The question, as the philosopher Karl Popper pointed out, is not how to get good people to rule. Most people attracted to power, Popper wrote, are at best mediocre and usually venal. The question is how to build movements to stop the powerful from doing sustained damage to the citizenry, the nation and the environment. It is not our job to take power. It is our job to keep power constantly off balance and fearful of overstepping its reach to pillage on behalf of the elites.
Thank you for the link, and exactly the sort of thoughtful intelligent debate we need to be having.celebrity politics is having a filed day, but as it’s power wanes, and we get closer to the source, it feels like walking through a minefield of trolls and traps. I guess it’s what any army may do when defending their base.
Not much is known about the Trade in Services Agreement, otherwise known as TISA. However the little that has been made public, or the little that has been leaked, has caused much concern. The Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) pales in comparison to TISA and it makes the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) seem small. It is, however, most similar to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It is a massive “free trade” agreement that has been negotiated entirely in secret with 24 countries and the European Union. Altogether, TISA accounts for over 70 percent of world trade in services. You may be asking: “how does this affect me?” The best one sentence response I can come up with is: “how does this not affect you.”
….. New Republic reports that under the agreement, “governments may not be able to regulate staff to patient ratios in hospitals, or ban fracking, or tighten safety controls on airlines, or refuse accreditation to schools and universities. Foreign corporations must receive the same “national treatment” as domestic ones, and could argue that such regulations violate their ability to provide the service. Allowable regulations could not be ‘more burdensome than necessary to ensure the quality of the service,’ according to TISA’s domestic regulation annex. No restrictions could be placed on foreign investment—corporations could control entire sectors.”
Wait: foreign corporations must receive the same national treatment as domestic ones? Since when do we allow foreign countries and foreign companies dictate what we must or must not do? Thanks to Investor State Dispute Settlements (ISDS), we have officially given up our democracy to foreign entities.
Thanks for that Tautoko. This is the bit that particularly struck me: The building of movements and sustained civil disobedience is far more important than voting. Voting without powerful and organized movements is futile. Voting without profound electoral reform, including banishing corporate money from politics, is useless.
We have a good electoral system here in NZ. If 30% of people voted Green we would see real change. Civil disobedience/demonstrations certainly have their place though.
I agree that to say that voting is a complete waste of time is going too far. But a vote for change can achieve very little without a grassroots movement pushing from behind. Neoliberalism was achieved by right wing movements, hungry for things to go their way, lobbying, threatening, getting like-minded people into positions of influence, etc. Meanwhile the left have been persuaded that voting is a bit like choosing an item from a menu, and getting disappointed when the resultant dish doesn’t match the description. And the more real power the right gets, the less effective that attitude becomes.
Thanks for picking out the most important point, Olwyn.
We are spending too much time criticizing Labour for not getting their act together instead of creating the movement ourselves and thus pointing the opposition parties in the required direction. National are laughing at the fact that they can slag off Labour and then watch us join in the slagging. Labour are only impotent and unsure because we are sitting on the sidelines. We need to lead from the streets in a movement which is not allied to any particular political party but which provides a vision of a better and fairer political system that makes neocapitalism obselete.
Thanks, and a great comment too. Especially this: We need to lead from the streets in a movement which is not allied to any particular political party but which provides a vision of a better and fairer political system…
From Granny
“Since 2011, the Government has put $18 million into the Matavai resort as part of its efforts to boost tourism to Niue. That included $7.5 million to build a conference centre soon after Scenic Hotels took over.”
What the Fuck? In what planet can private conference centres be seen as aid??? Is that to bring in more ‘chefs’ and ‘waiting staff’ to keep the locals as poorly paid serfs? So that overseas politicians can have a nice place to stay and ‘do business’ as tax havens to hide money?
+100…yes it is weird the fixation on conference centres…when there are far more important community facilities and issues on which the scarce public money should be spent first
…imo it is a way of making local councils bankrupt so they have to sell up valuable publicly , locally owned, strategic utilites eg airports, port facilities
…just look at how this jonkey nact government annexed Environment Canterbury away from its elected local democratic representation and governance
Thanks for the additional information about this, what appears to be, rotten corrupt deal with Scenic Hotels, Niue, and this wealthy Nat and ACT donating Earl Hagaman character. (whose tax affairs should be looked into incidentally, as Niue is a tax haven)
Part two of the problem, once you move away from the link between party donations and “aid” is why is NZ funding private business in another country? That is not aid to benefit the people of Niue and support their infrastructure. That’s taxpayers propping up Scenic Hotels. This isn’t the Pacific aid programme that you would associate with legitimate aid work.
“Sunday’s devastating earthquake in Ecuador might just be the beginning, according to a seismologist who says that current conditions in the Pacific Rim could trigger at least four quakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0….
Reply to Chooky and save NZ at 3 and 3.1. (The reply button doesn’t appear to be working).
Convention centre mania is rife. Even Wellington is likely to be getting one, when we don’t need one, when the heavily indebted WCC has to borrow more money and pay the thing off over 50 years, when rates will be going up, and when people may not be travelling to conference centres in 20 years when the full impact of climate change is felt and the brakes will have gone on air travel (which currently contributes 3% to greenhouse gas).
But you have groups like the Property Council cheerleading for such wasteful projects that bring little benefit to people:
http://www.propertynz.co.nz/wellington
Handy when you have the deputy mayor on the executive board of the Property Council to help move the project along smoothly.
It’s all about the money honey and for a bonus insult Peter Jackson gets to tag along and get his film museum paid for by us. Joy!
The conference enters have also the added advantage of driving up rates and therefore the poor out of the main cities as well as even better, sell of council assets like water! There is always a helpful crony from wall street and banks keen to buy up the part/partial/private or whatever weasel words they describe to seize former public assets. (I hear the idea of a sports stadium is being floated for Auckland on top of the Sky City convention centre and of course the 1 billion of wasted IT that the council does not care about).
And it gets worse for Detroit inhabitants… from 4 days ago…
High copper or lead levels seen in 19 Detroit schools’ water
“The testing was prompted by the crisis in Flint, where lead flowed from taps after state authorities switched that city’s water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River to save money. About 8,000 Flint-area children under age 6 have potentially been exposed to lead.
In Detroit, school officials discovered that even though the municipal water complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, elevated levels of lead and some of copper were found in the drinking water fountains or kitchens at 19 of the 62 schools tested so far…..
“It provides clear evidence that schools have to be proactive in finding and fixing these problems – it is not going to go away by itself,” said Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who helped expose Flint’s water crisis.”
Ok so they privatise the water, try to save money, but now it is the SCHOOL’s responsibility to protect the kids from the water…
On top of this…
“Michigan lawmakers recently approved $48.7 million in emergency funding just to keep Detroit schools open this academic year. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder also is pushing a $720 million school restructuring plan to pay off the district’s operating debt, and wants to spend $18 million over two years to test water in every state school.”
What an amazing country the US is and how efficient is neoliberalism, sarc.
I watched a doco about poor cities in the States in regard to accessing basic services like water connections. They suffer in ways that hard to fathom in a first world country. They are totally at the mercy of “business”, whose needs come first, and private water supply is big business in the States, with cost cutting leading to a lack of maintenance and care.
These poor areas also seem to suffer the worst of non regulation for safe rental accommodation, affecting health and even physical safety when landlords refuse to repair dilapidated locks, doors and windows, as well as broken electrical circuits. The advantages of council bylaws was weighted in favour of the landlord.
Saw this doco on Al Jazeera a couple of months ago but can’t recall the name sorry, or the city where they interviewed the tenants.
In the wake of the latest Colmar Brunton, one or two of our regular Tory Gentlemen-Callers have been enthusiastically pushing some of David Farrar’s carefully misleading and de-contextualised rhetorical strategies:
On (1) … Farrar’s modus operandi is to only make Poll comparisons when it favour’s National or looks particularly bad for Labour. You’ll only see these very brief comparative analyses when Labour / the Left have (I) fallen in a recent poll and (ii) the comparative poll from a previous term was unusually good for Labour / the Left. So that, overall, the comparison looks particularly bad for Labour’s current prospects. He disingenuously presents both the previous and current figures as typical.
Look at the Colmar Bruntons taken either side of the April 2013 one that Farrar cherry-picks for comparison and you’ll see that Labour were doing appreciably worse than 36%, with the Left and Opposition Bloc also well down on the April figures. 36% was the very highest Labour ever rated under Shearer and was entirely atypical.
Or go back to the same point in Key’s First Term (April 2010) and you’ll find that National in 2016 are 4 points down, the Govt a significant 6 points down, while the Opposition Bloc is now a massive 9 points up.
Notice too that Farrar, for instance, made no comparison when the July 2015 Colmar Brunton put the Opposition Bloc as much as 5 points ahead of the Government. If he had, we would have seen that the Nats were (in July 2015) down 9 points (on July 2009), with the Govt Bloc down 12. You could say similar things about the Sep 2015, Oct 2015 and Feb 2016 Colmar Bruntons.
On (2) … In the Colmar Brunton and Reid Research Preferred PM Polls, John Key has fallen to his lowest average (39%) since becoming PM. That’s 10-14 points down on his First Term.
Meanwhile, his net Favourability ratings are down to a net positive of just + 2. That’s his lowest rating ever. Key may be well ahead of Little in the Preferred PM rankings (arguably a somewhat blunt instrument given the traditional incumbency advantage) but he’s been lagging behind the Labour leader on the Favourability measure for most of the last year.
Notice, incidentally, how far Key has fallen since 2015 – a net positive Favourability rating of + 22 in the first quarter of 2015 and now, in the immediate wake of the failed Flag Referendum, a plunge to just + 2. Back in 2014 Key was on + 27, and in his first year as PM (2009) on an average + 58 rating !!!
He’s become a polariser in the same mould as Muldoon. As many people consider him Unfavourably as have a Favourable attitude towards him.
Kind of missing the main point though (or is this a gee up the troops thing?) National is still far ahead of Lab/Greens after eight years in power, John Key is still far ahead of Andrew Little in preferred PM, in fact Andrew Little is behind Winston Peters for preferred PM
In broad terms, don’t dispute anything you’ve said there. Labour certainly want to be up above 35%, with the Lab+Green total 45% + to be in with a reasonable chance of pulling Peters their way …
Do, however, want to point out that:
(1) The Preferred PM measure is not necessarily the gold standard. In the UK, for instance, Approval, Favourability and Satisfaction ratings are very much at the heart of leadership poll analysis. They assign much lower priority to the (infrequently sampled) Preferred PM stats. There’s no particular theoretical reason why the New Zealand MSM should focus so obsessively on the Preferred PM stats, apart from the fact that most local pollsters tend towards that measure.
(2) As I’ve said, there’s an obvious incumbency effect that renders the Preferred PM rating’s usefulness questionable (though it’s still up for debate)
(3) Key is by no means as popular as he’s always been (despite constant repetition of this meme in the MSM and among you highly enthusiastic Tory interlopers)
(4) Just how misleading Farrar’s Party Support numbers are. Very good at leaving entirely misleading impressions (always, of course, in National’s favour) for any passing strapped-for-time journos to gratefully pick up on. (As they so often do). Things are rather more finely balanced than Farrar (or indeed you (above) Nats far ahead of Lab+Green) imply.
This is beginning to sound like insubordination, Mr Gormster.
Is that your little plan ? It is isn’t it ? Insurrection ? Mutiny, Mr Gormster, Mutiny ??? What ? Seize the good ship Labour from us loyalists ?, sail her through the treacherous Seas of High Finance, turning her in the direction of no-man’s land before ruthlessly scuttling her on the Reef of Despair ? Is that your little plan ? Aye, but not before you Tory Blaggards and Scurvy Cut-throats have rowed ashore every last barrel of rum, I’ll be bound !!!
Least ways, that’s how I sees it.
The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 6.2.1.1
No, you’re confusing National with the entire Government Bloc. Nats down 4 points (in terms of the respective Colmar Bruntons), Government down 6 points, Opposition Bloc up a massive 9 points.
The Key Government’s honeymoon was in 2009 when it averaged 59% in the polls. By 2010, it had fallen to 56% and remained there throughout 2011 (we’re talking annual averages here).
With the exception of this latest poll, all of the Colmar Bruntons and Reid Research polls since May 2015 (that’s 8 consecutive polls) had the Government on 48%. 11 points Down on its 2009 honeymoon average and 8 points Down on its 2010-2011 average.
Yeah, I preferred your earlier reply: “Fair enough”. Had a slightly more … respectful, almost obsequious tone about it. Suddenly you seem to have become emboldened all over again. It’s almost as if you are Jean-Claude Van Damme !!! I have a feeling Gormy and Magisterium turning up at the last minute has lifted your morale, stiffened your resolve, as it were. Three former Young Nats together, none of you wanting to lose face in front of the others.
The ICIJ said it will publish the full list of involved companies and individuals linked to them in early May, citing emails, financial spreadsheets and passports among its evidence.
OAB, Wayne is one of the few right wingers who comments here without being an outright troll, is it really necessary to stalk him when there are many other more right wingers who are deserving of your attention.
I pay his wages. He’s been deriving his income from the public purse for long enough to cope with a bit of personal responsibility for his decisions, don’t you think?
In any case, I’m genuinely interested: he was a member of the executive that involved us in organised crime, after all. Did anyone bring it up at the Cabinet table? “John, why are you cuddling up to crims?” That sort of thing.
Edit: I suspect he can’t answer the question because he’s in the National Party’s pocket. Aren’t you even a little bit curious?
Hey Lynn, that bug is back where the Name and Mail fields are blank on every new comment (my browser normally stores them). I noticed this first yesterday.
The TPP has a two-track outcome on biologics protection. Parties can choose to provide effective market protection through at least 8 years of data protection. Alternatively, Parties can choose to provide effective market protection through at least 5 years of data protection, along with other measures, These measures and circumstances include regulatory settings, patents, and the time it takes for follow-on medicines to become established in the market.
Froman: U.S. Sending Out TPP Implementation Teams, Undecided On Fixes
U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman on Monday (April 18) said the U.S. government is sending teams to Trans-Pacific Partnership countries to discuss how they will implement their obligations on intellectual property (IP) and other issues, as well as the capacity building they may require in order to meet them.
http://insidetrade.com/
We need to make sure that the information from these team discussions is fully reported.
The process of coercing farmers into voting for this deal was always suspect. My understanding is there is much more to run on this story yet. Good on Winston for taking up the cause.
Yep. The NZ Taxpayer could have prevented this sell off for the price of a couple of flag referendums. No surprises that SFF management are closely watching how Talley’s are getting away with brutalizing their workforce.
Follow The Money Or Why We Should Arrest People Like John Key And His Banking Mates
Probably, most people, when reading about the Panama tax dodgers and New Zealand’s quiet achievement in becoming as “tax” haven, wonder how the rich always getaway with shit like this and kind of wished they were in the same predicament: Filthy rich and hiding their money from the tax people.
The next thought is probably if they can get away with it why should I pay tax? Both are legitimate sentiments but what it does not address is that apart from the obvious crime of theft these rich people are committing and the subsequent deprivation of the poor as a result of that theft, the money is not just resting in a safe place. It is being used.
Tax havens therefore should not be called tax havens but more correctly Secrecy Jurisdictions.
“The whiff of corruption follows McCully around” …. the ultra-cleverness of the ultimate coder out-wits the GUI / WYSIWIG / reasonably intelligent expectations of the Joe Evridge poster (unrelated to Edna).
If it was going to get any more complicated or time consuming – why bother?
Here’s a comment that may or may not appear on that thread.
(The whiff of corruption follows McCully around). btw L …. as you know – you’ll never be able to code for every pillock, but if you consider it worth your marriage, and an aid to dealing with whatever your obsession avoidance – it’s worth a shot – arrogant cunt eh?) – or maybe just bleeding obvious
Christ Almighty – it goes a frikken sight deeper than McCully who probably only succumbed to his own naivety, aided and abetted by that Chez Longe upholstery material cladded vixen; know-it-all member of something we used to call a 4th Estate – now more aptly described as the ass-licking Thorndon bubble press gang. (Most of whom don’t/can’t see the medium/long term). Just another Rosemary McCluck lookalike aspiring to claim their rights to a higher class (otherwise known as social climbing wankers)
…… NOW we have our dearest Leader, John Key (side-by-side with knock-kneed Adonis son Mex – whose beauteous presence pervades as much social media as he and his acolytes can muster) suggesting he’s ‘open’ to an extradition treaty (provided of course, ewwmun roights britches en the deth penty don’t figure in such an arrangement).
Apparently there are 50 on a list (that is 50 that are known of presumably)
They reap what they sow. I wonder jst hear relexed he’s gunna b when he reterns home on Earforce 1. (John – you really must get that 757 repainted!)
Aaron Hawkins has announced his intention to run for mayor of Dunedin under the Green Party banner. I think he’s been a good councillor so far and I’ll be interested in his mayoral platform. One good thing about Dunedin is that the voting system for mayor is STV, so the left bloc won’t be split.
Tuesday, 19 April 2016, 10:56 am
Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey
Government seeking to stymie Waitangi Tribunal report on TPPA
“Why the government suddenly announced it is fast-tracking the report date for the select committee considering the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) from the end of May to 4 May is now clear.
It gives the Waitangi Tribunal three rather than seven weeks to produce its urgent report on the claim brought by prominent Maori that the Agreement violates the Crown’s obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi”, says Professor Jane Kelsey who has been advising the claimants.
“Bernie Sanders is not only taking on the Washington establishment in his campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, he is also challenging many of the received truths that make up the ideological foundations upon which its power rests…
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
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 ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
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 ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
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 ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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 ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
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 ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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 ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
I was initially resistant to the idea often suggested to me that the Government should deliver an arts strategy. The whole point of the arts and creativity is that people should do whatever the hell they want, unbound by the dictates of politicians in Wellington. Peter Jackson, Kiri Te Kanawa, Eleanor ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
Pōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Magdalena M.E. Bunbury, Postdoctoral Researcher, James Cook University Burial with a horse at the Rákóczifalva site, Hungary (8th century AD).Sándor Hegedűs, Hungarian National Museum, CC BY How do we understand past societies? For centuries, our main sources of information have been ...
Amanda Thompson doesn’t really do Anzac Day. But what she does do is remember the people she knew who had a lifetime to remember stuff they didn’t really want to, because of a war they didn’t ask for. And she does make Anzac biscuits.First published in 2021.All my ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kathryn Willis, Postdoctoral Researcher, CSIRO Xavier Boulenger/Shutterstock In the two decades to 2019, global plastic production doubled. By 2040, plastic manufacturing and processing could consume as much as 20% of global oil production and use up 15% of the annual carbon ...
With our collective remembrance, and steadfast belief in our common humanity, we strengthen our hope and resolve to do what we can to foster dialogue and understanding, and to heal divisions in our pursuit of peace. ...
Principal reasons for the opposition is the loss of the public’s democratic right to have “a fair say” and the vital need for a government free from corruption, said Casey Cravens of Dunedin, president of the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater ...
Never mind the scoreboard – in the 2000 Bledisloe Cup decider, the real trans-Tasman battle was won before kickoff.First published in 2016. The dawn of the new millennium was a dark time for the All Blacks. Their final game pre-Y2K was a 22-18 loss to South Africa in the ...
It’s time to act! Chris Hedges:
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/04/18/revolution-air
+1
Thank you for the link, and exactly the sort of thoughtful intelligent debate we need to be having.celebrity politics is having a filed day, but as it’s power wanes, and we get closer to the source, it feels like walking through a minefield of trolls and traps. I guess it’s what any army may do when defending their base.
Here’s another reason to take to the streets.
http://economyincrisis.org/content/prepare-for-tpps-big-brother-the-trade-in-services-agreement
Update on TPP by Lori Wallach
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u5m-YTlaHE
Thanks for that Tautoko. This is the bit that particularly struck me: The building of movements and sustained civil disobedience is far more important than voting. Voting without powerful and organized movements is futile. Voting without profound electoral reform, including banishing corporate money from politics, is useless.
Saying voting is a waste of time is stupid.
We have a good electoral system here in NZ. If 30% of people voted Green we would see real change. Civil disobedience/demonstrations certainly have their place though.
I agree that to say that voting is a complete waste of time is going too far. But a vote for change can achieve very little without a grassroots movement pushing from behind. Neoliberalism was achieved by right wing movements, hungry for things to go their way, lobbying, threatening, getting like-minded people into positions of influence, etc. Meanwhile the left have been persuaded that voting is a bit like choosing an item from a menu, and getting disappointed when the resultant dish doesn’t match the description. And the more real power the right gets, the less effective that attitude becomes.
@Olwyn
+100 Points right on target.
Thanks for picking out the most important point, Olwyn.
We are spending too much time criticizing Labour for not getting their act together instead of creating the movement ourselves and thus pointing the opposition parties in the required direction. National are laughing at the fact that they can slag off Labour and then watch us join in the slagging. Labour are only impotent and unsure because we are sitting on the sidelines. We need to lead from the streets in a movement which is not allied to any particular political party but which provides a vision of a better and fairer political system that makes neocapitalism obselete.
Thanks, and a great comment too. Especially this: We need to lead from the streets in a movement which is not allied to any particular political party but which provides a vision of a better and fairer political system…
Support political organisers beyond the party system, like ActionStation and Generation Zero.
Kia ora
Aucklanders beware – is the Great Auk a candidate for de-extinction ?
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/longnow/~3/awGewgeEdTw/
It is sad to see a site established for positive change misused by biassed and viciously deceitful propaganda for no positive purpose for New Zealand:
https://www.change.org/p/united-nations-helen-clark-is-not-a-suitable-candidate-for-un-secretary-general/c
I suspect many of the comments were made by the same person
I believe the person commenting can be traced back to the Mana party.
http://mananews.co.nz/wp/?p=9236
From Granny
“Since 2011, the Government has put $18 million into the Matavai resort as part of its efforts to boost tourism to Niue. That included $7.5 million to build a conference centre soon after Scenic Hotels took over.”
What the Fuck? In what planet can private conference centres be seen as aid??? Is that to bring in more ‘chefs’ and ‘waiting staff’ to keep the locals as poorly paid serfs? So that overseas politicians can have a nice place to stay and ‘do business’ as tax havens to hide money?
Conference center in Christchurch for Brownlee vanity project, conference centre in Auckland for Sky City for John Key (btw Sky City fraudster venue of choice
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11624732).
Yep, can really see the appeal of ‘aid’ to private real estate projects as a great way to launder tax payers money as bribes.
+100…yes it is weird the fixation on conference centres…when there are far more important community facilities and issues on which the scarce public money should be spent first
…imo it is a way of making local councils bankrupt so they have to sell up valuable publicly , locally owned, strategic utilites eg airports, port facilities
…just look at how this jonkey nact government annexed Environment Canterbury away from its elected local democratic representation and governance
Thanks for the additional information about this, what appears to be, rotten corrupt deal with Scenic Hotels, Niue, and this wealthy Nat and ACT donating Earl Hagaman character. (whose tax affairs should be looked into incidentally, as Niue is a tax haven)
Part two of the problem, once you move away from the link between party donations and “aid” is why is NZ funding private business in another country? That is not aid to benefit the people of Niue and support their infrastructure. That’s taxpayers propping up Scenic Hotels. This isn’t the Pacific aid programme that you would associate with legitimate aid work.
Beyond bonkers.
‘The Big Ones: Scientist warns up to 4 quakes over 8.0 possible under ‘current conditions’ ‘
https://www.rt.com/news/340033-scientist-warns-big-one-earthquake/
“Sunday’s devastating earthquake in Ecuador might just be the beginning, according to a seismologist who says that current conditions in the Pacific Rim could trigger at least four quakes with magnitudes greater than 8.0….
Reply to Chooky and save NZ at 3 and 3.1. (The reply button doesn’t appear to be working).
Convention centre mania is rife. Even Wellington is likely to be getting one, when we don’t need one, when the heavily indebted WCC has to borrow more money and pay the thing off over 50 years, when rates will be going up, and when people may not be travelling to conference centres in 20 years when the full impact of climate change is felt and the brakes will have gone on air travel (which currently contributes 3% to greenhouse gas).
But you have groups like the Property Council cheerleading for such wasteful projects that bring little benefit to people:
http://www.propertynz.co.nz/wellington
Handy when you have the deputy mayor on the executive board of the Property Council to help move the project along smoothly.
It’s all about the money honey and for a bonus insult Peter Jackson gets to tag along and get his film museum paid for by us. Joy!
The conference enters have also the added advantage of driving up rates and therefore the poor out of the main cities as well as even better, sell of council assets like water! There is always a helpful crony from wall street and banks keen to buy up the part/partial/private or whatever weasel words they describe to seize former public assets. (I hear the idea of a sports stadium is being floated for Auckland on top of the Sky City convention centre and of course the 1 billion of wasted IT that the council does not care about).
This is what happens when things go wrong….
https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-bankruptcy-judge-allows-detroit-water-shutoffs-continue-135707328–business.html?ref=gs
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/25/un-detroit-human-rights-taps
And it gets worse for Detroit inhabitants… from 4 days ago…
High copper or lead levels seen in 19 Detroit schools’ water
“The testing was prompted by the crisis in Flint, where lead flowed from taps after state authorities switched that city’s water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River to save money. About 8,000 Flint-area children under age 6 have potentially been exposed to lead.
In Detroit, school officials discovered that even though the municipal water complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards, elevated levels of lead and some of copper were found in the drinking water fountains or kitchens at 19 of the 62 schools tested so far…..
“It provides clear evidence that schools have to be proactive in finding and fixing these problems – it is not going to go away by itself,” said Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who helped expose Flint’s water crisis.”
http://www.cbs8.com/story/31722710/high-copper-or-lead-levels-seen-in-19-detroit-schools-water
Ok so they privatise the water, try to save money, but now it is the SCHOOL’s responsibility to protect the kids from the water…
On top of this…
“Michigan lawmakers recently approved $48.7 million in emergency funding just to keep Detroit schools open this academic year. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder also is pushing a $720 million school restructuring plan to pay off the district’s operating debt, and wants to spend $18 million over two years to test water in every state school.”
What an amazing country the US is and how efficient is neoliberalism, sarc.
I watched a doco about poor cities in the States in regard to accessing basic services like water connections. They suffer in ways that hard to fathom in a first world country. They are totally at the mercy of “business”, whose needs come first, and private water supply is big business in the States, with cost cutting leading to a lack of maintenance and care.
These poor areas also seem to suffer the worst of non regulation for safe rental accommodation, affecting health and even physical safety when landlords refuse to repair dilapidated locks, doors and windows, as well as broken electrical circuits. The advantages of council bylaws was weighted in favour of the landlord.
Saw this doco on Al Jazeera a couple of months ago but can’t recall the name sorry, or the city where they interviewed the tenants.
Judging from tonights Checkpoint with John Campbell most Christchurch residents don’t want a convention centre
…so why is it being foisted on them?
In the wake of the latest Colmar Brunton, one or two of our regular Tory Gentlemen-Callers have been enthusiastically pushing some of David Farrar’s carefully misleading and de-contextualised rhetorical strategies:
Here are two of these strategies:
(1) At this point in National’s Second Term (April 2013), Labour was polling at 36% and “went on to get thrashed”. Labour is presently polling at 28%
(Farrar’s post here … http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2016/04/latest_poll-36.html)
(Tory Gentlemen-Callers comments here … http://thestandard.org.nz/bowron-on-a-tired-government/#comment-1162085 and here http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-11042016/#comment-1158863 and here )
(2) That Andrew Little is deeply unpopular, while John Key is overwhelmingly loved, admired and celebrated.
(Farrar … amongst many other posts of the same ilk … http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2016/04/houston_we_may_have_a_problem.html)
(Gentlemen-Callers … http://thestandard.org.nz/can-we-trust-john-key/#comment-1159832 and here http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-10042016/#comment-1158359 and here http://thestandard.org.nz/can-we-trust-john-key/#comment-1160612 and here http://thestandard.org.nz/can-we-trust-john-key/#comment-1159836 and here http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-13042016/#comment-1159795)
On (1) … Farrar’s modus operandi is to only make Poll comparisons when it favour’s National or looks particularly bad for Labour. You’ll only see these very brief comparative analyses when Labour / the Left have (I) fallen in a recent poll and (ii) the comparative poll from a previous term was unusually good for Labour / the Left. So that, overall, the comparison looks particularly bad for Labour’s current prospects. He disingenuously presents both the previous and current figures as typical.
Look at the Colmar Bruntons taken either side of the April 2013 one that Farrar cherry-picks for comparison and you’ll see that Labour were doing appreciably worse than 36%, with the Left and Opposition Bloc also well down on the April figures. 36% was the very highest Labour ever rated under Shearer and was entirely atypical.
Or go back to the same point in Key’s First Term (April 2010) and you’ll find that National in 2016 are 4 points down, the Govt a significant 6 points down, while the Opposition Bloc is now a massive 9 points up.
Notice too that Farrar, for instance, made no comparison when the July 2015 Colmar Brunton put the Opposition Bloc as much as 5 points ahead of the Government. If he had, we would have seen that the Nats were (in July 2015) down 9 points (on July 2009), with the Govt Bloc down 12. You could say similar things about the Sep 2015, Oct 2015 and Feb 2016 Colmar Bruntons.
On (2) … In the Colmar Brunton and Reid Research Preferred PM Polls, John Key has fallen to his lowest average (39%) since becoming PM. That’s 10-14 points down on his First Term.
Meanwhile, his net Favourability ratings are down to a net positive of just + 2. That’s his lowest rating ever. Key may be well ahead of Little in the Preferred PM rankings (arguably a somewhat blunt instrument given the traditional incumbency advantage) but he’s been lagging behind the Labour leader on the Favourability measure for most of the last year.
2015 Quarterly Net Ratings
………………..1/4……………2/4……………3/4…………….4/4
Key…………..+ 22……………+ 15 ………….+ 10……………+ 16
Little…………+ 24……………+ 25…………..+ 16……………+ 15
Notice, incidentally, how far Key has fallen since 2015 – a net positive Favourability rating of
+ 22 in the first quarter of 2015 and now, in the immediate wake of the failed Flag Referendum, a plunge to just + 2. Back in 2014 Key was on + 27, and in his first year as PM (2009) on an average + 58 rating !!!
He’s become a polariser in the same mould as Muldoon. As many people consider him Unfavourably as have a Favourable attitude towards him.
Kind of missing the main point though (or is this a gee up the troops thing?) National is still far ahead of Lab/Greens after eight years in power, John Key is still far ahead of Andrew Little in preferred PM, in fact Andrew Little is behind Winston Peters for preferred PM
But hey its all good
Da, Comrade, Da.
In broad terms, don’t dispute anything you’ve said there. Labour certainly want to be up above 35%, with the Lab+Green total 45% + to be in with a reasonable chance of pulling Peters their way …
Do, however, want to point out that:
(1) The Preferred PM measure is not necessarily the gold standard. In the UK, for instance, Approval, Favourability and Satisfaction ratings are very much at the heart of leadership poll analysis. They assign much lower priority to the (infrequently sampled) Preferred PM stats. There’s no particular theoretical reason why the New Zealand MSM should focus so obsessively on the Preferred PM stats, apart from the fact that most local pollsters tend towards that measure.
(2) As I’ve said, there’s an obvious incumbency effect that renders the Preferred PM rating’s usefulness questionable (though it’s still up for debate)
(3) Key is by no means as popular as he’s always been (despite constant repetition of this meme in the MSM and among you highly enthusiastic Tory interlopers)
(4) Just how misleading Farrar’s Party Support numbers are. Very good at leaving entirely misleading impressions (always, of course, in National’s favour) for any passing strapped-for-time journos to gratefully pick up on. (As they so often do). Things are rather more finely balanced than Farrar (or indeed you (above) Nats far ahead of Lab+Green) imply.
Fair enough
You’ve convinced me. Labour are sweeping to power. They are unprecedentedly popular with an adoring public.
Keep up the good work.
This is beginning to sound like insubordination, Mr Gormster.
Is that your little plan ? It is isn’t it ? Insurrection ? Mutiny, Mr Gormster, Mutiny ??? What ? Seize the good ship Labour from us loyalists ?, sail her through the treacherous Seas of High Finance, turning her in the direction of no-man’s land before ruthlessly scuttling her on the Reef of Despair ? Is that your little plan ? Aye, but not before you Tory Blaggards and Scurvy Cut-throats have rowed ashore every last barrel of rum, I’ll be bound !!!
Least ways, that’s how I sees it.
Nice!
Nobody expects the Crimson Permanent Assurance!
This in itself is astounding. A government in its third term – six years later! – is polling only 4 points lower than during its honeymoon.
No, you’re confusing National with the entire Government Bloc. Nats down 4 points (in terms of the respective Colmar Bruntons), Government down 6 points, Opposition Bloc up a massive 9 points.
The Key Government’s honeymoon was in 2009 when it averaged 59% in the polls. By 2010, it had fallen to 56% and remained there throughout 2011 (we’re talking annual averages here).
With the exception of this latest poll, all of the Colmar Bruntons and Reid Research polls since May 2015 (that’s 8 consecutive polls) had the Government on 48%. 11 points Down on its 2009 honeymoon average and 8 points Down on its 2010-2011 average.
So not necessarily all that “astounding”.
and yet, somehow after all that analysis, National will win a fourth term
Crazy old world eh
Yeah, I preferred your earlier reply: “Fair enough”. Had a slightly more … respectful, almost obsequious tone about it. Suddenly you seem to have become emboldened all over again. It’s almost as if you are Jean-Claude Van Damme !!! I have a feeling Gormy and Magisterium turning up at the last minute has lifted your morale, stiffened your resolve, as it were. Three former Young Nats together, none of you wanting to lose face in front of the others.
The word is “embiggened”
Cromulent !
Not so much stiffened as engorged or turgid perhaps…
Complete list of names from the Panana Papers. No kiwis thankfully.
http://anonymous.com.pt/complete-list-of-people-named-in-the-panama-papers-videos-at-the-end-of-the-article/
But but but how can that be, John Key must be neck deep in it…its a conspiracy to protect John Key I tells ya
But seriously its good this information has come to light
A complete list, really?.
The ICIJ said it will publish the full list of involved companies and individuals linked to them in early May, citing emails, financial spreadsheets and passports among its evidence.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/panama-papers-what-are-they-who-is-involved-and-why-are-they-important-illegal-legal-tax-avoidance-a6967176.html
Those crazy anonymous guys, what can you say 🙂
BREAKING: NZ Labour Leader Andrew Little is named in the Panama Papers as many times as Prime Minister John Key!
I knew it! Little is neck-deep as much as Key, if not more!!!
But seriously, I’m glad no NZ names were mentioned regardless of political perspectives.
Pedro Almodóvar
Salvatore Bizzarro
I predict Bernie Sanders will win the New York primary.
http://usuncut.com/politics/bernie-hillary-campaign-finance/
Bernie Sanders Just Accused Hillary Clinton of Violating Campaign Finance Laws
___________________________________
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
What are your predictions for your mayoralty race?
As, in my opinion, the female ‘Bernie Sanders’ of the 2016 Auckland Mayoralty – I predict that I am going to do VERY well 😉
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Sadly my friends in the US believe that Bernie will be reasonably easily beaten in the NY primary.
Big call by you Penny, given the polls. We will know tomorrow whether you a seer, or then again, not
Will we ever find out whether you feel ashamed of your personal involvement in money-laundering?
OAB, Wayne is one of the few right wingers who comments here without being an outright troll, is it really necessary to stalk him when there are many other more right wingers who are deserving of your attention.
I pay his wages. He’s been deriving his income from the public purse for long enough to cope with a bit of personal responsibility for his decisions, don’t you think?
In any case, I’m genuinely interested: he was a member of the executive that involved us in organised crime, after all. Did anyone bring it up at the Cabinet table? “John, why are you cuddling up to crims?” That sort of thing.
Edit: I suspect he can’t answer the question because he’s in the National Party’s pocket. Aren’t you even a little bit curious?
🙄
Wow OAB that’s a big call out. I’m curious to see what you have to back that up.
Don’t you understand the connection between tax havens and money laundering?
Big call Wayne – given the trend in the Polls
You could be in for a surprise.
Yep.
A week is a LONG time in politics ….
Bernie Sanders – with his clear, anti-corporate Wall Street 1% platform – has risen in the polls from zero to hero.
As I understand it – at 1pm NZ time tomorrow – voting for the New York democratic primary will close.
I predict a BIG turnout.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
Yeah and last weekend was rather telling too. Bernie was out of the country at the Vatican, whilst Hillary was in California for a dinner hosted by George Clooney and charging $343,000 a pop for the privilege where she was showered with 1000 $1 bills. I think that sends a clear message to the voters.
+100 Penny…GO GIRL!…and GO Bernie Sanders!
Hey Lynn, that bug is back where the Name and Mail fields are blank on every new comment (my browser normally stores them). I noticed this first yesterday.
it’s happening on my iphone too.
Me too Weka, name and address goes from my field as well. Weird, hope it isn’t a bug.
Same here. Looks like this bug doesn’t like women.
The TPP has a two-track outcome on biologics protection. Parties can choose to provide effective market protection through at least 8 years of data protection. Alternatively, Parties can choose to provide effective market protection through at least 5 years of data protection, along with other measures, These measures and circumstances include regulatory settings, patents, and the time it takes for follow-on medicines to become established in the market.
http://insidetrade.com/
We need to make sure that the information from these team discussions is fully reported.
Winston has just thrown a spanner in the works re Silver Fern Farms sellout to Shanghai Maling. Nicely timed to coincide with the PMs China visit.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/79089207/nz-first-lays-complaints-over-silver-fern-farms-conduct
The process of coercing farmers into voting for this deal was always suspect. My understanding is there is much more to run on this story yet. Good on Winston for taking up the cause.
Yep. The NZ Taxpayer could have prevented this sell off for the price of a couple of flag referendums. No surprises that SFF management are closely watching how Talley’s are getting away with brutalizing their workforce.
Follow The Money Or Why We Should Arrest People Like John Key And His Banking Mates
Probably, most people, when reading about the Panama tax dodgers and New Zealand’s quiet achievement in becoming as “tax” haven, wonder how the rich always getaway with shit like this and kind of wished they were in the same predicament: Filthy rich and hiding their money from the tax people.
The next thought is probably if they can get away with it why should I pay tax? Both are legitimate sentiments but what it does not address is that apart from the obvious crime of theft these rich people are committing and the subsequent deprivation of the poor as a result of that theft, the money is not just resting in a safe place. It is being used.
Tax havens therefore should not be called tax havens but more correctly Secrecy Jurisdictions.
Nearly 10,000 dead in the ongoing Haiti cholera epidemic. The CDC knows exactly how it started and who’s to blame, but isn’t allowed to tell anyone.
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/foreigners/2016/04/what_caused_haiti_s_cholera_epidemic_the_cdc_s_museum_knows_but_won_t_say.html
“The whiff of corruption follows McCully around” …. the ultra-cleverness of the ultimate coder out-wits the GUI / WYSIWIG / reasonably intelligent expectations of the Joe Evridge poster (unrelated to Edna).
If it was going to get any more complicated or time consuming – why bother?
Here’s a comment that may or may not appear on that thread.
(The whiff of corruption follows McCully around). btw L …. as you know – you’ll never be able to code for every pillock, but if you consider it worth your marriage, and an aid to dealing with whatever your obsession avoidance – it’s worth a shot – arrogant cunt eh?) – or maybe just bleeding obvious
Christ Almighty – it goes a frikken sight deeper than McCully who probably only succumbed to his own naivety, aided and abetted by that Chez Longe upholstery material cladded vixen; know-it-all member of something we used to call a 4th Estate – now more aptly described as the ass-licking Thorndon bubble press gang. (Most of whom don’t/can’t see the medium/long term). Just another Rosemary McCluck lookalike aspiring to claim their rights to a higher class (otherwise known as social climbing wankers)
…… NOW we have our dearest Leader, John Key (side-by-side with knock-kneed Adonis son Mex – whose beauteous presence pervades as much social media as he and his acolytes can muster) suggesting he’s ‘open’ to an extradition treaty (provided of course, ewwmun roights britches en the deth penty don’t figure in such an arrangement).
Apparently there are 50 on a list (that is 50 that are known of presumably)
They reap what they sow. I wonder jst hear relexed he’s gunna b when he reterns home on Earforce 1. (John – you really must get that 757 repainted!)
Oh wow….. it appears to have worked from the submitter that’s not the dedicated follower of fashion or fad or hero worship.
Y’all are really gorgeous tho’. Have a nice day. Missing you already
Aaron Hawkins has announced his intention to run for mayor of Dunedin under the Green Party banner. I think he’s been a good councillor so far and I’ll be interested in his mayoral platform. One good thing about Dunedin is that the voting system for mayor is STV, so the left bloc won’t be split.
Cool. Good man.
What’s the rush, Mr Key?
Tuesday, 19 April 2016, 10:56 am
Press Release: Professor Jane Kelsey
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1604/S00251/government-seeking-to-stymie-report-on-tppa.htm
Seen this?
http://www.brandonturbeville.com/2016/04/nafta-and-tpp-hillary-clintons-free.html?m=1
NAFTA And The TPP – Hillary Clinton’s Free Trade History
Hillary Clinton is not my ‘sister’.
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
(Who is actively opposed to the TPPA and corporate control by the 1% – locally, nationally and internationally.)
+100…”Hillary Clinton is not my ‘sister’. “
Seen this?
https://twitter.com/smilefestival/status/722257767290023936
damn you, now I’ve gone and followed.
Emergency kittens is a must as well: https://twitter.com/search?q=Emergency%20kittens&src=typd
Where do you stand Wayne, on New Zealand’s secretive ‘foreign trusts’?
Do you think that there is any legitimate purpose for New Zealand secretive ‘foreign trusts’?
If so – what – in your view is this ‘legitimate purpose’?
Penny Bright
2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.
‘Sanders’s criticism of Israel is long overdue’
https://www.rt.com/op-edge/340073-sanders-israel-palestinians-gaza-us/
“Bernie Sanders is not only taking on the Washington establishment in his campaign for the Democratic Party presidential nomination, he is also challenging many of the received truths that make up the ideological foundations upon which its power rests…