Councils nationwide are considering funding alternatives to rates.
However, changing how councils receive their funding overlooks the fundamental problem. The money is still expected to largely come from ratepayers, albeit collected through new means.
Therefore, merely changing how the funding is gathered doesn’t address the sustainability factor – i.e. many households are struggling to pay rates as they stand, let alone having to deal with new additional forms of payments.
Hence, instead of looking at new ways to tax ratepayers, councils need to look at ways to reduce costs.
Additionally, they need to look at how they can tax visitors/tourists in ways that don’t capture locals.
Furthermore, examine how they (councils) can generate new commercial revenue streams (preferably export dollars) through their enterprises as a means of becoming more self-funded.
Rates don’t cover what they should as councils haven’t raised them enough to meet the costs they bring on themselves by allowing developers to turn land into buildings/homes.
Successive councils have done nothing about ageing water, sewage, inadequate roads and now find themselves in the same spot as Rod Carnegies Telecom and Feltex….bleeding with no reinvestment.
So the models never worked and the last 3 terms of national saw an acceleration of that demise as they kicked that can down the road along with many other cans like the environment and CGT.
Yet another systemic issue that needs a long term fix.
Allowing developers to turn land into buildings/homes also provides council with additional funding due to consent fees and ongoing additional rates revenue.
When council revenue fails to meet costs, they tend to just up the rates. Yet, as you highlighted, infrastructure still tends to be neglected as many councils waste money focusing on the nice to haves instead of the must have.
And while it does require a long-term fix, the solution isn’t merely looking for new ways to charge ratepayers, which seem to be what’s going to be offered.
Not sure about other councils but Auckland has certainly raised it’s rates for infrastructure by separating out wastewater for example, and creating very expensive COO’s for transport, but the rate payers have yet to see any benefit from this in terms of value. In fact it sounds like the usual screw up when there are different bodies at the trough and spending a good part of the budget on themselves.
Plenty of money for America’s cup villages, billionaire secret stadium reports, billion dollar IT failures, massive waste in bad legal advice that keeps the trough going for private legal firms, digging up the roads and kerbs continually while consenting more trucks to rip them up and corporate welfare for developers aka Westgate (which is now under legal action as the developer is sueing the council (aka ratepayers) over terms.
Councils need so stick with the basics and avoid the Rogernomic ‘investment’ and PPP’s with private companies!
Take the good from the old days and the things that work now and combine them Not remove what worked in the past and increase what is not working now (aka the housing affordability and pathetic transport options that is doing the opposite).
“Take the good from the old days and the things that work now and combine them Not remove what worked in the past and increase what is not working now…”
Not sure about other councils but Auckland has certainly raised it’s rates for infrastructure by separating out wastewater for example, and creating very expensive COO’s for transport, but the rate payers have yet to see any benefit from this in terms of value. In fact it sounds like the usual screw up when there are different bodies at the trough and spending a good part of the budget on themselves.
You’re either badly misinformed or lying.
1. It was the last National led government that created the CCOs – against Auckland’s wishes
2. Auckland transport has made massive improvements so it be said that we’re getting value for money there. Same can be said for many other council services.
You seem to be complaining about costs without having any true understanding of those costs or the benefits that the city is getting.
Plenty of money for America’s cup villages, billionaire secret stadium reports, billion dollar IT failures, massive waste in bad legal advice that keeps the trough going for private legal firms, digging up the roads and kerbs continually while consenting more trucks to rip them up and corporate welfare for developers aka Westgate (which is now under legal action as the developer is sueing the council (aka ratepayers) over terms.
You, again, are confusing what Auckland Council has done with what central government has done.
Councils need so stick with the basics…
What are the basics?
See, I’d include parks, social areas, entertainment and social functions as well as roads, telecommunications, electricity and water infrastructure.
Take the good from the old days and the things that work now and combine them
Almost sounds good but what if what worked in the past was actually bad?
1. It was the last National led government that created the CCOs – against Auckland’s wishes
2. Auckland transport has made massive improvements so it be said that we’re getting value for money there. Same can be said for many other council services
Auckland Council missed opportunities during the Unitary Plan to offset the harm caused by National and other detrimental policies.
When the majority of Aucklander responses indicated during consultation that many understood the need for compact planning for the city, Auckland Council were threatened by Nick Smith that unless they accepted SHA’s the plan would not be ratified. The planning of Auckland should override the political wishes of the government, if following them ensures higher infrastructure and transports costs, not only for provision but for those who live here.
I don’t have the same experience of Auckland Transport that you do. The customer service I have personally received has been consistently bad, and the level of service and the cost continues to ensure the extra personal financial cost of using AT, is not rewarded by an improved system or long-term planning for those outside of central Auckland and it’s environs.
Auckland Transport needs to be remerged with the planning department of Auckland Council. How people move, and how they experience their built environments are inextricably linked. They need to be considered as such, when transport or planning designs are proposed.
When the majority of Aucklander responses indicated during consultation that many understood the need for compact planning for the city, Auckland Council were threatened by Nick Smith that unless they accepted SHA’s the plan would not be ratified. The planning of Auckland should override the political wishes of the government, if following them ensures higher infrastructure and transports costs, not only for provision but for those who live here.
City planning should have absolutely nothing to do with central government. And if central government tries to hold a city to ransom to force its policies upon that city they should be done for bribery/treason or something. The practice is simply corruption.
And I’m pretty sure that most Aucklanders actually want a more compact city with multiple hubs. Having to commute to the city centre everyday is not the most efficient option. Having businesses pay for people’s transport between work and home would encourage that more efficient development model as the businesses would be demanding better public transport and building where their workers are rather than in a central location.
I don’t have the same experience of Auckland Transport that you do.
I didn’t say it was perfect but it’s definitely gotten a whole lot better.
Auckland Transport needs to be remerged with the planning department of Auckland Council. How people move, and how they experience their built environments are inextricably linked. They need to be considered as such, when transport or planning designs are proposed.
QFT
Excessive specialisation is a problem in and of itself.
“City planning should have absolutely nothing to do with central government. And if central government tries to hold a city to ransom to force its policies upon that city they should be done for bribery/treason or something. The practice is simply corruption.”
Agree. But the processes in place are not robust enough to ensure this is seen as a problem. I was really disappointed that Auckland Council did not call their bluff.
“And I’m pretty sure that most Aucklanders actually want a more compact city with multiple hubs. “
I’m also pretty sure that many Aucklanders just want access to healthy, affordable housing so that they can have a good work/life balance, and be in a position to contribution to their local and wider communities. Until we effectively address the housing crisis in Auckland (and other parts of NZ) this won’t happen. Effective planning would have contributed no small part to working towards this goal.
I submitted against the targeted rates for the issue of kauri dieback because I believe that targeted rates should be used for localised projects that benefit a specific community only – not a core service of council. Especially, given the use of council funds for non-core services, such as America’s Cup, V8 racing, unreleased reports into proposed conference centres, failed IT projects, and ATEED. Goff has proposed setting aside $1million to investigate the statue proposal for Bastion Point. (BTW, I don’t agree with Auckland ratepayers contributing, but if it does get erected, I hope they make sure that Papatuanuku is crying at the state of our environment.)
Opportunities to recover the loss of the development contributions that were capped by National, have – and continue to be – missed. The huge increase in capital gains by many landholders as a result of the Unitary Plan rezoning, was allowed to pass untaxed. During a housing crisis, both landbanked residential sections and overseas owned residential properties should be taxed at a higher rate.
Primarily, do the things that everyone on a limited budget has to do. Prioritise spending, and utilise the mechanisms available to increase income.
Auckland Council needs to stop considering that Auckland ratepayers are the first and only source of increased income.
Auckland ratepayers are not the only or even majority source of Auckland Council revenue raising. It’s ideological to keep focusing on all council services as being funded by ratepayers.
Just over half of AC funds are raised from assets and other income sources. The assets are what Aucklanders contributed to in the past, many of them now dead.
The Auckland Council group raises enough revenue each year to pay for all of the essential services we deliver to Aucklanders. This figure was $3.7 billion in 2015/16, made up of approximately $1.56 billion from rates, with the balance from user charges, service fees, licenses and returns on investments.
Yet, we are in the process of stripping assets from the control (and future benefit) of all Aucklanders.
The concern over raising rates is justified, when developers contributions have been capped, existing ratepayers need to pay for infrastructure – even while property capital gains was extremely high. The CCO process which has split off essential services, has not only corporatised the delivery of those services, it has created a culture within Auckland Council that is seeking for something profound to contribute. They find it in ATEED, and promotion of events or iconic landmarks.
Ratepayers have contributed all along to the procurement of assets, and I accept that the budget contribution of property rates is not the majority. But i still see a lot of that budget being spent on non-essentials, and creating targeted rates to accomplish core services instead of prioritising, is both a method and an ideology that needs to be questioned – and preferably, stopped.
It’s true that councils need to have more access to funds. A major problem would be in the quality of decision making over how those funds should be spent. The fiasco in Kaipara should be a warning. Even in larger councils such as Auckland, the quality of some of the arguments is worryingly low. No government is doing to devolve power to councils if it sesnses a fiasco is brewing.
Councils nationwide are considering funding alternatives to rates.
There’s only one way that works and that’s doing it through IRD and as a percentage of income plus a square metre charge. The IRD collects it from everyone’s income and disperses it to local government according to address registered.
Every house someone owns is charged at, say, 3% of income and that is then passed to the relevant local government for that address.
Hence, instead of looking at new ways to tax ratepayers, councils need to look at ways to reduce costs.
Ah, so you’re here to demand decreased services and even more infrastructure decay.
Really, there’s only so much fat that you can cut from the government budgets before it starts to negatively impact the services that the government provides. And that fat has been cut long ago.
The only fat now would be the privatised services that cost more while providing less.
Council’s have cut a whole lot of fat over the past 30 years and it still isn’t enough for some people. Most council services have been privatised and outsourced. This time 30 years ago New Plymouth’s council owned a bus fleet, electricity network, a power station, a portfolio of rental property, rubbish trucks, and so on. It has mostly all gone, but rates are still going up and people are still complaining.
It’s not so much a matter of cutting services, rather doing them more efficiently.
I walk my dog around Half Moon Bay (auck) each day and the lack of commonsense in the service part of council is astounding. Having talked to these people, here are some examples.
Two different shaped rubbish bins, oval and semi circular. They are emptied by two different contractors.
Another contractor arrives to clean the toilet.
Another contractor arrives to pick up any rubbish in the car park
A security guard arrives, early morning to walk the passenger ferry wharf.
Four people arrive to mow the lawns, one on a ride on, one with a blower and two with edgers. This takes about half an hour then they all get in the truck and go else where. If the next place is 15 min away that’s an hour lost. Much more efficient for one guy to spend 2 hours and then travel 15 minutes.
That is a result of the change in procurement policy, that took place about four years ago. The issue over council collecting rubbish is the same. A private contractor and an Auckland Council one are now patrolling the streets, effectively doubling the amound of fossil fuels used for rubbish collection.
More pertinently, the issue is one of Auckland Council sidestepping it’s responsibility to ensure efficient and ongoing waste management, by introducing competition, and thereby creating an excuse for themselves if standards drop.
In the Henderson Borough Council in the 60’s, a contractor called Keen collected the rubbish, my Mum used to leave a few bottles of DB out for the collection prior to Christmas. I don’t think this is anything new.
If we lived in NY we’d have a history of criminals running the service.
That is a result of the change in procurement policy, that took place about four years ago.
Ah, no. What Johnr describes started happening in the 1990s – I was one of the contractors.
It was the drive to privatisation that Labour started in the 1980s and it’s done us bad.
More pertinently, the issue is one of Auckland Council sidestepping it’s responsibility to ensure efficient and ongoing waste management, by introducing competition, and thereby creating an excuse for themselves if standards drop.
Are you saying that it would be better and that ACC would be more accountable if the City ran it’s own monopoly for their services?
“Are you saying that it would be better and that ACC would be more accountable if the City ran it’s own monopoly for their services?”
Yes. Especially for core services, where if any excess results it can be directed into maintenance, or enhanced infrastructure rather than distributed as profits.
The procurement policy enacted by Auckland Council took those 1980’s and upscaled them. A local resident who had been maintaining the local reserve, was not even eligible to tender for continuing his 25 years of service, because the focus was on getting large contracts from bigger suppliers. The level of service dropped.
But also, the local contractor took pride in contributing to his local community, and would often do extras like mowing the rugby field just before a game, rather than according to schedule. That contribution also confers a local sense of ownership, and valuing of community assets.
Instead Auckland Council, gave that contract and many other smaller ones to an Australian owned contractor, who then contracted out to smaller operators who would be persuaded to take reduced rates in order to maintain profits.
Then the council pays further money to try and instill a sense of community cohesion. Make of that what you will.
Molly at 2.18pm
Great. When an illustration of the problem is presented so clearly anyone except, red-necked po-faced l..nies can see why everything is getting dearer and yet standards are dropping.
Two different shaped rubbish bins, oval and semi circular. They are emptied by two different contractors.
That’s in large part because Auckland City used to be multiple cities and each city used it’s own private contractors etcetera.
Four people arrive to mow the lawns, one on a ride on, one with a blower and two with edgers. This takes about half an hour then they all get in the truck and go else where. If the next place is 15 min away that’s an hour lost. Much more efficient for one guy to spend 2 hours and then travel 15 minutes.
Sending four guys out to four different locations would be more efficient in some ways. Would need more vehicles and more tools but may end up saving on labour.
I do have problems with that though in the social and safety aspects. Having someone else allows them to socialise which helps with their mental health and there being two people helps with safety when things go wrong.
We have a plethora of people and vehicles visiting every day, and I presume a bunch of other places also.
I would suggest that it’s simplified and localised.
Put a shed with a mower in it and other simple tools and a front end loader rubbish bin outside, and I could provide two fit agile pensioners to do all that is required, with pride, right now.
Couple of hours a day, they’d be delighted to be occupied with meaningful work and a pension supplement
I concur. The notion of doing it through IRD and as a percentage of income plus a square metre charge has merit.
It’s more progressive as it take incomes as well as property size into account. Improvement value (the value of the property’s buildings and other structures) should also form part of the calculation.
When I say councils need to consider ways to reduce costs, I’m talking about finding efficiencies while deferring or canceling nice to have projects. Ensuring expenditure on essential services and infrastructure are prioritised.
And when infrastructure requires renewing, councils should be looking at tried and tested options opposed to becoming guinea pigs, taking on board additional risk adopting untested technologies that can result in failures and unforeseen cost blowouts.
It’s more progressive as it take incomes as well as property size into account. Improvement value (the value of the property’s buildings and other structures) should also form part of the calculation.
And just how are you going to do that?
When I say councils need to consider ways to reduce costs, I’m talking about finding efficiencies while deferring or canceling nice to have projects.
They do actually do that. Unfortunately, for the last ~30 years the sole idea of improved efficiencies has been privatisation which has decreased efficiencies and cost us more. In fact, I believe that it’s written into law in some way.
It’s a major problem with following the neo-liberal ideology.
And when infrastructure requires renewing, councils should be looking at tried and tested options opposed to becoming guinea pigs, taking on board additional risk adopting untested technologies that can result in failures and unforeseen cost blowouts.
Yes, because the Industrial Revolution happened by doing everything the same way as the previous centuries…
… Wait, no it didn’t.
Not trying new ways of doing things prevents us doing things in a better way.
The thing about this debate is that no one is willing or able to say what council services they would cut and what funding mechanisms they would use to replace rates with. And if a 3% rate increase is too much for people, I cannot imagine how they would have coped with the 10+% increases 30-40 years ago.
Councils will never have enough, they’re insatiable. If rates doubled we’d get a 10 million dollar statue on Bastion Point instead of a 2 million dollar one.
millsy, the debate is broader, and should be ongoing.
Are all the funds currently in Auckland Council being prioritised in a way that ensures essential services are met, and infrastructure and maintenance are planned and budgeted for effectively?
If not, why the hell are we paying for ATEED, and other non-essential services before that is done?
The lack of transparency that Penny Bright protested about, exists.
It is not a knee-jerk reaction to ask these questions.
Local councils overseas have access to funding streams other than local ones – usually state or national contributions towards services delivered by councils.
In NZ, successive govts have put more responsibilities on councils over the years but not added revenue or ways to get it. Regional economic development and tourism is just one example – in Auckland, that’s Ateed.
There have been some thorough reviews of this already over the last decade. Time to implment their recommednations and improve revenue sources, or explicitly give some responsibilities back to central govt agencies.
Councils have been delegated more and more functions, without the corresponding revenue, so central Government can pretend to have a surplus.
Overpaid council “management, subsidising roads for trucks, privatisation of services and councils feathering their own nests, doesn’t help.
Here is a debate that would bring some much needed balance and reason into the this ridiculous Russia hysteria that is sweeping MSM…if they actually wanted fairness and balance in their reporting that is…
Debate: Is Trump-Putin Summit a “Danger to America” or Crucial Diplomacy Between Nuclear Powers?
Greenwald’s reference to Obama and Clinton re: their positions in 2007 on “meeting the leaders of North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and Iran without preconditions” is illuminating.
But us sheep have to be herded through that gate there. No discussion. No debating the pros and cons. No choice, no informed decision required.
David Cormack argues (in the following below) the new boss is starting to look like the old boss.
And so we reach this Government, which has an opportunity to make a real difference for the people of New Zealand.
And while there are some positive noises, we’ve seen a desperation in their attempts to appease “business”.
Business isn’t even an actual thing. When we say “business”, we mean CEOs and boards who are duty-bound to do as much as possible to get as high a share price as possible.
And one of the ways to do that is to pay your workers bugger all.
So you want to keep them happy? Don’t do anything for the workers. That’ll get your business confidence surveys looking rosy.
Labour and the Greens tried to look all business friendly by putting in place the “Budget Responsibility Rules” at a time when it’s never been so good to borrow.
Even business leaders have said they’d be fine if those got shelved. I’m told that there is zero chance of that happening this term because they must give off a perception of reliability.
When your government is more worried about “reliability” and “perception” and not doing the right thing, then they’re just seeking power for power’s sake.
Which is what many accused National of doing.
Meet the new boss. It’s starting to look a lot like the old boss.
I went to an event last night where Winston Peters (and Shane Jones) spoke (about regional development) and also this issue of “business confidence”. Winston deftly skewered the naysaying “business community” and the media that carries their “unconfident” mewling, saying it was a disgrace how they carried on and noted the dissociation between “business confidence” as it is being presented, to actual economic measures: when business confidence is low, business does especially well, when it’s “high” as it usually is under a National Government, economic gains are all but stagnant. That’s telling ’em, Winston! He spoke confidently and elegantly about a number of issues, was amusing and quite gracious, I thought. He also gave a serve to Natty voters in the audience (this was Southland 🙂 when someone asked him for more money for roading here. Winston cited National’s ridiculous “roads of National significance” and pointed out that many in the room voted for them, and deserved what they got (or rather, didn’t get). Gotta say, it was a great evening. I spoke with Winston briefly about our original meeting long ago when I was introduced to him by Rod Donald at a press party in Bowen House and he had very kind things to say about Rod.
“Yes that’s right the gummint has been offering a zero wage increase to these people.”
No. But what they are offering is insufficient and they claim to have no more money. Which is largely due to them taking a similar fiscal stance as National.
If our entire economy is structured over appeasing private and foreign investors and giving them corporate welfare and extra benefits to drive up prices, don’t be surprised if the locals now can’t afford to live in their own cities and require a massive pay rise to afford what they used to.
When a one bedroom Kiwibuild is now $500,000 and you need an income of $120 – $180k to afford one, while a nurse starts on around $26 p/h after a 3 year degree, (how to afford the deposit for a start), let alone the $650k for a terraced apartment and have to compete against 19,000+ applicants including ‘new’ residents from around the world with money from their parents who don’t have to rely on work for a living, then you have to make it fairer somehow, because if you don’t then we are going to keep sliding down the OECD tables… and become an Asian country that many our politician’s seem going towards, in terms of extreme inequality. The whole point many of the migrants come here is to escape problems in their home country, and come to a country that is safe and equal so politicians are not doing anyone any favours by underpaying essential people we need in the city to have a decent quality of life!
If wages were linked to house prices I think the government might be handling the housing situation very differently (and imagine it the employers had to peg their minimum wages to rising living costs) than allowing the private sector and the COO structures and foreign ‘investment’ in the housing market would be a no no as would volatility.
Instead government and business would advocate a very simple structure, not top heavy of building housing of decent quality that did the job without mod cons and easy to maintain, and have a very simple transport structure that did the job straight away with more trains, ferries and buses, not rely on a 20 year plan costing billions on infrastructure (while refusing to use existing train lines) that nobody will know if it will be enough and doesn’t even cover the whole of the city.
Government and business would also be trying to lower living costs (instead of increasing them under the current neoliberal system) so that these businesses were not constantly under wage pressure (against workers having this battle to bear alone).
Oh well, just a dream, I guess. Back to reality of increasing living costs for profit while keeping wages as low as possible and then doing worthless speeches about not wanting inequality and poverty.
Tying wages to house prices would have to be your most stupid suggestion to date. Just think of the chaos when the house market next corrects and wages are reduced by 30% while mortgage obligations remain.
It was not a literal suggestion, but more how government and business would have to radically change their approaches if business were effected by the same conditions as workers aka wages and living costs pegged, rather than blinding stumbling on with the neoliberal approach.
If living costs were seriously factored into the equation of wages then it would change the idea of what fair wage offers are.
The nurse offer is a case in point. The nurse offer is a good offer on paper, but practically is it now with student loans and foreign buyers and dual residents being encouraged into NZ markets to compete on housing but not earning the same wages or even paying the same interest rates or income taxes?
I always wonder what is the point of posting on these sites if you offer zero solution or opinion, but just act as a bully to one line attack other people who bother to post a point of view but offer zero solution or input yourself, maybe lazy trolling?
If you think the nurses and other health care staff, should except the offer, why don’t you bother to say why, instead of attacking other’s who don’t agree with you and bother to offer an opinion why they don’t.
If you hadn’t noticed, and if you haven’t you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll. I don’t see the point in you jumping to its defense.
In terms of the nurses and teachers, i’m of mixed opinion on it. Yes they probably do deserve more but also significant increases have been offered given the circumstances. There is so much to fix after three terms of nact.
In terms of teachers i can say from my own experience that there are a significant number who don’t deserve their jobs let alone more money. I would be more supportive of increasing teacher pay if more was done to force old school school teachers to professionally develop or get out.
I don’t see the Chairman as a troll because he/she offers an opinion. Yes he/she is negative about the government but from what I understand it (maybe wrong), he/she relies on a benefit to survive, so maybe is not seeing the rock star economy yet and has not for a while? Therefore maybe justified in his/her pessimism.
@SaveNZ .You have wonderful ideas ,expressed well.
Think its already too late to reverse this-‘and become an Asian country that many our politician’s seem going towards, in terms of extreme inequality.’
The line that foreigners are responsible for 3% of property sales is quite ludicrous.
You are so wrong here when you said;
“you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll. ”
I also have often cited Chairman and you as right wing trumpets.
But that is not a critisism.
But the fact that shows is when you twist the narritive to deliberately favour your views to suit your position, is usually the issue we are concerned about.
I dont mind you and others who dont agree with our left wing opinions.
Save NZ makes sound points that should be considered firstly, and not rubbished.
Fact;
Property values is now one of our biggest threats now going forward. That is no secret, nor is it a secret that national were so satisfied to see property prices go so high now that it is a major problem now.
If you are going to quote me please have the basic decency to quote enough to not invert my meaning. What i said was:
“If you hadn’t noticed, and if you haven’t you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll.”
So which is it, do you think The Chairman is a troll? They claim to be left wing and concerned, but you say that you have “often cited Chairman and you as right wing trumpets”. How can The Chairman be left wing, as they claim, yet be a right wing trumpet, like you claim, and not be a troll?
And you think that i am right wing? That just says to me that you don’t understand much of what you read here.
Yes property prices are one of our biggest problems going forward. That doesn’t automatically make what SaveNZ says sensible or coherent.
edit:
ps If we are both right wing and presumably both trolls why would i spend so much time stripping back The Chairman’s concern trolling? I’m confused.
It’s a war: Grant Robertson vs the nurses. Some would argue that he can’t be held responsible for his budget because it was prepared by public servants. But why would they want to discriminate against nurses? The nurses waited until Jacinda went into recess before striking, so she wouldn’t be seen to be their target. Winston has been shrewd in not reacting to them making him seem the bogeyman in the situation – I guess he saw it coming & has seen it so many times before that it doesn’t bother him. Blame appropriately, identify the cause: who made the budget decision?
And why have the nurses waited 30 years to strike? What happened to the old idea of wages keeping up with inflation? The signal they’ve been sending to the public for an entire generation is that they’re dead keen to be martyrs to the cause of neoliberalism.
Staffing levels are dismal in many parts of the health system, so it is not just about offering higher wages to the individual, it is also about making sure there are enough individuals within that system to provide a high standard and continuity of care.
Breaking it down into individual, short-term alleviation of long-term financial pressure is a narrow perspective to frame the negotiations in.
Having listened last night to Winston Peters and Shane Jones describing what they are offering to the provinces, I would say the “new boss” is looking very, very different from the “old boss”.
” Winston’s the master at skewering doom merchants like him (and you).”
Winston comes across as a bully who plays on his curmudgeonly elder statesman image to deride those few braves who dare to ask the difficult questions.
And that is what we are supposed to do….question, question, question.
Only fools sit back and assume Our Leaders (of whatever hue) have their hearts and minds in the correct place.
Labour has history…and the Greens are spinning their wheels… and NZF can in no way ever be described as “Left”.
So…a coalition partner of convenience….but one that should be treated with a great amount of respect.
Shame on you Robert Guyton, for celebrating Winston’s worst tactics.
No new drilling for fossil fuels in the oceans of Aotearoa!
We’re also getting our cities moving (at last)!
We’re more than doubling the spend on public transport over the next three years and pumping it up to $11.7 billion in total over 10 years. This includes $4.7 billion for a new rapid bus and light rail for our major cities.
And finally, no more taxpayer subsidies of large scale irrigation!
Cleaning up our rivers just got real! Thanks to our confidence and supply agreement, the Government is winding down taxpayer subsidies for large scale irrigation schemes that lead to over-intensive land-use.
When asked a straight question Winston usually gives a straight answer.
Ask him a silly question especially one intended to get a rise and he lets strip. Ask Guyon who asked the same dumb question four times on Monday morning.
Excellent article written with great empathy and insight into the actual on the ground realities of life in a war zone. I am pleased to see the two women and their families settling in well down south – and wish I could send them lots of parsley for tabbouleh as it grows wild in south Wellington! Love dolmades and tabbouleh although I make my tabbouleh gluten free with rice or quinoa not bulgar wheat.
Actually I always enjoy reading the ODT and should do so more often. It is a relief from the Stuff and Herald mediocrity. SoI took a detour from that article to others in that issue. The Kamokamo article was really interesting for its history of the introduction of potatoes etc to NZ via James Cook et al, as well as of kamokamo themselves and other Pacific origin vegetables. LOL.
Cool. Yeah I like the odt for a change of pace and a different angle – plus it’s home down there for me so i never know if old schoolmates are gonna be in there or not.
Hate to say it but I have only visited our Deep South a couple of times, despite having lived overseas for many years back last century! (Love using that expression.) What I have seen etc of the south I have loved.
See you did a +1 over on the clash of the titans post. I would second that and do likewise but have a self imposed ban from commenting on certain authors’ posts. My self-preservation instincts are still strong, despite my advancing age. It looks like this interesting clash will continue later today, so off to get popcorn and wine. I recommend watching from the sidelines and not participating – its got the feel of potential collateral damage.
“…. Its international airport, the country’s third-busiest, already has more than two million passenger movements a year, is planning for five million movements within 30 years, which might require a new terminal. ”
Given our distance from our main markets and a commitment to reducing fossil fuel use how can we be seriously planning on a near tripling of inbound tourism over the next few decades?
Quote; – “To keep the climate safe we need drastic cuts in air travel. Efficiency savings such as more direct flights shave off small fractions but are dwarfed by planned growth.”
so our councils (and gov?) are making financial decisions on insupportable assumptions…..now whats the odds those decisions will prove to be the wrong decisions?
Or does the QLDC not believe we will attempt to meet our Paris commitments? ( I havnt looked but I suspect they are not alone in these types of assumptions)
I have broached this subject with friends and acquaintances a few times, regarding the pursuit of a conference centre and tourism that requires high and increasing levels of air travel to make pursue their growth goals.
When I suggest that if we are serious about climate change, this approach needs to stop, I am met with blank looks – and the words “Do not compute” can almost be seen scrolling across foreheads. We will no doubt come to the conclusion that industries that are pursuing growth rather than sustainable practice, do not create enough benefits in order to offset the externalities for us all. The sooner the better, because then we can plan a smoother transition into alternative industries and sustainable business practices.
Its hard to believe that these organisations dont grasp what emission reduction means….that being so, why do they continue to plan for a BAU future….incompetence.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that President Trump will discuss allowing Russian investigators to come to the United States to question U.S. citizens, including a former American ambassador to Russia.
Sanders said during a White House press briefing that Trump is “gonna meet with his team” to talk about the potential for Russian officials to question U.S. citizens like Michael McFaul, who was ambassador to Russia from January 2012 to February 2014.
Unbelievable this – It just feels like that blimp was almost a twin to t.rump certainly in terms of naievity.
All these misspeakings – wtf is going on with that? He said apparently the OPPOSITE of what he now says he was going to say – ffs luckily he’s not on jury duty or doing something important.
WASHINGTON — The fall in the percentage of economic growth flowing to workers is “very troubling,” a worrisome sign in an otherwise bright American economy, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a Senate panel Tuesday.
Testifying in front of the Senate Banking Committee, Powell expressed concern that the share of profits going to American labor had fallen “precipitously” for more than a decade and was not reversing course.
Yeah I thought that too. Interviewer: But would you drop the bomb? Trump: I wouldn’t. Media then headlines howls of outrage from the Trump hinterland. Press conference: I mis-spoke. I meant to say I would. Slip of the tongue. Interviewer: Freudian? Trump: Damn right I’m Freudian. Ain’t nobody more so.
I/S spotting this potentially-wonderful news:
“Good news from Nelson: the Waimea dam project – the one National wants to pass a Muldoonist Enabling Act to rip land out of a forest park for – has escalated in price and looks doomed:
Updated costs for the proposed Waimea dam have added a whopping $26 million to its bottom line, putting the future of the controversial project in doubt.
“Unless a solution can be found to close the gap, the dam won’t go ahead,” Tasman district mayor Richard Kempthorne told a media briefing on Thursday morning. “There is no doubt this is a major setback and possibly the greatest challenge yet for the project.”
A long-time supporter of the dam as the best option to augment the water supply for Waimea, Kempthorne said he was “gutted” by the updated figures, which represent a 35 per cent escalation in costs.”
I swam in the river regularly when I was a boy and I’m deeply hopeful that the good news from I/S signals the end of the project.
Robert G
Kempthorne was at opening of local Environment Centre the other day – and he said that they weren’t pushing for the Pupu Springs encroachnment but seemed to think that downstream something might be possible. He’s one of those ‘pragmatic’ Mayors who think they can have their cake and eat it too, I feel.
Yes Robert, the dam, originally named the Lee Valley Dam, was a private business project pushed by a coterie of powerful horticulturalists. It was never economic, so the council was convinced to support it ($10 million) , and sell it to the ratepayers. The public were sceptical. The Council has failed in its duty to the public, and the Mayor should publicly apologize for wasting $10M, and/or resign.
Those who want water in order to make money play the long game, start early and act ruthlessly. I think about the qualities of the Lee river; cool, deep, green as glass, fresh, alive… I hope it stays that way.
Look out! HNZ buys home and beneficiaries may move in. We need neighborhood watch…report suspicions activity to the police immediately…Tuakau street no longer safe..
Torstein Grude
@TorsteinGrude
Replying to @MaxBlumenthal
The Norwegian documentary film “The Magnitsky Act – Behind the Scenes”, directed by Putin critic Andrei Nekrasov @antiputinismus exposes @Billbrowder’s fraudulent Magnitsky narrative. A personal copy of the film can be requested from me on torstein@piraya.no (I’m the producer)
12:58 PM – 9 Jan 2018
Good morning The Am Show Friday days off a most people want to buy a house Duncan and Our Government is doing it’s best with this hot potatoe that national gave them with a underarm bowl its good now that they are accepting reality on Global Warming that’s what public opinion does .
There will be enough gas coming out of some party’s head quarters to proved gas for the next 100 years for methanex lol .
Mark S that story yesterday about your son Hunter being briefly lost well I got a niece that would do that try and walk home at 4 years old get lost that was stressful.
Yes they are trying to get Eco Maori to walk there crooked line with land mines and big holes in the systems line .
Ka kite ano P.S the song by Johhny Cash I walk the line.
Many thanks to the European Union for assessing a total ban of the use of plastic bags we don’t need to use this stuff that poisons our precious taonga the wild creates of Papatuanuku you lead Us all down the correct path .Ka pai ka kite ano P.S France has already started the ban link below.
Here we go kirk hope trying to say our low wage economy is not the problem behind our low productivity . 1 this man wants wages to stay low so he and his business round table m8 can take all the proft’s and run to the bank he is getting payed 300 x the lowest pay rate of one of his employees Eco Maori would like to see this person try and live on the minimum wage of 40 hours x $16.50 =$660 in Auckland that’s the rent payed so how is one to travel to work by clothes many expenses to pay to survive in Aotearoa . What is wrong is to much money is invested in property if a third of that money was in business and 3 % of that invested in science and research well thing would be a lot different. The big problem is that wealty people do not pay there fair share of taxes all around Papatuanuku I apploud the Europeen Union for fining Google for anti competition business practices IE a default policy that forces everyone to use there soft ware. Big business are sharks . I booked consumer web site for one month payed $10.00 with credit card I was happy found the info I was looking for on NZ consumers web site till I checked my bank account and found 3 more charges from consumer NZ site you see this business that is founded on looking after the consumer’s has a default setting on there site one has to physically tick a box you don’t even see to not be charged $10 a month obviously I rang them up and complained this is how most big business behave and this behavior NEEDS TO CHANGE . Ana to kai ka kite ano the link is below .
A few years back I had a reasonable sized business in forestry I folded it because some of my employees were ripping me off getting paid for work not done .
I wen’t Dairy Farming and if one knows Dairy Farming you don’t have a life so no time to cross check there bill well to cut a long story short Accident Compensation Corporation charged me cover for my workers when the business had folded this would not have been hard for ACC to see as there would have been no earning for the company . I trusted ACC to have there facts right . I did not find out that they had billed me for nothing I only owed them half of what they charged me . They had set Lawyers on to me I payed the part that I owed and more . Because of these farcical charges ACC ruined my credit for 15 years they ruined my future business potential earnings I have the prof to in hard copy. What also got me was some how some earnings had been filed to Inland revenue 5 years after the fact it was not much but how does that compute . So I have the time to sue ACC now for this some one else has been at play here. link below
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/105130307/acc-claimant-says-he-will-never-give-up-fighting P.S what I don’t get is ACC think that when you get injured that ones bills living cost are going to go down by %20 they only pay you %80 of your earnings
Yes ACC needs to change back into a humane organization and not a for profit organization that it is after who has had his fingers in it money man
Good evening Newshub trump is loving all the commotion he is causing he is basking in it like a sun bather in the sun. Mean while everyone is focused on the circus he has created around him self he is rolling back all the Environmental Protection Agency’s laws by 20 years so his coal producing m8 can start burning OUR environment again that’s what he is up to muppet. He is most likely changing the laws so he can win the next election no matter what happens.
I can see what is going to be the out come of the visit by the connadian couple trip I will let you know when it happens .
Its been a good week for all our kiwi sports stars Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild well with the Netball when the troops lose the Generals are at fault .
Watch out James some mite think you have a flower on your ear with the way you described the Chiefs and the Hurricanes lol were’s your jandles .
Congratulations to all the UFC fighters coming out of the City Kickboxing Jim in Auckland Kia kaha tangata been meaning to acknowledge the success City Jim is having in there field of sports.
Makarere te Wahine are cleaning up the field in the Papatuanuku Dragon Boat racing in Tahiti te Tane are doing great as well Ka pai ka kite ano
Buzz from the Beehive Much more media attention is being paid to something Winston Peters said about former Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr than to a speech he delivered to the New Zealand China Council. One word is missing from the speech: AUKUS. But AUKUS loomed large in his considerations ...
Is the economy in another long stagnation? If so, why?This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be ...
The annual list of who's been bribing our politicians is out, and journalists will no doubt be poring over it to find the juiciest and dirtiest bribes. The government's fast-track invite list is likely to be a particular focus, and we already know of one company on the list which ...
In the weeks after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel I wrote about the possible 2nd, 3rd and even 4th order effects of the conflict. These included new fronts being opened in the West Bank (with Hamas), Golan … Continue reading → ...
Peter Dunne writes – It is one of the oldest truisms that there is never a good time for MPs to get a pay rise. This week’s announcement of pay raises of around 2.8% backdated to last October could hardly have come at a worse time, with the ...
David Farrar writes – Newshub reports: Newshub can reveal a fresh allegation of intimidation against Green MP Julie-Anne Genter. Genter is subject to a disciplinary process for aggressively waving a book in the face of National Minister Matt Doocey in the House – but it’s not the first time ...
The Treasury has published a paper today on the global productivity slowdown and how it is playing out in New Zealand: The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections. The Treasury Paper examines recent trends in productivity and the potential drivers of the slowdown. Productivity for the whole economy ...
Winston Peters’ comments about former Australian foreign minister look set to be an ongoing headache for both him and Luxon. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts and , along with regular guests on Gaza and ...
These puppet strings don't pull themselvesYou're thinking thoughts from someone elseHow much time do you think you have?Are you prepared for what comes next?The debating chamber can be a trying place for an opposition MP. What with the person in charge, the speaker, typically being an MP from the governing ...
The land around Lyme Regis, where Meryl Streep once stood, in a hood, on the Cobb, is falling into the sea.MerylThe land around Lyme Regis, around the Cobb that made it rich, has always been falling slowly but surely into the sea. Read more ...
Buzz from the Beehive Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters was bound to win headlines when he set out his thinking about AUKUS in his speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. The headlines became bigger when – during an interview on RNZ’s Morning Report today – he criticised ...
The Post reports on how the government is refusing to release its advice on its corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law, instead using the "soon to be publicly available" refusal ground to hide it until after select committee submissions on the bill have closed. Fast-track Minister Chris Bishop's excuse? “It's not ...
As pressure on it grows, the livestock industry’s approach to the transition to Net Zero is increasingly being compared to that of fossil fuel interests. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above ...
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 ...
On Werewolf/Scoop, I usually do two long form political columns a week. From now on, there will be an extra column each week about music and movies. But first, some late-breaking political events:The rise in unemployment numbers for the March quarter was bigger than expected – and especially sharp ...
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: TVNZ says it is dealing with about 50 formal complaints over its coverage of the latest 1News-Verian political poll, with some viewers – as well as the Prime Minister and a former senior Labour MP – critical of the tone of the 6pm report. ...
Muriel 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 ...
Alwyn 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 ...
Our 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 ...
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 BeehiveThere we were, thinking the environment is in trouble, when along came Jones. Shane Jones. ...
New Zealand now has the fourth most depressed construction sector in the world behind China, Qatar and Hong Kong. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 8:46am on Thursday, May 2:The Lead: ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Chris 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 ...
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 ...
TL;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 ...
Over 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 ...
Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
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 ...
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 English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
Newsroom 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 ...
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 ...
Stuck In The Middle With You:As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
The 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 ...
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 ...
It Takes A Train To Cry:Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
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 ...
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 ...
Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling 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 ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
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 ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
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 ...
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 ...
Polling 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 ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce 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 ...
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 ...
span 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 ...
Yesterday 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 ...
Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
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 ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
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. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
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. ...
The 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. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The 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 ...
The 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 ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
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’ ...
The 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 ...
The 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 ...
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 ...
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. ...
From 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 ...
People 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 ...
Kiwi 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. ...
There 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 ...
The 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 ...
Energy 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 ...
The 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 ...
The 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 ...
Justice 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 ...
The 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 ...
Trade 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 ...
Education 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 ...
The 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). ...
Whānau 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 ...
Racing 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 ...
Assalaamu 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 ...
Associate 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 ...
Hon 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. ...
Hundreds 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, ...
Regional 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 ...
Foreign 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 ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Fitz-Gibbon, Professor of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Monash University, Monash University Ken stocker/Shutterstock In the wake of numerous killings of women allegedly by men’s violence in 2024, thousands of Australians have joined rallies across the country to demand action ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Henry Cutler, Professor and Director, Macquarie University Centre for the Health Economy, Macquarie University Oleg Ivanov IL/Shutterstock Waiting times for public hospital elective surgery have been in the news ahead of this year’s federal budget. That’s the type of non-emergency surgery ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne Amna Artist/Shutterstock One of the earliest descriptions of someone with cancer comes from the fourth century BC. Satyrus, tyrant of the city of Heracleia on the Black Sea, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rose, Professor of Sustainable Future Transport, University of Sydney LanaElcova/Shutterstock Electric vehicles are often seen as the panacea to cutting emissions – and air pollution – from transport. Is this view correct? Yes – but only once uptake accelerates. Despite the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Giselle Natassia Woodley, Researcher and Phd Candidate, Edith Cowan University There is widespread agreement Australia needs to do better when it comes to gender-based violence. Anger and frustration at the numbers of women being killed saw national rallies over the weekend and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Graham, Lecturer in Economics, University of Sydney Mark and Anna Photography/Shutterstock As home ownership moves further out of reach for many Australians, “rentvesting” is being touted as a lifesaver. Rentvesting is the practice of renting one property to live ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sukhmani Khorana, Associate Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, UNSW Sydney Netflix The new season of Heartbreak High is garnering mixed reviews. Critics are writing about the racy story lines, comparing it to other coming-of-age series about teenage relationships and ...
Bob Carr intends to launch legal action against Winston Peters and Julie Anne Genter is facing a second allegation of bullying. Both sucked the air out of an announcement on education, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
In 1995, Sally Clark went out on her own in a bold and unorthodox attempt to join an illustrious group of equestrian riders conquering the world. In the days of glovebox road maps, brick cell phones, and the hit song How Bizarre, Clark refused to follow Sir Mark Todd, Blyth ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ben Beaglehole, Senior Lecturer, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago niphon/Getty Images The number of people accessing medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Aotearoa New Zealand increased significantly between 2006 and 2022. But the disorder is still under-diagnosed and ...
To celebrate the start of New Zealand music month, we look back at the best local tuneage that managed to weasel its way into Hollywood productions. There’s nothing quite like the thrilling zap of recognition when New Zealand weasels its way into a glamorous Hollywood production. Crack open a Tui ...
People trust other people more than institutions. So how can the media gain that trust through journalists without losing what’s important about the institution? Anna Rawhiti-Connell reflects on two years of curating the news for The Bulletin.Amonth ago, armed cops descended on my neighbourhood as calls to “lock your ...
Opinion: PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances – are a class of thousands of man-made chemicals used widely in everyday consumer items such as textiles, packaging, and cookware, popular for their water, grease and stain-repellent properties. However, the very properties that make PFAS so attractive to manufacturers are also what ...
NONFICTION 1 The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour & Jude Dobson (Allen & Unwin, $37.99)’ This is the hottest book in New Zealand, number one with a bullet in its first week, selling more than any overseas title, and demand is so huge that it’s already been reprinted. A ...
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A warning – suicide is discussed in this podcast New Zealand’s own long-running soap Shortland Street doesn’t hesitate to kill off its much-loved characters. But would TVNZ dare to kill off our favourite soap? That’s the fear as times get tough in television – even though it’s been pointed out ...
Essay: If the Crown harms children, how do you hold it accountable? Analysis by Aaron Smale in light of the Waitangi Tribunal court decision. The post The Crown versus Māori Children appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan resistance leader has condemned the United Nations role in allowing Indonesia to “integrate” the Melanesian Pacific region in what is claimed to be an “egregious act of inhumanity” on 1 May 1963. In an open letter to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Organisasi Papua Merdeka-OPM ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra A key part of the Albanese government’s political strategy is to fill the news cycle with its presence and messaging. Ministers are deployed to the maximum, even when they’ve little to say. This week ...
Recent extreme weather events showed the importance of a well-functioning insurance system, says Commerce and Consumer Affairs minister Andrew Bayly. ...
By Jo Moir, RNZ News political editor, and Craig McCulloch, deputy political editor New Zealand’s Labour Party is demanding Winston Peters be stood down as Foreign Minister for opening up the government to legal action over his “totally unacceptable” attack on a prominent AUKUS critic. In an interview on RNZ’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christian Brakenridge, Postdoctoral research fellow at Swinburne University, Centre for Urban Transitions, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute The Conversation, Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock People have a pretty intuitive sense of what is healthy – standing is better than sitting, exercise is great for overall ...
The Wellington-based Reserve Force soldier is now almost three years into his New Zealand Army career with 5th/7th Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment. ...
"The Government needs to release the review immediately as this reckless approach to change risks disjointed decision making and creates more distress and uncertainty for staff," Fitzsimons said. ...
Councils nationwide are considering funding alternatives to rates.
However, changing how councils receive their funding overlooks the fundamental problem. The money is still expected to largely come from ratepayers, albeit collected through new means.
Therefore, merely changing how the funding is gathered doesn’t address the sustainability factor – i.e. many households are struggling to pay rates as they stand, let alone having to deal with new additional forms of payments.
Hence, instead of looking at new ways to tax ratepayers, councils need to look at ways to reduce costs.
Additionally, they need to look at how they can tax visitors/tourists in ways that don’t capture locals.
Furthermore, examine how they (councils) can generate new commercial revenue streams (preferably export dollars) through their enterprises as a means of becoming more self-funded.
Rates don’t cover what they should as councils haven’t raised them enough to meet the costs they bring on themselves by allowing developers to turn land into buildings/homes.
Successive councils have done nothing about ageing water, sewage, inadequate roads and now find themselves in the same spot as Rod Carnegies Telecom and Feltex….bleeding with no reinvestment.
So the models never worked and the last 3 terms of national saw an acceleration of that demise as they kicked that can down the road along with many other cans like the environment and CGT.
Yet another systemic issue that needs a long term fix.
Allowing developers to turn land into buildings/homes also provides council with additional funding due to consent fees and ongoing additional rates revenue.
When council revenue fails to meet costs, they tend to just up the rates. Yet, as you highlighted, infrastructure still tends to be neglected as many councils waste money focusing on the nice to haves instead of the must have.
And while it does require a long-term fix, the solution isn’t merely looking for new ways to charge ratepayers, which seem to be what’s going to be offered.
Not sure about other councils but Auckland has certainly raised it’s rates for infrastructure by separating out wastewater for example, and creating very expensive COO’s for transport, but the rate payers have yet to see any benefit from this in terms of value. In fact it sounds like the usual screw up when there are different bodies at the trough and spending a good part of the budget on themselves.
Plenty of money for America’s cup villages, billionaire secret stadium reports, billion dollar IT failures, massive waste in bad legal advice that keeps the trough going for private legal firms, digging up the roads and kerbs continually while consenting more trucks to rip them up and corporate welfare for developers aka Westgate (which is now under legal action as the developer is sueing the council (aka ratepayers) over terms.
Councils need so stick with the basics and avoid the Rogernomic ‘investment’ and PPP’s with private companies!
Take the good from the old days and the things that work now and combine them Not remove what worked in the past and increase what is not working now (aka the housing affordability and pathetic transport options that is doing the opposite).
“Take the good from the old days and the things that work now and combine them Not remove what worked in the past and increase what is not working now…”
Indeed, SaveNZ.
Snap!
You’re either badly misinformed or lying.
1. It was the last National led government that created the CCOs – against Auckland’s wishes
2. Auckland transport has made massive improvements so it be said that we’re getting value for money there. Same can be said for many other council services.
You seem to be complaining about costs without having any true understanding of those costs or the benefits that the city is getting.
You, again, are confusing what Auckland Council has done with what central government has done.
What are the basics?
See, I’d include parks, social areas, entertainment and social functions as well as roads, telecommunications, electricity and water infrastructure.
Almost sounds good but what if what worked in the past was actually bad?
1. It was the last National led government that created the CCOs – against Auckland’s wishes
2. Auckland transport has made massive improvements so it be said that we’re getting value for money there. Same can be said for many other council services
Auckland Council missed opportunities during the Unitary Plan to offset the harm caused by National and other detrimental policies.
When the majority of Aucklander responses indicated during consultation that many understood the need for compact planning for the city, Auckland Council were threatened by Nick Smith that unless they accepted SHA’s the plan would not be ratified. The planning of Auckland should override the political wishes of the government, if following them ensures higher infrastructure and transports costs, not only for provision but for those who live here.
I don’t have the same experience of Auckland Transport that you do. The customer service I have personally received has been consistently bad, and the level of service and the cost continues to ensure the extra personal financial cost of using AT, is not rewarded by an improved system or long-term planning for those outside of central Auckland and it’s environs.
Auckland Transport needs to be remerged with the planning department of Auckland Council. How people move, and how they experience their built environments are inextricably linked. They need to be considered as such, when transport or planning designs are proposed.
City planning should have absolutely nothing to do with central government. And if central government tries to hold a city to ransom to force its policies upon that city they should be done for bribery/treason or something. The practice is simply corruption.
And I’m pretty sure that most Aucklanders actually want a more compact city with multiple hubs. Having to commute to the city centre everyday is not the most efficient option. Having businesses pay for people’s transport between work and home would encourage that more efficient development model as the businesses would be demanding better public transport and building where their workers are rather than in a central location.
I didn’t say it was perfect but it’s definitely gotten a whole lot better.
QFT
Excessive specialisation is a problem in and of itself.
“City planning should have absolutely nothing to do with central government. And if central government tries to hold a city to ransom to force its policies upon that city they should be done for bribery/treason or something. The practice is simply corruption.”
Agree. But the processes in place are not robust enough to ensure this is seen as a problem. I was really disappointed that Auckland Council did not call their bluff.
“And I’m pretty sure that most Aucklanders actually want a more compact city with multiple hubs. “
I’m also pretty sure that many Aucklanders just want access to healthy, affordable housing so that they can have a good work/life balance, and be in a position to contribution to their local and wider communities. Until we effectively address the housing crisis in Auckland (and other parts of NZ) this won’t happen. Effective planning would have contributed no small part to working towards this goal.
The transparency of spending is also missing.
I submitted against the targeted rates for the issue of kauri dieback because I believe that targeted rates should be used for localised projects that benefit a specific community only – not a core service of council. Especially, given the use of council funds for non-core services, such as America’s Cup, V8 racing, unreleased reports into proposed conference centres, failed IT projects, and ATEED. Goff has proposed setting aside $1million to investigate the statue proposal for Bastion Point. (BTW, I don’t agree with Auckland ratepayers contributing, but if it does get erected, I hope they make sure that Papatuanuku is crying at the state of our environment.)
Opportunities to recover the loss of the development contributions that were capped by National, have – and continue to be – missed. The huge increase in capital gains by many landholders as a result of the Unitary Plan rezoning, was allowed to pass untaxed. During a housing crisis, both landbanked residential sections and overseas owned residential properties should be taxed at a higher rate.
Primarily, do the things that everyone on a limited budget has to do. Prioritise spending, and utilise the mechanisms available to increase income.
Auckland Council needs to stop considering that Auckland ratepayers are the first and only source of increased income.
Auckland ratepayers are not the only or even majority source of Auckland Council revenue raising. It’s ideological to keep focusing on all council services as being funded by ratepayers.
Just over half of AC funds are raised from assets and other income sources. The assets are what Aucklanders contributed to in the past, many of them now dead.
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/about-auckland-council/performance-transparency/Pages/budgets-spending-saving.aspx
Yet, we are in the process of stripping assets from the control (and future benefit) of all Aucklanders.
The concern over raising rates is justified, when developers contributions have been capped, existing ratepayers need to pay for infrastructure – even while property capital gains was extremely high. The CCO process which has split off essential services, has not only corporatised the delivery of those services, it has created a culture within Auckland Council that is seeking for something profound to contribute. They find it in ATEED, and promotion of events or iconic landmarks.
Ratepayers have contributed all along to the procurement of assets, and I accept that the budget contribution of property rates is not the majority. But i still see a lot of that budget being spent on non-essentials, and creating targeted rates to accomplish core services instead of prioritising, is both a method and an ideology that needs to be questioned – and preferably, stopped.
It’s true that councils need to have more access to funds. A major problem would be in the quality of decision making over how those funds should be spent. The fiasco in Kaipara should be a warning. Even in larger councils such as Auckland, the quality of some of the arguments is worryingly low. No government is doing to devolve power to councils if it sesnses a fiasco is brewing.
There’s only one way that works and that’s doing it through IRD and as a percentage of income plus a square metre charge. The IRD collects it from everyone’s income and disperses it to local government according to address registered.
Every house someone owns is charged at, say, 3% of income and that is then passed to the relevant local government for that address.
Ah, so you’re here to demand decreased services and even more infrastructure decay.
Really, there’s only so much fat that you can cut from the government budgets before it starts to negatively impact the services that the government provides. And that fat has been cut long ago.
The only fat now would be the privatised services that cost more while providing less.
Council’s have cut a whole lot of fat over the past 30 years and it still isn’t enough for some people. Most council services have been privatised and outsourced. This time 30 years ago New Plymouth’s council owned a bus fleet, electricity network, a power station, a portfolio of rental property, rubbish trucks, and so on. It has mostly all gone, but rates are still going up and people are still complaining.
Privatisation correlates with rising costs. Who would have thought it!
Anybody with half a brain who could do basic logic, i.e, not economists or politicians.
It’s not so much a matter of cutting services, rather doing them more efficiently.
I walk my dog around Half Moon Bay (auck) each day and the lack of commonsense in the service part of council is astounding. Having talked to these people, here are some examples.
Two different shaped rubbish bins, oval and semi circular. They are emptied by two different contractors.
Another contractor arrives to clean the toilet.
Another contractor arrives to pick up any rubbish in the car park
A security guard arrives, early morning to walk the passenger ferry wharf.
Four people arrive to mow the lawns, one on a ride on, one with a blower and two with edgers. This takes about half an hour then they all get in the truck and go else where. If the next place is 15 min away that’s an hour lost. Much more efficient for one guy to spend 2 hours and then travel 15 minutes.
I kid you not.
That is a result of the change in procurement policy, that took place about four years ago. The issue over council collecting rubbish is the same. A private contractor and an Auckland Council one are now patrolling the streets, effectively doubling the amound of fossil fuels used for rubbish collection.
More pertinently, the issue is one of Auckland Council sidestepping it’s responsibility to ensure efficient and ongoing waste management, by introducing competition, and thereby creating an excuse for themselves if standards drop.
In the Henderson Borough Council in the 60’s, a contractor called Keen collected the rubbish, my Mum used to leave a few bottles of DB out for the collection prior to Christmas. I don’t think this is anything new.
If we lived in NY we’d have a history of criminals running the service.
Ah, no. What Johnr describes started happening in the 1990s – I was one of the contractors.
It was the drive to privatisation that Labour started in the 1980s and it’s done us bad.
Are you saying that it would be better and that ACC would be more accountable if the City ran it’s own monopoly for their services?
“Are you saying that it would be better and that ACC would be more accountable if the City ran it’s own monopoly for their services?”
Yes. Especially for core services, where if any excess results it can be directed into maintenance, or enhanced infrastructure rather than distributed as profits.
The procurement policy enacted by Auckland Council took those 1980’s and upscaled them. A local resident who had been maintaining the local reserve, was not even eligible to tender for continuing his 25 years of service, because the focus was on getting large contracts from bigger suppliers. The level of service dropped.
But also, the local contractor took pride in contributing to his local community, and would often do extras like mowing the rugby field just before a game, rather than according to schedule. That contribution also confers a local sense of ownership, and valuing of community assets.
Instead Auckland Council, gave that contract and many other smaller ones to an Australian owned contractor, who then contracted out to smaller operators who would be persuaded to take reduced rates in order to maintain profits.
Then the council pays further money to try and instill a sense of community cohesion. Make of that what you will.
Molly at 2.18pm
Great. When an illustration of the problem is presented so clearly anyone except, red-necked po-faced l..nies can see why everything is getting dearer and yet standards are dropping.
That’s in large part because Auckland City used to be multiple cities and each city used it’s own private contractors etcetera.
Sending four guys out to four different locations would be more efficient in some ways. Would need more vehicles and more tools but may end up saving on labour.
I do have problems with that though in the social and safety aspects. Having someone else allows them to socialise which helps with their mental health and there being two people helps with safety when things go wrong.
@ DTB
We have a plethora of people and vehicles visiting every day, and I presume a bunch of other places also.
I would suggest that it’s simplified and localised.
Put a shed with a mower in it and other simple tools and a front end loader rubbish bin outside, and I could provide two fit agile pensioners to do all that is required, with pride, right now.
Couple of hours a day, they’d be delighted to be occupied with meaningful work and a pension supplement
I concur. The notion of doing it through IRD and as a percentage of income plus a square metre charge has merit.
It’s more progressive as it take incomes as well as property size into account. Improvement value (the value of the property’s buildings and other structures) should also form part of the calculation.
When I say councils need to consider ways to reduce costs, I’m talking about finding efficiencies while deferring or canceling nice to have projects. Ensuring expenditure on essential services and infrastructure are prioritised.
And when infrastructure requires renewing, councils should be looking at tried and tested options opposed to becoming guinea pigs, taking on board additional risk adopting untested technologies that can result in failures and unforeseen cost blowouts.
And just how are you going to do that?
They do actually do that. Unfortunately, for the last ~30 years the sole idea of improved efficiencies has been privatisation which has decreased efficiencies and cost us more. In fact, I believe that it’s written into law in some way.
It’s a major problem with following the neo-liberal ideology.
Yes, because the Industrial Revolution happened by doing everything the same way as the previous centuries…
… Wait, no it didn’t.
Not trying new ways of doing things prevents us doing things in a better way.
The thing about this debate is that no one is willing or able to say what council services they would cut and what funding mechanisms they would use to replace rates with. And if a 3% rate increase is too much for people, I cannot imagine how they would have coped with the 10+% increases 30-40 years ago.
Councils will never have enough, they’re insatiable. If rates doubled we’d get a 10 million dollar statue on Bastion Point instead of a 2 million dollar one.
millsy, the debate is broader, and should be ongoing.
Are all the funds currently in Auckland Council being prioritised in a way that ensures essential services are met, and infrastructure and maintenance are planned and budgeted for effectively?
If not, why the hell are we paying for ATEED, and other non-essential services before that is done?
The lack of transparency that Penny Bright protested about, exists.
It is not a knee-jerk reaction to ask these questions.
I think part of it is as simple as ‘Drains ain’t sexy’
I think you’re right re: Penny Bright.
“Who are you paying? How much? and How’d they get the job?”
I agree Molly, they seem like perfectly reasonable questions of somebody that has no money of their own.
ATEED should not exist.
That’s a whole council entity given over to promoting a small sector of business at the expense of all ratepayers.
Unfortunately Goff missed an opportunity when the accommodation industry bleated and moaned when he asked them to fund half the costs.
He should have grown some and said, ok we’ll shut it down.
Local councils overseas have access to funding streams other than local ones – usually state or national contributions towards services delivered by councils.
In NZ, successive govts have put more responsibilities on councils over the years but not added revenue or ways to get it. Regional economic development and tourism is just one example – in Auckland, that’s Ateed.
There have been some thorough reviews of this already over the last decade. Time to implment their recommednations and improve revenue sources, or explicitly give some responsibilities back to central govt agencies.
Councils have been delegated more and more functions, without the corresponding revenue, so central Government can pretend to have a surplus.
Overpaid council “management, subsidising roads for trucks, privatisation of services and councils feathering their own nests, doesn’t help.
Here is a debate that would bring some much needed balance and reason into the this ridiculous Russia hysteria that is sweeping MSM…if they actually wanted fairness and balance in their reporting that is…
Debate: Is Trump-Putin Summit a “Danger to America” or Crucial Diplomacy Between Nuclear Powers?
https://www.democracynow.org/2018/7/16/debate_is_trump_putin_summit_a_danger
Thanks for that link Adrian.
Greenwald’s reference to Obama and Clinton re: their positions in 2007 on “meeting the leaders of North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela, Syria and Iran without preconditions” is illuminating.
But us sheep have to be herded through that gate there. No discussion. No debating the pros and cons. No choice, no informed decision required.
Hup, hup, hup….gerron with you!
David Cormack argues (in the following below) the new boss is starting to look like the old boss.
And so we reach this Government, which has an opportunity to make a real difference for the people of New Zealand.
And while there are some positive noises, we’ve seen a desperation in their attempts to appease “business”.
Business isn’t even an actual thing. When we say “business”, we mean CEOs and boards who are duty-bound to do as much as possible to get as high a share price as possible.
And one of the ways to do that is to pay your workers bugger all.
So you want to keep them happy? Don’t do anything for the workers. That’ll get your business confidence surveys looking rosy.
Labour and the Greens tried to look all business friendly by putting in place the “Budget Responsibility Rules” at a time when it’s never been so good to borrow.
Even business leaders have said they’d be fine if those got shelved. I’m told that there is zero chance of that happening this term because they must give off a perception of reliability.
When your government is more worried about “reliability” and “perception” and not doing the right thing, then they’re just seeking power for power’s sake.
Which is what many accused National of doing.
Meet the new boss. It’s starting to look a lot like the old boss.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12085832
Gosh another granny article smudging this govt into the last one.
My how surprising they should get some bots and save as they only need a few simple rules to create meandering prose.
When they start attacking education, environment and health etc that’s when they become like the old one.
It’s just more of the required rebuild we always see after the haters and wreckers of national have been turfed out.
I went to an event last night where Winston Peters (and Shane Jones) spoke (about regional development) and also this issue of “business confidence”. Winston deftly skewered the naysaying “business community” and the media that carries their “unconfident” mewling, saying it was a disgrace how they carried on and noted the dissociation between “business confidence” as it is being presented, to actual economic measures: when business confidence is low, business does especially well, when it’s “high” as it usually is under a National Government, economic gains are all but stagnant. That’s telling ’em, Winston! He spoke confidently and elegantly about a number of issues, was amusing and quite gracious, I thought. He also gave a serve to Natty voters in the audience (this was Southland 🙂 when someone asked him for more money for roading here. Winston cited National’s ridiculous “roads of National significance” and pointed out that many in the room voted for them, and deserved what they got (or rather, didn’t get). Gotta say, it was a great evening. I spoke with Winston briefly about our original meeting long ago when I was introduced to him by Rod Donald at a press party in Bowen House and he had very kind things to say about Rod.
@ tc
“When they start attacking education, environment and health etc that’s when they become like the old one.”
Some would argue they already are. No money for nurses and teachers and consent given to miners to explore a marine sanctuary.
And as for the “required rebuild”, with Labour taking a similar fiscal stance as National, they’re finding they’re struggling to afford it.
No money for nurses and teachers
Yes that’s right the gummint has been offering a zero wage increase to these people.
“Yes that’s right the gummint has been offering a zero wage increase to these people.”
No. But what they are offering is insufficient and they claim to have no more money. Which is largely due to them taking a similar fiscal stance as National.
If our entire economy is structured over appeasing private and foreign investors and giving them corporate welfare and extra benefits to drive up prices, don’t be surprised if the locals now can’t afford to live in their own cities and require a massive pay rise to afford what they used to.
When a one bedroom Kiwibuild is now $500,000 and you need an income of $120 – $180k to afford one, while a nurse starts on around $26 p/h after a 3 year degree, (how to afford the deposit for a start), let alone the $650k for a terraced apartment and have to compete against 19,000+ applicants including ‘new’ residents from around the world with money from their parents who don’t have to rely on work for a living, then you have to make it fairer somehow, because if you don’t then we are going to keep sliding down the OECD tables… and become an Asian country that many our politician’s seem going towards, in terms of extreme inequality. The whole point many of the migrants come here is to escape problems in their home country, and come to a country that is safe and equal so politicians are not doing anyone any favours by underpaying essential people we need in the city to have a decent quality of life!
If wages were linked to house prices I think the government might be handling the housing situation very differently (and imagine it the employers had to peg their minimum wages to rising living costs) than allowing the private sector and the COO structures and foreign ‘investment’ in the housing market would be a no no as would volatility.
Instead government and business would advocate a very simple structure, not top heavy of building housing of decent quality that did the job without mod cons and easy to maintain, and have a very simple transport structure that did the job straight away with more trains, ferries and buses, not rely on a 20 year plan costing billions on infrastructure (while refusing to use existing train lines) that nobody will know if it will be enough and doesn’t even cover the whole of the city.
Government and business would also be trying to lower living costs (instead of increasing them under the current neoliberal system) so that these businesses were not constantly under wage pressure (against workers having this battle to bear alone).
Oh well, just a dream, I guess. Back to reality of increasing living costs for profit while keeping wages as low as possible and then doing worthless speeches about not wanting inequality and poverty.
You really do take any opportunity to go on one of your long winded rants. All i did was point out some bullshit from the chairperson.
ps.
Tying wages to house prices would have to be your most stupid suggestion to date. Just think of the chaos when the house market next corrects and wages are reduced by 30% while mortgage obligations remain.
It was not a literal suggestion, but more how government and business would have to radically change their approaches if business were effected by the same conditions as workers aka wages and living costs pegged, rather than blinding stumbling on with the neoliberal approach.
If living costs were seriously factored into the equation of wages then it would change the idea of what fair wage offers are.
The nurse offer is a case in point. The nurse offer is a good offer on paper, but practically is it now with student loans and foreign buyers and dual residents being encouraged into NZ markets to compete on housing but not earning the same wages or even paying the same interest rates or income taxes?
I always wonder what is the point of posting on these sites if you offer zero solution or opinion, but just act as a bully to one line attack other people who bother to post a point of view but offer zero solution or input yourself, maybe lazy trolling?
If you think the nurses and other health care staff, should except the offer, why don’t you bother to say why, instead of attacking other’s who don’t agree with you and bother to offer an opinion why they don’t.
If you hadn’t noticed, and if you haven’t you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll. I don’t see the point in you jumping to its defense.
In terms of the nurses and teachers, i’m of mixed opinion on it. Yes they probably do deserve more but also significant increases have been offered given the circumstances. There is so much to fix after three terms of nact.
In terms of teachers i can say from my own experience that there are a significant number who don’t deserve their jobs let alone more money. I would be more supportive of increasing teacher pay if more was done to force old school school teachers to professionally develop or get out.
I don’t see the Chairman as a troll because he/she offers an opinion. Yes he/she is negative about the government but from what I understand it (maybe wrong), he/she relies on a benefit to survive, so maybe is not seeing the rock star economy yet and has not for a while? Therefore maybe justified in his/her pessimism.
Then you are a fool.
The very idea of a concern troll is to offer a supposed opinion.
@SaveNZ .You have wonderful ideas ,expressed well.
Think its already too late to reverse this-‘and become an Asian country that many our politician’s seem going towards, in terms of extreme inequality.’
The line that foreigners are responsible for 3% of property sales is quite ludicrous.
Just to even things up, I agree with solkta about The Chairman.
Solkta;
You are so wrong here when you said;
“you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll. ”
I also have often cited Chairman and you as right wing trumpets.
But that is not a critisism.
But the fact that shows is when you twist the narritive to deliberately favour your views to suit your position, is usually the issue we are concerned about.
I dont mind you and others who dont agree with our left wing opinions.
Save NZ makes sound points that should be considered firstly, and not rubbished.
Fact;
Property values is now one of our biggest threats now going forward. That is no secret, nor is it a secret that national were so satisfied to see property prices go so high now that it is a major problem now.
@cleangreen
If you are going to quote me please have the basic decency to quote enough to not invert my meaning. What i said was:
“If you hadn’t noticed, and if you haven’t you would be the only one, that the chairperson is a concern troll.”
So which is it, do you think The Chairman is a troll? They claim to be left wing and concerned, but you say that you have “often cited Chairman and you as right wing trumpets”. How can The Chairman be left wing, as they claim, yet be a right wing trumpet, like you claim, and not be a troll?
And you think that i am right wing? That just says to me that you don’t understand much of what you read here.
Yes property prices are one of our biggest problems going forward. That doesn’t automatically make what SaveNZ says sensible or coherent.
edit:
ps If we are both right wing and presumably both trolls why would i spend so much time stripping back The Chairman’s concern trolling? I’m confused.
“There is so much to fix after three terms of nact. ”
….and don’t forget the Fifth Labour Government….https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Labour_Party#Fifth_Government_(1999%E2%80%932008)_and_opposition
Ensured a smooth path for their successors.
It’s a war: Grant Robertson vs the nurses. Some would argue that he can’t be held responsible for his budget because it was prepared by public servants. But why would they want to discriminate against nurses? The nurses waited until Jacinda went into recess before striking, so she wouldn’t be seen to be their target. Winston has been shrewd in not reacting to them making him seem the bogeyman in the situation – I guess he saw it coming & has seen it so many times before that it doesn’t bother him. Blame appropriately, identify the cause: who made the budget decision?
And why have the nurses waited 30 years to strike? What happened to the old idea of wages keeping up with inflation? The signal they’ve been sending to the public for an entire generation is that they’re dead keen to be martyrs to the cause of neoliberalism.
Staffing levels are dismal in many parts of the health system, so it is not just about offering higher wages to the individual, it is also about making sure there are enough individuals within that system to provide a high standard and continuity of care.
Breaking it down into individual, short-term alleviation of long-term financial pressure is a narrow perspective to frame the negotiations in.
Having listened last night to Winston Peters and Shane Jones describing what they are offering to the provinces, I would say the “new boss” is looking very, very different from the “old boss”.
Would that be corporate welfare with little more than trickle down actually going to the struggling people of the provinces?
Eeyore. There was one there last night as well; he got the short shrift. Winston’s the master at skewering doom merchants like him (and you).
” Winston’s the master at skewering doom merchants like him (and you).”
Winston comes across as a bully who plays on his curmudgeonly elder statesman image to deride those few braves who dare to ask the difficult questions.
And that is what we are supposed to do….question, question, question.
Only fools sit back and assume Our Leaders (of whatever hue) have their hearts and minds in the correct place.
Labour has history…and the Greens are spinning their wheels… and NZF can in no way ever be described as “Left”.
So…a coalition partner of convenience….but one that should be treated with a great amount of respect.
Shame on you Robert Guyton, for celebrating Winston’s worst tactics.
No they’re not.
So, yeah, not just ‘spinning their wheels’.
Rosemary! Winston’s “worst tactic” looks like something else when he’s using it to neuter a righty moaner, Imo.
When asked a straight question Winston usually gives a straight answer.
Ask him a silly question especially one intended to get a rise and he lets strip. Ask Guyon who asked the same dumb question four times on Monday morning.
ianmac
True every word as Guyon is a ‘born slimy trickster’ that loads the question for his use to try and get his answer the way he wants it.
I dickhead he is for sure.
In other words:
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
??? Is this a secret message like the broadcasts to the resistance in ww2?
I’m agreeing with Roberts message to not question our masters 🙂
He never said that. Freudian slip.
Never let the truth get in the way of a good story 🙂
Prob just went a smiggon too tangential, but good one nevertheless.
Ha! My message was, if you’re a moaning righty, watch out for Winston’s whip-crack tongue and crocodilian smile.
David Cormack blows bubbles of fact-free and reference-free hyperbole and achieves nothing except a minor ideological morning burp.
Mr Chairman. This column suggests that the last Government was hopeless.
Great story showing the reality of what happens when war comes – so pleased these people are safe here – kia kaha!
https://www.odt.co.nz/lifestyle/food-wine/news-features/nz-not-home-pair-glad-be-here
Excellent article written with great empathy and insight into the actual on the ground realities of life in a war zone. I am pleased to see the two women and their families settling in well down south – and wish I could send them lots of parsley for tabbouleh as it grows wild in south Wellington! Love dolmades and tabbouleh although I make my tabbouleh gluten free with rice or quinoa not bulgar wheat.
Actually I always enjoy reading the ODT and should do so more often. It is a relief from the Stuff and Herald mediocrity. SoI took a detour from that article to others in that issue. The Kamokamo article was really interesting for its history of the introduction of potatoes etc to NZ via James Cook et al, as well as of kamokamo themselves and other Pacific origin vegetables. LOL.
Cool. Yeah I like the odt for a change of pace and a different angle – plus it’s home down there for me so i never know if old schoolmates are gonna be in there or not.
Hate to say it but I have only visited our Deep South a couple of times, despite having lived overseas for many years back last century! (Love using that expression.) What I have seen etc of the south I have loved.
See you did a +1 over on the clash of the titans post. I would second that and do likewise but have a self imposed ban from commenting on certain authors’ posts. My self-preservation instincts are still strong, despite my advancing age. It looks like this interesting clash will continue later today, so off to get popcorn and wine. I recommend watching from the sidelines and not participating – its got the feel of potential collateral damage.
I’ll take your good advice ☺ I love agreeing with lprent.
I’m south in so many ways – love it and love so many other spots from muriwai on down.
Has our government spoken out in any way about this?
And if not, why not?
http://normanfinkelstein.com/2018/07/17/satanic-hangmen-tighten-noose/
Wildfires rage in Arctic Circle as Sweden calls for help
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jul/18/sweden-calls-for-help-as-arctic-circle-hit-by-wildfires
Fox News journalist Chris Wallace manages to get past Putin’s sophistry and under his skin
Full interview here:
“…. Its international airport, the country’s third-busiest, already has more than two million passenger movements a year, is planning for five million movements within 30 years, which might require a new terminal. ”
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/07/18/158353/struggling-queenstown-names-its-price
Given our distance from our main markets and a commitment to reducing fossil fuel use how can we be seriously planning on a near tripling of inbound tourism over the next few decades?
Pat;
“how can we be seriously planning on a near tripling of inbound tourism over the next few decades?”
We simply cant as air travel is so dirty and caues airmosheric air pollution much worse than anyone even thought.
https://www.eta.co.uk/environmental-info/air-travels-impact-on-climate-change/
Quote; – “To keep the climate safe we need drastic cuts in air travel. Efficiency savings such as more direct flights shave off small fractions but are dwarfed by planned growth.”
so our councils (and gov?) are making financial decisions on insupportable assumptions…..now whats the odds those decisions will prove to be the wrong decisions?
Or does the QLDC not believe we will attempt to meet our Paris commitments? ( I havnt looked but I suspect they are not alone in these types of assumptions)
I have broached this subject with friends and acquaintances a few times, regarding the pursuit of a conference centre and tourism that requires high and increasing levels of air travel to make pursue their growth goals.
When I suggest that if we are serious about climate change, this approach needs to stop, I am met with blank looks – and the words “Do not compute” can almost be seen scrolling across foreheads. We will no doubt come to the conclusion that industries that are pursuing growth rather than sustainable practice, do not create enough benefits in order to offset the externalities for us all. The sooner the better, because then we can plan a smoother transition into alternative industries and sustainable business practices.
Its hard to believe that these organisations dont grasp what emission reduction means….that being so, why do they continue to plan for a BAU future….incompetence.
A tRump Tower in Moscow, whatever it takes.
.
White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Wednesday that President Trump will discuss allowing Russian investigators to come to the United States to question U.S. citizens, including a former American ambassador to Russia.
Sanders said during a White House press briefing that Trump is “gonna meet with his team” to talk about the potential for Russian officials to question U.S. citizens like Michael McFaul, who was ambassador to Russia from January 2012 to February 2014.
http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/397701-white-house-trump-open-to-russia-questioning-us-citizens
Unbelievable this – It just feels like that blimp was almost a twin to t.rump certainly in terms of naievity.
All these misspeakings – wtf is going on with that? He said apparently the OPPOSITE of what he now says he was going to say – ffs luckily he’s not on jury duty or doing something important.
Oh look, someone’s twigged.
/
WASHINGTON — The fall in the percentage of economic growth flowing to workers is “very troubling,” a worrisome sign in an otherwise bright American economy, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell told a Senate panel Tuesday.
Testifying in front of the Senate Banking Committee, Powell expressed concern that the share of profits going to American labor had fallen “precipitously” for more than a decade and was not reversing course.
http://www.theledger.com/news/20180717/fed-chair-decline-in-worker-share-of-profits-very-troubling
I hope Donald doesn’t get ‘would’ and ‘wouldn’t’ muddled up when Generals question him about the launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Yeah I thought that too. Interviewer: But would you drop the bomb? Trump: I wouldn’t. Media then headlines howls of outrage from the Trump hinterland. Press conference: I mis-spoke. I meant to say I would. Slip of the tongue. Interviewer: Freudian? Trump: Damn right I’m Freudian. Ain’t nobody more so.
I/S spotting this potentially-wonderful news:
“Good news from Nelson: the Waimea dam project – the one National wants to pass a Muldoonist Enabling Act to rip land out of a forest park for – has escalated in price and looks doomed:
Updated costs for the proposed Waimea dam have added a whopping $26 million to its bottom line, putting the future of the controversial project in doubt.
“Unless a solution can be found to close the gap, the dam won’t go ahead,” Tasman district mayor Richard Kempthorne told a media briefing on Thursday morning. “There is no doubt this is a major setback and possibly the greatest challenge yet for the project.”
A long-time supporter of the dam as the best option to augment the water supply for Waimea, Kempthorne said he was “gutted” by the updated figures, which represent a 35 per cent escalation in costs.”
I swam in the river regularly when I was a boy and I’m deeply hopeful that the good news from I/S signals the end of the project.
Robert 100% well said.
Robert G
Kempthorne was at opening of local Environment Centre the other day – and he said that they weren’t pushing for the Pupu Springs encroachnment but seemed to think that downstream something might be possible. He’s one of those ‘pragmatic’ Mayors who think they can have their cake and eat it too, I feel.
This could be the end of him, grey.
Glorious Link here if you missed the $26 M Blow out !/Nail in the coffer of further Intensification in “Golden Bay”: http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2018/07/doomed.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/105548861/retired-uk-chartered-public-sector-accountant-hits-out-at-waimea-dam-process
Yes Robert, the dam, originally named the Lee Valley Dam, was a private business project pushed by a coterie of powerful horticulturalists. It was never economic, so the council was convinced to support it ($10 million) , and sell it to the ratepayers. The public were sceptical. The Council has failed in its duty to the public, and the Mayor should publicly apologize for wasting $10M, and/or resign.
Those who want water in order to make money play the long game, start early and act ruthlessly. I think about the qualities of the Lee river; cool, deep, green as glass, fresh, alive… I hope it stays that way.
Someone’s been busy – ‘idiot’.
Look out! HNZ buys home and beneficiaries may move in. We need neighborhood watch…report suspicions activity to the police immediately…Tuakau street no longer safe..
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018654207/neighbours-shocked-by-racist-anonymous-letter-about-hnz-purchase
Alternarrative facts – Magnitsky narrative
Shortlived link to Nekrasov doco – otherwise desisted by Browder threats.
Well worth the 125 minutes – persist for the twist. )))
“Magnitsky Act: Behind the Scenes”
Window has closed. Stream is gone now !
https://www.globalresearch.ca/a-blacklisted-film-and-the-new-cold-war/5602457
660MB
From:
https://twitter.com/torsteingrude/status/950834093519986690
Torstein Grude
@TorsteinGrude
Replying to @MaxBlumenthal
The Norwegian documentary film “The Magnitsky Act – Behind the Scenes”, directed by Putin critic Andrei Nekrasov @antiputinismus exposes @Billbrowder’s fraudulent Magnitsky narrative. A personal copy of the film can be requested from me on torstein@piraya.no (I’m the producer)
12:58 PM – 9 Jan 2018
Good morning The Am Show Friday days off a most people want to buy a house Duncan and Our Government is doing it’s best with this hot potatoe that national gave them with a underarm bowl its good now that they are accepting reality on Global Warming that’s what public opinion does .
There will be enough gas coming out of some party’s head quarters to proved gas for the next 100 years for methanex lol .
Mark S that story yesterday about your son Hunter being briefly lost well I got a niece that would do that try and walk home at 4 years old get lost that was stressful.
Yes they are trying to get Eco Maori to walk there crooked line with land mines and big holes in the systems line .
Ka kite ano P.S the song by Johhny Cash I walk the line.
Some music that Eco Maori is listening to
Many thanks to the European Union for assessing a total ban of the use of plastic bags we don’t need to use this stuff that poisons our precious taonga the wild creates of Papatuanuku you lead Us all down the correct path .Ka pai ka kite ano P.S France has already started the ban link below.
http://www.euronews.com/2016/06/30/france-bans-plastic-bags-what-about-the-rest-of-the-eu
Here we go kirk hope trying to say our low wage economy is not the problem behind our low productivity . 1 this man wants wages to stay low so he and his business round table m8 can take all the proft’s and run to the bank he is getting payed 300 x the lowest pay rate of one of his employees Eco Maori would like to see this person try and live on the minimum wage of 40 hours x $16.50 =$660 in Auckland that’s the rent payed so how is one to travel to work by clothes many expenses to pay to survive in Aotearoa . What is wrong is to much money is invested in property if a third of that money was in business and 3 % of that invested in science and research well thing would be a lot different. The big problem is that wealty people do not pay there fair share of taxes all around Papatuanuku I apploud the Europeen Union for fining Google for anti competition business practices IE a default policy that forces everyone to use there soft ware. Big business are sharks . I booked consumer web site for one month payed $10.00 with credit card I was happy found the info I was looking for on NZ consumers web site till I checked my bank account and found 3 more charges from consumer NZ site you see this business that is founded on looking after the consumer’s has a default setting on there site one has to physically tick a box you don’t even see to not be charged $10 a month obviously I rang them up and complained this is how most big business behave and this behavior NEEDS TO CHANGE . Ana to kai ka kite ano the link is below .
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/105627756/new-zealand-has-issues-but-the-idea-it-is-a-lowwage-economy-is-a-myth P.S when wages are pushed up business will have to lift productivity to cover the wage rise or fold that’s the capitalist way NO
A few years back I had a reasonable sized business in forestry I folded it because some of my employees were ripping me off getting paid for work not done .
I wen’t Dairy Farming and if one knows Dairy Farming you don’t have a life so no time to cross check there bill well to cut a long story short Accident Compensation Corporation charged me cover for my workers when the business had folded this would not have been hard for ACC to see as there would have been no earning for the company . I trusted ACC to have there facts right . I did not find out that they had billed me for nothing I only owed them half of what they charged me . They had set Lawyers on to me I payed the part that I owed and more . Because of these farcical charges ACC ruined my credit for 15 years they ruined my future business potential earnings I have the prof to in hard copy. What also got me was some how some earnings had been filed to Inland revenue 5 years after the fact it was not much but how does that compute . So I have the time to sue ACC now for this some one else has been at play here. link below
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/105130307/acc-claimant-says-he-will-never-give-up-fighting P.S what I don’t get is ACC think that when you get injured that ones bills living cost are going to go down by %20 they only pay you %80 of your earnings
Yes ACC needs to change back into a humane organization and not a for profit organization that it is after who has had his fingers in it money man
Good evening Newshub trump is loving all the commotion he is causing he is basking in it like a sun bather in the sun. Mean while everyone is focused on the circus he has created around him self he is rolling back all the Environmental Protection Agency’s laws by 20 years so his coal producing m8 can start burning OUR environment again that’s what he is up to muppet. He is most likely changing the laws so he can win the next election no matter what happens.
I can see what is going to be the out come of the visit by the connadian couple trip I will let you know when it happens .
Its been a good week for all our kiwi sports stars Ka kite ano
The Crowd Goes Wild well with the Netball when the troops lose the Generals are at fault .
Watch out James some mite think you have a flower on your ear with the way you described the Chiefs and the Hurricanes lol were’s your jandles .
Congratulations to all the UFC fighters coming out of the City Kickboxing Jim in Auckland Kia kaha tangata been meaning to acknowledge the success City Jim is having in there field of sports.
Makarere te Wahine are cleaning up the field in the Papatuanuku Dragon Boat racing in Tahiti te Tane are doing great as well Ka pai ka kite ano