My guess is 70% chance of extending Level 4 for another 2 weeks. Even if the only criterion was the numbers of new/probable cases on the MOH media release page every day. No one in their right mind would stop so close to the "ultimate goal". You'd have to have a really good argument against the numbers, even if they were complete fabrications. It'd have to be something along the lines of "people are going to die anyway", like during a war. The still unconfirmed idea that there will be no immunity is not enough. In uncertain conditions where you can buy time, you buy time.
Level 3 now would make the whole lockdown pointless. From the government's POV, a lift would allow doubts that "not enough was done", and those doubts recirculated later on would lose them the election. Schools are not ready, and you cannot have people deciding whether or not to return to normal life during a crisis, based on peer pressure, their personal finance fears, and media whims. The government would've lost control of the entire process. Level 3 can only be a few days transition period, after the prep work is done in Level 4.
Personally, I would not have gone to Level 4, for reasons I don't need to explain because I am not the government. Simply from a political pov, if they lift it now, it's the end of them, and maybe the end of a lot of other people.
Made the mistake of flicking on the tv and watching Duncan Garner this a.m. And learnt that Paul Henry is returning to our screens tonight in a show called 'Rebuilding Paradise'. It sounds like a propaganda effort to make sure nothing fundamentally changes economically as we come out of the C-19 crisis. And probably accompanied by lots of soft, patriotic nonsense about how great we all are in our efforts to get on top of the virus and we just need to get back to way we were which was fantastic, i.e. all problems have been solved, history has ended etc. etc. We are going to get this sh*te in waves from the usual directions.
In regards to Paul Henry this is the approach I am taking: eradication. Not to watch Mediaworks until that virus is wiped out.
My meagre TV watching will not dent the ratings, but if we all isolate ourselves from this malaise then it will run out of lounge rooms to occupy and disappear.
It is not as if Mediaworks is shy of another male, pale and stale point of view…
More like Restarting Recycling or Run Back to the Rat Race or Shopaholics Anonymous Storm Malls or Obese Attack Take-Aways or Freedom Regained to Fuck It Up Again and Even Faster This Time.
Regardless of visceral fatuity, exactly what paradise is Pawl Henrewy trying to restore? As I remember, we had a lot of problems, and only Maserati-drivers like Hoskings thought we were in paradisiac Golden Days – until he crashed his car. (Or was it a Lambo?)
Andre, your distress moves me to offer this recipe. Onto a pizza base (can be home made or store bought) put a thick hummus layer and then place sliced fresh figs and slices of chorizo sausage on top, sprinkle with grated pizza cheese mix and cook. Do this twice. Once is not enough. I am about to try blue cheese in the mix.
They point to emerging signs around the country. Trump-supported activists are protesting strict stay-at-home orders. Conservative groups’ internal polling in red-leaning and swing states show a significant uptick in Americans who favor reopening the country. A growing chorus of Republican lawmakers across the nation are on board.
“If you don't see something start to happen … you’re going to see a conservative revolt by our base,” said Adam Brandon, president of FreedomWorks, a conservative group which recently polled on reopening the economy. “The worst strategy for him is to keep things shut until August. Trump is basically going to win or lose his election right now, in the next month.”
The smart move for Trump is to not actually try to force a re-opening (thus keeping actual deaths trending downwards), but constantly agitate, dog-whistle and blame Democratic Governors for not opening (thus keeping his base fired up). A while ago he claimed 'absolute authority' as President – but he can easily turn on a dime and say that he doesn't have absolute authority after all, and so can't force a re-opening.
Because the pre-Covid economy was deliberately designed to leave many people precarious anyway, many will be hurting very badly now. So the desire to re-open is most likely coming from across the political divide, not just from hard-line MAGA types.
I don't know if someone's already posted this, but this Reddit thread makes for interesting reading. Read the entry by Dr_Midnight regarding his detective work around the blatant astroturfing.
All these websites and organisations pop up overnight, and Trump starts crapping on about 'liberating' states from the tyranny of quarantine. What a happy coincidence.
Today is the 20th of the month. The day when most business invoices become due for payment.
The country has been under lockdown for just about 4 weeks now, so the ability for business to pay their bills will really be tested today. If there is widespread default, then the screams from business to reopen will become very loud over the next week.
Here is something to ponder, every business has to have a business contingency plan. Surely any accountant worth their salt would advise on that? This is not just a plan where the emergency exit is but also financial back up and insurance for income loss. If they don't than they haven't done their homework as this is applicable also to a/ an earthquake, b/ death or illness c/ fire, d/ other unforeseen circumstances.
Besides, businesses have been able to dip into the taxpayer funded support package in support of employee expenses. Mind you, I hear that a few businesses – and not small ones – are making stuff redundant after claiming support. There is a saying: Trust is good, control is better. Beneficiaries would certainly not get away with any fraud.
It remains to be seen whether any checks will be made and fraud will be found out. I am already having a cynical grin.
The point is, if a business doesn't get paid because its customer has gone into liquidation, was poorly managed, or simply has no cash, then through no fault of their own, they become the business that can't pay its creditors, and so it spirals.
That is the reality. Its peoples' lives, homes, dreams and mental health that are being damaged.
But we can just sit here and say tough shit. You should have had a contingency.
The only default for me has been I CAN,T log in to pay my monthly accounts and when I ring the help number I get because of Loak – down our hours are now only 9.00am – 5.00pm !!!!! So much for contactless banking with ASB
I see Stuff is asking for donations. I'd like a lot more disclosure before I'd even think about it. Have they set up a staff cooperative, have they killed all the big buck salaries and directors fees, are they going to stop pushing the RW agenda …
Heh – good luck with getting answers on those questions. When the possibility of a 'media bailout' was raised in one of the press conferences, not one journo asked the PM the obvious question – since commercial media has been consistently hostile to the Labour Party for decades, why would they bale it out, or what conditions might they impose on such a bailout? So far the PM has said a couple of interesting things about any media bailout – that the media had "pre-existing conditions" and that it is important to maintain a "plurality of voices". I hope these statements are good signs – because a "plurality of voices" is absolutely something we did not have pre-Covid.
Big buck salaries are a feature of RW agendas so nope. It would be a cosmetic change only – despite the facelift the body remains the same age so to speak.
I want to support journalists doing the fearless enquiry thing – particularly at business government and local government level.
As a consumer of media, particularly business news, the current model is patchy. A good number of our best journalists – hardly surprising – no longer work in the mainstream but off a website. Older journalists still in mainstream tend to be shock jocks or ranters and are hardly a diverse group. The younger journalists have been largely brought up on the RW kool aid and don't seem to know how to ask a question to save themselves if the 1p.m press conferences are anything to judge by. They seem to want to be the news not find it. Facts are a poor second in most stories.
Anyway, it's difficult for me as a consumer to support all the websites that give me a broad range of news. I could support 1-2 but more than that gets hard. So I'd quite like to pay a fee that gives me access to a number sites across a range of topics.
Another concern is business news. If this becomes largely, by more expensive subscription, access to the knowledge is assymetrical which can impede the free flow of knowledge to ensure that something like the stockmarket works for all.
Reading a daily newspaper/site I also find expands my horizon in that I will browse an article of something outside my direct interests if it catches my eye.
Enough is Enough Banks have been backed by the govt to free up money to keep businesses afloat.Will they fund businesses only those with viable futures I suspect.
"Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said a mandatory code would help "level the playing field" by requiring digital platforms such as Google and Facebook to pay news media businesses for the content they produce.
"It's only fair that those that generate content get paid for it," Frydenberg said."
I wouldn't want to wind up funding conspiracy theory click bait sites or government propoganda sites ( shape shifting reptiles?) so I think any funds distribution back to content providers would need some rules ( below to a journalist organisation ? or the facebook disinformation cycle could get worse.
think you may have misunderstood what is being proposed (implemented?)…the Australian Gov are going to require the likes of Google and FB to pay news services to use their content.
I was wondering about the definition of news services. Here we probably see better less ideological reporting on say Newsroom rather than the Herald. If it just improves the Murdoch position then it may make little difference to standards of information.
Not so sure about that. When all the mainstream is largely promoting the RW the likes of me just turn off. It needs to fund a diversity of voices not just be an echo chamber.
This for your delectation a comment from TDB yesterday that is like a cartoon in words from Mike Hosking, you have to imagine them framed in froth and spittle:
The Daily Blog – Dear Brothers & Sisters of NZ – we are almost through lockdown and history salutes you for two reasons:
What a load of rubbish. The limited number of deaths and infections in NZ shows that this was a beat up from the start. Jacinda’s weak and inexperienced leadership has led to economic devastation. The Government has been outwardly hostile to business owners and has used COVID19 as an opportunity to push its extreme agenda of increasing benefits. In addition, it has unashamedly targeted gun owners.
This wouldn’t have happened under a John Key-led government.
And you'll never shake the Planet Piza/Qaon stupidity virus.
/
No, what made me so sick – so uncomfortable – was the sense that something had to have gone horribly wrong in this world to have put me in this voyeuristic situation. But however wrong it felt, I kept going. I felt like I had to.
The claim that the Podesta emails proved that the Democrats and their cohorts were secretly involved in some sort of satanic pedophile cult is repeated far and wide across the internet: from the most esoteric QAnon followers and the culture-warrior MAGA moms on twitter, to casual FOX News viewers you meet on the street.
This lie has made its way through far left circles as well, eager for a narrative that demonizes the Democratic establishment. This is arguably why many who supported Bernie in the 2016 primaries found it impossible to vote for Hillary in the general election.
“ Drury's plan to allow foreign billionaires to build bolt-holes in New Zealand is one of several ideas he will present to Parliament's Epidemic Response Committee on Thursday.”
Trying to sneak rich mates into NZ while we are in turmoil…..no, no, no.
🙄 No, my preference is that they would spend it in and on the community they live in when in NZ and on wider investment into manufacturing, tech and even primary produce.
They might not be that keen on coming if their first two weeks here is cooped up in a hotel room with a grocery bag of provisions pushed through a slot in the door every now and then.
You never know I would've thought there'd be no shortage of nice hotels to provide high end lockdown if you were prepared to drop an extra 20k a day into the pot, or for those that already have a holiday home here they could isolate there no doubt ?
Really can't see an issue in taking money from billionaires who want to spend their money here ?
Well, the point of a quarantine is to eliminate contact with locals so that the new arrival can't pass on whatever they've brought in with them. As a group, billionaires tend to be in close-ish contact with a wide variety of people in their daily lives, so they'd actually be kinda high-risk of being carriers relative to the general population.
So from a public health view, I'd be especially wary of creating loopholes for them. Particularly if it means the people they would come into contact with are themselves likely to be in contact with a large group of other people.
Except billionaires, who are so crass as not to actually do any real work, probably won’t like the guards placed on them to prevent them acting like spoilt children. You only have to point to Trump as a public exemplar.
I bet they won’t like the prisons we toss them in, after the idiots do something to endanger kiwis. I’d suggest reopening Mt Eden prison for the purpose. It has the penitent feel to it.
Because it would be disaster Capitalism with a capital “C”. How much of the profits would go off-shore? Who sets the agenda and makes the decisions and in whose interest? Do we get to keep the tips? If you know what I think about this, read my recent Post on it. You can’t miss it as it has a photo of nice wee birdies circling above.
I’d favour partnership models with shared risk and a restriction that all new investments remain NZ owned and operated for at least 51% at all time. This country needs to protect itself from becoming a flea market for bargain-hunting wealthy ones looking for some kind of fire sale.
If you know what I think about this, read my recent Post on it.
I just had a quick scan through..
I’d favour partnership models with shared risk and a restriction that all new investments remain NZ owned and operated for at least 51% at all time. This country needs to protect itself from becoming a flea market for bargain-hunting wealthy ones looking for some kind of fire sale.
Sure no problem with that for existing businesses although you'll have some push back with privately owned enterprises at the moment who will reasonably ask why the shouldn't be allowed to sell to whoever they want as long as it's within the OIO rules.
For greenfield investment I personally have no issue with the investor having 100% ownership as long as it passes OIO scrutiny – especially where it offers significant local employment/infrastructure/investment/export opportunities – understand that many will take a different view – that 's fine.
Well, you’ve highlighted one of the problems, which is that Kiwis are priced out of their own market. At a fundamental level, I think that is not something that should be continued and encouraged.
As usual, the ones with deep pockets get ear-time with politicians. Is ERC going to interview some owner-operator of a small eatery on how they feel about some cashed-up folk jetting in and buying up large of property and businesses?
Set some very clear and firm rules around foreign investment and make sure it is tilted in favour of New Zealand and not towards the investors primarily. It shouldn’t be just about the money but a clear and genuine commitment to New Zealand and the people who live here.
If our local shops are any indication, it has already happened.
Most have long gone. Replaced by $2 shops and coffee shops.
The ridiculous rental rates, commercial landlords still expect doesn’t help. It seems they would rather “land bank” empty shops, than meet the rent small businesses can pay.
The malls, all with the same franchises and big stores, are bloody boring.
But the shift to online and malls, and consolidation of retail under a few big brands, I think was inevitable. This is just speeding the process up.
I don't have to like it though. It is even more money being extracted from communities, to outside shareholders and finance.
Malls are capitalist sewers occupied by people toiling for a minimum wage or close to it and visited by people with plastic fantastic and bulgy eyes keen to satisfy their compulsive consumerism and hedonistic hunger and insatiable appetite for junk food. They are a blot on what used to be a community-minded and –spirited society and a danger for general health.
A 2015 Soros-funded think tank predicted a 2020 breakdown of the global food supply following an outbreak — just as Bill Gates' 2019 "event 201" simulated a global pandemic. Why are multiple billionaires been speaking to outbreaks and food insecurity in 2020? Because Agenda 21/2030 isn't just a name: it's a war on all of us, and it has gone HOT.
I got 5 minutes in and gave up …sorry looks like nonsense to me
That's very cool. In terms of not spreading droplets this is probably as good as many of the handmade masks being sewn. Maybe better given the seal. Issues in terms of taking on and off though.
Yes they should go after the big earners where the company has taken the wage subsidies. But they are using this as a diversionary tactic to take the heat off the RW that have their hand out while preserving their own position. They are very very scared of the higher taxes coming their way. Needy people.
I think I may feel the need very soon to help The Warehouse with their financial projections to enable some load spreading and put it on here. I see they are TV advertising – suspect they have had some negative comment about their grab to stay open so are trying to fix their reputation.
Are we excluding businesses that shift their tax obligations offshore?
Denmark extended the duration of its aid programs to businesses and workers and added some new measures to increase spending by about 100 billion kroner ($15 billion).
[…]
The government also said that companies which pay out dividends, buy back own shares or are registered in tax havens won’t be eligible for any of the aid programs, which now amount to a total of 400 billion kroner, when including loans and guarantees.
The prime minister also said that one aim of the support was to help Polish firms protect themselves from being “squeezed by foreign entities, including Chinese companies”.
“We cannot allow this,” said Morawiecki, adding that large firms only qualify for support if they pay taxes in Poland. “Let’s end tax havens, which are the bane of modern economies.”
Earth day cool mother Earth will be breathing easier now a lot of carbon has not entered our environment during virus isolation.
I say we invest in our future a energy efficient future create mahi around that and once things calm down in the near future we won't have to export all our gains from Aotearoa natural resources to the rest of the world. Our 2 biggest trading partners are also mitigating the virus problems better than most .
Flue spread has been minimized by people being isolated.
The government is not putting our tamariki at risk its called minimiseing the risk and keeping the country functioning some countries are pridicted to run out of Kai.
Yes its A big reset Aotearoa will have to create employment for the local people.
Hi,It’s almost Christmas Day which means it is almost my birthday, where you will find me whimpering in the corner clutching a warm bottle of Baileys.If you’re out of ideas for presents (and truly desperate) then it is possible to gift a full Webworm subscription to a friend (or enemy) ...
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Oh, I weptFor daysFilled my eyesWith silly tearsOh, yeaBut I don'tCare no moreI don't care ifMy eyes get soreSongwriters: Paul Rodgers / Paul Kossoff. Read more ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Bob HensonIn this aerial view, fingers of meltwater flow from the melting Isunnguata Sermia glacier descending from the Greenland Ice Sheet on July 11, 2024, near Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. According to the Programme for Monitoring of the Greenland Ice Sheet (PROMICE), the ...
In August, I wrote an article about David Seymour1 with a video of his testimony, to warn that there were grave dangers to his Ministry of Regulation:David Seymour's Ministry of Slush Hides Far Greater RisksWhy Seymour's exorbitant waste of taxpayers' money could be the least of concernThe money for Seymour ...
Willis is expected to have to reveal the bitter fiscal fruits of her austerity strategy in the HYEFU later today. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/TheKakaMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, December 17 in The Kākā’s Dawn Chorus podcast ...
On Friday the government announced it would double the number of toll roads in New Zealand as well as make a few other changes to how toll roads are used in the country. The real issue though is not that tolling is being used but the suggestion it will make ...
The Prime Minister yesterday engaged in what looked like a pre-emptive strike designed to counter what is likely to be a series of depressing economic statistics expected before the end of the week. He opened his weekly post-Cabinet press conference with a recitation of the Government’s achievements. “It certainly has ...
This whooping cough story from south Auckland is a good example of the coalition government’s approach to social need – spend money on urging people to get vaccinated but only after you’ve cut the funding to where they could get vaccinated. This has been the case all year with public ...
And if there is a GodI know he likes to rockHe likes his loud guitarsHis spiders from MarsAnd if there is a GodI know he's watching meHe likes what he seesBut there's trouble on the breezeSongwriter: William Patrick Corgan Read more ...
Here’s a quick round up of today’s political news:1. MORE FOOD BANKS, CHARITIES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS AND YOUTH SOCIAL SERVICES SET TO CLOSE OR SCALE BACK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS GOVT CUTS FUNDINGSome of Auckland's largest foodbanks are warning they may need to close or significantly reduce food parcels after ...
Iain Rennie, CNZMSecretary and Chief Executive to the TreasuryDear Secretary, Undue restrictions on restricted briefings This week, the Treasury barred representatives from four organisations, including the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi, from attending the restricted briefing for the Half-Year Economic and Fiscal Update. We had been ...
This is a guest post by Tim Adriaansen, a community, climate, and accessibility advocate.I won’t shut up about climate breakdown, and whenever possible I try to shift the focus of a climate conversation towards solutions. But you’ll almost never hear me give more than a passing nod to ...
A grassroots backlash has forced a backdown from Brown, but he is still eyeing up plenty of tolls for other new roads. And the pressure is on Willis to ramp up the Government’s austerity strategy. Photo: Getty ImagesMōrena. Long stories short, the six things that matter in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
Hi all,I'm pretty overwhelmed by all your messages and emails today; thank you so very much.As much as my newsletter this morning was about money, and we all need to earn money, it was mostly about world domination if I'm honest. 😉I really hate what’s happening to our country, and ...
A listing of 23 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, December 8, 2024 thru Sat, December 14, 2024. Listing by Category Like last week's summary this one contains the list of articles twice: based on categories and based on ...
I started writing this morning about Hobson’s Pledge, examining the claims they and their supporters make, basically ripping into them. But I kept getting notifications coming through, and not good ones.Each time I looked up, there was another un-subscription message, and I felt a bit sicker at the thought of ...
Once, long before there was Harry and Meghan and Dodi and all those episodes of The Crown, they came to spend some time with us, Charles and Diana. Was there anyone in the world more glamorous than the Princess of Wales?Dazzled as everyone was by their company, the leader of ...
The collective right have a problem.The entire foundation for their world view is antiscientific. Their preferred economic strategies have been disproven. Their whole neoliberal model faces accusations of corporate corruption and worsening inequality. Climate change not only definitely exists, its rapid progression demands an immediate and expensive response in order ...
Just ten days ago, South Korea's president attempted a self-coup, declaring martial law and attempting to have opposition MPs murdered or arrested in an effort to seize unconstrained power. The attempt was rapidly defeated by the national assembly voting it down and the people flooding the streets to defend democracy. ...
Hi,“What I love about New Zealanders is that sometimes you use these expressions that as Americans we have no idea what those things mean!"I am watching a 30-something year old American ramble on about how different New Zealanders are to Americans. It’s his podcast, and this man is doing a ...
National has only been in power for a year, but everywhere you look, its choices are taking New Zealand a long way backwards. In no particular order, here are the National Government's Top 50 Greatest Misses of its first year in power. ...
The Government is quietly undertaking consultation on the dangerous Regulatory Standards Bill over the Christmas period to avoid too much attention. ...
The Government’s planned changes to the freedom of speech obligations of universities is little more than a front for stoking the political fires of disinformation and fear, placing teachers and students in the crosshairs. ...
The Ministry of Regulation’s report into Early Childhood Education (ECE) in Aotearoa raises serious concerns about the possibility of lowering qualification requirements, undermining quality and risking worse outcomes for tamariki, whānau, and kaiako. ...
A Bill to modernise the role of Justices of the Peace (JP), ensuring they remain active in their communities and connected with other JPs, has been put into the ballot. ...
Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kasey Symons, Lecturer of Communication, Sports Media, Deakin University We are well and truly in cricket season. The Australian men’s cricket team is taking centre stage against India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy series while the Big Bash League is underway, as ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Woods, Lecturer, Nursing, Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University FTiare/Shutterstock Summer is here and for many that means going to the beach. You grab your swimmers, beach towel and sunscreen then maybe check the weather forecast. Did you think to ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Saman Khalesi, Senior Lecturer and Discipline Lead in Nutrition, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, CQUniversity Australia Dean Clarke/Shutterstock The holiday season can be a time of joy, celebration, and indulgence in delicious foods and meals. However, for many, it ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ari Mattes, Lecturer in Communications and Media, University of Notre Dame Australia Late Night With The Devil. Maslow Entertainment Marketing is critical to the success of commercial films, and companies will often spend half as much again on top of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Francisco Jose Testa, Lecturer in Earth Sciences (Mineralogy, Petrology & Geochemistry), University of Tasmania The Conversation As a kid, it was tough for me to grasp the massive time scale of Earth’s history. Now, with nearly two decades of experience as ...
Te Pāti Māori has had to adopt a new way of debating, operating and even thinking in Parliament in response to the Government’s “onslaught” against te ao Māori, co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says.In an end-of-year interview with Newsroom, the Te Tai Hauauru MP reflected on how 2024 has differed from her ...
Opinion: The latest Trends in International Mathematics and Science report was announced earlier this month, yet it didn’t get the flurry of media attention and political hand-wringing that typically accompanies these announcements. This might be because it presented good news, or you could argue, no news; the results paint a ...
NewsroomBy Dr Lisa Darragh, Dr Raewyn Eden and Dr David Pomeroy
At long last, The Spinoff shells out for a nut ranking. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It recently came to The Spinoff’s attention ...
I was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a ...
Summer reissue: One anxiously attentive passenger pays attention to an in-flight safety video, and wonders ‘Why can’t I pick up my own phone?’ The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up ...
Summer reissue: Why do those Lange-Douglas years cast such a long shadow 40 years on? The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today. First published June ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Monday 23 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Government’s social housing agency has backed out of a billion-dollar infrastructure alliance that would have built about 6000 new homes in Auckland – less than 18 months after signing a five-year extension.Labour says the decision to rip up the contract and sell off existing state houses could lead to ...
ByKoroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) says impending bad weather for Port Vila is now the most significant post-quake hazard. A tropical low in the Coral Sea is expected to move into Vanuatu waters, bringing heavy rainfall. Authorities have issued warnings to people ...
Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...
Spinoff editor Mad Chapman and books editor Claire Mabey debate Carl Shuker’s new novel about… an editor. Claire: Hello Mad, you just finished The Royal Free – overall impressions? Mad: Hi Claire, I literally just put the book down and I would have to say my immediate impression is ...
Christmas and its buildup are often lonely, hard and full of unreasonable expectations. Here’s how to make it to Jesus’s birthday and find the little bit of joy we all deserve. Have you found this year relentless? Has the latest Apple update “fucked up your life”? Have you lost two ...
Despite overwhelming public and corporate support, the government has stalled progress on a modern day slavery law. That puts us behind other countries – and makes Christmas a time of tragedy rather than joy, argues Shanti Mathias. Picture the scene on Christmas Day. Everyone replete with nice things to eat, ...
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...
Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone New York prosecutors have charged Luigi Mangione with “murder as an act of terrorism” in his alleged shooting of health insurance CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month. This news comes out at the same time as ...
Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...
MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...
It’s a little under two months since the White Ferns shocked the cricketing world, deservedly taking home the T20 World Cup. Since then the trophy has had a tour around the country, five of the squad have played in the WBBL in Australia while most others have returned to domestic ...
Comment: If we say the word ‘dementia’, many will picture an older person struggling to remember the names of their loved ones, maybe a grandparent living out their final years in an aged care facility. Dementia can also occur in people younger than 65, but it can take time before ...
Piracy is a reality of modern life – but copyright law has struggled to play catch-up for as long as the entertainment industry has existed. As far back as 1988, the House of Lords criticised copyright law’s conflict with the reality of human behaviour in the context of burning cassette ...
As he makes a surprise return to Shortland Street, actor Craig Parker takes us through his life in television. Craig Parker has been a fixture on television in Aotearoa for nearly four decades. He had starring roles in iconic local series like Gloss, Mercy Peak and Diplomatic Immunity, featured in ...
The Ōtautahi musician shares the 10 tracks he loves to spin, including the folk classic that cured him of a ‘case of the give-ups’. When singer-songwriter Adam McGrath returns to Kumeu’s Auckland Folk Festival from January 24-27, he’s not planning on simply idling his way through – he wants the late ...
Alex Casey spends an afternoon on the job with River, the rescue dog on a mission to spread joy to Ōtautahi rest homes.Almost everyone says it is never enough time. But River the rescue dog, a jet black huntaway border collie cross, has to keep a tight pace to ...
Asia Pacific Report Fiji activists have recreated the nativity scene at a solidarity for Palestine gathering in Fiji’s capital Suva just days before Christmas. The Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre and Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network recreated the scene at the FWCC compound — a baby Jesus figurine lies amidst the ...
By 1News Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver and 1News reporters A number of Kiwis have been successfully evacuated from Vanuatu after a devastating earthquake shook the Pacific island nation earlier this week. The death toll was still unclear, though at least 14 people were killed according to an earlier statement from ...
Winston Peter's is risking the vast majority of his support the elderly if he pushes for an early exit from lockdown.
There won't be an early exit from lockdown for the elderly.
They stay locked up and essentially quarantined until level 1.
Not an NZF fan, but the Herald headline was rather different from the actual statement he made.
We need actual Journalists, not the idiots that the media seem to increasingly, employ.
Great to see South Korea completing a Presidential election over the weekend, with all the health and safety measures in place.
Hope we get some close observer reports out of it, to see what we will need to do here in 5 months time.
My guess is 70% chance of extending Level 4 for another 2 weeks. Even if the only criterion was the numbers of new/probable cases on the MOH media release page every day. No one in their right mind would stop so close to the "ultimate goal". You'd have to have a really good argument against the numbers, even if they were complete fabrications. It'd have to be something along the lines of "people are going to die anyway", like during a war. The still unconfirmed idea that there will be no immunity is not enough. In uncertain conditions where you can buy time, you buy time.
Level 3 now would make the whole lockdown pointless. From the government's POV, a lift would allow doubts that "not enough was done", and those doubts recirculated later on would lose them the election. Schools are not ready, and you cannot have people deciding whether or not to return to normal life during a crisis, based on peer pressure, their personal finance fears, and media whims. The government would've lost control of the entire process. Level 3 can only be a few days transition period, after the prep work is done in Level 4.
Personally, I would not have gone to Level 4, for reasons I don't need to explain because I am not the government. Simply from a political pov, if they lift it now, it's the end of them, and maybe the end of a lot of other people.
Your last sentence is strange.
You don't "need to explain", but to say level 3 means the end of the government and (more importantly) a lot of other people doesn't make much sense.
Made the mistake of flicking on the tv and watching Duncan Garner this a.m. And learnt that Paul Henry is returning to our screens tonight in a show called 'Rebuilding Paradise'. It sounds like a propaganda effort to make sure nothing fundamentally changes economically as we come out of the C-19 crisis. And probably accompanied by lots of soft, patriotic nonsense about how great we all are in our efforts to get on top of the virus and we just need to get back to way we were which was fantastic, i.e. all problems have been solved, history has ended etc. etc. We are going to get this sh*te in waves from the usual directions.
In regards to Paul Henry this is the approach I am taking: eradication. Not to watch Mediaworks until that virus is wiped out.
My meagre TV watching will not dent the ratings, but if we all isolate ourselves from this malaise then it will run out of lounge rooms to occupy and disappear.
It is not as if Mediaworks is shy of another male, pale and stale point of view…
☺️
Rebuilding Paradise = double misnomer
More like Restarting Recycling or Run Back to the Rat Race or Shopaholics Anonymous Storm Malls or Obese Attack Take-Aways or Freedom Regained to Fuck It Up Again and Even Faster This Time.
Rant over.
My body-mass index is 24.9. I'm desperately hanging out for some seriously life-shortening pepperoni pizza. Beware of denying me!
Your BMI is fine as long as long as you’re fit & healthy and don’t carry too much visceral fat in the mid-region. Pick your vice 😉
Regardless of visceral fatuity, exactly what paradise is Pawl Henrewy trying to restore? As I remember, we had a lot of problems, and only Maserati-drivers like Hoskings thought we were in paradisiac Golden Days – until he crashed his car. (Or was it a Lambo?)
He was slumming it in an Alfa. It failed his exalted heights of excellence, which is why it crashed.
One man’s Paradise is another man’s Hell.
Andre, your distress moves me to offer this recipe. Onto a pizza base (can be home made or store bought) put a thick hummus layer and then place sliced fresh figs and slices of chorizo sausage on top, sprinkle with grated pizza cheese mix and cook. Do this twice. Once is not enough. I am about to try blue cheese in the mix.
Hummus? Figs? For someone that's craving pizza? What is wrong wit you?
Nek minnit, someone's gonna say canned spaghetti and pineapple can also be used for pizza.
Savages.
Chorizo and figs with a good cheese is a union worthy of Judith and Puckish Rogue….
If my stomach wasn't turned already, that analogy would do it for sure.
Pizza Base, Garlic Aioli, Cheese, Fig and Honey or Pizza Base, Garlic Aioli, Pear and Blue Cheese and a little other cheese. both yum
Only one type of Pizza.
Ham and pineapple.
None of that foreign rubbish…
"I'd like a cup of British tea. None of that foreign rubbish!"
"Will that be Indian or China, sir?"
An astro-turf campaign strategy that kills.
https://twitter.com/SarahTaber_bww/status/1251902219970101250
https://twitter.com/JYSexton/status/1251193243364188160
They point to emerging signs around the country. Trump-supported activists are protesting strict stay-at-home orders. Conservative groups’ internal polling in red-leaning and swing states show a significant uptick in Americans who favor reopening the country. A growing chorus of Republican lawmakers across the nation are on board.
“If you don't see something start to happen … you’re going to see a conservative revolt by our base,” said Adam Brandon, president of FreedomWorks, a conservative group which recently polled on reopening the economy. “The worst strategy for him is to keep things shut until August. Trump is basically going to win or lose his election right now, in the next month.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/18/trump-reopening-economy-193885
The smart move for Trump is to not actually try to force a re-opening (thus keeping actual deaths trending downwards), but constantly agitate, dog-whistle and blame Democratic Governors for not opening (thus keeping his base fired up). A while ago he claimed 'absolute authority' as President – but he can easily turn on a dime and say that he doesn't have absolute authority after all, and so can't force a re-opening.
Because the pre-Covid economy was deliberately designed to leave many people precarious anyway, many will be hurting very badly now. So the desire to re-open is most likely coming from across the political divide, not just from hard-line MAGA types.
I don't know if someone's already posted this, but this Reddit thread makes for interesting reading. Read the entry by Dr_Midnight regarding his detective work around the blatant astroturfing.
Fun With Astroturfing
All these websites and organisations pop up overnight, and Trump starts crapping on about 'liberating' states from the tyranny of quarantine. What a happy coincidence.
Today is the 20th of the month. The day when most business invoices become due for payment.
The country has been under lockdown for just about 4 weeks now, so the ability for business to pay their bills will really be tested today. If there is widespread default, then the screams from business to reopen will become very loud over the next week.
Here is something to ponder, every business has to have a business contingency plan. Surely any accountant worth their salt would advise on that? This is not just a plan where the emergency exit is but also financial back up and insurance for income loss. If they don't than they haven't done their homework as this is applicable also to a/ an earthquake, b/ death or illness c/ fire, d/ other unforeseen circumstances.
Besides, businesses have been able to dip into the taxpayer funded support package in support of employee expenses. Mind you, I hear that a few businesses – and not small ones – are making stuff redundant after claiming support. There is a saying: Trust is good, control is better. Beneficiaries would certainly not get away with any fraud.
It remains to be seen whether any checks will be made and fraud will be found out. I am already having a cynical grin.
The point is, if a business doesn't get paid because its customer has gone into liquidation, was poorly managed, or simply has no cash, then through no fault of their own, they become the business that can't pay its creditors, and so it spirals.
That is the reality. Its peoples' lives, homes, dreams and mental health that are being damaged.
But we can just sit here and say tough shit. You should have had a contingency.
The only default for me has been I CAN,T log in to pay my monthly accounts and when I ring the help number I get because of Loak – down our hours are now only 9.00am – 5.00pm !!!!! So much for contactless banking with ASB
I see Stuff is asking for donations. I'd like a lot more disclosure before I'd even think about it. Have they set up a staff cooperative, have they killed all the big buck salaries and directors fees, are they going to stop pushing the RW agenda …
My thoughts exactly when I got the donate prompt.
Heh – good luck with getting answers on those questions. When the possibility of a 'media bailout' was raised in one of the press conferences, not one journo asked the PM the obvious question – since commercial media has been consistently hostile to the Labour Party for decades, why would they bale it out, or what conditions might they impose on such a bailout? So far the PM has said a couple of interesting things about any media bailout – that the media had "pre-existing conditions" and that it is important to maintain a "plurality of voices". I hope these statements are good signs – because a "plurality of voices" is absolutely something we did not have pre-Covid.
If in their disclosure they did agree to stop pushing the RW agenda, but kept all the big buck salaries, would that entice you to donate?
Big buck salaries are a feature of RW agendas so nope. It would be a cosmetic change only – despite the facelift the body remains the same age so to speak.
I want to support journalists doing the fearless enquiry thing – particularly at business government and local government level.
As a consumer of media, particularly business news, the current model is patchy. A good number of our best journalists – hardly surprising – no longer work in the mainstream but off a website. Older journalists still in mainstream tend to be shock jocks or ranters and are hardly a diverse group. The younger journalists have been largely brought up on the RW kool aid and don't seem to know how to ask a question to save themselves if the 1p.m press conferences are anything to judge by. They seem to want to be the news not find it. Facts are a poor second in most stories.
Anyway, it's difficult for me as a consumer to support all the websites that give me a broad range of news. I could support 1-2 but more than that gets hard. So I'd quite like to pay a fee that gives me access to a number sites across a range of topics.
Another concern is business news. If this becomes largely, by more expensive subscription, access to the knowledge is assymetrical which can impede the free flow of knowledge to ensure that something like the stockmarket works for all.
Reading a daily newspaper/site I also find expands my horizon in that I will browse an article of something outside my direct interests if it catches my eye.
You agree they push a rightwing agenda.
Why on earth would we make donations to an australian owned company?
Most of the folk with a mortgage, overdraft and business loan do it willingly.
I would question the 'willingly' – many would be unaware
I'd support Newsroom or The Spinoff first I think (not to mention RNZ!)
Enough is Enough Banks have been backed by the govt to free up money to keep businesses afloat.Will they fund businesses only those with viable futures I suspect.
yes…as they should. They have however been asked (instructed?) to be courageous
"Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said a mandatory code would help "level the playing field" by requiring digital platforms such as Google and Facebook to pay news media businesses for the content they produce.
"It's only fair that those that generate content get paid for it," Frydenberg said."
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/414634/australian-government-tells-facebook-and-google-to-pay-for-news
A model to emulate?
I wouldn't want to wind up funding conspiracy theory click bait sites or government propoganda sites ( shape shifting reptiles?) so I think any funds distribution back to content providers would need some rules ( below to a journalist organisation ? or the facebook disinformation cycle could get worse.
think you may have misunderstood what is being proposed (implemented?)…the Australian Gov are going to require the likes of Google and FB to pay news services to use their content.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-level-playing-field-digital-giants-will-have-to-pay-for-news-20200419-p54l7q.html
I was wondering about the definition of news services. Here we probably see better less ideological reporting on say Newsroom rather than the Herald. If it just improves the Murdoch position then it may make little difference to standards of information.
Ah….well thats another problem… but the MSM says they are only providing what the public want.
Not so sure about that. When all the mainstream is largely promoting the RW the likes of me just turn off. It needs to fund a diversity of voices not just be an echo chamber.
assuming enough feel as you do then the MSM wont be saved by this in any case.
This for your delectation a comment from TDB yesterday that is like a cartoon in words from Mike Hosking, you have to imagine them framed in froth and spittle:
The Daily Blog – Dear Brothers & Sisters of NZ – we are almost through lockdown and history salutes you for two reasons:
[Comment] Mike Hosking April 19, 2020 at 12:55 pm
What a load of rubbish. The limited number of deaths and infections in NZ shows that this was a beat up from the start. Jacinda’s weak and inexperienced leadership has led to economic devastation. The Government has been outwardly hostile to business owners and has used COVID19 as an opportunity to push its extreme agenda of increasing benefits. In addition, it has unashamedly targeted gun owners.
This wouldn’t have happened under a John Key-led government.
Beyond parody. His paymasters must be pushing him hard.
When there's a mobster in the house.
https://twitter.com/marynmck/status/1251538798292467712
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/04/hospitals-face-a-white-house-blockade-for-coronavirus-ppe.html?
That's how you get to be King of Ventilators.
This is just wrong on so many levels.
Covid-19 in the U.S. April 19, 2020, 8:15 P.M (ET).
Positive cases: 753,035
(2,294.2 per 1 mil people)
Deaths: 40,552
(123.5 per 1 mil people)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVvg86dXYAUNw9L?format=jpg&name=medium
https://twitter.com/Stop_Trump20/status/1251927577557635073
The Dems perpetual scream continues.
And you'll never shake the Planet Piza/Qaon stupidity virus.
/
No, what made me so sick – so uncomfortable – was the sense that something had to have gone horribly wrong in this world to have put me in this voyeuristic situation. But however wrong it felt, I kept going. I felt like I had to.
The claim that the Podesta emails proved that the Democrats and their cohorts were secretly involved in some sort of satanic pedophile cult is repeated far and wide across the internet: from the most esoteric QAnon followers and the culture-warrior MAGA moms on twitter, to casual FOX News viewers you meet on the street.
This lie has made its way through far left circles as well, eager for a narrative that demonizes the Democratic establishment. This is arguably why many who supported Bernie in the 2016 primaries found it impossible to vote for Hillary in the general election.
https://jurneywrites.wordpress.com/2020/04/17/pizzagate-and-the-research-that-nobody-wanted-to-do/amp/
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12326124
“ Drury's plan to allow foreign billionaires to build bolt-holes in New Zealand is one of several ideas he will present to Parliament's Epidemic Response Committee on Thursday.”
Trying to sneak rich mates into NZ while we are in turmoil…..no, no, no.
Disagree – I have no issue with them coming here as long as they spend a truck load of their cash and don't bring any COVID-19 with them.
Specially if they spend it on election advertising, amiright?
🙄 No, my preference is that they would spend it in and on the community they live in when in NZ and on wider investment into manufacturing, tech and even primary produce.
Except they will just bid up the prices of existing assets and land. Then take the profits away, again.
Despite the myths, the wealthy are not into entrepreneurial risks, with their own money.
They might not be that keen on coming if their first two weeks here is cooped up in a hotel room with a grocery bag of provisions pushed through a slot in the door every now and then.
You never know I would've thought there'd be no shortage of nice hotels to provide high end lockdown if you were prepared to drop an extra 20k a day into the pot, or for those that already have a holiday home here they could isolate there no doubt ?
Really can't see an issue in taking money from billionaires who want to spend their money here ?
Well, the point of a quarantine is to eliminate contact with locals so that the new arrival can't pass on whatever they've brought in with them. As a group, billionaires tend to be in close-ish contact with a wide variety of people in their daily lives, so they'd actually be kinda high-risk of being carriers relative to the general population.
So from a public health view, I'd be especially wary of creating loopholes for them. Particularly if it means the people they would come into contact with are themselves likely to be in contact with a large group of other people.
Except billionaires, who are so crass as not to actually do any real work, probably won’t like the guards placed on them to prevent them acting like spoilt children. You only have to point to Trump as a public exemplar.
I bet they won’t like the prisons we toss them in, after the idiots do something to endanger kiwis. I’d suggest reopening Mt Eden prison for the purpose. It has the penitent feel to it.
That wouldn't be the rule for exalted ones, surely.
I don’t have a problem with rich tourists as long as they only leave their footprints behind when they leave.
Why would it be so terrible if they left some of the substantial funds invested in NZ ?
Because it would be disaster Capitalism with a capital “C”. How much of the profits would go off-shore? Who sets the agenda and makes the decisions and in whose interest? Do we get to keep the tips? If you know what I think about this, read my recent Post on it. You can’t miss it as it has a photo of nice wee birdies circling above.
I’d favour partnership models with shared risk and a restriction that all new investments remain NZ owned and operated for at least 51% at all time. This country needs to protect itself from becoming a flea market for bargain-hunting wealthy ones looking for some kind of fire sale.
If you know what I think about this, read my recent Post on it.
I just had a quick scan through..
I’d favour partnership models with shared risk and a restriction that all new investments remain NZ owned and operated for at least 51% at all time. This country needs to protect itself from becoming a flea market for bargain-hunting wealthy ones looking for some kind of fire sale.
Sure no problem with that for existing businesses although you'll have some push back with privately owned enterprises at the moment who will reasonably ask why the shouldn't be allowed to sell to whoever they want as long as it's within the OIO rules.
For greenfield investment I personally have no issue with the investor having 100% ownership as long as it passes OIO scrutiny – especially where it offers significant local employment/infrastructure/investment/export opportunities – understand that many will take a different view – that 's fine.
Well, you’ve highlighted one of the problems, which is that Kiwis are priced out of their own market. At a fundamental level, I think that is not something that should be continued and encouraged.
As usual, the ones with deep pockets get ear-time with politicians. Is ERC going to interview some owner-operator of a small eatery on how they feel about some cashed-up folk jetting in and buying up large of property and businesses?
Set some very clear and firm rules around foreign investment and make sure it is tilted in favour of New Zealand and not towards the investors primarily. It shouldn’t be just about the money but a clear and genuine commitment to New Zealand and the people who live here.
Here you go, they can tick this box: https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/science-and-innovation/agencies-policies-and-budget-initiatives/vision-matauranga-policy/
Already see the problems, with Ozzie shopping mall owners, refusing to freeze rents for small business tenants, who can't do business.
It's not like they aren't receiving any. Their anchor tenants, supermarkets,
are still paying rent.
You would think with all the millions they've taken out of New Zealand they could carry it for five weeks, rather than "The Government", paying it.
Where are the "tax payers Union" when you need them?
We’re becoming a nation of mall rats if small retailers and shops in the main street go under.
If our local shops are any indication, it has already happened.
Most have long gone. Replaced by $2 shops and coffee shops.
The ridiculous rental rates, commercial landlords still expect doesn’t help. It seems they would rather “land bank” empty shops, than meet the rent small businesses can pay.
The malls, all with the same franchises and big stores, are bloody boring.
But the shift to online and malls, and consolidation of retail under a few big brands, I think was inevitable. This is just speeding the process up.
I don't have to like it though. It is even more money being extracted from communities, to outside shareholders and finance.
Malls are capitalist sewers occupied by people toiling for a minimum wage or close to it and visited by people with plastic fantastic and bulgy eyes keen to satisfy their compulsive consumerism and hedonistic hunger and insatiable appetite for junk food. They are a blot on what used to be a community-minded and –spirited society and a danger for general health.
nope, they can fuck off. They end up with disproportionate influence and it's the last thing we need right now.
"disproportionate influence"
Yes – that's the key point. And that influence is both economic and political and applies to the domestically-grown super-wealthy also.
Try listening to this link when you have time …its quite long …then tell me what you think
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI-Am0t4qQaP_Do9FwMWw3Q
A 2015 Soros-funded think tank predicted a 2020 breakdown of the global food supply following an outbreak — just as Bill Gates' 2019 "event 201" simulated a global pandemic. Why are multiple billionaires been speaking to outbreaks and food insecurity in 2020? Because Agenda 21/2030 isn't just a name: it's a war on all of us, and it has gone HOT.
I got 5 minutes in and gave up …sorry looks like nonsense to me
https://massawakening.org/how-does-agenda-21-is-being-implemented-worldwide/
Not too sure how effective this would be, but when you really need to cover up.
https://twitter.com/gryking/status/1245919661276819458
That's very cool. In terms of not spreading droplets this is probably as good as many of the handmade masks being sewn. Maybe better given the seal. Issues in terms of taking on and off though.
Feeling mighty proud of our PM, thanks Jacinda.
The accolades for her are flying via twitter.
Why doesn't Porky the government waste pig spread out and harass all top earners for their salary?
That too is "our money", is it not?
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/121103143/topearning-auckland-officials-targeted-in-lobby-groups-nameandshame
Yes they should go after the big earners where the company has taken the wage subsidies. But they are using this as a diversionary tactic to take the heat off the RW that have their hand out while preserving their own position. They are very very scared of the higher taxes coming their way. Needy people.
I think I may feel the need very soon to help The Warehouse with their financial projections to enable some load spreading and put it on here. I see they are TV advertising – suspect they have had some negative comment about their grab to stay open so are trying to fix their reputation.
Of course he will.
https://twitter.com/porkrinds007/status/1252095941160497152
That – or make the clarion call to: "Liberate Tauranga! Liberate Westport! Liberate Waipukurau!
Are we excluding businesses that shift their tax obligations offshore?
Denmark extended the duration of its aid programs to businesses and workers and added some new measures to increase spending by about 100 billion kroner ($15 billion).
[…]
The government also said that companies which pay out dividends, buy back own shares or are registered in tax havens won’t be eligible for any of the aid programs, which now amount to a total of 400 billion kroner, when including loans and guarantees.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-04-18/denmark-extends-business-aid-to-increase-spending-by-15-billion
The prime minister also said that one aim of the support was to help Polish firms protect themselves from being “squeezed by foreign entities, including Chinese companies”.
“We cannot allow this,” said Morawiecki, adding that large firms only qualify for support if they pay taxes in Poland. “Let’s end tax havens, which are the bane of modern economies.”
https://notesfrompoland.com/2020/04/08/poland-launches-e22-billion-support-package-for-firms-in-effort-to-save-up-to-5-million-jobs/
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Earth day cool mother Earth will be breathing easier now a lot of carbon has not entered our environment during virus isolation.
I say we invest in our future a energy efficient future create mahi around that and once things calm down in the near future we won't have to export all our gains from Aotearoa natural resources to the rest of the world. Our 2 biggest trading partners are also mitigating the virus problems better than most .
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
All the opposition supporters trying to use the virus as a tool to dent our government come on.
That's is awesome people making donations to keep that wildlife park afloat.
Gypsies day Its good that the virus isolation is not going to effect it negatively.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
There you go some will call any brown face a gang member.
Sports is awesome for Te tangata and te tamariki.
Using the Internet and devices to help Tangata navigate the virus isolation Ka pai.
Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa made a big contribution to the 2 world wars I have more knowledge on why so many Maori went to fight.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
Flue spread has been minimized by people being isolated.
The government is not putting our tamariki at risk its called minimiseing the risk and keeping the country functioning some countries are pridicted to run out of Kai.
Yes its A big reset Aotearoa will have to create employment for the local people.
Ka kite Ano 🖕
Kia Ora Newshub.
I say a stimulis program should be targeted to flow through the economy.
Cool that people will be able to go hunting when we go down to alert level 3.
Marketing Aotearoa secess is best
It would be good if a good % of people could work from home.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
Sounds like contracting the virus is quite painful and draining it's great that It has been minimized in Aotearoa.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora The Am Show.
One only has to look around the world to see why some people are worried about coming out of level 4 isolation.
Correct it's not on making threats to people and their Whanau.
That is cool sending that boy who was being bullied because of his name a typewriter.
Ka kite Ano
Kia Ora Newshub.
Sure sounds like he was not taking his job seriously.
Come on that will sent any living thing to the upper dimension.
Ka kite Ano.
Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.
That is awesome the Tane marching in Gisborne.
Times have changed everyone will know that it doesn't take much to rock our World we should be grateful and care for her and her creatures more.
Ka pai to the virus testings at Marae.
King fish farming gifting their fish Awsome.
Ka kite Ano