Open mike 20/10/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:40 am, October 20th, 2013 - 94 comments
Categories: uncategorized - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy). Step right up to the mike…

94 comments on “Open mike 20/10/2013 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    20 October 2013 at 7:14 am

    Hidden in this article ‘Palino denies plot to take down Brown’ in the 9th paragraph.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11142972

    “His words came amid a bitter battle yesterday between senior members of the Palino team and National Party insiders.”

    I sense this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Nats are panicking about the polls and there is a war going on for who takes over from Key. Slater and the tea party fringe support Collins and the other slight less extreme group ( clearly supported by the finders of the NZ Herald) back Joyce.

    What’s going on behind the scenes is the story.

  2. Paul 2
    20 October 2013 at 7:43 am

    We continue to subsidise large Corporates.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11142910

    “Fast-food giant McDonald’s has been paid $272,000 by the Government to help unemployed people get back to work.
    It was part of $22 million in wage subsidies paid by the Ministry for Social Development in four years to June this year, an Official Information Act request reveals.
    Other fast-food chains also received whopper payments – believed to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
    Work and Income deputy chief executive Debbie Power said 21,145 beneficiaries got jobs through the schemes at a cost of $1022 a client.”

    Unbelievable. A true scandal.
    So companies with bad work conditions who fail to pay their workers a living wage get rewarded by this crony government.
    They are the government for the large multinational corporates.
    I wonder how small NZ cafés in competition with these mega corporate bludgers maintain their competitiveness as they don’t go cap in hand to government so they can pay even less on their wages. The free market. What a load of utter bs. Can’t believe that even the ideological free-marketeers can support this.
    Hope Labour and the Greens pick up this story.
    This is wrong from so many angles.

    • David H 2.1
      20 October 2013 at 8:56 am

      So Macca’s get a Grand a ‘client’ so that they can exploit some poor kid on less than the minimum (youth rates) wage. No wonder they are doing so well, soon they won’t need to sell their crap.

      • Paul 2.1.1
        20 October 2013 at 9:00 am

        Wonder if they fire them before 90 days up, if they can get another client for the same price.
        That would be 4k a year off the salary bill.

  3. marty mars 3
    20 October 2013 at 8:36 am

    An interesting read

    Call me old-fashioned, but as far as celebrity outlaws go, I’ll take Ned Kelly over Chopper Read any day…

    Ned Kelly, on the other hand, achieved fame and notoriety for entirely different reasons. The son of an Irish convict, sent to Van Diemen’s Land by the British occupiers for stealing two pigs, Kelly represented a distinct social layer — the often Irish Catholic rural poor who represented one of the lowest rungs in the social order of the white colonisers.

    https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/55165

    Do we have the same affection for the ‘Ned Kelly’s’ of the world here? Who would our ones be – Tame Iti comes closest I think but the outlaw bit is more a media generated selling point than fact imo.

    • The Al1en 3.1
      20 October 2013 at 8:57 am

      No, iti is just a repeat ignorant criminal separatist pushing his own agenda. Hardly a Kelly representing a distinct social layer.

      But good sunday morning chuckle, though. Thanks for that.

      • marty mars 3.1.1
        20 October 2013 at 9:11 am

        Lol – hardly ignorant allen. Can you see any robin hood’s out there allen?

        • weka 3.1.1.1
          20 October 2013 at 10:30 am

          Maybe Robin has to be white to be worthy? 😉

          • The Al1en 3.1.1.1.1
            20 October 2013 at 11:12 am

            “Maybe Robin has to be white to be worthy?”

            Not as far as I’m concerned, so sort of resent the insinuation, if of course it is an insinuation and not just a bit of passive aggressive racism, in which case I resent it a lot.

            • weka 3.1.1.1.1.1
              20 October 2013 at 11:29 am

              I suppose that’s what you get when you throw out casual observations about serious things.

              • The Al1en …
                20 October 2013 at 12:09 pm

                ‘serious things’, no, that can’t be right.

                There’s no link between not accepting iti a kiwi icon and me being a racist, casual comment or not, so I’m still not sure why you’d do that, but put your pitch fork away, love, I don’t care if an arseh*le is black, white, brown or yellow, the colour of mine won’t stop me calling one out.

                • weka …
                  20 October 2013 at 12:49 pm

                  It doesn’t bother me if you don’t accept Iti as a kiwi icon (not sure that’s what marty was doing anyway). We are allowed to disagree after all. I was just responding, in like, to your superficial characterisation of the man.

                  Was Robin Hood an arsehole? How would we know?

                  • The Al1en …
                    20 October 2013 at 12:53 pm

                    iti is no Hood, but nice try with the iconisation through association by stealth 😆

                    • weka …
                      20 October 2013 at 3:18 pm

                      I don’t think Iti is a Hood. Nor a NZ icon. Nice try at rewriting my comments though. And avoiding what I actually said.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 4:53 pm

                      You’re so right, I don’t know whether Hood wasn’t an arsehat, but I won’t insinuate racism as the reason if a non anglo saxon says he was. Know what I mean?

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 6:51 pm

                      Fame at last The Al1en, shining from a Star.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 7:59 pm

                      I don’t know if you’re telling me off again, or not, but I’m quite sure it’s not warranted if you are. Nothing controversial or infamous here.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:11 pm

                      I have never been so Bold ; clearly you can play at this level.
                      ( Texas hold ’em y’all. 😉

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:27 pm

                      I wasn’t playing, just disagreeing with a comrade and then clearing up a what I considered to be a bit of a cheap shot. No biggie, really.

                      It’s not like I hide aces up my sleeve or anything.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:30 pm

                      Hiding Aces can get ya shot for no-good reason.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:33 pm

                      And the two of cauliflowers get you clubs

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:37 pm

                      Good Game! Cambridge Rules.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:43 pm

                      Only in the boatrace

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:45 pm

                      sleight of hand.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 8:55 pm

                      “sleight of hand, also known as prestidigitation (“quick fingers”) ”

                      Sounds like a scandal I’d be assured of coming out better than 4/10

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 9:03 pm

                      unwell ends. To lose the Way is easy.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 9:14 pm

                      24 well-followed steps. (I say goddamn The Pusher man).

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 9:28 pm

                      The Newton bomb – Every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Push back.

                    • weka …
                      20 October 2013 at 9:42 pm

                      “You’re so right, I don’t know whether Hood wasn’t an arsehat, but I won’t insinuate racism as the reason if a non anglo saxon says he was. Know what I mean?”

                      Not really. I have no idea if you are racist or not*. My original comment was just a way of mirroring how superficial and off-point your comment about Iti was. I think it just derailed a potentially interesting conversation that marty started. But fair doos, I carried on the derailment 🙂

                      *although I always find it interesting that being accused of being racist is worse than actually being racist.

                      “iti is no Hood” is such a lovely sentence construction.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:06 pm

                      “Not really. I have no idea if you are racist or not*”

                      I’m surprised you can’t tell, either way, seeing you’re usually so perceptive and all.

                      *although I always find it interesting that being accused of being racist is worse than actually being racist.”

                      Well I’m sure that’s not true, but falsely accused is still pretty bad, especially when it’s something like racist, wife beater or terrorist for example.

                      ““iti is no Hood” is such a lovely sentence construction.”

                      My bad luck the booker prize has already gone, though truth be told I fluked it, so probably not so meritus really.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:11 pm

                      “Effortlessly 😀 ”

                      And these are the big girlz and boyz you’re so in awe of? 😆

                      You’re having a bubble, bruv.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:21 pm

                      open-eyed 😀 (not a lot to compare in the Styx).

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:35 pm

                      “open-eyed 😀 (not a lot to compare in the Styx).”

                      Brave new world never looks better than the first time you see it.
                      Slip the ferryman a quid and have a butchers.

                    • weka …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:44 pm

                      ““iti is no Hood” is such a lovely sentence construction.”

                      My bad luck the booker prize has already gone, though truth be told I fluked it, so probably not so meritus really.

                      I think it was a combined effort :-p Plus a late appreciation on my part of the use of the lower case for iti 🙂

                      Racism… I tend to the view that we have all internalised racism to an extent, so I don’t consider questioning racism in people to be the Big Bad Thing you do. If you say to me that you are not racist, to be honest I don’t even know what that means. Racism is so complex and such a multiplicity of things, can any of us say we are truely completely free of racism? (well, yes, we can say it, but what does it mean?). I’m also not a fan of the idea that racists/wife beaters/terrorists are only those bad people over there, different from us, and us non-racists over here are the good people.

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 10:59 pm

                      “Plus a late appreciation on my part of the use of the lower case for iti”

                      See, now there’s the perception thing I was talking about 😉
                      Again, not a racist thing, but definitely deliberate to indicate my lack of respect for the bloke. Well spotted.

                      “can any of us say we are truly* completely free of racism?”

                      I can say I don’t judge my worth to be better than another’s because of the colour of our skins, just like I don’t think worse of women for not being men.
                      I don’t know if that makes me uniquely not racist and sexist, but I hope not.

                      Ps.
                      * I edited the word ‘truly’ in your quote when I was composing my reply as the little red line underneath it was pissing me off 😉

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:10 pm

                      [Won’t] “pay the ferryman ’til he gets me to the other side”

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:11 pm

                      Get a gold card off Winston and you’ll be sorted, pops. 🙂

                    • weka …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:45 pm

                      Maybe that’s the beauty of the sentence too, because I liked the te reo puns and the juxtaposition with English language rules of capitalisation (iti is no Hood, Iti is no hood), without seeing that as being a slight against Tame.

                      “I can say I don’t judge my worth to be better than another’s because of the colour of our skins, just like I don’t think worse of women for not being men.
                      I don’t know if that makes me uniquely not racist and sexist, but I hope not.”

                      And if that was the full extent of what racism is (or sexism) I might agree with you 🙂

                    • weka …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:47 pm

                      Anyway, going back to Robin, I don’t know that much about the meta-cultural aspects of that particular tale, who was telling the story for instance, and whether one can be an arsehole and useful to the community at the same time.

                      Likewise Ned Kelly. Was there an elevation of one criminal over another? Why?

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:52 pm

                      “Maybe that’s the beauty of the sentence too, because I liked the te reo puns and the juxtaposition with English language rules of capitalisation (iti is no Hood, Iti is no hood), without seeing that as being a slight against Tame.”

                      I’ll take your word for it. Human isn’t my first language 😉

                      “And if that was the full extent of what racism is (or sexism) I might agree with you”

                      Full extent or not, without a check list, it’ll have to do for starters. 🙂

                    • The Al1en …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:56 pm

                      “who was telling the story for instance, and whether one can be an arsehole and useful to the community at the same time.”

                      From recent personal experience, though free of criminal activity, I would have to answer yes and yes. 😆

                      Good night, Weka.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      20 October 2013 at 11:59 pm

                      Rust Never Sleeps Crazy Horse.

                    • The Al1en …
                      21 October 2013 at 12:01 am

                      That aint no rust, that’s my ferric oxide.

                      Night, Rogue.

                    • Rogue Trooper …
                      21 October 2013 at 12:11 am

                      ferrous, the two of us, than to Try valiantly

      • McFlock 3.1.2
        20 October 2013 at 5:13 pm

        That’s probably what a few folk said about kelly at the time – in fact even to this day.

        I guess one has to recognise the existence of a distinct social layer and the validity of its concerns before one can distinguish between a common criminal and someone reacting to systemic injustice – or indeed recognise that the two might be one and the same.

        I’d say that Iti is much more aware of his context within any political issues than Kelly every was.

      • Adele 3.1.3
        21 October 2013 at 7:07 am

        Al1en

        No, iti is just a repeat ignorant criminal separatist pushing his own agenda. Hardly a Kelly representing a distinct social layer.

        You wouldn’t know an ignorant criminal separatist if he/she bit you on your overinflated arse.

        Tame is very much an icon in Aotearoa. Not perhaps to the racist, neo-colonialist, white supremacist, paternalistic, or ignorant (tick the box). His name will be spoken after his death and his legend will perpetuate as tūpuna.

        Unlike Kelly, Tame has never killed anyone. He has not robbed multiple banks, or taken hostages. His shooting to death of a flag and firearms convictions has no moral equivalence to the killing of three policemen – yet, Kelly is iconic and Tame is a criminal separatist.

        Tame’s story is one of a continuous and consistent conflict against an inherently corrupt system. That social layer that you are too cock-eyed to perceive is greatly evident in Māori homes and hearts. Tame represents a significant voice – his is not a monologue.

        • The Al1en 3.1.3.1
          21 October 2013 at 7:24 am

          “You wouldn’t know an ignorant criminal separatist if he/she bit you on your overinflated arse.”

          I throw that back right at you 😆

          “. Not perhaps to the racist, neo-colonialist, white supremacist, paternalistic, or ignorant (tick the box). ”

          None of the above, but nice try.

          “His name will be spoken after his death and his legend will perpetuate as tūpuna.”

          I’m guessing only by the very easily impressed.

          ” yet, Kelly is iconic and Tame is a criminal separatist.”

          Fair comment, at last 😉

          “Tame represents a significant voice ”

          See comment RE: Easily led

          ps. You suck 😆

          • weka 3.1.3.1.1
            21 October 2013 at 8:15 am

            What was the point of that reply? It doesn’t actually say anything? I thought Adele raised some good points deserving of consideration.

            • The Al1en 3.1.3.1.1.1
              21 October 2013 at 8:46 am

              Yeah, I replied as I saw fit, but you’re free to consider and give your own opinion though, being a free country and all.
              I might even read it after work.

          • Adele 3.1.3.1.2
            21 October 2013 at 8:41 pm

            Al1en

            I don’t suck actually.

            I think you are ignorant. Your prejudices are obvious which makes you also a hypocrite.

            I think you are part of that other Labour. The Labour that is narrow-minded, with bourgeois tendencies, and has pretensions towards egalitarianism. That other Labour that wouldn’t know a worker if they fell over the mop.

            I can’t debate with ignorance. It’s a waste of energy and precious time (insert emoticon shaped like a pūkana).

  4. The Al1en 4
    20 October 2013 at 9:18 am

    Ignorant is relative, I s’pose.

    No Robin hood, but the wannabe merry men playing in the forest should note that video evidence will be admissible next time 😉

  5. The Al1en 5
    20 October 2013 at 9:31 am

    Pompous is relative, I s’pose 😉

    Good job I didn’t try and spin a nugget into a treasured national icon then.
    But of course your opinion is just that, a personal opinion, yet probably not one representative of the wider Kiwi community.

  6. Morrissey 6
    20 October 2013 at 9:48 am

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/18/thinktanks-kurt-campbell-lowy-institute

    It’s time we stopped drinking the thinktank kool-aid
    Business, power and politics rarely mix without controversy. It’s essential that the media asks the uncomfortable questions
    by ANTONY LOEWENSTEIN, The Guardian, 18 October 2013

    The ABC TV Lateline interview with Kurt Campbell, former US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, was cordial, even reverential. It was conducted in the middle of March this year, more than a month after Campbell had left the state department.

    Interviewer Emma Alberici asked Campbell about the transformation of Burma and the release of Aung San Suu Kyi. He gushed that it was remarkable, and gave some folksy anecdotes about a “better future” for the Burmese. The interview then swiftly moved on to focus on the prospects of Hillary Clinton running for president in 2016. There were no questions about Campbell’s push for greater ties with the Indonesian military despite its shocking record of abuse in West Papua.

    There were also no questions about Campbell’s Washington and Singapore-based investment organisation, the Asia Group, and its efforts to win lucrative contracts across the Asia-Pacific region. After all, his company had been launched before this interview took place and surely warranted some questions about the appropriateness of setting up a company so soon after leaving government.

    It might be considered an example of the unwillingness of the mainstream media to challenge potential conflicts of interest when it comes to the murky melding of business and politics. With the announcement in August by the Lowy Institute that Campbell was its 2013 distinguished international fellow, it’s vital to question the ways in which our media has drunk the thinktank kool-aid.

    The Lowy Institute sees itself as Australia’s leading foreign affairs thinktank. Its fellows and staff routinely appear in the media pontificating about global affairs, including a push for greater defence spending that would allow countless contractors to earn billions of dollars. Its head Michael Fullilove, who’s also a non-resident senior fellow in foreign affairs at the Brookings Institution, writes longingly about former US national security advisor Henry Kissinger as a “realist”, despite…

    Read more….
    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/18/thinktanks-kurt-campbell-lowy-institute

  7. bad12 7
    20 October 2013 at 9:53 am

    ”Give them a taste of Jake the Muss”, so said actor Temuera Morrison in the lead up to last nights televising of the All Blacks V Wallabies ‘bloody-slow cup’ rugby game in Dunedin last night,

    You seriously have to wonder what the f**k goes on in the minds of the New Zealand Rugby Union or Sky Television if this were solely the work of the broadcaster,

    The character of ‘Jake the Muss’ from the movie ‘Once Were Warriors’, for anyone that doesn’t know, was an alcoholic child abusing wife beater at the head of a totally dysfunctional family who had among His friends at least one child molester happily brought home to the party,

    And that’s what the New Zealand Rugby Union wants to portray on prime time television as an example to and of our All Black team???,

    Whoever in the NZRFU sanctioned that piece of ugliness to be used in conjunction with the All Blacks name should be given the kick into touch they fully deserve…

    • miravox 7.1
      20 October 2013 at 10:17 am

      That’s appalling and certainly doesn’t fit with the NZRU social responsibility aims – rugby is still meant to be a family game isn’t it?

      I’ll stop watching the ABs if they start going down that road. I didn’t see it where I watched the game – I’m guessing it was a particular channel?

      • bad12 7.1.1
        20 October 2013 at 10:44 am

        No Sky TV here, so it was Prime Television, Sky’s poorer sister that broadcast this particular ugly piece of jingoism which could have only appealed to the most crass of rugby supporters,

        At first i thought ‘the piece’ was simply an ‘Ad’ but as it continued, 5-10 minutes, my disgust rose and it ended up spoiling what was a ‘festival type’ game of running rugby where the All Blacks seemed to give the Wallaby’s every chance to shine,

        ‘Jake the Muss’ as portrayed by Morrison in the ‘Once Were Warriors film’ brought to life for many in this country an impoverished section of New Zealand society inflicted with all the negative social baggage that such poverty brings, in a word ugly,

        Temuera Morrison, obviously paid for His work screened on Prime Television last night, making references connecting both ‘Jake the Muss’ and ‘Once were Warriors’ to the All Blacks playing in Dunedin last night was for want of any better vocabulary equally as ‘ugly’…

        • muzza 7.1.1.1
          20 October 2013 at 11:18 am

          Well the NZRU have allowed AIG to be a major sponsor, so anything is possible I guess!

          AIG – Responsible for abuse of men, women and children of all age, among other financial crimes etc.

        • miravox 7.1.1.2
          20 October 2013 at 9:35 pm

          I share your view that it’s ‘ugly’. Worth a note to the NZRU about whether they want to be associated with this type of promotion of their sport – especially given that there appears to be links between watching rugby and domestic violence and NZRU has a social responsibility programme.

          e.g. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10829563

          I’ve met so many people who believes this stuff doesn’t happen (or only happens in a few Maori families so don’t see anything wrong with a ‘fictional’ portrayals of these men (thanks, Alan Duff for not putting any Pakeha dysfunctional families in the movie to reinforce the stereotypes and division). So I guess that whoever did this and approved it comes from those who approve of the the ‘Muss’ behaviour, believe it’s a fiction, or have never seen the movie and just see a hero.

          Tem Morrison should take a good hard look at what he’s selling himself for as well.

    • QoT 7.2
      20 October 2013 at 10:29 am

      WTF. Bookmarking this for the next time an All Black gets a discharge without conviction for beating his partner …

    • Murray Olsen 7.3
      20 October 2013 at 9:35 pm

      The idiots in charge of the Warriors decided at one stage to give every player a theme song, which they’d play at the stadium. Steve Kearney got the theme to Once Were Warriors and kicked up a stink until they got rid of it. Once again the black wifebeater wearing crowd showed itself 20 years ahead of the lounge suit wearing dinosaurs running union.

      • miravox 7.3.1
        21 October 2013 at 2:56 am

        I always thought Steve Kearney seemed like one of the good guys. Pleased to to see there was a reason to think that.

  8. Te Reo Putake 8
    20 October 2013 at 10:06 am

    GREAT SPEECHES OF OUR TIME

    Accurately transcribed by Morrissey.

    No1. MLK.

    And so even though we face the difficulties of Toady and Tamara, I still have a drain. It is a drain deeply rooted in the American drain, leading down from the mountain top.

    LONG EMBARRASSED SILENCE.

    I have a train that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true moaning of the band Creed: “We hold these truths to be half-evident, that all men are created. Equal is as good as sugar.

    I have a dram that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sun will shine on farmers and farmer slaves and the sons of former farmer slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table at the back of the restaurant, by the toilet of brotherhood.

    I have droned that one day even the state of Mrs Hippy, a state swallowing the plate of justice, will be transformed into an oasis of fruit and juices.

    I have a dream that my four little chickens will one day live in animation where they will not be judged by the color of their crispy skins but by the content of their charcoal.

    NEXT WEEK: FROST/NIXON:

    Nixon: I am not a crockpot!

    Frost: LONG EMBARRASSED SILENCE

  9. greywarbler 9
    20 October 2013 at 10:38 am

    Just a reminder about a lecture on a topic close to our hearts- for Wednesday 30th.
    2013 Bruce Jesson Lecture:
    Sir Edmund Thomas –
    Reducing Inequality: A Strategy for a Cause

    The speaker, a Distinguished Fellow at the Law School at The University of Auckland, argues that the gross inequality in income and wealth which besets New Zealand is the outcome of the neo-liberal economic measures of the mid-1980s and early 1990s and the culture of liberal individualism and unfettered free market ideology which it spawned.
    A breakdown in social cohesion and a sense of community is the result. Reforms to counter this inequality are widely mooted. But increasing focus and discussion on the topic is confronted by a plethora of mantras and myths purveyed by the rich and powerful. The stimulus for change is deadened.
    The speaker advances a strategy designed to provide a coherent impetus to reduce the rank inequality that now prevails.
    The Rt Hon Sir Edmund Thomas will deliver the 2013 lecture on Wednesday 30 October, 6.30pm, at the Maidment Theatre (bar opens at 5.30pm).

  10. Rogue Trooper 10
    20 October 2013 at 11:59 am

    Winston Peters, on a ‘State Insurer’, and an early election (April ; fools ’em every-time ) 😀
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11143113

    • RedBaronCv 10.1
      20 October 2013 at 4:15 pm

      He could go a lot further than that. Insurers are pocketing about a billion dollars a year from homeowner insurance premiums. Are they subsidising something else with this money?

  11. greywarbler 11
    20 October 2013 at 12:06 pm

    Interesting stuff we should all know about.
    Deposit guarantee scheme, depositor insurance, capped bank scheme – only Israel and New Zealand don’t have these in the OECD.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday
    Audio will follow soon.

    11.40 Wayne Brittenden’s Counterpoint
    Five years ago this month the global financial decline kicked in deeply. Wayne looks at the implications of the next meltdown that some punters are predicting, and the potential for serious social unrest. Chris follows up with Dr Bill Rosenberg, economist at the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions.

    The British were apparently freaked out by bankers like Goldman Sachs into with scary scenarios
    of rioting and looting if banks collapsed.

    Bill Rosenberg says that NZ’s bank accounts can be as low at times half of NZs with bank a/cs have less than $580 in their account. How would we manage if there was a collapse of our banks?

    Most of our banks are owned by Australians – except Kiwibank thanks Mr Anderton, and some ex building society ones still not sold off to furriners. Australian banks have a deposit guarantee scheme but it doesn’t apply to us though we banks with those Oz banks in NZ! The usual way of treating NZ by that country. The funds of Australian banks would be drawn on to meet their obligations in Oz. It could be that funds from their branches in NZ would be utilised to meet the extra demand, with no legal responsibility to provide for us here. Great, Ansett all over again. Getting NZ to pay for what would be otherwise an Oz obligation. We bought Ansett, like naive idiots, and we naively have allowed Oz to get their beefy hands on our banks too in line with our friendly relationship under CER.

    Also interesting.
    Sir Alan Mark – Wise Response Update ( 10′ 41″ )
    09:45 Sir Alan Mark talks with Chris about the progress of the Wise Response
    initiative – backed by a number of well known New Zealanders – that asks politicians to
    acknowledge environmental, economic and social risks affecting us all.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/sunday

    • Rogue Trooper 11.1
      20 October 2013 at 12:25 pm

      became friends with a chap yesterday, a soil scientist for a large fertilizer company, and he’s english, yet he confirms all the criticisms environmentalists on the left have of current farming practises and fracking in particular. Sees his role as mitigating the influences of farmer’s fathers and grandfathers upon the practises of today. Also not a supporter of the RWSS.

    • Chooky 11.2
      20 October 2013 at 1:43 pm

      ..thanks greywarbler…will listen

    • Clare 11.3
      20 October 2013 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks for that. I have been aware of this problem for some time and emailed the RBNZ and other trading banks. They said the government needed to legislate as the Oz government did. So I emailed the PM and was politely told to sling my hook.
      I’ve no doubt that we would be the losers with the Oz banks taking from NZ savers to give to Oz customers.

  13. Draco T Bastard 13
    20 October 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Edison’s revenge

    It seems that DC power is becoming fashionable.

  14. greywarbler 14
    20 October 2013 at 9:54 pm

    There was a connection between two items on Radionz tonight. One was the news that fire services in Australia are fairly sure that some will have been deliberately set by firebugs crazy enough to trash lives and the environment .

    Destructive bugs have travelled in wood used in crates and pallets etc in shipping between countries. The more shipping, the more the problem. A lot of the extra exports and imports caused by the free market with countries taking a deliberate bias against being self-sufficient has resulted in the spread of insect bugs to new countries where the trees have no natural weapons against them and they are trashing the environment.

    One has a name like the emerald beetle which is killing ash trees big time along with a fungus called ash dieback and between them have decimated ash trees in the west with 99 per cent having died off in some places.

    Then there is a red fungus that has hit plane trees in Europe and has spread along the line of established trees lining French canals.

    Then there is a bug that is serious that is being spread by campers in Canada and USA who take their own firewood with them, which includes the bugs which on their own would not be able to spread this far. Probably it is something that good campers have always done so that they don’t touch the natural forest environment, but it is turning out to be a bad thing.

    All very bad news for a planet that is in a delicate state of imbalance already. Trees are supposed to be great helpers – they are going to be under pressure from droughts, torrential rainfall, high winds, now insects and organisms that are practically unstoppable. And then there are humans that are in a strange space. They think and act not like informed, educated, thoughtful modern men, nor do they think and act like savvy ancient men. They are another sort of scourge that we have bred and allowed to be dragged up by whoever, and they might be the catalyst that brings our demise, not climate change.

  15. Ugly Truth 15
    20 October 2013 at 10:30 pm

    Fox News plays dubbed audio of stenogapher Dianne Reidy’s rant. There’s some audio missing at the beginning, but they make it look like they reported what she said from the podium.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3yfOhwF0DV8

    “She said something about the devil. It was sudden, confusing and heartbreaking. She is normally a gentle soul.” ~ Ros-Lehtinen

    Incomplete transcript:

    “He will NOT be mocked!” (x3)

    (from the elevator:)

    “The greatest deception here, is this is NOT one nation under God. It never was. Had it been…no…it would not have been…the Constitution would not have been written by Freemasons that go against God. You cannot server two masters! You cannot serve two masters… Praise be to God and the Lord Jesus Christ!”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-26T23:32:04+00:00