Open mike 19/03/2016
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6:00 am, March 19th, 2016 - 45 comments
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Since Dwight Eisenhower’s inauguration in 1953, US presidents have joined an informal club intended to provide support - and occasionally rivalry - between those few who have been ‘leaders of the free world’. Donald Trump, elected on a promise to ‘drain the swamp’ and a constant mocker of his predecessors, ...2 weeks ago - Ideology as an organising principle.For over a decade commentators have noted the rise of a new brand of explicitly ideological politics throughout the world. By this they usually refer to the re-emergence of national populism and avowedly illiberal approaches to governance throughout the “advanced” democratic community, but they also extend the thought to the ...2 weeks ago
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- Labour delivers cleaner, greener transport
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The Green Party is already delivering on its commitment for cleaner, climate-friendly transport through our Cooperation Agreement with the Government. ...12 hours ago - Urgent community builds needed to stop unaffordable rent hikesBold solutions are needed as we face the largest monthly rent increase in New Zealand history, Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson said today. ...1 day ago
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- Environment Court Judge appointed
Prudence Steven QC, barrister of Christchurch has been appointed as an Environment Judge and District Court Judge to serve in Christchurch, Attorney-General David Parker announced today. Ms Steven has been a barrister sole since 2008, practising in resource management and local government / public law. She was appointed a Queen’s ...8 hours ago - Government moves on climate promisesThe Government is delivering on its first tranche of election promises to take action on climate change with a raft of measures that will help meet New Zealand’s 2050 carbon neutral target, create new jobs and boost innovation. “This will be an ongoing area of action but we are moving ...12 hours ago
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- Minister of Foreign Affairs makes three diplomatic appointmentsForeign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today announced three diplomatic appointments: Alana Hudson as Ambassador to Poland John Riley as Consul-General to Hong Kong Stephen Wong as Consul-General to Shanghai Poland “New Zealand’s relationship with Poland is built on enduring personal, economic and historical connections. Poland is also an important ...1 day ago
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- Jobs for Nature projects target iconic ecosystemsUpscaling work already underway to restore two iconic ecosystems will deliver jobs and a lasting legacy, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “The Jobs for Nature programme provides $1.25 billion over four years to offer employment opportunities for people whose livelihoods have been impacted by the COVID-19 recession. “Two new projects ...1 week ago
- New Public Housing Plan announcedThe Government has released its Public Housing Plan 2021-2024 which outlines the intention of where 8,000 additional public and transitional housing places announced in Budget 2020, will go. “The Government is committed to continuing its public house build programme at pace and scale. The extra 8,000 homes – 6000 public ...1 week ago
- Prime Minister congratulates President Joe Biden on his inaugurationPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated President Joe Biden on his inauguration as the 46th President of the United States of America. “I look forward to building a close relationship with President Biden and working with him on issues that matter to both our countries,” Jacinda Ardern said. “New Zealand ...1 week ago
- Jobs for Nature funding will create training and employment opportunitiesA major investment to tackle wilding pines in Mt Richmond will create jobs and help protect the area’s unique ecosystems, Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor says. The Mt Richmond Forest Park has unique ecosystems developed on mineral-rich geology, including taonga plant species found nowhere else in the country. “These special plant ...1 week ago
- Pre-departure testing extended to all passengers to New ZealandTo further protect New Zealand from COVID-19, the Government is extending pre-departure testing to all passengers to New Zealand except from Australia, Antarctica and most Pacific Islands, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The change will come into force for all flights arriving in New Zealand after 11:59pm (NZT) on Monday ...1 week ago
- Bay Cadets learn skills to protect environmentBay Conservation Cadets launched with first intake Supported with $3.5 million grant Part of $1.245b Jobs for Nature programme to accelerate recover from Covid Cadets will learn skills to protect and enhance environment Environment Minister David Parker today welcomed the first intake of cadets at the launch of the Bay ...1 week ago
- Cook Islanders to resume travel to New ZealandThe Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern and the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands Mark Brown have announced passengers from the Cook Islands can resume quarantine-free travel into New Zealand from 21 January, enabling access to essential services such as health. “Following confirmation of the Cook Islands’ COVID ...2 weeks ago
- Supporting communities and landowners to grow employment opportunitiesJobs for Nature funding is being made available to conservation groups and landowners to employ staff and contractors in a move aimed at boosting local biodiversity-focused projects, Conservation Minister Kiritapu Allan has announced. It is estimated some 400-plus jobs will be created with employment opportunities in ecology, restoration, trapping, ...2 weeks ago
- Border exception for some returning international tertiary studentsThe Government has approved an exception class for 1000 international tertiary students, degree level and above, who began their study in New Zealand but were caught offshore when border restrictions began. The exception will allow students to return to New Zealand in stages from April 2021. “Our top priority continues ...2 weeks ago
- Tiwai deal gives time for managed transitionToday’s deal between Meridian and Rio Tinto for the Tiwai smelter to remain open another four years provides time for a managed transition for Southland. “The deal provides welcome certainty to the Southland community by protecting jobs and incomes as the region plans for the future. The Government is committed ...2 weeks ago
- New member for APEC Business Advisory CouncilPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has appointed Anna Curzon to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). The leader of each APEC economy appoints three private sector representatives to ABAC. ABAC provides advice to leaders annually on business priorities. “ABAC helps ensure that APEC’s work programme is informed by business community perspectives ...2 weeks ago
- Govt’s careful economic management recognisedThe Government’s prudent fiscal management and strong policy programme in the face of the COVID-19 global pandemic have been acknowledged by the credit rating agency Fitch. Fitch has today affirmed New Zealand’s local currency rating at AA+ with a stable outlook and foreign currency rating at AA with a positive ...2 weeks ago
- Additional actions to keep COVID-19 out of NZThe Government is putting in place a suite of additional actions to protect New Zealand from COVID-19, including new emerging variants, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “Given the high rates of infection in many countries and evidence of the global spread of more transmissible variants, it’s clear that ...2 weeks ago
- 19 projects will clean up and protect waterways$36 million of Government funding alongside councils and others for 19 projects Investment will clean up and protect waterways and create local jobs Boots on the ground expected in Q2 of 2021 Funding part of the Jobs for Nature policy package A package of 19 projects will help clean up ...3 weeks ago
- Former MPs Tracey Martin and Jenny Marcroft quit NZ First
Two of New Zealand First's former MPs, Tracey Martin and Jenny Marcroft, have left the party. ...2 hours ago - Minister says Australia should follow NZ’s lead on China diplomacyTrade minister Damien O'Connor has suggested Australia speak with "more diplomacy" about China, so it too can have a "mature" relationship. ...4 hours ago
- New Zealand Again Tops The Corruption Perceptions Index
The New Zealand public sector and judiciary has again been ranked the least corrupt in the world. The 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) released today by global anti-corruption organization Transparency International ranks New Zealand first equal ...4 hours ago - Chief Ombudsman Welcomes Top Transparency RatingNew Zealand is again ranked first equal with Denmark in the Transparency International annual index of perceived levels of public sector corruption. Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier has welcomed New Zealand’s position in the 2020 index. He says New Zealand’s ...5 hours ago
- The government is spending almost A$24m to convince us to accept a COVID vaccine. But will its new c...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jessica Kaufman, Research Fellow, Vaccine Uptake Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute The federal government’s A$23.9 million COVID-19 vaccination information campaign, launched yesterday, aims to reassure the public about vaccine safety and effectiveness. It will also provide information about the vaccine rollout. We’ve ...6 hours ago - Business is Boring: The New Zealander helping drive TikTok’s massive growth
Business is Boring is a weekly podcast series presented by The Spinoff in association with Callaghan Innovation. Host Simon Pound speaks with innovators and commentators focused on the future of New Zealand. This week he’s joined by Hongi Luo, brand director at TikTok.In terms of cultural reach and impact, the ...6 hours ago - A whole lot of ruckus: Introducing the 2021 Basement Theatre Summer SeasonAfter Covid devastated its 2020, Basement Theatre comes roaring into 2021 with its Summer Season. Here’s the rundown of shows in-store, with some comments from programmer Nisha Madhan.Pre-FringeLust IslandWhen’s it on: February 2-6, 8pmWho’s involved: The women of improv troupe Hearthrobs (McKenzie’s Daughters, Salem Bitch Trials), including Brynley Stent, Alice ...6 hours ago
- Failed Consultation Leads To Loss Of Māori Legacy At UnitecThe whānau of Te Ahikaiata Turei supported by Māori and non-Māori staff at Unitec will take back a portrait of the Tūhoe leader who led the establishment of Te Noho Kotahitanga Marae and the values that brought the institute back from the brink of ...7 hours ago
- 93% Of ECE Community Want Lunchbox Rules PausedA poll across the Early Childhood Education community found 93% in favour of pausing the ‘lunchbox rules’, or the Ministry of Education’s new Food Safety/choking changes to the Licensing Criteria, which came into effect on 25 January. “The message ...7 hours ago
- Crush Carbon Emissions Two Wheels At A Time, Say Cycling AdvocatesCycling advocates are calling for the transformation of urban transport, as New Zealand races to cut carbon. The Climate Change Commission will release its initial advice on Sunday 31 January. “Bikes and e-bikes are perfect for many local trips, ...7 hours ago
- Govt’s fancy footwork on climate change will bedazzle you (but critics who want to hear the specif...
Three Ministers, led by the PM, joined in chorus today to warble about a bunch of measures aimed at helping to meet New Zealand’s 2050 carbon neutral target, create new jobs and boost innovation. Mind you, the measures mentioned seem to be more matters of decisions yet to be made ...7 hours ago - Frame: The life-changing work of Whaea MichelleMichelle Kidd defines her role at Auckland’s specialist family violence court as te kaiwhakatere – the navigator. It’s a one-of-a-kind job, helping guide defendants through the court system. And there’s no one better suited to it than Whaea Michelle.First published November 24, 2020.Whaea Michelle is part of Frame, a series of short ...9 hours ago
- Why is it so difficult to stamp out seafood slavery? There is little justice, even in courtSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sallie Yea, Associate professor & Principal Research Fellow, La Trobe University Each year, thousands of men and boys labour under extremely exploitative conditions on commercial fishing vessels owned by Taiwanese, Chinese and South Korean companies. The Taiwanese fleet, which operates in all ...9 hours ago
- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – January 28 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Covid: General David Welch (The Conversation): Northland case is a reminder NZ’s ‘dumb good luck’ may run out Jamie Morton (Herald): Why aren’t we seeing more cases in Northland? Amelia Wade (Herald): Two ...9 hours ago
- Children’s Minister explains what he expects from his all-Maori advisory team while the Nats respo...
Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis believes the Crown should maintain responsibility for the care and protection of at-risk and vulnerable children, regardless of their race. Moreover, he is confident his all-Maori team of advisers will not be taking race into account as they help to improve Oranga Tamariki’s care and protection of ...9 hours ago - Statement From The Chair Of Environment Canterbury And Mayors...10 hours ago
- John Banks is the symptom, not the problemIt’s easy to sacrifice John Banks. It’s a lot harder for brands, sports organisations and government to truly stop funding racism. Are they willing to try?Yesterday John Banks, the former Auckland mayor and MP, became subject to one of the fastest firings in media history when audio covering his approving ...10 hours ago
- Natives planted by local kids chopped down with council approvalA community is outraged after Auckland Council granted consent for a row of trees planted by local kids to be removed along a revitalised waterway in South Auckland, reports Justin Latif. An Auckland Council decision to give contractors the all-clear to chop down 12 mānuka and kānuka trees shading Māngere’s Tararata ...10 hours ago
- Te Pūtahitanga O Te Waipounamu Calls For Oranga Tamariki To Invest In Whānau As A First ResortTe Pūtahitanga o Te Waipounamu hopes that the recent changes to Oranga Tamariki leadership present an opportunity for a long overdue paradigm shift that will place whānau at the heart of the child welfare sector. Pouārahi Helen Leahy says that ...10 hours ago
- Can Tesla’s share price be justified? Probably notSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Rice, Professor of Management, University of New England Elon Musk is now the world’s richest person, edging out previous title holder Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. His rocketing fortune is due to the booming share price of Tesla, the maker of electric vehicles ...11 hours ago
- Six questions sparked by the Covid cases leaking out of Pullman hotelThere are now three returnees who contracted the virus in the Auckland isolation facility then left into the community while positive. These are some of the questions that need to be resolved. At 10.20pm last night the Ministry of Health confirmed that the two cases they’d been treating as probable ...11 hours ago
- Unlock your phone, open the app: listen to Scan In, the NZ Covid Tracer songHaving a hard time remembering to scan in on the NZ Covid Tracer app when you’re out and about? Get this song stuck in your head and you’ll never forget again.Learn the lyrics:Aotearoa, it’s time to get scanning!I mean if you think about it, it never really wasn’t time we ...11 hours ago
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- MIA Has Concerns At The Speed Of CO2 Targets For Vehicles Entering NZThe Government announced today key policy decisions on the proposed clean car policies. The MIA has stated on many occasions that we support well thought out and constructive policies that will lead to an increased rate in the reduction of CO2 emissions from ...12 hours ago
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- A short history of New Zealand talkback radio scandalsJohn Banks’ racist exchange with a Magic Talk listener on Tuesday was the latest in nearly 50 years of talkback controversies. Donna Chisholm has the receipts.John Banks axed over Māori ‘stone age culture’ comments on Magic Talk1972: On Radio I, sports talkback host Tim Bickerstaff launches a “Punch a Pom ...13 hours ago
- Two new Auckland cases test positive for Covid-19 South African variant
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- KiwiRail Stop Hauling CoalToday, for the second time in two months Dunedin climate protectors have locked themselves to the railway tracks outside the Dunedin Railway station to stop the KiwiRail coal train from Bathurst Resources’ Takitimu mine in Southland to Fonterra’s ...14 hours ago
- Climate Protectors Again Stop Coal TrainKiwiRail STOP Hauling COAL Today, for the second time in two months Dunedin climate protectors have locked themselves to the railway tracks outside the Dunedin Railway station to stop the KiwiRail coal train from Bathurst Resources’ Takitimu mine ...14 hours ago
- How do we counter COVID misinformation? Challenge it directly with the factsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Dunn, Associate professor, University of Sydney The government is rolling out a new public information campaign this week to reassure the public about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, which one expert has said “couldn’t be more crucial” to people actually getting ...15 hours ago
- Needles are nothing to fear: 5 steps to make vaccinations easier on your kidsSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Therese O’Sullivan, Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University The COVID vaccine rollout has placed the issue of vaccination firmly in the spotlight. A successful rollout will depend on a variety of factors, one of which is vaccine acceptance. One potential hurdle to vaccine ...15 hours ago
- NZ needs an evolving pandemic strategy if it’s to keep the public’s trustSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bernard Walker, Associate Professor in Organisations and Leadership, University of Canterbury Kiwis know what it’s like when life throws curveballs. We’ve had major quakes, floods, fires, an eruption, a terrorist attack and now a pandemic. In those situations, it’s the ability to ...15 hours ago
- Protect your dog from this new deadly disease outbreak. We still don’t know how it got hereSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Irwin, Emeritus professor, Murdoch University While we continue to be occupied with the COVID pandemic, another life-threatening disease has emerged in northern Australia, one that’s cause for considerable alarm for the millions of dog owners around the country. This disease — ...15 hours ago
- Most government information on COVID-19 is too hard for the average Australian to understandSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cath Ferguson, Academic, Edith Cowan University Almost half of Australian adults struggle with reading. Similar levels of struggling readers are reported in the United Kingdom and United States. This does not mean all struggling readers are illiterate. It means they often struggle ...15 hours ago
- COVID is keeping us in our homes, but what makes working there a success or failure?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Abbas Shieh, Assistant Professor of Urban Planning and Design, Islamic Azad University The industrial revolution transformed cities, resulting in places of residence and work becoming more distant than ever before. This spatial segregation is still largely embedded in the design of our ...15 hours ago
- Occupation: Rainfall review: Australia is primed for a well-made alien invasion film. This is not itSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Review: Occupation: Rainfall, written and directed by Luke Sparke Historically, when a sequel to a film was greenlit, you could rest assured this was because the first film made a ...15 hours ago
- Live updates, January 28: Testing links new Covid-19 cases to Pullman HotelWelcome to The Spinoff’s live updates for January 28, keeping you up to date with the latest local and international news. Reach me on stewart@thespinoff.co.nzOur members make The Spinoff happen! Every dollar contributed directly funds our editorial team – click here to learn more about how you can support us ...15 hours ago
- The Bulletin: Tourism suffers in shadow of Covid-19Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Tourism suffers in the shadow of Covid-19, two new positive cases in Auckland confirmed, and National will contest the Māori electorates.The front page of the January 4 Greymouth Star carried grim tidings for several of the glacier towns on the ...15 hours ago
- Two more people linked with Pullman Hotel treated as confirmed Covid cases
*This article first appeared on RNZ and is republished with permission. Two people who left managed isolation on January 15 have been confirmed as positive Covid-19 cases, with the Ministry of Health urging anyone who visited the same locations during the same time period as the infected pair in Auckland to ...15 hours ago - Perverse consequences of low interest rates exclude first homebuyers
By ruling out significant tax changes, the Government looks bereft of ideas to address severe housing problems. ...16 hours ago - Births Registrar extends watchlist of unacceptable baby names
The watchlist of 'offensive or unreasonable' babies' names is to be reviewed, to include more names from other languages. Generations of the Īhaka family have played a meaningful role in bringing Te Reo and stories of Māori to our wider community. Archdeacon Sir Kīngi Matutaera Īhaka (Te Aupōuri, 1921-93) was known as the orator of ...16 hours ago - Ballance Agri-Nutrients Continue Importing Plunder From A War ZoneAfter Morocco’s flagrant violation of the terms of the ceasefire in Western Sahara on Friday 13 November 2020 war broke out between the two sides. In the midst of this war Tauranga based Ballance Agri-Nutrients has decided to carry on importing phosphate ...16 hours ago
- Ex-MP welcomes National's possible return to Māori seatsNational may be poised to roll back on a policy decision made 18 years ago - not to contest Māori electorate seats. ...16 hours ago
- Livestock Improvement reports improved first-half result
Business & Investing: Good news at LIC and for Meridian - Plus the thrilling new stock battle over Game Stop in the US ...16 hours ago - Has the Treaty played a role in our Covid success?
Nicholas Agar suggests that our handling of the pandemic could be partly down to our distinctive Treaty of Waitangi relationship, and Māori ideas that enabled us to make it through without tens of thousands of deaths A mission for universities in the coming decade will be a deep understanding of the meaning ...17 hours ago - Covid-19: 'May I see your vaccine passport?'
The function of a vaccine passport in reopening New Zealand depends on the policy settings around vaccination and the border. ...17 hours ago - The women ruling the waves on America's Cup course
A young girl who once sent $5 to an embattled America's Cup team is now among the women on the water helping run the contest for the Auld Mug. As an eager and generous nine-year-old, Melanie Roberts posted a letter, with a $5 note, to OneAustralia’s America’s Cup team. It was 1995, ...17 hours ago - Climate Commission's advice likely to shock
On Monday, the Climate Change Commission will release a raft of advice for reshaping our economy in the face of the climate crisis. ...17 hours ago - Revealed: the 2021 Ockhams finalists – who should win and who’s been slightedAt 5am today, cock’s crow, the embargo lifted on the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards longlist. Here are the books in the race, followed by thoughts from poetry editor Chris Tse and books editor Catherine Woulfe. A shortlist of four books in each category will be announced March 3, with ...18 hours ago
- Not scanning in? Your barista is judging youIgnoring those QR codes when you drop into the supermarket? Can’t be bothered when you grab a coffee? The people serving you notice, and you’re freaking them out.So far, New Zealanders’ use of the Covid-19 Tracer app has been notably woeful. Food industry workers who’ve watched streams of customers walk ...18 hours ago
- Shock: Nothing very shocking about this year's book awards longlist
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- Newsletter: New Zealand Politics Daily – January 27 2021Editor’s Note: Here below is a list of the main issues currently under discussion in New Zealand and links to media coverage. Today’s content Covid: Vaccine Tova O’Brien (Newshub): New Zealand catching up to allies on COVID-19 vaccines but mass roll-out won’t begin until mid-year Tom Pullar-Strecker (Stuff): Not much time for DHBs to get ...1 day ago
- View from The Hill: Coal push from Nationals is a challenge for Scott MorrisonSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Nationals who attend Thursday’s memorial service in Tweed Heads for Doug Anthony, who died last month aged 90, may muse on the contrast between the state of their party when he led it and now. ...1 day ago
- Passport, customs… blood test: Kiwi technology to help restart global travel
Returning to quarantine-free travel in 2021 doesn't just need a vaccine, but a way to check whether arriving passengers are actually immune to the virus. A smart Kiwi science start-up is working with a global biometrics giant to make that happen. A deal signed between Kiwi research and development company Orbis Diagnostics, ...1 day ago - It’s bee season. To avoid getting stung, just stay calm and don’t swatSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Caitlyn Forster, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney This summer’s wetter conditions have created great conditions for flowering plants. Flowers provide sweet nectar and protein-rich pollen, attracting many insects, including bees. Commercial honey bees are also thriving: ...1 day ago
- Lotto and Six60 withdraw controversial scratchie tickets
Lotto scratchie tickets featuring the pop band Six60 are being withdrawn after a public backlash. In a statement, Lotto NZ said there had been a mutual decision made with the band to remove the tickets from sale following the negative feedback, and it offered an apology. The band faced criticism, both ...1 day ago - More than half a billion years ago, the first shell-crushing predators ground up their prey between ...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Russell Dean Christopher Bicknell, Post-doctoral researcher in Palaeobiology , University of New England Shell-crushing predation was already in full swing half a billion years ago, as our new research published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals. A hyena devouring ...1 day ago
- Calls to can John Banks over Māori ‘stone age culture’ comments on Magic TalkVodafone has suspended advertising on the radio station amid calls for talkback host John Banks to be taken off air after yet another racist outburst. Alex Braae reports. In an alarming segment of talkback radio, former Auckland mayor John Banks endorsed the views of a caller who described Māori as a ...1 day ago
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- MOH Draft Vaping Regulations Could Stub Out Smokefree 2025 SuccessThe Ministry of Health is today drawing backlash from the local New Zealand vaping industry following its release of proposed regulations for the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act. Vaping Trade Association New Zealand (VTANZ) President, ...1 day ago
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- Advisory Board Welcomed As Step Toward A By Māori For Māori Approach For Care And ProtectionThe appointment of an advisory board for Oranga Tamariki is welcome and should be a step toward a total transformation of the care and protection system to a by Māori, for Māori approach, Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft said today. Minister ...2 days ago
- Ten tips to fertilise your finances in 2021Taking control of your financial wellbeing can have cascading positive impacts for your life and it can also be fun. With the help of the team at Kiwi Wealth, we’ve compiled some simple tricks for balancing your books in 2021. There’s something about the beginning of a new year, especially after ...2 days ago
Did somebody say unions? I wonder if Matt McCarten is relaxed about Unite Support Services unpaid and overdue taxes? That’s assessed taxes by the way, not “potential” taxes legally avoided.
[Stop trolling. First and last warning. Stick to the subject matter of the post – MS]
[lprent: Moved to OpenMike as being off topic. ]
Good grief. I would have thought the situation with Unite was at least partly relevant, although in their case it probably wasn’t avoidance.
[lprent: Because the post was about
1. ‘Taxpayers union’
2. Overseas corporations
3. Taxes
If you want to make your own rules then create your own blog and your own audience. If you try it here… Well read the self-martyrdom offences in the policy. Do you have any rational questions – possibly ones related to rule making procedures on privately held blogs?
Please note that I have less interest in litigating the meaning of what we put in our policy than I do in the creative process of writing pithy and highly offensive notes as I ban someone. ]
YouGov poll backs up the recent ICM Guardian poll and says that squabbling over Europe is hurting the government.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/new-poll-puts-labour-ahead-of-tories-for-first-time-since-jeremy-corbyn-became-leader-a6937926.html
Don’t normally bother to link to herald but this caught my eye
Cancer drug giant’s tax bill less than PM’s
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11608228
Why does the government sign a deal so that Big Pharma need more corporate welfare and tax discounts, and longer patents so that big Pharma receive more profits, under TPPA?
More robbing the poor to pay more to the rich!
Bet that’s not mentioned on the tax payer funder Roadshow.
Its great eh the way rich think about tax .
They are controlling the game merely by their presence and able to lie about paying tax to the govt because the govt is in the same game of lying to the country
Then we really have a democratic economics problem
They are both crooks
Key is the epitome of this ,he was made by this system first highlighted by Bruce Jesson in “Behind the Mirrored Glass”way back in the 80s ,nothing has been done because all these crooks have and will continue to run the system
Roger Douglas Bob Jones Ron Brierly and the weasel of Telecom and the Mother of all economic fuck ups, Bolger, Shipley the list goes on , the founding fathers and mothers of this corrupt system in NZ.
Now we have this system of the multinationals and they about to snuff out our sovereignty in the TPPA and NZ will become like Britain with huge pressure caused by a govt whose only way of staying ahead of the rort is to up immigration of those whose bank accounts can swell the tax take that will continue to be bled out of us to the overseas corporate blood suckers supported by this govt
The solution NZ First because they are the only ones who have had the balls to call it out
It a “Highway to Hell” to quote ACDC
A refreshing read as well, what’s happened to Granny??
Dawit Arshak enjoys the freedom and safety of his life in New Zealand.
“I love that people have the right to talk, to express themselves. I can be against John Key, and he won’t be after me.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11608054
+++(Unless you are Nicky Hager, Bradley Ambrose and Dotcom and more…)+++
+ 100%
Key dancing on immigration numbers on the Nation.
Key says he has no problem with current immigration numbers and then goes on to highlight the problems?
http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/thenation/interview-john-key-2016031910#axzz438VM4zZx
Keyed in Matthew Hooton and this is what I got,
Tricledrown: Comment:Message from Andrew Little about TPPA
Date published: 4:19 pm, January 29th, 2016
Hooton that’s not ratified in … as a result. Bang on Mathew your full of shit.
So he has not been seen on TS since Jan 29th or am I missing something? don’t get me wrong I am not missing his biased and provocative comments just curious.
Using in search for comments (in advanced)
@author “Hooton”
gives this
http://thestandard.org.nz/?s=%40author+%22Hooton%22&isopen=block&search_comments=true&search_sortby=date
Thanks for that tip Iprent.
Great cartoon on how the Government/IRD chase the little cheats and turn a blind eye to the Big ones. A picture is worth a…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11608119
Takes serious resources to pursue the big boys, clip those back and that’s about all they can chase.
Do this across com com, sfo, electoral commission and a host of other bodies that are intended to level the playing field and umpire proceedings that’s what you get left with, anything but a level field.
For a chilling insider story on how corporate power in USA is upheld by corruption, depravity and worse …key into utube ‘Kay Griggs’ interviews.
Kay Griggs is a whistleblower of the stature of Julian Assange and Edward Snowden…and even Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The insane ramblings of a diseased mind, chilling to you. Just funny and sad to most normal people..
your descriptors of “insane ramblings” +”diseased mind” +”funny” + “sad” = a reflection on yourself and misogyny and chauvinism imo ( which is how she was treated)
…Kay Griggs gives huge amount of credible factual detail and names
…let people make up their own minds and view it themselves
Free-market proves that it’s incapable of holding power to account:
Good for business apparently. Not so good for anything else.
On Donald Trump and the media
https://www.rt.com/shows/keiser-report/335928-episode-max-keiser-889/
“In this episode of the Keiser Report, Max and Stacy ask what’s the matter with Kansas? And Virginia? North Carolina? Florida? Alabama? Michigan and Massachusetts? Are voters flocking to Donald Trump because they’re racist? Or, is it the economy and so-called ‘free trade’ deals driving them nuts?
In the second half, Max continues his interview with Satyajit Das, author of Extreme Money and A Banquet of Consequences about the coming market collapse.”
Quoting the Mentioned Guardian article:
This is true in NZ as well. Both major parties and most, if not all, minor parties see trade as the be all, end all of politics. And yet, when we look at trade we see declining jobs and increasing poverty. Trains bought from China instead of being made here despite the fact that making them here would have done more for the economy and society in general.
It’s interesting the so-called anti-establishment Trump has been given so much free air time from establishment networks.
maybe they are looking their short term profits?…and he is bringing them in viewers and hence advertising revenue?
…if you can’t beat him join him?
….and then hope to get a hold over him
who owns the media in the USA
http://www.businessinsider.com/these-6-corporations-control-90-of-the-media-in-america-2012-6
http://www.dcclothesline.com/2014/10/23/owns-media-6-monolithic-corporations-control-almost-everything-watch-hear-read/
http://www.rense.com/general44/sevenjewishamericans.htm
http://www.freepress.net/ownership/chart
America huh
/
Greg Pinelo
@gregpinelo
This is outrageous and the Sanders campiagn should repudiate it.
https://twitter.com/gregpinelo/status/710485230747041792
Greg Pinelo
@gregpinelo
Sanders backers saying “the Confederacy shouldn’t get to choose our President:” In Dem primaries, you’re talking about black people. Stop it
https://twitter.com/gregpinelo/status/710509323999432704
Strange place.
The southern states will basically decide the Democrats candidate, but will have no effect on the national result in November.
PJ Harvey Once again rocks the world with a message of hope.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11607817
God hope they’re not gonna lift the arse to presidential level.
Sometimes I have this consciousness of witnessing a terrible history happening.
Government and Big Business have been one big con in this country for the past 40 years, Business Round Table yeah right, nah?
Fantastic to hear that Europe’s Most Wanted Man and Terrorist … has finally been caught.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/18/four-month-hunt-shootout-capture-paris-terror-suspect-salah-abdeslam-brussels
Who agrees that it is significant ‘conflict of interest’ for Auckland Council to be a member of the NZ Property Council?
‘Democracy for developers’?
On 31 March 2016 the Auckland Council Governing Body will be voting on whether Auckland Council should withdraw its membership of the NZ Property Council.
In my view, it is a serious ‘conflict of interest’ for Auckland Council to be a member of the NZ Property Council.
(Who actually represents Auckland Council at meetings of the NZ Property Council?
To whom do they report back?
Where are the ‘minutes’?
Where are the ‘boundaries’ – between ‘public’ and property developers?)
(There is an interesting story on this matter in the current print version of the NBR).
As an Auckland Mayoral candidate I am absolutely opposed to Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) being members of private sector lobby groups such as the NZ Property Council AND the Committee for Auckland.
Penny Bright
+100 Penny
Most councils are chummy with developers, its all about the money and the neverending growth model society has adopted. Long term effects on the environment and community are usually just ignored. This applies to pretty much all the subdivisions we’ve been building for the last 50 years.
Yes Yes Yes Penny !
I don’t wish to engage in ???? about the minutiae. In principle and in proper, decent practice, it is amply clear. They cannot be so engaged. Runs the risk of people liking some other people too much and not doing their honest duty.
Yes Yes Yes Penny !
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11606016
Look at the picture. What’s going on here ? What’s someone trying to suggest what’s going on here ?
Sorry for my frequent comments……haven’t had a chance until now to have a good look at what’s going on.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11608086
I reckon we’re gonna get something fine here…..
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11608086
Retired High Court judge Rodney Hansen QC is an excellent, excellent jurist.
Get ready for excellence of report.
Rodney *Hansen*.
An explainer of what’s going on in Brazil
you remember Brazil…one of those BRICS that was going to drive world economic growth…..hows things in Russia, China and South Africa of late?
Thanks, that was very interesting.
Two phrases for NZ,
This ends in pizza (a Brazilian saying about scandals that fizz out).
“I steal, but I get results” (a Brazilian man running for office where corruption is the norm. Key could use “I like, but I get results”).
“I lie but I get results”.
Meet DRU – The newest team member to join the Domino’s family! He’s the world’s first autonomous delivery vehicle!
Posties and couriers will be next…
It’s only a matter of time.
New Zealand could become the first country in the world to use a driverless pizza delivery unit from Domino’s, the Government has announced.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/78022236/new-zealand-could-become-first-country-to-use-pizza-delivery-robot