Some headlines make you wonder how crazy we are when we allow this scenario….
“Systems in history are defined above all by who controls the wealth,” Alperovitz says. “The top 400 people own more wealth now than the bottom 185 million Americans taken together. That is a medieval structure.”
Makes me wonder how it looks here in NZ and how much that tiny group control our politics?
Fits nicely with George Monbiot’s articleAfter 800 years, the barons in control in Britain
About young people trying to opt out of the corporate structure.
But the alternatives have also been shut down: you are excluded yet you cannot opt out. The land – even disused land – is guarded as fiercely as the rest of the economy. Its ownership is scarcely less concentrated than it was when the Magna Carta was written.
These things are related. The thing for me is that if you have no rights to collect or gather food or to create a shelter then the ‘barons’ have an obligation to ensure you have a means of exchange for those things. This is being seriously eroded in the UK and US and NZ is on the same path albeit closer to the beginning.
The whole access to (and poor can’t create) shelter issue is at crisis point in NZ. There is a seriously lack of sufficient affordable housing, especially in Auckland. And all NAct can do is to set Bennett on to blaming (alleged) slum landlords.
The Waitakere MP yesterday singled out a caravan park in her electorate – Western Park Village – as “very expensive for what I’m sure most New Zealanders would see as quite substandard living”.
But the park owner, Darryll Heaven, said they did everything they could for many tenants that were forced upon them by Work and Income.
“That is absolute bulls . . . That really annoys me because she won’t get off her fat arse – she’s only 500 metres away – to come down and see us. We’ve got a dozen staff and we’re working 24 hours a day to control the place. She doesn’t understand that and if she thinks we’re ripping her off, come and have a look at our bottom line any time she likes.”
My long-time experience of landlords, is that most of them are OK, and not out to rort me. But when there’s a shortage of affordable housing, the rents go up. Some prospective tenants are offering over the advertised rent, in order to secure accommodation. So what happens to those at the bottom of the income hierarchy?
I remember being shocked a few decades back when I first heard of Americans living in trailer parks. I didn’t realise WINZ was recommending caravan parks for the unemployed here.
But Mr Heaven said Western Park had a challenging task with its tenants.
“Yes, there is a lot of sub-standard [housing] here. But we try to put the right people into the right accommodation and Winz will turn around and say, no, we’re not paying it, put them in a caravan.”
The park supported tenants with a range of services “like medication and running a bus service”.
“My long-time experience of landlords, is that most of them are OK, and not out to rort me.”
I think you’ll find that’s changed a lot Carol. There’s a different breed entered the landlord market over the last decade or so, only need look at how many took up the opportunity to raise their rents in ChCh and Auck. A lot of them are venal parasites sucking the blood out of the working class. People in business at least pay workers for their labours, these leeches want to get rich off the toil of others and give nothing in return.
To me one of the most offensive & contemptible acts of the last Labour Govt was giving property speculators more tax breaks via LAQCs etc. We pay a fortune in tax to support the underprivileged and the group who contribute the most to causing poverty in this country got to pay even less tax.
DH, I do think that under certain circumstances the amount of exploitative and parasitic landlords increase: e.g. when there is a shortage of houses and little regulation of property speculation.
To me this means housing can’t be left to the “market”, but government should create the conditions for there to be sufficient, safe and affordable housing.
My experience of renting over the last decade or so in NZ as been good. I do think most landlords are not of the unfair and exploitative kind.
I remember being shocked a few decades back when I first heard of Americans living in trailer parks. I didn’t realise WINZ was recommending caravan parks for the unemployed here.
I completely agree that there is a housing crisis in NZ. I do want to point out though that there are people in NZ living in caravans and quite happy with it. Some people even choose this over living in a house. There are also long standing communities existing in camp grounds that are completely legitimate ways for people to live together. Please do not automatically assume that living in a caravan or camp ground is a bad thing.
I also think that as we get into energy descent we need to rethink what housing means. At this point in time it makes sense to try and build as many durable, well insulated, and easy to heat houses as we can, and obviously the govt should be prioritising resources to the most vulnerable people in the community. But a time will come when we don’t have the resources to build the way we do now, and we need to be thinking about that now.
Agreed, weka. When I recently moved I considered getting a caravan. I would be happy living in one or in a camp. But I’m single and don’t have children.
For a start, members of Parliament should set the standard: non-Wellington based electorate MPs should live in caravans on the few nights of the week when Parliament is sitting.
Times are tough and NZ has had to weather the Chch earthquake, etc etc and savings need to be made.
The accommodation allowance for our value-for-money MPs, including Cabinet Ministers, can be capped at the level suitable for a basic caravan at a nearby caravan park. Shower and toilet can be accessed via Beehive & Bowen House.
In the last month or two Turia attended a world indigenous housing summit. There was an audible gasp from the audience when she said that 3 million was alocated for housing. I assume it was for indigenous housing from the NZ government.
I’d love to email your comment to Turia, Morning Report (source of info) and the recent world indigenous housing summit in Vancouver. A National disgrace.
The Diggers 2012 movement that Monbiot writes about, is an interesting one. And this from one of the present day diggers, is relevant to NZ, Waitangi Tribunal issues, etc:
As Simon Moore, an articulate, well-read 27-year-old, explained, “those who control the land have enjoyed massive economic and political privileges. The relationship between land and democracy is a strong one, which is not widely understood.”
And Monbiot nails it here:
The young men and women camping at Runnymede are trying to revive a different tradition, largely forgotten in the new age of robber barons. They are seeking, in the words of the Diggers of 1649, to make “the Earth a common treasury for all … not one lording over another, but all looking upon each other as equals in the creation”. The tradition of resistance, the assertion of independence from the laws devised to protect the landlords’ ill-gotten property, long pre-date and long post-date the Magna Carta. But today they scarcely feature in national consciousness.
If you look at some of the rural areas, and the pressure on housing in the cities, we are further down that path than we like to imagine. And would be even further along still if Australia wasn’t absorbing our work force.
Thanks for the link Bored. There is always fascinating reading and listening on http://www.democracy.org. Amy Goodman shines a light in America’s murkiest places and it requires courage on her part often, to do so. If you haven’t read it already “Exception to the Rulers” which is co authored by her and among other things discusses the functions and social effects of the power elite.
And yes, it does make you wonder how much of that influence makes it to our shores. Definitely we already have some really dodgy multi nationals operating here, that is known, but what about the hidden connections and agenda’s? They have their fingers in pies everywhere. Its quite chilling.
I was recently told by a Scots new immigrant that one of the reasons he was drawn to NZ was because we are 20 years behind the rest of the world, in every respect. I felt he thought we were quite naive and quaint (I’m sure he’s not the only one!)So if things are bad enough here in regards to the weakening of our collective influence as a people, our access to common areas etc, and the people of USA and Britain are being to returned to a new feudalism under corporate rule, how long before we are totally absorbed by it too?
Kelvin Smythe is always a good read on educational matters, especially concerning the current situation. Here’s his take on a John Roughan editorial from last week.
Thanks for the link Tony. The practice of unattributed Editorials must stop – the only reason a name was not attached in the past was because everyone knew who the Editor was – now it could be any one of a number of different people. Given the often nauseating opinions expressed within there is no excuse for these so called journalists to be hiding behind the paper skirt of the institution. Sign the petition:
“… the only reason a name was not attached in the past was because everyone knew who the Editor was…”
That is not the case at all. The leaders are attributed to the Editor because they are responsible for what is printed in the newspaper. It has been a journalistic tradition for quite literally centuries for deputy eds and other senior staff to share the editorial responsibilities. The editorials represent the views of the paper, not those of the hack writing them.
I stand corrected TRP – However tradition or no I can see no valid reason for readers to not be informed of who is responsible for the article. An editorial coveys an impression of authority – however there can be no authority without accountability. If ‘senior staff’ wish to say something then they should own it.
Cheers, Campbell. I note that the tradition is changing though and I think most regional newspapers now have an editorial that is openly written by the editor. Probably because there is no one else to do it, what with there being little need for real journalists these days!
With a lot of journo’s encouraged to blog as well as publish articles, it is easier to see what individuals think. But, at heart, this is a philosophical question. That is, does the editorial line reflect the paper’s views or does it represent the views of individual writers? And does the paper’s views, as represented in editorials, nowadays more accurately reflect what the owners think, rather than the editor?
A paper cannot hold a ‘view’ or an ‘opinion’ these are person specific attributes. The words belong unequivocally to the author, the decision to publish is attributable to those whom have the authority to make the decision.
My assertion is that the public have a right to know who writes the Editorials and who approves them. Only with this disclosure can we assess the context of the opinion on display, and hold the correct people accountable when this process appears to be corrupt.
Well, as I pointed earlier, papers do hold views. They promote an editorial line. That is why the Gaurdian is different from the Times, the NBR from the Kapiti Shopper. Not becaue of the individual reporters, but becaue this is a projection of how the title sees itself. All sorts of organisations have values that they seek to project publicly. That’s not a refelction of the individuals that work for them, but of how the organisations see themselves and how they want to be seen.
When I do media interviews, I do not speak for myself, I speak for my employer. And a good thing too, because I don’t think my employer wants to hear my personal views on the Randian Superheroes and other assorted incompetents I have to deal with every other day broadcast to the nation at 6pm. I put the view of the organisation I represent, which is what they expect of me and what newspapers expect of their leader writers.
.
I see where you are coming from, and I agree that the owner/ paper/ writer relationships do raise questions regarding journalistic Epistemology/ Ontology which are not easily settled.
With the transfer of more and more of the fourth estate into the hands of corporations who have few qualms about furthering their own interests the individual integrity of journalists is fast becoming the only separation between news and PR – that and the increasing ability of the public to challenge their authority and hold them to account.
Andrew Geddis has this to say in the comments when discussing a piece by John Roughan in the Herald:
the editor probably doesn’t regulate what the opinionators in his stable write, and all-in-all it probably is a good thing that he doesn’t (otherwise the paper would be a single voice on everything, which is not desirable).
Which suggests that in his opinion the diversity of views in editorials comes about from having a range of different views expressed, and that the choice on what to publish rests solely in the hands of The Editor (singular).
However how are we to be assured of a representative pool of contributors if this information is not publicly available and routinely displayed? In any case I’m not convinced that this results in a truly representative Editorial and can see no valid reason why this practice persists. Perhaps someone from a paper would like to defend the need for Editorial anonymity?
I understand the need for anonymity here on the Standard, having had one of my employers threatened over one of my comments here, but the Herald writers are professional journalists and routinely display their names in conjunction with their opinions, so why the discrepancy when it comes to the Editorial?
Edit: Which suggests that in his opinion the diversity of views in editorials comes about from having a range of different authors, and that the choice of which author to publish rests solely in the hands of The Editor (singular).
Insufficient proof reading before button pressing.
The Public’s perception is that Oxford defines what we are getting when what we are actually being given is the newWiki – and that my friend is the problem.
This was on the 13th july
So much for the openess touted by Parata
A secret meeting of some members of the ministerial cross sector education forum is being held today, without the knowledge of many of the group’s members.
The group – called the G30 – was formed in the wake of the government’s class size backdown and has been touted by education minister Hekia Parata as a way of ensuring such a disconnect with the sector did not happen again.
However, PPTA has discovered a meeting is being is being held today of hand-picked members of the G-30 group, general secretary Kevin Bunker said.
The media reports today (Herald) that ACC Minister ‘Crushless’ Collins has secured a High court date in Feb 2013 in the matter of the long whinged about (by her) alleged defamation by Andrew Little and Trev Mallard re brain injured Bronwyn Pullar’s ACC whistleblowing and surrounding events.
Now that may seem a long wait for ‘Crushless’, (kicking for touch actually as there is apparently going to be a last chance pre court conference in November ’12), but how about Paula Bennett’s drawn out privacy case resulting from when she publically outed several dirthy filthy DPB bennies personal details in July 2009… still waiting on the outcome of that one.
When it comes to Collins I find her to be pathetic when it comes to defending her reputation because when it comes to being a minister she has to DECIDE why she is there and that she is there to be effective. Collins needs to walk in the shoes of sensitive claimants (in particular historical cases) and she will get an education.
1. Some historical sensitive claimants cases go back to before the 1961 Crimes Act.
2. Often a claimant is not being treated individually e.g. their case is complicated, they have a mental health condition or an addiction.
3. The small pool of ACC assessors are being managed by ACC and ACC have reinterpreted legislation.
4. 3.6 % of sensitive claims have been accepted (think in the past year). 60 % of sensitive claims were accepted in 2008.
5. 40 % less sensitive claim applications (think in the past year) probably because of how hard it is to access the 16 counselling sessions and how disengaged ACC assessors/non medical staff are towards sensitive claimants.
In 18 months ACC is to go back to Dr Disley who is on a panel which looked at 14 recommendations for sensitive claimants when Smith was the ACC minister. In the meantime I do not think anything will change because Collins doesn’t get it what being sexually violated and raped in childhood can do/does.
My message to Collins is that cover determination has been reinterpreted for sensitive claimants and every one who puts in a claim to ACC for ANY injury has the right to have their entitlement under the Act and some past Acts.
I am no fan of Bennett, but I have to give it to her that she has some focus on her portfolio when it comes to children being abused while in CYF care. From July 2010 – June 2011 71 children were abused while in CYF care. It took 7 weeks to collate this information. Bennett knows there needs to be a centralised data base to collate the abuse of children while in CYF care. Currently information is kept at local sites and for there to be a centralised site important information is more likely to be seen. Bennett has also had a focus on compensating historical cases of children being abused while in the care of social welfare.
When it comes to Collins she is also the justice minister and no doubt some of the historical social welfare cases are because of decisions made by the courts.
ACC now has to solve the many problems thay have caused due to their stingy penny pinching.
CYF have to put children at the top of the pyramid and provide the neccessary resources.
You know, I must say I find it quite sad to see The Olympics, which should be a pinnacle for human sports achievement and something all us can be proud of, turned into a fucking branding exercise.
according to JK Galbraith in ‘American Capitalism’ the landlords rent price is adventitious and a result of the other imbalanced forces in the economy.
The real problem and it is going to get worse as the days go on is jobs and income but while this government is busy screwing everything as far down as possible there is not much hope of the labourer being worth his hire and receiving his/her due.
“All the time the guard was looking at her,
first through a telescope,
then through a microscope,
and then through an opera glass.
At last he said, ‘You’re travelling the wrong way,’
and shut up the window…..
Now watch this cunning Key. He has opened up debate on water rights,
The red necks are back in force.Will he call an early election then fight it on ownership of water for Maori.I would not be surprised . Unfortunatly race issues gets the red neck Tories out in force. I hope im wrong ,but Key is trying o back out of the asset sales at this moment.
Did anyone see Bryan Bruce last night re investigating the mid June 1970 Crewe murders?
Throughout the programme it dawned on me how much transparency the police lack toward Rochelle Crewe because she may never be able to even read the police file. I feel that if this is what Rochelle wants, Rochelle should have it, and if she choses to have it independently scrutinised this should also be allowed. Possibly there are people out there who will not talk to the cops (because of their track record with the Crewe case) but they would talk to someone like Bruce and were he to see the entire police file, you never know what oxygen could turn up.
Bruce is so right when it comes to every police commissioner in the last 40 years not being transparent. What Meurant had to say about Walton, my ears pricked up. I also have something to say about Walton re a 1979 CIB police inquisition. Cover up, after cover up, after cover up …
I wonder where all the police files are/go which the police do not want interested parties to see?
Just clicked onto Parliament TV to see what was happening there and caught Asenati Lole-Taylor, NZF’s Pacifica woman MP, speaking against the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill which is in its Committee stages in the House. And – wow; I was pretty impressed as IMO opinion she is someone to watch in terms of her slugging it to them and representing the Pacifica situation here in NZ.
So the Key-Maori Party meeting has begun, at 9 pm.
All smiles by midnight? Anyone want to pick the language for ‘Statement Bingo’?
Something like …
Key to acknowledge “need for improved communication between partners”, pledges “respect for mana of Turia and Sharples”, pays tribute to “their valued contribution”, yada yadda.
Turia and Sharples reaffirm support for “the judicial process”, and “stable government”. More yadda.
They’re worse. They’ve travelled a greater distance from the wairua of Maoridom than has the same self-seeking Pakeha from his relatively more individualistic society.
All for self indulgence and vanity. “My people…..” indeed. Peter’s and Toryana’s “people” are so far behind in the BMW exhaust fumes that they’ve been lost sight of altogether.
Wonder when we’ll have our first Maori High Commissioner in London and our first Maori ambassador in Washington ?
Last night’s meeting between The Ponce, Peter, and Toryana will have addressed those questions I guess.
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A listing of 24 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, January 26, 2025 thru Sat, February 1, 2025. This week's roundup is again published soleley by category. We are still interested in feedback to hone the categorization, so if ...
What seems to be the common theme in the US, NZ, Argentina and places like Italy under their respective rightwing governments is what I think of as “the politics of cruelty.” Hate-mongering, callous indifference in social policy-making, corporate toadying, political bullying, intimidation and punching down on the most vulnerable with ...
If you are confused, check with the sunCarry a compass to help you alongYour feet are going to be on the groundYour head is there to move you aroundSo, stand in the place where you liveSongwriters: Bill Berry / Michael Mills / Michael Stipe / Peter Buck.Hot in the CityYesterday, ...
Shane Jones announced today he would be contracting out his thinking to a smarter younger person.Reclining on his chaise longue with a mouth full of oysters and Kina he told reporters:Clearly I have become a has-been, a palimpsest, an epigone, a bloviating fossil. I find myself saying such things as: ...
Warning: This post contains references to sexual assaultOn Saturday, I spent far too long editing a video on Tim Jago, the ACT Party President and criminal, who has given up his fight for name suppression after 2 years. He voluntarily gave up just in time for what will be a ...
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 from the Gigafact team in collaboration with members from our team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is global warming ...
Our low-investment, low-wage, migration-led and housing-market-driven political economy has delivered poorer productivity growth than the rest of the OECD, and our performance since Covid has been particularly poor. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate and poverty this ...
..Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.As far as major government announcements go, a Three Ministers Event is Big. It can signify a major policy development or something has gone Very Well, or an absolute Clusterf**k. When Three Ministers assemble ...
One of those blasts from the past. Peter Dunne – originally neoliberal Labour, then leader of various parties that sought to work with both big parties (generally National) – has taken to calling ...
Completed reads for January: I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson The Black Spider, by Jeremias Gotthelf The Spider and the Fly (poem), by Mary Howitt A Noiseless Patient Spider (poem), by Walt Whitman August Heat, by W.F. Harvey Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White The Shrinking Man, by Richard Matheson ...
Do its Property Right Provisions Make Sense?Last week I pointed out that it is uninformed to argue that the New Zealand’s apparently poor economic performance can be traced only to poor regulations. Even were there evidence they had some impact, there are other factors. Of course, we should seek to ...
Richard Wagstaff It was incredibly jarring to hear the hubris from the Prime Minister during his recent state of the nation address. I had just spent close to a week working though the stories and thoughts shared with us by nearly 2000 working people as part of our annual Mood ...
Odd fact about the Broadcasting Standards Authority: for the last few years, they’ve only been upholding about 5% of complaints. Why? I think there’s a range of reasons. Generally responsible broadcasters. Dumb complaints. Complaints brought under the wrong standard. Greater adherence to broadcasters’ rights to freedom of expression in the ...
And I said, "Mama, mama, mama, why am I so alone"'Cause I can't go outside, I'm scared I might not make it homeWell I'm alive, I'm alive, but I'm sinking inIf there's anyone at home at your place, darlingWhy don't you invite me in?Don't try to feed me'Cause I've been ...
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ star is on the rise, having just added the Energy, Local Government and Revenue portfolios to his responsibilities - but there is nothing ambitious about the Government’s new climate targets. Photo: SuppliedLong stories short, the top six things in our political economy around housing, climate ...
It may have been a short week but there’s been no shortage of things that caught our attention. Here is some of the most interesting. This week in Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt took a look at public transport ridership in 2024 On Thursday Connor asked some questions ...
The East Is Red: Journalists and commentators are referring to the sudden and disruptive arrival of DeepSeek as a second “Sputnik moment”. (Sputnik being the name given by the godless communists of the Soviet Union to the world’s first artificial satellite which, to the consternation and dismay of the Americans, ...
Hi,Back on inauguration day we launched a ridiculous RFK Jr. “brain worms” tee on the Webworm store, and I told you I’d be throwing my profits over to Mutual Aid LA and Rainbow Youth New Zealand. Just to show I am not full of shit, here are the receipts. I ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on the week in geopolitics, including the latest from Donald Trump over Gaza and Ukraine.Health expert and author David Galler ...
In an uncompromising paper Treasury has basically told the Government that its plan for a third medical school at Waikato University is a waste of money. Furthermore, the country cannot afford it. That advice was released this week by the Treasury under the Official Information Act. And it comes as ...
Back in November, He Pou a Rangi provided the government with formal advice on the domestic contribution to our next Paris target. Not what the target should be, but what we could realistically achieve, by domestic action alone, without resorting to offshore mitigation. Their answer was startling: depending on exactly ...
Photo by Mauricio Fanfa on UnsplashKia oraCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm today.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with myself , plus regular guest David Patman and ...
I don't like to spend all my time complaining about our government, so let me complain about the media first.Senior journalistic Herald person Thomas Coughlan reported that Treasury replied yeah nah, wrong bro to Luxon's claim that our benighted little country has been in recession for three years.His excitement rose ...
Back in 2022, when the government was consulting internally about proactive release of cabinet papers, the SIS opposed it. The basis of their opposition was the "mosaic effect" - people being able to piece together individual pieces of innocuous public information in a way which supposedly harms "national security" (effectively: ...
With The Stroke Of A Pen:Populism, especially right-wing populism, invests all the power of an electoral/parliamentary majority in a single political leader because it no longer trusts the bona fides of the sprawling political class among whom power is traditionally dispersed. Populism eschews traditional politics, because, among populists, traditional politics ...
Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. The intention was to establish a colony with the cession of sovereignty to the Crown, ...
Te Whatu Ora Chief Executive Margie Apa leaving her job four months early is another symptom of this government’s failure to deliver healthcare for New Zealanders. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Prime Minister to show leadership and be unequivocal about Aotearoa New Zealand’s opposition to a proposal by the US President to remove Palestinians from Gaza. ...
The latest unemployment figures reveal that job losses are hitting Māori and Pacific people especially hard, with Māori unemployment reaching a staggering 9.7% for the December 2024 quarter and Pasifika unemployment reaching 10.5%. ...
Waitangi 2025: Waitangi Day must be community and not politically driven - Shane Jones Our originating document, theTreaty of Waitangi, was signed on February 6, 1840. An agreement between Māori and the British Crown. Initially inked by Ngā Puhi in Waitangi, further signatures were added as it travelled south. ...
Despite being confronted every day with people in genuine need being stopped from accessing emergency housing – National still won’t commit to building more public houses. ...
The Green Party says the Government is giving up on growing the country’s public housing stock, despite overwhelming evidence that we need more affordable houses to solve the housing crisis. ...
Before any thoughts of the New Year and what lies ahead could even be contemplated, New Zealand reeled with the tragedy of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming losing her life. For over 38 years she had faithfully served as a front-line Police officer. Working alongside her was Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. ...
Te Pāti Māori is appalled by the government's blatant mishandling of the school lunch programme. David Seymour’s ‘cost-saving’ measures have left tamariki across Aotearoa with unidentifiable meals, causing distress and outrage among parents and communities alike. “What’s the difference between providing inedible food, and providing no food at all?” Said ...
The Government is doubling down on outdated and volatile fossil fuels, showing how shortsighted and destructive their policies are for working New Zealanders. ...
Green Party MP Steve Abel this morning joined Coromandel locals in Waihi to condemn new mining plans announced by Shane Jones in the pit of the town’s Australian-owned Gold mine. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to strengthen its just-announced 2030-2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement and address its woeful lack of commitment to climate security. ...
Today marks a historic moment for Taranaki iwi with the passing of the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill in Parliament. "Today, we stand together as descendants of Taranaki, and our tūpuna, Taranaki Maunga, is now formally acknowledged by the law as a living tūpuna. ...
Labour is relieved to see Children’s Minister Karen Chhour has woken up to reality and reversed her government’s terrible decisions to cut funding from frontline service providers – temporarily. ...
It is the first week of David Seymour’s school lunch programme and already social media reports are circulating of revolting meals, late deliveries, and mislabelled packaging. ...
The Green Party says that with no-cause evictions returning from today, the move to allow landlords to end tenancies without reason plunges renters, and particularly families who rent, into insecurity and stress. ...
The Government’s move to increase speed limits substantially on dozens of stretches of rural and often undivided highways will result in more serious harm. ...
In her first announcement as Economic Growth Minister, Nicola Willis chose to loosen restrictions for digital nomads from other countries, rather than focus on everyday Kiwis. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to stand firm and work with allies to progress climate action as Donald Trump signals his intent to pull out of the Paris Climate Accords once again. ...
The Government’s commitment to get New Zealand’s roads back on track is delivering strong results, with around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways repaired within 24 hours of identification every month since targets were introduced, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says. “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is ...
The former Cadbury factory will be the site of the Inpatient Building for the new Dunedin Hospital and Health Minister Simeon Brown says actions have been taken to get the cost overruns under control. “Today I am giving the people of Dunedin certainty that we will build the new Dunedin ...
From today, Plunket in Whāngarei will be offering childhood immunisations – the first of up to 27 sites nationwide, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. The investment of $1 million into the pilot, announced in October 2024, was made possible due to the Government’s record $16.68 billion investment in health. It ...
New Zealand’s strong commitment to the rights of disabled people has continued with the response to an important United Nations report, Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston has announced. Of the 63 concluding observations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), 47 will be progressed ...
Resources Minister Shane Jones has launched New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List, documents that lay a strategic and enduring path for the mineral sector, with the aim of doubling exports to $3 billion by 2035. Mr Jones released the documents, which present the Coalition Government’s transformative vision ...
Firstly I want to thank OceanaGold for hosting our event today. Your operation at Waihi is impressive. I want to acknowledge local MP Scott Simpson, local government dignitaries, community stakeholders and all of you who have gathered here today. It’s a privilege to welcome you to the launch of the ...
Racing Minister, Winston Peters has announced the Government is preparing public consultation on GST policy proposals which would make the New Zealand racing industry more competitive. “The racing industry makes an important economic contribution. New Zealand thoroughbreds are in demand overseas as racehorses and for breeding. The domestic thoroughbred industry ...
Business confidence remains very high and shows the economy is on track to improve, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. “The latest ANZ Business Outlook survey, released yesterday, shows business confidence and expected own activity are ‘still both very high’.” The survey reports business confidence fell eight points to +54 ...
Enabling works have begun this week on an expanded radiology unit at Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital which will double CT scanning capacity in Hawke’s Bay to ensure more locals can benefit from access to timely, quality healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. This investment of $29.3m in the ...
The Government has today announced New Zealand’s second international climate target under the Paris Agreement, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand will reduce emissions by 51 to 55 per cent compared to 2005 levels, by 2035. “We have worked hard to set a target that is both ambitious ...
Nine years of negotiations between the Crown and iwi of Taranaki have concluded following Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/the Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its third reading in Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the historical grievances endured by the eight iwi ...
As schools start back for 2025, there will be a relentless focus on teaching the basics brilliantly so all Kiwi kids grow up with the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to grow the New Zealand of the future, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “A world-leading education system is a key ...
Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson have welcomed Kāinga Ora’s decision to re-open its tender for carpets to allow wool carpet suppliers to bid. “In 2024 Kāinga Ora issued requests for tender (RFTs) seeking bids from suppliers to carpet their properties,” Mr Bishop says. “As part ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today visited Otahuhu College where the new school lunch programme has served up healthy lunches to students in the first days of the school year. “As schools open in 2025, the programme will deliver nutritious meals to around 242,000 students, every school day. On ...
Minister for Children Karen Chhour has intervened in Oranga Tamariki’s review of social service provider contracts to ensure Barnardos can continue to deliver its 0800 What’s Up hotline. “When I found out about the potential impact to this service, I asked Oranga Tamariki for an explanation. Based on the information ...
A bill to make revenue collection on imported and exported goods fairer and more effective had its first reading in Parliament, Customs Minister Casey Costello said today. “The Customs (Levies and Other Matters) Amendment Bill modernises the way in which Customs can recover the costs of services that are needed ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Department of Internal Affairs [the Department] has achieved significant progress in completing applications for New Zealand citizenship. “December 2024 saw the Department complete 5,661 citizenship applications, the most for any month in 2024. This is a 54 per cent increase compared ...
Reversals to Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions begin tonight and will be in place by 1 July, says Minister of Transport Chris Bishop. “The previous government was obsessed with slowing New Zealanders down by imposing illogical and untargeted speed limit reductions on state highways and local roads. “National campaigned on ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has announced Budget 2025 – the Growth Budget - will be delivered on Thursday 22 May. “This year’s Budget will drive forward the Government’s plan to grow our economy to improve the incomes of New Zealanders now and in the years ahead. “Budget 2025 will build ...
For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament. “Just over a year ago this Government was elected by ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes students back to school with a call to raise attendance from last year. “The Government encourages all students to attend school every day because there is a clear connection between being present at school and setting yourself up for a bright future,” says Mr ...
The Government is relaxing visitor visa requirements to allow tourists to work remotely while visiting New Zealand, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism Minister Louise Upston say. “The change is part of the Government’s plan to unlock New Zealand’s potential by shifting the country onto ...
The opening of Kāinga Ora’s development of 134 homes in Epuni, Lower Hutt will provide much-needed social housing for Hutt families, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I’ve been a strong advocate for social housing on Kāinga Ora’s Epuni site ever since the old earthquake-prone housing was demolished in 2015. I ...
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will travel to Australia today for meetings with Australian Trade Minister, Senator Don Farrell, and the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF). Mr McClay recently hosted Minister Farrell in Rotorua for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers’ meeting, where ANZLF presented on ...
A new monthly podiatry clinic has been launched today in Wairoa and will bring a much-needed service closer to home for the Wairoa community, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.“Health New Zealand has been successful in securing a podiatrist until the end of June this year to meet the needs of ...
The Judicial Conduct Commissioner has recommended a Judicial Conduct Panel be established to inquire into and report on the alleged conduct of acting District Court Judge Ema Aitken in an incident last November, Attorney-General Judith Collins said today. “I referred the matter of Judge Aitken’s alleged conduct during an incident ...
Students who need extra help with maths are set to benefit from a targeted acceleration programme that will give them more confidence in the classroom, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Last year, significant numbers of students did not meet the foundational literacy and numeracy level required to gain NCEA. To ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced three new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ...
Ki te kahore he whakakitenga, ka ngaro te Iwi – without a vision, the people will perish. The Government has achieved its target to reduce the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75 per cent five years early, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The number of households ...
The opening of Palmerston North’s biggest social housing development will have a significant impact for whānau in need of safe, warm, dry housing, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The minister visited the development today at North Street where a total of 50 two, three, and four-bedroom homes plus a ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the new membership of the Public Advisory Committee on Disarmament and Arms Control (PACDAC), who will serve for a three-year term. “The Committee brings together wide-ranging expertise relevant to disarmament. We have made six new appointments to the Committee and reappointed two existing members ...
Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora, good morning, talofa, malo e lelei, bula vinaka, da jia hao, namaste, sat sri akal, assalamu alaikum. It’s so great to be here and I’m ready and pumped for 2025. Can I start by acknowledging: Simon Bridges – CEO of the Auckland ...
The Government has unveiled a bold new initiative to position New Zealand as a premier destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) that will create higher paying jobs and grow the economy. “Invest New Zealand will streamline the investment process and provide tailored support to foreign investors, to increase capital investment ...
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced the largest reset of the New Zealand science system in more than 30 years with reforms which will boost the economy and benefit the sector. “The reforms will maximise the value of the $1.2 billion in government funding that goes into ...
Turbocharging New Zealand’s economic growth is the key to brighter days ahead for all Kiwis, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. In the Prime Minister’s State of the Nation Speech in Auckland today, Christopher Luxon laid out the path to the prosperity that will affect all aspects of New Zealanders’ lives. ...
The latest set of accounts show the Government has successfully checked the runaway growth of public spending, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “In the previous government’s final five months in office, public spending was almost 10 per cent higher than for the same period the previous year. “That is completely ...
The Government’s welfare reforms are delivering results with the number of people moving off benefits into work increasing year-on-year for six straight months. “There are positive signs that our welfare reset and the return consequences for job seekers who don't fulfil their obligations to prepare for or find a job ...
Jon Kroll and Aimee McCammon have been appointed to the New Zealand Film Commission Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am delighted to appoint these two new board members who will bring a wealth of industry, governance, and commercial experience to the Film Commission. “Jon Kroll has been an ...
Finance Minister Nicola Willis has hailed a drop in the domestic component of inflation, saying it increases the prospect of mortgage rate reductions and a lower cost of living for Kiwi households. Stats NZ reported today that inflation was 2.2 per cent in the year to December, the second consecutive ...
Two new appointed members and one reappointed member of the Employment Relations Authority have been announced by Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden today. “I’m pleased to announce the new appointed members Helen van Druten and Matthew Piper to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) and welcome them to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The weekend byelection in the outer suburban seat of Werribee saw the widely-anticipated slap-in-the-face to Victorian Labor, which is absolutely on the nose. The question is: to what degree were electors venting against federal Labor ...
Mediawatch -Trump's alarmed the world with trade tariffs, turning off aid and proposing to take over Gaza. But New Zealand's had diplomatic drama in the news too - with the media in the middle of it. ...
By Rachel Helyer Donaldson, RNZ News journalist New Zealand should be robust in its response to the “unacceptable” situation in Gaza but it must also back its allies against threats by the US President, says an international relations academic. Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman said the rest ...
A Christchurch man who lost 55 relatives in three Israeli airstrikes on Gaza says his remaining family will never leave, despite a US proposal to remove them. ...
Asia Pacific Report A national Palestine advocacy group has hit back at critics of its “genocide hotline” campaign against soldiers involved in Israel’s war against Gaza, saying New Zealand should be actively following international law. The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) dismissed a “predictable lineup of apologists for Israel” for ...
ACT Party leader David Seymour said he wrote to police about the treatment of Philip Polkinghorne because it's an electorate MP's job to pass on the concerns of their constituents. ...
MEDIAWATCH:By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter By the time US President Donald Trump announced tariffs on China and Canada last Monday which could kickstart a trade war, New Zealand’s diplomats in Washington, DC, had already been deployed on another diplomatic drama. Republican Senator Ted Cruz had said on social ...
By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown says New Zealand is asking for too much oversight over its deal with China, which is expected to be penned in Beijing next week. Brown told RNZ Pacific the Cook Islands-New Zealand relationship was reciprocal. “They certainly did ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Byelections occurred on Saturday in the Victorian state seats of Prahran and Werribee. The Liberals gained Prahran from the Greens by a ...
A long time ago, Brian Turner wrote a poem in which, among the mountains, as he slept on a river flat … My speechless ancestors played like mice among my dreamsand he woke to the river running over my bed of stone. I have come to know that where a ...
Pacific Media Watch President Donald Trump has frozen billions of dollars around the world in aid projects, including more than $268 million allocated by Congress to support independent media and the free flow of information. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has denounced this decision, which has plunged NGOs, media outlets, and ...
Otago University professor of international relations Robert Patman says New Zealand should provide a robust response to Donald Trump's Gaza plan, and also "should stop tip-toeing" around Trump. ...
The new minister of transport has opened the door for public consultation on at least some of the speed limit changes the government said would be automatic. ...
Officially, they’re called ‘memecoins,’ but Kōura Wealth founder Rupert Carlyon says the crypto world has another name for them: ‘shitcoins’.In digital finance, that phrase is used for tokens that have no true value – in essence, a money-grab.A few days before his inauguration, US President Donald Trump launched his own ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. Guy Williams has made a whole show off the joke that he is a “volunteer” journalist. So getting publicly owned by David Seymour while trying to act as a journalist is a good and timely reminder not to underestimate the nuance and ...
Many of Sāmoa’s beloved dishes are the result of cultural collaboration, writes Madeleine Chapman. All photos by Jin FelletIf you ever find yourself at a barbecue in a Sāmoan home, there’s 99% chance that sapasui (chop suey) will be on the table. For the past century, sapasui has ...
The funnyman takes us through his life in television, including Jono and Ben mayhem, live Telethon flubs, and funnelling all those experiences into his new comedy Vince. There’s an inciting incident in Three’s new comedy Vince where morning television presenter Vince Walters (Jono Pryor) is visiting sick kids in hospital ...
People often claim they just want Waitangi Day to be a celebration. At Waitangi, away from the headlined political acrimony and the marae ātea, celebrating is what most people are doing. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous ...
Is there anything more fashionable than a Māori get together? One of the best things about Northland is that nobody cares what they look like — probably because they’re all naturally more stylish than the rest of us, famously. Māori from the Far North, especially. In 27 degree heat, wearing ...
I’ve been in love with him since last July, but it’s only now in this tepid hotel room that I find myself wondering why. The first thing he does when we arrive is smoke a cone in the bathroom – he emerges, hacking up a lung, fists thrust into his ...
MONDAY“Name,” barked a representative of the lower orders.I regarded him with a look of stern disapproval, and told him from up high, “May I remind you that I have name suppression. I shall also thank you to ask with more respect as befits a former president of the Act Party, ...
Books of Mana: 180 Māori-Authored Books of Significance, edited by Jacinta Ruru, Angela Wanhalla and Jeanette Wikaira has just been released by Otago University Press. In this essay, Books are Taonga, Jeanette Wikaira explores her personal relationship to books and their value.For me, books are taonga. The knowledge ...
Get to know Tara, our latest Dog of the Month. This feature was offered as a reward during our What’s Eating Aotearoa PledgeMe campaign. Thank you to Tara’s human for their support! Dog name: Tara Age: Two Breed: Mostly Border Collie and a little bit Catahoula Leopard dog If dog ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Health NZ's CEO has resigned, but frontline healthworkers are sceptical that installing new leadership will make any difference to a system grappling with problems. ...
Gail Duncan, Chairperson of the St Peter’s on Willis Social Justice Group, one of the organisations invited to submit on the Bill, says the Government’s actions are unprecedented. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amani Kasherwa, School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, The University of Queensland In late January, a rebel group that has long caused mayhem in the sprawling African nation of Democratic Republic of Congo took control of Goma, a major city of ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yee-Fui Ng, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Monash University An ad falsely depicting independent candidate Alex Dyson as a Greens member.ABC News/Supplied The highly pertinent case of a little-known independent candidate in the Victorian seat of Wannon has exposed a gaping ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lauren Ball, Professor of Community Health and Wellbeing, The University of Queensland Nik/Unsplash You might have heard that eating too many eggs will cause high cholesterol levels, leading to poor health. Researchers have examined the science behind this myth again, and ...
Everything you missed from the third day of the Treaty principles bill hearings, when the Justice Committee heard four hours of oral submission. Read our recaps of day one of the hearings here, and day two here. Parliament was quiet on Friday for the third day of hearings on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Thomas Jeffries, Senior Lecturer in Microbiology, Western Sydney University Tijana Simic/Shutterstock The news last week that three people in Sydney were hospitalised with botulism after receiving botox injections has raised questions about the regulation of the cosmetic injectables industry. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jens Blotevogel, Principal Research Scientist and Team Leader for Remediation Technologies, CSIRO Mino Surkala, Shutterstock Lithium-ion batteries are part of everyday life. They power small rechargeable devices such as mobile phones and laptops. They enable electric vehicles. And larger versions store ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edith Jennifer Hill, Associate Lecturer, Learning & Teaching Innovation, Flinders University Netflix Netflix’s new limited series, Apple Cider Vinegar, tells the story of the elaborate cancer con orchestrated by Australian blogger Annabelle (Belle) Gibson. The first episode opens with Gibson’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dee Ninis, Earthquake Scientist, Monash University Greece’s government has just declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini, as earthquakes shake the island multiple times a day and sometimes only minutes apart. The “earthquake swarm” is also affecting other ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Western Australian state election will be held on March 8. A Newspoll, conducted January 29 to February 4 from a sample ...
Some headlines make you wonder how crazy we are when we allow this scenario….
“Systems in history are defined above all by who controls the wealth,” Alperovitz says. “The top 400 people own more wealth now than the bottom 185 million Americans taken together. That is a medieval structure.”
Makes me wonder how it looks here in NZ and how much that tiny group control our politics?
http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/2012-07-17/gar-alperovitz%E2%80%99s-green-party-keynote-we-are-laying-groundwork-next-great-revoluti
Fits nicely with George Monbiot’s article After 800 years, the barons in control in Britain
About young people trying to opt out of the corporate structure.
These things are related. The thing for me is that if you have no rights to collect or gather food or to create a shelter then the ‘barons’ have an obligation to ensure you have a means of exchange for those things. This is being seriously eroded in the UK and US and NZ is on the same path albeit closer to the beginning.
The whole access to (and poor can’t create) shelter issue is at crisis point in NZ. There is a seriously lack of sufficient affordable housing, especially in Auckland. And all NAct can do is to set Bennett on to blaming (alleged) slum landlords.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7296777/Bennett-challenged-to-visit-caravan-park
My long-time experience of landlords, is that most of them are OK, and not out to rort me. But when there’s a shortage of affordable housing, the rents go up. Some prospective tenants are offering over the advertised rent, in order to secure accommodation. So what happens to those at the bottom of the income hierarchy?
I remember being shocked a few decades back when I first heard of Americans living in trailer parks. I didn’t realise WINZ was recommending caravan parks for the unemployed here.
if we had real subs instead of walk-ins, the headline could have read:
” Heaven challenges Bennett to visit ”
🙂
‘Minister won’t go to Heaven’?
‘Fat Arse won’t fit through Pearly Gates’?
‘Bennett won’t go to Heaven; Devil denies entry to Hades: ‘We have standards too, you know’.’
“My long-time experience of landlords, is that most of them are OK, and not out to rort me.”
I think you’ll find that’s changed a lot Carol. There’s a different breed entered the landlord market over the last decade or so, only need look at how many took up the opportunity to raise their rents in ChCh and Auck. A lot of them are venal parasites sucking the blood out of the working class. People in business at least pay workers for their labours, these leeches want to get rich off the toil of others and give nothing in return.
To me one of the most offensive & contemptible acts of the last Labour Govt was giving property speculators more tax breaks via LAQCs etc. We pay a fortune in tax to support the underprivileged and the group who contribute the most to causing poverty in this country got to pay even less tax.
DH, I do think that under certain circumstances the amount of exploitative and parasitic landlords increase: e.g. when there is a shortage of houses and little regulation of property speculation.
To me this means housing can’t be left to the “market”, but government should create the conditions for there to be sufficient, safe and affordable housing.
My experience of renting over the last decade or so in NZ as been good. I do think most landlords are not of the unfair and exploitative kind.
I completely agree that there is a housing crisis in NZ. I do want to point out though that there are people in NZ living in caravans and quite happy with it. Some people even choose this over living in a house. There are also long standing communities existing in camp grounds that are completely legitimate ways for people to live together. Please do not automatically assume that living in a caravan or camp ground is a bad thing.
I also think that as we get into energy descent we need to rethink what housing means. At this point in time it makes sense to try and build as many durable, well insulated, and easy to heat houses as we can, and obviously the govt should be prioritising resources to the most vulnerable people in the community. But a time will come when we don’t have the resources to build the way we do now, and we need to be thinking about that now.
Agreed, weka. When I recently moved I considered getting a caravan. I would be happy living in one or in a camp. But I’m single and don’t have children.
For a start, members of Parliament should set the standard: non-Wellington based electorate MPs should live in caravans on the few nights of the week when Parliament is sitting.
Times are tough and NZ has had to weather the Chch earthquake, etc etc and savings need to be made.
The accommodation allowance for our value-for-money MPs, including Cabinet Ministers, can be capped at the level suitable for a basic caravan at a nearby caravan park. Shower and toilet can be accessed via Beehive & Bowen House.
In the last month or two Turia attended a world indigenous housing summit. There was an audible gasp from the audience when she said that 3 million was alocated for housing. I assume it was for indigenous housing from the NZ government.
How much housing does 3 million buy?
It would not even buy one in Key – Land treetop.
I’d love to email your comment to Turia, Morning Report (source of info) and the recent world indigenous housing summit in Vancouver. A National disgrace.
The Diggers 2012 movement that Monbiot writes about, is an interesting one. And this from one of the present day diggers, is relevant to NZ, Waitangi Tribunal issues, etc:
And Monbiot nails it here:
If you look at some of the rural areas, and the pressure on housing in the cities, we are further down that path than we like to imagine. And would be even further along still if Australia wasn’t absorbing our work force.
Thanks for the link Bored. There is always fascinating reading and listening on http://www.democracy.org. Amy Goodman shines a light in America’s murkiest places and it requires courage on her part often, to do so. If you haven’t read it already “Exception to the Rulers” which is co authored by her and among other things discusses the functions and social effects of the power elite.
And yes, it does make you wonder how much of that influence makes it to our shores. Definitely we already have some really dodgy multi nationals operating here, that is known, but what about the hidden connections and agenda’s? They have their fingers in pies everywhere. Its quite chilling.
I was recently told by a Scots new immigrant that one of the reasons he was drawn to NZ was because we are 20 years behind the rest of the world, in every respect. I felt he thought we were quite naive and quaint (I’m sure he’s not the only one!)So if things are bad enough here in regards to the weakening of our collective influence as a people, our access to common areas etc, and the people of USA and Britain are being to returned to a new feudalism under corporate rule, how long before we are totally absorbed by it too?
Er, that would be http://www.democracynow.org
Kelvin Smythe is always a good read on educational matters, especially concerning the current situation. Here’s his take on a John Roughan editorial from last week.
http://www.networkonnet.co.nz/index.php?section=latest&id=431
Thanks for the link Tony. The practice of unattributed Editorials must stop – the only reason a name was not attached in the past was because everyone knew who the Editor was – now it could be any one of a number of different people. Given the often nauseating opinions expressed within there is no excuse for these so called journalists to be hiding behind the paper skirt of the institution. Sign the petition:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/petition/An_end_to_unattributed_anonymous_Editorials_in_New_Zealands_Newspapers/
“… the only reason a name was not attached in the past was because everyone knew who the Editor was…”
That is not the case at all. The leaders are attributed to the Editor because they are responsible for what is printed in the newspaper. It has been a journalistic tradition for quite literally centuries for deputy eds and other senior staff to share the editorial responsibilities. The editorials represent the views of the paper, not those of the hack writing them.
I stand corrected TRP – However tradition or no I can see no valid reason for readers to not be informed of who is responsible for the article. An editorial coveys an impression of authority – however there can be no authority without accountability. If ‘senior staff’ wish to say something then they should own it.
Cheers, Campbell. I note that the tradition is changing though and I think most regional newspapers now have an editorial that is openly written by the editor. Probably because there is no one else to do it, what with there being little need for real journalists these days!
With a lot of journo’s encouraged to blog as well as publish articles, it is easier to see what individuals think. But, at heart, this is a philosophical question. That is, does the editorial line reflect the paper’s views or does it represent the views of individual writers? And does the paper’s views, as represented in editorials, nowadays more accurately reflect what the owners think, rather than the editor?
A paper cannot hold a ‘view’ or an ‘opinion’ these are person specific attributes. The words belong unequivocally to the author, the decision to publish is attributable to those whom have the authority to make the decision.
My assertion is that the public have a right to know who writes the Editorials and who approves them. Only with this disclosure can we assess the context of the opinion on display, and hold the correct people accountable when this process appears to be corrupt.
Well, as I pointed earlier, papers do hold views. They promote an editorial line. That is why the Gaurdian is different from the Times, the NBR from the Kapiti Shopper. Not becaue of the individual reporters, but becaue this is a projection of how the title sees itself. All sorts of organisations have values that they seek to project publicly. That’s not a refelction of the individuals that work for them, but of how the organisations see themselves and how they want to be seen.
When I do media interviews, I do not speak for myself, I speak for my employer. And a good thing too, because I don’t think my employer wants to hear my personal views on the Randian Superheroes and other assorted incompetents I have to deal with every other day broadcast to the nation at 6pm. I put the view of the organisation I represent, which is what they expect of me and what newspapers expect of their leader writers.
.
I see where you are coming from, and I agree that the owner/ paper/ writer relationships do raise questions regarding journalistic Epistemology/ Ontology which are not easily settled.
With the transfer of more and more of the fourth estate into the hands of corporations who have few qualms about furthering their own interests the individual integrity of journalists is fast becoming the only separation between news and PR – that and the increasing ability of the public to challenge their authority and hold them to account.
Andrew Geddis has this to say in the comments when discussing a piece by John Roughan in the Herald:
Which suggests that in his opinion the diversity of views in editorials comes about from having a range of different views expressed, and that the choice on what to publish rests solely in the hands of The Editor (singular).
However how are we to be assured of a representative pool of contributors if this information is not publicly available and routinely displayed? In any case I’m not convinced that this results in a truly representative Editorial and can see no valid reason why this practice persists. Perhaps someone from a paper would like to defend the need for Editorial anonymity?
I understand the need for anonymity here on the Standard, having had one of my employers threatened over one of my comments here, but the Herald writers are professional journalists and routinely display their names in conjunction with their opinions, so why the discrepancy when it comes to the Editorial?
Edit: Which suggests that in his opinion the diversity of views in editorials comes about from having a range of different authors, and that the choice of which author to publish rests solely in the hands of The Editor (singular).
Insufficient proof reading before button pressing.
Oh the shifting sands of meaning TRP – until 2010 the editorial was wiki this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Opinion_piece&oldid=349195101
The Oxford however is quite clear:
http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/editorial
The Public’s perception is that Oxford defines what we are getting when what we are actually being given is the newWiki – and that my friend is the problem.
This was on the 13th july
So much for the openess touted by Parata
A secret meeting of some members of the ministerial cross sector education forum is being held today, without the knowledge of many of the group’s members.
The group – called the G30 – was formed in the wake of the government’s class size backdown and has been touted by education minister Hekia Parata as a way of ensuring such a disconnect with the sector did not happen again.
However, PPTA has discovered a meeting is being is being held today of hand-picked members of the G-30 group, general secretary Kevin Bunker said.
The media reports today (Herald) that ACC Minister ‘Crushless’ Collins has secured a High court date in Feb 2013 in the matter of the long whinged about (by her) alleged defamation by Andrew Little and Trev Mallard re brain injured Bronwyn Pullar’s ACC whistleblowing and surrounding events.
Now that may seem a long wait for ‘Crushless’, (kicking for touch actually as there is apparently going to be a last chance pre court conference in November ’12), but how about Paula Bennett’s drawn out privacy case resulting from when she publically outed several dirthy filthy DPB bennies personal details in July 2009… still waiting on the outcome of that one.
When it comes to Collins I find her to be pathetic when it comes to defending her reputation because when it comes to being a minister she has to DECIDE why she is there and that she is there to be effective. Collins needs to walk in the shoes of sensitive claimants (in particular historical cases) and she will get an education.
1. Some historical sensitive claimants cases go back to before the 1961 Crimes Act.
2. Often a claimant is not being treated individually e.g. their case is complicated, they have a mental health condition or an addiction.
3. The small pool of ACC assessors are being managed by ACC and ACC have reinterpreted legislation.
4. 3.6 % of sensitive claims have been accepted (think in the past year). 60 % of sensitive claims were accepted in 2008.
5. 40 % less sensitive claim applications (think in the past year) probably because of how hard it is to access the 16 counselling sessions and how disengaged ACC assessors/non medical staff are towards sensitive claimants.
In 18 months ACC is to go back to Dr Disley who is on a panel which looked at 14 recommendations for sensitive claimants when Smith was the ACC minister. In the meantime I do not think anything will change because Collins doesn’t get it what being sexually violated and raped in childhood can do/does.
My message to Collins is that cover determination has been reinterpreted for sensitive claimants and every one who puts in a claim to ACC for ANY injury has the right to have their entitlement under the Act and some past Acts.
I am no fan of Bennett, but I have to give it to her that she has some focus on her portfolio when it comes to children being abused while in CYF care. From July 2010 – June 2011 71 children were abused while in CYF care. It took 7 weeks to collate this information. Bennett knows there needs to be a centralised data base to collate the abuse of children while in CYF care. Currently information is kept at local sites and for there to be a centralised site important information is more likely to be seen. Bennett has also had a focus on compensating historical cases of children being abused while in the care of social welfare.
When it comes to Collins she is also the justice minister and no doubt some of the historical social welfare cases are because of decisions made by the courts.
ACC now has to solve the many problems thay have caused due to their stingy penny pinching.
CYF have to put children at the top of the pyramid and provide the neccessary resources.
You know, I must say I find it quite sad to see The Olympics, which should be a pinnacle for human sports achievement and something all us can be proud of, turned into a fucking branding exercise.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/britain-flooded-with-brand-police-to-protect-sponsors-7945436.html
I’m just woefully disappointed that none of the truly British events are going to be included in the games.
How about a bit of “Urban Sprinting”? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8CEzILvtg8
Or “Knock and Don’t Run”? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoxcZiWK79c
😀
according to JK Galbraith in ‘American Capitalism’ the landlords rent price is adventitious and a result of the other imbalanced forces in the economy.
The real problem and it is going to get worse as the days go on is jobs and income but while this government is busy screwing everything as far down as possible there is not much hope of the labourer being worth his hire and receiving his/her due.
Yes: master use-more and use-less ness.
DEMOTIC
hmmmm. much to learn master!
rarely look back. did today.
versiform another interesting word
more?
We’re told that the brown acid is not specifically too good. NO RAIN, NO RAIN!
not “mushies”. sensitive regretably
-adrenaline
-serotonin
-dopamine etc
mastering self
In-valid
reparenting self. urrgh!
self-doubt
eclectic thinking comes,goes
“John”-watches
then
Elijah
apprentice
not
Master
in “past” TS like other papers folded away and rarely caught up with
mastering Time
happy to share
RIGHT cannot adopt (pun). strategies mutually exclusive, hence game playing down
only just came to “blogosphere” ; some people TOLD me i was “not real”
hmmm
if fearfull comments intended to be “helpful”
long way from my reich analogy beginnings.hee
Master died,teachings live on
understanding
Master/puppet
master Puppet
light
ahh
man/Muppet? though not a concordes follower
Parley-a-ment Live
Live to parleyment
hmmm
hammer the tories
“tall peg hammered down”
Global pathos superceded by Individual pathos then weak bathos
clowns
“All the time the guard was looking at her,
first through a telescope,
then through a microscope,
and then through an opera glass.
At last he said, ‘You’re travelling the wrong way,’
and shut up the window…..
-Carroll
supporting (N)ational in “droves”:sheep
Hot! very hot
(very ‘eavy, very ‘umble)
(J-A.G)
brownlee; Fred
dinosaur plodding around swamp….(quarry)
will be master/slave
in or out
people “outside box”
look over wall
Now watch this cunning Key. He has opened up debate on water rights,
The red necks are back in force.Will he call an early election then fight it on ownership of water for Maori.I would not be surprised . Unfortunatly race issues gets the red neck Tories out in force. I hope im wrong ,but Key is trying o back out of the asset sales at this moment.
Did anyone see Bryan Bruce last night re investigating the mid June 1970 Crewe murders?
Throughout the programme it dawned on me how much transparency the police lack toward Rochelle Crewe because she may never be able to even read the police file. I feel that if this is what Rochelle wants, Rochelle should have it, and if she choses to have it independently scrutinised this should also be allowed. Possibly there are people out there who will not talk to the cops (because of their track record with the Crewe case) but they would talk to someone like Bruce and were he to see the entire police file, you never know what oxygen could turn up.
Bruce is so right when it comes to every police commissioner in the last 40 years not being transparent. What Meurant had to say about Walton, my ears pricked up. I also have something to say about Walton re a 1979 CIB police inquisition. Cover up, after cover up, after cover up …
I wonder where all the police files are/go which the police do not want interested parties to see?
Prasad effective (revolutionary name)
when TORY individualist found maggie barry familiar
now
see camera seeking
TAF?
50/50% numerically-cooperative
66% by solids weight production ie large and fat
(it is a human number)
Look at child abuse, emotional and psychological, personally used canadian RED CROSS
lists sequelae etc
mastering self but not master parent
yet…
id (want) to be mean about DoC minister but
who knows…
DEFLATION?DEFLATION?DEFLATION?deFLATION?deflation?
English acknow. further drops in CPI to come….
Frank and earnest; importance of being earnest
(insert platitude)
Master enquiry/slave data
measure men t
sadness not pain
sadness-sadness
weep
water
washes
objective not objective
perspective
telegram float
on water
pilgrimage-way
prodigal-way
master planning/slave manager
(not harm:many managers)lol
repair or rebuild
win-win
machine not mind
pen sword
heres a word
INSANITIZATION
Aspire?
specialization mediocre shard
ala Lacan
Look
not agenda
mana
give
way
build a way, people will come
a-muse@qualityoflife.hawkesbay.nz
taught to BUY stuff from machine slot machine at time/s
be wary “little victorians”-self-seeking bias
prophet necessary
SOCIAL ARCHAEOLOGIST
social archaeologist
Master of tomb
machine look in
Being look out
Debt being paid forward F.
BIG FAT LIES; plenty of literature to consider on FRUCTOSE and some VEGETABLE FATS
Vygotsky
research and development; Look a-round be-fore a-long (alon(e)g Time
be-haviour Way in to values
behaviour-emotion-memory
loop
harley-davidson moment;get not get?
(out from under willie now)lol
homage
age
dying(regret)
opinion;
“we relied on books for centuries, no one seemed to mind that”.
-education consultant (R) perspective
opinion; rely on small books for centuries more
centuries long enough? not e-nough read yet
yet…
machine transmits Dominant culture
“boom box” ending
wind beginning
Behind Great man-great women
attachment (ala Bowlby thru life)
people
UNDERSTAND
People
“put aside”
shelter-warmth-food
All Roads Lead to China
Alter-bot Teaching
Pssst John i have stopped reading them, having to fast forward through multiples of them though is becoming a little annoying…
Phill U by another name? Or hot air rushing to fill a vacuum
He’s broken the dot key on his keyboard
What’s this all about I wonder:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Auckland-homes-raided-over-Fiji-plot/tabid/423/articleID/261783/Default.aspx
Well then, you tell them to fuck off and don’t let them into the house.
Agreed, but Mr Singh and his Fijian colleagues were probably too polite and frightened to do that. Wonder who they really were?
And this:
http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/alleged-bainimarama-assassination-plot-revealed-4975686
Just clicked onto Parliament TV to see what was happening there and caught Asenati Lole-Taylor, NZF’s Pacifica woman MP, speaking against the Social Security (Youth Support and Work Focus) Amendment Bill which is in its Committee stages in the House. And – wow; I was pretty impressed as IMO opinion she is someone to watch in terms of her slugging it to them and representing the Pacifica situation here in NZ.
So the Key-Maori Party meeting has begun, at 9 pm.
All smiles by midnight? Anyone want to pick the language for ‘Statement Bingo’?
Something like …
Key to acknowledge “need for improved communication between partners”, pledges “respect for mana of Turia and Sharples”, pays tribute to “their valued contribution”, yada yadda.
Turia and Sharples reaffirm support for “the judicial process”, and “stable government”. More yadda.
Come on, Pita, Tariana … surprise us.
… and a Mighty River share allocation.
Baubles talk … business as usual:
http://www.3news.co.nz/Maori-Party-National-still-friends-after-meeting/tabid/1607/articleID/261808/Default.aspx
Beads and whisky, excellent compensation for selling out our country.
Right-wing Maori are just as toxic as right-wing Pakeha.
They’re worse. They’ve travelled a greater distance from the wairua of Maoridom than has the same self-seeking Pakeha from his relatively more individualistic society.
All for self indulgence and vanity. “My people…..” indeed. Peter’s and Toryana’s “people” are so far behind in the BMW exhaust fumes that they’ve been lost sight of altogether.
Wonder when we’ll have our first Maori High Commissioner in London and our first Maori ambassador in Washington ?
Last night’s meeting between The Ponce, Peter, and Toryana will have addressed those questions I guess.