Sadly, one of the first international outings of the Foreign Minister is to yap in unison with the other five-eyes. Pity it was in response to the call of the US who demonstrably had a regime-change hand in escalating the Hong Kong problem. Ironically, even now Hong Kong is probably less repressed than when under British rule.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, the abrogation of human rights show goes on without even a whimper from the new minister.
Agreed but its pretty weird to field criticism of Chinese governance practices when the US part of 5Eyes is having its intelligence and defence governance decapitated and its democratic processes after a clear election win actively undermined by a sitting President and his party.
Looks like we are witnessing the imagined moral authority of the US becoming unimaginable. God knows what happens next – Yeats nailed it: "things thought too long can be no longer thought"
It's the moral superiority of all the Five Eyes participants over Chinese rule in Hong Kong that is being claimed by their judgement. And that includes us.
Well one would assume the foreign minister to yap as instructed by the Prime Minister, after all the foreign minister serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.
There fixed it for you, it is the Labour Government that is yapping in unison with the other five eyes.
Hong Kong now, Taiwan next. Look at the bigger picture; geo-politics is never reductionist, least of all when PRC is involved and they play a long game.
The latest conspiracy is that George Soros, Joe Biden, the Clinton Foundation, Antifa and the Venezuela government have banded together to steal Donald Trump's landslide election victory.
Time for the Federal authorities including the FBI to intervene.
I was referring to the fact, as emphasized towards the end of the item (which I suspect you hadn't listened to) that what Rudy Giuliani is doing is now getting dangerous… and imo bordering on the criminal.
Yes. But the level of the rhetoric – be it in a court room or elsewhere – is an incitement to violence on a very large scale. It is extremely dangerous and could be only a matter of time before it reaches civil war status.
I saw a similar shot on twitter and thought it was a cheap and childish photoshop. Then I discovered it was an actual photo of a manchild with cheap dye.
Many say that the federal authorities appear to spend a large amount of their time these days "intervening" (or perhaps more specifically, interfering) in or with Washington politics.
Perhaps they should stick to and with their days jobs.
They could put their best feet forward again if or when Senator Ally Mayfair-Richards ever gets elected as POTUS. That woman really needs to be watched!
No pizzas and pedophile action needed by them, unless they can come up with a storyline that would implicate Giuliani as being an Epstein which if they did, would be sure to make hundreds of millions for various media outlets by way of advertising revenues and subscriptions.
Hollywood producers should be both ashamed and embarrassed that they have allowed themselves to be upstaged by Virginians at the seat of federal government these last couple of years. They have a lot of catching up to do, but I feel certain that they can do it.
Many say that the federal authorities appear to spend a large amount of their time these days "intervening" (or perhaps more specifically, interfering) in or with Washington politics.
Since that is the only part your comment that makes any sense, I will respond.
I damn well hope they are intervening because the current occupants of the White House suggest it has been transformed into a shelter for brain damaged and deluded specimens together with a healthy dollop of thugs and crooks.
All of my posts (including the one you refer to) will always make absolute sense, once you understand the concept.
In corporate it is dog eat dog, and in politics it is the reverse.
That aside, current Whitehouse tenants…
Yeh, probably true about gettin' some agency to give eviction notices to some of them, but not the Bureau (FBI). Don't throw the babies out with the bathwater.
Sure, the Whitehouse was long overdue for a tenant makeover in any case, but “the brain damaged and deluded specimens together with a healthy dollop of thugs and crooks” you refer to are what give it character and identity. This has been so for many decades.
The Bureau aren't employed as housecleaners, so it's not their role to "intervene" in anything. They should move on or take a vacation.
NZ governance and policies and actions are much better than what is happening in the USA. But comparing ourselves to that country is setting the bar far too low. But we could be headed down to their level if we continue on our present path.
I am disheartened by the lack of government attention to pressing problems for people (ppp) – a small letter acronym that is shadowed by PPP which means Business and Profit for some. And further many of the comments here can be sorted into complaints about lack of services to the vulnerable and needy, or fascination at looking objectively at our and other countries' procedures which trend towards decline, or else a love of technology and the engineering possibilities involved in attempting upward movement for our enterprises. Concerning the matter of treating fairly the non-citizens overseas who we have encouraged or allowed to come here and make this their home yesterday, I found that my belief in fairness to others was regarded as wrong; they are not New Zealanders, we don't owe them anything. This is the line that Australians have taken to most NZs, and made it harder for us to achieve citizenship than those from other countries. And this practice of discarding people, like a television reality show, is happening in our own country to fellow NZs.
I didn't expect to find such barren, draconian views appearing on this site from regular commenters. So it's time for me to take a break, getting on with many jobs and preparing for Christmas which I will spend with family. We have kept our ties alive sharing thoughts and friendship which families, where love and concern are the norm, nurture and spread. I wish all a happy Christmas getting together with those you enjoy, and spending just a bit of time with the rellies that are a pain! And for those without family and with friends who are distant, a suggestion is to join in some community dinner, happening which will warm the heart a bit.
My thinking just now is about the concern amongst some for the holistic view which binds in both environment, animals and other living things and people into a sustainable, practical, satisfying and reasonably harmonious whole. That is surely a summary of the vision of those with goodwill to all. It seems to me that a new movement needs to start, arising from the experienced and thoughtful, not just from the young and edgy and disenchanted. It needs to aim at thoughtfulness, action and mix in some 'enchantment' as well, to draw in the young and encourage their hope and creativity.
Perhaps we who think the above idea has merit can think of this over Christmas, Work out a form for it, principles for it etc. It could be called something catchy and humourous like Dad's Army, but to include women in the title. I can't think of a suitable name that has the same ring as Dad's Army, the doughty bunch that came forward to help run the country so the young ones could go away to the blood-letting war. I'd like a male word at the start, because too often it is women who come forward to community work, and the men less involved. We need to stir those who have skills and care about the quality of life here being inclusive. Perhaps bright minds here will come forward. Perhaps not. Ka kite ano. Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia
The objection to Australia ejecting New Zealanders is in the cases where those people moved to Australia as children and grew up in Australia. They are effectively Australian. The graduates you talk about have only lived here for a few years of their adult lives. You make a false equivalence.
Also, the NZ gummint has not said that those people will never be allowed to return.
Those graduates are not being denied re-entry because Business and profit for some but rather to protect the lives of New Zealanders.
Concerning the matter of treating fairly the non-citizens overseas who we have encouraged or allowed to come here and make this their home yesterday, I found that my belief in fairness to others was regarded as wrong; they are not New Zealanders, we don't owe them anything.
Yes. And like you I find these emerging isolationist, bordering on xenophobic attitudes both discouraging and a little disturbing. Yet in a time of disease it is perhaps an understandable, desirable even from an evolutionary perspective, trait to come to the fore.
Something so deeply wired into our psychology is not easily muted.
Though it would be hard to identify it in pre-Covid policy, states have a legal and moral obligation to put their citizens first at all times. Some starry-eyed globalists merely found it expedient to forget.
Actually NZ lost the plot in the eighties, and started treating our own people like shit. Try that migrant entitlement line in China, or Korea, or Saudi or India, or Russia, and see how far it gets you.
It's not xenophobia at all – mass low-wage immigration is massively irresponsible, and goes right to the heart of the burgeoning inequality we have "enjoyed" since that time.
If we are going to treat others reasonably, the first decent step would be to go after the crooks who marketed third tier degrees in NZ as a stepping stone to citizenship, which legally they were not.
We have immigration rules for a reason – to protect our most vulnerable so that they don't find themselves homeless or jobless. Successive governments really fell down on that job – blowing all their progressive credibility in one go by supporting slave worker arrangements.
When you called me a xenophobe for wanting our existing rules enforced?
Not to chip at you though – many of the cruelties of our system are unintentional and fixable. A few ads in India might not go astray – something like: “Thinking of doing a dodgy degree in NZ as a path to citizenship? – Forget it – those scams have been closed down.”
The Pacific is the logical area for us to show some moral responsibility – and the populations are small enough not to automatically swamp NZ. The Philippines or India are a bit big for us to help that way.
Yes i think we have a moral obligation towards pacific states though in most cases not a legal one. We weren't talking about obligations to states though but rather people who had been studying here and had a work visa. The article that grey linked to was about Indian nationals specifically.
My comment above did not mention the green thinking that happens on this blog, which is a paramount boon to New Zealand and our awareness of what is happening, needs to happen everywhere, and how to get there before the natural forces get completely out of balance.
General rules of thumb nearly everywhere (and prior to Covid-19 events);
Citizenship: Absolute right of entry to country of citizenship, equal liberties and equal recognition under law even when the laws of that "state" allow for and promote various forms of discrimination.
Dual citizenship: Similar, but where certain provisions exist whereby a country (as "the state") could expel or exile a citizen to the alternative nation of citizenship under exceptional circumstances.
Permanent Residence: Few privileges other than the right to indefinitely reside and the right to work, study and travel freely within borders and travel to and from the country of residency with some restrictions on right of re-entry. Certain restrictions placed on welfare entitlement and liberties in accordance with migrant policy. Right to expel in accordance with due process determined by a state forum (a court, an authority as a forum or an elected representative given special powers)
Visitors and holders of work permits/visa and student visas: The discretion of the state to apply whatever impositions or restrictions it believes reasonable at any one time. Residence only to reside whilst engaged in work or study. Right of re-entry not guaranteed.
Yes Greywarshark, we need to nuture and keep friends and family close.
On the 25th I will be paying close attention to the speech from the throne.
Those who want revolution are always fermenting. Those who do not believe in community keep chipping away, using "freedom" as an angle.
I too have decided to only come here once a day, and to realise how well our country is doing during the fall out of a pandemic, to not be undermined by those with an agenda.
lol you bloody fool, drmumdough, what makes your views any more important than anyone elses views?. I was replying to Greywarshark at 3. So keep your sobs.. see below.
Solka It is the PM's Speech on 25th Nov lol. Delivered from the "throne" by the Governor General, laying out the Government's direction.
There seems to be a concerted effort to shut some people down, now let me consider why that would be? Sensitive spots prodded perhaps? If not what? Bully?
Agreed. I have been brought to tears reading your comment and that of Greywarshark's. My sides feel bruised with such emotion I would not describe here.
I've been observing this website for quite some time now, quietly. What an inspiration so many of you must be to so many.
Greywarshark touches a note in all of us, I am sure.
Remember the good old days when Aotearoa folk all had equal values and our strengths lay in following the direction of of our leaders and those respected, to the letter of the law, Patricia? What the hell has happened to us?
Remember when our dollar was stronger than the US dollar?
Remember when we had pride in relation to our national sports? Rugby, racing and beer culture was admired by so many globally. It gave us both identity and mana.
Well, at least they can't take that away from us.
If they try, Patricia, we shall fight them on the beaches, and we shall never surrender.
Onward Kiwi, onward!
Surely Kiwis have an almost god given right to consumerism, travel, comfort and outright expression of our beliefs in return for the toil and slog of our forefathers and foremothers and the work chipped in by Kiwis as mothers, grandmothers and employees.
Let's all say that we will keep the Kiwi belief, morale and spirit strong. And chin up! There is light at the end (of the tunnel).
If all else fails, and we all find ourselves in the gutter, at least we can be sure that we will have the fortitude to keep our heads held high and to keep looking to the stars (or matariki) for our future guidance and for confirmation of our direction.
…to realise how well our country is doing during the fall out of a pandemic, to not be undermined by those with an agenda.
Hmmm….pity about the homeless, eh? And the skyrocketing house prices? And I bet those who have been on the bones of their arses for years trying to live with chronic illness or disability on the pathetic pittance successive governments dole out have gotten over the generous (comparatively) handouts given to those found jobless because of Te Virus.
Shall we mention the obscene corporate welfare Jacinda and Grant ( I bet the Business Roundtable thinks the sun shines out their…) have handed out with all the kindness they can muster.
No Winston to blame anymore for the paucity of kindness to those the WEAG advised an immediate increase in income…but I guess we'll hear more excuses on the 25th.
Fermenting? Revolution? You're damn right.
Those who do not believe in community keep chipping away, using "freedom" as an angle.
If you mean what I think you mean…then a reality check is in order.
But I guess the 'community' in the Middle are all good.
Don't deliberately put meanings that are not there please Rosemary. That felt personal.
We are not "in the middle" of the wealth spectrum, and we have a disability to contend with and cancer. Not everyone wants a revolution, and some of us worry about the group wanting extra people brought in, trying to make the Government out to be fascist when they are protecting us.
I'm not sure what reality check you are talking of. Believe me with my polio causing my old age to be fraught a two stage op coming for cancer for my hubby and a son in Australia with an inherited bowel cancer, our lives are not a bed roses.
I am just as concerned about the struggles some are having.
Protesting is fine, if you thought I was objecting to that. I will leave it there.
If there was a hint of "personal" Patricia it is because I do remember you and your family have these issues…just as many of us have…and I genuinely would like to know how you maintain your loyalty to the Labour Party and your admiration of Ardern when clearly they have absolutely no intention of doing what needs to be done to address the rampant inequalities some seem to have accepted as being normal.
Ardern is a great figurehead, and when on familiar ground an impressive communicator…but is she truly genuine in her 'kindness".
I don't think so. Because she has joined Leaders Previous in choosing to continue to do nothing to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
Is NZ an independant Nation, it seems no, when we are still held under the rusty chains of Imperilism past, give 5 eyes the arse. A cold war directive from the military alliance of thugs bent on imposing their will on others. It's about time we had a referendem on whether we want to be part of 5 eyes and therefore subserviant to war monger Nations like the US and UK.
If this is a new era of kindness, then we should have a say on this 5 eyes Hate pact.
I see Tauranga mayor's resigned and calling for govt intervention.
Great opportunity to throw the bally lot of them out on their arses as a disgrace and warning to the public about voting in such egotistical blowhards.
New filings claim there was a Plan B the militiamen had drawn up, that involved a takeover of the Michigan capitol building by 200 combatants who would stage a week-long series of televised executions of public officials.
And, according to government documents now on file in lower Michigan court, there was also a Plan C — burning down the state house, leaving no survivors.
[…]
Despite the violent nature of the charges, including an alleged plan to hold a mock treason trial for the governor of Michigan once she was kidnapped, several of the defendants have had bond reductions and are now free.
The world is pinning it's hopes on our Little nation. We can be the mouse that ROARED!!!
Never, ever say "NO" to Don't Return Monday, dough$$$. National mummy dough is everywhere.
The social security state has such huge potential in relation to wellbeing.
We will teach the world what we can really achieve, embracing and adopting an outright socialist economy funded by off-shore backers as stake holders.
The economy is just one big crap table, and we will emerge victorious. As punters, you just need courage and confidence.
We breed winners. Just take a look at our sports heroes and (heroines).
Let's show the world that our glasses (and cups) runneth over with welbeing and welfare enterprise that will firmly place the entire nation on the Right Track to prosperity, wealth and happiness.
Not when off-shore backers own the socialist state and the sovereignty clinging to it. This is the state of the nation (not that I'm on any white horse complaining about it or attempting to dismantle it).
Socialist state concept, applied as proof of concept, but where the entire stage is quietly owned, lock stock and barrel by off-shore interests.
A comment on the video " I find it hilarious and ironic that US Progressives that tout "The Swedish Model" don't know any more about Sweden's actual economic workings and government structure than they know about how our system is supposed to work. They're touting a model that Sweden has tried AND REJECTED. "
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
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Bryce Edwards writes – It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played.“Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I- Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
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Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
Buzz from the BeehiveThe text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary. It can be quickly analysed ...
For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
Questions need to be asked on both sides of the worldPeter Williams writes – The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read:Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop:The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
TL;DR:Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
Bob Edlin writes – The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
The Government has accepted Labour’s change to the Road User Charge (RUC) discount for hybrid vehicles, meaning there will still be some incentive for people to buy greener vehicles. ...
Kicking the most vulnerable people out of state housing and pushing them towards homelessness will result in a proliferation of poverty and trauma across our most vulnerable communities. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader and MP for Waiariki, Rawiri Waititi has penned a letter asking MPs to support his members bill to remove GST from all food. The bill is expected to go through its first reading in parliament this Wednesday. “I’m calling on all political parties to support my ...
This year is about getting real with Kiwis and discussing the tough issues, as the National Government exacerbates inequality and divides New Zealand, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said ...
The Government adding Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) to its already roaring environmental policy bonfire is an assault on the future of wildlife that makes Aotearoa unique. ...
After 12 years of fighting to protect our moana we are finding ourselves back at square one and back at court. Today, the Environmental Protection Agency is sitting in Hawera to reconsider an application from Trans-Tasman Resources to dig up 50 million tonnes of the seabed in South Taranaki. This ...
Minister Shane Jones’ decision to step away from a seabed mining project is evidence of the murky waters surrounding the Government’s fast-track legislation. ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last government in a bid to get greater coherence in the publicservice on Treaty matters. When ministers first considered the need for tighter oversight in 2021, there ...
The Coalition Government’s miscalculation saga continues as it has forgotten an eyewatering $90 million gap in its interest deductibility cost figures, say Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds and Revenue Spokesperson Deborah Russell. ...
He Pou a Rangi Climate Change Commission has today released advice that says if the Government doesn’t act now New Zealand is at risk of not meeting its climate goals. ...
The Coalition Government has today confirmed it is abandoning first home buyers who are struggling to get ahead, says Labour Finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds. ...
The New Zealand public voted for a change in direction at the 2023 general election and that is exactly what this coalition government has been delivering in its first 100 days. There was an immediate focus on the economy, easing the cost of living, cracking down on law and order ...
The Government has left the health system as an afterthought, announcing half-baked targets at the last minute of their 100-day plan, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
Kiwis are still waiting for their promised cost of living support after 100 days of a National Government that is taking us backwards, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
100 days of National taking NZ backwardsThe National Government has spent its first 100 days stopping, cutting and reversing. They have scrapped stuff for stuff for the sake of it, without putting up any solutions of their own – and it’s hardworking New Zealanders who will pay for it. ...
The Government must commit to funding free and healthy school lunches, as thousands of people sign the petition to keep them, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti says. ...
If the Government was serious about moving families into public housing, they would build more houses so there is actually somewhere for people to go. ...
The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said. ...
The great Victorian era English politician Lord Macauley stood in the British House of Parliament and said, "The gallery in which the reporters sit has become a fourth estate of the realm".He understood and outlined even way back then, the significant role and influence media have in a democracy. ...
"The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April. ...
Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand. Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships. “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland Acknowledgements and opening Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says. “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024 Acknowledgements and opening Morena, Nga Mihi Nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country. “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week. “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee. “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today. “The Amendment Paper represents ...
Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level. “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024. “Lower fruit and vege ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all. Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction. Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness. It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology. It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
Pacific Media Watch Earthwise hosts Lois and Martin Griffiths. Earthwise presenters Lois and Martin Griffiths on Plains FM 96.9 community radio talk to Dr David Robie, a New Zealand author, independent journalist and media educator with a passion for the Asia-Pacific region. David talks about the struggle to raise awareness ...
Pacific Media Watch Ismail al-Ghoul, an Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent who was held for 12 hours at Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, says Israeli forces rounded up Palestinian journalists at the facility and made them kneel on the ground for hours, while naked and blindfolded. “The occupation forces handcuffed and blindfolded us ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan Institute chinasong, Shutterstock Electricity customers in four Australian states can breathe a sigh of relief. After two years in a row of 20% price increases, power prices have finally stabilised. In many places they’re ...
Chumbawamba have reportedly issued the deputy PM a cease-and-desist notice after he used their song 'Tubthumping' before his state of the nation speech. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deborah Lupton, SHARP Professor, Vitalities Lab, Centre for Social Research in Health and Social Policy Centre, and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, UNSW Sydney kitzcorner/Shutterstock The assertion from Queensland’s chief health officer John Gerrard that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Martin, Visiting Fellow, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University Shutterstock Why are musicians so keen to get played on the radio? It can’t be because of the money. In Australia they are paid at rates so low they ...
"Farmers make a point not to tell our urban cousins how to live, yet Chlöe from central Auckland is hell-bent on having her say about farmers," says ACT Rural Communities spokesman Mark Cameron. “On her first day in the House as Green ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards – Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Curran, Associate Professor of Ecology, Lincoln University, New Zealand Getty Images/Gerald Corsi In the latest move to reform environmental laws in New Zealand, the coalition government has introduced a bill to fast-track consenting processes for projects deemed to ...
Uber has argued it does not have as much control over drivers as the unions suggest, and wants a judgment ruling that drivers are employees and not contractors set aside and sent back to the Employment Court. The 2022 ruling followed a three-week hearing in which four drivers sought to ...
What can and can’t be purchased by disabled people or their carers has been slashed in an effort by the Ministry of Disabled People Whaikaha to save money. The purchasing guidelines, a set of rules that sets out what can be purchased using the various streams of Government disability funding, ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Tod Wright and Hien Nguyen, Fiscal incidence in New Zealand: The effects of taxes and benefits on household incomes in tax year 2018/19 . Analyses of the distributional impact of taxation and government ...
The Treasury has published today a new Analytical Note by Cory Davis, Boston Hart and Benjamin Stubbing, Household cost-of-living impacts from the Emissions Trading Scheme and using transfers to mitigate regressive outcomes . This Analytical Note ...
A coalition of public transport and climate organisations, united as ‘Transport for All’, is actively opposing the government’s transport proposals. The draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) includes plans for higher fares for public transport, ...
Greater Wellington is inviting feedback on proposed changes to its Revenue and Financing Policy. The Revenue and Financing Policy covers the Council’s various sources of funding, and how the cost of services is shared across the region. This includes ...
Labour has conceded it could have done more to deal with disruptive state housing tenants while in government but says the current coalition is going too far. ...
The band has asked their record label to issue a cease and desist to stop the NZ First leader using their 1997 hit to support his ‘misguided political views’. “I get knocked down, but I get up again,” blared through the speakers on Sunday as Winston Peters took the stage ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Food rationing is underway in remote areas in Papua New Guinea’s Highlands following torrential rain and flash flooding. More than 20 people have been reported dead in Chimbu Province. In nearby Enga Province, the centre of last month’s massacre, a 15-year-old boy has been ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Hughes, Lecturer, Research School of Management, Australian National University After months of debate and intrigue, the AFL’s 19th and newest team, the Tasmania Devils, finally launched its jumper, logo and colours in Devonport this week. The Devils will wear green, ...
Brannavan Gnanalingam reviews the debut novel by Saraid de Silva.One of the most baffling things for children who move to a new country is what their parents’ (or grandparents’) lives were like prior to moving – for kids in particular, they’re too busy trying to fit in in their ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Gaunson, Associate Professor in Cinema Studies, RMIT University Narelle Portanier/Binge “If you don’t know who your mob are, you don’t know who you are,” Detective Andrea “Andie” Whitford (played by Leah Purcell) is told early into the new crime ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elise Klein, Associate professor, Australian National University It’s commonly accepted that women do the vast majority of caregiving in Australian society. But less appreciated is that Indigenous women do larger amounts of unpaid care than any other group. Working with the Aboriginal ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Joe Biden and Donald Trump have both secured their parties’ nominations for the November 5 United States general election by winning a ...
Comment: There has been a striking contrast in trans-Tasman interest about Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi’s visit to New Zealand and Australia. While the Australian press has been full of articles about the visit – including his curious decision to meet with former prime minister and China booster Paul Keating ...
After years of pressuring banks and other institutions to stop investing in fossil fuels, climate campaigners are making some progress. So how does divestment work?For years, climate activists have been pushing banks and other big institutions to divest from fossil fuels. New research from climate advocacy group 350 Aotearoa ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. The three young Polynesians are part of a K-pop fan community in Tāmaki Makaurau. It’s one of many that have sprung up worldwide as K-pop has gone ...
For Boba, Ethan and Ashley, K-pop is a place to belong, a way to express themselves, and a bridge to connect with others. This one-off documentary presents three intimate portraits of young Polynesians who are pulled into a Korean cultural phenomenon. K-POLYS is directed by Litia Tuiburelevu, Produced by Hex ...
There’s ample evidence demonstrating free school lunch programmes provide wide benefits across schools, households and communities according to public health researchers. ACT Minister David Seymour wants to reduce the spending on Aotearoa New Zealand’s ...
By Wata Shaw in Suva Fiji is facing an exodus of Fijians as many are leaving for overseas seeking employment and education and others are migrating, says Opposition MP Viliame Naupoto. Speaking in Parliament, he said: “His Excellency’s speech (Ratu Wiliame Katonivere) comes after a little over one year of ...
The Taxpayers’ Union is welcoming comments from Christopher Luxon this morning recommitting to ‘no new taxes’ as part of Budget 2024. “Mr Luxon’s refusal at the Post-Cabinet press conference yesterday to repeat the ‘no new taxes’ promise ...
SAFE is urgently calling on the Environment Committee to reject the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill, and is urging New Zealanders to rally behind the call. The proposed Bill, currently under consideration with the Environment select committee, ...
Teammates who spend all their time picking fights with spectators are only helpful for the other team, writes Madeleine Chapman. Anyone who has ever played a team sport competitively, particularly as a child and particularly, for some reason, basketball, will know that there’s a lot of politics involved. While there ...
The long-running Wellington music festival is too focused on the Jim Beam-ness and not enough on the Homegrown-ness.There is something about Homegrown that’s difficult to place. A barely perceptible-ness. Like feeling a ghost is watching you from the corner of the room but when you look, there’s nothing there. ...
The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that fewer New Zealanders believe crime / law and order is one of the top issues facing our country. In 2018, Ipsos New Zealand started tracking the key issues facing New Zealand. In this wave ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kate Griffiths, Deputy Program Director, Budgets and Government, Grattan Institute Australia’s political donations rules are woefully inadequate, but donations reform is finally on the agenda. The federal government has signalled its interest in reform and will soon begin briefing MPs on its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Patrick Taylor, Chief Environmental Scientist, EPA Victoria; Honorary Professor, School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University Naiyana Somchitkaeo/Shutterstock A recent study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine has linked microplastics with risk to human health. The study ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Albert Van Dijk, Professor, Water and Landscape Dynamics, Fenner School of Environment & Society, Australian National University Global climate records were shattered in 2023, from air and sea temperatures to sea-level rise and sea-ice extent. Scores of countries recorded their hottest year ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a teacher explains why he and his partner are in frugal mode – and how they’re making it work. Gender: Male Age: 35Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: I am an intermediate school teacher and my partner is ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Bendall, Senior Lecturer, Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences, Australian Catholic University Binge Mary & George, the new British television drama series, depicts the real-life story of Mary Villiers and her son George, and their social climbing at the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jason Nassios, Associate Professor, Centre of Policy Studies, Victoria University This article is part of The Conversation’s series examining the housing crisis. Read the other articles in the series here. Australian state and federal governments spend money in many ways to ...
The finance minister is denying that there’s a $5.6b shortfall in paying for the government’s campaign promises, including tax cuts. At his post-cabinet press conference yesterday, the PM refused to rule out new taxes to pay for the cuts, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s ...
Kāinga Ora tenants abused by their neighbours are doubting the government's crackdown on disruptive tenants will make a difference on their behaviour. ...
Kāinga Ora is New Zealand’s biggest residential landlord, housing more than 180,000 vulnerable people in more than 67,000 properties. Yesterday the government announced a crackdown on its tenants who fall behind on rent. One longtime Kāinga Ora tenant shares her experience.For 18 years I lived in a 1960s standalone ...
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Sadly, one of the first international outings of the Foreign Minister is to yap in unison with the other five-eyes. Pity it was in response to the call of the US who demonstrably had a regime-change hand in escalating the Hong Kong problem. Ironically, even now Hong Kong is probably less repressed than when under British rule.
Meanwhile, back in Israel, the abrogation of human rights show goes on without even a whimper from the new minister.
"…even now Hong Kong is probably less repressed than when under British rule." A comment that probably sounds better in the original Mandarin.
Agreed but its pretty weird to field criticism of Chinese governance practices when the US part of 5Eyes is having its intelligence and defence governance decapitated and its democratic processes after a clear election win actively undermined by a sitting President and his party.
Looks like we are witnessing the imagined moral authority of the US becoming unimaginable. God knows what happens next – Yeats nailed it: "things thought too long can be no longer thought"
It's the moral superiority of all the Five Eyes participants over Chinese rule in Hong Kong that is being claimed by their judgement. And that includes us.
Perfectly reasonable.
Well one would assume the foreign minister to yap as instructed by the Prime Minister, after all the foreign minister serves at the pleasure of the Prime Minister.
There fixed it for you, it is the Labour Government that is yapping in unison with the other five eyes.
Hong Kong now, Taiwan next. Look at the bigger picture; geo-politics is never reductionist, least of all when PRC is involved and they play a long game.
Listen to Rudy Giuliani's latest claims in court:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018773622/donald-trump-s-lawyers-continue-to-fight-election-loss
starting 1:40 mins in.
The latest conspiracy is that George Soros, Joe Biden, the Clinton Foundation, Antifa and the Venezuela government have banded together to steal Donald Trump's landslide election victory.
Time for the Federal authorities including the FBI to intervene.
Do Federal authorities including the FBI generally intervene with a staff of people in white coats?
I was referring to the fact, as emphasized towards the end of the item (which I suspect you hadn't listened to) that what Rudy Giuliani is doing is now getting dangerous… and imo bordering on the criminal.
He will represent Trump until he isn't paid.
Yes. But the level of the rhetoric – be it in a court room or elsewhere – is an incitement to violence on a very large scale. It is extremely dangerous and could be only a matter of time before it reaches civil war status.
Any mention of satanic pedophiles and pizza?
Sounds like it was quite the performance.
https://twitter.com/Libertea2012/status/1329496925033283585
Team tRump pulled the campaign’s YT feed…
https://twitter.com/owillis/status/1329492698680619008?
I saw a similar shot on twitter and thought it was a cheap and childish photoshop. Then I discovered it was an actual photo of a manchild with cheap dye.
More reaction …
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/11/19/1996967/-The-Rudy-Giuliani-Meltdown-and-Epic-CT-BS
Acme election lawyer.
Many say that the federal authorities appear to spend a large amount of their time these days "intervening" (or perhaps more specifically, interfering) in or with Washington politics.
Perhaps they should stick to and with their days jobs.
They could put their best feet forward again if or when Senator Ally Mayfair-Richards ever gets elected as POTUS. That woman really needs to be watched!
No pizzas and pedophile action needed by them, unless they can come up with a storyline that would implicate Giuliani as being an Epstein which if they did, would be sure to make hundreds of millions for various media outlets by way of advertising revenues and subscriptions.
Hollywood producers should be both ashamed and embarrassed that they have allowed themselves to be upstaged by Virginians at the seat of federal government these last couple of years. They have a lot of catching up to do, but I feel certain that they can do it.
Since that is the only part your comment that makes any sense, I will respond.
I damn well hope they are intervening because the current occupants of the White House suggest it has been transformed into a shelter for brain damaged and deluded specimens together with a healthy dollop of thugs and crooks.
All of my posts (including the one you refer to) will always make absolute sense, once you understand the concept.
In corporate it is dog eat dog, and in politics it is the reverse.
That aside, current Whitehouse tenants…
Yeh, probably true about gettin' some agency to give eviction notices to some of them, but not the Bureau (FBI). Don't throw the babies out with the bathwater.
Sure, the Whitehouse was long overdue for a tenant makeover in any case, but “the brain damaged and deluded specimens together with a healthy dollop of thugs and crooks” you refer to are what give it character and identity. This has been so for many decades.
The Bureau aren't employed as housecleaners, so it's not their role to "intervene" in anything. They should move on or take a vacation.
Why do idiots attach Dr to the front of their name as if it isn't obvious they're frauds.
NZ governance and policies and actions are much better than what is happening in the USA. But comparing ourselves to that country is setting the bar far too low. But we could be headed down to their level if we continue on our present path.
I am disheartened by the lack of government attention to pressing problems for people (ppp) – a small letter acronym that is shadowed by PPP which means Business and Profit for some. And further many of the comments here can be sorted into complaints about lack of services to the vulnerable and needy, or fascination at looking objectively at our and other countries' procedures which trend towards decline, or else a love of technology and the engineering possibilities involved in attempting upward movement for our enterprises. Concerning the matter of treating fairly the non-citizens overseas who we have encouraged or allowed to come here and make this their home yesterday, I found that my belief in fairness to others was regarded as wrong; they are not New Zealanders, we don't owe them anything. This is the line that Australians have taken to most NZs, and made it harder for us to achieve citizenship than those from other countries. And this practice of discarding people, like a television reality show, is happening in our own country to fellow NZs.
I didn't expect to find such barren, draconian views appearing on this site from regular commenters. So it's time for me to take a break, getting on with many jobs and preparing for Christmas which I will spend with family. We have kept our ties alive sharing thoughts and friendship which families, where love and concern are the norm, nurture and spread. I wish all a happy Christmas getting together with those you enjoy, and spending just a bit of time with the rellies that are a pain! And for those without family and with friends who are distant, a suggestion is to join in some community dinner, happening which will warm the heart a bit.
My thinking just now is about the concern amongst some for the holistic view which binds in both environment, animals and other living things and people into a sustainable, practical, satisfying and reasonably harmonious whole. That is surely a summary of the vision of those with goodwill to all. It seems to me that a new movement needs to start, arising from the experienced and thoughtful, not just from the young and edgy and disenchanted. It needs to aim at thoughtfulness, action and mix in some 'enchantment' as well, to draw in the young and encourage their hope and creativity.
Perhaps we who think the above idea has merit can think of this over Christmas, Work out a form for it, principles for it etc. It could be called something catchy and humourous like Dad's Army, but to include women in the title. I can't think of a suitable name that has the same ring as Dad's Army, the doughty bunch that came forward to help run the country so the young ones could go away to the blood-letting war. I'd like a male word at the start, because too often it is women who come forward to community work, and the men less involved. We need to stir those who have skills and care about the quality of life here being inclusive. Perhaps bright minds here will come forward. Perhaps not. Ka kite ano. Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia
The objection to Australia ejecting New Zealanders is in the cases where those people moved to Australia as children and grew up in Australia. They are effectively Australian. The graduates you talk about have only lived here for a few years of their adult lives. You make a false equivalence.
Also, the NZ gummint has not said that those people will never be allowed to return.
Those graduates are not being denied re-entry because Business and profit for some but rather to protect the lives of New Zealanders.
Concerning the matter of treating fairly the non-citizens overseas who we have encouraged or allowed to come here and make this their home yesterday, I found that my belief in fairness to others was regarded as wrong; they are not New Zealanders, we don't owe them anything.
Yes. And like you I find these emerging isolationist, bordering on xenophobic attitudes both discouraging and a little disturbing. Yet in a time of disease it is perhaps an understandable, desirable even from an evolutionary perspective, trait to come to the fore.
Something so deeply wired into our psychology is not easily muted.
What bullshit. States have a moral and legal obligation to put their citizens first in such times, that is all.
Though it would be hard to identify it in pre-Covid policy, states have a legal and moral obligation to put their citizens first at all times. Some starry-eyed globalists merely found it expedient to forget.
That steps right over the line into xenophobia territory.
It is possible to put citizens first, while treating others reasonably, and it's how NZ has behaved for most of it's existence.
how NZ has behaved for most of it's existence.
Not very good with history then. Try poll tax and dawn raids.
What do you think that small word 'most' was in that sentence for?
I have just given two examples. Grow a life.
So on balance would you say than NZ treats visitors and migrants better or worse than most other nations?
It seems to depend largely on where those migrants come from.
Actually NZ lost the plot in the eighties, and started treating our own people like shit. Try that migrant entitlement line in China, or Korea, or Saudi or India, or Russia, and see how far it gets you.
It's not xenophobia at all – mass low-wage immigration is massively irresponsible, and goes right to the heart of the burgeoning inequality we have "enjoyed" since that time.
If we are going to treat others reasonably, the first decent step would be to go after the crooks who marketed third tier degrees in NZ as a stepping stone to citizenship, which legally they were not.
We have immigration rules for a reason – to protect our most vulnerable so that they don't find themselves homeless or jobless. Successive governments really fell down on that job – blowing all their progressive credibility in one go by supporting slave worker arrangements.
I must have made a mistake. What was it that I wrote that gave you the idea I was advocating an open borders policy?
When you called me a xenophobe for wanting our existing rules enforced?
Not to chip at you though – many of the cruelties of our system are unintentional and fixable. A few ads in India might not go astray – something like: “Thinking of doing a dodgy degree in NZ as a path to citizenship? – Forget it – those scams have been closed down.”
The Pacific is the logical area for us to show some moral responsibility – and the populations are small enough not to automatically swamp NZ. The Philippines or India are a bit big for us to help that way.
Rich states like ours should go out of their way to help the poor states that surround us.
That too is their moral obligation.
Yes i think we have a moral obligation towards pacific states though in most cases not a legal one. We weren't talking about obligations to states though but rather people who had been studying here and had a work visa. The article that grey linked to was about Indian nationals specifically.
My comment above did not mention the green thinking that happens on this blog, which is a paramount boon to New Zealand and our awareness of what is happening, needs to happen everywhere, and how to get there before the natural forces get completely out of balance.
General rules of thumb nearly everywhere (and prior to Covid-19 events);
Citizenship: Absolute right of entry to country of citizenship, equal liberties and equal recognition under law even when the laws of that "state" allow for and promote various forms of discrimination.
Dual citizenship: Similar, but where certain provisions exist whereby a country (as "the state") could expel or exile a citizen to the alternative nation of citizenship under exceptional circumstances.
Permanent Residence: Few privileges other than the right to indefinitely reside and the right to work, study and travel freely within borders and travel to and from the country of residency with some restrictions on right of re-entry. Certain restrictions placed on welfare entitlement and liberties in accordance with migrant policy. Right to expel in accordance with due process determined by a state forum (a court, an authority as a forum or an elected representative given special powers)
Visitors and holders of work permits/visa and student visas: The discretion of the state to apply whatever impositions or restrictions it believes reasonable at any one time. Residence only to reside whilst engaged in work or study. Right of re-entry not guaranteed.
Are you an algorithm..?
Yes Greywarshark, we need to nuture and keep friends and family close.
On the 25th I will be paying close attention to the speech from the throne.
Those who want revolution are always fermenting. Those who do not believe in community keep chipping away, using "freedom" as an angle.
I too have decided to only come here once a day, and to realise how well our country is doing during the fall out of a pandemic, to not be undermined by those with an agenda.
All the best to you and yours.
Are you related to or a good friend of the queen? Or are you talking about your partner's complaints of indigestion after xmas lunch?
lol you bloody fool, drmumdough, what makes your views any more important than anyone elses views?. I was replying to Greywarshark at 3. So keep your sobs.. see below.
Solka It is the PM's Speech on 25th Nov lol. Delivered from the "throne" by the Governor General, laying out the Government's direction.
There seems to be a concerted effort to shut some people down, now let me consider why that would be? Sensitive spots prodded perhaps? If not what? Bully?
SOB!
(Sobbing Out Loud).
Agreed. I have been brought to tears reading your comment and that of Greywarshark's. My sides feel bruised with such emotion I would not describe here.
I've been observing this website for quite some time now, quietly. What an inspiration so many of you must be to so many.
Greywarshark touches a note in all of us, I am sure.
Remember the good old days when Aotearoa folk all had equal values and our strengths lay in following the direction of of our leaders and those respected, to the letter of the law, Patricia? What the hell has happened to us?
Remember when our dollar was stronger than the US dollar?
Remember when we had pride in relation to our national sports? Rugby, racing and beer culture was admired by so many globally. It gave us both identity and mana.
Well, at least they can't take that away from us.
If they try, Patricia, we shall fight them on the beaches, and we shall never surrender.
Onward Kiwi, onward!
Surely Kiwis have an almost god given right to consumerism, travel, comfort and outright expression of our beliefs in return for the toil and slog of our forefathers and foremothers and the work chipped in by Kiwis as mothers, grandmothers and employees.
Let's all say that we will keep the Kiwi belief, morale and spirit strong. And chin up! There is light at the end (of the tunnel).
If all else fails, and we all find ourselves in the gutter, at least we can be sure that we will have the fortitude to keep our heads held high and to keep looking to the stars (or matariki) for our future guidance and for confirmation of our direction.
…to realise how well our country is doing during the fall out of a pandemic, to not be undermined by those with an agenda.
Hmmm….pity about the homeless, eh? And the skyrocketing house prices? And I bet those who have been on the bones of their arses for years trying to live with chronic illness or disability on the pathetic pittance successive governments dole out have gotten over the generous (comparatively) handouts given to those found jobless because of Te Virus.
Shall we mention the obscene corporate welfare Jacinda and Grant ( I bet the Business Roundtable thinks the sun shines out their…) have handed out with all the kindness they can muster.
No Winston to blame anymore for the paucity of kindness to those the WEAG advised an immediate increase in income…but I guess we'll hear more excuses on the 25th.
Fermenting? Revolution? You're damn right.
Those who do not believe in community keep chipping away, using "freedom" as an angle.
If you mean what I think you mean…then a reality check is in order.
But I guess the 'community' in the Middle are all good.
Don't deliberately put meanings that are not there please Rosemary. That felt personal.
We are not "in the middle" of the wealth spectrum, and we have a disability to contend with and cancer. Not everyone wants a revolution, and some of us worry about the group wanting extra people brought in, trying to make the Government out to be fascist when they are protecting us.
I'm not sure what reality check you are talking of. Believe me with my polio causing my old age to be fraught a two stage op coming for cancer for my hubby and a son in Australia with an inherited bowel cancer, our lives are not a bed roses.
I am just as concerned about the struggles some are having.
Protesting is fine, if you thought I was objecting to that. I will leave it there.
If there was a hint of "personal" Patricia it is because I do remember you and your family have these issues…just as many of us have…and I genuinely would like to know how you maintain your loyalty to the Labour Party and your admiration of Ardern when clearly they have absolutely no intention of doing what needs to be done to address the rampant inequalities some seem to have accepted as being normal.
Ardern is a great figurehead, and when on familiar ground an impressive communicator…but is she truly genuine in her 'kindness".
I don't think so. Because she has joined Leaders Previous in choosing to continue to do nothing to improve the lives of the most vulnerable.
Is NZ an independant Nation, it seems no, when we are still held under the rusty chains of Imperilism past, give 5 eyes the arse. A cold war directive from the military alliance of thugs bent on imposing their will on others. It's about time we had a referendem on whether we want to be part of 5 eyes and therefore subserviant to war monger Nations like the US and UK.
If this is a new era of kindness, then we should have a say on this 5 eyes Hate pact.
I see Tauranga mayor's resigned and calling for govt intervention.
Great opportunity to throw the bally lot of them out on their arses as a disgrace and warning to the public about voting in such egotistical blowhards.
'Murican ISIS.
CHICAGO (WLS) — There is new and disturbing information in the alleged militia plot against the governor of Michigan.
The 14 men charged had far more violent plans than just a kidnapping, according to federal and state authorities.
RELATED: 13 charged in plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer: FBI
New filings claim there was a Plan B the militiamen had drawn up, that involved a takeover of the Michigan capitol building by 200 combatants who would stage a week-long series of televised executions of public officials.
And, according to government documents now on file in lower Michigan court, there was also a Plan C — burning down the state house, leaving no survivors.
[…]
Despite the violent nature of the charges, including an alleged plan to hold a mock treason trial for the governor of Michigan once she was kidnapped, several of the defendants have had bond reductions and are now free.
https://abc7chicago.com/michigan-governor-gretchen-whitmer-kidnapping-plot-militia/8079861/
RISE TO YOUR FEET KIWI ! (NOW IS THE HOUR).
The world is pinning it's hopes on our Little nation. We can be the mouse that ROARED!!!
Never, ever say "NO" to Don't Return Monday, dough$$$. National mummy dough is everywhere.
The social security state has such huge potential in relation to wellbeing.
We will teach the world what we can really achieve, embracing and adopting an outright socialist economy funded by off-shore backers as stake holders.
The economy is just one big crap table, and we will emerge victorious. As punters, you just need courage and confidence.
We breed winners. Just take a look at our sports heroes and (heroines).
Let's show the world that our glasses (and cups) runneth over with welbeing and welfare enterprise that will firmly place the entire nation on the Right Track to prosperity, wealth and happiness.
"adopting an outright socialist economy funded by off-shore backers as stake holders."
That's a contradiction if I ever saw one.
Not a contradiction at all. No, no, no, no, no.
Not when off-shore backers own the socialist state and the sovereignty clinging to it. This is the state of the nation (not that I'm on any white horse complaining about it or attempting to dismantle it).
Socialist state concept, applied as proof of concept, but where the entire stage is quietly owned, lock stock and barrel by off-shore interests.
Quite funny when you wake up to it, really.
A blithering idiot. Worth a warning for me to warn others off. TROLL. Word salad wrapped as wisdom. A lightweight twat.
It seems like so many people hold up Sweden as and example of democratic socialism.
So much so that videos were made to show it wasn't
Short version…(1minute 29 sec ).
Longer version
A comment on the video " I find it hilarious and ironic that US Progressives that tout "The Swedish Model" don't know any more about Sweden's actual economic workings and government structure than they know about how our system is supposed to work. They're touting a model that Sweden has tried AND REJECTED. "
Has the van thing been officially upgraded yet ..?…to our latest moral-panic..?…it must be getting close..
Moar Public Toilets!