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.
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Chris Trotter writes – New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy.Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Genterwocky After a hard days marching, Sir Doocey calls in at the Village Tavern For a pint of ale and a pork pie. The grim villagers stare at him. “Do not be travelling on the forest road,” warns a crusty old beak. “And why is that, antique peasant?” Grins Sir ...
Political conferences after a party returns to power are usually a chance for some healthy, even unhealthy backslapping. Yet National Party president Sylvia Wood’s address to its mainland representatives on Saturday hardly contained the unalloyed delight that one might have expected following National’s escape from the wilderness of opposition. Yes, ...
Comment: Almost half the world is voting in national elections this year and artificial intelligence is the elephant in the room. There are genuine fears AI-generated or AI-edited deepfakes will potentially manipulate election outcomes not just in the US and UK, but critically in countries such as India. For that ...
Ahead of the reality franchise’s return to New Zealand, allow us to introduce the eight brides and grooms. Chuck on a veil and tie back your man bun, because it’s time to say “I do” to a new season of Married at First Sight NZ. The reality TV “social experiment” ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor in the Practice of Higher Education Policy, Australian National University Every year on June 1, student debt in Australia is indexed to inflation. In 2023, high inflation pushed the indexation rate to 7.1%, the highest since 1990. This ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Changes in the May 14 budget will cut the student debt of more than three million people, wiping more than $3 billion from what people owe. The government will cap the HELP indexation rate ...
Asia Pacific Report The prosecutor’s office at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has appealed for an end to what it calls intimidation of its staff, saying such threats could constitute an offence against the “administration of justice” by the world’s permanent war crimes court. The Hague-based office of ICC Prosecutor ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk A women’s union in New Caledonia has staged a sit-in protest this week to support senior Kanak indigenous journalist Thérèse Waia, who works for public broadcaster Nouvelle-Calédonie la Première, after a smear attack by critics. The peaceful demonstration was held on ...
New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring overseas recalls of Indian packaged spice products manufactured by MDH and Everest due to concerns over a cancer-causing pesticide. ...
By Stephen Wright and Stefan Armbruster of BenarNews Fiji’s ranking in a global press freedom index has jumped into the top tier of countries with free or mostly free media after its government last year repealed a draconian law that threatened journalists with prison for doing their jobs. Fiji’s improvement ...
We might be in Invercargill but all anyone can talk about is Gore. Specifically, Salford Street. That’s where three-year-old Lachlan Jones lived, south of the centre of town, between the A&P Showgrounds and the Mataura River. Roughly 1.2 km away from the single level home he lived in with his ...
MONDAY I lined up the latest round of civil servants from city hall against the wall, and signalled for the firing squad to drop their rifles. I stepped up onto a wooden crate to look at the office workers in the eye. But that didn’t feel right, so I found ...
Keen hiker and second-year MSc student Liam Hewson wears two hats when he’s in the great outdoors. “The scientist in me appreciates nature and goes, ‘Oh, there’s that thing and there’s another thing,’ but then the tramper and the outdoorsy person in me thinks, ‘Cool bush.’” Born and bred in ...
After a long and illustrious career as a goal kicker, Dan Carter’s favourite way to unwind is… kicking goals. Why can’t he get enough of it? And what it’s like to watch him do it for an hour straight? A semicircle of people wielding cameras and phones has formed in ...
Dame Susan Devoy takes us through her life in television, including late night ER debriefs, her proudest CTI moment and the show she watches in secret. Quite aside from her four world champion squash titles, Dame Susan Devoy will likely go down in history as one of the best Celebrity ...
Hera Lindsay Bird reveals the best places in Ōtepoti to score more for your apocalypse-prep book hoard.Sometimes I get the feeling I’ve been killed in a car crash, and this second half of my life is just the brain unspooling itself, like one of those episodes of a hospital ...
ThreeNow’s new murder mystery series takes us on a dark, damp journey into the Australian wilderness.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. High Country is ThreeNow’s new Australian eight-part crime drama, set in a remote part of the Victorian highlands. It tells ...
Introducing a new way to read The Spinoff every weekend. After nearly 10 years of being an online magazine, we’re finally embracing the weekend liftout. Despite our best efforts to convince you otherwise, writers and editors at The Spinoff don’t work weekend. It is through the sheer power of technology ...
Tip one: let yourself be nurtured by this big old man. Tip two: don’t ask him to adopt you. So, you’ve arrived at your first session with a new therapist. He tells you to make yourself comfortable and you opt for the tweed armchair, hoping it makes you look like ...
I didn’t know books could open you back up; that there were books that stayed with you, where reading was like a chemical event. I knew nothing.The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.Not too long ago, I was listening to the American ...
Former Olympic swimmer James Magnussen has already started training for the Enhanced games, though says he won’t start taking performance enhancing substances until about nine months out from the competition. The Australian world champion was the first athlete to be announced by Enhanced, but he says the organisation has had ...
Everyone thinks he’s dead. Every day they expect his body to be washed up along the coast. Most likely up Karitane way, the way the tide’s running. But nobody’ll be too surprised if his body’s never found. Even in death he wouldn’t have wished for such attention. He would have ...
Council members voted 21 to 4 in favour of Ahluwalia returning to the Laucala campus following a much-awaited meeting in Vanuatu this week. It comes as USP and its two unions — the Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff (AUSPS) and the Administration and Support Staff Union ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicola Henry, Professor & Australian Research Council Future Fellow, Social and Global Studies Centre, RMIT University Shutterstock Following an emergency meeting of the National Cabinet this week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a raft of measures to tackle the problem ...
Analysis - A poll showing the opposition is more popular than the government raises questions, politicians go through their 'trial by pay rise' and a Green MP loses her cool in the debating chamber. ...
The entire stretch of Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast will be subject to a joint customary marine title for two hapū, and extending up to four miles out to sea. A High Court judge has found the two groups, who during the case settled a dispute over boundaries for ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Hall, Lecturer, Media & Cultural Studies, Edith Cowan University A longstanding feud between TikTok and Universal Music Group seems to have finally reached an end, with both parties signing a deal that will see Universal-backed music returned to the social media ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Siobhan O’Dean, Postdoctoral Research Associate, The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney After several highly publicised alleged murders of women in Australia, the Albanese government this week pledged more than A$925 million over five years ...
Political parties have now fully disclosed the donations they received last year - with National getting more than double the cash of any other party. ...
A Pacific regionalism expert has called out New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters for withholding information from the public on AUKUS military pact. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard de Grijs, Professor of Astrophysics, Macquarie University Bruno Scramgnon/Pexels All systems are “go” for tonight’s launch of China’s next step in a carefully planned lunar exploration program. Placed on top of a powerful Long March 5 rocket, the Chang’e 6 ...
National returned a massive donation the day after a Newsroom story linked the donors to a property being investigated for operating unlawfully as a migrant workers’ hostel. The party’s 2023 donation filings, released on Friday, show it returned a $200,000 donation from Buen Holdings on August 23. That was the ...
Pacific Media Watch New Zealand has slumped to an unprecedented 19th place in the annual Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index survey released today on World Press Freedom Day — May 3. This was a drop of six places from 13th last year when it slipped out of its ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joshua Black, Political Historian and Administrator Officer, Australian Historical Association, Australian National University Australia has had its fair share of public record-keeping controversies in recent years. Some have been mere farce, as in the case of two formerly government-owned filing cabinets (containing ...
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), a United Nations-affiliated organization dedicated to fostering peace through civilian-led initiatives, has issued a statement in response to the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. ...
A poem by Tessa Keenan, from AUP New Poets 10. Mātou These days we are a photograph; one of a farm strewn with cows that used to be bright harakeke or swamp. The kids point at it and say the sun sits behind a smudge (left by someone at Christmas); ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber, $25)The masterful Irish writer ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. Key facts Marriages and civil unions In ...
Marriage and civil union statistics record the number of marriages and civil unions registered in New Zealand each year, and divorce statistics record the number of divorces granted in New Zealand each year. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lennon Y.C. Chang, Associate Professor of Cyber Risk and Policy, Deakin University Taiwan stands out as a beacon of democracy, innovation and resilience in an increasingly autocratic region. But this is under growing threat. In recent years, China has used a variety ...
In this excerpt from her new memoir, Dame Susan Devoy remembers her turn as star contestant on the 2022 season of Celebrity Treasure Island. The most anxious time of every day was pre-elimination, when you knew this could be your final day on the show. I felt such contradictory emotions, ...
A week that began in triumph ended in an all-too-familiar disaster for the Green Party. Duncan Greive asks if there’s something in the mission that breaks its best and brightest. A long, strange week for the Green party began with a fantastic poll result. On one level this is hardly ...
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Vanuatu’s former prime minister and opposition MP Ishmael Kalsakau has stepped down — just two days after he confirmed he was the rightful opposition leader. Kalsakau, MP for Port Vila, confirmed to ABC’s Pacific Beat, and the Vanuatu Daily Post on Thursday that he ...
What’s to blame for the coalition’s choppy start? Six months in, and the mojo meter is in the doldrums. A new poll would put National out of power and sees its leader, Chris Luxon, sliding in popularity. How much is it about policy, how much coalition management and a perception ...
The striking report goes far beyond the proposed repeal of the Oranga Tamariki Act’s Treaty of Waitangi provision, and its impact should be felt far beyond the unique circumstances of the claim it addresses. Earlier this week, the Waitangi Tribunal released an interim report on the government’s proposed repeal of ...
The world has been experiencing a productivity slowdown, from which New Zealand has not been exempt. COVID-19 temporarily boosted labour productivity, but more recently, productivity has retreated. The overall trend since 2007 has been one of slow productivity ...
What’s more wasteful than spending $315k on syrup and machine maintenance? Trying to drum up a controversy about it.Cast your mind back to the pre-pandemic idylls of 2019. A “rat” was a disgusting rodent and not a self-administered plague test; the sixth Labour government was in power; and the ...
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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!