Open mike 19/01/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 19th, 2016 - 79 comments
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79 comments on “Open mike 19/01/2016 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    19 January 2016 at 7:04 am

    It’s the economy, stupid……

    ‘Dairy futures point to weak demand’
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11575842

    NZ sharemarket falls again
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/294349/nz-sharemarket-falls-again

    Weak growth and dairy prices weigh on kiwi
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11575715

    With wave of Iranian oil imminent, a shudder in Saudi Arabia
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11575666

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1
      19 January 2016 at 2:40 pm

      Quoting first article:

      ASB Bank said there was a chance of a small tick up in dairy prices at this week’s auction , “but the overall trend remains still weak and highlights one of the key areas of downside risk to the NZ economy,” the bank said.

      Highlights the problem of putting all our eggs in one basket. Thanks banks, farmers and government for all being so bloody stupid.

      With wave of Iranian oil imminent, a shudder in Saudi Arabia

      If the governments of the world were doing what they should be doing then demand for oil and other fossil fuels should be declining steadily.

  2. Tautoko Mangō Mata 2
    19 January 2016 at 7:11 am

    Interactive map on ISDS
    http://teamdata.oneworld.nl/projects/isds/movementmap-claimants/

    Also good long read on ISDS
    “Why companies sue countries (and how they do it) ” http://longreads.oneworld.nl/en/about-isds/

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3
    19 January 2016 at 7:57 am

    Think tanks: how independent are they?

    “Big business orders its pro-TTIP arguments from these think tanks”

    http://www.bilaterals.org/?big-business-orders-its-pro-ttip

    The information came from this study
    https://decorrespondent.nl/3874/How-we-looked-into-think-tanks-and-TTIP-and-feel-free-to-use-our-data/853522027644-4f371269

  4. Penny Bright 4
    19 January 2016 at 8:13 am

    This growing global inequality, in my view, is becoming simply obscene.

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jan/18/richest-62-billionaires-wealthy-half-world-population-combined

    “Oxfam said a three-pronged approach was needed: a crackdown on tax dodging; higher investment in public services; and higher wages for the low paid.

    It said a priority should be to close down tax havens, increasingly used by rich individuals and companies to avoid paying tax and which had deprived governments of the resources needed to tackle poverty and inequality.

    Three years ago, David Cameron told the WEF that the UK would spearhead a global effort to end aggressive tax avoidance in the UK and in poor countries, but Oxfam said promised measures to increase transparency in British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, such as the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands, had not been implemented.

    Goldring said: “We need to end the era of tax havens which has allowed rich individuals and multinational companies to avoid their responsibilities to society by hiding ever increasing amounts of money offshore.

    … ”

    I agree.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  5. Whispering Kate 5
    19 January 2016 at 8:27 am

    Once again RNZ has this morning has some economist (if he could call himself one) being interviewed this morning on the Business Report (or whatever it is called) and part of the discussion was about there probably would be, once again, no pay rises forthwith this year for workers. It came to pass that the “economist” said that there were other ways to recompense workers, the interviewer had the sense to ask him “what other ways were there?” and – I just couldn’t believe my ears, he pontificated on that “praise” and “pats on the back” and “a job well done” went a long way to make it worthwhile for workers.

    Where do these people come from for God’s sake. How patronising can you get. Did anybody else hear this and what do they think of it. Is it just me or what? My partner said “calm down its just spin” – how are they allowed to get away with this absolute bullshit – this is the second day in a row I have heard about a “glowing economy” ad nauseum from RNZ. Tell that to people who haven’t had a pay rise for God knows when and costs going up all the time. Pat on the back – its sick making and going back to early Victorian days when one fobbed their hat and grovelled just to survive. How about recompensing for the hard work in pay increases – isn’t that what its all about – slavery is supposed to have been abolished years ago – I think not.

    • Paul 5.1
      19 January 2016 at 8:44 am

      5 minutes of propaganda by RNZ business section on behalf of big corporates.

      First up
      ‘Employee confidence back in positive territory – survey’
      Westpac Senior economist Anne Boniface.
      Another spokesperson for the banksters is allowed to go unchallenged.
      Westpac’s profits for 2015 was $916 million; clearly no free money to pay its workers.

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/businessnews/audio/201785906/employee-confidence-back-in-positive-territory-survey
      http://www.westpac.co.nz/business/economic-updates/our-economics-team/
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/73612560/asb-anz-bnz-and-westpac-rake-in-459-billion-of-profits

      Then the report you referred to.
      ‘HR report reveals NZers least confident of wage rise’
      Blair Cashin from Randstad was saying the same type of stuff last year as well.

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/businessnews/audio/201785907/hr-report-reveals-nzers-least-confident-of-wage-rise
      http://www.randstad.co.nz/about-randstad/our-company/the-team/meet-the-team-in-wellington
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/65466063/Unhappy-workers-eye-the-exit

      • Whispering Kate 5.1.1
        19 January 2016 at 9:04 am

        Thank you Paul for linking all the conversations. I am a bit of a technophobe and am learning to link information I hear – but for me, all takes time!! I just cannot fathom why there isn’t a sort of code of compliance these radio stations and TV channels have to apply. They have a Broadcasting Standards one I know but to just be allowed to put such utter crap out there without certain standards applying seems odd to me. RNZ is meant to be pretty up front with what it broadcasts – I think its going to be yet another source of information I am going to turn off.

        Personally what that man said this morning has to be the worst sort of rubbish I have heard for a long time.

        • Paul 5.1.1.1
          19 January 2016 at 9:08 am

          It’s not what he said. You would expect the Head of a company like Randstad to say something like this.
          It’s the fact that our only state broadcaster provides a megaphone for these views – unchallenged.

          • Tc 5.1.1.1.1
            19 January 2016 at 11:14 am

            As designed with griffin at the helm and a nat stacked board.

            • Paul 5.1.1.1.1.1
              19 January 2016 at 11:17 am

              Details of the Board here.

              http://www.radionz.co.nz/about/board-profile

              RICHARD GRIFFIN

              Chair of the Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Richard Griffin was appointed to the board as a governor in May 2010. He has an extensive career in print media, radio, television and public relations. A past Radio New Zealand Political Editor and a life member of the Parliamentary Press Gallery, he served as Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Prime Minister, Jim Bolger from 1993 until 1998. He was Manager of Policy Development, Government Relations and Communications for TVNZ from 2000 to 2007. Mr Griffin is a Director of the public relations consultancy, Fraser, Griffin, Wood.

              JOSH EASBY
              Deputy Chair – Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Josh Easby has over 35 years of experience in business development. He has held senior positions within the New Zealand and UK commercial radio industry, and more recently with Australasian Media group APN News and Media Ltd. He played a vital role in the consolidation of the New Zealand radio industry in the 1990s and has held senior operational roles in the New Zealand commercial radio and publishing markets.
              He is a past executive member of the commercial Radio Broadcasters Association and was General Manager for Radio Hauraki. He has published several books, is a keen soccer fan and has had administrative involvement with clubs in England and New Zealand.

              TIWANA TIBBLE
              Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Tiwana Tibble has been the chief executive of the Ngati Whatua o Orakei Maori Trust Board since 1998. Prior to that he was the Company Secretary and Financial Controller at the Maori Development Corporation Ltd.

              GARY MONK
              Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Gary has had a long involvement in New Zealand primary industry. Having completed a law degree he embarked on a career in the seafood industry in 1976 and established Intersea Limited in 1983. He is a shareholder and non-executive Chairman of Mathias International Limited, a privately owned New Zealand company trading in agricultural primary products, and is a Director and non-executive Chairman of New Zealand Light Leathers Limited, a tannery based in Timaru exporting deer leather to Europe, China and the USA.

              SHEENA HENDERSON
              Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Sheena Henderson, previously Global Brand director for Fonterra, is a Christchurch-based consultant specialising in branding, marketing and corporate advisory work.

              DEBORAH TAYLOR
              Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Deborah Taylor is a self-employed business consultant from Queenstown. She has an extensive financial and legal background and is a former director and principal of a chartered accountants firm.

              MELISSA CLARK-REYNOLDS
              Radio New Zealand Board of Governors
              Wellingtonian Melissa Clark-Reynolds is a technology entrepreneur who has taken several companies from start up through to high growth.
              Her last business was MiniMonos – a children’s games site which aims to provide a community for children based in good values: providing environmental education while playing great games. She is now CEO of Looxie, an online media startup.
              She is featured in Her Business’s Hall of Fame, was named by Forbes Magazine as one of 10 Female Entrepreneurs to watch, and is also an Independent Director of the NZ Centre for Gifted Education.

              • Tc …
                19 January 2016 at 2:39 pm

                Business, finance, sales and marketing, fisheries and iwi led by bolgers old press secretary.

                Spot any broadcasting experience ?

                • Once was Tim …
                  19 January 2016 at 7:13 pm

                  I spy with my little eye COMMERCIAL broadcasting experience; treating audiences as consumers not citizens; branding; demographic targeting; bean cunting (oops missed the ‘o’); cumfy little board room chairs; cronyism; etc.

                  One of the main things any (next) government should address as a priority IF THEY ARE CONCERNED about NZ remaining a 1st world democracy (actually we’re already a bit passed that) is appointments to public service positions ……
                  that’s alongside usurping judicial power and vesting it in the executive; legislation passed under urgency; etc. (Generally recognising that democracy isn’t elected dictatorships.)
                  I’m not sure however, that either National, Labour, (and now Greens) are up for all that but I’ll be watching policy promises

    • DH 5.2
      19 January 2016 at 11:57 am

      I don’t know what it is about economics. There’s something in it that makes many people who take up economics lose their humanity. Or maybe it just attracts the wrong type of people.

      Economists remind me of the old alchemists constantly trying to turn lead into gold. They’re formulaic, to the economist everything in life has a magic formula. There’s a perfect level of tax, a perfect level of economic growth, a perfect level of unemployment, a perfect level of inflation… etc etc. They try to be logical while at the same time acting irrationally.

      They’re an odd bunch, would be amusing if they didn’t do so much harm.

      • Pat 5.2.1
        19 January 2016 at 12:05 pm

        economists …the high priests of the new religion….have faith my son

        • Rodel 5.2.1.1
          19 January 2016 at 8:32 pm

          Read a few books on economics in my time. Generally aimed at about year 8-9 intellectual school level. Full of old world metaphors and few real definitions.
          i.e. ‘steam’.. dampening down’…’putting a lid on’… etc

          Q -Why did god invent economists?
          A -To make meteorologists look good. …(old joke and my apologies to current day meteorologists who are actually very skilled.)

          • Pat 5.2.1.1.1
            19 January 2016 at 10:00 pm

            something to ponder..

            macro economics is the study of entire economies comprising aggregated production, labour, social policy, resources etc…in other words large grouped factors that are predictable in average……and

            ‘Oxfam said that the 62 richest people having as much wealth as the poorest 50% of the population is a remarkable concentration of wealth, given that it would have taken 388 individuals to have the same wealth as the bottom 50% in 2010. ”

            a very small group with (likely) diametrically opposed goals

      • Wairua 5.2.2
        19 January 2016 at 2:34 pm

        .. and not a broadcaster in sight !

        Put Kim Hill on the board to safeguard broadcast standards.

        There should not be any partisan objections.

  7. just saying 7
    19 January 2016 at 8:57 am

    https://bootstheory.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/building-a-mass-movement/

    Message to Lynn and other writers.
    I’d like it if the above was posted as a guest post, in the next couple of days (with Stephanie’s permission of course). I’d like to discuss it here, and I think others might too.

    For some reason, I’m not able to copy and paste a snippet from the blog

    • BM 7.1
      19 January 2016 at 9:15 am

      That’s been discussed so many times on here.

      Just to save time, a quick summary.

      It’s all the fault of white heterosexual males and if you disagree you’re a supporter of rape culture, homophobia, misogyny and you’re a racist.

      Endless back and forth bickering and finger pointing.

      • just saying 7.1.1
        19 January 2016 at 9:32 am

        I’m sure you don’t want the left to be united, BM.

        Your summary is bullshit.

        • BM 7.1.1.1
          19 January 2016 at 10:16 am

          United doesn’t equal a tiny group of extremists berating and abusing the larger group of moderates until that group is forced to capitulate and agree absolutely with the extremists world view.

          If you think that’s the path to success, you’re going to be seriously disappointed.

      • Puckish Rogue 7.1.2
        19 January 2016 at 9:42 am

        Very succinct BM

      • marty mars 7.1.3
        19 January 2016 at 9:55 am

        It is too hard for a ‘basic’ person like you to get bm and I’m pleased about that because having a (insults deleted) like you pushing opinions gives us an idea of what we are up against and why ‘left unity’ is necessary.

        arsehole righties giving advice to the left? yeah nah – same for you pucker.

  8. Sabine 8
    19 January 2016 at 9:15 am

    in other news, all is well.

    http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/18/gdp-growth-estimates-fall-below-1-percent.html

    and then there is this, guys, it’s gonna get better then it was in 2008! Yuppie! rejoice, our overlords know what they do, really they do.

    http://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/15/a-recession-worse-than-2008-is-coming-commentary.html

  9. Draco T Bastard 9
    19 January 2016 at 11:30 am

    Piketty, Rousseau and the desire for inequality

    Notice how this picture inverts one of the standard tropes of the right-wing commentariat. According to endless pundits, it is the egalitarian left, obsessed with a “politics of envy”, who irrationally focus on the distribution of wealth and income at the expense of what really matters, making people’s lives better. But here we see that a focus on inequality, indeed a lust for inequality, is characteristic of the wealthy who value inequality for its own sake and who rejoice in the subordination of their fellows.

    The RWNJs actually want others to be envious of them and probably get really upset when told that we’re actually disgusted by them.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    19 January 2016 at 11:36 am

    Can you guess which country just set a new world record for wind power?

    According to Energinet, Denmark’s electric utility, the country’s turbines accounted for the equivalent of 42 percent of all electricity produced for the year. It’s the highest proportion for any country — breaking a record the country set just last year — ​and represents more than a doubling compared to just 10 years ago.

    Proves that full renewable energy is possible. But, then, we already knew that here in NZ with ~70% of electricity produced by renewables. We just don’t have a government willing to go all out and produce the rest that we need via renewables including that needed for transport.

  12. greywarshark 12
    19 January 2016 at 12:22 pm

    This is something that should be thought about and acted to advance now. It’s time has come, again. But for politicians it’s real work, not leading to a plum job out of the pollie heaven. So they will take it up reluctantly only if pushed. It’s euthanasia, assisted dying etc

    Pollies can be quick enough to send citizens to war and aggression in this or another country (I regard the raid on Tuhoe as a practice police-military action). But it is too uppity of citizens to want to have charge of themselves and their time of death, that is legal and accessible. Ask politicians to act dutifully to the citizens and responsibly in supporting and finalising a well-written, fair, adequate and suitable Bill and act before the end of this month, January, less than a fortnight away. Don’t leave it in the hands of authoritarian detractors who want to make decisions for others who should be able to decide themselves on this most important right.

    RADIONZ broadcast Matt Vickers a few days ago asking people to come forward and take up Lecretia’s plea.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/294319/have-your-say-on-euthanasia,-urges-lecretia%27s-husband

    Ms Seales took legal action for the right to die with dignity in a case that played out as the curtain fell on her life. She died hours after the High Court ruled it was a debate that needed to be had by Parliament and not the courts.
    Lecretia Seales’ husband Matt Vickers after her death and the judge’s decision

    Parliament picked up on that challenge, with its health select committee launching an inquiry in response to a petition calling for a law change to permit medically assisted dying in the event of terminal illness or other specific circumstances.
    Her husband Matt Vickers said it would be a tragedy if the chance to have a debate on the topic was wasted.

    This link put up by a commenter on RADIONZ comment channel RNZ Talk –
    Frithogar
    Make submissions here – note there is a verification process at the bottom of the page
    The closing date is February 1
    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/sc/make-submission/0SCHE_SCF_51DBHOH_PET63268_1/petition-of-hon-maryan-street-and-8974-others
    and
    chienfou
    There’s a prospect of appearing before the committee to speak to your submission. I’d encourage anyone who possibly can to volunteer. It adds a lot of weight to the democratic process, especially if it’s not just the same old Wellington hacks turning up.

    Lecretia and Matt’s blog – http://lecretia.org/
    Lecretia’s Choice
    Lecretia Seales believed ill people enduring intolerable suffering with no hope of recovery should have the choice to request assistance to end their lives.

    Scoop reporting the Lecretia Seales tragedy and the initiative taken by her and her husband.
    http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=76594
    edited

    • Rosemary McDonald 12.1
      19 January 2016 at 12:52 pm

      Have no fear greywarshark, this Bill will be passed.

      It is popular on the left, on the right and in the centre.

      Anyone who expresses concern that such legislation should be approached with extreme caution is written off as a sadistic godbotherer.

      My concern, for what it is worth, is that until there is legislation that entitles all New Zealanders to publicly funded health and disability care then legislation facilitating ‘voluntary euthanasia’ should be put on hold.

      It will be hard to incorporate protections against people being coerced into taking this option when the State is doing the coercing.

      • greywarshark 12.1.1
        19 January 2016 at 1:28 pm

        Rosemay Mc
        Well I hope that you are right, it will be passed. It is rational from most points of view, and it is ethical also from most.

        But I understand that you may be concerned about coercion. Also there are lacks in the ‘publicly funded health and disability care’, and it would be good if someone could decide to go from a situation of excellent care, and not miserable conditions, not supported properly and fairly.. No legislation can be perfect, but we can try and also be watchdogs against misuse. I want people to have the right to decide after going through prescribed but not draconian, procedures.

        • weka 12.1.1.1
          19 January 2016 at 1:51 pm

          tbh, I wouldn’t want the current government writing and passing euthanasia legislation. I just don’t trust them.

          Ideally a government would take a year to educate the citizens about what euthanasia is, what the issues are on various sides, and what the likely parameters are within NZ when it comes to enacting legislation. That time could be used to run workshops in communities and facilitate debate and discussion across a wide section of society as possible. Leaving this up to petitions and select committee hearings is not ok for such an important issue. It’s also not black and white about what should be legislated and that needs debate.

          I’m generally in favour of euthanasia but like Rosemary I have concerns from a health and disability perspective, as well as issues for the elderly. I also think we should be looking at this debate within the context of a resource depletion future but I don’t expect many to agree with me on that.

        • Rosemary McDonald 12.1.1.2
          19 January 2016 at 2:02 pm

          Talking about deciding to go….

          like Charles Mitchell,

          http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/75922680/raglan-whitebait-pioneer-charles-mitchell-dies-age-64

          “….was the kind of environmentalist who loved progress, hated red tape and shared his knowledge with anyone who’d listen.

          In the face of advancing glaucoma and what seemed like an unending mountain of red tape, Charles took his life on September 13, Megan said.

          “The difficulty with having science on your side is that it is of no assistance if the denizens of officialdom do not understand that science.” ”

          Its truly awful that he could not face the prospect of impending blindness, but I can understand how someone who spent his entire working life battling government bureaucracy could be tipped over the edge.
          Accessing disability supports in New Zealand for those not under ACC’s Serious Injury service is a nightmare of hoop jumping and red tape untangling. For some, the prospect has been too much.
          For others, they have spent many years battling, and it has been a seemingly trivial speed bump that has been the tipping point.
          Two cases come to mind…the real issue was not entirely ‘unbearable pain and suffering’ but the loss of dignity at having to beg for basic supports in one case and the knowledge that the disability was going to have as much of an effect on loved ones in the other….in both of these cases the Voluntary Euthanasia lobby swooped down and commandeered the narrative and the underlying cause of the suicide was lost.

          I have no faith that this government is capable of constructing legislation that will provide the safeguards needed.
          Not when this government has made it quite clear that the rights of people with disabilities can be arbitrarily cast aside.

  13. adam 13
    19 January 2016 at 12:31 pm

    Wow, almost a radical social democrat.

    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2016/01/winstons-choice.html

    Only printed in the press, I wonder why?

  14. Paul 14
    19 January 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Professor Kevin Anderson of the Tyndall Centre Manchester, interviewed on Friday 8th January. This first of three videos covers the outcomes and significance of the recent UN climate conference in Paris.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-t9XpFUoGU

  15. Manuka AOR 15
    19 January 2016 at 4:24 pm

    David Cunliffe has a guest post today at TDB: “In a Land of Plenty”
    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2016/01/19/guest-blog-david-cunliffe-in-a-land-of-plenty/

  16. ianmac 16
    19 January 2016 at 5:00 pm

    Gee that Josie Pagani works hard at undermining Labour and its membership. This time by supporting TPPA and by belittling Andrew Little. Andrew Geddis is there to correct Josie’s silly unfounded assertions.
    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/opponents-of-the-tpp-have-been-vague-about-their-alternative#comment-42531

    • McFlock 17.1
      19 January 2016 at 5:49 pm

      Lol

      pickups dropped off…

      • Sacha 17.1.1
        19 January 2016 at 9:06 pm

        or as someone pointed out, they might be negging us.

        • weka 17.1.1.1
          19 January 2016 at 9:13 pm

          How so?

          • Sacha 17.1.1.1.1
            19 January 2016 at 9:33 pm

            Knew I should have added a smiley. I gather spurning is one of their strategies.

            • weka 17.1.1.1.1.1
              19 January 2016 at 9:40 pm

              I hate it when I’m caught being a literalist 😉

              I had to google negging and then wished I hadn’t.

            • McFlock 17.1.1.1.1.2
              19 January 2016 at 9:49 pm

              It was probably accurate with or without smileys.

              From what I’ve gathered, their ‘technique’ is all about damaging a woman’s judgement and self esteem so that she deigns to let the “artist” do what he wants to her. The only reason that would be necessary is if he were a pointless waste of space whom nobody would ever want to know, biblically or otherwise.

              Negging is probably just their automatic reflex to the rejection they know they deserve, A bit sad, really.

  18. Paul 18
    19 January 2016 at 5:43 pm

    Really enjoying the new Checkpoint.

    • ianmac 18.1
      19 January 2016 at 6:39 pm

      Watched the first half online. Intriguing. Really good. Some say that it could usurp the emptiness of TV news.
      Supposed to be available on Freeview 50 but not here anyway. Must find out if re-programming could find it here in Marlborough.

      • In Vino 18.1.1
        19 January 2016 at 8:54 pm

        You probably need to update the tuning on your TV. Not many will automatically pick up a new channel that has become available – you need to make it scan what is now available…

      • Sacha 18.1.2
        19 January 2016 at 9:35 pm

        “Some say that it could usurp the emptiness of TV news.”

        Sure felt more honest to me. Less invested in pointless smoothness and more into the reporting, interviewing and showing us real New Zealanders. Worked well without the pictures on my drive home today too.

  19. joe90 19
    19 January 2016 at 10:14 pm

    Oh dear…

    So then this fucking nightmare played over the Trump-o-Tron, as four very old veterans saluted the screen from the stage. It is hands down the most pandering feat of jingoism/Creed-worship one could imagine. You can watch the full video below. Caution, contains a clip of Michael Jordan dunking a basketball.

    […]

    FUBU, aka “For Us By Us” is a line of hiphop branded clothing, i believe now partially owned by Samsung and manufactured in Korea & Cambodia. Here being worn in its 2 piece “FUBUSport” track suit form by an overweight white man actively booing Black Lives Matter mentions and foreign outsourced production. It’s so perfect I could cry.

    […]

    bold claim coming from a guy who’s military experience is solely limited to being enrolled in a private military academy in the 8th grade, which he claimed gave him “more training militarily than a lot of the guys that go into the military”

    …

    https://storify.com/tinymediaempire/i-went-to-a-donald-trump-rally-and-saw-a-mean-wear

  20. joe90 20
    19 January 2016 at 10:41 pm

    ‘Tis the time….

    All the young dudes
    (Hey dudes)
    Carry the news
    (Where are ya)
    Boogaloo dudes
    (Stand up Come on)
    Carry the news
    All the young dudes
    (I want to hear you)
    Carry the news
    (I want to see you)
    Boogaloo dudes
    (And I want to talk to you all of you)
    Carry the news

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwVfEXJhQQ

    http://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/18/mott-the-hoople-drummer-dale-griffin-dies-aged-67

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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    12 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    14 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    15 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    16 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    18 hours ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    19 hours ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    20 hours ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    23 hours ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    24 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    1 day ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
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  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
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  • Judicial appointments announced
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  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
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  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
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  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
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  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
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