa Wall, Simon O'Connor claim to be targets of China-backed cyber attackThe spy agencies are being questioned after two former MPs claim they were never informed they were victims of a China-backed cyber-attack. ...21 hours ago
- Kāinga Ora home vacancies 'trending downwards' after minister's letterThe agency recently changed the way it counts vacancies so it is more accurate. ...22 hours ago
- Albanese government flags measures to tackle online misogyny in the battle against violence towards ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The Albanese government will introduce legislation to ban deepfake pornography and provide more funding for the eSafety Commission to pilot age-assurance technologies. The contribution of internet sites to gender-based violence was one major issue ...22 hours ago
- Average Hourly Earnings Up 5.2 Percent Annually – Stats NZAverage ordinary time hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased 5.2 percent in the year to the March 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. Annual wage cost inflation, as measured by the ...22 hours ago
- Job scams are on the rise. What are they, and how can you protect yourself?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dimitrios Salampasis, FinTech Capability Lead | Senior Lecturer, Emerging Technologies and FinTech, Swinburne University of Technology Clem Onojeghuo/Unsplash In the digital era, the job market is increasingly becoming a minefield – demanding and difficult to navigate. According to the Australian Bureau ...22 hours ago
- Two Decades Of Youth Employment And Education – Stats NZAs of the March 2024 quarter, we can now look back on 20 years of data related to youth not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as collected by the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS), according to figures released by Stats NZ today. "The ...22 hours ago
- May Day: The Biggest Threat To NZ Workers In 2024 Is Our GovernmentThousands of workers attended public events in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch today to celebrate International Workers’ Day (May Day), but union representatives are urging caution and vigilance over the Government’s blatantly "anti-worker" ...22 hours ago
- Unemployment Rate At 4.3 Percent – Stats NZThe seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in the March 2024 quarter, compared with 4.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...23 hours ago
- David Seymour wants to stop 'lazily' categorising by raceThe ACT leader rails against "lazily looking at everyone through the lens of race" in latest episode of RNZ's new in depth interview show. ...23 hours ago
- Private Info Of New Zealanders Will Be Breached By Latest Government CutsThe PSA is warning the Government that the sensitive information of New Zealanders held by various agencies will fall into the wrong hands if the latest round of proposed cuts goes ahead. ...23 hours ago
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https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/104785300/thousands-of-government-department-employees-to-vote-on-coordinated-strike-action
MBIE and IRD voting on strike action apparently.
Well I wouldn’t like to suggest that theres been a lot more strikes and suggested strike actions since a change of government happened but it’ll be interesting to see how this plays out
A lot of pent-up frustration and low wage increases for the best part of 10 years will do that.
My thoughts as well Craig.
I suspect it is because at last they have a government that might listen to their concerns
That and won’t try to criminalise them as well.
It is time to reclaim some balance in New Zealand industrial relations after getting hammered by employers since 1991.
Increased industrial action is a positive sign. Workers no longer standing for tiny wage increases and bully boy tactics from employers
Norway wants to start commercial electric airplane flights:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-17/tesla-loving-nation-now-wants-to-be-a-pioneer-in-electric-planes
Norway is the largest exporter of oil and gas in Europe, but they also plan to cut emissions by 40%.
Helpfully they have few ethical quandaries about their continued economic, environmental and social success.
They are not claiming long-haul electric flights will ever be viable, just the short ones to start with.
http://www.elections.org.nz/news-media/cancellation-party-registration-0
End of a political party
I can’t see many people being sad about this
There were a lot on here who thought they were fantastic.
As opposed to the joke they were.
At least they helped kill off mana.
These things are relative. They were infinitely better than the then government, and offered some prospect of justice for Dotcom for the abuses he suffered at the hands of the Key kleptocracy.
But as a booster for that sleazy pack of scum you feel threatened by anyone not succumbing to illegal shit like armed raids on an unarmed household.
Are you claiming the party was a means for Dotcom to avoid due process in the legal system?
Make a point gosman, your attempts to put words in peoples mouths is really disengious, as well as tiresome. It really is quite a dishonest way to have a discussion.
I agree with Adam about “Are you saying..? Is your belief..? Stop framing the argument through another’s supposed view, Gosman. It’s boring and a waste of our time.
Such is the life of the ideoligically aligned NaCT Party spin meister – on duty from dawn til dusk and overnight.
I’ve seen Harcourt’s Real Estate agents who’ve given up for less. (At least they had a questioning mind – going forward)
I asked a question to clarify this point “…and offered some prospect of justice for Dotcom for the abuses he suffered at the hands of the Key kleptocracy”.
Perhaps you can give your interpretation on what this means given that to me it suggests one of the points of the party was to counter the legal proceedings Dotcom was facing at the time.
Really, you don’t do it all the time? You don’t ask questions to put words in peoples mouths? Then you never get all huffy when someone points out your dishonest way of debating?
Seriously gosman, you got a couple of day ban for that diengious style of yours. I see you still doing it.
“Huffy”
And no, perhaps I won’t. Adam’s right.
Certainly not – as subsequent court rulings showed, he was illegally denied it.
If he was illegally denied it what is the current government doing about it considering they could intervene?
You would have to ask them, Gosman.
Dawn raids don’t seem to be part of it however.
How about you go after the guilty and leave the bystanders alone for a change.
How about you start asking the hard questions of the side that you support for a change?
These are the same fools that took about a decade to come round on Zaoui – they’re not about to risk anything for Dotcom.
But as I said – Key abused the powers of his office, illegally spying on and seizing Dotcom’s property, with the intention of facilitating an illegal prosecution by US interests.
Why are you such a pathetic apologist for Key, Gosman? That was the shit the Nazis pulled to glom Jewish wealth – not something to tolerate for a heartbeat – but you did.
I’ve never been a rah rah for Key. If you’ve followed my comments on this blog you should know this. I just think he was better than the left wing alternatives as evidenced by the current rabble in power.
You never called him on any of his numerous dishonesties or abuses of power – but you want to call the coalition on not helping Dotcom? That’s a double standard too far.
I criticised Key all the time. I just criticised him for different things to what you generally criticised him for. In some areas we might have had common cause but certainly not on the Dotcom issue. I personally don’t think there was any political interference in the Dotcom case. If there was then it would be very serious and as such I would expect it to be a priority of the current government to sort out. Given they aren’t doing this it would tend to support my view rather than yours.
“all the time” eh.
So you’ll be able to cite a couple – I don’t recall any.
No, it actually doesn’t. There’s several possible meanings two of which are:
1. There’s simply no evidence of wrong doing despite the prima facie evidence that there was. This doesn’t mean that wrong didn’t happen – just that the evidence to prove it doesn’t exist.
2. The present government is following the ‘legal’ position that governments aren’t responsible for what happens under their watch in government departments because they’re not supposed to get involved in day to day operations.
3. They actually believe that Key et al did nothing wrong.
“illegal shit like armed raids on an unarmed household”
I had almost forgotten about that. Not surprising I suppose that one tends to forget things that were actually more than 10 years ago.
It was certainly absolutely disgraceful behaviour by the Police and Government of the time.
What was the Government so worried about?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_New_Zealand_police_raids
Dotcom’s home was invaded by armed police in 2012.
No. The raids were in 2007. You must be thinking about something else. 2012 was when the trials took place and only a few people ended up being charged and there were guilty verdicts on only a few trivial arms offenses.
Then in 2013 the raids were found to be illegal and in 2014 the poor old Police Commissioner had to go and apologise for them.
The responsible politicians were by then keeping well out of the way. The one who was ultimately responsible for the disgraceful activities had by then fled the country and was tucked away in New York. Never did admit to doing anything wrong and never apologised.
Dotcom’s home was invaded by armed police in 2012.
Hey Alwyn, everything else you believe is wrong too.
Are you starting to understand why you’re known as a liar yet?
You aren’t talking about the same thing are you?
I was talking about the dreadful affair in the Urewera area. They were certainly the worst case of Police behaviour in my lifetime, with the possible exception of 1951.
If you had read my link you should have realised that.
But you really don’t read properly do you? Why do you worry about minor affairs and ignore the serious misbehaviour?
You see why you are known as an idiot yet?
You are the only one in this thread talking about the terror raids. You started by replying to Stuart Munro who was making the point that the police raided Dotcom’s home all military style for no good reason.
“What was the Government so worried about?”
Not a damned thing. It was a quid pro quo for a trade deal they’ve wanted forever – and, as with Jenny taking the tariffs off, achieved precisely nothing.
Except to crush NZ’s emerging cyberlocker sector, and destroy Dotcom’s life and NZ’s reputation as a law abiding country.
Kim Dotcom’s home was raided on 20th January 2012. I would have thought that even a Fifty Cent Army member such as yourself would be able to figure out that 2012 is less than ten years before 2018.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/simon-bridges
End of a political party
I can’t see many people being sad about this
There were a lot of people who thought they were fantastic
As opposed to the joke they were
At least they helped kill of ACT.
I agree with you on this, it’ll be Judith Time!
Also a poem I just created for Judith, its my best yet:
I think that I shall never see a politician as lovely as Judy
Judy, whose hungry mouth is prest against the earth’s sweet flowing breast (might be a tad sexy)
Judy that looks at God all day, and lifts her motherly arms to pray;
Judy that may in Summer wear a nest of defeated opponents in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain; Who intimately lives with rain. (Thats pretty hot)
Poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make Judy
That’s really quite impressive PR – have you considered leading the Conservative Party?
Unfortunately I’m the shy and retiring type so politics wouldn’t suit me 🙂
poetic repartee.
Unfortunately that would make you a perfect leader especially with your unhealthy obsession or crush on Collin’s
Unfortunately I have some ideas that I don’t think the Conservatives would like 🙂
There once was the member for Papakura,
Whose husband worked for Orivida
When hubbys milk was delayed
She didn’t care if NZ paid
She went and dined to ensure “hey no problem”
Now if this sorry tale you doubt.
Its time to to read all about…
For dirty politics was the book
That showed Judith as a crook
sometimes love is blind as a…………………………..
Sorry PR…..just have to tell you the bad news on your crush
Could you do another verse and mention her eyebrows? And you could include some swamp kauri as well, perhaps – lol.
Sorry but inspiration doesn’t come that easy 🙂
Just once a day, Pucky, then you’re spent?
Can’t be that difficult, googling ‘poem’.
Are you suggesting I…plagiarise?
Who ever did you get that idea from 🙂
Fine I’ll prove it then, here’s my magnum opus and you’ll see how similar it is to my other works
Roses are red
Violets are blue
I love Judith
and so should you
I think you’ll find that’s a pretty compelling argument
It could begin; “Up to her eyebrows…”
Up to her eyebrows in muck
Judith is sh*t out of luck…
Up to her eyebrows in mire
Judith should quickly retire…
I like where this is potentially going…
I’m now thinking…
Those eyebrows are in dire need of plucky
Perhaps Jude could call upon …
Dammit! Can’t get the rhyme!
Got me stumped as well
Jude’s past is decidedly muckish
She needs service from someone named…
Dammit!
Completely dried up!
(stumped – gotta give you some credit for that…I suppose…)
The poetry doesn’t seem to be working so I thought I’d “branch” out into comedy writing
Judith’s a never ending source of material for you then.
I think this ‘po em’ has been ‘appropriated’from someone else. Where did you get it from?
Trees
By Joyce Kilmer
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/12744/trees
Coincidence 🙂
i thought they would get 7%….but the fjk video and the moment of truth stuffed that
Tuned into NR politics at 11 this morning. Seems Hooten was also reliving the times, start a rant on how unstable Peters is. Like any analyst worth his salt can see Labour learnt the lesson, National deputy rolled his leader and Peters has been living off the victimhood every since. Every time Hooten re tells this piece of propaganda I swear NZF jumps in the polls.
“Every time Hooten re tells this piece of propaganda I swear NZF jumps in the polls.”.
Is that what is doing it? I have been at a loss to understand how Winston First could possibly still be up at the 2.4% they are in the Newshub/Reid poll. On their behaviour they should be under 1%. Below ACT in fact.
Keep quiet Hooton. Let Winnie sink beneath the surface of the swamp.
This looks good for minister Clark – not
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12072583
James. The issue is really over the underfunding of Health, over the last 9 years. Sadly some innocents who tried to manage the deficits were hurt. And more sadly some losers try to make capital out of the mess left behind.
You are like those who revel in someone else’s car wreck
You may say that is the issue – but this *is* and issue in its own right. All you are doing is deflecting by refusing to discuss this issue in its own right.
Clark deserves everything he gets on this.
Considering Clark’s response towards the end of the article, it would appear either that you didn’t read it to the end, or that you are simply happy to give everyone except him the benefit of any doubt, because he is a Labour politician. Neither would surprise me in the slightest.
Be interesting to see if details emerge as to what a joy Rabin was to work with jimbo.
Oh look – the arsonists attacking the fire-fighters again.
The usual attack lines are:
– you’re not putting it out fast enough
– it’s not as big as you say it is (i.e. I only lit a small fire)
– Why are you getting angry and mean and hurting my feelings
National – vandalism on a grand scale since 1949.
AB @ 4.2 Thats brilliant and hilarious
The Royal’s first gay wedding! Sweet.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=12072467
#stilldon’tcare
Just a strange coincidence I’m sure…
Rodney worst ranked prancer 5 out of 6 weeks.
Seymour worst ranked dead hoofer 6 out of 8 weeks.
ACT leaders, made for shit tv.
“ACT leaders, made for shit tv.”
And yet they keep on getting voted back.
That would indicate that the people disagree with you.
Next you will be telling us WHY they voted the way they did.
Pity, I suppose. Some would vote them back on for comedic value, others for more perverse reasons; bread, circus.
I am not convinced the people (indicating many) disagree at all… I think Seymour is being kept afloat by just a tiny number of people with way too much money… #DWTSNZ is not a popularity contest, it is a rich person contest… who has the most $$$ to waste
Yep. I’ll tell you why.
They don’t vote for Seymour – it could be anybody. They vote to give National an extra, unearned vote in Parliament from a pretend party.
Maybe rugged individualists who ooze ‘Personal Responsibility’ from every pore just don’t do dancing – which is sort of wimpy and collaborative?
Interesting read from Nicky Hager on the effects of the police raid on his house: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/06/17/124563/what-an-attack-on-journalism-feels-like
“They also paid damages, which I am regarding cheerfully as a NZ Police Writing Fellowship.”
🙂
Quote from link provided by Booker:
Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree. The message would have been ‘sent’ in such a way it could not be traced back to the then PM or his office, but police at a senior level would have been in no doubt what they were expected to do.
It was a case of political interference at the highest level, and we all know it was not the only time it happened during the reign of the last government. It also happened under the Muldoon regime – probably to an even greater degree.
“Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree.”
As you say with nothing to back it up – zero evidence etc.
But “Of course” it happened right?
Your tin foil hat is slipping.
I expected you to drop in with something along that line.
Only blind bats can’t see what everyone else with an ounce of knowledge, grey matter and maybe past personal experiences can see. You mate are such a bat.
James’s ability to forgive the wrongs of the Key administration rivals that of Christian martyrs – it’s just a shame his hypocrisy excludes everyone else.
Oh he knows it alright – It just suits his politics to lie about it.
If this was indeed the case it is a gross abuse of the political system Anne. What is the current government doing to look in to it and ensure it doesn’t happen again?
Argh, yes Gosman…
The political system is a gross abuse…as are the dominant systems crushing the life and soul from living beings…
No government will.be changing it, as they are beholden and merged to the Westminster System…such that they are indistinguishable from it…
Tell us all about derivatives again…counter party risk and all that…
Perhaps you’re not the same operator of Gosman who pretended to understand economics and finance…
Try anyway…
Indeed it was a gross abuse of the system Gosman. But when you have a police hierarchy acquiescing to the govt. on the matter and a MSM too lily-livered to investigate properly – and a large section of the voting population who neither understood the issue nor bothered to read the book – then there was little could be done about it. What is worse Key went on TV and radio… blatantly lied and the MSM let him off the hook.
I expect this government will eventually take measures to try an ensure nothing like it could happen again, but they have rather more important matters like housing, health and education to attend to first.
Btw, the Winston Peters saga re- his superannuation over-payments is another case in point. This time it was ‘senior bureaucrats’ who leaked the information to two former cabinet ministers which was also an abuse of their power and position.
How would a government ensure nothing like it could happen again?
Agreed, in the light of the Police’s fulsome apology (and tax payer-funded compensation) to Nicky Hager, ideally the Police and/or politicians will:
(1) Investigate both why and how senior police justified their illegal activities at the time, and
(2) Work towards ensuring that such abuses of power don’t reoccur.
The apology was great, but more analysis is required to avoid repeats. The Urewera ‘anti-terrorism’ raids are another example of abuse of police power, although any political motives were less obvious.
What were the political motives in the Dotcom case?
Not familiar with that case. Do you know of any public apology or expression of regret regarding the ‘handling’ of the Dotcom case?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/98549323/kim-dotcom-reaches-settlement-with-police-over-2012-hollywoodstyle-dawn-raid?rm=m
Hmmm, is it all Police forces that are slow learners, or just ours?
Dancing to Uncle Sam’s tune. A call to Key’s people from the FBI hierarchy, ‘Buddies downunder, we need a hand.’
Political parties in the US are funded by the same small clique of elite that own the bulk of the copyright Dotcom was allegedly exploiting.
When the Kennedys hit the White House JFK’s brother Bob set off to try and put a lid on organised crime. Minor in the grand scheme of things, but there was immense media/public interest and concern.
They introduced a raft of new legislation full of fishhooks designed to snare the Tony Sopranos of the headlines.
These US laws never went away. Dotcom finds himself on Federal charges of racketeering. His problems are bigger than pinching a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Mega started to pay cash to the people that uploaded the most content to their ‘Download Anything Here’ site. In doing so, he fell foul of those same laws that were put in place to collar Gotti et al.
When the final curtain comes down….I don’t think the FBI lose very often.
Right, so after all that went down in Dirty Politics Gosman (7.2.1.1.3), involving the previous National government, you are saying the onus lies with this government to look into it to make sure it doesn’t happen again?
And what about those National MPs and supporters involved in DP? One incident even involved a Labour public servant being threatened! How about making sure these thugs are held accountable for their part? Their accountability just might prevent a similar occurrence taking place!
Oh that’s right, National doesn’t do accountability does it?
Ummm… I’m asking the same question as you. Why doesn’t the current Government ensure those responsible are held to account? It is in their power you realise don’t You?
You know, Gosman, like you, I would prefer to see the current government take steps to prevent any recurrence of the Dirty Politics situation. You know what, though? The best way to make that work would be if the senior National Party figures involved were to unpack their dirty dirty laundry, own up and explain all the ins and outs of what they did and who enabled it to work as it did. If you were to advocate for that, give your vote to those opposing National, and encourage all your friends and acquaintances to do the same, you might have something to say. Until then, all you are doing is being a cock.
Gooseman the problem has been solved Key has gone .
““Of course, the instruction to establish Rawshark’s identity at any cost came from the top of the political tree.”
“zero evidence”
Dishonest people tend to know how to avoid detection.
Emails? Nah.
Witnesses? Nah.
Letters? Nah.
Discussions? Nah.
However, a short sharp verbal discussion in an isolated space to a person with powerl? Yeah.
Put the teacup saga and the Rawshark saga and the Dirty Politics saga together and 1 + 1= 2. Aha.
Care to speculate James as to why the police acted in this way
do people here get paid to engage gosman, wayne, james and the others ?
How much and where does one apply, i know a few people who would happily fling shit about to make some cash. cause thats all it is, flinging shit about stinking the joint up for shits n giggles.
@sabine
Here are a couple of places you could start.
jacinda.ardern@#parliament.govt.nz
winston.peters@#parliament.govt.nz
You may have to wait rather a long time for a reply from the first though.
I am also not sure whether the second one is still used. I heard a rumour that since the Unfortunate Event at Parliament last year he has changed his address to
tsar.winston.first@#bellamys.bar
I’d stick to enquiring to Winston of course. He has an absolute veto over any Government appointment and he doesn’t take kindly to people who don’t appear to understand his total control of all matters.
I believe Winston has largely given up drinking and smoking.
Pregnancy calls for good healthy living.
Did you actually read those two sentences before you hit submit? I certainly hope so because your juxtaposing them gave me the best laugh I’ve had all day and I love the thought that it was deliberate.
Winston changing his living style because he is pregnant?
The mind boggles.
The mind boggles all right, boggles that you didn’t get it, couldn’t get the reference and that anyone could be that stupid as to flaunt a blind stupidity matching their blind partisanship.
That’s nice dear. I’m sorry that your dyspepsia is bothering you though.
Why don’t you cut back on the booze and try a nice warm cup of Milo instead?
I’m sure it will cure your heartburn and you will feel much better.
Or not. Perhaps you just like being an arsehole.
Admit it alwyn, the joke went right over your head. Instead of copping to that (the whole personal responsibility thing, which by the way you keep banging on about – funny never applies to you though), you went the whole personal attack.
Boy it’s going to be a long 9 years.
For those struggling in small terminological tidal pools on the beach of the sea of “liberal” – between neo-liberal, classical liberal, liberal liberals and social liberals, libertarians, and others smashed across the ideological foreshore the foreshore by the Trump-sized tsunami – take comfort that yours is not the only group wondering why the sea is receding:
https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/06/16/why-the-classical-liberal-is-making-a-comeback-218667
Good morning Newshub Rodger enjoyed his time on Dancing with the Stars.
trump is a muppet were are the immigrants in Europe that his country created to go into the Sea I can see his grubby hands on Alot of thing happening to tangata who oppose his dumb ass views going down the man loves have all the levers he got and he doesn’t give a shit about who gets hurt in the process of his vendettas.
Ka pai Duncan the reffs are only human so they make mistakes they are part of the foundation of ATOEAROA Rugby And the All Blacks most of them are voluntary doing the job. Ka kite ano