Open Mike 21/09/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 21st, 2018 - 51 comments
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51 comments on “Open Mike 21/09/2018 ”

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  1. cleangreen 1
    21 September 2018 at 6:22 am

    So much for new technology to keep us secure eh?

    https://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-facial-recognition-thinks-28-congressmen-look-like-known-criminals-at-default-settings/

    Amazon facial recognition mistakenly confused 28 Congressmen with known criminals

    Amazon is trying to sell its Rekognition facial recognition technology to law enforcment, but the American Civil Liberties Union doesn’t think that’s a very good idea. And today, the ACLU provided some seemingly compelling evidence — by using Amazon’s own tool to compare 25,000 criminal mugshots to members of Congress.
    Sure enough, Amazon’s tool thought 28 different members of Congress looked like people who’ve been arrested.

  2. Carolyn_Nth 2
    21 September 2018 at 7:43 am

    Bernard Hickey doesn’t hold back – telling greedy property owners, pollies and others resistant to change that they are the problem.

    “Dear young renters: you are sooo toast”

    I write this with a sort of tired certainty of having seen this all before. Time and again, I’ve looked deep into the dark heart of our political economy and seen nothing but greed, constructed confusion, obfuscation, selfishness and an unbreakable desire by older property owners never to give up what they believe is rightfully theirs. We’ve had this debate many times before and property owners simply don’t want things to change. It has made them one trillion dollars richer over the last 20 years, and they didn’t pay a cent of tax on that unearned capital gain. It was like manna from heaven, or a lotto win. No one is taking that back gently.

    Only raw political power will change that. No amount of working groups and sage advice and economic modeling will change that.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      21 September 2018 at 11:57 am

      That’s a good article.

    • SPC 2.2
      21 September 2018 at 1:02 pm

      Given most of these older voters vote National, Labour should be bold.

      1. CGT from 1 April 2021, ALL non prime residence property sold after then subject to CGT – income assessed based on historic purchase price.

      2. As a CGT on residential property is too hard (no one in the world does it – because when people move they would have to pay a CGT which lowers their equity in their next property purchased) do what others do – leave it to end of life – estate taxation.

      3. End payment of super to those still working.

      • Andre 2.2.1
        21 September 2018 at 2:06 pm

        The US still has capital gains tax on primary residences. It used to actually have teeth and be broad enough based that it captured most sales of primary residences. I paid CGT on my primary residence sale in 1996, so it’s not impossible to implement one that works. But by now it’s apparently been so weakened with exemptions and loopholes that most primary residence transactions aren’t affected.

        Rather than exempting primary residences from CGT, the better way to alleviate the equity problem you mentioned is to have a rollover provision.

        Say your first house cost $500k. You then sell a few years later for $800k and buy a new place for $1000k. Without a rollover, and a tax rate of 33%, you would have a $100k tax bill, and a cost basis for your new place of $1000k. But with a rollover, you would not pay any tax now, and the cost basis for your new place is $700k (your original $500k plus the extra $200k you’ve paid to upgrade). You’ve effectively deferred tax on that $300k of capital gain to a later date, such as when it’s time to start downsizing, or (God forbid) it’s your estate dealing with your taxes.

  3. Pete 3
    21 September 2018 at 8:35 am

    Judith Collins’ sprays yesterday about recompense for those unfairly chucked out of Housing NZ homes suggests she is again positioning herself as the bulldog strong alternative to the simple wobbly-mouthed one. (No pun intended with the female dog reference.)

    • cleangreen 3.1
      21 September 2018 at 8:37 am

      yes Pete;

      National firstly causes havoc,!!!!!!

      And then blames others for it, every time it seems clear.

    • alwyn 3.2
      21 September 2018 at 9:49 am

      “the simple wobbly-mouthed one”.
      That is a totally unacceptable way of describing the PM.
      Wash you mouth out.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.3
      21 September 2018 at 11:58 am

      Wasn’t one of the people complaining about ex-prisoners getting too much compensation after they were found not guilty of the crime that they’d been imprisoned for?

  4. marty mars 4
    21 September 2018 at 8:53 am

    Get over it – Māori have heard this a lot. I spose she’s here to try and help but…

    “Tel Aviv Foundation chief executive Hila Oren, who calls herself a “citymaker”, said in an interview with Stuff last week that the quakes were “not important at all”, and the city needed to “let it go” and get on with the future.

    The Christchurch Foundation, funded partly by the city council, used corporate sponsorship to cover the $35,000 costs* of Oren’s flights, accommodation and event costs for visit to the city from Israel where she is spending three months as a thinker in residence. Oren donated her time.”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/107240956/controversial-thinkers-let-it-go-comment-branded-hurtful-and-insensitive

    • greywarshark 4.1
      22 September 2018 at 2:29 pm

      WTF
      Any one of us could do as good a job. Thinker in residence? Just NZ cringe factor.
      Why from Israel though, what about one of the Scandinavian countries? Israel has trouble coping with its own thinking, we don’t want to import it here.

  5. SaveNZ 5
    21 September 2018 at 8:59 am

    What happened to warm dry housing for all?

    Or democracy for that matter in people’s communities… The size, scale and privatisation of shared land between properties to remove sun and privacy under the unitary plan is in full swing.

    Would never happen in the UK with 60 million people and tight planning rules to stop the greedy and stupid plans outside of public interest. I don’t even think it could happen in the US… Here in NZ we are rocketing towards planning stupidity, as well as some of the most expensive housing in the world and ones that have the stupidest planning and building regulations that consider everything ‘minor’ effect or not able to be allowed to be included as an effect.

    Why worry though, when it’s the homeowners themselves who are expected to sort out council and developers messes post and during development as developing is a ‘private’ non transparent activity is seems and the first anyone knows of the screw ups are when the builders arrive.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12128678

    • cleangreen 5.1
      21 September 2018 at 9:49 am

      Yes Save NZ; Goood points you raise here.

      The government seemed (under previous labour and national) to fully allow all motorways and truck routes to be built up against housing residential areas!!

      This simply allowed the truck noise, air pollution, and vibration to destroy our suburbs, from 24/7 truck freight noise, vibrations, air pollution to ruin the residential zones!!!!!

      https://www.pce.parliament.nz/media/pdfs/Hawkes-Bay-Expressway-Noise-and-air-quality-issues-June-2005.pdf

      So these ‘short term Governments’ need to wake up and relocate suburbs away from “industrial activities of road truck noise ect’ – roading planning’ before they try to make all homes ‘warm and dry’so make them also safe to occupy without traffic noise,vibration and air pollution as well.

      • Dukeofurl 5.1.1
        21 September 2018 at 10:46 am

        The napier hastings expressway land was reserved for the motorway before the houses were there

        • SaveNZ 5.1.1.1
          21 September 2018 at 11:37 am

          In Auckland we have the opposite problem. Apparently land earmarked for rail and with an existing rail line going from Helensville to Auckland CBD has had the council sell off a small strip of land in Kumeu near the rail way line, apparently and that’s why AT have decided it can’t be used… sounds like an excuse or something that should be rectified unless of course their a reason the council wants to blow hundreds of billions on new rail that has not been built yet and won’t be for years and divert all the people from North West Auckland (in a massive development housing spec situation at present) to Swanson and have them change trains instead of a quick easy 20 minute journey to the city by rail and take commuters off the road that could be done now????

        • cleangreen 5.1.1.2
          21 September 2018 at 3:41 pm

          As usual Dukeofurl you are missing the main -points as to the real issues and reasons why labour Minster of transport Phil Twyford needs to come top Napier and fix their problem they made from 1961 till now.

          Fact;

          The Napier Hastings Motorway was designated in 1961-2 as a “commuter route for the people of Hastings to get to the Airport which the Labour Government awarded to Napier city and since Hastings lost it’s bad to have the airport at Hastings the government offered a “fig leaf to Hastings to build a motorway single lane road each way to the new airport at Napier.

          The Motorway was not designated as a major truck route nor was it designed for trucks.

          So you don’t appear to understand this fact yet, – this was now meant to have been a truck route get that????

          PCE found the same conclusion that the Motorway was planned at another time when we had few heavy vehicles on our roads as rail carried 70% of our entire freight not roads.

          https://www.pce.parliament.nz/media/pdfs/Hawkes-Bay-Expressway-Noise-and-air-quality-issues-June-2005.pdf

          Read the PCE report for Christ sake I am astounded you didn’t read it first.

          Since then when road took over freight the trouble appeared and now is getting worse every year.

          HBRC in 2003 admitted the road was never planned when environmental issues were so strong as today so they need to protact the residents against the traffic emissions now since they need to stop blaming who was right and who was wrong.

          here are the PCE Environmental report after they studied the problems.

          HBRC “Murray Buchannan” see below blamed NCC for allowing homes to be built so close to what then was a 50kms road with few heavy trucks but since then the designation has gone through many changes to allow now four times the numbers of heavy trucks to the port of Napier.

          “HB Today article 25th February 2003 “Residents ask help from Council.”

          Abridged. The Citizens has asked the HBRC to consider the traffic effects of air quality and noise caused from the traffic using the overbridge which is to be completed later this year. Under the regional land transport Strategy the council is obliged to consider the environmental effects of any new traffic route.
           
          The problem has arisen because prior to the expressway construction the Napier City council allowed residential development to abut the proposed road.
           
          “The decision was unwise and made when environmental concerns were not as strong, and awareness of the consequences was much lower”, a council report by Environmental manager Murray Buchanan states.
           
          “Whatever the case, there is no point trying to debate the rights and wrongs of the case as the road is there along with the houses. The only option is to limit the effects of the road on residents.”

          PCE ruling;
           
          5.3 Residential development near the
          expressway
          The expressway’s designation originally passed through mainly rural land –
          the limit of residential development was well clear of the designation. The
          Napier City Council has progressively zoned for residential development on
          both sides of the expressway corridor. Residential development now lies
          close to about a fifth of the expressway’s length. Many houses are close to
          the expressway and several hundred people reside within 60 metres of it.
          These residential areas were designed and built with very little effective
          protection from the adverse effects of expressway traffic. This is testament
          to past approaches to urban and transport planning being quite different to
          those that prevail today.
          5.4 Changes in traffic movement
          Traffic in and around Napier has grown significantly since 1964. Much of
          this is heavy vehicle traffic associated with the Port of Napier. Increasing
          levels of road traffic have been exacerbated by the decline in the movement
          of freight by rail. It has been estimated that heavy goods vehicle (HGV)
          traffic to and from the port will almost double by 2026.19 Vehicle traffic
          movement elsewhere in the region has also grown significantly since
          the 1960s

  6. RedLogix 6
    21 September 2018 at 11:56 am

    I suspect that it will be not available in NZ, but if anyone gets the chances to watch Series 5 of Rake starring Richard Roxhurgh it’s absolutely the best political satire around at the moment:

    Season four of Rake ended on a cliff-hanger with Greene finding out he’d been elected to the Senate, and Roxburgh says taking the show in the new direction has opened up plenty of storylines.

    Still, he jokes there are some places even he won’t go.

    “I don’t think Rake is ready for Barnaby [Joyce]. We have to draw the line somewhere,” he says.

    In talking about the show Roxburgh slips seamlessly between playing himself and speaking as Greene — “I find it very easy to drift into Cleaver” — which can make it hard to pinpoint exactly who you’re talking to.

    So when asked whether Greene would make an improvement on the current group of Australian senators, Roxburgh appears to have his tongue planted firmly in cheek.

    http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-08-17/richard-roxburgh-on-ending-his-role-as-rakes-cleaver-greene/10131706

    The script writers are brutally funny.

    • lprent 6.1
      21 September 2018 at 4:58 pm

      Great. .. I am sure that I can get it somewhere.

      I really did enjoy Rake.

    • greywarshark 6.2
      21 September 2018 at 7:28 pm

      Interesting how abc all the time I was listening to Roxburgh, played a little random jingle over and over. Sort of like being in an adult nursery. Do they think that they are so boring, that people expressing thoughts is too hard for the average joe, that we need accompanying music or noise? behind the speech to keep interested, or even stop us from falling asleep? i have noticed this invasive elevator music creeping in but I don’t find it uplifting.

  7. SPC 7
    21 September 2018 at 1:07 pm

    Oh wow, just wow.

    Grant Robertson is not ruling out tax cuts in 2020, nothing says more about whether Labour is going to fight to make a difference to the deliberate under funding of government capability by National than this.

    Apparently it is prepared to go about it very slowly – because where are people who want improved funding going to go?

    • esoteric pineapples 7.1
      21 September 2018 at 1:20 pm

      I guess they are not beyond thinking bribing voters wins their votes

    • mac1 7.2
      21 September 2018 at 1:43 pm

      SPC, this is what Robertson is quoted to have said.

      “One of the things we’ve written and asked the group to do is to come back to us with a package which is as we say revenue neutral so the amount of tax in the system as whole doesn’t change,” Robertson said on NewstalkZB.

      I’s suggest that from whom the revenue comes from might change.

      Also, it has to be said that this a bit like reading the tea leaves. The cup of tea from which such interpretations may be drawn has not yet even had the leaves grown yet, let alone been brewed.

      Of course Robertson is going to say essentially nothing about tax changes when the still interim report has just been published.

      • veutoviper 7.2.1
        21 September 2018 at 1:59 pm

        Well said, mac1.

        Robertson has not given any indications and would be mad to do so, on the basis of an interim report only which has yet to be considered by – amongst other groups – Cabinet. as certain other Labour Ministers have been reminded just this week. LOL.

        • SPC 7.2.1.1
          21 September 2018 at 4:45 pm

          He has, he has given in to calls on the right that the tax package will be revenue neutral. That is a Cabinet collective decision, inferred now.

      • SPC 7.2.2
        21 September 2018 at 3:13 pm

        Yes, Robertson has committed to NOT improving funding for government by increasing revenues by finally taxing some of the currently untaxed income.

        Thus what way does he afford it?

        By borrowing. No – committment to get debt to GDP to 20%.
        Out of growth. Not quickly – because of a committment to keep government spending to below 30% fo GDP.

        It’s fiscal policy means it intends to be National-lite.

        FFS, the bright-line regime is voluntary as IR has made no efffort to collect it, no change under the current government.

        Fiscally we are on bi-partisan neo-liberal auto-pilot. Where compliant obedience to economic orthodoxy is put before the peoples well-being.

        There are two bold moves that could yet change this, but neither are likely given the timidity so far.

        1. Stop paying super to those over 65 still working – $3Bpa available to government from this.

        2. Instead of funding $2Bpa into the Cullen Fund from tax revenues, take 1% from the employee and 1% from the employer for this.

        • mac1 7.2.2.1
          21 September 2018 at 3:51 pm

          “1. Stop paying super to those over 65 still working – $3Bpa available to government from this.”

          Not a question of timidity, but of utter foolhardiness to try that one.

          2. Instead of funding $2Bpa into the Cullen Fund from tax revenues, take 1% from the employee and 1% from the employer for this.

          In other words create another tax? More foolhardiness, not as much but electorally risky.

          • SPC 7.2.2.1.1
            21 September 2018 at 4:40 pm

            Labour was re-elected in 1987 after placing a surtax on all income earnt by those on super. And that was manifestly unfair because it included private super and other savings income.

            What you do not seem to realise is that already most over 65 vote National because Labour’s WFF tax cut preference to across the board tax cuts means the super amount paid is lower. Labour has already risked more votes (and paid the price) doing this than by the measure I suggest here.

            What is going to happen on the current path, is Labour will get some CGT revenue and then give those over 65 and still working a super payment increase (from the tax cut).

            Both stupid and unjust.

            If they do not ask more of the more privileged of the older haves, why should younger voters (with whom they have a chance) vote for them?

          • SPC 7.2.2.1.2
            21 September 2018 at 4:43 pm

            And it is not foolish to have a reliance on budget surpluses to afford inputs to the Cullen Fund?

            We know that under English there were 9 years without inputs because of this – it’s not a sane way to provide for a known future rise in cost.

            It’s like providing for earthquake insurance for homeowners out of tax revenues rather than premiums. Reckless.

            • Chuck 7.2.2.1.2.1
              21 September 2018 at 5:32 pm

              Stop paying super to those over 65 still working; apart from costing votes for Labour, it would also breach a core NZF bottom line (while Winston is still around anyway).

              Agree to rely on budget surpluses is fraught with danger.

              Increasing the age for super would be a start.

              I was very surprised that Robertson has indicted any tax changes will be revenue neutral. He must be pinning his hopes on growing the tax base (shit that is what I expect a National finance minister to say).

        • lprent 7.2.2.2
          21 September 2018 at 5:12 pm

          One of the reasons that the IRD has been kind of sluggish over the last two decades is because their computer system was essentially state of the art in 1975. But that just meant that the targeting was only really capable to looking at the PAYE level of avoidance. Which is why the majority of the tax take fell on PAYE rather than businesses.

          They are now going to be able to both collect and analyze more data on the cash, deductions, and avoidance economies. All of the assorted bumf is going to be much easier to highlight from the pack. For instance the redline rort is easily detectable with access to the companies office data and land info.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12029264

          It is going to cause a reformation in bookkeeping similar to that caused by the introduction of GST, and including the same benefits like actually knowing when you don’t have a real business but are really running a tax avoidance rort. You wouldn’t believe the numbers of business people who have delusions about how competent they really are.

          And in tax disputes, the taxpayer must disprove an IR allegation. That means increased record-keeping is required, creating an increased compliance cost for all businesses if they are to prove their innocence. Items not previously recorded, such as loss, inefficiency, wastage or theft, may now be vital. So taxpayers must carry the cost of proving their innocence when the computer concludes they are out of line with what it knows based on anonymous and hypothetical models.

          Incidentally, have a look at the GamePlanet conversation around that article.
          https://www.gpforums.co.nz/threads/524211-IRD-s-new-computer-system

  8. esoteric pineapples 8
    21 September 2018 at 1:19 pm

    In an interesting comment I read recently in regards to 1080, someone pointed out that one of the reasons trapping never works as an alternative is because trappers are inclined to keep possum numbers at a level that make them reasonably easy to catch in accessible areas. I thought this story regarding Tahr reflects the same sort of philosophy:

    “In the last couple of decades recreational, safari, and commercial hunters have lobbied for the management of tahr numbers to be left mainly to their own efforts,” said Forest & Bird’s Regional Manager for Canterbury, Nicky Snoyink.

    “Leaving the main management of tahr numbers in the hands of the hunting community has led to the out-of-control population increases. Instead of a population of 10,000 animals we now have a population of over 35,000 tahr on public conservation land and probably closer to 50,000 when non-conservation land is taken into account – five times the maximum population required by the Tahr Control Plan,” she said.

    “While recreational hunting has a role in pest control, it is essential that we do not hand over conservation management to the hunters. Time after time we have learnt that recreational hunting is not up to the task of achieving the desired conservation goals.”

    “Because of the past failures of recreational and commercial hunting we now need to reduce tahr numbers by 80 percent. If the hunting organisations were genuine in their claims that they want to look after the environment they would support DOC’s proposals rather than opposing them,’ says Ms Snoyink.”

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-country/news/article.cfm?c_id=16&objectid=12128057

  10. marty mars 10
    21 September 2018 at 3:12 pm

    Scary – wtf is going on

    “Sixteen children are ill at Carterton’s South End School – reportedly after a low-flying plane released an unknown substance.”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wairarapa/107281930/school-children-sick-after-plane-drops-toxin-over-carterton-school

    • Gabby 10.1
      21 September 2018 at 8:00 pm

      1080?

    • corodale 10.2
      22 September 2018 at 6:33 am

      The world is getting stranger by the day!

      Defense Minister Ron Mark said it appeared a plane had “accidentally sprayed the schools with pesticide”!

      Emergency incident controller Lockyer said, “…unsubstantiated and more unlikely than likely”…

    • greywarshark 10.3
      22 September 2018 at 2:35 pm

      It could be some dealing at the school by a juvenile entrepreneur, or just sharing out their mother’s cooking. Best to wait before offering possibilities.

  11. OnceWasTim 11
    21 September 2018 at 4:15 pm

    I fell asleep to the @Dukeofearl (THANK CHRIST!) . It was a bit of a nanna nap, but thanks anyway Duke.

    I woke up to ‘The Panel’. Actually, it was the pre-cum (15:45) for the benefit of the Duke and his ilk. Tum was filling in for Jum

    I’m wondering if any of them realise just how self-fucking-indulgent they are.
    All that’s wrong with PSB and what they think is the definition of it.

  12. Morrissey 12
    21 September 2018 at 4:52 pm

    “In the deep end with Ruth Money!” guffaws Tim Watkin.
    This dog of a program was today as offensive as it’s ever been.
    The Panel, RNZ National, Friday 21 Sept. 2018
    Tim Watkin, Peter Fa’afiu, Ruth Money, Caitlin Cherry

    The alarm bells started ringing as soon as I heard that Ruth Money, from the outré and discredited S.S. Trust was going to be on the show. And sure enough, straight after the 4 o’clock news, Tim Watkin introduced her by burbling vacuously: “Victims’ advocate and first-time member of the Panel, Ruth Money….”

    First topic for discussion was Meka Whaitiri’s alleged assault of an employee….

    TIM WATKIN: Ruth, you’re a victims’ advocate. How would you deal with this?

    RUTH MONEY: Once again the victim has not got a voice. What about the victim? All we’ve heard about is the alleged perpetrator. I feel like at least an advocate’s voice should have been acting for the, uh, …..[continues talking with marginal coherence]….

    Later, talking to Bryce Edwards about the travails of the coalition government, Watkin added to the ugly and irresponsible tone of the show by endorsing Jacinda Ardern’s morally bankrupt decision to keep our military “trainers” in Iraq…

    TIM WATKIN: There has been some tidying up going on. You can toss the Iraq deployment in with that, too…

    A brief discussion about the Friends of Sherwood’s opposition to 1080 being dropped in Auckland ended with Watkin reading out an email from a listener: “If the Friends of Sherwood are conservationists, then I can call myself a farmer.” This elicited supportive snorts from Money and Fa’afiu. No doubt many listeners thought bitterly of the obvious addition to that statement, viz., IF THE S.S. ARE VICTIMS’ ADVOCATES, THEN LEIGHTON SMITH IS A LEADING THINKER, AND DONALD TRUMP IS A STABLE GENIUS.

    After the 4:30 news, Tim Watkin mentioned the incredible, cloth-eared decision to have the shit pop band Maroon 5 play the halftime show at the Super Bowl in Atlanta. This elicited what will probably be the most embarrassing statement to have been uttered on any radio station anywhere this year….

    PETER FA’AFIU: I love Maroon 5. I think Adam Levien is a great singer!

    For her Soapbox contribution, Money called herself “Ruth the Victim’s Advocate” before embarking on a rant about psychiatric patients, and denouncing what she called “therapeutic culture” which to her mind “endangers public safety.” She said she’s working to “increase rights of victims, tidy that up….”

    Neither Watkin nor Fa’afiu commented on the gross obscenity, the vicious irony of someone like Money calling herself “Ruth the Victims’ Advocate.”

    ad nauseam…

    More on Ruth Money’s appalling and disgusting organization ….

    https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/noelle-mccarthy-swallowed-vomit-for-15.html

    https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/01/why-is-national-radio-or-anyone-still.html

  13. Gabby 13
    21 September 2018 at 6:50 pm

    God forbid dangerous lunatics be kept away from prospective victims morrsisey. Ruth might think that we’re regulated by smug callous bureaucrats. Why, she’s practically Satan.

    • Monty 13.1
      21 September 2018 at 8:24 pm

      Ruth is a dear friend of mine and works tirelessly for the rights of victims and with victims of crime. How dare you call her Satan, I bet if your the victim of a crime you would bless her for what she would do for you behind the scenes and the time she would give you.

      • Gabby 13.1.1
        21 September 2018 at 8:48 pm

        Careful Monty, Morrsisey will put your name on ze list too.

      • Morrissey 13.1.2
        21 September 2018 at 9:13 pm

        Ruth is a dear friend of mine and works tirelessly for the rights of victims and with victims of crime.

        ??? Then what on earth is she doing in that disgusting, discredited organization?

        I bet if your [sic] the victim of a crime you would bless her for what she would do for you behind the scenes and the time she would give you.

        Please ask your “dear friend” to tell you exactly how her S.S. Trust worked behind the scenes after the stabbing to death of a young boy in Manurewa ten years ago.

      • greywarshark 13.1.3
        22 September 2018 at 2:41 pm

        That was hyperbole Monty. You find it here sometimes. We are allowed to criticise your friends and colleagues. You are allowed to correct the excess, but saying don’t ‘dare’ speak wildly is not the way to go.

    • Morrissey 13.2
      21 September 2018 at 9:15 pm

      Gabby, you DO know that she is in the S.S. Trust, do you not? (I note that Watkin was careful not to mention that this afternoon, no doubt at her behest.)

  14. Gabby 14
    21 September 2018 at 6:52 pm

    And how fucking DARE they not share your musical taste. Bastards.

    • Morrissey 14.1
      21 September 2018 at 9:17 pm

      Peter Fa’afiu’s lamentably bad taste in music reflects his commentary: smug, ill informed, complacent and bland.

      • greywarshark 14.1.1
        22 September 2018 at 2:47 pm

        Morrissey – You are a valid person to comment on someone’s smugness, drawing from your own experience. And what is the SS Trust – oh I remember that first call for comment group on anything, the Sensible Sentencing Trust. They don’t sound sensible in their ideas. Why can’t we hear from one of the churches, like the Salvation Army, with a vast experience of trying to guideand help people morally and compassionately?

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    1 day ago

  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.  “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
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    1 day ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
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    1 day ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
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    1 day ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
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    2 days ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
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    2 days ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
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    2 days ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
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    2 days ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
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    2 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
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    2 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
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    3 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
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    3 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
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    3 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
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    3 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
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    3 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
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    3 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
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    3 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
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    4 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
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    4 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
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    4 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
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    4 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
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    4 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
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    4 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
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    5 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
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    6 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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