Open mike 20/01/2020

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, January 20th, 2020 - 62 comments
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62 comments on “Open mike 20/01/2020 ”

  1. Sanctuary 1

    *switches on radio* Yay! Morning Report! Real journalism! 🙂

    … oh…. what is this? Soggy, empty calorie, warmed over news typical of decayed late neoliberal news agendas everywhere? A diet of trivial scandals, stupid gotchas, centrist journalists running self-important crusades against the enemies of business of usual, moral panics, Meghan Markel and regurgitated claptrap from the Daily Mail?

    *switches radio off* *sigh* 😐

    NZ media is basically fucked from top to bottom.

    • bwaghorn 1.1

      The rnz news bulletin Alexa found me reckons jones and winston are behaving a bit shady and hashed over bridges donation splitting.

      • Sanctuary 1.1.1

        Centrist crusader Guyon Espiner spent his summer looking for a marginal gotcha on Shane Jones.

        Whats the meta? Centrists are out to mire NZ First in financial "scandals" big time in election year, starting from Episode 1 2020, whilst studiously refusing to take seriously the the massive stench of corruption and treason that surrounds the entire neoliberal business and political establishments relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.

        • Peter 1.1.1.1

          I'd heard Guyon Espiner had left his previous role to pursue one allowing more 'in-depth' investigations. In-depth? Hearing him on air this morning it seems like the Olympic high diver is now jumping into puddles. And if there isn't a puddle, peeing on the floor to create one.

          In the way a player in sport being called off and replaced having their, "I was enjoying it, I would loved to have stayed on," turning into the headline "player slams coach," Espiner was fiddling with a chat that was a discussion that was a meeting that was a briefing that was a presentation.

          He would have had fun with Judith Collins dropping in for a casual cup of tea on the way to a Chinese airport!

          • Sanctuary 1.1.1.1.1

            I saw on twitter that the whole "story" has turned to custard after a car crash interview with one of the chief protagonists.

            This is classic centrist journalism that opens the whole damn MSM up to charges of fake news. A cooked up gotcha "scandal" of slim substance against a party that presents itself as anti-establishment , whilst the elephant in the room – the deliberate attempt to corrupt our business and political elites with a flood of laundered foreign cash from the CCP – is ignored because it would sour to many insider relationships and require to much hard work and might upset some important people.

            The problem is most of our senior journalists see themselves as part of the establishment, and view stories through of lens of how they (as in "they" being the establishment) "manage" it's perception through to the public. THAT is the real nub of the growth of the fake news credibility crisis for the MSM, not social media.

            • Anne 1.1.1.1.1.1

              A cooked up gotcha "scandal" of slim substance…. whilst the elephant in the room – the deliberate attempt to corrupt our business and political elites with a flood of laundered foreign cash from the CCP – is ignored because it would sour too many insider relationships and require too much hard work and might upset some important people. (my bold)

              That behaviour has been occurring for the past 40 years – since the Muldoon reign of terror. Think Erebus among others… important people up to no good… must keep it under wraps. What about the victims? Oh, stuff the victims. It's more important that important people who were up to no good don't get their reputations tarnished.

            • Kevin 1.1.1.1.1.2

              Spot on.

        • gsays 1.1.1.2

          " a marginal gotcha on Shane Jones. " I assume this is a reference to what and when Minister Jones knew, in regards to NZ Future Forest Products Limited.

          While not following this closely, there is something smelly about it. I understand NZFFP hasn't received any public money. Minister Jones' careful oratory whenever this subject comes up rings alarm bells.

          The whole NZFFP reason for being is murky.

          Deputy Prime minister's lawyer, Brian Henry, his son David Henry and latterly Winston Peter's housemate,Jan Trotman, are Directors. NZFFP is owned by Kinleith Continuation LP, of which, we can only know David Henry is involved. Other partners etc are not listed.

          How much money do these people need?

          Edit, not to take anything from yr larger point, the shady goings on of funding for the 2 biggest political parties.

          • Peter 1.1.1.2.1

            Maybe the smelly thing is that the story involves Jones and NZ Future Forest Products Limited.

            Maybe Minister Jones' careful oratory is because he doesn't even have to say something and it's 'smelly.'

            Maybe his careful oratory is because (as I've already said) a meeting is a chat is a discussion is a briefing that becomes a full blown detailed presentation with back and forth and wheeling and dealing and plotting and scheming.

            The fact that someone chatted with someone is enough for you to say 'shady goings on.' the problem mightn't be with what happened or what was in Jones' head, but yours.

            And asking how much money do these people need? A whole ocean full I suppose because that's what we were put on planet earth for isn't it? If such a situation involved John Key we'd be calling him a genius and saying he should be given a knighthood for his acumen.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 1.2

      Not entirely true, Sanctuary, They did say the SFO whitewash sorry decision on the money laundering by the Natz will be announced soon.

      I'm not holding my breath.

      • Sanctuary 1.2.1

        I agree. When it comes to dirty money, the two establishment parties – Labour and National but especially National – are given the benefit of the doubt of the loosest interpretations of laxly applied laws, whilst eveyone else is held to much higher standard of guilty until proven innocent on the slightest infraction. It is immensely frustrating.

    • Anne 1.3

      It'll be better next week after Auckland Anniversary day. It always is – she says fingers tightly crossed.

  2. Dennis Frank 2

    Biden goes Green! Establishment freaks out! Interviewer verges on disbelief, then safely retreats into polite scepticism: https://newrepublic.com/article/156249/joe-biden-climate-radical-now

    "Joe Biden may have stumbled into supporting one of the most radical climate proposals of the primary. The moment came in an interview, published Friday, with members of The New York Times’ Editorial Board, which has been conducting a series of sit-downs with Democratic primary candidates."

    Keep calm, he may have just had a senior moment. Or temporary insanity. Alzheimers perhaps? It worked for Reagan.

    "Were Biden to faithfully follow his commitment to the Paris goals and plan as outlined to the Times, he would push for not only a rapid, managed decline of the fossil fuel industry, but the creation of a binding international trade regime with the power to materially discipline any nation—including the U.S.—failing to scale back emissions and carbon-intensive exports. This would be a game-changer in American foreign policy, essentially upending the world order as we know it in the interest of building a low-carbon world."

    If. What, a liberal faithfully adhering to a commitment? You've got to be kidding! Still, he may have accidentally tossed a curve ball into the presidential campaign. The US media elite would have to swing in behind him, as it always does with liberal leaders. Murdoch would have to take stock of the situation. The old socialist within could join up with younger son James, and tell the older son `mate, it's time to go with the flow'. If that happens, Trump will feel obliged to sail his ship with the new wind.

    Without Fox behind him, Trump would face a severe handicap in the presidential campaign. He needs everything he can get to relegate the effect of impeachment. My bet is that he won't tough it out – he'll realise he too must go with the flow. Expect Trump to abandon climate denial some time in the next few months. But only if Biden is not having a senior moment!

    • Jenny How to get there 2.1

      Maybe the anointed DCCC candidate got spooked by the rising fortunes of Democratic Party outsider Bernie Sanders.

      But does anyone believe he will carry through?

      Like you (and it seems everyone else), I am a wee bit sceptical.

      • Dennis Frank 2.1.1

        Could be. The bomber got snooty yesterday: "Bernie was a feminist well before Warren was a Republican." https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2020/01/19/bryce-edwards-guardian-column-culture-wars-and-why-sanders-vs-warren-is-the-class-vs-identity-politics-schism-on-the-left/

        Now, now, Martyn. That ain't nice. "Sanders vs Warren represents the great Class vs Identity Politics schism on the Left and those woke Identity Politics activists won’t tolerate the patriarchy robbing them of another female candidate for President so expect the name calling and tribal social media lynch mobs that make them about as a popular as Donald Trump at a Queer Intersectionist Feminist Folk Festival to erupt if Bernie wins." Mmm, there is that, but he could still do with a nice cuppa tea to settle him down.

        He goes on to quote Bryce Edwards from the Guardian: "Culture wars are concerned with debates relating to ethnicity, gender, sexuality, human rights, discrimination, free speech and civil liberties. Elements of the political left – especially in the Labour and Green parties – are increasingly associated with campaigns in these areas, and often their stances are not shared by many mainstream voters.

        "…hilariously for daring to point out that many woke Identity Politics activists are alienating more voters than they are winning over, Bryce has been immediately decried on Twitter by those very same alienating woke Identity Politics activists."

        Yeah, the woke do Pavlov's Dog real well – just push the button & they will bleat on cue. "I think the identity politics left in NZ are more focused on cancelling voters than recruiting them." Actually, no. No such focus because they aren't intelligent enough to connect cause and effect. The vote cancellation they produce is cause by their inadequacy – which they lack the self-knowledge to become aware of.

        "If Sanders can re-establish Class as the foundation for the Left, we can pull back working class voters from realigning with the Right and there might be a chance to avoid the madness of right wing Demagogues. If Sanders loses, we are doomed to right wing populism."

        I query the validity and relevance of class nowadays, and I have seen no evidence of Sanders making the slightest attempt to validate it in the new millennium. I'd welcome any such attempt, but seems to me Martyn is afflicted by a false assumption. An apt quote from Bernie explaining how the middle & working classes can be simultaneously helped by the Democrats could prove me wrong. Let's see it!

        • Sanctuary 2.1.1.1

          Warren's tactic have backfired anyway, her polling has tanked in recent days.

        • AB 2.1.1.2

          Sanders' support for Medicare for all, free public college, forgiving of student debt and higher minimum wages, will do materially more for the vast majority of women than anything any other candidate is proposing.

          Plus, given that Sanders also urged Warren to stand in 2016, was "respectful and encouraging" to Gabbard, that his support base is majority female, and that 40-year old t.v. footage can be found of him encouraging schoolgirls to get involved in politics – one can only conclude that his 'sexism’consists solely of not being a woman. No doubt Sanders would also rise from the grave (if he could) to support some future AOC presidential bid – not because she is female, but because she has the right values and moral framework.

          He seems to be opposed/detested by a cadre of affluent, liberal women who are prepared to see poor and working class (and increasingly ex-middle class) women not receive the material benefits of a Sanders presidency, simply in order to have a woman as president.

  3. gsays 3

    Hey folks, the time has come to move on from windows 7.

    Any recommendations for an OS from the Standardistas?

    I am not overly tech savvy and I do not like windows 10. I mainly use laptop for You Tube, some streaming and a wee bit of games ( Civ 6, Elder Scrolls/Skyrim).

    Thanks, in advance, for any input

    • Sanctuary 3.1

      If you are not overly tech savvy, then just stick to Windows 10.

    • Jimmy 3.2

      Windows 10

    • Sabine 3.3

      if it is only the view of windows 10 that gives you displeasure you could use some add ons that would make it look like Windows 7.

      this is what Partner says, who is IT man when not putting out fires.

      that way you have the support for your games while still having the feel of Windows 7.

      https://www.stardock.com/products/start10/

      I hope that information is helpful. 🙂

      • Anne 3.3.1

        @gsays

        Yep. It has the feel of Windows 7 because it's really only 7 with an up-graded format. I'm not a tech savvy person either but had no trouble coping with the change.

        I recommend W 10.

    • ianmac 3.4

      Get a Mac.

      • weka 3.4.1

        🙂

      • mac1 3.4.2

        🙂

      • tc 3.4.3

        Totally unless you want to get your head around linux and running a VM, fantastic options that will reuse the existing hardware, however mac's the easier way out.

        MS have screwed the user experience in W10 with continuous deployment and an OS that struggles with stuff W7 nailed years ago like multiple monitors and allowing the user to choose when to patch not Redmond, WA which does it whilst you work and can crash the laptop.

    • lprent 3.5

      I’ve used Kubuntu (KDE frontend on ubuntu linux) for many years. I’ve used that on everything from smallish ARMs, 10 year old laptops, the up to the moment laptops, high end workstations, and through to the server that runs TS. Not worth using on on hand helds.

      Provides a nice clean and very versatile desktop that doesn’t chop and change all over the place. You can make it as complicated as you like (I don’t). Ubuntu is pretty stable as platform. Recently it has been getting faster as the kernel updates get tighter and better organised.

      It is way better then windows for most network issues – a big consideration for me as I’m almost entangled in networks all day.

      Civ6 on Steam for Linux runs perfectly – I usually play for an hour (or two) each day (my zen moments). Look up the other games on steam or gog. You’ve probably never going to get the up to the moment first person shoot-em-ups. But I prefer things I have to think about.

      I do a lot of both embedded and desktop / server code for Linux. I like debian or yocto when I build securely locked down systems. But ubuntu is what I use to build with. It has a ideal balance between security and freedom. It is my preferred work and development platform.

      I also use and code for windows (since 1985), android (for the last 5 years) and even reluctantly OSX or frigging iOS (I really don’t like touching apple software – their development licensing really annoys me).

      • lprent 3.5.1

        Looks like Skyrim has problems on Steam for linux. http://www.matthewbuscemi.com/blog/2019-07-02-how-i-got-skyrim-to-work-on-linux.html

        You have to use Proton to do it. Generally I find that the aggravation factor of fiddiling around with proton is too high to be bothered with.

        Since Civ5, all of the sim family has been pretty seamless on steam.

        • Wensleydale 3.5.1.1

          Skyrim and Fallout 4 both run fairly well under the latest release of Proton. The major stumbling block seems to be the audio, which is finicky and prone to latency issues. There are couple of launch parameters you can use in Steam to get them to work properly and they're totally playable, but as you said, some people just want a fire and forget solution as opposed to tinkering. And I can understand that.

    • Brigid 3.6

      Ubuntu or any other Linux OS.

      You can install a windows emulator to run games etc e.g.WINE or Virtual Drive

    • Wensleydale 3.7

      Linux.

      It's free, and the days of wrestling with it like it was an eel smeared in margarine are well and truly over. If you want something that looks, acts and runs just like Windows (pretty much — but without all the telemetry harvesting and four-hour-long updates), I can recommend Linux Mint, or if you'd rather support a Kiwi-made distribution, Linux Lite. (Linux Lite has a ton of help available, the forums are really supportive as opposed to those infested with sarcastic neckbeards prone to screaming at you for asking how to copy a file, and it runs like a greased whippet.) Thanks to Steam's Vulkan API, you can play Windows games on Linux. I play Skyrim SE, Fallout 4 and Civilization 5 on Pop!-OS, and they run fine. Not everything will run, but a ton of titles that previously wouldn't even consider running, now perform flawlessly. Unless you're using some fancy proprietary software that absolutely HAS to run on Windows, abandon ship and come to the nerdy side. It's nice here… and you don't spend hours of your life watching a spinning wheel while someone in Redmond reads your browsing history.

  4. Jenny How to get there 4

    Australia needs to end its coal export business.

    It is Australia's biggest contributer to climate change.

    It seems however that the current government of Australia, has no intention of doing so and in fact is in the process of increasing and expanding the coal export industry with approval for many new export industry coal mines.

    By refusing to take this vital first move Australia is symptomatic of the whole world.

    And why we will not end climate change. And why climate change will end us.

  5. Dennis Frank 5

    Here's an in-depth appraisal of a realistic path to victory for Bernie Sanders: https://thebulwark.com/this-is-how-bernie-wins/

    With an antitrump reputation, this bunch of principled conservatives aren't flavour of the month, but they seem sensible enough to be worth reading.

    "He’s not as strong as Biden in the Rust Belt, but he’s probably strong enough to get the job done. (Trump is in so much trouble in Michigan that Mike Bloomberg is +6 against him there.) But Bernie’s problems with educated suburban voters are probably enough to cost him Virginia and Florida. At which point he’s down to 280 electoral votes and he needs to hold on to everything else, or expand the map. Which would probably mean making big plays in Ohio and Iowa."

    "One of the defining features of the last three years has been an emerging argument from both the progressive left and the nationalist right that the free market is overrated."

    Hey, when the left and right agree on economics, everyone ought to pay attention. Watch this space! Framing how to spin the emerging consensus, later on this year, will be the key to the future.

    • Ad 5.1

      Bernie gifts it to them.

      The attack file will be a metre deep.

      Anti war

      Pro green

      Anti rich

      Pro immigrant

      A total gift.

  6. Anne 6

    How long will it be before Simon Bridges declares (or infers) it was the Labour Party wot did it:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755

  7. Ad 7

    National Party headquarters broken into and laptops stolen.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755

    Anyone game to venture a decent conspiracy?

  8. Siobhan 8

    Well, there's a reasonable chance of Bernie getting the nod*..unfortunately he'll be tied up with the impeachment trial for the foreseeable future…leaving Biden to help steer the Democrats towards a spectacular election defeat.

    *And Warren, (as a Senator) though she seems to have shot herself in the foot..as was to be predicted by anyone with even the most casual interest in her career..

    ..oh well.

    At least that way Obama won't have to step in and 'save' us from the horror of 'President Bernie'..

    https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2019/11/26/barack-obama-2020-democrats-candidates-biden-073025

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/17/barack-obama-old-white-men

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  9. tc 9

    I see Piers Morgan's named a fair bit in chancery court doc's in the UK as the tabloids continue to prevent the phone hacking scandal making a court appearance with out of court settlements.

    I'd almost forgotten about that as the MSM has soooo cleaned up it's act…..yeah right.

  10. Eco maori 10

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Yes there should be some safety measures at our Airports boarders to screen for the new virus.

    The 4 day work week will be OK for salary workers but hourly rate workers will lose out.????.

    The best diet is throwing sugar out of your differently no sugary drinks.

    Ka kite Ano

  11. Eco maori 11

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    The 7 will be exciting this year in Hamilton I might get a seat.

    Its awesome to see the koro play basketball and talking about their mokopuna.

    That's is cool Nesian Mystic band are getting back together to do some waita mahi
    Yes we have to taonga our wetlands as they filter the Wai before it goes back into Tangaroa and teach our tamariki about the great mahi wetlands actually do

    Ka kite Ano

  12. Eco maori 12

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    Its great that the government is investing in Railways this mode of transport is much more efficient than other models of transportation. Did you know aviation fuel is not taxed.????.

    Gisborne is a great place beaches hunting diving fishing with minimal traffic.

    Ka kite Ano

  13. Eco maori 13

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Ka pai Greta that's the way keep up the great mahi.

    The sky city convention centre is a mess.

    Ka kite Ano

  14. Eco maori 14

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Climate change is going to have the biggest negative impact on the poorest tangata in the whenua now tangata whenua make up the majority of the poor.

    That's the system the top get all the Kai and little for the tamariki.

    Iwi creating mahi for tangata is the way to go developing their whenua and growing export crops is awesome.

    Ka kite Ano.

  15. Eco maori 15

    That's brilliant Maori art keep up the good mahi.

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    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

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