John Armstrong reminds me of one of our farm dogs, always looking towards their master to ensure they are pleasing them. In fact I am a couple of weeks away from getting a new huntaway pup, I will call her John Armstrong.
Armstrong has been left the most embarrassed by this saga, as by the end of yesterday most media had conceded that it was completely reasonable to not remember a minor letter that was signed 11 fucken years ago (some media then tried to change tack and suggest that they were attacking DC because of the Stuff Poll (TV3), idiots). But I reckon Armstrong will be even more biased against DC/Labour now, he will be going extra hard to try and justify his major cock up. But as DC inferred in his e-mail yesterday evening, National and their friends wont go down without a fight.
Right wingers fight dirty…which is why you need left wingers.
Phase 2 about to start – the undeclared donations! With the Banks trial, these must quickly result in charges being laid. Smart move by Key to have Solicitor General take over Banks prosecution.
Smart move by Slippery the Prime Minister???, Pfft the straw you clutch Grumpy is pretty thin,
Donations, what donations,if Slippery or anyone else in the National Party had any evidence of these donations, totaling 100’s of thousands according to the Liar in Chief that evidence would have been spewed forth into the public arena via the walking cadaver Armstrong at the Herald or through Blubber boy at ‘wail oil’ on day one of this beat up,
Have you got a shred of evidence that there were/are donations made by Liu to Labour Grumpy??? or are you one of the Liar in Chiefs quislings…
Looks like National advised Labour 5 weeks ago to lay off the Liu thing. Fair warning, very fair. Surely Labour would have taken that as a hint to do a search?
“I’ve heard the rumours and we’ll see what actually comes out but I’d be very, very amazed if the amount is $15,000,” he told New Zealand reporters.
“That’s for the Labour Party to make clear to the New Zealand public.”
…He gave himself an easy out. They were just “rumours” he will say and dismiss any line of questioning from our inept media with a snide remark or a quick change of subject.
However, I doubt New Zealand’s biased media will even follow up on further questioning about these rumours (lies) perpetuated by the Prime Minister.
Unfortunately most of our so-called journalists, particularly in the NZ Herald, appear to be entirely reliant on National party propagandists for their content…they wouldn’t know good investigative journalism if it kicked them in the arse!
Despite the MSM’s complicity in this smear campaign against David Cunliffe and Labour, it is failing. The shit is sticking to those trying to throw it.
Unfortunately most of our so-called journalists, particularly in the NZ Herald, appear to be entirely reliant on National party propagandists for their content
Agreed Felix. Claire Trevett proudly reports in the NZ Herald today:
“Mr Key was overheard quipping National had already taken out the only potential leader of the Opposition he was worried about.”
This shows that this was a smear campaign and that Key is incapable of keeping his mouth shut.The problem is that Cunliffe is still there and will roast Key in the election debates, if Key fronts that is.
To repeat my post from yesterday:
The rolling average of the last 5 Roy Morgans is Lab/Gr 41.5% Nats 47.7%
Key will take Labour out on the Super age rise issue in the TV debates.
He’ll say that the reason Cunliffe says Super can’t be afforded is that National are confident managers of the economy and Labour are not. That National has a plan for economic growth but Labour knows that their plan won’t make it. Etc.
I’m not so sure about that. The majority of older people will understand that something has to be done about super because it’s unaffordable under the current settings. However it’s a risky play, because Labour once again wants voters to look at the fine print.
The National party will look pretty stupid if they’re drawn into a debate on this issue. Apart from saying they oppose any changes, National’s only response has been and will be to try and ignore the issue. That will only work for people who rely on small sound bites and the young won’t really give a damn about this topic.
I very much doubt this election will be decided over a single issue.
I’m not so sure about that. The majority of older people will understand that something has to be done about super because it’s unaffordable under the current settings
Bullshit.
Print an extra $10M per week and put it in the Cullen fund. Solved.
If you do it that way around, you merely diminish the status of parliament. If you have policies you’d like to implement then they should be raised in the campaign.
To do otherwise diminishes the perceived trustworthiness of politicians to where National has dropped them over the last 5 years – below sex workers. There is a reason that people vote less than after Helen Clarks government spent so much effort making sure that their major policies were known before elections.
I still say that if you want to lose the election under the present economic conditions then go ahead with these policies, but don’t complain when you do. I don’t sense an overwhelming interest by the electorate in changing the status-quo so why make life harder for yourself. I agree these are important and sensitive subjects but question the timing.
Want to antagonise your potential voters? That would be the way to do it!
We will probably find out. But as I see the vote for right shrink back into a single party with a very non-transparent policy process and running so much on relationships to the media, the more that I see it not being able to function well in a world that is wired.
With the majority of people surveyed (60%) agreeing that it needs to change, I don’t think Labour’s policy is the vote loser you’re making it out to be CV.
You seem to be ignoring the fact that the cost of super has increased by around 40% since National has been in power. This increase is unique so cannot be compared to other govt. expenditure. It’s also an increase that needs more than a 1% of core revenue investment.
Taxes would need to increase by 28% by 2070 to keep paying out the pension at current levels. So where are you going to find that kind of increase CV when NZ is in so much debt? Currently sitting at around 38% of GDP, there really is no room to move there.
Where do you want to make some cuts then CV? Perhaps in education? New Zealand already spends more on pensions than it does on education, which to me seems like an incorrect balance. National is simply choosing winners and they’re currently choosing older people, mainly because they vote. The young and unemployed will inevitably pay for that economically unsustainable decision.
If you cannot borrow more without causing serious long term economic damage, you cannot increase taxes enough to cover the additional costs, you cannot cut expenditure and hope to keep other policies viable and the cost of super is projected to far outstrip any additional taxes from GDP growth NZ could ever hope for, what exactly was your plan again CV? Just materialize up a few billion dollars each year out of thin air like a fucking magician?
Of course National will change the eligibility age of super because they will have to. It’s just that John Key is currently being dishonest about it. No real surprise there. The Nats will say and do just about anything to retain power.
A gradual rise in the age of eligibility is the only fiscally responsible option and good on Labour for being honest about it.
The 60% of people that you say approve of an increase in super are right wingers and centrists.
If Labour refuses to fight for a left wing position, then they will go down in the polls. Oh look at that, they already have. Can’t keep its head above 30%-31%. And you want Labour to continue on this kamikaze course, right-o.
You seem to be ignoring the fact that the cost of super has increased by around 40% since National has been in power. This increase is unique so cannot be compared to other govt. expenditure. It’s also an increase that needs more than a 1% of core revenue investment.
? Why does it need more than an extra $650M p.a. placed into the very fast growing Cullen fund? The Cullen fund has been growing in excess of 20% per year. Super demand is growing only at 5% per year.
Taxes would need to increase by 28% by 2070 to keep paying out the pension at current levels. So where are you going to find that kind of increase CV when NZ is in so much debt? Currently sitting at around 38% of GDP, there really is no room to move there.
No, invest in the Cullen fund NOW, and let the magic of compounding interest do all that hard lifting.
Anyway what is wrong with putting new taxes on land, on capital wealth and on financial transactions? Only the wealthiest in this country would have a problem with that. Why are you protecting them?
Where do you want to make some cuts then CV? Perhaps in education? New Zealand already spends more on pensions than it does on education, which to me seems like an incorrect balance. National is simply choosing winners and they’re currently choosing older people, mainly because they vote. The young and unemployed will inevitably pay for that economically unsustainable decision.
Of course its an incorrect balance. NZ needs to be spending much MORE on education not on CUTTING back super.
The young and unemployed will inevitably pay for that economically unsustainable decision
Oh fuck off.
Now you’re simply mixing up real economics, with balancing book keeping spreadsheets and accounting entries which have NOTHING to do with “real economics”.
NZ has $130B in household deposits and a further $200B in managed funds. There is more in corporate and company accounts.
NZ also has sovereign control of the currency and it can print whatever monies required to fund the activities of the government.
Putting up the retirement age is not an economic or financial decision, it is a political one, a right wing one, and the wrong one.
Anyway what is wrong with putting new taxes on land, on capital wealth and on financial transactions? Only the wealthiest in this country would have a problem with that. Why are you protecting them?
Please don’t use your straw-man arguments on me CV. There’s nothing wrong with a capital gains tax. In fact you’ll find that many wealthy right wingers agree with this policy. However it isn’t going to cover the super increases. Neither is a percentage return from investing another $650 million per annum into the Cullen Fund. You don’t get a 100% return on investments each year dumbarse!
You claim that the govt. can simply print money to invest in the Cullen fund, cannot equate basic % and then want to talk about “real economics”. I think your argument is a bit of a joke CV, without any punch line.
Whilst I dislike Labour taking on this superannuation raising policy – and view it as something people might vote against…
There is one thing I don’t see a lot of people who are afraid of what a meal National could make of this policy mentioning:
How do National make a meal about Labour’s superannuation policy while not looking like they are ignoring everything most economic/monetary commentators are saying re ‘retirement age having to go up’? How do they make mincemeat of this policy without looking like they are not thinking ahead?
I don’t actually think they can speak out too loudly on this issue without looking like they are simply being populist without regard for the future. i.e. irresponsible.
If there are clauses in this policy (that others on this site have relayed from time to time but I haven’t read the policy – if it exists yet) that allow people who have manual jobs to retire ‘early’ with no financial penalty to the rate they are paid on superannuation then it doesn’t end up sounding like the dog of a policy it does at the outset.
If there are such clauses Labour need to ensure everyone is made well aware of them and I suggest that they start moving on raising that awareness NOW.
+100 CV…the Super age issue is crucial to Labours Vote…Labour can not afford to raise the age because it hurts their own core voters..it is suicide for Labour to raise the age
….preferably Labour should lower the age below NACTS!
…if Labour cant sort this Super age issue out , people should be encouraged to vote for other Left Parties ….rather than not vote …or worse vote for NACT!
If there is a persistent unemployment problem in society – which is going to worsen as the energy depletion curve gets steeper – then yes…make super available from 60 years of age if you agree to exit paid employment.
I’m not totally opposed to Nat Super being raised to 67 – and I believe it’s not going to happen for a few years yet. I retired last year (turned 70 this year) and didn’t really want to, but the new boss was a complete pillock so I packed my bags. I understand that there will be an option for people who are unable to work past 60/65 to be eligible for early Nat Super. I did apply for my Nat Super on turning 65 and had it taxed as secondary income. I also put a good proportion of my NS into my KiwiSaver account and it’s still earning good interest for me despite not contributing since my final salary package. I realise that I’m probably in a minority here (a core Labour voter and member), but – just saying.
So you collected your Super on time, but those in their 20s, 30’s and 40’s can simply work longer for The Man? If they can find decent work at all? Next stop will be Super @ 70 years of age.
The rolling average of the last 5 Roy Morgans is Lab/Gr 41.5% Nats 47.7%
With IMP now polling 2.5% (3 seats) it’s all on.”
Add to that:
the last Stuff poll said 43.8% want a change in govt, 8.2% undecided.
and, polled on who they would vote for, 23% said they were undecided.
The MSM will play this like last time, that National are a shoo-in, but in fact it’s going to be a close election and the left still have a opportunity to win.
It would be great to see the IMP get seven seats in a left win, although the first term would be a pretty steep learning curve for so many new MPs and for the IP in particular. Hopefully they would have learnt from previous small parties’ mistakes.
The ‘fact’ of Slippery the Prime Minister even intimating a possible ‘deal’ with Colon the Conservative would be strongly suggestive of the ‘mistake’ inherent in all of the media polls,
IF, the PM had any confidence in the accuracy of such polls He would be waving the big finger urging on the troops with the ”Govern alone” meme,
The fact that He isn’t and, as seen on TV, Murray McCully now having backed down over His ”over my cold dead body”,(an interesting thought), with regards Him standing aside in His electorate in favor of Colon the Conservative would indicate that the PM has little belief in the position of the National Party with regards to those polls,
To succeed in ‘rigging’ McCully’s seat my belief is that He will have to Not campaign as an electorate MP at all, if He does so, even with the ”nod” given in Craig’s direction the electorate is likely to still vote for McCully who has a huge following in this deepest of Blue Rinse electorates,
There is a slight chance, if Labour have the ability to ‘parachute’ into this electorate someone from the Party List with a high profile of creating a rebellion among National voters and in effect stealing it out from under Colon’s slippery little grasp,
Lanth, twas part of a news interview on the TV news, sorry unsure which channel 3 or Prime last night,
Far from the previous ”never ever” tough talk from McCully it was a ”greater minds than i decide these things”, and, ”taking one for the team” spiel from English’s bagman,
He didn’t exactly say that Slippery the Prime Minister has ”said” that the deal with Colon the Conservative is on, but, the coded insinuation was there…
Sir Tony O’Reilly the Irish tycoon owns 30% of the NZHerald through a series of companies listed below,
The International Banking Cartel,as they do most things, holds massive debts over these companies and O’Reilly is fighting for control of the whole mess with another Irish tycoon,
There also appears to be a connection somewhere in the shareholding to O’Reilly that is held by:
Perennial Investment Partners Ltd,
Perennial itself is an interesting creature having been in a past life? part of the IOOF, the independent Order of Odd Fellows, one of those old time ‘Lodges’,(secret signs, handshakes etc), a supposed non-political ‘charity’ set up for the advancement of man,(‘man’ presumably being the cabal in control at any given time),this is an international organization,
Alan Gray Australia Pty Ltd,
Said to be a ‘global fund manager’ there appears to be a ‘tenuous’ link? between this company and the previously mentioned Baycliffe Limited,(my, how does the media whore of International Capital weave an intricate web),
Maple-Brown Abbot Ltd,(Australia)
The Vangaurd Group Inc 3,(USA),
MLC Investment Management Ltd(USA),
From an initial look appear to be ‘investment companies’ and while there are no obvious links with the above mentioned companies or the O’reilly family a deeper dig would likely turn up any number of incestuous relationships,
Dimension Fund Advisors,(USA),
Last but not least, known more widely as Dimensional Fund Advisors, the notables that run this little piece of ‘investment banking’, an unkind person would insinuate ‘ponzi-scam’ are Neo-Lib purists from the Chicago School of Economics,(and apparently have a building there named after them via a large donation of used currency),
The NZHerald, in my considered opinion, need a name change, ”The Whore Voice of International Capital” while slightly long to roll off of the tongue would seem to fit…
Indeed Phillip, a little peek into the ”Murdoch empire” will probably reveal the same debt riddled intertwined nest of organs of International Capital as having a peek at the ‘real owners’ of the NZHerald,(aka as the Whore Voice of International Capital),
From memory Murdoch may,or may not, have His fat fingers stuffed un-gently up the rectum of the Dom-Post and Press etc,(worth a look later when i have an hour or 3 to spare),
Glove puppets all, the whole spectrum of the NZ Media, mores the pity RadioNZ National appears to have been forcefully added to the fold…
When they put in Espiner the tone of Morning Report went downhill fast. So fast that the onlyReason I go there are anymore is to follow a link from here.
Mr Ure the Herald is owned by big business corporates, wtf do you expect? Independence and objectivity?
Don’t you know the name of the game? Money, man, money. It aint nothing more. Corporates have a sole responsibility to make money – they trumpet this from the heavens such is their adamancy about it. As such they are right wing. Their politics is right wing. They support political parties from the right wing such as National.
The Herald is completely and utterly conflicted and should be required by law to publish these conflicts of interest on their front page every single day.
The Herald is owned by big business. End of story.
The world is going to hell in a hand cart and all these pricks can think about is making even more money that they can’t spend, and trying endlessly to stave off the Man with the Scythe.
Seems to me it’s the media doing the playing, or at least senior management in the media. There was a revealing lead statement from the Herald in their recent editorial;
“David Cunliffe has an unfortunate manner on the moral high ground. He adopts a tone of solemn, heavy-hearted condemnation befitting a preacher in hell. ”
Think about that for a while. That’s from the Herald’s senior editor(s), they’re displaying a personal antipathy towards Mr Cunliffe which has no place in a newspaper.
Barker just got all legal on us, wants Liu to stop drip feeding information and won’t comment until he sees Liu’s signed statement.
Sort of answers where this information is coming from eh? I would say that National now knows everything Liu does, especially all those undeclared donations. Thank goodness for the Banks precedent, looks like a few Labour people might be facing charges, just before the election too.
Explains why Key refused to support Banks.
Key dropped support after Banks was charged and completely when found guilty. Seems that Key was happy that a high profile precedent had been established.
Liu is the source, and as the Herald says this morning, will probably take down a lot more politicians than Dotcom every had the remote chance of doing.
The irony is though, this was all started by Cunliffe attacking National ministers. Remember the promise that in any governments he led, such behavior would result in instant sacking?
it was key he promised sackings. he has heaps of resignations on his watch. your glee is distasteful… if labour have undeclared donations they need to face stern consequences but if you are right and nats warned labour off the liu line that is also appalling. we need to know about this stuff and if ever a citizenship should be revoked it is for this man.
Grumpy – immediately after Banks’ conviction, ShonKey was on TV saying he’d always found him (Banks) honest in his dealings with him _. I don’t think you could call that “dropping support for Banks”.
Yes, it wasn’t until a few days later that John came out with the bizarre line that “they wouldn’t use his vote anyway”, which actually doesn’t make any clear sense.
But even after saying that, he still backed Banks, merely saying that despite his personal support they have to be realistic about the public perception and that it was therefore appropriate for Banks to resign.
Time we stopped these wealthy overseas investors from getting easy acess to making NZ their playground and means of siphoning wealth from the people to the elites.
Liu is a dodgy guy, financially and domestically. He deserves to be made to pay for his crimes and rorts. He has only himself to blame for being exposed, whether the exposing is done by Labour or anyone else.
it is staggering to see the glee that some supporters of the right have pounced on this to somehow salve their own sides complete lack of ethics. bizarre all round.
karol, putting aside the lies and media beat-up of those lies that is the current currency of the political discourse for a moment, it could be logically postulated that the damage done on both sides of the political divide have been self inflicted,
Both National and Labour have happily run with the immigration policy of the ”10 million dollar man” investor category,
Not pointing the finger in any particular direction or at any particular person this piece of immigration policy is simply an open invitation for any corrupt a/hole to buy their way into New Zealand,
In the incidents where the policy has turned out to have given far more than just ‘money’ it is to be noted that Immigration themselves(the Department), have raised concerns about the applicants only to have those concerns over-ridden by politicians form both sides,
So, to a certain extent, the old adage, ”you reap what you sow” applies well here and Labour should now give strong consideration to canning the category where the monied can buy their way into New Zealand…
No they shouldn’t. The Government should expand and aggressively promote the “Investor Plus” category so we get many more rich immigrants. The corrupt should be kept out through good character tests which cannot be overriden by Ministers.
What is your solution? Only allow poor people in? Poor people can have bad character too.
The only thing rich people bring is money, nothing else. They add nothing other than money…. but I suppose given that you believe money is at the apex of humanity your suggestion is entirely unsurprising. You should get out more.
Yes indeed SSLands, ”poor people” as exhibited by your lack of good character should be given a red card,(in your case i would advise a turning round at the border after a stint in Immigrations ”cage”),
While we have unemployment in the 100’s of thousands and a grand cluster-fuck surrounding housing in our bigger cities i would restrict immigration to our United Nations quota’s and from there only allow in specific immigrants to fill specific skills gaps,
Property speculators are a dime a dozen and importing them adds nothing but inflation to our economy…
Exactly mr bad. I find rich people quite boring too. They are like bland wallpaper added to the walls of your house. They are simply too fixated on money as the apex of the universe …. boring.
..i have dipped into such lives in different parts of the world..often walking away with nary a skerrick of envy for their lives/interests/concerns/mores/dynamics…
..and sitting amongst people discussing money/mortgages is eye-watering fucken torture..
..but i also know ‘rich people’ who are amongst the most evolved/intelligent/aware i have met..
Really? Which taxation stats do you look at? Ones in your parallel world. You really want to bite the hand that feeds (literally) your constituents? This is why you are losing. Badly.
I really hope that this election result will be a wake up call so you can regroup for 2020. New Zealand deserves better thinking than this in 2014. Thirty years after the Reforms began we are still faced with muddled thinking. So fucking sad for the country.
ha ha that is truly one of the funniest things you have ever written.
What is fucking sad is that your beloved “reforms” have led to the GFC, 29 dead men at Pike River, a widening gap between the rich and poor, environmental destruction, the list goes on and on … oh yes the muddled thinking of individualism and putting a cost on everything….. sheesh. You’re fucked in the head.
But they don’t try to put a cost on everything. In fact, they try very hard to ignore the costs and put them on society instead. That’s their argument against the carbon tax and the ETS – that it will cost the people more meanwhile they ignore the costs of AGW.
You really want to bite the hand that feeds (literally) your constituents?
It’s not the rich that feeds us. It’s us and always has been. The rich just siphon our wealth to themselves by a set of rules that they’ve designed and implemented to benefit them and only them. There’s a reason why societies were better after WWII and it’s partly because we had high tax rates on the rich but mostly because we didn’t let them own monopolies like telecommunications and power.
Thirty years after the Reforms began we are still faced with muddled thinking.
Thirty years after the reforms and this country is going backwards faster and faster because of those reforms.
liu has made a mockery of many politicians, the immigration system and the criminal system. someone have the balls to propose retrospective legislation to remove his citizenship.
national, and purportedly, but yet to be proven labour, have been bought and sold by this guy…
Perhaps that’s the difference between Labour and National: National works on the principle that big donors get preferential treatment (Meetings with ministers, games of golf with the PM, and ministers helping a single company with officials) and Labour just treats them the same as other donors.
Of course, no one’s proved that Liu actually donated to Labour at all.
UK Labour to cut back youth unemployment benefit in response to middle class outrage at benefits bill
What is wrong with the fucking Labour Party world wide?
850,000 young unemployed in the UK so lets kick them in the shins for good measure because the comfortably well off think that they’re not contributing enough to the economy. WTF well give them jobs then not austerity and means testing
I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick here, CV. It’s not the ‘comfortably well off’ who are clamouring for this change, its traditional Labour voters. The change itself is not particularly onerous; there are two parts to it, compulsory training and means testing. The former is obviously a good thing for working class kids and the latter will end the situation where loafing middle class kids get their lifestyle subsidised. The actual amount paid doesn’t change, except if the parents are reasonably well off.
“The youth allowance that will replace JSA [jobseeker’s allowance] will be paid at £57 a week, which is the same as young person’s JSA but it will be means tested on parental income. It is tapered off between £20,000 and £42,000.”
The average salary in the UK is $26K, so the graduated means testing means ‘comfortably well off’ families will be encouraging their teenagers to stay in education.
I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick here, CV. It’s not the ‘comfortably well off’ who are clamouring for this change, its traditional Labour voters.
Then business as usual Third Way and Blairite Labour voters will get what they deserve at the polls. It might also explain why Labour UK’s largest affiliates are deserting it and pulling their money.
The objective is to cut £65M off benefits a year, and to replace this benefits money for training for non-existant jobs.
What kind of “traditional Labour voters” push for benefit cuts? Name which of UK Labour’s union affiliates agree with this change, for instance?
This is another push by Labour Third Way types at a time that there are almost 1M young unemployed in the UK.
Face it, CV, Blairite/Third way politics is over. It was a glib line at the turn of the century, but it has no cache in the UK now. Labour are still polling reasonably well (UKIP’s support hurts both major parties, but the Tories most of all). The reason some unions have walked away from Labour is the structural change to their internal influence in the party, which is the opposite of the direction we’ve just taken.
This policy is about focussing on training the children of the poor and incentivising middle class families to get their kids either into training or into work. What’s your problem with that?
Blaming the unemployed for the situation they find themselves in is a long tradition.
The next obvious thing to do is to punish them which has become increasingly popular both in the UK and here.
Of course imaginary jobs and training must be available to justify punishing those whose very existence highlights the deficiencies of capitalism.
It looks as if UK Labour is now going to blame their families as well. Their punishment will start with being forced to provide financial support for unemployed family members. No doubt there are further punishments for being so careless and irresponsible as to have an unemployed family member which can also be put in place over a period .
Maybe UK labour should have a competition to see who can come up with the most vindictive way of treating the families of the unemployed.
Because that is where Te Reo Putake’s logic leads.
Not even. You do understand that even with this policy, benefits in the UK to unemployed 18-21 year olds living at home are still more generous than here in NZ? The commitment to training has been welcomed across the board, not least by Unite union. The means testing is less popular, but again, it targets the well off families first. It’s almost like, um, socialism.
Oh FFS, once the means testing is there, all the Tories will do is move the threshold lower and lower. We’ve seen this all before. Labour here introduces medical hoops for beneficiaries to jump through, National gets in and makes what is already there tighter and tighter.
You do understand that even with this policy, benefits in the UK to unemployed 18-21 year olds living at home are still more generous than here in NZ?
How is that? And are we now in a race to the bottom of the barrel.
Why is Labour UK not CREATING JOBS for youth instead of cutting benefits and training kids for positions which are not there.
Ok, CV, I get it. You’ve read the headline, but you don’t want to read the article. There are practical reasons for this policy, but if you aren’t interested in doing any research there’s not much point talking about it is there?
Yeah, pragmatic reasons to cut benefits in a sensible and measured manner, can’t afford to do it any other way, if that’s not fucking Third Way Speak I don’t know what is.
BTW I love Labour UK’s framing that these young people don’t have the right skills to be employed i.e. blame the victim
Fuck it, the youth in Britain rioted hard only a few years ago, they’ll do it again, and you’ll see UKIP keep surging ahead as the mainstream parties only add to the disillusion of the next generation.
The more the mainstream parties fail to represent the concerns of an upcoming generation the more irrelevant they will become.
As I said, it’s about the headlines with you. If you hate the idea of people doing anything for youth, why don’t you come out and say it? The idea of training is to avoid situations like the riots and get a forgotten and neglected segment of British society re-engaged. It’s a really straightforward proposal, which people in the UK appear to like and might actually lead to something productive. The alternative is to do nothing and let young people rot.
The former is obviously a good thing for working class kids…
That depends upon the training. If it’s anything like the compulsory training I’ve had from WINZ then it’s essentially useless. If it’s sending them off to tertiary institutions to get a degree or three then it would probably be good but, as the UK has already cut support for students, I doubt if it would be that. That pretty much means that it’s going to be the expensive private institutions that teach people how to make better CVs but don’t actually teach people any skills. Great for the private sector to make more profit from the government for doing nothing.
covers 50 countries and 68.2%1 of world trade in services. The US and the EU are the main proponents of the agreement, and the authors of most joint changes, which also covers cross-border data flow. In a significant anti-transparency manoeuvre by the parties, the draft has been classified to keep it secret not just during the negotiations but for five years after the TISA enters into force.
Despite the failures in financial regulation evident during the 2007-2008 Global Financial Crisis and calls for improvement of relevant regulatory structures2, proponents of TISA aim to further deregulate global financial services markets. The draft Financial Services Annex sets rules which would assist the expansion of financial multi-nationals – mainly headquartered in New York, London, Paris and Frankfurt – into other nations by preventing regulatory barriers. The leaked draft also shows that the US is particularly keen on boosting cross-border data flow, which would allow uninhibited exchange of personal and financial data.
Seven Sharp is better? Nevermind the ratings and demands of the advertisiers, some current affairs shows should serve democracy first. Democracy is something that Nats think is to be bought via marketing and propaganda manipulations and misrepresentations.
supercity… ecan… gcsb… this govt is the antithesis of open democracy. given they are guided by business principles, which is somewhat of an oxymoron, we shouldnt be surprised we are being run by a chairman of the board.
they dont believe in govt out of business they practice govt for business.
when dunne said if there is a willing buyer and a willing seller he summed up the only “principle” underlying nz govts since the 80’s.
an aside: the Liu houses shown on Campbell Live last night raised a few questions, not the least of which is the working conditions on view which, based on what was shown, fail many of the most basic of building site safety regulations currently in play.
A private US speculator is prepared to ruin a country and that was always their intention from the start.
NZ is already exposed to this kind of risk and the TPPA will further introduce us to US patent trolls, serial corporate litigants and the rest of the worst of the US ‘justice’ system. What the hell are our politicians thinking?
The Internet Party presents the “Party Party National Tour”, featuring some of NZ’s hottest acts playing Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin this July via a tour of musical and democratically epic proportions!
The Internet Party’s Party Party tour will allow the Internet Generation to come out and party with a seriously awesome lineup of Kiwi musical talent, while also reminding partygoers that we’re about to enter the election campaign period.
The Internet Party believes that the Internet Generation deserves a strong voice this election, and wants to remind all younger voters of the importance of enrolling and being able to exercise their individual right to vote.
The Party Party will take that message around the country. The Internet Party thinks the best way to get the message across – the importance of exercising your democratic right – is to celebrate with an entertaining night of no-holds-barred musical action!
Internet Party founder and visionary Kim Dotcom enjoys throwing a party, and will make special guest appearances at every event.
“I’m mega-excited to be joining this awesome lineup! Let’s Party!” – Kim Dotcom
“The rules are made by the people who turn up.” – Laila Harré
Am particularly excited to see Miriam Pierard high on the list, she was very good in the selection process event. I’ve been hearing quite a bit of criticism about the IP, how they’re a bunch of oldies, that kind of thing, but I know that if I was younger I would be totally on board with what they are doing. Hell, I’m nearly fifty and I find it exciting. The Party Party is exactly the kind of thing that the people I know who are in the target generation would be into. They’re people who want the right things to be happening politically in NZ, but aren’t going to engage in traditional ways. The IP seems to be getting this. I really hope they can pull this whole thing off.
The artists playing for the party party are well respected, high calibre musicians. Our local independent radio station has already been talking up this gig without being prompted to do so.
This is THE way to reach young un’s. I would have been beside myself with happiness had I been introduced to politics via music and I hope that a whole new voting audience will begin to believe in their own power and potential through their vote and through engaging in democracy. It’s this generation that will hold the corrupt old anti democratic process farts of the right to account now and in the future.
I fully agree with what you are saying here:
“The Party Party is exactly the kind of thing that the people I know who are in the target generation would be into. They’re people who want the right things to be happening politically in NZ, but aren’t going to engage in traditional ways. The IP seems to be getting this. I really hope they can pull this whole thing off.”
I’m enthused by IMP and really thrilled to see Laila back in the saddle. She is an excellent strong leader and doesn’t take crap from anyone. A perfect compliment to Hone.
I also find what the IP is doing – and how – quite refreshing despite being a lot older than you! Mid 60s. Not up to the Party Party stuff, but I have been watching their development, candidate selection processes and policy drafting with interest. I like their line up of candidates which covers a wide range of ethnicity, interests, skills and experience despite the young (to me!) age of most candidates
King Kapisi is not a candidate per se but will be acting as a Youth and Pasifica Ambassador for the IP which is what I had hoped that they would use him for.
Interesting that Laila Harre has not been declared as a candidate for a specific electorate as yet. They seem to be keeping this quiet (secret squirrel) for the present – possibly to see what happens with Craig etc. But my betting is that it will be one of the more contraversial Auckland electorates. (Not sure which electorate she currently lives in.)
The USA would know all about those chemical weapons. They supplied Saddam with the material and the know-how so that they could assist Iraq to beat Iran in the 10 year war in the 80s. Which they failed to do. The chemicals were used against Iran and later against the Kurds in the north.
and dozens of isis fighters were trained by americans in a secret camp in jordan..in 2012..a camp set up to train fighters to send in against assad in syria…
..and americas’ best-friend in the area..saudi arabia..is funding isis..
..(it’s a funny old world..isn’t it..?..)
..and the latest snowden-drop makes a liar of john key..and his claims he has not let american spooks spy all over us..
..(i’m sure our media will be all over key about this ‘big-lie’ he has peddled to us..eh..?..
Its all so much of a LOLZ right, as if our memories only stretch back to the past 24 hours, mind you, having said that, expect certain knees to start jerking with considerable agitation over the very thought of ”weapons of mass destruction”…
the other day i described stephen franks as new zealands’ glenn beck..for his jaw-dropping claims on a tv political show last wknd..that what is happening now in iraq..
..has nothing to do with the bush/blair-led invasion of iraq..
quote:..re bush:..’what’s it got to do with him..?’
..well..i did beck a disservice..
..’cos along with the cambridge academics who advised blair pre-invasion..that exactly this would happen..should the invasion go ahead..
..glenn beck has come ot today and said that those who opposed that invasion..were right/correct..
..so clearly franks is more irrational-right than glenn beck..
By the way folks, The Brass Razoo solidarity band will be busking in Cuba Mall, Wgtn (towards Manner’s St end) as a little fundraiser for People’s Power Ohariu, Sunday, 22nd June 1 – 2pm, weather permitting. I’ll confirm on Sunday’s Open Mike. Come down for a chat and if you have a spare coin we would gladly relieve you of its burden 🙂
And this little gem from Tracey:
“when dunne said if there is a willing buyer and a willing seller he summed up the only “principle” underlying nz govts since the 80′s.”
reminded me of a “Hey Peter!” billboard we have planned for distribution around the electorate as we move further into campaign time – “Hey Peter! We don’t want a “willing seller” for our Ohariu MP!”
Thanks to Lynn for the post about authorisation too, which comes into effect today. We need to add this to all new billboards.
Wow. That was stunning, and bordering on sickening. It seems like he is going for a hard out tr**l on a Friday afternoon for laughs.
If you click on the authors name, Michael Daly, it goes to his email address. He got a response from me! I suggested as you did, a list of Key’s lies as well as a list of Key’s “shames” and provided him with some examples, to demonstrate his “sense of journalistic balance”. I also asked whether he was Cameron Slater in disguise.
I suggest anyone with a spare few minutes does so as well. Such utter BS can not go unchallenged
I have just written a letter of complaint as follows:
The Editor,
Dunedin has been poorly served by this government; Invermay, Hillside, lack of regional initiatives and so on. Because of this it is with some consternation that I read Dene Mackenzie’s offerings as Political Editor for the ODT. Today’s highly speculative article, “Labour Good Swap for Dunedin MP’s”, is a good example. Mr. Mackenzie quotes an Ipsos poll showing Labour at 23% as gospel. Almost a quarter of the people in this poll said they were undecided. Pundit.com’s respected Poll of Polls currently shows Labour at 29.4% and, along with the Greens, just 9.4% behind National. While Mr. Mackenzie is entitled to his obvious right-wing views, such rank non-factual bias is unbecoming of the ODT.
Is there a big prize this week for the NZ “journalist” who comes up with the most outlandish hateful anti Cunliffe article? There must be because they are spinning as if their lives depend upon it.
Did you see the stuff one that Richard posted at #16?
Yep agree Rosie it’s horrific. This is what is called NZ’s “free press” ha ha ha ha ha.
Actually this is serious. We now have a press that has shown itself to be so biased that it can no longer be described as free. This is North Korean stuff. Strict control of what appears in the press is symptomatic of a non-democratic state.
I just received by email the following letter sent by to all the members and supporters of the Labour party. I am pasting it here for your information:
Thank you for the many messages of support for our leader David Cunliffe and our party. Yesterday, David wrote to you about maintaining our focus on delivering positive change. Over the next three months we’ll be relentlessly focussed on work, homes and families – on the issues that matter most to people across New Zealand. In contrast, our opponents are spending their time on dirty tactics.
Thank you to everyone who continues to campaign so hard on the ground, avoiding the distractions of politics as usual. This election it will be clear that we are about positive politics – and policies that deliver positive improvements. That’s what the New Zealand public want to hear, and what our policy plan is designed to deliver. To quote Parekura, we will need to “hold the line.”
This weekend’s Moderating Committee will profile our future Parliamentary Caucus. It’s also a good time to look back and acknowledge the contribution of this term’s departed and departing MPs. We acknowledge Charles Chauvel, the late Parekura Horomia, Lianne Dalziel, Shane Jones, Ross Robertson, Rajen Prasad and Darien Fenton. We expect to release the 2014 list on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Reporter: : “David Cunliffe what do you say to those who claim you’re a hypocrite because you live in an expensive house”
Cunliffe: “I do live in an expensive house but thats because my wife and I worked hard to get to where are and took advantage of the opportunities this country afforded us and we want to make sure every kiwi child has the same opportunity to succeed like we did”
Reporter: “David Cunliffe have you ever advocated or had any contact with Mr Donghua Liu”
Cunliffe: “I may have, I’ve been an mp for over ten years and I get contacted by lots of people so I probably have come into contact with him before”
90 days to the election and the Right wing have nothing to give NZers on policy or the major challenges facing the country. Small minded and reaching is how I would describe their pre-election strategy.
I disagree. Yes, he has had mistakes that are his own making, but I think the greater contribution is that of the media, who seem desperate to latch on to any small detail and turn it into a story, no matter how irrelevant in the grand scheme of things it truly is.
Heres the thing though he knows that everything he says will be scrutinized, he knows hes under the microscope and yet the gaffes hes making are making the MSMs jobs so much easier
so if he remembered an electorate office letter signed 11 years ago, you wouldn’t be commenting here to beat up some other perceived imperfection, oozing faux outrage and ill-fitting moral indignation?
On the face of it none of it is really that bad but what picture do you think its building up in swing voters and others who only have a passing interest in politics?
And we contrast that with jobs for mates, shilling for oravida on the taxpayer dime, tranzrail shares, and still saying a proved electoral fraudster is honest.
The problem for the left is that Cunliffes gaffes are recent so they’ll stick in the mind and are probably helping Labours numbers to fall whereas the examples you’ve given don’t appear to have done anything to Nationals numbers
oh bullshit – the herald would have had a field day with the woodhouse/key contradictions about when and how they saw the letter (if they had been labour ministers).
And you’d be dropping massive godw1ns about government MP’s letters being withheld while opposition mp letters were released, if it was under labour. You fuckers had enough apoplexy under clark – fisi’s head would positively explode if labour had done a fraction of what the current pricks are doing.
twaddle.
labour is on the up and up and the more national tries its tricks the more Labour exhibits its integrity and th emore the country sees who it can trust.
A large chunk is from National finally releasing money into Christchurch after a significiant delay. I guess that having people living in unhealthy hovels is less important to them that winning an election. That has a flow on effect into the NZ local economy.
Plus they just released a budget that was (after some interesting accounting fiddles) perceived as being ok by our economically illiterate media.
However they now have 3 months that they can’t use too many tricks of being the incumbent government, they are well down on their average polling from 2011 this far out, and their coalition parties have imploded.
I guess that is why they resorting to the silly dirty tricks
“I guess that is why they resorting to the silly dirty tricks”
The way I see it is that National and Labour both try dirty tricks on each other (haven’t heard anything from Mallard in a while…) but National are better at it and Labour don’t like it
I especially liked the way Grant Robertson was trying to shy away from gotcha politics, its fine when Nationals under the pump but suddenly its not on when Labours on the receiving end of it
National are reaching and desperate. Dredging up a standard, 11 year old form letter instead of engaging with the issues which are of concern to many NZers.
Does it though? I’m not seeing any major movement in Nationals numbers so I’m thinking the general public are thinking thats Nationals doing ok so no reason to change
Some guy was talking on the radio 9 to Noon about how the media in Britain jump on Milliband. Every little thing that he does is amplified and twisted in a remarkably similar way as they do to Cunliffe. Milliband’s rating is in minus territory. Funny that.
We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious: we live in a troubled ...
1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
…it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisitionNOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes – The High Court ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same?Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
Open access notablesIce acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment:In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
Mr Bombastic:Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
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 ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
Buzz from the Beehive Reactions to news of the government’s readiness to make urgent changes to “the resource management system” through a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) suggest a balanced approach is being taken. The Taxpayers’ Union says the proposed changes don’t go far enough. Greenpeace says ...
I’m starting to wonder if Anna Burns-Francis might be the best political interviewer we’ve got. That might sound unlikely to you, it came as a bit of a surprise to me.Jack Tame can be excellent, but has some pretty average days. I like Rebecca Wright on Newshub, she asks good ...
Chris Trotter writes – Willie Jackson is said to be planning a “media summit” to discuss “the state of the media and how to protect Fourth Estate Journalism”. Not only does the Editor of The Daily Blog, Martyn Bradbury, think this is a good idea, but he has also ...
Graeme Edgeler writes – This morning [April 21], the Wellington High Court is hearing a judicial review brought by Hon. Karen Chhour, the Minister for Children, against a decision of the Waitangi Tribunal. This is unusual, judicial reviews are much more likely to brought against ministers, rather than ...
Both of Parliament’s watchdogs have now ripped into the Government’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s political economy and beyond on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 are:The Lead: The Auditor General,John Ryan, has joined the ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah SpengemanPeople wait to board an electric bus in Pune, India. (Image credit: courtesy of ITDP) Public transportation riders in Pune, India, love the city’s new electric buses so much they will actually skip an older diesel bus that ...
The infrastructure industry yesterday issued a “hurry up” message to the Government, telling it to get cracking on developing a pipeline of infrastructure projects.The hiatus around the change of Government has seen some major projects cancelled and others delayed, and there is uncertainty about what will happen with the new ...
Hi,Over the weekend I revisited a podcast I really adore, Dead Eyes. It’s about a guy who got fired from Band of Brothers over two decades ago because Tom Hanks said he had “dead eyes”.If you don’t recall — 2001’s Band of Brothers was part of the emerging trend of ...
Buzz from the Beehive The 180 or so recipients of letters from the Government telling them how to submit infrastructure projects for “fast track” consideration includes some whose project applications previously have been rejected by the courts. News media were quick to feature these in their reports after RMA Reform Minister Chris ...
It would not be a desirable way to start your holiday by breaking your back, your head, or your wrist, but on our first hour in Singapore I gave it a try.We were chatting, last week, before we started a meeting of Hazel’s Enviro Trust, about the things that can ...
Calling all journalists, academics, planners, lawyers, political activists, environmentalists, and other members of the public who believe that the relationships between vested interests and politicians need to be scrutinised. We need to work together to make sure that the new Fast-Track Approvals Bill – currently being pushed through by the ...
Feel worried. Shane Jones and a couple of his Cabinet colleagues are about to be granted the power to override any and all objections to projects like dams, mines, roads etc even if: said projects will harm biodiversity, increase global warming and cause other environmental harms, and even if ...
Bryce Edwards writes- The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. ...
Michael Bassett writes – If you think there is a move afoot by the radical Maori fringe of New Zealand society to create a parallel system of government to the one that we elect at our triennial elections, you aren’t wrong. Over the last few days we have ...
Without a corresponding drop in interest rates, it’s doubtful any changes to the CCCFA will unleash a massive rush of home buyers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate on Monday, April 22 included:The Government making a ...
Sunday was a lazy day. I started watching Jack Tame on Q&A, the interviews are usually good for something to write about. Saying the things that the politicians won’t, but are quite possibly thinking. Things that are true and need to be extracted from between the lines.As you might know ...
In our Weekly Roundup last week we covered news from Auckland Transport that the WX1 Western Express is going to get an upgrade next year with double decker electric buses. As part of the announcement, AT also said “Since we introduced the WX1 Western Express last November we have seen ...
TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the RuleIf you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
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. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
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 ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
A new exhibition in Wellington showcases the faces behind your local goods and services. Back in 1977, when I was a fine arts student at the University of Canterbury, I took a series of photographs of Christchurch shopkeepers. The photos were for a calendar – a project for my end ...
Toomaj and his resistance to tyranny through his songs have become an icon for the youth of Iran, so his sentence has hit the nation hard. Toomaj Salehi is not the first artist to pay the price for standing with the people. ...
My cousin Dylan and I spotted these big eels under the bridge that summer. We watched them lounging under the dark weed, facing into the flow of water, their mouths frozen open. Dylan and I couldn’t stop thinking about those eels. The night we went down to the creek, we ...
Newsroom, home of satire. My long-running weekly satirical series The Secret Diary has moved to Newsroom and will appear every Saturday, with Victor Billot’s wildly popular satirical Odes continuing to appear every Sunday. Diaries, Odes – while serious political columnists toil at meaningful opinions and stroke their chins to an ...
Tara Ward unravels the many nuanced layers of a cartoon about talking dogs.This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s not often an episode of a children’s cartoon has adults sobbing into their sleeves, but that’s exactly what happened this week when ...
There’s an island in the far reaches of Auckland’s territory, sitting off the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula, 30 minutes by air from the city or four hours on the slow boat. Aotea Great Barrier is off-grid, it has a population of fewer than a thousand people … and most ...
Working as a doctor in developing countries to help communities achieve better health outcomes is nothing short of a life goal for Jessica Tater. The University of Otago medical student has her sights firmly set on joining the international humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) when she qualifies ...
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author and advocate, Jim Aubrey, today led a national symbolic one minute’s silence to mark the “blood debt” owed to Papuan allies during the Second World War indigenous resistance against the invading Japanese forces. “A promise to most people is a promise,” Aubrey said in ...
Asia Pacific Report The Freedom Flotilla is ready to sail to Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. All the required paperwork has been submitted to the port authority, and the cargo has been loaded and prepared for the humanitarian trip to the besieged enclave. However, organisers received word of an “administrative ...
Pacific Media Watch Palestine solidarity protesters today demonstrated at the Auckland headquarters of Television New Zealand, accusing the country’s major TV network of broadcasting “propaganda” backing Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. About 50 protesters targeted the main entrance to the TVNZ building near Sky Tower and also picketed a side ...
Opinion by Lynley Hood. Forty years on from my 1985 Fulbright Grant, my disquiet over the war in Gaza evoked some troubling questions. The answer to my first question – What is the primary purpose of the Fulbright Programme? – was on the Fulbright NZ website. It says: US Senator, ...
The ministers responsible for green-lighting major projects need to be open about potential conflicts of interest, says Transparency International. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Powell, Professor, Family and Sexual Violence, RMIT University It has been a particularly distressing start to the year. There is little that can ease the current grief of individuals, families and communities who have needlessly lost a loved one to men’s ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Lichen, the first described example of symbiosis.AdeJ Artventure/Shutterstock Once known only to those studying biology, the word symbiosis is now widely used. Symbiosis is the intimate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Hemsley, Head, Childhood Dementia Research Group, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Olena Ivanova/Shutterstock “Childhood” and “dementia” are two words we wish we didn’t have to use together. But sadly, around 1,400 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Whiteford, Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University The government’s Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee has just published its second report. It was set up by Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth in 2022 to provide: ...
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 The Queensland state election will be held in October. A YouGov poll for The Courier Mail, conducted April 9–17 from a sample ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Naeni, PhD candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation, Deakin University There’s been much talk in recent months about what a possible second Donald Trump presidency in the United States could mean for Europe, Russia’s war in Ukraine, the ...
A brief round-up of submissions on the controversial proposed law. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week, submissions on the controversial Fast-track Approvals Bill closed just hours after the government released a list of stakeholder organisations who were sent letters advising how they could ...
A poem from Robin Peace’s new collection Detritus of Empire: feather / grass / rock. Cereal giving I see a woman’s hands, see her curious hands break a stalk as she walks through the tall prairie, the savannah, the steppe, wherever it was. See her idly bite the grass that ...
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 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38)A handsomely produced (debossed cover, lovely ...
The Commissioner's decision validates the longstanding efforts of the local community and ensures that Awataha Marae will be managed to serve the needs of the local community, particularly for hosting tangihanga. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tristan Salles, Associate professor, University of Sydney Examples of Australian landscapes.Unsplash Seventy thousand years ago, the sea level was much lower than today. Australia, along with New Guinea and Tasmania, formed a connected landmass known as Sahul. Around this time – ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Felicity Castagna, Lecturer, Creative Writing, Western Sydney University Day Day Market, ParramattaPhoto: Garry Trinh I live on the edge of Parramatta, Australia’s fastest-growing city, on the kind of old-fashioned suburban street that has 1950s fibros constructed in the post-war housing boom, ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Ryan, Teaching Fellow in Economics, University of Waikato GettyImagesfatido/Getty Images There is an ongoing global debate over whether the high inflation seen in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic can be lowered without a recession. New Zealand is not ...
The ‘Wicked Game’ heartthrob is in his late 60s now. That didn’t stop him putting on a lively, goofy and very sparkly show. Apart from ‘Wicked Game’, which graces a sultry playlist of mine simply called 💋, my last sustained Chris Isaak listening session took place when I was about ...
Analysis - Two ministers were stripped of portfolios in a warning to Cabinet, drama broke out at the Waitangi Tribunal, and the gang patch ban bill ran into opposition. ...
Tara Ward makes an impassioned plea for some vital pop culture merch. In April 1999, I became obsessed with a new reality television show called Popstars. Every Tuesday night, five strangers transformed into music royalty before my very eyes as Joe, Keri, Carly, Erika and Megan were chosen to form ...
PNG Post-Courier In the early hours of ANZAC Day, aerial photographs captured an impressive gathering of Australians and Papua New Guineans at Isurava in the Northern (Oro) Province. The solemn dawn service yesterday was held at a site steeped in history, where some of the fiercest battles of World War ...
The PSA is shocked that Oranga Tamariki has used the cost cutting drive to downgrade its commitment to Te Ao Māori and remove many specialist Māori roles. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ian Kemish, Adjunct Professor, School of Historical and Philosophical Inquiry, The University of Queensland There can be no more powerful symbol of the relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea than the prime ministers of these neighbouring countries walking together on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sharon Robinson, Distinguished Professor and Deputy Director of ARC Securing Antarctica’s Environmental Future (SAEF), University of Wollongong, University of Wollongong Andrew Netherwood Over the last 25 years, the ozone hole which forming over Antarctica each spring has started to shrink. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Viktoria Kahui, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, University of Otago Getty Images/Amy Toensing Biodiversity is declining at rates unprecedented in human history. This suggests the ways we currently use to manage our natural environment are failing. One emerging concept focuses on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Colin Bednall, Associate Professor in Management, Swinburne University of Technology marvent/Shutterstock Finding the best person to fill a position can be tough, from drafting a job ad to producing a shortlist of top interview candidates. Employers typically consider information from ...
Wondering where to host your next BYO? Whether its a small gathering or a massive party, we’ve got some recommendations. I was first introduced to the concept of BYOs at Dunedin’s India Gardens, a legendary but sadly defunct establishment, which purveyed enormous quantities of mango chicken to Aotearoa’s drunkest future ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julien Cooper, Honorary Lecturer, Department of History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Julien Cooper The hyper-arid desert of Eastern Sudan, the Atbai Desert, seems like an unlikely place to find evidence of ancient cattle herders. But in this dry environment, my new ...
The sector says it’s hopeful her replacement Paul Goldsmith will be able to throw it a lifeline, after six months with a minister deemed missing in action, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign ...
The government can't just rely on axing public sector jobs and has to do more to cut spending, says the chief economist at a free market think tank. ...
Rock The Vote NZ, known for its advocacy for minor party unity and its role within the Freedoms NZ Coalition during the 2023 General Election, celebrates this merger as a strategic enhancement of its operational strength and outreach. ...
Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of something you use breaking and being difficult or expensive to fix. Proposed legislation could change that. It’s been raining on and off all Sunday afternoon but people are lining up outside a building in a corner of Gribblehirst Park in Sandringham, Auckland. In ...
What does a forever relationship look like when you don’t believe in marriage? And how do you celebrate it? This essay is part of our Sunday Essay series, made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.I’m going to do it, right now. I’m going to say ...
The Prime Minister has committed to resuming direct flights to Thailand. But it’s not a promise he will be able to deliver on anytime soon. The post Prime Minister jumps the gun in Thailand appeared first on Newsroom. ...
It’s not that long ago Eliza McCartney was seriously wondering if the Paris Olympics would be her pole vaulting swansong. After years of being hounded by injury after injury, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist was still confident she would compete at her second Olympics in Paris in July, unless something ...
FICTION 1 Take Two by Danielle Hawkins (Allen & Unwin, $36.99) There’s commercial fiction, like this book, and then there’s quality fiction, quality writers, quality literature; the forthcoming Auckland Writers Festival is full of quality, and ReadingRoom has two tickets to give away to the following events: Paul Lynch (Dublin ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 26 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
You can’t have missed the Gallipoli story as the movies, documentaries, essays and books capture what it was like for New Zealand troops in their eight-month campaign on the Peninsula. But this Anzac Day the Auckland War Memorial Museum has published a book that sheds light on a little-known aspect of the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In the free-for-all between the Australian government and Big Tech boss Elon Musk this week, the government had to be on a winner. Most people would have little sympathy with Musk’s vociferous opposition to ...
Asia Pacific Report Chief Mandla Mandela, a member of the National Assembly of South Africa and Nelson Mandela’s grandson, has joined the Freedom Flotilla in istanbul as the ships prepare to sail for Gaza, reports Kia Ora Gaza. Mandela is also the ambassador for the Global Campaign to Return to ...
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...
Analysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz)Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...
ACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918.Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...
i have linked you to this bucket of drivel from john armstrong..
..because of how he gets monstered/unpacked in the comments-thread..
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11276841
..any credibility armstrong/the herald has is in tatters..
..the last couple of days have revealed them/armstrong to be just..
.. ‘another Murdoch rag working to the conservative Tory agenda come election time’..
John Armstrong reminds me of one of our farm dogs, always looking towards their master to ensure they are pleasing them. In fact I am a couple of weeks away from getting a new huntaway pup, I will call her John Armstrong.
Armstrong has been left the most embarrassed by this saga, as by the end of yesterday most media had conceded that it was completely reasonable to not remember a minor letter that was signed 11 fucken years ago (some media then tried to change tack and suggest that they were attacking DC because of the Stuff Poll (TV3), idiots). But I reckon Armstrong will be even more biased against DC/Labour now, he will be going extra hard to try and justify his major cock up. But as DC inferred in his e-mail yesterday evening, National and their friends wont go down without a fight.
Right wingers fight dirty…which is why you need left wingers.
Phase 2 about to start – the undeclared donations! With the Banks trial, these must quickly result in charges being laid. Smart move by Key to have Solicitor General take over Banks prosecution.
Smart move by Slippery the Prime Minister???, Pfft the straw you clutch Grumpy is pretty thin,
Donations, what donations,if Slippery or anyone else in the National Party had any evidence of these donations, totaling 100’s of thousands according to the Liar in Chief that evidence would have been spewed forth into the public arena via the walking cadaver Armstrong at the Herald or through Blubber boy at ‘wail oil’ on day one of this beat up,
Have you got a shred of evidence that there were/are donations made by Liu to Labour Grumpy??? or are you one of the Liar in Chiefs quislings…
Looks like National advised Labour 5 weeks ago to lay off the Liu thing. Fair warning, very fair. Surely Labour would have taken that as a hint to do a search?
link? dont reveal our dodgy deals and we wont reveal yours? thats not fair grumpy it is anti democratic… if not corrupt
Don’t change the subject grumpy, Donations, what fucking Donations???, put up the proof or shut it…
I also presume that there are no further donations from Donghua Liu to the Labour party. There is no proof because it simply doesn’t exist.
When the slippery John Key said yesterday:
…He gave himself an easy out. They were just “rumours” he will say and dismiss any line of questioning from our inept media with a snide remark or a quick change of subject.
However, I doubt New Zealand’s biased media will even follow up on further questioning about these rumours (lies) perpetuated by the Prime Minister.
Unfortunately most of our so-called journalists, particularly in the NZ Herald, appear to be entirely reliant on National party propagandists for their content…they wouldn’t know good investigative journalism if it kicked them in the arse!
Despite the MSM’s complicity in this smear campaign against David Cunliffe and Labour, it is failing. The shit is sticking to those trying to throw it.
They are National Party propagandists.
warning? – threat more like
Dream on, goons. Two things were confirmed beyond doubt this week:
Must be time to hire some more comms staff…
Agreed Felix. Claire Trevett proudly reports in the NZ Herald today:
“Mr Key was overheard quipping National had already taken out the only potential leader of the Opposition he was worried about.”
This shows that this was a smear campaign and that Key is incapable of keeping his mouth shut.The problem is that Cunliffe is still there and will roast Key in the election debates, if Key fronts that is.
To repeat my post from yesterday:
The rolling average of the last 5 Roy Morgans is Lab/Gr 41.5% Nats 47.7%
With IMP now polling 2.5% (3 seats) it’s all on.
Key will take Labour out on the Super age rise issue in the TV debates.
He’ll say that the reason Cunliffe says Super can’t be afforded is that National are confident managers of the economy and Labour are not. That National has a plan for economic growth but Labour knows that their plan won’t make it. Etc.
Forcing those to save who cannot will also condemn them to another term in opposition.
I’m not so sure about that. The majority of older people will understand that something has to be done about super because it’s unaffordable under the current settings. However it’s a risky play, because Labour once again wants voters to look at the fine print.
The National party will look pretty stupid if they’re drawn into a debate on this issue. Apart from saying they oppose any changes, National’s only response has been and will be to try and ignore the issue. That will only work for people who rely on small sound bites and the young won’t really give a damn about this topic.
I very much doubt this election will be decided over a single issue.
Bullshit.
Print an extra $10M per week and put it in the Cullen fund. Solved.
What a fucking pile of shit.
It is not unaffordable. It is about choice. And Parker is choosing austerity.
One could run the same argument about every other cut that National has made. “Its unaffordable”.
I cannot believe a Labour party is out torying the Nats on this issue.
It is disgraceful
Two policy decisions NOT to advocate for if you want to become the government –
1.Raising the super age to 67.
2.Making Kiwi-Saver compulsory.
You propose these when you are IN government, not before.
If you do it that way around, you merely diminish the status of parliament. If you have policies you’d like to implement then they should be raised in the campaign.
To do otherwise diminishes the perceived trustworthiness of politicians to where National has dropped them over the last 5 years – below sex workers. There is a reason that people vote less than after Helen Clarks government spent so much effort making sure that their major policies were known before elections.
I still say that if you want to lose the election under the present economic conditions then go ahead with these policies, but don’t complain when you do. I don’t sense an overwhelming interest by the electorate in changing the status-quo so why make life harder for yourself. I agree these are important and sensitive subjects but question the timing.
Want to antagonise your potential voters? That would be the way to do it!
We will probably find out. But as I see the vote for right shrink back into a single party with a very non-transparent policy process and running so much on relationships to the media, the more that I see it not being able to function well in a world that is wired.
Oh you cynic
(but true)
Core govt revenue is approx $65B per year
a 1% increase in core revenue invested back into the Cullen Fund would make Super affordable to 2090 or 2100
what the hell is Labour thinking
With the majority of people surveyed (60%) agreeing that it needs to change, I don’t think Labour’s policy is the vote loser you’re making it out to be CV.
You seem to be ignoring the fact that the cost of super has increased by around 40% since National has been in power. This increase is unique so cannot be compared to other govt. expenditure. It’s also an increase that needs more than a 1% of core revenue investment.
Taxes would need to increase by 28% by 2070 to keep paying out the pension at current levels. So where are you going to find that kind of increase CV when NZ is in so much debt? Currently sitting at around 38% of GDP, there really is no room to move there.
Where do you want to make some cuts then CV? Perhaps in education? New Zealand already spends more on pensions than it does on education, which to me seems like an incorrect balance. National is simply choosing winners and they’re currently choosing older people, mainly because they vote. The young and unemployed will inevitably pay for that economically unsustainable decision.
If you cannot borrow more without causing serious long term economic damage, you cannot increase taxes enough to cover the additional costs, you cannot cut expenditure and hope to keep other policies viable and the cost of super is projected to far outstrip any additional taxes from GDP growth NZ could ever hope for, what exactly was your plan again CV? Just materialize up a few billion dollars each year out of thin air like a fucking magician?
Of course National will change the eligibility age of super because they will have to. It’s just that John Key is currently being dishonest about it. No real surprise there. The Nats will say and do just about anything to retain power.
A gradual rise in the age of eligibility is the only fiscally responsible option and good on Labour for being honest about it.
Ridiculous.
The 60% of people that you say approve of an increase in super are right wingers and centrists.
If Labour refuses to fight for a left wing position, then they will go down in the polls. Oh look at that, they already have. Can’t keep its head above 30%-31%. And you want Labour to continue on this kamikaze course, right-o.
? Why does it need more than an extra $650M p.a. placed into the very fast growing Cullen fund? The Cullen fund has been growing in excess of 20% per year. Super demand is growing only at 5% per year.
No, invest in the Cullen fund NOW, and let the magic of compounding interest do all that hard lifting.
Anyway what is wrong with putting new taxes on land, on capital wealth and on financial transactions? Only the wealthiest in this country would have a problem with that. Why are you protecting them?
Of course its an incorrect balance. NZ needs to be spending much MORE on education not on CUTTING back super.
Oh fuck off.
Now you’re simply mixing up real economics, with balancing book keeping spreadsheets and accounting entries which have NOTHING to do with “real economics”.
NZ has $130B in household deposits and a further $200B in managed funds. There is more in corporate and company accounts.
NZ also has sovereign control of the currency and it can print whatever monies required to fund the activities of the government.
Putting up the retirement age is not an economic or financial decision, it is a political one, a right wing one, and the wrong one.
Please don’t use your straw-man arguments on me CV. There’s nothing wrong with a capital gains tax. In fact you’ll find that many wealthy right wingers agree with this policy. However it isn’t going to cover the super increases. Neither is a percentage return from investing another $650 million per annum into the Cullen Fund. You don’t get a 100% return on investments each year dumbarse!
You claim that the govt. can simply print money to invest in the Cullen fund, cannot equate basic % and then want to talk about “real economics”. I think your argument is a bit of a joke CV, without any punch line.
Whilst I dislike Labour taking on this superannuation raising policy – and view it as something people might vote against…
There is one thing I don’t see a lot of people who are afraid of what a meal National could make of this policy mentioning:
How do National make a meal about Labour’s superannuation policy while not looking like they are ignoring everything most economic/monetary commentators are saying re ‘retirement age having to go up’? How do they make mincemeat of this policy without looking like they are not thinking ahead?
I don’t actually think they can speak out too loudly on this issue without looking like they are simply being populist without regard for the future. i.e. irresponsible.
If there are clauses in this policy (that others on this site have relayed from time to time but I haven’t read the policy – if it exists yet) that allow people who have manual jobs to retire ‘early’ with no financial penalty to the rate they are paid on superannuation then it doesn’t end up sounding like the dog of a policy it does at the outset.
If there are such clauses Labour need to ensure everyone is made well aware of them and I suggest that they start moving on raising that awareness NOW.
Hey Jackal, I’ve only just started campaigning against this policy.
Instead of taxing the wealthiest, Labour wants to raise the Super age on everybody.
Instead of looking at real funding options, Labour wants to raise the Super age on everybody.
Instead of trusting their own economic plans for growth, Labour wants to raise the Super age on everybody.
+100 CV…the Super age issue is crucial to Labours Vote…Labour can not afford to raise the age because it hurts their own core voters..it is suicide for Labour to raise the age
….preferably Labour should lower the age below NACTS!
…if Labour cant sort this Super age issue out , people should be encouraged to vote for other Left Parties ….rather than not vote …or worse vote for NACT!
If there is a persistent unemployment problem in society – which is going to worsen as the energy depletion curve gets steeper – then yes…make super available from 60 years of age if you agree to exit paid employment.
I’m not totally opposed to Nat Super being raised to 67 – and I believe it’s not going to happen for a few years yet. I retired last year (turned 70 this year) and didn’t really want to, but the new boss was a complete pillock so I packed my bags. I understand that there will be an option for people who are unable to work past 60/65 to be eligible for early Nat Super. I did apply for my Nat Super on turning 65 and had it taxed as secondary income. I also put a good proportion of my NS into my KiwiSaver account and it’s still earning good interest for me despite not contributing since my final salary package. I realise that I’m probably in a minority here (a core Labour voter and member), but – just saying.
So you collected your Super on time, but those in their 20s, 30’s and 40’s can simply work longer for The Man? If they can find decent work at all? Next stop will be Super @ 70 years of age.
He was talking about Jones.
“To repeat my post from yesterday:
The rolling average of the last 5 Roy Morgans is Lab/Gr 41.5% Nats 47.7%
With IMP now polling 2.5% (3 seats) it’s all on.”
Add to that:
the last Stuff poll said 43.8% want a change in govt, 8.2% undecided.
and, polled on who they would vote for, 23% said they were undecided.
The MSM will play this like last time, that National are a shoo-in, but in fact it’s going to be a close election and the left still have a opportunity to win.
Nice stats Weka. Hadn’t seen that 43.8%.
Lab 31 Greens 11 IMP 7=49=Cunliffe is still my prediction.
+100…i have money on it and I want to collect
IMP will be very lucky to get to 4%.
and the GP unlucky to get only 11. Could go any which way.
3.5% very possible though…4.0% is starting to stretch it
Bearded, do you think it will then come down to NZF?
Here’s the stuff link, click on ‘sentiment’
http://origin-interactives.stuff.co.nz/polling/
Not really Weka because there are usually more than 2% of votes wasted, hence 49% wins.
I don’t think Key wants to deal with Colon. If the Conservatives don’t get a seat they alone will probably waste 2-3%.
(If he does do a deal with Colon its a free hit for the Left.)
It would be great to see the IMP get seven seats in a left win, although the first term would be a pretty steep learning curve for so many new MPs and for the IP in particular. Hopefully they would have learnt from previous small parties’ mistakes.
The ‘fact’ of Slippery the Prime Minister even intimating a possible ‘deal’ with Colon the Conservative would be strongly suggestive of the ‘mistake’ inherent in all of the media polls,
IF, the PM had any confidence in the accuracy of such polls He would be waving the big finger urging on the troops with the ”Govern alone” meme,
The fact that He isn’t and, as seen on TV, Murray McCully now having backed down over His ”over my cold dead body”,(an interesting thought), with regards Him standing aside in His electorate in favor of Colon the Conservative would indicate that the PM has little belief in the position of the National Party with regards to those polls,
To succeed in ‘rigging’ McCully’s seat my belief is that He will have to Not campaign as an electorate MP at all, if He does so, even with the ”nod” given in Craig’s direction the electorate is likely to still vote for McCully who has a huge following in this deepest of Blue Rinse electorates,
There is a slight chance, if Labour have the ability to ‘parachute’ into this electorate someone from the Party List with a high profile of creating a rebellion among National voters and in effect stealing it out from under Colon’s slippery little grasp,
Very slight i must admit, but, worth the effort…
bad have you got any source for McCully backing down on his stance on East Coast Bays?
Lanth, twas part of a news interview on the TV news, sorry unsure which channel 3 or Prime last night,
Far from the previous ”never ever” tough talk from McCully it was a ”greater minds than i decide these things”, and, ”taking one for the team” spiel from English’s bagman,
He didn’t exactly say that Slippery the Prime Minister has ”said” that the deal with Colon the Conservative is on, but, the coded insinuation was there…
Thanks, I hadn’t seen that.
@ Saarbo ….not fair on your new huntaway pup!
Not quite ”another Murdoch rag” Phillip,
Sir Tony O’Reilly the Irish tycoon owns 30% of the NZHerald through a series of companies listed below,
The International Banking Cartel,as they do most things, holds massive debts over these companies and O’Reilly is fighting for control of the whole mess with another Irish tycoon,
Independent News&Media(Australia)Ltd1,
News&Media NZ Ltd,
Baycliffe Limited,
There also appears to be a connection somewhere in the shareholding to O’Reilly that is held by:
Perennial Investment Partners Ltd,
Perennial itself is an interesting creature having been in a past life? part of the IOOF, the independent Order of Odd Fellows, one of those old time ‘Lodges’,(secret signs, handshakes etc), a supposed non-political ‘charity’ set up for the advancement of man,(‘man’ presumably being the cabal in control at any given time),this is an international organization,
Alan Gray Australia Pty Ltd,
Said to be a ‘global fund manager’ there appears to be a ‘tenuous’ link? between this company and the previously mentioned Baycliffe Limited,(my, how does the media whore of International Capital weave an intricate web),
Maple-Brown Abbot Ltd,(Australia)
The Vangaurd Group Inc 3,(USA),
MLC Investment Management Ltd(USA),
From an initial look appear to be ‘investment companies’ and while there are no obvious links with the above mentioned companies or the O’reilly family a deeper dig would likely turn up any number of incestuous relationships,
Dimension Fund Advisors,(USA),
Last but not least, known more widely as Dimensional Fund Advisors, the notables that run this little piece of ‘investment banking’, an unkind person would insinuate ‘ponzi-scam’ are Neo-Lib purists from the Chicago School of Economics,(and apparently have a building there named after them via a large donation of used currency),
The NZHerald, in my considered opinion, need a name change, ”The Whore Voice of International Capital” while slightly long to roll off of the tongue would seem to fit…
my bad..i guess ‘murdoch-rag’..as generic..?
..they are all much the same..serving the same masters..
Indeed Phillip, a little peek into the ”Murdoch empire” will probably reveal the same debt riddled intertwined nest of organs of International Capital as having a peek at the ‘real owners’ of the NZHerald,(aka as the Whore Voice of International Capital),
From memory Murdoch may,or may not, have His fat fingers stuffed un-gently up the rectum of the Dom-Post and Press etc,(worth a look later when i have an hour or 3 to spare),
Glove puppets all, the whole spectrum of the NZ Media, mores the pity RadioNZ National appears to have been forcefully added to the fold…
When they put in Espiner the tone of Morning Report went downhill fast. So fast that the onlyReason I go there are anymore is to follow a link from here.
Mr Ure the Herald is owned by big business corporates, wtf do you expect? Independence and objectivity?
Don’t you know the name of the game? Money, man, money. It aint nothing more. Corporates have a sole responsibility to make money – they trumpet this from the heavens such is their adamancy about it. As such they are right wing. Their politics is right wing. They support political parties from the right wing such as National.
The Herald is completely and utterly conflicted and should be required by law to publish these conflicts of interest on their front page every single day.
The Herald is owned by big business. End of story.
that was part of the reason i started whoar..
..’cos of the crap/superficial/comprimised sad-excuse for journalism/media ..(in the main)..that exists in this country..
..i felt we deserved better…
The world is going to hell in a hand cart and all these pricks can think about is making even more money that they can’t spend, and trying endlessly to stave off the Man with the Scythe.
http://eofdreams.com/photo/death/07/
Yesterday Selwyn Pellett Tweeted this:
Media! Please be careful that your not the one being played. We need you to be vigilant to protect the truth.
Yep. They just got played.
..+ 1..
with john armstrong perhaps the most ‘played’…?
..and gower the runner-up..?
Seems to me it’s the media doing the playing, or at least senior management in the media. There was a revealing lead statement from the Herald in their recent editorial;
“David Cunliffe has an unfortunate manner on the moral high ground. He adopts a tone of solemn, heavy-hearted condemnation befitting a preacher in hell. ”
Think about that for a while. That’s from the Herald’s senior editor(s), they’re displaying a personal antipathy towards Mr Cunliffe which has no place in a newspaper.
Barker just got all legal on us, wants Liu to stop drip feeding information and won’t comment until he sees Liu’s signed statement.
Sort of answers where this information is coming from eh? I would say that National now knows everything Liu does, especially all those undeclared donations. Thank goodness for the Banks precedent, looks like a few Labour people might be facing charges, just before the election too.
Explains why Key refused to support Banks.
In what universe did Key refuse to support Banks? Key has supported him all along and continues to insist that he’s an honest man.
Key dropped support after Banks was charged and completely when found guilty. Seems that Key was happy that a high profile precedent had been established.
Liu is the source, and as the Herald says this morning, will probably take down a lot more politicians than Dotcom every had the remote chance of doing.
The irony is though, this was all started by Cunliffe attacking National ministers. Remember the promise that in any governments he led, such behavior would result in instant sacking?
Why do you tell such easily refutable lies? Key STILL insists Banks is honest.
Are the pro trools having a day off or something?
it was key he promised sackings. he has heaps of resignations on his watch. your glee is distasteful… if labour have undeclared donations they need to face stern consequences but if you are right and nats warned labour off the liu line that is also appalling. we need to know about this stuff and if ever a citizenship should be revoked it is for this man.
Grumpy – immediately after Banks’ conviction, ShonKey was on TV saying he’d always found him (Banks) honest in his dealings with him _. I don’t think you could call that “dropping support for Banks”.
and he didnt sack banks. he didnt read police report.
why did key need to see lius immigration file 3_5 weeks ago as part of the police no surprises policy with mr key?
Yes, it wasn’t until a few days later that John came out with the bizarre line that “they wouldn’t use his vote anyway”, which actually doesn’t make any clear sense.
But even after saying that, he still backed Banks, merely saying that despite his personal support they have to be realistic about the public perception and that it was therefore appropriate for Banks to resign.
it is only three little words grumpy
just try them out for a laugh
you may be amazed at the respect it garners
go on, give it a try
‘ I was wrong ‘
You can’t really blame Liu, labour has done a bit of an Owen Glenn on him and now they’re going to pay the price.
Dumb arses
Time we stopped these wealthy overseas investors from getting easy acess to making NZ their playground and means of siphoning wealth from the people to the elites.
Liu is a dodgy guy, financially and domestically. He deserves to be made to pay for his crimes and rorts. He has only himself to blame for being exposed, whether the exposing is done by Labour or anyone else.
agree 100% . see post above.
it is staggering to see the glee that some supporters of the right have pounced on this to somehow salve their own sides complete lack of ethics. bizarre all round.
karol, putting aside the lies and media beat-up of those lies that is the current currency of the political discourse for a moment, it could be logically postulated that the damage done on both sides of the political divide have been self inflicted,
Both National and Labour have happily run with the immigration policy of the ”10 million dollar man” investor category,
Not pointing the finger in any particular direction or at any particular person this piece of immigration policy is simply an open invitation for any corrupt a/hole to buy their way into New Zealand,
In the incidents where the policy has turned out to have given far more than just ‘money’ it is to be noted that Immigration themselves(the Department), have raised concerns about the applicants only to have those concerns over-ridden by politicians form both sides,
So, to a certain extent, the old adage, ”you reap what you sow” applies well here and Labour should now give strong consideration to canning the category where the monied can buy their way into New Zealand…
No they shouldn’t. The Government should expand and aggressively promote the “Investor Plus” category so we get many more rich immigrants. The corrupt should be kept out through good character tests which cannot be overriden by Ministers.
What is your solution? Only allow poor people in? Poor people can have bad character too.
The only thing rich people bring is money, nothing else. They add nothing other than money…. but I suppose given that you believe money is at the apex of humanity your suggestion is entirely unsurprising. You should get out more.
The only thing rich people bring is money,
nothing elseto add fuel to the property bubble fire.fify
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/houseprices/10827469/House-prices-countries-with-the-cheapest-and-most-expensive-property-markets.html
http://www.smh.com.au/business/china/shunned-chinese-buyers-to-turn-from-canada-to-australia-20140224-33ca8.html
Yes indeed SSLands, ”poor people” as exhibited by your lack of good character should be given a red card,(in your case i would advise a turning round at the border after a stint in Immigrations ”cage”),
While we have unemployment in the 100’s of thousands and a grand cluster-fuck surrounding housing in our bigger cities i would restrict immigration to our United Nations quota’s and from there only allow in specific immigrants to fill specific skills gaps,
Property speculators are a dime a dozen and importing them adds nothing but inflation to our economy…
Exactly mr bad. I find rich people quite boring too. They are like bland wallpaper added to the walls of your house. They are simply too fixated on money as the apex of the universe …. boring.
@ vto..i agree..
..i have dipped into such lives in different parts of the world..often walking away with nary a skerrick of envy for their lives/interests/concerns/mores/dynamics…
..and sitting amongst people discussing money/mortgages is eye-watering fucken torture..
..but i also know ‘rich people’ who are amongst the most evolved/intelligent/aware i have met..
..so..y’know..!
And SSLands comes in with his worship of the rich.
We don’t need the rich, never have done. They don’t pay for anything and only take what isn’t theirs.
Really? Which taxation stats do you look at? Ones in your parallel world. You really want to bite the hand that feeds (literally) your constituents? This is why you are losing. Badly.
I really hope that this election result will be a wake up call so you can regroup for 2020. New Zealand deserves better thinking than this in 2014. Thirty years after the Reforms began we are still faced with muddled thinking. So fucking sad for the country.
ha ha that is truly one of the funniest things you have ever written.
What is fucking sad is that your beloved “reforms” have led to the GFC, 29 dead men at Pike River, a widening gap between the rich and poor, environmental destruction, the list goes on and on … oh yes the muddled thinking of individualism and putting a cost on everything….. sheesh. You’re fucked in the head.
But they don’t try to put a cost on everything. In fact, they try very hard to ignore the costs and put them on society instead. That’s their argument against the carbon tax and the ETS – that it will cost the people more meanwhile they ignore the costs of AGW.
It’s not the rich that feeds us. It’s us and always has been. The rich just siphon our wealth to themselves by a set of rules that they’ve designed and implemented to benefit them and only them. There’s a reason why societies were better after WWII and it’s partly because we had high tax rates on the rich but mostly because we didn’t let them own monopolies like telecommunications and power.
Thirty years after the reforms and this country is going backwards faster and faster because of those reforms.
Didn’t stop Labour taking money from him though, did it?
”Taking money from Him”, what money when dick, put up the proof of this ”money” or shut it…
liu has made a mockery of many politicians, the immigration system and the criminal system. someone have the balls to propose retrospective legislation to remove his citizenship.
national, and purportedly, but yet to be proven labour, have been bought and sold by this guy…
two seperate issues here. both need addressing.
I like it, we can do Dot com at the same time.
can you show me which laws dotcom has broken while in nz?
liu pleaded guilty to domestic assault. your turn.
“can you show me which laws dotcom has broken while in nz?”
This one:
http://www.dol.govt.nz/workplace/knowledgebase/item/1286
Well, that’s the law – now show us that he broke it.
And, just so you know, I would only support the renunciation of citizenship for violent crimes and trying to buy our democracy.
Perhaps that’s the difference between Labour and National: National works on the principle that big donors get preferential treatment (Meetings with ministers, games of golf with the PM, and ministers helping a single company with officials) and Labour just treats them the same as other donors.
Of course, no one’s proved that Liu actually donated to Labour at all.
(a question for progressive-politicians…and the log-sized motes in the eyes of the right..)
http://whoar.co.nz/2014/robert-reich-why-even-business-leaders-now-realize-widening-inequality-is-a-terrible-problem-comment-why-are-progressives-in-new-zealand-so-afraid-of-arguing-for-a-universal-basic-income/
“..I May Die of Cancer Soon and I Am Fighting for Medical Pot That Would Let Patients Live and Die with Dignity
I would have liked to ease my suffering at the end of my life – with legal access to a medication that I know works..”
http://www.alternet.org/drugs/i-may-die-cancer-soon-and-i-am-fighting-medical-pot-would-let-patients-live-and-die-dignity
UK Labour to cut back youth unemployment benefit in response to middle class outrage at benefits bill
What is wrong with the fucking Labour Party world wide?
850,000 young unemployed in the UK so lets kick them in the shins for good measure because the comfortably well off think that they’re not contributing enough to the economy. WTF well give them jobs then not austerity and means testing
http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jun/18/labour-welfare-plan-benefits-means-testing-training-ed-miliband
I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick here, CV. It’s not the ‘comfortably well off’ who are clamouring for this change, its traditional Labour voters. The change itself is not particularly onerous; there are two parts to it, compulsory training and means testing. The former is obviously a good thing for working class kids and the latter will end the situation where loafing middle class kids get their lifestyle subsidised. The actual amount paid doesn’t change, except if the parents are reasonably well off.
“The youth allowance that will replace JSA [jobseeker’s allowance] will be paid at £57 a week, which is the same as young person’s JSA but it will be means tested on parental income. It is tapered off between £20,000 and £42,000.”
The average salary in the UK is $26K, so the graduated means testing means ‘comfortably well off’ families will be encouraging their teenagers to stay in education.
Then business as usual Third Way and Blairite Labour voters will get what they deserve at the polls. It might also explain why Labour UK’s largest affiliates are deserting it and pulling their money.
The objective is to cut £65M off benefits a year, and to replace this benefits money for training for non-existant jobs.
What kind of “traditional Labour voters” push for benefit cuts? Name which of UK Labour’s union affiliates agree with this change, for instance?
This is another push by Labour Third Way types at a time that there are almost 1M young unemployed in the UK.
Face it, CV, Blairite/Third way politics is over. It was a glib line at the turn of the century, but it has no cache in the UK now. Labour are still polling reasonably well (UKIP’s support hurts both major parties, but the Tories most of all). The reason some unions have walked away from Labour is the structural change to their internal influence in the party, which is the opposite of the direction we’ve just taken.
This policy is about focussing on training the children of the poor and incentivising middle class families to get their kids either into training or into work. What’s your problem with that?
Blaming the unemployed for the situation they find themselves in is a long tradition.
The next obvious thing to do is to punish them which has become increasingly popular both in the UK and here.
Of course imaginary jobs and training must be available to justify punishing those whose very existence highlights the deficiencies of capitalism.
It looks as if UK Labour is now going to blame their families as well. Their punishment will start with being forced to provide financial support for unemployed family members. No doubt there are further punishments for being so careless and irresponsible as to have an unemployed family member which can also be put in place over a period .
Maybe UK labour should have a competition to see who can come up with the most vindictive way of treating the families of the unemployed.
Because that is where Te Reo Putake’s logic leads.
Not even. You do understand that even with this policy, benefits in the UK to unemployed 18-21 year olds living at home are still more generous than here in NZ? The commitment to training has been welcomed across the board, not least by Unite union. The means testing is less popular, but again, it targets the well off families first. It’s almost like, um, socialism.
Oh FFS, once the means testing is there, all the Tories will do is move the threshold lower and lower. We’ve seen this all before. Labour here introduces medical hoops for beneficiaries to jump through, National gets in and makes what is already there tighter and tighter.
How is that? And are we now in a race to the bottom of the barrel.
Why is Labour UK not CREATING JOBS for youth instead of cutting benefits and training kids for positions which are not there.
Apparently so and all so a few people can be even richer and pay less tax while the majority drop into poverty.
Ok, CV, I get it. You’ve read the headline, but you don’t want to read the article. There are practical reasons for this policy, but if you aren’t interested in doing any research there’s not much point talking about it is there?
Yeah, pragmatic reasons to cut benefits in a sensible and measured manner, can’t afford to do it any other way, if that’s not fucking Third Way Speak I don’t know what is.
BTW I love Labour UK’s framing that these young people don’t have the right skills to be employed i.e. blame the victim
Fuck it, the youth in Britain rioted hard only a few years ago, they’ll do it again, and you’ll see UKIP keep surging ahead as the mainstream parties only add to the disillusion of the next generation.
The more the mainstream parties fail to represent the concerns of an upcoming generation the more irrelevant they will become.
You reap what you sow.
As I said, it’s about the headlines with you. If you hate the idea of people doing anything for youth, why don’t you come out and say it? The idea of training is to avoid situations like the riots and get a forgotten and neglected segment of British society re-engaged. It’s a really straightforward proposal, which people in the UK appear to like and might actually lead to something productive. The alternative is to do nothing and let young people rot.
Whatever.
Its the great depression all over…
…first government tried hard to push people into jobs…
…then the new deal emerged…
…in between a lot of conservative values from the inertial constituencies have to be sacrificed to the Gods of War.
…Least we forget.
+1
And it really looks like someone is pushing for a war.
http://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/2014/06/the-cold-war-mindset-is-alive-and-well.html
That depends upon the training. If it’s anything like the compulsory training I’ve had from WINZ then it’s essentially useless. If it’s sending them off to tertiary institutions to get a degree or three then it would probably be good but, as the UK has already cut support for students, I doubt if it would be that. That pretty much means that it’s going to be the expensive private institutions that teach people how to make better CVs but don’t actually teach people any skills. Great for the private sector to make more profit from the government for doing nothing.
milliband is another one of those ‘we’re not quite as bad as the tories’ labour-leaders..
..our most recent examples of this have been shearer/goff/clark..
..the jury is still out on cunnliffe…
+1
Wikilieaks releas of daft of secret negotiations to protect and maintain global financial services…. at the expense of the majority of us.
Leaked Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) Financial Services Annex, which
5 years after in force???
Secret courts, secret laws, secret rules, secret interpretations, secret deals. Welcome to the failing western global empire.
But, but Karol, there are more important things – there was this letter, enquiring about an immigration timeframe, it was…
And now the Nats are out to get John Campbell. John Key lap dog, and WO-Mark II, Glucina, has CL in her sights.
Seven Sharp is better? Nevermind the ratings and demands of the advertisiers, some current affairs shows should serve democracy first. Democracy is something that Nats think is to be bought via marketing and propaganda manipulations and misrepresentations.
supercity… ecan… gcsb… this govt is the antithesis of open democracy. given they are guided by business principles, which is somewhat of an oxymoron, we shouldnt be surprised we are being run by a chairman of the board.
they dont believe in govt out of business they practice govt for business.
when dunne said if there is a willing buyer and a willing seller he summed up the only “principle” underlying nz govts since the 80’s.
+1
Glucina is a grovelling courtier of the power elite. What a shameless sell-out of a jono-list.
Agreed Karol. I love the way, by inference, she equates “upbeat and confident” with being right wing.
Spin spin spin and spin again.
Phil tywford should ask Smith re foreign investors like Liu re number of Auckland properties he has speculated on
well theres the one he got in on and he hasnt developed it as promised.
an aside: the Liu houses shown on Campbell Live last night raised a few questions, not the least of which is the working conditions on view which, based on what was shown, fail many of the most basic of building site safety regulations currently in play.
Woodhouse may know, he makes house calls to Liu when Liu says jump…
A timely warning over the perils of TPP. Argentina sued by US speculators in US court and ordered to pay
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-27886361
A private US speculator is prepared to ruin a country and that was always their intention from the start.
NZ is already exposed to this kind of risk and the TPPA will further introduce us to US patent trolls, serial corporate litigants and the rest of the worst of the US ‘justice’ system. What the hell are our politicians thinking?
Yep, scary. There is no other way to describe it.
I suppose they’re wondering how much that they can personally benefit by selling out NZ.
Meanwhile, the IP gets on with things,
The Internet Party presents the “Party Party National Tour”, featuring some of NZ’s hottest acts playing Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin this July via a tour of musical and democratically epic proportions!
The Internet Party’s Party Party tour will allow the Internet Generation to come out and party with a seriously awesome lineup of Kiwi musical talent, while also reminding partygoers that we’re about to enter the election campaign period.
The Internet Party believes that the Internet Generation deserves a strong voice this election, and wants to remind all younger voters of the importance of enrolling and being able to exercise their individual right to vote.
The Party Party will take that message around the country. The Internet Party thinks the best way to get the message across – the importance of exercising your democratic right – is to celebrate with an entertaining night of no-holds-barred musical action!
Internet Party founder and visionary Kim Dotcom enjoys throwing a party, and will make special guest appearances at every event.
“I’m mega-excited to be joining this awesome lineup! Let’s Party!” – Kim Dotcom
“The rules are made by the people who turn up.” – Laila Harré
https://www.facebook.com/events/251338631724607/?ref=5
Plus their new candidate line up,
https://internet.org.nz/candidates
Am particularly excited to see Miriam Pierard high on the list, she was very good in the selection process event. I’ve been hearing quite a bit of criticism about the IP, how they’re a bunch of oldies, that kind of thing, but I know that if I was younger I would be totally on board with what they are doing. Hell, I’m nearly fifty and I find it exciting. The Party Party is exactly the kind of thing that the people I know who are in the target generation would be into. They’re people who want the right things to be happening politically in NZ, but aren’t going to engage in traditional ways. The IP seems to be getting this. I really hope they can pull this whole thing off.
The artists playing for the party party are well respected, high calibre musicians. Our local independent radio station has already been talking up this gig without being prompted to do so.
This is THE way to reach young un’s. I would have been beside myself with happiness had I been introduced to politics via music and I hope that a whole new voting audience will begin to believe in their own power and potential through their vote and through engaging in democracy. It’s this generation that will hold the corrupt old anti democratic process farts of the right to account now and in the future.
I fully agree with what you are saying here:
“The Party Party is exactly the kind of thing that the people I know who are in the target generation would be into. They’re people who want the right things to be happening politically in NZ, but aren’t going to engage in traditional ways. The IP seems to be getting this. I really hope they can pull this whole thing off.”
I’m enthused by IMP and really thrilled to see Laila back in the saddle. She is an excellent strong leader and doesn’t take crap from anyone. A perfect compliment to Hone.
I also find what the IP is doing – and how – quite refreshing despite being a lot older than you! Mid 60s. Not up to the Party Party stuff, but I have been watching their development, candidate selection processes and policy drafting with interest. I like their line up of candidates which covers a wide range of ethnicity, interests, skills and experience despite the young (to me!) age of most candidates
King Kapisi is not a candidate per se but will be acting as a Youth and Pasifica Ambassador for the IP which is what I had hoped that they would use him for.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?objectid=11276730
Interesting that Laila Harre has not been declared as a candidate for a specific electorate as yet. They seem to be keeping this quiet (secret squirrel) for the present – possibly to see what happens with Craig etc. But my betting is that it will be one of the more contraversial Auckland electorates. (Not sure which electorate she currently lives in.)
Yes, watching out for news of which Auckland electorate Laila will stand in…….
East Coast Bays?
Why do I get the feeling that the US is making things up ?
“ISIL seizes Saddam’s chemical weapons plant”
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/middle-east/10181480/ISIL-seizes-Saddams-chemical-weapons-plant
The USA would know all about those chemical weapons. They supplied Saddam with the material and the know-how so that they could assist Iraq to beat Iran in the 10 year war in the 80s. Which they failed to do. The chemicals were used against Iran and later against the Kurds in the north.
and dozens of isis fighters were trained by americans in a secret camp in jordan..in 2012..a camp set up to train fighters to send in against assad in syria…
..and americas’ best-friend in the area..saudi arabia..is funding isis..
..(it’s a funny old world..isn’t it..?..)
..and the latest snowden-drop makes a liar of john key..and his claims he has not let american spooks spy all over us..
..(i’m sure our media will be all over key about this ‘big-lie’ he has peddled to us..eh..?..
..should i hold my breath..?.
..or are they still lost in the liu..?..)
Using all the petrodollars supplied to it by the USA buying millions of barrels of oil every day.
and round and around they go..
..in a gruesome death-waltz..
..killing people..and killing the planet..
Its all so much of a LOLZ right, as if our memories only stretch back to the past 24 hours, mind you, having said that, expect certain knees to start jerking with considerable agitation over the very thought of ”weapons of mass destruction”…
the other day i described stephen franks as new zealands’ glenn beck..for his jaw-dropping claims on a tv political show last wknd..that what is happening now in iraq..
..has nothing to do with the bush/blair-led invasion of iraq..
quote:..re bush:..’what’s it got to do with him..?’
..well..i did beck a disservice..
..’cos along with the cambridge academics who advised blair pre-invasion..that exactly this would happen..should the invasion go ahead..
..glenn beck has come ot today and said that those who opposed that invasion..were right/correct..
..so clearly franks is more irrational-right than glenn beck..
..whoar..!..eh.?
Wellington’s Dom Post prints some harsh words on David Cunliffe
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/editorials/10179986/Editorial-Scratch-that-itch-while-you-can-David
David Cunliffe itched to be Labour Party leader for years. After losing power in 2008, the party lumbered along under two failing leaders. He barely hid his ambitions to replace them.
Now, 10 months into his tenure, he should take a moment to enjoy the role. Barring a miraculous campaign performance, he’ll be finished soon.
By the way folks, The Brass Razoo solidarity band will be busking in Cuba Mall, Wgtn (towards Manner’s St end) as a little fundraiser for People’s Power Ohariu, Sunday, 22nd June 1 – 2pm, weather permitting. I’ll confirm on Sunday’s Open Mike. Come down for a chat and if you have a spare coin we would gladly relieve you of its burden 🙂
And this little gem from Tracey:
“when dunne said if there is a willing buyer and a willing seller he summed up the only “principle” underlying nz govts since the 80′s.”
reminded me of a “Hey Peter!” billboard we have planned for distribution around the electorate as we move further into campaign time – “Hey Peter! We don’t want a “willing seller” for our Ohariu MP!”
Thanks to Lynn for the post about authorisation too, which comes into effect today. We need to add this to all new billboards.
Just came across this piece of gutter Stuff “journalism” complete with Favourite Cunliffe Gaffe poll.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10173411/David-Cunliffes-catastrophes
So I guess we can look forward to a Favourite John Key Lies poll tomorrow?
Wow. That was stunning, and bordering on sickening. It seems like he is going for a hard out tr**l on a Friday afternoon for laughs.
If you click on the authors name, Michael Daly, it goes to his email address. He got a response from me! I suggested as you did, a list of Key’s lies as well as a list of Key’s “shames” and provided him with some examples, to demonstrate his “sense of journalistic balance”. I also asked whether he was Cameron Slater in disguise.
I suggest anyone with a spare few minutes does so as well. Such utter BS can not go unchallenged
Probably deserves a formal complaint.
The ODT has an incredibly biased Political Editor a la Armstrong. Try this for size; you might need a bucket handy.
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/306529/labour-swap-good-dunedin-mps
I have just written a letter of complaint as follows:
The Editor,
Dunedin has been poorly served by this government; Invermay, Hillside, lack of regional initiatives and so on. Because of this it is with some consternation that I read Dene Mackenzie’s offerings as Political Editor for the ODT. Today’s highly speculative article, “Labour Good Swap for Dunedin MP’s”, is a good example. Mr. Mackenzie quotes an Ipsos poll showing Labour at 23% as gospel. Almost a quarter of the people in this poll said they were undecided. Pundit.com’s respected Poll of Polls currently shows Labour at 29.4% and, along with the Greens, just 9.4% behind National. While Mr. Mackenzie is entitled to his obvious right-wing views, such rank non-factual bias is unbecoming of the ODT.
Geez Beardy, my head is reeling!
Is there a big prize this week for the NZ “journalist” who comes up with the most outlandish hateful anti Cunliffe article? There must be because they are spinning as if their lives depend upon it.
Did you see the stuff one that Richard posted at #16?
Yep agree Rosie it’s horrific. This is what is called NZ’s “free press” ha ha ha ha ha.
Actually this is serious. We now have a press that has shown itself to be so biased that it can no longer be described as free. This is North Korean stuff. Strict control of what appears in the press is symptomatic of a non-democratic state.
the herald continues to stake out the far-right ground..
..this time an op-ed from some far-right british journalist/trout..
..attacking/sneering at the pope and piketty..
..for their daring to criticise capitalism/free-markets..
..(i think this british trout was channeling ayn rand when he wrote this..)
All Apple, Android and Windows phones to have remote “kill switches
Apparently for when your phone is stolen. But pretty handy if the authorities need to force off all smart phones in an area for 24 hours say.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-06-19/ny-ag-says-android-windows-phones-will-have-kill-switch
I just received by email the following letter sent by to all the members and supporters of the Labour party. I am pasting it here for your information:
Thank you for the many messages of support for our leader David Cunliffe and our party. Yesterday, David wrote to you about maintaining our focus on delivering positive change. Over the next three months we’ll be relentlessly focussed on work, homes and families – on the issues that matter most to people across New Zealand. In contrast, our opponents are spending their time on dirty tactics.
Thank you to everyone who continues to campaign so hard on the ground, avoiding the distractions of politics as usual. This election it will be clear that we are about positive politics – and policies that deliver positive improvements. That’s what the New Zealand public want to hear, and what our policy plan is designed to deliver. To quote Parekura, we will need to “hold the line.”
This weekend’s Moderating Committee will profile our future Parliamentary Caucus. It’s also a good time to look back and acknowledge the contribution of this term’s departed and departing MPs. We acknowledge Charles Chauvel, the late Parekura Horomia, Lianne Dalziel, Shane Jones, Ross Robertson, Rajen Prasad and Darien Fenton. We expect to release the 2014 list on Sunday evening or Monday morning.
Warm Regards,
Moira Coatsworth
President
New Zealand Labour Party
BBQ at Grant Robertson’s Sunday 2pm. BYO. No media please.
your head office sure is busy this week fishyanus…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/10181027/Cunliffe-set-himself-up-Key
Reporter: : “David Cunliffe what do you say to those who claim you’re a hypocrite because you live in an expensive house”
Cunliffe: “I do live in an expensive house but thats because my wife and I worked hard to get to where are and took advantage of the opportunities this country afforded us and we want to make sure every kiwi child has the same opportunity to succeed like we did”
Reporter: “David Cunliffe have you ever advocated or had any contact with Mr Donghua Liu”
Cunliffe: “I may have, I’ve been an mp for over ten years and I get contacted by lots of people so I probably have come into contact with him before”
Yeah because thats so difficult
90 days to the election and the Right wing have nothing to give NZers on policy or the major challenges facing the country. Small minded and reaching is how I would describe their pre-election strategy.
Whereas Labours strategy would be stumbling, shooting ones self in the foot and relying on the Greens for direction
Well, I can’t really criticise your take on that
The election will go down to the wire, it’ll be great entertainment
A rewrite of history chris. Would you like a job with Paddy or perhaps Armstrong?
But seriously how hard is it, Cunliffes misfortunes are, by and large, of his own making
I disagree. Yes, he has had mistakes that are his own making, but I think the greater contribution is that of the media, who seem desperate to latch on to any small detail and turn it into a story, no matter how irrelevant in the grand scheme of things it truly is.
Heres the thing though he knows that everything he says will be scrutinized, he knows hes under the microscope and yet the gaffes hes making are making the MSMs jobs so much easier
so if he remembered an electorate office letter signed 11 years ago, you wouldn’t be commenting here to beat up some other perceived imperfection, oozing faux outrage and ill-fitting moral indignation?
yeah, right /sarc
Doesn’t mean Cunliffe has to make it so easy though does it
Cunliffes CV
Cunliffes doer upper house
Cunliffes trust
Cunliffes baby bonus
Cunliffes twitter
On the face of it none of it is really that bad but what picture do you think its building up in swing voters and others who only have a passing interest in politics?
Yeah, that’s the shit.
And we contrast that with jobs for mates, shilling for oravida on the taxpayer dime, tranzrail shares, and still saying a proved electoral fraudster is honest.
And you choose to get all uppity about column A…
The problem for the left is that Cunliffes gaffes are recent so they’ll stick in the mind and are probably helping Labours numbers to fall whereas the examples you’ve given don’t appear to have done anything to Nationals numbers
oh bullshit – the herald would have had a field day with the woodhouse/key contradictions about when and how they saw the letter (if they had been labour ministers).
And you’d be dropping massive godw1ns about government MP’s letters being withheld while opposition mp letters were released, if it was under labour. You fuckers had enough apoplexy under clark – fisi’s head would positively explode if labour had done a fraction of what the current pricks are doing.
twaddle.
labour is on the up and up and the more national tries its tricks the more Labour exhibits its integrity and th emore the country sees who it can trust.
So why is the polling trend for Labour across all the polls on a downward tend?
Labour is suffering in the polls at the moment yes. D.R. is being a tad optimistic. Labour can’t keep its head above 30% to 31% at the moment.
A large chunk is from National finally releasing money into Christchurch after a significiant delay. I guess that having people living in unhealthy hovels is less important to them that winning an election. That has a flow on effect into the NZ local economy.
Plus they just released a budget that was (after some interesting accounting fiddles) perceived as being ok by our economically illiterate media.
However they now have 3 months that they can’t use too many tricks of being the incumbent government, they are well down on their average polling from 2011 this far out, and their coalition parties have imploded.
I guess that is why they resorting to the silly dirty tricks
“I guess that is why they resorting to the silly dirty tricks”
The way I see it is that National and Labour both try dirty tricks on each other (haven’t heard anything from Mallard in a while…) but National are better at it and Labour don’t like it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSx7YB9ed68
I especially liked the way Grant Robertson was trying to shy away from gotcha politics, its fine when Nationals under the pump but suddenly its not on when Labours on the receiving end of it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhWlAKdlQp4
National are reaching and desperate. Dredging up a standard, 11 year old form letter instead of engaging with the issues which are of concern to many NZers.
And the electorate sees that quite clearly.
And the electorate sees that quite clearly.
I don’t care about the media polls. The tide is going out on National and it will be very obvious on E-Day.
National have overplayed a weak, dirty hand.
Some guy was talking on the radio 9 to Noon about how the media in Britain jump on Milliband. Every little thing that he does is amplified and twisted in a remarkably similar way as they do to Cunliffe. Milliband’s rating is in minus territory. Funny that.