Organised by St Paul’s and Centre for Sustainability (University of Otago). Sustainability has been one of the dominant issues of the election campaign in Dunedin. There have been two candidate forums dedicated to the issue, and at general candidate meetings the topic was prominent in questions being asked.
“There will be a screening of the movie “Inside Job”, followed by brief reactions from a specially invited panel including Mayor Dave Cull; the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Rev Dr Trevor James; the Chief Executive of Methodist Mission, Laura Black; and representatives from business, law, the university and other community bodies in Dunedin.
The discussion will be hosted by Damian Newell of More FM.”
Why are there no representatives from the poor, the underclasses, occupy, beneficiaries, low income workers etc on that specially invited panel?
You should ask the organisers. This is what I’ve been told:
We are inviting a number of key people from Dunedin’s businesses, the voluntary sector, the University, churches, law and order agents, trades unions, the occupation, the media
The voluntary sector, trade unions, the occupation seems to cover some of it.
Coincidently, I got up early today and watched ‘Inside Job’. This documentary does indeed tackle a complex topic comprehensively in a format I believe conducive to a wide audience. Distressing and sobering, it could be enough to make one give up in despair, simply because it is still happening! While I had thought ‘ all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing’, even that doesn’t explain this situation. Some good people did speak out but were just ignored or trivialised. The global economic crisis was due to out and out orchestrated greed. Lobby groups specifically targeted and changed legislation to allow greed to further itself unhindered! ‘Inside Job’ did answer a lingering question of mine. What happened to the importance of ethics and morals being entwined with University and Business School degrees? Surely the power of knowledge is linked soundly to personal integrity and responsibility. Unfortunately corruption is shown to be present in educational institutions also.
If ever we needed to stand by those protesting for the 99% it is now, for good people are speaking out. Perhaps it just needs the momentum of many to overcome the power of money and corruption.
Good article on Stuff this morning with people involved in charities stating that increasingly people in NZ are struggling to pay for the basics. There’s a good sample of extracts from readers letters, a couple supporting the neolibreal aspirational line, but most opposed to it.
Charities say they have watched with concern as the gap between rich and poor grew over the past few years with no solution in sight.
[…]
City Missioner Susan Blaikie said she had previously worked in the corporate world where beneficiaries were seen as bludgers.
“But I don’t know anyone that actually wants to be on a benefit. The bigger the gap is between the richest and the poorest, the more likely there will be social problems and crime.”
The Reverend Blaikie had spent the last decade working with the church and said the issue was worse today than ever before.
She was concerned that no major party had produced a serious policy this close to the election.
The Salvation Army’s social services spokesman, Major Campbell Roberts, said he had seen the gap grow over his 40 years there and in recent times more people were worse off.
[…] Great Divide strikes chord with readers
“Hard work is a red herring. Let’s say hypothetically that everyone in NZ worked just as hard and were equally as motivated and as educated as everyone else. Even after all that, someone still has to clean the toilets, empty the septic tanks.” – Jim Kirk
“If you are mega-rich you are a wealth deprivator; you are impacting on people’s ordinary lives and aspirations more than any everyday criminal probably could. Graham Hart spending $85 million on a yacht made from money milked from the NZ economy … clearly over the boundaries and a man whose soul has become corrupted by his wealth. What’s he giving back?” – John Gower
“I do work hard – sometimes 11 hours a day, I have a degree which cost me huge amounts in student loans and didn’t help me get a job, and I have aspirations. To me the problem is not that there are rich and poor; this will always happen as it’s human nature. The problem is that more and more people in the same boat as myself are finding it hard to live due to the rising cost of food, petrol and rates.” – Catherine
Poverty is caused by everyone believing they can “get ahead”. Aspiration is the problem. It’s like the Griffins biscuit ad, “…just one more….ok?” Remove aspiration form the national psyche and the game will change entirely. No more hiding behind material wealth, no more toys to buy, no more plans to spend more on more things no one needs. Just life, facing who and what you are. Scarey as hell for some and they’ll run over anyone to avoid stopping to see themselves. It’s cowardice.
People are somewhat compelled to ‘get ahead’, Uturn. It’s built into the rules that if you don’t, then you’ll go under. And that can mean a lack of access to necessary material goods or services (healthcare, education, diet, housing etc) Aspiration isn’t the problem. Poverty is a symptom or result of production and distribution being dictated by the ‘winner takes all and the losers can go fuck themselves’ market economy.
I don’t think it’s fair to condemn people for wanting what’s best for themselves. Even in a democratic economy, people would want what was best; aspiration would remain. But since the rules ( the various incentives, punishments and rewards) inherent to a democratic economy are different to those of a market economy, the consequences from aspiring for what would be best wouldn’t be the destructive and misanthropic mess we create on both an individual and general level at present.
The solution is a lot easier than changing people’s minds in some radical way. We simply need to to change the nature of our economy (an external environment) and behaviours will adapt accordingly.
“The solution is a lot easier than changing people’s minds in some radical way. We simply need to to change the nature of our economy (an external environment) and behaviours will adapt accordingly.”
And how do we “change the nature of our economy” without “changing people’s minds in some radical way”?
The circumstances we find ourselves in in 2011 are generating an sustaining a significant network of movements which are kind of epitomised by the evolving ‘occupy’ movement. A counterculture which is, at the very least, sprinkling a few seeds of doubt in the wider communities.
But when the different threads try to work together, and it’s happening all over the place, they are confronted by problems which can only be positively resolved by individuals and groups ‘radically changing their minds’. External and internal environments can’t be simply decoupled.
It’s a process, is all I’m saying, and not necessarily one which is going succeed. At the moment I’m very pessimistic about our prospects.
Yup, it’s a kind of chicken and egg scenario. I’m not implying that external and internal environments are seperate and distinct….they are aspects of the one thing that reinforce one another to lend the totality a given ‘shape’. But put simply, if we are engaging in ‘a game’ with a particular set of rules that encourage some behaviours and discourage others, then it would seem obvious to focus on ‘the game’ and its rules if the intent is to alter behaviour.
We know we don’t like ‘the game’ that is this particular economy. And we know we don’t like the behaviours it endorses and encourages via it’s various reward mechanisms. But we can understand or percieve the dynamics of the economy and its effects; we can see how it works. Which means we can change things…we can incrementally withdraw our participation from ‘this game’ while similtaneously setting up a new one.
It can be done, has been done. And if a group of people (not even necessarily a huge number to begin with) are succesfully operating from a different, far more desirable economic premise that is not isolated from the dominant economic way of thinking and acting; and if they can find a way to promulgate it to the wider community/society, then hey, there’s your process.
Otherwise, are we not relying on some supernatural or mystical mechanism to affect change? It’s always been one of my bug bears with Marx, that he envisaged…even relied on or had faith invested in, some ‘spontaneous raising of consciousness’ on the part of workers. And to me, that’s no different to religion and no more likely to produce results.
Some of the misunderstanding is that I did not define aspiration. Aspiration is not a hungry person feeling like they need food to change their state to one of satisfaction. Aspiration is constantly living in the future, rather than facing today. Building a better TV is a form of aspiration. Wanting to be the world’s best wakeboarder, is aspiration. Wanting to rule your village is aspiration. Planning for your holiday is aspiration.
Anything that moves your mind forward from the present and creates an anxiety of what you imagine then not happening, is aspiration at work. Tackling real life problems as they happen is not aspiration. Aspiration is fueled by fear: what if we don’t have enough tomorrow? The line between fact and preparation and fear is very thin and aspiration is as dangerous as religion in the hands of those with child minds. It never comes with a warning. By the time a child is five they will know who Harvey Norman are, but not why they don’t need what those people sell.
It is not built into the rules that you must pile up the corpses just to eat, be healthy and participate in a society. That thinking is condescending. It shifts responsibility from the aggressor to the victim, using fear to force him to enter the culture of aspiration. It’s what politicians use: cultural violence. Nothing is easy. To stop aspiration, each individual must decide to stop, and that will come at a price. It takes courage.
I think it is hope and fear that are companions, not fear and aspiration. The anxiety of ‘what if tomorrow doesn’t pan out as hoped’ is an expression of fear rather than a result of aspiration.
Anyway, putting aside trivial yet highly destructive aspirations, what’s wrong with aspiring for a better world or a better whatever?
And whether you like it or not, it is the rules of our market economy that we ‘must pile up the corpses just to eat’, as you put it. The alternative is to be one of the corpses. It’s winners and losers with nothing inbetween. Social democracy has tried to create a space in the middle through creating various welfare provisions within core national economies. But the cost of that provisioning has been borne by those living in the peripheral national economies being subject, literally and routinely to famine and various other precarious situations. (Piling up the bodies)
The ‘civilised’ market economy flowed quite nicely and deliberately from the brutal, military backed plunderings of colonialism and ‘locked in’, albeit under a more civilised guise, the same dynamics of exploitation.
Aspiration is a positive rather than a negative. Aspiration is that quality of thinking that is transformative to the human condition, and defines our uniqueness as a species on Earth.
There is absolutely no point to having a large brain without some purpose to drive its engine – purpose is fueled by aspiration.
To me the problem is not that there are rich and poor; this will always happen as it’s human nature.
No, it’s not human nature. It’s the nature of psychopaths which only make up a small percentage of the population. So, why are we building and accepting a psychopathic society?
The early polls suggest Mr Key has not suffered, though insiders are divided. Some say National has sailed through unscathed, while others report internal polling recorded sharp dips on a couple of nights this week as the saga played out.
Good analysis of the issues from Vernon Small, including turning Key’s extreme News of the World, youth suicide arguments back on Key:
Since Mr Key has used the extreme, in the case of the rich couple and suicidal children, what if we apply the same logic here?
What if Mr Key and Mr Banks were plotting a major crime? An unconstitutional takeover? What about a mass defacing of Labour billboards? Or even, as has been hinted at, they were discussing a coup in ACT? In the end the boundary is a judgment call, but there is clearly a case for the public’s right to know in some cases.
What about lesser levels of public interest? Is there a right to know if the prime minister and Mr Banks say different things in private to in public? What about differences of style; that in private the carefully nurtured Brand Key drops and he is disparaging, even prone to the odd expletive?
Don’t we all do that; present a different face in public than in private; so is it fair to hold politicians to a different standard?
I agree with that.
And I also agree with Small when he suggests it was one of the stupidist tea parties ever – Key seemed to be a reluctant participant, it was a desperate attempt at camp[aign revival by Act, egged on a massive omelette scale by the media.
Truth be told, I dont really care what happens in this election as long as ACT doesnt get back in. “The good people of Epsom” have the best chance yet of voting for Goldsmith (even though he looks like a total smarmy jumped up tosser) and consigning ACT and its bunch of redneck social darwinists to the dustbin of history. I would rather National govern alone than in coalition with ACT. National only want to push you to the ground. ACT want to push you to the ground then put the boot in. I dont want the boot.
And I’m sorry, Mr George, but voters in Ohariu-Belmont also have the chance to get rid of Dunne as well, and consign that bunch of jelly fish to history (if Labour were Coke and National Pepsi, then UF would be that watered down budget cola that costs 99c a bottle)..
So if you are a left winger, who lives in Epsom, then vote Goldsmith. You have to do it. You have to ask yourself if we want Don “cut wages to catch up with Australia” Brash, John “Drink and drug crazed polynesian men are going to rape respectable white Epsom housewives” Banks, and Don “farmers can put what they like in the rivers because that’s how profits are made” Nicholson.
Agreed, I would derive great pleasure from seeing both of those pathetic parties gone, and the wretched sellout Maori party too, though that’s probably too much to ask. The best case scenario if the dubious polls are indeed right is that the Nats get the most votes but don’t have enough seats to pass asset sales legislation, mwahahahaha.
“Key seemed to be a reluctant participant, ”
Oh really? He just looked smug and enjoyed saying “Not today.” Egged on by the media? Key set the scene so is responsible for the outcome. And if he lost the smug look well and good.
The media weere pestering for a cup of tea story for a week up until it happened. Act may have been behind that, the way they promoted it at their “campaign launch” indicates theyb thought it was their saviour. But to me Key had seemed lukewarm.
I agree, the tea party was in response to media pressure. Key or Banks/Brash could have come out a couple of weeks earlier and said that they had no plans for any meet up at all, and when questioned could have later said “there are no plans” instead of his stupid “not today” answer.
In fact Key could have just given a long-form answer to a question that was effectively an endorsement for Banks without actually having to go through the stupid media stunt that it was. IMO that would have worked better as it would’ve been more genuine and less crass, and obviously in hindsight we wouldn’t have had this whole stupid tape problem.
Yes, Key could have dealt with this better from the start. He didn’t instigate the circus but enabled it. But that’s history now, he couldn’t have foreseen the eventual circumstances nor the eventual media obsession with stuff all.
The media are not running for parliament pete. It was a political stunt that backfired. If u actually believe the media wields undue influence you should have said something before – piping up now just makes you look like a NAct apologist – which you are of course.
It was a political and media stunt. That combo dominates the campaign.
How do you know what I have or haven’t said about media influence prior to this? It’s obvious the media wields significant influence and sometimes abuses that influence, this week being a prime example.
The collusion between TV3 and Winston Peters when they publicised non-sensational supposed contents of the recording – quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing coukld be done about it before the election) – waas disgraceful.
I’m not an ‘NAct’ apologist – that claim is just you with no argument so resorting to trying to smear.
I don’t think Act deserve any success this election, Brash/Banks are a disaster (Isaacs may be better). I support some National policies, positions and priorities, and disagree with others. Same for Labour and Greens.
I’ve openly supported some Green policies online and at candidate meetings. I have agreed with Clare Cullan and Michael Woodhouse and metiria Turei at candidates on some things, and I’ve also disagreed with them on other things.
“The collusion between TV3 and Winston Peters when they publicised non-sensational supposed contents of the recording – quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing coukld be done about it before the election) – waas disgraceful.”
What about the collusion of mediaworks and the Nats when they produced Shonkeys radio show ‘moonbeam at midday….’ quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing could be done about it before the election) – disgraceful too?
What is your/ united follicles policy position on foreign ownership/ regulation/ public service obligations in broadcasting and the media?
If you actually give a shit about the fourth estate how about committing to some non negotiable policy that will help it become again the conscience and defender of our democracy.
“But that’s history now, he couldn’t have foreseen the eventual circumstances nor the eventual media obsession with stuff all.”
All of a sudden the man with 137 odd spin doctors in his employ couldn’t predict what would happen when he walked out of a press conference and got the police involved in a spat with a journo? Now he is a hapless victim of circumstance?
“Don’t we all do that; present a different face in public than in private; so is it fair to hold politicians to a different standard?”
This highlights an important part of both the cause and manifestation of the malady we call the modern world. My answer is that we should hold everyone to that standard, politician and non-politician alike.
The split between the public and the private is a very recent phenomenon. The ‘private’ sphere itself is a late construction in history.
The very word ‘society’, in fact, arises with the courtly shenanigans in Europe (hence young belles ‘entering society’ in debutante balls). Interestingly, it arises in popular contemporary commentary (roughly, 16th and 17th C) at the same time as the concept of the ‘self’ (same reason; in the Royal Courts, presentation of self became an absolute obsession since it was the way to gain favour). Even more interestingly, it is coincidental with widespread commentary on ‘melancholia’.
The public/private split is one of the contours of our modern society that needs to be eroded. It encourages a lack of ‘integrity’ (literally, an integrated character – across time and situations).
Exactly right Ianmac.Could be seen on Campbell Live the other evening (Wed.orThurs) that someone was leaning around that opening just over John Key’s back . Key had to know he was there.
How on earth could the idiots think they could not be over heard and so could have private/secret conversation???? It defies belief that they felt they could be so indiscreet.
This meeting was just a stage managed set up so I thought. It would never have occurred to me that the idiots would use it to discuss serious private and duplicitous matters!! It was only a ten minute cuppa!
Is not jk head of NZSIS? The example he sets of intelligent behaviour in Epsom should score ‘well below average’ on his carefully thought out national standards.
Re Phil Goff not remembering figures when Duncan Garner demanded he produce them without reference to his notes was typical bully boy behaviour by man-child Garner.
It’s one thing to ‘not have costings prepared yet’ (so claimed at the press ‘debate’), it’s quite another to have them written on a piece of paper in front of you and not being allowed to read the number off.
How dare Garner say ‘no, don’t look them up’ to Phil Goff. It wasn’t a primary school mental arithemetic test for crying out loud.!!!!!!
He was the one that asked for the exact / projected (oxymoron?) figures. He had already been told by Goff that they would be lowish, like20-50million to start with, and then grow. If he wanted more accurate figures, Phil had the exact figures to hand to tell him. And yet Phil was told – ‘no, no don’t look” !?! Are you sure??
How rude,arrogant,priggish and ignorant the silly little Garner was. His childish behaviour was right up there with the ‘stupidest tea party’ ever this week..
I despair of New Zealand ‘s media when we have such pathetic journalists as ‘uriah heepish not-a-clue’ Duncan Garner doing his level best to back the duplicity and ghastly exploitation of our democratic principles as practised by johnkey and his national party.
Go and get a drink Duncan and look carefully at a future career in the used car trade- you’d be a sure fire winner there.Just your mental level, judging by your journalistic beheviour.
(And Rebecca Wright tried to do a hatchet job on Goff on 3News last night with this spin.Has she gone to the dark side now she is in the gallery or was she ‘guided’ into doing this story by her political editor?)
CV, Phil should have shut him down straight off and said, “I will refer to my notes – I don’t need your permission” and given Garner the steely stare I know he can.
Who the hell does that corpulent little toad think he is? He exists in a sea of unthinking, arse-licking hacks who would gladly serve as Key’s toilet paper for the rest of their lives.
seeker I know you were trying to be kind but I wouldn’t rate Garner worthy of a post even as a used car salesman.
Correct. Key had notes at the televised leaders debate. Goff did not
I look forward to him being asked to make his points “without looking John” from here on in
Ace idea Banter. Some one suggest this to John Campbell for Monday’s debate. If he’s not sure how to carry this out, he can always ask his tv3 colleague- the school exam invigilator himself Mr.Snape- Garner.
I agree that expecting any politician to remember every detail is unreasonable. Not much different to forgetting details of one of hundreds of personal conversations on the campaign trail.
But in the heat of their biggest ego event not all political mediapeople think reasonable.
Wasn’t it clever to dig up the footage from the debate. To bad they didn’t show Key reading from his notes.Paul Mcartney was wrong ($ 43 million ) can buy plenty of love.
A court prosecutor has offical deem
that an executive should stand trial
for the unlawful deaths of 29 men.
The local Mayor, still blithly makes
out he such a nice guy. Sorry, but
isn’t that the problem, nice guys
are often compensating (with niceness)
for not doing their jobs, alledgedly.
Has a she’ll be right mentality locked
NZ into periodic decline? Leading to
child poverty, young migration overseas,
managers who run a tight safety regime?
Begger thy neighbor attitude ever
presenting in the latest round of government
cutting. Key is a nice guy too.
Property is a tax, its a tax on everyone that
has lost their access to use the property, now
conveniently forgotten when talking about
tax cuts for those who own the most
property, not tax cuts for those who have
little in the way of property.
[…] John Key made time in his diary this week for a secretive meeting with the boss of an oil company that wants to undertake deep sea drilling off New Zealand’s coast. The company is controversial; it was party to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the biggest environmental disasters in history. […]
Con mankey has aged considerably in the last week and it shows so much so that Next week he’ll be having a secret cup of tea with Winston who he will be needing to form a government.
Just another broken promise [lie]par for the course .Any one with shares in race horses look for an increase in funding next year.200,00 children will have to miss out.
It is clear that the oil and gas industry tries to minimize negative public perception and financial liability by falsely reporting the amount of oil spilled. It is much the same with fracking, with continued spills showing that self regulation and weak administration has failed to ensure environmental safety…
The victims of pike river are in the same quandary after another broken promise by Nationals Brownoselee &manKey only one person has received the help all New Zealanders contributed to and now its 1st year anniversary for these grieving families.It shows the same level of concern that National had for the safety of the miners.SCF gets $1.6 billion straight away national voters mostly I bet!
I normally believe in polls, especially if they are all saying the same thing, but the latest roy morgan poll has the greens at 13%?????
FROM ROY MORGAN
The latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows Prime Minister John Key’s National Party set for a clear victory in next Saturday’s New Zealand election with National (53%, unchanged) increasing its lead over the Labour Party (24.5%, down 1.5%). Support for the Green Party (13%, up 1%) has continued to increase while New Zealand First (3%, down 1.5%), ACT NZ (1.5%, up 0.5%) and United Future ( > 0.5%, unchanged) will all struggle to win seats in the new Parliament.
Anyone heard a rumour that National will means test super and (possibly aggregate other superannuation that you might be drawing) – claiming the changed state of the economy as the reason – below the radar at the moment but using the similar argument as they did for GST? Seems to be plausible considering the way Key has dismissed Labour’s plans to make superannuation more affordable.
Remember Key’s remark during the CGT chat that the rich will just find other ways to hide assets.
And this will also fit as the very rich will find ways of hiding assets against Means Testing.
Wouldn’t it be great if National really followed Labour’s lead and got serious about finding ways to deal with those asset cheats or even legal ways of Avoidance..
Granted it’s Paul Holmes practically writing a National press release (think he gets paid twice for those pieces? Once by the tories and once by the paper) but still. A bomb?
Key ruined a very useful and accurate word when, in the minds of people, he associated dynamic with lying. It’s going to take some time to find a similar word that is readily understood. Thanks, Key: a knighthood for destructive services to the English language.
Actually I think Key has added a new word to the English lexicon – dinamic meaning to lie, as in “dinamic environment’ meaning an environment which facilitates lying or causes/allows one to lie. Princess Anne did a similar thing when she introduced the endearing word “naff” which can be used in the following ways: “‘John Key’s smile is so naff now,” or “John Key’s lies are naff .” or, “I wish John Key would naff off to Hawaii for good.”
Spinsters have quite a record with word destruction. During the nineties “passion” was chucked around quite a bit as a euphemism for greed. And “aspirational” has had its tedious run: since aspiration means breathing as well as wanting more money and prestige (in Keyspeak), I presume these aspirational people want all the oxygen as well.
“Fast forward another 10 years and I am sure the Google cache will still be bringing up stories on how – on the eve of a general election – police targeted New Zealand media on Key’s wishes.
Maybe police should have charged Key for wasting their time.”
Be interesting to see the format on Monday night TV 3 7-8:30, for the Leaders Debate chaired by John Campbell. Key V Goff.
For me I will watch Key’s body talk and at times try listening with eyes closed to check on the credibility away from the “boyish charm.”
Is there any chance at this late stage before the election that the media. or even the Standard for that matter, will get back to the election opening broadcasts – reflecting the various parties’ values and differences in terms of competence, honesty and commitment to a fairer society?
Well we know that the nats will sell off our power companies to multinationals if they get the numbers in the election. That’s the only issue of importance for me. So that’s why I’m giving my party vote to Winston Peters for the first time ever. He is totally opposed to asset sales and most importantly is most effective as an opposition mp.
Labour have been useless in opposition so for the first time ever they don’t get my party vote. I don’t care what other policies nz1 espouse, who gives a shit, I’m desperate. Asset sales is all I’m interested in and Peters unlike Labour knows how to speak to the public via the media and get a coherent message across. Perhaps with Peters’ example then Labour might realise what being opposition MPs actually means.
Interestingly my father has always been a national voter but he is adamantly opposed to asset sales and in a quandary about who to vote for. I would say there are a lot of older voters like him. I advised him to vote for Peters as a tactical move; he agrees.
And do you believe that Peters will remain unalligned to any party. Stick by HIS word ? Voting away from National to a “maybe”, is exactly what National want and a good way to ensure asset sales will go through. The cup a tea was the same strategy.
riding my motorbike down south I saw a hoarding for Maryanne Street as local Labour candidate. Who? I havent heard a word from her as an opposition mp in the past three years. Same with most of the rest of the high list ranking Labour mps. Im guessing Peters hates the nats due to their campaign against him prior to last election and opposes asset sales. Thats enough for me.
Some interesting twists by other National MP’s manipulating statistics this weekend in deceptive ways.
Judith Collins quoted her role as a “spectatular” success and not one piece of investigation into the “7% drop in crime” claim by Key also..So magically this election swinging issue has crime minimalised because Judiths on to it? Boot camp was a vote winner in 2008..?
2010/2011 Negligent acts endangering others up17.2%; SEXUALOFFENCES up 14.9% SEXUALASSAULT up12.3%;MANSLAUGHTER AND DRIVING CAUSING DEATH up 12.9%;ABDUCTION AND KIDNAPPING up 8.4%;DECEPTIVE BUSINESS/GOVERNMENT PRACTICES up 18.2%;
FRAUD AND DECEPTION OFFENCES up 3%; BREACH OF VIOLENCE AND NON-VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS up; COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRY/FINANCIAL REGULATION up 53.3 %. Biggest rise and more money ever to “white collar crime” at a cost to every citizen.
Public Sector cuts..CYFs struggling to cope with quote Ministers report over 2400 reports of child abuse EVERY WEEK..Police for all crime in this reported year had average of 65% resolution
Why are such misrepresentations unchallenged ?
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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 ...
Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
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 ...
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 ...
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A public forum in Dunedin today to look at a movie and also to look at the Octagon and Occupy in relation to the global financial problems.
Saturday 17 November, 3.30 pm – 6.30 pm, St Paul’s Cathedral (Octagon, Dunedin)
More details: Special public forum on the Octagon .
Organised by St Paul’s and Centre for Sustainability (University of Otago). Sustainability has been one of the dominant issues of the election campaign in Dunedin. There have been two candidate forums dedicated to the issue, and at general candidate meetings the topic was prominent in questions being asked.
“There will be a screening of the movie “Inside Job”, followed by brief reactions from a specially invited panel including Mayor Dave Cull; the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Rev Dr Trevor James; the Chief Executive of Methodist Mission, Laura Black; and representatives from business, law, the university and other community bodies in Dunedin.
The discussion will be hosted by Damian Newell of More FM.”
Why are there no representatives from the poor, the underclasses, occupy, beneficiaries, low income workers etc on that specially invited panel?
thats so true, why not? as there are a large number of them here in dunedin. great movie though.
You should ask the organisers. This is what I’ve been told:
The voluntary sector, trade unions, the occupation seems to cover some of it.
It is a public forum, anyone who wants to can go.
I wasn’t talking about who could go, I was talking about who is on the specially invited panel.
Coincidently, I got up early today and watched ‘Inside Job’. This documentary does indeed tackle a complex topic comprehensively in a format I believe conducive to a wide audience. Distressing and sobering, it could be enough to make one give up in despair, simply because it is still happening! While I had thought ‘ all that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing’, even that doesn’t explain this situation. Some good people did speak out but were just ignored or trivialised. The global economic crisis was due to out and out orchestrated greed. Lobby groups specifically targeted and changed legislation to allow greed to further itself unhindered! ‘Inside Job’ did answer a lingering question of mine. What happened to the importance of ethics and morals being entwined with University and Business School degrees? Surely the power of knowledge is linked soundly to personal integrity and responsibility. Unfortunately corruption is shown to be present in educational institutions also.
If ever we needed to stand by those protesting for the 99% it is now, for good people are speaking out. Perhaps it just needs the momentum of many to overcome the power of money and corruption.
Good article on Stuff this morning with people involved in charities stating that increasingly people in NZ are struggling to pay for the basics. There’s a good sample of extracts from readers letters, a couple supporting the neolibreal aspirational line, but most opposed to it.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5996449/Growing-wealth-gap-alarms-charities
Poverty is caused by everyone believing they can “get ahead”. Aspiration is the problem. It’s like the Griffins biscuit ad, “…just one more….ok?” Remove aspiration form the national psyche and the game will change entirely. No more hiding behind material wealth, no more toys to buy, no more plans to spend more on more things no one needs. Just life, facing who and what you are. Scarey as hell for some and they’ll run over anyone to avoid stopping to see themselves. It’s cowardice.
People are somewhat compelled to ‘get ahead’, Uturn. It’s built into the rules that if you don’t, then you’ll go under. And that can mean a lack of access to necessary material goods or services (healthcare, education, diet, housing etc) Aspiration isn’t the problem. Poverty is a symptom or result of production and distribution being dictated by the ‘winner takes all and the losers can go fuck themselves’ market economy.
I don’t think it’s fair to condemn people for wanting what’s best for themselves. Even in a democratic economy, people would want what was best; aspiration would remain. But since the rules ( the various incentives, punishments and rewards) inherent to a democratic economy are different to those of a market economy, the consequences from aspiring for what would be best wouldn’t be the destructive and misanthropic mess we create on both an individual and general level at present.
The solution is a lot easier than changing people’s minds in some radical way. We simply need to to change the nature of our economy (an external environment) and behaviours will adapt accordingly.
“The solution is a lot easier than changing people’s minds in some radical way. We simply need to to change the nature of our economy (an external environment) and behaviours will adapt accordingly.”
And how do we “change the nature of our economy” without “changing people’s minds in some radical way”?
The circumstances we find ourselves in in 2011 are generating an sustaining a significant network of movements which are kind of epitomised by the evolving ‘occupy’ movement. A counterculture which is, at the very least, sprinkling a few seeds of doubt in the wider communities.
But when the different threads try to work together, and it’s happening all over the place, they are confronted by problems which can only be positively resolved by individuals and groups ‘radically changing their minds’. External and internal environments can’t be simply decoupled.
It’s a process, is all I’m saying, and not necessarily one which is going succeed. At the moment I’m very pessimistic about our prospects.
Yup, it’s a kind of chicken and egg scenario. I’m not implying that external and internal environments are seperate and distinct….they are aspects of the one thing that reinforce one another to lend the totality a given ‘shape’. But put simply, if we are engaging in ‘a game’ with a particular set of rules that encourage some behaviours and discourage others, then it would seem obvious to focus on ‘the game’ and its rules if the intent is to alter behaviour.
We know we don’t like ‘the game’ that is this particular economy. And we know we don’t like the behaviours it endorses and encourages via it’s various reward mechanisms. But we can understand or percieve the dynamics of the economy and its effects; we can see how it works. Which means we can change things…we can incrementally withdraw our participation from ‘this game’ while similtaneously setting up a new one.
It can be done, has been done. And if a group of people (not even necessarily a huge number to begin with) are succesfully operating from a different, far more desirable economic premise that is not isolated from the dominant economic way of thinking and acting; and if they can find a way to promulgate it to the wider community/society, then hey, there’s your process.
Otherwise, are we not relying on some supernatural or mystical mechanism to affect change? It’s always been one of my bug bears with Marx, that he envisaged…even relied on or had faith invested in, some ‘spontaneous raising of consciousness’ on the part of workers. And to me, that’s no different to religion and no more likely to produce results.
Some of the misunderstanding is that I did not define aspiration. Aspiration is not a hungry person feeling like they need food to change their state to one of satisfaction. Aspiration is constantly living in the future, rather than facing today. Building a better TV is a form of aspiration. Wanting to be the world’s best wakeboarder, is aspiration. Wanting to rule your village is aspiration. Planning for your holiday is aspiration.
Anything that moves your mind forward from the present and creates an anxiety of what you imagine then not happening, is aspiration at work. Tackling real life problems as they happen is not aspiration. Aspiration is fueled by fear: what if we don’t have enough tomorrow? The line between fact and preparation and fear is very thin and aspiration is as dangerous as religion in the hands of those with child minds. It never comes with a warning. By the time a child is five they will know who Harvey Norman are, but not why they don’t need what those people sell.
It is not built into the rules that you must pile up the corpses just to eat, be healthy and participate in a society. That thinking is condescending. It shifts responsibility from the aggressor to the victim, using fear to force him to enter the culture of aspiration. It’s what politicians use: cultural violence. Nothing is easy. To stop aspiration, each individual must decide to stop, and that will come at a price. It takes courage.
I think it is hope and fear that are companions, not fear and aspiration. The anxiety of ‘what if tomorrow doesn’t pan out as hoped’ is an expression of fear rather than a result of aspiration.
Anyway, putting aside trivial yet highly destructive aspirations, what’s wrong with aspiring for a better world or a better whatever?
And whether you like it or not, it is the rules of our market economy that we ‘must pile up the corpses just to eat’, as you put it. The alternative is to be one of the corpses. It’s winners and losers with nothing inbetween. Social democracy has tried to create a space in the middle through creating various welfare provisions within core national economies. But the cost of that provisioning has been borne by those living in the peripheral national economies being subject, literally and routinely to famine and various other precarious situations. (Piling up the bodies)
The ‘civilised’ market economy flowed quite nicely and deliberately from the brutal, military backed plunderings of colonialism and ‘locked in’, albeit under a more civilised guise, the same dynamics of exploitation.
Aspiration is a positive rather than a negative. Aspiration is that quality of thinking that is transformative to the human condition, and defines our uniqueness as a species on Earth.
There is absolutely no point to having a large brain without some purpose to drive its engine – purpose is fueled by aspiration.
No, it’s not human nature. It’s the nature of psychopaths which only make up a small percentage of the population. So, why are we building and accepting a psychopathic society?
Vernon Small states that he’s heard claims that Nats polling this week did show some dips in support in the middle of the last week:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion
Good analysis of the issues from Vernon Small, including turning Key’s extreme News of the World, youth suicide arguments back on Key:
It’s worth nmoting what Small wrote aftyer that:
I agree with that.
And I also agree with Small when he suggests it was one of the stupidist tea parties ever – Key seemed to be a reluctant participant, it was a desperate attempt at camp[aign revival by Act, egged on a massive omelette scale by the media.
Truth be told, I dont really care what happens in this election as long as ACT doesnt get back in. “The good people of Epsom” have the best chance yet of voting for Goldsmith (even though he looks like a total smarmy jumped up tosser) and consigning ACT and its bunch of redneck social darwinists to the dustbin of history. I would rather National govern alone than in coalition with ACT. National only want to push you to the ground. ACT want to push you to the ground then put the boot in. I dont want the boot.
And I’m sorry, Mr George, but voters in Ohariu-Belmont also have the chance to get rid of Dunne as well, and consign that bunch of jelly fish to history (if Labour were Coke and National Pepsi, then UF would be that watered down budget cola that costs 99c a bottle)..
So if you are a left winger, who lives in Epsom, then vote Goldsmith. You have to do it. You have to ask yourself if we want Don “cut wages to catch up with Australia” Brash, John “Drink and drug crazed polynesian men are going to rape respectable white Epsom housewives” Banks, and Don “farmers can put what they like in the rivers because that’s how profits are made” Nicholson.
Agreed, I would derive great pleasure from seeing both of those pathetic parties gone, and the wretched sellout Maori party too, though that’s probably too much to ask. The best case scenario if the dubious polls are indeed right is that the Nats get the most votes but don’t have enough seats to pass asset sales legislation, mwahahahaha.
“Key seemed to be a reluctant participant, ”
Oh really? He just looked smug and enjoyed saying “Not today.” Egged on by the media? Key set the scene so is responsible for the outcome. And if he lost the smug look well and good.
+1
The media weere pestering for a cup of tea story for a week up until it happened. Act may have been behind that, the way they promoted it at their “campaign launch” indicates theyb thought it was their saviour. But to me Key had seemed lukewarm.
It was a media event, strongly promoted by media.
I agree, the tea party was in response to media pressure. Key or Banks/Brash could have come out a couple of weeks earlier and said that they had no plans for any meet up at all, and when questioned could have later said “there are no plans” instead of his stupid “not today” answer.
In fact Key could have just given a long-form answer to a question that was effectively an endorsement for Banks without actually having to go through the stupid media stunt that it was. IMO that would have worked better as it would’ve been more genuine and less crass, and obviously in hindsight we wouldn’t have had this whole stupid tape problem.
Yes, Key could have dealt with this better from the start. He didn’t instigate the circus but enabled it. But that’s history now, he couldn’t have foreseen the eventual circumstances nor the eventual media obsession with stuff all.
Purile Git git over it Conman Key has been found out
Jinxs every
The media are not running for parliament pete. It was a political stunt that backfired. If u actually believe the media wields undue influence you should have said something before – piping up now just makes you look like a NAct apologist – which you are of course.
It was a political and media stunt. That combo dominates the campaign.
How do you know what I have or haven’t said about media influence prior to this? It’s obvious the media wields significant influence and sometimes abuses that influence, this week being a prime example.
The collusion between TV3 and Winston Peters when they publicised non-sensational supposed contents of the recording – quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing coukld be done about it before the election) – waas disgraceful.
I’m not an ‘NAct’ apologist – that claim is just you with no argument so resorting to trying to smear.
I don’t think Act deserve any success this election, Brash/Banks are a disaster (Isaacs may be better). I support some National policies, positions and priorities, and disagree with others. Same for Labour and Greens.
I’ve openly supported some Green policies online and at candidate meetings. I have agreed with Clare Cullan and Michael Woodhouse and metiria Turei at candidates on some things, and I’ve also disagreed with them on other things.
“The collusion between TV3 and Winston Peters when they publicised non-sensational supposed contents of the recording – quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing coukld be done about it before the election) – waas disgraceful.”
What about the collusion of mediaworks and the Nats when they produced Shonkeys radio show ‘moonbeam at midday….’ quite possibly illegally (knowing nothing could be done about it before the election) – disgraceful too?
What is your/ united follicles policy position on foreign ownership/ regulation/ public service obligations in broadcasting and the media?
If you actually give a shit about the fourth estate how about committing to some non negotiable policy that will help it become again the conscience and defender of our democracy.
“But that’s history now, he couldn’t have foreseen the eventual circumstances nor the eventual media obsession with stuff all.”
All of a sudden the man with 137 odd spin doctors in his employ couldn’t predict what would happen when he walked out of a press conference and got the police involved in a spat with a journo? Now he is a hapless victim of circumstance?
Whatever.
Yes there is because it shows that they’re lying.
You would but then you seem all for keeping the status quo, the secrecy and unaccountability that is presently within our political system.
“Don’t we all do that; present a different face in public than in private; so is it fair to hold politicians to a different standard?”
This highlights an important part of both the cause and manifestation of the malady we call the modern world. My answer is that we should hold everyone to that standard, politician and non-politician alike.
The split between the public and the private is a very recent phenomenon. The ‘private’ sphere itself is a late construction in history.
The very word ‘society’, in fact, arises with the courtly shenanigans in Europe (hence young belles ‘entering society’ in debutante balls). Interestingly, it arises in popular contemporary commentary (roughly, 16th and 17th C) at the same time as the concept of the ‘self’ (same reason; in the Royal Courts, presentation of self became an absolute obsession since it was the way to gain favour). Even more interestingly, it is coincidental with widespread commentary on ‘melancholia’.
The public/private split is one of the contours of our modern society that needs to be eroded. It encourages a lack of ‘integrity’ (literally, an integrated character – across time and situations).
he also has this piece with Kate Chapman.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/fairfax-media-poll/5996629/Tape-talk-private-say-voters
Funny how he neglects to mention how RNZ gave them a platform to talk policy from
and National ‘declined to respond’
on the private/public debate, this photo simply shuts the door on any suggestions this was a private situation
http://media.nzherald.co.nz/webcontent/image/jpg/201147/SCCZEN_A_121111NZLDWKEY01_460x230.JPG
Note the opening where there is no soundproof glass to the right of Key. Private? Never!
Exactly right Ianmac.Could be seen on Campbell Live the other evening (Wed.orThurs) that someone was leaning around that opening just over John Key’s back . Key had to know he was there.
How on earth could the idiots think they could not be over heard and so could have private/secret conversation???? It defies belief that they felt they could be so indiscreet.
This meeting was just a stage managed set up so I thought. It would never have occurred to me that the idiots would use it to discuss serious private and duplicitous matters!! It was only a ten minute cuppa!
Is not jk head of NZSIS? The example he sets of intelligent behaviour in Epsom should score ‘well below average’ on his carefully thought out national standards.
Re Phil Goff not remembering figures when Duncan Garner demanded he produce them without reference to his notes was typical bully boy behaviour by man-child Garner.
I think most people will see through it.
It’s one thing to ‘not have costings prepared yet’ (so claimed at the press ‘debate’), it’s quite another to have them written on a piece of paper in front of you and not being allowed to read the number off.
Key never has that problem of needing a crib sheet because he never fronts up for serious interviews and therefore needs to give no answers.
Aye, and any answers he does give are subject to change from day to day anyway, due to the dinimic environment.
How dare Garner say ‘no, don’t look them up’ to Phil Goff. It wasn’t a primary school mental arithemetic test for crying out loud.!!!!!!
He was the one that asked for the exact / projected (oxymoron?) figures. He had already been told by Goff that they would be lowish, like20-50million to start with, and then grow. If he wanted more accurate figures, Phil had the exact figures to hand to tell him. And yet Phil was told – ‘no, no don’t look” !?! Are you sure??
How rude,arrogant,priggish and ignorant the silly little Garner was. His childish behaviour was right up there with the ‘stupidest tea party’ ever this week..
I despair of New Zealand ‘s media when we have such pathetic journalists as ‘uriah heepish not-a-clue’ Duncan Garner doing his level best to back the duplicity and ghastly exploitation of our democratic principles as practised by johnkey and his national party.
Go and get a drink Duncan and look carefully at a future career in the used car trade- you’d be a sure fire winner there.Just your mental level, judging by your journalistic beheviour.
(And Rebecca Wright tried to do a hatchet job on Goff on 3News last night with this spin.Has she gone to the dark side now she is in the gallery or was she ‘guided’ into doing this story by her political editor?)
Goff should have said – hey Duncan, why don’t you conduct the rest of your interview without any notes mate and so will I.
CV, Phil should have shut him down straight off and said, “I will refer to my notes – I don’t need your permission” and given Garner the steely stare I know he can.
Who the hell does that corpulent little toad think he is? He exists in a sea of unthinking, arse-licking hacks who would gladly serve as Key’s toilet paper for the rest of their lives.
seeker I know you were trying to be kind but I wouldn’t rate Garner worthy of a post even as a used car salesman.
Actually, I thought Key had to use notes when he is giving speeches or in a debate, but Goff generally doesn’t seem to.
Correct. Key had notes at the televised leaders debate. Goff did not
I look forward to him being asked to make his points “without looking John” from here on in
Ace idea Banter. Some one suggest this to John Campbell for Monday’s debate. If he’s not sure how to carry this out, he can always ask his tv3 colleague- the school exam invigilator himself Mr.Snape- Garner.
I agree that expecting any politician to remember every detail is unreasonable. Not much different to forgetting details of one of hundreds of personal conversations on the campaign trail.
But in the heat of their biggest ego event not all political mediapeople think reasonable.
Wasn’t it clever to dig up the footage from the debate. To bad they didn’t show Key reading from his notes.Paul Mcartney was wrong ($ 43 million ) can buy plenty of love.
A court prosecutor has offical deem
that an executive should stand trial
for the unlawful deaths of 29 men.
The local Mayor, still blithly makes
out he such a nice guy. Sorry, but
isn’t that the problem, nice guys
are often compensating (with niceness)
for not doing their jobs, alledgedly.
Has a she’ll be right mentality locked
NZ into periodic decline? Leading to
child poverty, young migration overseas,
managers who run a tight safety regime?
Begger thy neighbor attitude ever
presenting in the latest round of government
cutting. Key is a nice guy too.
Property is a tax, its a tax on everyone that
has lost their access to use the property, now
conveniently forgotten when talking about
tax cuts for those who own the most
property, not tax cuts for those who have
little in the way of property.
Local mayor Cockshaun wants more mining loves the Jinxed Conman Key
I had a dream…but it started as a nightmare.
A nightmare of bickering and bull, where egos and ideologies over ruled…
check your link
Not sure what happened there, have another go…
http://www.3news.co.nz/Key-keeps-meeting-with-Anadarko-boss-quiet/tabid/1160/articleID/233099/Default.aspx
[…] John Key made time in his diary this week for a secretive meeting with the boss of an oil company that wants to undertake deep sea drilling off New Zealand’s coast. The company is controversial; it was party to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the biggest environmental disasters in history. […]
Con mankey has aged considerably in the last week and it shows so much so that Next week he’ll be having a secret cup of tea with Winston who he will be needing to form a government.
Just another broken promise [lie]par for the course .Any one with shares in race horses look for an increase in funding next year.200,00 children will have to miss out.
mik e. kweewee is a jinx allright.
if he gets another term then the whole weight of bad luck will come down on new zealand.
Spilling outright lies
It is clear that the oil and gas industry tries to minimize negative public perception and financial liability by falsely reporting the amount of oil spilled. It is much the same with fracking, with continued spills showing that self regulation and weak administration has failed to ensure environmental safety…
The victims of the Exxon Valdez have yet to receive one cent in compensation . Exxon just keeps tying it up in litigation.
The victims of pike river are in the same quandary after another broken promise by Nationals Brownoselee &manKey only one person has received the help all New Zealanders contributed to and now its 1st year anniversary for these grieving families.It shows the same level of concern that National had for the safety of the miners.SCF gets $1.6 billion straight away national voters mostly I bet!
I normally believe in polls, especially if they are all saying the same thing, but the latest roy morgan poll has the greens at 13%?????
FROM ROY MORGAN
The latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows Prime Minister John Key’s National Party set for a clear victory in next Saturday’s New Zealand election with National (53%, unchanged) increasing its lead over the Labour Party (24.5%, down 1.5%). Support for the Green Party (13%, up 1%) has continued to increase while New Zealand First (3%, down 1.5%), ACT NZ (1.5%, up 0.5%) and United Future ( > 0.5%, unchanged) will all struggle to win seats in the new Parliament.
Anyone heard a rumour that National will means test super and (possibly aggregate other superannuation that you might be drawing) – claiming the changed state of the economy as the reason – below the radar at the moment but using the similar argument as they did for GST? Seems to be plausible considering the way Key has dismissed Labour’s plans to make superannuation more affordable.
Remember Key’s remark during the CGT chat that the rich will just find other ways to hide assets.
And this will also fit as the very rich will find ways of hiding assets against Means Testing.
Wouldn’t it be great if National really followed Labour’s lead and got serious about finding ways to deal with those asset cheats or even legal ways of Avoidance..
Possibly the best yet, the recording of Key and Banks having a public conversation is as bad as…a bomb! Yes, a bomb, that thing that blows up buildings and makes people explode…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10767070
Granted it’s Paul Holmes practically writing a National press release (think he gets paid twice for those pieces? Once by the tories and once by the paper) but still. A bomb?
Key ruined a very useful and accurate word when, in the minds of people, he associated dynamic with lying. It’s going to take some time to find a similar word that is readily understood. Thanks, Key: a knighthood for destructive services to the English language.
keep using the word properly. The Left is too keen to cede languaging to the Right. Key is an asshole.
Actually I think Key has added a new word to the English lexicon – dinamic meaning to lie, as in “dinamic environment’ meaning an environment which facilitates lying or causes/allows one to lie. Princess Anne did a similar thing when she introduced the endearing word “naff” which can be used in the following ways: “‘John Key’s smile is so naff now,” or “John Key’s lies are naff .” or, “I wish John Key would naff off to Hawaii for good.”
Spinsters have quite a record with word destruction. During the nineties “passion” was chucked around quite a bit as a euphemism for greed. And “aspirational” has had its tedious run: since aspiration means breathing as well as wanting more money and prestige (in Keyspeak), I presume these aspirational people want all the oxygen as well.
Fran Wild nails Key, tells him to “harden up”
“Fast forward another 10 years and I am sure the Google cache will still be bringing up stories on how – on the eve of a general election – police targeted New Zealand media on Key’s wishes.
Maybe police should have charged Key for wasting their time.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10767130
Be interesting to see the format on Monday night TV 3 7-8:30, for the Leaders Debate chaired by John Campbell. Key V Goff.
For me I will watch Key’s body talk and at times try listening with eyes closed to check on the credibility away from the “boyish charm.”
Ah yes thanks, I wasn’t sure when that was on.
Is there any chance at this late stage before the election that the media. or even the Standard for that matter, will get back to the election opening broadcasts – reflecting the various parties’ values and differences in terms of competence, honesty and commitment to a fairer society?
Well we know that the nats will sell off our power companies to multinationals if they get the numbers in the election. That’s the only issue of importance for me. So that’s why I’m giving my party vote to Winston Peters for the first time ever. He is totally opposed to asset sales and most importantly is most effective as an opposition mp.
Labour have been useless in opposition so for the first time ever they don’t get my party vote. I don’t care what other policies nz1 espouse, who gives a shit, I’m desperate. Asset sales is all I’m interested in and Peters unlike Labour knows how to speak to the public via the media and get a coherent message across. Perhaps with Peters’ example then Labour might realise what being opposition MPs actually means.
Interestingly my father has always been a national voter but he is adamantly opposed to asset sales and in a quandary about who to vote for. I would say there are a lot of older voters like him. I advised him to vote for Peters as a tactical move; he agrees.
And do you believe that Peters will remain unalligned to any party. Stick by HIS word ? Voting away from National to a “maybe”, is exactly what National want and a good way to ensure asset sales will go through. The cup a tea was the same strategy.
riding my motorbike down south I saw a hoarding for Maryanne Street as local Labour candidate. Who? I havent heard a word from her as an opposition mp in the past three years. Same with most of the rest of the high list ranking Labour mps. Im guessing Peters hates the nats due to their campaign against him prior to last election and opposes asset sales. Thats enough for me.
Some interesting twists by other National MP’s manipulating statistics this weekend in deceptive ways.
Judith Collins quoted her role as a “spectatular” success and not one piece of investigation into the “7% drop in crime” claim by Key also..So magically this election swinging issue has crime minimalised because Judiths on to it? Boot camp was a vote winner in 2008..?
2010/2011 Negligent acts endangering others up17.2%; SEXUALOFFENCES up 14.9% SEXUALASSAULT up12.3%;MANSLAUGHTER AND DRIVING CAUSING DEATH up 12.9%;ABDUCTION AND KIDNAPPING up 8.4%;DECEPTIVE BUSINESS/GOVERNMENT PRACTICES up 18.2%;
FRAUD AND DECEPTION OFFENCES up 3%; BREACH OF VIOLENCE AND NON-VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS up; COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRY/FINANCIAL REGULATION up 53.3 %. Biggest rise and more money ever to “white collar crime” at a cost to every citizen.
Public Sector cuts..CYFs struggling to cope with quote Ministers report over 2400 reports of child abuse EVERY WEEK..Police for all crime in this reported year had average of 65% resolution
Why are such misrepresentations unchallenged ?