*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?
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.
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!
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.
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.
" 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.
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.
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.
"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!
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!
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hope someone didn't forget to lock up – if they did, Simon Bridges would have to declare it "entirely appropriate" for someone to have taken the laptops
The way the Herald report is written, with no mention of any property damage like a smashed door or window, a opportunist grab through an unlocked door looks like the case.
Happens a lot. Set the alarm and then not lock the door properly. And too tight to engage a security company to come past and check the place is secure.
The National Party probably staged the laptop burglary to hide their Chinese government connections and dodgy donations. The SFO probably requested them for their enquiries.
I think Bennett was just reported on RNZ as saying it was sinister and suspicious, subtext that it was a political break in I guess. Did she base that on anything or did she just use the opportunity to spin?
Now morphed into The Stranger Case of the Burgled Bunker.
“But a staff member, who did not want to be named, told the Herald the break-in was "pretty odd".
He said the office was "a bit of a bunker" and was partially underground.
"You would have to know that we were here." https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755
It is an ‘inside job’ to provide more talking points to talk tough on crime and get traction in the media. Paula Bennett’s photoshoots for magazine covers, even though she’s a walking and perpetual fashion crime, just don’t cut the mustard any longer.
Alternatively, an emotional junior staffer forgot to lock the laptops away at night and left them in full view.
The thieves were contracted by a Chinese owned company (take your pick) to break into the government's bunker and steal the laptops but the thieves raided the wrong bunker.
Oops… Fireblade beat me to it. Call it a variation on what Fireblade said. 🙁
Can't hold onto three laptops! Victim of crime. Do we need them looking after law and order, they can't even protect their own stuff. They are victims, get back to us when they survived crime, won cctv footage, got good neighbors who saw everything, and are on top on criminality.
National are complete crap on the economy, productivity been falling since they started attacking unionism, don't they know anything about paying more means higher productivity?
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'..
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.
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
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.
Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
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Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
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Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
“Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim.Extreme Left Auckland University of TechnologyEvidenceThe ...
Eric Crampton writes – I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes – Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
Today’s justification from the Minister for Children for scrapping protections for our tamariki was either a case of ignorance or deliberate deception. ...
The Green Party says the Government’s misguided policy on gangs will fail, following the announcement of the establishment of a national gang unit and district gang disruption units to target gang activities. ...
“With Police pay negotiations still unresolved after six months in Government, Mark Mitchell has today rolled the Commissioner out for a rebrand of their approach to gang crime,” Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said. ...
The Government bringing back 50 charter schools will not increase achievement and is a distraction from the core mission of the education system, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Te Pāti Māori is showing extreme concern over the Environment Select Committees adoption of a lucky dip draw to determine hearings for the Fast Track Approvals bill. Of the 27,000 submissions, 2,900 requested to present. All organisations will be heard; however, the remaining 2,350 submitters will be subject to a ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
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 ...
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners. “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
What happens when cash is king – and then your bank leaves. A businessman in a town that hasn’t had a bank for three years says the Reserve Bank’s plans to put more cash in the hands of its people and introduce digital cash could save hours of time. John ...
The people have spoken, in their hundreds. Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton has been overwhelmingly voted the favourite New Zealand book of 2023 as nominated by ReadingRoom readers. The vote can informally be regarded as the People’s Choice award – ahead of tonight’s Ockham book awards, where Catton’s novel is competing ...
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer The government has handed down its budget for 2024–25. It’s delivered a $9.3 billion surplus for the financial year just about to finish but is forecasting a $28.3 billion deficit for next year. Here’s the key points: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Jim Chalmers has produced a benign third budget aimed at soothing hard-pressed voters agitated about their high cost of living and punishing interest rates. At the same time he has walked a tightrope, trying ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Wes Mountain/The Conversation, CC BY-ND A $300 energy rebate for all households from July 1 and a 10% increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance are key measures in a budget targeting cost-of-living relief that put ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised an “inflation-fighting and future-making budget” and he has delivered by introducing measures aimed at directly bringing down inflation. Combined, his A$300-per-household energy rebate and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised an “inflation-fighting and future-making budget” and he has delivered by introducing measures aimed at directly bringing down inflation. Combined, his A$300-per-household energy rebate and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Bartos, Professor of Economics, University of Canberra Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been bitten by the giveaway bug. This budget contains not only the well-foreshadowed tax cuts for all taxpayers, but a range of new spending measures in health, education, infrastructure, aged ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews French authorities have imposed a curfew on New Caledonia’s capital Nouméa and banned public gatherings after supporters of the Pacific territory’s independence movement blocked roads, set fire to buildings and clashed with security forces. Tensions in New Caledonia have been inflamed by ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Greste, Professor of Journalism and Communications, Macquarie University Governments and their agencies wield awesome power. At times, it is quite literally the power over life and death. That is why in any functioning democracy, we have robust checks and balances designed ...
As the world commemorates the 71st Everest Day, it's not just a celebration of human achievement but also a reflection of the enduring bond between New Zealand and Nepal. This day marks the historic feat of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa ...
Individuals in Wellington, led by City Councillor Nīkau Wi Neera, are working to use the ‘hecklers veto’ to shut down Inflection Point , a gender-critical event to be held at a Te Papa venue this weekend featuring speakers such as Bob McCoskrie ...
The transgender community, whānau & allies will rally outside Tākina/Wellington Convention Centre against anti-trans confederation “Inflection Point NZ,” who are hosting a conference to encourage parliamentarians to restrict trans people’s ...
A strategic asset for Auckland that has been fought over for years as either sacrosanct or a sacred cow looks certain to be sold and the proceeds of around $1.3 billion put in a new investment fund. A year after bitter political struggle ended in a compromise in which Auckland ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – the Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the ...
RNZ Pacific New Caledonians lined up in long queues outside shopping centres to buy supplies in the capital Nouméa today amid political unrest in the French territory Demonstrations, marches and clashes with security forces erupted yesterday and French High Commissioner Louis Le Franc told the public broadcaster he had called ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samuel Chalmers, Senior Lecturer in Human Movement, University of South Australia The tragic death of Manly rugby league player Keith Titmuss in 2020 due to exertional heat stroke is a reminder of the life-threatening nature of the condition. Titmuss died after ...
Internet Governance Project founder Milton Mueller asked “is the Christchurch Call accomplishing anything?” Increasingly it seems the only thing it hopes to achieve is killing off free expression. ...
New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has cancelled his visit to New Caledonia due to pro-independence unrest throughout the French Pacific territory. Peters and a delegation of other ministers was due to visit the capital Nouméa later this week. Nouméa’s La Tontouta International Airport is expected to remain closed ...
Audition by Pip Adam and Lioness by Emily Perkins are both shortlisted for the fiction award at the 2024 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards. Here the authors discuss awards, writing, Selling Sunset, review culture, Zoolander and more.Pip Adam: Whenever I think about writers and our ambitions, I can’t help ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Broomhall, Director, Gender and Women’s History Research Centre, Australian Catholic University Andrea Mantegna, Minerva (Athena) expelling Vices from the Garden of Virtue, from the Studiolo of Isabella d’Este, Palazzo Ducale, Mantua (c. 1499–1502).Louvre Museum/Wikimedia Commons Wartime has often presented opportunities ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Olli Hellmann, Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Waikato Getty Images The stories Aotearoa New Zealand tells itself about the history of Te Tiriti o Waitangi/the Treaty of Waitangi have evolved considerably over time. For many decades, starting with the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brett Carter, Associate Professor, RMIT University Aurora visible from Cope Cope, Victoria on May 11 2024.cafuego/Flickr, CC BY-SA On Saturday evening before Mother’s Day, Australians witnessed a rare celestial spectacle: a breathtaking display of aurora australis, also known as the southern ...
Tara Ward watches as TVNZ’s long-running current affairs show bows out with humility and grace.We have just 12 days left to view the final episode of Sunday on TVNZ+. In just over a week, there will be no more evidence of the award-winning current affairs show on the digital ...
To celebrate New Zealand Music Month, Sophie Ricketts wears a different band T-shirt every day. Here she picks her top 20. I love music. I love listening to it, I love seeing it live, and I love buying a T-shirt from the band or artist I’ve enjoyed. Every year, during ...
Research from AA Insurance reveals more and more people are taking pride in their garage. Meet three New Zealanders using their space in creative ways.If you think of a garage, you might picture a dark room with a parked car. There might be some tools on the wall, or ...
Government spending cuts have forced Scion, the dedicated Crown research institute charged with growing forestry exports, to propose shedding a significant number of scientists. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yasir Arafat, Senior Research Associate, Edith Cowan University asharkyu, Shutterstock As electric vehicle (EV) demand accelerates, so does the need for lithium batteries. But these batteries contain valuable critical minerals, as well as toxic materials, so they should not be treated ...
NZDF personnel will support the New Zealand National Commemorative Service at the Cassino War Cemetery and a New Zealand Service of Remembrance at the Cassino Railway Station, next week. ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a masseuse tells us how much she earns and where she spends it. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 33 Ethnicity: NZ EuropeanRole: ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Liam Byrne, Honorary Fellow, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne For many reasons, the 2024 US presidential election will be like no other. Republican nominee Donald Trump’s campaign is unprecedented. Never before has a former president who ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meru Sheel, Associate Professor and Epidemiologist, Infectious Diseases, Immunisation and Emergencies Group, Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney We know vaccines have been a miracle for public health. Now, new research led by the World Health Organization has found vaccines ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chrissy Severinsen, Associate Professor in Public Health, Massey University Getty Images Becoming a mother is a significant identity shift, and many new mums struggle. Up to 18% of New Zealand mothers experience depression and anxiety after giving birth. The first ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Aaron Teo, Lecturer in Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of Southern Queensland ABC Much has been written and produced about white men’s fetishisation of Asian women (crudely nicknamed “yellow fever”). The ABC’s comedy series White Fever breaks new ground by exploring an ...
The children’s minister could have been legally brought before the tribunal after all, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in this extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. The end of ...
Seen comments on social media about eating bugs? Byron Clark explains the short history of our latest conspiracy. “No, Bill Gates nor Klaus Schwab has not funded the research done here,” reads an August 2023 Facebook post from Otago Locusts, the first farm in Aotearoa rearing insects for human consumption. ...
Rural post is essential but expensive, and residents are worried about its future. It’s 9.30am on a Monday morning in rural Manawatū, and farmer Mairi Whittle is on an all-terrain vehicle with her two young sons. After moving sheep from one slope to another, she swings by the letterbox. Opening ...
Remediating Mt Ruapehu if things go pear-shaped could cost more than $80m – and the new operators aren’t on the hook for any of it The post DoC responsible for $87.5m Ruapehu remediation appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Opinion: Unfortunately, the term ‘woke’ is back in the news and for the most stupid of reasons: Act leader David Seymour is now designating certain types of food as ‘woke’ or not. As the Government makes cuts to school lunches, let us consider what ‘woke’ might mean here. ...
Analysis: The Government’s decision to return to a mega-style prison seems to be missing a clear business case The post Mega-prison’s missing business case appeared first on Newsroom. ...
New Zealand authors hate houseplants. They are frightened of them, have nightmares about them, regard them as bad omens; they are afraid, too, of the responsibility of caring for them, and think of them as an alien species that will take over the selfish planet of their interior lives. There ...
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*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.
The rnz news bulletin Alexa found me reckons jones and winston are behaving a bit shady and hashed over bridges donation splitting.
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.
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!
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.
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.
No shit, they shut down the child porn accusations to the their corporate raider buddy.
It fell off the radar super quick.
Odd becasue if anything the accusations just got worse from child porn, to violent child porn, to finally really abusive child porn.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/corporate-titan-sir-ron-brierley-charged-over-child-abuse-material-20191218-p53l99.html
Begs the question, how many of the round table people were into this sick shit?
Spot on.
" 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.
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.
Not entirely true, Sanctuary, They did say the SFO
whitewashsorry decision on the money laundering by the Natz will be announced soon.I'm not holding my breath.
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.
It'll be better next week after Auckland Anniversary day. It always is – she says fingers tightly crossed.
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!
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.
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!
Warren's tactic have backfired anyway, her polling has tanked in recent days.
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.
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
If you are not overly tech savvy, then just stick to Windows 10.
Windows 10
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. 🙂
@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.
Get a Mac.
🙂
🙂
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.
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).
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.
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.
Ubuntu or any other Linux OS.
You can install a windows emulator to run games etc e.g.WINE or Virtual Drive
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.
Thanks all of you.
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.
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.
Bernie gifts it to them.
The attack file will be a metre deep.
Anti war
Pro green
Anti rich
Pro immigrant
A total gift.
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
They’ve been ‘hacked’ 😉
Hope someone didn't forget to lock up – if they did, Simon Bridges would have to declare it "entirely appropriate" for someone to have taken the laptops
The way the Herald report is written, with no mention of any property damage like a smashed door or window, a opportunist grab through an unlocked door looks like the case.
Happens a lot. Set the alarm and then not lock the door properly. And too tight to engage a security company to come past and check the place is secure.
Have you seen the "accompanying image"?
National leader Simon Bridges, flanked by colleagues, from left, Amy Adams, Mark Mitchell, Judith Collins and Paula Bennett. Photo / Mark Mitchell
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/GcZn9S3fIwgclm4TDQrVJmo1fxw=/620×396/smart/filters:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-syd-prod-nzme.s3.amazonaws.com/public/WRBUKFN4BVBG5IWJB4GATL5G6U.jpg
Hilarious!!!
Now why did they run that image when Simon and Mark are out of the country?
The National Party probably staged the laptop burglary to hide their Chinese government connections and dodgy donations. The SFO probably requested them for their enquiries.
I think Bennett was just reported on RNZ as saying it was sinister and suspicious, subtext that it was a political break in I guess. Did she base that on anything or did she just use the opportunity to spin?
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?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12125210
The Curious Case of the Burgled Professor.
Now morphed into The Stranger Case of the Burgled Bunker.
“But a staff member, who did not want to be named, told the Herald the break-in was "pretty odd".
He said the office was "a bit of a bunker" and was partially underground.
"You would have to know that we were here."
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12301755
That's weird, it appears to be well sign posted …
https://twitter.com/ArrestJK/status/1219056376489447424
Ok, I’ll bite.
It is an ‘inside job’ to provide more talking points to talk tough on crime and get traction in the media. Paula Bennett’s photoshoots for magazine covers, even though she’s a walking and perpetual fashion crime, just don’t cut the mustard any longer.
Alternatively, an emotional junior staffer forgot to lock the laptops away at night and left them in full view.
You got it – Junior staffer!
I've got a better one.
The thieves were contracted by a Chinese owned company (take your pick) to break into the government's bunker and steal the laptops but the thieves raided the wrong bunker.
Oops… Fireblade beat me to it. Call it a variation on what Fireblade said. 🙁
Hmmm, Chinese Takeaways, I like it.
Can't hold onto three laptops! Victim of crime. Do we need them looking after law and order, they can't even protect their own stuff. They are victims, get back to us when they survived crime, won cctv footage, got good neighbors who saw everything, and are on top on criminality.
National are complete crap on the economy, productivity been falling since they started attacking unionism, don't they know anything about paying more means higher productivity?
Not the whole story but I reckon Palmy cops are moonlighting as security….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/118902752/palmerston-north-police-station-heist-details-revealed
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.]
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
That's brilliant Maori art keep up the good mahi.